Blog Archives

Flowering Cactus

5/31/2021

Yes! It feels like forever since I've been able to play here - so glad to have the chance again with Inspire Create Challenge #091.
This sketch looked like it had such broad open spaces to play with, I knew I wanted to feature a DSP. I'm already in mourning for our gorgeous Flowering Cactus Medley, that will retire at the end of June, so I had to give it some love today, lol. This cactus-stripe sheet is one of my faves from this pack - it reminds me so much of my saguaro out front, lol. I had to add a little hedge cactus friend here, too, in our contrasting Calypso Coral. Such a pretty combo!
Flowering Cactus Stamp Set; Flowering Cactus DSP; Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz & Calypso Coral CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Flowering Cactus Dies; Iridescent Sequins; #ICC091.

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My Beautiful Friend

5/30/2021

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We have such a fun sketch for us to play with this week at Sunday Stamps #258!
I especially love the inclusion of those magic words "any shape!" I always take that as a mission to find something as funky as possible, lol. In today's case, I settled on some elegant seashells to fit the bill, over the gorgeous Sand & Sea DSP - still swoon! I let the paper do the talking today, and finished with a few Opal Rounds for fun!
I can't wait to see YOUR projects (and shapes!) over at the challenge!
Friends Are Like Seashells Stamp Set; Sand & Sea DSP; Basic White & Melon Mambo CS; Versamark, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake & Petal Pink Inks; White EP; Seaside Seashells Dies; Opal Rounds; #SSC258.

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Addicted to Ombre

5/29/2021

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Very fun - Addicted to CAS #198 is inspiring us with "ombre" this week!
Now that we have our awesome blending brushed back in stock, I can't resist making my own ombre with them, and our new Plenty of Patterns Masks. I decided to try for just the outside edge of the card in Granny Apple Green, working my way up from the bottom to lighter shades at the top. With all this green, it also seemed natural to turn to Plentiful Plants for my images and sentiments - such a sweet set! Love the dies that go with this one, too - I see some macrame hanging plants ahead, lol.
Plentiful Plants Stamp Set; Basic White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Granny Apple Green, Cinnamon Cider & Evening Evergreen Inks; Plenty of Patterns Masks; Blending Brush; Perfect Plants Dies; #ATC198.

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The Cone of Shame

5/28/2021

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Goodness, we have quite a tall order from this week's Time Out Challenge #188! Household goods AND embossing? Eee!
I really had a hard time with this one too, today, but then, today was the day the our beloved Sophie went to get her lip polyp taken off, lol. Poor baby. It's not bad enough you have to go get all dopey at the vet's, but then you have to wear the cone of shame for a day when you get home! Just no justice for a labrador, lol. We have three of these suckers, one for each dog, though thank goodness they haven't ever (yet?!) all had them on at once, lol. So that was today's inspiration - and watch the movie "Up" if you don't get the reference!
Hot Dog Stamp Set; Basic White & Pool Party CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Stitched Shapes Dies (retired); Large Polka Dots EF (retired); Resin Hearts; #TOC188.

Pumpkin Club May 29!
Did you get your May Pumpkin kit yet? Take me out to the ball game! Check out the video HER E!
I hope you can join us for our next Pumpkin Club, Saturday, May 29, at 3 PM - RSVP to let me know you are attending, we will be all safely socially distanced at our big table downstairs! For those that prefer, I will also have this kit TO GO after our live class - just let me know if you'd like that option!
Club is free for my subscribers, and includes any extra supplies you might need, plus drinks and snacks! I will also have a few extra spots available for club for $10, even if you are not a subscriber - come see what we're up to - full kit not needed, I'll supply everything you need for the projects! Just bring your own snips and basic adhesive!
Remember to subscribe here if you haven't already - sign up by June 10 and you can join us in time for next month!

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Cherry Blossoms

5/27/2021

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Wow, Hand Stamped Sentiments #364 has such a lovely array of inspiration for us this week! Yum!
This one was almost a stumper for me - I've really cut back on my flower sets, lol. Luckily, I still have the gorgeous Colorful Seasons from 2020 - these dies make this bundle a total keeper! I kept it VERY simple - a pretty match of Soft Suede and Petal Pink, with a lovely branch and some stamped blossoms. Ahh, someone lead me to the shower of petals I imagine!
Colorful Season Stamp Set (retired 2020); Basic White & Petal Pink CS; Soft Suede & Petal Pink Inks; Seasonal Layers Dies; Elegant Faceted Dots; #HSS364.

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Gold Star

5/26/2021

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This is exciting! Less Is More #443 has a rare sketch for us this week!
But maybe it's a trick of some kind... Hm, I've tried really hard to keep it as CAS as possible for these guys, lol, I'm scared to go too crazy! So, I thought about how I could get the shapes of the sketch while keeping the layers down, and hit on our awesome Stitched With Whimsy Dies - perfect! I even pulled out new plates for my machine so I could get a nice clean card front! I then went on the hunt for a nice squared sentiment and found my old Here's To Strong Women set, so that led me to this single stitched gold star. Must. Stop. Now. I have a bunch of little gold enamel stars I could use - must resist! Lol.
Here's To Strong Women Stamp Set (retired 2020); Basic White & Gold Foil CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Crushed Curry (on envelope) Inks; Stitched With Whimsy & Stitched Stars Dies; #LIM443.

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Tuesday Chickens

5/25/2021

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We're bringing the fancy layers this week at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #508! Now to pick out a fave all-time set for SU Only #276!
Well, there's just no denying that the saucy chickens from 2006's Best of Cluck still have a firm grip on my heart, lol. These guys are so cute, even against all the super adorable CURRENT chickens we also have! I've always loved this long-legged guy, and he turned out to be perfect for our columnar sketch this week, after a few liberties with the layering order. Get your cluck on!
I can't wait to see YOUR projects for us this week - meet you at the challenges!
Best of Cluck Stamp Set (retired 2006); Pattern Party (& Random Retired Real Red Scrap) DSP; Basic White & Real Red CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Real Red, Daffodil Delight & Old Olive Blends Markers; White Gel Pen; Red Sequins; #TSOT508; SUOC276.

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First Dogwoods

5/24/2021

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As You See It #250 has another awesome challenge for us! Our favorite first flower of Spring!
Even though we don't have them here in Arizona (way too dry) my fave first flower of Spring has been to see the dogwoods bloom. Back in West Virginia and Virginia where I grew up, there were whole hillsides covered with them, and you almost always got a chance to see them in the snow, too. So beautiful, like clouds had come to earth! They even come in some subtle shades, there's whites and creams, peachier ones, and even some pinks. I always think about trying to grow one in a pot inside here - maybe one day!
Soft Summer Stamp Set (retired 2009); Expressions in Ink DSP; Basic White & Pear Pizzazz CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz & Pale Papaya Inks; Water Painters; Tailor Made Tags Dies; Braided Linen Trim; Elegant Faceted Gems; #AYSI250.

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In Gorgeous Grape Bloom

5/23/2021

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Such a pretty combo at this week's In{k}spire Me #449 - I always love a little purple, lol!
I decided to try for a little cluster of stitched blossoms, from our Pierced Blooms dies - these are the ones that go with our In Bloom set. I really do like these colors together, but I found myself wishing for just one more shade, lol - maybe Smoky Slate, too? I successfully resisted too much liberty, lol, but I still have slightly mixed feelings on how the flowers came out. That silver glimmer looks pretty cool, though!
In Bloom Stamp Set; Basic White, Basic Gray, Gorgeous Grape & Silver Glimmer CS; Gorgeous Grape & Basic Gray Inks; Pierced Blooms Dies; Gorgeous Grape Glitter Enamel Dots; #IM449.

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Badger Bestie

5/22/2021

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Hm, we're breaking fashion rules at this week's Sisterhood of Crafters - we have to use spots AND stripes on our cards!
First, I went on the hunt for my spots and stripes. I'm thrilled to find them in my Ice Cream Corner DSP - love these happy colors! I couldn't resist inking up a new set to go with: Badger Besties! Isn't it adorable?? The set has three cavorting badgers, and some super cute sentiments to go with, too - had to start with the namesake this round! Such a fun card from some pretty scraps! Mr. Badger would approve!
Badger Besties Stamp Set; Ice Cream Corner DSP; Basic White & Crumb Cake CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Granny Apple Green & Mango Melody Blends Markers; Stitched Shapes Dies (retired); Iridescent Pearls; #TSOCSpots&Stripes.