Live Simply

 We decided to stay an extra night on our camping trip and it was so worth it. I feel so rested and relaxed and pretty much ready to get back to real life! We're heading home in about an hour - it takes about 4 hours to drive home from here.  We met some interesting and fun people while out brewery hopping the last couple days - always reminds me what a small world it is when I talk to people!

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

Just Us Girls #790- Stencil Week

Cut it Up #337 - Anything Goes with a Die Cut

Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps - Die Cuts and/or Stencils

I used the Sea Net stencil from A Colorful Life Designs to create the background on this one - I then used the crab from the Crabbies stencil and fussy cut him out, attaching with foam dimensional tape. You can use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order at the store! I stamped the sentiment on a separate panel with the same gray ink that I used for the background, die cut with a stitched edge rectangle die and dragged the edges in red ink. I finished it off with an anchor die cut from a darker piece of gray cardstock. Peace.

HAPPY Love Bird - Polkadoodles

 Good morning! Come check out the DT inspiration at the Polkadoodles blog today!

Play along for your chance to win a $40 gift certificate or one of two $10 gift certificates to the shop!

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

AllSorts #831 - Birthdays or Anything Goes

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes/Use Patterned Paper

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Passion for Markers #803 - Special Occasions

Addicted to Stamps - Die Cuts and/or Stencils

Paper is from the Bella Bear Christmas set 2 digital paper pack at Polkadoodles.  Image is called Love Bird Rose Flowers - Wings of Love, printed out and colored with Copics and glitter. I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the heart and attach it with foam dimensional tape to make it pop. The Love Birds collection is one of my favorites from Polkadoodles - you can see the entire collection here. I die cut the word HAPPY from red cardstock, added some Washi tape and a heart shaped button. Peace.

Kindness

 We had a lovely anniversary dinner last night (32 years!) and we have a full day of brewery-hopping planned today! Heading home tomorrow, although I do wish we had one more day!

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

Addicted to Stamps - Die Cuts and/or Stencils

Creative Knockouts - Favorite Embellishments (die cuts & gems!)

Cut it Up #337 - Anything Goes with Die Cuts

Try it on Tuesday - Going Round in Circles

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Just Us Girls #790 - Stencil Week

I created my background by blending citrus colored Oxide Inks through my Bauhaus and Bauhaus Circle Mask stencils from the August release at A Colorful Life Designs. You can use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order. I die cut the leaf and the deckled stitched edge circles, then stamped the flower from Pink & Main with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and attached the image with foam dimensional tape. Finished it off with a few gemstone stickers. Peace.

Rainbows Follow Bad Weather!

 Posting from Vermont this morning - it is just so beautiful here. I slept for 10 hours last night. LOL  It's peaceful and relaxing and I'm looking forward to our anniversary dinner tonight!

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

Cupcake Inspirations #625 - Pastel Colors

Colorful Options - Rainbow Option

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Just Us Girls #790 Stencil Week

This is another example of a reverse stencil technique - I sprayed the watercolor paper with water and then applied the Mid Century Double Rainbow stencil from the August release at A Colorful Life Designs with the leftover colors on it.  I love the watery look of it! I then used the Cloud Edger stencil (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order!) with Stormy Sky Oxide Ink to make the clouds all around it. I printed the sentiment from Oddball Art on the background, leaving it a one-layer card. I attached the raindrop shaped gemstones to the side of the card. Peace.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

We're off to Vermont this morning - I am SO looking forward to it!

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

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Card of Encouragement

Try it on Tuesday - Going Round in Circles

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes

Every time I use my stencils, I always do a reverse print with them by spraying the watercolor paper with water first and then rubbing the stencil into the paper. I love the watercolor look this gives - for this one, I used my Bauhaus Circle Mask Stencil from the August release at A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order!). I then printed my image and sentiment (Whimsie Doodles digi images, no longer in business) directly on my stenciled background. I spot colored and added some Stickles for the rim of the glass, then sponged some ink around the edges of the card. Peace. 

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 Hello all - I am so excited, my hubby and I are going on a little anniversary trip tomorrow. We are heading to Smuggler's Notch in Vermont for 3 nights to celebrate our 32nd anniversary!  I am looking forward to getting away from real life for a few days!

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

Christmas Kickstart #101 - Let's Wreath it Up

ABC Christmas - P is for Pastel Colors

Peace on Earth #94 - Anything Christmas Goes

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes/Optional Use Patterned Paper

Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion

I created my backgrounds by ink smooshing oxide inks on watercolor paper (Festive Berries and Iced Spruce). I then stamped the images from Tracey Hey's Happy Holidays set with Iced Spruce Oxide Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and attached that panel with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Strike a Pose and Home Sweet Home

 Hello everyone! Many of you know that I've been struggling with grief since my infant grandson died in March. I finally called my doctor the other day and I'm going in tomorrow to see her and discuss some grief counseling. I've been having trouble sleeping so I'm hoping she'll give me something to help with that temporarily. This feeling of grief is just so... heavy. So damn heavy. I don't think I can carry it all myself anymore and I'm tired of trying. I don't like to talk to people - I am the one people talk to. So this is hard for me, admitting that I need help. Sigh. But I have to be there for my daughter and my granddaughters so I'll do whatever I have to do. I know I'm not alone but it sure feels lonely when you go through this kind of tragedy.

Crafting is how I provide therapy to myself - LOL - so I've been cranking out the projects.  ;)  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

A Cut Above - Anything Goes with Die Cuts

Cut it Up #337 - Anything Goes with Die Cuts

Creative Knockouts - Favorite Embellishments (Die Cuts)

Sunday Stamps #367 - Sketch

Color Throwdown #839

I absolutely love this color combination and will definitely be using it more often! Background paper is from Doodlebug Designs. I stamped Snapshot Anya from The Greeting Farm with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with Copics and a white gel pen, fussy cut, and attached her with foam dimensional tape on top of my die cut Polaroid frame and filmstrips.

I love playing with my stamps from The Greeting Farm - I have more stamps from them than any other company. I love coloring them and they just pair so well with the papers from Doodlebug Designs! I'd like to enter this next card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Stitch It

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Four Legged Friends

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesday - Going Round in Circles

Little Red Wagon #821 - Circle of Life

Papers are from Doodlebug Design.  When I saw this Fun on the Farm set, I knew right away that I wanted to use those papers with it! I actually was so excited about buying this set that I bought it twice.  LOL  So my friend Glo got my double!  ;) Anyway, I stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. I used a stitched edge circle die for the background. Peace.

Spooktacular!

 I've got one more ATC to squeeze into the:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Fun with ATC's

and this one will also fit the:

Halloween & Other Occasions (Birthday/Romance/Family)

ATC Around the World - Anything Goes

AllSorts - Something Beginning with "B" (broom)

Crafter's Cafe #322 - Anything Goes/Optional Use Patterned Paper

As You Like It - Favorite Coloring Medium (and why)

I love coloring with Copics - I've been having fun playing with them and learning to shade, etc. I love the depth of color they provide!

Papers and digis all from Polkadoodles - I printed the witch out about 3.5 inches and attached her with foam dimensional tape so that her little witch hat peeks off the top. The paper is a digi paper so I used Publisher to layer the digi sentiment on the paper before printing it out slightly larger than ATC size and then trimmed down to fit perfectly on my ATC base. Peace.

Juggling Bunnies and Autumn Trees

 Hello all! I hope you are having a good weekend. I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Fun with ATC's

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Stitch It

CAS Colours & Sketches #567

Krafty Chicks #782 - Clean and Simple

So the first thing I did was create an ATC - I used a piece of Lost Lagoon cardstock for the ATC base, then cut a frame from black cardstock with 2 stitched edge rectangle dies. I stamped the bunny and bowling pins from Paperie Ink's Clowning Around set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored them with Copics and fussy cut them, then attached them to the ATC with foam dimensional tape. I then attached the ATC to a plain white card base and added a few rhinestone stickers to mimic the movement of the bowling pins being thrown... 

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And one more for today - this one is for the following challenges:

AAA Colourful #19

Seize the Birthday - Topping: No Flowers

Night Shift Night Owls Creation Challenge - Trees

TGIF #539 - Mood Board

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique on watercolor paper. I cannot tell you how many of these backgrounds I have in my stash - I absolutely LOVE making backgrounds. I forced myself to use one I already had rather than make a new one for this. I really love the Autumn vibes of the colors in this! I stamped (Tree of Love from Unity Stamp Co.) directly on the background with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. Peace.

Friendship is Forever & Imperfectly Perfect

Hello - any fun plans this weekend?  Hubby and I are going to a glass show today and then having a cookout at our daughter's tomorrow. The kids go back to school next week - Summer just flew by so we're trying to enjoy the last of it! 

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

Double D - Butterflies

Addicted to Stamps #499 - Any Occasion

AllSorts #830 - Something That Starts with "B" (butterfly)

Crafter's Cafe #322 - Anything Goes/Optional Use Patterned Paper

Color Dare #665

I have to say, the Color Dare challenge is one of my absolute favorite challenge blogs! It's always so inspiring and prompts me to come up with ideas outside of my normal style, which I really appreciate! For this one, I used paper from Doodlebug Designs, then made the tag with Evergreen Bough Oxide Ink blended on a piece of watercolor paper before die cutting. I used an old Stampin' Up! flower brad and found the sticker in my sticker stash. The butterfly is from Visible Image, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with a Copic marker, fussy cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape. On a side note - I was kind of surprised not to be able to find a color of ink in the Distress Oxide family that matches this peachy color in my stash! The Abandoned Coral was too dark, the oranges were too.... orange. LOL I'm adding Dried Marigold to my next order to see if that one will do it! 

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One more for today - this one is for the following challenges:

2 Sisters on the Blog - Flowers in a Vase

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes

A Place to Start - Anything Goes/Optional Summer Things

I created the background by ink smooshing Distress Oxide Ink on a piece of watercolor paper (I think this one was Rustic Wilderness). I stamped some background stamps (all stamps from the Soul Mail set at Unity Stamp Co.) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then used Lindy's Magicals on another piece of watercolor paper and stamped the flowers in the vase (Unity Stamp Co.) with Versafine Dazzle and embossed with white embossing powder. I then stamped the sentiment with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I used a corner punch on the edges and attached with a flower brad from Stampin' Up! Peace. 

You Perk Me Up & You're the Best

 Hi everyone! Almost time for the weekend - any big plans? I'm going to a glass artist show on Saturday and then to my daughter's for a cookout on Sunday. Kids go back to school next week - Summer always flies by!

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

Time Out #295 - Mood Board

Creative Knockouts - Use Your Favorite Embellishments (die cuts and gemstone stickers!)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Passion for Markers - Anything Goes/Optional Spots and/or Stripes

Color Hues #116

Papers are from Doodlebug Design. Stamp set is an old one from Stamping Bella  - I stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and fussy cut, then attached with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sentiment with Blueprint Sketch Oxide Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder before die cutting. 

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One more for today - this one is for the following challenges:

As You Like It - Favorite Coloring Medium (and why)

My favorite coloring medium is now Copic markers. I've spent a lot of time playing with them and learning to use them for shading and layering, etc., and I LOVE the depth of color and shading capabilities you can create!!!

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes/Optional Inspired by a Film

Color Throwdown #839

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #308

I used paper from Doodlebug Design for the background, stamping the sentiment directly on it with Candied Apple Distress Ink. I die cut the envelopes, coloring the hearts red with a Copic marker. I stamped the image from the New Swissie Love set from CC Designs with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with Copics and a white gel pen, fussy cut, and attached her with foam dimensional tape.  I think this was my favorite color combination from Color Throwdown! Peace.

This is Paradise and ATC Fun!

 I don't know if it will still count, but I wanted to make something for the:

Colorful Options - Hawaii Day!

I'll also enter it into the following challenges:

Dream Valley - Shaped Cards

A Place to Start - Anything Goes/Optional Summer

Try it on Tuesday - Going Round in Circles

I created a circle card base and used papers from Doodlebug Designs. I die cut the 4 leaves from the same paper pack and cut the sentiments from one of the pieces. I stamped the sweet girl from the Sugarplum Summer set at CC Designs with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with Copics and fussy cut her, then attached her with foam dimensional tape. I fussy cut a tiny flower from the DP and attached it to her hair. 

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Next up is a cute little ATC I made - I LOVE making ATC's! This one is for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Fun with ATC's

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Stitch It

ATC Around the World - Anything Goes

CAS Colours & Sketches #567 - Color Board

Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge August

Now I am guilty of often making a project for one particular challenge and then finding others that it fits in - but for this one, I actually made this ATC with all of these challenges in mind!  LOL  It was easy based on the themes!  I created my ATC base with a piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock (Stampin' Up!). I stamped all of the characters from the Paperie Ink Clowning Around set all over the background with Versafine Dazzle and embossed with clear embossing powder. I then die cut the stitched edge frame with 2 stitched edge rectangle die cuts and attached it with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sweet pig with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with Copics. I attached him with foam dimensional tape and added some gemstone stickers and a little text sentiment sticker from a Tim Holtz book. Peace.

A is for Alien & You Make Me All Mushy

 I love this challenge - gives me the chance to use my snarky stamps without wondering if I'm gonna get in trouble... hee hee

I'd like to enter this into the:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - A is for Alien

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes/Optional Use Patterned Paper

A Place to Start - Anything Goes/Optional Summer Things

Papers are from Doodlebug Designs. I used a free digi stamp from Opal Manor (no longer open), colored with Copics and die cut with a stitched edge rectangle. Sentiment is from a Tim Holtz snarky sticker book. 

Next up is an ATC that I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Fun with ATC's

ATC Around the World - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes

AAA Colourful

I love making ATC's - the small space is less intimidating than a larger canvas and I find it's easy to crank out several of them at a time. For this one, I used a scrap piece of kraft paper for the ATC base. I found this scrap of previously distressed watercolor paper in with my leftover pieces and used the Mushy Guy set from Unity Stamp Co. I stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. Spot colored the top of the mushroom and added some brads in the corners. Peace.