A Chickadee Die

I love this silhouette die...it's one of my faves.

ODBDSLC224: Anything Goes With ODBD Stamps

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #168

I'm thinking of a few friends right now that could use this card....I'm definitely sending this out soon.

stamps: ODBD Scripture Series 3

die: ODBD Chickadee, We R Memory Keepers Albums Made Easy-Instagram

paper: Bazzill, WPlus9 Cranberry Crush,Cosmo Cricket 2wenty-thr3e,Authentique Blissful

ink: WPlus9 White Pigment,Versamagic Cloud White (edging)

God Is

I wanted to share a couple of cards with you.

Mostly because I want to share a great retirement sale

 at Sweet 'n Sassy...

don't forget the code!

I picked up the GOD IS set I've had my eye on for awhile.

These were generated using pretty scraps that were laying on my desk.

I try to start a card with scraps before filing them away, because I know I may not use them otherwise.

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #168

Thanks for stopping by, friends!

First Card

stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy God Is

die: Papertrey Ink Meadow Greens

ink: Versafine Onyx

other: Cosmo Cricket Tea for Two Stacked Stickers

paper: Simple Stories Color Vibe 2

Second Card

stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy God Is

paper: Bazzill,Simple Stories Color Vibe 2,Studio Calico Wanderlust

 ink: Versafine Onyx

Color Throwdown Challenge #327~Guest Star Stamper

I've been blessed to have my card drawn for featured stamper at the Color Throwdown!

This is a wonderful opportunity to be a guest star stamper~ here's my card using this week's fresh, bold colors.

 Simple, clean...with baby wipes and paper towels handy to dab "not-so-clean" inky fingers.

Color ThrowDown #327

I hope I've inspired you to give these colors a try!

Please check out

 these fabulous designers and their cards for this challenge.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits ~Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations ~Joan Ervin - Stamping With a Passion ~Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Color ~Lori Tecler - Inking a Loud ~Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy ~Vickie Zimmer - Smitten With All Things Stamping ~Monika Davis - M.A.D Stamper ~Jodi Collins - Stamping a Latte ~Bonnie Sharp- The Lucky Clucker

I'm also entering this in Uniko Studio Challenge #17: Love and Friendship

and Word Art Wednesday Challenge #168.

Thank you for stopping by friends~

stamps: Avery Elle Rounded Diamonds,Simon Says Stamp Scribble Flowers,Hero Arts (LIVE&LAUGH,Thoughtful Messages)

inks: Memento (Grape Jelly,Pear Tart,Dandelion),Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores,Versafine Onyx

Good Morning SaLe

Because I love you and I would want to know about a sale....check out 

Waltzingmouse Stamps.

You're welcome. ;)

Here is my good morning card ...

just because I survived it and I hope you did too. ;)

stamps: Waltzingmouse French Country

ink: Versafine Onyx,Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks Walnut Stain

dies: Papertrey Ink Photo Finish Strips,Spellbinders Tombstone

paper: Bazzill

Mojo Man Card

Another masculine card finished...

yayyyyy!!! ;)

I had scraps left from my previous card and I tried to work with it before it became 

"out of sight, out of mind".

Perfect marlenaism...when I was digging around for sequins ...I found my paper piercer!!!

 I KNEW I had one. ;)

I'm losin it people...seriously.

Many thanks go out to this MOJO sketch that I flipped horizontally

 (it's LONG and skinny rather than tall).

Mojo Monday 382

I'm also entering this in

CASology: Week 131:Birthday

I have slim pickins when it comes to masculine birthday cards so this is one more to add to the mix.

blessings friends~

stamps: Verve Better Together, Sweet 'n Sassy Timeless Classic

paper: Cosmo Cricket 2wenty-thr3e, Bazzill,Studio Calico Take Note

dies: Spellbinders Classic Circle

other: paper piercer

inks: Versafine Onyx,WPlus9 White Pigment, Versamagic Cloud White (edging)

Confetti Garland

Pull out your sequins, stampers, there's another way to use them!

Check out the video at Papertrey Ink this week...

Make It Monday #199: Confetti Garlands

hosted by Betsy

 The patterned paper is lots of fun on its own...all I did was pick cardstock to match and it took off from there.

Thanks for stopping in friends~

stamp: Papertrey Ink Grunge Me

ink: Versafine Onyx

paper: Cosmo Cricket 2wenty-thr3e, Bazzill

Split Patterned Panels

I made a Valentine card for my mom...just because. ;)

I was inspired by the split patterned panels in this outfit from the following challenge.

ric#76-Carven

I staggered the patterned pieces and brought them closer (than the inspirational photo)...since I wanted the design to continue between them.

I'm sure she'll be surprised I thought of her...but I'm grateful for the love she continues to inject in my life.


blessings friends~

stamp: Verve More Than Love, MFT LJD Poppies

dies: MFT Die-namics LJD Poppies

paper: Bazzill,Echo Park Here&Now,Cosmo Cricket 2wenty-thr3e

ink: Versafine Onyx

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

My husband came home from work one day and said,

"Hey! You're crafting???

You're hot when you craft".

hahahahahahaha

I. LOVE. HIM.

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

Bet you stampers are at your "hottest" when you are in the zone too.... ;)

stamps: Papertrey Ink City Scene (stars,circles,dashes),PTI Counting My Blessings stamp set, PTI The Sweet Life

inks: Papertrey Ink (Aqua Mist,Hawaiian Shores, True Black), Ranger Distressed Ink Black Soot for edging

paper: Georgia Pacific white,

other: Melody Ross button

You Go Girl!!!

I stumbled upon this fun sketch when visiting a fellow blogger...

woo hoo~love when there's STILL TIME.

CAS(E) this sketch

I'm also submitting this to CASology:Week 130 FRIEND

Well, I made it out the door today, how about you?

I have to say, I couldn't wait to get home and STAMP.

Take care friends...

stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps Teeny Trees, The Craft's Meow Let's Face It (store closed)

inks: Papertrey Ink (Raspberry Fizz,Hawaiian Shores), Memento Tangelo,Versafine Onyx

MFT Sketch Poppies

I created a card today before heading out...

MFT Sketch Challenge-Sketch 211

Well, I better get moving if I'm gonna "hit those marks" today friends...thanks for stopping by. ;)

stamp: MFT LJD Poppies

dies: MFT Die-namics (LJD Poppies, Sentiment Strips,Spellbinders Label 25

inks: Versafine Onyx,Jenni Bowlin Weather Vane

papers: Cosmo Cricket (2twenty-thr3e,Creative Girl),Georgia Pacific White,Echo Park Here&Now

Another Throwdown and A Phone App Watermark

I was inspired to make another masculine card...


YAYYY for my obsessiveness at times. ;)

This is for my dad....who is a fantastic road trip companion!

Oh the stories he's shared when we've driven to wherever within 7 hours of my place.

I've learned lots of interesting facts about my family, things we didn't have time to discuss when I was living in Hawaii.

One interesting fact...my grandmother's maiden name wasn't her true maiden name, because her Portuguese ancestor was given the name of the man in front of him.

The Hawaii official couldn't understand his thick accent, so he gave him the previous one mentioned.
 
Not only that...he was SUPPOSED to go to California but was so seasick, he disembarked in Hawaii.

He sure sounds like someone I'D be related to!

hee! ;)

 Anyhoo...apparently the story of my life precedes my life. ;)



This challenge is awesome...

Simon Says It's a Guy Thing (Wednesday Challenge)

This one is awesome too...

I thought the colors from the Color Throwdown could work a manly card.

Color Throwdown #325

I want to share in this post how I use a phone app to create my own watermark, if that's ok.


If you already have one and don't need this...thanks for stopping by, friend.

I LOVED an editing program on my old computer that I used for EVERYTHING, but I don't have the updated (if there is one) version for my new computer.


So, like most crafters...I (got creative) and found another way to

 DIY my watermark with this phone app.

Here we go....

I emailed myself the pic (so I could open it on my phone) and pulled it up in PicLab HD
 (you have to download it from the App Store; I paid a few dollars).

I clicked on "Edit Text"...

 For the first line, I typed my name

 and picked a font...

then I added a shadow.

I typed my website out and gave it a different font.


On both lines, I slid the lever to the left to make them transparent so they wouldn't cover up my card.

 I then positioned both lines in place and saved "the new card" in my gallery and emailed it back to myself.

There are probably less steps ...I tend to take the scenic route on just about everything. ;)

I don't know if this helps you or not, but thanks for stopping by and saying hi.

 stamp: Tim Holtz Clear Stamps Here and There

ink: Versafine Onyx

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Echo Park (Capture Life,Here&Now),Cosmo Cricket 2wenty-thr3e

dies: MFT Die-namics (Skyline, Sentiment Strips)

Find Ourselves and Lose Ourselves

I had some stampy time again and this time it's a bit warmer in the basement. ;)

Yayzers!!!

I used these fantastic colors from

Color Throwdown #325

and made my own background using two stamp sets...one of my favorite things to do with abstract images.

Simon Says (Monday) Challenge: Inky Background

Since it's one layer with lots of white...I'm also entering this in

Virginia's View Challenge #11 : Clean Slate

When I make up my own patterns with these types of images...my head gets all swimmy like. ;)



Take care friends~

stamps: Simon Says Stamp Scribble Flowers,Sweet 'n Sassy Grunge Elements

inks: Jenni Bowlin Weather Vane,Memento (Tangelo,Dandelion),Hero Arts Soft Pool,Versafine Onyx

paper: Georgia Pacific white

other: Copics orange and yellow

FREEDOM

Freedom is hard to come by.

I mean, we have it...it's there, but for some reason we love putting the shackles on ourselves and those we love.


The Lord has given me a verse this past year and a half...


"Perfect love casts off fear" 1John 4:18.


I've needed this, friends.

He has shown me how much I am motivated by fear....

fear of what others think, fear of failing, fear of getting trapped, fear of...


you name it, I've feared it.


Jesus has set me free and continues to set me free.

I have extended to my oldest the freedom to figure out who she is in Christ and what God wants her to do.


She's in a state of "after graduation" and "before the rest of her life" and for various reasons, she is "being still" right now and I'm ok with that.


I remember being her age and that little window of "just me" was very narrow before I met my husband and life swept me away.

Back then, I was driven with the desire to please everyone around...but I don't want that for her...except for the desire to please the Lord.

In HIM is true freedom and I praise God for that.

Daily I accept His leadership in my life to "free my soul" and He keeps me from bogging my girlies down with fearful expectations and unnecessary burdens.

Life is too short to toss about in the waves of worry...but it can be an incredible journey when we trust HIM.

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #166:Anything Goes

stamp: Verve Happy Days

other: Melody Ross button

paper: Georgia Pacific white,  Cosmo Cricket 2WENTY-THR3E, sliver of Echo Park Here&Now
ink: Versafine Onyx

It's A Guy Thing, It's OK

I am still using those buttons up...but looky here, there's a guy card in the midst!!!

Like many cardmakers out there...I neglect making masculine cards.

I LOVE the permission to be all angular and choppy...so I don't have an excuse, except that I 

shamelessly hoard man papers.

NOT TODAY

It's about time I crack open that treasure and assemble a card I know I will use.

Simon Says It's a Guy Thing (Wednesday Challenge)

How's your Saturday going? Is it a day filled with kid's extracurriculars too???

You aren't alone friends.

I'm glad I could sneak a few hours in until I drive again...

paper: Fancy Pants Swagger,BoBunny Weekend Market,Echo Park Here&Now,Georgia Pacific White

die: Papertrey Ink Count My Blessings

other: Melody Ross button

Mojo Monday Sketch and Lickety -Split Lime Polish

I told you I was going to use those older buttons up!!!

It all started with another cool button and a recycled tag matching its color.

This week's sketch from Mojo Monday came to the rescue again.

Mojo Monday 380

I used Lickety-Split Lime nail polish to cover the words up.

I used the border stamps to represent the horizontal panel~I didn't want to deter attention away from that glorious button.

Take care friends...

stamps: Verve Borderline

inks: Memento Pear Tart, Versafine Onyx

other: recycled tag pained with Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Lickety-Split Lime,Melody Ross Button

BRILLIANT IDEAS

When inspiration hits...you gotta RUN WITH IT...especially when it comes to using what you have.

I am determined to use these "passed down to me" Melody Ross buttons as soon as possible, because each one has so much fun, all I do is coordinate colors.

This particular button seemed to go with a small scrap of patterned paper that was sitting on my desk so I ran with it...

Our Daily Bread Designs has a color challenge going on...

ODBDSLC222

and once I spotted blush pink and cream...all I needed to add was the purplish door image.


I'm also submitting this to

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #166:Anything Goes.

I saw this quirky commercial that used a lil monster to represent a great idea...and it took many tries for someone to take it on.

Somehow I got from this commercial that you have to walk through a door of sorts to really get the ball rolling with a new idea.

There you go...aren't you glad I have a blog to share the teeny steps leading to how I'm inspired to create my card???

ha ha ha ha...I'm making up for MONTHS of not blogging so bear with me friends...



stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs Ask, Seek, Knock
ink: Ranger Distressed Ink Dusty Concord
other: Melody Ross Button,Braiding Cord (Walmart Kid's craft section)

You Are So Much Stronger

I remember the first time someone told me I was "strong".

I didn't believe him, but it sure stuck in my mind.

26 years later...I believe that I can be strong, especially with God's help.

I wanted to try this Runway Challenge again...esp. since I LOVE the main color.

I added a bit of frou-frou with touches of a small ornate stamp smattered in there to imitate the neckline design.

ric#75-Ralph Lauren

I opened a "NEW to me" pack of paper I HAD to have and I'm entering this in

CASology:Week 129:NBUS 

and

NBUS Challenge #3 


I believe I haven't used the brushstrokes yet from my Sweet n' Sassy Grunge Elements set either.

In fact, it sat on my desk for at least 4 months because I was afraid to lose it in my stash...

out of sight, out of mind with this lady!!!

 Oh it's FRIDAY and today I had a chance to stamppppppp!!!!


I'll craft until I can't feel my toes (my craft desk is in the basement) ;)

blessings friends~


stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Grunge Elements, WPlus9 Written on Ribbon, Waltzingmouse Stamps French Country
dies: Our Daily Bread Designs Bookmark die,WPlus9 Written on Ribbon
paper: Basic Grey Highline,Georgia Pacific white
ink: Versafine Onyx
other: Melody Ross "button"

Manda Panda

My youngest is turning 14 this month and I thought I'd make her card as soon as inspired before her day came.

She loves pandas, my Manda Panda, and she gave me this tag that was on a hat she received for Christmas.

Isn't he the cutest???

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday 380

I also used something from my stash that I HAD TO HAVE...these speech bubbles stickies~but haven't really used.

I'm participating in the CASology:Week 129:NBUS

*NBUS stands for "Never Been Used Schtuff"

Time slips by so fast...I've got all kinds of "schtuff" that need lovin', but I've had to put my girlies ahead these past six months.

Unfortunately, they don't "stay the same" like my stash...

for instance, my girlie turning 14!!!

She's my baby but the tallest of the bunch-I'm now the shortest in my crew. ;)

Don't even know how that happened....

stamps: Verve Treasured Words

paper: Studio Calico (Wanderlust),Bazzill,sticky note bubble

ink: Versafine Onyx, Ranger Distressed Ink Pine Needles

recycled panda tag

Thank You in Many Languages

I was able to whip up this card last night for

Word Art Wednesday Challenge 165:Anything Goes

Simon Says Something New (Wednesday)

I used this new stamp I picked up on our summer vacation...it's about time I use it! 

I've had the yellow paper forever~its from my ??? stash..which is a nameless but a useful stash to pull from. ;)

~Have a blessed day friends~

stamp: Stampettes

paper: Georgia Pacific White, Authentique Carefree,Echo Park Capture Life

inks: Memento Rhubarb Stalk,Ranger Distressed Ink Black Soot for edging

dies: Lil' Inkers Quilted Stitched Pattern Die,Spellbinders (Large Labels, Scalloped Circles)

other:Sassafras Stitch Blossoms

Never Thirst and a Brave Lady

I created for my sweet friend who started a ministry which is circling back.

It was meant to encourage women with

 "a drop of water" of refreshment and hope.

She just found out her cancer is back and so this baby ministry has already returned full circle in less than a year.

She will understand the significance of the verse and even the image, because it's what we are trickling out with~I'm so grateful for this stamp set from ODBD.

The stunning photo from Runway Inspired Challenge this week had me grab for this ancient paper (passed on to me and probably produced before I created cards)

with a dark pink script.

ric#75-Ralph Lauren

I drenched this card with pink and inked with blues to mimic this dress in card form.

I'm also submitting this to

Word Art Wednesday Challenge 165:Anything Goes

 blessings friends~

stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs Never Thirst

inks: Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores), Memento Teal Zeal

 paper: Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Studio Calico (Take Note), Bazzill, older paper??

other: Cosmo Cricket Chipboard Alphabet (coordinates with Creative Girl)

Beautiful Unlucky Duck...NOT

There's a back story to this card...

We found one meaning to my daughter Mallory's name...

"beautiful, unlucky duck".

ha!!!!

 She's beautiful, yes, but I won't accept unlucky...

I WON'T.
 

So, I think she'll get a kick out of my card one way or another ;).

We liked the name and I still like the name.....

it just QUACKS me up that this is one meaning we overlooked.

Here's another entry for

Mojo Monday 379

blessings friends~


stamps: Verve (Lucky Duck,Beautiful)
ink: Versafine Onyx,StazOn Black,Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores
dies: Verve Lovely Marquee Die,Spellbinders Postage Stamp

Totally Rad

The 80's teen in me had to have this sentiment from Verve...

LOVE IT!!! ;)

I went with the sketch from

Mojo Monday 379

Simon Says Challenge (Monday) Make New Friends But Keep the Old

I used my newish Simon Says Stamp Scribble Flowers and new Verve sentiment and paired them with my older dies and inks.

Well, we survived our first week back to classes/activities ~how about you?

I was just as excited as my daughter to have a snow day thrown in there for good measure~especially since it spared me having to travel in treacherous weather.

I'm an island girl living in a cold, cold place, so driving in snow isn't my finest work, but if I have to, I'll do it. ;)

~Stay warm friends~

stamps: Verve Plain Jane Totally Rad,Simon Says Stamp Scribble Flowers

dies: Verve Rounded Rectangle, Spellbinders (Wonky Rectangle,Large Labels)

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Studio Calico (Take Note, Snippets greens), WPlus9 Cranberry Crush

ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink Peeled Paint (for edging),Versafine Onyx,Papertrey Ink (Enchanted Evening), Memento Rhubarb Stalk

My First Stamped Creation for 2015 & a Paper Cut

 What is THIS...a stamped card???

Yes, and I've got the paper cut on my thumb to prove it.

Card making can be a hazardous hobby at times...but I'll take that risk. ;)

Here's another entry for 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge 165:Anything Goes

I'm also submitting this to 

Fusion Card Challenge:One Year Anniversary Challenge 

*CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS fUsIoN PeEps, tHaT's AwEsOmE!!!!*

I pulled the colors from the inspirational photo and kept the layout centered.

I got a HUGE deal on these paper products, btw, at my local Tuesday Morning.

stamps: Verve Love Story

die: Verve Lovely Marquee

paper: Georgia Pacific White, Cosmo Cricket Creative Girl Mini Deck and Evangeline Element Deck