WATERCOLOR TRIO.........

Hello, again. I have yet another birthday card for you. This one was inspired by a scrapbook page and a card done by my friend and upline, Debbie Naylor. Check her creations out here and here and here. This is using the now retired Watercolor Trio stamp set and Cottage Garden DSP (I love that paper!!!). My base is Orchid Opulence (retired, also) with layers of Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry added. The sketch had the sentiment on the opposite side, but I didn't want to cover up the part of my DSP with the most design on it, so I shifted it over. I colored my stamps with my markers to add the flowers to the top half. The ribbon is the back of the old Ploka Dot Grosgrain ribbon in Rich Razzleberry (two ribbons in one).

This card was made for my friend, Tammy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAMMY!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!!!!

THE METHOD TO THE MADNESS......

You know, you just can't beat a good card sketch. You can start with the basic sketch, but it can take you in so many directions. The card I have for you today started with a sketch found here at Clean & Simple Stamping. Their sketches are wonderful and I check them out (and use them) quite often. Whether you CASE (Copy And Share Everything) the sketch exactly as it is or just use it as a stepping stone to tweak to your own style, it is an invaluable tool.

Next (or vice versa, whichever works at the time), comes the picking of the colors. I am the first to admit, I am a bit color challenged. It is not from lack of trying, but cool color combos do not come easy for me. If it were just me coming up with them, there would only be around 5 combos to choose from. And not all of them may work so well together. Boring!!!! So, the new Color Coach that Stampin' Up came up with is just what I need. The old coach was okay, but this one is so much better. It is set up like a paint swatch collection --- you have each color in a 2-3/4" x 4-1/4" rectangle, not the little spot of color like on the old circular one. Then, on the back of each color card are two combo suggestions. Of course, if those don't suit you, you can twist the cards around and come up with your very own. You can also unfasten the screw that holds it all together and lay them out, if you choose. How stinkin' cool is that??? They also have cards with tips on color, ones showing the four color collections and blank ones for you to fill in your favorites. Even the new In-Colors have cards of their very own. Below is a picture of the one I used. I wanted to use Pacific Point, so I pulled up the card and after checking out both combos and my sketch, I decided the "sweet set" would work just fine --- Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry. And sweet it is.

Here is the card that all of that created. The base is the Daffodil Delight, then you have the Pacific Point and Rich Razzleberry (ran through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder) layered on top. I punched out the bird from the Two-Step Bird Punch in Daffodil and it's wing in Razzleberry (I stamped on the wing in VersaMark to put a little design on it). It is raised up on dimensionals. The limbs are from the same punch and done with Pear Pizzazz. The finishing touches are the Daffodil ribbon tied around the layers and the little pearl added for the birds eye. The sentiment is from the retired Well-Scripted set and is stamped in Pacific Point. This card is for one of my Little Debbie friend's birthday. I hope she likes it --- it can be a little intimidating making cards for people who make cards (and this is such a talented group, so that doesn't help). Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARLENE!!!!!!

Sorry this is such a long post, hard to shut me up once I get started. But I'm done now so......

Except, I would like to remind everyone to never forget the losses and sacrifices of those involved in the 9/11 attacks 9 years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family and friends left behind. I also pray that God continues to guide and protect our country.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!!!!

AGAIN WITH THE BACK TO SCHOOL..........

Ah, back to school time. All of the supplies have been purchased and labeled. We've met the teachers and toured the new school. Now the actual first day has to be lived. My kids seemed excited for the year to start, much to my surprise. I figured Lindsey would be a total wreck going to a new school and not knowing anyone in her classes, but I guess that was just me. Logan is very excited to be at school without his sister there --- he is even riding a different bus. Sometimes they can be so independent. Here is a picture of my independent kids waiting for their buses (that is the dad in the background). Ain't they the cutest???? (They take after their mom.)

Logan's school has an awards program to honor the kids for doing well on their (dreaded) SOL's. Each child gets a certificate. If they made a perfect score of 600 on any of the tests, they also get a medal. On the back is the school year of the test (which would have been last school year) and the test it was (Social Studies, Math, Science or Reading, I think). Of course, the old 5th graders (now 6th graders) are not there, so this only includes the previous 3rd and 4th (now 4th and 5th) graders --- clear as mud? They let the now 2nd and 3rd graders sit in on the ceremony, also. I think this is to hopefully give them incentive to try hard to get a ribbon. Anyway, to cut to the chase, this next picture is Logan and his medal for a perfect score in Social Studies. Anyone who knows my history loving boy is not surprised that he aced this one. The sad thing is that he missed getting one for Math by one question. He and Lindsey did great on all of their tests last year and we are so proud of them both. Ain't he the cutest????

Of course, we cannot leave out our other "child". Zoey is getting ready to turn a year old next week, but she is still all puppy. Ain't she the cutest????

I hope to post some cards this weekend. I have them done, I just need to sit down and get the pictures and words together.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, RITA!!!!!!!

Sometimes I wonder where my brain is!!!! If you have seen it, please let me know. I have had this post ready for a week now, but have not sent it. Anywhooo, here ya go.........

Every once in a while, a project not only turns out just like you planned --- it actually turns out better. For me, this usually only happens every once in a blue moon, but I love it when it does. I made this card for a friend, Rita, that I worked with. She has retired to pursue her art full-time. I have mentioned her before, but just in case, you can check out her blog here. Really, check it out, she does beautiful work. Her goal is to post one work a day.

I wanted to try a Joy Fold Card that I found a tutorial for here. I have not purchased any of the DSP from the new catalog, so I started digging into my stash and came up with this. This is from a retired paper set called Ski Slope, but I don't think it necessarily looks like it has to be used on something "wintery". The colors are very pretty together and I love the striped paper. The other, with the swirls, actually looks more "springy" to me. The stamp set is Happy Heart Day, which is also retired. I wished the picture had turned out better, but ..........

This shows how the card opens. Pretty neat, huh? It's something a little different that will not take you hours to accomplish --- I am all about easy and quick. The flowers on the left are used to hold everything shut.

I could not find my catalog that has this DSP in it, so I hope I have the colors right. I used Baja Breeze as my large base and Chocolate Chip as my smaller base. The flowers are Baja Breeze and Real Red with a center from the Designer Brad Flowers set. The striped paper also has a little Old Olive in it, too (I think). I am very happy with how this turned out and I plan on doing more along this style.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!!!!