Row, Row, Row Your Boat ...

It seems that everything crafty comes in waves (bwahahaha!! Waves??? I am sooo punny!!) I have had many a discussion within fellow crafty people over the years and we have often wondered where the big Secret Meeting is?? You know, the one where all the different crafting companies and head wizards get together and decide what colors/trends are gonna be popular NEXT??? It is sooo weird how they all seem to come out with stuff simultaneously ... and it's all the same stuff!!! (Like, remember a couple of years ago when Sock Monkey made a go at it?) (Okay ... so this is NOT a Sock Monkey, but he IS cute!!)

Anywho ... it seems one of the big trends lately is nautical. Which is okie dokie with me, since I am LOVIN' it!! I was inspired to make this card by one of my fellow Dirty Dozen friends (and brilliant stampers, by the way), Bridget Finlay. And I WOULD post a link to her creation, but many of you won't be able to see it ... unless, of course, you are a Fan Club member over on SCS because it was in her Dirty Dozen gallery last month. TOTALLY loved it!! I ended buying this wave die from My Favorite Things because of it, actually. Suffice it to say, her card was BRILLIANT!!! (Okay, okay ... I'm posting a link here ... but if you can't see it and really NEED to, then you'll hafta get a Fan Club membership over on SCS ... which is a GOOD thing!!)

Bridget's Favorite

This was also created for one of the VSN challenges last weekend on SCS. The challenge was to use a boat image of some sort. Which totally made me happy since I got to use that wave die!!

Soooo stoked for the long weekend ... it's Memorial Day here in the US of A ... time for us to reflect and be grateful for all of those who have served our country ... sooo grateful for them!!! I am gonna go take some flowers to my Dad's grave this weekend - he was a former Marine. Hats off to ya, Dad!!

Now ... I just need to go find something GOOD to barbeque!!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Create a Cupcake
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Patterned DSP, Sweet Slumber DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Circle Scissor, 1" Circle Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Baja Breeze Button, Word Window Punch, Wave Die (MFT), Pop-Up Glue Dots

A Little Touch of Spring

Do you think if I keep making springy/flowery cards that I can help inspire Mother Nature a little??? I know spring is supposed to include "showers", but I am seriously ready for more sun and less precipitation!! How 'bout you?? (I know I keep harping on about this lately, but I swear this winter has lasted an ETERNITY!!)

For today's Free for All challenge over on SCS I decided to make the theme pretty broad - so I chose "How Does Your Garden Grow?" I figure that the gallery will be lit up with sunshine, flowers, and happiness, right??? I got this little adorably darling Pure Innocence stamp set just this week ... I think this little gardener is soooo stinkin' ca-YOOT!! I used to wear pigtails when I was little ... it just makes me remember those carefree childhood days!

Stamps: Pure Innocence - Blooming Good Day (MFT)
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Black Brilliance, Copic Markers
Accessories: Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, MFT Decorative Doily Die, Itty Bitty Punch, Pearl Stickers, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Dimensionals

This sample was super quick and super easy!! Both the patterned paper and stamped frame image are going to be available in SU's catalog when it comes out this summer ... can't WAIT for that! New catalogs are always so much fun. But, they are expensive, too ... 'cause I end up wanting/"needing" so much new rubbah!!! What's a stamper to do if not just cave in??

Stamps: Four Frames, Pocket Silhouettes (Sentiment)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Paisley Prints DSP, Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Small Oval Punch, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Pearl Stickers, Dimensionals

And don't forget that the Control Freaks are busy making some fabulous new and inspiring things for our Blog Tour this month ... which doesn't "officially" start 'til Sunday (the 20th) ... but I'll betcha if you come back tomorrow night you won't be disappointed!!

Later, 'gators!!