Piecing it Together

Make It Monday #117:Paper Piecing

by Melissa is a beautiful way to create a sympathy card.

When my father-in-law died three years ago...it was so disorienting and painful.

However, God was merciful and showed bits of beauty despite the excruciating absence of our loved one here on earth.

The comfort I can express to another going through this...is that we are sending prayers~

The beauty, is that the loved one will never be forgotten~the outline is still there in memories, hearts and minds.

stamp: Papertrey Ink Year of the Flowers Roses,Flourishes Calla Lilies sentiment

ink: Hero Arts Cup O' Joe,Ranger Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap

paper: Fancy Pants park bench, Prima Bohemian Bamboo

die: Creative Memories oval cutter,MFT sentiment strips

other: Want2Scrap rhinestones

NEVER DIE

ODBDSLC148 He is Risen

Simon Says Stamp:Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge#73

~May you have a beautiful Good Friday~

stamp:Our Daily Bread Designs Weave Background,Flourishes He is Risen verse,Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie stamps and Rosie Posie Step 2

dies: Lori Whitlock 4 Life Cards (Silhouette Cameo),Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie

paper:Authentique Renew,Recollections Kraft,Georgia Pacific white

ink:WPlus9 white,Memento ink Dandelion,Papertrey Ink New Leaf,Hero Arts Field Green,Tim Holtz peeled paint

other:Crop-a-Dile corner chomper

Corrugated Strip and Grunge City

Texture can be a fun backdrop for a scene.


I love pulling out my crimper...and I was excited to see the challenge

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #210

Cards With Cardboard (or make your own with a crimper).

I kept the scene simple and grungy~it was fun to see my Cameo cut this one out!


My "sun" was punched from chevron paper for  the
Chevron Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I am on a creating marathon today and enjoying every minute of it.


Blessings!

stamp: Flourishes Hydrangea

die: Grunge Cityscape (Silhouette Cameo),Marvy Circle Punch

paper: Recollections kraft

other: Fiskars crimper

Bee Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Jan!!!

I am participating in a Blog Hop for Flourishes' leading lady, based on this photo:

I took the red and added a bit of blue~it's such a winning combo!

Here's hoping you have a blessed day Jan!

stamp: Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags sentiment

ink: Memento Ink Teal Zeal

dies: Samantha Walker Flower Layers (Silhouette Cameo)

other: EK Success Retro Flower Edger Punch, Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack) Journal Card,Heidi Swapp Memory File Color Label

~FrUiTy FoR yOu~

When I arranged this card....I intended it for my husband.

I loved the hat and the glasses, but I wanted to make sure it looked like it was from a girl~this girl, in fact. ;)

My youngest, Amanda, was the one who suggested lips.....

problem solved!

I love the lips from Mama Elephant's Cup of Wishes!

CAS-ual Fridays CFC90:Black and White Plus 1

Paper Crafts February Gallery Challenge

 Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #207: Put Your Heart On It

Hope you are having a sweet weekend so far~

 stamps: Mama Elephant On Target and Cup of Wishes (lips),The Craft's Meow Fruity for You sentiment

 die: Assorted Gentleman Dress-Up by Jamie (Silhouette),hearts (Silhouette)

ink: Brilliance Rocket Red,Papertrey Ink True Black

other: KI Memories Alphabet Soup Spicy Taco (u)

Old Timey Love

I want NEW ideas, NEW hopes and dreams, NEW strength and joy.


But, I want OLD timey love forever....


it's the best kind...that stands the test of time.

I was smitten with this old timey cut and used it for my favorite guy in the whole wide world. ;)

I stamped florals from Hydrangea and tiny sentiments from Tiny Flowers and Tags around a Spellbinders die cut for the background.

I was inspired by

Flourishes Love Letters Challenge


to make the MOST IMPORTANT VALENTINE CARD on my list. ;)

stamps: Flourishes Hydrandea,Tiny Flowers and Tags
dies: (Jamie's Couple on a Vintage Bicycle) Silhouette Cameo,(Spellbinders Label 25),(Tipsy Heart) Sizzix
paper: Georgia Pacific white cardstock,white printer paper,American Crafts black
ink: Memento Tangelo,Papertrey Ink True Black,Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade

~Happy New Year~

I woke up yesterday morning in a PANIC~

it was the last day of 2012.

WHAT have I done that was important???

What NEEDS to be done next year???

This is BIG....am I ready to transition???

Then, I took a DEEP BREATH and was reminded....

it's ONE MORE DAY....

~~~~ to tell Jesus I love him

~~~~ to tell my husband I love him

~~~~to hug my girlies...they KNOW I love them...but I'll tell them BECAUSE I CAN


~~~~to call my parents and ring my grandma's cowbell through the phone,   land and ocean that divide us
(I have been bestowed the honor of keeping the precious bell~I know that everyone who was around her can hear it in clanging in their memories of happy times when she was around)

~~~~~to laugh until my sides hurt ...

Lately I've been IN PAIN with giggles...totally gifts from God when silly silly things happen and there is someone RIGHT THERE to share the memories with...better yet...3 girlies who mean the world to me....

~~~~to pray....

for those who can't

for those who won't

and for those who don't know how.

Let's not freak out with over-preparing on the FIRST day of this fresh New Year...


 I want to celebrate the ordinary day.

EACH ordinary day can be wonderful

...leading up to a wonderful week


....a wonderful month



...and eventually,



another wonderful year.

 The following challenges inspired me:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #60:Faith/Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp and Show:The totally mad (no rules) tea party

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday#202

I chose this card from challenge #196.

The theme was to make a card that makes you feel happy.



We are blessed that happiness doesn't have to fall on just the special days...

it's possible in the ordinary days too! 

 

 

 

 Here is to your NEW year and my NEW year!!!

~May the Lord bless us and keep us and fill us with His joy~

 

 

stamps: Technique Tuesday Ali Edwards Ordinary Days,Flourishes Hydrangea

ink: Memento Ink Teal Zeal,Ranger Tim Holtz Peeled Paint

die: Spellbinders Label 25

other: Ellison Tim Holtz Rays embossing folder,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Bazzill blue dot cardstock,Little Yellow Bicycle Acorn Hollow DP,Want2Scrap bling,white uniball pen,staple

 

~Aloha Christmas and Silver Numbers~

I made a Christmas card for my dear friend who loved these numbered paperclips (Studio Calico) on another card she saw in my stash.

The center image is a stamp I purchased in HI~since that was where I was raised...I'm sure she will appreciate it. ;)

I added other fun elements ...probably way more than I've ever done.

In fact, I went over my "200 character" limit on labels...never saw that warning on blogger before!

So, I just labeled it with the challenges.

Timeless Tuesday #197

Use Gold or Silver

The paper clips are silver and so is the sentiment strip I colored with a silver Gelato stick.

DYSU Challenge #99:Numbers

I was

Inspired By #51

The red,creams and whites gave me the striking colors I wanted. I drew some tick marks along the edges to represent the stool topped with rulers.

Simon Says Stamp: Dawny's Sketch

Thanks for stopping by today~it's always a blessing to see friends~

stamps: Stampettes (made in HI),sentiment from Sweet 'n Sassy Seek Him Still

other: Studio Calico Yearbook Paper Clips,Sassafras buttoned flower,Fiskars crimper,zig red pen,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Scor-Tape

paper: Authentique Carefree,My Mind's Eye All is Bright,DCWV Naturals Stack,Georgia Pacific white

ink:Versamark,Memento Ink Rhubarb Stalk,Ranger black embossing powder,silver Faber Castell Gelato

dies: Spellbinders large labels,Postage stamp and Deckled rectangles,Papertrey Ink Photo Finish,My Favorite Things Sentiment strips,

~Makes Me Happy~

Fun, crazy hair makes me smile~

A cute sentiment does also.


Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #196

Create a Card that Makes You Happy


Word Art Wednesday #55 Anything Goes



I played a bit in the snow today...that made me smile~


and tired.



really really tired. ;) LOL



stamps: Papertrey Ink Winter Penguin and Hello Sunshine,Unity sentiment
die: PTI Photo Finish Strips
ink: Memento Dandelion and Tangelo,PTI true black

other: twine for the hair,Copic orange marker

~A Pink Journaling Tree~

I pray you are having a hopeful morning


~despite your situation today.


There are no words for what some have experienced and are dealing with right now.


Believe me, if I had the right words, I would write them.


 I pray the Lord heal what was broken and bruised...


those precious hearts and minds that have been rattled.


~We are truly blessed, friends, to be alive while today is still today~

 

 

This leftover tree is from

 

 the journaling card I created here,

 

 

and it stared at me LONG ENOUGH from my cluttered desk.



It was too pretty and joyful to leave buried under scraps.



I funned the tree  up by


adding black and grey Copic coloring to the edges to give it a jazzy look.

 
 The dots are from my Sakura Souffle pen.


It takes a delicate touch to get the pouf (if you smear down too much, it will lay flat).


If you haven't used those pens, know that the shades are a bit lighter when they are completely dry.

I am entering this  card in


The Journaling Cards Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

It seemed natural to wrap the sentiment die cut around the card base,


because if I left it whole, it would have competed with the tree.



This falls in line with the theme of

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #193

(create a card or project where your focal image falls off the page)

I am also inspired by the pink pink fun here at

Inspired By #47

Take care~

supplies: Papertrey Ink (In the Meadow,Count My Blessings) dies, Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack) journaling card, My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair, Fiskars crimper

~fall card~

What-da ya know, another for today~

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #188

fall theme

&

Retrosketches #31

This is a great sketch...not intimidating!

Have a great evening~

Supplies:

Clear Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Tree Background, My Mind's Eye Rosy "Everything"

Paper: My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair,Papertrey Ink Kraft,Bazzill orange

Punch: EK Medallion Chain

Other: Piggy Tales ribbon,Recollections Carnelian embossing powder,Sizzix Framelits Kite die,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper

Ink:Versamark ink,Rich Cocoa Memento Ink

~A Neon Christmas Card~

Today's card was inspired by 

Simon Says Stamp We're So Trendy

(Neon,Hexagon,Chevron)

I picked Neon!

and Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #186

(a Pinterest Christmas)

My inspiration is here

Pinterest Neon Penquins

If you made it back...LOL, here's my lil' ole card.

I used my Flourishes Enjoy the Ride set and a Christmas sentiment from a retired JustRite set.


Since I don't have neon inks (YET!!)...I applied splotches with my Elmer's Neon Paint Markers.


The sentiment was inked in the brightest pink I've got: Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry (summer limited edition).


This ought to make some eyes pop on Christmas!



Thanks for stopping by friends~



Supplies:


Stamps:Flourishes Enjoy the Ride,JustRite Simple Blessings
Ink:Ranger Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry (summer limited ed.),Papertrey Ink True Black
Dies:Papertrey Ink Movers and Shakers Spinners Die Collection,Spellbinders Postage Stamp and Scalloped Circles
Paper:Authentique Fresh,Georgia Pacific white,misc. hot pink dp (really old)

~Mini Card~

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #185

Make a mini card: 4"x 3" or less.

I reached for the sunshiny colors while we still have sunshine and the last traces of summer!

The flowers and sentiment are from Flourishes Hydrangea set.

I took the smallest floral image and inked around the rectangle~easy peasy.

Thank you for stopping by~you really do bring me sunshine bloggy friends!

Supplies:

Stamp: Flourishes Hydrangea

Dies: Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle and Large Labels

Ink: Tsukineko Memento ink dandelion,Papertrey Ink New Leaf

Paper:Georgia Pacific White, My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair

Other: American Crafts satin ribbon,Crop-a-Dile corner chomper,Scor-Tape 1/2"

~Bee Well~

I wanted to make a simple card for a young man who is facing surgery and a long healing process soon.

Intelligent guy who may enjoy a punny sentiment.

I used Flourishes' bee from Tiny Flowers and Tags and JustRite letters~

for Timeless Tuesday #183.

Butterflies, Bees, Spiders, oh my!

I am also entering this in the Focal Point Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

Lots of great advice going on there!!!

Have a great day~

Stamps: Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags,JustRite letters (retired)

Ink: Tsukineko Memento ink tangelo and tuxedo black

Dies: Spellbinders Label Eleven and classic circles

Paper:Authentique Carefree,Georgia Pacific white,black cardstock

Other:brad,Scor-Tape 1/4"

~A Square Card~

I rarely never make straight, perfect cards.

I feel they misrepresent me.

If you knew me, you'd get it. ;)

But, this is as close to perfect as I get (not braggin'~just sayin').

 See what I mean? 

Nothing quirky, tilted or weird.

It makes me feel squirmy.

I had to take a picture before I slapped something random on it.

I hope you like it.

You may never see such alignment here again! ;)

This is perfect for Case Study:Think Out of the Box

PERFECTION or near perfection is SO NOT ME.

I gave up on that years ago.

CAS-ual Friday CFC65

 This was the challenge to showcase this card.

Embrace the square.

Supplies:

Stamp: Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags

Paper: Bazzill orange and blue,Georgia Pacific white

Ink:Ranger Tim Holtz spiced marmalade

Other:Martha Stewart Caning Pattern All Over the Page,American Crafts satin ribbon,pop dots

~Perfect Pear~

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #180

CASE a DT member's card.

I CASED Silke's gorgeous snowman card here.

It's clean and crisp and she layered two different shapes that gives an interesting focal point.

I layered a couple of different shapes in my card here:

I used bold, fun colors from 

The PlayDate Cafe #142

By the way, it's a farewell to four wonderful ladies on the DT...so even if you don't link up this week (it took me awhile to jump in the last day), you can  stop by and say farewell.  ;(

This is also the last day to link up to 

The Craft's Meow July Sketch Challenge.

I used Fruity For You to make a congratulations card for a recently married couple.

The pink embossing is HOT PINK and almost blinding if you stare at it too long...but REALLY FUN to play with against the blue.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamp: The Craft's Meow Fruity for You

Ink:Versamark, Tsukineko tuxedo black

Dies: Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle and Label Four

Paper:Bazzill blue and yellow,Heidi Swapp Sugar Chic Drama,Georgia Pacific white

 

~Timeless Tuesday and Hydrangea~

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #179

is Christmas in July!

I used my Hydrangea set, and embossed it with silver.

I figured, why not use it for Christmas?

 Retrosketches #22
gave me inspiration for the border placement.

 

I've been stamping like mad since yesterday with all this energy...it's a blessing when the ball gets rolling and I can tangibly create something that I've mulled over.


Circuits are clicking for now~I'm enjoying the marathon crafting. ;)

Thank you for stopping by today!

Stamps: Flourishes Hydrangea,JustRite Simple Blessings

Paper:American Crafts cardstock,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Glitz Paper Layers Vintage Blue,Bazzill silver

Punch:Martha Stewart Linked Trim

Ink:Versamark,Tsukineko Memento Ink Paris Dusk

Other:Whispers silver embossing powder,Want2Scrap bling,Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper

~Message from Afar~

TIMELESS TUESDAY #175

hosted by Silke:

"I’m challenging you to use your FAVORITE FLOURISHES STAMP along with your FAVORITE DIE(s) and please finish your card/project off with your absolute FAVORITE EMBELLISHMENTS!"

My favorite Flourishes stamp is "A Guiding Light".

I love the sentiments and the gorgeous ship.

AS for my favorite die, I'd have to say it's my newest...Spellbinders Postage Stamp die.

My favorite embellishments are these wonderful Sassafras flowers won from  Lauren's challenge.

I am entering this in her current Inspired By Challenge #30.

Check out the blue tablecloth and the water in the distance!

Also, there are white and red elements for Paper Issues:Picnics and Patriots .

I hope you are having a beautiful day...if not, reclaim it and make a new creation!

~Take care now~

Stamp: Flourishes "A Guiding Light"

Ink: Memento Ink Bahama Blue,Ranger Tim Holtz Broken China for edging

Paper: Georgia Pacific white and Teresa Collins Everyday Moments DP

Embellishments:Sassafras flowers

Dies:Spellbinders Postage Stamp die

~Eternal Summer~

Oooooh, today is a SCORCHER.

These are the days I'm glad my crafting nook is in the basement.

It balances out those cold winter months when I use a microwave-heated wrap.   ;)

I picked up this stamp set while visiting my family (yup I  snuck out to the nearest craft store and checked out the goods). 

I love the huge lanterns in BoBunny's Serenity stamp set-endless possibilities!

It paired nicely with Flourishes' sentiment from the Hydrangea set~inked in several colors.

I used Staz On ink on vellum for CAS-ual Fridays:CFC57.

There is a bit of glitter and shine in the ribbon, and the gold part of the lantern was colored in with a Uni-ball pen (shiny in person).

Less Is More Week 72

Something Shiny

Have a great day~thanks for stopping by and keeping me company. ;)

Stamps: BoBunny Serenity,Flourishes Hydrangea sentiment

Ink:Jenni Bowlin Spice Tin,Tsukineko Memento Potter's Clay,Ranger Tim Holtz Mustard Seed,Papertrey Ink Premium Dye Ink Hawaiian Shores,Staz On blue

Paper:Georgia Pacific White,vellum,scrap punched circles

Other:Uni-ball gold pen,Martha Stewart fringed scissors,Magic Scraps sparkly ribbon

~Flying High~

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #169 : Alphabet Letter

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

Authentique Paper's May Sketch Challenge

I used Authentique paper packs Carefree and Genuine.

 I used Spellbinders Postage Stamp dies for the

Postage Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I'm also plugging this in to Paper Crafts 2012 Gallery Idol.

 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