Limited Crafty Time! Yikes!

Hello!

I'm struggling to get crafty time right now. :( Booo! But when I do, it is quite enjoyable. :) Yay! We are on a quick little Spring Break trip now in our home state and enjoying nature walks, tennis, golf, and fishing. So far we've really enjoyed it.

I have some cards to share that I was able to make on Saturday after I got some housecleaning finished. I had recently ordered the Mama Elephant Pandamonium stamp set. Hee hee. I've been eyeing it for a long time -- my "bestie" is a Panda nut, so I tend to notice them wherever I go. (They are quite cute.) I wanted to get this set so I could make some things for her and I've got two for that little collection started already.

 

This card was inspired by the MFT Sketch Challenge, my Blueprints 22 die set and Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Flags.

 

 

I snuck in that sweet panda and balloon to make it a birthday card - using the sentiment from Totally Happy stamp set. I pulled the papers from the remnants of a 6x6 American Crafts/Dear Lizzy pad (Lucky Charm, I think.) I love how the colors matched the inspiration photo from the Just Us Girls Challenge.

 

I'm also playing along with Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge - Use Your Favorite Embellishments,(Love these new cork adhesive shapes I picked up from Michael's. I've already nabbed a second pack!), and Seize the Birthday Challenge.

 

 

 

 

I want to share another card I made using the Pandamonium set.

 

 

I plan to make several more of these with the bears holding the balloons from ME's Party Kit set. It's perfect together. (I'm positive I'm not the first one to do this - but I'm tickled to have two sets that complement each other so well.)

 

 

For this one, I have a patterned paper strip on the side of the card panel, while using washi tape strips to "ground" the little cutie. The sentiment is from Altenew's Label Love stamp set. (I stamped it in PTI's Hibiscus Burst ink, as well as the darling balloon. I love that pink with the black & white of the bear.)

 

I'm entering this card in a few challenges, as well:

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes,

Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes,

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes, and

Addicted to CAS - code word: CUTE.

 

 

 

 

One more card! And, I'll hush!

 

This one is super CAS and I so love it! :) I used the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch and the colors over at MFT's Color Challenge to get me going.

 

 

 

I used my Tim Holtz "Rays" stencil and Distress Inks in Squeezed Lemonade and Spiced Marmalade, masking off a square section with Post It Notes. I added some bits of Distress Glitter after stamping my sentiment from MFT's Blue Skies stamp set. I cut the blue panel (scrap cardstock, not sure of color or manufacturer name) using the large rectangle from MFT Blueprints 13.

 

I also played along with AAA Cards - Easter Colors challenge and the current MUSE Card Challenge.

 

 

 

Well, that's all for tonight! Wow. That was plenty, I reckon. Sad to be so lacking on my blog and missing my bloggy time, but hoping it will pick back up soon. I will get way grouchy if I can't! ;-)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! I hope you liked everything. It's so fun to get crafty and then have someone to share it with. :)

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

Romans 8:31   (NKJV) New King James Version

        What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

 

 

 

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Birthday Thanks and a Happy Birthday

Hello.
I feel like it's been even longer than the week I've been missing from my little blog. I hate when I have to neglect it, but one can only do so much as we all know. (I know I'm preaching to the choir!) It's that time of year around here. Crazy busy at school and birthdays for both of The Piglets along with Easter and family gatherings. Since there is two weeks between the birthdays, we've forever been celebrating for 3 weeks or more. We have a weekend with my family (and that is usually Easter weekend or maybe in addition to Easter) and a weekend with BD's family and now that the kids are older, they get a little celebration with some close friends. Then, we celebrate just the four of us on their actual birthday (Birthday person gets to pick the restaurant). They have become pretty spoiled with this and it keeps me hopping! Add that to a sick one and PTO obligations --- I'm running around like a headless chicken. It always seems to happen at once, doesn't it?

Part of my share today is from some of the birthday goings-on. The Princess had her little friends over Friday night (first girlie sleepover. WOW) and I made her Thank you cards to take to them all today at school.

I used Mama Elephant's Party Kit stamp set, MFT's Blueprints #13 large stitched rectangle die, and CTMH's Dream Pop textured cardstock. It was easy and quick and I was tickled how it turned out. She couldn't have cared less, but I loved it. Ha!

I used the sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch as my inspiration for card design.

I'm also playing along with these challenges for their inspiration: 

AAA Cards - Bare Naked CAS and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Spring Pinterest. 

                                                                                                         

Additionally,  I  want to share a birthday card I made Sunday afternoon when I actually had a few minutes alone to "play". The whole house napped and I was hiding away in my crafty space. Wasn't along for too long, Baby Boy (about to be 9!) wound up in there entertaining me, but I kept going! :) 

I used the sketch at Freshly Made for my inspiration along with my new MFT Blueprints #23, Happy Trio, and Stitched Circle dies. :) Nothing like happy mail to get the juices going! I LOVED that these dies cut through some burlap paper that I had on hand with little to no effort! I've not had that kind of luck cutting other materials with dies before now - and I really liked the touch it added to this card! :) 

I am also playing along with Seize the Birthday (Our "Toppings" option this time is to...

"Make the Sentiment the Focal Point")and Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes challenge.

Since my Blueprints and Happy dies were new, I am also playing along with the current NBUS challenge! :) Anything Goes -- what a great idea for a challenge blog. MAKE us use our new goodies we are so proud of but hoarding like a squirrel with his winter nuts. Brilliant! 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Please come back soon -- I have more that I've made for activities at school and other items that I hope to share this week! (Sadly, with a sick one at home, it may take me a little longer than I like.) 

God Bless, 

Mandy

Matthew 6:34     (NIV) New International Version

           Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

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A Day to Play!

Hello!

I'm in a happy mood -- I had a happy day with lots of crafty time in my Fortress of Solitude. It was bliss. Should I have been doing other things? Probably. But I needed some chill and crafty time at the end of the week and I took it! It was nice and long, too, since The Piglets had an extra long day at school. I almost crafted myself into missing a pickup time. That would have been .... bad.

First one I made this morning (and it took forever!) is a sweet little baby card for a new baby boy born at church. I used my CTMH "Cute Koalas" set and paper from my "Snowhaven" kit. Luckily, I found a piece in this kit I had already cut. I really think I need therapy about hoarding my CTMH paper and not wanting to cut it. I now wish it came in 6x6 - I'm not as scared to cut. I have a hard time cutting into a piece of 12x12 paper. I always think,  "This is so cute...What if I want it later for a background piece on a scrapbook layout?" Ugh. I rarely even scrapbook now and I still do that to myself!

 

 

My little koala is paper pieced using patterns from Teresa Collin's Summer Stories 6x6 pad. The rectangle panel and circle are both die cut using MFT's DieNamics (Stitched Circles and Blueprints #13). The sentiment strips are on a scrap of CTMH paper from the Lucy kit (the fun little zip strip that comes on the top of the paper). I just hand trimmed it to fit on my card. I was running out of room! After die cutting my circle with koala in place, I sponged Distress Ink (Broken China) before removing the die to give me a nice crisp little border. I wish I thought of that more often.

 



I used the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches for my design inspiration.

 

I'm also playing along with Heart 2 Hearts Challenge to make a sketch your own and 613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes with Aquamarine twist.

 

 

My next card is inspired by the fun flowers over at the Fusion Challenge. -- I'm so ready for spring and my flowers!

 

 

 

 

My card base is Simply Chartruese (PTI) - I so love that color. I die cut the MFT Gerbera Daisy (my favorite flower! I have them all over my doorsteps every summer.) from Rasberry Fizz cardstock and a Bazzil dotted piece that is a scrap from LONG ago. I liked the texture to layer over the smooth cardstock. I inked the edges of both flowers using Rasberry Fizz ink and layered the center die cut in CTMH Cocoa over the top. The little leaves are die cut from Lawn Fawn's "Our Friendship Grows" set and I used some CTMH scraps for that and inked the edges. The accent panel and little clipboard looking die cuts are from MFT's Blueprints #22 and the sentiment banner is MFT's Jumbo Stitched Fishtail Banners. (Use this all the time.)

 

 

I am also playing along with The Card Concept for the flowers and thinking of you theme. I just went with the brighter colors. My style choice here is Clean and Layered. I can't have enough Get Wells/Thinking of You's so this push was perfect for me. I don't know why I don't make more of them when that's what I seem to need the most.

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Hope everyone is ready for a nice relaxing weekend and gets to enjoy it!

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

Romans 15:19  (NIV)  New International Version

     May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 







 



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A couple of fun cards and some challenges

Hello!

I'm still here. Trying my best to get back in gear this week. So far, so good. I've been struggling with keeping my days straight after all the days out of school and changes to our normal routine. I've pulled a few scheduling blunders over the past week or so due to not even realizing what day it was! Mortifying! Trust me.

I have a little bit of time today before school pickup after running some errands (one was catch up from a mortifying moment last week and why that is on my brain) and a quick lunch and home manicure time. :) Thought I'd pop in and share a couple of cards I was able to make yesterday. What felt like my first "normal" day around here in 6-8 weeks! I was amazed how quickly and efficiently I caught some things up with no background distractions of any kind. 8-)

My first card I totally took inspiration from the current Colour Q colors and this week's sketch over at Retro Sketches:



This was my first time inking up my new Altenew Painted Flowers stamp set! I've seen SO many GORGEOUS projects with this stamp set, I just went and ordered it on a whim a few weeks ago. I'm so glad I did!

 

I stamped my flowers in the challenge colors on one side of my cardstock panel before sponging ink around the edges and into the stampings using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I then die cut the panel using the large stitched frame from MFT's Blueprints #22. I layered a strip of black cardstock and the May Arts Jute twine. I die cut a scrap piece of Simply Chartreuse cardstock using MFT's Jumbo Stitched Fishtail Flags before stamping an inspirational sentiment from Verve Stamps. (Plain Jane - Heb 11:1 verse only) I added the black CTMH sequins after putting the banner on with foam tape. The panel is mounted onto a Kraft cardstock base (PTI).

 

 

Next up, I wanted to play along with the Dots & Stripes Lawnscaping Challenge. :) I needed a card for a family member with a new accomplishment/honor in his life and put it all together. I had fun playing around with these paper scraps.

 

 

I trimmed and inked my patterned papers and layered them down before die-cutting my panel using Lil Inker Design's Stitched Rounded Rectangle. I sponged ink over a Tim Holtz Rays stencil, then die cut a circle and inked the edges of it. I stamped and paper pieced the little sailboat from the "Float My Boat" stamp set and adhered it with foam tape. The congrats word bubble is from the "Chit Chat" stamp set. I layered a matching piece of the gray dotted paper and tied on the orange lawn trimming before I adhered the accent panel using foam tape. It turned out so cute (better in person, I think). :)

 

I'm also entering this in Just Us Girl's Masculine challenge this week:

 

 

 

That's it for today! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Please come back to visit again soon! :)

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

 

Romans 14:19   (NIV) New International Version

         Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

 

 

 

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You Make Life Sweet

Hello!

I'm finally getting back to a routine today - Yay! And, determined to get my wits back about me. I swear to my day, I haven't had good walking-around-sense for 2 months. The residual effects of The Plague followed by The Snow Days Parade. I'm one of those who gets out of routine and I don't know whether I'm coming or going. It's kinda pitiful, but it is what it is.

I had some actual FREE TIME Sunday afternoon. I'm not gonna lie, I was lost. Ha! But, I knew it was a primo opportunity, so after watching a little TV by myself and doing a little pleasure reading, I went to my crafty space. Only to find I had abosolutely zero mojo! GAACK! I gave up and did some tidying up and took care of other business. After the "brain break", I played around with markers and stamps and made this little cutie.

 

It was alot of fun and quite therapeutic, I might add. I used the Paper Smooches Sugar Rush stamp set and my Spectrum Noir markers. The panel was diecut using MFT's Blueprints #13 large stitched rectangle and layered on a base of Simply Chartreuse cardstock from PTI. Quite simple. :)

 

My inspiration was derived from the Picture Perfect Challenge over at SPARKS.

 

I'm also playing along with 613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes, 4 Crafty Chicks - Green, Addicted to Stamps - Clean & Simple, and Inkspirational Challenge #77 - Sprinkles!



Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

God Bless,
Mandy


James 1: 12        (NIV) New International Version
            "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
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Masculine Thinking of You and Donut Fun

GAACK! I've been slacking this week. I'm struggling. My mojo has shut down. Some of it is circumstances: Kids had TWO more snow days this week - and I was in Mommy mode instead of create mode. I'm not always into coming up here and playing when they are home; I feel like I am neglecting them. So I tend to putter around downstairs doing housework and, honestly, just being around. They really are not interested in where I am or what I'm doing. Ha! Anyway -- long story short, I've not created much and when I've been determined to come up and do it no matter what, I'm not cranking anything out that I'm happy with! Yikes. Hate when that happens, but good news is I have enough experience with it to know it will pass.

So, I did manage to make one card. It's "okay". It took me more than one passes/sessions up here to finish it, but I did finally get it. :)

I really wanted to play along with MFT's Color Challenge #16:





I used my Donuts and Sprinkles stamp set:

 

 

I used the sprinkles stamp to make the little rainbow of colors using CTMH's Sunny Yellow, Gypsy, and Pear. I die cut the green vellum panel using MFT's Stitched Speech Bubble Edges before stamping the sentiment and adhering over my accent panels. These pieces are all layered over a PTI Kraft card base. I put a layer of CTMH Liquid Glass over the die cut donut icing and spread it around using my finger to get the glazy look.

 

 

I decided to share a favorite of mine I made last year but never did share here. It's a great masculine Thinking of You card, which I'm guilty of rarely having handy. I NEED to have a marathon session to stock up on some of these!

 

 

I used CTMH's Seaside Greetings stamp set and patterned paper scraps I had laying around in my stash. The lighthouse is stamped in Desert Sand ink and the edges scissor distressed and sponged with ink to help aid the rustic, beachy feel.

 

 

I'm submitting this to Just Us Girl's "Masculine" Challenge for this week and Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Opposites Attract" (the red and blue flags).

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit !

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

James 3:16   New International Version (NIV)

        "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."



 

 

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Publication Share .... Well, almost.

Hello!

I decided it has been a while since I've shared a published card and this one is a little different than the rest I've posted here. It's one that was selected to be published, but never came to fruition due to the closing of our beloved Mother Ship. It was to appear in this year's issue of Card Creations. I'm super sad when I think that we won't have that issue to pore over, dog-ear pages, and stick little post-it note flags all over. (Sniffle.)

I made this card using patterned paper and my Silhouette -- utilizing a cut file I picked up in the Silhouette store, by Lori Whitlock. Super cute and fun to play around with.

 

 

 

I used Chocolate brown (CTMH) cardstock for the strap and bottom of the boot, inked it with Cocoa ink (as well as the patterned paper). I die cut stars using scrap papers and trimmed a cardstock strip into a banner, inked it, and stamped Howdy from my PTI's On The Farm set. The little "Artisan Stud" is from CTMH, also.

 

That's it for tonight. I've been running around taking care of errands before more bad weather comes our way, so no crafty time for me today. :) But I had a few minutes while preparing dinner tonight - perfect time for blogging. :) yay!

 

I'm playing along with Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Anything Goes , 613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes Challenge, and Addicted to CAS - Distress Challenge.

 

 

 



Thanks so much for stopping by to visit !

 

God Bless,

Mandy 

 

 

 

Galatians 1:10       New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Pin It