Anything But a Card Challenge 43 -New Beginnings

Hello! It's week three of our New Beginnings challenge at Anything But a Card, and it's my turn to share.  New Beginnings is open to interpretation-using new items, new resolutions, wedding related, etc.  Just be sure to let us know what your 'new beginning' is when you link up!  We would love it if you would share with us!

I went with the more obvious 'resolution', but also slipped in a new to me stamp set as well!  I wanted to make something pretty that I would see every day that would remind me of the changes I want to make in my life.  This also needed to be a one layer project since it is going to be housed in a frame and hung on the wall.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper and wrote my life goals using a gold Sharpie.  Then I stamped the background with various images from Kinda Eclectic.  This is probably one of the easiest (and cleanest) projects I have made in a long time, and I'm really happy with the soft colors-perfect for a gentle reminder!

The design team has once again come up with a wonderful variety of creations and we would love it if you would stop by and check them out.  It would be even more awesome if you joined us and linked up your own creation!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Project Recipe: Paper-watercolor paper, Ink-crumb cake, so saffron, soft sky, gold Sharpie, Stamp Set-Kinda Eclectic

Baby it's cold outside!

Hello!  I am hoping you are warm and cozy wherever you are because it's a balmy 7 degrees here...  Oh, and it's really windy too so it actually feels like 20 below.  Did I mention how much I love winter? On the positive side, this is a very good excuse to play with my crafting supplies and drink a nice warm mug of tea.  I am almost embarrassed to admit that my latest order of Stampin' Up goodies are still untouched, and I also received a wonderful RAK happy mail package from a blogging friend and I haven't used any of that either!  Time to remedy this immediately!

Unfortunately, a family member of our sister-in-law passed away suddenly and since we seem to be going through the sympathy cards lately, I really needed to make a few cards for her and her family.  I am so bad at making this type of card on demand, but I did find a pretty card on pinterest that  I essentially CASED piece by piece.  The only things changed are the colors and the sentiment. 

I really liked the simple design and who would have guessed that burlap ribbon could be 'soft'.  You can see the original, made by Diana Gibbs, here.  

I have a feeling that if the weather stays this way very long, I will be hibernating at my crafting table for the majority of the winter.  With any luck, my new goodies will soon be inky and used soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by and if you're in the wonderful mid-west like me, stay warm!!

Card Recipe: Paper-very vanilla, crumb cake, soft suede, Ink-Hello Honey, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Memento Tuxedo Black, Stamp Set-Bloom with Hope, Accessories-burlap ribbon and Venetian crochet trim 

A New Year and a New Outlook

Hello and Happy New Year!  I am so glad you stopped by!  Today, I have two cards to share and I'm pretty sure they will be the last of my 'Christmasy' cards for a little while!  I am also sharing my  new year outlook as well (most of you know my feelings on resolutions-great for a week or two!).

My two cards are one design, but different papers, colors, and ribbons.  I found the design on Pinterest and you can see the original by Amy Frillici, here.  This is such a wonderful design for using up scraps, and is a pretty quick and easy card too!  I made several of these to use as thank you cards for the wonderful gifts I received from co-workers and loved ones.

I had to smile as I created the second version.  The paper is the very retired Ski Slope and there was not an entire sheet of any of the patterns-a small pile of scraps yet I managed to make two cards and still have a tiny bit left.  It reminded me of my blogging friend, Lynn, who once commented about the secret reproducing of scraps.  Perhaps I need to separate my scraps like we do the sheep... hehe!

With the beginning of a new year, everyone tends to reflect on the past year and make improvement plans for the future.  I can honestly say that my reflection process started around October-about the time that the days were rushing past so fast that I was left completely unorganized.  I am by nature a procrastinator,but also do a pretty good job of keeping deadlines in sight.  So this swirling chaos of three months without stopping for a breath really caught me off guard.  I began to take inventory of what had changed, what was working, and what really needed to go.  Unfortunately, blogging was one of the first things that moved to the bottom of  the list.  I came to the conclusion that I had been saying 'yes' to too many things (worthwhile and important things, but way too many), and also allowing too many 'issues' to take over my mind.  

I spent the better part of the days after Christmas focusing on family and giving myself a break. During this time, I tried to re-prioritize  things and also let go of a lot of unneeded baggage.  I am happy to say that my blog made the 'keep' list, however, I know there will be times when it has to sit for a little while-hopefully not too long!  Instead of making resolutions, I found something that I am going to do my best to follow every day...

I would like to wish you a new year full of peace, love, and kindness! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog!