Hello Lemonade

Hi y'all!

Another super quick one for you today....can you tell I'm REALLY enjoying my new studio???....  I have recently been introduced to the loveliness of PinkFresh stamps and dies.  So much variety, I had to pace myself when I made a purchase with them last week.  Just a little at a time....such discipline is hard....  I did however pick up a few things, like the FANTASTIC Classic Words Die Set....oh how I adore thee.....and the Sweet Lemonade stamp set with dies.  They are so stinkin' cute!  I was very excited to see the box on the kitchen counter when I got home from the holiday weekend, it arrived so fast!  I knew I had to use them on their challenge they have going on. 

Now, when you have an open ended challenge, I find those the hardest!  It took me a little while to get my craft for this challenge, but after I found some old patterned paper with the word 'lemonade' on it in the color story, it was easy to go from there.  I also have a TON of left over paper doilies so I added one of those to it too.  It's a sweet little card to send off to someone special.

Supplies:
Stamps: PinkFresh Sweet Lemonade
Ink: Stampin Up Regal Rose, Pirouette Pink, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Dies: Classic Words Die Set, Sweet Lemonade
Paper: Vellum. Stampin Up Whisper White, retired patterned paper

Glitter Shots

Hi y'all!

How was your holiday weekend?  I had a wonderful time down in South Carolina at a besties wedding.  She was stunning and they couldn't be more in love!  I loved every minute of it!

I'm back in the studio today....trying to recover from a FUN weekend....and was pleased to find my order from Paper Smooches arrived while I was gone!....I think the subject matter of this card, pretty much sums up my weekend....  I tried to use my old Heat and Stick powder from Stampin Up, but I didn't find that it worked as well as it used to?  Perhaps sitting in a hot storage unit for 5 years has taken it's toll.  It took quite a bit ....more than a bit....of trial and error to create what was supposed to be a very simple CAS(E) Sketch Challenge project.  I also used the color from the inspiration photo from Just Us Girls blog.  I used to do their challenges back in the day and I'm super pleased to see them still around 5 years later!

I got a new photo box for taking photos, and I'm still tweaking the process!  These photos are a little over exposed...

Rainbow Joy

Good morning peeps!

Just a quick post today.  I'm leaving for the holiday weekend for one of my besties wedding and I have much to do!

I have found a fun challenge blog called the Rainbow Card Challenge.  It's a monthly challenge blog where you use a specified color or inspiration photo as your guideline.  Easy peezy!

I do like the look of a monochromatic card and green is one of my favorite colors, so I had to join in.  I had this fabulous 'joy' embellie in my stash....actually I have a dozen of them.... and thought I would put it to use.  I think I will come back and make another one for my bestie's wedding.  Her colors are lavender and green, so I'll switch it up a bit.

CAS(E) Woody life

I thought I would join this week's CAS(E) challenge!  Here is the sketch they provided:

A little back story...

My husband's dream car is a Jeep Grand Wagoneer.  While we were dating, we were driving down the highway the day after Thanksgiving.  A man driving his dream car was ahead of us.  Beloved sped up to drive next to the guy, and while driving 60mph on the road, convinced the man to pull over so we could have our photo taken with his car....the man is a natural sales man.... Here is the photo:

1 year later, and we were getting married.  What do you get the man that has everything?  His dream car.  I found one close to home for a STEAL!...and it looks almost identical to the one he spotted on the highway!....  Granted it has become the biggest money pit ever, but that man's eye's lit up when I gave it to him!  We used it as our 'get-away car' for our wedding.  The car is currently undergoing a full on renovation.  Beloved is drooling every week when he visits the shop to see the progress.  I'm just glad he's enjoying it!

On to the sketch...  When I saw this set from PTI, I knew I had to have it! A perfect stamp set to make cards for my Beloved.  It's been sitting in a box for 3 years, just waiting for me to have all my art supplies unpacked.  This is a set that will need some practice, that's for sure.  I made this card this evening, but I had to make 3 cars to get one even close to perfect.  I think I will also need to get hybrid inks.  The Stampin' Up! waterbased inks bubble up on the surface, even after rubbing them down with an eraser.

Supplies:
Stamps:  PTI On the Wagon
Inks: Stampin Up Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzaz, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Soft Gray
Paper: Stampin Up Soft Suede, Whisper White; Vellum
Embellies: green buttons, silver cording
Dies:  PTI  On the Wagon and stitched set 1

Color cheers

I have to just say... I LOVE MY NEW ART STUDIO!!!  I'm so incredibly lucky to have this space.  it just makes my heart happy.  This is a photo my hubby took on Saturday as I was getting ready for a painting class I was hosting.  Isn't it dreamy??  I love the floor...I love the lighting...I love the haint blue ceiling...I love EVERYTHING!  Sorry to brag, but it's just been wonderful being able to be creative again!

Speaking of being creative, I decided to participate in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday blog challenge and the Shopping Our Stash - Get Your Drink On challenge.  I had actually planned on doing the SSS one from last week, but realized this morning I had missed it....it is Wednesday after all....  No worries!  I LOVE color and drinks so these are right up my alley.  I didn't have any recent Doodlebug designs sticker sheets....I did find one from 2003....so I used a layered sticker like the ones some of the SSS Design Team used.  I am trying to use up my old supplies before I update my stashes, so I pulled out some patterned papers by Lilybee Design from about 5 years ago.  I thought the patterned paper looked like a picnic blanket and I loved the colors!  I added the sentiment from Paper Smooches Birthday Sampler since it went with the cocktail so perfectly.  I'm still working on my photo skills so please forgive the photo quality!

Supplies:
Paper: LilyBee Designs, PTI Hawaiian Shores
Stamps: PTI Fruit Fusion Strawberry; Paper Smooches Birthday Sampler
Ink: Stampin Up  Soft Sky and Basic Black
Embellies: Sticker (no idea); blue and greet buttons; red and white bakers twine; pink seam binding ribbon

French Aloha Kisses

Hi ya'll!  Or should I say aloha!  I'm here with today's creation for the Paper Smooches May Challenge...Flowers.  WAY back in 2016, I was a guest designer with PS and knew upon my return I needed to get back to working with Kim's awesome images!  Bummer is, the only flower set from PS I own is the Bold Blooms set.  I don't have the die cutters....but after today's challenge, they're on my list!....  I struggled with this challenge.  I love the large images, but struggled with how to create something that was a little different, but that still showed off the image.  I tried water colors, creating a background paper with them stamps, I even tried just a single flower layout.  Nothing tickled my fancy.  I went thru all my flower embellies, which I surprisingly have very little of!  I then opened my new glitter/embossing drawer....how could I resist this drawer?....and found the perfect embossing powder to use.  Ranger brand Verdigris.  I've had this powder for about 8 years, so I'm not sure they sell it anymore.  I'm glad I hung onto it during the move, because I kinda dig it.

Since tropical leaves are all the rage in decorating right now, I thought I would use that as my inspiration.  I decided to use it to create the background with layers of Versamark, the Verdigris embossing powder and white embossing powder.  I added some gold Stickles to the centers of the flowers to match the sentiment.  Simple and fun card!

What do you use to inspire your creations?

Gnome one else...

I absolutely LOVE this stamp set!  My beloved and I have and affinity for the adorable little creatures.  I decided to participate in the MFT sketch challenge, and I have to say, it was hard for me!  I wanted to do something different than everyone else, but the type of MFT stamps I own, didn't lend itself to this layout.  OR perhaps I'm just so out of practice that I couldn't think outside the box.  Either way, I'm glad I finished it and I'm eager to give it to Beloved.  It will make him smile and feel special.

I dug out this really old patterned paper, I couldn't even tell you who its by!  I liked it and thought it looked a kitchie, perfect for a gnome!  I used the MFT You Gnome Me stamp set and die set, along with the Adore and Love you die.  I think he looks perfectly squishy and happy!

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT you Gnome Me
Inks: Stampin Up Basic Black, Copic Markers
Papers: Stampin Up Whisper White, Real Red, Patterned paper
Embellies: various buttons, Stampin Up Silver cord

Shopping My flower stash!

So... I was able to make 2 cards today!  How very exciting...  I found a new challenge....at least new to me.... the Shopping Our Stash challenge.  You must use ONLY things you already have.  Nothing new.  I LOVE this idea, as it helps me to use up all the old stuff in my cabinets.  

I decided to use some old Stampin' Up colors, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose.  Now, they may still be around,but since I've been out of the loop for 3 years, and I've had all 3 colors for more than 3 years, its very possible they have been retired!  I'll do some research next week to update all my colors.  I've also used PTI's Gran's Flowers and Fancy Flourishes stamp sets.  Not sure they will be sticking around either....  Either way, I do like how it turned out!  Again...still working out the photos in my new space, so please excuse the photo quality!

Supplies:
Ink: Stampin' Up! Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette
Papers: Stampin Up Whisper White, Regal Rose, Crumb Cake
Stamps: PTI Gran's Flowers, Fancy Flourishes
Dies: PTI scallop dies 1, Round tag
Embellies: Pink seam binding ribbon, brown button

Thinking of YOU!

HOLY COW!!!  I can’t believe its REALLY been this long since I’ve last created a card....for shame, for shame... I have a great reason, all my art studio supplies have long been packed away in a storage unit for over 3 years.  Yup.  Three.  Long.  Years.   In that time, the girls and I moved to my hometown and into my hubby’s childhood home, we planned an addition to the house....which would have included an art studio space....but, instead decided to just renovate....no additional square footage.... had to wait another year to figure out a crafting space, and have NOW just completed a little house on our property for an art studio!....like, just Friday....  3 total years later, here I am!  Unpacking and rediscovering all the things I have to create with.  It’s really been fun...  If you want to see the before and after photos of the studio, check them out here.

SO much has changed since I was last here!  I feel a little lost to be quite frank.  It took me a long while to remember what my signin info was, old friends are no longer blogging and some of my favorite companies are in limbo.  BUT, it has been great to see new faces and ideas to get the heart pumping!  I decided unpack everything and get it all organized before I started creating, but all these papers and supplies were just too tempting for my little heart to ignore.  I had to get just one in....maybe two...


I found the Freshly Made Sketches challenge site last night as I was poking around the bloggisphere.  I love the concept of simple, yet embellished creations.  Contradictory terms you may think...nope.  Just keep the items clean and simple and you’ve got the idea.  It all started with this sketch:

I'm trying to come up with a new way to store my PTI stamps, as the cd cases are taking up too much space in my shiny new cabinets!  As I was going through them, I came across my old tried and true set I love to use.  So I put re-organization on hold and got to crafting!  I did use a new die, the scallop card.  It took me a few failed attempts to figure out the best way to cut it, but I think I figured it out?  At least this one came out!  I loved the stitching on the edges, super cute!  Since I don't have my photo box set-up anymore, i will have to work on my photo editing skills.  The color is a little off...too much blue...since I used natural light.  I'll figure it all out again!

Supplies:
Stamps and dies: PTI Up, Up and Away, PTI Scalloped card
Inks: Stampin Up Basic Black and So Saffron
Paper: Stampin Up Whisper White, So Saffron; American Crafts City Park
Embellies: Pink seam binding ribbon, blue button, yellow striped baking twine


Do you have any organization ideas for your space?  I'd love to hear them!

MFT Wedding colors...sort of

Oh how I love weddings!  Being a former...as of early May...Special Events designer, weddings were  by far my favorite to do.  ....Minus the stress....  Its a happy time for nearly everyone involved as someone is always crazy for one reason or another on a wedding day!

When my beloved and I started planning our wedding, I absolutely dreaded wedding dress shopping....many tears were involved at the first store....  John came with me to both the stores I went to.  He ultimately picked out my dress, as he said it was the only one I tried on where I was smiling when I was in it! ....I must admit it, I was laughing when I tried it on, it was GINORMOUS!....  I must admit, I'm so happy this was the one we selected, it was fun to wear, and the girls kept telling me I looked like a peach Cinderella....the new movie had been released a month before the wedding....  I'll attach a few of my favorite wedding photos at the end of this post if you're interested in that sort of thing....

With this pre-story, I had was pleased as punch when I saw the color challenge at MFT for this week!  The dress we selected led the colors of our wedding day; Buff....the color of my dress...., peach, coral, wood and copper.  All my colors from the wedding in this challenge, plus the addition of my favorite color - blue! With the Susan's wedding inspiration post and this color challenge post, it was destiny....and even though 90% of my crafting supplies are packed up for the move....I had to participate!

I made this card with my beloved in mind!  Our 1 year anniversary is in 8 days and we have an affinity for gnomes....I'll tell that story another time....  When I saw this set at MFT, I HAD to have it! I dressed him up in the same colors beloved wore for the wedding, and I had to add copper to the mix since that was our shimmer for the wedding...and everyone loves a little shimmer!...




I know he'll notice all the little touches of this card, the copper, the wedding colors, as well as his matching outfit.  He's good like that....  I think he's also going to love his first year anniversary gift!

Here are some photos of our wonderful wedding...if you're into that kind of thing...

I love my giggly little girl!  She was the hit of the day, as she walked down the aisle, she was tossing the petals above her head, and they all landed on the train of her dress.  They all followed her down the to the front and when she turned around, that's when she noticed they were all attached to her!  She was so happy and full of giggles!

I love this photo of my beloved!  I love how he laughs....  His best man was his nephew.

Our favorite photo of the two of us....

The Woody...my wedding gift to my beloved...

Our new little family in front of the house we will all be living in together starting next week!  We've been living in 2 separate cities for 2 years...

My beautiful oldest daughter...she was the maid of honor and gave the MOST amazing speech at the  reception.  She is becoming such a beautiful young woman!  I love, love, LOVE this girl!!!

My 'staff' and I made over 900 feet of fresh garland for the tent....I'm so glad they still talk to me!

Lots of joy and laughter that day!

Thanks for letting me share!!

Missed opportunity...

I certainly miss creating for PaperCrafts Magazine...  Their calls for submissions always helped me think outside the box and let's be honest, gave me an excuse to shirk my household duties...at least for a few hours...  I went online the other day, visiting some of my old haunts, only to find many of them gone.  Ah, such is life!  However, some of the old standbys were there for me, Papertrey Ink, My Favorite things, and lots of bloggers I liked to follow.  It was like visiting a friend you haven't seen in a  few years, but its like you were never apart!  I love that feeling....  They helped me on Wednesday revisit my creative side with their challenge, its a great feeling to get those creative juices flowing!

 I originally wanted to submit this for the Paper Trey Ink contest, but after putting the girls to bed for the night, I forgot to do it.  They put up this image as inspiration for your creation:

I used the water color look and the grey outlined letters as the starting point and went from there.  Not my favorite creation of all time, but it will work for Lily's teacher for next week's last day.