Roses & Mermaids

Holy crap - where did May go?!?

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

Passion for Markers - Happy Birthday

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Double Trouble - Pink Ticket

I used a black cardstock base, stamping the sentiment on a scrap piece and embossing with a seafoam embossing powder. I used a similar color cardstock to die cut the lattice frame from. I stamped the image on a piece of text paper from the Boho Blooms set at Unity Stamp Co. with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with Copics and used some Distress Spray Stains to age the paper. 

....................

I feel like I have to send May off with one final MERMAY card, so I'll enter this one into the following challenges:

Let's Craft & Create #31 - Tag You're It/Anything Goes

AllSorts #850 - Anything Goes

Just Us Girls #825 - Stencil Week

I created my background by using the reverse stencil technique (one of my favorites!) with a mermaid scale stencil and some Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide Ink. I die cut the flourish from a good sturdy white cardstock, as well as the tag. I used Lindy's Magicals to color the tag after embossing it with a text script stamp and some white embossing powder. I colored my images (My Enchanted Colors) with Copics, fussy cut, and attached with foam dots. The sentiment is from Funky Fossil. Peace.

Mermaids and Moms

 Hey there - I hope you're up to something fun this weekend!  My daughter is scheduled to be induced on Monday so I'm running around like crazy trying to make sure everything is done in case she needs me for anything. I'm supposed to go with her, but she also has 3 kids at home so I'll do whatever I need to do! I'm really looking forward to meeting this sweet little baby!

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

Allsorts #850 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes

I used some lightly applied crackle paste through a mermaid scale stencil on the background, then spritzed some Mica Spray Stain on it (I think it was Jack-o-Lantern), lightly spritzed with water and let it dry. I die cut a tag (from Gina K. Designs Tag Trio) from watercolor paper, stamped a script text stamp on it and embossed with white embossing powder, then attached with a little orange brad. I applied some Lindy's Magicals to that and let it dry. I used a sentiment from Funky Fossil, die cut with a little banner die and sponged the edges with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink. I printed out the gorgeous mermaid called Pearl's Birthday from Tiddly Inks and colored her with Copics and Stickles, then added Diamond Glaze to her pearl. I fussy cut and attached her with foam dots. I added a die cut (I could swear it's from Hero Arts but I cannot find it online!) that reminded me of netting and finished off with some bling in the form of rhinestone stickers. 

................

Next up is one I made for the:

Shopping Our Stash Challenge - Congratulations

I colored my image with Copics and layered on a piece of torn fabric paper (I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called - you can see the fibers in it), using a kraft cardstock for the base. Peace.

Smile Friend

 Just squeezing one more card in with one of the stencils from the May release at:

This one is called Flower Rays (don't forget to use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order!):

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

Cut it Up - Friendship

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional See Through It

I used the reverse stencil technique on watercolor paper with Uncharted Mariner Distress Oxide Ink - I love the soft, watercolor look of it. I added some rhinestone stickers to the flower centers and die cut the "Smile Friend" from a piece of watercolor paper I distressed with the same color ink (Fun with Words 1 die set from Whimsy Stamps). Peace.

Color Dare #706

 Good morning! I'm super excited to announce that I've joined the Design Team at Color Dare!

This is week 706 and here's our color board for you:

Here is my creation - I went with using green as my extra color:

I stamped the flowers from Unity Stamp Co.'s Snarky Mama set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and used my Deckled Frames Creative Cuts nesting dies from Mama Elephant to cut it out and create the frames around it with. 

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

Colorful Options: B&W (with pop of color) or Rainbow

Make My Monday #278 - Say it With Flowers

Papercraft Challenge #130 - Botanical Beauty

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting! Peace.

Birthday Spider

Hello crafting community! You know, I have realized for a while now that blogging is not as "popular" as social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, etc., but recently I was told that blogging is still an important part of our community. You most likely wouldn't be here if I didn't enter these cards into challenges and/or have my link posted on one of the design teams I'm on. That's why I make a point to explain how I made something if it's not obvious, or post links to products, etc. I sometimes talk about my life, and I sometimes just post my creations and enter challenges. What I've realized is that talking about my life is cathartic to me, and sometimes to some of you, so I will continue to do that. I love blogging because I'm a writer at heart. I don't really care how many followers I have. I'm not selling anything; I'm simply doing what I love and trying to help promote the companies that I love and trust. I'm curious - do you blog?  Why or why not?

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

Colorful Options - Black & White or Rainbow

Passion for Markers - Happy Birthday

Double Trouble #3 - Birthday Ticket

I created my background by using the reverse stencil technique with a spiderweb stencil and some Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink. I die cut the spider web and attached it to the top. The sentiment and cute lil spider were stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I sponged the edges to finish it off. Peace.

Let it Bee - Happy Birthday

 Hello there - just popping by to enter the card below into the following challenges:

The Paper Players #787 - Sketch

Passion for Markers - Happy Birthday

Double Trouble - Birthday Ticket

I've had this scrap that I used for the background in my stash for a while! I had used my Double Honeycomb stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order), applying texture paste through it and then blending some yellow inks over it after it dried. I stamped the bee from the Let it Bee set at Funky Fossil with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and glitter, fussy cut, and attached with foam tape. Sentiment is a sticker from Funky Fossil's Sentimental Sticker Stack. Peace.

To have & to hold and Special Delivery

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Weddings/Anniversaries

Double Trouble #217 - 3rd Annual Celebratory Raffle Event

1.) Anniversary or Wedding - Yellow Ticket

I created my background by spritzing and splattering pink & black ink on a piece of watercolor paper. The image I used is called To Have & To Hold from All Dressed Up (not available right now but you could ask for it!), colored with Copics. I added some rhinestone stickers and sponged the edges to finish it off.

......................

And I wanted to squeeze this one into the:

CAS on Friday #334 - Envelopes

Patterned papers are from Unity Stamp Co., I used nesting heart dies to cut the hearts out. I used Vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up! for the card base and also to stamp the image on. I stamped the images from Special Delivery (Stamping Bella) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics, fussy cut, and attached with foam dots. Peace.

Third Guardian Angel?

 Good morning! I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges today:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - G is for Gnome

Crafty Catz #714 - Anything Goes

We Love Stamping - All Creatures Great and Small

I absolutely love the stamps from CC Designs - this one is from a set called Gnome Friends. I stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and some glitter and used a stitched edge window nesting die to cut her out. I added some die cut mushrooms and a snarky sentiment from Ink Road Stamps. Papers are from Doodlebug Designs. Peace.

Floating Balloons Stencil - A Colorful Life Designs

 Hello friends! I've had a busy weekend and I'm looking forward to spending this rainy day in my craft room!

I've got a couple more cards to share today using the new Floating Balloons stencil at:

Don't forget to use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order at the shop!

You know the minute I saw "floating balloons" I thought of Pennywise from IT and I just happened to have the perfect stamp set to pair with this stencil! I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Stencil Fun May - AG/Optional See Through It

Stamping Sensations - Cute Creatures or AG (last challenge)

AllSorts #850 - Anything Goes

I used Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink blended through the Floating Balloons stencil, then embossed with clear embossing powder (watercolor paper). I die cut the balloon after printing out the sentiment, sponged the edges with red and attached it with a foam dot. The adorable "Pennywise" character is from the The Greeting Farm It's Spooky STAMPtember Exclusive Stamps set from Simon Says Stamp (no longer available), stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and a white gel pen, fussy cut, and attached with foam tape. I sponged the edges with black ink to finish it off.

................

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

Seize the Birthday #326 - Anything Goes (optional feature an animal)

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Optional Birthday or Anniversary

AAA Birthday #85 - AG Birthday (7th birthday celebration!)

For this one, I used the reverse stencil technique and added the sentiment with Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink blended through the Birthday Gifts stencil, which is also from the new release. I added some red brads in the corners and sponged the edges with some black ink to finish it off. Peace.

Happy Birthday Hubby & Friend

Happy birthday to my amazing husband today! We have been together for 34 years now and we've been through a lot; we were only 21 when we started dating so I feel like we grew up together. We know that we are very lucky to still love each other and even more lucky that we LIKE each other.  He's the best husband, dad, and grampy and I wouldn't trade him for the world.

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

AllSorts #850 - Anything Goes (Happy 17th Birthday to them!)

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers #322 - Anything Goes

I used a piece of Kraft cardstock for the card base & sentiment, then layered some text paper and a piece of torn corrugated cardboard on it. I stamped the images from the Shots! Shots! Shots! set at Unity Stamp Co. with Scorched Timber Distress Oxide Ink and embossed with a clear sparkly embossing powder. Sponged the edges with the same ink and added a rustic looking brad to the sentiment. 

............

And it's also the birthday of a friend's daughter who is like a daughter to me - Makayla. This is the card I made for her, which I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Tag It

Passion For Markers - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Birthdays or Anniversaries

Make My Monday #278 - Say It With Flowers

Cut it Up #356 - Flowers (must use die cuts)

Background paper is from Doodlebug Design. I used the Line Detail Frames die cut set and the Beach Chickies stamp set from Mama Elephant - stamped with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with Copics (and yes, I use Oxford commas cuz I'm old ROFL). I sponged some Distress Oxide Inks around the cute little mermaid chick and sponged black ink around the edges of the tag. Added some rhinestone stickers, sand dollar & seashell dies, a ribbon & brad. Peace. 

believe

 Good morning! I have another Mermay card to share today - this one is for the following challenges:

The Greeting Farm FB Challenge - Mermay

Passion for Markers - Anything Goes

AllSorts #850 - Anything Goes

Creative Inspiration #38 - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore May - Anything Goes

I used a digi for this one because I had a 5x7 background created in my stash (a combination of ink smooshing Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink and applying a pretty seafoam green embossing powder) that I wanted to use and I wanted a nice big image for my focal point. She's called Leela Merbean from The Greeting Farm, I colored her with Copics, Stickles, and a white gel pen. I love the way her hair came out, like the sun's rays are shining through it. I fussy cut her and attached her with foam dots. I used a die cut "netting" behind her and a sand dollar as an accent. Sentiment is from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

Kick Back and Relax with Bamboo Snack Time Panda!

 Good morning! The Polkadoodles DT was tasked with creating a Father's Day card this go-around, and I thought this adorable Bamboo Snack Time Panda was the perfect digi for this!

I colored him with Copics, fussy cut, and attached him with foam dimensional tape. I added some die cut leaves around him which blend in nicely with that Noodle Panda Set 3 paper! Sentiments are from the Noodle Panda Themed Messages set. I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Die Cut Divas - Celebrations (Father's Day)

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Cute Critters

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting! Peace.

All Dressed Up New Release - Little Ladybug

I just love the new release this month at

I created my card using the Little Ladybug digi:

I created my background by ink blending Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink on a piece of watercolor paper and ink smooshing it. Once dry, I applied Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink through a polka dot stencil, heavily on one side and lighter on the other. I misted lightly with water and let that dry before sponging the edges with more black ink. I printed out the image and colored her with Copics, then cut out with a stitched edge nesting rectangle die, sponging the edges with more black ink. I added a Viewmaster die cut from black cardstock, a button, and a sentiment from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Finished it off with some rhinestone stickers. I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Girlz and the Art of Letters - A is for.... (Awesome!)

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Passion for Markers - Anything Goes

Have a fantastic day! Peace. 

I Like You More Than Unicorns & Wonderful Life

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

Try a Sketch on Tuesday #695

Cut it Up #356 - Flowers

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Cute Critters

Colorful Options May - B&W or Rainbow

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes/Optional Something Funny

Double Trouble #216 - Let the Troubles Begin! (3 layers, 2 shapes, 1 image recipe)

Papers are from Doodlebug Designs. I die cut the banners, the scalloped circle, and the scalloped squares. The image is a digi from Stamping Bella's Unicorns Set 1. I colored with Copics, then added some glitter to his horn and wings. I added a rainbow sticker and a paper flower with a button center. 

.................

I have one more card to share today and it's kind of a cool story how it came about. My friend Kim was over visiting me and on the table was a vase of flowers that were dying. The petals were falling off onto the counter and as we chatted, she took the petals and formed them into a heart. I took a picture of it and the picture came out so cool that I decided to make a card out of it! LOL I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Make My Monday - Say It With Flowers

Tic Tac Toe #292 (I used Floral, Free, White/Cream)

So I uploaded the photo to Canva and simply used the same background that I use for my cards to layer it on top of. I then printed a larger version of just the background alone and used that for the card base. I layered a piece of Highland Heather cardstock from Stampin' Up! behind the focal point image, then sponged the edges of the card and added a sentiment sticker from a Tim Holtz book. Peace.

I Treasure You & Hopeful

Good morning! Got a lot on my mind this week, but it's more stuff for my personal art journal than my public blog so I'll be spending some time journaling today. I don't know about you, but writing and expressing my thoughts through art really does help.

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

Pink & Main #18 - Nature

Cut it Up #356 - Flowers

I pulled these papers out of my stash, they are from Authentique and I love the color combo - it's one of those "I've been saving it for something special" things and I recently decided to stop doing that. I'm using the stuff now, all of it! Life is too short! Anyway, I stamped the image from the Floral Shells set from Pink & Main with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and used a die cut film strip to cut it out. I added a little die cut seashell, some rhinestone stickers, and sponged the edges of the card. 

...........

I've also got a tag to enter into the:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Tag It

I used the Propagation Plants Dies from Spellbinders with a tag die to create this little tag, tied off with a piece of twine, then added a little kraft sticker from a Tim Holtz book. Peace. 

Celebrating You!

 I spent another 6-7 hours deep cleaning my house yesterday and I cannot tell you how good it felt to wake up to such a sparkling clean home!!! I also cannot tell you how sore I am or what muscles these are that hurt because I don't think I even knew they existed before. ;)  LOL Here's a few pics of the rest of my, uh, stuff, in the dining room area:

I love my clock - it lights up with a soft glow every evening and it's just so pretty and peaceful. Everything in my home is a compilation of the people and places in my life that have been important to me - the things that make me, ME! I know things are just things and I could certainly live without them - but I don't have to, and that makes me happy. :)

...............................................

On to the reason you're here! 

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

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - 17th Birthday Bash!

Art Nudge #526C

Path of Positivity #141 - AG with optional twist: Make it Sweet AND/OR Use 5 Layers

Die Cut Divas - Celebrations

AAA Birthday #85 - We are 7!!! (Anything Birthday Goes)

This adorable Birthday Swissies set that I used from CC Designs is on clearance right now for only $4.80!!! I stamped her with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. Colored with Copics, fussy cut, added glitter and Diamond Glaze, and attached with foam dots. I die cut the balloons using a total of 6 different papers from Doodlebug Design, including cutting the "Recipe card" that I stamped the sentiment on. Peace.

Popcorn ATC

 Full disclosure - I was totally inspired by this post over on the Simon Says Stamp blog, created by Tina Smith. I had a different version of a popcorn box with popcorn pieces in my die stash so I decided to make a little ATC:

I'd like to enter this into the:

ATC Around the World Challenge #137 - Anything Goes

The Paper Players #786 - CAS with Food

Try it on Tuesday - Keep it Simple

I used a piece of black cardstock for the ATC base, roughing up the edges first. I die cut the popcorn & box, using Fluffy Stuff on the popcorn then sponging some yellow ink on top. I added a little ticket from a Tim Holtz book, roughing it up a bit first. I love the simplicity and quickness of making ATC's! Peace.