blog break. . . .

For the next couple of months, life will be very busy for me.  I have decided to take a break from posting and challenges, at least for now, but maybe permanently.  When I am able, I hope to visit your blogs and make an occasional comment.  I also want to continue participating in Deborah's monthly card chain challenge.  This isn't really a challenge, but I really enjoy sending and receiving cards from others.

Thanks for all of your sweet comments and the great encouragement you have given me over the past (almost) five years of blogging here.  Till we "meet" again - I bid you adieu.  :-)

today. . . .

I am a guest designer on the Stamplorations blog. Last month I was the winner of the March challenge and Shery graciously asked me to be a GD this month.  The May challenge is to use stamps and leaves. 

Here is the card I made:

I decided to use Stamplorations "Artplorations" leaf  prints stencil for the leaves of my card.  After sponging through the stencil with MFT's spearmint ink, I die cut the panel using MFT's stitched rectangle die.  The Stamplorations sentiment was stamped with MFT's blueberry bliss dye ink as were the Stamplorations trendy butterflies.   They were then fussy cut and adhered to the panel.  The Mama Elephant scalloped panel was cut from MFT's blueberry bliss cardstock and the card base is MFT's spearmint cardstock.  I brushed the butterflies with the wink of Stella clear glitter pen and added some blue and green glitter dots.

Stamplorations stamps and stencils are one of the most affordable and on trend products around these days!  Check out their awesome blog and website for lots of fun and inspiration!! 

Sending this to:

Simon Says Stamp:  anything goes.

Hope your day is a good one.

my April CCC card. . . .

was sent to Chris in Texas:

This Floral Fusion Cover-up Die-namics from My Favorite Things is one of my all time favorite dies.  It was placed over a panel of Ken Oliver floral paper which is absolutely gorgeous.  The Hello die is from SSS and was enhanced with some clear wink of Stella.  For some reason, I decided not to add sequins to this card and was happy with it this way.

The monthly card chain challenge is hosted by Deborah Nolan.  If you would like to sign up for the May card exchange, here is the link to Deborah's blog.

Have a wonderful day!

blowing bubbles. . . .

is something one of my grandsons and I used to do each time he came to visit.  We would sit on the porch and he loved watching the bubbles as they floated away and burst.  The background for this card was made using a bottle of bubbles from the dollar store, food coloring and a bit of sugar:

This is a technique I learned many years ago and had forgotten about, but it sure does make an interesting background, doesn't it?  The stamps are from these Stamplorations stamp sets:  Bold Sentiments and Live Love Laugh.  The stitched rectangle is from MFT and the card base is MFT's spearmint cardstock.  I also brushed wink of Stella clear glitter over the background, but it doesn't show up here.  :(

Playing in these challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More:  clean and simple.
Word Art Wednesday:  anything goes.
Stamplorations:  anything goes ongoing challenge.

My down time has been extremely limited this week and will be the same next week.  Please forgive me for not visiting and commenting on your blogs; I will try to do better as time allows.  I truly appreciate each one who visits my blog and makes a comment.
Thank you so much!

Have a wonderful weekend.

orange. . . .

is not a color I use very often.  I don't buy orange clothing or decorate my home with it.  But, I do enjoy orange flowers:

Tim's  flower garden stamps are gorgeous.  I used my go to for coloring again, Prismacolor pencils.  The stitched squares are from MFT.  I added a bit of interest behind the flowers by sponging spiced marmalade distress inks through Simon Says Stamp's tiny dot stencil and then added some gold Stickles here and there.  The happy die is from MFT and the birthday sentiment is Hero Arts.

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp:  birthday.
Seize the Birthday:  anything goes.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

birthday cards. . . .

are something we always need to have on hand to send to friends and family, aren't they?  Here is another one I made recently:

The Memory Box butterfly die is one I have had for awhile and never used.  The doily was sent to me by a friend and the little flowers with gems in them were purchased at Hobby Lobby in Parker CO.  (never used them either).  I made the watercolor background for some ATC's and had a panel left over, so I used MFT's stitched rectangle die to cut it out.  The butterfly was brushed with some clear wink of Stella.

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp:  anything goes.
Seize the Birthday:   anything goes with no toppings.
Sweet Sunday Sketch:  sketch #261.

NBUS:  never before used schtuff.

Don't we all have stuff we had to have and have never used??  I am slowly trying to use things that I have received as gifts or that I have been lucky enough to win since the holidays.  There is just not enough time in the day to do all that I want to do. 

Have a good day and a great weekend!!  <3

clean and simple. . . .

for today's card:

The sentiment is Penny Black, the poppies are Hero Arts and the stitched square dies are MFT.  Red Memento marker with MFT's glitter glaze over it.

Challenges:
Less is More:  Case a DT card:

Time Out Challenge:  black and white with a splash of one color.
Addicted to Stamps and More:  anything goes.

Enjoy your day!