I Think You're Purrfect!

Many years ago when I first started card-making, patterned papers scared me. I collected them, but rarely used them. I was afraid. Now I find I reach for multiple paper designs when creating a card. 

How has your card-making evolved? Do you still like the same kinds of stamps/images as when you started? Do you have different color schemes than years gone by?

Whatever your style, preferences, and even your dislikes, I'm going to have to agree with these two adorable cats and say...

I think you're Purrfect!

And speaking of purrfect, the Feline Good stamp/die set from The Project Bin is purrfect, too, with it's fun cats and great sentiments!

There are so many great options

for using this stamp set!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: The Project Bin Feline Good stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections 110# White and SU Early Espresso CS and all other papers from my scrap file

Punch: EK Success Corner Rounder

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones

A Piece of Holly

I a member of the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society which means each month I get the monthly stamp set designated to that subscription. The price is reasonable and the stamp sets are great. 

The set I used on this card is the October Greenhouse Society stamp set - it's called Holly.

I decided to try paper-piecing it. I like doing that sometimes. There's just something relaxing about fussy cutting the pieces and watching them transform the image.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Holly stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Granny Apple Green CS and AMuse Studio Polka Dot and Paper Studio Lime Green Gingham DP

Embellishment: Ribbon from an unknown vendor

One Plus Twelve - Take Twelve

Kelly had a great idea to use one stamp twelve different ways in each of the months of 2019... and she asked Barb and I to join her in this adventure, which she called One Plus Twelve. Of course Barb and I quickly agreed and on January 3 we each revealed which stamp would be "the one" stamp. On the third of each month we will reveal another card made with our one stamp.

The stamp I chose for this year-long adventure is the dragonfly from the Unity Be the Best stamp set. You can see my cards from the previous eleven months HERE.

This last card of the 2019 One Plus Twelve series is pretty simple - some layers of designer paper and a few embellishments, plus the great stamp.

I am so thankful that Kelly invited me to participate in this fun series this year! THANK YOU, Kelly!

Kelly, Barb, and I plan to choose a new stamp and do the One Plus Twelve series again in 2020. I've already selected my stamp and I can tell you, it's going to be quite different than this year's stamp.

I hope Kelly and Barb like my card. Now let's head over to their blogs to see their One Plus Twelve cards...

Kelly's blog - Foxy

Barb's blog - Lovely As a Tree

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Unity Be the Best stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Ivory and SU Dapper Denim and Wild Wasabi CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Paper Studio Mini Brads

Travel the World - Week 48

My Travel the World series usually posts on Tuesdays, but since I have a special blog post tomorrow, this week's Travel the World card is on my blog on Monday.

This is the 48th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Europe.

The Czech Republic is bordered by Germany to its north and west, Poland to its northeast, Slovakia to its east and Austria to its south.

The Czech Republic is almost entirely surrounded by mountains.

About a third of the countryside is forest, and there are more than 400 lakes.

Czechs are highly educated. Around 90% of the adult population have completed at least secondary education.

Tourism is a big business in the Czech Republic. It has an impressive architectural heritage with 12 UNESCO monuments and many centuries’ worth of monuments, buildings, towers, bridges, and castles to visit and admire.

Czech Republic ranks as the sixth safest country to live in the world according to the 2017 Global Peace Index.

The Czech Republic is a true paradise for people who love parks and gardens. It has 25 protected landscaped areas and four national parks in addition to broadleaf and conifer forests, rivers and mountains.

Czech is the official language of the country, but other languages spoken are Slovak, Russian, Polish, Ukrainian and even Vietnamese. Czech has been classified by scientists as one of the most difficult languages in the world.

The Czech Republic is known for the Christmas markets scattered throughout the country, the biggest of which can be found in Prague.

Prague often finds a place on “Top 10 Beautiful Most Beautiful Cities in the World” lists.

Prague is home to an unusual collection of over 2,000 historical chamber pots, toilets, and loos that range from historical to famous celebrity use, including a seat from the Titanic. All can be viewed at the odd, yet unique Hygiene Museum.

Prague's Old Town is home to the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world.

Perhaps the most famous incident by a Czech Politician was the fact that Czech Republic’s second president, Václav Klaus infamously stole a pen during a state visit to Chile. The worst part? He was totally caught on camera and the incident soon became an international affair.

The country is home to over 2000 castles and chateaux, more than any other country in Europe.

The Czech Republic is home to the largest ancient castle in the world – Prague Castle. It's bigger than seven football fields combined!

Mammals commonly found in the Czech Republic include the fox, hare, hart, rabbit, and wild pig. A variety of birds inhabit the lowlands and valleys.

The most popular sport in the Czech Republic is ice hockey.

A gothic church in the town of Most was completely moved a mile from its original location in order for the town to mine lignite found underground. This earned it a place in the Guinness World Records.

Puppetry is a popular pastime and has a long history in Prague’s entertainment industry, tracing all the way back to the middle ages. Here you can visit the National Marionette Theatre and even pick up your own puppet in the city’s Old Town.

Czechs consume the most beer per capita in the world.

Soft contact lenses were invented by a Czech chemist named Otto Wichterle in 1959.

The Czech Republic is known worldwide for its mouth-blown decorated art glass and crystal, all individually made.

The Republic ranks in the top ten countries worldwide with the fastest internet speed on average. 

I decided to let this Czech Republic fact be the inspiration for this week's card... The word “robot” was first used by Czech author Karel Čapek in his novel R.U.R.. It was his brother Josef Čapek who is actually credited with creating the word.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Raisin Boat Robo Party stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers; Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Lemon Lime Twist CS and DP from the MFT Black/White Stripe Paper Pad

Embellishments: Oriental Trading Enamel Dots

You Make Such a Difference

I love the sentiment on this card - I guess because there are so many people in my life who make a huge difference. The sentiment is from the Raisin Boat Flourishing Thoughts stamp set and the gorgeous image that I've used again and again is from the Victorine Originals Floral and Sayings stamp set.

I used an unusual color scheme (for me) on the card, too - very subtle - but I think it works well with the stamps.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Raisin Boat Flourishing Thoughts and Victorine Originals Floral and Sayings stamped with Gina K Kraft Ink

Papers; SU Sahara Sand CS and other papers from my scrap file

Die: MFT Blueprint 21 

Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Make Your Own Magic!

It seems like there is a lot of interest in wizards and such right now... and Eyelet Outlet has some fun Wizard-themed items to make card-making easy and fun.

This card has some super adorable Wizard Washi Tape on it... I've not seen anything like it other than this one that's available at Eyelet Outlet. There's also a variety of Wizard-themed brads on my card; even the glasses that fit perfectly on my stamped image.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Eyelet Outlet Products: Wizard Hat Brad, Wizard Set Brads, and Wizard Washi Tape

Stamp Set: Craftin Divas Troll Wizards stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU So Saffron CS and Hot Off the Press Masculine Camouflage DP

My Recycle Bin Revisited

If you visited my blog on Wednesday, you were introduced to my bright pink recycle bin, the place where all kinds of odds and ends go in anticipation of being able to use them on a card someday. If you missed that blog post, you can see it by going HERE.

Today's card features an poinsettia image (that I'd previously colored) and a sentiment, too - both from my recycle bin. I added some layers of paper and a piece of ribbon for a quick and easy card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image and Sentiment: from my Recycle Bin

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishment: Stickles Glitter Glue and Ribbon from an unknown vendor