Purple Roses

Hello again!
Today I have the second card I made a few days ago with the pink roses. After I colored them pink, I thought it might work well to use the Blending Brush to color them instead. Maybe a slightly softer look...? So I tried it in purple! Four different shades of purple show up on this card! I brushed the roses in Wisteria Wonder and I drew a little bit using the Gorgeous Grape watercolor pencil on the daisies. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Layers of Beauty, PS You're The Best

Ink: Smoky Slate, Wisteria Wonder, Gorgeous Grape
Paper: Highland Heather, Basic White 
Accessories: Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon, Regals Candy Dots (Elegant Eggplant), Blending Brush, Exposed Brick embossing folder, Big Shot

Pink Roses

Hello and happy Monday! ...still. I have a sickie home but I think she'll be at school tomorrow. I actually had two sickies home this morning but one was okay after some meds, lol... 'tis the season. And there's actually a storm blowing in, for once. I hope it brings a lot of water!!!

Today I have a card using the inspiration photo from SUO Challenges. I picked the colors and the roses. I started coloring with Stampin' Blends but I felt like that was way too bold. So I used Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens to color in just the blooms themselves. I also distressed it a little with the Timeworn Type embossing folder.

Supplies:
Stamps: Layers of Beauty, Sunny Sentiments
Ink: Smoky Slate, Flirty Flamingo
Paper: Flirty Flamingo, Basic Beige
Accessories: Antique Pearls, Crochet Lace, Watercolor Pencils (Flirty Flamingo, Melon Mambo, Cherry Cobbler), Blender Pens, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Dimensionals, Big Shot

And, I liked, and had a variation idea, so I made another for another day, ha! 

Snowy Man

If I manifest snow in my crafting, maybe it will snow for real?? Also if it could stick around enough to make a snowman, that'd be cool. We've had two snow storms this winter and even the mountains don't have a lot of snow right now. Sigh. I hate to admit that more than once, the first time my kids have made a snowman in a season was March.... I'm FINE with winter coming before then! 

So today's card uses the sketch (tho I flipped it sideways) and photo from Inspired By... I used this cute snowman I've only used once before, and the trees that came in the set and some blue with bits of the orange and pink and a hint of bright green.  

Supplies: 
Stamps: Christmas Magic

Ink: Starry Sky, Balmy Blue
Stampin' Markers: Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Cucumber Crush

Paper: Starry Sky, Balmy Blue, Basic White card stocks
Accessories: Softly Falling embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals 

Thank you or Christmas?

So, I have a card class this week, and since it's still "only" October, I did more of a thank you theme. I do have one Christmas card and then this one has the option of being whatever they need more of right now! 

This time I used the prompt from The Paper Players to make a tag, but I do not ever use tags so I stuck it on a card, haha! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Peaceful Evergreens, Oct 2024 Paper Pumpkin / Simply Said

Ink: Old Olive, Real Red/Copper Clay

Paper: Basic White, Old Olive card stocks

Accessories: Iridescent Striped Trim, Exposed Brick embossing folder, Dimensionals, big shot, stapler

The line of trees is a little hard to see behind the tag, but I still think it adds something.

I think it also shows a bit of versatility in these pines- it doesn't just have to be a wintery, Christmas card.

But I'll show you something... I was struggling to decide which color I wanted to use for this class vs next month's class (because of COURSE we will use this stamp set for a Christmas card class!) so I decided to test it out. I "tested" it with all the greens, blues, grays and browns I own, plus some purples! I like a LOT of the results and I might like more if I used the right supplies, haha..... I think I need to play with this tree set more than I usually get to play with a single set! It's gonna be FUN.

Color Throwdown!

Happy Wednesday to you!
Today I have some very happy, because I was selected by Color Throwdown to play along this week! 

This is their challenge image, and you can find it here: Color Throwdown #801 

And this is how I used these pretty autumny colors:

and a slightly different angle of lighting... 

Supplies:

Stamps: Encircled in Nature

Ink: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy

Paper: Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze

Accessories: Iridescent Foil Gems, Encircled in Nature dies, Exposed Brick embossing folder, Dimensionals, Blending Brush, Tombow adhesive, big shot (retired)

I tried inking the embossing folder, but I guess the ink was too wet because it just made a mess. So I ran it thru again and this time swiped my ink pad across the raised edges. I like how it wasn't full-coverage and I think that adds to the distressed look. I used a Blending Brush with Crumb Cake ink on the center cut out part of the wreath, and then left the wreath itself plain, to stand out a bit more. I cut an extra leaf die and layered it on top. And I really love the result! 

I hope you get to stay inside during this super hot week and get some crafting done! 

Featuring: Starry Sky

Since the end of the catalog year is fast approaching, I'm going to hold a card class focusing on the soon-to-retire 2022-2024 In Colors.

Starry Sky is one of my all time favorite shades of blue. I tend to like the blues anyway, and this is rich and gorgeous. It is so good for sky, water, masculine, you name it. I will miss this one! 

This is also a remake of a monochromatic card I made before, because I am telling you what- being sick took all the creativity out of me! But this time I went with Starry Sky, and a bit of ribbon. 

Supplies:

Stamps: In The Moment

Ink: Starry Sky

Paper: Starry Sky, Basic White 

Accessories: Starry Sky Metallic ribbon, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Dimensionals 

I will say, I designed this class before the retiring lists were released and originally thought I'd use a different stamp set. But then I decided to switch to an out-going set, that honestly works almost the same. So my original plan, and text for the blog, ha, was this: 

Since this is for a class, I want people to feel free to choose which image suits them best, and which greeting too. So I went ahead and showed that any of the options work. Also, any way you choose to lay out the two white shapes works just fine. When I hold classes like this, I have the white pieces prepped ahead of time, and in this case the ribbon will also be pre-cut.

Bonus- I have some masculine birthday and Father's Day cards ready to go! 

Birthday Flower Garden!

Oh my word I am so done with being sick! For close to a month I have only been doing the bare minimum around here, and sleeping a crazy lot. Crafting is not on that list. Keeping the rest of the house healthy IS. I did have a few good days over my birthday thank goodness, and then right back to maybe worse than before. But I THINK I'm through it now and hey look- I got a birthday card made! I only need four more to catch up for this month.... yikes.
I think I can... I think I can...

For this card I combined the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and the latest colors from Hand Stamped Sentiments, and this is my result! Bit chaotic, but I think these colors are perfect for the birthday girl! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Sending Smiles
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Flirty Flamingo
Paper: Flirty Flamingo, Coastal Cabana, Basic White card stocks
Accessories: White Baker's Twine, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Circle dies, Dimensionals 

Autumn Leaves

are in fact my favorite. And autumn is WAY too short! So of course we were gonna play with them for a fall card class! The only leaves I own that are current are dies, but I still used the coordinating stamp set for the greeting.

Supplies:

Stamps: Perched In A Tree 

Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive

Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze card stocks

Accessories: Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Aspen Trees dies, big shot (retired)

I like you!

I keep hoping for some stamping time + inspiration and it just is not happening lately. I'm mentally preoccupied with other things that are coming up that I need to do, and I'm physically distracted with still making the most of summer time! But I did get some time today so here's something new! This is a new-to-me stamp set and like I said on my facebook post the other day- I got to try the new style of marker! 

Today's card uses the latest Color Throwdown Challenge, which is so calm and pretty! Just tricky to photograph the shade of green I chose... 

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamped With Love
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Seafoam, both markers too
Paper: Soft Seafoam, Basic White card stocks
Accessories: Festive Pearls, White twine, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Blending Brush, big shot (retired)

I used a Blending Brush to very lightly add a bit of Crumb Cake to the embossed part of the front panel. I cut out the post box, and popped it on Dimensionals. I will admit, the greeting panel feels just a bit 'out of no where' but it kind of works so it's fine. HA. 

Thoughts on the new markers? The lids are different- shorter, maybe thinner, and they don't stick to the other end. I used the "bullet" point side of the markers to color in a bit of the flourish above the word "post" and also the hole the letter goes in to. I never, ever use that point except to very occasionally add journaling in the matching color, so that's a good change for me. I like how it colored and I will do it again. 

Are you making anything pretty this week? When you're done admiring your work, send it to someone! 

We Create Blog Hop: March to the Beat

Yet another new month has arrived, can you even believe it? And that means a new blog hop for you! 

When this month's theme was introduced, we were leaning towards March events and music. The only current music product I find in my stash is this Merry Melody embossing folder... And we're inching ever closer to saying goodbye to these favorite 2021-23 In Colors so I wanted to use those.... and then I saw the latest SUO Challenge to "go green!" and this card was born! 
I don't typically send Easter cards, but my grandmother did, and her sister could always use some cheerful mail, so I think that's where this will go.

Supplies:

Stamps: Rejoice In Him

Ink: Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, Pale Papaya

Paper: Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, Pale Papaya

Accessories: Soft Succulent Open Weave Ribbon, Festive Pearls, Merry Melody Embossing Folder, big shot

And now you can hop on over to Tricia's blog, using the button below, and see what she has made for you.

Then hop along to see the rest of our projects! We're a small group, but full of ideas for you! 

We Create Blog Hop March 2023 Blog Roll
Kimberley Morris 
Cheryl Curtis
Tanya Harvey -- That's me!
Tricia Butts

Vintage Monochrome

World Card Making Day is coming up this weekend! I won't have time to stamp that day, but I will now have plenty to share to inspire YOUR creativity! And I've got stuff ready to go leading up to it too!
yeay stamping time!!!

Today's card uses the SUO Challenges theme of "monochrome", with the sketch from Global Design Project, and the photo from Inkspirational Challenges! I thought about other colors for the monochrome theme, but I loved this inspiration photo and that worked! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Ranunculus Romance
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla card stocks
Accessories: Natural Ribbon, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls, Blending Brush, Timeworn Type Embossing folder, Dimensionals, big shot

We Create Blog Hop

September already?! I really hope the weather checks the calendar so it will cool off soon...! In the meantime, we've got a new blog hop for you to enjoy!  

This month we'd like to direct your attention to the July - December mini catalog. If you don't have a copy of your own, I've got it linked here on my sidebar, on the right. On page 5, you'll find the Nourish & Flourish kit that comes in an insulated canvas lunch bag! This cute kit makes 9 all occasion cards, with envelopes AND with every purchase Stampin' Up! will donate $3 to end food insecurity. I love that Stampin' Up! often has fundraiser products to help make a physical difference in this world.

Never underestimate the power your cards have to also make a difference. I promise, recipients are always so happy to get a hand-made card, and know that you were thinking of them.
Recording memories in scrapbooks is just as important. Writing your history down, and sharing the reason behind your photos will be a treasure your loved ones will be grateful to have. 

For my cards today, I used the sketch from Global Design Project, and combined it with the SUO Challenge to use die cuts! I used three dies, and an embossing folder! It makes a pretty birthday card that will definitely brighten someone's day! 

I actually really just wanted to play this day, so I tried a few different ways of coloring the flowers. That also shows you that you can use what you already own, or you can try something new!
This first one is just to stamp in a color of ink as always, and as soon as you do, use a Blender Pen to pull the ink into the image.

Supplies:
Stamps: Happiness Abounds
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz, Basic White
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Blossoming Happiness dies, Blender Pens

This one uses the Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens.

Supplies:
Stamps: Happiness Abounds
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz, Basic White
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Blossoming Happiness dies, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pens

and this one uses Stampin' Blends. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Happiness Abounds
Ink: Memento Black
Stampin' Blends: Dark & Light Old Olive, Dark & Light Melon Mambo
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz, Basic White
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Blossoming Happiness dies

In this case, my favorite is the one with the Blends, but, I haven't invested into very many sets yet, so I don't have a huge variety. And I have a much bigger variety of colors with the pencils and way more with ink pads! Use whatever you've got and make something pretty today! 

But first, click the button below to hop along over to Kimberly's blog and see what she's made for you. Then hop on thru to everyone's, and let us know what you think of our work! Happy Stamping! 

Golden Ranunculus

The last card from my class this month is a fun one! So fun in fact, that to save time, I did the die cutting of the ranunculus, both the detailed part and the shiny gold part, before class started, haha... Attendees got to do the embossing part tho, so they had some of the fun. 

I like the gold on vanilla look. I'm not a gold person, but I've used this combo before and I think it's really elegant and striking all at the same time.

Supplies:
Stamps: Lovely You

Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Very Vanilla card stock, Gold & Rose Gold 6x6 Metallic Paper
Accessories: Brushed Brass Butterflies, Merry Melody embossing folder, Ranunculus dies, Dimensionals, big shot (retired) 

And this picture shows off the shiny paper! 

Ranunculus Romance #2

When I first pulled out Ranunculus Romance, I had a number of color combinations in mind. I pulled the inks and card stocks to try them all but I ran out of time, lol. But I got another chance to play so I made basically the same card with slightly different colors, haha! Also I ran this panel thru my favorite embossing folder too.

Supplies:
Stamps: Ranunculus Romance, Inspired Thoughts
Ink: Soft Seafoam, Gorgeous Grape, Soft Suede

Paper: Soft Seafoam, Basic White

Accessories: White Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon, Basic Pearls, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Ranunculus dies, Dimensionals, big shot (retired) 

Boy Graduation

Happy Monday to you!
Today I am showing a fun kind of card. This could easily go for a Father's Day card (which is Sunday!) but *I am using it for a graduation card for my nephew! I just got this Campology stamp set, but I have been eyeing it for a year now. So I used the TGIF Challenge sketch, combined with the color combination from Color Throwdown, and I am very happy with the result! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Campology
Ink: Garden Green
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Garden Green
Accessories: Linen Thread, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Dimensionals, big shot

We Create Blog Hop: My NEW Favorite Things

Happy June to you! May ended up much more of a blur than I expected, but a new month means a new blog hop, so let's go! 

Since the new catalog is still so new, we're focusing on new products today! I'm focusing on some of the great new In Colors! And I guess since it was Memorial Day when I was making it, I was feeling patriotic! 

This card also uses the center tic-tac-toe challenge from The Paper Players, with embossing, floral and dots! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Nature's Harvest
Ink: Starry Sky
Paper: Starry Sky, Sweet Sorbet, Basic White card stocks
Accessories: Timeworn Type embossing folder, 2022-24 In Color Matte Dots, White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon, Dimensionals, big shot

Now hop along, using the button below, to Cheryl's blog and see what she's created for you! 

Then hop on thru (we're a very small group) and let us know what you think of our work! And make some time to create this month! 

Kimberly
Tricia
Tanya  (You are here!)
Cheryl
Wendy

Relax!

Happy Friday!! 
It's May.
That means the end of the school year, and figuring out summer and all the things that go with that.
And some "spring fever" where a lot of days nobody wants to do anything in particular, in spite of all the deadlines, etc.
And I'm trying to fit in a card class, mostly with mothers of school children.
Yep.
haha... 

So for today's card, using the CAS Colors & Sketches sketch, I went with a quick and simple card. I think it also looks relaxing and that is exactly the point of this one. I haven't used Soft Sea Foam very much because it is so pale, but I felt it suited the relaxing theme today. 

Supplies:
Stamps: In The Moment
Ink: Smoky Slate, Soft Sea Foam 
Paper: Basic White, Soft Sea Foam
Accessories: White Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon, Merry Melody embossing folder, Dimensionals, big shot (retired)

Hopefully you get some time to relax! I'm looking forward to it myself, haha! 

Just Because

Today I have a pretty card that's already gone out in the mail. I love that! This time I used the latest Festive Friday challenge. From their list for World Kindness Day, I use flowers, pearls, embossing, lace and pastel colors! It looks like a time consuming card, but it really wasn't. And these coneflowers are more true-to-life than my last card, haha! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Nature's Harvest, Lovely You
Ink: Memento Black, Soft Succulent & marker, Fresh Freesia marker, Pale Papaya marker
Paper: Fresh Freesia, Soft Succulent, Basic White & Pale Papaya card stocks
Accessories: Lace Trim, Basic Pearls, Harvest Dies, Timeworn Type Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, big shot (retired)

Today, I am thankful for a husband who knows how to do allllll sorts of things and spent yesterday afternoon and well in to the night finishing up the flooring and trim in what is going to be my new craft room! 

We Create Blog Hop: Gratitude and Thanks

And Halloween is over and November has arrived!
A new month means a new blog hop, so here we are! This time we're focusing on gratitude and thanksgiving, which is a close runner up for my second-favorite time of year. If you've never tried it, it is true- being aware of what you are thankful for makes a huge difference in your attitude and mood! 

I am planning to send at least one thank you card each week in November to tell someone I appreciate them. I hope to do more, but October was a doozy of a month at my house and I don't need to set myself up for failure, haha! This is a happy goal, not a frustrating one! So here is a thank you card to get me going!
I used the color combination from the latest Color Throwdown and this card can be sent to anyone! I chose to use a lot less leaves this time because while the trees in my own front yard are still mostly green, a lot of trees have already shed their leaves for the season around here. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Inspired Thoughts

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso & Cajun Craze card stocks 
Accessories: Linen Thread, Inspiring Canopy Dies, Bark Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, big shot (retired)

Now hop on over to Kimberley's blog using the button below. Then hop the rest of the way thru (we're a small group, it won't take long) and let us know what you think! 

We Create Blog Hop November 2021 Blog Roll
Kimberley Morris
Tricia Butts
Cheryl Curtis
Tanya Harvey <-- ME

In November, my family has a tradition of writing down things we're thankful for each day on a paper leaf and then sticking it on the front door as reminders. Today I am extremely thankful to live in such a beautiful corner of the world. Two weeks ago, I snapped pictures of some of my favorite little spots to observe on my daily drives, and here is one of my favorites: 

What are you thankful for today?

Nature Heals

Today's card has already gone out in the mail and hopefully arrives today. I love this sentiment stamp, and I know it's true in my own life: nature brings healing and peace.
For this card I used the color combination from Hand Stamped Sentiments, and the sketch from The Paper Players. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Peaceful Cabin, Nature's Harvest
Ink: Misty Moonlight
Paper: Smoky Slate, Rich Razzleberry, Misty Moonlight, Basic White
Accessories: Flowers for All Seasons ribbon, Metallic Pearls, Timeworn Type embossing folder, Dimensionals, big shot (retired)

I hope you are getting some time to be creative this week! It's been pretty rare lately, haha, but I sure enjoy it, and I know it brightens the day of the person who receives the card too. So make sure you share your creations too!