Week 293: CROSS~ Hold on to Hope Stampin UP

 In honor of Good Friday today I wanted to make a lovely Cross card, and I'm so surprised to find a challenge to play along with too.  So I will be submitting this card to: Casology

 

I think if it were not Good Friday I would have maybe tried thinking outside the box of the obvious and went for a rail road crossing sign.  Because we live right next to the train yard, so I guess trains are always on my mind.  Nevertheless, I chose my stampin up set called Hold on to Hope and went with a cross.  I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I masked off the little rectangle area to sponge in some color, and then I centered the cross perfectly.. NOT!!!  can you believe that?  after all the lovely sponging inside the lines of my homemade stencil.. I couldn't center the beautiful cross.  (sigh)  Any ways I thought it needed just a little something more, almost like a sign that "hope" is indeed on it's way on Sunday.  So I die cut out a tiny slim cross in silver foil paper.. and boy folks it just popped.  I even took a picture with the flash.. it's like illumination..for the Resurrection to come.  I love it. 

I'm also adding a picture of this little feathered friend visiting my yard.  I only took like 25 pictures to get one good one.. Such is my life.  But so thankful for this nice shot with all the details in his coloring.

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

I'd love to have you follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #446 Beautiful You Summer Day

 oooh.. This card just says "summer" to me.  I  Love the bright yellow and  I actually even like all the pattern paper I chose for once too.  It seems to tie it all together sweetly.   I used the stampin up Beautiful you stamp set and for the inside I used a stamp I bought from the dollar tree store.   I stamped Ms. Fashion on the white oval and also on the polka dot paper so I could cut out the dress image and hat to have it match.  I'm really pleased with this card.  Sometimes it's hit and miss with me.  Like I'm playing against myself in a game of battleship.  😉

I'm going to submit this card to the challenge at:

Tuesday Morning Sketches

I'm also adding a picture of HP.  This silly hound cracks me up.  He loves snoozing in his kennel.  I honestly don't know how that can be comfortable for him with his head propped up.. but apparently he likes it.  I got the, "do not disturb" look as I was taking the picture. 

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

I'd love to have you follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Challenge 361 - Thinking of You~Strawberry Milk Shake

 I made this card for the challenge at: Try Stampin on Tuesday where the optional theme is:  Thinking of you. 

I pulled out this cute little milk shake stamp.  It's a no name very cheap stamp, it came in a set.  The inside of the card shows one of the other images.  I only kept those two.  They don't actually stamp nice images but for some reason I just like the milk shake.  So I used it in today's card along with a Lawn fawn sentiment that worked lovely for a thinking of you card.    I went with a strawberry shake to match the background paper.  Perhaps I shouldn't point this out because after I do, you won't be able to not notice it, but on the right hand side of the card the white is not showing nearly as much as on the left, and honestly it looks equal when I look at it, but not in this picture.  *sigh

Any ways.. I sure do appreciate ya all stopping by for a visit.

I'd love to have you follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Sketch 257~ Happy Easter.. We Must Celebrate Stampin UP

 I'm trying to get back into the stamping groove, but it's coming along mighty slow.   

I didn't realize how much I depend on stamping to take me away from my troubles.  It surely is therapy.  SO this afternoon I was determined to put a card together for the lovely challenge at: 

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

I hope you can still see the design in my card.  I chose to use objects for the 3 horizontal banners.  so from the top down I have washi tape eggs, which I put on white card stock and cut out, then I stamped a couple logs for the middle, and lastly I die cut grass for the bottom.   Then for the flower images I chose the rabbit and eggs.  I also found a cute little basket to have him carry and a few mushrooms for the other side to give some balance.  The sets featured in this card are:  Lawn Fawn:  Critters in the forest,  Stampin Up's Basket Bunch, We must Celebrate and Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I'm happy with how all the images worked together.  It was a bit of fussy cutting and coloring, but worth it.  Now tomorrow I must work on writing on these cards so friends and family get them by Easter.

I'm also adding a picture of Mr. Squirrel chowing down on the corn board.  He has such pretty coloring to him.  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. 

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Challenge 360 - Easter~ Hold on to Hope Stampin UP

 Goodness gracious this move is making me crabby.  Perhaps it's because it didn't go as planned, or perhaps it's because I can't do anything to help, just have to wait for my Husband to do it, and then my ideas are just not working out.  (sigh)  Need to take a break.  So after a lasagna and garlic bread dinner and being fully loaded on carbs I decided to make a card for the challenge at: Try Stampin On Tuesday

  

Where the optional theme is :  Easter.   So that is what I did, they also have an embossing challenge going on too.  So I thought I'd pull out a few embossing folders to go with the idea in my head.  I was honestly ogoing to go all Easter bunny with this one, but thought I haven't played with the Hold on to Hope stamp set to  much so that was my choice for today's card. Also works well for my SCS post.    I sponged in the flower color so it was soft, stamped and die cut the butterfly and die cut the cross out of silver foil paper to match the silver sequins in the back.  I used polka dot ribbon to match the circled of the first layer of embossing. When all was said and done I realized that the link for the embossing challenge was closed earlier.  Drats.. but then I remembered I already entered that one so insert sigh of relief. 😉  I think I'm losing my marbles with this move.  

I wanted to share a picture of HP.. I love this little fella, and he's not appreciating the moving either.  at first he like I thought it would be wonderful, but now the house is messy and things are everywhere.  I'll share a picture of what it was suppose to be and it was lovely in my opinion, but the floors were to hard on my back and legs, because they are not level.  So now Robb is moving everything back out to the porch.  It's the only level place in the house, I am thankful to have that and all my lovely stamps and such,  It's just that the whole process is exhausting.   Perhaps someday we can level the floors in this old home.  That would be a blessing.

     Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

I'd love to have you follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and keep stamping.

Sketch #256~Remarkable You Stampin UP

 I made this card using my stampin up remarkable you set along with 2 little Easter stamps I had on hand.  I have to say I tried multiple times to mask this flower so I could stamp the leaves over the top. To give it a real authentic look.  Well folks,   I gave up and finally just cut out the leaves to add to the stem.   My gosh the struggle with this was real my friends.   I added a little gold glitter to the center of the flower, reminds me of pollen

I am so excited because today in the mail I received my new little stamp for the back of my cards.  It's a daisy.  My FAVORITE❕ so I colored it in and punched it out and also layered it with a scallop punch to showcase the new little addition.  It can be any color I like or no color at all.. just a yellow center.  

I'm going to submit my card to the challenge at:  

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. 

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

CAS Game #111 - Use Only One Third & Teal and White! Party Pandas & Birthday Wishes for you Stampin UP

  I made this simple birthday card using the stampin up Party Pandas and  Birthday Wishes for you set.  It was really fast and simple to make, the only thing I did different was re-coloring  a few of the letters to give them a darker look of teal.  I wanted to give it a little pop of character.           I'm going to submit this card to the following challenges:  

   AAA Cards 

                                  Always a fun one to enter in.

Then up next is:    

   Seize the Birthday  

Challenge is "Teal and White"

This is my first time playing along with this challenge blog.

I thought the two complimented each other well. 

I'm also tacking on a picture of the Easter card I made.  I have to keep at those because well before ya know it Easter will be here.  Also adding a picture of my furry little friend enjoying his apple snack.  They usually prefer corn, but this one seems content with the apple.

 Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Please take a look around at my other cards, projects and pictures.  I'd love to have you follow my blog.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

No Patterned Paper Card Challenge & Challenge #105 our 4th Birthday! Party Pandas Stampin UP

 Oh boy, I learned a new technique Called Polished Stone check it out here.   I went a bit crazy overboard with the colors.  I chose 3 but they are such happy colors I thought that they worked perfectly for a very Happy Birthday celebration card.  I used Stampin up's Party Panda for this festive card.   With that beautiful homemade polished stone background I wanted to keep the focal point simple and yet have it pop.  I used the Amazing You set for the sentiment on the inside of the card.  I'm really excited to try this technique for a Christmas card, or fall~oooh  it's going to be spectacular, and it's so simple I can even do it.  whoohoo❕  

 I'm going to submit this card to the following challenges: 

Cards In Envy

No Patterned Paper Card Challenge

Time Out Challenges

Well my friends, if you follow my blog you will remember that my mom passed away this past January.  Two weeks before our daughter's wedding.  However My dad just dropped off a box yesterday.  Gosh it made me sad.. my mom had all the cards I made for her according to years.  My family has always called me "Jo" hence the name on the envelopes.  I looked at a few that never made it to the envelopes.. I honestly don't know what to do with them, just makes me sad, makes me wonder why does a person even make cards, in the end they are just recycled anyways.  But then out of the blue a friend messages me and says she is going to "FRAME" the card I sent her.  Oh that made me happy thinking people truly do appreciate the work we put into our cards.  My mom use to always tell me it was such a waste of time, and that why go through all that work, then the the sweetest thing happened.. dad brought the box..she kept them.  and one more little treasure.. in her last days, as sick as she was..I went to hospice and would visit, but would also pass out cards to other patients.. mom asked to see them, and she sat up on the side of her hospital bed and said they're very nice.  That's a HUGE compliment from her.  Sorry for a such a long post.  Just don't give up my fellow stamping friends.  People are blessed with the cards we send.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  

Take a moment to look around and see all my cards, projects, and pictures.  I'd love to have you follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

WWC162 - Charlotte's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge~ Waterfront, In the Meadow, Beautiful Ride Stampin UP

 I made this card for my hubby.  I came across a challenge I have not ever entered before and thought I would pull out a few stamp sets to try and make it spectacular.  Everything was going inky fine until the sentiment.. ya see it?  ugh.  Always happens. I even practiced on a little scrap paper and everything.  *sigh.   The Three sets I used are all from stampin up:  Beautiful Ride, In the Meadow, and Waterfront.   Loads of coloring and masking and such to make this delightful card. I'm really happy how it turned out even with a crooked sentiment.  I did see something similar to this one I made, somewhere on the internet, but being I'm in the other craft room now, I didn't want to run back and forth to the computer to look and find it, so I tried to remember and then just let my imagination take over.   I really like how it turned out and will submit it to the challenge at: Watercooler Wednesday Challenge For Charlotte's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.  I hope you will take a moment to look at my other cards, projects and pictures.  I'd love to have you follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

RRCB82~Flashy Floral Stampin UP

Well Folks, I thought I'd give the tic tac toe Challenge at: Retro Rubber Challenge Blog  another try.  This time I  chose the top row across.

I pulled out my stampin up 1996 Flashy floral set that I'm not really fond of.  Ya know it got me thinking of how we stamp what we love and that shines through.  I have tried over the years to work with this set, but it's just one of those that I can't seem to master.  No matter what I do.  But nevertheless I don't want to get rid of it, just in case someday there is a "stamp breakthrough"  and I actually make something beautiful with it.  any ways my friends there it is  my very pink thank you with a hit of embossing on the side. 

A quick question.. Is anyone else experiencing log in and Log out problems with blogger?  If so do you know how to fix it?   It's always something with me and this blogger.  GRRRR. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit. 

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

SUO Challenge 196: Spring is About to Spring!~ Best Birds Stampin UP

 I made this card using 3 colors, old olive, rich razzleberry and calypso coral.  In fact I didn't even color in the branch because I wanted to stick with those 3 colors.   A very simple card, I think it qualifies as a spring card, at least with the cute  little buds and bird.  I Love hearing the birdies sing in the early morning, just makes my heart happy.  

I'm going to submit this card to the challenge at: SU Only Challenges where the challenge is "Spring"  What a delightful way to start the spring season.   I used stampin up's Best Birds set.  After stampin and coloring I fussy cut them all out.  Of course always stampin the sentiment crooked.. I think that's just my way of letting people know it's homemade 😉

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.   

I hope you will take a moment to check out my other cards, projects and pictures.   I'd love to have follow my blog.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

CTS #263~Basket Bunch Stampin UP

I'm so excited about my new little prayer request/contact form on the right hand side underneath HP's photo.   I'm looking forward to hearing from more people.

I made this card for the challenge at: CAS(E) This Sketch

I used my favorite little Easter set called Basket Bunch from stampin up.   I am so in love with that little bunny, he just has attitude and it shines through with each card ya make.   I also am a big fan of the washi tape that I used for the back ground.  I think it's a sweet Easter card.   I even stamped the inside too.  

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. 

I hope you will sign up and follow my blog, and perhaps even fill out the contact form.  I am hoping it works.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Challenge 359 - Green~ My First all out St.Patrick's Day Card

 Did ya all see the new addition to my blog?   It's the nifty little Prayer request/contact form on the right hand side column underneath the picture of HP.  I'm most excited about this because I like to send out cards anonymously and let people know that I have prayed for them.  So I'm hoping that if I add my blog address to the back of my cards they can come here and leave a direct request.

Well folks I'm still trying to deal with the craft room.  *sigh.. but I was able to make a couple cards, and this one here is with my new St. Patricks day set that I won randomly at a blog challenge.  So even though it's after St. Patrick's day I thought it would work lovely for the challenge at: Try Stampin On Tuesday where the optional theme is: GREEN

So I went all out with the green as you can see. 😉 I stamped the little fella and then colored and cut him out, I had to add the little smile because he didn't have one, and everyone needs to smile.  Just makes life better, even when it's not all daisies and delightful.

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

I'd love to have you follow my blog, and also try out my new contact form, so I can see if it works.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping