She's Coming Home!!!

I'm so happy to report that my daughter, Corporal Kristina Lockhart Beko will be coming back from her 7 month deployment to Afghanistan in just a few days! Just a couple of weeks ago, she was promoted to Corporal which was her second meritorious promotion since joining the United States Marines. We are so very proud of her and her accomplishments and the fact that she serves her country with pride.

While I wasn't able to participate in the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend blog hop this year, I did want to post and thank all the wonderful cardmakers out there for their time and talents in keeping our military members supplied with cards to send home. Kristina loved receiving the boxes that Sandy sent to her and her fellow Marines did as well. Lots of family and friends of ours received so many beautiful hand made cards thanks to all you wonderful card makers! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I thought I'd share a few pictures that she took while in Afghanistan. I hope you enjoy them!

 This was taken when she first arrived at Camp Leatherneck. November 2010

 Truck in the middle with the big #1 is what she drives..

 Common site of Camels traveling around the villages.

 Kristina and her fellow Marines enjoying cookies from Archway and Valentines Cards from Operation Write Home!

 This would be her sleeping quarters. She keeps it nice and neat just like home..LOL

 Promoting to Corporal! OOHRAH Baby Girl!

 Standing in the poppy fields..

 Goofing around in the back of the dump truck!

Kristina with all the cards she received for her 21st Birthday

Kristina with the Afghan kids. 

Caleb, Kristina, JB and Luque! I can't wait to hug them all! 

Purse-onally I Think Your The Best!

Hi Friends!

Hope you are all having a great weekend. I worked today (boo) and then took some pictures of a dear friends daughter for her Senior Prom. Ashlynn was just gorgeous. It's hard to believe that 3 years ago my daughter was attending her Senior Prom and now she's a United States Marine currently deployed in Afghanistan. Where does the time go?

Here's a few photos of the gorgeous young lady I photographed today.

Isn't she the cutest!!

Today, I am sharing a card I made with a GinaK Designs stamp set by Rupa Shevde called Retro Boutique.
These purses are just too cute. I paper pieced them after stamping the image and then cut the image out with my Nestabilities.  Patterned paper is Basic Grey.  I added buttons and bling for my accents.

Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with another card to share.

Cherry Blossoms

Hi everyone,

Today was a total washout. Nothing but Severe Weather.. Rain, Wind, Tornadoes and over 5 inches of rain in some parts of my area. We got almost 4 inches, but my parents got over 5 inches. Luckily no damage to our house but the high winds did damage our shed out back.

So, today was a perfect day to make some cards. I had the day off of work because I have to work on Saturday... *BOO!

I used a sketch to make my card today. This sketch is from StampTV and I just loved it.
Here is a picture of the sketch:

This is my card:

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Cherry Blossom by Rubber Stampede; Sentiment stamp from GinaK Designs
Paper: Card base is GinaK Designs 120lb base weight white cardstock. Patterned paper is Basic Grey.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black -Stampin Up Regal Rose for the shading around the image.
Accessories: Nestabilities: Scalloped Rectangles, Beaded Circles and Fancy Tags. Pearls for embellies.


I hope you enjoyed my card today. I'll be back tomorrow with another!

Bunny Hop Time!!

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Bunny Hop! We have a great line up today of awesome card makers who love to support our troops! Make sure you start the "Bunny Hop" at the beginning  so you don't miss a step along the way.

I've been under the weather all week with "Spring Time Allergies". The pollen count here in Florida has been way above normal and low and behold I've been bed ridden for 3 days with a nasty chest cold compliments of the allergies. YUCK! I'm actually missing the baby shower of very dear friend's daughter today because I don't want to pass this on to her or anyone else for that matter. I'm really bummed about missing the shower but just can't take a chance on getting the mother to be sick.

Before I share my card with you, please take note that the deadline to mail in your Easter Cards is March 18th and the deadline for Mother's Day Cards is March 31st.

Now on to my card... this cute little bunny is from Darcy's and I have had him for years. I love inking him up at Easter time!  I colored him with copics and cut him out with my scalloped rectangle nesties. I sponged around the corners before I removed the image with Ranger Distress Ink "Broken China".  I added a little piece of ribbon and then my sentiment.

If you haven't already looked around the Operation Write Home website, might I suggest you take a peek at the "Get Involved" page. Every little bit counts in helping support our troops.

Trivia Question: 


How many members of my family are actively serving in the military at this time?

For each correct answer, I will donate .25 cents to OWH.  Leave your answer in the comments section. Oh.. and you can find the answer to this question on the Operation Write Home website.. you might have to do a little digging.. but it's there. Your answer must be posted by midnight on Monday March 7th to count.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed your visit and make sure your next stop is Michelle

OWH Stars and Stamps Sketch Challenge # 57

Hi Everyone!  I know it's been MONTHS since I've blogged, but that crazy thing called LIFE has been standing in my way!  I have made a vow to start posting again frequently and to get back in my craft room more than once a month!  My goal is to make at least one card per night for the next month! Let's see if I can do it! Wish me luck!

So, I decided to try out this weeks sketch challenge from OWH Starts and Stamps..
Here is the sketch...

I made two cards using this sketch, but changed the second one up a little.

Here's my first card:  I used K&Co design paper. I distressed the DP and then inked the edges with Distress Ink. The sentiment is from Just Right Stamps.  The embellies are also from K& Co.

The second card is just reversed on the sketch.

I'm looking forward to participating in the upcoming hop to be held on March 5th! I hope you'll mark your calendar to make sure you check out all the blogs participating to see the beautiful cards everyone will be showcasing.

Have a great night everyone!

Success! Cards for Operation Write Home!

Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Saturday was a day of reflection and prayer for our country as we marked the 9th anniversary of the tragic events on September 11, 2001. I know like all of you, I will NEVER FORGET that day.  I pray that those who lost a husband, wife, son, daughter, friend or family member will be comforted by the loving memory of their loved one.

Two of my dear friends came over and we spent the day and into the night making cards for Operation Write Home. It was a successful day, with almost 30 cards made by the three of us. I wish we could have done more, but, we will have more get togethers soon!

Here's a collage of the cards we did get finished.

Thanks to Lynn and Amanda for helping me make these great cards! 
I'll be back tomorrow with another post! Have a Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday to My BFF

Kelli Sue Barrett Pittman. Born September 7th, and has been my best friend for the past 16 years. We've been through lots of ups and downs, laughed, cried, and always been there for each other.

I am blessed to have such a wonderful friend. Kelli is one of the most caring, thoughtful and generous persons I have ever known. She's got my back, just like I have hers. She is beautiful on the inside and out. She is like a sister to me.

Kelli, I hope you have a wonderful birthday, filled with love and all the things that make you happy. You are an amazing friend, amazing mother and I know that God has great plans for you. 

Always remember you are loved and cherished by so many people, especially me!

Operation Write Home - Birthday Bash!

Saturday, I'm having some friends over to make cards for Operation Write Home. I am very excited to get together for a day of friendship and crafting for a great cause. 

My goal is to make at least 100 cards to send to our troops! If you are local and would like to join us, please do!

Here is a card I don't think I've shared. I just love HouseMouse stamps. I really need to use more of them.


Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. I had a nice one even though the weather wasn't that great. Good thing, the work week will be short!
I should have another card to share with you tomorrow night.

Thanks for stopping by!

Missing You is Ruff!

Hi Everyone! I promised I'd be back tonight with some cards to share. I had such a fun time making these cards!

I followed a tutorial I found at Gina K's Stamp TV found here

The first card is made with a new stamp I purchased at StampFest in Orlando back in June. I bought it from Inky Antics and just love this little dog and the sentiment that goes with it.

The second card is similar but I didn't use the reverse nestabilities technique.

The last card I used one of my Gorjus Girls stamps by Sugar Nellie. I just love this little girl. Again, I used the Gina K reverse nestabilities technique. It's really very easy to do and I love the look of these cards!

I am hoping to get some cards made this weekend. I'm currently planning a get together to make cards for the troops for Operation Write Home. September is their big Birthday Bash and I'd love to send them a great big batch of cards! I'm looking to have the stamping get together on September 11th. If you are in the area and would like to join me, please let me know! I'd love to have you!

Card Details:


Stamps: Inky Antics and Gorjus Girls
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Coloring: Copic Markers
Cardstock: Stampin Up
Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Folder Swiss Dots


Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful Friday!

A Busy Summer!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Father's Day! I fully intend to start blogging on a regular basis again. I hope you all have had a wonderful summer! We had a wonderful time at our annual beach vacation in New Smyrna Beach.I celebrated my 29th birthday again while we were at the beach this year. (LOL)  It was a great time, my best friend and her son came this year and my son Eric was actually able to come for a couple days and spend my birthday with me. He hadn't been to the beach with us in about 4 years.

We've also been spending a lot of time on the boat this year. The weather has been so gorgeous this summer but extremely hot!  I really enjoy boating. It is so relaxing to be out on the water.

Here's a photo of my niece Adele on her first attempt wakeboarding. She has become the little expert after a week of practice!

Happy Father's Day!

Today is the day we celebrate or remember that special Dad in our life. I am so blessed to have a wonderful Dad. This is my Dad...

I am a very lucky girl to have such a wonderful father. He is my mentor, my friend and my inspiration. I love you Dad!

Today, I have a couple of cards to share. Yesterday, I went to StampFest in Orlando and had a wonderful day with my friends Lynn and Amanda. I got lots of great new stamping things that I can't wait to play with... Here's a couple of photos of all my goodies.

I can't wait to make some cards for OWH with these two stamps! Aren't they adorable? I also got really good deals on the Just Rite Stamp sets. I used the "By The Sea" stamp set to make a Father's Day card from my Dad and my Dear Hubby.

Both cards are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic Markers.  The first card is for my Dad...

I cased this card from the Just Rite Gallery and found this awesome card made by Kathy J. Her blog is Inspired To Stamp. This is the card of her's that I cased:  Click here
This card I made for my husband and the father of my children. I am also blessed to have such a great husband. I love you sweetie!

I hope you all have a wonderful day spending time with your family!

S & S Sketch Challenge #21

Good Evening! I don't know how the weather is where you live, but here in Florida it is HOT!!!!!!!!
This morning when I got up it was 90 degrees. Our high today was 97 with a heat index over 100 degrees! UGH. It's only mid June... I can't imagine how hot it will be in July and August which are our really hot months.

This week Karen gave us  a great sketch to work with.  I strayed a little bit from the original..using an Oval image instead of a square image.

Here's the Sketch:

This is the card I made:

Card Details:
Stamps: Just Rite Stamps - Breath of Spring Borders
Colored with Copics- Crystal Effects on Tulips; Red Stickles on border

Thanks for stopping by tonight. I'd love to hear your comments on my card.

Enjoyed the Sunshine Today!

Hi everyone.. I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! I had a nice one myself. I have a few photos to share from my day today boating with my dad and cousin Josef.  I have a couple of cards to share too, so sit tight and bear with me...

Josef is really great at wakeboarding and we spent the afternoon on Tampa Bay soaking in the sunshine and heat!

As we headed into the bay, we saw a wonderful display of Sailboats...

We headed to a popular boating place called Beer Can Island...but it was a little too crowded for us to anchor down and slip onto the island, so we just circled the island and headed back towards downtown Tampa..

As we headed back in, we passed the beautiful Carnival Cruise Ship - The Legend.

Then Josef decided to do a little wakeboarding...

It was a fun day!

Now my cards to share....

I finally have my box of cards for Operation Write Home ready to ship! Included in this box are about 15 Any Hero Cards that I had my scrapbooking girlfriends sign when I went to a weekend retreat back in April. Some of the ladies actually made their entire cards, other's just wrote a message to a Hero inside and then I made the cards when I got home.  Here's a few of the cards:

I also made a card for a friend of mine's little girl Gabriella to give to her father for Father's Day. I love this GinaK designs stamp called " With Daddy's Help".  The designer paper is Basic Grey and I colored the image with Copics.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope to have another card to share with you tomorrow! Have a great week everyone!