Mama Elephant Photo InspirationChallenge

Hi friends!  I hope you are well.  We are embarking on our Spring Break this week.  Amazingly, it's not so much a break for me.  ;)  But we will get to do some fun things and hopefully see some friends that we don't get to see much during the school year.

Today, I made a card and now I'm blogging it.  Look, it's like a trend or something.  I decided to play along with the Mama Elephant Photo Inspiration Challenge.  I just got my first Mama Elephant Stamps this week and I looooove them!  I usually try to order my stamps when I buy the rest of my supplies so that I'm not paying so much in shipping but none of the sets I wanted were ever in stock at the stores I looked at.  I folded aand ordered from Mama Elephant directly.  The shipping was SO fast!

This photo really was a challenge for me.  To me, this photo is really light and airy and I didn't know how to convey that in a card.  I tried my best though.  I'm debating on giving this card to Dustin for our anniversary on Wednesday but I'm not sure.  I might make a couple more and see how I feel.  I used some really old SU ink and a very old technique I learned from a SU party to watercolor the inside of the speech bubble.  I stamped the little birdie (she's me!) and colored her with Copics and Wink of Stella in clear.  I stamped the sentiment and stamped the little heart twice in the same color ink I watercolored with.  Then I finished with some sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  I looooove these little clear ones!  They are so cute!

Have a great day, friends!  

FBW #245

Hi friends!  I hope you are all doing well.  We are ok.  Still having van problems but hopefully this is the last of our problems.  Please keep your fingers crossed for us!  And we are wrapping up our couple weeks of non-stop birthdays so hopefully things will slow down for us.

This week's Flutter By Wednesday Challenge is a sketch from Kathy.  All you have to do is use the sketch and have a butterfly or fairy on your card to enter.  I love this sketch and tried to go a little outside the box with it.  I took the Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper paper (which I love) and punched the holes in it then I adhered it to the card with foam squares so there are little windows.  I added some Studio Calico wood veneer butterflies and stamped a Lawn Fawn sentiment.  Clean and simple but I'm pretty happy with it.

Have a great day, friends!  And don't forget to link up your creations on the Flutter By Wednesday Blog!  

Welcome Baby but Not Yet...

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  We are ok.  I'm already starting to have contractions so I've been told to take it easy.  Please keep your fingers crossed that the baby decides to cook just a little longer so she's healthy.  

Here's a card I made for publication that wasn't picked up.  It's just a very clean and simple baby card.  I used Lawn Fawn Stamps and some Carta Bella paper.  The button is from my stash and I used some May Arts burlap string on it.  

Have a great day, friends!  

Life is Good

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  We are doing pretty good.  We had a busy weekend but it was fun.  Lots of birthdays to celebrate!  

Today, I'm sharing a card I made for a call that wasn't picked up.  It's based off one of the sketches from the last Paper Crafts Magazine call.  The paper is Echo Park's Sweet Day.  The stamps are from two different Hero Arts stamp sets. 

Have a great day, friends!

Jar of Sunshine and Happiness

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day.  We have NOT had a good day.  I was at the doctor's office a lot today.  I'm trying to get some things under control with the pregnancy.  Then on the way home from my second trip to the doctor on the same day, our car broke down.  Hopefully, it's nothing serious.  

Onto happy things, I haven't participated in Unity's Friends With Flair in a really long time so I figured I should go ahead and enter this week.  I used Unity/Simple Stories Jar of Sunshine to make this card.  This jar is HUGE so I figured I should make a card base of out it.  I coated the jar in Liquid Glass after I stamped the sentiment so it would be glossy like glass.  Then I added the sunflower and the Divine Twine after it was dry.  I'm also entering this in Moxie Fab World's Jars of Joy Challenge.  

Be sure to leave a comment because there's a prize hidden somewhere on the hop and you never know where it is!  Go HERE to check out the rest of the hop!  Have a great day, friends!  

Christmas Subway Art Card

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  I'm in a horrendous mood today.  I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night and there were really graphic scenes that bothered me a lot.  I'm really glad I never read the book.  But now I can't kick that haunted feeling.  :(  Pregnancy can be hard in this aspect.

Today, I'm blogging another Christmas card I made.  This one is perfect for mailing because it's relatively flat and very light.  This is important since I need to MAIL my Christmas cards instead of hoarding them.  You know, like the other hundreds of cards I have laying around.  I'm entering this in the Cute Card Thursday Christmas in Sept challenge too.  The paper and sticker are Echo Park.

Have a great day, friends!

Winter Fun and Brady's Read-a-Thon

Hi friends!  I hope that you are doing well.  We are doing ok.  Since we went away for a long weekend last weekend, Dustin had to work today.  It's throwing our whole day off and we're all a little crabby over here.

I wanted to tell you all about Brady's Read-a-Thon.  He's trying to help his school raise money for his school's library.  He's been reading everyday for 2 weeks, I should probably have mentioned this sooner.  ;)  If you'd like to sponsor him, please contact me.  Every dollar helps!  (You can email me, the link is in my sidebar.)  If he can raise $50, he'll get a school t-shirt!  :)  

Here's a card I made for a call that wasn't picked up.  I used Echo Park's Winter Park and some stickles for this card.  Really simple.  This is actually the type of card I end up giving away because it's flat and easy to mail.  Plus, I think to send just because cards (when I remember!)  

Have a fabulous weekend, friends!

Some Good News and Some Bad News

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a wonderful day!  I'm ok.  I'm getting over a cold I got on our trip this last weekend.  But other than a residual cough, I seem to be better.  I don't think the cough will let up soon since I just got over 12 weeks of whooping cough.  What can you do?

GOOD NEWS!  I woke up yesterday and learned that I was picked as a winner over at the Moxie Fab World Blog!  I've been entering these challenges for years and the closest I've ever come is an honorable mention.  I'm really excited!  You can see where Cath featured my card HERE.

Onto some bad news.  I've had to make many sympathy cards lately.  I'm so sad for my friends who are going through rough times lately.  It hurts my heart.  Here is one of the sympathy cards I made.  Since sympathy cards are really really hard for me, I went ahead and CASE'd myself.  I do that when I get stuck.  For this card, I used My Thoughts Exactly Dainty Doilies and My Thoughts Exactly More Big Thoughts.

Have a great day, friends!  

Washi Christmas Ornament

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great week!  We are doing ok.  We are just trying to get used to having both Brady and Parker in school.  I feel like all I do all day is drop people off and pick people up.  What can you do though?  I guess that's why people made up the whole Mom Taxi term.  ;)

Here's a card I made a little while ago but haven't shared on my blog yet.  I used My Thoughts Exactly Holly Jolly Tags and Holly Jolly Phrases for this card.  I used some washi tape, the top one is from Love My Tapes the bottom one is from Hambly.  The paper is Echo Park and I finished with some Peppermint Divine Twine.    

Have a great day, friends!  

Birdcage Birthday

Hi friends!  I hope you are having a great day!  We are doing pretty good around here.  Parker dismissed me from his school today with a "you can go now" so I think we are going to be ok when it comes to school.  Brady was still ready sad though.  Sigh...I'm a bit concerned about him starting school.

Here's another card I made for SCS Dare to Get Dirty.  This card is for Lydia's challenge.  I used a Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder and a bird cage die from Poppy Stamps.  The sentiment is from Mini Thoughts from My Thoughts Exactly.  I added some ribbon, scrapper's floss, and a pearl to embellish.

Have a great day, friends!

Berry Special Friend

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  We are doing pretty good.  Parker enjoyed school the first day and goes again tomorrow.  I hope he does as well but without the crying.  Brady will start school in a week and a half but I'm really not ready.

I have been trying to make cards lately because I have been in a really long mojo slump.  Hopefully, I am pulling out of it.  I made this card for Lisa Lara's Dare to Get Dirty challenge along with Retro Sketches #23.  I used Paper Smooches stamps, washi tape, and some Echo Park paper.  

Have a great day, friends!

Hello Sunshine

Hi friends!  I hope that you are are well!  We did some errands earlier today and plan on spending the rest of the day inside staying cool!  It's a hot one today!  I'm blogging today over at the My Thoughts Exactly Design Team Blog and thought I would share my creation with you here too.

I made this card to remind you about the awesome My Thoughts Exactly July Challenge we have going on right now which is to create a summery or backyard themed project.  You only have until July 22 at 11:59pm to get your entries in so HURRY!!!  Here's my card that I created with MTE's More Big Thoughts stamp set.  I created a sun with some scraps I had punched out of my Studio Calico Heyday paper because when I think of summer, I think of sunshine.  See how you can apply any of your stamp sets to go with the theme?

Have a great day, friends!

Wishy Washi Shell-ebrate

Hi friends!  I hope that you are doing well.  Things are ok around here.  We are trying to enjoy our summer but man, it is rough having the kids here by myself ALL the time.  ;)  When are they old enough for summer camp?  

I'm sharing a card today that I'm entering into the Paper Issues Wishy Washi challenge.  I made this for Brady because he loves turtles.  Isn't that adorable?  I think it's because he's shy and quiet like a little turtle.  The image and sentiment are from Paper Smooches.  The grad cap is from Lawn Fawn.  The washi tapes are from Love My Tapes.

Have a great day, friends!

Washi Tape Card Set

Hi friends!  I hope you are well.  I'm trying to get better but I'm having a little set back this week.   I'm not sure if it's the weather or the wind or what.  Hopefully, I'll be better soon.  I'm blogging today on the My Thoughts Exactly Design Team Blog and I wanted to share with you what I made.

To make these cards, I just take your washi tape and cover a piece of paper with it.  This is a PERFECT use for all the paper that you messed up stamping on.  Just flip it over and no one will know!  After you cover your paper, just die cut it with any shape that you like.  Then use BOTH the die cut and the negative to make yourself a pair of cards.  I used More Big Thoughts for this set.  I used washi tape from Love My Tapes.

Here are a couple close-ups:

Have a great day, friends!

Love My Tapes: Father's Day Blog Hop (Giveaway)

The Love My Tapes Design Team welcomes you to a fun Father's Day Blog Hop!! The DT Members have used a variety of Love My Tapes products for you to get inspired, you will be amazed by all the wonderful creations!

If you came from Giovana's Blog, then you're right where you should be. If not, please go to the Love My Tapes' blog where you will find the list of participants.

Here's my card for today's hop.  I used some stripe fabric tape and mini mix check fabric tape.  I used the Father's Day Mini set from My Thoughts Exactly for this card.      

I'm your last stop on the blog hop today!  

Don't forget to leave a comment while blogging along, one random commenter will win a fabulous Love My Tapes Prize that includes: "1 lace tape, 1 fabric tape, and 3 washi tapes"

And also you can find us on Facebook :)

Love You (x3)

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  I'm blogging over at the My Thoughts Exactly Blog today so I'm sharing that card here as well!  


I wanted to share a fun love card with you that uses some Valentine's Day stamps but can be given out all year long.  After all, we should spread love ALL year long, right?   Plus, if you submit to publication, Valentine calls are just around the corner.  I used Candy Hearts for the box and heart and the sentiment is from Candy Hearts Phrase Add-on 3.  I didn't even need any patterned paper for this card, just card stock.  I added some Stickles to the candy box to make it pop. 

Have a great day, friends!

Washi Scooter Card

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  I didn't get very much sleep last night so today might drag a bit.  I hope it's not awful.  

I'm blogging today on the Love My Tapes Blog and wanted to share my card with you.  I used a couple of washi tapes that I got from Love My Tapes.  The stamps are from Paper Smooches and the patterned paper is Basic Grey.  Washi tape is so trendy and popular right now!  I've been seeing it everywhere.  Did you know that there are 34 styles of washi tape in the Love My Tapes Store?  And there will be new product added, too!

Have a great day, friends!

A CAS-ual Birthday

Hi friends!  I hope you had a lovely week!  I'm ready for this one to be over.  It's been a very rough week with lots of health issues.  Hopefully, we'll get it worked out soon.  Today is crazy hair day at Brady's school and that's pretty exciting.  I'll post pictures as I won't do his hair until morning time and it's night still.  

I was having a hard time the other day so Dustin took this photo for me.  The angle is different than the one I normally use.  What do you think?  It's different but it works right.  I'm entering this card in the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #51 which is to make a clean and simple birthday card.  I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Birthday Challenge, to make a birthday card.  I used May Arts ribbon and a sentiment from Big Thoughts from My Thoughts Exactly.  I raised the layer on another white card stock panel for dimension.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!  Please take care of yourselves!  

Washi Tape Flower Card

Hi friends! I hope you are having a great day! I'm feeling bad again today. It's so hard, I'll have a great day then the next day I'll just feel horrible. Maybe I'm still doing too much on my good days.

Today, I have a blog post on the Love My Tapes Blog. This is very similar to the cards we were making as a make and take at our CHA booth in January. I had to come up with a make and take on the spot and this is what I came up with. Sweet, simple, and fun! All the people who dropped by the booth really seemed to enjoy it.

I used 4 different designs of washi tape. The washi tape is currently in the process of being added to the Love My Tapes site. The sentiment is from My Thoughts Exactly Stamps Under the Sea set. Please leave a comment if you'd like me to do a video tutorial of this washi tape flower. If people are interested in the video, I'll make it.

Have a great day, friends!

Best Friends (A Card for Sav)

Hi friends! Hope that you're having a lovely Sunday. My pain has gone up since I went to the doctor on Friday. I think it's because she was prodding around and feeling all my organs. Prayers would be much appreciated at this point since this seems like it's not gonna be something that goes away on its own and antibiotics have failed. Thanks for all the support, I truly appreciate each and every get well comment! It warms might heart that my friends from inside my computer care so much about me!

Ok, onto today's card. First I have to clarify. I have quite a few "best" friends so if you are in that said circle please don't think I'm "choosing" Savannah over you. Sav is my best crafting and Skyping friend. For some reason, talking to her makes me SO creative. I think she's my muse. I made this card while Skyping with Sav and I'm dedicating and sending it to her. :D

I'm submitting this card to the Sweet Stamp Shop March Challenge. The challenge is to create something with this month or last month's release stamps. I used Perfect Match. Oh my GOSH, I love this set! It's SO cute and I love all the little food stamps! I'm a foodie so this appeals to me on that level but I'm also a mom and these images are also fun for kid cards. The paper here is Authentique Celebrate and the jute twine is May Arts.

And I want to give a shout out to Sweet Stamp Shop. Ever since they came out, they've been SO wonderful to me. Offering wonderful service, awesome stamps, and fabulous inspiration. Recently, I won a Facebook contest where I got FIFTY percent off my whole order! (You can like Sweet Stamp Shop FB Page for contests like this.) When my package arrived, there was a note from Nicole (there always is) saying how she was praying for me to feel better. This really touched me! I'm used to the normal "thanks for the order" note but this was a PERSONAL note and it really shows that she cares. She knows who her customers are and takes the time to REALLY appreciate them. LOVE. I will be back to order again and again. Before this was just another cute stamp store but now, she has my heart.

Ok, friends! Enough rambling! Have a wonderful day!