Travel the World - South Africa

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...

South Africa

I thoroughly enjoyed researching South Africa, since I have visited the country in real life but only the Johannesburg area. This virtual visit allowed me to learn so much more about this amazing country.

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa.

The six countries that share land borders with South Africa are Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Lesotho actually lies within the borders of South Africa.

Part of the border between South Africa and Namibia is formed by the Orange River, the longest river in the country.

South Africa in size is three times the size of Texas.

South Africa has wetlands, deserts, bush, grasslands, mountains, escarpments, and subtropical forests.

There are 11 official languages, each with equal status, in South Africa.

South Africa is the only country in the world with three capital cities.

It’s also the only country in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived on the same street.

South Africa is the largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world.

The most luxurious train in the world is in South Africa. It is called the Rovos Rail. Up to 72 passengers can travel in lavish wood-panelled Rovos trains; the Royal Suites occupy half a carriage and have full-sized bathrooms, separate shower, permanent double bed and two armchairs.

South Africa hosts the world’s largest bicycle race. The 35,000 riders taking part in the 68 mile long Cape Town Cycle Tour race across Cape Town’s south peninsula and along the spectacular, mountainous coastal road called Chapman’s Peak Drive.

Tap water in South Africa is considered to be the third best and safest water in the world that is ready to drink.

The world’s largest reptile, the Leatherback Turtle, is found in South African waters.

The world's largest bird - the Ostrich - is found in South Africa.

The Least Dwarf Shrew, the smallest mammal in the world, lives in South Africa.

The Lion, the cheetah and the wildebeest are three of the five fastest animals in the world and they all live in South Africa.

The African Elephant is the largest land mammal in the world. African bush elephants can weigh up to eleven tons and live up to 70 years.

South Africa is full of record-breaking animals. It’s where you’ll find the largest land mammal (elephant), the largest bird (ostrich), the tallest animal (giraffe), the largest fish (whale shark), the largest reptile (leatherback turtle), the fastest land mammal (cheetah) and the largest antelope (eland).

Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world. It has more than 2,200 species of plants, 70 percent of which are endemic.

The variety of flower species found on Table Mountain number more than those found in the entire United Kingdom.

The world's largest visible crater is in South Africa.

The Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at Cape Agulhas, the place where the official dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans passes. This is the place where the warm-water Agulhas current of the Indian Ocean meets the cold water Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean and turns back on itself. 

The first heart transplant in the world took place in South Africa in 1967. It was performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

There are more than 2000 shipwrecks in and around the South Africa coast.

South Africa is the second largest fruit producer in the entire world.

The highest commercial bungy jump in the world is situated along the Garden Route. It is 710 feet high and is called the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy.

The South African fish migration is so huge you can see it from space.

South Africa is the largest producer of platinum in the world.

The world’s largest diamond was found in the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa on 25 January 1905.

South Africa is the only country in the world where right-hand drive cars are produced by Mercedes Benz.

With more than 6 million trees in Johannesburg, it is believed to be the site of the largest man-made forest on earth.

Redbush tea is naturally caffeine-free and is only found in the Cederberg, Western Cape.

Two-thirds of Africa's electricity is generated in South Africa.

One in five adults in South Africa attends a gym or health club at least once a month.

South Africa is now the only country in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket and Rugby World Cup!

The world’s largest themed resort hotel in the world – The Palace of the Lost City – is found in South Africa. Surrounding the Palace is a 25 hectare manmade botanical jungle with almost 2 million plants, trees and shrubs.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about South Africa... People can swim with colonies of penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Cat's Pajamas Friendship stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Mango Melody CS

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

VSN Parks and Recreation, Part 3

I hope you've been enjoying the VSN cards you've been seeing on SCS, social media, and here on my blog. I have three more to share with you today. There are four challenges I haven't yet completed, and truthfully, I doubt I will get them made, but that's okay. I've thoroughly enjoyed the ones I've participated in.

Rebekah's Swing Hi, Swing Lo Challenge

It took me 40 minutes to make this card

Stamp Set Used: MFT Start Each Day with Whee

Shelly's The Moon Challenge

It took me 40 minutes to make this card

Stamp Set Used: Cat's Pajamas Constellation Prize

Misti's Take a Ride Challenge

It took me 45 minutes to make this card

Stamp Used: Penny Black Easy Rider

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Bible Promises - Day 55

I am going through the 100 Days of Bible Promises with a small group of online Bible Journalers. I will post my completed entries here on my blog at 6:00 pm each day of the journey.

Day 55

Stamps Used:

Cat's Pajamas - Believe

Impression Obsession - Cross Sunrise

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Hope Your Birthday Is Magical

Little girls like rainbows, unicorns, and birthday celebrations... so why not create a birthday card with unicorns and rainbows, right?

The Unicorns and Rainbow and the Cloud are all brads from Eyelet Outlet. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Cat's Pajamas Show Me the Magic stamped with Lawn Fawn Sunflower Ink and Sugar Pea Designs Pure Magic stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White CS and other papers from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: EK Success Corner Rounder Punch and MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle Die

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Brads and Ribbon from an unknown vendor

10 Years of Dueling - Let's Party

Woo Hoo!!! There's a PARTY going on! The Dueling Darlings are celebrating! This group was formed 10 years ago - the FABULOUS idea of my friend Kelly! I am so glad that she invited me to be part of this amazing group 10 years ago. THANK YOU, Kelly!!!

We've actually been celebrating all month in the Dueling Darling thread on SCS - with party games, trivia, and more! 

Normally each month the Dueling Darling, which is two teams, has two challenge leaders who choose a theme and send kits to their respective team members, but this month Kelly did it all! And for a bit of fun, she randomly placed us on one of the teams. So those who are always Divas or Dazzlers may still be... or they may not. If I understand correctly, Kelly doesn't even know which of us are on which teams.

I am a...

The kit Kelly sent the Divas was full of lots and lots of embellishments - ribbons, buttons, enamel dots (CC Designs), twine, sequins, etc. The image/sentiments we received were from the Cat's Pajamas Forget About the Cake stamp set. The designer papers were from Photo Play and Simple Stories. It was an amazing kit! Thank you, Kelly!!!

Be sure to check out all of the Dueling Darling cards - you'll find links in my left side bar.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only thing I used to make my card other than what Kelly included in the kit was some CS for the base (SU Blueberry Bushel) and two dies: MFT Wonky Stitch Rectangle and Rubbernecker Nested Rectangle Stitch

Shoot for the Moon

Kelly, Barb, and I usually share our Ready, Set, Go creations on the third Wednesday of each month, which was yesterday, but since we're all three part of the Dueling Darling group who posted yesterday, we opted to wait until today to share our Ready, Set, Go cards.

Not sure what Ready, Set, Go is? Well, it's a lot of fun! And a bit of creativity. And an extreme challenge theme.

Ready, Set, Go is an idea that Kelly came up with over two years ago and she invited Barb and I to join her on the adventure. We take turns choosing the theme, but the idea is for it to be a bit more challenging than just the average theme.

This month it was my turn to choose the theme. This is what I told Kelly and Barb...

My dad’s birthday is in July. He was born July 27, 1930. I’ll let you do the math to see how old he’ll be next month since I’ve lied for years and said he’s 42 (my mom reminds me again and again that it’s simply not true, but it’s my story and I’m sticking to it).

But I digress.

Here's where the theme specs begins -----

The Ready Set Go theme for July will require a little research. My dad will be celebrating a milestone birthday later this month so in honor of him I want you to find some fact about the year he was born (1930) and use it as inspiration for your card. Easy peasy, right?

I had no idea when I shared this theme with them how very difficult it would be for me personally to find things from the year 1930 for inspiration that I had supplies/stamps to make work. Yikes! Talk about challenging.

BUT... I discovered that Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930. You likely remember he grew up to be an astronaut and was the first man to walk on the moon (July 20, 1969).

I had an idea for my card.

Here's the inside:

Be sure to check out Barb's blog and Kelly's blog to see what they did with this Ready Set Go theme!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Cat's Pajamas Constellation Prize stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Daffodil Delight CS

Die: Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Glitter Enamel Dots

Stamping Sisters Mini Card Camp - #3

This is the third day of our 4-day Stamping Sisters Mini Card Camp. So far, I've been having a lot of fun and I hope you have, too.




On Monday, Kelly gave us some creative specifications with her C.A.M.P. Bold Color - No Color theme.

On Tuesday, Darlene had that fabulous tutorial on making our own designer paper. (WOW! Did you see her blog post?) 

Tomorrow Barb will have something awesome for us, too, I am sure - but none of us know yet what it will be.

Today is my turn - I am today's Camp Counselor.

My theme is...

Modified Stencil - Modified Silhouette

Simply put, the idea is to use a die to make a stencil for your card and create your own silhouette image, too. 

Clear as mud, right?

Let me try to clear things up a bit.

To make your card you'll need a die that can be used to create a stencil and a stamp image that you'll color with a black marker to turn it into a silhouette.

I used the Sizzix Globe die and a little space ship stamp from the Cat's Pajamas Space Cadet stamp set.

Step 1 - Cut out the die shape; then use it to sponge/blend/spritz or whatever method you prefer so long as you get ink or some medium onto the card using the die as a stencil.

Step 2 - Color your stamped image with the black marker, turning it into a silhouette. (I really like silhouettes and don't own many so this technique solves that dilemma for me.)

Step 3 - Make your card any way you want with whatever additional supplies you'd like to use.

Sizzix Globe Die

My Favorite Things Stitched Mod Rectangle Die

Cat's Pajamas Space Cadet Stamp Set

Stampin' UP!  Places You'll Go Stamp Set

Ranger Faded Jeans Distress Oxide Ink

Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Misty Moonlight CS

DP Scrap

Eyelet Outlet Glitter Enamel Dots

I also made two other cards just for fun:

The Cowboy was the first card I made. 

Our Daily Bread Quilted Background Die

Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics Die

Sparkle Cowboy Josh Stamp Set

Ranger Fired Brick Distress Oxide Ink
Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, 
and SU Poppy Parade CS

Silicone Coaster

SU Oval Punches

Jot Puffy Dots

When I made my Cowboy card I was going to include a third aspect to my theme - asking participants to use a found item to add a second element to their background piece. After seeing Darlene's theme to create our own designer paper with items from a scavenger hunt, I decided there was no need to include that with my tutorial so I eliminated it from my final plan.

That's why if you look closely to my Cowboy card, you'll see little black shapes on top of the stencil. Those were created by inking a silicone hot pad and placing it on top of the stenciled piece.

My third and final card was an afterthought. I wondered what it would be like to stamp the image that becomes the silhouette directly on top of the sponged/blended piece... so of course I had to try that.

I quickly discovered that the image I chose was entirely too busy for a silhouette so I left the leaves uncolored. I also added some punched circles to the centers of the flowers to make it more obvious they were flowers. 

Sizzix Mixed Media Die

My Favorite Things Wonky Stitch Rectangle Die

Deep Red Stitched Flowers Stamp Set

Illustrated Faith Pink Ink

Accent Opaque 120# White and Stampin' UP! Pixie Pink CS

Stampin' UP! Circle Punches

Stampin' UP! Ribbon

Okay, that's all I have for you.

We would love for you to join us in the fun of Card Camp - it's free AND bug-free, too.

Here's the schedule of camp counselors so you can check out the right blog early each morning to see what the lesson of the day is just click on the name and it will take you right to her blog...

Kelly - Monday

Darlene - Tuesday

Me - Wednesday

Barb - Thursday

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Less Hustle, More Jesus - Day 41

I'm here again with today's entry in my Less Hustle, More Jesus devotional journal. 

Day 41

Cat's Pajamas - Show Me the Magic
MFT - Lightbulb Die
MFT Sun Rays Stencil

If you'd like to see my previous pages, you can see them HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Pass the Popcorn Like a Good Friend

I might not go to the movies very often - okay, like never - but I do know that proper movie etiquette surely requires that...

GOOD FRIENDS Pass the Popcorn!

This is one of those cards that just seemed to go together. You know the kind... the ones you sit down and have an idea and run with it. Before you know it, the card is finished.

I used the Stampin' UP! Work of Art stamp set to lay down a splash of color... stamped the wording (from the Cat's Pajamas Good Friends stamp set), added some brads and bling... and It's a Wrap!

Eyelet Outlet Products Used:

Black Pearl Bling Strips

Movie Brads

Popcorn Ticket Brads

Here's the inside of my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Eyelet Outlet: Black Pearl Bling Strip, Movie Brads, and Popcorn Ticket Brads

Stamp Sets: Cat's Pajamas Good Friends and Stampin' UP! Work of Art 

Inks: Memento Desert Sand, Lady Bug, and Tuxedo Black and Stampin' UP! Pumpkin Pie

Papers: Recollections Black and SU Sahara Sand CS and Paper Studio Big Stripes Black/White DP

Personal Challenge 2018 - Week 28

This is the 28th week of my personal 50-week States of the Union Challenge. Each week I research one of the 50 United States (in the order they attained statehood). I share tidbits of information about the state here on my blog and I create a card that is inspired by something about that state.

This week's state (the 28th one to attain statehood) is...

Texas

Date of Statehood: December 29, 1845

Here is some information about the state of Texas...

Primarily known for its oil, Texas is the leader in wind power business, and has huge aerospace and aviation industry. 

The Texas State Capitol is taller than the U.S. Capitol by 15 feet.

There are over 70,000 miles of highway in Texas.

“Don’t mess with Texas” started off as an anti-litter message in the 1980’s. Back then it was common to see cowboys driving down the street tossing a beer can out the window. As a result, the state Department of Transportation had to hire an advertising agency to help them with its anti-litter campaign which came up with the phrase “Don’t mess with Texas.” It soon caught up and has since turned into an unofficial slogan for Texas pride.

In Norwegian slang, "Texas" means "crazy."

Athens, Texas claims to be the official birthplace of the American hamburger.

The official state dish is a big ol' bowl of hot chili.

Texas is larger than any country in Western Europe.

Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas. Texas pharmacist Charles Alderton formulated the unique flavor in 1885.

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) has more public parking spaces than any other airport in the United States. DFW Airport has 39,988 public parking spaces.

The famous King Ranch in West Texas popularly known as “The birthplace of Texas ranching” is 825,000 acres. It is actually larger than the state of Rhode Island and spans across six different counties in Texas. Everything is really bigger in Texas! 

Galveston, Texas, an island city located about 50 miles southeast of Houston, was hit by a Category 4 hurricane on September 8, 1900 killing an estimated 8,000 people. It is the deadliest natural disaster in recorded U.S. history.

The cattle population is almost 17 million.

Caddo Lake is Texas’s only natural lake. 

First suspension bridge in the U.S. was built in 1870 in Waco and is still operational. 

Midland Man is one of the oldest human skeletons found in the America. And the interesting fact is that it’s actually a woman. The 9,500 years old remains were uncovered on a ranch in Midland in 1953.

Sam Houston, the first president and first governor of Texas, is arguably the most famous Texan. Ironically, he was born in Virginia and was the governor of Tennessee. His statue called a “Tribute to Courage” is the world’s largest free-standing statue of an American.

Things that are illegal in Texas include selling one’s eye, milking another person’s cow and taking more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. Also, if you are unhappy with the weather forecast and want to modify the weather, you can place a notification in the local newspaper. Really! It’s in the books.

It's illegal to let a camel run loose on the beaches of Galveston.

The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.

When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone. Say what!?!??!?!?!?!?

It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.

It's completely legal to shoot and kill Big Foot if you see him (or her) in Texas.

I've decided to go with this bit of Texas information for my card's inspiration... The state motto is Friendship.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Stamp Set: Cat's Pajama's Friendship stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU So Saffron CS and DP from the Bo Bunny Adventure Paper Pad

Embellishments: Foof-a-La Buttons and SU Ribbon