Sketch 266~ Hello Friend, Bird House Mini, Stampin UP

 Today I made a card for the challenge at:

 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

I was really trying to write out some cards to put them in the mail.   I struggle with that part of the process.   I LOVE making cards, but it  also makes me happy to be able to give someone something homemade, however I'm really bad at the writing.   I honestly did have all good intentions of mailing out a few more cards today, However I found myself  looking for a card challenge to play along with and before I knew it the writing was put aside and I was happily stamping again.    I think this is another super lovely sketch to work with, so I couldn't pass up this opportunity.    The center of this wreath just seemed to say.. "add something"  So I searched for the special something and came up with a bird house,  so after stamping, coloring, and cutting it out, it didn't match up to the WOW factor yet, so I added a bit of sparkle silver twine behind it.  That is the aha moment❕  

The stamps featured in today's card are: 

Stampin UP ~Hello Friend

Stampin UP~1996 Bird House Mini

HP posed so nice for a picture so I thought I would add that here too.   He's such a little sweetheart. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

#GDP140~Grateful Bunch, Flourishing Phrases, Best Birds, stampin up

 Do you ever wonder if you inspire others by the cards you make?   Either with the stamps themselves or a certain layout/sketch.  Perhaps even the colors you chose.  Well I have to say when I receive a homemade card in the mail, I'm always amazed at how beautiful it is, and I wonder if mine measures up to the ones I receive.  Like do the recipients like their cards? Is there a WOW factor involved when they open the envelope?   

Today I'm going to submit my card to the challenge at: Global Design Project

Here is a perfect example of what I mean about  seeing a card and just loving it.   In fact it's done so perfectly that I had to go searching for the stampin up set Mr. King used.  I'm so happy that it is still going to be offered in the new catalog.  Phew.   I have time to order it.  It's not something I ever would have thought I would like, but after seeing his beautiful card, I think it's a must have.   I was inspired also by his colors and the layout of the card.  

The stamp sets featured in my card today are:

Stampin up~ Grateful Bunch

Stampin up~ Flourishing Phrases

Stampin up~Best Birds

Thank you  for stopping by for a visit.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #455~Sunshine Sayings, Daisy Delight, Garden in Bloom Stampin UP

 I made this card quickly this evening for the challenge at:

 Tuesday Morning Sketches 

I sometimes just don't feel like my day is complete until I make a card.   So even though I was very exhausted, I wanted to create one card before turning in for the night.   I must admit that the Daisy on the front honestly looked more like the color of the turquoise then the picture let on.   Perhaps because I used a flash to showcase the dry embossed background.   The sentiment I chose was hope.  One of my favorite words.  I die cut it out four times and glued it together to give it a bit extra added dimension. 

The stamps featured in  today's card are:

Stampin up~Garden in Bloom

Stampin up~Daisy Delight

Stampin Up~Sunshine Sayings.

I'm just curious if anyone else is having issues with blogger not sending comments to their email?  That is how I know when someone is commenting on my blog, and now it just stopped this weekend.  UGH❕ I've noticed when I scroll on my blog though I'm still getting comments.  SO that is lovely and very appreciated.  Just wish they were being delivered to my inbox like before.   I didn't change any settings.

I've also included a picture of this cute little baby bunny snacking.

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

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CTS #273, Ribbon Of Courage, Daisy Delight, Work of Art, Holiday Home.. Happy Memorial Day.

 I want to begin by  saying THANK YOU to all the men and women in military who have served and continue to serve our country.    WE will not forget the sacrifices you have made for our freedom.  

God Bless America. 

So in honor of Memorial day. I made  a thank you card.    I will enter this in the challenge at: 

CAS(E) This Sketch

While in the process of making this card this morning.  I think I might have broke my big shot.  UGH!!!  That will be sad, 😞I wasn't paying attention.  I was looking out the window you know watching it storm, and then I was listening to the machine crack as it pulls the cutting plates through, well I noticed it was turning a bit harder then usual, but I pressed on and then all of a sudden, I look down and the plates were not in alignment , and now it's like now I hear a little strange jingle in the turning handle.   The question is.. do I want the husband to look at it, as in take it apart, or just keep trying to use it?  hmmm  Any ways after the card stock was cut I had to mask off the sides so my stripes would not go over their boundary limit.   Then let the stamping begin.   I really like how the sentiment on the inside just finishes of the patriotic theme.  

Stamps featured in today's card are:

Stampin up~ Daisy Delight

Stampin up~ Work of Art

Stampin up~ Holiday Home

Stampin up~ Ribbon of Courage,

and one stand alone stamp from 1995 stampin up.  It is the image of parallel  lines,  I wish I knew what set it was from.  I purchase this single stamp at a consignment shop, and it's proven to come in handy. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

💙I'd love to have you sign up and follow my blog.💙

Feeling Sketchy Card Challenge Cards In Envy, SCS, Garden In Bloom, Sweet n Sassy Worship the LORD, Stampin UP

 Today I made this card for my personal SCS (scripture card Sunday) post.   However I was able to find a challenge to play along with too.  😊 

Cards In Envy  

Where the theme is:

 "Feeling Sketchy"  

 SO I found one of my favorite sketches at: Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 

  

to use as my layout for today's card.  The original card I made for that challenge is here.

I'm really happy with how today's card turned out.  I was going to use some bright glossy green washi tape for the  horizontal stripes, however it seemed like to much green.  So I went with the flower washi tape.  It's not as noticeable, but yet brings out the pink in the flowers and on the young lady's dress.   

I used Garden in Bloom from stampin up to create the background.   And the sweet n sassy stamp set called Worship the Lord for the rest of the images and sentiment (verse)  

 A bit of coloring in, after stamping all 14 images, that's a lot of trying to line it all up.   The stampin up leaves, flowers, and bumble bees are all a two step stamping process.    I think it turned out lovely.

I'm also sharing a picture of my little windmill that my son-in-law and daughter bought for me in Honor of Memorial Day.  I feel so blessed.  

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

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FMS338~ Big Birthday Candle, Honeycomb Happiness Stampin Up

 Hello Friends.   I wanted to make a card right away for my blog, so I could clean up the stamp desk a bit and then be ready to spend the day with my hubby when he gets home from work.  I hope I will be able to go outside for a short walk down the alley.  The mosquitoes are something fierce this year.  Golly gee, I'm usually one of those people where they don't bother me, but not this year, they just swarm ya, even our poor dog, we barely can let him outside to take his bathroom breaks and they latch on, we have to brush them off of him.  YIKES!!!    Any ways I found this lovely challenge to enter my card in at: 

Freshly Made Sketches

 I looked at what everyone else was doing and decided to try something a bit different. So I chose balloons.  Orginally I was going to color them all different colors but I thought it might be a bit overwhelming for the eyes.. so I stuck with a lilac color and tried even to do some shadow work with a deeper purple on the side.   I dropped on some  glossy accents and it made the balloons look very realistic.  I took a picture with the flash on so you could see how the light captured the different parts in them.. I LOVE that.   I also added a side picture to show it does give it a little dimension but not much, and so worth it.   I made a little smudge (of course) on the inside of the card near the bottom so I decided to stamp my other sentiment there.  It worked perfectly and I actually like it that way better.   

So the featured stamps in today's card are:

Big Birthday Candle (two step stampin')

Honeycomb Happiness

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

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Week 301: THRILL~Not So Seriously, Stampin up

 I made this card today using my newly acquired, consignment shop, stampin up set called  Not so seriously.  I actually bought it because of the dogs.   BUT today I thought I'd try out the other images in the set.  This spunky little gal. The sentiment cracks me up, because don't ya just love it when that happens?  How thrilling 😉  I mean you buy something for a dear friend, only to find out that gosh  you now need one too.  However, that don't happen to often for me since not to many of my friends stamp.  BUT I imagine buying some lovely ink or card stock for them and realizing.. Oh boy.. I'm loving it.  lol  

Any ways I colored in Ms. Spunky with fabulous shades of purple and a splash of yellow sunshine for her hair.. those rosey red lips are what makes her pop off the card, or perhaps it's those earrings?  I get such a kick out of her.

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

 CASology  

 

So believe me I had to look up the word thrill in google just to make sure I didn't misinterpret it.  So here is what it says:

noun

1. 1.

   a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.

   "the thrill of jumping out of an airplane"

verb

1. 1.

   cause (someone) to have a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.

   "his kiss thrilled and excited her"
2. 2.

   (of an emotion or sensation) pass with a nervous tremor.

   "the shock of alarm thrilled through her"

  So after checking the list twice.  I think the sentiment on my card fits pretty nicely.. after all there is excitement in finding the perfect gift and then also pleasure (happiness) in realizing you want it too.  So that in itself is "thrilling"  

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

💜I'd love to have you sign up and follow my blog.💜

Tuesday Morning Sketches #454 Beautiful You, Waterfront, Amazing You, High Tide, Stampin up

 I made this card for the challenge at: 

Tuesday Morning Sketches

I knew as soon as I spotted it, that I would want to create a scene in that center rectangle, and that's excactly what I did.   I used 4 stampin up sets to make this picture.   High tide was used for the water, lighthouse, sand, grass and the sentiment which I broke apart and put the rest of it on the inside of the card.   Amazing You was used for the sun rays on the inside of the card.  Waterfront was captured by the mountains and the sun both on the front and inside of the card.  Now for the Lady that is from Beautiful you, I watercolored her Legs and arms and then paper pieced the dress  and hat with polka dots. I really like how it turned out. 

I have my new little barrel of flowers sitting at Paco's Place.  That was our first springer spaniel and he is laid to rest there.   It was actually the kids sandbox growing up and Paco's favorite place to lay and watch the back door and to be by the kiddos so it was the perfect resting spot.  

I also got another lovely picture of this birdie. I love how bright yellow he is.   It's the perfect spring picture of green grass, yellow birds.. all things cheery and happy.  

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

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RRCB87 School Set, Teachers, Stampin UP

 Today I came across this lovely sketch challenge at:

 Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  I knew I wanted to play along.  I pulled out the set I had intended to use and then came across my 1996 stampin up set that includes this cute school house, a teachers desk, chalk board (I stamped on the inside of the card) apple, and so many other cute little images.  In fact for the sentiment on today's card I chose to use the A+ stamp from this set.    The apple I randomly stamped to create my own DSP😉And for some reason the horozonital strip of the sketch made me think of a ruler, which is exactly what I stamped using my 1993 school set from stampin up.   I had one last little pencil button and I put it to good use with this card, so I tied him on the ruler.   Now after coloring in the school house it just looked a bit plain,  oh my gosh.. I have to STOP right here and explain something.. the word "plain" had my mind traveling to the other day when it was raining I was visiting with my dad via the ole telephone, I told him it was raining where I live and he recited this cute little phrase he learned in typing class.  " the rain in Spain fall mainly on the plain" He just cracks me up😊  so now back to the "plain" school house, after laying it down it just didn't seem to pop like I had anticipated so I colored in some grass and sky.. and aww.. schools out for the summer.  I think it turned out cute. 

Now Here is another picture of HP sporting his new spring coat after the big shave down.  You can see my last post for the before and after pictures.. but I wanted to share here how he rests his chops on the window sills, in hopes to see that cute little baby bunny again munching on some dandelions.  If you notice I have stuck sticky tile on my window sills, it just helps with cleaning, since he insists on resting there.   Now the nose smudges on the windows.. I have no quick fix for them.    

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Sketch 265 Not So seriously, Hello Friend, Stampin UP, Lawn Fawn Critters at the dog park

 I think my absolute favorite challenges are the ones that have the  sketches.  When you come across a layout that you have not ever tried before, there is something exciting and "challenging" about it.   I especially like it when it turns out pretty awesome, when you thought it would be too difficult to do.   It just really makes a person think on how they will incorporate the stamps/inks/papers they will be using to match the sketch.  

Today I used three different stamp sets.  Lawn Fawn: Critters at the dog park, I used the bone and paw image to create the background paper.  It was already printed with swirls on it, but I enhanced it a bit more.  

Stampin Up:  Not so Seriously for the dogs and the sentiment on the front of the card.    I colored in the dogs, and then thought it needed something more, so I colored in some grass and sky to make it a glorious spring day.   The sentiment was a bit tricky, it is the long line kind, "You're Top Dog Today!"  So I had to bring out my lovely scotch tape to do a bit of taping of the words I didn't want to use and also to stack it, phew it only took 2x to get it to work in the little circle.   Now for the inside sentiment I used a stampin up set called Hello Friend.  I think it worked lovely to finish off the card. 

I also had the perfect opportunity to take a picture of this lovely cardinal, but he never turned around.  I love how the snowmobile shed next door gives it the perfect back drop of color.  haha.

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

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

I Also wanted to share a picture of HP.. He had his spring shave today.   All ready for summer now.

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.  

Tic Tac Tue #3 Waterfront, Flourishing Phrases Stampin UP

 I want to give a big warm welcome to my newest blog follower.  This is  exciting❕

 

I'm so happy you decided to sign up and follow my blog.  💛

I made this card for the challenge today at:

 Try Stampin On Tuesday

I chose the bottom row straight across.  Green, Outdoors and Ovals.

I used a lovely green for the card mat and also the oval.   I then used a beige to keep it soft, and it also worked well because I embossed the front of the card to make it look like wood.  I then starting creating my little scene by using a stampin up set called Waterfront.   I really enjoyed making this little outdoor picture.  The sentiment is from Flourishing phrases, also a stampin up set.  It just seems to work nicely in another oval.  I also added a piece of ribbon underneath it and fastened two brads down.   I think it came together nicely and looks sophisticated.  I'm going to send this card out to a friend that just had open heart surgery.  He is doing amazingly well.  Praise the LORD. 

Here is a picture of one of the little flower beds I was able to try and work on this past weekend.  

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

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.