Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

And now it is New Year's Eve!

May 2018 be a blessed and happy year for you!

Here is one of the Christmas cards I made for my family and friends this year.

The  tree dies I used were: 

Memory Box "Frosted Spruce" & "Twiggy Tree", Gina Marie Design "Pine Tree"

and the circle dies are Spellbinders "Classic Circles Lg";

the embossing folder: Sizzix "Dots, Circles & Stars";

"Merry Christmas" stamp is Stampin Up.

A few challenges I'd like to enter-

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - December Challenge #35

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #132 Anything Christmas Goes

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #80 Anything Goes (oops...too late)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #314-315 AG

Watercolor + Salt ...Card #2

I really did have fun experimenting with adding salt to wet watercolors on paper! Here is another color scheme I tried (my first card is in the post below).

I think this one was a bit dry so the salt did not react as well as with the blues on the first card...but I still like it. It makes a softly textured background that somehow has "depth".

Other ingredients used:

Memento "Black Tuxedo" ink

Stampabilities "Get Well" stamp

Simon Says Stamp! "Look for the Miracles" stamp set

Copic and MEPXY markers

Kaisercraft yellow rhinestones

Challenges:

http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au - August- Salt

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #296-297 AG

https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/challenge-8-anything-goes.html

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Another Experiment...Using Salt!

The CAS Watercolour challenge asked participants to use salt with watercolor paints and enjoy the variety of results. So I tried it and love the amazing texture, "splotchiness" and color washes I got!

It is so pretty that I didn't want to cover it up very much. I need men's cards right now so kept this one very simple.

I used regular (kids') watercolor paints and added sea salt, both a coarse and a fine type. I like how they both reacted. The stamp is from Graywolfgraphicsrubberstamps.com called "Big Sable Point Lighthouse" (near Ludington, MI).The ink is "Black Licorice" from FSJ; a little Stickles "Star Dust" to finish it off. Oh, the "Hello" die is Hero Arts.

Challenges I'm entering this one in:

http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au - August: Salt

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #72 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Add a Sentiment

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #296-297 AG

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #128 Hey Dude

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #194 Under Sea or At Beach

http://www.cropstop.com/blog/cards/august-challenge-link-party-31

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com -#141 Word Prompt: Wave

Its a Baby Girl!

Another "new" baby stamp! Well, new to me anyway...the set is from Stampin' Up and is at least 10 years old. But since not all babies are girls I am going to have to make a few "boy" cards too! LOL (I think I actually have an "Its a Boy" stamp, too!)

Ingredients:

card stock/paper - Paper Studio, Georgia Pacific, 3BugsInARug

stamps - Stampin Up "Baby Talk", "Birth Announcement"

 punches - Martha Stewart "Doily Lace", Paper studio "Heart"

corner rounder - Creative Memories

twine - Karen Foster "Magenta"

Stickles "Star Dust"

foam adhesive squares - Scrapbook Adhesive

Challenges:

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com - Recipe Chall.

https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07 - AG, for the Girls/Ladies

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - For a Child

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #294-295 AG

http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com - #334 Sketch:

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Enjoy!

Experiments with Watercolors

Last night I got out my little plastic box of watercolors...just like the kids use in school! I had seen a couple different techniques online that I wanted to try: adding salt, and stamping over a watercolor wash. This card is the 2nd technique.

To make the watercolor wash background I placed drops of watercolor paint (Prange) on my craft sheet, spritzed it with water, then laid the white paper on it and pressed it with my fingers. If it seemed too light I did it a few more times then let it dry most of the way. I added splatters of the paint on the blank areas. I stamped the flower image (Paper Peddler "Pansies") after it was all dry and went back in and painted the leaves shades of green and touched up the blue flowers where needed. I added Stickles "Crystal" last, then trimmed my water-colored paper to fit the card front. The twine (FSJ ) was added before adhering it to the front. The Get Well sentiment (Stampabilities) is stamped in "Tuxedo Black" (Memento) then die-cut using a Spellbinders "Standard Circles Lg" die. The scalloped circle behind that is also Spellbinders..."Big Scalloped Circles Lg." KaiserCraft rhinestones were the final touch.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July Challenge

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #71 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Splatter It

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #294-295 AG

Card of Encouragement: "Prayers"

I recently found an A2-size stamp at a thrift store and was not sure I'd like how it stamped...but I do! I think it is a small bundle of lilacs (a favorite of mine!). I used TH Distress Ink "shaded lilac" on the whole stamp, then wiped off the leaf part and added TH Distress Ink "peeled paint" with a sponge dauber. After stamping it I added a bit more "shaded lilac" on the left corner, again using a sponge dauber...and finished up by adding Stickles "Star Dust" glitter glue.

Ingredients:

Inks- TH Distress Shaded Lilac & Peeled Paint, Memento New Sprout

Stamps- Paper Inspirations Lilac Fresco, FSJ Doily Blooms, StampingScrapping Sentiments
Daubers- Tsukineko mini daubers
Dies- FSJ Tag Elements
Glitter Glue- Stickles Star Dust
Ribbon- from my stash
The bow was made using my Craft-DeeBowz bowmaker.

Challenges I'm entering this card in:
https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - August, AG w/bow
http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July Challenge
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #169 AG
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #294-295
https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk - #8 AG, One for the Girls/Ladies

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great weekend!

Welcome, Baby!

Tonight I'm posting a simple baby card that I hope to enter in a few challenges. I've been rather short on baby cards this past year and finally got a few new baby stamps and images.The odd color combination is the requirement on Paperplay Sketches.

Ingredients:

Dies - Spellbinders Scalloped Squares

Stamps - Stampin' Up Baby and Welcome Baby

Embossing folder - Cuttlebug Anna Griffin "Acanthus"

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Card stock and paper - Paper Studio

Colored pencils - Crayola Watercolor Pencils

Ribbon - Offray 1/8" & 1/4" peach & hot pink

Bow-maker - Craft-deebowz

Punch - Martha Stewart Frond

Stickles Star Dust

Sequins - Little Things Disco Lights, Simon Says Stamp Crystal Reflections

Paper flowers - I Am Roses

Challenges:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - AG

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #168 AG

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com - Recipe: 3 layers, scallops, hot pink

https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07 - #7 AG, not a square

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #292-293

http://paperplaysketches.blogspot.com - colors  

                                          

You're A Star!

Now who would you send a card like this to? 

I'm trying to decide if this is a birthday card, a congratulations card or maybe just a "you're special" card. I guess I can use it for whatever I want!

I made it because I really liked the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches AND the color theme at Catch the Bug. (I'm too late to enter the TMS challenge but just HAD to try that sketch!)

Once again I'm rather disappointed with the way my phone camera is distorting the colors I used. Last time it wouldn't capture pinks and reds and now its aquas and blues! This card is really not mint green...it is aqua! Really!

I'm entering this in a few challenges:

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com - Color Challenge

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July (Stickles)

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com - String Theory

https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07 - AG, not a square

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Seeing Stars

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #292-293 AG

Ingredients:

Card stock - TPS, Georgia Pacific, Studio G

Stamps - FSJ "Star Marquee"

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, FSJ Pineapple Smoothie,

Stampabilities Lime green, TH Distress Peacock Feathers

Glitter Glue - Stickles Crystal

Metal charm -Jewelry Basics star

Twine - FSJ black licorice

Cropstop.com Guest Designer Spot #2

Hello Crafty Friends! I'm back today with another card made especially for the Cropstop blog! This is my 2nd week as Guest Designer! I consider that quite a privilege!

This time I "built" my card around an unusual item: some antique, pink, dotted Swiss vellum stationary that I found at an estate sale. It is behind the die-cut circle. I began with the ivory card base and added layer upon layer, ending with the flower arrangement and tucking in the twine bow last of all. I call this one "my little summer bouquet".

And here is my list of ingredients:

-print card stock is from K&Company called "Julianne", and

ivory card base is Paper Studio

-dies: Spellbinders "Anglaise Lace Circles" & "Standard Circles",

Elizabeth Craft Designs "Garden Notes Sm Poinsettia",

Joy Crafts "Vintage Flourishes", Gina Marie Designs "Fronds"

-flowers: StampingScrapping "Micro Rose" & "Gardenia", 

I Am Roses "Mulberry Paper Flowers", Pizzazz Aplenty "Mulberry Rose Buds"

-twine is Karen Foster "Scrapper's Spools, Tawny"

-adhesives: Zots glue dots, Scor-Tape tape

Challenges I'm entering this card in:

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #192 Tic, Tac, Toe (twine, stamp, papers)

http://mustardseedfaithchallenges.blogspot.com - #10 Summer

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #69 AG

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #167 AG

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy crafting!

Thinking of You.....Red, White and Blue

There are so many great challenges going on right now...I just have to participate!

Here is the card I made using a sketch and color requirements.

Ingredients:

Craft card stock is from Paper Studio, the print papers are Studio G

Dies used- FSJ "Tags-Pierced", Spellbinders "Rose Creations"

Star ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the twine is FSJ

(the bow was made using my Craft-de Bowz bowmaker!)

The sentiment stamp is from a set called "Wistful Wishes", Clear Dollar Stamps

Button and mini stamps(heart and stars) are from my stash

Also from my stash is the white textures paper that the flower is die cut from,

I have no idea where I got it but I love it!

Challenges:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - July, AG w/bow

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #192 Tic, Tac, Toe (ribbon, stamp, papers)

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - June Challenge #29

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #127 "Just Beachy &/or Red, White, Blue"

http://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.com - #7 AG...but not a square

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #167 AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #69 AG

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #310 "Flag Day"

http://paperplaysketches.blogspot.com - Sketch#46

Well, that's all for today! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Have a lovely evening!

CropStop.com Guest Designer Wedding Card

This week I have the privilege of being a Guest Designer for CropStop.com!
***Special Note: the Cropstop website is down because of technical issues and hopes to be back up and going very soon!*** Yes, they're back!

My hubby and I recently attended the wedding of a young relative so, of course, I had to make a special card! I really enjoy making wedding cards because I have the perfect excuse for frills and flowers and elegance! ( I actually kept this one kinda tame.)

 

To create this card I chose some pale pastel card stock called "Boogie Board" from Bazzill Basics Paper and I punched the Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" borders from both the pale blue and the ivory. The embossed layer was created using a Cuttlebug folder called "Poppy" by Anna Griffin (one of my very favorites!) The sentiment, a Bildmalarna stamp, is stamped in Memento "London Fog" dye ink and die cut using the Spellbinders "Labels 20" die. The flowers and leaves are a combination of four punches: McGill "Birch Leaf" and "Star Flower", and Martha Stewart "Flower" and "Frond". I like to "cup" the flowers a bit so I used my McGill shaping tools and mat. The final "tweaks" are the Ranger Stickles "Star Dust", Doodlebug Designs "Sprinkles" glitter dots, and lightly sponged color on the die cut. For that I used one of my many Tsukineko sponge daubers (another favorite!). Many of these products are available at the CropStop shop! And please check out their blog to see all of the DT's lovely cards this week!

Challenges I'm entering this card in:
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #290-291 AG
http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #69 AG
http://mustardseedfaithchallenges.blogspot.com - Choose Joy
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #192 Tic, Tac, Toe (Gems, Stamps, Die Cuts)
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com - July Elemental Inspiration

(The elements I used: pastels, wedding, flowers, sparkle)
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #134 AG
http://giveacrafteracookie.blogspot.ca - #172 Photo Inspiration (wedding)

http://paperplaysketches.blogspot.com - #46 Sketch:


Thanks so much for stopping by today! Come again soon!

Happy Half Birthday!

Yes, in our family we celebrate a few half-birthdays...the ones that fall too close to Christmas. We feel that the kids get kind of robbed of their fun day when we simply celebrate their birthdays along with other holiday gatherings.

This card is for my granddaughter Lilly who was born on Christmas day! Her half-year birthday was June 25 but we are celebrating it this Saturday when we get together for our monthly Family Night.

Since Lilly is such an "outdoorsy" girl and loves bugs, frogs, flowers, etc. I thought she might enjoy this bright summery card.  The big blue flower is heat embossed. To make this card I used

Spellbinders die: "Make a Wish"

Poppystamps die: "Lyndon Butterfly"

Close to My Heart stamps: "Treasures"

Stampin' Up stamps: stem & leaf

Memento Ink: "Bamboo Leaves" & "New Sprout"

Stamp-N-Stuff embossing powder: "Vivid Blue"

Card stock, vellum, rhinestones and cord are from my stash

The tag sentiment was computer generated

Challenges being entered:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - July Challenge AG

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #166 Summer

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #49 Summer Brights

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #192 Tic Tac Toe (summer, stamp, embossing)

http://mustardseedfaithchallenges.blogspot.com - Choose Joy!

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #288-289 AG

Thanks for stopping by again! Happy 4th of July!! 

Summer Beauty

Today is the First of July...already! Summer is speeding along, as usual! I hope you are all enjoying summertime wherever you are...the warm, balmy evenings, the cool mornings with hundreds of happy chirping birds, and the sun-filled days ready for boating, swimming, gardening, camping...all those things we wait all winter for! 

Here is a card I made for my daughter, Chris, whose summer birthday is the end of July.

Ingredients List

Spellbinders dies: "Fleur de Lis Accents", "Elegant Ovals"

Twine: Karen Foster "Bone"

DP: The Paper Studio "Textured Damask"

Card stock: Georgia Pacific Basic, white

Ink: FSJ "Green Olive"

JustRite Stamps: "Birthday Sentiments" & circle border

Embellishments: Pizzazz Aplenty Flatback Pearls, white; seam binding from my stash; "Color Me flowers" from StampingScrapping, metal leaves...from a gaudy pair of earrings!  

Challenges

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #288-289 AG

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #166 Summer

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - Linky Party #29

http://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.com - #6 AG "Bingo Board: die-cut, pearls, sentiment"

http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.com - #37 AG/"Summer colors"

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - AG (June 28)

http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com - Sketch

Thanks for stopping by today! I won't be back until after the 4th...off to celebrate the birthday of our nation with family and friends! Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!!

"Just for You"

Several weeks ago I tea-dyed some seam binding and have been waiting for just the right card to use it. So here it is!

I'm not sure what the problem is with my phone camera but it is not taking true-color photos right now. It is either the bright daylight or I accidentally changed some settings. The "pink" print background paper (DCWV "Nana's Nursery- Baby Girl") is actually more of a coral which goes better with the tea-dyed binding.

To make this card I used Spellbinders dies "Fleur de Lis Square", "Make a Wish" & "Luscious Labels One". The flowers are die-cut using Sizzix TH "Tattered Flower Garland" and shaped with my McGill tool set. For the sentiment I stamped with my FSJ "Coffee Bean" ink using JustRite "Birthday Sentiments" & "Decorative Border Variety Set". The seam binding, lace and pearls are all from my stash. To make the double bow I made two separate bows using my Craft-dee Bowz bow-maker and sort of stacked them together and added the flower and leaves last.

I plan to participate in the following challenges with this card-

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - June Challenge

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #29 June Challenge

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #126 "Girls, Girls, Girls"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #288-289

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy crafting!

A Fishy Hello

Yes, there's something fishy going on here!

The inspiration photo at House of Cards makes me think of an underwater ocean scene, probably because of the lovely aqua color and the glass ball...tropical beaches, waves and fishes come to mind. Love it! Here is the photo:

And here is my card:

And here's my list of items I used to make this card-

Card stock: Bazzill (aqua), Paper Studio (white)

Stamps: PrariePeddlers "Angel Fish", Inkadinkadoo "Angel Fish", 

Stampin' Up "Hello"

Adhesive foam: Scrapbook Adhesives

Watercolor pencils: Crayola
Die: Spellbinders "Labels 3"

Punch: EK Success "1" Circle"

Sequins: FSJ "Blue Skies"

Glitter: Ranger Stickles "Star Dust"

Challenges I'm entering-

http://houseofcardschallenge.blogspot.com - Blog Hop

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #29 June Challenge
http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #48 At the Beach
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #286-287 AG

Hello Spring!

Today I'm showing one of the 3 cards we made for my card-making class last week...a "special-fold" card. This one is a Center Step Card. I like to decorate both small side pieces as well as the main center panel. I did part of the prep work for the ladies in my class or this one would have taken far too long! I do want them to have fun and not get discouraged even when making fairly complicated cards. 

And, yes, Spring is here in full force! My early flowers are blooming, the Orioles are back and I have seen several beautiful butterflies already!

Center-Step Card...

...folds flat for mailing.

To make this card I used the following-

Inks: Studio G aqua & dark turquoise, Memento Tuxedo Black & London Fog, FSJ Pineapple Smoothie

Card stock: "Floral Dreams" by Fabscraps
Stamps: FSJ Enjoy the Journey, Hero Arts Saying Hello, Inkadinkadoo Sketchy Flourishes, and some mystery flower stamps*

Dies: FSJ Journey Circles & Butterflies, Spellbinders Circles

Punch: Martha Stewart Scallops w/Dots

Embellishments: FSJ Sequins- Blue Skies, Stickles Star Dust, ribbon bow made with my Craft-deebowz bow maker!

*I got a small set of blue rubber stamps (flowers and leaves) with gray cling foam from a friend but have no idea what brand they are. If you recognize them please let me know! Thanks!

Challenges:

http://houseofcardschallenge.blogspot.com - May: Sequins and/or colors
(I used sequins & only the aqua)

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - May, AG w/handmade bow
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #189 Floral Profusion
http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #28 AG
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #282-283 AG

Once again, thanks so much for visiting my blog!
Hope you come back again soon!

Happy Mother's Day, My Daughters!

I have 4 daughters and one daughter-in-law...and all of them are mommies! So they all received Mother's Day cards from me. I had recently gotten a new set of stamps I HAD to try out, so I did! And here is what I came up with:

The sentiment is a freebie font that I found online called "Sophia" by Mats-Peter Forss. The stamp set is from Simon Says Stamp and I just love it! I printed the sentiment first, then stamped all 5 cards using Versa Fina black ink, and finally colored them all with watercolor pencils, water-washed each color, added Stickles and then sequins. Oh, yes...and a sheer lavender bow!

I wrote a personal note to each daughter and I think they really liked them. Hope so!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/2017/05/may-challenge.html - May Challenge

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #188 Add a Sentiment

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - May Challenge #28

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #163 Mother's Day

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - AG #282-283

Life is Wonderful

Talking with my good friend, Sherry, today I was reminded that we are both celebrating our 40th anniversaries this year. We were talking about special trips we'd like to take and bemoaning the extra medical expenses we've both had recently. But trip or no trip we have a lot to celebrate: 40 wonderful years of God's blessings!

For this little card I used TH Distrss Ink "Vintage Photo", Sweet Impressions stamp "Classic Couple", generic stamps: wonderful, etc., Spellbinders die "Fleur de Lis Square", FSJ natural twine, and "Chocolate" flatback pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

I'd like to enter this one in the following challenges:

http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com - SR#368 Sketch

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #188 Add a Sentiment

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - April Challenge #27

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #280-281 AG

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

This card is for my 91 year old mother. I sure had fun making another "girly" card with lots of flowers, sparkle and ribbon! I hope she likes it!

To create this one I only used one stamp: "Happy Mother's Day" from SweetStamps.

But I used several different dies:

From Spellbinders- Majestic Oval, Foliage, Rose Creations,  & Golden Corbels;

from SweetStamps- Elegant Leaves; from Cheery Lynn- Olive Branches; from Sizzix- Tattered Flower Garland.

The floral cardstock is from K&Co called "Merryweather" Die-Cut Mat Pad, and the rest is from my shamefully large stash.

The glitter sticker dots are from EK Success; the handmade bow is a lovely sheer thin ribbon I picked up at a garage sale! And, as always...plenty of Stickles!

I'm entering this card in a few challenges:

http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - Sketch #401

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #280-281 AG

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com - #163 Mother's Day

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - May Challenge, AG w/handmade bow

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - April Challenge, AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #65 AG

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Please leave a comment so I can go check out YOUR blog!

A Belated Happy Easter!

I wasn't going to make any Easter cards this year but today I saw a challenge that focused on Easter cards...so here we go! I also was able to include a sketch and another theme: "Spring Blooms".

For this card I've used Spellbinders dies "Foliage and SweetStamps die "Leaf Branch", several kinds of paper flowers including torn and rolled roses, Washi tape, and rhinestones.

 The sentiment stamp is from a StampingScrapping "Sentiments" set, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

Challenges:

http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com - #318 Sketch

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #27 April challenge

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #64 Spring Blooms

http://dutchcardlovers.blogspot.com - #273 Easter

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #278-279 A.G.

A Beautiful Sympathy Card

I made this sympathy card early last month for my husband's cousin, who tragically lost a young daughter very unexpectedly. I wanted the card to convey our heartfelt sympathy, show solemnity and yet be a bit cheering. 

The dies I used on this one are Spellbinders (Fleur de Lis Square and Foliage) and Sizzix (Tattered Flower Garland). The blue print cs is from a lovely tablet by K & Co. called "Julianne"

And, yes, I am actually entering this one in a few challenges! (Its been a while!)

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - April Challenge

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com - #132 Word Prompt: Spring

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #63 A.G.

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #278-279 A.G.

Spring is Coming!

I'm sitting home today with the flu, so I guess its a good time to catch up a bit on my sadly-neglected blog. I can hardly believe I used to post something several times a week! 

The beginning of 2017 has been a pretty busy year. We (hubby and I) took an unexpected trip in January to Arizona. My only sister, Judy, was very sick and did pass away in January. I helped my brothers sort, pack and distribute  her belongings; then we drove home with a car full of treasures for my kids...her nephews and nieces and grands...including a bunch of scrap-booking and stamping supplies...for me! I put her initials on all her stamps so I think of her each time I use them.

I'm still having card-making classes at my home once a month and I'm on jury duty. AND I have a new grand baby...a little girl named Willamina Jude! Her mom and dad said they'll call her Willa.

So...I've even gotten kinda bad about taking pictures of my cards so I only have a few more to post.

These are the cards we made for my class last month.

Willa's baby card