Botanical Butterfly Thanks

Here’s my take on yesterday’s Splitcoaststampers Inspirational Challenge (IC694). I chose the Myrial Butterfly pillow from the Country Door on-line store. 

https://www.countrydoor.com/p/myriad-butterfly-pillow-766567.html

 I also chose the Freshly Made Sketch challenge for the week (FMS380)

I used the SU Sale-a-bration DSP called Botanical Butterfly against black cardstock on a Daffodil Delight card base. A single die cut black butterfly & black sentiment finishes it off. 

I hope you like it! 

Winter Flourishes

Hi Friends! I hope you have a fun week planned. I don't have anything in particular in store, but I always take the fun wherever I go...a girl can't depend on the fun just showing up. LOL!

My card today was some of my fun for the week. I got to play along with some challenges & with some new toys.

My first challenge is the Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays #202 to make or use something new. I am so excited to be using new Flourish stamps! I received the Winter Blossoms stamp set as a Christmas gift; and I purchased for myself a Mystery Bag which was filled with the Summer Blossoms & Life Lines un-packaged stamp sets, a 6X6 paper pad & lots of other goodies. What a deal for $15!

The second challenge is the Color Throwdown #224 to use Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and So Saffron. Love these soft colors. 

Next challenge is the Freshly Made Sketches #68 challenge. What a versatile sketch; you can 'dress it up' like I did here or leave it more CAS. It's definitely a go-to sketch! 

 

 Have a great week! Hugs, Marilyn

Merry

Hey there, Friends!
I hope you are having a good week. This week I have been catching up with friends that I haven't seen in a while.  I have been so blessed with good friends from different times in my life. Today I lunched with a girlfriend from my very first post-college job- we've kept in touch over the 30+ years & it is always so wonderful to see her.

My card today is for two challenges.

The Freshly Made Sketch #64 for this week was the design that I used. I have eight of these felt wreaths & I needed a sketch to accommodate. I think this FMS sketch fits the bill perfectly.

The colors I used were from this week's Color Throwdown Challenge #221. I'm so glad they chose Christmas colors because I'm still making my holiday cards. I love making Christmas cards- my favorite kind of card to make. I have so many Christmas stamp sets...I'm downsizing my stamp collection, but I can't part with any of my holiday sets. And look I barely used any stamps here...go figure!

That's it for me! Have a great weekend!
Hugs, Marilyn

Holiday Card Fun

Hello again, friends! I hope you had a nice week and Halloween. Lots of fun in our neighborhood. Today I am posting one of my first holiday cards for two challenges. I used this week's sketch, #59, from Freshly Made Sketches; see below.

The second challenge was the Dynamic Duos challenge to use Gumball Green & Raspberry Ripple. Nice holiday color combo, don't you think? I like these cute images from Inkadinkado called Santa & Elf. I hope you like too. Happy Monday!

Chevron Witchy

Happy Monday, friends! Here is a card I made last night. I'm several cards short on the number I need for Halloween. I addressed my envelopes the other night & then counted the cards I already had on hand...darn- more envelopes than cards.

The sketch I used was from Freshly Made Sketches (FMS57). This is a sketch that is very versatle. Just take a look at the gallery on the FMS website. Flip it, change the shape of the central image & you've got a completely different card.

I used the colors from the ColourQ challenge (CQC159).  

Great colors for fall or Halloween. I don't think you can tell but the little witch has got googly eyes, which will make one of my great nephews happy. This card also qualifies for the Raise the Bar Challenge (RTB116) to use a witch.

That's about it from here- lots to do today so I'll be back later tonight to check out your blogs. Have a great Monday!! {{{Hugs}}} Marilyn

Supplies: 
Stamps Ghostly Ghouls (SU), sentiment (Studio G)
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black (SU), White (Neenah)
Designer Paper: Chevron (Paper Imaginations), Green-black stripe (MS)
Ink: Black Stazon, Markers- Pear Pizzazz, Tangerine Tango (SU) 
Accessories: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Bat Punch (retired SU), ribbon (Target $1 spot), Google eyes (Paper Studio)

Poppy Polka Dots

Hi Friends! I hope you had a great weekend; I sure did. Yesterday we got to see our two daughters who are away at different colleges. It is always a special treat when we get to see one of them, but seeing both of them is extra special.

My card today is for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge as shown below.

I have been making an assortment of cards for my daughters so they can use them for their own needs. I mentioned several months ago that I call this project- CB42DD- Card Box for Two Dear Daughters as I have decorated a box that matches their decor & will fill it with these assorted cards. Often I have been using retired card supplies for the cards; & when making my monthly club swap cards I just make two more. I hope to have a nice collection for them by Christmas. Speaking of Christmas- have you started your cards?! I've made some but not near enough. Look for a Holiday card here later this week.
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies: SU unless otherwise described
Stamps: Fresh Vintage
Paper: Poppy Parade, White (Neenah-solar white)
Designer Paper: Poppy Parade, Concord Crush
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Punches: Modern Label, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, 1/2 circle, Blossom & MS Leaf. Circle Rhinestone brad & Poppy Parade ribbon.

Giraffe Birthday

Happy Father's Day!
We had a nice and easy lunch with my FIL (father-in-law) and step-MIL (mother-in-law). They are elderly & although they still get out, it really takes a lot out of my FIL. So to keep it easy on them, we brought to their home a BBQ lunch from one of our local restaurants to them. I am so thankful to have them both in our lives and just a short drive away. I made a German chocolate cake which is my husband's and FIL's favorite. Tonight I will give my husband a little gift from me & he'll open the cards that our daughters sent.

This card wasn't a Father's Day card but rather it was made for my youngest daughter's best friend whose birthday is upcoming. She has a thing for giraffes and anything with animal prints. The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches. Love that sketch challenge and their sketches.

Thanks for stopping, Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies: 
Image: Zoo Review, Sentiment (SU)
Papers: More Mustard, Close to Cocoa (retired), WHite (Neenah), Dsp- Safari Kids Matstack (DCWV) 
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento), Barely Banana (retired), Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery markers (SU)
Accessories: Scallop Oval, Extra large Oval punches (SU), Extra Long Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Stamp Club Swap for July

Happy Sunday, friends! I'm starting on my swap cards for next month's stamp club. My typical process is to design one card, a template. Then I cut the pieces for the 12 cards, stamp for 12 & then assemble. This process works good for me; I can assemble the cards while watching ballgames on TV with DH. That way I don't spend all my time alone in the studio & away from my sweetheart.

I used the sketch from Freshly made Sketches but I flipped it. This is really quite a versatile sketch & I'm sure I use it again and again.

I used the new SU! in-color "Midnight Muse" for the ship image. I double {Heart} love these new ink pads from SU! SO easy to get the stamp inked & it gives such a crisp image. The DP is retired Nautical Expedition that I got on sale in the SU! clearance section. I didn't purchase it the first time around & was thrilled when it was on sale. My red is SU! Cherry Cobbler that is embossed with the Square Lattice folder & the twine is from my local dollar store.  Easy peasy! Hope the stamp club ladies like it!

Have a great day! Hugs, Marilyn

Elephant Valentine

Hi Friends! I'm getting back to a little more stamping time. Today I am sharing a Valentine card I made yesterday which will be for my daughter who loves elephants. So when I saw this retired set called "Happy Heart Day" on e-Bay for a good price, I grabbed it just for her.

I used this week's challenge sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. 

 

My papers and ribbon are Stampin' Up's Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride and Black.  The edge punch is from Martha Stewart. Have a great week! 

Marilyn