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Sunday, February 28, 2021

A Challenging Fancy Fold

My friend Barb created a group on SCS called the Challenge Your Stash group. The premise is to use what we have - no shopping allowed. The members take turns choosing the monthly themes and we share our cards on the 28th. It is a lot of fun!

This month Danielle challenged us to make a Fun Fold card and to include the color red. 

Now... if you're around my blog much at all, you know that I don't do Fancy Folds. There are basically two reasons for that. For one thing, I have a really REALLY hard time photographing them... which makes it challenging here on my blog. The second reason, and probably my main reason for not making them is the fact that I send most of the cards I make to non-cardmakers... and they have no idea what to do with most Fancy Folds. Case in point - I used to make Easel Cards quite a bit because I really like them. Then one day the recipient of one of my cards asked me very kindly why the card was floppy. She had no idea it was supposed to stand up. I'm not sure I ever made another Easel Card after that.

I say all of that to say this - yes, I did stress out a wee bit about Danielle's theme BUT at the same time I was so excited about her theme. It gave me a reason to make something other than the normal fold... which was great! I did go with a pretty simple (self-explanatory) Fancy Fold so the recipient will not wonder what to think of it. LOL.

Now about the photos.... well, obviously I still have trouble photographing Fancy Folds.





I hope Danielle, Barb, and the other Challenge Your Stash group members like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Catherine Pooler Grace In Bloom stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White and Recollections 110# Black CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips and MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

Saturday, February 27, 2021

A Wrapped Bouquet of Flowers

I've been a member of the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society for a long time now... receiving the club flower stamp set each month. I hoarded them for a while, then started a series on my blog, committing to using them. 

I've thoroughly enjoyed this series because flowers are my favorite thing to color. 

In fact, I'm always happy when coloring flowers - so this card is perfect for this week's Free For All "Get Your Happy On" Challenge (#F4A575) on SCS.

Technique Tuesday's Wrapped Flower Bouquet

The stamp set includes some individual flowers. I colored and then fussy cut them so I could give some dimension to my bouquet.




Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Wrapped Flower Bouquet stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White and SU Daffodil Delight CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: Paper Studio Mini Brads


Friday, February 26, 2021

You Light Up My Life

I am not a fan of bugs - just ask my husband. He'll tell you that is an understatement... that, in fact, I HATE bugs. The creepy crawly kind. But I apparently really like bug stamps because I have quite a few of them. Granted, they are the cutesy kind, not at all realistic looking, but that's okay. I just needed any bug for this week's SCS Ways to Use It Challenge (#WT833). 

I used the Taylored Expressions Love Bugs stamp set to make my cutesy bug card.

Those are some bugs I can like. 



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Taylored Expressions Love Bugs stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White and SU Daffodil Delight CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle and SU Circles

Embellishment: Heart-Shaped Brad from an unknown vendor

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Sweet Birthday Wishes

I checked out the Sketch Challenge (#SC842) on SCS this week and decided to give it a try. Truthfully, sketches stretch me. My mind just doesn't create that way. BUT  I do love a challenge, so it's good to try the Sketch Challenges from time to time.

You will notice that I did some tweaking to this sketch...


Sweet Wishes!



Here's the inside:



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Sets
: Stampin' UP! Hello Cupcake, Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Birthday, and Whipper Snapper Cupcake Mouse stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markrers

Papers: Cougar 110# White, Recollections Black, and SU Flirty Flamingo and Lemon Lime Twist CS

Die: SU Circle

Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Ribbon and Clear Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Have a Fabulous Birthday

I've been spending a lot of time the past week or so working on a breakout conference that I'll be leading at a national rally this summer. it's coming along nicely and I'm enjoying the process. That being said, time got away from me and I needed to make a quick and easy card for today's blog post. 

I used an image that I'd previously colored (as part of a Daily Marker 30-Day Coloring Challenge) and put together a VERY simple birthday card. One can never have too many birthday cards, right?



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Concord & 9th Vintage Flowers and Penny Black Sweet Wishes stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections White (on the inside), and SU Calypso Coral CS

Die: Gina Marie Big & Little Chain Rectangle

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

2021 Travel the World - Week 8

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world, so I continued the series in 2020 and here I am in 2021, the third year of traveling the world. 

This week's country is...

Iraq

Iraq, officially known as the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia.

Iraq is 438,317 square miles, about the size of California or twice the size of Idaho. It shares a border with six nations: Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi ArabiaSyria, and Turkey.

Iraq’s longest shared border is with Iran at 906 miles.

Iraq is shaped roughly like a piece of pie and is almost completely surrounded by land, except for a 36-mile stretch of coastline along the northern edge of the Persian Gulf.

Approximately half of Iraq is covered by inhospitable desert.

The Tigris and Euphrates are the two major rivers of Iraq. These rivers contribute significantly toward making the land of Iraq very fertile.

Iraq is essentially two countries, with the two main ethnic groups that live there: the Arabs and the Kurds. 

Iraq has a dry season and a wet season. During the wet season, from November to April, the country can get almost 40 inches of rain. In the dry season, between May and October, the temperature can reach up to 125 F.

Sand and dust storms rage for 20 to 50 days each year in Iraq, mostly during the summer. Sandstorms can reach heights of 50 feet. Dust storms reach an average height of 3,000 to 6,000 feet.

Iraq has, on occasion, been plagued by swarms of 40-80 million locusts that can travel more than 8 miles per day!

Iraq grows wheat, rice, barley and vegetables; they also rear cattle. Its industry consists of petroleum, chemicals, textiles and construction materials.

Iraq also exports crude oil.

The country’s first productive oil well was drilled in 1927 in Baba dome.

Iraq’s oil reserves (approximately 150 billion barrels) are the fifth largest in the world. 

Mountains make up about 20% of Iraq. The two main mountain chains are the Taurus, on the border with Turkey, and the Zagros, on the border with Iran. The mountains are the only parts of Iraq that still have forests.

Ancient Iraq was the birthplace of some of the world’s most important inventions, such as the 60-second minute and the 60-minute hour, the wheel, writing, the first accurate calendar, the first maps, and the first schools.

Traditionally, marriages in Iraq are arranged, though more and more Iraqis are choosing their own spouses, especially in larger cities.

Almost half of all married couples in Iraq are first or second cousins.

Iraqi families are usually large and family relationships are close. Most families live in one house, which is expanded when the family grows.

It is not considered rude in Iraq to eat food quickly or without utensils. In fact, it is a sign to the host or hostess that the food is delicious. Iraqis are also extremely offended if the family pet comes near the table during the meal.

If someone admires an Iraqi’s possession, such as a vase, the Iraqi will usually insist that the person takes it. Therefore, it is proper etiquette to avoid lavishly praising another person’s possessions.

The national bird of Iraq is the Chucker Partridge.

Dance has played an important role in Iraq culture for thousands of years. One dancing style in Iraq, the hacha’a, is similar to belly dancing, but there is more neck and hand motion and less hip movement. A woman must have long hair because part of the dance involves swinging her hair to the music.

The traditional music of Iraq is the maqam, which is based on Arabic poetry and is very heart wrenching and slow. 

Iraq banned karate films in 1979. 

Before 2003, the Baghdad Zoo was the largest zoo in the Middle East and was home to more than 600 animals. However, after the invasion of Iraq, the zoo sustained considerable damage, and looters stole many animals leaving only 50 animals.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Iraq. Iraqis also enjoy basketball, boxing, weight lifting, horseback riding, and horse races.

Carp in Iraq can grow to weigh up to 300 pounds, and sharks from the Persian Gulf swim up Iraq’s rivers and marshes.

Iraq has more than 22 million date palms and is one of the top three date producers in the world.

The famous children’s story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves was written in Iraq about 1,000 years ago.

The Iraqi desert is home to many types of scorpions. Some can grow up to 8" long.

The Iraqi desert is home to the dangerous saw-scale viper. Many scientists consider it the most dangerous snake in the world. The viper is known to strike without provocation and even chase its victims. Its bite often results in death.

Iraqis have been keeping bees for 5,000 years. Production of honey and its trade is a major industry in Iraq. Honey is known as a miracle cure in the country, and has the ability to treat headaches, arthritis and many other ailments. 

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Iraq... The common superstition of being afraid of black cats originally began in Iraq.



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Gerda Steiner All Cats stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Cougar 110# White and SU Bumble Bee CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle and SU Circles

Embellishments: Paper Studio Mini Brads and SU Ribbon


Monday, February 22, 2021

Double Duty - Lawn Fawn

Barb, Kelly and I have fun creating together even though we live far apart. We have a few challenges each month. You might recognize us in these - Three Musketeers, Ready Set Go, Stamp What, Hot Mess Success. Last month we started a new one, too. The Double Duty Challenge, which was Barb's idea.

Each month we each choose one stamp set from a pre-determined stamp company and make two cards using it. At least one thing has to be seen on both cards (color, embellishment, stamp, etc.). We post on a double-digit day each month, too - the 22nd. Today is the day!

This month's company is Lawn Fawn. I don't have a lot of Lawn Fawn stamp sets, but I have enough of them that I had to make a decision which one to use. I ended up choosing the Making Frosty Friends stamp/die set.


Card #1


I took Jenn Shurkus' Distress Ink Technique class this weekend (so did Barb and Kelly) and practiced smooshing. I'm not very good at it, but I wanted to incorporate it into my card so I did. The piece behind the snowman is smooshed.



Card #2




Be sure to check out Barb's blog and Kelly's blog to see their Double Duty posts, too.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Stamp Set: Lawn Fawn Making Frosty Friends stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White and SU Balmy Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangle Die, MFT Stitched Rectangle Die, MFT Stitched Snow Drifts Die, and SU Banner Punch

Embellishments: Paper Studio Brads, Ribbon Boutique Ribbon, and Snowflake Brads from an unknown vendor

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Birthday Surprise!!!

This week's Ways to Use It Challenge (#WT832) is "Cornered". Participants are encouraged to use photo corners on their cards - or to be inspired by photo corners when making them.

I still have within my possession the old "whale-style" Stampin' UP! Photo Corners punch, so I dusted it off and used it.



I hope your weekend is going well. Mine has been fantastic! I attended Jenn Shurkus' online Distress Inks Techniques class yesterday - WOW! It was amazing with lots and lots of information and practicing fun techniques. I'm so excited that I took it! I'm fairly certain that you'll be seeing some of the things I learned implemented in some of my cards in the near future.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: CC Designs Surprise!!! stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White, Recollections Brown, and SU Calypso Coral CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: MFT Stitched Rectangle Die, MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle Die, and SU Photo Corner Punch

Embellishment: Cupcake Brad from an unknown vendor

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Parks and Recreation VSN Mini

Yesterday was SCS's Mini VSN (Virtual Stamp Night) with fabulous challenges and lots of fun "chatting" in the threads, too. If you're not familiar with VSN, I highly recommend checking it out. The mini is held a month before the BIG event... it gets us ready for excited about the 2-day event, which will be held March 19-20. Each challenge host gives the details and then we have an hour to make a card because there's a new challenge each hour. This VSN theme is Parks and Recreation so the challenges will have something to do with that.

Kim's Concerts in the Park Challenge included two requirements - 

1. Something musical for the CONCERT like instruments, sheet music, singers

2. At least one of these elements for the PARK - bandshell, trees, blankets, snacks, benches, flag

I chose my man Elvis for the singer on my card (La La Land Singing Luka, to be specific) and tried to create the look of a bandshell, with the arched background and wood plank floor. I also used designer paper with trees on it.


It took 50 minutes to make this card.


Misti's Butterflies Challenge called for having at least one butterfly on the card.


It took 40 minutes to make this card.


Lee's Snowy Mountains Challenge was to make a card with mountains with snow on them. I wanted some glitter paper for my mountain tops -  but didn't have any (since I really dislike glitter) - so I used some wide glittery washi tape for my snowcaps.


It took 45 minutes to make this card.




Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: La La Land Singing Luka stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White, Recollections Black, and SU Tempting Turquoise CS and DP from my scrap file

Die: Sizzix Arch

Embellishments: Music Note Brads from an unknown vendor


Stamp Set: Simon Says Beautiful Day stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Cougar 110# White and SU Pretty Peacock CS

Inks (for Blending): Lawn Fawn Mermaid, Merman, and Peacock

Die: My Favorite Things Wonky Stitch Rectangle

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Glitter Enamel Dots


Stamp Set: CC Designs Snowy stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Cougar 110# White, Recollections White and SU Soft Sky CS, DP from my scrap file, and Eyelet Outlet Washi Tape (for the snowcaps on the mountains)

Dies: Frantic Stamper Snowcapped Mountains and MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: Ribbon Boutique Ribbon and a Purple Heart-Shaped Brad from an unknown vendor