Project Life- My first page

Hi Friends! I so very happy today as I started my new job. YAY!!! I'm one of those ladies who would rather be working than staying at home. And I am blessed to have a profession that I love. So being back at work is a real blessing for me...I think my family might have been worried that I was going a little "nutso". But enough about work...let's get to some fun!

Today I want to share with you my first "Project Life- My Way" page. I know it looks different that other Project Life pages that are being created, so let me explain.

My goal for project life is to document through pictures & journal notes our daily lives. I've made some decisions about how I can best keep up with Project Life & enjoy the process. Some of the decisions or 'rules' I established for myself include:
1) Use only 4X6 photos- I will photo edit them on the computer but I am not going to crop, or use many different sizes of photos. I've used the beautiful sketches with the many different sized photos on a page & it makes it too complicated for me & takes forever to complete pages.
2) Use pre-existing supplies. That is the main reason that my pages look so different. I am not buying the kits or the special page protectors. I need to use what I have & boy do I have a lot of scrapbook supplies. I'm mainly a card maker & a wanna-be scrapbooker so over the years I've bought 12X12 pads of paper, kits, stickers, letters, you name it, I've probably got it. It is all waiting for me to use it. So that is what I am going to do. Please note this is not a hard & fast rule...I did buy some cute chevron paper in different colors that I'll use for cards too. And probably some journal cards later. But Im not buying another kit until I've used a lot of what I already have.
3) Journal every day. I am keeping my entries in my i-phone as an appointment entry for each day. I write a little bit. I will later hand-write these on journal cards when I am putting the pages together with the pictures. I know that this is double work (which I am usually very opposed to) but for now it works as I always have my phone with me. If I try to complete a journal card each day to go directly into onto the page, I won't be successful as I won't have the journal cards where I need them.
4) Each month has a color scheme. That color scheme will be used on all the pages & I will often be using the same designer papers & embellishments from the same line or kits. This will keep it easy. For January, it's BLUE- my fav!! February will be red & pink. I'll set up my station with the supplies for the month.
5) ENJOY the process!! This is not going to be stressful! I am going to be forgiving of myself if things don't work out 100% perfect. I WILL keep evaluating how I can reach my goal of documenting our daily lives & adapt my way to make "Project Life" a reality.

It is close to the end of the month & so far, I've kept up with picture taking & journaling but all the pages are not together. This is mainly because I don't have printed photos- I am not happy with my photo printer output. I am investigating some alternatives to printing at home. 

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day! Hugs, Marilyn

Brilliant Blue- I love you!

Hello Blogger Friends! I hope you are having a nice weekend. Today I played all day...wow! It has been a long time since I've done that & it sure was fun. I visited with friend who was selling her handmade jewelry at an artist market which was located at one of the old parks with huge trees, gorgeous gardens & beautiful fountains. Next I went to a stamping event that another friend was holding. We made five cards- they were all so cool! The trees here in St. Louis are at their peak of fall colors & so driving was enjoyable too.

The card I made tonight was for two challenges. The first challenge was My Favorite Things' Wednesday Sketch Challenge (MFTWSC94) shown below. It is the first time I've played this challenge even though I have had good intentions of playing many times. They give away prizes & you can win even if you don't have any MFT stamps. How nice is that!?!! So check it out!

The second challenge was for the Color Throwdown Challenge (CDT214). The colors are Old Olive, Summer Sun, White & Brilliant Blue. Brilliant Blue is one of my very favorite colors. You may know that I love the color blue- any shade! And Brilliant Blue is at the top of my list. I have a few sheets of paper left & I am hoarding a partially used packet of 12 x12 for scrap-booking as it happens to be one of the High School's colors. (My youngest will be graduating with her undergrad degree in May...do you think I will ever get the HS years done?! HA! Maybe I should just start using it too! LOL)
Yet, I digress...anyway, when I saw this challenge, I just had to play.

One last note- I am being frugal these days as I look for a new position, so what this means for you is this: you will see a lot of retired (or not brand new) papers and stamps. This is a good thing for me as I have so many supplies; I am actually quite happy as it will help me pare down and it will spur my creativity to look at my current supplies in a new ways. Not having lots of new things certainly won't keep me from enjoying stamping and card making! 

I hope you like my card, but even more importantly I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: You're So Tweet (MFT- Pure Innocence), Tiny Tags (SU)
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Watercolor (SU), White (Neenah- Solar White)
Designer Paper: Prestwick, Playdate, Ski Slope (all retired SU)
Ink: Jet Black Stazon (Tsukineko), Ink- Brilliant Blue, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue. 
Accessories: Blender Pen, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Brilliant Blue brads (SU); Yellow Bradletz (ProvoCraft- circa 2006)

Happy New Year!

Hi blogger friends! Happy New Year! I hope this year has started out great. This evening I have an easel calendar card to share with you. It was made for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I actually made it for myself! As you may know, I have a new job & thus a new office. There's no handy wall space for a calendar, so I made one to sit on my desk.I make my appointments in the computer, but I like having a calendar for reference nearby. Below is what it looks like open. I also like a little inspiration so I used this Plain Jane stamp from Verve.
Have a great week!

Supplies:
Stamps: Psalm 51:10 (verve)
Paper: Indigo Island, Black, Vanilla, DSP- Love Letter (retired) (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Accessories: Indigo Island ribbon, black brads, designer brad (Stampin Up), flower & embossing punches (Nellie Snellen) 

Hugs, Marilyn

Strickly Stripes

Hi friends! I hope you are having a great week! My card today was made for the Trigger Tuesday challenge over on the Moxie Fab Blog. I <3 Moxie Fab! So many great inspirations. Here was the picture from the challenge that my card is based upon.

I loved the blue in this picture & I just took it from there. Since it reminded me of  Stampin' Up's Pool Party from the 2011-2012 collection, I pulled that out. My striped paper is from My Mind's Eye, the Madison Avenue and Breeze collections. The striped button is also from MME too.
Have a great day!
Hugs,

Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: Thank you from Faith in Nature (Stampin Up)
Paper: Pool Party (SU), Designer- Breeze & Madison Avenue (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Early Espresso (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Brown Button (Oriental Trading), Striped Button (My Mind's Eye), Flower punch (Stampin' Up)

"Tea"rific!

Happy Sunday friends! Today's Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststamper is Bensarmom aka Sue. Sue & I joined Splitcoast around the same time & we have been viewing each other's cards & trading comments for years. She's a fabulous stamper and very nice with her comments. So... I was really happy I could play along today. I chose Sue's Christmas Elements card to case.
I used the SU! set "Morning Cup" and the SU!DSP called Paisley Prints. You know, I love blue, and since I haven't had much stamping time, I chose to play with my favorite color in a bunch of shades. Have a fabulous day!
Hugs,

Marilyn

Bright Birthday

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you had a great weekend. I did but it sure did go fast. I'm voting for another day, how about you?
My card was made using the FTL146 challenge layout seen below.There's still plenty of time to play, so head over!

I need a few new birthday cards & I had received a sample of the bright and fun Stampin' Up designer paper. I like these colors and design for a birthday card. It works for just about anyone- young or old, male or female. At least in my humble opinion. {wink, wink}

Have a great week! Hugs,

Marilyn

Supplies- All Stampin' Up
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Pacific Point, Real Red, White, DP- Celebrations
Ink: Pacific Point
Accessories: Large Star punch, Piercing tool (EK Success)

Cajun Seas

Here's another card using the Stampin' Up Summer Catalog's "The Open Sea" stamp set. I am having so much fun with this set. And since Father's Day and several male family members birthdays are coming up, this set came at the perfect time for me! I made this card for several challenges. First, the Color Dare 104 (CD104) to use Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy. When I saw these challenge colors, I knew right away which stamp set I'd be using.

The next challenge is Pals Paper Arts Challenge (PPA97) where you are to show your signature style. My natural style is along the lines of classical, but I do like to create vintage and CAS. Trying new things is one of my favorite parts of stamping so that includes branching outside my comfort zone. Anyway, I almost always use some sort of designer paper & most of my cards have several layers, but not usually more than 2-4 embellishments. I love ribbon and flowers but rarely use it on male cards; thus the reason you don't see them here.

The last challenge is for the Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C91) to make a masculine card. 

Everything is pretty self explanatory except the background, designer paper. I started with an indigo colored paisley DP by daisyd. I used the ledger stamp in Not Quite Navy and covered the background both horizontally & vertically & then a couple of random stamps for good measure. (LOL!) Then I used the anchor stamp inked up in Cajun Craze and stamped angled lines of the anchors. So in essence, I created my own DP. Well, that's it for me...

Thanks so much for stopping! Hugs,

Marilyn

Stamps:  The Open Sea (SU)

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, Vanilla (SU); DP- Gypsy Paisley(DasiyD)

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze (SU!)

Accessories: Copper loop brads (Oriental Trading), Jute twine (local hardware store)

Another Sunday card~ Life is Sweet!

Hi again! I made another card today. It was a little reward to myself for my work today. I continued sorting & organizing in my studio & converting my wood stamps. Plus I have started an inventory of my stamps by stamping the images on a 4X6 cards according to categories. One of these days, I'll show you how I converted my stamps...I am so happy with it!

Anyway, my card is for the Fall To Layout challenge(FTL144) over on the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog to use the sketch below. Isn't this a great sketch! I know I will be using it frequently. 

In addition, I made this card for the ColorThrowdown challenge (CTD145) to use:

I just love Baja Breeze so, how could I not play?!  I did a micro imitation of Kittie's floral sprays and wreaths along the sides of my tag. If you haven't seen her work, you must check it out. She's so kind to put up tutorials & she even personally helped me find the correct punches. How sweet was that?!  Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Marilyn

Stamps:Just Believe (SU), Sentiment (SU-unknown set)
Paper: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, White, DSP- A Walk in the Park (retired)- all SU!
Ink: Craft White, Baja Breeze (SU)
Accessories: Winter White embossing powder (SU), branch and branch 1 punches (MS), trio flower punch (SU-retired), Fancy Tags die (Spellbinders), pearls (stash)

Blue Bird

Today was such a fabulous day! My crafty girlfriends & I went to the Creating Keepsakes Convention. We took a class together; I went earlier & took one on my own. I have a few more things to do to the scrapbook pages, but I'll post soon. THen we shopped & had a nice dinner together. And to top it off, it was such a nice weather day I drove with the convertible top down. Honestly, in my book, it doesn't get any better than that. I'm still smiling! :)

Here's a card I made tonight after returning home; it was for the Splitcoaststampers Inspiration challenge (IC279). I chose these bird postcards as my inspiration as I have the new SU! Nature Walk stamp set & I've been anxious to ink it up. I started with K & Co's Brenda Walton Flora & Fauna DP. I stamped my bird in Bermuda Bay except the feet; then masked the birds body to add the feet in soft suede. With the bird still masked, I stamped two-thirds of the DP with French Script background stamp in Pumice Stone Distress Ink, I left the background off the floral image. Next I added the to the corner a seal image in Melon Mambo from the retired SU!Travel Post.

I placed the stamped DP on Bermuda Bay & then Craft cardstock. At the top of the Kraft cardstock, I used a stitch template & then zig-zaged with embroidery floss. The crocheted lace is from Making Memories. Last I used some retired SU! hardware & topped it with a Melissa Fraces felt flower with a fabric brad. Then the entire panel was put on an Early Espresso card base.

It was really cool today because I got to meet Melissa Frances. I walked by her booth & she was teaching a make and take...I walked right past & then did a double take & went back to say hello. The felt flower on this card came in a little $1 grab bag with more flowers, bling, ribbon, crocheted flowers and polka dot alphabet. Of course I had to buy more things like glass glitter and crystal chandelier drops.
I hope you had a nice Saturday! Hugs,

Marilyn

Hello- I'm back!

Hello, friends! I'm back after a several week absence...all is well. I've been very busy with my professional work life so I haven't been able to spend much time in the studio. Boy, does it feel good to be creating again! I'm a little rusty...this card took me forever & I fussed over it last night and again this morning. I'm not sure how much I like it but I carried on anyway as I was making it for the Color Throwdown #129 challenge.

The colors this week were ballet blue, light and dark green. The light green is Certainly Celery and the dark green is Wild Wasabi. The sketch is my own & I chose some coordinating Basic Gray DP from the Euthoria collection for my panel. The horizontal strips are Wild Wasabi cardstock that was cut with small scalloped scissors and topped with Marina Mist 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon. The image is from the set Sweet Summer in the SU! Sale-a-bration catalog- a super cute set. I used Nestabilites scalloped circles for the main image and layer. I kept the die in place while I lightly sponged with Ballet Blue the background of the main image.

Thanks for stopping by after so long!

Marilyn

Christmas Eve's Eve

Christmas is almost here! I love the preparations as much as I love the actual day. Shopping, wrapping, baking, more shopping, parties, shows, more shopping, seeing family and friends and did I mention shopping?! Here's a card on this day before Christmas Eve. I made this using sketch #95 on CardPatterns.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your holidays!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cute Converse (SU!)
Ink: Barn Door Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze (SU!), Merry Days of Christmas collection (My MInds's Eye); the trees were cut from this DP.
Accessories: Oval punch (SU!), Snowflakes (scrap from MS border punch), embossing folder, liquid pearls.

Holiday Snowflake

Happy Sunday! Here's my take on two challenges. First, the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoaststampers where Kris was chosen as FS199. I chose this card of hers to case. With the FS challenge, you change some things and keep others. Sometimes it happens for me that my project ebs and flows in directions that I really hadn't intended when I started. Thus is the case with this card, but I hope you can see Kris' card in my inspiration. I kept her design, the same number of layers with a coordinating color between the two white pieces of cardstock, the two color base and layer, and lots of open space. I changed the colors, changed the location of the ribbon, and changed the images.

The second challenge is the Etsy Inspired Challenge (EIC116). I chose this from Koniver's shop. I love the blues and the white border. I really like this etsy inspired challenge & I wish I could play more often. It is very fun to see the shops on Etsy; for me it is another way to keep up with trends & experience unique items. I find that studying other art objects and unique things expands my creativity. This card although CAS took me a while as I had to experiment with inks. I ended up using craft ink for the snowflake as my dye ink and hybrid ink did not "take up" well by the acrylic stamp and I could not get even coverage. All of the stamps from this set have "hidden" images and if you look close you can see candles and birds in this one.

Have a great day, friends! Thank you for all your lovely comments. I am inspired and in awe by your art; you help me to strive for the best in me. And although I have not personally met most of you, I am grateful and a richer person because for our friendship. {{Hugs}}

Supplies:
Image: Snowflake from Holiday Silhouettes (Inkadinkado), Sentiment- Swirled Snowflakes (SU!)
Paper: White (Markie's finest paper), Night of Navy, Pacific Point (SU)
Ink: Night of Navy-craft (SU)
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels)

Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) Creations

This past Friday and Saturday was VSN on Splitcoaststampers. I had the fortunate opportunity to host a challenge. Although, I didn't get as many cards/challenges completed as I would have liked, I was so happy to play most of the day yesterday. The theme was "on Cloud Nine" so all the challenges in some way related to that theme. Since there is a 45 minute time limit to each challenge, there is little time to fuss about your card. And there is little time to list all the supplies used; so I'll do that here now.

The first card and tote was the challenge I hosted. I called it "Cloud 9 Math" (NOV10VSNO). The challenge was to make a 3x3 tote, or a 3x3 notecard box or make 4-3x3 cards. I love how this tote turned out & I made four cards, two in green and two in red.
Supplies:
Image: Bells and Boughs (SU)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, Vanilla (SU), DSP- Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, Soft Suede (SU)
Accessories: Lacey Squares & Classic Squares Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Scallop & Circle punch (SU), Corner punch & embosser (Fiskars); Pearls (SU)

The second card was made late last night for two challenges. The first challenge was the last VSN challenge (NOV10VSNR). to honor or remember angels in your life. I chose three angels- my sister, my mother and my grandmother. My mom and granny are in heaven now, but they were expert seamstresses. My mother made all my dresses when I was a young girl. She and my sister took the scraps from all those dresses and made me a double ring quilt as a wedding present. It is probably one of my most favorite gifts of all time. All three were/are wonderful role models. The challenge also asked that we distressed our card. I'll send this card to my sister whose b-day is later this week.

The second challenge is the FS197. Angela (aka jellybeans74) was chosen. I started with this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=106358. But is was late when I made the card & with the 45 minutes time limit for the VSN challenge, I ended up making a lot of modifications to Angela's card. But if you look close you can see the basic sketch.

A little explanation about some of the things that I used for this Sewing Angels card. I purchased for 25cents at an estate sale a retro McCalls pattern {the real deal}. I started with Gina K white paper & cover it with the pattern to give the thin tissue paper pattern some strength. I distressed it with Vintage photo ink because it lost it's crafty color with the white background. I also purchased my Baker's Twine from an Ebay store called A touch of Vintage Chic about two-three months ago when I couldn't find it anywhere in St. Louis. The store has some pretty cool stuff including fabric. Now Michael's carries MS twine, but once I saw it on SCS, I had to have it NOW! I know you know what I mean! LOL!! Last thing to let you know is the Sassfrass Lass Cherry Delicious paper comes with scalloped edges that is different than the rest of the paper. Pretty cute, huh?

Supplies:
Image: Make Your Own (Hero Arts)
Paper: Red Hot, White (Gina K), Marina Mist, Cookie Crumb (SU); DSP-Cherry Delicious-Sapphire (Sassafras Lass)
Ink: Broken China & Vintage Photo Distress Inks (Tim Holtz-Ranger)
Accessories: Real Red & Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbons (SU); Baker's Twine; McCalls pattern; stash red & white buttons; Red flower (Making Memories- embellishment suitcase)

The third card is one of those cards that I am not crazy about, but I ran out of time with the VSN. The challenge was NOV10VSNI to make a floating sentiment. Well, I must have had me head in the clouds because I chose the teeny tiny sentiment to cut up the letters. It took over 20 minutes & when I was done, time was out & I sure didn't like the look. I am planning on changing it out with a nestie label. Probably better to use a bigger sentiment to cut letters apart {Duh-Slaps head}

Supplies:
Image: Harvest Assortment (Inkadinkado), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU)
Paper: Really Rust, Vanilla, DSP-Autumn Meadows (SU)
Ink: Really Rust (SU)
Accessories: ScorPal, Brown Bakers Twine, Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

The fourth card is much more beautiful in real life. This was my take on the NOV10VSNK challenge where we were challenged to make a card based upon "What Puts You in the Clouds?". Besides papercrafting, I love coffee. The paper is SEI & it's gorgeous. I belong to the monthly SEI club where I receive a kit each month. I joined in April when the Creating Keepsakes convention was here in St. Louis. I got some great deals for signing up & the kits are fabulous. I had hoped it would spur me to scrapbook more; it has but only a little bit as I still prefer card-making. But I love the SEI products for card making & paper crafting. If you've never experienced their products, give it a try. Everything is A+ quality. Here is a link to their blog. The paper I used here is gold foiled & it is hard to see the radiance, but it's magnificent. Also I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it feels! {BTW- I am not reimbursed with their products for blabbering about them. Too bad for me-LOL!} I'll send this card to my youngest daughter who is in college. We share a passion for Starbucks.

Supplies:
Image: My Cuppa Joe (Gina K)
Paper: More Mustard (SU), White (Gina K), DSP-Stillness- Moonrise collection(SEI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento), More Mustard (SU)
Accessories: Eyelet Circles& Classic Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), oval & oval scallop punch (SU); gold glitter pen (unknown maker)

The last four cards are the blue trio. You may know it's my favorite color & so I was happy it worked out for several of the VSN challenges. Card Five was a lot of fun because I just got these Nestabilities in the mail this past week. I made this for the NOV10VSNL challenge to make a card with blue and white. The card opens at the white panel, so there is a blue scallop on top and a blue scallop when opened (on the inside). I'll likely go back and add a bit more color like orange carrot noses & maybe a little flower soft, but for VSN challenges, I usually can't get all that done in the 45 minute time frame.

Supplies:
Image: Holiday Lineup & Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist (SU), White (Gina K)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), Markers- Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point (SU)
Accessories: Label 14 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Snowflake punch (MS =Martha Stewart), bling (Michaels)

Card six is one of my favorite of the bunch and very easy. I used a retired (very old) stamp set that I purchased off Ebay for a reasonable price. I loved the snowflakes & love making Christmas cards. I have been buying lots of the retired holiday stamp sets off Ebay almost always under the original price. This card was made for NOV10VSNA challenge to make a Christmas card without red and green. I immediately thought of blue and white and snowflakes!

Supplies:
Image: Snowflakes, Warmest Regards (SU)
Paper: White, Bashful Blue (SU), DSP- unknown name but by SU. I think it is really old; I bought from a demostrator at her year end sale to get rid of retired product.
Ink: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist (SU)
Accessories: Snowflake punch (MS), Bling (Michaels), Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbon (SU)

Card Seven was made for NOV10VSNG2 challenge to create a card with lots of white space. I used my recently purchased Gina K heavy base weight pure Luxury cardstock. Oh my goodness! I now know why it's called Pure Luxury! {I don't get reimbursed for telling you about how I drool over this paper}.

Supplies:
Image: Thanks (American Crafts)- Sentiment
Paper: White (Gina K), Marina Mist (SU); DSP- SU retired (as noted in the above card)
Accessories: Snowflake punch (MS), Bling (Michaels)

The last and eighth card was made for NOV10VSNP challenge where Kelly (aka Schrimcat) challenged us with a sketch. Another fun one for as I just got this DP paper in the mail with a big order from Crop Chocolate. I was excited to get the order as I thought the paper would match great with Baja Breeze but one never know with on-line color matching. It did match wonderfully as you can see. Crop Chocolate is a website that features several specials every day. You can accumulate/hold them in your "la carte" for up to 45 days. My DH calls it a virtual layaway for scrapbookers. The link is in my sidebar to a website with numerous *daily deals*.

Supplies:
Image: Happy Everything (SU); the snowflake is a sticker
Paper: Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red (SU), White (Gina K), DSP- Falling Snowflakes-Wintertime collection (Echo Park)
Ink: Baja Breeze (SU)
Accessories: Snowflake sticker (Wintertime collection-Echo Park); Eyelet circle & scalloped circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Buttons- white (Stash), Blue (Periphery-Basic Grey), Spritzer tool (SU), Bakers twine; lots and lots of dimensions.

Whew! SO glad you joined me today and all of us over at SCS for the Virtual Stamp Night.

Have a great Sunday! Hugs, Marilyn

Soft Blue Flower

Good morning! I wasn't going to play in the studio this morning, but when I saw Julia's Way to Use It challenge to use tissue paper, I was hooked. Luckily, this card only took about twenty minutes. So I can quickly get back to my chores. I start my new job on Monday so I am trying to get caught up on household odds and ends including Halloween & Fall decorating. DD#1 (dear daughter #1) is coming home from college for the weekend & once she get home (around lunchtime), I will want to spend my time with her.

My card was made with Marine Mist as a base which I covered it with white tulle. I like the soft look. I've not made tissue paper flowers before; this was one of the reasons I jumped on the challenge. I was happily surprised at how easy it was. This flower was made with blue tissue paper and cut with the Nestabilities Dahlia die. I added a velvet floral brad.

Supplies:
Stamps: None
Paper: Marine Mist, Black (SU!), DP- B&W Intricate Swirls (the Paper Studio)
Ink: none
Accessories: White wedding tulle (Michaels), Blue lace ribbon (Wyla Inc), Velvet flower brad (Creative Imaginations), Gemstones (the Paper Studio)

VSN Challenge Cards

Here are my cards for tonight's Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) Challenges over on SplitcoastStampers. I am so excited to play as I haven't been able to play for several years. I have this evening and all day tomorrow open. Nothing better than stamping all day!

I really need a lift too. This past week I started meeting with my career coach since my position at work was eliminated with a restructure. Last Friday, 8/20, was my last day. I received a good severance package so I won't have to worry about income for a while which is quite reassuring. I'm optimistic that I'll find a rewarding position. Keep me in your thoughts, please.

Back to the cards. I missed the first challenge, but hopefully I can start early tomorrow and make a card for it too. My first pictured was for the "B" challenge ( AUG10VSNB); the challenge was to incorporate a window. The second card was for the 'C" challenge (AUG10VSNC); we were to use the wax paper cuttlebug resist technique.

Our challenge on the third card, "D" (AUG10VSND), was to be inspired by the camping theme. I don't really care for camping. Here in the midwest, I get eaten alive by mosquitoes if I stay out past dusk. Plus I'm not a big fan of all the other creepy, crawly things. But I do love nature, the outdoors & I love to stay in the cabins or lodges at the state & national parks. We took our daughters on a 'western states" vacation & one of our stops was the Grand Canyon. How beautiful! We stayed in a cabin there. Each morning right outside our cabin was an Elk grazing on the tree's foliage. That is one HUGE animal; downright intimadating when you are only six feet away. Thus the inspiration for this card.

My last card was for the last challenge for the evening ( AUG10VSNE) and we were to be inspired by summer vacations. We took some vacations when I was a kid, but mostly we stayed home. We rode our bikes everywhere. One of my best girlfriend's family had a tandem bicycle which is what inspired my card.

That's it for tonight! I'll post the rest of the VSN cards on Sunday. Hugs!

AUG10VSNB supplies:
Image: Sweet of You (SU-retired) {I still love this set}
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry, White (SU), DSP- Green at Heart (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry,Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: 1/2" Pear Pizazz poly ribbon (SU), Cha Ching brad (Brazzill), Velvet flower (7 Gypsies)

AUG10VSNC supplies:
Image: A Little Bit of Happiness (SU-retired)
Paper: Barely Banana, Soft Suede, Glossy (SU)
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz-Distressed-Ranger)
Accessories: Wax paper, Iron, Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Cuttlebug, Twine.

AUG10VSND supplies:
Image: Yukon (SU-retired)
Paper: Mellow Moss, River Rock, Vanilla, DSP-Fall Traditions (SU)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Accessories: Thread, Twine, eyelets (SU!), oval punches (SU), Zipdry glue.
Info:

AUG10VSNE supplies:
Image: Pedaling Past (SU)
Paper: Ballet Blue, Old Olive, DSP-The Paper Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Bling Flourish (Want2Scrap)

Golfin' Back Home

It's good to be home! I've been away for over a week at a professional conference. Great conference & it was fantastic visiting New Orleans even though my sightseeing time was limited. But as much as I love to travel, I am happy to be home with my family. Since I am still catching up with life - ahhh- you know unpacking, laundry, bills...I am posting an older card that I did not showcase. I made for my father in law for Father's Day.

I used a technique from Gina K's stamp TV called recessed diamond background where you use your scor-pal to emboss your background diamonds & then distress with the same color ink as the cardstock. Here, I used SU! Garden Green. (Green in my FIL's favorite color)

Thanks for checking in; hopefully, I will get some stampin' time soon & have something new to show you.

Supplies:
Image: Vintage Golfer (Stampabilities)
Paper: Garden Green, Bordering Blue, White, DSP- retired SU!
Ink: Garden Green
Accessories: Scor-pal

Masculine Blue Thanks

The Featured Stamper today is Michelle (aka Elliotstamps). She has a wonderful gallery. I chose to case this card. I really like this design and I just realized when I went to link Michelle's card that it is one of the Fall to Layout challenges. {This is a no-no for the FS challenge}. Ooops!

My daughter asked me for a thank you card for a friend's parents who have taken her out to dinner with her friend when they visited their daughter at college. I received specific instructions not to make it too 'girly' becasue she wanted her friend's Dad to like it too. So I used some of my favorite designer paper from SU! called Prestwick. It has long since retired, but it is my 'go-to' paper for guy cards. I used a more contempory 'thanks' sentiment in hope my DD would like it.

Have a great evening!

Supplies
Stamps: Make it Count
Paper: Brocade Blue, Basic Gray, White, DSP-Prestwick
Ink: Brocade Blue
Accessories: Circle punches

Best Wishes

HAP-Hap-Happy~ that's what I am today! Why you might ask? Well, it's because I got to make a card and play the SCS Free for All challenge - F4A5. I have had to travel for work so I was away from my stamps & studio until Wednesday. {No need to send a sympathy card- I am not permanently damaged now that I am re-united with my stash}

Anyway, the challenge was to make a card based upon your favorite Broadway show & the size had to be anything but A2 (4.25 x 5.5). My favorite Broadway show is Mama Mia. It's not that I am a big ABBA fan, but I do love the soundtrack. But there are two reasons that Mama Mia is my favorite. First, it is a great show- upbeat, fun, great costumes & great music. And the second reason is why I know this; we took a family vacation t0 New York City a few years ago & we got to see the show on Broadway. We all dressed up, had a fancy dinner and went to the show. It was so much fun. During the show I found myself taking secret glances at my husband and daughters. If you could have seen the smiles of enjoyment, it would have been your favorite Broadway show too.

Have a great Friday evening & I sure hope to be posting a little more often!

Supplies:
Paper: Night of Navy, White, K and Company DSP
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Cricut- Wedding solutions- couple and flourish, Nestabilities- Label 3, Bling- Studio 18
Size: 4X4

IC219 Blue Bird

True confessions- I am not a hoarder but I do save things that show promise for being reused. {Isn't that what all hoarders, say?} Well, it is true I am not a hoarder; maybe a recovering 'saver' but after having to clean an entire basement and countless closets in preparation for moving after fourteen years, I have changed my ways. Now, I par down my closet every season and give away shoes and clothes that I haven't worn. I decorate sparingly {except for Christmas}. I recycle my magazines even the card making ones after a year. Typically if I do not have a specific upcoming purpose for something- it's gone. I like to believe in the law of abundance, I will find what I need when I have a need.

So I really don't hold onto lots of things except when there is real promise for reuse. And when it comes to reusing items, I am a pro...and this print is one of those few things I have saved. In it's former life it was a page of a calendar from 2008; the prints were beautiful so I stashed it away in my studio. And now I am in vogue because re-using is in style. Before I was cheap instead thrifty and green...both trendy attributes. Ha- I've been trendy for a long time. So, today I used this saved calendar print from Cavallini as the center piece for my Inspirational Challenge card. The inspiration was from this Etsy site.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day! Please don't hoard your chocolate- please get rid of it & I know you know the best way to do that.

Recipe:
Image: Print from Cavallini calendar
Paper: Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Gable Green, DP-Autumn Meadows (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip for distressing
Accessories: CB embossing folder-script texture (Provocraft), bashful blue ribbon (SU!), blue flower (Prima), button (stash)