Garden Mouse Note Card

Good day! It's been a long while since I have posted. Most days I am too tired to be crafty. However, I saw the color challenge at Inky Paws was to use violet, lavender, yellow, and white, so I decided to play along. My card design is based off a design by Amanda Bodine from the Garden Mice by Newton's Nook stamp set release. Her card is very clean and simple. I took a different approach and used patterned paper. The position of the mouse and sentiment were swapped, so the cards are similar, but definitely not the same. That's it! Thanks for stopping by.🌼

Autumn Blessings Card

Well, hello! It's been awhile since I've been able to make a card. One of my cats broke the tip of her front right elbow and had to have surgery. After surgery was 7 weeks of cage rest with minimal activity. Finally, we got the all clear that she can go back to normal activities. It was a long and hard 7 weeks, since she is only 9 months and still full of energy. I'm praying things will calm down now and life can get back to some kind of "normal." 

This Autumn Blessings Card was made using dies from Unity Stamps and the wreath is from the no longer in business Reverse Confetti Stamps. Copic markers were used to color the image and everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Newton's Peeps Easter Card

Good day! Recently, I've been busy making my friend some Easter cards. This Newton's Peeps Easter Card is my latest one I made for her. She also likes cats, so I hope she likes the Newton image as much as I do.🐤 

The image was colored with Copic markers and then die cut with the coordinating die. For the scalloped and center layers I used the Frames & Flags die set by Newton's Nook. Three purple flowers added along with an extra chick on top of the basket for detail. Everything was adhered flat and that's it. So glad you stopped by! 

Challenges entered: Crafty Catz (Anything Goes/Option Spring), Inky Paws (Spring Theme) and Stamping Sensations (Anything Stamped/Option Wings and Tails).

Different paper version:

Challenges entered: 

The Cutie Pie (Beginning with B, Basket) and Make My Monday (Spring Colours). 

Christmas Card with Santa

Hello! At the beginning of this year I planned on making two handmade Christmas Cards each month. Well, that didn't happen. I didn't even make one Christmas Card a month. Needless to say... not everyone on my card list is getting a handmade card this year. Thankfully, I purchased the Ho Ho Ho Paper Pumpkin kit in October and this Christmas Card with Santa is a modified design from the kit. I added the strip of gingham paper and used a piece of retired Baked Brown Sugar cardstock behind the die cut background. Everything else is from the kit. As always, I adhered everything flat for easy shipping and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!🎅

Newton's Crate Fall Card

Hello! There are only a couple of days left until the arrival of Fall. I usually make a few cards to mark the changing of the seasons. To make this Newton's Crate Fall Card I used the challenges colors at Inky Paws to use: Orange, Green, Black and Cream. The images and sentiment are from a new stamp by Newton's Nook called Newton's Crate. Copic markers were used to color the images. I tried to color the cat to look like my youngest, she is a muted Torti (photo below). She is mainly black with one orange paw, a spot on her head and then she looks like she has subtle orange highlights. She is a sweet and beautiful girl! Anyway, back to the card... I found a linen looking paper and I stamped the edges with a stamp from the Stitchery stamp set by Stampin' Up!. Then I used some Frayed Burlap distress ink around the edges. A piece of black gingham and leaf print paper were used to anchor the image. Five die cut leaves add some detail and everything was adhered flat. That's it! So glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.🍁

Challenges entered:

• Alphabet Challenge: L is for Leaves
• Inky Paws: Colors
• We Love Stamping: Anything Goes with Stamping

My cat:

Fall Card with Cat

Good day! Is anyone else counting down the days until Fall/Autumn arrives? It's my favorite time of year and after the super hot Summer I'm ready for the cooler weather. In anticipation of Fall, I made this Fall Card with Cat. It features a stamped image by Newton's Nook called Paw-tumn Newton and it was colored with Copic markers. I love using gingham paper, especially in Fall. The design is super simple and everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. So glad you stopped by and enjoy the rest of your day.🌻

Challenges entered:

• Hand Stamped Sentiments: Photo
• Inky Paws: Fall
• Simon Says: Stamp It
• Try it on Tuesday: Animals - Real or Imaginary

Sunflower Thanks Card

Hello! To celebrate the end to the month of August, I made this Sunflower Thanks Card. There are lots of wild sunflowers growing alongside the roads where I live. I love seeing them and they are a wonderful food source for the wild birds. It's nice when nature is beautiful and beneficial.🌻

The Sunflower image is by Newton's Nook and it was colored with Copic markers. Once it was colored it was die cut with the coordinating die. The word thanks was die cut using a die by Momenta. All patterned papers were scraps around my desk. Everything was adhered flat and a few iridescent blue sequins added for some sparkle. I'm entering my Sunflower Thanks Card in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says. So glad you stopped by! 

Song of Snowflakes Card

Hello! I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas Eve. Today I'm sharing this Song of Snowflakes Card that I made for a friend. I really love this card! Initially, I had a hard time deciding on the patterned papers, but I'm happy with my blue choice. The papers are from the My Favorite Winter paper pad by Echo Park (2019). The stamp set used if by Newton's Nook and it's called Winter Birds. Copic markers were used to color the images and then the coordinating dies to cut them out. Back in 2018 I made a similar card and I almost made an exact duplicate, but I'm glad I changed things up. To finish off this card three punched snowflakes were added and everything was adhered flat. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!❄🐦❄

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Gals Corner: Merry & Bright
• Creative Knockouts: Tis the Season
• Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: Cold Outside
• Watercooler Wednesday: Anything Goes

Sunflower Perch Card

Hello! I have a quick post to share a card I made using the Sunflower Perch stamp by Stampendous!. It was a lot of fun coloring this image with Copic markers. The bird was colored to look like a House Finch, we have several that visit the feeders in our backyard. The sentiment stamp is by Jaded Blossom from the Birds of a Feather stamp set. Everything was adhered flat for easy shipping and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

How Nice Card

Happy Friday! I have a quick post to share this Now Nice Card I made using the Inky Paws challenge colors to use: orange, yellow, green and white. I've also added a sentiment to play along at Creative Knockouts. The mouse image is from the Garden Mice stamp set and the little butterflies are from the Daffodils stamp set both by Newton's Nook. Copic markers were used to color the images and the coordinating dies were used to cut them out. Everything was adhered flat for easy shipping and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day! 🦋

Ninth Blogiversary

Hello crafty friends! Nine years ago today I started this blog and published my first post about Getting Started making handmade cards. My second post was a Floral Thank You Card that I made using basic supplies. Today I thought it would be fun to use the same patterned paper as that first card with some of my newer supplies. Thankfully I didn't have to dig too deep to find the floral paper by Basic Grey from the Green at Heart collection (2010). I paired it with a green gingham and followed a sketch from Try Stampin' On Tuesday for the layout. The butterfly is from the Monarchs stamp set by Newton's Nook and it was colored with Stampin' Blends markers in Flirty Flamingo and Rich Razzleberry. A thank you sentiment from the Petal Palette stamp set was stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink both by Stampin' Up! and everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. That's it! I'm thrilled you stopped by and if you want to share how long you've been making cards feel free to leave me a comment. Enjoy the rest of your day!😊

Challenges entered:

• Allsorts: A Stamped Image
• Crafter's Castle: Anything Goes
• Try Stampin' On Tuesday: Sketch/Optional: Bold & Bright 
• Simon Says: Use Something Green
• Unicorn Challenge: Make It Feminine

Sketch TSOT 496:

Beautiful Day Card

Hooray for Friday! My hubby surprised me today and only worked half a day. So, we went to lunch and ran some errands. When we came home he decided to take a nap which gave me time to finish this Beautiful Day Card. It uses three of my favorite colors, Purple, Green and Yellow which are also the colors in the Inky Paws color challenge. Today is the last day to enter the Inky Paws challenge and I have been completely procrastinating. Finally, I decided to stop overthinking it and just make something. 😊

The stamps used are all by Newton's Nook and they include the Dainty Daisies and Monarchs stamp sets along with the coordinating die cuts. Copic markers were used to color the images. Some gingham grass was added and everything was adhered to a piece of  Spiffy Speckles paper by Lawn Fawn. That's it! I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• CCEE Stampers: Butterflies
• C.R.A.F.T.: Feminine
• Crafty Catz: Use 3 Favorite Colors (Purple, Green and Yellow)
• Inky Paws: Color 
• Simon Says: A Bit O' Green

Butterfly Wreath Card

Hello! After all the cold weather and snow we've had lately I'm ready for Spring. The blooming trees, flowers and eventually the return of the butterflies. 🦋🦋🦋 Something to look forward too during these lonely days at home.

To make this Butterfly Wreath Card I used an image by Reverse Confetti and it was colored with Copic markers. Once the image was colored it was die cut with the coordinating die. I love using gingham, so I found a tiny check that worked well. A piece of white cardstock was embossed and layered on top of the gingham. The image and sentiment were adhered flat and that's it. I enjoy sending Thinking About You or On My Mind cards because they are unexpected and uplifting. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• As You Like It: Favourite Reason to Send Card
• Creative Knockouts: Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday: Feminine
• Reverse Confetti/Stock Your Stash: Encouragement/Congratulations
• Simon Says: Anything Goes
• Watercooler Wednesday: All About Occasions

Blooming Fantastic Card

Good day! The July heat is setting in and that means I stay home a lot more than usual. Although with the pandemic I've already been staying home most of the time, so it won't be too different. My hubby has done all the grocery shopping since March and he doesn't want me to run errands unless it's absolutely necessary. I hope you are doing well and staying safe! 😊

Yesterday I found a new to me challenge called Festive Friday and they provide a list of several creative choices and you pick 3 to create your project. I used: green, polka dots and flower to create this Blooming Fantastic Card. The image is Lil' Bloomin Owl by Unity Stamps and it was colored with Copic markers. A mix of papers were used but my favorite is the daisies. I'm pretty sure I bought the Country Kitchen paper pad by Carta Bella (2017) just for the daisy paper. To finish the card I added a punched daisy and leaves along with a little yellow butterfly. That's it, a cheerful and bright card that would work for several different occasions. So glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Festive Friday: Word Prompt List
• Southern Girls: Anything Goes
• Watercooler Wednesday: All About Occasions 

Changito Coffee Card

Hooray for Friday! Today is the last day of the 2020 Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, so I made one more card to play along. I bought the Changito Coffee stamp by Stampendous! on clearance sometime in the last couple of years and stuck it in a drawer. While digging for stamps I found it yesterday and decided to ink it up. The image was colored with Copic markers and the pajamas were paper pieced using a small polka dot paper. I didn't have the perfect sentiment, so I created one on the computer. The inside reads: "That's why it's best to have a cup in both hands!" It seems like a good idea to me.☕☕ That's it! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend. 😊

Challenges entered:

• Coffee Lovers: Spring/Summer Blog Hop
• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes/ 2 Layer Option
• Creative Fingers: Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday: Stripes
• Simon Says: Anything Goes

Inside sentiment:

One Sip at a Time Card

Hello crafty friends! It's taken me a couple of days to finish this One Sip at a Time Card and I really like how it turned out. The 2020 Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop is going on and I made it to play along. I may make the sentiment "Take Life One Sip at a Time" my new motto. Making long term plans is no longer a priority for me, it doesn't make sense anymore. Life is too short!

The stamp set used on this card is called One Sip At A Time by Graciellie Designs from Unity Stamps and Copic markers were used to color the image. Several different papers were used. The red floral paper is by Memory Box from the Cottage Meadow paper pad, speckled paper by Lawn Fawn, orange polka dots by Memory Box and gingham by The Paper Studio. When I was outside yesterday feeding my backyard birds I saw a little blue butterfly, so I decided to add a little blue butterfly to my card. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Allsorts: Gingham, Stripes and/or Dots
• Crafting Happiness: Anything Goes - Optional Red
• Coffee Loving Cardmakers: 2020 Spring/Summer Blog Hop

Violet Thanks Card

Hello! I have a quick post to share this Violet Thanks Card I made using the Stella Says Sketch #809 challenge. Purple and green are my favorite colors and I love it when they are paired together. The Violet Watering Can image is digital and it's by Bugaboo Stamps and was colored with Copic markers. All the papers were sitting on my craft desk from other recent cards. You really can't go wrong with gingham and polka dots! The thanks sentiment is retired by Stampin' Up! and that's it. So glad you stopped by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Addicted to Stamps: Make Your Mark
• Catch The Bug: Stella Says Sketch
• Make My Monday: Use Digital Stamp
• Watercooler Wednesday: Anything Goes

Monkey Birthday Card - TMS #550

Hello and welcome back for the start of another sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This weeks sketch is designed by Patti and it's pretty open for your creative spin. I used the new Cheeky Monkey stamp by Your Next Stamp and colored it with Copic markers. The patterned paper and circle mini garland are both by Doodlebug Design. To finish it off I added several silver star stickers by Sticko and that's it. We would love for you to join us this week. Click HERE for all the challenge details and design team inspiration. Don't forget to link your creation by 8 pm EST on Sunday. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Monkey Birthday Card is entered into the anything goes challenge at Crafty Sentiments Designs.

Sketch #550:

Newton's Peeps Easter Card

Hello! I have a quick post to share this Newton's Peeps Easter Card that I made for the current color challenge at Inky Paws. Using pastels is always a challenge for me, but I managed to use the colors and even denied my temptation to use green. 😊 The stamps on this card are from the Newton's Peeps stamp set by Newton's Nook and Copic markers were used to color the images. To make the scalloped background I used the Flags and Frames die set by Newton's Nook along with a piece of Daffodil Delight gingham paper by Stampin' Up!. Everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you and your family are staying well during this crazy virus pandemic.

Yellow Butterfly Card - TMS #544

Hello and welcome back! Today is the start of another new sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches and this one is by Melissa Craig. No matter what occasion you need to make a card for this sketch is a great place to start. The design team created a variety of inspiration for you this week. Can you tell I'm ready for Spring to arrive? It's getting close, only 17 days away. I'm looking forward to the return of the flowers 🌼 and butterflies. 🦋 We would love for you to join us this week! Click HERE for all the challenge details and design team inspiration. Don't forget to link your creation by 8 pm EST on Sunday.

Yellow Butterfly Card Supplies: White, Blushing Bride and light blue cardstock. Floral patterned paper from the Practically Perfect paper pad by Carta Bella along with Tiny Check patterned paper by My Favorite Things. Stamp & Cut Butterflies by Hero Arts used with Pineapple Punch ink by Stampin' Up! and Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Big Shot die cutting machine, cross-stitched oval dies by My Favorite Things and Fiskars deckle scissors. That's it!

This card is entered into the Dragonfly Dreams challenge to Make It Feminine. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Sketch #544: