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.