~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

~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

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

~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

~Leany Tree~

Here's another for Retro Sketches...

I remember almost 12 years ago....I was big big pregnant with my littlest girlie, and our Christmas tree fell


3 TIMES IN A ROW...


decorations and all.


There was water all over the carpet...it was a disaster and I was bawling my eyes out.

Now, the older girlies and I reminisce about how funny it was...


with me, big as a HOUSE (with one more month to go)...struggling with straightening a tall, decorated tree all by my lonesome.


(Hubby was at work and couldn't save me. The kiddos were only about 3 feet high or so-just munchkins...they couldn't really help either-all they did was point tearfully at the wee head of a mousy ornament that broke off.


they. were. horrified of his demise).






At the time it was chaotic and...


not so funny!



Now, it's one of our favorite "when things go terribly wrong" stories to retell....



This sketch here at

Retro Sketches #38

is the perfect platform to highlight this fun tree from Verve.



Paper piecing it made it doable to tilt it just a wee bit for character.



May your Christmas tree stand tall this year....




If it should fall...



may you stash it in your fond memories for years to come!!!



stamps: Verve Winter Tree Plain Jane,sentiment from Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees
ink: Papertrey Ink True Black,Memento Rich Cocoa
dies: Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle Die,My Favorite Things Die-namics Sentiment Strips,Verve rounded rectangle
paper: Georgia Pacific white,Authentique Fresh,Lively and Journey
other: gold pen,stapler

~Squash Soup~

We love V8 Squash Soup...but can't find it at our local store anymore.

Waaaaaahhhhhh!!!

But, I can make a card INSPIRED by it.

Here's my squash soup card~

It's fun to assemble elements with Erin's chipboard technique here.

 I swiped the buggy with Mod Podge for a nice finish.

Here is the soup pic from Inspired By #49

Laurel's source link under the photo will take you to a recipe I will have to try~

I used Lenet's sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch #123.

The Waltzingmouse stamp I used was the shadow from My Island...isn't that a fun stamp???

My sentiment and die are from Papertrey Ink and the border die is from Verve.

I recently purchased Papertrey's Beautiful Beads die...and thought it would be the perfect platform for the sentiment~

Bet I have you thinking of warm soup now, too, huh?!!!

Misery loves company...LOL.

At least it's a healthy craving~

stamps: Waltzingmouse My Island,Papertrey Ink Bitty Baby Blessings

dies: Verve Pennant trim die,Papertrey Ink Bitty Baby Blessings, Winter Penguin Die snowflake and Beautiful Beads die

embossing folder: Sizzix Textured Impressions Seasons Greetings

other: Martha Stewart border punch,Crop-a-dile corner chomper

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

ink: Memento Rich Cocoa,Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

~The Whites of Their Eyes~

I heard that someone I know was run over by a Moped-

a hit and run.

He's hurting mighty bad right now.

ROUND UP THE POSSE 

 

 

 

seems to be in order.

I hope he'll like this.

 "The Whites of Their Eyes" came to mind as I was folding the bigger scalloped circle.

It took a lot to rough it up...I had to bend and tear until I saw the whites.

The whites of them eYeS....

that is.

LOL

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #122

Y'all take care and watch yourselves, now, ya hear?

stamp: Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle

ink: Ranger Jenni Bowlin Weather Vane and Spice Tin,Ranger Tim Holtz Mustard Seed

paper: BoBunny Weekend Market, Authentique Genuine,Georgia Pacific White

punch: MS double link trim

die: Spellbinders Scalloped Circle

other: Tim Holtz Distress Tool,Scor-Tape, Xyron sticker maker, Tombow glue

~pAtTeRnEd cLoUdS and bLaCk rAiN~

I love the challenge this week at

CAS-ual Fridays CFC#75.

I'll use the excuse to let my hair down and hang over the edge...

 Such a fun celebration going on there and big, big news!!!

BIG!

Verve Words of Wisdom,Sizzix Kite set,Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees,Authentique Lively,Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper

~cOlOrFuL bLoG pArTy~

My life feels like this canvas right now....

a whole lot of fun events happening at the same time...

splashing and colliding and a little, well, CrAzY, you know?

With a tween and two teen girls...there's no other way to roll.

You just ride the wave as long as you can....

stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps French Country and My Island

inks: Tsukineko Memento inks (tangelo,elderberry,tuxedo black),Ranger Tim Holtz dusty concord

other: Copics,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Crop-a-Dile corner chomper

~Case of the Mondays~

I'm amazed that a card was completed today....

CASE Study Challenge #110

Torico

inspired me to keep this card in neutral colors, just like her card.

This is the second time I die cut the Memory Box Jasmine frame die and chose the rustic innards instead of the detailed frame (which IS beautiful...I'll use it someday~).

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #117

 gave me a guideline on how to position the leftovers from the Ek Success Le Argyle punch....hmmm, I'm seeing a pattern here with leftovers.

Lately, I've been cooking bigger batches so there are leftovers to pull from on busier nights~I SO APPRECIATE LEFTOVERS!!!

Inspired By #43

This challenge inspired me to keep it brown and white-all natural like.

I've got a "case of the Mondays" as my husband put it this morning....not much to say except "HEY!"  ;)

Supplies:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps French Country

Punch: Ek Success Le Argyle

Dies: Memory Box Jasmine frame die

Ink:(Rich Cocoa)Memento Ink,Ranger Tim Holtz (Walnut Stain) for edging

Other:Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper

~Blog Header Card~

CAS-ual Fridays CFC72 has a GENIUS idea this week...

Toot Your Own Horn~create a project inspired by your blog header.

How cool is that????

I love it!

I think it's fun to read about the headers.

My youngest girlie wanted this cool citrus floatie~and to justify the cost...I thought I should use it as a prop. Had this great idea to put my crafties and some bright cards on it and let it coast!

Funny thing is...I wasn't worried about the cards (I give them away and they've been archived)...but I was seriously gulping once the float moved and I saw my Copics and stamp pads stare back at me all helpless like. 

 IT WAS SAD!

After "the shoot" was over...I coaxed them over to me, whispering sweet 'nothings and "apologizing" to my favorite tools. ;)

You might be rolling your eyes right now...but try taking your faves and send them out into the middle of a pool and then we'll talk. ;) LOL.

It's so weird.  I didn't expect to react that way.

Ironically, they didn't make the final cut as the header, but did make it in the smaller pic at the bottom of my list on the left sidebar.

Enough chatter...here's the card:

I meant to create a "playful" card...but I started reflecting..as I always do when I stamp.

Our handbell choir is operating at 60% right now...each and every person matters in such a choir (AND IN LIFE)~RIGHT?!

You don't have to be a big slice to matter in God's eyes.

You matter because He says you matter.

 "And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary." 1 Corinthians 12:21-22

 

AMEN?!

I'm curious to see the blog header interpretations this week....

Take care friends~

Supplies:

Stamps:Verve Words of Wisdom sentiment,Verve Happy Days swirl,Waltzingmouse My Island shack image and Teeny Trees "seeds"

Paper: Authentique Journey,Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill white

Other:paper piercer,Scor-Tape 1/4",Recollections white embossing powder

Ink:Versamark,Ranger Tim Holtz salty ocean (summer)

~Love You Pair of Birds~

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #116

I am also submitting this to


Simon Says:Anything Goes


It's a rainy, dreary (perfect crafting) day today.


I heated up some chicken noodle soup...complete with sniffles and all. ;)


What's it like in your world right now?


Supplies:

Stamps:Waltzingmouse Nordic Spring birds and Teeny Trees sentiment
Dies:Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle and Postage Stamp
Ink:Tsukineko Memento Ink Potters Clay
Paper:Teresa Collins Everyday Moments,DCWV SW Nature,BoBunny Weekend Market,My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair
Other:ribbon,Scor-Pal,Scor-Tape 1/4",Tim Holtz distress tool,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper

~Inspired By Orange and Blues~

A simple sketch and gorgeous colors inspired me to ink up and post...

Here is Wendy's sketch from Retro Sketches #30.

I love the simplicity of it!

It didn't make me break into a sweat~ ;)

The colors from Inspired By #42

made me think of an island Fall....

blue ocean.  bright sun. just a bit of a stronger breeze. ;)

I brought out my Ek Success Links Punch.

I haven't used it yet in the conventional sense...but it creates interesting elements~

Thank you for stopping by~

Supplies:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse My Island

Ink:Tsukineko Memento Ink Tangelo

Punch: Ek Success Links Punch

Die: Papertrey Ink Movers and Shakers Spinners Die Collection

Paper: Georgia Pacific White cardbase,Bazzill orange,Authentique Fresh and Journey

Adhesives:Scor-Tape and Ranger Glossy Accents

Other:Tim Holtz Distress tool

 

 

 

~Carpe Diem~

I created one more card for

CAS-ual Fridays:CFC70

Black and White Plus One (other color)

This lil' guy is such a sweetie, isn't he?

There are glossy accents on the raindrops...I couldn't pick them up here.

The lil' bowtie and cloud are die cut from Sizzix's Kite set ~I trimmed the bowtie just a wee bit to fit the hedgie's body~don't want him to fall over! ;)

I was also inspired by CASE Study Challenge #108:Torico.

She has the cutest monkeys hanging from a negative die cut heart.

I went for the cuteness/action factor and then framed my lil' guy in a Spellbinders Large Label.

Rainy days are the PERFECT days to craft...I'm working on a bit of sunshine inside.

LOVE IT.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies:

Stamps:Verve Words of Wisdom,Penny Black Hedgie Friends,Waltzingmouse Stamps Teeny Trees

Paper:Georgia Pacific White,black cardstock

Ink: Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores and True Black,Ranger Tim Holtz Broken China

Dies:Sizzix Framelits Die set(Kites),Spellbinders Large Labels

 Other:Ranger Glossy Accents

 

~Give Thanks~

I am digging the purples and greens lately!

You saw it coming right?

Teeny Trees?  

:)

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #115

Inspired By #41

Thanks for stopping by~




Supplies:


Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps Teeny Trees
Dies: Spellbinders Postage Stamp and Large Labels
Ink:Tsukineko Memento Ink Pear Tart and Elderberry
Paper:Papertrey Ink Rustic Cream,Bazzill
Other: Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,rick rack,Scor-Tape

~Waltzingmouse Blog Party~

I love blog parties~

Waltzingmouse is having one today.

Here is my fall creation~a tag to wrap a gift with (candy bar or bag).

Yup, Teeny Trees and I~we go together like peas and carrots. ;)

Here is the inspirational photo Claire has given us.

I'm still waiting for our trees to show their stuff here~how about you?


Supplies:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees
Dies: Spellbinders Label Eleven and classic circles
Markers: Copic yellow,orange,red
Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Fired Brick,Spiced Marmalade,Mustard Seed,Papertrey Ink True Black
Friendship Thread (Kid's Jewelry)
Paper:Georgia Pacific White

~Dress Accordingly~

I picked up a few new tops the other day.

When I snipped the tags...I was tickled to find a treasure...

A PERFECT SENTIMENT ON A GORGEOUS CANVAS!!!

I ripped the top half off to reveal the sentiment (reattached it below) and added the gold elastic.

I've got a couple more~what a blessing!

There's a paahhhh-TEH going on at Sweet 'n Sassy's September Fall Frenzy.

This card is for Challenge #4: Leaves of Any Kind.

Also, I had in mind Moxie Fab's Tuesday Trigger:Envy Becomes You

I love the color combo.

I figured the fashion sentiment would bring to mind the snazzy shoes.

I used Memento Pear Tart and Teal Zeal to mimic the colors here.

Ummmm, envy never looked great on me.

Just sayin'. ;)

Thanks for stopping by~

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Season of Change,Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees for accent leaves

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Ink Pear Tart and Teal Zeal,Tim Holtz Tea Dye for edging

Other:recycled tag,Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper

Paper:Papertrey Ink Kraft cardbase,Scor-Tape

~Good Morning Rooster and a Sketch~

I got some stampy time in last night!

My hubby said it's been dark in the mornings when he goes to work.

I thought this might be a nice surprise for him on his dresser.

I used the fantastic sketch from the

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #113

 The roosters were stamped with a new color I picked up: Elderberry.

It's like a really dark purple...interesting.

If you want another color besides black or brown...that would be your ticket.

I framed the roosters with an element from Teeny Trees and I scattered that lil' leaf around too.

We haven't seen a fall show yet...there are green trees and dead leaves laying about.

There isn't an in between!

 

I pray some stick on the trees long enough to show their stuff~it's my favorite season. ;(

Thanks for stopping by~

Supplies:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees and French Country

Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Walnut Stain,Tsukineko Memento Ink Elderberry and Rich Cocoa

Paper: Authentique Journey, My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair,Georgia Pacific White cardbase,DCWV Naturals Stack,Bazzill orange

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper,Martha Stewart Garden Rail border punch,Tim Holtz Blending Tool

~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

~Bookmark~

While I had my Teeny Trees out, I made this also.

A simple tree bookmark to throw into an envelope.

I'm less and less afraid of using patterned paper.

Can you tell?

I think having them out, where I can see them, makes them seem like friends. ;)

Verve's Last Anni-VERVE-sary Challenge is Anything But a Card.

Supplies:

Stamps:Waltzingmouse Stamps Teeny Trees

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Ink Rich cocoa and dandelion,Staz On brown,Versamark ink,Ranger Tim Holtz distress ink walnut stain for edging,Kid's Jewelry friendship thread

Other:clear embossing powder for the teardrop tree,EK success lines and dots punch,zig zag scissors

Paper: Authentique Lively,DCWV Naturals stack,Georgia Pacific white