{CTD286} Be Strong...Go With Your Heart...

...and Believe in MIRACLES...because anything can happen!

Here I am playing along with the Color Throwdown Challenge again this weekend because I *love* this combination of Springtime colors!   If you haven't already, you really must hop on over to the CTD blog and look at all the fabulous creations by the design team and those participating!  They are all equally impressive!

The base cardstock is Daffodil Delight layered with some random designer paper from my scrap drawer.  I've added Old Olive grosgrain ribbon and what I'm calling a "Pool Party" button that coordinates with the dp background.  :)   This is another of my bargain Stampabilities clear stamps.  For the bargain $1.99 price, it sure gives a nice distinct stamp impression... and I love the saying too!

Thanks so much for blogging by!   Enjoy your weekend!

{CTD285} Some People Strengthen Others...

...just by being the kind of person they are! 

Isn't this a terrific sentiment?   Better yet, it was 50% off at Hobby Lobby and the original price was only $1.99!  What a deal!  

Today, I'm playing along with these beautiful *springtime* colors chosen for the Color Throwdown Challenge #285.   My base cardstock is Pear Pizzazz and I used Blushing Bride for the embossed banner under the sentiment, which is stamped and framed with Early Espresso.  The polka dot strip across the top is what I'm calling Sahara Sand.  ;)  

The BIG jumbo button is from a Tim Holtz idea-ology set I found for a bargain price on one of my favorite Facebook groups - Purge to Splurge Scrapbook Surplus.  You may want to check it out...some great buys and you can sell too if you want! 

The polka dot and the floral designer papers were taken from one of my new 6 x 6 mat pads by American Crafts - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan.

I'm sure you want to see the inside too. . .  left blank for a personal message, but decorated to coordinate with the front.

Is it feeling like SPRING where you are?  It's a lovely day here in Nebraska and I really should be outside cleaning up the yard after a loooooooong winter with unusually wild winds that have blown almost every corn husk from miles around into our yard and piled them up around the bushes and trees.  I know many of you have had record snowfalls and continue to see snow so I'm not complaining!   

Happy SPRINGTIME & Smiles to you!  

{ CTS #68 } Thanks a Ton!

There are so many *wonderful* sketch challenges and CAS(E) this Sketch is one of my favorites because it is what the name implies - "Clean and Simple"!  

Today's card was created using the cute little {BIG} elephant from Unity Stamp's IttyBitty *Love You Tons. You know, I'm a big fan of Unity's red rubber stamps mounted on cling foam.  They stay attached to the clear blocks and you get a very nice stamped image as well.

This is a terrific way to use us your designer paper scraps!

I made several of these for a friend to send as "thank you's" 

so I kept the inside very clean and simple too!  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!   

Please don't leave without a *smile* on your face.  :)

{rs103} Retro Sketch JOY Tag

What a JOY to participate in the retro sketch challenge today! 

Thank you Wanda for such a fun sketch!

It was nice to create a tag for something different and I'm picturing this tied to a nice bottle of wine for a housewarming or hostess gift.

The 5" tag shape was cut using my Cricut machine and the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  The base layer is kraft cardstock and the blue layer is Stampin' Up! soft sky, which I still had on my worktable from yesterday's card creation.  The designer paper is also from same 6 x 6 My Mind's Eye paper pad. See yesterday's post for more info.

Happy Sunday and thank U for blogging by today!   Hugs & smiles... 

{ctd280} Believe in Happiness!

Now this is a color palette that make me HAPPY! :)

There is just something about these coordinating colors that I *love*...they inspired me actually, as did all of the beautiful creations by the Color Throwdown Team and all of you who **InLinkz** up your creations.

Since the colors went together easily for me, I tried to challenge myself with a new design.  I have been in a real slump creating very similar layouts on all my cards and I wanted to try a "clean and simple", more modern look.   

Well, as you can see, I wasn't exactly successful with "clean and simple", but I did come up with a different design.  I hope you like it!   :)

The designer paper is from a 6 x 6 designer paper pad by My Mind's Eye {Lost & Found - Breeze}.  The stamps I've used on the front and inside are from a new clear acrylic set by Stampendous.  I purchased it from my new favorite Facebook site - Purge to Splurge Scrapbook Surplus.  I've been purging some of my surplus lately, but also splurge now and again.  

The inside verse reads:  You have to believe in happiness or happiness never comes.

Thanks for stopping by today and please leave with a *smile* on your face, ok?  : )  Hugs & Smiles...

p.s.   if you're still with me, I want to let you know about an *awesome* age-defying face creme I've been using!  I'm not into pushy sales at all, but this is just too good to be true and I can't resist telling everyone about it...especially those of you my age!  {which is...whispering...60 in March!}   So...if interested....here is the link to the product NeriumAD .  Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Belated Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Sunday my dear stampin friends!
I had every intention of posting these on Thursday evening to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day on Friday.   Well, better late than never, so here you go. . . a few of the Valentine's cards I created for my Etsy Shop - Serendipity Cards.    

Can you tell I love creating Valentine's?  I also *love* sending them out and have been known to mail a big stack to the postmaster at Valentine, Nebraska to give them their special Valentine postmark.  This year, I am embarrassed to say that other than family, I didn't get any sent out!  I know... shameful!   Especially, when i made so many!   Oh well, now I'm ready for next year.

Hugs & Smiles!  

{ctd278} A Yummy Color Challenge!

Oh my yummy goodness!  Look at those tempting treats!  How could I resist the Color Throwdown Challenge this week with coordinating colors like these and a photo that makes my mouth water?!

Can you tell I didn't use all the exact colors?   I thought these from my stash were a close match and since I don't have pistachio pudding or pink pirouette, I improvised.  But I did use crumb cake for the base cardstock and real red ink for the heart.   I've also used an assortment of Stampin' Up! stamps for this...the heart flower is from Love Is In The Air and ~always~ is from Small Script.  I'm not certain, but they are probably both retired sets.

On the inside, I've stamped one of my favorite little sentiments ever... my heart smiles with thoughts of you.  This is a Hero Arts stamp.

A little sponging around the edges with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink and a crumb cake colored button tied on with linen thread finished it off.

Wishing you all a *lovely* week!  ♥

Another Birthday . . . but who's counting?!!

Surprise!  It has been so long since I've posted that Blogger has a new look and I wasn't sure my blog would still be here!  What can I say?  I miss all of you. ♥    I mean that!  There is such a fun camaraderie among stampers and bloggers.  A "support group" in a sense.  :)

This COLD winter weather this year has kept me snuggled up in my craft room with more time than usual to be creative.   Today, I want to share a birthday card I made using some random pieces of glittery designer paper and a pretty little butterfly embellishment by K & Company.

The sentiment on the front is a wood mount rubber stamp by Stampendous and funny thing is that I received it in error when ordering online and I've used it often.   Of course, it's perfect for all my "over the hill" friends... same age as me!

Hugs & Smiles . . . until next time!