Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Color Challenge Guest Designer Week 9

I thoroughly enjoyed being a Guest Designer for the SCS Color Challenges last month and was excited when Mary contacted me and asked me if I'd be willing to serve as a Guest Designer in May, too. Of course I quickly said "YES!!!" so every Tuesday this month you will find a Color Challenge card here on my blog. 

This week's Color "Granny Is Munching on Green Apples and Mangos On Her Cabana" Challenge (#CC898) is Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, and Mango Melody, with Anything Goes as the "dessert" element.



Here's my card:



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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Simon Says Birthday Messages stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Kraft and SU Black, Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, and Mango Melody CS

Dies: Impression Obsession Cloud Border, MFT Perfect Fit Balloon, and MFT Single Stitch Line Rectangle Frame

Embellishments: CC Designs and Gina Marie Enamel Dots


Monday, May 30, 2022

Travel the World - Saint Kitts & Nevis

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...

Saint Kitts & Nevis

Located in the Leeward Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis is a federal two-island country in the West Indies of the Caribbean.

To the east of St Kitts and Nevis is the chilled water of the Atlantic, and to the West sits the warm Caribbean Sea.

With a small population of 53,192 in 2020 and a total area of 100.8 square miles, St. Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas.

St. Kitts, the larger of the two islands, is roughly oval in shape except for a long, narrow peninsula to the southeast.

The circularly shaped Nevis is surrounded by coral reefs.

The islands of St Kitts and Nevis were formed almost exclusively from two volcanos. Mount Liamuiga on St Kitts and Nevis Peak on the island of Nevis. Fortunately for travelers, both islands volcanoes are now extinct with the last reported eruption over 1,800 years ago. 

The two islands are separated by a two-mile stretch of sea known as ‘the narrows’. To get between the two islands, you can hop on a five-minute water taxi. 

English is the official language of St. Kitts and Nevis, but there is a strong local dialect which can often be mistaken for a different language.

Green, black, red, yellow and white are the national colors of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The capital of Kitts and Nevis is Basseterre – pronounced ‘bass-tear’. It is one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean founded in 1627

The country’s capital city, Basseterre, means “low land” in French. The reference is to the city’s low-lying location within a valley and that it’s located on the leeward (downwind) side of the island and is, therefore, a sheltered anchorage.

When Christopher Columbus discovered the island, he named it after his patron saint, St. Christopher. Later it was shortened to St. Kitts, his nickname. It was considered the mother colony of the West Indies.

The country's highest peak is Mount Liamuiga, 3,792 feet above sea level.

Predominantly Christian in faith, there are over 200 churches in St. Kitts and Nevis. The people are very religious with most families attending church on a weekly basis.

People on St. Kitts are called Kittitians, and on Nevis they are called Nevisians.

Culturama is a public holiday in Saint Kitts and Nevis, observed on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August. It extends the Emancipation Day holidays by one day and is a festival that showcases the cultural heritage of the islands.

Another main event is the Saint Kitts & Nevis National Carnival. It takes place between Christmas and New Year’s and is also known as Sugar Mas. It is the biggest event in the year with many competitions and activities taking place over throughout the week, a fun Saint Kitts & Nevis fact. Preparations begin towards the end of November, where music and decorations will take over the country.

Once a year you can swim across the narrows (waterway between St Kitts and Nevis) in an event called the Cross Channel Swim. However, this 2.5 mile stretch isn’t just for athletes. Flippers, snorkels and even wetsuits can be used to help make the journey.

They have white beaches and black volcanic beaches depending on what side of the island you are on. One side of the island has black beaches while the other has white beaches.

One of the main things that attract people to Saint Kitts & Nevis is its amazing beaches. The country’s most famous beach is Cockleshell Beach. It is an isolated white sand beach on Saint Kitts and has a spectacular view of Nevis. Another popular beach on the Nevis island is Pinney Beach. Lined with long, beautiful palm trees, the long sandy beach is often packed with people and has many restaurants looking out onto the water.

With its lovely sunny, tropical climate, glorious sea and golden beaches, St. Kitts and Nevis is a popular holiday spot, despite being prone to hurricanes

"Limin” is the local phrase for hanging out, chilling on island time or having a good time.

St. Kitts and Nevis is a modern country, and has become quite developed in recent years as tourism grows and large cruise ships visit during the peak winter season.

With just 12,000 residents, the island of Nevis is a tranquil and untouched Caribbean destination, with no large cruise ship ports, no traffic lights, no fast food restaurants and no building taller than a coconut tree or built above 1000 feet elevation.

Education is compulsory for all children from the age of 5 to 16, provided by a countrywide system of free public schools as well as private church-affiliated schools. 

There are several hospitals and many health centers throughout the islands. 

St. Kitts is home to UMHS (the University of Medical and Health Sciences), one of the leading Caribbean medical schools.

Ross University of Veterinary Medicine is a well known school located on St Kitts and Nevis. The beautiful campus overlooks the Caribbean Sea and volcanic mountains of the island. 

One of the most famous landmarks in Saint Kitts and Nevis is the Wingfield Estate. Founded in 1625, the sugar plantation was operated until the 1920s. Today it’s a picturesque ruin with partly restored original buildings and structures.

St. Kitts and Nevis exports sugar, beer, lobster, margarine, tobacco and electronics.

The agricultural industry of the two islands centers on dairy, beef, mutton, pork, poultry, rum distilling (yum!) and the preservation and processing of fruit and vegetables – fishing is also a big industry, thanks to investment in larger boats and modern equipment.

The economy in St Kitts and Nevis is largely based upon sugar cultivation and tourism.

The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is popular with tourists. Open-air, double-decked rail cars provide panoramic views of lush island vistas, magnificent coastlines, and historic sugar plantations for the first 18 miles of the 30-mile trip. Travelers then jump on a sightseeing bus for 12 miles to complete the circle around the island. Sip on complimentary drinks while being serenaded by a trio of acapella musicians singing Caribbean folk songs.

When most people think of coming to St. Kitts and Nevis, their first thoughts are the sunshine, palm trees and a good rum cocktail, but they might not realize that many natural herbs and plants grow there that help cure and prevent many physical ailments.

Brimstone Hill National Park is a major tourist attraction in the country. It was established in 1987, protecting the famous Brimstone Hill Fortress. The design of the fortress was drawn by the British military while the actual building was done by slave labors from Africa. Built on a very steep hill, the fortress was built to protect the island from attacks coming in from the sea.

St. Kitts and Nevis were once two of the richest islands in the West Indies, having produced more than 20 percent of the British Empire's entire sugar yield. Ruins of sugar mills still dot the landscape, paying homage to the once-booming trade.

St. Kitts and Nevis are home to some of the world’s best tasting mangoes. Thanks to its uniquely balmy climate, its soil supports thousands of trees bearing the sweet fruit. Officially, the islands boast 44 different kinds of mango, but ask any local and they will tell you there are probably closer to 200 different varieties. Some of the more popular are amory polly, julie, and graham.

Rainforests cover 42% of St. Kitts and Nevis. Tourists explore untouched forests on safari; meet animals and taste exotic fruits and vegetables. For example, cassava, yams, breadfruit, golden apples, Spanish limes, and searngrapes.

In the forests of St. Kitts and Nevis, tropical birds and butterflies can be found. 

From June to October, the beaches of St. Kitts and Nevis come alive as sea turtles come ashore to nest. Three species of sea turtles nest on the shores of the islands: the hawksbill, the leatherback, and the green turtle. These majestic creatures journey hundreds of miles each nesting season to return to the same place where they were hatched and, under the glow of the moonlight, lay the next generation of sea turtles that will one day make the same journey.

The national bird of Saint Kitts and Nevis is the brown pelican.

St. Kitts green vervet monkeys are some of the most photographed faces on the islands. They’re not actually native to the islands either. French settlers brought them to the islands in the 17th century and kept them as exotic pets.

Monkeys are the largest mammals on the islands, not counting livestock.

The Broadway musical Hamilton is based on the life of US founding father Alexander Hamilton who was born on the island of Nevis in 1755.

As a result of the musical’s success, in 2016 Nevis island reported a boost in tourism as fans of the show visited. Some attractions received a 30% increase in visitors and some hotels are now offering Hamilton-themed packages as a result.

St. Kitts and Nevis have two airports, both with paved surfaces.

There are more than 238 miles of paved roads (0,0006% of all roads in the world).

The country has 31 miles of railway tracks.

The islanders' favorite sport is cricket. Other favorite pastimes of the locals include mountain biking, horse racing, golf, soccer, and triathlon.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Saint Kitts & Nevis... Tourists often enjoy exploring the islands on horseback, with trail rides that cater to both the novice and experienced riders.



Here's the inside:


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Sets: Your Next Stamp Krash the Horse stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers and SU On the Horizon stamped with Lawn Fawn Celery Stick

Ink (for blending on fence): Lawn Fawn Doe

Paper: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Chocolate Chip and Granny Apple Green CS

Dies: Pink Fresh Diagonal Stitched Rectangles and Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics

Embellishments: Paper Studio Mini Brad

Sunday, May 29, 2022

From a Kit Series - Take 9

I started a new series on my blog in July of 2021. The idea was born from the fact that I have a lot of unused card/stamping kits just waiting to have some attention. Sheesh! Seems as though I buy them and they just sit. That just shouldn't be so I'm going to commit to using a kit once a month for this "From a Kit" series.

This month I used the April 2021 Hero Arts Kit of the Month. 


This kit was so much fun. I totally was excited to play with it. That being said, it was a pretty basic kit - it included a stamp set with coordinating dies, three stencils, three colors of ink cubes, and also a blending brush.


I started by using two of the stencils and all three cubes of ink to create a designer paper. Then I had fund designing a card with that as the background.



Here's the inside:


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the Hero Arts April 2021 Kit of the Month, I used C (Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Bumble Bee), a piece of DP from my scrap file and some dies (Impression Obsession Crazy Stitched Set, Impression Obsession Wacky Stitched Circles, and MFT Stitched Rectangles), and some Recollections Rhinestones

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Eagles By the Stream

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 Shelly's turn. Since Bird Day happens in May, she asked us to make a card with a bird on it. My card has two birds on it. I hope that's okay.

The stamp that I used is very special to me. It previously belonged to my sister. Since she's no longer stamping, she gave me an entire box full of stamps a few months ago. Many of them (like this one) were Northwoods stamps. 

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Northwoods (not sure of its name - Eagles & Stream???) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Ballet Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and MFT Stitched Tag-Corner Rectangles

Embellishment: Paper Studio Enamel Dots

Friday, May 27, 2022

Blue Knight - Pine Tree & Waterfall

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 Pine Tree & Waterfall stamp set today.

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

I used a circle mask when making both of these cards; also used the outline of the circle on the second card. 

Card #1



Card #2



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, May 26, 2022

Technique Tuesday Columbine

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 Columbine.



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Columbine stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White

Dies: Waffle Flower Blanket Stitch Layers

Embellishments: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

A Sunflower Note

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 (#SC907):

Here's my card:

I didn't do any stamping on this card. The sentiment is from a Pink Fresh Foiled Sentiment packet.


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

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Paper: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Granny Apple Green CS and DP from my scrap file

Sentiment: Pink Fresh Foiled Sentiments

Dies: Hello Bluebird Nesting Half Circle, Honey Bee Sentiment Strips, and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Paper Studio Mini Brads


Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Color Challenge Guest Designer Week 8

I thoroughly enjoyed being a Guest Designer for the SCS Color Challenges last month and was excited when Mary contacted me and asked me if I'd be willing to serve as a Guest Designer in May, too. Of course I quickly said "YES!!!" so every Tuesday this month you will find a Color Challenge card here on my blog. 

This week's "Pale Coral in the Bay" Color Challenge (#CC897) is Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral, and Bermuda Bay, with a Something New as the "dessert" element.

Here's my card:


There are three "new" things on this card. On both the Calypso Coral piece and the Bermuda Bay piece I added some subtle changes using a background stamp I recently purchased (Rubbernecker's Crackle) and VersaFine ink. The doodling is also from a fairly new stamp set un-inked until now (Whimsy's FaDoodles). The Hello die is also new (Whimsy's Hello Word and Shadow). Hmmmm... maybe I've done a wee bit of shopping in the past month.


I added the white "rings" to the Bermuda Bay piece using the cardboard core of some foam pieces I'd purchased from the Dollar Tree. I "stamped" it, using Ink on 3 Sharktooth White ink.


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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Rubbernecker Crackle Background stamped with VersaFine Ink and Whimsy FaDoodles stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne 

Papers: Recollections Black and SU Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, and Pale Papaya CS

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Whimsy Hello Word & Shadow

Embellishments: SU Genial Gems



Monday, May 23, 2022

Travel the World - Marshall Islands

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...

Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands is an island nation in the central Pacific OceanThe islands are located about halfway between Hawaii and Australia.

The Marshall Islands – or the Republic of the Marshall Islands – is a collection of 1,225 islands and atolls scattered across the Pacific Ocean. 

The islands and inlets lie in two parallel chains of coral atolls—the Ratak, or Sunrise, to the east and the Ralik, or Sunset, to the west. The chains lie about 125 miles apart and extend some 800 miles northwest to southeast.

The islands are coral caps set on the rims of submerged volcanoes rising from the ocean floor. 

Marshall Islands is the sixth smallest sovereign state in the world in terms of land area with 70 square miles.

The Marshall Islands are scattered over a vast area of ocean about 730,000 square miles; equivalent in size to Mexico.

In total, the Marshall Islands is home to just over fifty thousand people.

Most people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye.

There are 29 separate atolls in the Marshalls, containing a total of 1,225 islands, 870 reef systems and 160 species of coral. It’s one of only four atoll nations in the world. 

Most of the Marshall Islands are true atolls, consisting of an irregular, oval-shaped coral reef surrounding a lagoon; the islets lie along the coral reef. 

Twenty-four of the atolls and islands are inhabited.

Annual precipitation varies from 20 to 30 inches in the north to 160 inches in the southern atolls. The wettest months are October and November. Several of the northern atolls are uninhabited owing to insufficient rainfall.

Most of the islands are so narrow that there’s just one road running the entire length of them.

There are paved roads only on the two largest atolls of the archipelago.

The average altitude above sea level for the entire country is only 7 feet.

The Marshall Islands are the most endangered nation in the world due to flooding from climate change.

Swimming, surfing, paddle boarding and diving are all popular activities in the Marshall Islands’ waters. Sailing is also a popular attraction for local residents as well as visitors to the area.

The coastline of the islands totals 230 miles in length.

Despite its deserted beaches and superb scuba diving, it’s the second-least visited country in the world.

The country only receives around 5,000 tourists a year.

The clear-blue waters, surrounding the Marshall Islands are home to over 1,000 species of fish and more than 250 species of soft and hard corals. With crystal clear visibility, dramatic drop-offs and several wrecks to explore, it’s considered one of the best places in the world to scuba dive.

The islands and islets of the Ratak chain tend to be more heavily wooded than those of the Ralik. Coconut and pandanus palms and breadfruit trees are the principal vegetation. 

Majuro is the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is also a large coral atoll of 64 islands. Majuro has a port, shopping district, hotels, and an international airport.

American missionaries arrived in the Marshalls in the 1850s, introducing Christianity to the population. Today the Marshallese are predominantly Christian.

The Flame of the Forest is a flower that is present on all atolls, which the locals consider as symbols for blessings.

The US provides millions of dollars in aid annually and still controls the security and defense of the islands. It also rents out the Kwajalein atoll as a base and missile test range. A number of islands are off-limits due to US military presence. As a result, the Marshall Islands is one of 22 countries without a standing military.

The only indigenous land mammal in the Marshall Islands is the Polynesian rat.

The country is brimming with marine life, including more than 1,000 species of fish.

Marshall Islands is home to the world's largest shark sanctuary.

A major attraction for divers is the crystal clear water marine life and sunken ships which can be explored around the coasts. 

Copra, or dried coconut meat, is important to Marshallese economy.

A popular way of greeting long-lost or current friends is by saying; ‘iakwe’.
This translates to ‘you are a rainbow’! It is pronounced ‘yawk-way’!

The Marshall Island produces and exports tomatoes, breadfruit, shells and more!

There are only two hospitals in the entire country.

Transportation among the atolls and islands is by boat or air. 

Majuro and Kwajalein have international airports, and domestic and regional flights link some of the other atolls and islands.

Majuro and Jaluit atolls each have a public secondary school. Majuro is also the site of the College of the Marshall Islands (1993), which grants certificates and associate degrees in a variety of programs.

Males typically perform activities associated with the sea and sky (fishing, canoe building, gathering drinking coconuts, capturing birds) while females dominate activities on the land (digging arrowroot or gathering pandanus fronds). Females also control the domestic sphere and are associated with activities in the village, while men work in the bush lands away from the village and travel freely to foreign countries.

Infants are indulged, with few restrictions on their activities. They are nursed until two or three years of age, or until the birth of a younger sibling. Infants are fully integrated into daily domestic activities, and are carried on the hip by working mothers or slightly older siblings.

By the age of four or five, children become nursemaids. They assist with babies, run errands, and attend to small chores around the residence. Young boys are given freedom to explore beyond the village, and they frequently accompany older siblings, fathers, or mother's brothers on fishing and gathering expeditions. While children are given considerable freedom, they are also admonished with strict shouts of nana! (bad!) when important social boundaries have been crossed.

Recently, many Marshall Islanders have chosen to pursue higher education, usually in the United States where they are eligible for education loans.

In 2008, athletes from the Marshall Islands took part in the Olympic Games for the first time, but did not take prizes.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Marshall Islands... A child's first birthday celebration, known as kemem, is one of the most important celebrations in the Marshall Islands. Extended family members and friends celebrate the occasion with huge feasts.



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Whipper Snapper Birthday Pup stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 1, MFT Stitched Mod Rectangles, and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Heart-shaped Brad from an unknown vendor