He Cares for You

I am back in the craft room today. Had time to putter around tidying up and then make this card. It began with pieces on my desk that I decided to work on before putting them away. Things went on from there and here you go! 

The tulips were stamped the day my recent Greetery order arrived and I decided to add some details with colored pencils.  Went looking for a sentiment, and found this one already stamped and embossed on vellum. As you can guess the die cut was also already prepared. 

You'd think I just put this together quickly, but I know you know how long picking paper and arranging everything can take. HA! I don't think it's just me, am I right?

Anyway, I'm glad you're here today to see my card so I'll surprise you with the next tidbit. I even finished the inside. 

I'm joining the challenge at Freshly Made Sketches today, although I'm hoping my card isn't too busy. 

That's it for me today, I hope that you are able to enjoy peace of mind in these trying circumstances. Thanks for coming! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Budding Beauties Spring, Comforting Commands; and coordinating dies

Paper: Neenah Solar White; DSP is Lovely Day by Mintay Karola

INK: assorted inks from Altenew

Accessories: Cozy Cup Coaster Die and Sentiment Suite; Basics dies from The Greetery

Stamps, Markers, Scissors and Glue

Hello again! I'm having a return to the basics for my stamping this week, and today it's stamps markers, scissors and glue and just a bit more. I feel a bit like a hamster on a wheel rattling around in my house but I enjoyed putting this card together and thinking happily of the sweet girl who's first birthday is coming up. 

I started with stamps from Birthday Bears (MFT) which an oldie that's been in my stash since 2015. Instead of using the dies, I did some masking enabling me to position the gift, the hat, and balloons, then cut it out. Colored with Copics. 

One thing about Copics - I used to try and make coloring with them SO COMPLICATED that I stressed out over using them. I'm over that now. Two layers and I'm done, simple. The black and white strip of paper was on my desk, so I glued that on and added some translucent stars. Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever used them. And I think they add just the right bling. 

I'm playing with The Paper Players, who have a theme week: Zoo, and Retro Rubber Challenge whose theme is squares. My square card measures 4.25 x 4.25. 

Enjoy your day! Thanks for your visit. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Thinking of You: Time Well Spent

Hi there everyone! 
Visiting around the web, I've realized just how much the wonderful community of crafters and card makers means to me. It seems that if we are doing fairly well in this crises we want to help in any way we can those who are not. And stamping and creating is a way for us to deal with our own stresses. 
Many are making or donating cards for residents of care centers who are facing a time of great loneliness and medical staff. 

But I've heard of a different need over the weekend. My 95 year old Mother-in-love has faithfully and without fail sent cards to friends neighbors, children, grandchildren and now her GREAT grandchildren for special days. When we talked she was distressed that the small gift shop in her community has closed and she no longer has cards to send! Could I help? 

Just what I wanted to hear. It's NICE to be able to help, you know?  I spent some time coloring these cards to add to the stash of 24 cards that I had on hand to send to her. 

It was wonderful time spent for me as coloring is my therapy. Best of all, as you read this the box of cards should be on their way in a postal truck. 

Sorry, I didn't mean to go on so much! The card details are very simple as are the cards themselves. I used the Look for the Rainbows stamps (Simon Says Stamp). I did some masking to create bouquets and colored using Zigs and a water brush. The sentiment and die for the blue card are from the Sentiment Suite: Thinking of you by The Greetery. 

I hope that you are doing well and carrying on with the social distancing. This same Mother-in-Love of mine keeps saying to herself, "It's SPRING! and soon summer will be here!" and her hope is that all the sickness will be gone. Let's think on that.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Sending You Love with Cuddly Critters

One last post for you this week! I'm featuring the cute rabbit from the Cuddly Critters set (Simon Says Stamp.) 

This card is intended for our grandson who loves to rip off anything dimensional on a card, so I kept this one very simple with only one popped up image. 

The bunny was stamped, colored with Copics, then I masked the critter and sponged pastel inks behind. 

The triangles stencil (Pretty Pink Posh) added a bit of dimension to the card. Key word here: unremovable. I also added some clear drops to the eyes for shine and because it still needed something the stitched ribbon. 

As I am working my way through my stash, I have the goal to make cards that are gender neutral and could be used whatever the occasion. I am also telling myself to keep them simple. Sometimes I actually manage to do that. Today was NOT one of those days. Although simple, I wrestled with every little part of this card! 

Even with two great challenges to help me. 
Inspired By 

and CAS(E) this Sketch. 

It is good therapy for me to keep crafting so I'm being kind to myself in terms of my expectations, LOL! 

Hope you have a great weekend, see you soon! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Completely Wild About You

Well, it's good to be back with another card to share today. 

I'm really enjoying pulling out older not-used-enough but loved just the same stamps for challenges lately. This card features the jaunty giraffe from the Party Animals stamp set from WPlus9. 

I used Zig markers to color him and die cut a few hexagon shapes to layer behind him. 

The terrific sketch by Judy at Freshly Made Sketches was my inspiration. You've got to see the wonderful samples from the DT this week! I am happy to be playing along. 

Really what makes me happy is any little thing that I can do to help someone else. And letting beauty refresh my soul wherever I can find it. On my porch in the sunshine the birds are singing and there is a breeze in the pines.  I hope to make something beautiful today, HA! following my own advice in my tagline at the end of each post.

Thanks so much for your time to visit and for your kind comments. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Budding Beauties Dressed in Pink

Hello there, welcome back to my blog! 
I'm popping in late on this Thursday afternoon with a card that I contemplated for a day or two but just put together.  I saw the challenge at The Paper Players and wanted to play along, now I'm posting just in the nick of time! 

I couldn't wait to create with the tulips and beautiful cherry blossoms that arrived Monday in my order from The Greetery. Have a look! 

The stamp set is called Budding Beauties, and the images enabled me to heartily embrace pink! I also inked up the new Painterly Stripes background stamp to continue the color combo using WPlus9 inks. These are my very favorite pinks because they are bright and clean, not muddy hues.

 The images come together easily with layers of ink to add detail. In honor of the challenge and the occasion of new stamps, I added  a double bow of my favorite seam binding ribbon in pink, adhering the panel slightly off center. I did the vertical tic-tac-toe row using Pink, Die Cuts, and Ribbon. 

Thanks so much for you visit today! How are you keeping busy in your stay at home time? I will be back tomorrow with another project, see you soon. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Budding Beauties stamps and dies, WPlus9 -  Basic Labels stamps and die

Paper: Neenah Solar White 80 lob., Basic Black

INK: Versamark, WPlus9 - Shell Pink, Little Piggy, VIP Pink, Mojito, Lime Light, 

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, The Greetery - Postal Frame Dies

Fresh Floral Inked Background

Can't believe that it is Wednesday already! I was very happy to give over 30 cards away this week to seniors in a local care center who aren't allowed visitors. Now I'm motivated to make more cards to celebrate spring and some new stamps.
Here's one for you!

I began with Neenah Solar White 80 lb white card stock, and the lovely Fresh Floral Background cling rubber stamp from The Greetery. Using an ink dauber, I sponged the background stamp with Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry inks and then stamped on the white panel. Using a brush, I lightly blended the panel with Worn Lipstick ink. 

I played with lots of options for the card and ultimately, didn't want to cover up the pretty florals!  I combined a frame with a few die cut leaves, a simple sentiment and a sprinkling of sequins. 

I appreciate your visit so much, I hope you are having a good day and staying well. Hugs! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Sentiment Suite: Thinking of You  - The Greetery 

Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU - Basic Black

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Sentiment Suite Basics Dies; Inside and Out Berry Branch Die - The Greetery