Sail Away for a Happy Birthday

On Sundays my blog posts feature Victorine Originals (Raisin Boat, SumMore Fun) stamps. For today's card I used two Victorine Originals stamp sets: Ship Set and Floral and Sayings. This is the first time I've used the Ship Set, but Floral and Sayings is quickly becoming one of my favorites!

The  background piece on my card is one single piece of a beach-themed designer paper and it seems the perfect backdrop for the sailboat. The seagull is a brad from Eyelet Outlet.

The Ship Set has some amazing sayings in it, but I needed a birthday card, so I used the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Floral and Sayings set to complete my card.



I added the small sailboat (plus a strip of the designer paper) to the inside of my card...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Victorine Originals Ship Set and Floral and Sayings stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollecitons Black and White and SU Marina Mist CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishment: Eyelet Outlet Seagull Brad

Beary Patriotic

I have been enjoying the Spring weather - the daffodils are blooming and the temperatures are awesome! But... you know it won't be long until we start turning our thoughts towards summer, and it's never too soon to make a card for that season and its holidays. Today's card is a patriotic one, perfect for summertime (Independence Day, parades, and more).

Eyelet Outlet Products Used:

Jewel Strip

Mini Bee Brads

Paw Brads

Star Washi Tape

Skinny Washi Tape

The left side of my card features a piece of striped designer paper, but I spruced it up from being just red/white by adding some Eyelet Outlet Blue Jewel Strips to the white parts.

The right part of my card is a piece of white cardstock with strips of Washi Tape to give it its design.

But, that's not quite as fun as it could be. Just look...

The above close-up photo shows it in its beginning stage... but I then colored three of the outline stars with a blue Copic marker for some pizazz. It's a subtle change, but I like it. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Eyelet Outlet Products: Jewel Strip, Mini Bee Brads, Paw Brads, Star Washi Tape, and Skinny Washi Tape

Stamp: Whipper Snapper Patriotic Bear stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Blue and 110# White and SU Real Red CS and Paper Studio Big Stripe Red/White DP

Gopher It! Have a Happy Birthday!

This little gopher just makes me smile - he's so cute with his balloon and party hat! He'll be a playful addition to my Birthday card stash for a local church's Birthday card ministry.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Provo Craft Happy Birthday and Whipper Snapper Designs Birthday Gopher stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Creamy Caramel CS and AMuse Studio Polka Dot DP

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones

Sweet Friendship

NOTE: This is my second blog post of the day. If you're here to see my "Challenge Your Stash" card, it's the blog post immediately following this one so you can either keep scrolling or go HERE.


I have developed so many sweet friendships through this hobby I love (stamping and card-making). I feel truly blessed! 

I'm also blessed to serve on the design team for The Project Bin. Denise (the owner and artist) is the sweetest and most caring individual. She always has a kind word to say and genuinely cares about her customers and the stamping world. I am honored to consider her a friend!

Thank you for being so incredible, Denise!

This card features a Scripture stamp from The Project Bin's #bff stamp set.

There is so much to love in this stamp set! Check it out - HERE.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: The Project Bin #bff stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and minimally colored with a Copic Marker

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Cameo Coral CS and American Crafts Color of Memories DP

Die: MFT Stitched Snow Drifts

Embellishments: Cloud 9 Rain Drops

Hoppy Easter

I joined the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS as soon as Barb created it, because I have a lot of stash to play with. LOL! In fact, my husband came into my Working Studio just this week and he said, "You sure have a lot of stuff." That would be true. But he didn't need to point it out to me, right?

Each month, the CYS group has a monthly theme (chosen by one of the members). We use what we have to create a card based on that theme. This month Barbara (not to be confused with the group leader, Barb) asked us to use a bunny/rabbit on our card. She did tell us it didn't need to be an Easter card, but this bunny has been in my stash a very long time and needed to see some ink... so mine IS an Easter card.

- Bunny Stamp - 

Peachy Keen Easter Basket Bunny

Here's a peek at the inside of my card:

I hope Barbara (this month's hostess), Barb (the group leader) and all of the other CYS gals like my card.


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: JessicaLynn Originals Bunny Special (sentiment) and Peachy Keen Easter Basket Bunny stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Taken with Teal CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Oriental Trading Ribbon and Your Next Stamp Gum Drops

A Monster of a Birthday

I try to make Birthday cards to share with one of our church's so they can use them in their Birthday Card Ministry. They send Birthday cards to all of their members - men, women, children, everyone. Hopefully this card will make some child happy.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Monstrosity and Monster Birthday stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Cucumber Crush CS and AMuse Studio Polka Dot DP

Embellishments: Celebrate It Ribbon and Jot Pop Up Dot Stickers

Travel the World - Week 12

This is the 12th 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...

Yemen

Yemen is a country in the Middle East.  Officially known as the Republic of Yemen, it is located in western Asia.  Yemen is bordered on the north side by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  It is the second largest country occupying the Arabian Peninsula.

Yemen is home to the world's oldest skyscraper city, a city of about 7,000 inhabitants in the district of Shibam. The city is famous for its ancient mudbrick high-rise buildings. About 500 such houses occur in the city with some being as high as 11 stories. These high-rise buildings date back to the 16th century. Thus, Shibam is often called the “Manhattan of the Desert.” 

Yemen’s Capital City Is One Of The World’s Oldest Continuously Inhabited Cities.

Most families are large with more than seven members. Several generations may live together. 

More children are born in Yemen than in any other middle eastern country yearly.

Yemenis take much pride in their wedding traditions. An average wedding feast lasts 21 days.

Yemen is the world's largest humanitarian crisis with over 22 million people (three-quarters of the population) needing urgent humanitarian aid and protection.

Half of Yemeni girls are married before they are 18 and 15 percent are wed before they are 15. Within their marriages, Yemeni women do not have equal rights to custody, divorce, or inheritance. They also require a husband or father’s permission to travel or get a passport.

Yemen’s territory includes more than 200 islands, the largest of these is Socotra which has often been described as the ‘most alien-looking place on earth’. The fascinating flora is complimented by spectacular, awe-inspiring scenery. Socotra is truly one of the most unique and special places in the world.

In general greeting between men and men, women and women, and men and women, the most prominent thing noticed is the handshake.  Among men, the hand shake may linger and even lead to hand holding.  But the interesting aspect is in cross-sex greeting, there is little or no touching.

Yemenis tend to be more indirect in their communication.  This is because this helps them to avert confrontation, which something they really hate.  It also helps them to save face. 

In Yemen, one thing that has no place at all is public display of affection.  If you feel so strongly about someone, even if that someone is your wife, you would need to bottle up that feeling till you get to a private place.  No hugging, kissing, or any kind of necking in public.

Yemen is a male dominated society.  Men and women are rarely seen alone together since public display of intimacy is forbidden.   

The Bridge of Sighs also known as the Bridge of Shaharah was built in the 17th century. The footbridge constructed of limestone is located high up in the al-Ahnum mountains, named for al-Ahnum tribe, the indigenous inhabitants of these mountains. It lies at an elevation of 8500 feet above sea level and connects two mountain ranges

Yemen's Mokha city was once the centre of the world's coffee trade – hence the coffee named 'Mocha' in your local café.

Yemeni laws are usually strictly enforced with little or no mercy.  It does not matter whether the one breaking the law does so deliberately or ignorantly.  Breaking Yemeni laws usually leads to stiff penalties such as long jail terms or even worse, depending on the offense.

One does not have to tip in Yemen; the practice is unknown.

I decided to let this Yemen fact be the inspiration for this week's card... Tourists are expected to give pens for the local schools. Sweets are also acceptable.

I added fussy-cut flowers from the DP 

to the inside of my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Hero Arts Thank You and SU Crafting Forever (the pen) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Handsome Hunter and Rose Red CS and American Crafts Me and You DP plus Notebook Paper DP from an unknown vendor

Die: Taylored Expressions Notebook Border

Embellishments: Simple Stories Enamel Dots

Gallery Gazers CASE #9

As a member of the Gallery Gazers blog group, once each month I find a card in the SCS Gallery to CASE. This month I chose a card by blackbirdcreations (that's her SCS name; I don't know her first name), using leftover scraps of DP to create a fun design. 


You can see her card HERE.

I replicated the overall design of her card, but changed it to a birthday card instead of an Easter one. I also tried to make the strips of DP the same height like hers, but me oh my! That just was more than my mind could wrap around, so it's way off.

Even though her card didn't have one, I added a mat to mine, using black cardstock.

While her card was free of any embellishments, 

I added a bright enamel dot to my card.

I decorated the inside of my card 

to coordinate with the front:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Penny Black Sweet Wishes stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Pink Passion CS and DP from the Colorbok Sweet Life Paper Pad

Embellishment: Recollections Enamel Dot

A Big Thanks

I love sunflowers! It might be Kansas is my birth-state, but I kind of doubt that, since we moved from Kansas when I was only two-years-old. It might be because they are so majestic, with their beautiful large blooms pointing to the sun. It might be because they remind me to look to the Son.

Whatever the reason - I love sunflowers!

Victorine Originals Large Sunflower

Thank You is from the

Victorine Originals Florals and Sayings set

This sunflower is bold and beautiful - 

and fun to color!

I happened to have some Sunflower Washi Tape that coordinated nicely with the Large Sunflower stamp, so I added a strip of it (as well as a strip of the Red Glitter Washi Tape) to the inside of my card...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Victorine Originals Florals and Sayings (the Thank You stamp) and Large Sunflower stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White CS

Die: MFT Blueprint #21

Embellishments: American Crafts Red Glitter Washi Tape,  Paper Studio Sunflower Washi Tape, and Lady Bug Brad from an unknown vendor

My Remodeled Home

Last Saturday's card here on my blog was a "house" that I made. The wreath on the door was made with Eyelet Outlet products - Washi Tape and Brads. When the owner of Eyelet Outlet saw my card, her comment was: I'm thinking the house could have been made with our brick Washi Tape.

Well. of. course. it. could. DUH! Why didn't I think of that???

From that brief conversation, I decided to take my original thought for a card and make it even better. I think I was successful, but you can be the judge of that after you see today's card. 

To see last week's card - the original - go HERE. You'll also see the tutorial on how I made the wreath on the door on that blog post.

Here's my remodeled home:

Suzanne was right! The brick wall looks fabulous!

I switched the door to a wooden door (Eyelet Outlet Washi Tape) instead of the panel door (card stock) on the original card. And for a more balanced look, I placed a flower pot and mailbox beside the door, along with one rabbit. 

Now, here's a test:

How many different Eyelet Outlet products did I use on this card?

More specifically, how many different Washi Tapes?

How many different types of Brads?

Eyelet Outlet Washi Tape - 6 of them:

Brick

Hardwood Floor

Red (I doubled it and cut it to make the flower pot)

Skinny (I colored a strip of the yellow one with a brown Copic for the mailbox post)

Twig (to wrap the wreath)

Wide Flower

Eyelet Outlet Brads - 6 of them:

Mail

Mini Bee

Mini Ladybug

Rabbit

Round

Round Black with Silver 

What remodeling tips do you have that would make my house even better?

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only thing I used on my card besides the Eyelet Outlet products listed in the blog post was some cardstock - Recollections 110# White (to which I adhered the Washi Tape) and SU Chocolate Chip and Sahara Sand.

DDD Gets Punny

If you follow the Dueling Darlings group (on my blog or the other DDD members), you know that we normally post on the 15th of each month. Not so this month. This month we're posting on the 22nd... Today!

If we are anything, we are flexible.

First, one of our members decided to leave the group, leaving a hostess void that couldn't be filled in time... so this round is hosted by the awesome but partnerless Heather of the Divas. To make it work, she shared with me (a Dazzler) what theme she'd chosen and the Dazzlers agreed to use their own stuff to make their cards this month - sans kits. I did offer to provide an image/sentiment set for them if they chose to use it, but they were also able to use their own stamps to make their cards... so don't be surprised if you see some variety.

Then, there was a mailing problem (one has to love the PO, right) so the mail didn't arrive in its normal timely fashion. No problem. We are flexible, remember? So posting day was postponed a week, bringing us to today.

Heather's theme is...

Punny Foods

Isn't that fun?

The image/sentiment I used (and shared with the Dazzlers, too - so you may see more of this set) is from Whipper Snapper Designs: The Big Cheese and Age Doesn't Matter.

Be sure to head over to the Dazzler and Diva blogs to see their Punny Foods cards. You'll find links to them in the left sidebar.

And, as always, Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Whipper Snapper The Big Cheese and Age Doesn't Matter stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU So Saffron CS and AMuse Studio DP

Embellishments: Gina Marie Enamel Dots and SU Ribbon

A TEA-riffic Cup of Tea

I'm part of the Creative Card Chicks group on SCS. Each month one of the members sends goodies to the other members and we all make cards with the same things. This month Roxie sent us a TEA-riffic kit of goodies... and even a tea bag so we could enjoy a delicious cup of tea while making our cards. Thanks Roxie!

Here's what Roxie sent:

Images/Sentiments/Framelits - SU Tea Together stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on SU Very Vanilla CS

DP - SU Share What You Love

CS - SU Night of Navy

Embellishments - SU Ribbon and Faceted Dots 

My card reminds me of my Grandma... her home was filled with a variety of prints and designs (almost to the point of distraction). That's the way this card turned out. In hindsight, I wish I'd put some solid cardstock behind the gorgeous teapot... but too late now. 

Tea's ready!

I kind of like the inside of my card - 

it's soothing after the busy-ness of the front.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

The only thing I used to make my card in addition to what Roxie sent was some cardstock - Recollections Black and SU Blush Blossom.

Spring Brings Beautiful Things

It's official. Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere.... now if we can just convince the weather, at least that's what the calendar tells me.

I have seen Robins in the yard, and our daffodil plants are about 6" tall, so yes... I believe!

To celebrate this wonderful season I've used the beautiful tulips and sweet sentiment from The Project Bin's Spring Zen stamp set to make this card...

To create the color around the tulips, I colored with a Copic Marker, leaving the edges of the coloring a bit ragged and not going completely to the edge, so a bit of white still shows.

The stamp set includes not only the tulip, but also a gorgeous egg, cross and several sentiments. I absolutely love this stamp set!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: The Project Bin Spring Zen stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy and Tuxedo Black Inks and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Cucumber Crush CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Your Next Stamp Gum Drops