The Too Busy Card

Well I made this card for a challenge, but after creating it, I thought it was too busy to enter. Perhaps I should have. But even the cards that don't turn out like we had hoped still have value. I like this one from Stampin' Up! and think that it will be really nice for someone to receive it. However next time I think I will create one that's less busy in the middle and try to balance out the patterns more.

I wanted to include it on my blog here because it's still a nice card and I want to keep track of all my creations.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Retro Rubber Challenge #229

This time Retro Rubber's Challenge #229 (rrcb229) is a Tic-Tac-Toe board! I love it when there are so many choices. My first plan was to choose the diagonal from left to right. The mist or spray category really intrigued me. I had it in my head what my card was going to incorporate. All went well until I realized that I couldn't locate the tiny mister that I thought I had. Sometimes I don't use things often and then get rid of them only to regret it later. Such was the case today.

So I switched the plan and went with the top row. Die Cuts, Sequins & Gems and Spring are all a part of my card this time.

Here's my complete supply list:

• Stampin' Up! Berry Paper (reverse side)
• Dark Green Card Stock
• SU! Crushed Curry Card Stock
• 
  SU! Amazing You Stamp Set (from 2017)
• SU! Celebrate You Dies
• Glitter Enamel Dots (SU! ?)
• Gold Washi tape
• Yellow Twine (Michaels)
• Prismacolor Pencils

This was a really fun challenge, but next time I'm going to gather all my supplies before I start so I'll be sure to have everything I need. Still, I like how the card turned out. 

Be sure to check out Retro Rubber's Challenges. Every two weeks they provide great inspiration to get creating!

A Quck Thank You!

Once again, a wonderful woman at church gave me a bunch of craft supplies. In the selection, there was a 6 x 6 paper pack from My Mind’s Eye. I love their patterned papers. The way the colors coordinate makes making cards so easy. And that’s just what I used for the base of this card. There are three different patterns and I simply cut three different sheets of paper from that pack. She also gave me some recollections glittery letters. I wanted to send her a thank you card, but unfortunately it couldn’t spell out the word “thanks“ so I did the French version, merci.

The card size for this one is 6 x 6. And since I’m hand-delivering it this Sunday. I won’t have to worry about additional postage. I’m so grateful when people gift me things like this. It keeps cost down and keeps the creative juices flowing

A close sup view of the sparkly chipboard letters!

A Pokemon "Card"

Over at The Angel Card Project there are frequent requests for cards for kids that love Pokemon.

This series is near and dear to my heart, because my kids loved Pokemon when they were little. We had all the Pokemon games for their Nintendo DS's and they also had quite a few of their trading cards too. I wish I still had some to send inside cards I send. I think kids today would love that.

Anyway, after seeing a request today, I went online to see if I could find a freebie and I came across this cutie. I'm not 100% sure he's totally accurate design-wise, but he's definitely recognizable to someone who loves Pokemon. I chose this design because I thought I could do a lot with the flat bottom. 

I made a Pages page with 4 different designs in different sizes and had it professionally printed for less than $1.00 over at FedEx. They do a great job and it saves my ink at home. I wish now that I had included a couple of mini ones too. I would have put one on the front of the black envelope that I'm sending it in. Oh well. Next time!

This isn't my design, but if you want to print some of your own, this is where I got the image HERE. It's for personal use only.

A Pokemon fan in your life will be delighted!

12 Easy Peasy Cards (from a Scrapbook Sheet)

These 12 cards were made using a single 12 x 12 scrapbook sheet of paper. It's called the Color of Memories by American Crafts and I picked it up at Joann's a while back. It's so easy to make 12 cards from a sheet like this, especially when you follow a standard formula for most of them.

To keep it quick and simple I framed them in the same color card stock as the card base, then used a coordinating patterned paper in the middle. I even used the same embossing folder on all of them too.

I also picked up much of that cardstock right at the store when I bought the single sheet of paper. That way matching the colors was easy. 

Even better, I hit a big sale that day and although I added some of my own papers when I got home, I only spend $5.00 on most of this.

These will be going to a nursing home so the residents can send them to family and friends. I think they'll like them as much as I do!

Thanks so much for stopping by my little blog and have a wonderful day!

2 Corinthians 4:16 Card

This Bible verse 2nd Corinthians says "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

If you're young, you may not feel the "wasting away" part too much, but as I get older, I sure do! But inwardly I'm growing. And that's what this scripture reminded me of, that as Christians we are constantly growing and being renewed each day.

The flowers and garden tools on this card are designed to go with the scripture. I hope it encourages you and those that you'll share it with. It would be an especially perfect card for a gardener too.

My card is an A2 size, but you can download this image and make it any size you want. 

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

And if you want the King James Version, here it is:

Hello There Elvis!

This is a really fun custom-made card that was sent to someone who likes Elvis. I was delighted to make it, because I too am a fan. I missed being a true fan when he was in his heyday because I was too young, but his classic songs, faith and nostalgic vibe is something that I still appreciate to this day.

I even had the opportunity to go to Graceland with my mom a few years back. We totally loved it. Even if you're not a fan of his music, being able to tour the house and learn about that era of the 1950's is really nice.

It's my hope that the recipient likes this card as much as I do!

If you have an Elvis-loving person in your life, feel free to snag this freebie!

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Page Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Kite Delight Painted Background Cards

Kite Delight is one of my favorite stamp sets from Stampin' Up! It's kind of a quiet set. It doesn't have any coordinating dies, and it's a little on the plain side. But nothing screams summer day more than some kites flying in the air.

I used this set to demonstrate painting a sky background on a YouTube Video. I actually made 3 cards that were similar.

For these cards my supply list is simple:

• Stampin' Up! Kite Delight
• SU! Pineapple Punch Card Stock
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• #110 Card Stock (Michaels)
• Copics Y2, Y15, YG06 YR07
• Various Blue SU! Inks to "paint" the sky.

These cards are A7 size to accommodate all 3 kites plus the sun and sentiment. And just a side note, the sun is perfect for other cards as well.

Well that's it for my simple card today. Thanks so much for stopping by and check out my YouTube video if you like! :)

 

Retro Rubber Challenge #227

This challenge over at Retro Rubber (rrcb227) was so much fun. Perhaps it's because I really like how this card turned out. It's a slimline card and the stamp set really seemed to fit it well.

The challenge is called Nature, Naturally and it called for the colors of black, white, blue and brown.

Working with brown and blue was a lot of fun. Blue isn't my normal go-to color. I love pinks and greens, but that's why I love challenges. If I didn't participate I think all my cards would look very similar!

Here's my complete supply list for this one:

• Speckletone True White Card Stock
  
• Stampin' Up! Falling Flowers (2016)
• SU! May Flowers Dies
• SU! Blueberry Bushel Card Ink & Card Stock
• SU! Baked Brown Sugar Ink & Card Stock
• Copics B00, B52, B95, YR23 & YG91
• Sentiment from Verve Stamps

I had to Google the release date for the Falling Flowers Stamp Set and was so surprised that it was way back in 2016. It's amazing how quickly time flies!

Anyway, thanks to everyone over at Retro Rubber for another fun challenge, and thanks for stopping by today!

John 6:29 Phone Wallpaper

I almost feel a little sacrilegious talking about this scripture. The only work God wants us to do us believe. Really?! Jesus said that? It seems to good to be true. In my legalistic mind, I must add my good works; correct thinking.

Yes, all those latter things are good and desirable, but the only work God wants us to do is believe. At least according to Jesus. Hmmmm….

Okay. I’m going with that. 

I do think however that God is pleased when we add things to our faith. But they are by-products of our faith. Not the other way around. 

As an American and a somewhat-evangelical, I’m still struggling with this. We say that salvation is by faith alone, but somehow the messages from our pulpits still makes me feel that I must measure up. 

This phone wallpaper is a perfect reminder of the total and complete work that Jesus did for us on the cross. Thank you Lord! 

The top of this is intentionally left blank to allow for your phone to display the time.
You may have to adjust the image a bit as you place it on your phone. Enjoy! 

Upcycled Calendar Card - Straw Hat

Spring cleaning has hit me, and while my craft area is in fairly decent shape, I had a few stragglers lying around. A Lang calendar was one of them. I made a Christmas card with one of the pages late last year. It was fun and it's a good feeling to be able to create something that someone else can enjoy while giving something old some new life too.

Today I used another page from that calendar to create a birthday card. What really jumped out at me this time was the adorable straw hat. I fussy-cut it out and then cut some flowers out into a rectangle. Stampin' Up!'s Soft Suede card stock and ink and Blushing Bride card stock pulled it all together.

The card seemed to need a bold sentiment to balance it out. That came from a set that Michaels sold a while back.

It can be a little tricky upcycling calendars because the images are often so large, I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. 

I hope this will inspire you to use some of your old calendars to make a card or two. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

Two More Easter Digis

Here are two more Easter freebies that, between the two of them, are perfect for anyone on your list. One is a cross and another a bunny. 

They're both mounted super simple here, just one piece of card stock for a frame, then they're put on a card base.

Free free to download one or both!

As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Whimsical Floral Bunny Card

Needing quite a few cards for Easter this year, I really relied a lot on digital images to help me make cards more quickly. One of my favorites this year is this digital floral bunny with a matching Easter greeting. He was also my wallpaper on my phone this month too.

This card is made with pink, green and coral card stock. An embossing folder was used to give the coral some texture. It's an A2 size card which fits perfectly in a nice green envelope.

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

The Perfect Crochet Baby Blanket

Next month there's a baby shower at our church and I was so happy to finally get to crochet a baby blanket. I received two, one when each of my kids were born. I still have both of them, even 25 plus years later. I cherish them because they were handmade by a relative. All the little outfits and toys that I got at my showers are all gone, but the handmade blankets remain in the cedar chest in my closet.

I'm not sure that this blanket will have quite the same effect on the girl I'm giving this to, but it was really fun to finally make one of my own. When all my friends were having babies, I didn't crochet, so this is an exciting first for me.

However, it was a little more difficult to find just the right pattern. First of all, I'm not too good at back and forth crocheting without having something to count because I lose count and my edges get uneven. I love making corner-to-corner designs because it's so easy to keep track of the stitches. But for a baby, I was worried about the holes being too big and that the baby's fingers would get caught. 

I thought these were perfect colors for a
neutral-ish boy blanket. At 267 yards each,
four skeins was perfect.

I tried several patterns and finally hit the jackpot with this one. You can find the pattern HERE on Maisie and Ruth's YouTube Channel. It's also available in the print pattern, but for me it's priceless being able to follow along with a video tutorial.

The only thing I had difficulty with was the number of stitches in the foundation row. I ended up with an extra stitch, but was able to tuck that to the side.

I also have to mention how much I liked this baby yarn. Most yarn is kind of fuzzy, but the one I chose for this project, Bernat Bundle Up, is so soft and smooth. The colors I used were Marshmallow, Dove, Violet Gray and Beluga for the border. I got mine from Joann and it was on sale, so the whole thing cost right around $25.00.

The subtle textures in this blanket is something that I love too. So if you're looking for easy-to-keep-track-of stitching give this one a try.

Finally, here's the baby blanket in its box and ready to be wrapped. I love using the old Stampin' Up! set called "Hand Knit" to make a tag. Inside the tag I cut the washing instructions directly from the label and glued them down.

Hopefully this blanket will have many years of being loved, just like my old ones are.

Another Timeless Tulips Card

Earlier this month I made a card using the Timeless Tulips set from Stampin' Up! Since I always stamp too many flowers and leaves, I had a pile laying on my craft desk. I couldn't just throw them out so I made this card.

What I really love about this one isn't so much the card, but the colorful slimline envelope that it's going in. Envelopes are something that I always seem to need, so I picked up this pack from Amazon and I'm really happy with them. And at $10.00 for 50, it's a great deal. It's a little bright, but that's perfect for spring, or anytime we want to brighten up someone's mailbox. 

The inks I used were Stampin' Up! Pineapple Punch and Parakeet Party. The sentiment is an unknown one that came as part of a birthday greetings set that I picked up at a yard sale. That sentiment is stamped in Olive Grove from Memento.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessed Easter Card

Here's another freebie that is perfect for an Easter card. I made mine by simply printing out the image at FedEx, trimming it, mounting it on dark green card stock and then on a pink card base. It's finished off with green twine and a few rhinestones. It's being delivered today to a nursing home!

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Another Word Art Wednesday Guest Design

Well Once again I’m honored to be a guest designer over at Word Art Wednesday. This second challenge in March has a Bible verse as always, but I chose to forgo that this time in order to use a stamp that I had by their sponsor Trinity Stamps.

My stamp, says "You are not alone, not ever. I am always here for you." It's an older, discontinued stamp by Trinity, but after visiting their website, I noticed that they have several others similar to this one. They're single stamps that have really encouraging words on them. They're 3" x 4" in size and run about $7.99. Such a good deal!

I colored mine with Copic Markers and added some paper and embellishments to get the above card. I tried to keep it looking like Easter, but this is one that could be sent any time of year.

Here's my complete supply list:

• Trinity Stamps "Not Alone"
• Memento Sweet Plum Ink
• White Card Stock
• Copics RV52, RV55, GB11 and YG17
• Stampin' Up! Coastal Cabana Card Stock
• Plum Card Stock (Michaels)
• Ribbon Gifted to Me (Unknown Company)
• Dimensional Stickers

This card is a 5" x 7" card, but I have used this design on a smaller A2 size card too. However don't forget about the scripture they have over at Word Art Wednesday as well. I've included a copy of it below. I really love how this one looks and hope to make a design with it in the future.

Thanks so much to Karen and everyone over at Word Art Wednesday for allowing me to be your guest designer this March!

Baby Boy Freebies

There's a young lady in our church with an upcoming baby shower that both my mom and I were invited to attend. We both needed cards, so I went digital on them. That way I could create two very different cards. One could be for a baby boy or girl, and the other is more traditionally for a boy.

Both are super simple to make. I've just trimmed then matted them. One has a bow but the other fit snugly into a clear envelope and I didn't want to mess it up with any ties.

Here are the free digis. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Bunny Trio

Here are three super easy to make Easter cards. For each of these I just printed out the images, trimmed them down and mounted them on card stock. The twine and rhinestones add additional accents. And I left one plain-perfect for that guy who doesn't like a lot of fluff.

On two of them you'll see crosses. I love bunnies, chicks and eggs, but frequently put crosses on the cards as well. It's a subtle reminder of the true meaning of Easter.

Here are the free digis. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy these freebies! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Three Challenges-1 Card

Well, first of all, this card almost didn't make it this far. I was so close to throwing it in the trash because it just didn't look like I had hoped. I began using Sketch #628 over at Freshly Made Sketches. I was trying so hard to choose a patterned paper that could be the springboard to the whole card, which is the small piece in the center of the wreath. Looking back now, that paper seems too small and when I tried to pull the other colors out of it, they seemed too bold.

The next thing I did was to use a NBUS item, which was the decorative die, so that qualified me to enter it over at the NBUS Challenge #60. I got it as a freebie with an order from scrapbook.com. Which is really cool since the retail price is $15.00 now. They really have some good freebies there. Anyway, the die is really designed for Christmas, but I thought I could pull it off as a spring piece since the leaves (especially the holly) aren't too pronounced.

After doing that, I realized that I'd need a big sentiment so it wouldn't get lost with all the detail, and I thought it would be a perfect entry for the new Word Power #3 Challenge.

I think it was finally the word HELLO that made me keep the card. It does have a fun look and I do think someone who isn't as critical as me will love it. 

Here's my complete supply list for this one:

• 110# White Card Stock
• Papertrey Lovely Lady Card Stock
• Stampin' Up! Elegant Eggplant Card Stock
• SU! Poppy Parade Card Stock
• Wreath Die from Scrapbook.com
• Unknown Patterned Paper (from my stash)
• Rhinestones from Michaels
• Swirl Embossing Folder

This card reminds me of a t-shirt that my hubby has. It reads: I never lose. I either win or learn. -Nelson Mandela. So having said that, I think that this card is kind of both. I'm grateful to have made a card that's kind of cute, but I do think I've learned a little here too. 

Thanks for stopping by today, and never stop creating, even when you're ready to toss things in the trash!

Retro Rubber Challenge 226 - Spring Flowers

It certainly does feel like spring. Even here in Florida it's warm one day and cool the next. But flowers always get us into the springtime mood. And that's just what Retro Rubber's Challenge 226 (#rrcb226) is all about this round. 

Nothing seems to say spring like tulips.  When we lived in Pennsylvania it was always such a special time of year.  I miss seeing them pop up.

I started this card with Stampin' Up!'s Timeless Tulips. This set came out in early 2020, and it's still one of my faves. 

The rest of the supplies that I used for this card are:

• SU! Granny Apple Green Card Stock
  
• SU! Garden Green Card Stock & Ink
• Paige Evans Patterned Paper
• SU! Parakeet Party Ink
• SU! Pineapple Punch Ink

Wherever you are, I hope you're enjoying some warmer weather and some spring flowers. And be sure to check out Retro Rubber's challenge this time and play along! 

Thanks for stopping today!

Colorful Happy Easter Phone Wallpaper

Who doesn't love a sweet simple rabbit with colorful flowers this time of year!? Here's one with a coordinating "Happy Easter" sentiment to go along with it. The size is perfect for wallpaper for your phone.

He would make a really cute card, craft project or journal piece as well. Feel free to download him for your own personal use!

If you want to print him out, as always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Psalm 118:24 Rejoicing in the Day

This image is sized for a 5 x 7 in print form.

Do some days seem just so mundane? They certainly do for me. Some days I just want to get through it and hope for a better tomorrow. And the funny thing is, there’s nothing wrong with this day. I’m just  taking it for granted and not even realizing the beauty that it holds.

This verse encourages me to come up a little higher and truly rejoice in each day. Even the mundane ones!

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Page Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center.

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

65 Years Birthday Card

A friend at church requested a birthday card for a dear friend of hers who will be turning 65 this year. When I need a card for a birthday with a specific number on it, I usually go to Stampin' Up!'s "Number of Years" stamp set. I love it for several reasons. First of all, the rustic nature of the numbers is so warm. I also have the coordinating dies. So if I want a more bold look, I just use the die rather than the stamp and die. So versatile! I also like the sweet sentiment that goes along with it: "the number of years the world has been a better place because you're in it." What a wonderful sentiment to send to someone.

My complete supply list is:

• SU! Number of Years Stamp Set and Dies
• Pink Paislee Paper from Paige Evans (front and reverse)
• SU! Balmy Blue Card Stock
• SU! Melon Mamba Card Stock
• SU! Blueberry Bushel Ink
• Spellbinders Circle and Scallop Dies
• Dollar Tree Dots

Using pretty patterned paper is one of my favorite things to do. It's such an easy way to make a cute card with not a lot of effort. But I still think that this one will be much appreciated by both my friend and hers!\

Thanks so much for stopping by my little blog, and have a wonderful day!

Word Art Wednesday Guest Designing!

Well I'm so excited to once again be the guest designer over at Word Art Wednesday! I really love their site and their commitment to share God's love. It's a joy to be part of their lineup this month.

The scripture this week is from Habakkuk 3:19 that says "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." How wonderful that He gives us the strength to walk in the places that He has for us to go. That gives me so much comfort today. Life is rarely easy, but knowing God is there makes it a bit easier.

My card started with this scripture. I had it printed at FedEx on their standard paper. Then I cut the paper at 5.5" tall and trimmed the sides. Then I stamped and colored my floral image leaving a little room for the pink edge and black and white background to show. Here's my complete supply list:

• Word Art Wednesday Scripture
• Stampin' Up! Petal Palette Stamp Set
• SU! Basic Grey Ink
• Copics RV14, R81 and G82
• BoBunny Tuxedos & Tiaras Patterned Paper
• Michaels Pink Card Stock

Well that's it for this card. I'm so thankful that you stopped by today, and I'm so grateful for Word Art Wednesday letting me be their guest designer for the month of March! Be sure to get their word art either down below here or on their website too. It's a beautiful scripture that will be a blessing to anyone who reads it! We'll see you next time over there too!