Little Munchkin's Day

As I'm still going through the photos of cards I haven't posted I came across this one I made for my middle niece, Little Munchkin.  This was a very simple card using balloon punches and designer paper. I used a white gel pen to create the highlights on the balloons.  Little Munchkin loved it! Unfortunately, misplaced the sticky note that had my supply recipe.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Happy Birthday (I can't remember what set I used)

Paper: WW, Baja Breeze, Bermuda Bay, Strawberry Slush (I think), DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Balloon Punch, Baker's Twine, White Gel Pen, Sequins

Sympathy in Plum

I dug out a sheet of a long-retired SU designer paper pack. The colors are subtle, yet beautiful, and appropriate for a sympathy card. Pale Plum and Perfect Perfect Plum was one of my favorite color combos when I first started stamping. This combo was a frequent go-to when using 2 step stamps and I love how it looks on this flower. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Too Kind, Brighter Tomorrow - SU
Paper: WW, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Always Artichoke, DP
Ink: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Border punch, Dew Drops, MISTI

Look Who Turned 1

I'm finally getting around to the cards that I made months ago but never posted on the blog. I made this card for my niece Snuggle Bug's first birthday back in February, This was a fun card to make and I love the DP.  I die cut the #1 from silver glimmer paper. The balloons were punched and 2 of them I ran through embossing folders to get some fun textures. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Number of Years - SU

Paper: Gumball Green, Pool Party, Pretty In Pink, Glimmer Paper, DP

Ink: Black Licorice Hybryid - MFT

Accessories: Dies, Punch, Embossing Folders, Baker's Twine

Forgotten Birthday Card

This card I made in February for a friend's birthday. I gave the card to her but I haven't posted it on the blog until now. Usually, when I make a card I write on a sticky all the stamps and supplies I used so I can post it later. My craft room wasn't very well organized at that time and now I can't find the sticky.  I'm glad I did take a picture of it before giving it away.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Echoes of Kindness - SU
Paper:  SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Spectrum Noir and Chameleon Alcohol markers, Ribbon, Nestabilities, Sequins

It's a Boy!

This card I made for the IT guy at work and his wife a few months ago. The background paper was from a scrapbooking kit I received several years ago.  I am not really a scrapbooker so I use the items in different cards. The baby carriage was stamped in Not Quite Navy ink and cut out with circle Nestabilities.   

Recipe:

Stamps: Something for Baby, Baby Prints - SU

Paper: Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Scrapbook DP
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Nestabilities, Star Punch, Button, Brad, Twine

Happy Caffeinated 4th

Happy 4th of July 2019 everyone!  I originally made this card several months ago for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop but I got busy and forgot to post it.  I decided to save this post for the actual Independence Day.

I made the background by taping off diagonal lines as I buffed Oxide inks on.  I then used white pigment ink over a star-patterned stencil and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. For the central image I used small eye shadow applicators to apply Oxides over a coffee image stencil and added some gold star sequin accents.

Recipe:
Stamps: Coffee Helps - Verve
Paper: SU cardstock, Mixed Media Paper
Ink: TH Distress Oxides in Candied Apple, Salty Ocean, Ground Espresso, Frayed Burlap, and Hickory Smoke. Sweet Tooth - MFT, Baked Brown Sugar - SU, Versamark
Accessories: Stencils, Sequins, Clear EP, Low tack Painter's Tape, Star-shaped die, Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder punch

A Variety of Techniques

Like the the title indicates, I used a variety of techniques on this card.  I used several different colors of Distress Oxides on the background, spritzed it with water, let it dry and added more Oxides to a few spots for added pop.  The next layer I smooshed an ink pad on bubble wrap for a cool affect.  The 3rd layer I ran through an embossing folder in my Big Shot.  The main image and sentiment were heat embossed.  The sketch is Mojo Monday 518

:

Recipe:
Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes - SU
Paper:  Blue Bayou, WW, Regal Rose, Mixed Media Paper
Ink:  TH Distress Oxides, Blue Bayou, Wisteria Wonder, Versamark
Accessories: Bubble Wrap, Ribbon, Clear EP, Embossing Folder

It's Been a Dozen Years!

My little niece Sweepie is turning 12! I made this card to celebrate her big 1 - 2.  She has grown to be a very smart and beautiful young lady and is a constant joy in my life.

For this card I used Julee's Mojo Monday sketch #512.  I used my MISTI to stamp the image and sentiment in colored ink then went over it with Versamark & clear EP, then finished it off with a few sparkly flower gems.  

Recipe:
Stamps: Patterned Party - SU, Birthday Surprise - Verve

Paper: Old Olive, Island Indigo, Pool Party, DP
Ink: Island Indigo, Versamark
Accessories:  Clear EP, Nestabilities, Clear EP, Heat Tool, Stick on Gems, MISTI

Great Job!

I'm still here getting my fingers inky every now and then.  I made several cards over the last few months but haven't gotten around to posting them. I hope to upload them within the coming weeks. 

This card I made for a co-worker who was recognized by management for doing an amazing job and excellent team work. For the occasion I'm using an old SU set, Happy Hour.  I created the background by stamping the glasses with silver pigment ink then heat embossed them with silver EP.  I did the same with the sentiment and the accent glass. The accent glass was cut out with my Scan n Cut because I hate fussy cutting. The colors I chose are appropriate for a masculine card.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Happy Hour
Paper:  All SU
Ink: Encore Silver
Accessories:  Silver EP, Heat Tool, Brother Scan n Cut, Stick on Pearl

Hope You Perk Up

Last weekend I went to a Stamp & Scrap Expo in my area with my best crafting buddy.  It was the first time I had gone to one of these and I had a great time!  I came back with a lot of new toys including the Technique Junkie stamp featured on this card.  

This stamp is a new addition to my coffee-themed stamp collection, which is still growing.  I first stamped the cute little owl with Versafine and stamped it again with Versamark in my MISTI, then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I colored her with  Altenew Watercolors that I also got at the Expo.  I struggle with water coloring but these Altenew colors blended so easily.  Next, I die-cut the image with Nestabilities and mounted it on DP.  I accented with Nuvo Crystal dots and roughly traced around the DP with Early Espresso marker.  The sketch is from the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog.

Recipe:

Stamps: Perk Up Soon - Technique Junkies

Paper: Strathmore Watercolor paper, Delightful Dijon, Early Espresso, DP

Ink:  Versafine Black, Versamark

Accessories:  Clear EP, Nestabilities, Early Espresso Marker, Waterbrush, Altenew Watercolors, Nuvo Crystal Drops

Lotus Blossom Birthday

Hi Everyone!  I'm getting more settled into my new home and crafting space.  One of my dear friends celebrated a birthday recently and this is the card I made for her.  I CASE'd it from this card I saw on Pinterest.  I changed it up a little with the bow, sentiment, and addition of a gem.  I love this design and will be using it again to make thank you cards in different colors.  

Recipe:

Stamps: Lotus Blossom - SU, Birthday Suprise -Verve

Paper:  Blushing Bride, WW

Ink:  Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Blackberry Bliss, Garden Green, Gumball Green

Accessories:  MISTI, Ribbon, Bowdabra, Gem

Great is the Lord's Faithfulness

Hi Everyone, I'm back!  My last post in March I was jobless and homeless, and in a really tough spot. About a week after that post I found a new job and was fast-tracked by the HR department to start in a few days. A couple weeks after that I was offered an even better job that allowed me to go to settlement on my new home.  God provided for me in that time of great need and surrounded me with friends who encouraged and helped me. 

I have been in my home for a little over 3 months now and have pretty much settled in.  My new craft space is set up enough for me to make cards again.  This past weekend I had a crafting open house for my friends to just drop in and get their fingers inky.  This card was one of the make and takes I demonstrated.  I chose the sentiment from Verve's New Mercies set.  It is true that God's mercies for us are new everyday and He is faithful to keep His promises to us.  Even with the trials I went through early this year, God never abandoned me.  He provided for all my needs and still is. God's love, grace, and mercy are unfailing!

Recipe:
Stamps:  Vintage Leaves - SU, New Mercies - Verve
Paper:  Georgia Pacific White CS, Gumball Green, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Fossilized Amber, Mowed Lawn, Brushed Corduroy, - TH Distress Inks; Tangerine Tango - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Dies, MISTI

The Lord is My Helper

I haven't posted a card in several months.  A few events have kept me too busy to make cards.  In fact, I didn't even get to make Christmas cards.  I took an online class in August and September.   Then I was offered what I thought was a new and exciting opportunity at work.  I also started the process to purchase a new home.  The opportunity at work was a disaster and I ended up losing my job.  I have been looking for a new job since but I haven't been hired anywhere yet.  I am supposed to settle on the new home in April but that is dependent on if I can find employment in the next couple of weeks.  In preparation for purchasing a home, I gave the notice to vacate my apartment a couple months before I lost my job.  The leasing office found new renters in less than a month, so I had to leave by the date I had indicated on the intent to vacate notice.  Oh, and I started a relationship with a guy in the fall, but he decided to end it about a week after I lost my job.  

When people ask me how I am dealing with all of this, my response has often been from Job 1:21 "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  I'm not bitter about it, as it is true that everything I have (or had) really belongs to God and is used for His purpose.  Through this time of difficulty, I believe my relationship with God has grown stronger as He is providing for everything that I need.  A very good friend has taken me into her home and is letting me stay for as long as I need to find a new job.  Other friends have treated me to meals and other outings.  I have some money in savings to pay some bills and other needs.  I was able to refill all of my prescriptions for the next few months using my FSA and did not have to pay out of pocket.  The loan officer for the new home is a believer and praying for me to find a new job soon.  She is giving me more time to find a job so I can still get the house. 

I do not understand why all of this is happening to me, but I know that God is carrying me through this.  He is my helper and is always faithful to care for His children.  This card uses verses from Psalm 121.  I wish I had a stamp that had the entire chapter as it is one of the many reminders that God is always with me and never fails to help me.

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;

He will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Psalm 121:1-2 - ODBD

Paper:  WW, Bermuda Bay, Raspberry Ripple

Ink:  Tuxedo Black - Memento, Distressed Cracked Pistachio, Distressed Mermaid Lagoon, Distressed Seedless Preserves - TH

Accessories:  Brother Scan n Cut, Butterfly Embossing Folder, Butterfly Embossilits, TH Blending Tool, MISTI, Sequins

Happy Cupcake Day

Here is a card I made for a friend's daughter's birthday.  I CASEd this card I found on Pinterest using a stamp set I recently got from My Favorite Things.  I used my Brother Scan n Cut II to make the round edged rectangle and the scallop border, and to cut out the stamped images.  The dress was paper pieced and I pierced the edge of the rectangle.  The images were colored with Chameleon Pens and Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Cupcake Day - MFT, Express Yourself - SU

Paper:  Smooth White - MFT, WW, DP

Ink:  Black Licorice Hybrid - MFT

Accessories:  Brother Scan n Cut II, Chameleon Pens, Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, Sequins, Word Window Punch, MISTI 

Simple Thanks

This a quick and simple card I created.  It is so quick and simple to make that it only took 5 minutes to make.  It is all done with embossing and no stamping.  The design makes this thank you card appropriate for a male or female.  I will be making more of these in different colors to build up my stash of thank you cards.

Stamps:  None
Paper:  WW, Bordering Blue
Ink:  None
Accessories:  Embossing Folder, Embosslits, Nuvo Jewel Drops

This Girl Just Wants Coffee

Here is a third card I made for this year's Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  Sometimes I just am in the mood to color images without having a card design in mind.  I keep these pieces in a box and I pull them out when I have an idea for a card or other project that a piece go with.  This MFT Pure Innocence image was colored with Prisma Pencils and paper pieced a few years ago.  For this card I cut out the image with my Brother Scan N Cut and then I cut off the flower in her hand to attach the mug.  The mug was colored with Chameleon Pens. 

Recipe:

Stamps:  Pure Innocence Water Lily - MFT, One Cup, Coffee Helps - Verve

Paper:  WW, So Saffron, DP

Ink:  Black Licorice - MFT, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Prisma Colored Pencils, Gamsol, Chameleon Pens, Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Brother Scan N Cut, Sequins, Nuvo Crystal Drops

Perk Up Your Day

This is the second card I made for the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  I created the background using a stamp from the My Favorite Things Perk Up stamp set.  Because Independence is coming up next Monday I chose to do a red, white, and blue theme.  I used shades of red and blue from Gina K. Designs ink cubes to stamp the coffee cups.  My MISTI helped with lining up the stamped images.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Perk Up - MFT

Paper:  WW, Real Red, Basic Blue

Ink:  Cherry Red, Blue Denim - Gina K. Designs, Versamark

Accessories:  MISTI, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Nuvo Crystal Drops

Tea...Enjoy Every Sip

The Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop has begun!  Here is the first card that I made for this season's bloghop.  

Since it is summer I decided to stamp a tea cup with the summery flavors of lemon, lime and strawberry (ink).  I used my Brother Scan N Cut to fussy cut the lemon and lime wedges, and to make the banner around the sentiment.  Rather dig out my dies, I also used the SNC to cut a perfect circle around the teacup and the green circle layer.

Recipe:

Stamps:  A Nice Cuppa - SU, Get Together - Verve, Pick Me Up - Sweet 'n Sassy

Paper:  WW, Cucumber Crush, DP

Ink:  Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight, Cucumber Crush, MFT Black Licorice

Accessories:  MISTI, Brother Scan N Cut, Nuvo Glitter Drops

Mojo 498 Masculine Birthday

This card was made for 2 challenges.  The first one is the Splitcoast Stampers Technique Lovers Challenge #639.  The challenge was to make a card using the Smack Down Technique.  You can find out more about it here.  The 2nd challenge is this weeks Mojo Monday 498 Sketch Challenge.  

Coming up with masculine design cards is sometimes tricky for me.  The smack down technique provided the opportunity to use the Stampers Best Gears Background stamp to create this masculine birthday card.  To keep with the theme, I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder with gears.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Gears Background - Stampers Best, Party Punch - SU

Paper:  WW, Baked Brown Sugar, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Ink:  Tip Top Taupe, Smokey Slate, Basic Gray, Color Box Wicked Black

Accessories:  Embossing Folder, Ticket Punch, Brads

Congratulatte to the Grad!

This quick card was made for a friend who just graduated with his Masters in Education.  He is also a coffee addict like myself so I took the opportunity to use one of my favorite coffee stamps.  The sleeve of the coffee cup was paper-pieced using old SU DP.  I used a scrap of coordinating DP on the left edge of the card and some sparkle with gold sequins.

Recipe:

Stamps: Perfect Blend, Espressoly for You - SU

Paper:  WW, DP

Ink:  Bermuda Bay

Accessories:  Sequins