Songbirds Make my Heart Sing

 Hey there, friends! It's nearly the end of the week, and soon will be the end of the month, and I've been mostly MIA. I'm here today to fix that! 
I've pulled out a new-to-me stamp set, and was inspired to join a card challenge I've just discovered called Triple B: Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies! Use one or all three in your cards.
I spent a few tries with mediums to color the bird, but liked this one best using Copic markers and made it into a card. 

What I love about this Songbird stamp set (Concord & 9th) is that the bird on the tree branch is a separate stamp, and there are images to add to the branches for each season of the year. I used the flowers and buds for a spring scene. Deciding it needed some texture, I added the border of stitching, and a bit of color randomly dotted with a stencil. A few flat sequins and two butterfly die cuts complete the card. 
Thanks so much for joining me today and taking a peek at this creation! It's been nice sharing a bit of time together, let's do it again soon!  

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Card Supplies: Concord & 9th - Songbird Stamp Set. Lawnfawn - Just Stitching Double Rectangles. Tim Holtz - stencil. Sequins are from The Cat's Pajamas. Stampin' Up! - butterfly dies. 

NBUS Challenge #50 using a new stamp set

and Triple B Birds, Blooms & Butterflies has a lovely mood board. I used all three B's on my card. 

VROOM! VROOM!

Hello, how's it going for you today?  I'm driving by with a new post and a card for you at Color Hues #64. Julie B chose a delightful combo of Orange and Slate Gray for us to feature. It had me stumped for awhile, but I remembered this fun auto stamp in time to make a card for our son's birthday. 

I used a mix of papers from my stash, and the stamps and dies from Honey Bee stamps - Car Show and You're a Classic. 

The DT team has a wonderful line up of projects for you. Hope you will check it out for inspiration and  join us!

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

 

More Penny Black

 Hello on this Friday evening, I hope your week is wrapping up well. 

I did complete another watercolored card using the delightful bear and balloons from Penny Black, Together Forever. Did you ever waffle back and forth with different answers when you were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up?  I feel just the same when I ping pong back and forth with different stamping styles. I usually like techniques, mixed media and layers with a twist towards elegant. Right now, simple and cute is what I'm seeking to do more of. Every card doesn't need to be over the top, right? 

Being able to change styles is one of the things I love MOST about stamping! The immense YOU die (PBS) makes it easy to combine elements and sentiments. I embossed the sentiment in white on kraft card stock, using a stamp from Technique Tuesday. Another card for Penny Black Saturday Challenge. 

I'm definitely wearing my CAS hat today! Thanks for checking in. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

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!  

Combining Stencils

 I am popping in with a card for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge, even though it's near the deadline, I just had to play along. You may have noticed my obsession with stencils lately. It continues! I learned so many ideas from the Stenciled 2 Online Card Class, that I pulled all my stencils out, and ordered a few more as well. 

I just couldn't wait to use this new stencil from Gina K designs, called Bold Bouquet. 

Beginning with pale blue card stock, I blended Oxide inks in layers using Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers, and just a bit of Shabby Shutters. 

For the next step, I inked the Stitched Quilt Stencil  (Frantic Stamper) over the entire card front. This simple layer brought cohesiveness to the design. Wanting to add texture, I used the Dot Fade stencil (Tim Holtz) and randomly daubed white craft ink in a few areas. 

I had a blast making this card and I was really pleased with how it turned out. I am eyeing all my stencils differently now that I realize how many ways they can be used. 

The Tic Tac Toe challenge had great options! I went with the top row suggesting Flowers, Word Die and Matching Envelope. 

It was easy to add a stenciled flower diagonally across the envelope with some design on the back and upper left front.  

ETA:  I didn't make it in time to enter at Tic Tac Toe. Next time!

I will also add this to NBUS, SSS Wednesday Challenge, and a new to me challenge at 

 I hope this encourages you today. Get those stencils out to play! I am grateful for your kind visit, thanks so much! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

New for Color Hues #63! Hot Pink and Cyan

 Hi there! If you guessed that we're starting a new combo at Color Hues, you're right! For challenge #63 Hannelie has chosen some sizzling shades for us! Let's have a go with Hot Pink and Cyan. Loving this bright combo, I pulled out a layered stencil and Distress Oxides inks. Here's what I came up with!

I hope you will give a good look at the DT samples, they are fabulous! It will be so fun if you join us to play along. I appreciate your coming by to visit, I'm wishing you a wonderful week. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Colorful Birthday

 Hi there, stamping, friends, I have to tell you that today's card features some of the new colors from Concord and 9th and I am SMITTEN with them! I was so ready for these fresh new hues, and I especially like how there are light and darks of the same shades that work well for ink blending. My favs are the series of pretty pinks and oranges, soft blues and greens that pop. 

That brings us to today's card. 

Keeping my design simple, I die cut octagons, and stamped the grid image with versamark  for added interest.  The colors of card stock are sprout, parsley, sea glass, and oceanside. 

Using white card stock, I cut the flowers from the Duet Die (Penny Black) three times and glued them together. 

I am happy to be in time to enter this at Freshly Made, using the delightful sketch by Karren, although I used the mirror image.

I appreciate your visit, and hope you are doing well today!  I will be back soon. It's a busy week, but I have lots of new stuff inspiring me to get crafty! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!