{Weekend Sketch Challenge #91} Thoughts and Prayers

Tonight I made a sympathy card for some dear friends of ours who have lost a loved one.

This beautiful tree stamp is from the Stampin Up "Thoughts and Prayers" set. The inside sentiment (photo below) is also from this set. My inspiration for the card layout came from Beate's Fresh & Fun Weekend Sketch Challenge.

As far as I know, this was one of the very first blogger sketch challenges and still one of my favorites! Maybe it's because I can usually find some time to stamp on the weekends! :)

It's thundering here right now and we're hoping to get some much needed rain tonight. Not much else going on so I may just go to bed early and read. Thanks for stopping by...have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Smiles 2 U! :)

Quote for Today ~

There aren't enough days in the weekend. ~Rod Schmidt

Supplies ~

Stamps: Stamping Up - Thoughts and Prayers, Warmest Regards

Cardstock: Stampin Up old olive (5-1/4" x 5-1/4"; K & Company designer paper - Brenda Walton Madeline

Ink: Stampin Up chocolate chip, markers direct to rubber for the tree - old olive, certainly celery, chocolate chip.

Other: ribbon, brads, stitching, circle and scalloped punches

{Rasberry Suite Color Challenge #13} Just a Note ~

Here I am with yet another challenge card today. . . this one for Dawn McVey's yummy Raspberry Suite Color Challenge!

With all the incredible cardmaking inspiration online these days, I barely have to think for myself! ;)

This card really went together quite quickly and I should make a few more of them while I have the idea fresh in my mind and all the supplies scattered all over my stampin' table.

These are not colors that I would normally think to use together, but I think they look terrific! I've used Stampin Up cardstock colors real red and cameo coral. I was trying to use kiwi kiss cardstock too, but settled for the ink on the flower stem and the bow.

Gosh, it's getting late already! I had a hair appt after work and the evening has flown by! Can you believe tomorrow is FRIDAY already?! TGIF!! :)

I'm happy you stopped by today! Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Love the people who treat you right.

Forget about the ones who don't.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.

If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy, but

GOD promised it would be worth it! ~ unknown

Supplies ~

Stamps: Stampin Up- polka dot background, Love is in the Air; Stampendous-Just a Note

Paper: Stamping Up real red, cameo coral, whisper white

Ink: kiwi kiss, cameo coral, craft white

Other: Stampin Up clear button; old olive twill ribbon, red embroidery floss, stitching with Janome Sew Mini

{Sweet Sketch Challenge #8} another little birdie told me . . .

Happy Wednesday! . . .

. . . and time for another terrific SWEET SKETCH challenge card!

Today I've used "A Little Birdie Told Me" by Stampin Up! I stamped the little chickadee in Versafine onyx black ink twice and colored and cut out one of the images to layer on top the other for dimension or "body". ;)


This fun designer paper is by Cosmo Cricket and it's teamed up with some luscious Cool Caribbean cardstock by Stampin Up. I got out my old pinking scissors for this card and did some zig zag stitching too. Really, there is a LOT you could do with this sketch, but I kept it fairly simple since my paper was "busy" enough!


I encourage you all to join in the FUN and participate in the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenges! If you need some inspiration, take a peak at the cards created by the design team. They are amazing!


Arlana ~ Sweetberry Designs
Nancy ~ Mulberry Station
Judi ~ Sweet Bloomin Scraps
Rose ~ Pink Lemonade Creations
Kelly ~ My Bucket Overfloweth
Liz ~ Liz's Cards & Layouts
Sheri ~ Paper Crafty Creations

Jeannie ~ Dragonfly Journeys

Stephanie ~ Handmade Creations

Thank U to Arlana at Sweetberry Designs for creating this terrific sketch and organizing the challenges.

To my faithful blog readers: You gals really made my day yesterday with all the *sweet* comments about my card and being selected to Mercy's design team. I enjoy stamping and cardmaking so much and to hear that others enjoy seeing my creations, really makes me SMILE! That's called . . . Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. ~Author Unknown

{Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #32} Appreciate What Is!

I'm SO HAPPY to announce that Mercy Kerin is back

with her weekly sketch challenges!!

Not only that, she has asked ME to be part of her design team!

Mercy of Lord Have Mercy fame is one of my stamping idols! Needless to say, I am thrilled to join her team of designers known as...

It's such an honor to be in the company of these gals and I want to encourage you to visit their blogs to see what they've done with this week's Tuesday Sketch Challenge! You'll be amazed and inspired, I assure you!

Here they are . . . Mercy's Muses ~

Cindy Haffner
Pam Varnell
Julie Lacey
Crystal Birr
Jackie Pedro
Jessica Diedrich
Pam Speidel (me) :)

As for my card, I don't often use the color red. I must have subconsiously used the color in Mercy's sketch photo. The flower vine is from the Stampin Up "Thoughts and Prayers" set and the sentiment "appreciate what is" came from a Hero Arts set. I've inked the vine stamp direct to the rubber with my Stampin Up watercolor markers to get the two colors. This is stamped on the naturals ivory cardstock and the edges have been sponged with Versafine vintage sepia ink. I've used an assortment of designer papers by K and Company and teamed them up with Stampin Up ruby red cardstock. I'm not so sure that I care for the green ribbon on this card, but I didn't have any red ribbon that was even close to coordinating. What do you think? I'm always open to suggestions.

Happy Stamping my friends and Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~
I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. ~Alice Roosevelt Longworth

{MoJo Sketch #96} FUN is GOOD ~ Dr. Seuss

"If you never did, you should.

These things are fun and FUN is GOOD!" ~ Dr. Seuss

Isn't this a terrific quote?! It's one of my new stamps from the "Beautiful You" set I received in the mail Friday. In case you missed it, the card I created for Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #94 was a big winner and I got to select a FREE stamp set from VERVE Stamps! Wooo Flippin' Hooo! :)

Thanks so much to Julee Tilman of Poetic Artistry and all the other talented Mojo Makers for being a constant source of inspiration with all these wonderful sketches.

I *love* this set and encourage you to check it out at the Verve Stamps online store. There are 13 clear stamps in the photopolymer set and many of them are some of my favorite quotes. You'll be seeing a lot more of it in the coming weeks, I assure you!

Printed on the back of this stamp set is this advice: "To condition your stamps, gently rub the stamp surface with a soft eraser and brush away any fibers. This removes any residue remaining from the manufacturing process and will help your stamps to make a clear impression again and again." Interesting! I suppose you all knew this, but I didn't! I was having trouble with an acrylic stamp just a couple weeks ago and will have to go back and try this tidbit on it!

As you can see, I pretty much followed the sketch exactly, although I didn't leave quite as much space between the panels. I really wanted my "Fruits and Flowers" paper by the Paper Studio to stand out. I like it when designer paper has a touch of black in it to highlight the sentiment inked in black. You probably can't tell by the photo, but it is embossed and I colored in the capital letters with a marker. A little stitching, ribbon and a button to finish it off! I showed it to MW for his critique and he said it was "cheery". That's not a term he would often use so it made me SMILE! :)

I've been cleaning and organizing my stamp room this morning and trying to figure out a way to maximize the space on my ribbon storage shelf. Hmmm . . . does that mean I have too much ribbon?! I ended up putting all the black and white ribbon spools in a separate container to make more room for all the GREEN ribbon! Whatzup with that?!

What are you all doing this weekend? I hope you're finding some time to be creative!
Happy Stamping and Smiles 2 U!





Another Dr. Seuss Quote for Today ~
Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!

{Sketch Challenge #13} a little birdie told me . . .

Today's little birdie card was created especially for Sketch Challenge #13

hosted by Kerry at The Stamp Shack.

What a wonderful sketch she's designed for our use! (see photo below)

The layout is quite different from others I've done and I really like it! It takes a little extra cardstock for all the layers, but I just went to my scrap stash and used some of those pieces.

This cute stamp set is "Bird Day" by Hero Arts and I've colored the image with prismacolor pencils. The bright blue daisy paper is Frutti Fusion by The Angel Company. It coordinated well with the Stampin Up pacific point blue.












Now, I know you've all been waiting and wondering what rare treasures I found while I was out "junkin" this morning. :) Let me tell you, it was *almost* a total bust! We walked away from several sales without buying anything, which is not like us at all. One of us will usually always find something! My first purchase was the little brown pottery vase for 10 cents that is marked as a "souvenir" of Boy's Town, Omaha, NE. What can I say...I like pottery. I think we may have stopped at a dozen sales before either one of us spent more than a dollar. We had nearly given up when I found this pretty lamp for my bedroom for only $5! It's well made and has a unique shade. Also, it takes a 3-way bulb, which I like for reading. The photo frame beside it is 5 x 7 to give you an idea of the size. I think it was a good find.

And . . . finally . . . at the very last sale we went to, I found some rubber stamps! These are two older Stampin Up sets for $2 and a few individual stamps for .50 each. The sale had a LOT of stamps, but I only bought what I thought I would use.

I forgot to mention the baskets for .25 each. You can never have too many baskets, right? I use them for everything and recycle for gift baskets too. The picture frames were a quarter too. Oh, and Susie thought I needed the little smiley bag to carry my brown pottery vase! ha ha :)

Yesterday, I received my MoJo Monday prize from Julee Tilman and it is awesome! . . . my very first Verve Stamp set! I'm planning to make a card and post it with a photo of the set tomorrow. Stay tuned for that!

Thanks so much for all the sweet comments about my silly COW card and sentiments. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I gave it to Susie today and she loved it.

Smiles 2 U All & Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~
Buying something on sale is a very special feeling. In fact, the less I pay for something, the more it is worth to me. I have a dress that I paid so little for that I am afraid to wear it. I could spill something on it, and then how would I replace it for that amount of money? ~Rita Rudner

Moo-chas Grass-ias!

Moo-chas Grass-ias for visiting my blog today!!!

Work with me here folks...I know this is a stretch, but honestly what do you do with a rubber stamp of a COW?!!

Thanks to my sister Susie who loves to go junkin, I have a few terrific new stamps in my collection! {See last Sunday's post for photo and info.}

Well, I've already made her a cat card with one of the stamps and tonight I decided to make her a card with the cow. We're going junkin again tomorrow so I'm going to give it to her rather than mail it and that way she can use it to send to someone herself. :)

The cow stamp is by Rubber Stampede and the sentiment is computer generated. Once again, I asked my clever and creative friends at The Stamp Shack to help me out with some sayings to use with this cow and they had some that made me LOL!

Here are a few of them that I'll save for my future cow cards:

• Deja Moo. . .the feeling that you've heard this bull before!
• Herd the Moos!
• Herd you were moo-ving (sick, etc)
• Udderly Fantastic!
• Like No Udder!
• Good Moos Travels Fast!
• What's Moo?
• You're another year older and that ain't no bull!
• You're my friend for heifer!
• Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?
• What do you call a grumpy cow? Moo-dy
• Do you know why they call it PMS? because Mad Cow Disease was already taken

LoL! Aren't those funny?! If you can think of anymore, please send me an email or leave it in the comments. I got some great ones for the cat stamp too and appreciate you all taking the time to send them in!! I may use these two stamps more than I thought!

Well, we're going junkin again tomorrow so I better take a look at the ads in the paper and figure out our "plan". Hopefully, I'll have some terrific stamps or rare treasure to tell you about tomorrow. Stay tuned.....

Have a WONDERFUL weekend and Happy Stamping! Smiles,

Quote for Today ~

I guess cows aren't into the four food groups. . . especially when they are two of them. ~Anthony Clark

My Sweet Sketch Wednesday "Oops" Card ~

I know it's hard to believe, but I didn't follow the directions carefully and this is the Sweet Sketch Wednesday card I made BEFORE I realized it was supposed to be a Color Challenge too! Oops! :) Thankfully, I realized what I had done before I sent it to Arlana or she would have had to scold me! Sooo, if you read the previous post with my "Hot Diggity Dog" card, it was created with the same sketch as this one, but using the correct challenge colors.

I'm really happy with the way this card turned out, so thought I would just go ahead and show it to you and tell you what I did! : ) This stamp set is one of my new favorites ~ Thoughts and Prayers by Stampin Up!

Speaking of SU, I use to be a hobby demonstrator and now they are tempting me back with the special offer they have going for the mini starter kit! I *love* the company and thoroughly enjoy being creative with all the awesome products, I just don't care for the "sales" part of it. What do to?! {Any feedback from current demonstators would be appreciated.}

Just got home from work a few minutes ago and waiting for MW to get home for dinner. I think it's going to be a quick burger on the grill tonight! ...after our favorite salsa-avocado & chips appetizer and "beverage". CHEERS! ;)

Hot Diggity Dog! {Sweet Sketch Color Challenge #7}

Hot Diggity Dog!

It's Sweet Sketch Wednesday and this week is a Color Challenge too!

I *love* a color challenge and especially when it involves bright bold colors like these!

You are ALL invited join in the FUN and participate in the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenges! For all the details, hop on over to the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog and check it out! You'll be inspired to see how the Sweet Sketch Team has interpreted this challenge . . .

Arlana ~ Sweetberry Designs

Nancy ~ Mulberry Station

Judi ~ Sweet Bloomin Scraps

Rose ~ Pink Lemonade Creations

Kelly ~ My Bucket Overfloweth

Liz ~ Liz's Cards & Layouts

Sheri ~ Paper Crafty Creations


I hope you're all having a great week! Thanks so much for all your sweet comments on my last post for the Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. Your words of encouragement make me SMILE!

Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Unknown

Supplies ~Stamps: Penny Black-a romantic dog; Rosie's Roadshow-hot diggity dogPaper: Stampin Up green galore, pink passion, pixie pink, pumpkin pie; Ink: Versafine onyx blackOther: image colored with prismacolor pencils, felt flower, button, twill ribbon; zig zag stitching with Janome Sew Mini

{RS Color Challenge #12} Pick a Petal & a BIG Smile!

Thank U to the one and only Dawn McVey at My Favorite Things for the perfect summer color challenge! Her beautiful example card and these vibrant and colorful coleus from her flower garden are all the inspiration I needed today! Love these colors together!

The stamp set I've used for my card ~ Pick a Petal by Stampin' Up ~ was one I simply had to have, but I've used it very little. (Does that sound familiar? :)

First of all, I pulled out the recommended colors of cardstock. I have Stampin Up colors, so I used kiwi kiss, purely pomegranate and pixie pink. Then I went to my designer paper stash and found this coordinating stripe and floral by Basic Grey. I've stamped the petals onto the floral print using purely pomegranate ink, cut them out, adhered them to purely pomegranate carstock and cut them out again. That may sound like a lot of work, but it's easy cutting and went fast.

This card is a 5 x 5 square to accomodate the large flower and the petals still hangs over the edge a bit. (My envelope is 6 x 6 so I've got plenty of room for it.) The pixie pink cardstock needed "something" so I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the swiss dots embossing folder. All the layers were stitched with my Janome Sew Mini. (I'm in *love* with that machine!) I finished off my card with a little tag stamped with the sentiment "BIG smile", a little wood mounted stamp I found at Ben Franklin in Lincoln, NE. This was stamped in purely pomegranate, punched with 1" circle and layered onto a 1-1/4" scallop. The dotted ribbon from the $1 M's bin was the perfect color! I tried to tie a bow, but it wasn't happening so settled for the knot instead. :)


Well, hubby just got home and he's ready for "Happy Hour" on the patio! One of our favorite summer appetizers is an avocado/salsa dip with chips . . . with a cold beverage too, of course! :)

These weekends just go by WAY too fast, don't they?! Have a GREAT week everyone!

BIG Smiles 2 U All!





Another quote for Today ~
A life without love is like a year without summer. ~Swedish Proverb

Check out my Catty & Caddy "Find" of the Day!

In Friday's post, I mentioned to you that I was going "junkin" with my sister Susie on Saturday. As always, we have a great time going to garage sales and love the thrill of finding a bargain...whether we *need* it or not! :)

We haven't gone together much this summer, but we both will stop at sales now and then if we get a chance. We're always on the lookout for things for each other and then when we do get together we usually have "gifts" to share. Such was the case yesterday. . . I took her some Little Golden books and she brought me a sack with misc rubber stamps, pads and embossing powder! :)

I'm sure many of you are cat lovers and if you are, I applaud you. We've always had dogs and they're part of the family! But, when growing up, our dear and wonderful Dad, did NOT like cats and sad to say, it may have rubbed off on us too. I'm telling you all this to give you a little insight into my warped sense of humor. I created this card especially to thank Susie for the goodies she gave me. . . even the CAT stamp! ;)

I was having a tough time trying to think up some sentiments for the card so I went to the one source that always comes through . . . my dear creative friends at the STAMP SHACK! Omg, they cracked me up with some of their suggestions! Such as . . .

• Every life should have 9 cats


• If you want the best seat in the house, move the cat


• Cats rule, dogs drool


• Are you talkin' to me?


• Whatever!


• Have a Purrrfect Day!


• You're the Cat's Pajamas!


• Don't look at me, the dog did it!


• Mousework! Me? I don't think so!


• Hope you're "Feline" better!


• What do cats eat for breakfast? Mice Krispies!
• Some days you're the cat, some days you're the sandbox! :)

The sentiment I used on the inside was one I found online at Viva Las Vegas stamps. . .

Now, onto my other bargains of the day . . . Check out this awesome NEW Pampered Chef utensil caddy that I found for only $3.00!!! I wonder what these beauties sell for new? I'll bet they're not cheap! Anyway, I just knew it would make a super duper Copic marker holder. And, as you can see, there is plenty of room for more markers!! Yes! :)

Susie bought a LOT of books again, but I really didn't find much else to speak of. The weather was perfect and we had such a great time!

If you creative gals have any cat humor sentiments to add to this list, please email me or leave them in the comments. If I get some more good ones, I may just have to make another CAT card! LoL! :)

Oh, do you see the COW stamp in the photo above? What am I going to do with that one? I guess I need to put out a plea for cow sayings too! :)

It's another perfectly glorious summer day here so I better get outside and enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by! Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~

The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it. ~Doug Larson

Supplies ~
Stamps: All Night Media ~ Lucky the Cat; sentiments are pc generated
Ink: Versafine onyx black, clear embossing powder
Paper: Stampin Up basic black, confetti; designer paper by the Paper Studio
Other: black organdy ribbon, black brad, stitching with Janome Sew Mini