No One Shines Brighter Than You

The pictures that keep popping up from my "memories" on Facebook and on my phone from this time of year in the past are full of bathing suits and sunshine - this year has been so weird. Although it's nice not to go directly from heat to air conditioning, and Jeremy enjoys the garden "watering itself" (LOL), I would really appreciate a day or two of being able to wear a sundress. Especially because I put all of my "winter" clothes away!  LOL

I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers #790 - Four Legged Friends

SSS Monday - Emboss It

As You Like It - Favorite Type of Embossing (and why)

I love wet embossing - I love the way it shines and I also love that it helps the black ink from the stamp not bleed when coloring the image!

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes/Optional In the Pink

My Favorite Things Color Challenge

I do not usually go for pastel colors, so this was fun for me stepping out of my comfort zone! I used a polka dot stencil and randomly applied the Distress Oxide Inks in the colors from the MFT color palette through it on a piece of watercolor paper, then spritzed lightly with water. I stamped a gemstone from the Precious Pals set at My Favorite Things in each corner with the same color Oxide Inks I used for the background and embossed them with clear embossing powder. I then stamped the bunny with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and a white gel pen, fussy cut, and attached to the die cut tag with foam dimensional tape.  Peace. 

Drink Water

 Good morning! I'm not quite done with Mermay yet - LOL - I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Creative Knockouts #547- Real or Faux Stitching

Classic Design Challenge #05 - May - Anything Goes/Optional Masculine

As You See It - Rapid Water (my background was already made so it only took me a few minutes to color the image, stamp the sentiment, and draw the faux stitching around like a frame!)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Color Throwdown #833

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper and spritzing with water, then blotting with a paper towel. I used a white gel pen for the faux stitching around the edges. I used the Pocahontas digi stamp from the Mermay Princess Gnome Set 2 at Scrapflower Studio's Ko-Fi shop, colored with Copics and fussy cut before attaching with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sentiment from Ink Road Stamps directly on the background and finished it off with some gemstone stickers. Peace.

Congrats!

 Popping in once more today to enter this graduation card into the following challenges:

AllSorts #824 - Anything Goes (Happy 16th Birthday celebration)

Inkspirational Challenge #342 - Celebrate

Outlawz Main Linky - May

Outlawz Challenge - Monday Greeting (congratulations or celebrate)

Outlawz Twisted Thursday - Celebrate Good Times

My daughter's best friend Ana just graduated from freaking LAW SCHOOL! I'm so proud of her. This is the card that I made for her in her school's colors. I applied Distress Oxide Ink in Chipped Sapphire to a piece of watercolor paper with my blending tool, then spritzed heavily with water and blotted with a paper towel. I printed Grad Girl 2015 from Krista Smith, colored with Copics and fussy cut. I used a Polaroid die cut frame and layered the girl inside the frame, then spritzed with Gold Mica Spray Stain. I added a "congrats" sticker to the frame and matted the whole thing onto a black card base. Peace. 

thoughtful

 Hey there!  I was honored to be the guest designer for the Cut it Up challenge #331! The theme for this challenge is Anything Goes - come play along!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Night Owls #49 - Stencils and/or Die Cuts

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Emboss It

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Krafty Chicks #770 - Anything Goes

I created my background by ink smooshing Distress Oxide ink on a piece of watercolor paper. I used a postage stamp die cut, a sand dollar die cut, and a seashell die cut as the focal points. I stamped some text along the side with Versafine Clear and embossed with white embossing powder - finished off with a small text sticker from a Tim Holtz sticker book and some sticker pearls. Peace.

Make a Spash

Sweet November Stamps is one of my favorite companies - the owner Amy is the most amazing colorist, and I often feel like I don't do her images justice!  I decided to spend a LOT more time than usual coloring this image below, and I was thrilled with the results.  I can't promise I'll do this for every card I make but it was really therapeutic just coloring, not worrying about the finished product. Once it was colored, I decided to make a background that looked like the sea, so I used alcohol inks on Yupo paper - I was really happy with the results. I especially love the way her tail came out! LOL

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Dragonfly Dreams - Sea Life

Dream Valley #337 - Hand Coloured Image

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - The Great Outdoors

AllSorts #824 - Anything Goes (16th Birthday Celebration!)

Crafty Gals Corner #267 - Fancy ________ (Fancy Mermaid!)

The mermaid digi is called Skipper, and the background was a freebie for participating in the weekly Mermay challenges. I colored with Copics (my stash is building up nicely) and fussy cut very carefully before attaching with foam dimensional tape to the alcohol-ink Yupo background. Peace. 

It's Your Lucky Day

 Hello everyone! My 6-year-old granddaughter RaeRea (Raeana) came over yesterday and told me that she's having a cookout. LOL She is inviting 3 of her friends from school and she drew them a map to her house! She's the cutest thing. She said "Grammy, I'm inviting you and Grampy too because it's MY cookout. Grampy might be golfing but I'm inviting him anyway."  hee hee  Let me tell you, Grampy will not golf (he mostly disc golfs) on the day of Queen RaeRae's cookout!  :)

I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Embossing

Night Owls #49 - Stencils and/or Die Cuts

Try it on Tuesday - Things with Wings

Just Us Girls Stencil Week

I love the simplicity of this card. I applied Distress Inks through my Square Swirl stencil from the May release at A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your purchase) on a piece of watercolor paper, turning the stencil and using a different color each time to create some movement. I stamped the little frog & bugs from Swan Duo (Paperie Ink Stamps) with Vesafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with Copics. I fussy cut them out and attached them with foam dimensional tape - I used a die cut to stamp the sentiment on and attached the same way after sponging ink on the edges. Peace.

Today is Full of Possibilities

 Quiet week this week for me, much needed. I am working on de-stashing some of my craft supplies and organizing my craft room. Isn't it always shocking when you realize how much stuff you really have?!? LOL  

I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Stamping Bella Mermay 2025 - Mixed Media Mermaids

Cheerful Sketches May 2025

Just Us Girls #776 - Stencil Week

Die Cut Divas - Water Colored

Path of Positivity #131

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks through a mermaid scale stencil and then reverse stenciling another piece with the ink leftover on the stencil. I followed the sketch and used sand dollar dies for the corner pieces. I stamped Whimsabella Mermaid Serene Seastar with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics, fussy cut her, and attached her with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Learning to Fly

 Good morning! I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Bright Cheerful

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional Bouquets

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Cardz for Galz - Things with Wings

Just Us Girls #776 - Stencil Week

I created my background by first using a reverse stencil process with Lindy's Magicals through my Praise Burst stencil from the May release at A Colorful Life Designs. I then applied Distress Oxide ink through the stencil. You can use code JennFan10 for 10% off in the entire store. I stamped the little fairy from Stamping Bella in Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with Copics. I fussy cut and attached her with foam dimensional tape. I added a text sticker sentiment from a Tim Holtz book to finish it off. Peace.

You're a Limited Edition - MFT Sketch

 I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day and remember what today is all about - honoring and mourning veterans who died serving in the US Armed Forces. <3

I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

My Favorite Things Sketch

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Bright Cheerful

Crafty Calendar - For a Child

Passion for Markers - Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Anything Goes

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique with Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper - the funny thing about this card is that I actually started making it for the MFT Color challenge last week, and I missed the Linky deadline by a few hours. I had already colored my images, so I just followed the sketch instead. I colored with Copics and fussy cut the images, then attached them with foam dimensional tape. I added some gemstone stickers to finish it off, my favorite embellishments! Peace.

Happy Birthday - 30!

 Back with another 30th birthday card for another of my daughter's friends - I was one of "those" moms, all of my favorite kids tend to think of me as a second mom, which is one of the biggest compliments of my life!  Tina loves horses - owns horses - her LIFE revolves around horses - so this was the perfect card for her! I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

AAA Birthday #73 - Anything Goes

Colorful Options (I chose the rainbow theme this time)

Creative Moments #270 - Patterned Paper

Addicted to Stamps #493 - Birthdays

Seize the Birthday - Use a Frame

I found this digi saved in my files from "Hobbies & Crafts UK" - I printed it out, colored with Copics and used a stitched edge die cut to cut it out. I used a raffle ticket die cut for the sentiment, and attached it with a little brad. I die cut the 30 and attached with foam dimensional tape. All papers are from Doodlebug Designs. Peace.

Summer Fun ATC

 Today is my hubby's 54th birthday! We normally have a big cookout but the weather has been wicked poopy this year so we're just having a few friends over and cooking some chicken wings and ribs on my Pampered Chef stoneware pan in the oven - I've talked about these pans before but man, you have GOT to get one if you like to cook! Mine are perfectly seasoned at this point - I think I've had some of them for 25 years! They are a little pricey but totally worth it.

Anyway! I'd like to enter the little ATC below into the following challenges today:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Food or Drink

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Bright Cheerful

ATC Around the World #125 - Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar - For a Child

Color Dare #652

My designer papers are from Doodlebug Designs. I made a little ATC with the adorable pig from the Seasun of Fun set at Paperie Ink Stamps. I colored him with Copics and fussy cut him, did the same to the popsicle, and attached it to his hand. I attached him to the ATC with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the beach umbrella on a piece of the DP, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. Finished it off with a coordinating sticker surfboard from Doodlebug Designs. Peace.

Polkadoodles: When in doubt, VACATION!

 We have a new Anything Goes challenge for you at Polkadoodles today - come play along for your chance to win a $50 gift certificate or one of 3 $10 gift certificates!

The background papers are from the Paper Patterns 4: Winnie Daisy Fairy bundle - I printed Sunbathing Days Theo Penguin out on Neenah cardstock, colored with Copics, and used a die cut frame to nest inside another die cut frame. I added some Cottontail Flock to the trim on his hat and Fluffy Stuff to the snow/snowballs. I added a die cut sun from the same yellow paper I used for the mat.  

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge #185 - Anything Christmas Goes

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #98 - Winter Warmers

Fab n' Funky #617 - Add a Sentiment

Night Owls #49 - Stencils and/or DieCuts/Punches

Peace.

Always Show Your True Colors

 The heat has been on for 3 days now, which is unheard of for late May around here!  Crazy. I am thankful that I don't put all of my long pants & hoodies away because I have really needed them! I want to be like this little cutie below, basking in the sunshine... I'm entering this one into the following challenges:

Stamping Bella - Mermay 2025 - Mixed Media Mermaids

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Bright Cheerful

Passion for Markers - Anything Goes

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - The Great Outdoors

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Something New (my mermaid stamp is new)

I just adore this card if I do say so myself! LOL  I had fun making the background with Distress Oxide Inks blended on watercolor paper. I splattered some darker brown ink around the bottom. I printed a rock/starfish out, stamped Whimsabella Mermaid Serene Seastar with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored it all with Copics and added some glitter, fussy cut and attached to background. I used some seaweed and a seashell die cut to finish it off. I drew the clouds with a clear embossing pen and then filled them in with fluffy stuff. Peace.

Birthday Twins - Happy 30th!

 Today's cards are for a couple of my favorite people in the universe.  Their mom and I have been friends since we were about 15 years old, and our children are the same ages. Makayla and her twin sister Makenzie were born a month after my daughter, and they all grew up together (they have a little sister Mariah who is one year younger, another of my absolute faves). They are like daughters to me and I cannot believe they are 30 years old now!  LOL  Happy birthday girls - I love you so much!

The first card is for Makayla (Kay) and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Artiste #115 - Anything Mixed Media Goes

AAA Birthday - Anything Birthday Goes

I created my background with Lindy's Magicals on watercolor paper. I used Gold Mica Spray Stain on another piece of watercolor paper and then die cut the "30" from that. Stamps are all from Ink Road Stamps - stamped directly on the background with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. 

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The next card is for Makenzie and I'd like to enter this one into the following challenges:

The Four Seasons - Spring

Cut it Up #330 - Send Me Flowers (must use die cuts)

My Time to Craft #560 - Square Shaped Cards

Creative Moments #270 - Patterned Paper

Craft Rocket #125 - Flowers

I used designer papers from First Edition Paper for the background and the die cut numbers. I stamped the flower from Unity Stamp Co. Boho Blooms set with InkOn3 No Line ink pad and colored with Copics - I was very intimidated by this technique but inspired by Meg Russell, DT Meg on The Greeting Farm DT, so I gave it a try and I'm not unhappy with the results!  I'll keep practicing but seriously, you have to check out Meg's work - she's amazing at it. Peace. 

Bite Me!

 I am so thankful for crafting when I'm feeling stressed, it just feels so therapeutic. I spent the whole day in my craft room today - the weather has been so crappy, which doesn't help with the doom & gloom feelings I've been having lately. *sigh* But crafting DOES help - and this card is so appropriate for how I've been feeling lately.... hee hee  So I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Fab n' Funky #617 - Add a Sentiment

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Food and/or Drink

I am so sorry, but I can't find this image in my folders to give credit to the artist - I'll keep looking and will update if/when I find it.  But I printed it out, colored with Copics and used a fancy edge circle die to cut it out. I used the smaller version of the die to cut a piece of black cardstock, and wrote BITE ME! on it with an embossing pen and embossed with white embossing powder - I wanted it to look kind of messy, so I sponged the edges with white ink. Background paper is from Doodlebug Designs. Peace.

Don't worry, be hoppy!

 Good morning! Do you have any fun plans for Memorial Day weekend?  We have always celebrated my husband's birthday on this weekend, as his birthday is May 24.  So this year, the party is on his actual birthday. As seems to be the norm for this year, the weather is expected to be crappy so we're only having about 12-15 people over and I'm planning on things like chicken ceasar pasta salad, charcuterie boards, and maybe some ribs & chicken thighs on my stoneware pan from Pampered Chef (OMG if you don't have one of those yet and you like to cook - GET ONE - thank me later).  We will make the best of it no matter what - we always do.  :)

I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes/Optional Watercolor Real or Faux

Creative Inspiration #26 - Anything Goes

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - The Great Outdoors

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

Art Nudge #525A

 

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique with a couple different shades of green on a piece of watercolor paper, then spritzing with Gold Mica Spray Stain. I printed the Frog Prince digi from Drawn With Character (now called Drawn by Krista on Etsy), colored with Copics and a gold glitter pen, and fussy cut before attaching with foam dimensional tape.  I used a hexagon die cut and printed out the sentiment with Canva before die cutting with a speech bubble die. Peace.

The Paper Shelter - Gemini

 Happy Wednesday!  We have a new challenge for you today at:

THEME: Anything Goes/Optional Dots or Stripes

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers - Anything Goes (anniversary celebration!)

A Place to Start - Anything Goes/Optional For a Child

Dream Valley - Hand Colored Image

AAA Birthday - Anything Birthday Goes

I used the adorable Gemini digi, colored with Copics and fussy cut, then attached with foam dimensional tape. I created the background by using the ink smooshing technique with Distress Oxide inks. I stamped some random Gemini symbols on the background and splattered with black ink. Peace.

hello friend - Mermay

 Happy Wednesday!  I've got 2 posts for today - I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Stamping Bella - Mermay 2025 Week 3 - Mixed Media Mermaids

Try a Sketch on Tuesday #670

Unicorn Challenge #109 - Mermay

Dragonfly Dreams May - Sea Life

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes/Optional No Squares

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique on a piece of watercolor paper.  I used Cracked Pistachio, Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet and Villainous Potion Distress Oxide Inks. I stamped the cute mermaid called Whimsabella Mermaid Serene Seastar from Stamping Bella (she's the only mermaid I own from Stamping Bella, I couldn't believe that when I went digging for another one!) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with Copics, fussy cut her, and attached with foam dimensional tape. I used sand dollar die cuts applied with adhesive and foam dimension stickers and tied a piece of twine around it.  Sentiment is from a sticker sheet. Peace.

Poolside Vibes

 Hello! I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

AllSorts #823 - Anything Goes/Optional Paper Piecing

Paper Funday #76 - Anything Goes/Optional Something New

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Alphabet Challenge - C is for Circles

Crafter's Cafe #319 - Anything Goes/Optional No Squares

I love paper piecing - I made a round card and kept it simple. I stamped the sweet girl from the Poolside Vibes set at The Greeting Farm with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with Copics and paper-pieced her top and her floatie tube. I fussy cut her and attached her with foam dimensional tape to the background paper (Doodlebug Designs). I die cut a sun and used some wave scissors on another piece of the designer paper to create a water look. Peace.

Not Enough Sage for This Sh*t

 There's absolutely nothing I love making more than witchy/Halloween cards/creations!  I would like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Little Red Wagon #807 - D is for Die Cut

Dream Valley - Hand Coloured Image

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes/Optional Feminine

Halloween Crafts All Year Long (May/Halloween, Birthday, Outer Space, Sports)

Two Old Bats Mood Board

I love this background - I blended Distress Oxide inks in Pink Flamingo & Cracked Pistachio on a piece of watercolor paper, spritzed with water, and then used some permanent black ink applied through this barbed wire stencil. I used more Cracked Pistachio on another piece of watercolor paper, spritzed with water, and stamped the sentiment & sage with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and used my Deckled Edge die cut from Mama Elephant (quickly becoming one of my favorite dies!). I stamped Smudge & Crystal Oddball from Stamping Bella with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with alcohol markers and fussy cut before attaching with foam dimensional tape . Peace.

Sending You Mush Love

 Good morning! Popping in to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Hero Arts - Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - The Great Outdoors

Passion for Markers #788 - Fave Color Combo

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Color Dare #651

I had to get crafty with this one (see what I did there? hee hee) - the Hero Arts challenge wanted us to add eyes to our project, but none of my Hero Arts stamps are people or animals, so I went with the 'shrooms!  LOL  I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper and spraying with water, then blotting with a paper towel.  I stamped the mushrooms from Hero Arts Hello Fungi set with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and colored with Copics. I fussy cut, attached with foam dimensional tape and added the little googly eyes. I stamped the sentiment and the leaves directly on the background. Peace.

You Are Magically Adorable

 Cloudy day today but that's OK.  My best friend Tim is bringing filets over, Jeremy is going to throw them on the grill while I make us some yummy twice baked potatoes. I LOVE twice baked potatoes and could honestly just eat one of those for a meal! All that bacon and cheese and deliciousness.... it's just after 9:00 a.m. and I'm already dreaming about it.  hee hee

I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Things with Wings

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Things with Wings

Cardz 4 Galz - Things with Wings (Real or Fantasy)

Colorful Options May - Mood Board or Rainbow

Just Us Girls #775 - Mood Board

I created my background with alcohol inks on Yupo paper - I went through a phase of being obsessed with alcohol inks and Yupo, so I've got a healthy stash of premade backgrounds from which to choose! LOL  I printed the unicorn (free coloring page) and colored with Copics and Stickles. I fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

BBQ King - Kiss the Cook from A Colorful Life Designs

The mid month inspiration stencil from A Colorful Life Designs was released on May 15, and it's a fun and versatile one!  Kiss the Cook is only $4 until May 22 (and you can use my discount code JennFan10 on top of that for another 10% off)!  I made a fun card with this stencil that I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

FarmQuest Homestyle Kitchen Challenge #5 - Anything Kitchen/Dining Goes

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional Bouquets

Classic Design Challenge #5 - Anything Goes/Optional Masculine

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Something New (new stencil)

I used Distress Oxide inks through the Kiss the Cook stencil to create this card - so simple but such a dramatic effect!  I spritzed water on it and blotted with a paper towel before doing the text and oven mitts. Peace.