You've Been On My Mind

 Ever had a card that you had all these great ideas for but nothing actually worked? Yep. That's this card, for me. I must have remade this card 3 times before it actually came together smoothly! 

Splitcoast Stampers Monday CAS challenge this week is : What brings you JOY?

For me, it's Family, Friends, Coffee/Tea, and Crafting.

I stamped out my image using MFT's "Latte Love" set and used the coordinating MFT die. Then I colored the image in, keeping it very light. Then I created a background using Taylored Expressions Fanfare Cutting Plate and MFT's Stitched Rectangles. I used scrap pieces of Kraft and Bazzil "Teal" design paper. I used the discard piece of Teal paper I had used MFT's Stitched Pinking Rectangle on, stitching it with my sewing machine, to the Kraft cardstock. Then I used some scrap black cardstock to cut a banner out with MFT's "Skinny Strips", and stamped it with Honey Bee Stamps sentiment from their "Latte" set.

I love how fresh, clean, and uncluttered it looks. Sometimes I think I add too much to cards, so it's nice to see a clean and streamlined card, even if it did take some effort! 

Happy New Year 2025!!!

 Welcome back and Happy New Year to my erratically posted, blog 😆 

You know, I could really try harder to post more often, so I will. My goal is to post 2 cards a month, this 2025 year. So lets begin. 

I decided to participate in Color Throw Down's color challenge : Black, White & Gray. 

Super simple, right? But it's actually tricky to do cards in monotones without getting bored or challenged by the lack of pizzaz or color pops. A master or intermediate card maker would enjoy this challenge and blow it away, but for little more than an amateur card maker like myself, I struggled. I ended up making two cards because I felt the first one was way too simple, so I went back to the drawing board and tried harder.

I stamped Altenew's "Enjoy Your Journey" on Neena Solar cardstock, and cut it out with MFT's Selfie Square & MFT's Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle in Black cardstock. Then I added Gem Stickers from Honey Bee Stamps from the "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

Then, I decided to try another card, and really challenge myself again.

I stamped out Avery Elle's "Look For Rainbows" bunny, out on Lawn Fawn's "Narwal" gray cardstock, and fussy cut it out. Then I masked off the face of the bunny, and sponged a pattern from Gina K's "Leafy" stencil, in Distress Ink "Weathered Wood", to add some texture on the umbrella. I created a background by stamping out MFT's "Scene Builder" on some more Narwal cardstock, in Memento " London Fog" ink.  After that, I used popdots placed for dimension on the back of the bunny, and placed it in the scene on my card.

Then, I diecut a pennant out for my sentiment by using MFT's "Skinny Strips" dies, and stamping out the sentiment from Penny Black's "Rain or Shine" set, in white ink from Pink Fresh, called "Calico White". To add just a touch of sparkle, I added some Gem Stickers, from Honey Bee Stamps, from their "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

This was quite the challenge, and one that I want to challenge myself with again, because I enjoy the effort to think outside the creative box! I still wish I could add some pink to the nose and ears, but those are the rules! 😄

Until I post again, Enjoy your crafting day!

Delight in the Unexpected

 I'm back with a new card and a happy surprise.

This month's card is inspired by Power Poppy's challenge this month : Going Sentimental.

I've been playing around with an idea to make a black and gold card for quite sometime, and after I saw this month's challenge, I knew I had to try to combine my idea with it. 

Speaking of Power Poppy, I'm both stunned and thrilled to find out that I won last month's Blossom Challenge on their blog! I sincerely can't believe it, they have such beautiful stamps!

I stamped out my card and watercolored it, then matted it with Tim Holtz's Metal Cardstock. I placed some Popdots under the gold cardstock to pop it off the black and gold patterned paper background and give it depth. I added some lace and back striped paper from Simple Stories called "Vintage Lakeside" to the black and gold patterned paper. I matted it all in more black and gold cardstock and placed three small black pearls on the card to complete the look.

Every card is a fantastic journey into learning something new or creating a unique look, and I love the process! There are days I get stuck, but I refuse to re-invent the wheel. Rather, I like to find the beauty in an image and enhance it as best as I can while still making sense. I think many of us feel pressured to create something amazing every time, but there's no need because every card is beautiful.

I hope you all have a great day and I'll see you all next week with another card!

Happiness

 Hello again, World! 

As I assume you've guessed, I haven't been active in the scrapping, card making, or general crafting community for quite a few years. My family and I have been through a divorce, a move across half the country, a new job that takes all my energy and leaves me no mental clarity for creativity, and more drama then a soap opera that I'll generously spare you from. 

With two growing teenage children, I don't often have much time to sit down for "Me Time". Yet, here I am. I'm enjoying playing with inks, alcohol markers, and pretty papers. I've missed it all and yet, I'm rustier then a Model T Ford in the rain. But like anything, a good challenge can shake that mental dust off..

Power Poppy is offering a month long challenge on their blog, to create a card showcasing Glass. I picked Power Poppy's "Tea in the Garden" set, showcasing my favorite summertime beverage: Lemonade.

I colored the image in with Copics, found some papers from Fancy Pants, and embellished it with some odds and ends pieces of decor items that my Mom bought for me from a nearby scrapstore, keeping everything fresh, light, and fun.

I feel better after starting that challenge and I plan to blog and post when I can, around my busy life schedule, but until then, I'm just happy to be here, playing with my "toys" and feeling grateful.

Flourishes Release Week: Greatest Gift

Hello Flourishes Friends! Have you enjoyed the Release Week? Are you ready for Flourishes last release day? It's a great one!

This set is called Greatest Gift and it's beyond beautiful!

I stamped the Greatest Gift image onto Flourishes Classic White cardstock in very black ink, coloring it in with Copics. After that I fussy cut out the image and placed popdots under it to lift it off the page and give it a 3D, life-like effect. I mounted the image onto a Kraft paper with black foil designs. Then I mounted the design paper onto black cardstock to make the design paper and image pop.

This has to be the quintessential Christmas card image for the ages. Mary is lovingly looking at baby Jesus and Joseph is looking in wonder and love, at his wife, Mary. You cannot get a more beautiful Christmas card image anywhere!

In honor of Flourishes, I am offering another blog prize during this Release Week! I am offering 3 Flourishes stamp sets, 2 yards of Flourishes May Arts Silk Ribbon: Mauve and Burgundy, plus some other laces and ribbons!

All you have to do is subscribe to my blog newsletter and leave a comment on ALL four days of the Flourishes Release Week. I will announce the winner August 14th. Be sure you remember to subscribe to my blog post emails, because you don't want to miss that announcement!

Please check out the other great designs from the rest of the Design Team, using the Greatest Gift stamp set, image!

                                               Amanda Havon - you are here

Beverly Cole

Nancy Nickel

Naomi Gong

Vicki Dutcher

Have a great day and I will see you back here on Sunday, August 14th, to announce the winner of this month's blog candy giveaway, on my blog!!

~ Amanda