A Grand and Glorious!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

We are gearing up for a fantastic Fourth of July here in the USA. There has been so much devastation, loss and sadness in the news recently, but there is still not a more glorious place than our wonderful country.

I am also excited to have a card-making pal coming for the weekend and hubby will soon be returning from a short trip, so I am posting this early. My holiday cards have already been mailed, but I wanted to play with my new (yep, I won it in a recent challenge!) set from Art Impressions, "Dancers Set (UM3580)".  I decided to try a shaped card (LifeStyle Crafts dies) for some extra punch and the word die is from the Sizzix "Celebrate Set (657127)". Silver Stickles add some fireworks.

This will be headed for the current Art Impressions challenge, "Red, White and Blue" and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, "Anything Goes". You've got time to join in the fun.

Thanks for the visit and, to my US readers, have a safe and grand holiday!

More Essentials

Happy Monday, Bloggin' Buddies!

Just a quick post today. Even though yesterday was the longest day of the year, I never seem to have time to do all that I want to do. How did I ever work 50 - 60 hours each week????

Today's card is another using one of my current favorites from Essentials by Ellen, the "Mondo Magnolia" set designed by the amazing Julie Ebersole. I had fun with the color (in person it is much lighter and peachier) and the splashes. I love this sentiment (it reminds me of lines from "Gray's Anatomy").

This is headed for the Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights Challenge.


Wishing you a super-great week and thanks for the visit!

Mix It Up

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I hope you had a grand weekend. It is sure feeling like summer here and we are enjoying it.

You may know that I am crazy about one of the new releases from Essentials by Ellen - "Mongo Magnolia" by the amazing Julie Ebersole. I have previously used this stamp/die set (and I have seen it used) to create very elegantly-styled cards.

Today I decided to take a different approach and make it "Homestyle".  I recently bought the Graphic 45 "Home Sweet Home" 8" x 8" paper pad and it has been calling my name. I had fun with lots of homespun layers and colors. The flower is shaded with Distress Inks.

The sentiment is from Altenew's "Sentiments and Quotes", so I am adding this to Essentials by Ellen's "Mix It Up Challenge".

Have a crafty week and thanks for the visit,

Bunches of Love

Happy Saturday, dear Bloggin' Buddies!

'Tis the season for amazing fresh veggies - hubby is growing WAY too many and we get even more at our local Farmer's Market. In honor of the season I made this little gem with Paper Smooches stamps ("Houndstooth" and "Vegtastic"). I tried a bizarre color combo, and will probably not do that again! All colored with Distress Inks with Googley Eyes & Candi Dots added for some pop.

This is headed to the Paper Smooches SPARK current challenge, Anything Goes.

Thanks for the visit - hope you are having a delightful weekend.

"Fore" the Fellas

Happy Friday, Bloggin' Buddies:

It is about time to think of Father's Day. With that in mind I plan to take on the current Art Impressions Challenge, "For the Fellas" and celebrate my favorite golfer.

I inked up my Art Impressions  "Gordon Golfer (Sku #P4330)" and did some paper piecing and Copic coloring.

Can't you jut feel his frustrations?

Wishing you a super-happy weekend and thanks for the visit!

Happy Cat

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Hope all is well and you are enjoying the start of summer. Heat has hit here with a vengeance, and we are still suffering from our serious drought.

On a happier note, I put together this card for a cat-loving young lady. I hadn't dry embossed vellum in ages, so I gave it a try for some special texture. I thought the wash went really well with the design on this Hero Arts "Happy Cat" stamp from 2007. The greeting (inside and out) is from Papertrey Ink's "Wet Paint" set. The flower is a die cut from my stash.

Take care and thanks for the visit!

Feeling Blue?

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

Just a quick post to share a card that I made a couple of weeks ago. I have been sort of under the weather and very busy, so I am not creating much right now. Maybe the theme of this card is reflective of my spirits.

Hope all is well - thanks for the visit! Summer is on its way.

Have a great week.