So Happy Together...

Happy Monday! I didn't really have much mojo going this weekend, so only produced this one card. But, it makes me smile and laugh. I used the Limelight Papercrafts sketch and this week's color Q challenge. The colors are so bold, I thought the martians from the Greetings Earthlings set would be a good match. For some reason, the martians reminded me of my friends - in a good way! We used to go walking at lunch every day and had so much fun. Two of them have moved and I sorely miss them. But, I had a great time thinking of them while making this card. Margaret and Shelley - if you happen to see this, I miss you both!

I wish you all a great week and thanks for looking!

Sunshine Award

Wow! What a nice surprise, Nancy Dawson honored me with this Sunshine Award. Thank you so much, Nancy! I really enjoy looking at your blog too :)

Now, I'm supposed to award others that inspire me with their creativity. There are responsibilities that come with the award. Here are the rules:

1. Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.

2. Pass the award to 12 other bloggers.

3. Line the nominees within your post.

4. Let me know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

I'd like to award:

Debbie Naylor

Jacque Craig
Karla Anders

Sherri Gough

Michelle Arthur

Evita Erk

Traci Gentry

Tammy Howell

Elizabeth Hurst

Tashana Lundy

Monica Chan

Lydia Fiedler

Sooo cute!

My friends and I went walking at lunch today. We work on the Mall in Washington, DC and walked around the reflecting pool between the Lincoln and Washington monuments. There were about 10 duck families! There were ducklings everywhere and they were so cute! Look at this picture my friend Meg (thanks Meg!) took with her phone. Aren't they adorable? Now imagine a huge reflecting pool full of them. AND, they were peeping - soooo cute!

Have a great day :)

Loving my Stamp-a-majig!

I can not get over how much I use my stamp-a-majig now. What have I been doing all these years????

I absolutely love the colors from this week's Diva Coffee Break Designs. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite DSPs - of course, I can't think of the name! I think it was Spring Flowers? Anyway, this color combinations just works for me and I love it! Thank you DCBD! I'll definitely be using this one a lot!

I have really been wanting to use sets I've barely used. I thought the Looks Like Spring set would be a good pairing with the colors. So, I broke out the card stock and got to work. I used one of the background stamps in this set and my stamp-a-majig to create the background. I used Chocolate Chip on the So Saffron paper. It was so easy to line up! I can't believe I didn't use that tool before. My backgrounds must have been horrible or non-existent! I guess we all change styles over the years.

Anyway, I love the daisy stamp in the set, but didn't feel like cutting out around each flower petal. So, I broke out my daisy die for the Big Shot and ran several pieces of Cameo Coral through. I think I used three pieces of each size to build up my daisy. I also gently pulled the petals up to give it more dimension.

I used a lot of things I haven't touched in a while for this card and it was so much fun! I love the wide Chocolate Chip satin ribbon and had to incorporate it. I also used my tag punches and the flower punch that matches this set. I used a CC corduroy button for the large daisy and a little CC brad for the little daisy.

I love how this card turned out. The colors just really work for me! Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the day!

Be Happy!

I broke out a stamp set that I just love, but never use. It makes me happy just to stare at it :) I've only used one stamp in this set and decided it was high time to remedy that. I dedicate this card to my friend Darlene (hi!) For some reason, I thought of her as I was making this and that blasted commercial song (Hey Mambo, Mambo Italiano) was going through my head.

Anyway, I used Taylored Expressions sketch #108 and combined it with Stamping 411's color challenge #119. I'm not very good with measurements, when you have a bunch of different layers that can't just stack on top of each other! I should have cut the two squares down a little more. But, I'm still happy (and singing that song in my head!)

I really love these colors together and I pulled some DSP from Patterns Pack II and my Rose Red DSP. I didn't have any Taken with Teal DSP, so I left it as it was. I stamped both images and cut them out by hand. I just received the Soft Subtles buttons, so added two of those and some Rose Red ribbon.

Thanks for looking and Be Happy!!!!

Finally - A Christmas Card!

I know one of my New Year's resolutions in crafting was to do a Christmas card at least once a month. Well, I didn't quite meet that goal :( But, I will try to get back on track and this card will help me start!

I really liked the sketch from Stamp With Heather - Simply Sunday Sketch #8. For some reason, I thought it would make a good Christmas card. So, I broke out some DSP (Dots and Dashes I think?) and got to work. I really love the ribbon set that was in the holiday mini last year. It goes perfectly with this paper. I'm sorry, but the names are escaping me right now! I think it had the word sleigh in it!

I pulled the colors from the DSP - Old Olive, Real Red, and Very Vanilla. I also went to my Christmas stamps and decided to use Sidekick Sayings (never used before!) and Perfect Endings. I colored both stamps in with markers. I really like how it turned out and will definitely use this sketch again.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!

Butterfly Kind Of Week

I guess I was feeling the butterflies for this week! I broke out my Simple Friendship stamp set. I used the Mojo Monday 133 sketch and ColourQ #24 challenges for this card. What a pretty color combination. You never quite know how it will turn out until you put it all together. I'm always amazed when I look at the other cards for the color challenges because everyone is so different - I love it!

I'm so glad that Baja Breeze will be a permanent color now. I had bought a lot of the accessories in this color and now it will be current - yay!

I used the following for this card: Sizzix oval die, 1/4" circle punch, Baja Breeze ribbon, Soft Subtle brads, Rub-ons from the Eggs kit, and inks to match the color combo.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Clean and Fresh

I used the Clean and Simple Fall To Layout sketch this week (#85) and thought it was really clean and fresh. I'm not good at simple, but this layout really made it easy. I think it I had added more, it really would have taken away from the card. It's funny what the camera picks up, isn't it? I used mini glue dots to keep the ribbon straight. You really don't see it in person, but I really see it in this photo!

It's so funny because I was talking to my sister and telling her what I was doing. I realized that I was using Always Artichoke as I thought it complimented the Mellow Moss DSP I was using. I realized I never use this color. I was telling her that I had an unopened pack of cardstock in it and it must be a color that is being retired since I never reach for it. She laughed and said it was one of the colors staying! I guess my taste in colors isn't in the majority! haaaaa

It was good because I got to use it and the grosgrain ribbon that usually just sits in waiting... Anyway, I used the Great Friends set. I love this set. It's so beautiful! I colored in the branch with Rose Red and Mellow Moss markers, then put to the paper. I used Elegant Eggplant to stamp the words.

Have a great day and thanks for looking!

Beautiful Color Combo with Butterflies

I chose the colourQ #26 challenge for this week's color challenge and the Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge 7 for my layout. I haven't used my Flight of the Butterfly stamp set often and I thought these colors would look great with this set. So, that's what I did! :)

I pulled the cardstock and started layering to the sketch. It's a very nice sketch and allows for a lot of stamping or DSP; very versatile!

Not much else to say except "thanks for looking!"

The Other Father's Day Card

Here is the second Father's Day card I made using the Thoughts of Father and Teeny Tiny Wishes sets. I really like this layout (Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge #3). I've been meaning to use it for a while now and this was the perfect card for it. I had to break out my new favorite tool (Stamp-a-majig) to stamp the "Happy Father's Day" on the Modern Label punched cardstock. I used a marker to color the first two words, aligned, stamped, cleaned, colored the last word, aligned, then stamped. I can't imagine how I would have done it free hand since I can't for the life of me mount words straight!

Again, I used the Tall Tales DSP and matching cardstock. I used the Chocolate Chip button from the Latte set. I used Linen Thread and I dipped it in Old Olive craft ink. I set it to dry overnight. While making the bow, a little of the ink did come off on my fingers, but I like that I now have a new option for colors in the Linen Thread. Why had I never thought of this before???? I also used Chocolate Chip and Old Olive grosgrain ribbons.

So, I'm ahead of the game with this holiday's cards - hooray! Have a great day and thanks for looking!

Happy 40th Birthday, Dimitrios!

Today is my husband's 40th birthday :) I made two cards because I couldn't decide which I liked better, but this is the one I'm posting.

I made this using the Mojo Monday sketch (week 127).

I started by using a retired scalloped Wild Wasabi circle. I then went to my beloved DSP and chose one that matched (sorry, can't recall name of it and forgot to write it down!). I used my circle cutter to cut out the DSP. I then started layering. At first, I started to put down my ribbons, then realized that they were to go over the image - oops!

I used the SAB set for the birthday box image. I used my blender pen and the Wild Wasabi ink pad to color in some of the packages. I used my Brilliant Blue and Only Orange markers to color the rest.

This was a really neat sketch and a lot of fun to build.

Happy Birthday, Dimitrios! I hope you have a great, wonderful day. Love you!

Bella's Bloom is Very Sweet

You know, I think I actually get more use out of the little sets than the bigger ones! I don't know why, but I seem to reach for them more often. I just got this set (Bella's Bloom) during Sale-A-Bration because I thought it was cute. I really didn't know what I'd do with it. I decided to break it open and mount it this weekend.

I drew colors from the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. I was intending to use some of the DSP, but it just didn't work when I started pulling different papers for the Stamping 411 sketch (#144). So, I then pulled scraps of cardstock instead. I love the colors together!

I pulled the markers that matched the cardstock and then started coloring the stamp image, putting to paper, coloring, stamping, etc. I don't think any of the flower images are the same. I tried to change the image colors each time.

I think this simple sketch is a great one. But, when trying to clean up the lines at the top, I had a hard time getting my Xacto knife through all of those layers!

Thanks for looking and have a great day! If you are close to DC, stay cool :) It's going to be a hot one!

Cool Kitty Card

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

I made this card using the Taylored Expressions sketch #107. I wanted to use some stamps I haven't used in a long time. I broke out some of my Cat's Pajamas kitty stamps. I love this cool cat - she makes me laugh.

I used the Sizzix Sizzlet Button #5 die for the little buttons running across the card. I drew colors from the Thoroughly Modern DSP. This is a really fun sketch and the possibilities are endless! I'll definitely use it again in the future.

Have a great day and week!

Father's Day Card

I know it is a bit early, but I thought this sketch (Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge 67) would be perfect for a Father's Day card. I have the set Thoughts of Father and knew I wanted to use it for cards this year.

I needed masculine colors, so I went through my DSP and decided to use the Tall Tales DSP. It has such a great variety of papers! I sat down and started the layering process. I thought that some hardware would be a nice masculine touch, so I broke out the retired Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware. I think I don't use the hardware so much because it is hard to find stamps that fit in them. BUT, the Teeny Tiny Wishes is great for so many reasons, but especially for its size.

Here is one Father's Day card down, I'll be posting the other soon! Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Stamps: Thoughts of Father and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Tall Tales DSP, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Old Olive, and Whisper White

Ink: Memento Chocolate

Accessories: Old Olive Ribbon, Seaside Ribbon Originals, and Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware

Congratulations On Your New Home!

We are going to visit our friends that just moved into their new home last weekend. I can't wait to see it.

I needed to make a card to go with their housewarming gifts. I haven't broken into the Welcome Neighbor DSP and to be honest, didn't think I would have a need for it! But, I'm so glad I got it anyway. There are some really cute papers in that pack! I picked a couple sheets to start and then found the challenge sketch I wanted to use.

This care uses this great sketch by Diva Coffee Break Designs. It is #171. I love the simplicity of the sketch, but the paper helped make this a bold card. I really like how it turned out and hope they like it too.

One more thing - that Stamp-a-majig is really a great tool. I've had it for about 5 years and just started using it this year! My sister has been telling me how wonderful it is. I've finally found out - I used it to center my stamped wording next to the little cloud. It's soooo helpful!

Stamps: Goody-Goody Gumdrops

Paper: Welcome Neighbor DSP, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, and Crushed Curry

Ink: Dusty Durango

Accessories: Dusty Durango Ribbon

Clean and Simple - Great Sketches!

I love the Clean and Simple Fall To Layout sketches. I used this week's (#84) for our group's weekend challenge. I decided to use the Pink Flamingo DSP. There is one sheet in the package that has big, beautiful flowers. I cut it out and it was the start of my card. I then found coordinating paper from the package and worked around the colors.

It always amazes me that I can use the DSP and not even stamp on a card! I love that...

I used Real Red, Cameo Coral, and Chocolate Chip. The buttons are from the Playground and Latte packages. I'm still really in love with the satin ribbon too. It just adds a little extra umph to the card.

I hope you get a chance to stamp today! Have a good one :)

Color Combos - You Never Know...

I get to pick the weekend challenges (color and sketch) for our SU! group. I love this task! This weekend, I chose a color combo I haven't seen posted anywhere (sorry if it has been!), but that I thought would look good together: Elegant Eggplant, Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss, and Kraft. I think they are very elegant colors. I had a hard time accessorizing the card though since there aren't a whole lot of options that are current (one of our rules). But, luckily, I have the Mellow Moss grossgrain ribbon and I thought the large vanilla grommets were okay to add.

I used the Our Creative Corner sketch this week. I thought it was a great layout!

I found out that this week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge is to use Kraft paper. So, this card works for this challenge as well - yay!

I love this set (Wings of Friendship). The bird is just so cute and the flowers so beautiful. I colored the stamp in with my markers and then stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock. I used my distressing tool from the cutter kit to distress the edges.

I think I like these colors together and hope you do too! Thanks for looking :)

A Little Easter Bling!

I saw that Limelight Papercrafts had a really cute sketch and wanted Rhinestones to be used. I couldn't resist since I love the bling myself!

Since it is Easter, I decided to break out some bunny stamps. I've never used this one (Bunny In Field by Savvy Stamps) and thought it would be perfect. I then went through my DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies stack and found some paper that would work with my Darice gems. It's a bit overwhelming, but I still like it :) I'm sure my younger niece will too - I'll have to remember to give it to her next year since I've already sent her this year's Easter card.

I hope you all have a very Happy Easter and may the Easter Bunny be extra good to you :)

March Spring Flower Swap

Our group's swap theme this month was Spring Flowers. I was excited about this swap because I absolutely love the A Flower For All Seasons stamp set. I decided to use the tulip/bird stamp because I thought it best represents Spring.

I used my Stamp-a-majig to stamp the image on the little Kisses love notes. I then colored in the image with my SU! markers.

Again, I love using DSP. It really helps me with the colors and sets the tone for the card. I used the Tea Party DSP - lovely Spring colors!

Well, this swap was perfectly timed. The weather has turned warm and Spring has sprung!

Have a great weekend and enjoy Spring!