Autumn Leaf Frame

 Dear crafty friends, I don't know where this week has gone and how in the world it has gotten to be October already, but, well, here we are! 

I promised a week of pumpkins from the craft room and honestly, I didn't keep up with that promise, unless you count the pumpkin baked oatmeal I cooked and ate all week! With gorgeous weather outside, crafting time has become more scarce, but I have two cards to share today. 

First up is a simple card showing a fall City scene using these lovely papers from La La Land Crafts. This is alas!, the last full sheet. I used the Autumn Leaf Wafer Die Frame (SSS) which includes pretty leaf outlines and a frame in 3 different layers. 

I cut the inner frame from Gold mirror card stock, and assembled it together with the white frame. I didn't want to cover the paper, so I backed the frame with vellum and added a bit of light orange card stock as an inlay in one leaf. 

This provided just a bit of solid color as well as giving me a place to add glue for adhering it to the card. I layered gold and white in the cuts from the Hello die. Bronze colored pearls add just a bit of pizzazz to the scene. 

The next card uses the same Autumn Leaf die, but this time without the leaves, I'm using the outer two layers of the frame. Isn't that detail pretty? 

 

The Thanks, Hello, and Hugs are included with the die set. And here you have the pumpkins! The base layer and pumpkin images  (SSS - Stitched Pumpkins) were cut of colored card stock and shaded with sponged ink. 

It feels good having had this time together, I appreciate your visit!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

I am entering this at:
NBUS - The Leaf Die is new! Can you believe it's Darnell's 91st challenge!
and SSS Wednesday Challenge - ATG using LaLa Land crafts

Loving Pumpkins!

Hi! I'm happy to welcome you to my blog today, it's the first day of fall and I'm enjoying a cool day here in the southeast. Yaay! Time to bring out new fall goodies.  I'm loving pumpkins and I'm declaring it pumpkins week in the craft room. Here's a card for you! 

This great pumpkin is made from the Layered Pumpkin Wafer Die by Simon Says Stamp. I mean GREAT, it is really big! I love the layers and added inking and stenciled patterns to individual pieces to give it even more texture. Also featured is the new Opulent HAPPY Wafer Die from SSS as well. The leaves and Thanksgiving sentiment are from other bits of craft room finds. I experimented a lot for the pumpkin pieces; sorry there aren't more details. My desk was covered with card stock, inks and stencils. 

Some challenges I'm entering: 
NBUS - the pumpkin and Happy dies are new!
Just Us Girls - have a mood board, I was inspired by the pumpkins

Happy crafting, make it a GREAT day!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

JOY for Today

 Hi there on a Friday, hope you are doing well. I got a head start on some crafting and I have a card to share using mostly new supplies.  You know, I like mental challenges. Crossword puzzles and board games are fun. You won't be surprised that my favorite and best mental challenges come from -you guessed it- card challenges. 

My clues for today came from Freshly Made  Sketches challenge! 

Choosing papers was the easy part, I loved using the Washi Paper again (La La Land Crafts). Soft inking provides a bit of color on the die cuts of Serene Blooms (SSS), which have such lovely texture! I added a strip of gold mirror card stock  above the paper and die cut gold leaves.

The sentiment was stamped and hand cut, and added in keeping with the sketch. I really love the sentiments included with the new-to-me Today and Everyday Stamps (SSS.)

The sketch helped me come up with a card I never would have thought of. And I really like it! 

I'm adding this also the the SSS Wednesday Challenge - Clean and Simple. and Love Those Pretty Papers - Fall. 

I will be off now for weekend things. Probably taking the last chance to cool off in the pool. Hoping you've enjoyed your visit! I will see you again soon. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Inks used: Altenew -  Heartbeat, and Distress Oxide - Antique Linen and Rusty Hinge

A Little Artsy Birthday

 Happy to greet you on a new day, with a new card. 

Playing with only two colors, especially when one is a neutral is hard for me, but I took the challenge and created today's card with yellow and black. It's a little artsy.

Yes, that is the name of the stamp set from SSS. I chose the bold daisy and created a bright yellow background. I added stamped images in yellow for tone on tone distressing and a few images in black to the panel. I stamped and cut out the daisy and the sentiment, and decided to add sparkle embossing paste on the flower for shine. I'm delighted to enter this at the Color Hues Challenge. 

Hope you don't mind a shorter post, time to get moving! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

A Little Bit Artsy

 Hello friends! 

Every once in a while I'm enticed away from my clean and layered style to enjoy something different. Just a little bit artsy. Grungy, even! So it is with today's card. 

I caught the creative bug with these mixed media supplies featured in Simon Says Stamp's April card kit. Pretty papers, butterflies and splatters, oh my! 

I had a blast combining these elements for my card today.

It's time for a new challenge at Tic Tac Toe Challenge, and this time it is with a grid that I created! 

I chose the middle row across using Patterned Paper, FREE, and Twine.  I began with two papers, and for the main panel I added white splatters. Small text was stamped on the square panel. The butterfly  was cut from another paper. A bit of shine on his body is Stickles. The black strip on the left is a printed transparency. The texture is amazing.

I hope you will be inspired to join our challenge and play along! There are options for a graduation theme, a bit of elegance or a bold greeting. What will you choose? 

I so appreciate your visit. Have a fabulous day, happy crafting!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Best Birthday Wishes

 Another rainy day has come and is almost gone. Looking at the weather app, we are expected to have rain all next week, except maybe Tuesday. Thank goodness I have a stamp corner and lots of creative supplies to explore and play with! 

Today's card is for another dear granddaughter. Four of our grands have spring birthdays! Our only grandson has a winter birthday. And happy news! A new baby will arrive towards the end of October. Pause here for a BIG smile. 

Well, about the card.

You know I love a sketch, so here I am playing with another inspiring layout from The Paper Players. This sketch really called for patterned papers, and the Simple Stories Fun Times Paper Pad was just what I wanted.  

The ribbon image, "The Best" was cut from the DSP and placed on a die cut circle (PTI). Embossing the white panel with Birthday Sentiments EF (SSS) continues the theme. The sentiment is also from SSS, the Birthday Blitz stamps and dies. 

Happily, I had some tiny gold stars to add for a bit of bling. 

I'm adding this to the challenges at Just Us Girls (mood Board - inspired by the colors and geometric shapes)
and Love Those Pretty Papers.  

Wishing you a great night! I can't tell you how much it means that you stop by to say hello. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Through the Window Day 3

 Hi friends, 

Here are the last two cards using the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit and Through the Window Dies. Thanks for patiently viewing these mostly Case'd cards this week. These are made for me to give away for special occasions. 

This first one is for our granddaughter who turns 11 this month. She loved the one of the previous cards I'd made (find them HERE) so I made this one for her by adding DSP from my stash and a few die cut branches (Altenew.) 

Next up is one for our wedding anniversary in June. I love the springy vibe and the sentiment is perfect for our many happy years together. 

A snippet of the designer paper is cut to place inside the window, which was constructed to be a shaker. Flat sequins in gold and a simple heart are the embellishments. 

Using up almost all of the pretty paper pack included with the kit gives me a really satisfied feeling. I'll enjoy it while it lasts! Not sure when I'll get on to the next thing. Not even sure what it will be!

Hope you have a most wonderful day!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Through the Window Day 2

 I'm back with more samples from the July 2025 Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp. I have a few of their kits, but this one is my favorite. I decided to use up these pretty papers! This is Day 2. 

This is a CASE of a card shared by Vicky Papiaoannou HERE on her one kit ten cards video. She is a talented artist and a design master! This card is a tri-fold and opens left to reveal the whole scene, then flip the panel right to see the inner layer for the message. The sentiment is from Tim Holz Rubber Stamps, Tiny Text. Nuvo drops for embellishment.

For the next card, I featured the pretty paper and a postal theme. Postal dies from W Plus9 Design were used for the city scene and postage stamps. 

I added white spatters just for fun! 

Thanks for coming back again. Have a great day! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Butterflies in Blues

 Welcome to my blog today! I'm back with the second sympathy card that I've needed this month. I've used my latest favorite, the Butterfly Escapade Embossing Folder and Cutting Die. 

I've loved using this folder to provide beautiful texture and having the die is a great option for cutting one or two of the largest butterflies to use as a focal point. Using a pale blue card stock, I added the embossing and then used the coordinating stencil to add colors in blues and green. This is so easy!

I die cut the butterfly from this panel and then placed it over a white card base, curling the butterfly wings to let a bit of the white show through. Although there is a die to use for the butterfly's body, I accented it instead with pearls. 

The prayers is made up of three die cut layers, and the sentiment is stamped in blue. It's a rainy day and the photos don't begin to show how pretty the real life details are. I love this card so much and thoroughly enjoyed making it. This will be a go-to next time I need a sympathy card. I'm thinking of how to decorate the envelope and the inside; but wanted to get this posted today.  It's going out in the mail soon! 

Hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks so much for your visit, it always brings a smile and brightens my day! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Other supplies:

More with the Butterfly Escapade HERE
Altenew inks - Deep Blue Seas and Green Meadows
SSS and Hero Arts - Prayers Die and Clear Set . This is an oldie but a big favorite of mine.

Challenges:
SSS Wednesday Challenge  Make It Feminine
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Triple B  Birds, Butterflies and Blooms
The Neglected Stuff Challenge 
Can You Handle the Pressure?

Honeybell Floral WIth Sympathy

Just a note to say hello. 

I know none of us really like to make sympathy cards, but there comes a time to send them. I don't usually like to keep them on hand. It seems more meaningful to me to make one that can be personalized and made special for the recipient when I get the sad news.  Now today, I need to send two! Here's the first one. 

I prefer light colors and simple layouts for sympathy cards. 

Choosing three shades of rose/pink I used the Honeybell Floral Wafer Die, cutting the images twice, and adding inking to the edges of the pieces. 

I found a fence die that's been camped out in my stash for a few years. It holds the flowers nicely!

I debated inking a cloud-filled sky versus keeping a white background. I decided to go very very light with the sponging, and I'm glad I did. Altenew Blue Horizon ink is my new favorite for clouds. 

A very light swipe of yellow for the butterfly completes the scene. 

I will wish you a happy weekend, enjoy sunshine and special times with the ones you love! See you next week. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Playing at:
NBUS  Never-been-used-stuff 

Triple B - Birds, Butterflies, and Blooms 

Supplies: 

from my stash - sentiment, MFT prairie fence, MFT cloud stencil

New - first time use - Honeybell Floral Die - SSS

Butterfly is from Butterfly Escapade EF, dies, and stencils - SSS

Beautiful Butterfly Escapades

Hello there! I hope you're having a great day!

I have a card to share today using the brand new to me Butterfly Escapades Embossing Folder and Dies from Simon Says Stamp. Deciding to order this came as a bit of delayed reaction. Apparently I'm not the only one as it is now sold out. In the order with it came many goodies from the Artsy Butterflies card kit that Simon Says Stamp offered last month. I didn't think I needed it but changed my mind after seeing so many beautiful butterfly creations! 

Delicate pastel card stock with rich embossing, a bit of inking and layered butterflies came together so nicely! Using an arched die cut, I used the Spotlight technique adding a white panel for the focal point. The sentiment is from Honeybee stamps, cut in gold mirror card stock to match the butterfly body.

 I'd like to try this card again, and I will hope the photos better show how really soft the colors are. I absolutely love the new card stock colors of the In My Heart I Want It All collection. I'm not known to use purple hues often, but I am a fan of this soft shade used in the card front. 

Be forewarned, there will be an abundance of butterfly creations coming. 

I will add this to the challenges listed:

NBUS Challenge #85
Just Us Girls - Die Cutting, the Spotlight Technique
Triple B - Birds, Butterflies, or Blossoms

A Cut Above ATG
Let's Craft and Create Challenge: Beautiful Butterflies

Thanks so much for your kind visit. Take care!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

 

Winter Watch and Friendship

 SNOW. The huge storm affecting most of the US is all anyone can talk about. The grocery checkouts are thronged with people buying those foods/items to sustain us should there be power outages. 

It gets really crazy here in the south. 

These birds are used to all the commotion. Just two friends hanging out. 

I'm still creating with some new-to-me winter supplies. These birdies and their winter accessory dies (SSS) could not be cuter. I'm glad to feature them today! A bit of patterned paper and a sweet sentiment and it's ready to go! 

Similarly, I was ready to go and you know how I was dreaming of snow? We found a great deal and took an unexpected 8 day get-away to Lake Tahoe! It's a truly beautiful place! We don't ski but enjoyed a bit of hiking, the mountains and the lake, and yes, LOTS of snow! And so I wrap up with the theme for today. 

I'm entering these challenges: 
NBUS - using new stuff, mine are the dies
Double D Challenge - Friends
The Paper Players - CAS  Signs of Winter
Color Hues  Blue and White

Hope you're staying safe and well, and grateful for your good friends! I am all set to snuggle in at home and craft! See you soon. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: 
Simon Says Stamp - Birdie Dies and Winter Accessory Dies
Pink & Main Chill is in the Air 6x6 paper pack
Silver foil card stock for hats
Sentiments - "Keep It Cozy" C9th Sweater Season; PB Chilly Days
Platinum  Embossing powder 

Sweets with Birthday Blitz

 It's a new month and I pulled out a brand new box of goodies to play with!  The Birthday Blitz kit (SSS) appealed so much to me with bright colorful papers which contain printed tags and cute sayings. I mixed it up with other products so today's card uses only the papers from the kit. Did I say colorful? 

The star patterned paper makes a busy background and the paper I used for the cupcake liner repeats the star element. I cut the sentiment also out from one of the papers. The die cut additions are from Spellbinders Etched Birthday Wreath Add-Ons which I'm also sharing for the first time here. I colored the icing with markers and added shimmer to make it sparkle. And of course there are sequins! 

Bet you can guess that I'm sharing with these challenges today:
NBUS - never been used supplies
The Paper Players have a sketch. 

Double D asks for- "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat."  It does not have to be Halloween related. 

Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Gallery The kit is sold out but many elements are available separately.  

I look forward to seeing you soon! For those who've been following me, we've finally arranged a space for me to stamp in our new home so I no longer have to haul things out to the living area. LOVE using the new space! Will work next on streamlining the photo process. 

Thanks for sticking with me to the end. I love that you come to visit me, and I wish you a great day. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Best Birthday with Bold Summer Blooms

 Hello, glad to have this time with you! Simon Says Stamp teamed with Gina K in offering a set of stamps, dies, and stencils called Bold Summer Blooms that are new to me. Last weekend I created a bunch of modern floral stamped die cuts and today I'm featuring my own design using them. Super Fun! 

The card front was trimmed to reveal the blue DSP on the inside. The Bold Summer Blooms Plate was used in part - the row of white flowers were an easy embellishment! I added metallic pearls to all the flower centers. I didn't plan it this way. It seems I cut the card front too high up. Attempting to better the proportions I added the strip of DSP with the text. Then came the flowers. All in all, it was a delightful crafting adventure. 
I'm so glad you've come by today. I will be back soon although I've not any idea what stamping fancy will hit me next.  There's always something!

Challenges entered are NBUS, Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, JUGS - Flower dies, and The Flower Challenge - add embellishments. 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies: 
Bold Summer Blooms Plate, stamps, dies, and stencils
Inks: Distress Inks, Gina K Cadet Blue
Paper: Honey Bee Stamps - Funfetti Birthday

Tweet-est Friend!

 A new day and a new month and I am GLAD! Hopefully our high heat and stormy afternoons will give way to more pleasant weather soon.  In the meantime, while I had all the Tweet Friend supplies out, I gave it another go. Hope you enjoy my shaker card. You know I love them! 

I love the versatility of the sentiments and being able to die cut them and mix the smaller phrases in is a plus. I think the mailbox will be what I grab for often, but the flowers are pretty in their own right and the bird bath is great for any season. 

Copics were used for coloring and the stencil (Gina K Cropped Circles) was sponged over with Ranger inks on two corners. I'm happy these two feathered friends are having a bit of fun in the sun! 

No challenges today, just a quick share! Thanks for coming by!

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!