Stars and Sunshine

 I'm back with another challenge card today, happy Friday, friends! 

You know how I love card challenges, they help by keeping me growing as a stamper and having fun as someone who has a bit of time on her hands (usually!). That translates to keeping me out of trouble. Yesterday's card (HERE) was for a sketch challenge and today I'm back with TAKE 2 on the same sketch from Cecile from Freshly Made Sketches.  I've been thinking on this sketch overnight. 

You'd be amazed both of my takes are from the same challenge idea, but it just shows how easy it is to focus on one thing or another thing altogether when creating from a sketch. It all depends how the inspiration strikes you! 

I used a square card this time (4.5 x 4.5"), with a smaller stitched die cut square featuring a scene. For the focal image I used a seaside image and the tall lighthouse mimics the diamond shape in the sketch. 

I stamped the images using a masking technique onto Canson watercolor paper with Watering Can Archival ink, and painted in the details with Distress Re-inkers. 

The sky shows the morning and night sky both to illustrate the sentiment, as its found on the stamp packaging. I dabbed a few stars with a white gel pen. 

I am so happy to be using the Grounded & Glowing set from Penny Black for the first time. I keep looking for stamps that vary from my normal flowers and feminine vibes, and this one is working for me! I loved having a reason to pull out the watercolors.

Speaking of inspiration, the DT samples for this sketch are fabulous!

Thanks so much for your visit, I will see you soon! 

Also playing with my new stamps at NBUS Challenge #89.  and Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Looking Forward to Fall

 Hi, I sure am looking forward to fall, especially since our temps are still high 90's and it's so very HOT! We were at the beach last week and we had a daily heat advisory so we couldn't be outside as much as we would have liked. Had a good time anyway! 

Back at home in my craft room, I put together today's clean and simple card using a fun mix of oldies for fall. 

I was inspired by The Paper Players challenge and Freshly Made Sketch Challenge. 

I"m also looking forward to some crafting with new goodies and more time to play next week. Hope you will stop back. I appreciate your visit, I'm wishing you a wonderful weekend! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Blues for a Beautiful Day

 It's not my team up for the new challenge at Tic Tac Toe but I just couldn't resist playing along with the fabulous board created by Jeanie for Challenge #299. The monochromatic option got the creative juices flowing for me! 

It was a great opportunity to feature the Foliage Flair stamps and stencils by Pinkfresh Studios. I stamped the image in black ink, and used Distress Oxide Inks with the stencil to apply shades of blue, cobalt and teal to the design. The flowing lines of the foliage and blooms pair beautifully with the simple color combo.   

I went with the middle vertical row of Monochromatic, Gems and Coordinated Envelope. I love that I had the lovely blue gems from Altenew (Gem Sparkles - Deep Sea Sapphire.) They really sparkle!  

Happily it's my first time using the stamps and stencils so you know I'm headed to Darnell's fabulous NBUS challenge to share. 

I'm glad we had this chance to meet up today. I'm wishing you a beautiful day!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: 

Foliage Flair bundle

DOX inks: Blueprint Sketch, Broken China, Salty Ocean
Sentiment is from Altenew Craft Your Life Watercolor Flowers kit  

Hearts A Plenty

 How's everything going for you, dear crafty friend? 

I spent some time in my craft space today. I was digging through my supplies one box and container at a time, looking for a set of dies that I KNOW I bought recently. The dies weren't in the envelope with the stamps and stencils where I normally keep them. Wondering where else I could have put it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

Well, I didn't find it. Has this ever happened to you? I wasn't going to create with it, I was just stressed that I couldn't get my hands on it. I feel sure I will stumble upon it some day when I least expect it!

This cute pair did turn up in my ready-made bin and since they were already colored, I set about to make a card in an attempt to re-focus.

I used reinkers to lightly watercolor the critters, cut them out and added a paper from my stash. Adding a die cut heart and rounded corners to the card base gives a playful vibe. 

 Verena designed the Freshly Made Sketch and it's lovely, as are the DT samples. I'm happy to play along! Also linking to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

It's so good of you to visit, hope you're having a great weekend. I appreciate you! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: 
Penny Black - Hearts A plenty stamp
Altenew - Soft Blossoms (sentiment)

Celebrations and Wins!

 Hi to you friends, I can't believe that August is here. It seems that I should be posting cards today as the week is half over already, but how about if I post a quick update instead? 

The last week was really full, with a family celebration party at our house for 15 on Saturday and our son and family visiting for a few days afterward. Very good time! Very tired Mimi and Papa! 

Now for the wins part. Drum roll please!! I was a very lucky random winner at the SSS weekly challenge with the circles card from the last post - and it also was chosen as Queen of Clean at the Freshly Made Challenge!  I just love challenges - they keep me stamping and mentally stoked. PLUS a win???!!!

Lastly, dear Darnell hosted an amazing celebration of the NBUS anniversary, and I was a random pick prize winner! Shopping at Waffle Flower is in store for me. 

I am one tired but happy stamper today! Back with cards soon, but maybe not tomorrow. HA! 

Thanks for letting me share! Hugs. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Pop Art for Freshly Made Sketches

 Just when I think I'm finished for the week with card-making and posting, another challenge kicks me into gear and I make just one more! 

I've been waiting patiently for the chance to use my geometric shapes and supplies and today I was inspired to pull them out.

From the SSS April card kit, I used the Pop Art stamps and dies. The printed sentiments and a batch of colorful textured card stock squares were  included. These items made creating with Kim's sketch at Freshly Made so easy. 

When I saw this kit, I thought it would make great cards for our grandson. Nice to have this ready to go. 

Speaking of ready to go - we are heading out to the pool for a little exercise this evening. The weather here was finally a bit cooler today. 

Hope you have a great weekend! It was so good of you to visit.

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

I'm adding this to
 Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Supplies: 
The small script sentiment is from Waffle Flower - Oversized Hello

Better at the Beach

 Waving hello friends! I wish I was packing my bag for a day at the beach, don't you? 

Here's my card to help us dream a little of the beach life. 

I created my beach tote using cut strips of card stock to make stripes, then added the sentiment, sunglasses, a shell and a towel to complete the focal point. Using Crystal effects makes the glass frames shiny IRL and there's a shimmer on the pink hearts. 

It's a center fold pop up card. For the pale blue base, I used an EF for a texture resembling water drops, smooshing a light layer of white ink over it. The scene is complete with patterned paper curving along the bottom, and a few clear gems. 

It's a new challenge for Team X at Tic Tac Toe. Here's our board of options for these next two weeks. 

I used the middle row across - Beach, Free and Fun Fold. My last name is Beach, of course I couldn't resist! 
We hope you will join us!

 Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: 

Stamps: Waffle Flower Beach Tote Stamps and Dies
Spellbinders Splatter EF