Sympathy Card and a Giveaway

This card was lots of fun to make. I found this card base with splatter already on it (A failed project from the past which I kept because I like the way the splatter looked even if it didn't work for the project I was working on at the time). It is splatter made with REAL PAINT--watered down a bit.

Then I found some greens that I thought looked great together. They are HERO ARTS in Neon Chartreuse, Tide Pool, Green Hills, and Mint Julip and I stamped a new set by HERO ARTS with them. A beautiful leaf set that will be coming out in February. The sentiment is also from HERO ARTS called um...With Deepest Sympathy. It's a wooden stamp and of course I stamped it using versafine onyx black, it works great! The leaf die is Lawn Fawn-the embossing makes it looks so real. The leafs look 3D by using a pop up between the layers and creating shadow with a darker green color.

That's it! pretty easy.

Lesson Learned: Don't throw it away, it might be perfect for something else later ;)

Want a free Arctic Penguins stamp set by Mama Elephant? Enter my 3rd anniversary giveaway HERE.

Want A Penguin Stamp with Your Card/Giveaway?

Ombre is best when it just comes ready made...Thanks CP! I love this pretty little bouquet. I "colored" it with water colors. Don't look too close, it's very sloppy. I meant it to...kinda. I was trying to be Danielle Flanders.  I wish I did it with more whimsy. Mine seems forced. Maybe I should have just been me!

January marks my 3rd year anniversary of blogging. I am going through a "thing" right now with blogging. Lots of internal dialogue about what my journey is right now, and why,  and all that. I spent a lot of time on this little blog and it's been incredible but oh my gosh, things have changed. But more of that later.

In celebration, I am giving away a Mama Elephant stamp set ARTIC PENGUINS (I ordered at midnight and somehow I ended up with 2 of these and so...it's time to share!) Just leave a comment here commenting on who made your favorite card of 2014....and/or what one card making skill you wish you did better....or/and one thing you are grateful for.  Comments end Saturday Jan 31st.

Lovely Stamp set by Hero Arts/Basic Gray

Year Round sentiments by Hero Arts-Operation Write Home

Paper-Crate Paper

Staples-Tim Holtz tiny attacher

Stars-A gift from Anya ;) 

When You Aren't Good At Coloring...

Today I am on the Hero Arts Blog showing what to do when you can't color...

Here is a sneak peek showing off a card using the new 2015 collection! Oh my there are so so many good things coming, I can't wait for you to see.

So did I mention we didn't build the house we planned on? We ended up buying one that was already built. Building when you move and start new jobs, new schools, new life is just too much. It was too stressful! Although I am sad for the house that will never be, I am grateful for the one we now have. Its a bit more masculine than I would have liked, but has lots of nice upgrades and I am happy for that. The 2 of the kids and I went sledding on the hill behind our house today and I thought to myself, this is really wonderful! In my mind I always wanted a home that backed to trees...that's just what I got...trees, a pond with geese, a golf course, and well even a pool. God is good. Looking forward to making this place home. 

I hope you will check out my card on the blog! See you there!

Guest Designer on Fusion Challenge

I was asked by the talented mechanical engineer of card making to be her guest on the first fusion challenge of the new year. Fusion is celebrating their one year anniversary! OF COURSE, I said Yes!

Fusion challenge gives you a photo inspiration and a sketch and you can use one or both images to jump start your creativity. Anyone who knows me knows I don't do well with sketches, so I focused on the photo which was whimsical and fun...

The line up of guest designers is pretty fabulous, I hope you will go check out all the beautiful creations HERE.