Friendship

Hi there!
I was so excited today to finally be able to walk our dogs again! The weather has finally warmed up to the point that the trails have cleared enough for us to safely take them out. I missed it.

I have a card to share that I made for the Wplus9 Throwback Thursday challenge. This month's challenge was highlighting the Guiding Light set.

I started by using some Distress Inks to watercolor some cardstock. I like how Maureen created a blended background and I went for the same thing only used the Guiding Light Dies and die cut elements from the cardstock I had watercolored. On such a small scale they weren't great representations of how pretty the watercoloring was, but it was fun nonetheless. It was great to pull this set out again.

Thanks for stopping by!

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STAMPS: Guiding Light, Guiding Light Sentiments - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal, Honeydew - Wplus9; Sahara Sand - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Woodgrain - Amuse|Studio
INK: Silver Lining - Wplus9; Various Distress Inks - Ranger
OTHER: Guiding Light Dies - Wplus9; Canvas Impression Plate - PTI; Corner rounder

Tag, You're It!

Hi there!

Today I have the pleasure of being the Guest Designer for the Tag You're It Challenge! I have so enjoyed playing along with this fun challenge focusing on one of my favorite things to create - tags!

This week's inspiration comes from this beautiful design from Marybeth Lopez:

I was inspired by the floral theme and the colors, as well as the cascading placement of the elements.

I started with a Kraft tag die cut with the largest of the Stitched Tags dies from WMS and used the Spring Blooms set from Wplus9. I just love creating with these tiny canvases. It is like a quick fix when you feel the urge to create something but maybe don't have time for a whole card.

If you are inspired by Marybeth's card, too, and would like to join in the challenge, be sure to head to the TYIC blog and link up your creation!

Thank you Tracey and the TYIC team for inviting me to join you today!

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STAMPS: Spring Blooms, More Fresh Cuts - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Kraft - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: True Thyme, Dusty Durango, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon - SU!; Cranberry Crush - Wplus9; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Stitched Tags Die Set - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Spring Blooms Die - Wplus9; Shine Bright Sequin Mix - Verve

Hello

Happy Tuesday!

Isn't it sad that I am looking forward to the 30 degree temperatures we're forecasted to have this weekend? Yes, it is.

Other good things are happening this weekend, though, like a new Waltzingmouse Stamps release! Yay!

But lots to do before that - I'm just squeezing in my creation for this week's Tag You're It Challenge.

Here is the inspiration photo from Donna Mikasa.

I zeroed right in on the bright color palette and the bold black sentiment. I also was inspired by the repeating shapes, but instead of lining them up so pretty, I kind of clustered them behind the sentiment.

The different sized circles are from the Little Bits set from Wplus9. The die cut sentiment is the Hand Lettered Hello die.

I also added some Star Dust Stickles to a few dots to add some sparkle. Love it a lot!

Glad that you stopped by, I hope you have a great evening!

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STAMPS: Little Bits - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: White, Black - Wplus9
INK: Regal Rose, Tangelo Twist, Daffodil Delight, Pistachio Pudding, Pool Party - SU!
OTHER: Hand Lettered Hello Die - Wplus9; Tag Sale #1 Die - PTI; Star Dust Stickles - Ranger

Tag, You're It!

Hi there.

Back again tonight, this time playing along with the Tag You're It challenge. I love to create tags, and this stunner from Debbie Hughes was our jumping-off point.

I jotted some notes down to guide my creation.. neutral colors, an animal image and glitter. I cracked open a fresh copy of the Winter Pals set from Wplus9 and reached right for that cute little skating fox.

Such a fun little canvas.

Glad to see you again, join me later this week for the Verve Diva Inspiration Hop!

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STAMPS: Winter Pals - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Soft Sky - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Soft Sky - SU!; Rich Cocoa Memento - Tsukineko; White Pigment - Wplus9
OTHER: Copic Markers; Shine Bright Sequin Mix - Verve; Stardust Stickles - Ranger; Mini Rays Embossing Folder - Sizzix

Merry & Bright

Hello there. I just got a big box of goodies from Wplus9 and then I had to go out of town for work. Isn't that such a stinker? Just a note - so in love with the new cardstock colors.

I did make sure to take a photo of the card I made for the current Festive Friday challenge so I could share it while I was away, and that's what I am here to do now :)

Here is the inspiration pic:

Whenever I do challenges like this, I like to take a look at the picture and make note of a few things that stand out to me. That way I'm not obsessing over the picture and whether my card looks like it :)

I liked the neutrals with the pop of red, the little bit of glitter, those textured pine coney ornaments, and circles. So this is the card that I came up with.

I stamped and die cut the rectangle from Label Layers 4 then added some elements from Merry & Bright and Fresh Cut Florals. Coordinating dies are a must.

Two holiday cards down. I love this! :)

Hope your week is fabulous. Thanks for visiting!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Label Layers 4, Fresh Cut Florals, Merry & Bright - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream, Fine Linen - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: North Pole - We R Memory Keepers
INK: River Rock, True Thyme, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Label Layers 4 Die, Fresh Cut Florals Dies, Merry & Bright Dies - Wplus9; Standard Circles - Spellbinders; Linen & Canvas Impression Plate - PTI; Smoky Quartz Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts

So Grateful

In celebration of their fourth birthday, Wplus9 is holding some fun challenges. I am such a fan of sweet Dawn and her amazing designs, and its easy to say that Wplus9 is one of my favorite stamp companies.

The challenge she posted yesterday was to create a card in your comfort zone. The card I made for the challenge is me to a T - what do you think?

This card incorporates all the things I love to craft with - creating a stamped design, using two-step images, my beloved Oatmeal cardstock, a little bit of Antique Linen Distress Ink, and my tried and true when-I-can't-squeeze-any-ideas-out favorite layout. And of course, throw in Wplus9 images and you have my comfy jammies equivalent of cardmaking.

:) Hope your day is great!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Fanciful Feathers - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Groovy Guava, Barely Banana, Baja Breeze - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger

Festive Friday - Season's Greetings

Hi there. I have a cold and today it really kicked my butt. I had big kitchen painting plans this weekend and today I didn't accomplish anything.

Anyway, I wanted to stop by and share the card I made for the current Festive Friday challenge.

This past Christmas I was scrambling at the last minute (like I seem to be every year) to send cards out, so I really am going to try to stick with this challenge this year. That being said, I also am keeping in mind that I want to mail these cards. So I'm watching my layers and embellishments and keeping them from getting too bulky.

The Festive Friday challenge was an inspiration picture.

I really have a lot of love for the past few releases from Wplus9. I feel like I barely had time to use them, so I am using these challenges as an opportunity to keep them out on my desk.

Woodland Wreaths - such a beautiful set. It plays so well with Merry & Bright too.

Hope your weekend was a good one, I'm going to start heading in the direction of comfy jammies and a warm bed.

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Recipe
STAMPS: Woodland Wreaths, Merry & Bright - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER - 25th & Pine - Basic Grey
INK: Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Real Red - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Woodland Wreaths Die, Merry & Bright Die - Wplus9; Diamond Stickles - Ranger

Happy Thoughts

Yay, yay, yay!

The Monday Mood Board Challenge is back!

Here is this week's board:

And here is the card I made inspired, as you can see, from the patterned circles and the color scheme.

That little Strictly Sentiments 3 set is such a fun little one to have around. I am really looking forward to playing along with the Festive Friday challenges, just so I don't have to put away any of my Wplus9 Christmas sets :)

I am going to sneak off, we have a full schedule today and I'm trying to squeeze in the last minute touches on our bedroom reno. Have a fabulous day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Strictly Sentiments 2, Strictly Sentiments 3 - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Going Gray - SU!
INK: Smoky Slate, Going Gray, Daffodil Delight - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Gold pearls - Recollections

Wplus9 Monday Mood Board

I am so glad to be playing along with this week's Monday Mood Board Challenge from Wplus9, it has been ages.

I love poinsettias, but this set kind of flew under my radar during the last Wplus9 release. But when I started seeing the absolutely amazing things that Meredith MacRitchie was making, really, I couldn't believe that I had passed this one up. Bill and I were married right before Christmas, so my memories of that day are full of red and cream sparkly poinsettias and the warm glow of twinkle lights. I had that in mind when I pulled out Pretty Poinsettias for this card.

I particularly loved the placement of elements on this week's Monday Mood Board graphic. I thought it would make a great card layout.

I guess that kraft isn't really a true poinsettia color, but that is the vibe I was feeling from the Mood Board. I added the leaf veins with Versamark ink and embossed them in gold. I love how warm this card feels.

The little bit of greenery is from the Merry & Bright set, it amazes me how realistic it looks.

I hope you have a great day - we got about a foot of snow last night, so its really starting to feel festive around here. I will share some pictures in the next few days, but man, I am so thankful for such a beautiful place to live. Hugs to you all!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Pretty Poinsettias, Merry & Bright - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Cranberry Crisp - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Mellow Moss, Old Olive, Cranberry Crisp, Soft Suede, So Saffron - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Pretty Poinsettias Die - Wplus9; Detail Gold Filigree Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior

Festive Friday Challenge

Hi there!

Today I am super excited to be Guest Designing for the Festive Friday Challenge! The challenge for this week is a color challenge. I couldn't be happier with what Meredith picked for me - one of my favorite holiday combos: red, white, and aqua.

Even though it was the day we were moving, I couldn't resist jumping on the new Wplus9 release. To make up for not actually being able to use them right away, I spent a lot of time planning how I could use these sets for the challenge. :)

Simple and sweet. For my projects, I used the Silver Bells stamp set and coordinating dies. I am a big fan of all the little accent bits that Dawn includes in her sets. I love the little bits of greenery tucked behind the bells.

It all started with a cute little tag that came together easily with pops of red and aqua.

And then (since I didn't want Meredith to think I was a slacker for just making a little tag ;) I made a coordinating card.

Sweetness. In love with this set.

The Festive Friday Challenge is open for two weeks, so you have plenty of time to squeeze in a little cardmaking fun. Please head back to the Festive Friday blog to find all the challenge details, be inspired by the amazing (!) design team, and link up your project.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Silver Bells - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: White - Wplus9; Soft Sky - SU!
INK: Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Baja Breeze - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Silver Bells Die - Wplus9; Woodgrain Embossing Folder - Darice; Tag Sale #1 Die - PTI; Antique Silver Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts

Play Date Cafe Challenge #192

Hello there!

Wow, this month is just flying by. It is already the last Thursday of July! I'll be honest, I'm a little anxious for August to get here so we can close on our new house, but I do realize that time is zipping by far too quickly.

But Thursday means that it is time for the The Play Date Cafe Challenge! It is time for a color splash this week and we're splashing with neon yellow! Ooh!

Just like in the good old 80s, neon is trending again! Maybe you have some of the fun neon ink or cardstock that is available that would be just perfect for this week's challenge. I don't :) but this is what I came up with.

I rifled through my patterned paper stash and found this printed transparency from the now defunct Hambly Screen Prints. Bingo. Just the right pop of yellow to pull off neon :)

I added a block of the transparency to my card then stamped a sentiment on a little banner. I went back and added the black cardstock behind the transparency to help tone down all that white. This was the hardest card to photo - all white on white.

I hope you will join us for this week's challenge! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, July 30th to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from the PDCC prize vault!

I can't wait to see what you create!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Strictly Sentiments 2 - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: White, Black - Wplus9; Yellow Bicycle Transparency - Hambly Screen Prints
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Banner Trio Die - Wplus9

Go Confidently

Hello there!

How is your summer coming along? Hard to believe we're practically mid-July already.

I know I've been a little sparse recently.. that's the road we're on right now, you know? I always pop in on Thursdays for The Play Date Cafe Challenge, but other than that I am just not creating as much right now.

See?

Its good news, but totally frightening. We've had our home inspection, found that the 100+ year old house we fell in love with has some 100+ year old house problems. So we're digesting and trusting that things will work out in the end.

In the meantime, I am poring over design and DIY blogs and pinning every bit of inspiration I find in the hopes that I can put it to good use.

But just in case you thought I don't have anything else to share, here's a little card I put together. Combining Wplus9's Borders & Backgrounds 1 with a sentiment from Verve's Words of Wisdom seemed like a perfect match.

Good advice, don't you think?

I added a little strip of silver cardstock along with a smattering of sequins to add a pop of sparkle. I don't think I will ever get tired of this ikat pattern.

Thanks for stopping by to see me today - hope your week is fabulous!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Borders & Backgrounds 1 - Wplus9; Words of Wisdom - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Pale Plum - SU!; Silver
INK: Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Sequins - Darice

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #189

Hello there and Happy July 4th!

I hope you are having a great week! It is time once again for me to share this week's Play Date Cafe color challenge.

This week's color story is burgundy, terra cotta, and icy blue. It feels a little patriotic!

Here is the card that I created for this week.

I used the Fresh Cut Florals set from Wplus9 for my card. I started by cutting a circle from the light blue cardstock. I stamped the sentiment on the layer below and then framed my flower blooms around it. The Fresh Cut Florals Die make layering these flowers so easy!

I hope you will join us for this week's challenge! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, July 9th to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from this week's challenge sponsor, The Memory Nest!

I can't wait to see what you create! I hope you'll join us!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Fresh Cut Florals - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Bashful Blue - SU!
INK: Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist - SU!; Coffee Archival Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Fresh Cut Florals Die - Wplus9; Swiss Dots Embossing Folder - Provo Craft; Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders

June Cloud9 Blog Hop

Hello there! Welcome to the June Cloud9 Blog Hop. I am sad to bring you the news that this month's Cloud9 Hop will be the last. We've had one full year of fabulous challenges, and I am so glad that each of you joined in with us! I have been so blessed to have had the chance to work with Suzanne and the rest of the Inspiration Team. These are a fabulous bunch of gals!

This month's theme is an anything goes free-for-all, and my itchy fingers wasted no time breaking out the new Backgrounds & Borders 1 set. One word: love. From here on out, there will be ikat on everything.

Fabulous. I already can't wait for Backgrounds & Borders 2!

I combined my ikat pattern with a sentiment from Strictly Sentiments 2. This font is swoon-worthy! I could make this card in a dozen different color combos. I just might, too - what a great gift!

That's it for me today. Thank you again for your support and participation in the Cloud9 Blog Hops over the past year. We had a blast!

Be sure to check out the amazing creations from the rest of the inspiration team:

Suzanne Dahlberg
Erin Taylor
Gayatri Murali
Maureen Merritt

as well as this month's special guest designer:

Maria F.!

Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Backgrounds & Borders 1, Strictly Sentiments 2 - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Dusty Durango, Not Quite Navy - SU!
INK: Not Quite Navy, Dusty Durango, So Saffron - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Sequins - Darice

Play Date Cafe Challenge #186

Hello there!

Welcome to Thursday, and this week's Play Date Cafe color challenge.

It is color splash week! Yay! We always love to see the amazing things you do with just a splash of color. This week we're splashing with nectarine:

I had the perfect set to use for this week, just arrived and waiting to see some ink: Milk & Cookies from Wplus9.

So fun! This little card found its way into my husband's bag. This set has the perfect sentiments for that special someone that are lovey without being sappy. Really, because what could be a better comparison than the pairing of milk and cookies?

I hope you will join us for this week's challenge! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, June 18th to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from our fabulous challenge sponsor, Simon Says Stamp!

Thank you for sponsoring us this week, Simon Says Stamp!

I can't wait to see what you create!

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Recipe:
STAMPS: Milk & Cookies - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Black, White - Wplus9; Groovy Guava - SU!
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Groovy Guava - SU!
OTHER: Milk & Cookies Die - Wplus9