Color Inspiration #54

This post goes out to my mom who has politely asked me on several occasions to post more often. My jump back into blogging begins with a little Color Inspiration.

This challenge was indeed a challenge as I don't usually make cards with such bright colors. I had my heart set on using Stampin Up's Always stamp set as it seems to have been neglected just sitting on my shelf of stamps and I just love the little bird.

I used the colors Taken with Teal, Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, and Bashful Blue.

My picture taking skills aren't the greatest, you'll have to trust me when I say this card looks better in real life.

My First Color Inspiration Challenge

I've been a long time reader of KWernerDesign This is my very first Color Inspiration Challenge. I was lured into participation by all the awesome prizes available. I had fun with the whole process and I just may participate again.

For this card I used mostly Stamping Up products.
Stamp Sets-All Holidays and Pun Fun
Colors-Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Close to Cocoa, and Whisper White.
Sorry I can't tell you where my accessories came from. The ribbon was salvaged from my "scraps" pile and the buttons came from my jar of random buttons collected over the years.

Sympathy card for Greg's Uncle

Stamp Something Challenge

It's been a long time since I've participated in a Stamp Something Challenge I just bought a new stamp set on eBay, I have big plans for my Christmas cards with this set which is so pretty and so versatile. After playing around with my new tree set I decided I might as well make something with a purpose and decided to join in on a challenge. I scanned my card instead of taking a picture, my camera has been acting up lately. I was going to stamp a sentiment on the card but I was afraid I'd ruin my pretty picture so I left it as a nature scene with no sentiment. I've never made a card quite like this before and there are a lot of stamping "firsts" for me. I layered my stamped images which I've always been afraid to do and I used a reverse masking technique, totally fun to try out new methods.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I made myself a birthday card, I read about making yourself a card on some crafty blog but I can't remember where.
In the back of my mind it seems silly to make yourself a card yet at the same time I think it could be a cool tradition for myself.

I didn't want to dig out the camera so I scanned my card, that's why the picture looks a little funny.

Sketch Challange

I have been on such a crafty kick lately. I've been browsing scrap booking and stamping blogs in search of inspiration, I ordered over 300 pictures from our 2008 cross country road trip and I've been scrapping up a storm. It could be because summer is here and my schedule is freer without a daily job or it could be because my neighbor started scrap booking and came to me for advice and tips (ME!) I'm rather critical and concerned over my past projects, my scrapbooks are not much compared to the talent I've seen from others online, but I'm still flattered by someone's interest in my hobby.

My online craft searching led me to this site called Our Creative Corner super cute! I knew I had to participate in this weeks Sketch Challenge. I've been thinking about sending a card to a friend and this seemed like a little push to go ahead and get a card made. (In truth, the $20 gift card drawing was more influential)

It's been a fun week and I've done a quite a bit to my little family scrap book. The craft room (hobby room?) is in a constant state of disarray. I share half the table with my hubby and his projects. I'm not complaining, it's kind of nice to work side by side, I wouldn't say it's quality time together as we don't really talk, we're so focused on our projects at hand.

I tried convincing my husband that we should have a "hobby fund" to help pay for all my crafting purchases and scrap booking needs, my supplies are dwindling down. I was given a hearty chuckle and a big fat NO. It was worth a shot. It is so hard to be frugal when it comes to scrap booking and stamping, but I can do it. I just have to be more creative in using what I have.

My first sketch something challenge

This is my first time participating in a stamping challenge and I don't think it will be my last. Also it's the first time I've used a sketch. Using a sketch helped me make a card super fast, I am totally going to be using sketches more often.
I'm not sure that I care for the pink rick rack ribbon across the top, but overall I think the card turned out great. Of course it looks so much better in person, my photo just doesn't do it justice.

This card is headed in the mailbox soon. It was made for my parents who recently ran an errand for me. It's so nice that I can count on my family, they deserve a thank you note.

An Anniversary Card

Today is our four year wedding anniversay! I made a card, which is seriously hard to do. I wanted so much to have made my best card ever that somehow showed all my love and appreciation I have for my husband, the last four years and the years to come I piddled around for a long time before I decided to just do something simple. (maybe a little to simple?) You can not tell from my picture but my tag says True Love. I tried to keep the card somewhat masculine with my color choices. It's so much easier to make cards for ladies, maybe that's why I still haven't made my father's day cards. (It's on my to do list)

Today we celebrate four years of marriage, and let me tell you a lot can happen in four years!

just for fun here are four things we have done:

1. Bought a house

2. Joined the Navy (sold the house)

3. I earned my Bachelors in Education and my teacher's certificate. We did this without any debt or student loans, just a lot of patience and sacrifice (mostly on Greg's part)

4. Drove across America, twice (the first time with all of our personal belongings packed in an SUV)

and one more...... moved overseas.

If you had asked me four or five years ago I would have never thought this would be my life. I thought I'd live close to my family, have kids and be in the same town forever and yet here I am a Navy wife living on the other side of the globe.

Life is not what you expect and that's ok, I think that makes it all the more necessary to trust and rely on God.

I can't wait to celebrate four great years tonight with my husband and I look forward to the years ahead.

Mother's day cards

Today I sent out my mother's day gifts. I've been working on the cards the past two weekends. I have to say that I'm so proud of how they came out. My mother-in-law's card is light-hearted and the least elaborate, the husband didn't want to send a mushy feel good card. Since it's for his mom and he helped make it I could honor that. My other two cards (the pink one and the circular card) are accordion style with several panels full of photos, nice thoughts and memories I've had. I'm really proud of how the cards turned out and I hope that they show how special the recipients are and enjoyed.
I used a paper grocery sack as an envelop package of sorts (not the prettiest but it works) to mail my cards as well as a local newspaper and other gift item.
I'm sad I can't be with my moms to present them their card and be with them on their day.
Hopefully they will receive their package before Mother's Day and will know how much they mean to us

Making my own greeting cards – I don’t need a whole lot of stuff to do so

This is my first Works for Me Wednesday Post. Card-making is something that works for me. I love being crafty and I love making cards. I have a large assortment of card making things and craft stuff. I have got pretty papers galore but sadly all of it is somewhere on a boat along with all my other household goods patiently waiting to come home.

I am a real mess when trying to pick out a store bought card, I stand in the card aisle for hours reading each card, crying or laughing at each and still not finding the one perfect card. With birthdays coming up and thank you notes due I can’t wait for our stuff to arrive before I make some cards. My other half would never let me run to the craft store and buy up a new collection of card making tools, it's a good thing for the both of us that there isn’t a craft store around. Starting with nothing I headed to the store, I knew I couldn't attempt to pick out a card after just browsing the card aisle so I headed to the nearby stationary/office/craft aisle. I picked up some scissors, double-stick tape, and a paper stack. There was only one choice in paper-lucky for me it was full of pretty patterns that I could work with. I spent $15 with most of it on the paper. I only need to make a handful of cards and I will recuperate the cost of buying your standard greeting card.

The birthday card I made yesterday is simple there are no embellishments or pretty ribbons it’s nothing fancy just paper and tape. It’s not my prettiest, most creative, eye-catching card however I still had a good time making the card and I’m sure the recipient will receive from it our thoughts and love.

My Christmas gift for my Mother-in-law

I had some trouble deciding on a Christmas gift for my lovely mother-in-law. She doesn't desire more "stuff" and a gift card seems so unthoughtful. I decided to go with a homemade gift early on but didn't know what I was going to make. A few days ago we were shopping and wandering a bit at Costco and I stumbled across a kit for making greeting cards, I didn't buy it but it did inspire me to make a greeting card set with cards for several different occasions. I think it will be the perfect gift for Greg's mom this Christmas. One of the advantages is that I was able to clean out my stash of card making items at the same time, I used up some old cards and scrap paper that I've had for months. I made 25 cards altogether and organized them in a photo holder with tabs. With a little ribbon, paper and a Christmas tag the gift is too cute and functional too!

I love to make cards and give them. These are a few thank you notes I made and gave away several months ago.