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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MFT Summer School

Hello!

I'm popping in to share the card I made today - another for MFT's Summer School, the last session of the summer. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was unable to play along in the other sessions and really wanted to join in this time.

This lesson is about Symmetry and Asymmetry in our card design. I tend to be more a fan of the Asymmetry for my stuff and went that direction this time, as well.

I played around with my Birdie Brown Whole Herd stamp and die set again. I haven't got enough of this one yet. (Hee hee.) I only recently got the dies and now I'm really jazzed about this set. I'm still fairly new to the whole coordinating dies thing and I get the biggest kick out of it everytime! And now I've enjoyed coloring so much, I may need to invest in another good "coloring set". 8-)

I used the Harlequin stencil and Fossilized Amber Distress Ink over a portion of my die cut panel (Blueprints 25). I diecut two circles using the Stitched Circle STAX dies and the green one I die cut again using the Grassy Fields dies. The sentiment is stamped over the banner die cut from Blueprints 25. The sweet little cow is colored with Prismacolor Pencils. 

I'm also entering in with a few other challenges for fun: 

613 Avenue Create Anything Goes, Cards in Envy Cute & Cuddly challenge, and 4 Crafty Chicks Distress Challenge  (the distressing with the stencil). 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! 

God Bless, 

Mandy

II Timothy 3:16-17   NKJV   (New King James Version)

     All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

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MFT School and a NEW Challenge

Hello there!

I'm a little late with my post. Eeks! I took some crafty time yesterday morning - some quiet comfy time during rain and thunderstorms. (I love it.) But I couldn't find a window of opportunity to get them posted to my blog. It's just started raining again and I've got some "chores" complete, so I'm ready to race back up to my space and enjoy it some more. :)

I wanted to play along with the last session of MFT Summer School. :) I haven't been able to join in any of the other sessions (Boo!) since it was, well, summer. The Piglets were home and I just couldn't make it.

This card is LJD Sweet Treats fun for the first lesson: Repetition.

I stamped the cupcakes across my panel (Die cut using Blueprints 23) using Coconut Husk ink from WPlus9 and various icing colors (MFT Dye inks: Orange Zest, Limelight, Daffodil, Summer Splash, and Ripe Raspberry). I stamped "You're The Sweetest" repeatedly on the Ripe Raspberry card base using the same ink color. Happy Birthday is white embossed on Limelight cardstock and die cut a banner from the same Blueprints. I was happy with how it turned out.

Next up, I've made one for the Hard vs. Soft lesson. 

I LURVE this Whole Herd stamp set! 

My elements are die cut using Blueprints 13 and I tried to balance the hard edges from the banner and the chevrons with the polka dot curved banner and the die cut sentiment banner. The button and twine bow are added for further "softness". These images are all colored with Prismacolor Pencils. 

My last card from yesterday is playing along with a brand new challenge. I've seen it popping up on a few blogs I follow. A new challenge blog is always exciting to me for some reason. 8-) 

The new Pinterest Inspired Challenge:

I used my SSS Hi Lovely stamp set: 

I loved this challenge partly because it gave me a great excuse to use my new Distress Inks, Cracked Pistachio and Fossilized Amber. They were perfect. I layered some paper scraps die cut in stitched fishtail banners (MFT) and over a dotted embossed Bazzil cardstock that I grabbed this week on a whim. It was a perfect match. 8-) 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. Please do so again soon! 

God Bless, 

Mandy

Romans 1:16   NKJV  (New King James Version) 

       For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

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We made it! and Some Challenges

Well, The Piglets and I survived the first week of school. Phew! This year we have a commute to school rather than attending right up the road and I am worn out. Yikes. I knew it was coming. Everyone is happy and well-adjusted, it seems, but a little R&R today is being much appreciated. I haven't wanted to do much of anything and I'm just puttering around today. (Trying to convince myself it's okay not to be in my usual whirlwind of housework and such.) I feel mildly guilty about it today, for some reason. Typically, I have more sense than that. ;)

I am excited to share these cards I made yesterday morning. I wanted to take it easy yesterday morning, too. I thoroughly enjoyed a quiet crafty session. I so needed it. First one of the school year!

Here is my favorite card that I made:

(The flowers were initially just testing out some new Copics markers. But I loved how they turned out once I die-cut and made a card with them.)

 

I used my new WPlus9 Doodle Buds stamp set and dies. SO love this set. And, it's interesting because it didn't float my boat when I first saw it. I don't know what changed my mind and made me want to try it - mostly because I thought it would be great for coloring (and it is). It's just so cute and happy! 8-) The sentiment is from WPlus9's Strictly Sentiments 2 and white heat embossed using Hero Arts EP on a strip of black cardstock. It's popped up on a small strip of foam tape to give it a little dimension over the flowers. The card base is Stamper's Select White from PTI and it's embossed using the PTI Woodgrain Impression Plate. After I colored the flowers and leaves, I added some little details using a white Signo Broad gel pen.

 

My card design was inspired by the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch! :

 

 

 

 

 

I'm also playing along with Addicted to Stamps "Make Your Mark" challenge, challenge #157.

 

 

My next card utilizes a sweet little piece I had already stamped and colored, as well. The stamp is new to me and I was playing around with my Prismacolor Pencils.

 

 

 

I used Blueprints 13 to diecut the panel and the Stitched Square Frames die. I trimmed the sweet little girl by hand [BOO!] and she's laid over a square of vellum paper that's under the square frame to slightly mute the polka dots (DCWV Basics 6x6 pad). The sentiment is white heat embossed on a strip of After Midnight cardstock.

 

I used the Sketch Challenge on the MFT Challenge Blog for my inspiration.

 

 

I'm 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

 

 

 

Matthew 19:29  NKJV  (New King James Version)

      And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 





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Two Cards and "It's That Time"

Well, today was the day. Sniffle. Back to school. The Piglets had an abbreviated day to ease back in, but they will be in full force tomorrow. We are all chilling in separate quarters this afternoon! I hope for us to watch a movie together in just a few minutes. I feel like we need to enjoy our last "moments"!


I wanted to share some cards I've made recently. A lazy afternoon with my feet propped are just what the doctor ordered. :) Especially after my first morning up before 6am. (Boooo!)

I was inspired by the current Lawnscaping Challenge Back to School challenge.

 

I used "Our Friendship Grows" stamp set, "Hello Sunshine" 6x6 paper pad, and the "Love You A Latte" stamp set for the smiley face in the center of my flower. It was all colored using PrismaColor Pencils. I didn't have anything specifically school related so I had to get creative. 8-) I love Sunflowers that are in our garden now and back to school time and teacher gifts, etc. We have a beautiful bouquet in our kitchen now, fresh from our garden.

 

I am also playing along with the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Tie It Up , Addicted to Stamps Anything Goes challenge, and AAA Cards It's So Hot challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

My next card is from playing with my new WPlus9 "Party Animal" stamp set. It's SO cute. My mom loves giraffes so I had to grab this set. :)

 

 

 

The die cut clouds are from Paper Smooches "Curly Cloud Dies" and for the die cut panel, I used Blueprints 13 (MFT). The blue watercolor is Salty Ocean Distress Inks (rubbed on an acrylic block, spritzed with water, then brushed onto the cardstock). I colored the giraffe with Copics markers and die cut him out. The balloon is stamped, die cut, and the sentiment stamped in the middle.

 

 

I am playing along with these challenges:

 

Muse Challenge Photo Inspiration, Cards In Envy - Birthday challenge, and CAS on Sunday - Travel.

 

 

 



 

 

 

Well, that's all for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. I hope you do so again soon! :)

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 



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Ice Cream and A Few Challenges...

Good morning!

I'm suffering from the "where did our summer go?" phenomenon this morning. Yikes. Kiddos go back to school a week from today. I'm bummed. I will miss them. I do this every summer. By the time I feel like I get it together and settle into a summer routine, it's time for them to go back!

We had a quiet evening yesterday after running around all morning after church and picking up Miss Priss from her first ever Youth Group trip. (I can't believe she is old enough for that. Seems like she should still be toddling around taking care of her baby brother.) She was exhausted and just wanted to chillax in front of the TV and BD fell asleep on the couch like he usually does. :) The Sultan played Xbox and I played in my room. A nice afternoon!

I made a couple of cards and laughed at myself when I finished and realized I'd made both of them with ice cream images.

Here is my first card, inspired by the MFT color challenge over at http://www.cardchallenges.com/

Here is my card using Blueprints 22, 25, You're The Sweetest stamp set, Sweet Treats DieNamics, and Diagonal stripes background stamp. 

I diecut the ice cream cone elements and stamped Ripe Raspberry ink and Limelight ink for the sherbet layers. The cone is diecut using Bamboo CTMH cardstock, and the cherry diecut from scraps I had laying around. I used Fog Avery Elle ink to stamp the stripes on Soft Stone PTI cardstock since I don't have any MFT Steel Gray. The sentiment strip is on a scrap of Webster's Pages patterned paper that matched the Limelight perfectly. The green background panel is die cut from Blueprints 25 from Stampin' Up Moss Meadow cardstock, as close as I could get to the Jellybean Green. 8-)

I'm also playing along with 613 Avenue Create's Anything Goes with a Birthday twist Challenge, Cards in Envy Birthday Challenge, and Addicted to Stamps Photo Inspiration challenge. 

                              

My next card is some more of my favorite playthings - Paper Smooches stamps. I love to color them. 8-) I wanted to play along with the Anything Goes challenge over at SPARKS this week. 

   

I used my Sugar Rush stamp set and Icognito stamp set to make the cute little girly ice cream cone. It's all colored using PrismaColor Pencils and gamsol. The background is a Kraft (PTI) panel embossed with MFT's Proof Positive die plate and die cut from Blueprints 13 stitched rectangle panel. I die cut two of the larger Curly Clouds die and pushed them together to make my background for the focal point. The ice cream cone is hand trimmed (Boo! I need that die set!) and adhered using foam tape. I stamped the sentiment from the My Peeps stamp set. The card base is Ripe Raspberry cardstock from MFT. 

I'm also playing along with 4 Crafty Chicks Anything Goes, AAA Cards It's So Hot challenge, and As You See It sketch. 

 

     

That's all for me today! Hope you liked my cards. I hope to make it upstairs for my crafty time later today. 8-) So check back later this week for another share. Thanks for visiting!

God Bless, 

Mandy

Romans 12:18  NKJV  (New King James Version)

      If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

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From My Barn To Yours

Hello -

I had a crafty break this morning to get off my feet for a bit after doing household chores and now this afternoon another break (this time from the kitchen, can you say homemade salsa? YUM!) so I can share my card here. :) It's working out pretty perfectly.

I wanted to play along with the current MFT Challenge because I haven't been able to play in quite a few weeks. And I recently got this super sweet stamp and die set, The Whole Herd, in honor of my sister who loves all things farm/country related. :) And, it doesn't hurt that it's super fun to color.

Here is this week's sketch:

 

And, my take on it:

 

 

 

 

I stamped the images on PTI Rustic White cardstock masking off to create the scene. The two cans stacked in the trough, the hay and bin behind the trough, as well as the eggs in a nest peeking out from behind. I then colored them while listening to an old episode of Murder, She Wrote. Hee, hee. A perfectly relaxing time, if I do say so myself. :)

 

The PTI Kraft cardstock used for the card base is embossed using my PTI Canvas & Linen impression plate. I've also used the Stitched Circle Stax DieNamics and Gerbera Daisy Dienamics from MFT. The patterned paper is from DCWV 6x6 Paper Pad.

 

I'm also playing along with CASology's "Wings" Cue Card this week.

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. Please do so again soon! ;)

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

Matt 6:34   NKJV   (New King James  Version)

     Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

 

 

 



 

 

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