Thursday, March 31, 2022

VSN - In a Word (Friday)

I am always excited to participate in SCS's VSN events... they are a lot of fun with unique challenges that often times stretch me. 

Today's blog post features the cards I created for the Friday night challenges in the In a Word VSN that happened this past weekend. You can find the challenge theme/details by clicking on the links.

Kim's Bumpy Challenge



Stamp/Die - Rubbernecker Tangerine Trio

Die - Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double

Time to Make Card - 1 Hour



Lisa's Light Challenge


Stamp - Altenew Dahlia Bright Eyes

Time to Make Card - 30 minutes


The "wash" behind the flowers was created by putting three blobs of Scrapbook.com's Pops of Color on the edge of the cardstock and swiping it across the paper using a flat plastic edge.



Stamps - High Hopes Motorcycle Bob and Best Miles

Time to Make Card - 50 minutes




Stamp/Die - Hero Arts Love You

Time to Make Card - 30 minutes





Stamps Used - Art Impressions Girlfriends Out to Lunch and Happy 29th Birthday

Time to Make Card - 50 minutes


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Wednesday, March 30, 2022

A Bouquet of Thanks

I {heart} SCS.

I'm pretty sure it's no secret - splitcoaststampers is my happy place. It's where friendships are made. It's where inspiration is gleaned. It's where tutorials are found. Oh, and did I mention, CHALLENGES (new ones each day of the week)! 

Each challenge has a few people who know the themes ahead of time and create cards/samples to be shared when the challenge is introduced. I was delighted when I was asked to join the Sketch Challenge design team for six months. Each Wednesday (February - July 2022) I'll share the card I made for the current week's Sketch Challenge. 

This Week's Sketch (#SC899):


Here's my card:



I hope you'll check out the Sketch Challenge - HERE - and play along. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Stamp/Die: Altenew Bouquet Basket stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Garden Green CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Paper Roses Stitched Circles, SU Adorning Accents, and Whimsy Quick Strips

Embellishments: Queen & Co. Epoxy Dots

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Travel the World - Grenada

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. By the end of 2021, I'd virtually traveled to 145 countries and plan to complete my journey to all 195 countries by visiting the last 50 this year.

This week's country is...

Grenada

Grenada is an island nation located in the West Indies of the Caribbean.

Grenada is located between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

It consists of a main island, also called Grenada, and six smaller surrounding islands.

Grenada gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1974.

The official language of Grenada is English.

The people of Grenada are called Grenadians.

By area, Grenada is the second smallest independent country in the western hemisphere. Only St. Kitts & Nevis, also in the Caribbean, is smaller.

Grenada has a total area of 133 square miles. The main island is approximately 21 miles long by 12 miles wide.

The country is 910 times smaller than Poland.

Grenada is known for year round warm weather. Even when it's rainy, the temperature doesn't change much from the annual average of 88 degrees fahrenheit.

It is one of 11 countries in the world that has never recorded a negative temperature.

The Carenage is Grenada's local harbor and anchorage. It boasts a mellow waterfront experience exploring the shops and overall, just taking in the ambiance. There are historical buildings in the area, and fishermen can be seen going in and out of port, as well as catamaran tours heading out.  

The island country has a coastline of 75 miles.

Grenada is filled with amazing beaches, and one of the most popular is Grand Anse Beach.

The country is also known for its beautiful waterfalls.

Grenada is almost half covered with forests, yet it does not have any species of venomous snakes. 

There are three national parks in Grenada.

The Grenada dove, which is a critically endangered species, is the national bird of Grenada.

There’s a crater lake known as Lake Grand Etang which is one of the major tourist attractions in Grenada. Surrounded by dense, mountainous forest, this 36-acre expanse of cobalt-blue water is tied to some bizarre myths. Legend has it that it is a bottomless lake where Orisha, a mermaid-like goddess, resides. Apparently, this scaled deity lures men down into the depths of the lake. These drowned men are said to reappear in places at a distance – like St. Vincent, Trinidad, or Venezuela. It has now been proven that Grand Etang is actually 18 feet deep. But ardent believers of Orisha argue that when someone tries to measure the lake’s depth, the goddess herself swims up and puts a stone under their boat – thus giving them a false reading.

Grenada was hit by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The hurricane damaged over 90% of homes on the island, killed at least 14 people and damaged a prison leading to the escape of 17 convicts.

Hurricane Ivan also destroyed 80% of the country’s 100-year-old nutmeg trees.

Grenada has been lucky enough to be hit by just three hurricanes in the past 50 years, despite being on the southern edge of the Grenadines, where hurricanes usually pass through.

Grenada is the home of the world’s first underwater sculpture park. The sculptures are developed with concrete and rebar, and are placed naturally without affecting the natural reef and the lives of its inhabitants adversely. 

The Moliniere park has over 60 underwater sculptures located on the seabed around 15 feet below the surface.

The first international airport in Grenada was constructed in 1985.

The majority of Grenada’s goods are imported from the U.S.

Grenada has only three traffic lights.

popular breakfast drink on the island is cocoa tea, made from local cocoa and spices.

The national dish of Grenada is ‘oil down,’ a hearty stew, made of local veggies, salted meat and aromatic spices.

Grenada is also home to all three types of cocoa in the world. Grenada’s House of Chocolates is the place where you can taste different types of cocoa. It is located in the capital city – St. George.

Grenada is known as the “Island of Spice” because it produces nutmeg and mace crops, as well as some other spice.

A ship, while traveling to England from the East Indies, left some nutmeg trees on the island, which marked the beginning of Grenada’s nutmeg industry. Today, the country supplies almost 40% of the world’s annual crop.

The small island country also supports its economy by lucrative tuna fish catching, which is done by its people with the help of just 85 boats. They catch tuna fish worth millions of dollars every year. However, the lucrative business is not without issues, as sometimes the boats are also looted by pirates or other unknown people from across the sea.

411 pairs of shoes were given to the people of Grenada by a U.S. based Grenadian. He took the initiative to help people from his home country and to encourage other people to follow suit. 

Grenada is home to four of the world’s seven varieties of turtle, including the leatherback – the largest species. Leatherbacks can grow up to 7 feet in length and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.

Leatherback turtles – the largest living species of reptile – can be seen on the beaches of Grenada. Levera Beach is home to Grenada’s largest Leatherback nesting population. There are only 35,000 female Leatherback turtles left in the world. And they are critically endangered. Only one in 1,000 of their hatchlings can survive to adulthood.

Due to a limited military budget, Grenadian law enforcement officers are trained in other countries to gain military proficiency.

It is against the law to wear camouflage in Grenada. This is because donning anything that is reflective of the military attire – no matter what color it is – is illegal. That law applies to kids as well. You might end up paying about $3,700 in fine, or spending a year in prison for this offense.

Grenada is famous for its Carnival, also known as the Spicemas Festival. Events begin during June and July each year when the annual soca monarch, calypso and steel band competitions take place. The event climaxes in August in Saint George’s with street parties, parades, dancing and live music.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Grenada... Fisherman's Day is celebrated on June 29th each year in Grenada.


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Stamping Bella Catch of the Day stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Cinnamon Cider and Soft Sea Foam CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 2, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and SU Stitched Shapes (Squares)

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots

Monday, March 28, 2022

Spring Tulips

One of my favorite challenge groups is the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS, under the capable and organized leadership of my friend Barb. The idea is we can't shop for anything when making our monthly challenge card (which we post on the 28th of each month).

We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was my turn. This is my theme...

Winter is leaving and Spring is arriving, so let's make Spring-themed cards (think flowers, umbrellas, birds, anything that goes with Spring).

My favorite spring flower is tulips so I used my well-loved Waffle Flowers Tulips stamp set to make my card.


You might recognize this background piece (green gingham and black/white stripe). I've used it a few times on cards. It's actually leftovers from a shoebox swap I participated in a few years ago. How's that for using from my stash? Do you suppose Barb will give me extra credit???


I hope Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Waffle Flowers Tulips stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers:  Neenah 110# Solar White. Recollections Black, and SU Flirty Flamingo CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double

Embellishment: Taylored Expressions Drip Drops

Sunday, March 27, 2022

In a Word - SNOW

Just in case you're wondering, you won't see any snow on my card. In fact, it's not even a winter-themed card. So what's with the SNOW in my blog post title? 

It's VSN time on SCS - Virtual Stamp Night. Several challenges with the overall theme of In a Word. Each hostess chooses one word for her challenge and then explains how that word will be used.

I'm hostessing the "SNOW" challenge but it's not about snow. It's about the letters S-N-O-W. Participants are asked to choose one of those four letters and include at least two things on their cards that begin with that one letter. 

Oh, and they are not to spend more than one hour making their card.

I chose the letter "W" for my card...

Whimsy (the image is from Whimsy's Hee Haw stamp set)

Washi Tape (yellow stripe and thin copper)

Of course, I also used some White cardstock.

In a Word - SNOW Challenge

It took me 40 minutes to make this card


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Whimsy Hee Haw stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Cinnamon Cider CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle and Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double

Embellishments: Paper Studio Copper Mini Brads and Washi Tape from unknown vendors



Saturday, March 26, 2022

Technique Tuesday Hyacinth

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 thoroughly enjoy this series because flowers are my favorite thing to color. 

This month's Greenhouse Society stamp set is Hyacinth.


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Technique Tuesday Hyacinth stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Highland Heather CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 1 and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Oriental Trading Enamel Dots

Friday, March 25, 2022

Blue Knight - I John 4

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I used the new I John 4 stamp set today.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1


After stamping the I John 4 stamp onto white cardstock, I blended a few colors of ink onto the piece. I then used the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps The Grove stamp to add framework to the piece. The sentiment is from another Blue Knight Rubber Stamps stamp set - Chickadee on a Fence Post.



Card #2


I stamped the background first and then added the floral image (Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Sunflower Sunshine on top, allowing the script to come through the image. I colored the image and blended some ink around the edges of the entire piece. I used part of one of the sentiments from the Sunflower Sunshine stamp to add the sentiment to my card. I simply covered the "You" on the stamp with a post-it note then inked it, remembering to remove the post-it note before stamping.


I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used. 

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:
Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE
and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Thursday, March 24, 2022

National Umbrella Month

March is National Umbrella Month! Who knew, right? 

I rarely use an umbrella... but I absolutely LOVE stamps with umbrellas so of course I couldn't let this month go by without making a card perfect for a rainy day.


Isn't she a cutie?


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: My Favorite Things Birdie Brown Rain or Shine stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Pineapple Punch CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Pink & Main Stitched Arches, Simon Says Sentiment Labels, and Whimsy Quick Strips

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

You Melt My Heart

I {heart} SCS.

I'm pretty sure it's no secret - splitcoaststampers is my happy place. It's where friendships are made. It's where inspiration is gleaned. It's where tutorials are found. Oh, and did I mention, CHALLENGES (new ones each day of the week)! 

Each challenge has a few people who know the themes ahead of time and create cards/samples to be shared when the challenge is introduced. I was delighted when I was asked to join the Sketch Challenge design team for six months. Each Wednesday (February - July 2022) I'll share the card I made for the current week's Sketch Challenge. 

This Week's Sketch (#SC898):


Here's my card:

As you'll notice with my card, these sketches can be embraced and tweaked a bit to fit your card design. For instance, instead of squares (#3 and #4) I used rectangles. I've learned there are no Sketch Police to issue warnings.


I hope you'll check out the Sketch Challenge - HERE - and play along. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Stamp: Sweet N Sassy Melt for You stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Balmy Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Heart Brad from an unknown vendor