Happy Saturday! I hope you all had a great holiday weekend or safe Black Friday Shopping!  I'm sharing my card today over at Paperie Ink and all the stamps featured are from the Christmas Carolers stamp set and I've colored everything with distress inks.  

There are so many fun accessory stamps in this set and some very cute little critters and birds to play with.  I've used the branch outline and solid stamps to create a wreath, the ornaments also have a outline, solid stamp and matching die, then I added some berries and the cute little birds.  I cut out the birds using the dies and put foam tape to add some dimension along with some twine to finish it off.  

I used the sentiment "from our family to yours" on the inside.

Stamp set

Die Set

Super cute...yes!  These are so versatile and can be mixed and matched with other images in the other sets....please check us out on FB and stay tuned for some more projects! 

My Hero

           Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the United States, I hope you are enjoying your day, your traditions, your family and yummy food!

I went a little bit different on the Thank You card/Give Thanks theme over at Little Miss Muffet Stamps, this cupcake image Super Star Cupcake reminds me of a super hero and I have a few of those in my life that I felt this would be perfect for.  This will go to my dad as I feel so lucky and grateful to have him in my life.

My dad has always been my hero and right now at this time as we celebrate our first Thanksgiving without my mom (she passed away last month from ALS) he shows what it is like to have a quiet courage and strength to move forward. He mourns her absence everyday and his heart is hollow, but he still reaches out in service to others. He helps because that's just who he is. He doesn't give himself any credit and never feels quite good enough, but he doesn't see himself through others eyes, and he has been a blessing and a hero to many.  He is a perfect example of what a loving husband looks like and while he is hurting and sad, he knows my mom is in a better place, free from her tired and sick body and I know that gives him comfort, he knows he will see her again some day and I know that gives him strength to carry on.  They were married 47 years and she left us way too soon as I'm sure many others feel the same who have lost loved ones.

My prayer for anyone who is missing a loved one or feeling alone to know that they are truly NEVER alone.  I believe in angels and I believe that God loves everyone of us and I pray for comfort and peace for any who are in need.  I know my mom is watching over us, I have felt her near me at times and have felt her love, a little soul hug when I most needed it.  My emotions are close to the surface at this time and while I normally don't share, I felt that I wanted to.  I haven't really written my feelings down yet about my mother and her passing, just this little blip, I will go more in depth, but in my personal journal.  At this time, I hope you are all surrounded by peace and comfort and know that each and everyone of us are heroes too..... :)

The inside says Thank You.....forgot to take pic, it's one of the rare ones that I actually decorated the inside as well!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks-masculine

Warm Wishes with Penny

Happy Monday everyone, it's a happy one for me because of the holidays I have a short work week...whoot!   

I'm using Penny and her Pup from 2cuteink on my card today, I've joined the monthly digi club over at 2cuteink and this is one of the digi's for the month, she is darling and can be used for any colder weather  card.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

+Your Next Stamp-Sketch

                                                               
                                                          + Crafting from the Heart-ATG
                                                          Crafting When We Can-must have an animal
                                                                 +Just us Girls-Red Green Gold

Cutest lil' Elephant EVER!

Happy Weekend to everyone!!

I'm so excited to be sharing my first card with Paperie INK.  and I have to say that I am thrilled to be on the design team! These stamps are amazing, the matching dies are easy to use and there are a ton of accessory stamps with each set, and these stamps are seriously so cute...and versatile!

I used this darling little elephant from the Tons of Thoughts set.  I know I'm going to use this little guy quite a bit, I just think he's adorable.  The sun, dandelion and sentiment are all from the stamp set as are the little whispy dandelion petals (are they called petals....I'm not sure, but they're cute!!).

I used a die cut frame, polka dot stencil for the background with white ink, ribbon, twine, the sentiment is embossed, and I watercolored the background inside the frame.  I hope you like and will head over to Paperie Ink and follow us for tons more inspiration from my amazing design team sisters!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
+Brown Sugar-ATG
+Simply PaperCraft-ATG
+AudSentiments Challenge-ATG with sentiment
+Digi Designs-Cute and Cuddly
+Crafty Sentiments-ATG

So Thankful

As we are in the Thanksgiving season, our challenge over at Little Miss Muffet Stamps is Giving Thanks, Thank You or a Card of Appreciation.

I used this sweet image called Polka Dot Pals Hazel and colored her up using the color inspiration challenge over at Your Next Stamp. I used distress ink for the background, and the border stitching is from a stamp in the new Paperie Ink Christmas Carolers set.

I'm sending this to my amazing grandmother who is 92 years young and still taking care of herself.  She is such an example of strength and kindness.  She was a nurses aide for most of her life and helped countless people with her service.  She is still quilting and has made hundreds of quilts and afghans over the years, and I've been blessed to receive several of these wonderful gifts.

Who or what are you thankful for this year?  If it's a who...make sure you send them a note, card, message or  give them a call, let them know you're thinking of them and are grateful they are in your life.  Happy Thursday to ya'll!!:)

Your Next Stamp-color inspiration blues, browns, green, tan

+Crafty Sentiments -ATG
+Sassy Studio Designs-ATG
+Crafty Creations-Give Thanks
+Fresh Brewed Designs-So Thankful
Simon Says Monday Challenge-Thanks/Thanksgiving
+Fussy and Fancy-Thankful=TOP 5

HB with Jr Hatter Mindy

Happy Thursday everyone, hope you are having a great day!  I'm sharing my card for the Anything Goes challenge that is still going on over at Little Miss Muffet Stamps, there is still plenty of time to link up your projects, so come join us!! 

I used Jr Hatter Mindy for my card today and used some dies from My Favorite Things Blueprints 13, twine, button, and colored with copics.

I'll probably add add a punny sentiment to the inside like Hope you have a Beary Happy Day, or something like that! 

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Sugar Pea Designs-Monthly ATG
+Inspiration Destination-ATG

Always Be a Mermaid!!!

Mermaids have always been a favorite in my family, ever since my son was a toddler and Disney's Little Mermaid came out, he was in love with Ariel (sorry son :P ), my daughter too, Ariel is her favorite Disney Princess.  Then when she hit the tween age it was Aquamarine, trust me, I've watched both these movies more times than I can count.  I think mermaids fascinate me so much because the thought of being able to swim, and live under the water actually terrifies me and they make it look easy, graceful and glamorous.  I know they aren't real, but with all things fastastical and mystical, it's fun to pretend!

So my art journal today consists of tons of mermaid images, sea friends and the awesome coral reef. All images are from SOME ODD GIRL.  (links below)

I colored all the images with copics, the sea is made with a wave stencil from Simon Says Stamp, the waves are distress ink in Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon, & Peacock Feathers. The quote is made from Your Next Stamp clear letter stamps and the sand is torn cardstock.  This was truly a labor of love as it took many hours, but I'm so happy with how it turned out, I think it would also look fabulous on a canvas!!  I do apologize for a little glare on the pic.

               
                                                        MerMan Kody   Mermaid Queen

                                                Under the Sea Mae  Coral Reef   Sea Turtle
                                                       

                         
                                    Clear Letter Stamps from Your Next Stamp (couldn't find in store)


I would like to enter the following challenges:
+Simon Says Stamp-So Glossy (turtle shell, trident, seashells)
+Sugar Pea Designs-ATG
Kraftin Kimmie Stamps-ATG
+Crafting With Friends-ATG
Crafting from the Heart-ATG
2 Creative Chicks-ATG
Some Odd Girl-linky party
+Glitter N Sparkle-ATG

Super Birthday Wishes

I used this adorable image called Super Spencer on my card for the Anything Goes challenge over at

Little Miss Muffet Stamps.  I colored with copics, used dies from Spellbinders, My Favorite Things and CC Designs, the sentiment stamp is from Your Next Stamp.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Inspiration Destination Challenge -ATG

Sugar Pea Designs Monthly Challenge-ATG

My Favorite Things-Color Challenge