FMS294~Holly Berry Happiness and Merry Mice

 Well, I just finished a fourth of July card, which got me thinking of Christmas in July, so that's how I came up with this card  that I made for the challenge at: Freshly Made Sketches  

 

I think this is a fabulous sketch because it pops the "main image" right off the card at ya.  I have an idea for another card already, just not sure if we can submit two.  

I used the  Merry Mice and Holly Berry Happiness from Stampin up.  The little strip in the background is silver foil paper, it just reminds me of tinsel and thought it worked well with this card. I added one little pearl to the bow to give it some bling. 

Thank you so much for stopping  by.  

I hope you will take this opportunity to become a follower of my blog.  I'm aiming to reach 100 dear friends by Dec.  So I can  have a drawing and give away a stamp set.

Have a Blessed Day.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Challenge #334 - Sketch 20 ~4th of July

I can't believe the 4th of July is just a few short days away.  So when I saw this sketch challenge at: Less Is More I thought I'd try to make a simple card for the upcoming holiday.  Everything was going fine until the sentiment.  As you can see it is HUGE.. the only other one I have is so small.  No in between here.  So after I stamped the stripes and embossed the stars.  I couldn't get this sentiment to look nice so I had to layer it 😞 I understand if this card has to be pulled from the challenge being then it's not just one layer, but I thought I'd submit it anyways just to see.  Don't want to be disrespectful to the guidelines though. 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by.

I'm still aiming to reach 100 followers so I can draw a name and send out a stamp set.  Hopefully by Christmas I'll be there.  I sure do appreciate my blog friends.  

Have a great day.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Tuesday Morning Sketches #409~Sheltering Tree

Folks, I have to laugh at this card.  Honestly if you could have witnessed my confusion trying to figure out how to tip the sketch for this challenge at: Tuesday Morning Sketches you might have laughed too.  In fact I still don't think it's correct, but I tried my best.   I used stampin up Sheltering tree for the tree/grass, and Best birds for the sentiment.   Gosh and I had this all done by 9 am this morning, but between stress and dr. visits, I forgot to post it until now which is about 9 pm.  

I want to thank my new blog follower for signing up.  That made my day.  Seriously after everything lately, it's just sweet to know people actually care to read about cards, and bit of my personal life.

So as usual I'll throw out another reminder.. when I reach 100 followers I will have a drawing to send out a new stamp set. YAY!

Thank you for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Tuesday Morning Sketches #409~ Bella and Friends

 I made this card for the fabulous challenge at: Tuesday Morning Sketches

  

I think this is such a great layout, I will have to try one more time with another card.  I'm so glad we have that opportunity to do so.   But for today, this is my card.  I used the Bella and Friends stamp set from stampin up.  and added a few little embellishments.  The bumblebees are little wooden pieces that I found at Michael's.  and the hearts are from Stampin up.   I think it turned out ok.  Perhaps I might have chosen a different background paper, but it does pick up the blues nicely.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  

I'd love to have you follow my blog, when I reach 100 followers I will be giving away a stamp set in a drawing.  *yay

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

MM #254 {Merry Christ-MOOSE!}

OH boy~ A Moose challenge at: Merry Monday Christmas Blog so excited about this one.  I think moose are adorable. I have only 2 stamps, but my home is loaded with moose decor.  I decided to take a picture of my card on one of the shelves in our living room.  That cute little moose with the pipe is actually an incense burner and the smoke comes out the pipe.  I think I've used it 2 maybe 3x.  I'm not a huge fan of incense but thought he was so adorable.  I'm sure he is about 20 years old by now.  

So onto the card.  I used washi tape for the Christmas tree background.  and die cut a couple ovals then stamped the moose which is a single stamp, colored and cut him out.  I added a little liquid pearl around the cuffs of his sweater and rim of his had.  The sentiment is from stampin' Up.   I also put a bit of glitter in the lantern to give it a soft shimmer.   I didn't get the WOW factor with this card, but that's ok.

 Thank you so much for stopping by.

Don't forget to sign up and follow my blog.  As soon as I reach 100 followers I'll be having a drawing to give a way a new stamp set. 

🙋whoohoo 🙋

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

RRCB65~Bright Sunshiney Day

 Well folks, I made another card today and this one is for the Retro Rubber Challenge.  They have a cute sketch over there that I just couldn't resist.  Plus I got some great inspiration from a dear friend.💜  We may live many states away, but she always puts a smile on my face and encourages me, and this time she did so with this picture I've included on my post.  Check out one of her sweet little goats🐐.. Polly loves her tractor.  That got me thinking farm and such and ironically I've married into a farming family, but I'm very limited in my "farming stamp supplies"  so I pulled out this ole stampin up What's Moo set from 1993 and combined it with the sentiment from Mama Elephant, My sunshine.  Not sure the year on that one.  But nevertheless it just worked well with the sunflowers and happy little cow.    

As I've mentioned in the last couple posts.  I have a stamp set already to send out to someone in my blog family, as soon as I  reach 100 followers.. I'll be drawing a name. 

  Hope you sign up.  This set will just be collecting dust until then.  

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Simon Says: Lets Take A Vacation~ Beach in a Bottle

Look what washed up on my shores.. A little beach in a bottle.  The perfect little home for this cute crab and his delicious tall glass of lemonade all while resting on a hammock while the sun sets in the background.  My imagination does run wild  with limited boundaries.  As I'm typing I can faintly hear an icecream truck tune softly playing against the  backdrop noises of trains and traffic... so as you can see.. a get away is just what I need.. so that's why I'm loving this challenge at: Simon Says  "Let's Take a Vacation"  I'm dreaming of a fantastic place. I used Lawn Fawn stamps for the little images, and the Mason Jar is from Michael's.   I also included a picture of where I sometimes take my snap shots.  It seems outdoors is the best possible light ever.  *insert smile.  I fussy cut all the little characters on my card, and then glued them down. That little backdrop sun was not intended, but I had a BIG whoops.. so I tried my best to cover it up, and well now that I blabbed it, ya all know. *wink.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

I will be giving away a stamp set when I reach 100 followers on my little blog.  Won't that be fun.  Hope you will jump on board.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

PCC249~Best Birds

Today I made a card for my daughter to give to a co-worker, so I took this opportunity to play along with the sketch challenge at: Paper Craft Crew    The stamp  set is called Best Birds from Stampin' UP.  I enjoyed making this card.  It came together very quickly. I colored the bird with clear wink of stella to give it some shimmer, however, it didn't show up so well in the picture.    I then added a few jewels and some twine.  The washi tape has music notes as to represent birds singing.        

            I thought I'd also share a picture I took with my dinosaur phone when I went for a short walk.  I'm so impressed that it actually turned out.  And  for DAISIES my favorite flower. Yay!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you will want to sign up and follow my blog.  I plan on giving away a stamp set when I get to 100 followers. 

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

TMS #408~WEDDING

 I made this card for the challenge at: Tuesday Morning Sketches.

  

I must have "wedding" on my mind, especially since our daughter's engagement. (June 4th)

This is actually not at all where I was going with this card.  I started with pink and white and was going to use a swan.  Then after I finished I wasn't very pleased, so I tried again.  This time using the seasonal bells from stampin up I came up with this lovely card.  I accented the bells and sentiment with silver foil paper, and used a silver brad to hold the bells together.   I stamped the Mr. & Mrs. in each bell.  Another quick story, I had no idea how to make a square card, so thanks to youtube I found out the dimensions. (yay) 

I thought I'd also share a couple pictures of HP.  It was his 6th birthday this past Sunday on Father's day.  We were blessed to have the kids come down and hang out. (so happy we are all in the same state again) It was such a great day, we had a nice camp fire, made brats and hotdogs and the kids played basketball, and badminton.  However even though our spoiled little hound received a baby pool with a bazillion balls, he still wanted the basket ball and badminton birdies.. oh the joy.  

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Please sign up to follow my blog.  That would make my day. I think if I ever get to 100 followers I will give away a new stamp set. 

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Challenge 11~ King and Queen of Hearts

Right away when I saw the design sketch at: Always Fun Challenges

I knew I wanted to play along, and almost instantly this sketch reminded me of playing cards.  Hence the King, Queen and Jack were implented.  However being that I don't have a stamp set with such images I took to the computer like a dog after a bone trying to find something I could print, because I really didn't want to take three out of my deck of cards. (haha)  So after that big pursuit was finished, it left me wondering what to put in the circle.   Which takes me to another short story.  I won that little stamp set "First Kiss" by C.C. Designs from a blog challenge so I thought how cute.  I'll use that and make them the King and Queen of hearts.  I think it turned out darling.  Not so impressed with my blender pen from Michael's, I even used my stazon ink, but it still seemed to smear.  

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I'd love to have you be a part of my blog family by becoming a follower.  
Thought I'd share a song that followed "suit" with my card theme. *insert smile.
From a Jack to a King

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

HSS Inspiration Challenge 266 & Challenge #333 - Personalize It~ Grandma

The two challenges I'm playing along with today are:

Hand Stamped Sentiments

Less Is More

It's the perfect chance to make a card for my Grandma who is 94.  I just wanted to let her know we wish her well, she broke her wrist a couple weeks ago, but she's such a tough little lady, she was in and out of the hospital quite quickly and now home recuperating.💗 

This card uses a single stamp that I've had for many many years. I don't even remember where I bought it.  The letters that spell "Grandma" are from Michael's. I just water colored the watering can and flowers and added a little glitter to make it sparkle a bit. 

The background paper I layered with are our Wisconsin NFL 🏈Packer colors. 🏈 Green/Gold.  

Thank you so much for visiting.  Hope you will want to follow my blog.  I would so appreciate that.

Keep Smiling😊Keep Stamping

Merry Monday #253 {Bears} Christmas

I am submitting this card I made today to Merry Monday, a Christmas card challenge where we are to incorporate bears in our cards.

  

I don't have any little "cutesy" bears so I chose this big fella to do the trick.  I used a total of 4 different stampin up sets:  Holly Berry Happiness,  Stitched with Cheer, Wonderland, and Thankful Forest Friends.  If you look really hard there are snowflakes in the background and of course after I took the picture an idea pops in my head, hmm, Why don't I use my white gel pen to highlight a few tree branches.. always the best ideas are an after thought for me.   I glittered up the forest star with some wink of stella to make it sparkle.  I tucked the sentiment under the bear's arm as to extend a warm Christmas greeting to his fellow forest friends.  I also added a layer of glossy silver paper, because it reminds me of tinsel, and it just made the whole thing pop.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

CTS #226 & Challenge #85 Home Sweet Home

Yes, indeed I had to play along one more time with: 

Time Out Challenges Blog

 

Case This Sketch

  

I let the colors of the time out challenge inspire this cute flashy pick me up card, while working with the design elements of the case this sketch.  I think it turned out fabulous.  Using a couple different stampin Up products.   The sentiment is a Michael's store special. Love it when it all ties together.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

CTS #226 & Challenge #85 Home Sweet Home

 Gosh it feels so good to be stamping again, we have had quite the week here, more storms rolling in this evening, but nevertheless I'm feeling very blessed and thankful that the flood waters didn't reach the house. (close)  The pictures are right out front of our home.  We live up on an embankment of sorts, because of how the train overpass was put in.. so the ground was cut out to make room for the 4 lanes of traffic that fly through here.  Needless to say there was a wash out and big mess, lots of trees down, and we were without power for 3 days and water.  But the city did run a hose from a neighbor's house and we were able to get water on day 2, just not for drinking.  Feeling thankful we are all safe.   Makes a person put things in perspective quite quickly.

Well enough on that.  Let's talk about the card.  I'm submitting to two challenges. 

 Time Out Challenge Blog

 

Case This Sketch

  

I used water color pencils to create the striped background and also add color to the butterfly too.  I die cut the word happy out of sparkle paper, and stamped the birthday with an image I had bought from the dollar tree store.  I added some clear wink of stella to the wings of this delightful butterfly for added glitter, and added a few little pearls to give it some character.  I actually made another card for both challenges.. just not sure if I can submit two.  

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Challenge #332 - ONE layer Sweet Things

 I've really enjoyed playing along with the challenges at: Less Is More                                        and this week is no different.  Gosh it was even more difficult to have just a one layer card, but I found a sweet treat stamp set from 2002 Stampin up in my stash called Hang in There and thought it would be great for this card.  In all honesty I went through quite a few tries.. stamped some background images.. and such, different colors but nothing was giving me that AHA,  this is it moment!  Until this one.  I used my water colored pencils, and added wink of stella clear glitter to the tops of the treats.. I pretended it was like sprinkling on some sugar.  Now for the yummy strawberry cake with the cherry on top.. I used liquid pearls.  Makes the frosting look so real.  I think it turned out cute. 

 It seems like taking pictures outside is just better, so I thought I'd share where I sometimes take a picture.. ya get a sneak peak of my side yard too.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Remember I'd love to have you as part of my blog family. 

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

TMS#406~Wedding

My Daughter got engaged last Sunday.  June 4th.  It's so exciting, I just can't stop thinking about it,  so I started playing around with this cute bride and groom stamp set from 1997 stampin up.   I will submit this card to the: Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge Blog                         

 I don't  have the exact shape, so I had to do some cutting and well finally just gave up.  However, I then stamped a bunch of hearts in the background, and being they were so bold I added a piece of vellum over the top to soften the appearance.  I then fussy cut out the bride and groom.  I added some wink of stella to bling up the dress bottom, so it would match the die cut sentiment.   I'm not to fond of the pink wedding dress, however I have some time to play around before the kids say their vows.. so that's comforting, I can practice a bit more.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

SUMMER FUN ~Challenge 9

I L💛VE Summer!  So when I came across this awesome fun blog: Always Fun Challenges.  I knew I'd want to play along.   As you can clearly see,  I did not practice the less is more concept.  I started fussy cutting all the cute images I had stamped, and didn't want any to go to waste.. so they all got glued down.  The stamp set is from Lawn fawn.  Then I added some wink of stella to sparkle up this lovely little beach scene.  The sentiment "summer" is from Stampin up.    Well that about wraps up the info on this card.  

Hope you like it.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

#331 - Neapolitan & FMS291 ~Weather Together

Did you all see what I added to my blog?  Yup that's right up there on the top bar you will find PJ's Porch.  My craft room.  Just thought I'd share my little mess with ya.   I love getting to take a peak at other bloggers craft rooms and spaces.  It's inspirational.  Not that mine will be.  But nevertheless.. it's home.  

This past weekend was HUGE for us.  Our baby girl got engaged💍  super excited about that!! And she also walked her first full marathon.  Very awesome and bitter sweet, being that was something I use to do before all my issues.. Perhaps I'll add another tab on that upper bar for "my story"  to share in detail what I mean.  

So that brings us to>  today's card.  I made this for the challenges at: 

Freshly Made Sketches

and: Less Is More

I used Stampin Up Weather together Stamp set along with the sentiment from, To Thine Own Shelf.. which is an awesome book shelf stamp set.  I really should use that a bit more, since we like to read in this family.  I added a bit of bling by using sparkle paper and I think it turned out lovely.  However I must say that after working with the Neapolitan colors.

I have a hankering for ice🍦 cream now😉

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Sure would love to have ya follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping