Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Hello!

I'm excited to be sharing a couple of cards I made for the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. :) I was so bummed to miss the hop earlier this year - the timing just didn't coincide with some things we had going on here. I feel fortunate to get to play along with all the fun this time around. I just checked and there are an impressive 327 entries right now. WOW. I plan to start hopping as soon as I finish with my post here and I look forward to jumping right in with my cup of brew. :) Hee hee. (Can't leave out the best part.)

Both of my cards are made using Lawn Fawn's Love You a Latte stamp set. I told The Hubs today when I made him look at my cards, I so love having the little coordinating dies with stamps sets. It just makes it so fun. I love being able to put them on a background yet keep it CAS  --- like this:

 

I used a Fair Isle stencil by Tim Holtz and WPlus9 Coconut Husk ink for the background. I stamped, colored with Copic markers, and die cut the adorable little images and adhere them all with a bit of Tombow Mono liquid glue. Easy peasy (and, fast, too).

 

 

 

I am also playing along (again) with Lawnscaping's One Layer Card challenge.

 

 

 

 

My second little coffee card is based on the sketch from the RetroSketches Challenge. Super simple. I'm almost afraid it's "too plain"!

 

 

 

 

 

The sweet little images are stamped on the back of my watercolor cardstock (I'm not happy with any of my current cardstock for Copic coloring. Have some Neenah on the way to try out!) I colored the images with Copic markers and trimmed down my panel to fit center of my square card base (Desert Sand CTMH cardstock). I just added a bit of washi tape and stitching with a button and Jute twine based on the sketch.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! I hope you are enjoying the hop!

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

 

Mark 8:36-37    NKJV   (New King James Version)

 

        For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange in for his own soul?

 



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Sympathy Cards - Masculine and Feminine

Hello!

I'm popping in today with a short post to share a couple of cards I made this week. It's been a very hectic week and I have just a few minutes before leaving to attend Parent Teacher Conferences so I thought I would use my time to rest my feet a bit and do a little bloggy share. I've neglected everything this week and crafted only long enough to make these two cards because I needed Sympathy cards, unfortunately.

The first was a masculine one:

I used my CTMH Seaside Greetings stamp set and Zig Real Brush pens like watercolors by brushing them on an acrylic block then painting onto my watercolor paper with a water brush. I stamped in Sepia Versa Fine ink and clear embossed before adding any color. The panel is die cut using MFT's Double Stitched Rectangles. The sentiment is Communique Curves from PTI. I keep this set because it has several occasions in it and they are all small - so easy to squeeze in where ever needed.

I'm playing along with Crafty Sentiment's Designs Color Challenge:

And Without Words "For The Boys" Challenge. 

My other sympathy card was a feminine one. 

I'm playing along with the current Lawnscaping Challenge - one layer card. 

For my card, I masked off a section of the panel using Post It Notes and sponged Distress Inks in Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade, and Worn Lipstick. I then stamped the sunflowers from "Our Friendship Grows" stamp set and WPlus9's Coconut Husk dye ink. I stamped the sentiment using "Milo's ABC's" set. I embossed the whole panel using PTI's Canvas & Linen Impression plate and added a few white dot accents with my Signo pen after it was all finished. 

Well I'm off to my next "job" for the week. Ugh. I'm ready for it all to be over. That's so terrible. Even the weekend. Not looking forward to this one! :( 

Hope everyone has a great one!

God Bless, 

Mandy

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You're The Coolest - watercolors!

Hi!

Finally this busy day has come to an end. Phew. I don't usually feel that way, but I've had so much to do today and tomorrow proves to be equally crazy. I did manage to squeeze in my own manicure (I do them myself. Such a treat and makes me so happy.) and I wanted to make this card that had been floating around in my head all week! Since it's using my new MFT set, I wanted to be able to submit it for the Card Design Super Star contest which ends tonight. So it forced me to take about 30 min or so this evening after I grilled our brats to make it. (BD came home to a quiet house and hollered "Where is everybody?!" Ha! He's used to me being in the kitchen and the kids all over the house.)



This week's Runway Inspired Challenge inspired my idea:

 

Here we go!  (I just love how it turned out!)

 

 

 

I stamped the Penguins in Paradise, beach balls, and flowers on a panel of watercolor cardstock in Black VersaFine ink then clear embossed. I colored them all using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens, by rubbing them on an acrylic block then coloring onto the images with a waterbrush using the colors in the designer dress as my guide. .....And that was nice b/c I didn't have to ponder over color choices for 10min, making it possible to finish this card before dinner. Color choices can be up there like font choices for me -- if I have too many to pick from (and I have the 48 set of Zigs), I will spend way too much time trying to pick colors. I get on my own nerves. Trust me.

 

I've decided I really like water coloring this way. I get a bit more color than using straight up water colors that I've tried before. It just didn't float my boat. And, it's a fun change from trying to be so precise with my color pencils and Copic markers. I can kinda do it loosely on purpose. But it's equally relaxing because my A-Type Perfectionist lets the imperfections go in the spirit of the medium. :D I know. It was hard to even type that with a straight face.

 

The sentiment is from the same set and white embossed on Pure Poppy (PTI) cardstock which was die-cut with the Stitched Fishtail Flags die. I die cut a similar flag in black to layer underneath. The red and black flags were inspired by the models belt and shoes in the photo.

 

 

I am also playing along with Addicted to Stamps and More "Make Your Mark" challenge.

 

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! Hope you do so again soon.

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

 

Galations 3:26-27     NKJV   (New King James Version)

       For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.



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Colorful Cards are so fun

Hello!

I hope everyone is feeling blessed and enjoying the beginnings of Fall stirring around them. I sit with my windows open now, listening to the trees sway in the breeze. I just love it. (It makes for great napping noise, too, when one wants to sit in the shade on the back porch and kick back. Just sayin'.)

I made a couple of cards yesterday that I wanted to share. I'm finally getting back in my groove and trying to craft some every day or, at least, every other day. It really helps my mood if I can keep it more consistent. =)

I wanted to make another for MFT's Card Design SuperStar Challenge:

 

 

 

I used my Polka Dot cover up to cut the rainbow colors from scrap cardstock. I laid a die cut panel down with temporary adhesive to help guide the placement of my circles. It easily pulled away when I was finished. I then took the dotted panel and embossed it with a Clouds die cut (Darice) to go with the rainbow theme. My sentiment is white heat embossed on black scrap cardstock from the Totally Happy stamp set. I added very few iridescent white sequins to finish it off.

 

 

I'm also playing along with the NBUS challenge #5 - b/c I've left that clouds embossing folder sit in it's resting place for far too long! I was proud of finding a way to put it to good use.

 

 

I'm also submitting to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Die Crazy.

 

 

I lurve how my next card turned out! Nothing super special, just fun to make. I used my Zig Real Brush Clean Color pens and used them more as a watercolor medium by scribbling each color on an acrylic block and applying it to the paper with a waterbrush.

 

 

The Pure Innocence Sunny Thoughts is stamped in Black VersaFine ink and clear embossed on water color paper. After coloring and allowing to fully dry, I die cut the panel using my Double Stitched Rectangle STAX die. The sentiment was masked, white heat embossed, and trimmed down on black cardstock strips. I added a couple of PPP sequins and that was it! Super simple.

 

 

 

This card was inspired by the current CASology Cue Card: Umbrella challenge.

 

I am also playing along with Addicted To Stamps Make Your Mark challenge.

 





 

 

 

Hope you liked my cards! Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! Please do so again soon. =)

 

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

Colossians 3:2   NKJV  (New King James Version)



      Set you mid on things above, not on things on the earth.

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Fabulous Frame of Mind and Warm Winter Wishes

Hello!

Yesterday was SUCH a beautiful day! And it was even more beautiful for me because I got a lot of quiet crafty time in while the kids were playing outside. :) We are all enjoying our PreFall weather - it makes us so happy. Even the kitty cats are ecstatic. Hee hee.

I wanted to share the two cards I made yesterday.

One is for The Sweet Sunday Sketch this week. (I always love it, but rarely get around to creating for it.)

 

 

I was super excited to ink up my new MFT BB Penguins in Paradise set and LLD Tickled Pink set. I colored everything with my limited supply of Copic markers and supplemented with my Zig RealBrush pens when necessary (BLACK).  =)

 

Since it was the first time to use those new sets I'm linking up with the NBUS #5 Challenge, also.

 

 

My other card is another I made for the MFT Card Design SuperStar Contest.

 

 

 

 

I loved this little snowman white embossed on vellum. I colored in his hat, scarf, and nose using the Zig Real Brush Clean Color pens and a waterpen. I trimmed the panel using pinking shears and layered it over a scrap from Lawn Fawn's Snow Day pad. The sentiment is white embossed on a black cardstock strip and everything is layered over the background type text stamp white embossed on Kraft cardstock. The canvas button is old  CTMH and the little red heart is Lawn Fawn (from Love You a Latte set, Lawn Fawn Cranberry ink). 



 

 

I'm also linking up with Christmas Stampin' All Year Long's Anything Goes challenge.

 

 

 

That's all for me tonight! I'm doing more Seinfeld watching than blogging so it means time to call it a day. =)

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! Please come again soon!

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

Phillipians 2:3   NKJV  (New King James Version)

 

    Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

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Some die cut & coloring fun and a few challenges.

Hello!

I am finding "lazy" activities to do today as I do not have a zest for movement on this beautiful day! Ha! Such a shame - absolutely gorgeous preFall TN weather and I don't want to do a thing. :) The windows are up and my fall Scentsy smells are blowing through the house - it's bliss. But Mandy is not moving very much.

I have two cards to share - I made for some challenges and had the most fun. I am relatively new to the die cut and coloring world and I just love it.


I'm playing along with the Lawnscaping "Texture" Challenge and Cupcake Inspirations Color Challenge -

 

I used Lawn Fawn's Love You a Latte stamp and dies and a fabulous Tim Holtz sweater pattern stencil with light-weight spackle (poor girl's embossing paste). The stitched circle die is MFT and the heart border die is Super Pea Designs. I used a scrap of After Midnight cardstock (MFT) and green patterned scrap from Lawn Fawn's Snow Day pad (still loving this paper). The cups are stamped on watercolor paper, clear embossed, and colored with the Zig RealBrush pens. (I can't keep the actual name of those straight - but the are so prevalent, I figure everyone knows what I mean!)

 

I love how this one turned out! So fun and festive, but a little bit different for the winter/holidays with the navy. 8-)

 

 

Next is a card I made for the current MFT  Card Design SuperStar contest.

 

 

 

 

 

I used the Whole Herd stamps and dies (Love this set - and one of my only that I have for coloring so it gets a lot of use.), Stitched Square Frames, Stitched Fishtail Flags, and Blueprints 25 for the large stitched background panel. It's PTI's Pure Poppy cardstock, embossed with the PTI Woodgrain Impression plate. I smudged some white chalk ink over it to distress it a bit and tone down the bright red -- barns are never that crisp red. :) My sister, who is married to a farmer and my inspiration for buying all things farm/country, loved this one. I'll probably have to save it for her - let her send it to someone in her family since they have a litter of children at her house.

 

 

I'm also entering for the current Seize the Birthday challenge. :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! So proud you did and hope you come again soon.

 

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

I Peter 2:17   NKJV   (New King James Version)

 

    Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. 

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Hooray! It's Your Day!

Hello!

I'm sitting alongside The Sultan this afternoon while he does his homework. I'm not sure what's going on with him this year, but if he has homework, he comes right in and does it on his own. :D I probably just jinxed it and I'll be crying in the next post! But, it's been wonderful. I'm still having to hog tie him and force him to read, but I'll take any improvements I can get.

I thought I would share a card I made yesterday during a morning crafty session. I'm still getting adjusted to the school schedule and some extra driving I'm doing this year due to a change in schools, but it's all good. It's definitely been for the good, I just have to get used to it.

I wanted to play along with the Runway Inspired Challenge. I always love that challenge - it's so different. But, I fool around and miss it quite often. I need a secretary! Hee hee. :)

Here is the inspiration photo:

 

I used several fun goodies on this card: MFT's LJD Birthday Greetings, Stitched Circle STAX Dienamics, Blueprints 13, PTI's Woodgrain Impression Plate, and WPlus9's Doodle Buds stamps and dies. I colored the Doodle Buds using Copic Markers before die-cutting. Very simple design, but I love the colors and how they look together. :)  This card is going to good use tomorrow - my daughter wants to give it to her homeroom teacher for her birthday.

 

I am also playing along with the NBUS Challenge #5 (the sentiment is "new to me" -  bought it for my mom and she stamped up a bunch of cards and sent it to me for sharing. Whoohoo!). I am also playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, "Use a Stamp".

 

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit - I hope you liked my card! :)

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

Ephesians 4:4-6   NKJV   (New King James Version)

    There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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Long overdue Crafty Session

Hello again!
Wow. It's been a busy past couple of weeks. I've sorely missed my crafty time. I decided to participate in a Yard Sale (LAST Saturday) with my Bestie and that took up my time for the whole week. Yikes. I then had a week of recovery (in more ways than one). Mostly it was clean up and follow-up. You know how you decide to clean out one or two things but have an avalanche? Sorta what happened here. I'm still not totally finished with everything, but it's not at a point that "bothers" me now. I just can't relax when I have so much work to do! Ha!

I snuck in a little time late last week and then finished up a card today and made a couple of more. It was a nice quiet Labor Day around here. I would have loved to get more crafty time in, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

I am SUPER excited about the Card Design SuperStar Challenge going on over at the My Favorite Things Blog. I have made one card so far and was excited about the inspiration that came at me when I found a new challenge. It was like my "old" juices were flowing again and that was very much welcome after having to neglect my creativity for a few days.

I made this card using one of the dies from Blueprints 25 and LJD Grand Holiday Greetings stamp set. The red cardstock is Peppermint from Bazzil. (How fitting! I loved it when I read the name on the paper.)

I repeatedly die cut the curved banner and layered over a panel to form the peppermint swirl pattern. I trimmed the edges off the end and die-cut the decorated panel with the stitched rectangle from Blueprints 13. I die cut a sitched Fishtail Flag from vellum and stamped the sentiment before stapling it with a red twine bow. I added only a few PPP sequins and didn't embellish anymore since the pattern did all the work. It turned out so cute. I love how it looks!

 

I am also playing along with the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge, Anything Goes.

 

 

I was playing with more MFT die cuts when I made this fun little simple ice cream cone card based on the Sketch from CAS(e) This Sketch! challenge.

 

 

I used pattern papers and You're The Sweetest stamp and die set.

 

 

The paper is mostly scraps from 6x6 pads I've had for quite some time, as I've put myself on a patterned paper moratorium a while back! I'm a patterned paper nut (like most of my fellow addicts) but don't use it all that much. I find I want to stamp and color and don't really pull out the paper to justify how much I had bought, so I put an end to it! :D Working pretty good for me so far. I'm proud of how I've pared down my stash over the past two years.

 

Fun fact: the ice cream scoops are die cut from the same piece of paper that had a very faint multi-colored pattern to it. (almost like clouds - very ethereal) I placed the die on different portions of the paper each time and lightly inked the edges in a matching color.

 

I'm also playing along with the Addicted To Stamps Challenge die cuts.

 

 

My last card from today, I broke out my Prismacolor Pencils for a little coloring Yay! My new favorite thing. I was inspired by my Paper Smooches goodies and the Curtain Call Challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stamped the snowman from Freezy Fellas. The glasses and sentiment are from Icognito. I colored the glasses in with black to make them sunglasses. I love how this one turned out. The panel is die-cut using MFT Double-Stitched Rectangle die, the patterned paper from Lawn Fawn Snow Day 6x6 pad, and the dots and button are CTMH.

 

I am also playing along with Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge - Anything Goes.

 



 



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