Super excited about SU Only #211's "delightfully die-cut" challenge this week!
So, I finally got my own Lilypad Lake bundle this week - what a great chance to break in these dies!  I decided to do a pretty sailboat scene - I so wanted to color in those sails!  Putting everything together was s snap with the Lakeside Framelits.  I'm also fascinated by that water stamp - I did three layers in different blues to add more depth.  At the last second, I decided my sky needed some birds, so I snuck in this tiny silhouette stamp from the You Are My Anchor Paper Pumpkin - that was a fun nautical set, too.
Lilypad Lake & You Are My Anchor Stamp Sets; Balmy Blue, Night of Navy & Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Balmy Blue, Pool Party & Pacific Point Inks; Smoky Slate, Bermuda Bay, Poppy Parade & Mango Melody Blends Markers; Lakeside Framelits; #SUO211.

2018 Mountainview Presbyterian Holiday Craft Boutique
Is that cinnamon rolls I smell?  Why, yes it is!  Come on out to the best Holiday Craft & Gift show, at Mountainview Presbyterian - a crafters heaven, with awesome food available, as well as baked goods galore made just for you!  I'll be there with lots of treats, cards and gifts as well - I'd love to see you!

8050 E Mountainview Rd, Friday Nov 16, 9-4 and Saturday Nov 17, 9-3.

This week's "speak your mind" challenge from As You See It #187 comes at an important time for me...
I started this challenge looking for a set that had the right words of encouragement, for someone dear to me who is going through an exciting, enervating and confusing time.  Someone who isn't hearing me, or anyone, right now, but who needs this message more than anything.  I'll be keeping this card for them, saving it for that time when words and comfort, understanding and acceptance, can play their part again.  Stay safe, my heart.  For me.
Rooted in Nature Stamp Set; Whisper White, Tranquil Tide & Crumb Cake CS; Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry & Tranquil Tide Inks; Stitched Shapes & Nature's Roots Framelits; Rich Razzleberry Enamel Dots; AYSI187.

Here I go again - time for a new-to-me challenge blog, this time CAS-ual Friday #205!  The challenge is to stamp a pattern - what a cool idea!
I spent some time looking for something I could stamp in a repeating pattern before I landed on this - it's the little roof from the treehouse set!!  Too funny!  Can you tell I'm still building my card stash for my college-bound daughter?  I'll try not to send them every day, lol, but it'll be tough.  I had some fun with bright and cheery colors, too - I think I might be going overboard on my Mango-Apple-Grape combo.  I have to move on eventually, right?  Anyway, this was a fun departure for me - good times!
Treehouse Adventure Stamp Set; Mango Melody & Whisper White CS; Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody & Gorgeous Grape Inks; Stitched Shapes Framelits; Maps Etc DEF; Glitter Enamel Dots; #CFC205.

All About the Stamparatus Class Aug 11!
This class will include SIX (I just got so excited!) mixed occasion cards that all feature how to get the most out of our amazing new tool, the Stamparatus!  You will never go back, lol.  Every card will use a fun new stamp set from our still new 2018-19 Idea Book & Catalog, so you can play with as many fun sets as possible!  All supplies provided and prepped, as usual (bring your own snips and fave basic adhesive) plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me!  Class is $25, or can be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is still on for  Saturday August 11 at 3 pm.  RSVP today to save your spot!  EXTRA:  There is a make-up session already scheduled for this class on Saturday, August 18 at 1pm, make sure to RSVP if you plan to attend!

July starts us off with our month long technique challenge over at Try Stampin' on Tuesday - and this month it's paper tearing!
My favorite thing to do with paper tearing is to do layers of color gradations - so dramatic for so little effort, lol.  I always try and finish on a paler color or white so I can add my sentiment at the last.  In this case, this sentiment from Colorful Seasons has become such a fave - and looks great with my blue gradated "ocean!"  Notice my use of all our "water" colors, lol??  Layering takes on a whole new dimension with the addition of the torn edge - so much fun!
Can't wait to see YOU tearing it up, over at the challenge!
Colorful Seasons Stamp Set; Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party & Whisper White CS; Night of Navy Ink; Glitter Enamel Dots in Dapper Denim (retired); #TSOTJulyTech.

Hope you love our awesome new sketch from Monika as much as I do, for Sunday Stamps #182!  Teamie did good!
So, yesterday I found an opened pack of Tutti-Frutti Card & Envelopes, and there was one lonely Lemon Lime Twist set in there {SOB!}  This inspired me to ink up my still-kickin' Lemon Zest set - I love it still!  The sentiments for this one are so great, and I especially adore the fonts we used - casual and readable, the best of both worlds!  I added in Crushed Curry today, just because I feel like this yellow looks so vibrant against the Lemon Lime Twist - yummy!  Can never have too many lemons, even in Arizona!
Lemon Zest Stamp Set; Tutti-Frutti Card & Envelope in Lemon Lime Twist; Memento Tuxedo Black, Crushed Curry & Whisper White CS; Crushes Curry & Lemon Lime Twist Inks; 1 3/4" Circle Punch; Crushed Curry Taffeta Ribbon; Glitter Enamel Dots in Crushed Curry; #SSC182.

Today I'm trying out a new-to me challenge over at Addicted to CAS #137, who would like to see something "sea" related.  I'm game!
So of course "sea" means I'm pulling out my High Tide set.  This one is so fun for piecing together variations on gorgeous sea-scapes, with OR without a light house, lol.  I decided to have one today, because what I really wanted to do was play with our new Balmy Blue color, and try it out against Night of Navy.  I could feel myself building up a grudge against this one - it reminded me too much of Marina Mist, which, ahem, I do NOT miss at all.  Turns out I won't have that problem with Balmy Blue, whew.  I did a combo of stamped and stamped off waves for this showcase, and it looks AWESOME.  I also like it a lot with the navy on the light house.  Sold!  Hopefully I have enough white space to qualify for CAS, lol - no embellies AGAIN today!!  What is HAPPENING  to me??
High Tide Stamp Set; Balmy Blue & Whisper White CS; Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Balmy Blue, Night of Navy & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; #ATCAS137.

2018 New Catty Intro Class June 14 & 16!
Woo hoo!  It's new catalog time!  Come on out for an introduction to fun new products and colors, and new toys to boot!  This class will focus on 5 new suites of products from our just released 2018-19 Idea Book and Catalog, with all-occasion cards you will love!  Class includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot! Class is on for Thursday, June 14 at 630 pm, or Saturday, June 16 at 3 pm - let me know if you can make it, or need to make it up now that summer's here!

We have our third color challenge up for you this week at Try Stampin' on Tuesday - isn't it bright and cheery??
I have become fixated on these new leaves in our gorgeous Rooted in Nature.  I decided today to try them in our color play at TSOT, and see how they looked all in one layer, which I actually don't do too often.  I'm so addicted to layering and dimension!  Anyway, this multi-color scatter reminds me of leaves floating on water - I can see it now!  We don't get too many falling leaves here in Arizona, so I have to make them myself! 
Can't wait to see YOUR color creativity - see you at the challenge!
Rooted in Nature Stamp Set; Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie & Tempting Turquoise (retired) Inks; Basic Jewel Rhinestones; Real Red Cotton Ribbon; #TSOTCC3.

2018 New Catty Intro Class June 14 & 16!
Woo hoo!  It's new catalog time!  Come on out for an introduction to fun new products and colors, and new toys to boot!  This class will focus on 5 new suites of products from our just released 2018-19 Idea Book and Catalog, with all-occasion cards you will love!  Class includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot! Class is on for Thursday, June 14 at 630 pm, or Saturday, June 16 at 3 pm - let me know if you can make it, or need to make it up now that summer's here!

LOVE the inspiration picture at this week's Fusion Coral Flowers as much as the sketch!  Wee!
Today is one of the rare times I've actually addressed BOTH sides of the Fusion, lol - I went for the sketch, of course, but I also pick up a bit of the inspiration pic, too!  I just thought that our gorgeous Painted Harvest flowers would translate really well into the pretty colors, and I went digging for a lovely sentiment to go with that fit the layout - one of my faves, and so, a keeper!  Days like today, I'm missing my Peach Parfait, sigh...
Painted Harvest & Pursuit of Happiness (retired-2011) Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Calypso Coral & Powder Pink CS; Calypso Coral, Powder Pink & Grapefruit Grove Inks; Scallop Edge Border Punch; Share What You Love Artisan Pearls; #FusionCoralFlowers.

2018 New Catty Intro Class June 14 & 16!
Woo hoo!  It's new catalog time!  Come on out for an introduction to fun new products and colors, and new toys to boot!  This class will focus on 5 new suites of products from our just released 2018-19 Idea Book and Catalog, with all-occasion cards you will love!  Class includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot! Class is on for Thursday, June 14 at 630 pm, or Saturday, June 16 at 3 pm - let me know if you can make it, or need to make it up now that summer's here!

So excited that Retro Rubber #87 has such a fun sketch this week - time to play!
A browse of the Shelves of Retirement pulled me to 2010's Plant Hope, which I have hung on to all this time for this quote by Lucy Larcom, one of the founders of the still-extant Rushlight Magazine.  And the little bonsai'd tree image, which I didn't end up using today, lol.  Turns out this set goes awesome with our new Nature's Poem DSP, a perfect set for Lucy!  I have a feeling I'll be using this paper a LOT this year - I keep finding new things to pair it with!  I got to pull out a few other coordinating accessories, too - a new twine collection, and of course the Faceted Dots.  I can't have too many Blackberry Bliss toys, lol.
Plant Hope Stamp Set (Retired 2010); Nature's Poem DSP; Whisper White, Soft Suede & Blackberry Bliss CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede & Tranquil Tide Inks; Layering Ovals Framelits; Blackberry Bliss Twine; Blackberry Bliss Faceted Dots; #RR87.

TGIF #160 has an awesome challenge this week - all about wood!  What a great idea, we have so many options for this these days!
I actually started with my cardstocks today - I knew I wanted to go with woody browns, so I tried a combo of Early Espresso, Crumb Cake & Sahara Sand.  I ended up with the Crumb Cake base, so I didn't have to use an inside panel.  From there, I wanted to use a background stamp, and I went with Tree Rings, which I think looks even cooler when you pick some random logs with the Blender Pen!  From there I pulled in Ribbon of Courage, and added a few wood elements embellies, and over a Wood Textures DSP, of course, lol.  I definitely think I was all things wood today!
Tree Rings & Ribbon of Courage Stamp Sets; Wood Textures DSP; Crumb Cake, Early Espresso & Sahara Sand CS; Early Espresso Ink; Support Ribbon & Stitched Shapes Framelits; Touches of Nature Elements; #TGIF160.