Monday, May 28, 2012

~First Masculine Card~




It's time for Amy's


First Masculine Card


I called this my Grunge CD Card.







It's still one of my favorites..."born" in April 2011.



Unfortunately, it looked too realistic. 



I had to stop almost everyone from ripping that "CD" out...it was glued to the cover. 





That stamp set is still one of my favorites too!



Thank you for stopping by today, I always appreciate the company. ;)






Saturday, May 26, 2012

~Aloha!~




I picked up this stamp in Hawaii years ago...before I even knew how to stamp! ;)



I know, ink and paper....



but embossing helps too.



So does fringe scissors!




This is recycled paper...the center of the wrapping paper I had.


It curled naturally, so that helps for dimension.



When I saw FYI Challenge #30...I was inspired!





I immediately thought of ukeleles,sea water aroma and blinding sunshine!




ALOHA!





~The Scoop~








I made this card as a tribute to the little years.




When we would pull over to the shaved ice store...




I couldn't resist ordering the rainbow.




JUST BECAUSE



 



Have a great weekend~JUST BECAUSE!





Stamp:K&Company Citronella Clear stamps sentiment
Ink:Memento ink tuxedo black
Die:Spellbinders classic circles
Memento and Copic markers

Thursday, May 24, 2012

~Life~



I enjoyed combining a few challenges today.




This one is going out as soon as possible-so I kept it "mailable".







The following challenges were helpful:















Thank you for stopping by today~I appreciate it!





Stamps: BoBunny Alora bird,BoBunny Welcome Home sentiment,The Craft's Meow Owl Be Thinking of You hearts
Ink:Memento sweet plum and tangelo,Papertrey Ink true black
Paper:Bazzill,BoBunny Ambrosia,Georgia Pacific white
Other:Zig orange pen,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,sewing machine

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

~Heartfelt Thanks~




Use a flower image on your project.


I was blessed to win the gorgeous Hydrangea set from Flourishes.




It came in the mail yesterday and I wanted to use it NOW!


Some help came from Colour Q Challenge #138









Since this is "layered up" more than my usual cards, I am also entering this into


Build up your card: by adding layers, paper tole, paper piecing, stacking flowers...you name it!!


I love the scripture they are highlighting there:



Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."




This is an excellent reminder for all women~myself included!


Women are relational...we tend to bond verbally.


I catch myself, more than once, wanting to unburden my heart when I'm hurt or insecure.


Unfortunately, it can lower the value of individuals (like the bad publicity of a product).  It really does a lot of damage.



I remember a Godly woman once telling me that the worst thing a Christian can do, is talk about other Christians as if God isn't there listening to the whole conversation.


Hmmm.


I really try to remember that when I'm tempted to unload.



I pray your week is continuing well...right now I'm loving "normal".


I even welcome boring! LOL. ;)


I just thank God for this fulfilling hobby and you wonderful visitors~you always encourage me.


Thank you so much!


Take care now.





Stamps:Flourishes Hydrangea
Ink:Papertrey Ink true black,Ranger Tim Holtz mustard seed and Memento desert sand for edging
Dies:Spellbinders Label eleven,Spellbinders classic circles cut in half,Creative Memories oval cutter
Paper:Authentique Carefree pack,BoBunny Country Garden,Teresa Collins Everyday Moments,Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill brown
 Other:sewing machine,Uni-ball white pen,Copic aqua mint,Memento marker new sprout




Tuesday, May 22, 2012

~A Sound Mind~




Last week I had to face one of my worst fears...worse than facing

  my worst bear fear two weeks ago,



one of my girlies had to be admitted into the hospital.

The littlest girlie.


I didn't share this last week, because by the time I could catch my breath ...it was over and she was home again.



When I saw this week's Word Art Wednesday Challenge #28 verse,


I knew that I had to tell all:


 how GOOD AND MERCIFUL GOD IS;


and how HE was there with us last week.




When I read 2 Timothy 1 up to verse 1:9 ...


I recognize that Paul is encouraging Timothy with these words.


Timothy needed to hear how powerful God is, and that HE GIVES US this spirit of power, love, and sound mind...
just like we need to hear it now.


We don't just FEEL IT because we are God's children.

We shouldn't even ACT AS IF we feel it, if we don't.

Honestly, we have a natural tendency to fear..at least I do.

I freely admit that I am a fragile being...not brave or strong.
I couldn't pretend to be... even if I wanted to.

 
So, to have my daughter at church, ringing bells with our handbell choir, singing on Sunday morning a mother's day song...healthy as can be...



then have her laying in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV and receiving breathing treatments two days later...too sick to be at home...


well, it was one of those things that I imagined would have SHUT ME DOWN.



She had a slight cold last Monday and the next day, she was grabbing her throat, saying she couldn't breathe.


She had croup.


Odd for an eleven year old.


Odd, because she didn't have a cough.


Odd enough for them to admit her into the hospital and keep her for over a day.


My husband stayed the night with her...

I took the day shift.



Throughout all this...God gave me peace.


He gave me a sound mind.


He continuously let me know,



it was going to be ok.


To me, that was the WORLD.

It was EVERYTHING.

When I became a Christian, I didn't become a braver soul...ready to take on anything that came my way.


Instead, I have a great God who I can lean on, talk to, and confide in. A God who truly can handle anything that comes my way~including my fears.

I have peace and a sound mind.

Not because of who I am now,

but because of who HE is, and where He stands in my life.



I thank Him for meeting my fears, every time,


and renewing my faith and sound mind.


Thanks for letting me share this personal situation with you~I trust your mind is sound.


If not, you know where to go, don't you?

________

As for technical card details:












Sentiment: Word Art Wednesday
Stamp:  I Heart Papers Mint Motif Beyond Borders
Ink:Papertrey Ink true black,Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink mustard seed
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Maple Leaves dies
Paper: Georgia Pacific white
Paints:Adirondack Acrylics butterscotch and espresso
Other:stapler

Monday, May 21, 2012

Christmas Card in May






I'm getting some Christmas cards done...it will be here before you know it! LOL








I used Papertrey Ink's In the Meadow tree die and ran it through a crimper.


I stretched it back to shape so it still looks like a tree!

The sentiment is from the In the Meadow stamp set...I tried something different.

I used two Spellbinder classic circles to partially cut a flap to tuck the tree in.

I have small cutting plates that came with my Ellison sidekick..they come in handy when I want to sandwich part of a die and run it through my Big Shot.




inspired me to use this gorgeous DP from Teresa Collins.




Hope your week is starting off great...if not, give it 'til tomorrow! ;)




God Bless.


 


Stamp: Papertrey Ink In the Meadow
Ink:Ranger Jenni Bowlin Spice Tin
Dies:Papertrey Ink In the Meadow,Spellbinders classic circles
Paper:Teresa Collins Everyday Moments DP,Georgia Pacific white
Other:Fiskars crimper


Sunday, May 20, 2012

~My Bowler~




My oldest girlie, Mallory, made it to the Pepsi Bowl State Finals.



I'm so proud of her!


Her favorite colors are pink and black ~ she rocks!






I used Heidi Swapp's Sugar Chic Drama to paper piece the bowling ball and pins.


It's double sided, so the possibilities are endless!


The hardest decision?


Pink pins or pink ball???


If only most decisions were that hard! LOL.


I was inspired to splat with my Copics and Memento markers for the





I used a very similar technique here.


I didn't crimp the front cardbase until AFTER I slattered.


I crimped and then I colored the edges with a black Copic marker.





Hope you have a rockin' day!!!





Stamps:The Alley Way adoraBowl,Papertrey Ink On the Links sentiment
Ink:Versamark
Paper:Heidi Swapp Sugar Chic Drama,Georgia Pacific white
Embossing Powder:Ranger black super fine detail
Markers:Memento angel pink and rosebud,Copic black
Other:Fiskar's Paper Crimper,American Crafts satin ribbon

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

~Flying High~






I used the letter "B": blue, bee and banner










I used Authentique paper packs Carefree and Genuine.


 I used Spellbinders Postage Stamp dies for the




 Have a great day today and thanks for stopping by, it's always great to see bloggy friends!




Stamps:Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags,Pink Paislee Prairie Hill sentiment,KaiserCraft Fine & Sunny banner and clouds
Ink:Ranger Jenni Bowlin Spice Tin,Memento ink Potter's Clay and Rich cocoa
Paper:Authentique Carefree,Authentique Genuine,Georgia Pacific white
Markers:Sakura Gelly roll pen,Uni-ball pen
Dies:Spellbinders Postage Stamp
Embossing Powder: Ranger Weathered White Antiquities

Monday, May 14, 2012

~A Little Birdie Told Me~








Gingham is the sweetest pattern, don't you think?



I think of picnics, homespun and comfy all around.







I got to play with gorgeous gingham DP that was in my Authentique Carefree Collection.


I paper pieced the birdhouse and banner from KaiserCraft's Fine & Sunny and




did a bit of scoring at the bottom for some texture.




My bird theme fits for







Have a great day~thanks for stopping by!





Stamps: KaiserCraft Fine & Sunny,Unity sentiment,Papertrey Ink On the Links pole
Ink:Versamark ink, Memento ink rich cocoa,Ranger Tim Holtz distress tea dye for shading the edges
Paper:Authentique Carefree,Georgia Pacific white
Embossing powders: Whispers copper,Recollections Sapphire
Die:Spellbinders Classic circles
Other:Scor-Pal

~To My Pro~





Although I missed the deadline for





It's a great way to tidy up my desk, and bless someone.






I was able to incorporate my favorite panel, the Perfection patterned paper from Authentique, which would fit in the 


The other strips have stared back at me for the past few weeks, while scattered across my desk.



I didn't want to hide these striking patterns from myself (out of sight, out of mind).


This card is for my favorite someone, my husband, who finished up school!
 


I'm proud of him for many reasons, but today he's my hero, because he earned his degree.



After 22 years of serving in the Army, he went back to school to get his B.S. in Business Administration.



It's the goal he has worked toward for the past three years.



I'M SO PROUD OF YOU BABE!!!






Stamps:Papertrey Ink On the Links Stamp set
Inks:Staz on ultramarine for the sentiment (pretreated with Versamark ink first),Memento ink rich cocoa,Ranger Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress ink to edge the card
Paper:Authentique Genuine pack,Teresa Collins Everyday Moments dp,K&Company SW Nature pad,BoBunny Ambrosia Collection,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,BoBunny Country Garden
Tools:Crop-a-Dile corner chomper,Spellbinders scalloped ovals,Creative Memories oval cutter,Sizzix texture plate,Zig pen,Fiskars rotary cutter with deckle blade

~Doilies and a Tissue Box Flap~







Want to get a "two for one special", as we say in my family?





Buy this...






and save the flap


so you can create something like this...







or your version of it, with the supplies you have.



I can't wait until we get through the box so I can use the rest of it!



BTW, it REALLY IS cool to the touch. It feels wet, without being wet.


It's very soothing!


I was inspired to try out my doily stamps for the 




I didn't know that October Afternoon had stamps until I saw them at my local scrapbook store. The set is called Farmhouse Rubber Stamp Set, and it has a set of two pretty doilies.


The striking colors are taken from Color Throwdown #191.







I got to use paper that I've had since before I was a serious stamper (I just loved the turquoise shades and it was on sale).


The brad is from the same collection...K&Company FP Paper Pad-Cerulean.



Thanks for stopping in...if you have to buy tissue...maybe you can steer in the direction of pretty boxes to recycle!





Have a blessed day.






Stamps:October Afternoon Farmhouse Rubber stamp set,Unity sentiment,BoBunny Vicki B. flourish
Ink: Memento bamboo leaves and bahama blue,Versamark
Embossing powder: Stampendous Pearlustre Rubellite
Dies:Spellbinders scalloped circles

Saturday, May 12, 2012

~My Big Bicycle Seat~




Last week I rode my bike!



It's been 5 years since I've done that.



I guess I held off for many reasons...but now that I'm a seasoned "bear spotter" LOL, I might ride my bike more!



It was exhilarating! ;)



I'll be honest, I'm just glad I made it home without falling.
 
 
 
I'm also grateful I didn't hurt the next day.


 
 
I'm sure I owe it to this humongous seat
 
 
 
 
 


which makes the ride, ummm... less tortuous!
 
 


I was blessed to hear that they had such a thing, so I want to tell the world about it! ;)





My family teases this "extra luxury" (it looks a little silly from the back)
 
 
 
 but I DON'T CARE....I've had three children!



LOL.



Did you see they sell gel ones now too???
 


I might upgrade someday! hee hee hee



Here's my card I created.






The brad allows the sentiments to swing....my gadget girl coming out!!!


I know the seat isn't "an exact replication" of the one I ride on...



but it IS more attractive! LOL









Doesn't that make you want to pull out your bike and explore? ;)




Have a blessed weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow!




Stamps:Unity You+Me=Bliss,Pink Paislee Prairie Hill
Ink:Memento ink bahama blue,Papertrey Ink true black
Paper:Making Memories Just Chillin' Boy and Girl paper pad,Georgia Pacific white
Other:Want2Scrap bling



Friday, May 11, 2012

~Matchbook Folder Card~








inspired me to use my gorgeous strips of DP that litter my desk.



My friend gave me a notepad that looked like a matchbook folder once.



It was on my mind when I designed this card.






 Running out of adhesive?


Bring out your sewing machine!



I sewed on each strip for decor, and then I sewed across the top and bottom for support.



That way, when the front was tucked into the flap, the strips would bend with the card.



It's not going anywhere.







I used a postage stamp diecut (my new favorite shape) for




This is for my mom's birthday in June- she loves roses!



My colors were pulled from The PlayDate Cafe PDCC131.







Hope you have a great weekend. Take care now.





Stamp:Papertrey Ink Year of the Flowers:Roses
Ink: Papertrey Ink true black
Paper:BoBunny Country Garden DP orange and green,Teresa Collins World Traveler DP,Georgia Pacific white
Dies:Spellbinders classic circles and postage stamp,Sizzix bow
Other:sewing machine,Copic orange,Memento marker green,Want2Scrap rhinestone

~Direction~












I played around with my sewing machine today and used this Spellbinders postage die cut which was laying on my desk.



My Dad is a wonderful man, and I plan to give this to him for Father's Day or his birthday.


The inside has the sentiment:


A Father is neither
an anchor to hold us back
nor a sail to take us there.
But a guiding light
whose love shows us the way


This describes my Dad perfectly!

He doesn't just guide my sisters and I, but countless others who come to him for advice and wisdom.


I'm proud to call him Dad!



I appreciate you stopping by today. ;)




The stamps I used here are from Flourishes A Guiding Light.
Paper: BoBunny Country Garden DP,Authentique Genuine DP,Georgia Pacific white
Ink:Memento ink rich cocoa,Versamark ink
Embossing Powder:Whispers copper
Dies:Spellbinders classic circles,Spellbinders postage stamp
Other:Kid's Jewelry friendship thread,sewing machine



Thursday, May 10, 2012

~The Heart of a Friend~




I dabbed (looks like spattered), embossed, and sewed some stitches on a card.



I call that a fun day! ;)







I did a bit of dabbing with Copics on the sentiment and circle panels.


I wanted it to convey the spirit of joyful girls bubbling with laughter. ;)



My sketch is inspired by






Check out the crisp citrus colors from the








By the way, it's been animal kingdom here lately at my house.



I faced my worst fear since we moved here...seeing one of these bad boys nearby.



YUP, that's a bear people.



I PRAYED I wouldn't see one in our yard for 3 1/2 years.


I didn't, until Tues.


Maybe the Lord felt it was time.



He WAS BEAUTIFUL


and scary.


It was very surreal.


I screamed "BEAR! BEAR!" in a squeaky voice.



My hands shook all day.



I'm not cut out for too much country, mind you.




Here's some other fun adventures for my girls....



saving these lil' guys from the pool cover.





They LOVE exploring this way.


As for me...

I'll just stick to creative adventures. ;)



Thank you so much for stopping in and viewing my pics-it's always nice to have the company.






Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Together Silhouettes,Stampendous Birch Buddies grass
Ink: Versamark,Memento Bamboo leaves and New Sprout (edging)
Embossing powder:Ranger Tim Holtz distress spiced marmalade
Paper:Georgia Pacific White,BoBunny Country Garden
Tools:Spellbinders classic circles and label eleven,sewing machine,circle punch partially used for the notch
Other:Copics yellow and orange,Want2Scrap rhinestones,American Crafts satin ribbon,1/8" Scor-Tape

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

~Card Emergency~




Weeee oooohhhhh, Weeeee oooohhhh,Weeee oooohhhh




This is the siren my husband sounded out when I blurted out, "I have a creative emergency!!!!"



Horror of horrors...


 when I took a picture of my card, my oldest innocently thought this kid had a dunce cap on.


EEEEKKKK!
 
 
 
I can see the misunderstanding.
 
 
I added a party horn to his mouth.
 
 

The emergency is over. ;)






Now he's ready for a birthday!!!


CAS-ual Fridays: CFC51:Happy Birthday


 
I flipped the vertical line in this.









I have a feeling he will be singing that siren for days to come.



sigh. ;)



(Jenni Bowlin Mercantile Exclusive Boy Girl Silhouette,Clear and Simple Circus Fun cotton candy cone for the horn,Dear Lizzy + American Crafts Warble squiggly line,My Favorite Things sentiment,Spellbinders classic circle,Zig red marker,Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink fired brick and mustard seed,Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores ink,Versamark ink,Memento ink tuxedo black,Ranger super fine black embossing powder,quilling paper,Kid's Jewelry Friendship thread dabbed with Copics red,yellow and blue)

Monday, May 7, 2012

~A Yellow Birthday Rose and Gingham~





I've missed blogging last week!



Where did last week go???




I "attempted" cards all week...and have this colored rose to prove it.



It found a home on this card.





I embossed this rose with Stampendous Rubellite embossing powder.


When I colored with Copics, it got a bit smeary...but I like the way it shades the edges.



I'm so glad I colored it yellow....





I threw in some gingham tabs




There are birthday parties going on at CAS-ual Fridays:CFC51





I inked my birthday sentiment with Tim Holtz Distress mustard seed and tapped the edges with Memento plum to get a variegated effect.


Thank you for popping in today, I appreciate it so much!



(Papertrey Ink Year of the Flowers Roses,Unity sentiment,Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink mustard seed,Memento ink sweet plum,Teresa Collins DP,Authentique Blissful DP,Copic yellow)