Sweet Treats

The weather here has been scorching!  In the high 90s or low 100s and even with a breeze, there is no cool to it.  When it's this hot, I love a nice cold dish of ice cream.  Since I didn't have any, the next best thing was to bring out my Flourishes Pinwheels and Popsicles Stamp Set and make some cool treats.  Have I told you how much I love my Silhouette SD?  The popsicle and ice cream cone are both cut outs from cut files that match the stamp set.  I even used pink!  Now how about that!

Stamp Sets:  Pinwheels and Popsicles (Flourishes), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!); Copics:  E33, E37, E39, V12,V15, V17, R22, R24, R27, YG11, YG13; Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes), Blushing Bride (Stampin' Up!), Here & Now Patterned Paper (Echo Park); Accessories & Tools:  Pinwheels and Popsicles Silhouette Cut File, Word Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dazzling Details and Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), Pink & White Twine.

Clean, simple and fun to make.  My son and his family are staying with me this week as they are moving.  Devin, Mariah and Aiden were all helping me pick out colors for the popsicle and ice cream.  Mariah thought a grape popsicle would look good with the polka dots.  Devin chose the green and brown for the ice cream because he likes mint and chocolate chips.  Aiden helped shake the table while Grandma tried to color.  We had a great time.  Tomorrow we are making bottle cap necklaces for each of them.  It is something we can do together and have some fun.  They love to make stuff with me.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Timeless Tuesday #235 - In Distress

Wow!  I can't believe I got my card for the Timeless Tuesday Challenge done today, Tuesday!  Lately, it's been down to the last day.  It could have been because the minute I saw that we had to distress a card, I knew what I wanted to do immediately.  Now that doesn't happen every day.  Click HERE to go right to the Timeless Tuesday #235 - In Distress Challenge.

Graphic 45's patterned paper is perfect for that distressed look.  Today I used Secret Garden.  All but the card base are from the Secret Garden collection.  I didn't put a sentiment on the front of the card because I love what is on the cut out.  However, I did add it to the inside of the card and both are from a couple of my Flourishes stamp sets.

Stamp Sets:  Anemones and Swan Lake (Flourishes); Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo (Ranger), Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Soft Suede and Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), Secret Garden Patterned Paper (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals and Stampin' Distress Tool (Stampin' Up!), Cream Twine distressed with Vintage Photo ink

This was such a fun challenge given the fact that I love the distressed look.  I don't do it nearly as much as I would like.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

CASEing Tosha

Here is another card I made to send to my sister.  I have decided to go ahead and make a card for each month remaining in the year, get them all addressed, stamped and ready to seal once I've added a little note.  Now all I will need to do is add that little note, seal it and drop it in the mail.  Now that I think about it, I really should do that for all those I want to send cards to.  Looks like I'll have to design a 'send a card' file just to keep them all.

Today I'm joining in on the Designer Focus over at Flourishes.  This time they are showcasing Tosha Leyendekker.  Click on her name to see all of the beautiful things she has designed.  All we have to do is CASE one of her designs.  To get all the details, head over to Flourishes for all the details.

Stamp Sets:  Sweet Violets, Dahlias (both from Flourishes); Ink:  Concord Crush (Stampin' Up!), Copics:  YG11, YG13, YG17, V12, V15, V17, Y19; Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes), River Rock and Concord Crush (Stampin' Up!), April Rose Illustration Paper Pack; Accessories & Tools:  Large Oval Punch (Stampin' Up!), white organdy ribbon, twine, button (Stampin' Up!)

Here is the card of  Tosha's that I CASEd.

The beautiful patterned paper is from the April Rose Paper Pack.  I discovered this wonderful magazine called Cardmaking & Papercraft and fell in love with it.  It's from the UK and it is full of wonderful inspiration.  Not only that, but you get a free gift with each magazine.  Last month it was a twelve piece Holly Hobby stamp set.  This month this beautiful paper pack.  Needless to say, it is now on its way to my mailbox every time an issue comes out.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Fairy Tale and Doily

Today I was thinking of my younger sister, Terri, who lives in Wisconsin.  It has been such a long time since I last saw her.  We keep in sporadic touch so I decided that I was going to start sending her a card a month to let her know I'm thinking of her.  She loves purple so I used a lot of purple tones on the card.

With the deadline for Timeless Tuesday at Flourishes looming, I added a doily which was the focus of the challenge.  To find out all the particulars, click HERE.  It will take you right to the Timeless Tuesday #234 - Dainty Doilies challenge.  You still have time to enter, too!

I had a lot of fun making this card.  I used the Garden Fairy stamp set I won from Flourishes as part of the July release.  It is a beautiful set and the first time I've had a chance to use it..  I also used the Silhouette SD that I won at work for an employee contest.  I am having so much fun with it, too.  I discovered that all of the stamp sets I won from Flourishes have cut files so I just had to have them.  I cut the image, stamped and colored it.  So cool to not have to fussy cut it since I'm not so good at the intricate cutting these days.  When I was coloring the image, I realized I didn't have any flesh tone Copic markers nor anything that would work for the wings of the fairy.  So, out came the colored pencils and Smooch.  I used my peach pencil for the touch of skin tone.  For the wings I used a periwinkle and covered it with Smooch to add a little shimmer.  I think my sister is going to love it!

Stamp Set:  Garden Fairies (Flourishes); Ink:  Concord Crush (Stampin' Up!); Copic Sketch Markers:  YG11, YG13, YG17, V12, V15, V17, Y11,Y13, Y15, Y17, B00, B02, B05; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Oval Punch and Oval Punch (Stampin' Up!), Smooch Pearlized Top Coat, Bo Bunny Doily, White Organdy Ribbon, Garden Fairies Silhouette Cut File, Silhouette SD Die-Cutting Machine, Dimensionals

The doily is actually white but I sponge some Concord Crush ink on it to take the brightness away.  It was a perfect back drop for this little fairy.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

My Day of Rest and Worship

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Matthew 24:35

A Simple Thank You

Today I finally have My Digital Studio, from Stampin' Up!, back on my laptop!  I am so happy!  I was just getting to know the program when my other laptop stopped working.  I had it fixed.  It ran about three weeks and poof! it was gone again.  I am so blessed to have a son who kindly gave me a sweet little laptop so now I'm back in business learning to do more digital creating.

It's just a simple thank you card.  Now I can finishing downloading all the the neat stamp brush sets, embellishments and punches and papers and the list just goes on and on!  I can now start to work on the gifts I have in mind for my grandchildren for Christmas.  The fun just never stops!

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Festive Friday Theme Challenge

Festive Friday's challenge this time is a theme challenge.  It's a card for one of the young people on your Christmas card list.  To find out all about the challenge, click HERE.  You still have time to join in the fun, too.  Most of the product used for my card is Stampin' Up! except for the rhinestone and the snowflake stamp. 

Stamps:  Pennant Parade, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Snowflakes (Unknown); Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Whisper White Craft; Card Stock:  Gumball Green, Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Cherry Cobbler Ribbon, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestone

Be sure to check out all the great cards everyone has made.  I've seen a couple I just may have to CASE.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Autumn Color for the Timeless Tuesday Challenge #233

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  When the challenge for Timeless Tuesday was all about autumn colors, I knew I had to join in and use some of the new 6x6 paper pads I recently bought.  They full of the wonderful colors of fall.  To get all the details and join in the challenge, click HERE.

Stamp Sets:  Dahlias (Flourishes), Sentiment (Unknown); Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up!); Copic Markers:  Y15, Y17, Y19, E33, E37, E39, R22, R24, R27, YR02, YR07, YR09, YG11, YG13, YG17, B00, B02, B05; Accessories & Tools:  1/8" Organdy Ribbon, Bo Bunny Trinkets, Dimensionals

As you can see, I didn't add a sentiment to the front of the card but placed it on the inside.  I let the flowers speak for themselves.

Until next time . . . happy creating!  

Thank You

Today I'm playing along with the Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch Challenge over at My Favorite Things.  You can find all the details HERE or click on the sketch image you will find below.

My friend, Heather, introduced me to My Favorite Things a few weeks ago and finally, tomorrow, I get to place my first time ever order to get some of their stamps and dies.  I'm so excited!  For now, though, I've used the supplies I have on hand for my card.

Stamp Set:  Just Believe (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Crumb Cake, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Bashful Blue and Summer Starfruit (Stampin' Up!), Classic White (Flourishes), Burlap Paper (DCWV), "Adorbs" Designer paper (My Mind's Eye); Accessories & Tools:  Washi Tape, dimensionals, Scallop Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!)

Before I go, I wanted to show you the sketch we needed to use for the challenge.  And, as stated above, you can click on the image to go to the My Favorite Things blog to get all the details and join in the challenge.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Flourishes August Release Challenge

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over!  School is starting up for most and Flourishes is sharing sneak peeks of their new stamp sets for August.  For a chance to win all three of the sets being released this month, click HERE and play along with their All About Color - August Release Challenge.

I love the colors in this challenge.  I used a very dark teal and Stampin' Up!'s Cajun Craze fit the bill for the Terra Cotta color.  For the cool neutral color, I used some of the new Gingham patterned paper I just bought.  And, of course, I used my Flourishes stamp sets!

Stamp Sets:  Anemones and Garden Fairies (Flourishes); Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger); Copic Markers:  YR02, YRO7, YR09, YG11,YG13, YG17; Card Stock:  Dark Teal (Unknown), Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Gingham (Creative Imaginations); Accessories & Tools:  White organza ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!), Butterfly Die Cut (Silhouette SD)

I love fall colors!  Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  While I'm not looking forward to cold and snow, seeing the beautiful colors of Autumn always fascinates me.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

An Experiment with Water and Ink

Well, sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't.  I was playing with water and ink the other day trying to see what would happen when you drizzled each on an acrylic block and stamped the paper with it.  I like the way it looks but I think it needs to be a bit bolder so the colors are more defined.  I'm definitely going to give this another try but with more color.  I just didn't add as much ink to the water as was needed.  So, it's back to the drawing board.

Stamp Set:  Dahlias (Flourishes); Inks:  Pear Pizzazz and Island Indigo (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes); Accessories & Tools:  Lime and white twine, clear button, dimensionals

Until  next time . . . happy creating!

Thinking of You

All of the papers I used for this card are from the Secret Garden Collection by Graphic 45.  It has quickly become a favorite.  I was first introduced to Graphic 45 when I took a card class at Memory Bound, my local scrapbooking store.  I was hooked the minute I had the first card done. The colors all coordinate so well together.

Stamp Set:  Sincere Salutations (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), Secret Garden (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

Until next time . . . happy creating!

My Day of Rest and Worship

The liberal soul shall be made fat:  and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 11:25

Butterflies and Button

One of my favorite card stock colors is kraft or in this case, Crumb Cake.  I thought it would make a great background for these flowers.  Timeless Tuesdays #232 is all about backgrounds.  I kept the card very clean and simple.  The butterfly pins are actually clear and I simply colored these with my Copic Markers.

If you'd like to play along with the Times Tuesdays Challenge, click HERE and you'll go right to all the details along with the Challenge Rules.

Stamp Set:  Heard from the Heart and Unknown (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Linen Thread (Stampin' Up!), Button (from my stash), Butterfly Pins (colored with Copic Markers)

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Snowflake Blue

Over the past few days, I have been trying to organize my craft area. . . again!  I found these little silver snowflake brads in one of my overloaded craft bins and thought they would look good with some of my blue Bo Bunny papers.  The die cut snowflake was a happy accident only because it is covering up a real accident.  I had just stamped my sentiment, set the block down on its edge and it tipped right onto my already stamped and colored white layer.  Sigh. . . there is no such thing as a mistake in stamping, right?

Stamp Set:  Bells & Boughs (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Copic Markers:  YG11, YG13, YG17, R22, R24, R27, B00, BO2, BO5, NO, C1, C3; Card Stock:  Marina Mist and Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Classic White (Flourishes), Powder Mountain Patterned Paper (Bo Bunny); Accessories & Tools:  Snow Flurry Die and Dazzling Details (Stampin' Up!), Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Snowflake Brads, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Can you tell I love blue?  I found this design in one of my card magazines but I can't find the magazine.  Once I do find it again, I'll come back and give proper credit to the designer of the layout.

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Butterfly Hello

When I saw this sketch over at The Sweet Stop, I knew it would be perfect for this little buckle I found while going through some of my sewing supplies.  Just click on the image to go over to The Sweet Stop to see all the details about the sketch challenge.

  
Here is the card using the buckle with some pretty ribbon threaded through it.  Although it is hard to see in the photo, there are butterfly outlines all over the light colored paper.

Stamp Set:  Dahlias (Flourishes); Ink:  Elegant Eggplant Marker (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Bliss (Simple Stories); Accessories and Tools:  Butterfly Punch (Stampin' Up!), 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Belt Buckle, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher Stapler

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Festive Friday Element Challange

This week at the Festive Friday Challenge Blog, we are to create any holiday themed project that includes a Candy Cane element.  For all the details and to join in the challenge click on the link above or on the image below.

For this card, I decided to keep it clean and simple.  I wanted the focus to be on the candy cane.  I love the red and white with just a touch of green.  I used the Joyous Celebrations stamp set from Stampin' Up! for the sentiment.

Stamp Set:  Joyous Celebrations; Ink:  Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes), Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  1-3/4" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!) Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder, candy cane from Martha Stewart, white twine

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Introducing the Reed Family!

Last Monday, for the first time ever, my three sons and all of their children were together!  Jody, my youngest son's wife, thought it would be a good time to take some pictures since it was definitely an occasion.  She was so right.  After work, on Monday, I headed over to their house for some picture taking and a cookout. 

From left to right, Devin, Matthew, Mariah, Michelle, Aiden (on Bailey's shoulders), Bailey, Rodney, Wayne (kneeling), Me, Gage, Dustin, Michael, Nicholas, Jody and Zachary.

We are a noisy bunch but we sure do have fun together!  I am already looking forward to having us all together again.  Can you imagine all of us together at Christmas?

Until next time. . . happy creating!

My Day of Rest and Worship

Call upon me in the day of trouble:  I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 50:15

Peeking Through the Window

With only seven minutes left before I have to head to work, I'm going to keep this short and to the point.  But, I just had to share this card with you before walking out the door.  My friend, Heather, has introduced me to many new stamping things recently.  One of them is My Favorite Things.  While I don't, yet, have any of their products, I loved this sketch so just had to see what I could come up with using product I have on hand.

 Here is the card I made using Flourishes Sweet Nature stamp set and Taylored Expressions Picture Window die.

You can click HERE to visit the MFT blog or on the sketch image below.  Be sure to check out the great products they have while you are there.

Until next time. . . happy creating!