My Favorite Things Stamps: Day 1: Flowers, Blueprints, Knitting

I have been keeping a secret for over two months now.  I actually went back and checked. A very exciting email arrived in my inbox on September 23rd. It was from Kim van der Sanden of My Favorite Things inviting me to be a guest designer for the December release!!!  I almost missed this very important email.  I had actually ordered from MFT that very morning and the email from Kim was sandwiched between my order confirmation and processing emails - all from MFT Stamps.  When I finally saw it, I picked my jaw up from the floor, re-read it a few times to make sure that I wasn't dreaming, checked my class schedule and my other design team commitments to make sure I could make it work, and replied that I would be absolutely thrilled.

The day is finally here!  And the release is going to be so much fun!  I will have countdown posts from today through December 10th showing you highlights of this release, as will all of the other truly amazing My Favorite Things designers. The Product Launch happens Tuesday, December 10th at 10 pm EST and there will be another set of posts from myself and all of the designers.  Then there are Release Rewinds with even more inspiration on December 12th and 13th.  Phew!  (No wonder I didn't sleep well last night!)

I know this should be much less about me - and much more about the Release Countdown, so here it goes...

For Day 1, I was an overachiever today and did three cards.  (That's probably because I wasn't creative to enough to use all of today's products on one card!)  My first card uses the new Lisa Johnson Designs (LJD) set Grand Peaceful Wildflowers and the Grand Peaceful Wildflowers die set.  This is a super-size version of Peaceful Wildflowers, and includes brand new sentiments.  (FYI - I can't link the new products yet because they aren't available until December 10th.)



I do have to rave a little bit today over the MFT colors, inks, etc. I didn't have any of them before I got the big e-mail and I immediately ordered a couple of pads and a variety cardstock pack.  It's nice!  I have since ordered virtually all of it. The colors are just different enough from other major brands that they are definitely worth having. The ink stamps cleanly and the cardstock is heavy. They also carry felt, buttons and ribbon.

This card uses Brick Red ink (a gorgeous autumn red), Natural ink (brand new!) and cardstock, Steel Grey ink and Whip Cream cardstock (a new fave - it's off-white without looking yellow). I tied it off with the Hemptique Natural Twine that they carry in their store.

My next card shows off the new blueprint die set - Blueprint 10.  Do you have any of these yet?  The price can look a little scary, but just count up everything that you get and you'll quickly see they pay for themselves.  I am using the background panel with the round edges from the new blueprint set and a variety of the circles in the set.


The sentiment comes from LJD Cheerful Blessings - it's an older set that I've had for quite some time.  For my personal cards to people, it's the set that I go to most often.  The card base is Kraft. The other colors are Blue Raspberry, Razzle Berry, and Lemon Drop.  The button is also Lemon Drop and I've finished it with the Hemptique Natural Twine.

Finally, I had to do something with the new Pure Innocence set (and there's one more new set at the end of the release countdown).  I am a knitter....and I am often a knit-wit so I know this card will be used!


This card uses Sour Apple (this and other greens you will see on my blog this week have become my very favorite greens!), Lemon Drop, and Wild Cherry. The buttons are Lemon Drop. The texture on the red strip comes from LJD Western Backgrounds. The scallop edge comes from Blueprints 6.

I am using the MFT Wednesday Sketch that just ended this morning.  If you haven't played along with their weekly sketches - they are nice sketches.  There is a $15 prize to their store.  You don't  have to use MFT supplies, but if you do, the prize goes to $20.  I have to admit to getting a good start on my ink and paper collections by winning these prices!

Now you need to head over to the My Favorite Things blog.   First thing to do - follow the links to all of the other designers.  Second thing - leave a comment on the blog - MFT has huge release prizes, better than I've seen anywhere else.  And I know you will see something this week that you just have to have!

Thanks for dropping by!

Rockwell's Pantone Color Challenge: Linen

I have missed a couple of colors in Jackie Rockwell's Pantone Color Challenge.  I'm definitely going to go back and pick them up - all of them stay open until September 22!  But this week's linen color really caught my eye.  It's not easy to do an entire card in linen but I thought it would work for a classic sympathy card.

Jackie's giving away a free blog header to one person who plays along with her challenges.  Check out my blog - it's Jackie's work - and I LOVE it!!

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted Butterfly Additions, CD Stamps Easter Blessings (sentiment)
• Paper: Papertrey Fine Linen
• Ink: Papertrey Fine Linen
• Accessories: Clearly Besotted Butterfly Die, May Arts twine, Tim Holtz Embossing folder, misc sequins

CAS(E) this Sketch: A Banner and a Butterfly

There is a great and very versatile sketch this week at CAS(E) this Sketch!

I have had this tapestry banner on my desk for quite some time knowing that I had to use it before I put it away or, as usual, I would forget about it when new stuff came into the house.  The banner led me to an elegant sympathy card.


There is some detail that is hard to see - a little shine on the butterfly, some piercing on the vellum and a little woodgrain on the sentiment.

I hope you play along - I really love to see what everybody creates with the same sketch!

• Stamps: Impression Obsession Tapestry Banner, Papertrey Ink Round & Round (sentiment)
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone, Stampin' Up Raspberry Ripple, misc. vellum
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Stampin' Up Raspberry Ripple
• Accessories: Memory Box dies: Kaleidoscope and Moonlight Butterfly dies, Papertrey Ink woodgrain impression plate, Stampin' Up piercing plate, Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist

Sympathy in Plum

I actually made this card for a challenge and then realized that I had read the challenge wrong - OOOPS!  But I still liked it so thought I would show you.


It also gives me a chance to tell you that I won't be around much this week.  In just a few hours I am taking my youngest son on a road trip to my home state for his fall break!  I have posts scheduled on Monday and Thursday so be sure to check back - but that's all for the week!

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Framed Out 4
• Paper: Stampin' Up Perfect Plum, black
• Ink: black
• Accessories: Memory Box Amira Flourish die, Essex Label die, Stampin' Up Perfect Plum Taffeta

Catered Crop and CASology

This week's theme at Catered Crop is white.  Not necessarily all white - just "white".  This theme is inspired by one of their designers - Silke Ledlow.  Her style is multiple white layers with vibrant colors in the image and ribbon - her cards are stunning and utterly unique.

I ended up going ALL white with my card.  The CASology Cue Card this week is "pond" and it led me right to the Willow Dragonfly die by Memory Box.  I envisioned an incredibly soft, gentle and peaceful sympathy card...and what better than all white.

I hope you are looking forward to a great weekend.  As you are reading this, I am actually in our mountain place in Frisco, Colorado doing some hiking and eating and playing before my kids go back to school.  The weather is projected to be in the 60s (yeah!) with afternoon showers (can you say "good book and glass of wine"!?)  I plan to be relaxed and totally inspired to craft next week!!

• Stamps: Penny Black cattail, Verve sentiment
• Paper: white
• Ink: Versamark, Stampin' Up Going Gray
• Accessories: Memory Box Willow Dragonfly die, Stampin' Up white raffeta, Stamp 'n Stuff white pearl embossing powder

Less Is More: Three

If you are here for the Dynamic Duos post,

it's just a short scroll away!

This week's Less Is More challenge is EASY - - "THREE" - - and there is no better number to use for cardmaking. Of course, to counteract the easy theme - it had to be ONE LAYER week.  I really do like CAS cards, but one layer is hard.  I always at least want to put one layer at the back as a frame.

I am seeing a lot of cards out there that are a stamped solid image, highlighted with Copics or other pens.  I decided to give it a try on this very simple card.  There is just a touch of darker color near the bodies of the butterfly.

You can see it a little better on this card that I rejected because the top butterfly was just too "heavy".  (For the record, I'm not in love with the first card either, but it's hard to go too wrong with the gorgeous sentiment and sweet little butterflies!)

Notice that I used THREE butterflies, THREE little blings and, I just noticed, there are THREE words in the sentiment (or maybe that's stretching it a little bit!)





My butterflies are the colors from this week's Play Date Cafe challenge

You'll have to read on to my next post which was an attempt at a card for LIM - but after I got done with it, I noticed the big bold "ONE LAYER" on their challenge!  Oops.

• Stamps: DRS Designs sentiment, PTI Beautiful Butterflies
• Paper: white
• Ink: Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, So Saffron, black, Copics to match
• Accessories: tiny bling

It's New Release Day at Sweet 'n Sassy!!

It's the most wonderful time of the month...new release day at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!!!

This month's new release is what I love about Sweet 'n Sassy...there is a mix of classic, Christian and fun.  I got a little of both in my package to preview!!

The first stamp set is a classic Christian set.  Although you don't see the stamp on the outside of my card - the sentiment that inspired this card is the verse from the hymn "It Is Well"...When peace like a river attendeth my way..."




The bridge is silver embossed with a few tiny sparkles for the feeling of the sun shining on the water.  Such a classic and so very peaceful image!

Then for my second card, I stretched my comfort zone...can you hear me taking a big leap???  I already had my stash of embossing powders out and when I am embossing I try to do a number of cards because no matter how hard that I try I MAKE A MESS!!  I have to strip everything off my desk and scrub in every nook and cranny - so I might as well make it worth the time.

I also just got a very unique Washi tape - it's almost neon.

I put it all together for this...




Doesn't that image work perfectly with all the gold and neon???  It's such a sweet and simple image, it can be used in so many ways.  Sweet 'n Sassy is celebrating their release all day long with challenges in the Sweet 'n Sassy forum on Splitcoaststampers.  I'm hosting a color challenge at noon EST and for my sample, I use this same stamp in a very traditional way!!!

My card recipes are at the very bottom of this post.

The next person on the hop is Cathy McCauley. 

Click on this badge for full details on all of the fun and all of the challenges with Sweet 'n Sassy!

Other fun details:

• The full release is available NOW in the Sweet 'n Sassy store.  
• There is a free stamp set with a $50 purchase!
• There are SO many prizes this month...I have lost track!!  Definitely comment as you are hopping, because the full release is up for grabs - get your comments in by Friday the 13th at midnight EST.  Taylor is giving away stamps for commenting on her blog and another set on Splitcoaststampers.  There are also prizes up for grabs for playing along with the challenges.  

In case you get lost - here's the list of the the design team:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Bridget Finlay

Taylor Usry

Jennie Harper

Kim Singdahlsen <==You Are Here

Cathy McCauley

Jessica Fick

Giovana Smith

Mary Faus

Kim Schofield

Dina Kowal

Monika Davis

Korin Sutherland 

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Bridge of Hope
• Paper: Stampin' Up Blush Blossom, Brushed gold from Michaels
• Ink: Stampin' Up Basic Gray, Versamark
• Accessories: Spellbinders tag, Fiskars small corner rounder, silver cord and detailed silver embossing ink
• Challenges: The Play Date Cafe - I almost didn't acknowledge this challenge because the photo of my card looks distinctly copper and pink - but the paper REALLY was Brushed Gold.  Unfortunately, I delivered the card at church this morning, so I do not have it to take another picture!  I still wanted to credit Play Date Cafe, because I was having a total mental block on this card until I saw this color challenge!!

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Dream Big
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Summer Sunrise
• Ink: Versamark
• Accessories: detailed gold embossing powder, Washi Tape by Sweet Bella (I wrapped the edges of my second layer in Washi tape), gold cord

Monochromatic Week at Dynamic Duos

It's the fourth week of the month which makes it monochromatic week at Dynamic Duos.  This month, we are in the green family - with the combination of River Rock and Always Artichoke.  I thought this soft color scheme would work well for a sympathy card...



Here's the detail of the dimension that gets lost in the above photo...

Be sure to check out all the other design team creations (as I have been watching them added during the week, I already have a die and a stamp set that I am ordering to CASE these cards!!)  Then pull out your River Rock and Artichoke, create a card and link it up!

To be considered for the Diva Dynamo and the Dynamic Darlings remember that (1) only neutrals such as black, white, vanilla, skin and kraft can be added and (2) don't link to other color challenges.  

Here's the rest of the team!  Have fun!

The Dynamic Duos Challenge Blog

Allisa Chilton

Anne Marie Hile

Anika Lerche

Bronwyn Eastley

Kim Singdahlsen

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Melissa Chipperfield

Paige Grabau

Sue Joyce

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Papillon Potpourri, Petite Pairs
• Paper: Stampin' Up River Rock, Always Artichoke, Paisley Petals dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up River Rock, Always Artichoke
• Accessories: Memory Box Meadow Leaf die, My Favorite Things Fishtail Flag dies, Papertrey Ink Woodgrain Impression Plate, Stampin' Up Elegant Butterfly punch and Sweet Buttons sizzlit, miscellaneous crocheted ribbon, twill and crochet thread
• Challenges: Dynamic Duos and the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

A Single Bird...In Sympathy

I make so many sympathy cards - but usually they are for our church card ministry and I don't know who will be receiving them.  It's easier that way.  Yesterday I had to make a card for a wonderful woman whose husband passed away unexpectedly in his sleep last week...at the age of 40.  How do you make a card for that?  I wanted a very peaceful card - with a single bird...but was completely stuck after that.  I turned to the Less Is More challenge for help and it was the perfect inspiration...

The memorial service was yesterday...such raw emotion...Heidi, you are in our prayers...

• Stamps: Our Craft Lounge Prayers and Blessings
• Paper: A slightly textured cardstock from my stash on the background and the bird
• Ink: Stampin' Up Basic Gray
• Accessories: Memory Box Nestled Bird, Stampin' Up bird punch (branch)

Graceful Calla Lily with Unscripted Sketches

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater...


We had a very unexpected death in our congregation and it made me very aware of how low our church card "sales" racks are on sympathy cards.  There is so much comfort in sending and/or receiving lovingly handcrafted cards - I have been very focused on creating the right cards for this situation.  I haven't even taken time to post them...until today.

This incredible stamp has been sitting on my desk waiting for the perfect card.  It's beautiful, simply from an image perspective, and the words on it are so very meaningful for many situations.  It begins with "He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater" and continues on about strength and afflictions and our Father's love and mercy.  I've imagine it beautifully colored, but somehow today's Splitcoast Ways to Use It challenge: Monochromatic Masterpieces spoke to me.



Stampin' Up had a very early In-Color called True Thyme.  When they brought back River Rock, I was very disappointed they didn't bring back True Thyme because it's the perfect monochromatic complement.  I am hoarding my True Thyme just for these situations.
I am also playing along with a challenge that I've never played before - Unscripted Sketches.  There was a piggyback challenge to this that, unfortunately, I didn't notice - use something recycled.

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Graceful Calla Lily
• Paper: Stampin' Up True Thyme, River Rock CS and dsp (the older dsp)
• Ink: Stampin' Up True Thyme, River Rock (sponged on edges), a few Copic accents
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Cuttlebug embossing, Nestabilities Oval (to cut the left half of the image)

Sympathy Vases in Neutrals

I am still having fun being a guest designer for the Splitcoast Color Challenge.  This week was a bit of a challenge as the colors are ALL neutrals: Whisper White, Sahara Sand and Basic Gray.  I am really looking forward to seeing what everybody comes up with.  My church card ministry has a need for sympathy cards and these colors were perfect.

If you are an avid reader of my blog, my teenage son says to tell you that I will be AFK through this week.  Sadly...I know what that means.  Even more sadly, I learned what it meant from my family's favorite TV show - Big Bang Theory!!  AFK means Away From Keyboard.  I am heading out of town to be with a friend going through chemo.  She lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota - deep enough in the hills that I will only have sporadic internet access.  I do have a couple of posts scheduled while I am gone - but I likely won't be reading or commenting on any of YOUR blogs!  I look forward to a full day of reading when I am back!!

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Gracious Vases, Simply Stamped sentiment
• Paper: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand CS and dsp, Basic Gray
• Ink: Stampin' UP Sahara Sand and Basic Gray
• Accessories: Ranger Glossy Accents covered with a pinch of fine glitter, misc white ribbon

Two Looks for Tender Words

Every Friday, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is doing a look back at older sets.  Today, I contributed two cards for the set Tender Words.

The first is soft and sweet.  I will be using this as an Easter card...
Pin It

Then in an entirely different direction, I also made a sympathy card.
Pin It

I love sets with multiple uses!!

Easter card:

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Tender Words
• Paper: Stampin' Up Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
• Ink: Memento black and copics
• Accessories: Sweet 'n Sassy Lacey Eyelet Border die, misc ribbon
• Challenge: Sketch from Technostamper

Sympathy card:

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Tender Words
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Black
• Ink: Memento black, colored pencils
• Accessories: Stampin' Up border punch and thin black ribbon, misc button

-------------------------------------------

The Easter card is for the Technostamper Sketch Challenge.  Mary Jo provides the code for me to show you all the other entrants in the challenge - it becomes a blog hop! 

LIM Sketch: Comfort on a Difficult Day

This week's Less Is More challenge is a wonderful basic sketch.  I love sketches and I particularly love basic sketches because it allows each participant to go in wildly different directions.  I am looking forward to browsing their gallery this week to see the variety because what I have seen so far on some of my favorite blogs has been great!

I have spent the week working on sympathy cards for our church card ministry.  I particularly like the beautiful sentiment on this card to complement the simple scene.

I very lightly sponged the colors onto the white panel and then used a variety of stamps from Stampin' Up's Serene Silhouettes to create the scene.  As a final touch, I spritzed it with pearl glimmer mist.  In the photos, it just looks a little blotchy but IRL it has a dreamy look to it.

I have a busy card week this week - it's cardmaking at church so I have to put together a whole bunch of kits, it's release week at Sweet 'n Sassy - blog hop and release party on Thursday! - and . . . I have a fun announcement on Wednesday!  Be sure to check back!

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Serene Silhouettes, Verve New Mercies (sentiment)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Barely Banana, Basic Black, white
• Ink: Stampin' Up Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette, Marigold Morning (light orange), black
• Accessories: EK Success Border Punch, Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist, sponges

A CASual Friday Chocolate Cake

 Today's Splitcoast Free4All Challenge says that is is Chocolate Cake Day!!  So they challenged us to use Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake on a card.  As much as I hate to do this on Chocolate Cake day, I really need to make sympathy cards for our church card ministry.  I originally started out with Cherry as an accent on this card, but I just couldn't get rid of the mental picture of a cherry on top of a rich chocolate cake - so a sympathy card just wasn't happening.  It worked much better for me when I switched to blue.

I also used the CAS-ual Friday sketch challenge.  I knew that it was meant to be when I saw that this week's sponsor is Sweet 'n Sassy and I actually already had pulled out their set Elegant Blessings to use on a classic sympathy card.

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Elegant Blessings
• Paper: Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist
• Ink: Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake
• Accessories: Stampin' Up embossing folder, Marina taffeta, antique brads, and scalloped border punch

LIM Cut It Out with ColourQ

Since last Saturday, when Less Is More announced a "Cut It Out" challenge (using a hole or aperture in your card), I've known what I wanted to do - but I am only just getting around to it now!  In the meantime, the CAS-ual Friday Challenge that I wanted to pair it with - using ONLY black and white - has expired.  I'm not going to get into their gallery - but if you haven't peeked - it's a fascinating gallery to look at.

Our church card ministry is always in need of sympathy cards, so I found a simple silhouette bird and used a die cut that resembled a bird cage.

Since I didn't make the black and white card in time, I decided to try to give the same card some color.  This week's colourQ challenge has some of my favorites!   (I really did use Olive ink - but after a dozen photo attempts - you are still seeing an entirely different!!)

• Stamps: Stampabilities bird silhouette, Sweet 'n Sassy Peaceful Swans (sympathy sentiments), Verve  Small Phrases (I thought of you)
• Paper: white
• Ink: black, Stampin' Up More Mustard, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
• Accessories: twine, SU Button Bouquet button, gems colored with copics, Papertrey die

Sympathy with Serene Silhouettes

Last week, I said that I needed to focus on Sympathy cards for the church card racks and that you would be seeing lots of sympathy - some even commented that they were looking forward to the ideas - and then I haven't made one since.  Sorry...

Here's my card for today's Splitcoast Sketch Challenge.  I have never focused on sympathy cards to send to men, but this silhouette set was perfect for the card.

No frills or ribbon or bling - just a simple sympathy.

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Serene Silhouettes, Papertrey sentiment
• Paper: Stampin' Up Going Gray, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
• Ink: Stampin' Up Going Gray, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
• Accessories: Tim Holtz embossing folder, Quickutz die

With Sympathy...with help from Online Card Classes

I am thoroughly enjoying this session of Online Card Classes - it's all about my favorites - Clean and Simple cards!!

I am a number of days behind on trying new techniques.  This card is for Day 2, at which time we learned about visual triangles and using masking to create illusions of layers.

These particular stamps come with dies to cut each one out.  I used plain paper to cut out a center with a Nestability.   Then I used the die cuts for the flower and the butterfly to cut a mask.  I taped each piece together and lined it up on my cardstock before I stamped the script.

As a final step - I used the Nestability as a stencil and drew around it with a white pen.

• Stamps: Hero Arts Antique Flowers and Butterflies, Papertrey Round and Round (sentiment)
• Paper: Stampin' Up So Saffron
• Ink: Stampin' Up Basic Gray, So Saffron pen, Colorbox Frost White
• Accessories: dies from the Hero Arts stamp set, Nestability, white pen

My Refuge and My Fortress

We had out church cardmaking gathering last week and our cards racks are looking colorful and full!!!  That is...except for sympathy cards...so you will be seeing quite a few sympathy cards from me over the next few weeks.

This morning, I decided to play along with the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge.  It has a rectangular section that worked perfectly for this verse...

I had also just seen this week's colors at the Color Throwdown.

 I started this card with a very different vision.  I imagined that the colors would make a beautiful brayered or sponged scene behind the verse - a little rolling River Rock hill with a hint of Daffodil sunshine and a Soft blue Sky. A few weeks ago, I rearranged my desk and I put my box of dies on top of the desk and moved the box of brayers and sponges that had been on top of my desk...somewhere??!!  You have to realize two things - I have a craft CORNER and ... the box is bright green.  There aren't too many too many places that my box of brayers and sponges could be hiding.  But they are definitely hiding.  So I simplified my card and I am happy with the results.

Fun news:  my jaunty little fruits card was a Top Pick at Stampin' Royalty.

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Our Refuge and Serene Silhouettes
• Paper: Stampin' Up Soft Suede, River Rock, Daffodil CS and dsp, Soft Sky dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Soft Suede, Versamark Champagne Dazzle
• Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, EK Success border punch

CAS-ual Misting: Heartfelt Sympathy

When this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge came up as using mist, I laughed.  I don't do mist.  I TRY to do mist.  But it's just too uncontrolled and random for me.

Unfortunately for me, right after I laughed, an image popped into my mind.  I need sympathy cards for our church card racks and I imagined a silhouette flower with a mist making it hazy.  I saw a gray card with a white mist - after 4 or 5 failed attempts - I changed to the colors in my current card.  (And I'm not even going to tell you how many times I stamped and then didn't like the misting!!)

The above picture really doesn't do it justice.  The cardstock is Papertrey Ink's Fine Linen which is fast becoming one of my go-to neutrals.  It can be used like a kraft but it's got a warmer tone to it (less gray than this picture looks).  So it seemed natural to use a golden mist.

And once again, I have to say, this is why I love challenges.  My mist NEVER comes out - but I am very happy with this particular card! 

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Just Believe, Close As a Memory
• Ink: Black
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Fine Linen, Black
• Accessories: misc gold balls, Tattered Angels Gold Glimer Mist

A Techno Play Date!!

Sadly, I need sympathy cards for our church card ministry.  I was browsing challenges and saw soft colors at Play Date Cafe.  I paired it with the sketch at Technostamper.

These are so not colors that I would have put together, but I love how soft and gentle they are.

As I was looking through embossing folders for the first card, I found a butterfly folder that I had not yet used and thought it would look great with these colors.  It seemed a little "cheerful" for sympathy so I made it Get Well.

I also had to share some pictures of a fun moment from yesterday.  We have some very cold, snowy weather.  My oldest is in charge of taking the garbage out to the corner (which when you have 5 acres is quite a haul). He had forgotten to take it out last week so we had piles.  With his new learner's permit for driving, he decided he would load up the back of the car with trash bags and drive them out.  Made sense to us.  Somehow this is what happened...

Front end in the ditch!!  The truly inexplicable part of this is that our driveway is about 20 yards to the left of where he is, so it's not like he shot out of the driveway too fast and ended up in the ditch??!!

Then he had to come get Dad to help him.  Can you imagine how mortified he was to come tell Dad?  Of course, I grabbed my camera.  Andrew is actually walking from our driveway in this picture, so you can see how odd it was that the car is in the ditch almost by the neighbors house??!!

It turns out that after he unloaded the trash, he tried to U-turn so he didn't have to back down the driveway.  You can tell that the road is very icy - so he just slid right off!

Scott just pulled forward a little bit for traction and it came right out!  But it sure is going to be fun teasing Andrew about this over the years.  (And clearly we have to teach some snow driving!)

We are going to head up to our mountain place a little later today so I won't be back until Monday.  We are thrilled because the forecasted high in the mountains is 12F and the low is -9F.  We are a strange family that that excites us, aren't we??

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Kindness Matters (butterfly), Perfectly Penned (Get Well), All That Scraps Sympathy Sentiments
• Paper: Stampin' Wisteria Wonder, Groovy Guava, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
• Ink: Stampin' Up Wisteria Wonder, Groovy Guava, Soft Suede
• Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing (leaves), Darice embossing (butterflies), Stampin' Up embossing, (stripes on fence), Stampin' Up Scallop border punch, Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval, My Favorite Things die (leaf), misc pearls and gems colored with Copics

Technostamper is the fun challenge that lets me show you all the other entrants.  Remember, you have to go the blog if you want to enter yourself.