Graduation!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

At church this week we heard from 5 of the most amazing young people. They are all graduating seniors, college-bound. They conducted the church service and shared with us their journeys, their relationships with God and each other, and their love and appreciation for all who have helped them along in life. It was most inspiring - what outstanding kids (so much better than I was at that age!).

I was moved to make them each a card - we enclosed a note expressing our pride and encouragement.

For the background I used a Teresa Collins stencil blended with Distress Inks (Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron and Pickled Raspberry). Rather than a standard "congratulations" sentiment, I selected a lovely Maya Angelou saying from Reverse Confetti's "Shine from Within" set and heat embossed it. I love that set - it has such wonderful sayings and the artsy fonts are such fun!  I used a very old (but well-loved) Hero Arts set (CL336) for the diploma and the inside graphics and embellished it all with Nuvo Drops and a touch of Stickles.

Thank goodness for my MISTI!

It warms my heart that there are great kids like this - it is our hope for the future.

Thanks for the visit,

Happy Birthday USA!

Hello, dear Bloggin' Buddies:

Just a quick post this morning to say Happy Fourth of July to my USA friends. I thought I was done with my holiday crafting (and - YAY! - my "Celebrate" card won the last challenge at Art Impressions!) but then I learned that our low impact aerobics class was not going to be canceled for the holiday. To celebrate that we are exercising on America's birthday, I made some special little treats for all those in attendance. Nothing too naughty, since we are all into health and exercise!

I made these using a die set from Lil'inker (Lollipop and Pencil Treat Holder Die) and a wonderful stamp set from Tim Holtz (Americana Blueprint).

I used my MISTI to mass-produce about 20 of these - it makes it so easy!

I quickly colored them with Copics and added a delicious See's Candy lollipop (one of California's greatest companies - YUM!), added some ribbon and a little sparkle and they were done.

This is headed for the current challenge at "Decorate to Celebrate", which is Anything Goes! What's not to celebrate, eh?!

Have a safe and sane holiday - thanks for the visit.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I wasn't going to make any Easter cards this year (for many reasons.....), but when I got this great layered flower stamp set from Stampin' Up I knew that I had to pair it with my MISTI (Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented) to see what might happen.

Incredible.  I made four of these cards in no time. Many companies are making these fun layered flower stamp sets and, while I have never been much on floral designs, I am so taken by the great look they achieve.

This post is short because there is so much going on - all good!

Wishing you a blessed Easter and/or a lovely Spring! Thanks for the visit.