{SSSC58 & Curtain Call Act 18} Close As a Memory

This card is for another unique Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge by Karen Giron of The Sweetest Thing.  I always enjoy her challenges so much and having time to stamp on the weekend might have a something to do with it.  

 

I'm a week late for Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 18, but I've had this cardstock out and planned to participate, so I went  ahead with it anyway.  I really love these colors and think they go so well together.  I wasn't able to work in the kraft cardstock, but my linen thread is going to have to qualify for the kraft color.  ;) 

 The Bo Bunny Shabby Princess paisley designer paper is from my "stash" and I noticed it was dated 2006 so that tells you it's been around awhile.  Do you recognize the flower stamp?   It is a portion of the stamp from Stampin' Up's Close As a Memory set.   I've colored direct to the stamp with SU Stampin' Write markers.  I stamped the flowers on natural ivory cardstock and then punched them out with a 1-1/4" square punch. The old olive layer is 1-3/8" square punch.  These could have been a little larger, but I wanted to use the punches to keep them uniform and these are my only sizes. 

The light blue and green buttons are from Stampin' Up's Sherbet collection and have been stitched on with the linen thread.   I used one of the sentiments from the Thoughts and Prayers set on the inside and stamped the flower one more time.  The left edge has been punched with that fabulous scalloped edge punch from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Did you know you can get the punch FREE with any order of $50 or more?!!   Love those deals!   Please contact me or click on "Shop Now" if you're interested.

Why do the weekends fly by SO fast?!  It's true that "time flies when you're having FUN!"  It would be nice if we could hit the "pause" button now and then.  If so, I would be hitting it right now!   I haven't even had a chance to check out all of my favorite blogs and I know there is much inspiration to be seen!  In fact, that is what I'm going to do next!

Thanks so much for stopping by!   

Smiles 2 U!


Quote for Today ~
If you have health, you will probably be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need . . . even if it's not all you want. ~Elbert Hubbard

{Color Throwdown #81} Just 'Cause I Like You

When I saw the Color Throwdown Challenge this week to use these three colors, I immediately thought of SPRING!!!   Since we are still buried in snow around here, SPRING is a very welcome and happy thought!   :)

First, I got out a sheet of cardstock of each Stampin' Up! color ~ chocolate chip, pretty in pink and old olive, went to my stash of designer papers and found this little pink polka dot that was a perfect match!  I happened to have a package of Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Pea stitched felt flowers out on my table and lucky for me the rest is history!   A very quick and easy card to create!  

This cute little sentiment is from a retired Stampin' Up! set by the same name.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!  I really enjoy hearing from you and appreciate all your comments so much.  Wishing you all a warm and wonderful weekend! 
 
THINK SPRING! 


Quote for Today ~
An optimist is the human personification of SPRING! ~ Susan Bissonette

Sharing Cards from Friends Today

Isn't it FUN and so exciting to get real snail mail from a friend?!  

It makes me *SMILE* and I appreciate it so much!

Today, I'm going to share some of my recent mail . . . fabulous creations by a few of my dear cardmaking friends!   This first one was created by Dori who I met online a few years ago at Papercrafts and then had the ultimate pleasure of meeting her in person in Hawaii three years ago!  What a thrill!   She sent me this bright and cheery Happy New Year card in January.  The colors are great and I love how she's sponged and layered the scalloped circles!  

This beauty was created by Marie in Montana who is another Papercrafts/Stamp Shack friend.  She won blog candy last month and sent me this *gorgeous* thank you card.  I love the colors, how she's stamped the background to look like a designer paper and how about those "faux" stamped buttons?!  Love it!

The sweet and colorful turtle card below is from my blog friend Debbie Fisher from The Paper Garden.  She's a designer for Inky Antics Rubber Stamps and has a *fantastic* blog!   Be sure to stop over and say Hi!  She's a Nebraskan too and we're hoping to meet someday soon...when the weather straightens out!  Debbie not only stamps, she crochets and last year sent me some beautiful little crocheted flowers.  That reminds me that I need to use those again! 

Last, but certainly not least, earlier this week I received a *wonderful* little surprise package in the mail from my blog friend Gail who lives in central Nebraska.  Her package was simply filled with all kinds of crafty treasures!  Oh my!   I want to share a few of them with you. This first one is so clever...a yummy little chocolate stir stick wrapped up in a cute little stamped friend folder. . .

I just adore this bright and sunny hello card with the polka dot ribbon and I will have to case this idea!  In fact, it would be perfect for the Color Throwdown challenge I want to participate in today!  hmmm, thinking out loud here...

And check out this beautiful heart mini card using kraft cardstock. . . with a tag to match!!  Yes!

And that's not all!  Below is another little mini card with a great layout...and I really like the Stampin' Up set she used too! ;)  THANK YOU SO MUCH Gail!!!   I don't have your email address so I'm hoping you read this and know how much fun I had opening your package and how much I appreciate your thoughfulness.   Let's plan to get together this spring or summer with Debbie too, ok?!   {please email me so I can save your addy and keep in touch}

Thanks so much for stopping by today and letting me share my mail with you.  Now I need to get busy and create a few blog challenge cards . . . and a "special order" for my BEST *ever* ETSY customer!

It should be a FUN day ahead for me and here's wishing you all the same~! ! !  :)

Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~
The world is like a mirror, you see?
Smile, and your friends smile back.
~ Zen saying

{MTSC62} Smile! It's Another Sketch Card Like the Other!

All your sweet comments about my last card made me *smile*.  And they were all the encouragment I needed to create another one like it!  Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong no matter what you do with this sketch of Mercy's! 

What I did first was select the flowers and then went to my designer paper stash to find some coordinating colors.  This is a 5-1/4" square card and the base is Stampin' Up color - orchid opulence.  The circle behind the flower is also orchid opulence that has been stamped with the new Vintage Vogue jumbo wheel to give it the pattern.  The ribbon treatment is a little different, but this was a stiffer ribbon that didn't want to tie very well, so this is what I came up with. Of course, I couldn't resist a little zig zag stitching and the "Smiles" sentiment to finish it off.

Above is the inside of the card, using Stampin' Up! natural cardstock with a strip of designer paper that has been punched with the Sale-a-Bration Scallop Trim border punch. 

If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  I know I don't take time to go into a lot of detail, but I'm not so sure you want to read a lot of text anyway??  If you're like me, you've got so many blogs you want to read, that sometimes all there is time for is viewing the photos! 

Please know that I'm loving all your comments and encouragement and it's especially motivating to me too.
Thanks so much for stopping by and do come back again soon, ok?

Smiles 2 U!


Quote for Today ~
If in doubt, smile.

{MTSC62} My Favorite Sketch Challenge!

All I needed this evening was Mercy Kerin's Tuesday Sketch Challenge for inspiration and away I went.  I couldn't believe how quickly this card came together for me!  What is interesting is that I've had these large silk flowers for a few years. They've been stored in a decorative glass jar on the shelf above my stamp table, and although I've often admired them, I've never used them before now.  Well, tonight I was looking around for a stamp to use for the circular image and I happened to glance at these flowers.   Hmmm, could I pull this off???

This card is a 5-1/4" square of Stampin' Up's retired in-color blue bayou, layered with baja breeze and some remnants of a coordinating designer paper.  The center of the flower is a large fabric covered brad from K & Company.  I don't know if you can see it in the photo, but it has a few little sparkly rhinestones in the center.  La-De-Da!  :)

Below is a photo of the inside of the card with a narrow strip of the same decorative paper zig zag stitched on the top.

You're all invited to join us in Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.

In fact, we would sure *love* it if you would!

If you need a bit of inspiration to get you started,
please blog on over and see what Mercy's Muses have created:

Anya Schrier ~ Life is What You Make It! {Guest Muse}

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner
Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes!

Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {our Queen Muse}

Simply create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation to Mister Linky on Mercy's blog. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC62 when uploading to a public gallery.

Thanks for blogging by and have a Happy Day!




Quote for Today ~
Woman's Rule of Thumb: If it has tires or testicles, you're going to have trouble with it. ~Author Unknown

{SSSC57 & cQc #20} Sending You SUNSHINE!

How's this for BRIGHT & SUNNY?!!  You may want to put on your sunglasses! These two challenges took me WAY out of my comfort zone today, but I was determined and this is what I've come up with . . . 

The Sweet Sunday Sketch really had me puzzled for awhile. I think Karen Giron at The Sweetest Thing was testing us with this one! ; )  I wanted to use this new Pure Innocence digital image and it wouldn't work as a circle so you'll notice I changed the central shape. 

Are you wondering where in the world I got this WILD color scheme?  It's from Arielle at Color Q and the photo of the vase below was her inspiration piece.   I used these exact colors, although my lighting has somewhat distorted the colors in the photos.

If you have time, please be sure to hop on over to these two blogs and check out all the creations.  They amaze me! 

I've been trying to learn how to color with Copic Markers.  They are just so different from what I'm use to!  And I had some trouble with the markers smearing the printer ink on this digi image, but Mercy's Muses have come to my rescue and I think I may know the "secret" now!  ;)

Here is the inside with "sending you sunshine" sentiment.  The used the Stampin' Up! scalloped border for the tempting turquoise piece at the top and zig zag stitched it on.

Is it warm and SUNNY where you are today?  Cloudy and light snow here, so I'm making my own sunshine!  :)  Take care and do stop back again soon!

Sunny Smiles!

Quote for Today ~
What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp. ~Author Unknown

{Color Throwdown #80} For My Special Friend

HAPPY WEEKEND PEEPS!

So sorry I've been neglecting you this week, but my back has been killin' me and totally zapped the creative mojo right out of me.  I'm not exactly sure what I did, but it might have something to do with helping MW carry a cabinet up from downstairs.  Duh!  I wanted it in my stamp room as an "island" for my paper cutter and extra storage and it was my idea. Not a smart idea for me to help carry it, but it really is working great now.  :)    

Thankfully, my back is better today and I've been stamping all afternoon and enjoying every minute!  I've already made three cards for my Etsy Shop and hope to get a few more done to post tomorrow.   This card was created especially for the COLOR THROWDOWN Challenge #80.   When I first saw the colors, I was a bit intimidated, but then I saw all the fabulous cards by the Color Throwdown Team  and thought "I Can Handle This"! :)

For my card, I've used bravo burgundy for the base, layered on a light green vintage K & Company designer paper, and then used really rust to back the image.  The flower is a two step stamp from Stampin' Up set ~ Heartfelt Thanks.

Can you tell I'm "into" the vintage distressed look lately?  I'm loving it and hope you do too!  All the edges are zig zag stitched and sponged and I've embellished with some brass brads and clip.  The ribbon is bravo burgandy grosgrain.  I tried putting a sentiment on this and decided against it.   Also, I've finished off the inside to coordinate with the front...

Thanks so much for blogging by today!  You know I love hearing from you and hope you'll take time to say "Hi"!   Have you been watching the Olympics?  I really enjoy them and admire those athletes so much!

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!   Are you thinking SPRING???  I sure am!  :)


Quote for Today ~ 
When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

{MTSC61 & Curtain Call Act 17} You're Too Kind

 

I've combined two challenges again today and hope you like what I've conjured up!  :)  The layout is from Mercy Kerin of Lord Have Mercy for her Tuesday Sketch Challenge and the colors are from Stacey Schafer's Stamping Stage for her Curtain Call Color Challenge.

C

I wasn't too sure about these colors when I first saw this, but I have to say that I'm very pleasantly surprised how it turned out.  Of course, it helped that I found the perfect vintage-look designer paper in my stash.  The base is chocolate chip, layered with designer paper by K&Company.  The three squares on the left are so saffron, more mustard and going gray and I've rolled each of them with the Very Vintage jumbo wheel and sponged the edges. 

The flower is from a retired Stampin' Up set ~ Heartfelt Thanks and the sentiment is from the FREE Sale-a-Bration set ~ Whimsical Words.  The ovals were die cut with Spellbinder dies and I sponged inside the oval lightly with going gray ink.   A little random stitching, a metal button and some satin ribbon on a clip to finish it off!

This is how I've finished off the inside of this one...

You're all invited to join us in Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.

In fact, we would *love* it if you would! ;)

If you need a bit of inspiration to get you started,
please hop on over and see what Mercy's Muses have created this week!

Anya Schrier ~ Life is What You Make It! {Guest Muse}

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner
Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes!

Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {our Queen Muse}

Simply create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation to Mister Linky on Mercy's blog. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC61 when uploading to a public gallery.

Thanks for blogging by today! Have a fantastic week!

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!




Quote for Today ~
A kind word is like a Spring day. ~Russian Proverb

{SSSC56} Happy Heart Day, My Friends!

Let's call this a "Virtual Valentine" and I'm sending it out to *all of you* with warm wishes for an especially Happy Valentine's Day! 

My inspiration for today's card came from Nancy Riley at iStamp!  She's one of the mega talented Sweet Sunday Stampers and I loved how she used the big bold print from Stampin' Up's "Sending Love Specialty" Designer Series Paper.    This was a fun sketch too, thanks to Karen Giron at The Sweetest Thing! 

My card is a 5-1/4" square.  I've used real red and pretty in pink cardstock along with very vanilla and the glittery designer paper.   The FRIEND heart is from one of the FREE Sale-a-Bration sets ~ I {Heart} Hearts!  I've stamped it with real red on very vanilla and used clear embossing powder for added shine and dimension.  Check out the lovely red satin ribbon and the adorable heart brad ~ goodies from the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Please don't look too close at my stitching.  The paper shifted on me and it got a little wonky.  My hope is that you'll be so focused on the shimmery gorgeous paper that you won't even notice. ; )    I finished off the inside as well and used my new small heart punch in the bottom corner so the red background showed through. 

Yesterday, our kind neighbor came and plowed out our driveway so I could finally get my car out.  Now, this morning we woke up to more blowing and drifting *SNOW*!    When will this winter ever end?!   I guess I should just be thankful I've got such a FUN hobby and plenty to keep me busy indoors!  

Thanks for stopping by today!  Remember, you're all invited to participate in the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  Just hop on over to Karen's blog for all the details!

Valentine Hugs & Smiles!

Valentine Quote for Today ~
Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a heart. ~Author Unknown