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

Papertrey May Blog Hop Challenge

I'm so glad I can participate today in 

Papertrey's May Blog Hop Challenge~

I chose this Bouquet Builder to work with:

 I love the purples, blues and pink~

I brought out elements from Rosie Posie and RP Step 2 sets.

 

Now to hop around and view the inspiration ~ see you there!

stamps: Papertrey Ink (Rosie Posie,Rosie Posie Step 2,On the Links sentiment)

ink: Papertrey Ink (New Leaf,Hibiscus Burst,Enchanted Evening),Memento Ink Grape Jelly

paper: Prima Instrospection,Papertrey Ink Soft Stone,Georgia Pacific white

other: Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Want2Scrap adhesive pearls

Mixed Media-ish

I love the freestyle look of mixed media and journaling...but I'm not ready to bring out the paints and get messy.

I can still get the look by grunging with a background like the mesh from Market Street stamps.

I laid down misc paper scraps and stamped over them.

I did the same technique here, but with border stamps.

You still get a "template" look, but without the template and paints.

I criss-crossed with pink and purple backgrounds for the color challenge at

Create Cards Blog Challenge:March 2013.

CASE Study Challenge #132

Julie Ebersole

Her beautiful card reminded me of how much I love SPLATTERS!

Dabbing from Copic and Memento pens can look like splattered paint.

I was determined to participate~if only to have a great reason to splatter~or rather, DAB! ;)

 

 

 

I also used the negative image for 

Emphasize the Negative Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

 

 

 

Have a great day~thanks for stopping by to see me friends!

 

 

 

stamps: Market Street Stamps Mesh and Great Big Greetings

 ink:Memento Ink (Lilac Posies),Versamark,Ranger Tim Holtz Dusty Concord

die:My Favorite Things Die-Namics Solid Skyline

cardstock:Papertrey Ink soft stone,Bazzill

other:Copic and Memento inks,Whispers embossing powder

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two-Toned Floral Thanks

Make It Monday #106 Two Toned Flowers

CASE Study Challenge #131

Julie Ebersole


Her card is GORGEOUSLY paneled, with florals as the focus.


I tried to do the same, except with a distressed panel.


~Hope you have a great day~

stamps: Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie and Grunge Me sentiment

ink: WPlus9 White Pigment Ink,Papertrey Ink Hibiscus Burst,Memento Ink Dandelion,Hero Arts Just Beachy ink cubes (Soft Cantaloupe)

dies: My Favorite Things Die-namics sentiment strips

paper: American Crafts Sketchbook,Georgia Pacific white,black

other: Tim Holtz distress tool,Scor-tape

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

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

~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

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

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

The Seeds in an Apple

I love this sentiment from Our Daily Bread Designs.

I used the inspiration from

CASE Study Challenge #123

Amber Kemp-Gerstel

Amber used lovely falling hearts...I utilized this tiny apple stamp from PTI's Teach & Inspire.

Hope you are having a blessed day~thanks for stopping by~

stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Apple Seeds,Papertrey Ink Teach & Inspire

ink:Memento ink Lilac Posies,Ranger Jenni Bowlin Weather Vane

paper:Georgia Pacific white

~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

 

80th Birthday

Challenges stretch my creative muscles and inspire me to get cards done.

I might actually mail this card in time for my Aunt's 

80th birthday.

Yes.

80th!

I am in awe of her!!!

She's strong and fiercely loving.

A real class act.

I attempted to create a classy card (rather then my usual funky fun/graphic type).

I used the beautiful

Waltzingmouse Sketch #128.

The lovely colors at

Colour Q #169.

Finally,

CASE Study Challenge #122:Windy Robinson

inspired me to put on some glamor and floral for this card.

I realize I am the least glamorous gal ...but my Aunt deserves a card with flourish and loveliness...so am grateful for the push in that direction!

Thank you for stopping in~

stamps: Waltzingmouse Chicken Wire and Teeny Trees 

ink: Papertrey Ink True Black,Memento Rhubarb Ink

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

other: Martha Stewart corner punch,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Papertrey Ink Photo Finish Strips,Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals

~Fly High~

There is whiteness ALL AROUND my corner of the world today...gorgeous puffs of snow.


I'm sure it sunk into my consciousness while I created this card.

The inspiration challenge at

Fresh Squeezed Stamps:Squeeze-A-Palooza #3

has three scenes to choose from and I picked this neutral beauty~

There's a sweet free digi there to download if you don't have their stamps to work with.


I didn't have "just the right" soft brown to use within the color scheme.


 I improvised by inking up the lovely feathers with Memento's Rich Cocoa and stamping on a scrap piece of paper before the panel.


I stamped a third time for the shadow effect on the larger feathers.



You know what I love about snow?



It's pure,clean and fresh.


Also, it's kind of funny.


It transforms the landscape into one giant playground.


I couldn't keep from smiling as I walked to the mailbox yesterday...puffs of snow kept flying from my boots.


It was like walking on cotton balls or wading through a ball pit (the fun foamy ones).



I might just take the plunge and sled through this stuff~wish me luck!



PS: If you help Fresh Squeezed Stamps get their 40 gallery uploads at Splitcoaststampers using the keyword FreshSqueezedStamps,
they will pick a random winner. Info here



This was also submitted to

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes





stamps: Fresh Squeezed Stamps Tickle My Fancy
ink: Memento Rich cocoa (off stamped for a lighter effect)
dies: Our Daily Bread Designs Chickadee die,Spellbinders Wonky Rectangles
paper: Georgia Pacific White cardstock

~Paper Knots Tag~

Word Art Wednesday: Giving/Anything Goes

I can't imagine a greater gift...than opening your home to a child.

I have not had the honor or calling yet...but I know a handful that have dedicated their lives in this special way.

I want to be ready when another couple takes that big step.

For this tag,

I experimented with paper shreds...after being inspired by 

Tracey Sabella's lovely use of denim shreds here.

I thought, why not try knotting up paper remnants???

It worked like a charm with glossy accents.

CAS-ual Fridays: CFC81

Well, another Friday in December...the next two will fly by quick...mark my words!!!

stamps: Papertrey Ink Bitty Baby Blessings

dies: Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3 and Bitty Baby Blessings

other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper,American Crafts satin ribbon

paper: Authentique Fresh,BoBunny Country Garden,Bazzill orange

ink:Memento Potters Clay

Recycled Clothing Tag and a Pink Notepad

I obviously don't have willpower when it comes to neon....
and when enabled by challenges. ;)

CASE this SKetch #7

Keen On Neon Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

The tag is a recycled clothing tag, and I glittered the plastic "U" for the challenge:

Make It Monday #94 Detail Glitter Technique.

Crafty Friends Challenge #12:CAS Card



stamps: Papertrey Ink Winter Penguin sentiment
dies: Papertrey Ink Photo Finish Strips Die,My Favorite Things Sentiment strips,Sizzlet
other: Papertrey Ink Herringbone Impression Plate,Bazzill cardstock,hot pink post-it note,clothing tag,Papertrey Ink Soft Stone cardstock,stapler,K.I. Memories Alphabet soup letters,Memento Pear Tart ink

~A Wonderful Year~

Colour Q's Challenge is a fun medley of colors.

I presented the colors with some Hello Sunshine rays, fun snowflakes (my new fave from PTI's Winter Penguin) and that eraser from Teach & Inspire...love that abstract element!

Colour Q Challenge #164

Thanks for stopping by~

 Papertrey~Teach & Inspire eraser and sentiment,Winter Penguin,Hello Sunshine

die: My Favorite Things Solid Skyline

paper: Authentique Fresh,Georgia Pacific White

inks: Memento Ink Potters Clay,Dandelion,Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores and True Black

Papertrey November 2012 Blog Hop

Papertrey Ink November 2012 Blog Hop

Cover Art Inspiration is a great excuse to pull out all your favorite images and just have a go at it.

I was inspired by the Weekend Londen cover that

piled image upon image in all sorts of fun colors.

No masking or order required~

I loved merging all these images together and overlapping them.

It's what's best about this season...wonderful memories and events all colliding in one brief moment.

There's nothing neat and tidy about Christmas~

it's probably the most emotional time of the year.

There are tears and laughter~

with old memories meeting with new traditions.

I'm looking forward to this being the best....

stamps: Papertrey Ink~Wreath for All Seasons,In the Meadow,Winter Penguin

die:  PTI Photo Finish Strips

ink: Memento inks~Pear Tart,Teal Zeal,Dandelion,Rhubarb Stalk,Lilac Posies,Morocco, Papertrey Ink True Black

paper: Georgia Pacific white cardbase,Little Yellow Bicycle Acorn Hollow DP

~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

~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