Happy 21st Birthday Card

Hello and happy Friday! This weekend we are having a birthday party for my oldest niece who recently turned 21. I remember the anticipation of turning 21 and then when the day arrived it wasn't a big deal. When I went to the store to make my first purchase the clerk didn't even ask for my ID. I was a little shocked and disappointed at the same time. That was so long ago and hopefully things are different now.

This Happy 21st Birthday Card features my niece's favorite colors: Hot Pink (Melon Mambo and Turquoise (Bermuda Bay). The plaid paper is by Lawn Fawn and unfortunately all the stamps are retired by Stampin' Up!. I was really sad the see the Number of Years stamp set and Large Number framelits retire. They make wonderful milestone cards. The layout is copied from an anniversary card I made last year. When I made the card last year (click here) it took forever to get the placement of the flowers right. It was much easier to duplicate the design! Even though the cards have the same layout the colors and background paper make a big difference. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Challenges entered:

• Aud Sentiments: Anything Goes + Sentiment
• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes/Beautiful Blooms
• Crafting With Friends: Anything Goes
• Creative Knockouts: For the Girls
• Seize the Birthday: Birthday Anything Goes

40th Anniversary Card

Hello! My neighbor and her hubby recently celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary, so I made them this card. I looked up the color that represents the 40th Anniversary and it's Ruby Red. The Stampin' Up! color used is Cherry Cobbler with retired Tip Top Taupe. The layout on this card evolved as I played with the pieces. My original idea didn't work with the size of the flowers, so I tried a smaller flower and didn't like it, so I just moved everything around until I was content with the way it looked.

Supplies used include*:

• Paper: Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler cardstock along with retired 2015-2017 Designer Series Paper.
• Stamps: Number of Years and retired hostess Morning Meadow stamp sets.
• Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pads.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Large Number Thinlits, Pansy Punch, retired Bird Builder punch (leaves) and stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. 

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted.

This 40th Anniversary Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Just Add Ink: Anniversary
• Addicted to Stamps: Flowers
• A Gem of A Challenge: Wedding or Anniversary 
• Brown Sugar: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Simple Hi Card

The last week my creativity has been pretty low. It seems I just can't get motivated! I'll look up challenges and check out my blog feed for inspiration but... nothing. I'm blaming the summer heat and maybe I just need a creative break.

This afternoon I was able to follow the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. Everything on this card was already printed or punched and on my craft desk. All I had to do was cut some paper, adhere everything together and stamp a sentiment. Pretty simple! The patterned paper is from the May Berry paper pad by American Crafts and the Polka Dot Bella digital image from Paper Creator came pre-colored. This image reminds me of one of my baby pictures. My mom had tied a "do rag" on my head and handed me a couple of toothbrushes while I was sitting on a green washing machine (see below). The photo was taken when I was 14 months old in 1975.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #361
• A Gem of A Challenge: Animals
• Let's Craft and Create: Four Legged Friends

Retirement Card

Hello and thanks for stopping by my blog. Today I'm sharing a card I made for my aunt, she recently retired from 30 years as a Home Economics Teacher.  The Mulberry Wood bear and his puppy image are from Crafter's Companion. I stamped the image using Memento black ink and colored it using Copic markers. The sentiment came with the stamp set. Since the image is on the larger side, this card is 5.25" square. Your getting a sneak peek at some new patterned paper from the upcoming 2016-2017 Stampin' Up! catalog called Affectionately Yours. I really love the colors in this designer paper series. To finish the card I used three punched banners and a yellow pansy flower. That's it!

This Retirement Card is entered into the following challenges:

• 613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes w/ Optional twist
• Alphabet Challenge: Furry Friends
• Ellibelle's Creative Moments: Something Colored

Floral Congrats Card

This week I found out my neighbor is getting married at the end of this month. That meant I needed to make him a card quickly. To create this Floral Congrats Card I used the color challenge at Create with Connie & Mary for my inspiration. Color challenges are my favorite but I must admit that I find a three color challenge VERY challenging. The colors are:

• Coastal Cabana
• Hello Honey
• Baked Brown Sugar

To start I selected my patterned paper from the Moonlight paper stack and then used my Big Shot with the Top Note Die. At this point I sat at my desk for at least thirty minutes trying to figure out my layout. Finally, I walked away. When I came back I rotated my card and things started to come together. I was really happy I ordered the new Hey You sentiment stamp set (134519), it worked perfectly for this card. The flowers were stamped using Baked Brown Sugar ink onto Coastal Cabana cardstock using the Flower Shop stamp set and then punched using the Pansy Punch. The final step was creating the flower centers using the Bordering Blooms stamp set, the retired itty bitty scallop circle punch and of course a pearl in the center. Although I struggled with this card I think it turned out nicely. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

My Floral Congrats Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Create with Connie & Mary: Color
• Little Red Wagon: Wedding/Anniversary
• Crafty Girls: Anything Goes 

Believe You Can Card

It's been a couple of months since I've played along over at Mojo Monday. So, this afternoon I found some time to make this Believe You Can Card using this weeks sketch. The sentiment stamp is designed by Kimberly Sabel for Hampton Art and all other products are by Stampin' Up! The patterned paper is from the Fresh Prints designer series paper stack. The colors in this collection are: Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Real Red, and Whisper White. Thanks for stopping by!

My Believe You Can Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes
• Crafty Bloggers: Die Cuts or Embossing

You Make Me Happy Card

A big HELLO and thank you to all my new followers! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. This afternoon I did a little unexpected retail therapy and I have to say it worked wonders. I went into a shoe store to waste time while my hubby was next door and I hit the clearance jackpot. There was definitely an adrenaline surge when I found a great deal on a couple pair of shoes. It's amazing how fast a good deal will put a smile on my face. Just so you know, besides stamping and card making supplies my second weakness is shoes, but I know you came to my blog to see a card. So... onto the card we go!

This You Make Me Happy Card was created using patterned paper from the Afternoon Picnic dsp. I love the colors in this collection! To participate in this weeks Tic Tac Toe challenge with The Paper Players, I used the middle row down featuring dies/punches, patterned paper and candy dots. I used the Flower Shop stamp set with coordinating Pansy Punch. The sentiment is from the Happy Watercolor clear stamp set  and I used the Little Leaves Sizzlits die. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful week!

My You Make Me Happy Card is entered into the following challenges:

• The Paper Players: Tic Tac Toe
• Allsorts: Use dies
• Suzy Bee's: Spring Flowers

Floral Feel Better Card

Spring is always a fun time of year, however it's not always great with Oklahoma allergies. When things start to bloom it seems a few sneezes aren't far away. Yesterday I spent the day in bed (don't be jealous) I had one of the worst migraines I've ever experienced. My prescription pill didn't touch it. My hubby finally convinced me to go to urgent care to get a pain shot and within twenty minutes the pain was gone. The shot did make me drowsy, so back to bed I went as soon as we got home. Needless to say it wasn't a productive day and I'm very happy I had today off. This afternoon I made this Floral Feel Better Card to add to my stash. I have a feeling it will come in handy. The design comes from the sketch at Pals Paper Arts. The main colors are: Bermuda Bay, Strawberry Slush and Crushed Curry. The polka dot patterned paper is from the Kaleidoscope dsp and I used the scallop edge punch with the retired coordinating scallop trim corner punch. I added three large rhinestones in the center of the flowers for a little bling. The flower is from the Morning Meadow hostess stamp set and the sentiment is from the Sassy Salutations set. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

My Floral Feel Better Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Pals Paper Arts: Sketch
• Totally Papercrafts: Beautiful Borders
• Speedy Fox and Friends: Photo Inspiration (colors)

Whistle a Tweet Tune Card

Spring is almost here! The daffodils in my yard are almost ready to bloom and my maple tree is full of buds. Signs of spring are everywhere. Yesterday I was at my front window and noticed the Mourning Doves were checking out their nesting spot from last year. I'm hoping they will decide to use it again! It was really exciting watching the nest from my front window. A repeat performance would be a welcome treat!

The card I made today is inspired by Spring. In my yard the first flowers to come to life are the color yellow. Yellow is such a happy color. This Whistle a Tweet Tune Card was made using the Bird Bath Joy Color Plus digital image and patterned paper by Doodle Pantry. I have to admit, this was the first time I used digital patterned paper. Since it came with the digital image, I liked the idea of the ink colors matching. The cloud paper is retired from Stampin' Up!. I used the pansy flower punch, scalloped edge punch and my leaf die all by Stampin' Up! Well, enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for stopping by!

My Whistle a Tweet Tune Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Doodle Pantry: Any Digi Goes
• City Crafter: Spring in the Garden
• Crafty Bloggers: Nature
• Crafty Boots: Feathers
• Lexi's Creations: Use Punches and Dies
• One Stitch at a Time: Use a Digi

Holland Lop Thanks Card

Some of my favorite cards are made with a specific purpose/reason. This Holland Lop Thanks Card was made for a very cute reason. On Monday I came home a little earlier than usual and I checked my back porch as I always do. I feed my backyard cottontails, squirrels, and birds some seed on my back porch. I'm always looking back there to see what is eating and on Monday I saw a furry little body that wasn't a cottontail. I got closer and noticed it was a juvenile Holland Lop rabbit. Well as luck would have it I had some rabbit food that I recently bought so, I took some outside and watched this little rabbit eat like it was starving. I decided to call my dad because I wasn't sure if I should catch it or leave it. He told me to catch it and I did. The poor little thing was really skinny and pretty weak. I knew I couldn't keep it but I wanted it to have a good home so once again I call my parents. They live in the country and have a rabbit hutch and they agreed to keep it. I kept it overnight and then met my parents the next evening. Now the rabbit, which I named Snickers, has a good home and I can see it when I visit my parents. It's funny because I'm pretty sure my mom thought after I moved out of the house I would stop bringing home stray animals to their house, but so far that hasn't stopped me.


Snickers

To make this card I searched several different digital stamp websites until I found this Holland Lop wabbit image from Doodle Pantry.  It's so cute and fit the theme of my card perfectly. I added some dark area shading with my Copic markers to better resemble Snickers coloring. The Thanks So Much sentiment and scalloped circle was cut using my Cricut machine, the leaves are a die cut and the pansy flower is a punch both by Stampin' Up!. Well, thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day!

My Holland Lop Thanks Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Doodle Pantry: Use a Doodle Pantry Image
• The Sisterhood of Crafters: Use a Digital Stamp
• Flutter By Wednesday: Open, use a butterfly or fairy
• Happy Campers: Show us Your Flowers
• 365 Cards: In the Garden

Blooming Love Card

Hello! I hope you're having a fantastic day. Mine has been pretty good. I was sitting by myself at lunch and was approached by a lady who needed a hair model for a training class. I was brave enough to participate. She washed, trimmed and styled my hair for free. Plus she gave me a scalp and neck massage. I guess I was in the right place at the right time and it turned out terrific. It really made my day!

Onto my card.... this Blooming Love Card was made using the colors in the Sunday Stamps challenge. The colors are Black, Fuchsia and Red. The closest color I have to Fuchsia is Melon Mambo, so that's what I used. I went with a really simple layout and used a fun black and white patterned paper by Recollections. The sentiment stamp is by Print Works and the pansy flower was stamped using the Flower Shop stamp set by Stampin' Up!. I layered the punched pansy with a real red punched blossom flower and used a black glitter brad in the center. Feeling I needed a little more of a glam look, I added the strip of black glitter tape by Recollections. The corners of the white card stock were punched using the scroll corner punch by Fiskars and I punched a couple of pieces of Melon Mambo and inlayed them into the punched white card stock. (I hope that makes sense!) This card could be used for an anniversary or wedding and it was pretty easy to make. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

My Blooming Love Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Sunday Stamps: Colors
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
• Tammy's Scrapin Corner: Anything Goes
• Victorine Stamps: Wedding or Love

Kind Words Card

Good afternoon! I hope you are having a wonderful day. I spent some time in my craft room and made this Kind Words Card. The layout comes from this weeks sketch at Freshly Made Sketches by Lesley Croghan. I love the angled panel and had a lot of fun putting this card together. This card contains a couple of new supplies to my stash. The Venetian Romance patterned paper by Stampin' Up! and the sentiment stamp by Verve Stamps are part of my newest purchases. The colors in this Kind Words Card are:

• Island Indigo
• Crisp Cantaloupe
• Very Vanilla
• Soft Suede
• Pistachio Pudding

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

My Kind Words Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Freshly Made Sketches: Sketch
• Craft-Room Challenge: Something New
• Through the Craft Room Door: Anything Goes
• Our Creative Corner: Words, Words, Words

Kind Word Card Supplies*:

• Paper: Island Indigo, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede card stock and Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper.
• Stamps: Kind Words stamp set by Verve Stamps and Flower Shop stamp set by Stampin' Up!.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pads in Soft Suede and Pistachio Pudding.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Pansy punch, champagne brad and stampin' dimensionals.

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted. 

Ready to Succeed Hanging

Success is a funny thing! It's a hard word to define because it means something different to everyone. Success could be landing that first job out of college or maybe just paying the bills this month. Then there is the pitfall of measuring yourself to others and feeling success will never be yours. I believe success is within each of us and it's up to us to find the success we are looking for. When I was teaching I used to tell me students that success is part motivation, part inspiration and part perspiration. If you want something, you have to go after it. You can't wait around for others to do it for you. Success is not easy. I made this Ready to Succeed Hanging for my cubical at work as a motivational tool and a reminder to keep reaching for my dreams. I found this motivational reminder from the May 27, 2013 issue of Woman's World magazine. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

My Ready to Succeed Hanging is entered into the following challenges:

• The Paper Players: Fall, Anything but a Card
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
• Our Creative Corner: Words, Words, Words

Ready to Succeed Hanging Supplies*:

• Paper: Elegant Eggplant and More Mustard patterned paper from the Regals retired designer series paper stack, Pear Pizzazz and Very Vanilla card stock and a comic book board.
• Stamps: Gently Falling and Flower Shop.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pads in Summer Starfruit, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Wisteria Wonder, Perfectly Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Soft Suede.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Top Note die, Pansy punch, Adorning Accents Edgelit, Boho Blossom punch, colored brads from unknown source, Offray ribbon, personal computer and printer and stampin' dimensionals.

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted.

Handmade Card for a Friend

Hello! This morning I was really dragging and my creative juices were running on empty! I printed out the Mojo Monday sketch and it just sat on my desk. After several hours and a couple cups of coffee... I created this Handmade Card for a Friend. I used the Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper, Flower Shop stamp set and the Sale-A-Bration Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set all by Stampin' Up!. I LOVE the colors in this card and the Melon Mambo flower just makes me happy. Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic week!

My Handmade Card for a Friend is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• Lexi's Creations: For a Friend
• An Inky Situation: Anything Goes

*All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Caring is Everything Card

The first Monday of July and a big milestone at the Mojo Monday challenge blog. They are celebrating their 300th challenge. That's awesome! To participate you have to make a card using their sketch, post it to the Internet and link it to their challenge. So come on...make a card a play along!

This Caring is Everything Card is full of bright colors that have a nice summery feel. The patterned paper from the Party Collection by Pebbles made it easy to select the right accent colors for this card.  When I started this card I was going to keep it simple and minimize the layering...but, as I was working with the paper and colors I decided it would look better with the real red card stock accenting the layers. It took a little bit longer to make but I really like the way it turned out. Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic day!

My Caring is Everything Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• 'ABC' Challenges: Anything Goes
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes

Caring is Everything Card Supplies:

• Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red card stock by Stampin' Up! Aqua card stock from The Paper Studio and glitter green card stock is from DCWV.
• Stamps: Flower Shop stamp set and Papillon Potpourri stamp set both by Stampin' Up! and sentiment stamp by Print Works.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pads in Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie.
• Other Stuff: Sewing machine, thread, Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder, Cricut machine, Storybook Cricut cartridge, George and Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge, Pansy Punch, Bitty Butterfly punch and Itty Bitty Shapes punch all by Stampin' Up!, rhinestone basic jewels, and stampin' dimensionals.

Happy Birthday Wishes Card

Hello, it's me again! This morning we had a stamping get-together with several fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators. We meet every couple of months and share ideas and stamp together. For my stamping project I made this Happy Birthday Wishes Card using several products from the new catalog. I'm in LOVE with the new Flower Shop stamp set, Pansy punch and Afternoon Picnic designer series paper. The colors Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz and Wisteria Wonder are mixed with neutrals Basic Gray, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla. To create this card I used a sketch from Feeling Sketchy for the layout and combined a couple other challenges for the details. Thanks for stopping by!

My Happy Birthday Wishes Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Feeling Sketchy: Sketch
• Just Add Ink: Just Add Leaves
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards: Bingo (flowers, die cut, charm)  
• Crafty Catz: Pick and Mix
• Fairy Tale: Happy Birthday
• Crafty Friends: Add a Charm

Happy Birthday Wishes Card Supplies*:

• Paper: Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz and Wisteria Wonder card stock and Afternoon Picnic dsp.
• Stamps: Flower Shop stamp set, Papillon Potpourri stamp set and the sentiment is from the Simply Sketched hostess stamp set.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pads in Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Polka Dots embossing folder, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Pansy punch, Wisteria Wonder twine (retired), butterfly charm by Charm Me, and stampin' dimensionals.

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted.

Flutterby Thank You Card

Good afternoon! This week is really flying by and I still need to get a few things accomplished. Do you ever feel like you need to lock yourself out of your craft room? I guess that's what I need to do, lock the door and give my hubby the key. Oh, who am I kidding... he would probably never let me back in! Maybe I'll try practicing self control.?! Ha! Now I'm just cracking myself up!!!

Onto my card.... this Flutterby Thank You Card was made using the sketch from this weeks challenge at Flutter By Wednesday. I combined it with the colours from ColourQ and a couple other challenges to come up with the final combination. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

My Flutterby Thank You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Flutter By Wednesday: Sketch + Butterfly or Fairy
• ColourQ: Colour
• Cards in Envy: Stitched Up (Real or Faux)
• Tammy's Scrapin Corner: Things with Wings
• Lady Anne's: Must Stamp

Flutterby Thank You Card Supplies*:

• Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral and Tempting Turquoise card stock, 2012-2014 In Color dsp (retired) Brights dsp (retired) and Poppy Parade patterned paper (retired).
• Stamps: Papillon Potpourri stamp set and Itty Bitty Banners stamp set.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pads in Calyso Coral, Gumball Green, and Poppy Parade.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Scallop Trim Border punch, Pansy punch, Elegant Butterfly punch, Bitty Banners framelits, Bernina sewing machine, white thread, Brights Candy Dots, and stampin' dimensionals.

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! with the exception of the sewing machine and thread.

Punched Pansy Birthday Card

Hello! This afternoon I was checking on The Paper Players weekly challenge and realized there was only a day left to participate. It's a color challenge to use: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, So Saffron and Early Espresso. So, I decided to make this Punched Pansy Birthday Card for my friend who lives in Texas. Her birthday is exactly one month after mine, and yes....I'm older. Hmmm.... I don't think we want to talk about age so let's get back to the card. I was inspired by Amy O'Neill's card to use the new Flower Shop* stamp set and Pansy Punch* by Stampin' Up!. For the center of the flowers I used the heat and stick powder on Early Espresso card stock and topped it with Iridescent Ice powder. Then I punched the embossed card stock with the Itty Bitty Shapes punch and adhered to the center of the flowers. I really like how it looks and it's a nice alternative to a rhinestones or pearls. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the Sassy Salutations stamp set and the edge of the card was created with the Adorning Accents Edgelits.  Thanks for stopping by!

My Punched Pansy Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• The Paper Players: Color
• Divas by Design: Happy Birthday
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes

*Buy the Flower Shop stamp set and coordinating Pansy Punch in a bundle in either wood or clear mount and save 15%.