I'm a happy camper!

Today's just a happy day. We have fought off the rain once again and it's a really pretty day outside. I did all my chores yesterday so I've been able to craft and take care of bloggy related things. Just a regular happy camper! 

So here's what I've had on my desk today:

 

This card is for My Favorite Things Wednesday Card Sketch Challenge. It also will serve as the card  for my other sweet obsession, swaps at Splitcoast Stampers. I joined a celebrate summer swap and decided to keep it simple and follow the sketch to create the swap cards. So, I cranked out 8 of these little babies today. I just can't help myself. I have enough cards to mail one to everyone all over the world, yet, what do I do?? Join more!! And more!! I do go thru my cards about twice a year and give them to elderly friends at our local center and to the battered women's shelter. I used all Stampin' Up and Sizzix products today. I printed the sentiment from Word.

Here's the second card, actually I created this one 1st and it's really crept into my heart today. In fact its partly the reason I'm in such a happy mood. Haven't you ever created something that just makes you smile when you look at it? This card did that for me this morning. I created this little card for Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, APRIL SHOWERS and/or SPRING FLOWERS! I used retired SU DSP, scrap twine, a button from my laaarge button basket.  I water colored the SU image from Scene in a Garden (retired set.) Then I cut a pair of rain boots and popped them up with foam tape after the Close to my Heart Liquid Glass had dried.

One more happy thing to share with you, I've finally chosen a camera, will be ordering it tomorrow. Once it comes in, I'll be trying my hand with picture tutorials and, wait for it, video tutorials too!! You can learn with me! Okay, nuff of my blabbin'. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are a happy camper today too!


My Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp ~ April Showers/Spring Flowers
My Favorite Things ~ Wednesday Sketch Challenge 223

The sun has finally come out.

I am so very happy! The sun has finally peeped out from behind the clouds here in NE Georgia. It's even warmed up a bit, enough to open the windows. I just love being able to open up the front door and windows. I'm very much a nature kinda gal. I was also able to dig out some of my Stampin' Up! DSP from days gone by. I used a very cheerful sheet from Gingham Garden DSP. Such a pretty collection of pattern papers. I added some newly unpacked vellum to the top with SU ribbon. Actually all items used on this card are from Stampin' Up! this time. Well, except the stamps - my bad. The stamps are from Inky Antics. I am a turtle collector, so this stamp set simply HAD to come home with me back a few years ago. This card was created using this sketch for Viva la Verve Sketched Week 1.

Ya' know sumpin' I think that Mojo Monday and Verve sketches are just beautiful! They really make me smile and they are easy to create from. Soooo, thank you to those wonderful ladies that come up with them. Amazingly talented to have so very many different sketches.  Okay, enough of me going on. Here's my card based on this sketch.

I'm not sure if my eyes are not being nice to me lately, but most of my pics seem to be just a tad bit outta focus. I'm still using my IPhone to take pics. I simply can't decide on a camera to purchase. Do I want a DSLR or a point and shoot? I dunno. So, I just keep using mu phone. It doesn't take the best pictures, I apologize guys. I promise to make a decision with in the next week.

I'm gonna go and start dinner cooking. Hubby has asked me to make loaded baked tater soup. So, I'm off to make it happen. If I get it going now I can reduce it down for a more robust flav-ahhhh. TFSB

My Challenges:
Viva la Verve ~ April Week 1

April Showers....

.... Bring May flowers. Today is the 1st day of our spring break and its chilly and damp outside. I can only hope our flowers are wonderful when Spring actually comes to stay. I'm up this morning to create for some of my challenges. I like it when all the powers that be align to enable me to create one card for more than one challenge. It's also fun because it makes me think a little harder, I like trying to make it all fit. I created my card based on Mojo Monday Sketch 392.

 

I was able to work Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge which was "A is for ....." using  "A" to show something that inspires spring. And finally Mark's Finest Paper asked us to create a card using spring colors. And the color challenge over at My Favorite Things. Such a fun day!

 

Here's the card I created:

 

The pattern paper is from the 6x6 pad from Crate Paper "Farmhouse" - love the papers BTW. I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Memento Ink. I also used my circle and scallop dies and eggshell seam binding for the bow. The solid color paper is out of my scrap basket. The stamped image is an old Stampin Up image from the Scene in a Garden set. I really like the papers in this card. I used the rain boots for my "A" is for - April Showers. The colors are definitely from a spring pallet and I used the Mojo Monday sketch. Whoot Whoot! Off to play with the last challenge card for today, from Verve, another card sketch, my fav!  TFSB!

 

My Challenges:

MFP ~ FOSTV 161

Simon Says Stamp ~ A is for .....

Mojo Monday ~ Sketch 392

My Favorite Things ~ Color Challenge 18



Cut it out!

Today I decided to make one card and then watch TV with hubby. Gotta do my nails, whoot whoot! The card I've completed is the MFP Speedy Fox and Friends 256 (cut out panel). I decided to use an older fav of mine from Unity:

 

The book page to the right is actually mounted under the card front with foam tape. And the strip was cut out by hand with blade knife. Of course I used my Copics to color the image. It really turned out looking like a real piece of wood. Even hubby liked it. :big smiles:

Well, off to sit and veg with family and watch some TV,  Have a super relaxing Easter Sunday! TFSB

Mostly yellow, how 'bout you?

While outside Dear Hubby told me to look out over the hood of my car. My black car. It was sitting under a very nice layer of pretty yellow micro dust. Ahhh, the fun of spring. At least I don't have serious allergies like hubby. Poor man's been walking around with itchy, watery eyes and sneeze?! This boy can sneeze like no other!! You can hear it three states away and what makes it bad, is he's a multi-sneezer! I know God has a sense of humor too. Since my stroke I have a handful of sensory issues, noise, be it too much, too loud the wrong tone - it's kills me. So I' married to man who is a loud multi sneezer.... well, usually funny.

Okay, enough flappin my gums. I finally got to my Mojo Monday submission. It will serve dual purpose this week. I just adore Mojo Monday sketches. And I always have fun
with the Oriental Sketch over at MFP.

The image is from Unity, the papers are from SU and I used my Copics to color the image. I added pop dots to the yellow layer and again to lift the cute little flutterby. You can't tell it here, but the card base is embossed with large dots and the card is 5.5" tall and only 3.5" wide. That was actually part of the Mojo Challenge.

I will try to do some more tomorrow. With all the heavy physical work Friday, my body has been is such pain. It's what happens to me cuz of my lucky, lovely autoimmune trifecta. Whoot whoot! It'll take a few days to be better. I slept a good chuck of today. Well, thanks for stopping by to say hello! I appreciate you!

My Challenges:
Mojo Monday ~ 391
MFP ~ OS72

Simon Says.....Have Fun!

This Wednesday the Simon Says Stamp blog posted the Wednesday challenge as birthday cards. Even though I printed "hi" on the card front, inside I sis stamp Happy Birthday. The card is smaller than a normal card, it measures only 4.25 x 3.5. I used Copics to color the Unity Stamp image. The pattern papers are from my scrap basket and the twine is from Darice and I  picked it up at Hobby Lobby.

The back ground is the same pattern paper as the 1st layer on the card so it kinda blurs together. I'm sure you can tell, I'm so happy with this stamp set!  =)  Well, I need to go and vacuum a wee bit. Ya know something?? I wish I had some fresh fruit here at the house. I'm really jones'n for some yummy fruit. Hmmm, gotta go garb some in the morning! What kind of fruit do you like to eat?  Have a super day guys!!

My Challenges :
Simon Says Stamp ~ Birthday Wednesday

Delightful Flutterby or Queen for a Day!

I could hardly sleep last night. I was too excited about these little stamps sets. Silly I know, but that's me! I've been busy this morning doing all kinds of house type stuff, but I manages to stamp out one little card. It uses the Delightful Flutterby stamp set from Unity. Such a  sweet little set of images.

I made this card from the My Favorite Things Sketch 222 Challenge. The banner is popped up by using my score board. I used nesting circle and scallop dies. I used my Copics to color the image.  Like I said, I really like working with sketched. I plan on submitting this card for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge again - promise, last one! tee hee  Here's "queen for a day":

And, check out the new background for my pictures. Yeah, I'm goin' uptown now homey! Fancy huh? Just trying to grow as a blogger and I knew I wanted to make my pictures look "cleaner". I'm rather tickled with how much better it looks. Next may be little props related to the photos. AND once I get my camera in, I will be learning how to tape video of some of my projects, sharing how to do them. Go me! tee hee

Hey, thanks for stopping by. Check back as I am hoping to get at least one more project posted today.

Bye

My Challenges:
My Favorite Things ~ Wednesday Sketch 222 Challenge
Simon Says Stamps ~ Monday Challenge Pastels (again!)

Happy April Fools -

Hey all! I hop you each have had a safe day with only funny pranks. My day was quiet and uneventful. I got some work done and my stamps came from Unity! In love soooo much! I got Birdie Conversation and Delightful Flutterbys. Such fun, love my new stamps. And of course I simply HAD to create with them. I'll use card this for the Unity Be Inspired Challenge. The pastels in this card will again, work very well for the Simon Says Stamp Pastel Challenge too! Ugh, so many wonderful challenges this week!! In heaven I tell ya!

It's so like me - even though I don't nap as much now as I did for a few years after my stroke, I still adore my sleepy time! I used retired ribbon from Stampin' Up and pattern paper from Bo Bunny Garden Journal Collection 6x6 pad. I do like my Bo Bunny. It was the 1st real paper that I remembered by name. I stamped the image with Memento ink and colored with my Copics. I so adore this set, tomorrow I will do a few more projects with both sets and share them here. TFSB

My Challenge:
Unity Stamp Co ~ Unity {Be Inspired} Challenge: March 12 - April 8
Simon Says Stamp ~ Monday Challenge Pastels

Terrific Tuesday!

Hello everyone!

This morning I needed to create a few challenge cards. MFP, Simon Says Stamp & Unity Stamp Co have posted the latest "gotta do" challenges. I already loaded the sketch for  MFP Oriental Sketch in my last post, but I'll load it here because I took a very different look at the diamonds at the bottom.

Look at mine and see if you can "see" the diamond shapes at the bottom. I used my embossing folder to create interest on the pink 1st layer. I decided to use crystal effects on the center sentiment stamp and while it was wet, I sprinkled with SU dazzling diamonds extra fine glitter.  Love the pastels in this card - will work well for Simon Says for sure!

And the next challenge for MFP is MFP FOSTV Under the Sea. I am still playing with my punches and I couldn't find a sea life stamp in mu studio (guess it's still boxed up somewhere.) So, I pulled out the trusty punches and created this adorable little guy. I will send this to my daughter "Sissy" who is living in Virginia Beach with friends. But, I'll wait 'till summer when she'd be getting ready to go to the beach... lol  For the background of this card I took cling wrap and balled it up. I pounced it in Versa Mark ink, once I had it randomly blotted onto the blue layer I sprinkled with clear embossing powered and heated it. The bubble are simply punched white circles. The sentiment is from a Halloween stamp set I've had for awhile. The shark was created with a large heart, wide oval, large and small oval and scissor to nip out his teeth. And there he is. I'm in love with his little cute face!

Okay, time to link these cuties up and do a few chores here around the house. Thanks for stopping by guys!

My Challenges:
MFP ~ FOSTV160 - Under the Sea
MFP ~ OS 71
Simon Says Stamp ~ Monday Challenge Pastels

Butterfly Birthday Wishes

I'm back today with the SFF challenge over at MFP. This Saturday the challenge was posted to create a birthday card with butterflies. So, I sat down today after I cleaned up the house and created this little card - it's similar to a card I on Pinterest at some point...  please pardon, Wildman helped me take the pictures again!  I need to fix up a photo area just for taking my pics...

 

There's a sketch challenge too, here's the sketch:

 

I've given the sketch a little bit of thought - I'll try to get to this card later today or tomorrow. Still haven't been struck with a really swell idea yet... It'll happen when I least expect it I'm sure.  TFSB

My Challenges:
Mark's Fine Papers ~ Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 255

Gnome Home

I've been working for a few days on a special project and I'm happy to report I am finished! I decided to go old school and pull out my colored pencils, odorless mineral spirits and blending stumps. Yep, I did it and for once can say I actually got a happy result. Yay me! I tried very hard to do shading and multicolor blending using only these old school supplies. I also pulled out a paper pack that I've been coveting for years, DCWV Once Upon A Time papers. Pulled out all the stops for this project. When I was done with the card, I knew it was already busy cuz of the papers, but I felt it really needed more. I added sequins to the roof rocks, Glaze and Gelly Roll Pens to various places. The big bow took me a good bit of patients and a looong ribbon of creamy seam binding. I tied this baby all by hand, didn't use my Bow Easy this time! I did add pop dots to the image that I fussy cut and to the dark purple layer.

 

This image is actually a digi stamp. The 1st time I've used one successfully. The image came from Make It Crafty, Mushroom House. I have fallen in love with this site! There are images here you'd never be able to find in the market place. I created this card as part of a DT call. I added the links in this paragraph and my side bar. I just really liked their site and thought I'd try. But, now it's time to get my chores done before bed time! Happy Saturday night my friends! TFSB

Hanging with Mah peeps

Today I worked on creating my Easter cards. I used the adorable peep stamp I purchased yesterday at my LSS. I based it the card I made yesterday too. Changed up a few little elements here and there. What cha think? BTW, the lace is lace trim from my sewing supplies - I had added it to the hem of some blue jeans and a skirt a  while back.

I stamped the inside of each with the Impression Obsession sentiment I got Friday too. "sweet treats for a sweet person". I made a KISS card with the same stamps too. Here's that one:

I used Gelly Roll Sparkle and Wink a Stella on some of the bunnies. I used pattern papers from my scrap basket (honestly it's way to big!) and I used baker's twine & ribbon I've had around for ev-ah! Time for some new goodie,s huh??  I should get started on my Christmas cards soon... no I'm serious! I always need so many and I always wait too long and have to push at the end! Yeah - gotta listen to me this time! TFSB

Been there, done that!

Made it across town to the new LSS. It was large for sure, and it was nice, but I must say, I'm still feeling the sadness over losing Archiver's. I think it's gonna be super hard to beat what they had. But, ooooo, I picked up a few new things while there and I'm super excited to show you what I created with them.  Aren't these little peeps just the cutest thang ev-ah?! I think I'll make a few more of these and send them out for Easter. Yeahhh  I used stamps from Impression Obsession, Wink of Stella on the peeps. I colored with Copics and added me some twine. Gotta love twine! And bling! Gotta love bling!

I'm sooo sorry for the poor pictures. Wildman really wanted to take my pics and I couldn't say no, so the sun is hitting the camera at an odd angle. IF I re-took the pic, I would've crushed his little heart. And I simply couldn't do that in the name of a prettier picture, ya know?  Anyhoo, I was able to finish the cards I'd started for a beachy themed swap at SCS.

 

Okay, I heard the buzzer go off for our pizzas. Wildman and I are hanging out tonight while Dad's in St Pete for his race. They came in 7th today - with like 3 laps to go the driver got passed and went from 4th back to 7th. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully they will place better. TFSB

 

My Challenges:

Unity Stamp Co ~ Friends with Flair

Creative Inspiration ~ Challenge 306 - Feathered Friends / Animals!

A little happiness goes a loooog way!

Whoot Whoot ~ It's Friday!!  :p

Today I get to go to a local scrapbook store I heard about! So excited! I guess I should get out more, but I'm a home body.

When I get home I have an handful of challenges to work on and a few special projects I need to complete. I'm super excited and will share them with you when I get home. But right now, I do have two KSS (keep it simple silly) projects I have ready to go.

 

These two are super simple and quick. The card above I wanted to create a monochromatic card with the focus on the heart. The heart is actual Calypso Coral, but looks red. The sentiment makes me giggle! I plan on sending this card to my sister.

The card above was a card that Angie Juda with SU showed us via a stamp club video.  She used a different stamp set and did her flower centers differently. I used a Glaze pen to bring a pop of yellow in and then coordinated the bakers twine with the yellow. Super quick and easy and lots of fun.

Anyway, off to beautify myself. Have a very creative day you guys!

Blue Bird of Happiness

I had a handful of chores to do this morning and I had to play office manager and pay bills, make phone calls and fun stuff like that today. So, as a result I didn't get to craft as mush as I looove. Here'e this weeks sketch:

 

 But I did finish my Mojo Monday card! Wanna see it? Here it go: (old Saturday night reference)

 

Super easy peasy, cute, bright and happy! I always need birthday cards, so I pulled out an old fav stand by. I love this set and haven't used it in a while. I used Copics to color in the little bird of happiness. If it were my birthday, I'd send it to me in the mail for sure!!  tee hee

I also pulled together a card for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge for Wednesday. Anything goes! So, I decided to CASE from Pootles, Sam Donald in the UK. I love her site! I did do a few things differently. I changed the way I used the linen thread, and I don't have the exact colors or stamp set she used, but I got pretty close.  The flower colors didn't come across as pretty as they are in person. Just close your eyes and see what I see - ha ha!

I have more office manager stuff to take care of in the morning, hopefully I hope to be able to do a little bit. Maybe I could doodle in my journal while I sit on the phone making the rest of my calls. I need to keep my journal closer to be able to just doodle in or jot thoughts or sketches in. Yeah! That's what I need to do.... TFSB!

My Challenges:
Mojo Monday ~ March 23rd Sketch 390
Simon Says ~ Wednesday March 25

She Believed She Could

I decided to try one more thing before I have to go play mommy again. I have seen the Watercolor Bokeh technique at SCS before. It makes the most beautiful background and you're only limited by your imagination, or your colors of ink on hand! Well, when I saw Pat give it a whirl at Mark's this week, I figured it was time I gave it a try as well. I made this for my little girl. I say little but she turned 19 in October! Where'd the time go?? I will send this to her in a a week or two. I have cards lined up to mail to her - lol - funny huh?? I just mailed her a box and the elephant card I did a few weeks ago. I told her she was NEVER allowed to toss that card! Told her I'm her mom and would just know if she did.... ha ha! Okay, enough blabbing, here's the card:

I love the color combo, but like I said, there are soooo very many color combos you could use. The next one I do with be pink and orange. Okay, so now I have to clean up my mess. Who am I kidding?! I'm OCD!! I clean throughout my crafting, just like I do while I'm cooking or sewing or planting in the yard.... heck, I'm realllly OCD!!! Hope you try this tech soon too! TFSB

My Challenges:
So Suzy Stamps - March Challenge

Showin a little puppy love

I needed to make a dog themed card, MFP Speedy Fox & Friends challenge this week is "Who let the dogs out?" Since I still have a great deal of my craft supplies in boxes & since my studio isn't finished yet, I couldn't pull put stamps,.I decided to work with my punches! And, I knew my card was going in a totally different place than those shown as samples and already posted to the challenge. Sometimes, I am the fish swimming sideways, across the stream, instead of up or down. I'm fun that way to be honest. =)  So, here's my take on this week's challenge:

The base card is white. I then cut a sky blue mat and embossed it with my cloud embossing die. Then, I sponged clouds using white and Bermuda bay blue. I punched rectangles, ovals, squares, circles, and rounded rectangles out of sponged red CS for putting the hydrant together. I added sliver brads to the hydrant to mimic bolts. The grass is punched with a scallop edge and sponged with old olive and wild wasabi greens. I actually printed the sentiment on CS from my computer.  I've gotten really into doing this lately - making it possible to tailor what you wanna say to what you have created! That's it - using my punches again to create a little laughter & fun! TFSB

My Challenge:
Mark's Finest Papers ~ SFF 254 Who Let the Dogs Out

Pink Lotus Love

I am having way too much fun making these paper flowers! This card I created with the Oriental Sketch Challenge 70 from Friday over at Mark's Fine Papers. Since it was to be oriental in theme, and I'm having too much fun with the flowers - I opted to make a lotus flower that worked with the sketch!

 

So, here's my take on this week's sketch:

 

 

The color's aren't necessarily oriental per say, but I really like the combo. Again, the flower and leaves were created from punches. I added liquid glass and glitter to the center of the flower. I cut the petals out of baby pink card stock and then inked them with white fading into melon mambo. The leaves were punched out of two circles that I cut to shape and inked with two shades of green. I WILL make more flowers tomorrow while Wild Man is at school. No errands to run so I can take him to school and come create while I do a little load of laundry. Does laundry ever end??  TFSB

 

My Challenges:

MFP ~ OS 70

Bashful Blue Hydrangeas

Sunday I shared a card that showcased a tulip I made using punches. So it was funny when I looked at MFP's this morning to see the Monday challenge was to create a card using hand made flowers! I guess it was kismet to create more flowers! So, again, out with the punches to create one of my fav flowers, hydrangeas.

 

The flowers and leaves were made using a heart shaped punch the curly-q tendrils were sliver punched using a wide oval. The little leaves were punched using the build a bird punch.  I adore the background embossing, if you look closely you can see the image is of a fancy bumble bee! I'd forgotten what it was like to have inky fingers! I punched the flowers outta white cardstock and added the color myself. Even though I punched the leaves from 2 shades of green, I added ink for added depth. I had decided to give myself a French manicure tonight, but realize it's futile!

 

My all time fav flower is the carnation, so maybe tomorrow I will figure out how to create one using paper. =) Now I must play domestic goddess and run the vacuum then shampoo the carpet. My dear dooogie Bailey Bell came thru yesterday's rain with dirty paws. So, now my carpet looks icky! I think when we get new carpet I'm gonna ask for dirt color! Just sayin' it'd save me a lot ot time and effort!!  TFSB

 

My Challenges:

MFP ~ FOSTV159 - Handmade Flowers

My Manly Man & the Other Woman...

Made you wanna read didn't I?? Well, let me explain before you all think my hubby is a horrible man. THIS is the other woman:

 

 

He is the lead mechanic for one of the two the KSS Motorsports Kia Team race cars. They race in the World Challenge Series and travel a lot across the US & Canada. This pic was actually taken in the shop here in NE Georgia where we live. Here's a pic taken during a recent race:

I have a ton of pictures of hubby on track with his last team Krohn Racing, he was with them for 8+ years. I miss that team (and family) so much! But this is his 1st year with KSS and they don't go over the wall during the race so there's not as many chances to get great pics. Maybe as time passes I'll be able to have pics of hubby in action with Kia too.

So, now that you have the background of what hubby does and that he travels you will understand this next part. I always make a card and stick it in his suitcase or back pack while he's packing. I try to do this without being caught. The one time I didn't make a card he told me he was like "whaaaaat?!" Well, here's this week's card. I cannot take credit for coming up with this rocking card. I did however add the diamond plate embossing where the card I saw on Pinterest was smooth.

Is this card not the bomb??? I can't wait for him to find it on this trip. He leaves Wednesday. His races are always on Saturday  & Sunday and then he comes home. This week he's headed to Texas. I only had 2" hexies, so I could only fit 2 of them on a standard card. I inked with grey and white ink, punched a circle in the middle and layered with red and white - which just happen to be his team colors! I'm crazy about this card! Or should I say "nuts"?? LOL TFSB