Bring a Letter

 The team at The Paper Players inspired us again with some wonderful samples this week! The theme is CAS cards having to do with mail. One thing that is especially nice at our new home is having our own mailbox on the curb. No more driving to a community mail building in our former rural neighborhood to get the mail.

This theme inspired another Valentine using "Cuteness" stamps from Penny Black. I colored the image with markers and fussy cut it out. Echo Park papers came in handy for making the die cut envelopes. The sentiment came from a brand new PB set called Love Big, thus I'm adding this to NBUS (which features our never-been-used YET -  stuff.   Simple and sweet. Have a great day! 

A Christmas Pair

 Popping in with a quick post on this chilly Sunday. Hi, how are you doing? I'm sharing a Christmas card today that I feel happy to have as the first in the pile up.

I used new stamps from Penny Black (Christmas with Mimi) and colored the cute couple with re-inkers used as watercolors. The snowflakes and designer paper were oldies from my stash. I'm keeping things simple with my stamping and getting used to multiple trips to the "closet" to rummage for supplies which I carry out to the dining room table. And back again. 

Those who visit my blog regularly know that we moved to be closer to our family, in spite of being 'very young' for this kind of change. (big grin here). Our move to a smaller home has been a good thing. It's an individual home in a huge 55plus community. You know - with lots of options for exercise and sociability, pretty neighborhoods with sidewalks, walking trails, a lake and an indoor pool. That last one is my favorite. So, I have big goals to move my body more. It's a .2 mile walk to that pool!

As it turns out, I do also have time and energy for stamping. It's no longer two hours per card, but just enough to have fun, share and keep up with you lovely stamping friends. Thank you for keeping on visiting me!

Challenges entered: 

Penny Black Saturday Challenge
Jingle Belles - using new/old  oops! I'm too late for this one.
A Cut Above - Anything Goes, optional New
Time Out - Inspired by something you love to do. For me, I love to walk in the snow, and gift giving is good to do too!

A Penny Black Valentine

Hello!  I didn't expect to stamp much after our move, but I also forgot that we are usually sick in January. So we are 'under the weather' and staying home inside due to the winter storm. Which for us, meant a bit of ice that is now melting. Either way, I'm happy to be house bound and enjoying sunshine today as I look out the windows.

Inspired by the sketch at Freshly Made, I water colored this sweet image using re-inkers. One of the best things about my new community is that there is a group that meets to make cards and collects them to be distributed at many venues and for every occasion. It makes me happy to be able to easily donate my creations and know they will make someone smile. 

I'm also sharing this at NBUS as the stamp is new, and Penny Black Saturday Challenge where they also focus on something new this month.

I hope you are doing well today. Thanks for your visit to my blog. 

Sending BIG hugs

 Well, hello and Happy New Year! It's been a minute since I posted. Our move was almost two months ago, it all went smoothly but it's always a big change. Then there were family overnights and the holidays!

I'm here to share what I created in my crafty afternoon. Giving the stamping and blogging a try again on this chilly day!

Pulling out my re-inkers I colored this guy from the Penny Black AHOY set for my first Valentine. 

I love how the sentiments work out so well. Inside it says, "Sending a big hug so it's there when you need it."

I'm inspired to join the challenges at Color Hues (hello friends!)  NBUS, Penny Black Saturday Challenge  and Freshly Made. Hope you have a great day!

JOY at Christmas Color Hues #98

 Hi everyone! Welcome to the new challenge for Color Hues #98.  Karen chose Black and Red for us to use this time, and I added gold to the simple card that I have to share with you today. It felt good getting into the spirit of Christmas.

The Layered Poinsettias are from Waffle Company, and the JOY die cut is from the Greetery. Here's a wish for a wonderful holiday season ahead, and for many happy crafty sessions for you all! 

 I mentioned in the last post that I was moving and by this time next week, we will be in our new home. That is a happy thought! 

Thanks so much for your visit today, and for all the days in the past. It's a very sad day to be leaving the wonderful team at Color Hues. Nancy is a wonderful team leader. She's amazingly gifted, inspiring, kind, encouraging and so very organized.  I couldn't have been more proud to be part of this talented group of ladies! 

I will for sure be looking for your creations in the gallery, and I hope to play along in the future.  Have a great day!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Hello, it's Color Hues #97

 Hello, I'm so glad that you've made a visit to my blog today. It's time for a new duo at Color Hues, and Julie P has chosen mustard and olive for us. 

I was inspired to pull out the Fragrant Florals supplies from Altenew, this time featuring the embossing folder and stencils. I just love these shades, I used mostly distress inks to sponge lightly on the leaves and flowers. I did keep adding layers to try to be more mustard-y. Wish the photo did them justice! 

I love the hello sentiment, it's so easy to continue on the inside with a more specific greeting. 

Hello's and goodbye's are very much on my mind these days. On a personal note, my husband and I are in the process of moving to a small home near our daughter's family. I've had to significantly pare down my overflowing craft collections(s)! You know, it's NOT just stamps paper and ink anymore but includes, dies, foils, stencils and ALL the stuff. So, instead of a craft room, I will have a craft closet.

I  may or may not be posting much after the dust settles - but I will see you again for one more challenge at Color Hues. You know you don't need an invitation to play - just make a card using these colors plus a neutral. 

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing your creations! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft

               Make something beautiful!  

Purple and Orange for Color Hues #96

 Hi friends, whoa, how has it gotten to be October?  Yikes! Please don't tell me how many days there are until Christmas, lol! You may be getting ready for Halloween, and if so, this challenge is for you! Julie is asking for purple and orange for this month's Color Hues Challenge and I'm sure the gallery will be full of inspiration!

We are delighted to have Trina Pham and Stephanie Lanzalotto as our special guests. Please welcome them!

I took a bold leap with these colors using the Blossom of Life dies from Altenew. I wasn't sure I would like it, but I think the result surprised me. These pretty dies are huge! I used a couple shades of orange card stock, one of purple and a final black layer. The white dots are Nuvo drops.

We are all hoping that you will join the fun and play along at Color Hues! I can't wait to see what you will make.

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!