A sneak peek, spring/summer cleaning, and lots of rambling...

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am so excited to have some new followers and hope that you get either inspiration, insight, or something to make you smile when you visit!!

I am in a 'bunny trails' kind of mood today, so I will share my cards (a sneak peek of my ABAC project for Sunday) first-just in case you don't want to wander the trails with me!

Challenge number 20 at Anything But a Card Challenges  is "Dust Off Your OLD Supplies". For this challenge we are having a bit of a spring cleaning theme. Go "Dust off your older supplies" for this challenge - and make something... ANYTHING GOES! Use up those paper scraps, break out tools that haven't seen the light of day, finish up one of those U.F.O's {unfinished objects}... or how about those hoarded stickers - we all have a stash. The theme is open so the possibilities are endless.... just remember create anything except a card... this is going to be FUN!!!

Now how easy is this?! Well... When your crafting space looks as horrific as mine, first you actually have to do spring cleaning (or for those of us who love to procrastinate, summer cleaning) to find most of your supplies and the table. I really wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not!  It's been a very crazy month! So after spending the morning finding my table (and several started projects), I knew what I would be doing for our challenge.  I am part of week 2 of the design team and usually finish my project Friday night or Saturday morning and rush to get it photographed, but this week it is ready to go by Wednesday afternoon!  I am sharing the cards today because I can't show the other part yet, and the blog is anything BUT a card...  Can't be flaunting any cards on Sunday, so the cards become the sneak peek for the main piece.

I spent most of the afternoon working on the cards for a very special friend from our  church.  She is one of the most caring and selfless people I know.  She made meals for my parents when Dad had his stroke, and still occasionally drops off goodies for them.  She has also been a wonderful mentor.  Last week, she stopped by to drop off some asparagus from their garden since she knows my oldest DD loves asparagus.  She handed me two HUGE bags of fresh asparagus, enough for many meals, and refused to accept any payment for it. "It will be a relief to get it out of the house." is all she says.  Well, if I have learned little else from the crafting community, one of the joys of crafting is passing on our creations to others.  Plus, I know she won't be able to turn down a handmade just for her gift! Pretty sneaky, right?  So I made a set of 8 greeting cards for her.

Now if you're still on the trail with me, I'm moving on to dusting off supplies.  I decided that while I was in cleaning mode, I would go through my DSP and clean that up too. OH MY!  We will not discuss just how much retired paper I have that can't be used for classes, not to mention the non SU things...  So I decided my summer crafting goal would include using up some of that paper.  I found a lone sheet of the paper above and have no clue which set it came from but I do know it was from a loooooong time ago. I managed to use almost the whole sheet for the 8 cards! Woo! Hoo! 1 page down, 4 million to go...  I also dusted off my daisies die which hasn't bonded with my Big Shot in ages. They were so happy to be together again!

I have really been slacking in the commenting and visiting of blogs lately.  Mom has been in the hospital twice this month with heart issues.  While her condition is not life threatening, it does sap all of her energy and messes with her heart rate.  They switched her to a new med this time so we are crossing fingers and praying that this one gets the job done.  I'm just thankful that I wasn't working this last time and could commit to being there for her and Dad.  Makes things a little less stressful!

Well, this is the end of today's bunny trail and post. If you made it all the way to the end, I applaud your tolerance! Hopefully Sunday will bring some less distracted blogging!  Have a wonderful rest of the week and I hope you don't have to clean before you do your happy crafting!

Card Recipes: Cardstock-wild wasabi, bashful blue, pumpkin pie, whisper white, old DSP, Stamp Sets-Word Play, Loving Thoughts, Ink-pacific point, bashful blue (sponged on daisy), Accessories-daisies 2 die, boho blossom punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, perfect polka dots & square lattice EF, non SU circle framelits, brights buttons, white bakers twine, bashful blue brad

Operation Write Home Blog Hop-Thank You!

Hello! I am so glad you stopped in! A very special welcome is extended to everyone visiting from OWH! This weekend, I decided to join in a wonderful blog hop hosted by Operation Write Home.  You can click on the photo to go to the beginning of the hop.

To be a part of the blog hop, I agreed to create a thank you card based off of a OWH sketch.  I chose sketch B-10 from the bonus sketches.  You can find the sketches here.  And here is my take on the sketch...

While it is too late for you to sign up to host a spot on the blog hop, you are welcome to check out the OWH site and learn more about this fabulous organization.  Our preschool class was blessed enough to receive a an OWH card last year from a class pen pal. I am so excited about being a part of the creating side this time!

Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy the hop! Happy Memorial Day and remember to give thanks for the wonderful people, past and present, who protect our country!  

Card Recipe: All items Stampin' Up, Cardstock-sahara sand, island indigo, Sycamore Street DSP, Stamp Set-Just Believe, Ink-summer starfruit, island indigo

Congrats, Grad!

Do not adjust your computer monitor! Yes, you really are seeing a midweek post from me!  My poor neglected supplies got dusted off this past weekend to make a graduation card for a very special young man, my nephew! I have plans to clean up my crafting table this week so I can actually find everything again and be productive.  Wish me luck!  I would have done this already, but the weather has been beautiful here and I've been working in our little garden and planting some flowering bushes while I can.

My nephew also graduated this past weekend so it's been a little hectic here.  He is such a kindred spirit and we are often partners in crime in driving his mother, my sister, crazy!  She is a little concerned about him going off to college in the fall, but I know he will be amazing and can't wait to see what he accomplishes in his life.  He is very intelligent, loves to read, and has a wonderful sense of humor.  Did I mention I think he's very special?!  But enough of that, here is his card...

Apologies in advance for the picture! It was very overcast when I took the picture and I couldn't get a good shot.  I had the hardest time putting this together!  Every patterned paper, ribbon, and embellishment that fit the color scheme seemed too girly to me.  I wasn't crazy about the dotty paper, but it was the least girly I had in real red.  I actually took the star buttons from DD#1's stash and colored some white bakers twine with my basic black marker. I think I'll have an easier time with my niece's card next week.

I want to take a minute and send a message to any blogging friends who were affected by the  recent tornados and storms.  My heart goes out to the families dealing with such loss and devastation.  I can not begin to imagine what that feels like.  My family is keeping all of you in our prayers.  Hugs!

I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week and that you find some time to be crafty too!

Card Recipe: Cardstock-whisper white, real red, real red DSP, Ink-black stazon, Stamp Set-Blue Ribbon, Accessories-chevron folder, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, basic black grosgrain ribbon, bakers twine, star buttons (from DD#1 stash)

Anything But a Card Challenge 19-Wisdom of Heart

Well, hello and happy Sunday morning to you!  This is an especially happy Sunday morning for me because it marks the start of the first week since officially resigning from my job!  I know this is a short term 'time off', but I am going to enjoy every minute of it until returning to work!

We are now in week two of the color challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges and it's my turn to share.  I knew as soon as I saw this gorgeous set of colors and inspiration photo that I would be doing a scrapbook page and I also knew exactly what papers I would use as well.

The beautiful blend of blue/green and red/pink reminded me of the colors in the More Amore DSP.  I also knew that I would finally be scrapbooking a significant photo of my oldest DD.  This picture has been patiently waiting for just the right moment and papers to make it extra special.  Every fall, my girls pose for their 'first day of school' photo.  They are always wearing their new shoes and sporting their new backpack as well.  I love that it captures their style and personality for that period of time, but it also is a wonderful way to see how they have grown.  This particular photo is from DD#1 6th grade year and she just had her 8th grade recognition this past week.  How's that for timing?

As I started putting this page together, I realized that I had not used the first piece of cardstock, only patterned paper.  Highly unusual for me!! I also noticed as I was labeling the supplies,  there weren't that many different supplies used on this page, another rare occurrence!  I'm not usually into using a lot of bold patterns either, but here they are.  I'm really liking this new approach and it helped me use some of those beautiful papers I've been hoarding saving for just the right moment!

The fabric in the inspiration photo begged me to add some texture to this page.  I decided to go with a rolled ribbon 'flower' and added some crocheted ribbon as well.  If you want to see fabric inspiration at it's finest, be sure to check out Julie's amazing creation! GORGEOUS, I tell you!

a close up of my flower and the perfect quote that I had to work into this page!

I need to take a moment to gush about my wonderful girl!  I knew I wanted to use the beautiful quote on the piece of DSP for her.  From a very young age, she has had the amazing ability to completely look beyond what is on the surface and see the inner beauty in others.  Our first major experience with this was when we met one of her buddies from school.  She talked about this girl for months, how much fun she was, the great conversations they had, how this girl made her laugh.  So I hate to admit that I had a preformed vision of this precious girl in my mind and was a little taken back when I met her and realized that she had some special needs.  DD had never mentioned this aspect of her wonderful friend and it melted my heart to realize that while she knew her friend was different, that was not what she saw when she looked at her.  This has been her strength and special gift ever since.  She has no concern what others may think of her friendships and loves with her whole heart.  Is there any wisdom that is greater than this? None that I can think of...

So thank you for letting me get all mushy and teary eyed! To me, this is what scrapbooking is all about, not only capturing the event, but the wonderful memories and emotions that go with it.  I included a very special message to my daughter on the back of this page.  I really love doing this when the message is extra special and not necessarily for everyone's eyes to see.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and I hope you find some time this week to be crafty, and I would love to see you play along with our color challenge!!

Page Recipe:  More Amore DSP, pool party ruffled ribbon, Victoria crochet trim, jumbo sticky rounds, Just Journaling stamp, black stazon & black marker

Anything But a Card Challenge 19- Are you feeling color challenged?

Hello! It's time for a new challenge at ABAC, and this time we are playing with color!  One of our design team members, Diana, found this gorgeous inspiration photo...

Aren't those colors so pretty together?  You do not have to use all five of the colors in your project, and remember you can make anything but a card.  This includes 3D art, scrapbooking, altered projects, ATCs, journal pages... the list goes on and on!

I have to say that this one was pretty easy for me and I've already completed my project for next week's posting!  I really love color challenges, especially when they are paired with a wonderful photo showing the colors in use.  So pull out your supplies, get busy crafting, and link up with us at ABAC!  Remember, you have two weeks to participate in this challenge!

Anything But a Card Challenge 18- An ATC is HOW small??

It is time for week 2 of challenge 18 at Anything But a Card Challenges.  This challenge is to create an ATC (artist's trading card) which is a pretty open challenge as long as your art measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Susan has a lot of wonderful information about ATCs on the challenge site and there are some fabulous pieces being shared by the design team and fellow crafters linking up.  

I have a confession to make.  I have NEVER made an ATC before.  Yes... I know shocking! And honestly, I wasn't too concerned about this challenge until I tried to squeeze my big ideas onto my itty, bitty piece of paper (can you imagine me doing inchies??).  But once I started adjusting my thinking to pulling out my smaller stamps and embellishments, things fell into place and I ended up with two different ATCs.

This one looked a lot different in my mind, but for my very first

attempt, I kinda like it!  The picture frame was made with Sculpey 

and a silicone mold (this is not SU, but just wait until you see the 

new catalog, hint! hint!).  I attempted another watercolor, inky

type background, and it didn't really turn out how I wanted, so I 

stopped before it became really muddy and finished it with stamping

and embellishing.  The frame was painted with a gold acrylic and 

smeared with gold glitter glue.

I think of the two, this is my favorite.  Maybe it's just more in my

comfort zone, but I like the softer colors.  I stamped my image and 

sentiment and then added pastels to create the background. I really

like the effect of using the watercolor paper for this!

I really hope that you will share an ATC with us this week, even if you have never made one before! I am beginning to find that I have the most fun with this type of challenge, although I need to stop stressing over the finished product and just let the process happen and learn from my mistakes!

As I am posting this, it is a very rainy Saturday and our plans of attending a local Chalk Walk event have been postponed to next weekend.  So I am going to get out of here and try to do some crafty stuff at home! Have a wonderful week and happy crafting!