Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Grateful for Mom

Can you believe that May is right around the corner?  That means it's time to recognize our mothers, the salt of this earth.  I had a special request from a friend at church to look at my Mother's Day cards.  Since I only had a couple to choose from, I got inspired to throw one more in the mix.

I have a few favorite stamp sets from the Unity Stamp Co and an idea, so I went to work.  For some reason, and this rarely happens, but I knew exactly what I was going to do.   Ding, ding, ding!  Gotta love those lightening strike moments....

I'll try to be quick here.  I combined 3 different Unity kits:  The flower swag is from the Bunches of Love sentiment kit, the leaves and sentiment are from the {Leaf}ing Grateful set, and the inside sentiment is from the Mother's day daisies set.  I added some Orange shiny May Arts ribbon that I've had forever and also some new May Arts green net ribbon which I am totally in love with these days.  Finished it all off with some enamel dots.  I just love the brightness of it.  Hope my friend does too.



Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Inspiration challenge/giveaway at Mountain Plains Crafters

We're having our very first Inspiration giveaway challenge over at MPC, based on this lovely photo taken by our very own Pam Stang while at The Mirage in Vegas. 
The challenge is to create whatever inspires you based on the picture.  I will tell you that my skill set is different than my co-designers so I usually veer in other crafty directions; variety is the spice of life, right!

I will also tell you this is, "I'm sick with pneumonia and this is what you get" inspiration!  Ha!  I wasn't going to participate but sick or not, I couldn't MISS the first challenge could I?  Since I was wide awake at 3 am, jacked up on steroid shots, inhalers and cough meds, I threw this together.  



The flowers were cut on vellum and I used twine, enamel dots and some wordy stamps.  You would think it would be quick, right?  No.   Lots of drug-induced staring going on! 
 Oh well.  
Join in on our challenge and post your project by following this link to the Mountain Plains Crafters blog and look for the link at the bottom left of the post to add your creations!

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Delight in the Lord

Here's a lovely scripture card using the biblical verse, Psalm 37:4. This sentiment and heart stamp are from the Unity Stamp Co kit called "Devoted".  It's such a wonderful set with several different scriptures.  I adore it! 

I also tried something new.  I made some watercolor paper and used bubble wrap for a unique look.  Just take several colors of ink and blot on the bubble wrap, then spray with misted water.  Press a piece of white cardstock into your mix.   Repeat inking and pressing until you have the coverage you want, then let your paper dry.  I guarantee you'll have fun with the process! If you look at the close-up, you'll see Smooch Glitz glitter polish on the sentiment and details on the heart which, by the way, were heat embossed.  The May Arts Ribbon is a perfect compliment too.  Happy crafting!




Feelin' a little owlish

Good morning crafters!  Well, the allergy yuck has arrived and I've got full-on bronchitis.  Looks like a visit to the doc for shots is in my very near future!

I made this last night while I was still feeling halfway human.  I love this frame and this owl.  They didn't come together, but don't they go good together anyway?

I've got a lot of different products on this card, some were drug out of the archives!  The stamped frame is called Polka.Dot.Journal and the owl is Sweet Owl Just Because.  Its from the Stamp of the week collection so you do have to be a member of the SOTW but guess what?  Its only $5.79 a week and that INCLUDES the shipping!   Check out all the great products at the Unity Stamp Co.  I stamped my sentiment on a piece of Bo Bunny wrap and inked some white flowers in pink and added a touch of Stickles green glitter glue with Studio Calico enamel dots.  And that fabulous green net ribbon?  Lovin' it.  May arts ribbon.   LOVE this sweet card!





Friday, April 25, 2014

Smiles are everyday miracles

Happy Friday, everyone!  I love Friday.  I mean REALLY love Fridays.  It's the end of my work week and the start of "who knows what's gonna happen this weekend".  It's also Friends with Flair day over at the Unity Stamp Co.  I finally broke down and bought this kit when it went on sale recently.  I've seen so many awesome creations with it and here's my first creation.  A fun, colorful, spring card.  And what a great sentiment.  Look close and you'll see that I double inked the flowers; first with London Fog Memento ink, then with American Crafts sunflower ink.  I added just a touch of yellow Stickles glitter glue to the tips of the flowers.  Have a great weekend!  P.S. The kit is on sale again...click the Unity link above.




Other supplies: May Arts Ribbon, jute twine, Jolees Boutique jute paper cord, Studio Calico enamel dots, Memento luxe black ink, Studio G green ink, American Crafts green art markers


Thursday, April 24, 2014

You sparkle

So my sister gave me this Princess wand stamp awhile back 'cause of my blog name...waving my wand.  She thought I could use it for the back of my cards, near my hand signature.  Well, I doth procrastinate and henceforth, do not wish to offendeth said sister, so I made this card using her stamp front and center.  Well, actually it's more to the right....anyway.....you catch my drift.

First, I am loving this huge "YOU", from the new Unity Stamp May 2014 sentiment kit, "All about you".  This is a 5x7 card.  Trust me, it's huge!  I cut the frame from a piece of 12x12 Paper Boutique scrapbook paper.  The "YOU" was stamped in American Crafts Taffy ink.  Next, I had this great rub-on word, SPARKLE.  It's all white so I colored it with a Bic Mark-it fine point yellow pen and added yellow Stickles glitter glue here and there.  Then, I hand inked the wand stamp (Stampabilities) with American Crafts pink and purple art markers and embellished with glitter markers.  The pink star has added sparkle from Stickles diamond glitter glue.  Wish I'd had some kind of spray glitter for more sparkle but overall, I think my sister will approve.  :-)




Come visit my other blog, Mountain Plains Crafters on Facebook and "like" our page.....we're having a giveaway!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Enjoy the little things

Now here's a good question....are you enjoying the little things in life?  Because life is fleeting and none of us are promised tomorrow.  I hope you'll find something today to smile about, no matter how small.  By the way, anyone need a kitten?  Lots of enjoyment in that lil ball of fur.  Several colors to choose from.  :-)      (*Come visit Mountain Plains Crafters on Facebook...we're having a giveaway!)





 
 

Here's a closeup of the stamped images.  I watercolored the top section of cardstock with several different blue and white inks and used the "Little Things Butterfly" set from the Unity Stamp Co.   I double stamped the butterfly in blue Inkadinkadoo ink, then again in Memento London Fog Ink.   Also, I fussy cut one of the butterflies and raised it for dimension.  The cloud is a sticker from Paper Bliss and I added a little "fluffiness" with a white gel pen and the sentiment is part of the butterfly stamp kit.  The green net ribbon is from May Arts Ribbon and I adore it!  Kind of has a grass feel to it.   So many ways to use that ribbon.  Have a great day!
 

 
 


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mountain Plains Crafters ......Giveaway!

In case you've been hiding under a rock, you all know that I've got a new crafty site with a couple of cool chics from Colorado. It's called, Mountain Plains Crafters and we are smack in the middle of a media blitz, getting the word out.
 
Can I throw out some sponsor names?? How about Unity Stamp Co? Yup. How about May Arts Ribbon? Oh yeah. How about Fancy Pants Design? Say what? You heard me. Guess who else jumped on board? Graphic 45. Wowza!
 
So what does all this mean? Well, number one, there's gonna be some awesome prizes in the near future. We have other companies lined up to donate prizes too. Do you like Lawn Fawn? We do too. I already know what they're donating. You're gonna like it too!
 
Number two, help us get the word out. "Like" and share our Facebook page and follow us on Blogger. 100 likes on Facebook, and we have our first giveaway. Nothin' to it!  Share this with your friends too. We greatly appreciate it!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Happy place flower card

This card is an ode to all you green thumbers out there, my mom included.  She loves working in the yard.  Me?  Not so much.  I do like to put the occasional sentiment inside the card and for this one, I used a clear scripture sticker.  I got these as a freebie at a crop once, and I just love them.  I thought this one was perfect to match the "happy place" sentiment.   Those little tags on the left were a freebie that I got from the Unity Stamp Company.  Love the freebies they send.   Have a great day and enjoy the fine weather (hope its not still snowing where you live!).
 
 
 
 
Here's a close up of the flower and the sentiment inside:
 
 


 
Supplies: Unity Stamp Well Wishes and Phyllis Harris sentiment, Basic Grey Paper Cottage stack, Sizzlets paper pad, Martha Stewart Gold ink, Studio G green ink, American Crafts art markers, Stickles yellow glitter glue, We R Memory Keepers enamel dots, The Paper Studio dark yellow cardstock

Sunday, April 20, 2014

PRAYING card.....giveaway alert!


I've mentioned this before, but for those of you new to this site, I'm on staff as a church pianist and my husband directs the choir.  So, I send out a few cards, needless to say, for those in need.  I love scripture stamps and use those often, but now Unity Stamps has created this really versatile kit that I really love, called "All about you".  Designed by Tiffany DeGough, it has so many uses with numerous sentiments.

I made a quick CAS (clean and simple) card today using Memento black luxe ink and Inkadinkadoo blue stack (teal), with a touch of ribbon from May Arts.  This kit is on sale right now so get it before the sale is over.  Have a crafty day!  And Happy Easter!!  (Scroll down for giveaway details)







Giveaway at Mountain Plains Crafters Facebook page.  When we get 100 likes on FB and 100 followers on Blogger http://mountainplainscrafters2.blogspot.com we will be giving away 2 prizes.   Share and help us reach our goal!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Easter Cross card

Good morning everyone!  It's a beautiful day today, the sun is shining, it's stopped raining and tomorrow is a day of celebration.  To me, Easter is a day to celebrate our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, spend time with family and relax a little. 


This stamp came just in the nick of time.  It's called "Saved", from the Unity Stamp Co.  I was so excited when it went on sale, I had to have it.I distressed the first layer of cardstock by doing some sanding and ripping the edges with my Tim Holtz distressing tool.  If you don't have one, you need one!  Love mine.  I did watercolors and white cardstock and tried to make it like like clouds and Sun shining through on the upper right.  

I added some Smooch Glitz for sparkle, as you can see in the close-up.  The cross was inked with Tim Holtz brushed corduroy distressed ink and the vine with American Crafts dark green art marker, Bic Mark-it lime pen and white gel pen.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A JOYOUS EASTER and God bless!!

GO VISIT MOUNTAIN PLAINS CRAFTERS Facebook page...WE'RE HAVING A GIVEAWAY

Friday, April 18, 2014

Circle Flower punch card...super easy!

Ever have one of those days?  Well, I already created this post earlier in the week and today?  I accidently deleted it while working on my blog.  So here it is again....

I used some awesome double sided paper from Graphic 45 Sweet Sentiments and a sentiment from Unity Stamps Mothers Day Daisies which is from their Stamp of the week collection.

 
All you have to do is punch six 2 or 3" circles and fold them in a cone shape.  Line them up edge to edge on a doily or paper of choice and adhere to your doily with adhesive.  That's it!  (Don't forget to use double sided paper)

 
Final result of this card:

 
Come visit me over at Mountain Plains Crafters too....we're having a giveaway!

Just you and me card...plus a giveaway!

Yay, it's Friday!  Woo-hoo!  And, I'm entering this card in a couple different challenges; Unity's Friends with Flair challenge which is every Friday, and the new Be Inspired challenge at Unity Stamps, which is monthly. 

I'm using the colors and card sketch for the Be Inspired challenge and a stamp that inspired me to go with this awesome hot air balloon paper from the Farmhouse Paper Companies "Fair Skies" 6x6 pad.  The stamp came in a grab bag from Unity and I have no idea what set it may have come from, but maybe someone can enlighten me.  A perfect card for a couple in love, don't you think?

Supplies: Basic Grey's Paper Cottage stack,  The Paper Studio navy cardstock, Cuttlebug,  enamel dots from We R Memory Keepers, twine from Teresa Collins Vintage Finds collection, lace eyelet. 

            ========================================================

Now if you haven't heard by now, myself and two awesome crafters you all know and love, Pam Stang and Sheryl Kemper, have formed a new crafty site, Mountain Plains Crafters.  It's all about fun, showcasing your crafty projects of all genres, having challenges, winning prizes, etc.  Shall I throw out some company names who have agreed to sponsor us or donate.  How about Unity Stamps.  Yup.  MAY ARTS ribbon.  Lawn Fawn.  Fancy Pants Design.  We've got more in the works so bookmark us and check in.

For our FIRST prize-based challenge we have an EASY one.  All you need to do is go to our facebook page and "like" us.  Just CLICK HERE.  Then go follow us on our blog on Google+ by CLICKING HERE.  And share, share, share!!  Once we reach 100 likes on facebook and 100 followers on our blog, we will have a drawing for each site.  TWO lucky winners will be drawn and announced after we reach our goal.NOW....for some MORE great news.  We are looking for 2 or 3 more design team members to join our small but exciting group that we are certain will be a blast to be a part of.  If you are interested...please send us pictures of your favorite work or links to your blog pages to mountainplainscrafters@gmail.com


  



Come visit me at Mountain Plains Crafters too!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Awesome news.....DT member at Mountain Plains Crafters! And giveaway...

So I wanted to share with all of you that myself and two crafty friends from Colorado have formed an awesome new crafting site called Mountain Plains Crafters.  I'm a design team member and am super excited about all the fun things we have in store.   We have some really awesome sponsors, May Arts Ribbon and Fancy Pants Design and can't wait to share projects and give prizes away from some of our sponsors.  You don't want to miss out!

Right now, we are getting the word out and showcasing a few things so get in on the action.  Follow us on Google+ by clicking the link above, and also "like" us on Facebook.  When we get to 100 followers and likes, we will have a giveaway...maybe two!  Share us if you would too pretty please!

 

Monday, April 14, 2014

Sunset scripture card John 14:27

Well, I'm still experimenting with watercolor.  I used to sketch and be pretty good in art classes when I was younger, but didn't do too much painting.  I went for some bright colors and used two different stamped images from Unity Stamps, Feel the Joy and Vintage scripture.  The birds are by my own hand using a Pentel sepia watercolor brush.  I love the warmth and peacefulness of this card.

SUPPLIES:  American Crafts Taffy and Apricot ink, Colorbox lavender and orange ink, Studio G yellow, white and purple ink, TCP lilac ink, Inkadinkadoo blue ink, textured designer paper, Kraft card, memento luxe black ink


Saturday, April 12, 2014

Birthday wishes come true card

You know, I might go a week without posting a thing 'cause life gets in the way and then, BAM...knock out 3 cards in one day.  Of course, I had to join my son in a game of Star Wars Monopoly to keep the peace. 

So here I'm using the Unity Stamps Birthday Jubilee kit again and inking this image for the first time.   I really like the vintage feel to this sentiment and the Woodgrain enamel dots add a nice touch.  Ok, my crafty day is over....time to cook dinner for my hungry guys!  

Supplies: Studio Calico Woodgrain enamel dots, Paper Boutique designer paper, The Paper Studio dark blue cardstock, American Crafts blue glitter tape, Basic Grey Paper Cottage scraps, rose flower ribbon, Inkadinkadoo Brown ink, lace bow


Watercolor scripture card Psalm

I'm enjoying a little peace and quiet while hubby and son are at the matinee.  I should be cleaning but of course, I'm crafting! 

Here's another attempt at watercolor which is not a strong suit of mine, but I'm always up for a challenge.  I used a couple branch images from Unity Stamps in this project, one from the Devoted kit, and one from the Sing a New Song kit.  The scripture verse is also from the Devoted kit.  I think it turned out alright.  What do you think?

Supplies:  American Crafts Apricot ink, Tim Holtz brushed corduroy distressed ink, Studio G green and yellow ink, Inkadinkadoo teal ink, We R Memory Keepers enamel dots, Studio Calico Woodgrain enamel dots, Basic Grey white enamel dots, The Paper Studio dark green cardstock, kraft card, white cardstock, Pentel green and sepia watercolor ink brush, misting water bottle

Pink sweet cancer card

Well it's Saturday morning, I'm the only one up and I'm sitting here with my favorite mug of hot coffee.  Let me show you this new card I just made.  I took a Valentine stamp and put a different spin on it.  Breast cancer, unfortunately, has played a major role in my families life with my mother and sister both having successfully battled it in recent years.

This stamp comes from the Everything Love kit from Unity Stamps, designed by Lisa Arana.  I thought the sentiment was a perfect reflection of life being sweeter, particularly for those cancer survivors.  By the way, this kit is on sale right now for more than 1/2 off so you might wanna jump on it!  There's a lot of great detail so peek at the awesome supply list.  Have a great day!

Supplies:  Authentique lively cardstock, Paper Boutique frame and bird, Martha Stewart border punch,  Colorbox pink ink, Memento London Fog ink, adhesive gem pink ribbon from Michaels, American Crafts pink cancer ribbon, white flower rose ribbon

Friday, April 11, 2014

Balloons birthday card

This is a fun card I made using the Unity Stamp Birthday Jubilee kit.  I have these fabulous enamel dots that are HUGE from We R Memory Keepers.   Do you have a local scrapbook store where you live?  We really need to utilize these great stores cause they are a rare commodity.  My girl Paulette from The Scrapbook Princess in Moody, AL ordered these for me at a great price.  I bet your local store will do the same for you, so show the love. 
 
Other supplies:  May Arts Ribbon pink sequin, Authentique lively cardstock, Memento London Fog and black ink, Bic Mark-it orange and yellow pens
 
 


Thursday, April 10, 2014

May Arts Ribbon challenge...go vote!

My card was selected to be in the May Arts Retro color challenge this week.  There are some truly awesome projects featured.  Even if you don't vote for mine, go check it out and get some wonderful crafty inspiration.  To vote, just comment your favorite at the end of the May Arts post.  Mine is the 50's Soda shop card.  Thanks!   My Pinterest-click here


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Beautiful day card

I've combined several different stamps today to make this card, using a frame from the Live laugh love kit, and a sentiment from the Bunches of Love kit, both from Unity Stamps.  Also, for the background, I've used Unity's Tattered chicken wire and Grainy background.  The cardstock is from Authentique's Lively collection and perfect for this woodsy, nature-like card.  Have a beautiful day!

Other Supplies:  American Crafts glitter tape, Inkadinkadoo Brown ink, Tim Holtz brushed corduroy distressed ink, lace doily, Studio Calico Woodgrain enamel dots, Colorbox olive ink, American Crafts green glitter marker, Bic Mark-it lime and yellow pens, Sharpie yellow fine point marker, white gel pen

Lil Bunny Wishes card

Here's my take on a cute stamp set from Unity Stamps called Lil Bunny Wishes.  I used my recent freebie from Unity which was a green card that I embossed with my Cuttlebug, then sanded it a bit.  They send freebies in every order which is somewhat awesome if you ask me.  LOVE!

Supplies: Stickles tropical tangerine glitter glue, American Crafts pale pink ink and Sunflower ink, Studio G pink and green ink, white gel pen, Stampin Up Mini pearls, craft flowers from Michaels, twine from The Twinery Memento London Fog ink, Bic Mark-it green pen, tag from Paper Boutique

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Easter Greetings card

I recently won an awesome prize from Graphic 45 on their Facebook page from their new line, Sweet Sentiments which includes this great Easter paper.  I paired it with some butterflies from Unity Stamps "Devoted" kit which I absolutely love.  I think the butterflies are a perfect accessory.  I stamped them on patterned paper and fussy cut, then added some sparkles with Stickles diamond glitter glue.  Sweet!

Other Supplies:  craft ribbon, Basic Grey candy buttons, Stampin Up mini pearls, Tim Holtz distressing tool, pop dots, jute cord



Sympathy card w/peachy colors

Shhh....don't tell my mom, but I snuck over to her house to "borrow" a few Unity Stamps.  I bought her a 3 month subscription to the stamp of the week club.  I'm sure she won't mind.  Hehe....

This is a fairly new release called Sympathy Thinking of You.  I decided I would stamp a bunch of orange Colorbox ink on some white cardstock.  I used my heat tool to quickly dry the ink before stamping my image, wish was stamped with Tim Holtz brushed corduroy distressed ink.  Dry again with the heat tool, then do a little coloring on the image.  I fussy cut it and also cut a matching layer in brown, distressed it a bit by sanding, and used as a base for my image.

I used some lovely papers from the Basic Grey Paper Cottage stack and a large piece of chipboard from Teresa Collins Vintage Finds kit.  A touch of burlap and peachy lace and I'll call it a day.  Actually it was 5:30 am when I made this.  Another sleepless night.....

Other supplies: Bic Mark-it orange and yellow fine point pen, white gel pen, Stickles diamond glitter glue, American Crafts green glitter marker, The Paper Studio dark cardstock




Scripture card Proverbs

Today I have a CAS card which in layman's terms, means clean and simple.  The stamped images are from a kit called Devoted, from Unity Stamps.  I love this kit which has several different scripture verses, this one being from Proverbs.  Such a meaningful verse;  I hope it speaks to you today!

Supplies:  Pink sorbet twine from The Twinery, Memento black ink, white gel pen, Paper Boutique designer paper, Smooch Glitz  silver polish, Sharpie  metallic pink fine point pen, Studio Calico enamel dot




Friday, April 4, 2014

FWF at Unity stamps..kinda psychedelic?

It's Friday and that means Friends with Flair over at the Unity Stamp Co blog.  I used a stamp of the week set called "Little Moments Big Life".  I used some embossed paper in the background along with some paisley paper.  For the center, I used several inks on white cardstock to get my pretty centerpiece, then stamped and colored my images.  I did do some paper piecing on the flowers so they match the paisley paper.  Cute, huh?  Love how it turned out.

Supplies: American Crafts blush, sunflower ink, Inkadinkadoo teal ink, Memento black ink, jute cord, Stickles yellow glitter glue, Studio Calico enamel dots, Basic Grey candy buttons, Paper Boutique designer paper, American Crafts green glitter marker, Bic lime Mark-it pen, white gel pen, Sharpie water paint metallic pink extra fine point pen

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Thank you bird card

I've got a sweet little birdie thank you card that was super easy to make.  It started with a great piece of designer paper from the Paper Boutique Play kit, that I trimmed for my card.  I layered it on top of a piece of dark red heavy cardstock, which I had distressed the edges of.  Did I say that correctly?  I sometimes second guess my grammar.  With good reason....ha!

I used a coordinating small frame and stamped my sentiment and a pretty red heart, both of which come from the Unity Stamp Co Jillibean Blossom Soup kit.  That's it.  I usually spend hours on a card so it was so refreshing to whip one out in 10 minutes.  That has to be a first!!

Other supplies:  Memento London Fog ink, American Crafts Rouge ink, The Paper Studio textured cardstock darks, Tim Holtz distressing tool