wOnDeRfUlLy AvErAgE dAy

The Play Date Cafe #183

I'm so grateful for ordinary days.

When my husband retired from the Army 5 years ago...I rejoiced in the fact that we could finally have the "average".

The melody of his tires coming up the driveway...even the rhythm of the trashcan being dragged down the road (by him, not me) is SWEET and oh so PRECIOUS.

"Hey hon, can you get this BIG BUG for me???" I squeal...batting my eyelashes.

He rolls his eyes, because he knows that I can handle these "muscle man" jobs...but to have him around to do them...

IT'S SO SPECIAL!

sigh.

He's my prince. ;)

"YOU'RE MY HERO!!!" I yell after he's rescued me from these killer insects.

He may not be saving the world at the moment, like so many dedicated soldiers, 

but HE IS at home saving mine.

I APPRECIATE and RECOGNIZE the sacrifices of so many military, missionary, and "out of the ordinary" families that crave...

and HOLD OUT for the days when their lives will be ordinary and average.

We lived that roller coaster lifestyle for quite awhile.

There are so many who won't have ordinary again~because of the death of their loved one.

Treasure the ordinary and average.

For some...

those days are novel and extraordinary~

stamps: Technique Tuesday Ordinary Days

ink: Papertrey Ink (New Leaf,Enchanted Evening),Memento Ink Dandelion 

other: Want2Scrap bling,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill blue

HELLO

Hello there friends!

I played around with some diamond shapes and added a HUMONGOUS sentiment to top it off.

I tend to make huge cards~always have...SO THESE sentiments have found a good home!

CAS-ual Fridays CFC93:Color Blocks

Hero Arts March Challenge

Hello Spring!

The Play Date Cafe: PDCC #172

Let's Be Friends

I actually hear birds today...I'm so excited to see the sun come out in my corner of the world!!!

Have a great day~


stamps: Hero Arts Fancy Basics and So Kind
ink: Hero Arts Quiet Morning Ink Cubes (pale tomato),Papertrey Ink New Leaf,True Black and Hawaiian Shores
paper:Georgia Pacific White

Gutsy Lady

Told you I was chugging away at that Melody Ross set-I wanna make Mrs. G proud!!!

I spritzed some Dylusion on there for a bit of play~

The Play Date Cafe: PDCC #172

Let's Be Friends

Those bright colors are speaking to me loud and clear!



Have a great day~

 

 die: WPlus9 Written on Ribbon,Spellbinders Wonky Rectangle

 paper and sticker: Melody Ross Soul Food Collection

Georgia Pacific white cardbase,American Crafts Sketchbook

other: Dylusions Ink Sprays Vibrant Turquoise

~Live the Life~

A testimony is powerful, because it is an experience that WAS LIVED


by real people with real feelings, hopes and dreams.

The tear drops were hard for me to use~ they are actually rain drop stickers.


I wasn't even a papercrafter when I bought them-I was moved by their realism!


I splashed them about...because many times the stories that are the most powerful (but hard to share)...are those which involved tears (at least in my life).




I got to play with the beautiful colors from

The Play Date Cafe: PDCC#171.

CASE Study Challenge #130
Teri Anderson

once again inspired me to use more than one sentiment.



Hope your week got off to a smooth start~

stamps: Verve Words of Wisdom,Waltzingmouse Stamps Paris Nouveau

paper: Teresa Collins Tell Your Story DP,Papertrey Ink Soft Stone
ink: Hero Arts Just Beachy ink cubes (Soft Cantaloupe)
 dies: Spellbinders Label Twenty-Five
other: Teresa Collins Tell Your Story Die-Cut Accessory Sheet and Sticker Sheet,raindrop stickers,sewing machine,Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper

~Let Us Not Become Weary~

Because of the heaviness in the air today...I am grateful for any motivation to create, among many things.

I'm sure you've been hugging your family like crazy, as have I.

 

I needed and wanted to create for the hard working Sunday School teachers that faithfully minister and pray for my girlies.

I created some ornament/gift holders today.

This one took exactly 9 minutes and 48 seconds.

I was inspired by Paulina's 10 Minute Craft Dash #8.

I'm so glad I bought the cinnamon car freshener clips and cranberry gels~

they were fun to coordinate with.

Here is the side that shows the gifts in a clear bag...they are secured by a strip of Scor-Tape.

The base is simply a strip of white cardstock 3 1/2" wide and 11" long, scored in the middle and finished with holes for the twine handle.

The ends are secured with three staples.

These are simple designs like these ornaments I made last year.

The main thing I changed, were lighter embellishments for gift giving.

I stamped the back, so it's pretty from every angle.

Here is another version, a few seconds off the 10 minute mark...using  the colors from

The Play Date Cafe #161

I used my FAVORITE ink, Rhubarb Stalk, for 

Simon Says Stamp: What's Your Favourite?

May the Lord lift your spirits and help you to cope with the tragedies this season...

May you not become weary.

May you not give up.

supplies:

paper: Georgia Pacific Paper,Bazzill green and red

ink: Memento Ink Rhubarb Stalk and Pear Tart,Papertrey Ink Hibiscus Burst and New Leaf

stamps: Verve Galatians 6:9 Plain Jane and Treasured Words Rectangle frame,Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie, Hero Arts Classic Holly

Other: Verve rounded rectangle,Martha Stewart snowflake punch,holly berries,twine,Scor-Tape,stapler,plastic ornament,hole punch,Spellbinders deckled Rectangles

LIFE is Good

I love Botanical designs in black and white.

Add some snowflakes and you've got a winter scene.

The Play Date Cafe #159

Thanks for stopping by today~

stamps: Papertrey Ink Winter Penguin snowflake circle, Technique Tuesday Life is Good sentiment,Hero Arts Sweet Threads Set florals

ink: Papertrey Ink True Black,Memento Ink Rhubarb Stalk

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill

die: Papertrey Ink Winter Penguin

~Much Obliged~

When I laid eyes on the new sheriff badge at Waltzingmouse...I had to get it-fast!


It's the perfect compliment to the Back in the Saddle Set I recently received.

I love the badge...it was exactly what I was looking for~


Big and bold!

I used my classic Creative Memories oval cutter (one of my earliest investments in this paper crafting adventure).

I utilized the fun sketch at

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #124

CASE Study Challenge #118

Angeline Yong

I mimicked her overlapping of stamping on the perimeter of the card, using these colors...

The PlayDate Cafe #158

Thanks for stopping by, it's always a blessing when you visit!



stamps: Waltzingmouse Sheriff,Back in the Saddle,Teeny Trees, French Country
ink: Papertrey Ink New Leaf and Hibiscus Burst,Ranger Jenni Bowlin Weather Vane,Memento Ink Pistachio,Ranger Tim Holtz Peeled Paint
paper: Georgia Pacific white, Little Yellow Bicycle Acorn Hollow DP
other: Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Creative Memories oval cutter,Spellbinders classic circles,hole punch,cord

thankful

Thankful for this new day~

Thankful for a fresh start~


Thankful for being able to post that I'm thankful~

 I took another try at The Play Date Cafe PDCC #155.

This time, I broke out my Stampendous Aged Ivory Embossing Enamel.

I drew "stitches" across the sentiment die with an embossing pen and sprinkled that magical powder and heated.

I then inked up the cardbase with my damaged Versamark pad 

(read the sidebar about that oopsies...#5 on my list of YOU KNOW WHEN).

I can't bring myself to throw that old Versamark pad away...it was one of my first cardmaker investments!

I am also entering this in the 

Square Punch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

 I used my square punch to create notched borders on my focal panel.

 I created with dry AND wet embossing for 

DYSU #95: Embossing Wet or Dry.

supplies: Papertrey Ink Count My Blessings die, square punch, Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Zig embossing pen, K&Company SW Nature pad,Georgia Pacific white cardbase, Stampendous Aged Ivory Embossing Enamel,Piggy Tales DP,My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair,Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper

~True Colors~

Teens and Pre-teens have it tough nowadays, don't they?

Good gravy, not only are they bullied ... but NOW it spreads viral.

I had Cyndi Lauper's tribute as a teen.

 Boy, did this song oooze with therapy for me!

My girlies' generation have songs like Britt Nicole's "Headphones;"

she also sings encouragement into their souls(and mine for that matter).

Kids need to hear that they are awesome and accepted, you know?

Simon Says Stamp and Show:Your Favorite

I followed the maze of white from my favorite design in Basic Grey's Lauderdale pack~which left a cool and free result.

I fussy cut the kiss and sentiment "true colors"; then I embossed with my favorite embossing folder to press in the raw edges.

Placing the folder at an angle...I was careful to roll it through my Big Shot and spring back.  I did not follow through all the way, because it would have cracked a corner off of the folder.

 Crafty Friends Challenge #8:Dry Embossing

Fantastic colors and a celebration at the

The Play Date Cafe #154

Wooo hooo! It's their 3Yr Anniversary!

Have a blessed day~

stamps: Verve Words of Wisdom

ink: Memento Ink Rhubarb Stalk

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Basic Grey Lauderdale

embossing folder: Cuttlebug Diamond Plate

~Nothing is Impossible~

I gave this week's Play Date Cafe #147 a go.

I die cut a white scalloped circle and used an inked acrylic block (Tim Holtz Pine Needle) for the backdrop.


The Waltzingmouse butterfly is embossed with Stampendous Rubellite powder.


There's glossy accents on the sentiment panel...so it's shiny in person.



Time is running out (one day left) for the


The Play Date Cafe #147

Evergreen ... Olive ...

Smoke ... Cherry Blossom

so I'm getting this in before the day slips away. ;)



Have a blessed day~



Supplies:
Stamp:Waltzingmouse Nordic Spring,Verve Words of Wisdom
Ink:Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pine Needle,Versamark
Embossing Powder: Stampendous PEARLustre Rubellite
Dies:Spellbinders Scalloped Circle
Other:Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors
Paper:Authentique Fresh,BoBunny Ambrosia,Georgia Pacific White

~Thank You Thank You Thank You~

Can you tell I love my Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees?

I enjoyed using them with these "non earthy" colors.

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #144

Here's a great sketch:

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #110

Have a great day, ok?

Supplies:

Stamp: Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees

Ink:Tsukineko Memento ink tangelo,rose bud,tuxedo black and dandelion

Other: Tim Holtz black crackle paint,Kaisercraft rhinestones,Martha Stewart fringe scissors,EK lines and dots

~Lawn Fawn and Play Date Colors~

I was thinking of a diorama when I created this card for 

Lawn Fawn's August Contest.

I used my Martha Stewart Drippy Goo border punch for the turtle path and

 Elmer's Painters Neon paints to produce the scene.

I love the BRIGHT colors from

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #144

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:

Stamps:Lawn Fawn Critters in the Sea and Bon Voyage

Ink: Tsukineko Memento ink tangelo,rose bud and dandelion,Versamark

Other:Georgia Pacific white card base,Martha Stewart Drippy Goo border punch,Elmer's Painter Neon pack,Ranger Super Fine Detail black embossing

~New Beginnings~

I created a 3D project last night~

JUST BECAUSE.

The idea was there, so I ran with it.

 LOVE MY MAT STACK 3 DIE!

 LOVE THESE BUTTERFLY DIES!

Looks like a new beginning for some talented designers at 

The Play Date Cafe PDCC143

Welcome ladies!

Supplies:

Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy New Beginnings sentiment

Dies:Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3,Sweet 'n Sassy New Beginnings dies

Paper:Core'dinations Red

Other: twine,lemongrass grosgrain ribbon,black embossing powder

Ink:Versamark

~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

 

~The Card Dungeon~

I attempted something I haven't done willingly EVER (unless chasing a flight at the airport)....

running!

I went running (if you can call it that, LOL) with my family last night,

~just a bit around the track. 

I had to take a breather...most of the time...a little walky walky then run...but,

it was enough to tell the world (and myself)..I'm alive!!!

My middle daughter, Shel, tried to get me to "lift my knees" up more...good gravy. ;)

My youngest, Amanda, wanted to "race me"...awww, how cute is that?

My answer..."NO WAYZZZ" (in my pidgin slang)~"I'm just surviving, hon" 

("hon" has stuck with me after being stationed a total of 9 years in TN).

My oldest, Mal,didn't even worry about me....every man for himself...

that girl is SO MUCH like me!!!

Ooops, off track...hee hee hee...as for creating...

my husband praised me for getting out of the "card dungeon". ;)

I did manage to get myself back in there, though, with my ankle bolted to my craft desk...

I inked up my new Teeny Trees that came in...yayyy! 

I've been wanting that set ever since I laid eyes on it.

I was so grateful to have my name drawn at a Waltzingmouse Challenge~I didn't hesitate to ask Claire for that set.

Here is the inspiration for the festive silver,gold and neutral.

The Play Date Cafe #139

Thank you for stopping by today, it's always great to have the company~

~FROM MY CARD DUNGEON TO YOURS~

Stamps:Waltzingmouse Stamps Teeny Trees

Ink:Versamark

Embossing Powders:Whispers gold and silver

Paper:DCWV Naturals Stack,Bazzill Sand and Silver,Georgia Pacific White cardbase

Dies:Spellbinders Postage Stamp and Scalloped Circles

Other:sewing machine

~Two Circles and a Tree~

I can always use thank you cards.

I used my Spellbinders circles to create a circle within a circle frame.

By cutting out that frame from two patterned papers, I was able to marry the remaining  colors from

 

  The Play Date Cafe #138.

I kept it clean and simple for 

CAS-ual Fridays CFC59

CFC59: Use 2 circles in your Clean And Simple design

Thanks for stopping in to peek. ;)

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Grunge Me,Unity Bella Trees

Paper: Georgia Pacific white,American Crafts grey,Authentique Carefree DP,October Afternoon Sidewalks

Ink:Versamark,Memento Ink Dove Gray

Dies:Spellbinders classic circles

Other:white embossing powder,crimper

~We Bought a Zoo~

DYSU #77:Inspired By a Movie

I just saw the movie "We Bought a Zoo" ....I highly recommend it!

Rarely will I watch a movie over and over...but I watched it again with my Mom and then my sister within two weeks (I wanted to be there when they watched it).

I cried everytime.

There are some intense emotional scenes (I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 10).

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge#103

My colors were chosen for

 The Play Date Cafe #137

I love the color splash challenges they host!!!

Thanks for stopping in today. ;)

Stamps:Waltzingmouse Chicken Wire and French Country

Paper:Georgia Pacific White

Ink:Memento Ink Tuxedo Black and Bahama Blue

Other:Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors,Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper,Copic black marker for edges

~Matchbook Folder Card~

Make It Monday #65 Background Patterns from Patterned Paper Scraps

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

the Postage Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

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

~TYPEWRITERS AND A BALLOON~

Less Is More Week 63 One Layer:Doodling

*My Mind's Eye Rosy Everything~Staz On Fuchsia Pink and Pumpkin,Memento Ink tuxedo black~Zig Markers pink and orange~Georgia Pacific white cardstock*

My doodlings are the strings broken off the typewriters and balloon.

 

 

 

Originally, the sentiment "Happy Funny Silly" was going to be used.

 

 

 

However, the sentiment "thank you" gives another meaning and purpose for this card.

 

 

I've been in the balloon, so to speak...taking vacation and leaving important matters in the hands of others.

I've also been the one crushed by the typewriters (responsibilities and such) while someone (who I'm covering for) heads off to bliss. ;)

A different perspective on either end, I'd say.

My bold color choices are inspired by The Play Date Cafe: PDCC #128

I love these colors!!!

Have a great day with typewriters or balloons. ;)

~Miss You Petals~

Make It Monday #61

"--Create a project utilizing your take on the challenge. Your project must use at least one Papertrey product and must include a die-cut flower made with a non-flower die."

Using my Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3 Die, I made a humongous flower for my card.

*Papertrey Ink Communique Curves sentiment,Papertrey Ink Grunge Me splatter,Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3 Die,Fiskars crimper,BoBunny Country Garden paper pad 6X6,Basic Grey Lauderdale paper pad 6X6,Authentique Genuine paper pad,Versamark ink,Whispers embossing powder,Spellbinders classic circles,Georgia Pacific white*

After cutting out the petals with my die, I ran each one through the crimper to soften them.

I bent the edges in and sewed each down except the one that is lifted.

My colors were inspired by The Play Date Cafe PDCC127.

Hope you're having a fantastic week so far!