Arrows and Random Circles

My dreams weren't in one straight line...

it went around in more of a "maze" approach.


I went in the direction of "what I THINK I want" to "reality/life" to "praise God for today and where I am at" landmarks, LOL, how about you?

I used brown, pink and aqua for

Verve's Lovefest Challenge Day

LOVEFEST2013J   

This next card is for the same challenge~but the colors are aqua, brown and yellow.


I used a Studio G stamp that my girlies gave me...

I am also submitting this to

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes.

I hope you have a wonderful day~I appreciate the visit friends!

1st card

stamps: Verve Words of Wisdom

die: Echo Park Arrows (Silhouette Cameo),Circles Multi Border (Silhouette Cameo),Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle

paper: American Crafts cardstock,Bazzill

ink: Memento Ink Rich Cocoa

2nd card

stamp: Studio G
die:Hero Arts bird on a tree (Silhouette Cameo)
paper: American Crafts cardstock
ink: Memento Ink Elderberry

STAY FOCUSED

Many times I've lost sight of why I do this.

"This" can be anything from challenges and my blog to homeschooling, parenting, and socializing.


These are the activities and movements that make me, ME, right now.


I get distracted by the common "carrots" of greed, ego,fear...YOU NAME IT...
and lose focus on what gives my life...LIFE.

That's when I need to zoom in on the ONE love that keeps me grounded~


for me, it's Jesus.



1 Corinthians 16:13 is the verse I stamped in this card.



Sometimes it isn't so much about WHAT I'm doing or not doing...but what I'm  VIEWING IN MY LENS while I'm doing it (or not doing it).

I created this card for someone else...but it might as well be given to ME.

The Camera Craze Challenge in the Moxie Fab World 

had me thinking about what I view in my lens, and it

inspired me to use the cute camera from Amy Tangerine, that I HAD TO HAVE.



I don't remember when I last inked it, but I brought it out for the challenge:


Simon Says Stamp and Show: the Stamp You Love (but Don't Use).



Thanks for stopping by today~ ;)




stamps: American Crafts Amy Tangerine Lovestruck,Our Daily Bread Design Not Forgotten
ink: Memento Ink Peanut Brittle
other: Copic Marker Lime Green,Studio Calico camera,Martha Stewart twine,Georgia Pacific white cardstock

Rainy Days

I created a simple card today~

The challenge:

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #208:I'm Seeing Red

motivated me to bring out my red paper that I've had for at least 6 years.

I bought it at one of those scrapbook store yard sales...so it could be years older than that!

I paired the red with light blues, because of the striking combo of colors at 

Inspired By #63

The grass was cut with fringe scissors and then I clipped, willy nilly~

willy nilly can be so therapeutic! ;)

Hope you have a great start to your week friends~

stamp: Papertrey Ink Hello Sunshine

die: Jamie Girl and Umbrella (Silhouette Cameo)

paper:My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair,dotted red cardstock (no label)

other: Martha Stewart fringe scissors

ink: Memento Ink Gray Flannel

~Set the Table Thanks~

My girls went to a slumber party, so I designed a card for the sweet woman who hosted it.

Moxie Fab World's

Tuesday Trigger:Set the Table

inspired me to cut into my precious gold Bazzill paper.

It's slick cardstock, so I used my Staz On ink, just in case.

I hope you are having a restful weekend!

stamps: Papertrey Ink Teach & Inspire sentiment,Mama Elephant Cup of Wishes

dies: Spellbinders Label 25,My Favorite Things sentiment strips

ink: Staz On Timber Brown,Memento Ink Rich Cocoa

paper: American Crafts cardstock,Bazzill gold and tan

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

Praying for You & Me

It's one of those days~

yuck.

No reason....

just yuck.

My grandma would call me on days like this...when the Lord laid on her heart that I needed encouragement and prayer.

That was really special...and it was when long distance calls actually COST YOU SOMETHING.

May I be used by God to do the same!

Runway Inspired #30

I am intrigued by bold, graphic patterns mingled with soft florals...I am seeing that more and more~there is something so....

relevant about that.

Harsh realities softened by bits of loveliness and hope.

I am also inspired by the

CASE Study Challenge #128

based on a pretty card by Teri Anderson.

I like the blues and yellows she combined, and the patterned background which adds interest.

Also, she included lots of fun embellishments...I've only included a few...but it's more than I usually pile on a card.

I'm patting my shoulder...I'm proud of using up these beautiful die pieces.

Ok, now I am less yuck...a bit of creating and prayer can really lift my mood!!!

Hoping you have a "non-yuck" day also~ ;)

stamps: Verve Wonderfully Made,Mama Elephant Trifecta 

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill yellow and blue

dies: Spellbinders Label 25 and Large Labels 

ink: Papertrey Ink True BLack

other: Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack),waxed ribbon

Never Forget and a Book Recommend

This sentiment proclaims what I'm not bold enough to say in the painful moment of goodbye...

when the thought, "Tell me this wasn't for nothing" enters my mind.




 I DON'T forget past tour of duty friends and what they have added to my TODAY.


Military families learn to accept drastic changes...but it's HEALTHY to fervently remember the patches of places and people in the rolling quilts of their lives.


It's important for their children and their own sense of identity.


I am learning so much about this in a book I am finishing up called

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds.


If you are/were in a military family,missionary family or living outside of your passport country...I highly suggest this read!


It's a bit clinical...but it touches on some vital points that may heal your heart and give you some sense of rest.


For my card, I used the

 sweet colors of

The Play Date Cafe: Warm & Inviting PDCC169.

Thank you for stopping by today~





stamps: Mama Elephant On Target,Verve Treasured Words
ink: Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist and Hibiscus Burst
die: Verve Rounded Retangle,My Favorite Things Sentiment Strips
paper: My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair,Georgia Pacific White,Bazzill

~Doily Love~

Waltzingmouse February Blog Party-Doily Love

I cut a doily out with my Silhouette and sponged it. I meant to use the gorgeous doily...but I was drawn to the image it left on a paper that was protecting my desk.

I sponged again over a cardbase and got this one layer card.

I can see making a set of these in various colors for a couple of friends who own chickens!

I'm a little late for the hop...but squeezing my submission in just in time....

stamps: Waltzingmouse French Country

die: Samantha Walker Doily Lace (Silhouette Cameo)

ink: Tim Holtz Walnut Stain,Memento Ink Rich Cocoa

paper: Georgia Pacific white

~Warm Wishes~

It's a bit chilly here~perfect season for a warm cup of tea.

Of course, this lovely throw at

Inspired By #62

would be perfect to snuggle up to also!

I love the yellow and gray combo...Authentique Blissful DP was one of my favorite paper packs when I first started blogging.

I hoarded the floral design from the collection...this was a good excuse to bring it out and share!

stamp: Mama Elephant Cup of Wishes

paper: Authentique Blissful DP,Bazzill yellow,Georgia Pacific White,Papertrey Ink Soft Stone

ink: Memento Gray Flannel and Dandelion

die: Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles
 other: Copic gray pen

~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)

Camera Craze

I was blessed to win some Studio Calico wood cameras and Mama Elephant's set "We Click" from Moxie Fab.

It seemed natural to participate in

The Camera Craze Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I sprayed each camera with Dylusions sprays...and then "reinforced" the look with a slight spritz on the polaroid.

It was a bit messy~perfect for

Simon Says Stamp and Show:Something Messy.


Word Art Wednesday:67
LOVE/Anything Goes

The word art this week is:
1John 4:7

I created this card for a sweet photographer who is going to make the best yearbook for our homeschool group yet!

Her love for God and others shows in her dedication to this project~I just wanted to let her know I appreciate her hard work and I see the love she is putting forth~


Have a great Valentine's Day friends!!!!

stamps: Mama Elephant We Click

ink: Hero Arts Neon Pink,Memento Ink (Rose Bud,Teal Zeal),Dylusions (Fresh Lime,Vibrant Turquoise,Bubblegum Pink)

paper: Georgia Pacific White,Recollections Kraft

I Say Go Fore It!

Oooh, Papertrey Ink has another fun challenge.

Get out your water and brush and get ready to play!

Papertrey Ink:Watercolor Technique

I pulled out Papertrey's On the Link set and stamped the bag once with Hawaiian Shores and again- just the edges- with True Black.

I squeezed a few drops of True Black on an acrylic block and stirred a brush in it and then swirled it around in the water until it was as light as could be.

A bit of "shadows in the mist" was what I was going for-

or rather "fore".

It's fun to play with ink and water!

 It's a little messy....so I am
also linking this up to Simon Says Stamp and Show:Something Messy.

Have a great day now~

stamps: Papertrey Ink On the Links

inks: Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores and True Black,Versamark

other: Whispers yellow embossing powder,Bazzill paper,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Little Yellow Bicycle Acorn Hollow DP,stapler,My Favorite Things Die-namics Sentiment Strips

You've Been on My Heart Cityscape

It's a simple card I created today.

The checkered heart mimics the gingham in this

Inspired By #61.

I crimped my cityscape to give it a fun/cozy texture.

Simon Says Stamp: Have a Heart

Hope you survived your Monday! ;)

Today I gave ZUMBA a go.

 It's really fun!

However, the minute I sat down...I was SO TIRED.

I'll let you know if I'm in pain in a couple of days...LOL.

stamps: Market Street Stamps Great Big Greetings

ink: Memento Ink Morocco 

die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Skyline Border,heart (Silhouette)

other: hole punch, twine,Fiskar's crimper

paper: Authentique Carefree,Recollections kraft,Papertrey Ink Soft Stone

 

 

The Sun Always Comes Out Again

Oh, we can't WAIT for spring to come!!!

We can't wait for the SUN to shine brightly~

I created a collage card for the

Papertrey Ink Color Inspiration #6.

There are SO MANY color inspirations to choose from at Nichole's blog~

I picked this combination because I love the pink,orange and yellow here.

Have a blessed day~

stamps: Papertrey Ink (Hello Sunshine,Rosie Posie,Grunge Me,Friendship Jar Summer Fillers,Year of Flowers:Roses)

ink: Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores,New Leaf,True Black),Memento Ink (Tangelo,Rose Bud,Dandelion),Versamark

other: Ranger super fine detail black embossing powder,Georgia Pacific white cardstock

Baby Sketch

I've really enjoyed the Papertrey Ink festivities...this time it's a sketch.

Papertrey Ink Sketch

I love this simple layout...there are so many possibilities~

There are other sketches to choose from...I hope you have time to participate!

stamps: Papertrey Ink Hello Sunshine and Bitty Baby Blessings

 ink: Memento inks (Pear Tart,True Black,Teal Zeal)

 dies:Spellbinders Classic Circle

paper:Georgia Pacific white cardstock

~Promise You'll Never Forget Me~

The sentiment from Verve, "promise you'll never forget me" gets me everytime.

I stamped "remember" in the elephant die cut to reinforce the sentiment.


I saw a special on TV,a few years ago, that followed a group of wild elephants.


 They visibly paused at the death site of one of their own (from the previous year)...and grieved.
 

 

I guess elephants truly DON'T forget.

My colors were inspired by the

Moxie Fab World:Tuesday Trigger Cross My Heart.

I tried to keep the colors "blueish" and "pinkish".  The pinkish tag was recycled from a new top ...it's my favorite shape-wonky oval.

The heart made me all sentimental-like...which led me to this touching sentiment.

I was also inspired by the

Case Study Challenge #127:

Teri Anderson.


I tried to mimic her bold/partitioned sentiments that are all the rage now.

Have a great day now~

stamps: Heidi Swapp Memory File,Verve Treasured Words
ink: Papertrey Ink (True Black and Aqua Mist),Ranger Jenni Bowling Weather Vane
paper: Authentique Journey,Bazzill, Georgia Pacific white
dies: Papertrey Ink Bitty Baby Blessings,Verve Rounded Rectangle,Spellbinders Postage Stamp
other: stampler,recycled tag,Scor-Tape

Altered Clothespins

HELLO THERE!

One of my favorite words is hello.


All of the sad goodbyes from our military moves were preceded by wonderful hellos.

I was inspired by the

Papertrey Ink Contest:Gift Packaging Project.


I needed a little something to clip to a gift I have for a new family that moved to my area recently. 

I can't wait to greet them with a "hello"...we've been sicky in our family and I've been holding off on giving them our welcoming gift (I don't want to greet them with new sickies too!).

These

Altered Clothespins

on Pinterest were what I based this project on.



I adhered patterned paper to clothespins (after separating them from the coil) with Scor-Tape and sealed them with Mod Podge.



The hardest part was replacing the coil~if it doesn't fit well, it might be flipped.


It should sit comfortably and not have to be forced into place.


Have a blessed day~thanks for stopping by!




stamps: Papertrey Ink (Hello Sunshine hello,Communique Curves Sentiments hello,Fruit Fusion Apple)
die:Papertrey Ink Fruit Fusion Apple
paper:Studio Calico Abroad DP,Authentique Fresh,Papertrey Ink Soft Stone cardstock
ink: Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist and True Black
other: clothespins,Scor-Tape

CRANBERRY SAUCE

I created an abstract card with the juicy oval,circle and teardrop from Waltzingmouse's Teeny Trees.

I didn't have a "plan", but I was drawn to the colors from the

Waltzingmouse Cranberry Sauce Color Challenge.

I HAD to stamp with these colors...they are so lush!

I figured these shapes would let the colors shine.

Thanks for stopping by~

stamps: Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees and Heirloom Patterns

ink: Memento (Rhubarb Stalk,Lilac Posies,Elderberry,Gray Flannel)

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Authentique Carefree

border punch: EK Retro Flower

Posh Baby

I created a POSH BABY card for

Make It Monday: The Diecut Double-Up

and the lovely challenge at

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #66:Anything Goes.

It was fun to grab colors and a pattern I wouldn't normally throw together and just "play".

I even added a bow~not my usual embellishment~aren't you proud???

LOL

stamps: Papertrey Ink Bitty Baby Blessings

dies: Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3 and Bitty Baby Blessings,Spellbinders Label 25

ink: Versamark Ink

paper: Bazzill,My Mind's Eye Breeze,Georgia Pacific white

other: Ranger super fine detail black embossing powder,American Crafts satin ribbon

Pink and Purple CASE

Papertrey Ink's Team and Project Favorites

I was inspired by Melissa Phillips' stunning pink and purple tag-it's a winning combo!




 

 

I layered a flower with scalloped circles that were inked with elements from Rosie Posie. The center flower was created with multiple fancy circles stamped around the center fancy circle.

I really like these colors married...a bit of gray was added to mimic the silver in her creation.

Yay for another day of stamping fun!!!

stamps: Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie and Grunge Me

inks: Memento (Lilac Posies,Gray Flannel and Grape Jelly)

paper: Bazzill and Georgia Pacific white

dies: Spellbinders scalloped and classic circles,Wonky Rectangles
other:Sizzix Texture Fades Retro Cirque embossing folder,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Kaisercraft Basics rhinestone

A True Love Story

I love Verve's sentiment,


"A True Love Story Never Ends"

How true!


One of the "lightbulb" moments I had about love early on, was when a couple came to our high school class to share marriage advice.


The wife expressed that marriage was about

"choosing to love your spouse everyday".


Most times, it's easy to feel love in a marriage.


 However, EVERYDAY is about choosing to love that person~because they are worth overlooking silly conflicts.


Most times, it can be the common clashes of toilet seats left up....toothpaste tubes properly emptied (rolled or squeezed)...etc, etc.


My husband and I have separate toothpaste tubes.


I think that says it all.


;)



LOL.

Look at the fresh, inspiring colors at

The Play Date Cafe: PDCC167

I am also submitting this to:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes

Paper Crafts February Gallery Challenge



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

stamps: Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie and Year in Roses,Verve Love Story

ink: Memento (Pear Tart,Lilac Posies,Dandelion),Papertrey Ink True Black

other: sewing machine,Faber Castell Red Gelato

paper: BoBunny Country Garden DP,Georgia Pacific white