~Stampin' Balloons~

Today is my Mother-In-Law's Birthday!

Her favorite color is purple, so I hovered in that arena.

I heavily stamped on this one-layered card for the

Stamp It! Cards Birthday Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I was able to use more than half of the balloons in the Inkadinkado Patterned Balloons set.

The only purples I have are my Memento Sweet Plum and my Staz On Royal Purple (I learned from other cardmakers to stamp with Versamark first for easier cleaning).

Stamping the Staz On inked balloon first on a scratch piece of paper gave me a lighter color...almost a third color to work with!

Some Memento Pistachio-inked balloons were added for a bit of contrast.

I only had to cut out a mask for two balloons...I spread out the others for a quick card.

Thanks for stopping by today~I pray things aren't dire where you are.  

If they are, let me know how to pray for you, ok?

Stamps: Inkadinkado Patterned Balloons, Skipping Stones Design You Know You're Getting Old Birthday, American Crafts Dear Lizzy Warble string
Ink:Staz On Royal Purple,Memento Ink Sweet Plum,Tuxedo Black and Pistachio,Versamark
Paper:Georgia Pacific white

~There are No Small Miracles~

There are no small miracles.

*Inkadinkado Patterned Fish,Verve Beautiful You,Versamark ink,Recollections Sapphire Pearl Embossing Powder,Authentique Genuine,Want2Scrap rhinestones,Spellbinders classic circles,Vellum,American Crafts satin ribbon,Tim Holtz distress tool,Georgia Pacific white cardbase*

I used an awesome sketch from CardPatterns 156

Check out this incredible photo from FYI Challenge #25.

I was definitely inspired by the colors and the water.

I LOVE the vibrant contrast.

Have a blessed week!

~OLW 80~

One Layer Wednesday 80: Two By Two Plus Masking.

(My Mind's Eye Rosy "Everything" stamps,Our Daily Bread Time,Flourishes Enjoy the Ride,Inkadinkado pigment ink sky blue,Creative Memories corner rounder,Staz On ink fuchsia,Georgia Pacific white cardstock)



I love this image of a beautiful tightrope walker.


I resisted this stamp two months ago, but picked it up today.

 I don't have the guts nor the desire to walk a tightrope.




Seeing someone else do it makes me nervous too.


I have no idea why, but I find this image soothing and beautiful.



Maybe because I can imagine she is two feet off the ground. ;) 





 

~The Play Date Cafe and a CardPatterns Sketch~

Babies are sprouting all around me and I'm behind.

This came out to be a surprise for me-Yayyy!

(Ellison Oh,Baby!,Papertrey Ink Fruit Fusion apple stamp,The Craft's Meow Tweet of You,Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses paper pad,Inkadinkado pigment ink sky blue,Ranger Tim Holtz distress ink marmalade ink,Bazzil cardstock,Creative Memories corner rounder)

By the time I tucked in those ribbons, I saw a baby card forming.

All it took was the sentiment to seal the deal.

I used colors from The Play Date Cafe PDCC 120.

CardPatterns Sketch 154

I enjoyed putting this card together. ;)

I can't wait to stick it in the mail.

~Forest Trees~

I'm glad I got to participate in The PlayDate Cafe Challenge.



I started this card with PlayDate's colors many times and kept hitting a wall,




but ended up with this:

(PSX Evergreen,Inkadinkado The Great Outdoors,Memento Ink,Staz On Ink,Copic Ink,Bazzill Paper,Creative Memories corner rounder,Kid's Jewelry friendship thread)

The PlayDate Cafe Challenge PDCC112

Take it easy and thank you so much for stopping in! ;)

~You Rock and Make It Monday~

I made a card for my nephew.

I used the cool technique Lisa shared on Make It Monday #45,

coloring embossed images with Copics.

I used red on white embossing, and made sure to stay within the white to give it one more border.

PlayDate Cafe Challenge PDCC110

gave me the colors to work with. ;)

Take a breath this week and take it one day at a time.  

That's what I'm trying to do!

I have my bag of cards in the car and anytime I have to WAIT...I start addressing cards.  It will get there one day. ;)

Take care now. 

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink Grunge Me, Papertrey Ink In the Meadow die,Creative Memories oval cutter,Versamark ink,Memento ink blue,Inkadinkado light blue,Whispers white embossing powder,Copic red,Piggy Tales DP,American Crafts AC cardstock

~ALOHA OLW!~

I really love this "ALOHA" sentiment stamp I have.

It's been awhile since I used it, though.

OLW:72 Variations On a Sentiment 

is the perfect challenge to showcase this beauty!

 Can't you just hear the drums beating and the grass skirts swishing? ;)

 Versamark ink and yellow embossing powder packs a punch, I think.

 Now fo' da bradas...

 I was "tinkin' of da surfas on da beach" when I ruffed up the edges and stamped da image "tree" (3) times wit 3 inks to get da wave action. ;)

OK, done with the pidgin (it only comes out when I am speaking with my family and we're messing around.)

However, since I brought the stamp out...it slips.

FYI...if you watch Hawaii Five-O...gunshots fired constantly on the streets and all the drama they show is just that...DRAMA! 

I haven't lived there in awhile, but it makes me wonder what people think of Hawaii.

Please continue planning that dream vacation....it's a beautiful place.

Thanks for stopping by....ALLLLOOOOOOOHHHHHHAAAAA! ;)

Rubber Stamp Plantation Aloha stamp,MS fringe scissors,AC cardstock neutral,Papertrey Ink Premium Dye Ink true black,Tim Holtz Distress Ink Broken China,Inkadinkado sky blue,Versamark ink,Whispers yellow embossing powder

~Life is a Journey~

Are you afraid to use those Copic Markers?

I was at first.

Then, I had fun.

I dabbed.

It's way easier than coloring...it will build your confidence.

Try dabbing in those colors with your copics...the brush stroke end.

You'll get hooked, I'm tellin' ya! ;)

Have fun with CAS-ual Fridays CFC #25

Thanks for stopping in today. ;)

Info:

Martha Stewart clear camellia stamps,Inkadinkado The Great Outdoors sentiment,Memento ink black,Spellbinders Label Four,Kaisercraft black rhinestones,stapler,Copics orange,red,and powder pink

Box-Pleated Candle Luminaries

I want to share a home decor project today.

I was inspired to get it done for Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday #137-

"create something to adorn your table".

Candle Luminaries (for battery-operated candles ONLY...)

NO FIRES, OK??? ;)

Each luminary is fashioned from an 8 1/2" X 11" white 110 lb cardstock,

 LIGHTLY pressed randomly with

a Tim Holtz Distress spiced marmalade ink pad.

 There is a strip of fall DP with a row of green DP cut from Papertrey Ink's eyelet lace border die.

I then scored the cardstock and DP using my box pleated scoring.

 I inked up a flourish with Adirondac butterscotch acrylic paint...it gave a nice yellow shimmer.

I learned that from

Papertrey's Make It Monday #32

Stamping with Acrylic Paint.

See the thick chipboard accents? 

I'm used Erin's technique. Her video tutorial is on

Papertrey Ink's Make it Monday #34.

Here are the luminaries IN ACTION. ;)

The verse is a focus, so I am entering it in 

ODBD Shining the Light #78

The colors are inspired by 

Play Date Cafe PDCC 100

I used distress inks, so I am also entering it in  

ODBD Stamping in Time #44 (distressing)

Thank you for stopping in today.

If you are interested, I made a BOX-PLEATS TUTORIAL HERE.

Info:

ODBD You Will Find Refuge, ODBD Scripture Collection 6,ODBD Chickadee die,Inkadinkado Nature,Papertrey Ink eyelet lace border die,Spellbinders' Label Eleven and Fleur De Lis,Tim Holtz Distress inks spiced marmalade and peeled paint,Scor-Pal,Adirondac butterscotch acrylic paint,Georgia Pacific white 110lb cardstock,Want2Scrap rhinestones

Bon Voyage

Flying used to be exciting for me.

After numerous moves...

and 5 hours of a rough flight through snow storms this past year...

...flying has lost its novelty.

I just want to get there.

Of course, there could be worse ways to travel.

How cute are these birds' expressions?

 

It took me numerous tries to get this scene.

I stamped the birds in Memento ink first (Copics bleed with my Staz on),

and then I colored them.

I found that stamping the cage with Staz On looked richer than stamping with Memento...maybe because the ink is sitting on Copic coloring.

Weird, huh? 

My first few tries, I stamped the cage FIRST with Versamark (it left an almost invisible impression)..so I knew where to place the birds.

However, practice DOES make perfect, because by the oh, sixth or seventh time of doing this scene..I didn't need the imprint. 

I knew where to place the birds by heart.

Hrmph.

Thanks for stopping by today, it warms my heart. ;)

Challenges:

~OLW 64 Color It

~Less Is More Week 33 Anything CAS Goes

~PlayDate Cafe Challenge  PDCC 99

Info:

Inkadinkado Bird Assortment,Lawn Fawn Bon Voyage,MFT Icing on the Cake,My Mind's Eye Stella Rose Mabel stamps,Staz On ink,Copics

Cafe Colors, Embossing and Movement

I used resist embossing by stamping in Versamark and heat embossing with clear embossing powder.


I used a makeup sponge to apply the blue Memento ink.

Play Date Cafe 95

Thank you for peeking in. ;)

Info:

Tradefish Sentiment, Inkadinkado Asian by Design, Versamark ink, clear embossing powder, Memento ink, Kid's Jewelry Braiding cord,

Shades of Sunset, Tearing and a Striped Ribbon

 Flourishes' Shades of Sunset Challenge has some beautiful colors to pull from.

See the bit of striped ribbon near the sentiment?  

I learned that at Papertrey's Make it Monday #27 Custom Copic Striped Ribbon.

INFO:

Papertrey Ink's Communique Curves Sentiments, Inkadinkado Nature, Staz On Fuschia ink, Tim Holtz Distressed Marmalade, Basic Grey Lauderdale DP, Want2Scrap bling, Copic YR04 marker, Sharpie yellow and pink

Favorite Flower, Some Distressing and a CardPattern

My favorite flower is the Stargazer Lily.

Flourish's Timeless Tuesday #129 challenges you to use YOUR favorite flower.

I added some tearing and a bit of distressing for Just Add Ink JAI79 

-Just Add Tearing/Distressing.

Here is CardPatterns Sketch 126

that I patterned my card after.

I even did a bit of coloring with Copics...because I need the practice. ;)

Thank you for stopping in. ;)

Info:

Stamp: Inkadinkado lily, JustRite You're So Sweet sentiment

Ink: Memento ink

Other: Copics, Autumn Leaves DP, Sizzix oval bookplates, Sizzix/SU lattice die, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Want2Scrap bling

Black and White with a Splash

Playdate Cafe #91 has a gorgeous challenge.

Black and white with a splash of one color.

I LOVE black and white.


A splash of color?


Even better!

I  "free embossed" the background like I did in this card.

I stamped in Versamark and then embossed the image with black.

Then I swiped the whole scene with Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink pad.

There's a layer of texture with the corrugated black strip.

It was one of my quickest cards, once I got started.

Thank you for stopping in. ;)

Info:

Inkadinkado The Great Outdoors, JustRite A Day in the Country, Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink, Versamark, white embossing powder, black embossing powder, Corrugator

Furniture too Expensive, But I Can Make a Card!

Using an inspirational photo and a wonderful sketch, I was able to make a card today.

Here is Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge ~ FTTC127

 My basket stamp on the larger die cut mimics the gorgeous furniture I can't buy right now. ;)

The branch mimics the greenery in the background.

Can you see those pillows? 

The picture is bigger at the link for Crate and Barrel.

They are gorgeous pillows that inspired me to stamp the flowers with Versamark and emboss with white powder.

I colored the bigger flowers with Memento markers.  

You know what I found out?  

If you stamp with Versamark, white emboss and get a little marker on the embossed area when you color...you can wipe that marker right off the embossed area!  

I used a slightly damp baby wipe (it had been sitting out for oopsies and wasn't soaking wet).

You might already know that....but it was NEWS TO ME...GOOD NEWS!  

SIGH...IF ONLY THERE WERE DO-OVERS LIKE THAT IN THE REAL WORLD.

Right?

I used Mojo Monday's 200th sketch

Thank you for stopping in, I really appreciate it. ;)

Info: Inkadinkado  Nature, MFT Let's Go for a Walk,Limited Edition Ana's Basket stamp for larger diecut, Sizzix Branch with Leaves die, Memento ink, Versamark ink, white embossing powder, Memento Markers, Spellbinders Label Eleven

Love Is Messy

I watched a wonderful movie last week that was safe for even my girls to see (the TV version of it anyway...I believe some words were blocked out..just a warning).

Have you seen Little Manhattan?  It's a 2005 movie that we must have missed when moving from Germany to TN...because I had never heard of it before.

It's the best movie I have ever seen in awhile.  You have to check it out.  

The message?

 Love is messy. 

 Here is my card for

Polkadot Door Designs' July challenge. 

This was based off of a picture from Polkadot Door.

The owl in my picture is sort of cynical looking.  Ha HA...I did that on purpose.  

Isn't he a HOOT? ;)

Owls usually represent wisdom.  To me, wisdom is so hard to balance when it comes to love.  

I know there is a difference between love and infatuation...I tell my girls that all the time!

However, when I look at love in my life...I realize that it grew where I didn't expect or plan it....

Hence the flowers growing through the lattice....

I tell them "Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Prov 4:23

I feel they shouldn't toy with love until they are old enough to have a better perspective of it.  They might find boys that make their heart flutter...but until they are old enough to marry and handle such things...that delicate romantic love is best left on the shelf.

I know that the movie I mentioned earlier is based on young love...I told my girls that I didn't agree with encouraging that....but they DID GET TO SEE the confusion and emotions involved. 

I've never raised a young lady to adulthood before.  I just pray that they treat their hearts with delicate care and save it for a wise choice.  With the Lord's help, I know they will be ok. ;)

Info:

Stamps:Inkadinkado Bird Assortment, Technique Tuesday Inner Circle, Technique Tuesday Loves Me Loves Me Not Large

Other: Memento Ink, Versamark Ink, white embossing powder, Sizzix/Stampin Up Lattice die, MS border punch, Spellbinders Classic circles, Copics for coloring the bird, Fussy Cut flowers from DP (unknown brand)

Simple. Kraft. Celebratory.

My Dad's birthday is this month. 

When I saw CAS-ual Fridays #9 Krafts Men Challenge, I was excited!

Ya'll just bless and spoil me, you know that? 

WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT ALL THESE INSPIRING CHALLENGES  ?! ;)

You help me get these cards done!!!   ;) 

Here's Dad's Card:

Bit o' scoring for effect. 

Simple.  Kraft.  Celebratory. ;)

Wow, I don't know where celebratory came from.

I thought for sure that would be flagged as misspelled. 

Cool. ;)

Info: Stamp: Inkadinkado Birthday, Memento ink, DCWV Nana's Kids chipboard alphabets, Scor-Pal

Anniversary Card Patterns Sketch and Bright Colors

I needed to make an anniversary card for my parents, but don't yet own an "Anniversary" stamp. 

Sooooo, here is what I've got.

Using a "Congratulations" will work, don't you think?  I added the three girls to represent my sisters and I.  

I hope they like it. ;)

I used Card Patterns Sketch 122.

This sketch really worked for the card I wanted to make them. ;)

and the colors are from Play Date Cafe #88.

I really like these colors-bright and fun.

Thanks for peeking in. ;)

Stamps: My Cute Stamps Konnichiwa, Basic Grey flower, ODBD As You Graduate, Inkadinkado Asian by Design,Staz On Ink, MS ink, Rounded corner punch

Stained Glass Dress Plus Amanda's Card

We are just in time to meet Color Q's Deadline....

My stainglassy look was inspired by this dress online

I used a foam brush (still have my crafty stuff handy) to brush stroke with blue ink.  I sponged the geometric pieces within geometric masks I tried cutting out and laying on the card...it looked too "formal".  At least I could use them for masks!

I say "WE" are just in time, because my Amanda made one too! ;)

I believe she inspired me with her red in the corner (hers was done first!).  Check out her "Going Green"...the right hand corner was salvaged from a border punch container backdrop...how cool is that?

  ColourQ Challenge 90 , we're getting there as fast as we can! ;)

My Card's Info: Inkadinkado Birthday stamps, Staz on ink, Dew Drop Brilliance ink, Red Sharpie to color the ribbon, MS ink, Memento ink

Amanda's card: Basic Grey, Tranquil, MS ink, Sharpie Marker and Memento marker for sentiment, Memento Ink

Last Blip of Sun and Embellish Background Challenge

Embellish Magazine's Background Stamping Color Trends Challenge

has some classy colors. 

I managed to finish a card...just in time to catch the last blip of the sun that was spotlighting our yard.  I sprayed a little homemade shimmer and wanted it to show....

  

 Thanks for peeking in. ;)





Recipe:  Inkadinkado Nature, Papertrey Ink Think Big Favorites 2,Tim Holtz Distress inks Fired Brick and Peeled Paint, Memento Desert Sand ink, Spellbinders Label Four and Fleur De Lis Pendant Dies, Homemade Shimmer with Perfect Pearls Pigment and Adirondack ink