{MTSC #37} One of a Kind!

It's time for Mercy's "One of a Kind" Tuesday Sketch Challenge!

Yep! Another FUN one too! Gotta love the circles and a chance to use those punches! :)

This delicious looking apple is from the Stampin' Up! 'Tart and Tangy" set. I've stamped it on naturals ivory with ruby red and kiwi kiss ink. Actually, before I stamped the apple, I wiped off the stem and leaf and colored it in with the chocolate chip and old olive markers.

The rustic designer papers are from my scrap stash and I've layered it with ruby red and old olive cardstock. The edge on the red piece is with a Martha Stewart border punch.

The idea for my sentiment came from the Stampin' Up! set "Mixed Greetings", but it was just too big and overpowered my little apples, so I created my own handwritten "one of a kind" message! Can you tell it's not stamped? ;)

After seeing the photos, I'm questioning my color choices, but I really do think they look better in real life! :) I've distressed all the edges with a sponge and Versafine Vintage Sepia ink, added some zig-zag stitching, linen thread bow, and a mini clip to highlight my "one of a kind" apple!

Enough about MY card! Please scoot on over to Lord Have Mercy and see what Mercy and her fabulous team of Muses have created to inspire you today!! And CHECK IT OUT ~ the one and only Shannan Tuebner has joined our team! AND we have a extra-special NEW rockstar stamper ~ Suzy Tyler from Inky Rubber~ as our September Guest Muse!! WELCOME Suzy! :) These gals are just AWESOME and it is my pleasure to be creating along with them!

~ Mercy's Muses ~
Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner
Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict
Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes
Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper
Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Shannan Tuebner ~ Shannan Tuebner Designs

You are ALL invited and encouraged to play along with this sketch challenge! You'll find all the details on Mercy's blog. Won't you join us?

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.

Author Unknown

{MOJO #101} Vintage Windmill

Here I am playing with the MoJo Monday sketch on the Sunday after! That's one of the great things about these sketch challenges...there really is no time limit! :)

I've used one of my old stamps for this card ~ it's "Vintage Windmill" by Stampabilities 2002. I inked it up with Versafine vintage sepia and stamped it on naturals ivory cardstock. It was punched out with the mega Marvy Uchida circle punch and the edges sponged.

The designer paper is by Basic Grey and the blue is actually Stampin Up vintage violet, stamped with the canvas background stamp. The brown strip is stamped with the weathered background stamp. And then I added the jumbo eyelet, ribbon and random stitching to finish it off.

I've got a dear "old" high school friend that likes windmills, so this was created especially for her . . . just to let her know I'm thinking of her! :)

Thank you all for the "well wishes"! I'm a little sore yet and doing some of my stamping standing up. :) The ice pack helps and so does the tylenol with codeine. ;) I think I may just stay home from work tomorrow and give myself another day to recupe...and stamp! :)

Are you having a good weekend? Our weather is just gorgeous here in Nebraska! The sun is shining, low 70's and I've got the windows open to enjoy the fresh air.

Happy Stamping and Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~
But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.
~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

{WSC #95} Happy New Baby!

~ It's a GIRL! ~

One of the guys I work with and his wife had a BABY GIRL this week so this card was made especially to celebrate their new arrival ~ Jada Lynn! My plan is to purchase a Target gift card to slip into the folder inside. (see photo below)

The pretty pink designer paper is from the Wild Raspberry line by K & Company and I've teamed it up with Stampin' Up so saffron and regal rose cardstock.

The stamps are some oldies from Stampin' Up ~ Something to Celebrate and Greetings Galore. The inside sentiment is from Best Yet. I stamped the carriage with regal rose and colored it with the SU watercolor markers.

This terrific layout is from another one of Beate's wonderful Weekend Sketch Challenges! It was just the inspiration I needed for this card today! If you want to play along and see all the fabulous samples by her team of designers, just scoot on over to her blog ~ Fresh & FUN ~ for all the details! You'll be glad you did. :)

I hope you're enjoying your weekend and doing what you love to do! Thanks so much for blogging by today! Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

~Elizabeth Stone

I.C.U. {Laughter is the Best Medicine!}

Today's card is an "oldie" that I created about two years ago. I couldn't find the post so I'm not sure that I ever shared it with you. I made it especially for one of our dear friends who underwent back surgery.

This afternoon I had some minor out-patient surgery and this is what I looked like. ;) Seriously! The gowns still look like this and leave something to be desired. :)

Since I didn't post yesterday, I wanted to post something for you today and then I remembered this card and found it in my archives. If I was making it today, I would probably have to add some stitching or use a fancier layout, but I still like it as it is and hope you get a chuckle out of it. :)

The image is colored with prismacolor pencils and the old olive green layer is embossed with the Cuttlebug. The photo below is of the inside of the card.



My procedure was at noon at a local surgery center and my Dr and the nurses were awesome...just so kind and caring. What's bothered me the most is when I woke up from the general anesthetic with an awful taste in my mouth and a very sore throat. I remember asking the nurse what it was from, but I don't remember what she told me. Ick! Anyway, I was home by 2:30 and slept for a few hours, with the help of some good drugs. ;) Now, I'm eating a DQ butterfinger blizzard...thanks to Mr. Wonderful who spoils me! :)

Normally, I'm a very private person and certainly wouldn't share such personal info as "bladder issues" on a public blog. However, in researching this topic and talking to friends, I've learned that a great majority of women, probably most of us who've had children, deal with urinary stress incontinence. If I can share my experience in order to help any of you, I would be happy to tell you more about the "sling" procedure I had today. Of course, it's too early to tell if it's solved the problem, but I'll know soon. Please email me if you want to know more. Or, maybe you've already had it done and can give me some recovery tips! :)

Off to lay down with the ice pack. . . :) I plan to spend my weekend taking it easy and creating for next week's sketch challenges. Think Happy Thoughts!

Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

I expect to pass through life but once.

If therefore, there be any kindness I can show,

or any good thing I can do to any fellow being,

let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it,

as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn

{WSC #94} Good Works . . .

. . . are links that form a chain of love. ~ Mother Teresa

Isn't this a unique layout? It's by the one and only Beate at Fresh and Fun for her Weekend Sketch Challenge #94.

Honestly, I wasn't too sure about this sketch when I first saw it, but it has grown on me and now I really like it! What I especially like is that it is something different from the norm.

The card is a 5-1/4" square of natural cardstock, layered with a scrap of rustic rust colored designer paper. The stamp set I've used is "Inspired by Nature" by Stampin' Up! I colored directly on the stamp with my Stampin Up watercolor markers and spritzed it with a fine mist of water before stamping onto the natural cardstock.

I distressed the edges of the image with Versafine Vintage Sepia and layered it onto a piece of summer sun cardstock. Under that is a piece of textured brown cardstock that I did a quick little random stitching on before adhering to the card. This terrific quote is from the same set, stamped in chocoloate chip. Then I added a little clippy, eyelet and ribbon to jazz it up a bit!


What do you think? Wouldn't you like to try this sketch challenge too? You can! Just blog on over to Beate's blog for all the deets! :)

As always, I thoroughly enjoy your comments and thank you for stopping by today! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask and I'll try to answer via my next post.

Smiles 2 U ~

~ Quote for Today ~

Never miss an opportunity to make others happy,

even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it. ~Author Unknown

{Sweet Sketch #12} Color Challenge Too!

Check out this most unlikely combination of Stampin' Up colors! They are: certainly celery, so saffron, real red and only orange. Seriously?!

First. I printed off this week's Sweet Sketch for guidance and then I pulled out a sheet of cardstock for each of these colors. *gasp* What in the world was Arlana thinking!?! :) I'll tell you what she was thinking ~ *challenge*!

It took me longer than usual to create this card, mainly because I had to try every which way of using the colors. Finally, I decided to tame down the fiery red and orange and emphasize the soft saffron & celery.

The stamps used are from Stampin' Up ~ Love Is In the Air and Noteworthy. I've used the polka dot Cuttlebug folder on the so saffron piece and stitched down the layers. Just three little brads and some ribbon to embellish. I hope you like my sketch card and I invite you *ALL* to join in the challenge! Please hop on over the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog for all the details! If you need a bit more persuading, check out what all the other gals on the Sweet Sketch team have created this week.

I want to give a GET WELL SOON shout out to Arlana, the fantastic designer and organizer of Sweet Sketch Wednesday. The poor gal has been battling a sinus infection this week and I'm hoping by the time she sees this, she's feeling as good as new!

How's your week going so far, my friends? The days fly by, don't they?! Whatever you do, try to find time to do what you enjoy!

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

I have an almost religious zeal - not for technology per se, but for the Internet which is for me, the nervous system of mother Earth, which I see as a living creature, linking up.

-Dan Millman

{MTSC #36} Sending you Sunshine!

Summertime FUN is

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!

Most of you have already moved on to making Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas cards, but not me. (not yet, anyway! ;) I *love* summer and want to make the season last as long as possible.

My "Changito Pool Guy" by Stampendous is sending you sunshine and smiles . . . and he's sending a big shout out to Jackie Pedro from The Scalloped Edge to wish her a very happy HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)

Today's card layout is by none other than Mercy Kerin from Lord Have Mercy . Each week she dazzles us with another fabulous sketch! And, in case you don't know, you are ALL invited to participate in her Tuesday Sketch Challenge . . . just hop on over to her blog for all the details! :)

This month, the mega-talented Shannan Tuebner from Shannan Tuebner Designs has been Mercy's "Guest Muse". You'll be amazed to see what she's done with this sketch . . . and all the other Muses' too . . .

~ Mercy's Muses ~

Jackie Pedro {the birthday girl!}
Cindy Haffner

Pam Varnell

Julie Lacey

Crystal Birr

Jessica Diedrich

And here's Mercy's fantastic sketch to ignite your creativity . . .

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I *love* hearing from you and appreciate your comments. I don't go into a lot of detail explaining my cards and supplies. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Have a great week!

Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun.

Enjoy the trip! ~Author Unknown

{Celebrating MoJo 100!} Let's DANCE!

DANCE as if no one were watching,

SING as if no one were listening,

LIVE every day as if it were your last.

There is always something exciting going on in the blog world of rubber stamping and cardmaking. This week we're celebrating MoJo Monday's 100th!

To celebrate, the Mojo Makers have pulled out their own sketchbooks and contributed new sketches that they posted every day this week. The sketches are all awesome and the samples I've seen certainly ignite creativity!

I really wish I would have had time to do them all, but there simply aren't enough hours in the day for everything I want to do! You know that feeling, right? Soooo...on the last day {Day 7} of "Mojo Monday Turns 100" here is my contribution to the celebration!

I just *love* this sketch and found it to be a terrific way to use scraps of designer paper. Once I found two coordinating pieces, I got out my 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" square punches and got busy. Since I wanted to use the punches for uniform squares with less cutting, I had to modify the overall size of my card to accomodate all 12 squares evenly. The size of this card is 4-1/2" x 5-7/8".

Once I had all the squares tacked on with a bit of tape adhesive, I zig zag stiched between them all. Some of you have asked questions about how I sew on my cards and I just have to say it is super easy, especially with the Janome Sew Mini. {As much as I advertise it, you would think I sell them, but I don't. } I usually sew the layers before I attach it to the folded carstock piece. This is much easier and hides the stitching on the backside. When using adhesive to attach your layers, make sure you don't put any where you intend to sew. I learned the hard way on this!

This inspiring sentiment is from VERVE STAMPS. The set is "Beautiful You" and I *won* it! No kidding! I've entered several of the MoJo sketch challenges, but my "Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries" card was selected as one of the Top 7 in MoJo Week 94! Thee Queen MoJo Maker, Julee Tilman, is *so* generous and let me select my favorite set from Verve. Oh my! It was difficult to decide, but I knew that I would get lots of use from this set and I already have! And it seemed quite appropo that I use it today! :)

If you have time, be sure to blog on over to the MoJo Monday Sketch Blog and view all the entries. You'll be amazed and inspired!

Happy Sunday and Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. -Emory Austin

What's Shakin'?

I hope your weekend is SHAKIN' UP to be a GOOD ONE! :)

When I first saw this "Changito Miranda" stamp by Stampendous, I thought of the "What's Shakin?" saying and what a fun card it would make. Don't you think? ;)

My card is a 5-1/4" square and I've layered the designer paper on top or pixie pink and green galore cardstock. The photo just isn't reflecting how bright the colors are.

The image is colored with Copic markers and I did a little stitching in black thread to shake it up a bit. :)

It's really COOL here this morning, but the sun is out and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. I told MW (Mr Wonderful) I would start mowing since he's working today, but I'm in no rush to do that just yet. Stamping is much more FUN! :)

Have a GREAT weekend, my friends and do what you love to do!

Smiles 2 U ~

~ Quote for Today ~
Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.
~Author Unknown

Trendy Trees creation by Jami ~

I mentioned in my last post that I had borrowed my sweet DIL Jami's "Trendy Trees" set by Stampin Up. Since I assembled it for her, she let me keep it for awhile. :) Jami is so busy right now with her new teaching job that she knew the set wouldn't see much action at her house. Lucky for me because this is one of my favorite sets! :)

Jami made this *terrific* card while we were stamping together on Sunday and I want to share it with you because I know you'll love it as much as I do! This card is proof that "less is more" and it's a perfect way to use this set! Jami always amazes me with her ideas. I would never have thought to tie on the sentiment this way! She's actually tied the twine around the card and then used dimensionals to stick the sentiment over it. Isn't that clever?

Oh, I want to be sure to tell you too that I heard back from Addicted to Rubber Stamps on Monday about the stamp I received with the wrong rubber attached and they immediately sent me a new stamp. I got the real "Changito Miranda" in the mail today! I've already stamped a couple images and plan to color them and create a card later. :)

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you're all having a great week! Who's glad tomorrow is FRIDAY?! YaY!! I live for my weekends...

Smiles 2 U!

~ Quote for Today ~

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.

-Chinese Proverb

{Sweet Sketch #11} Here's to Age ...

... and those of us who never show it! ;)

Today is Sweet Sketch Wednesday and time to play along with another one of Arlana's challenging sketches!

This stamp is an oldie, but a goodie by American Art Stamps. It just makes me *smile* and hopefully my card will make you *smile* too! :)

I had planned to make this strictly a black and white card, but I couldn't resist giving my lady a little color...and then the flowers too. :)

The polka dot paper has a little bit of the light aqua in it too and I used the same pale porcelain blue Copic marker to highlight the black and white floral designer paper. The Taylored Expressions twill ribbon is one of my favorite types of ribbon to work with and I just happened to have the right color for this card. You gotta love it when that happens! :)

As always, you're ALL encouraged to play along with these sketch challenges! The intent of the Sweet Sketch Design Team members is to inspire you to create a card of your own. Arlana has put together a team of 12 designers and you'll enjoy seeing how each one interpreted this layout. For all the details, please scoot on over to the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog. You'll be happy you did!

That's all for now, but I hope to be back again this week with a "Trendy Tree" card. My sweet DIL Jami came out to stamp with me on Sunday and since I assembled her new Stampin Up set for her, she let me keep it here for awhile. :)

Have a GREAT day! Smiles 2 U ~

~ Quote for Today ~

Age is an issue of mind over matter.

If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

- Mark Twain

{MTSC #35} Thoughts and Prayers ~

YaY! It's time for another one of Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenges!

When in need of a card for a dear friend going through a difficult time, the "Thoughts and Prayers" set from Stampin Up is ideal! And when you have a terrific card sketch for inspiration, it makes for a winning combination!

The mega-talented designer of this layout is Mercy Kerin from Lord Have Mercy . She's been very busy creating one fabulous sketch after another. You're all invited to participate in her Tuesday Sketch Challenge . . . just hop on over to her blog for all the details! :)

Oh wait! There's more! Mercy has invited Shannan Tuebner from Shannan Tuebner Designs to be her "Guest Muse" for August. We're so excited to be working alongside Shannan, who is a Stamping *STAR*! You'll be amazed to see what she's done with this sketch . . . and all the other Muses' too . . .

~ Mercy's Muses ~

Cindy Haffner
Pam Varnell
Julie Lacey
Crystal Birr
Jackie Pedro
Jessica Diedrich

The designer paper I've used on this card is "Fresh Print Apple" from Deja Views and I've combined it with Stampin Up old olive and orchid opulence cardstock. The rubber stamp is inked with SU watercolor markers and stamped on naturals ivory cardstock. The bottom border is a Martha Stewart punch. Can you believe I didn't add any stitching to this card?! I really wanted to, but then I decided it might be too much. (see my owl card in the last post ;)

Today I want to give a shout out to a few of my faithful followers who continue to bring a big *smile* to my face. Happy Hi to You All! Linzy, Debbie, Gail S, Gayle, Michelle, Stephanie, Jennifer, Julie, LeAnne, Katie, Linda, Mona, Mrs Fence, Nancy, Sheri, Judi, Tenia, Crystal, Mish, Tanh, Sue, Arlana, and last but not least...a Portland Granny! :) I'm glad you're enjoying my creations and my daily quotes too.

Smiles and Hugs Around!

~ Quote for Today ~
Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold.
But other times, it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.
~Douglas Pagels

{SFYTT} From OWL of Us . . .

This card is a real HOOT! I created it using the Sketch for You to Try at I (heart} 2 Stamp. Jen Del Muro's layouts are always such fun to work with!

I'll admit to getting a little carried away with the zig zag stitching, but once it's done, there's no taking it back. : /

The little owl is a Hampton Art Studio G stamp I picked up in Michaels $1 bin. Isn't he a cutie? Of course, I had to color him all funky like the designer paper. It's "Owls All Around" by ADORNit and it's layered atop Stampin Up tempting turquoise. The sentiment is from Stampin Up's "Owl Together Now" set.

This past weekend flew by WAY too fast, but I enjoyed every minute! Happy Monday and here's wishing you OWL a wonderful week! :)

Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~

Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe