Joyful Bluebird with Memory Box Dies

I have a great cardmaking friend who has recently fallen IN LOVE with Memory Box dies, so there was no doubt, when it came time to make her card, that I would use a variety of dies!



I picked the bird and branch dies when I saw the colors at Stampin' Royalty.  It definitely seemed meant to be!!

And then somewhere I had seen the Tessatina Border die used on a banner - I wanted to use the same idea, so the sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday was perfect!

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blooms ("joy")
• Paper: Stampin' Up Summer Starfruit, Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip CS, Island Indigo dsp, Lucky Limeade CS and dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Two Tags Sizzix die, Memory Box Perched Reed Bird, Twigs and Berries, Tessatina Border die

Unca Dirt and Cookies

My brother's birthday was on Thanksgiving.   I actually made this card early but couldn't post it.  Last year, I made a card with a wolf on it and I posted it when I made it.  When we got together to celebrate, he held the unopened envelope to his forehead, closed his eyes - and said "I see a wolf".  My jaw dropped.  Turns out they read my blog...my jaw dropped even further!!  (Love you guys!!!)

To my children he is "Uncle Kurt", but when they were younger they didn't quite get his name right.  One child called him "Cookie" - that's pretty sweet.  If you say "Uncle Kurt" you can hear all of those "K" sounds and understand where "Cookie" comes from.

My other son's name for him didn't come out quite as sweet - "Unca Dirt".  But...I was doing a happy dance over this nickname when I realized that I had a stamp that said "Happy Dirtday"!!


The "dirtday" stamp comes from a Stampin' Up set called I Dig You - but the trucks in it seemed too young.  He's my younger brother but given how old I am, he is no spring chicken either!  I found an old Close To My Heart set called Little Builders that had more rugged trucks and he'll like the jeep as he used to do all of that rock-hopping, crazy jeep stuff. (Before he had two charming little girls who depend on him!!)

I used the sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday:

Guess what?  I did it!  For the first time IN MY LIFE, I experienced Black Friday (but it started on Thursday).  It was a strange and unique experience that I don't care to repeat.  Although I did learn from the people around me who became great friends in the 4 hours of sitting in the candy aisle at Walmart waiting for a TV to go on sale - that Walmart does Black Friday well.  First, we didn't have to wait outside in the cold.  Second, they had items distributed throughout the store and gave you maps when you walked in so you knew where to wait.  Third, the people from the food court had coffee carts they wheeled around the store!  I bet they have full-time staff that works all year on strategic planning for Black Friday.  I did witness one fight over crockpots - seriously??!!  My kids were bored...but we got everything on our list!!

• Stamps: Stampin' Up I Dig You, Close to My Heart Little Builder (old)
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate, Stampin' Up Night of Navy, the Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby brand) Stonewashed
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate, Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Crumb Cake
• Accessories: Creative Impressions Metal Loops, Stampin' Up Night of Navy Taffetta, EK Success border punch

Arsenic and Old Lace

I absolutely love the challenge at Catered Crop: Arsenic and Old Lace.  What a fabulous title for a challenge (AND for a great movie!)  The "lace" part is obvious...the "arsenic" is something a little rugged or rustic, like kraft paper, hemp twine or burlap.

I have to admit that I was reading about this challenge while I was in the mountains (re: an earlier post about lack of a working furnace in my home) and I must have misread it.  On my way home from the mountains, I stopped by Archivers and was hunting for something "rusted" so I found metal embellishments that I liked.  They do have a "rustic" look, right?  Plus, although I didn't notice it at the time, both of the dsps that I chose have a wood look to them.  So, I'm calling it a done deal!!

Lace and rustic is not my normal style (that's why they call them challenges, right?) so I did rely on two different sketch challenge...then I didn't have to focus on that creative element also.

My first card is for my dear friend in hospice.  She lives right smack dab in the middle of the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Have you ever looked at a map of a National Forest or Park and seen one little patch of private land - that's my girlfriend!  So the lace and "rustic" were a perfect combo for her:


This card uses the current sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

I also found another metal embellishment that I liked - a set of Tim Holtz Christmas tokens - so I decided I had to do another Arsenic and Old Lace card!!  Although this sweet image is as far from a mystery/horror movie as is possible!

The sketch for this card comes from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.  

Funny story - I was writing this post, feeling OK but not great about this card.  I brought up Try Stampin' on Tuesday and realized there was a piggyback challenge to use red.  The card that I had at that point included a blue bird - I had photoed and edited the card for this post but was feeling like something was missing - it was a bit dull.  I saw the "red" and knew a little red bird would add a vibrancy that was missing.  Here's the original - you be the judge!

No One Like You

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Larkspur (sentiment)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Core-dinations blue, My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Dilly Dally Curious Plank Paper
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Chamomile Vintage Touch
• Accessories: graphic 45 Metal Butterfly, MME Follow Your Heart Be Amazing Twine, misc lace

Bird on a Post

• Stamps: Elzybells (this company is gone, but Elisabeth Bell designs for other companies and has digis!)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Blue Bayou, Soft Suede, TPC Studio Woodland Winter Snowflake Stripe
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics, Stampin' Up Soft Sky (just sponged on the edges of the white)
• Accessories: Tim Holtz Christmas Muse Tokens, Spellbinders Label die, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter (on Suede scallops), misc lace, ribbon and twine

Sophisticated Spooks

I have officially decided that I am going to use Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio (MDS2) for scrapbooking.  My decision is so final that last week, I loaded the entire back end of my Suburban with all of my scrapbook papers, etc. and donated it all to Kasey's Krafts - a wonderful organization that creates craft kits for use by parents and kids during lengthy chemo sessions.  (Kasey is a charming little girl who has been through four rounds of chemo in her eight short years of life.  Her mom, sister, grandma and great-grandma create all of the kits.  I can connect you with any of them if you would like more info.)

I absolutely love what I have seen done with My Digital Studio (check out Heather's blog) and I know that is the only way I will ever get my scrapbooks done.  I figure I get enough hands-on crafting with cards, so can go digital with scrapbooks. But I loved this week's MDS downloads and I thought they were perfect for a "vintage Halloween"-loving friend, so tried a card!

It does look very dimensional, but in reality everything is printed except for the ribbon, button and three little gems in the lower left!My layout comes from Try Stampin' On Tuesday.

• Digital Product: MDS2 Sophisticated Spooks, Decorate Overlay Flourish Collage
• Accessories: Stampin' Up ribbon (from current mini), Kraft Corduroy button (retired), misc gems, crochet thread

SCS Free For All: Birthdays

This is my second post today.  It's just a short scroll

down for the TAWS BE Inspired challenge!

I just happened to check out the Free For All challenge at Splitcoaststampers and it was "birthdays".  Guess what I need today??  Perfect timing!

I pulled out a paper pad that I've had for awhile and wanted to use ALL of the paper - so I went for the sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday as it gave me a chance to use multiple strips.

I used the darling little Rhubarb Bear from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I love his sweet expression.  I used a digital version of the stamp, but it is available here as a clear stamp.

I am also submitting this to the Simon Says Stamps Anything Goes challenge.

• Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Rhubarb's Birthday Wish, Happy Birthdays
• Paper: My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue, Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate
• Ink: Copics
• Accessories: Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate ribbon and buttons in Dark Chocolate, Orange Zest and Hawaiian Shores, Spellbinders die

Try Stampin' On Tuesday: Thanks So Much!

I have recently discovered the sketches over at Try Stampin' On Tuesday.  I raved about them so much, I think they felt obligated to ask me to be a guest designer!!??  I'm on their blog today!!  Here's the card that I put together with their sketch...

I had a very specific need for this card.  We have had an intern pastor at our church for the last year.  She is a wonderful woman who not only has the calling to go through seminary and internships, but is also unexpectedly raising her 2-year old granddaughter.  She has handled it all with graciousness and faith.  This next weekend is her last weekend and I want to thank her.  The plan for this card was a little sentiment in the bottom right (as in the sketch), that said something like "you will be missed".  Do I have a stamp like that in my extensive collection?  Nope.  Lots of  "I miss you's", but she hasn't left yet, so I don't miss her yet!!  There seems to be a gap in my stamp collection that I am just going to HAVE to shop for!

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Papillon Potpourri, Watercolor Trio (sentiment)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
• Ink: Stampin' Up Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Butterfly Punch, gems colored with Copics, My Minds Eye Indie Chic twine, Quickutz die (it just says "C-0163-FRAME" on it - that will make it tough to find if you want it - sorry!)

Hello Friend with Washi Tape

I have to write fast because my family is heading out to Thanksgiving dinner soon!!???

Yes, I live in the United States and yes, I do know that Thanksgiving is in November - most definitely not in July.

But my brother and his family have a girl from China visiting them for two weeks to experience America.  They have taken her to the mountains and waterparks and so much more.  They thought that having a full Thanksgiving dinner would be a great experience.  Thankfully, they invited my family!!!

It occurred to me that I should take a card for this girl to welcome her and say hello...



This card plays along with two new-to-me challenges.  Did you know there is a site called Feline Playful that lists all the challenges every single day!  That's a lot of work.  I had a great time browsing and finding challenges that fit my style.  One that I found is Try Stampin' on Tuesday - really nice sketches.  

The other one that I found is called Catered Crop Recipes - the current challenge is to use Washi tape.  The challenge is sponsored by Chickydoddle which is an Etsy shop that has an amazing supply of tapes!

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Think Big #3
• Paper: Stampin' Up Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, My Mind's Eye Indie Chic
• Ink: Stampin' Up Midnight Muse
• Accessories: MME Indie Chic Washi Tape, Stampin' Up Butterfly Embosslit and Indigo Baker's Twine, Martha Stewart butterfly punch (the small ones), misc gems colored with Copics