Hydrangea Framed

This week, Jennifer of Styles Ink is hosting the One Layer Wednesday challenge.  She drew a sketch to work with.  Keep in mind that this needs to be one piece of card stock folded and stamped.  NO LAYERS.

The first thing I thought of for the border was the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  I wasn't sure quite how to keep the space in the middle from being embossed.  I remembered that I had bought some chipboard nested squares quite awhile back and decided to give that a try.  It took several tries to get the right amount of pressure, and I doubt I could do it again, but it worked, sort of.  It's not perfect, but it's handmade and not supposed to be perfect, right?

This morning, when I checked SCS to see what the Ways to Use It challenge was, and saw the title Flower Frenzy, I knew what I wanted to put inside the frame.

I laid a sticky note on each side of the unembossed section, inked the stamp with markers and stamped in the center.  By the way, the little single flower works great if your flower head doesn't stamp perfectly.  Mine leaves a little gap in the center.  I just stamp over the light spots with that single flower.

Then I used the blender pen to blend the colors a bit and give it a watercolor feel.  Since it's one layer, and not watercolor paper, I blended lightly so as not to bleed through to the inside.

Used an acrylic block as a guide to draw the lines.  Yeah, I overshot a bit on the bottom and have a row of polka dots inside the frame.  Not bad enough to trash it, I hope.

I thought a bit of bling in the corners would be fun.

This card is 5" square.  It's a bit wider than the EF.  Last week my friend Susan explained, on her blog, how to emboss an area larger than the folder.  Run it through once, then turn it around, match up the embossing and run it through again.  Thanks Susan for the tip.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Because I Care

Ink:  SU Markers (Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush)

Paper:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Basic Rhinestones

Since I used a combination of In Colors, I think I'll enter this one in the Jac-Inks Challenge too.

I'm so glad you stopped in today.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Good-bye Sale-a-bration 2011

One last card with a Sale-a-bration set....for awhile anyway!

The layout is from Paper Players #40 to use this sketch....

The colors, or should I say colour, is from the Jac-Inks challenge to use any combination of In Colors.  Here are this year's In Colors....

I chose to go monochromatic with the Peach Parfait.

Then I saw that at the SUO (Stampin' Up Only) blog the challenge is to do a Birthday card.  That narrowed down the choices for a sentiment.

And, at Stampin' Celebration the challenge is to use this photo for inspiration....

I think this card fits this challenge too.

Is that four challenges?  I think that's sets a record for me!  Now if I can remember where to drop them off.

I'm so glad you visited today. I hope you have found some inspiration here.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Last Chance to Sale-a-brate

Tomorrow is the last day of Sale-a-bration 2011.  When I first saw the Sale-a-bration sets, I wasn't too excited.  But now I've grown very fond of them and hate to see them go.

The layout for this card is from the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge.  After I finished it, I thought it looked very much like Lee Conrey's card.  I have often been inspired by Lee's cards.  I love here clean and elegant style.

The CAS challenge at SCS this week is to put some cut up sentiments on a card.

I used the colors from the SCS Color Challenge this week, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, & Baja Breeze.  Dessert is to add a bird or birds to the card.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Sweet Summer, So Happy for You
Ink:  Marina Mist, SU Markers (Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist)
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Baja Breeze Seam Binding

That's it for today.  I'm glad you stopped by.  I'll be back tomorrow with some more Sale-a-bration.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

CASEing Karen Again

Here is another card honoring k dunbrook.  You may remember from yesterday's post that she was named Queen for the Day at SCS last Friday.  Her reign lasts a week.  A week isn't enough time to make cards that she inspires!

Here's Karen's card that I used for inspiration.  I used a different embossing folder, stamps and sentiment and added a layer.  Other than that, my card is pretty much the same.

To get the embossed frame, I used a thin wood plaque, with an oval cutout, from a craft store.  I put my cardstock in the embossing folder, laid it on the plaque and ran it through the BIG GUY.  Last time I tried this, it took several tries to get it to impress right.  When I finally got it right, I drew the lines on the wooden piece so I would know exactly where to lay the embossing folder.  This time I got it right first try.  I was so excited!

After I got the embossing done, I cut a mask using the Ovals die and sponged inside the large oval with River Rock and Soft Suede.  Leaving the mask in place, I stamped the trees in Always Artichoke.  After they were all stamped, I used a Soft Suede marker to draw the trunks and branches.

The button came from my button can.

The Stampin' B's challenge from last week was to do a Masculine Card.  I think this qualifies.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Ink:  River Rock, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, SU Marker (Soft Suede)

Paper:  Whisper White, Always Artichoke

Accessories:   Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Hemp twine, Button

I'm so glad you stopped by. I hope you come back again real soon!   Enjoy!

Bonnie

Raspberry Row

Last Friday, SCS honored k dunbrook as Queen for the Day.  Go on over and take a look at her amazing gallery.  Be prepared to be awed!  She's also the nicest lady with lovely comments and encouragement.  She definitely deserves to be queen, not for a day, but for at least a week.  (Since I didn't get my cards in yet, we really need to call it a week!)

Here's the first card I CASEd  from this card of Karen's.

This also fits for the Just Add Ink #61 challenge to just use stamps and cardstock.  No DSP, ribbon, buttons, die cuts, or punches.

Do you really think that's ribbon?  Nope!  It's a strip of Rich Razzleberry, stamped with the dots from the For All You Do set.  I hope heat embossing is allowed.  The white didn't show up as well as I'd hoped, so I embossed.

I inked the raspberries with the Melon Mambo marker then thumped with Rich Razzleberry and inked the stems with Pear Pizzazz.  The sentiment is from the retired Bird on a Branch set.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Clearly for You, For All You Do, Bird on a Branch
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, SU Markers (Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz)
Paper:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  SAMJ, White EP

Oops, I used a punch on the corners.  Oh well, I'm going to send it over and hope it's enjoyed anyway.  This was really a challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Less is More goes Sketchy

This week's Less is More Challenge  is a sketch....

I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do.  I tried several things and decided I was making it too hard.

My first instinct was to put texture on the bottom instead of a pattern.  So after a couple false starts, I went in that direction.

This is what I came up with....



I stamped 2 of the flower and cut both out.  On one, I cut out some of the petals and slightly rolled it with my bone folder and attached it to the other with a dimensional.

I used the Blossom Petals Punch to punch some leaves.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Friends Never Fade, Because I Care

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, SU Markers (Marina Mist, More Mustard)

Paper:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon

I'm so glad you stopped by today and I really appreciate all the kind comments you have been leaving. They make me happy. 

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Stamp a Stack for Spring

Here's the cards for the April Stamp Stack....

Narrowing down the choices for the 5th card has been a challenge!  There may be a 6th card surprise.

The dates are....

   Saturday, April 9

Roanoke Rapids Public Library

10:30 - 1:30

Saturday, April 16

My house in Cary, NC

10:30 - 1:30

All supplies are furnished and card elements will be cut and ready to stamp.

The cost of the class is $15.00.  Envelopes to stamp are $1.00 extra.

Stamp Club members receive a $5.00 discount plus free envelopes.

Order $50.00 or more and get a $5.00 discount.

You must register by April 1st to attend either event.

I hope you can come and enjoy!

Bonnie

Stamp and Share

These are some of the cards the Stamp and Share group created last Saturday.



Barb




Barbara




Linda




Pat


What fun!

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy,

Bonnie

Easter Egg Hunt

The One Layer Wednesday Challenge this week was to put an egg or eggs on a one layer card.  A One layer card is defined as one layer of cardstock folded in half...no other layers.

I had seen this card by snowmanqueen on SCS and liked the idea of putting the eggs in the grass. 

I chose to use bright colors for the eggs, then had trouble deciding what color to do the sentiment.  Taken with Teal (now retired) popped into my mind right away.  I tried about 5 other colors and then listened to my better judgement and got out the Taken with Teal.

I didn't plan on the butterfly, but somehow there was a smudge above the sentiment.  The butterfly was already punched and I really didn't want to start over.  Actually, I thought the butterfly was a fun touch and still within the limited embellishments stipulation.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Easter Blossoms, Inspired by Nature

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, Pear Pizzazz

Paper:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Wonderful Wings Embosslit, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack

Thanks for visiting today.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Hello Again Sunshine

My stamp room is all set up again and I got to stamp today.  Yeah!  This is one of the cards I made.

The Free For All  challenge at SCS today was Hello Sunshine.  I knew right away that I wanted to do something with Daffodil Delight.  What says sunshine better?

I love this clean & simple layout at The Paper Players challenge and I've wanted to use it all week.  I wasn't sure I could get it in to the challenge on time, but I think I might make it.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Hello Again
Ink:  Soft Suede, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz)
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Whisper White
Accessories:  Daffodil Delight narrow ribbon, Big Shot, Framed Tulips EF

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

It's a Zoo Here

I'm so excited to be a Guest Designer again on the Friday Mashup Challenge Blog!  This is the challenge this week....

When Holly sent it to me, I nearly panicked!  I don't have any zoo stamps! Nary a one! Oh my, what to do?

I thought of punching a lion.  I think I've seen one done somewhere.  But company was coming and I didn't have a lot of time before my stamping room was broken down and turned into a guest room.

Then, like the lightbulb in the cartoons, I thought of that monkey I had stamped, colored and cut out and was currently residing in my UFO box.

I used the layout from the Clean&Simple FTL#132.  I flipped it so my little guy could hang.

I did the sentiment on the computer since I didn't have an appropriate stamp.

The foliage is from Pocket Silhouettes and the vines are Baroque Motifs.  I have no idea where the monkey stamp came from.  I think it was one of the dollar stamps from somewhere.  He's now living with a friend.

It's been so much fun being a Guest Designer!  I hope you go on over and see the adorable zoo cards that the rest of the design team and my co-guest designer did.  While you're there, join in the challenge at Friday Mashup.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

CASEing Mary Beth

Mary Beth, aka MBRCUTIE25 was chosen as the Featured Stamper on SCS last Sunday.  You can see Mary Beth's wonderful gallery here.

This is my CASE of this card....

I'm always looking for ideas to use up those pieces of DSP and I have some friends who are quilters.  This seemed to be a winning idea!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Warm Words (retired)
Ink:    Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Whisper White, Rose Red, Cherry Cobbler, Retired DSP
Accessories:  1 1/4" Square, Word Window & Modern Label Punches, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

Thanks for stopping by and for the lovely comments.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Wild Rosebuds

I've had this card done for a while and never had the chance to post it.  The Stampin' B's challenge last week was hosted by my friend Emily.  She said to make a thank you card using Spring colors and pink must be one of them.

This has pink but I don't have thank you on this card.  I could stamp it, but my stamp room is a guest room this week so I can't get in there.  I'll be sure to write a thank you on the inside.

These rosebuds were in my UFO box.  They are from a long retired set called Wild Roses.  The buds were my favorite stamps in this set and use with the 2-step stamping technique.  There are 2 stamps for each flower.  The green is Certainly Celery.  I'm not sure what the flowers are inked with.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Wild Rose
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Pinks
Paper:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Accessories:  Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon

I am really enjoying my company, but I'll be glad to get  back to stamping again!

Thanks for the stopping by to visit.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Soft Baja Crumbs

These colors are from last week's Color Challenge on SCS, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze & Crumb Cake.  Dessert was to use something glossy, glittery or flower soft.

Here's what I came up with.....

When I used my "Whacked Embossing Folder" on the side, I had it backwards so I have a debossed look rather than embossed.  I really liked the look of  it better in this case, so I kept it.

I rubbed a couple of styrofoam balls together over a plastic sandwich bag then added a couple drops of Soft Suede re-inker to it and mashed it together.  It gives a real nice "bumpy" look to the center of the flower.

I sponged the edges a bit with Crumb Cake to soften the edges.  Ususally I like a crisp look but sometimes it makes life more interesting to do something different.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Greenhouse Garden

Ink:  Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Whacked EF, Baja Seam Binding, Faux Flower Soft, Stamping Sponge

Thanks for stopping by to visit and for the lovely comments!  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Less is More Masculine

The Less is More challenge this week is to do a Masculine Card.  I have a confession to make.  I like to make masculine cards!  And one of my favorite sets for the guys in Pocket Silhouettes.

I was checking my measurements for these long skinny cards on Saturday and grabbed some vanilla and brown partly because I had seen the challenge and it was stirring around in my imagination and partly because that was the first color I happened upon in the paper I had out for our Stamp and Share group.

After everyone had left and I had things organized again, I looked at the pieces I'd cut and pulled out a stamp.  These little leaves didn't stamp very well.  I think I need to re-ink my pad.  I ended up using the Chocolate Chip marker and coloring the leaves a bit more to make them stand out.

The base card is cut at 6 1/2" by 6 1/4".  I lined the 6 1/2" side up on my Score Buddy and scored at 3 1/4".  The vanilla piece is 6 1/4" x 2" and the Kraft piece is 1/2" wider.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Raffia

And I was very excited to see my card in the ShowCASe cards from last week's challenge (week 6).   Thank you Chrissie and Mandi!  What an honor to be chosen out of so many awesome creations!

Now to drop off this weeks entry.....

Thanks for the visit and the kind comments.  You are keeping me inspired.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Happiness Sketch

This stamp, from the Easter Blossoms set in the Occasions Mini, was sitting on my table as a possiblity for the Hex card.

Sketch 324 at SCS had been sitting there since Wednesday.  Here's the sketch...

And then the WT314, also on SCS, is Miles of Smiles.  Kim said to do anything that reminds us of smiling.  Happiness makes me think of smiling.

Then at Just Add Ink, the challenge this week is a color challenge..

There's not much Crumb Cake, but it's there.  Can you find it?

I think these challenges fit together very well.   This is a combination I would use again.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Easter Blossoms, Happiness Shared

Ink:  SU Markers (Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Crumb Cake)

Paper:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Basic Pearls

Thanks for the visit.  And thank you all for the lovely comments! Enjoy!

Bonnie

What the Hex?

Jennifer Styles is hosting the One Layer Wednesday Challenge this week.  She just got back from a trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch country and she really liked all the hex signs on the barns and houses.  So this week's challenge is to do a hex sign on a one layer card.

A One Layer Card is defined as one piece of cardstock folded in half.  No layers.

This is the hex sign I was inspired by.

I had to use several stamp sets and the Stamp-a-ma-jig to make it work.

I thought it would be neat to place it on the barn.  So I scored the card around the circle, masked the design, then dragged the Cherry Cobbler ink pad over the card front.

I was pretty tickled with the results.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Friends Never Fade, Silhouette Sentiments, Warm Words (retired)
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, SU Markers (More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze)
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Extra Large 2 1/2" Circle Punch (for mask and to draw circle), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stylus

Now that was a challenge!

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

My First Guest Design

Here it is.  My first Guest Designer Card.  It's for the Friday Mashup and it's a sketch challenge.  Here's the sketch.

Here's my card....

I hope it's design worthy!

I used the Nature Walk set from the Occasions Mini. First I stamped the butterfly with StazOn on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" piece of Whisper White.  Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the flowers which had been inked with markers. 

Then I colored the butterfly with markers.  I thought he looked a little drab so I used my VersaMarker to go over him, sprinkled some clear embossing powder on and heat set it.  Much better!  He shines a bit now!

I used my paper cutter to cut the tip and the bottom of the design piece at 2", leaving the butterfly.  I cut the wing of the butterfly flush with the sides with my craft scissors.  This technique is called "Out of the Box" and it was the CAS challenge this week at SCS.

I stamped the bee on a scrap of Whisper White, colored the body with a marker, VersaMarked the wings and heat embossed them.  I cut him out and attached him with a dimensional.

I used the Color Spritzer tool and markers to dot the backgrounds and embossed a 2" x 5 1/2" piece of Whisper White with the BIG GUY.  Some narrow black mats finished it off.

You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the challenge and Design Team cards at Friday Mashup.  Follow the link above and give it a try.

Card Recipe (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamps:  Nature Walk
Ink:  Black StazOn, SU Markers (Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight)
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, VersaMarker, Clear EP, Color Spritzer Tool

That was and enjoyable experience.  I hope you enjoy looking at it.  Thanks for coming and I hope you'll come back.
Bonnie

Mashup Day!

WOW!  I just saw that my card from yesterday was chosen in a tie for Mashup Maven this week on the Friday Mashup Challenge!

I guess it's a good thing I stayed up late last night to post those last challenge cards!

They chose mySt. Patrick's Day card last week and I will be a Guest Designer for the Friday Mashup next week.  I'll be posting my design card a little later this evening.  Now I'll get to be a Guest Designer next week too!

Am I smiling or what?

Oh, in case you want a refresher, here's the winning card.  Go on over and see the other winners and the entrants.  Lots and lots of inspiration there!

Thanks for the visit.  See you later.
Bonnie

And Another

I am just getting all these in under the wire!  I think I have all the time in the world, but the time gets away from me!

This one if for the Friday Mashup.  Our adorable Emmy had on pink and yellow the other day and I loved the Springy look of it.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Clearly for You
Ink: Blushing Bride
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Wonderful Wings Embosslit, Scallop Border Punch, Whisper White Satin Ribbon

I think I need to trim the ends of my bow a bit.

Thanks again for stopping by.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

Another Quick Post

Another quick post tonight.  I got this card put together this afternoon.  It was actually some elements sitting on my table that looked like the were meant for each other.

I used the layout from Stamping 411's Saturday Sketch Challenge...

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Sanded, Silhouette Sentiments (Level 1 Hostess gift), Oval All

Ink:  Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Basic Pearls

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Colour Queen Courtier

This card was chosen as a Colour Queen Courtier this week.  Whoo hoo! What an honor to be named among all these beauties!

This is the honored card.

Go on over and check out the Colour Queen and the other awesome entries.  And while you're there, check out this week's challenge.  Beautiful Spring colors!

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy,
Bonnie

Still Life Iris

I have a lot of retired SU stamps.  I have sold a few, but I have kept more than I've sold.  I have to buy carefully, so I usually  love what I buy.  The stamps are such good quality, that they keep on doing a wonderful job for me.  So I was real excited to see the SUO challenge was to use a favorite retired stamp.

My stamps are like my children.  I love them all; no favorites.  But I can say that I really love this stamp!  Irises are among my favorite Spring flower.

This one is stamped on watercolor paper with Black StazOn and colored with a blender pen and ink pads.

The card is 3 1/2" x 6" and fits in the open end envelopes.  The actual card is a repurposed backing sheet from a package of DSP.  I cut 2 at 4 1/4" and had this 3 1/2" strip left.  It had the writing in the corner, but I covered it up with the image.  It's heavier than cardstock and not as bright a white, so it goes well with the watercolor paper.

I hope you enjoy this sweet Iris as much as I do.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Still Life Stems
Ink:  Black StazOn, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Garden Green
Paper:Watercolor, Elegant Eggplant, Backing sheet
Accessories:  Blender Pen, Basic Pearls

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

CASEing Bridget

This week's Featured Stamper is one that I have admired for quite awhile.  She has such an elegant style and is always a favorite in the challenges at SCS.  Her SCS name is bfinlay and you can see her gallery here.  I chose this card to CASE.

Here is what I came up with.....

As I was going through her gallery, I just knew I needed to CASE her lovely yellow flowers.  My flowers are smaller, since I don't have the stamp she used.  I used some Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (It is a perfect match for the Old Olive) instead of yellow ribbon.  I also added an Early Espresso layer.  And I left off the sentiment.  I can add that when I know what I'm sending it for.

You can see a bit of the inside.  I stamped a little flower and some splatters in the bottom corner.

I was able to use the colors from the ColorQ76 challenge this week....

They were perfect for this design.  Aren't they bright and happy colors?

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Silhouette Sentiments (Level 1 Hostess Gift), Inspired by Nature, Itty, Bitty Backgrounds (retired)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Early Espresso)
Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso
Accessories:  Slot Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Basic Rhinestones

If I were to do it again, I would leave off some of the grass and have an airier look.

I'm glad you came to visit. I hope you will come back soon.   And thanks so much for the kind comments! Enjoy!
Bonnie 

Good Works

This week's Less is More challenge is to make a One Layer Card and stamp the image "off the edge".  A One layer card is defined as One piece of card folded in half with no additional layers and minimal embellishments, where the image is stamped directly onto the cardstock.  Additionally, we were not to have any scored lines.

This called for a larger image and was a good reason to pull out my Inspired by Nature stamp.  I inked it with markers, stamped and touched up and shaded just a bit with the same markers.

A quick and easy card!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature
Ink:  Stampin' Up! Markers (Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip)
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Corner Rounder Punch

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

Blog Award

I had a wonderful surprise today.  Valerie of Canonbury Creations has given me the Versatile Blogger Award!  I took a tour of her blog and she makes some beautiful cards! Thank you Valerie.  I am honored!

Now I need to tell you 7 things about myself.  It's always hard for me to think of things that I haven't told you already.

     1.  My husband and I have been married for nearly 42 years.
     2.  I've done all kinds of crafts but now I'm obsessed with cards and don't have time for the other stuff.
     3.  I love to read.  (I'm reading Pillars of the Earth by Kenneth Follett right now)
     4.  I have met some of the lovliest people through card making.
     5.  My favorite vacation spot is Nags Head, NC.
     6.  I try to read some in the Bible every day.
     7.  We hope to buy a home soon.

Now I'd like to nominate some bloggers that have inspired me recently.
     Doris of      The Stamping Tower
     Cristina of   My Paper Secret
     Joanne of   Sleepy in Seattle
     Susan of     Keeping in Touch
     Nikki of       My Sandbox
     Donna of   Butternut Sage Designs
     Susan of    Creative Juice
     Karen of     Live, Laugh and stamp with Karen

I hope you get a chance to visit their blogs.  They have given me lots of inspiration!

And I received this blog award from my friend Benzi whose blog, Benzi Stampz,  I visit every day.  Thanks Benzi!  The feeling is mutual!

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

Mashup Maven

Whoo hoo!  My Shamrock card won an award on the Friday Mashup! Challenge #34, Thinkin' Green.

Now I'm a Mashup! Maven for a week.

How 'bout that!

Here's the card, in case you missed it.

Now I get to be a guest designer for next week's challenge.  I've never done that before!  How exciting!

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

Bliss with Butterflies

Some weeks the cards just seem to make themselves.  Other weeks, it's a struggle to get something made.  This has been one of the latter.

Luke has decided he doesn't need a nap every day.  Needless to say, it's cutting into my stamping time!  Actually, it's Nana that needs his nap the most.  A couple hours of peaceful stamping helps me keep my sanity!  Oh, well, I guess he's telling us that he's not a baby anymore.  Sigh!

It took a couple of days, but I finally made a card for the Sketch Challenge 323 at SCS.

And I used the colors from the ColorQ Challenge #75

I had to substitute for Cool Caribbean.  That was before my SU Demonstrator days.  I tried to pick a butterfly from my collection that was close in color.

Edited to add:  This also qualifies for the Stampin' B's Challenge to use bling.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Bliss (Sale-a-bration set)

Ink:  Black StazOn

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories:  Big Shot, Wonderful Wings Embosslit, Square Lattice EF, Basic Rhinestones

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy!
Bonnie