Color Hues #83 Cream and Blue

 It's time to play again at Color Hues! We have Cream and Blue as our pairing. What comes to your mind with these colors? I came back to layered flowers, delicate embossed texture and neutral shades for my vintage style card on cream card stock.

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Beginning with the Airbrushed Flowers stamps and dies, new to me from Altnew, I stamped in shades of blue Distress Oxides inks and pale browns. I stamped trailing vine and flowers using the solid stamp included with Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Meadow Breeze. The sentiment is also part of this kit. 

After stamping the main panel, I embossed it with a beautiful folder from Anna Griffin (Lattice Ornamental ) and added sponging in the bottom right corner. I wanted to add pearls or lace, but the metallic pearls were just right as the flower centers. 

Thanks for your visit today. I look forward to using these supplies again! I hope you will pull out your favorite supplies and join us in the challenge! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

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

Reflections of Nature

 Hello everyone! Having a few rainy days in a row was restful and I got some stamp time in over the long weekend. 

I finally inked up a few stamps that've been in my "new things" pile for way too long. The Greetery Reflections layering stamps and die create pretty trees bordering a lake. Very much like the natural surroundings where I live. 

I sponged a sky for the background using Salvaged Patina and Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide inks. Other inks were used with sponge daubers for the trees, trunks, sand and lake images. 

I really look forward to changing the colors and making different combos for the sky with this set. It's so easy to use!

This is a slimline card, made on purpose so that I could play along with Tic Tac Toe, using the top horizontal line: slimline, trees, green. 

It's great playing with challenges because I find myself reaching for that never-been used-stuff, so I'll add this also to NBUS. 

Thanks so much for joining me today, I will be back tomorrow!

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

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Other supplies: Sentiment from Penny Black - Carefree Wishes 

Brother - from SU Family Reunion (retired); SU Cucumber Crush card stock

Black thread.  Dies - Honey Bee Slimline Dies. White embossing powder

Snow Much Love

Hi there! Here on this last day of January I am writing a quick post featuring a cute snowman that I want to use before spring hits.  I think a snowy Valentine might work well. 

The Most Wonderful set from Wplus 9 makes it so easy to add details to the images with the layering stamps. I just love how cute this snowman looks! 

I'm playing along with the TicTacToe Challenge, using the last line across: Patterned Paper (Waffle Flower), FREE and Enamel Dots. Also, at Inspiration Station, there is a photo prompt which inspired my snowy winter theme. 

The set is new to me also, and never been used til now, so it's off to NBUS. 

I appreciate your visit today, hope you're doing well. Happy crafting!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Happy Birthday Blooms

 Hello crafters, how is your weekend going? Mine has been low key but I'm puttering away at some needed household chores. Sometimes the strangest things happen when I'm cleaning off my craft table. A card emerges from the bits of paper that I'm supposed to be putting away. 

I've had the sketch from Freshly Made in my mind all week, and it's been simmering on the back burner. Today the inspiration and scraps of paper came together. 

The stamps and dies are from the Greetery, Birthday Blooms. I've been stamping extra die cuts and storing them in the envie with the stamps, so these were ready to go! I combined them with papers from Echo Park for a clean and simple birthday card. The little twine bow seemed to be the only embellishment needed. 

The circles in the sketch are so versatile! You'd be amazed at the many ways the DT used them! Check it out HERE. 

Wishing you a wonderful day. Thanks for visiting! 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Floral Delicacy for The Paper Players #601

 Hello everyone, thanks for making the challenge at The Paper Players a favorite! It's time for #601 and it's a wonderful sketch for us from LeAnne! 

A new-to-me set of stamps and dies called Floral Delicacy seemed ready for me to ink up for the first time, here you go! 

I was wondering what colors to use and inspiration HIT! A favorite tea cup. I've so often wanted to use these fabulous colors.  Voila!

After arranging the elements according to the sketch, I added a sentiment using gold foil on black card stock. 

It will be fun to see what you make with the sketch.  I hope you will play along! What will inspire you?

Thanks so much for your visit today! I'm adding this to the fun challenge at NBUS.

Be yourself.

     Find delight in your craft.

             Make something beautiful! 

Supply List 
Stamps  Floral Delicacy  - The Greetery,  
Ink  Altenew - Coral Berry, Ruby Red, Warm Sunshine, Ocean Waves, Dusk
Other  Foil plates - Spellbinders, Cover plate - Sparkling Diamonds Die by Pinkfresh Studio

Just a Note with Bigger Blooms

Hello, welcome back! 

I've been finding a good rhythm in my craft room! Using one set of products three ways is becoming easier and I am finding it a fun challenge. Today's card came together with a few already inked Bigger Blooms that I made into a card instead of just putting them away. I

 I wasn't even planning to make a card, but it was so satisfying adding accent to the blooms with colored pencils and a white gel pen. I paired them with a striped panel of DSP and a sentiment from the Opposites Attract set. All stamps and dies are from The Greetery. I kept the colors and layout simple. 

I hope you're doing well, thanks so much for stopping by! 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Inspired by YOU! Challenge #200!

It's a very special day as the Inspired By Challenge launches it's 200th challenge! We have lined up a challenge that is inspired by YOU and offers special prizes too!  We have posted the winners of all the challenges this year, and been asked to choose one card by YOU to be inspired by. 

I chose this beauty that Loll Thompson created for our October challenge.  I absolutely love her bold use of colors and clean crisp details.  Isn't that buffalo plaid gorgeous? I love how she added sweet pearls and the die cut wreath has such dimension!

My card is a CASE of Loll's layout and I used the trees from The Greetery Fir & Foliage 2.  Using Distress Oxide inks I  stamped each tree in three layers and die cut them.  In keeping with the bold colors I chose red for the sentiment and added a strip along the panel. The black stars added balance and a crisp accent.

We have such fun seeing the way you create and add your entries to our gallery at Inspired By! Now it's your turn to choose one of our past winner's projects and play along! 

It's our turn to say a huge thank you to each and every one who supports our challenge. This will be probably be my last post before Christmas. 

Wishing you JOY!

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Inspired By Warm Winter #199

 It's Thursday and that means a new challenge at Inspired By! I've been waiting for this one as I have stamps I've just been wanting to use for a unique card. Making cookies is one of the best parts of Christmas preparations, don't you think? Which are your favorites?

These cookies are created with brand new-to-me layering stamps (WPlus9 Cookies& Cocoa)  and PTI inks. They were fun to play with and far less messy than rolling out dough. I love the sentiments, too! Inside I will choose either "it's the most wonderful time of year!" or "Let's get cozy!"

I did decorate with a bit of glitter, clear gloss, Wink of Stella pen and a trio of enamel dots. The cookie design was also heat embossed in white on a Baked Brown Sugar card stock panel. 

I hope I've made your mouth water for sweet things. Rather I hope I've inspired you to get stamping and play along with us! Check out the blog for amazing designs and all the challenge options. THis card will also be entered at the most fun challenge ever, Darnell's  NBUS Never-before-used-schtuff!

Have a great day! 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Inspired By: Flower Me In Christmas

Hello crafty friends, happy Thursday! 

I have one more card for you this week. It's time for the new theme at  Inspired By.... Flower Me In Christmas. 

I was excited to be able to use the Christmas option for this challenge! In between travels and other events happening lately, I was able to just die cut and stamp some bits and bobs of images. I absolutely LOVE having some of these ready to go so that I can take my time arranging the elements and adding other details to a card. 

Today's card uses many of the gorgeous images in WPlus9 Designs Poinsettia Builder and Bells and Bows collection. 

There is a disadvantage to having elements made up ahead of time - I can't remember whether I used Distress or Altenew inks. 

 I used the Lavinia dies to emboss the card front. I love how this really adds a rich and elegant look without distracting from the focal point. Wrapping a nest of gold thread, I layered the die cuts with foam squares stacked singly or doubly to add dimension. The die cut sentiment is gold embossed, with a second phrase stamped in black ink. Both are from the Poinsettia Bouquets set. 

Inspired By...Flower Me In Summer, 

or Flower Me In Christmas, which will you chose? 

I know you'll be inspired by the team's samples, so be sure to check them out! I am so happy you popped in to see me today. I thank you all so much for the warm and heartfelt comments on my recent posts, they encouraged me greatly. 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Inspired By... Orange You Lemonade

 Hello, sorry I've been missing most of this week! We find ourselves on the go more often now that things are getting a bit back to normal. 

Thank goodness for a new challenge at Inspired By to keep me going with some stamping. This challenge is called Orange You Lemonade, a good punny line. My subtitle might read Make Mine Sweet and Juicy, lol! 

I pulled out the Summer Citrus stamp set (WPlus9) and did some masking and creative inking. 

I masked a rectangle across the card front and filled in with random stamping in black adding the colored layer over the images. I purposely left some misalignment of the images for more interest. The label and a few die cuts were placed for the sentiments. I drew in details with a white gel pen.

I will be honest, I had real trouble choosing a layout. I would like it better if there was ONE focal point but I decided to just go with this. I didn't want to cover up the stamping!

What will you make to show how our photo inspired you? 

Thanks so much for you visit today, my friends. Orange you glad you came? 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: WPlus 9 - Summer Citrus, Basic Labels; Pinkfresh Studio - Floral Notes Stamp set

Paper: Neenah Solar White, Basic Black

INK: Gina K Black amalgam; Wplus9 - Queen Bee, Lime Light; Ranger Distress - Carved Pumpkin, Picked Raspberry: Versamark and white embossing powder

Inspired By: Celebrate Her

It's May! Along comes pretty little May, as the song says, and I am loving this weather! April brought us a chance to travel and now I am happy to be back at my station on the screened porch to write this post. 

It's a great day to Celebrate Her with the challenge at Inspired By! 

I chose flowers in similar colors to the inspiration photo and added a feminine touch or two to the bouquet for my Thinking of You card.  The scalloped circle die is from PTI and the softly striped papers are from Waffle Flower. I chose the inks first and felt lucky to find the papers to match the colors! Finally, I added pearls to the coral flower centers. 

How will you be inspired by our theme?  I can't wait to see! Please get your craft on and join us!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Pinkfresh Studio - Lovely Blossoms stamps and dies, Just Because 

Inks: Altenew

God Our Refuge

Hello, crafty friends! 

 A week or so ago I needed a sympathy card. It was not fun making one under pressure. Isn't it always that way? I decided to make a couple others so I could have them ready in my stash when needed.

I pulled out the stamps from The Greetery that I had bought just for this purpose and made two cards. They are just what I think a sympathy card should be: simple in design, light and airy, with peaceful soft colors and a meaningful sentiment.

I began with a partial inking of the Windowpane Plaid on the white panel, using the Caring Cross stamps, stencil and dies for the focal point. On the left, I sponged using the cross stencil, added stamped images and die cut the whole piece. On the right I included the die cut cross and greenery and a die cut palm branch.  A flower was added on each using a bloom from Fleur Impressions. 

I don't always like "with sympathy" for the sentiment,  I  prefer something more unique for the recipient. I chose this scripture verse from Papertrey Ink (called Inspired: God) and the coordinating die. Don't know if the picture shows it but the word was cut from Metallic gold card stock.

All my inking was done with Distress Oxides. 

It's the end of a week! I can't believe how fast the days are rolling by! I hope that you are staying warm and well, and that you've been inspired!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Color Hues #7

Have you been enjoying the Color Hues card challenge? We are loving seeing the inspiration and creativity in the gallery! 

Two weeks have gone by and it's time for a new challenge at Color Hues! We'd like you to use Blue and Magenta. 

These rich jewel shades make me think of classic elegance and bling. I've loved the Christmas cards I've seen this year with blues, so that's my theme. 

I stamped images from the Winter Sketches stamps by The Greetery on white card stock and die cut them. I combined them with a simple sentiment and a Pretty Frame die cut in white and blue glimmer specialty paper.  Wink of Stella shimmer pen, Stickles and Iridescent sequins make this one sparkly card! We can't wait to see what you make. You can find all the details HERE. Hope you can find time to play along!

Thanks so very much for your visit and kind encouragement. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Winter Sketches stamps and dies, Christmas Eve

Paper: Neenah Solar White, Blue Glitter paper

INK: Altenew - Ultramarine, Artic, Puffy Heart, Purple Wine

Accessories: PTI Coverplate - Pretty Frame Die

The More the Merrier

 Hello stamping friends! The more Christmas cards the merrier, that is! I am here with another one for you today as my pile of completed cards is growing! This idea of stamping many images and having them die cut and ready to go is really working for me. I had quite a few die cut holly leaves with berries leftover after THIS project and when I saw them on my desk the next morning I decided to make them into a wreath.

This is creativity at it's best! I began with a white die cut circle, and drew a light pencil line inside the circle to help me keep the shape as I filled in the die cut leaves and berries.  I added some stamped pine boughs behind the die cuts, and a few dots of different colors of Copics to help the eye see the circle.

 
Choosing to go for the bling, I used the Wink of Stella Shimmer pen on the berries, and added glitter here and there. And of course - sequins to go with the gold embossed sentiment. 

I am adding this to
the sketch at  Sunday Stamps, 

Tic Tac Toe Challenge where I chose the right row down.

and the Card Concept where I went with the Clean and Layered Style.

That's a lot of challenges in one post for me! Thanks for your visit today, and for sticking with me through this long post.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Sentiment Suite: Christmas and dies, PTI- Seasonal Borders: Winter

Paper: Neenah Solar White, DSP from Rosy Cosy Christmas

Accessories: Sequins, Gold embossing Powder, Diamond Stickles, The Greetery - Nordic Frames Dies