Hey there, Panda!

 Hello, friends! I tried out other titles for this post. Happy Panda. Hungry panda. Somehow the name of this set from Altenew didn't seem to work, it's Roaming Pandas. This guy is munching the day away. 

I've had this bundle of stamps, dies, EF and stencils in my stash but they've not been used until today!

I was inspired to use these for The Color Hues Challenge (Yellow and green) 
 The Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Cute Critters
The Double D Challenge - for the Kiddos.
And of course, with Never Been Used Schtuff for the NBUS challenge. 
That's a quick post for me today, enjoy your weekend!

 Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

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. 

Yellow and Blue for Color Hues!

It's June and I could not be HAPPIER! It's my birthday month, our anniversary month (number FIFTY) and our time is coming soon for a fabulous vacation with our family! Besides that, there are TWO granddaughter birthdays and then Father's Day! Isn't it a good thing this card was made well ahead of time? 

Karen has picked Blue and Yellow for us to use at Color Hues, so let's get to it! Although my color choices are paler, we say that is fine as long as you  use hues of the colors given.

My card is filled with blue skies, cute critters, a postal theme, and yellow accents. 

I really had fun with this one, beginning by die cutting the postal frame from Waffle Flower from white card stock. I looked for images to fit in the spaces and enjoyed combining products from two companies. 

I stamped and colored each critter, then fussy cut masks for each one. Using the masks allowed me to create the sky using a clouds stencil. I ended with stamped postal images from the stamp set. 

I know you will be loving the DT creations and we'd love for you to play along too! 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 
                  Make something beautiful! 

Supplies: 
Waffle Flower - Postal Collage Dies and Stamps
Penny Black: Critter Party

Waggingly Happy Color Hues #79

Hello friends, how are you faring in this winter cold? It's a sunny day here with a lovely Carolina blue sky, but brrrr! It is colder than usual! I can't complain as I know many of you are experiencing brutal cold temps and more snow than I can imagine! 

It's time to cuddle up in your craft room? or with a loved one? or a furry friend? And time for our challenge at Color Hues, to use Copper and Green. 

 I chose this Waggingly Happy stamp from Penny Back. 

I stamped on Mixed Media card stock, in black ink.  Using Copics in green (G12, G14) and rust (YR27, E21) I did my best to represent the hues of the challenge. I masked the  cute canine and sponged a circle in Bundled Sage distress ink.  The Parsley card stock and three enamel dots complete the card. As you'll see from the fabulous DT samples, there are many ways to interpret these colors. I can't wait to see what you will make! 

Thanks for your encouraging support here on my blog and at Color Hues. Hope your years is off to a great start. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Bold HELLO for Color Hues #70

 It's time for another duo at Color Hues and for this fortnight Stef has chosen red and yellow for us! A wonderful bright set of colors to pair and use at the end of summer. I went bold and bright with my card. You may need your shades, lol!

I really had fun putting this together using some new and some older supplies. I'm loving the Concord & 9th Markered Messages Dies and the Markered Turnabout Stamp set. Pulling out the cute pup from the Wish Happiness set (Colorado Craft Company) I added a bit of color and whimsy to the card as if he was painting the note.

My stripes are from PTI papers. The yellow was hard to photograph, hope you don't mind. IRL it's not quite so florescent-looking.

Joining us today, please welcome our guest designer Annette, and be sure to check out the gallery! We hope you will play along too. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Playing the challenge at NBUS as the stamps and dies are brand new!

Watercolored Love You with Penny Black

 As I sit down to write this post, I feel at a loss for words. My dear older brother passed away just after Easter and that brought so much sadness. My husband and I were set to fly cross country today for his funeral tomorrow and for a chance to join with family and my siblings at his memorial. Unfortunately, health issues of mine came up and I have had to stay home. 

So, I made a card. 

How's that for just enough telling-it-like-it-is?

It's been way too long since I've used patterned paper, and it took me forever to pick the papers for this card! But I did have fun. Watercoloring was therapeutic as always and I have the satisfaction of doing something today. 

I fell in love with these adorable elephants from Penny Black, aren't they cute? It just happens that  at The PBS Saturday Challenge they are asking for Patterned papers. 

The stamp set Together Forever is new to me so I'll share this at NBUS too. 

Other details: the papers are from Waffle Flower (polka dots) and Penny Black ( pink with roses.) The sentiments and dies are from Honey Bee stamps. I used watercolors from Altenew for coloring on Canson 140lb Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper. 

Thanks so much for visiting today. I'm so grateful for your kind words and I've met so many of you through this craft that have come to mean a great deal to me. I'm hoping to get crafty again today, so I will see you soon. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Stand Tall

 Stand tall is a good reminder, especially if you are short like I am at 5'1 and 1/2" or if you are a flamingo that stands on one leg! I made this card for one of my favorite people who's going to Florida to celebrate a special birthday. I thought these two flamingoes would be fun for her card!

The images and sentiment are from WPlus9 Designs.   I created a stenciled background for my scene, and colored with Copic markers. 

I'm adding this card to these challenges: 

NBUS because the stamps are never used until now. 

Tic Tac Toe using the row Colouring, Critters, Scene

Double D - Things that fly - yes, I looked it up, flamingoes do fly! Thank you so much for your visit today, hope you have a really good weekend.

Having just returned from a road trip to Florida, I'm looking forward to taking it easy myself! Am I the only one who comes home from vacation and needs to rest, lol? 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supply List 

Stamps: Flock Yeah and dies, Birthday Wishes  from WPlus9

This Little Piggy

 I love when a card challenge prompts me to have a look through my stash to find just the right stamp. That's what happened when I re-discovered this cutie on the oldie-but-goodie set, This Little Piggy (Sugar Pea Designs.)

I colored the piggy with Copics and layered 'her' with polka dotted paper and a layer of stenciled hearts. 

I've gotta think some one will love this Valentine!

I'm playing with: 

Inkspirational -  I was inspired by the colors in the Moodboard

and Just Us Girls Color Challenge Week

and SSS Wednesday Challenge,  Fun with Dies. I used Deckle Edge dies from Spellbinders to cut the card layers.

I really appreciate your visit! I hope you've been inspired and ...tickled pink!

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Color Hues A Tribute

 On this first day of August, we at the Color Hues have a new challenge up for you. It is also a special tribute to Lindsey, our dear team mate who passed away recently. We want to honor her in two ways. First, by using the colors she had chosen for us of blue and purple. Second, by creating a card that celebrates her life or something that she loved. We hope that you will join us! 

My card shows butterflies in flight, and an uplifting sentiment.  

Using Ombre Papers from Altenew, I die cut a variety of butterflies in blue and purple hues. For extra shine and texture, I brushed Perfect Pearls in purple to the lavender butterflies, and spritzed them with shimmer spray. 

The sentiment was heat embossed in Pewter, and I added a tiny heart cut of mirror paper. Keeping it simple, the only other embellishment is the three pearls.

Please join us, won't you? I can't wait to see what you will make! Thanks for spending time with your visit here today. 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supply List 

Stamps:  Waffle Flower - Sweet Sentiments
Ink:  Versamark
Other:  Penny Black - Creative Dies 51-731  Soaring

WILD about Wildlife Paper Players #579

 A happy welcome to my blog, it's Sunday! Ann has a fabulous new challenge for us at The Paper Players!

Clean and simple is always fun! Not always simple though, I think it takes me longer to figure out exactly which elements to use with this style.  I loved pulling out this super cute giraffe, and coloring him with Copic markers and a white gel pen.  

Believe it or not, deciding on the jungle leaves - took me three tries to find the ones that looked right! I added tiny splatters in black to tie in with the sentiment. 

When it was all done I took a chance and added a hand drawn frame with my black pen. A simple touch. An imperfection. It's OK with me, that's why making handmade is special! 

Can't wait to see what you will make, bring some wild into your life and join us! Thanks for your visit today, hope you have a great week. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Stamps used: Portrait Pals (and dies)  and Park Play by Hello Bluebird, Octagon dies and leaves are from WPlus9 Autumn Leaves and dies.

Beary Sweet Valentine

 Hello. friends! I'm officially welcoming you to a brand new month! That means it's time for Color Hues Challenge #34 and Karen has chosen Red and Black for us to use. 

 I hope you're not tired of seeing cute bears on my blog because ...drum roll please.... here comes one more! His arms are open wide to send big hugs! 

This card for our young grands came together so easily using the huge die from Hello Bluebird. I love using HUGS sentiments on a card front because the general greeting spans a variety of themes or age groups and can be made more specific by adding other sentiments.

I colored the bear very lightly with Copics and added small hearts and a bowtie. I may have omitted info about the pretty DSP I used. You may not have noticed that I glued it on with the hearts pattern upside down! Oh well, it was my last sheet. I don't think the children will notice or mind. Do you?  My husband is right about me - he says if I goof at something I always have to tell about it! True. 

Now it's your turn! Please take a moment to see the inspiration from the team and play along! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

I'd Fall for You! Inspired By 191

 

Hello! Welcome to today's new Inspired By Challenge! My card reflects the fall mode that I am still enjoying. 

When I saw the prompt I pulled out my favorite bear and created a scene of him and his friends gathering. Remember the cute squirrel?

You know I like keeping sentiments wide open until I am certain who I'm sending the card to. I thought this one fit well. The background was inked with Distress Oxides and I saved a piece of it for the sentiment strip. I colored the images with Copics and added dimension with a woodgrain embossing folder. 

                              

I'm so glad you came by to visit today! I hope you will play along too! You can choose from 2 photos or a sketch this time. Anyone can submit a card or project they have made. We hope to inspire YOU to create. Enjoy!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies used: 

Stamps: Sugarpea Design - Hey Fall, HoneyBee Stamps - BItty Buzzwords and dies

Accessories - Sugarpea Design - Birch Forest Die

Inspired By featuring The Greetery

 It's Thursday! I hope you're excited about the new inspiration from the gang at the Inspired By Challenge. 

The theme of Tweet Messages was my cue to pull out the Robin & Wren Set from The Greetery which I love to use because it reminds me of the cheery bluebirds that come to our bird feeder year round.

The Wood Slices Dies and some florals stamped and die cut from the Merry Sprigs set rounded out the scene. 

I have begun preparing stamped or colored and die cut images whenever I get a new set, and storing them with the set until I need them. This worked out really well, as all the items for this card were ready for me to place on the panel. Each image was stamped in layers with Distress Oxide Inks which I added with a sponge dauber.

I rounded the edges and placed it on the card front. The die cut Hello and sentiment are from WPlus9.  To tie in the black sentiment, I added Nuvo Drops in black.

That's it for me today. Thanks so much for taking time to visit! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

It's All About You with Colorado Craft Company

 Hello, happy Tuesday! It was a happy day for me when my new stamps from the Colorado Craft Company arrived and I couldn't wait to use them for a special January birthday. These illustrations by Anita Jeram have taken the card-making world by storm! Such fun and adorable critters. 

I combined the images from the Christmas Presents set and the sentiments from Birthday Wishing for today's card. 

Stamping on watercolor card stock, these were colored using Zig markers and a damp paintbrush. Isn't that dog the cutest? You can almost feel his tail wag, lol. 

I really love these sets and how easy they are to create with simply by adding color. You will be seeing them again! For today, I'm entering this at NBUS because the stamps are brand new - to me. 

Thanks to you for visiting! See you soon.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

You're so Kind!

 Hello on this pretty October day! 
I appreciate you coming to visit my blog and echo the "You're So Kind!" sentiment from the stamp set I am featuring today. It's my second card using the Hey Fall stamps (SuparPea Designs) and I'm thinking it's kind of you to bear with me (pun intended.)

Slim cards and critters are definitely finding their way into the-what-I-love-most-for-my-blog posting lately and I have to confess that there are NEW critters waiting to join the line-up. I've mentioned wanting to create cards with a lighthearted theme and critters seem to fill that need well. The cuter and more cartoon-like, the better!

I carted my Copic markers to the kitchen table so I can color up a bunch of images for future use in spare moments.  Because there were so many to fit on the card, I used a card stock panel (Pool Party - SU!) instead of inking up a scene so they would stand out.

I'll be sending this to the grands so I glued everything down tight. I'm so used to adding foam behind the images and panel that this looks pretty simple without the dimension. 

Critter themes abound this week in challenges! I am joining The Paper Players Theme Week (Fall Critters)

SugarPea Meant to be Sent (Fall Holiday) and the current Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  Also joining the Tic Tac Toe Challenge  where I chose the diagonal row: thankful, leaf, acorn.

As I finish this up it's a lovely sunny day on my screened porch and I feel grateful to be well and sitting outside. Stay well, friends! See you soon. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: SugarPea Designs Hey Fall stamps and dies

Accessories: Copic markers, white gel pen, Slim Film City Dies - Mama Elephant

Must Love Dogs

 Hello friends, hope things are going well for you. It's a very hot lazy summer afternoon here. If you're in the path of the storm, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

We went for a walk last evening and as we approached a man walking his gold-doodle she came running up to me wagging her tail. She must have known that I love dogs!  I enthusiastically greeted her. I've been seeing everyone's photos for National Dog Day and missing our Josie who we lost about a year ago. 
Here's a dog that's adorable too! 

I loved this Porch Swing Friends set  (Newton's Nook) and added it to my stash recently. I couldn't wait to color these two cozy critters. I used my colored pencils (Inktense) and a slightly damp brush to add a light wash of water for each image. 

Playing along with the sketch at Mojo Monday and Darnell's fun and fabulous NBUS Challenge.  

 Thanks so much for joining me today! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Pretending to be Normal

Do you ever buy a stamp set just for one sentiment? Well, I hadn't until now. But this cute floppy-eared bunny pushed me over the edge. Of course, "Life's a Beach" is a fun thought especially if that is your last name, lol. Or even if it's not! It is the name of the stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas that found it's way to my home recently.

I assembled this card rather quickly after spending way too much time puttering around with a complicated but more "normal" design. I don't like that one well enough to share it, you know? 

But I love the way this cute and quirky card turned out. Hope you do too! I did a bit of paper piecing, a little loose Copic coloring and ink blended lightly with Distress Oxide ink in Speckled Egg, a new color for me. 

Shimmer pen helps the sand to sparkle and I added glossy accents to the bunny's nose.

I am playing along with three challenges!

NBUS (the stamp sets, Life's a Beach and Get Grounded (Ink Blot Shop.)

The Paper Players and Freshly Made Sketches. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me today. I really have appreciated your kind comments! Hope you have a great day. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!