Rain and Sunshine... I've got you covered

 Hello friends! June is always a busy month for us, and this year it's been crazy! Stamping sat on the back burner, and that's OK. Honestly, I didn't miss it! 

But I needed to clear off my desk, so I've got a simple card to share today. I made it using more supplies from the recent OCC card class. The gray panel with foiled-in-blue raindrops has been waiting to come out to play! 

I made it using the stencil and Deco paste. I gave away my foil machine supplies, but the paste is easy to store if I just want to foil once in a while. Using a stencil to foil was a fun idea, especially for raindrops. 

The dies were easy to use. Hope you like my clean and simple card today. Inside it says, "Sending Sunshine" and has a sun and clouds die cuts. I can't include a photo of the inside because I've already written the long note to the recipient. I'm happy that it's ready to mail. 

Hope that you're having a great day! Glad you could visit, I won't take so long next time to post. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: Weather Together Bundle 
Playing at:
Time Out Challenges - water and sun 

Birthday Balloons for The Paper Players

 Hi, happy mid-week hello! It's on to the next challenge for me and this is a fun one!

The Paper Players ask for a clean and simple birthday card using balloons. I had a birthday sentiment prepared that's been hanging around on the corners of my desk all ready to go for a few weeks.

Happily, I had a new-to-me set of Balloon dies in my container of new and unused stuff. I used a retired background stamp to create some pale pink dots randomly on white card stock. This card measures 3.5 x 6". Adding just a bit of shading to the die cuts and white gel pen highlights, I used foam dimensionals for extra depth. 

I have two grands that love pink, when I know which one I'm giving it to, I may add the number on a ballon to represent their new age. 

I will add this card to the challenges at: 
NBUS
The Paper Players

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: 
DSP and enamel dots - Stampin' Up!
Birthday Die - Whimsy Stamps
Balloons - Simon Hurley Balloon dies

God's Masterpiece

 Happy to be starting a new week and a new month with a card to share with you. Hi friends, welcome to my blog. 

Spring flowers are starting to pop up here and there outside, and many are flocking to blog land as challenges seek projects decorated with blooms! 

Here's one that I made. 

Using the great layout from Jill that I shared HERE, I've used this rose from the Enchantingly (Clear Stamps) for today's card. The greeting is from Penny Black as well; Inspirational Sentiments. Re-inkers are the medium for watercoloring.

Thanks for your visit!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

The challenges I'm joining are: 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - use Penny Black
Try it Tuesday - embossing
Allsorts Challenge -  Clean and Simple
Penny Black Saturday Challenge  ATG

Joyful Christmas

How are you doing? This fall weather has given us a cool spell but the last few days of warm weather have been fabulous! 

 I've been in a stamping slump lately. I have 4 cards a month to make for DT gigs, and I make them very far ahead to avoid last minute stress. Doing it that way means I have a couple days of spurts for cards needed, and then a week or two or three goes by with no stamping. I'm not sure if I am losing my mojo or losing interest but I intend to kick myself into action with some challenges just for fun this week. 

Beginning with Just Us Girls where Nancy asks for a CAS card where we only use the center area of the card. She suggests that is easy and I agree, it was great to start with something simple. 

My hexagon dies (WPlus9) were inked with wood grain and I added a die cut border. Stamping a sentiment from SSS directly to the panel, I added a stamped image from Merry Sprigs (The Greetery) and layered three of the die cuts for extra dimension. Three simple pearls adorn the sentiment.

I will keep the stamping going and the blogging a bit short. Thanks for coming by to take a look. Your comments always boost my spirits and are so welcome!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Other Challenges entered: 

Krafty Chicks any occasion 

October Rudolph Days 

Simon Says Anything Goes

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

Pure Sunshine

Hello again, it's the middle of the day and the middle of the week! It seems I just loved the challenge at The Paper Players for a CAS design so I'm here with take 2 for the challenge. 

I used Penny Black products and kept my coloring very simple with Copic markers. I was so inspired by the clean colors and black and white of the challenge prompt that I took my cues from that. 

I could almost say that I whipped this card up in between steps of cooking dinner, lol! It was a nice change to have it come together quickly with basic supplies.

Hoping you're having some sunshine today, if not outside, then in your thoughts. Thanks for coming by!

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

I'm also entering this at NBUS as the stamps are new and the Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Supplies from Penny Black: Cling Stamps Pure Sunshine, Transparent Stamps Only You, Immense YOU die

Autumn Thanks

 How about one more fall card? The Paper Players are asking for a clean and simple card with an autumn theme. I just happen to have one on hand, so I'm happy to share it today. 

My supplies are listed below.This is my second card using Yellow and Kraft, the great combo that we have going at Color Hues! I made this one quickly  -  forgetting that I had already made my card with these colors in August. I posted that one yesterday. Boy do I feel sheepish for my forgetfulness! I am usually very organized. Of course if you saw my stamp space, you would think otherwise! 

I will focus on the positive. I am colorful, creative and happy. Thankful to God for the day He has made. So glad you've come to visit!  Signing off....

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: The Greetery dies - Patchwork die and Jumbo Curiosity Bickeye Leaf die, and Curio Autumn Findings die

The sentiment is from Concord & 9th Leafy Layers Die

All Abloom for The Flower Challenge!

 Hello friends and crafty colleagues, I hope you are doing well today and enjoying doing what you love. 

I LOVE flowers and today I am announcing that I've been asked to design for The Flower Challenge! Our challenge extends all month long with a mid month post featuring a second design from each team member for further inspiration and encouragement. Our goal is always to give an enthusiastic nudge so you can play along! 

For Challenge #84 we are asking you to use a die and make a card where flowers are your main feature. That's easy, isn't it? 

For my card, I've pulled out the new stamp called Abloom and the matching die, and used Altenew watercolors to color.

Paired it with pretty papers from Honey Bee stamps and tied it up with a bow! 

Please visit the blog HERE to see the fabulous DT samples. Watercoloring and flowers are a happy place for me, I look forward to posting more each month.

For now, I'll say 'Bye! til next time. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

 I am happily adding this to the gallery at NBUS as the stamp and die are brand new! 

Enjoy the Little Things

 Hello! Well, you know what they say. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. My version is fitting for those enduring this heat wave. If it stays HOT grab a lemonade and head to the stamp room to stay cool!

That's what I did this afternoon, and it was the perfect time to use some new supplies. 

I've had these pretty Lovely Layers: Dogwood dies from Honey Bee in the new-things-container since spring so I gave them a try for today's card. The layers and etching on the dies add lovely texture and details. I had trouble getting a good photo though. The papers from Concord & 9th are very pretty IRL but it was hard to capture these hues.

 I paired the flowers with the Immense Joy die and sentiment from Penny Black. I'll be entering the challenge at NBUS with dear Darnelle - who encourages us to share our never-been-used-stuff. And at the Flower Challenge, where they request CAS cards. Their DT samples are fabulous! 

I appreciate your visit to my blog today! Hope you've found a way to keep cool!

 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Easter Blessings

 Happy first day of spring! Are things beginning to warm up for you?  We've had plenty of sunshine and blooms and I'm loving it! 

I had time to play with my paper flowers today, here's a card to share! The Paper Players has a clean and simple challenge and Ann asked us to feature a flower. 

I inked up the tulips and cherry blossoms using the Budding Beauties Spring stamp set and dies (The Greetery) in lovely pinks. Keeping my card simple, I placed them on a panel of pale gray striped paper with a layer of foam behind it for added dimension.

The sentiment and the inks that I used are from WPlus9 design. It made me happy to pull out supplies that I've had for awhile that need to be used more often! If you'd like to play along with the challenge, there's still plenty of time. I'm adding this to Tic Tac Toe challenge using the row: Pastel Colors, Flowers, Spring Theme. 

I hope you are having  a wonderful week. I appreciate the time you take to stop by so much. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

 

Sweet Valentine

 Hello crafty friends, I hope you are ready for a new week. Soon to be a new month. I squeezed in a bit of crafty-ness while watching football yesterday. When the score got close, I was only able to sit on the edge of my seat and hold on!

Coloring is easy to do while doing something else so I pulled out the stamps from Penny Black and went to town with my Copic markers. 

I kept this very simple as it's for the grands. Also for the sketch challenge at Freshly Made, which has been on my mind all week.  Squeaking it under the wire at the line up just in time! 

Hope you like it! It's quick and easy but sometimes that is just what is needed. I rounded the corners for a bit of playfulness. I feel sure this sketch will become a go-to!

Have a great day!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 
                   Make something beautiful!   

DSP is from Stampin Up!
Penny Black Stamps: My Sweet 

I'm adding this to Penny Black Saturday Challenge  and SSSWednesday and Inkspirational Challenge.

I was inspired by the yummy sweets!

Under His Wings

This beautiful cardinal has been layered and assembled on my desk for quite some time. Today is a perfect time to feature him on this card inspired by Jaydee's CAS theme challenge at The Paper Players.  

Three different colors of red card stock provided the body layers. I added shading details with colored pencils.  Using white card stock for the bird's head and beak, also the greenery, I colored with Copic markers after cutting. 

The white strip was embossed for added texture. The sentiment is one that I just love! The set contains several Scriptures that pertain to birds, they are truly encouraging. Creating a mini slim card that measures 3.5" x 6" gave me a bit more playing room.

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

 

Stamps: God Will Take Care of You from Stamp Simply
Dies: Lovely Layers Winter Birds and Winter Greenery - Honey Bee Stamps
Other: Spellbinder's 3D Embossing Folder - Corrugated

Welcome Winter

 Hello, welcome to my blog today! I'm jumping ahead to a new season with a simply made card and a sketch for inspiration.

There's nothing like a sketch to kick start your creativity, and this week's Freshly Made Sketch did just that. 

Combined with the new paper pad I just got, it was a quick card and lots of fun to make! The three panels were just cut from the paper. I stamped the greeting and small bird from a long retired holiday set onto a white card stock square.

Thanks so much for popping in, I always enjoy your visit!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Paper is from Carta Bella - Welcome Winter

Hello, dear Pinpal!

 Hello ! It's a bright and breezy morning and I can't wait to share my card with you today! The Paper Players  #613 is a Clean-and-Simple Challenge with a theme: wheels!  I wheely had fun with this one! 

Card-making is such a delightful hobby. I absolutely love the zip that playing with challenges adds to my creativity! 

I got out all my stamps with cars. No. 

Then the bicycles stamps. Eh.... used that recently. 

Went through ALL of my stamps to find one that would measure up. 

Here it is, friends! SEW suite! See the wheels? I've had this stamp set for maybe 10 years? Playing with it was delightful.

After stamping, coloring and hand-cutting the images it was time to do more digging from the past.

 BUTTONS! For the sentiment, stitching underneath was just right.

I hope you've been inspired to join the fun and play along and even chuckled a time or two.  I promise you don't need to include silly puns, but I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed making this. After all, sewing USED to be my hobby, ha! 

Next post soon to follow. It's a two-fer day! Wishing you a lovely week.  
Be yourself
          Have delight in your craft
                Make something beautiful!  

 

 

I will be adding this to the Retro Rubber Challenge: Anything Goes! 

Stamps: Sew Suite, Stampin Up! (retired); sentiment from PTI, no longer listed
DSP: Tea Boutique, Stampin' Up! 

Clean and Simple for Fall

 Hello, it's Sunday! Time for a new challenge at The Paper Players #609! Claire's Clean-and-Simple Challenge asks us to use Scarecrows or Leaves on our projects. I went with leaves, here's my take!

I stamped leaves using Distress Oxide Inks in Uncharted Mariner, Peacock Feathers, and Wild Honey. The leaves are a new set from WPlus9 Design called Wild Flowers, and the sentiment is from Hello & Thanks.  The very simplest embellishment is a wooden leaf tied with twine. 

I can't wait to see what you will create. Have a wonderful day!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Jump for Joy for The Paper Players

 Are you ready for a theme challenge for The Paper Players #607? You're here just in time for some Fall Fun! 

What could be more fun than jumping into a pile of leaves? Just for the joy of it! I added a die cut cover to a white card base, and topped it with a tag sporting a cute critter. 

He is a squirrel but I used Copics to color him in foxy colors. 

I can't wait to see what you will create. Have fun doing it! Thanks so much for your visit today. 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Card Supplies: Stamps - Lawn Fawn; Cover Plate - Waffle Flower

Ahoy! Nautical Theme for The Paper Players

 Hi friends! When we had children at home, and I was their teacher, I loved back-to-school days. As a retiree now, I want to hang on to summer for as long as I can! We still have another month of actual summer, so I'm sticking with it and the Nautical Theme at The Paper Players #605 is helping. 

Our wonderful hostess Laurie is asking for CAS cards as well. 

I have so many nautical stamps it was hard to narrow down which ones to use, but the You Anchor Me stamps from Memory Box won out as I love the sentiments. 

To make the anchor stand out as an interesting focal point, I embossed it in WOW! Perissa embossing powder. The mix of metallics and chunkiness of the powder really add texture to the image. 

I sure hope you will find time to play along with us in this challenge! We love seeing your creations in the gallery! 

Be yourself.

     Find delight in your craft.

             Make something beautiful!