We have been having some family activities that are slowing down my ability to create.....  SO, posting some cards I was able to create this weekend : )  

The Teapot Tuesday exchange to each other was to think back of a fond memory- I have a zillion allergies, so don't do alot of gardening....  but, my Mother was a master gardener, and both of my sisters are as well!  Their yards and flowers are beautiful.  My husband does our flowers and gardening : )  

 I had to have this Spellbinders die set, and was on the waiting list for a bit before I finally got it.  It has many pieces, but I love it and all of the designing possibilities!  

 The sentiment is by Simon Says Stamps. 

  

This background technique is called retiform, and is a variation of the new technique posted at Splitcoaststampers.  I used Distress Inks.  Images are by SSS, aka Simon Says Stamps. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are well and crafting : )

Shelly

 

The Dare to Get Dirty challenge has posted all of the challenges, and we have until Friday the 29th to complete them.

Yoorah's challenge for things with wings. Image by Polkadot Orchard.  There are 1-2 birdhouses fussy cut and up on dimensionals per row..... Give me an Owl or a Blue bird to make my heart flutter!!!  In this case, the bluebird and houses were colored with Copic markers. 

 

Asweetjewel asked for a sweet card plus jewels- this wedding card is sweet plus has pearl gems on it. This fun image is a digi at Angie Blom.

This wedding card is for Ceal's challenge to make a card for a special holiday or occasion. This image is precolored and is from Jans Digital Stamps. 

 It will be another busy week, so I hope to get a few more cards completed for DTGD!  As I mentioned, the deadline is Friday night!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Believe!

Do you Believe???

 This new Christmas stamp available at Jans Digital Stamps is called Believe (and it is on sale right now too ).  Jan's images come in B/W and pre-colored, and this is pre-colored.

  I got into a bit of a Mixed Media mood and know already who will be getting this Christmas card! LOL  

 Jan's also sponsors a monthly challenge, which is always Anything Goes. Come join us!

*Check out the shop for Jan's Yearly Christmas image that is her gift to you- it's free : )

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

DTGT day 1

It's that time of the year at Splitcoast- time for Dare to Get Dirty , aka DTGD

I made cards for a few of the challenges today

The first challenge is a type of crayon resist.  I used gold metallic crayon.  I made this for a swap in the AboutOrientalArt challenge group for a card and a bookmark. I really love how this came out- the gold is shimmery IRL!

The 2nd challenge was an inspiration challenge- complete with a birds nest.... I ran with that and all of the colors listed with added green.....  

 I am going to enter this, last minute, in the House Mouse and Friends Summer challenge : )  We have been seeing alot of finches in the backyard- red and yellow, so made this bird a finch : )

  I am entering this in the House Mouse and Friends Monday challenge- Summer or AG

Next is Ann's challenge for watercolor backgrounds. 

I kinda overworked my watercolors- I still love this card!  The die cuts all Cheery Lynn Designs.  The sentiment TH sentiment strips. The greenery dies are CC designs. 

Finally, my challenge is a shaker using a cello bag and sequins.  I love how easy these cards are- so fun!

Image is Unity- colored using Copics. 

and 

Using a Dieversions diecut nativity set. 

Pop on over to Splitcoaststampers- the Dare to Get Dirty challenge is open to EVERYONE this year!  It is the 15th Anniversary- lots of fun prizes to be won!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Winnie the Pooh Blog Hop

Are you seeing the most darling images of Winnie the Pooh lately???  I am just loving them!  I decided to hop on to a Winnie the Pooh Blog Hop : )   

 The Blog Hop was the brainchild of Crystal Minkler, her blog is Tawny Owl Paperie. SHe is a Blogger, a You Tuber and she is also on Instagram @crystalominkler

 

 You should be arriving from Nedra's post

I loved this sweet beach Winnie!  No Bothers : )  Beach ready- I am about as beach ready as Winnie here : )   This image is from a digital set from Polka Dot Orchard digi stamps called Summer and Hunny. 

I used Distress Oxide inks and did some masking and some stenciling and colored using Copic markers. 

From daytime to night, I just love this image and sentiment too. This set is also from Polka Dot Orchard and is a digital stamp set. This set is called My Favorite Thought 

 I know the colors are not exactly the same, but I like the way this came out,  The image was die cut and I used a Gina Marie die for the sky.  I cut out extra silver shimmery stars and added them to the background . I just love the sentiment too. 

 Nothing better than summer with beach days when the sun is out and starry skies when the sun goes down!

The next stop on this hop is Rebekah's Blog

If you get lost, check back to Crystals Blog Here: https://crystalominkler.blogspot.com/2022/07/winnie-pooh-social-media-hop.html

#winniethepoohhop The hop is on Blogger and also there is an entire set of creative folks on Instagram posting images as well. That hop begins at @crystalominkler

****I have a stencil set to give away to one blog hopper- its the cloud stencil I used in the first card which is from A Colorful Life. It will be a random draw from anyone who leaves a comment on my post- stating, " I love that cloud stencil and would love to have it:!!! I will also include a $5.00 gift card to Polka Dot Orchard digital stamps- which is the sale price of the Pooh images in her store presently!

Enjoy the Hop!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

The Golfer

 There is a weekly challenge I participate in called Teapot Tuesday.  We send cards to people who need encouragement, aka going through rough times. This week, we are sending cards to Nick, who has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. He is a golfer and loves to camp.  

 This fun image is from Whipper Snapper, and I have used it a couple of times for masculine cards for Teapot Tuesday.  The sentiment is by Simon Says Stamps, aka SSS. We were also asked to include an arch or 1/2 circle on our cards, hence, my embossed half circles. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

"Heat Set'

Our Alpha challenge round 17 H= Heat Set. My heat setting is for embossing powder.

   A sympathy card for a young life lost in a terrible car accident.  The image has just a small amount of coloring added with yellow accents for the flower centers. A hug in a card : )  The image is by Technique Junkies. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

New Grad Nurse

Oh when I was a new grad nurse, I made $6.12 an hour!  And, we dressed in white uniforms and wore our nursing caps. 

 This image made me chuckle and took me back to those days!  I wore a dress most of the time and we always wore out caps too.  

 After a number of years working in the Surgical ICU, this sentiment made me laugh- I have administered quite a few doses of Morphine to patients having high pain!  

 The background was a RAK using Shaving cream and Brusho's.  I embossed it and layered the sentiment and image- used some twine at the top. It needed something to ground my nurse image, so added a strip of DP and a touch of thin shimmery Washi tape. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Christmas in July

 I got a package in the mail today with a prize from being chosen as a winner for the Color Challenge 900 party at Splitcoaststampers. Wahoo-thanks LeeAnn, aka Stampin Tornado.  

 I used the die cut and the Thanks sentiment from the set LeeAnn sent- Artistically Inspired. I used a 3D EF from SU (retired) and added a highlight to the raised areas using a Copic marker.  

 The die was cut out twice, and the lower later is Mossy Meadow- I think....  Its a dark green cardstock.  Next, I die cut the Pink nd cut off the greenery.  I die cut a couple of the bits in blue for the challenge. 

 I added some glittery green dots I had sitting on my desk and called it done.

 It was like Christmas here today!  I am so thankful to my Alpha sisters- they were on a Zoom and all gun-ho to do the 6 cards for the Color challenge party.  I am not sure if I would have done the challenges without their inspiration and encouragement!  (There is an Alphabet challenge at Splitcoast- the ladies that do this challenge are my Alpha sisters). 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Crafters of Faith July 2022

The Crafters of Faith challenge at Splitcoaststampers Hostess for July is Jeanette (aka Avatar- Forest Ranger) :  Ecclesiastes 3:11a He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Challenge: In this month of July, create a card that shows something that is beautiful in/about the summer months. The second part of the verse says "He has put eternity into man's heart" so it would be wonderful if you would also include a heart on your card.

 I found this image in a thrift store... I bought it, stamped it then re-donated it. The proceeds from this thrift store go to literacy and reading for kids!  Plus, I did not have much room in my suitcase!

The image is Sweet Visit by Penny Black. 

I began bird watching when my mother lived with me.  She had dementia.  A friend who was also a caregiver and I started going for walks with her. She was a caregiver for her husband- he had amyloidosis of his heart and is the longest surviving patient in the world with this condition.  He has passed and my mother has passed. But, I continue to look for the birds and love their beauty and the memories they bring to mind are of God's creatures.  They have always been here- even when I was not looking for them. 

 I added a heart I punched out, and when I stenciled the sky using The Colorful Life clouds stencil, I added a couple of hearts in the sky as well.

  

Challenges TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

 I have a Teapot Tuesday card to complete, so I went to work and used a Unity Owl that I have not previously used and stamped it in 2 different colors using the DP for color inspiration. 

Using the Sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers for inspiration, I used the owl DP in the backgrounds and fussy cut the owls and then added a sentiment from Hero Arts and embellishments. 

This card is for the Teapoit challenge which is a Tic-Tac-Toe challenge.  I used Bird, Scoring and ribbon.  I stamped the Unity image in So Saffron ink, I scored the So Saffron cardstock edging around the edges, and added a touch of ribbon as a perch for the bird. 

For this card, I used the image and stamped in blue. I used a SU punch for the leaves and used paper tearing for the branch.  I used the Splitcoaststampers sketch 912 for the backing, and added the branch and leaves. 

This card will go postal tomorrow to another Teapotter at SCS.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Christmas in July : )

What says Christmas more than the aromas of baking in the kitchen filling the house???  This is a new release at Jan's Digital Stamps called Sugar 'n Spice. 

   I found this to be a fun image and could imagine the smells and delicious tastes that come along with the season.  I made a slimline card. I used the pre-colored image on this card, and used a few of the smaller image- I added them on an embossed piece of the red cardstock. The sentiment was added as a tag and DP and twine was also used. 

  The dies used- Gina Marie and the 3D embossing folder Simon Says Stamps, aka SSS. 

Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More- Christmas

Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge- AG

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

She deserves a party!

 My niece is expecting, and is in Texas, so I sent her this card and it is from my 2 sisters and myself. 

I love this sweet image from Unity Stamps!  I did paper piecing for her top and Copics for the rest.  I cut the sentiment and placed it down the side of the card. My Sweet niece has alot in the last 6 months, she got married, bought a house, had her Pharm D boards, Graduation, Lost a young Bil in a tragic accident, having a baby, moved into new house.....  Yep, quite a lot!!!  I wanted to send her Hugs and smiles too!  You gotta admit, this is such a fun sentiment and image!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Quilt Flip Flop

 I made a fun card for the TLC challenge and the House Mouse challenge today- using stips or Quilt Flip Flop.  I used Washi Tape for the strips. 

 This sweet House Mouse stamp was colored using Copics. I added a Vellum die cut vellum circle to add a little contrast from the background. 

I am entering this in the House Mouse Challenge- strips or scraps 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Christmas Caroling

 I love House Mouse images, and colored up this one for a color challenge over at Splitcoaststampers. I was to use Cherry Cobbler, Green and Gold. 

I love this sweet image and added it to White cardstock, I colored it using Copic markers. I used a few neutral colors- the browns and the black music notes. The Gold CS is from a sample at Marco Papers, and I embellished it using a retired SU embossing folder, one of my all time favorites : )  

I will enter this at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

VSN and swap cards

 I combined challenges at Splitcoast with some swap images I needed to complete. 

 This card was made for the June Technique swap- emboss resist. Also, for the VSN challenge Bohemian Chic. I used summery festive colors over a SSS (Simon Says Stamp) background. I made a swatch of two of the colors for die cutting out the sentiment- also SSS.

 The Fab n Funky challenge is asking for summer colors

Simon Says Stamps is looking for CAS cards

 For the March to the Beat challenge, I made 2 cards with the images Terry S sent to me. 

I colored the image with Copic markers. Fun images to create with.  I added this card to the VSN challenge for Fruits and vegetables. The images are Honey Bee Stamps. 

Challenges: Color Throwdown # 698

Finally, I made this winter scene- the images are from Rebekah for the Christmas Crazy swap.  I was inspired to pull it out when I saw a snowman card by Maggie S at SCS- and we were celebrating her as the Featured Stamper this week.  I colored the image using Copics. 

I am entering this into the ABC Christmas Challenge L is for Little. Little kids making a snowman : )

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

VSN crafting!

I decided to join in the VSN aka Virtual Stamp Night crafting at SCS this past weekend.  I made a few cards and thought I'd share them!

  

 A challenge for Hot air balloon festivals- this image is precolored and is from Jan's Digital Stamps. 

I am entering this into the Crafting Happiness challenge- AG

 For a music themed festival- this card was made for someone who plays the bass guitar- although this is not a bass...it is a guitar.... LOL  Images by Technique Junkies. 

 This is Stampin Up and will be sent to a friend that teaches piano : )  

Challenges TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Enjoy the Simple Things

 I love this sweet image just released at Jan's Digital Stamps this month. I grew up on a river, and learned to  enjoy fishing : ) This sweet image is called The Good Life.

 On the way to fish with his trusted bestie : ) Did I mention I love this sweet image?  I made this slimline using SU inks, Distress inks, a stencil and splatters of water and ink. I used an already Pre-colored image, so putting this card together was pretty quick.  The die cuts I used are from Gina Marie Designs. 

 I am entering this into the Crafting Happiness challenge- AG

Simon Says Stamps Monday challenge- something starting with an S (Stenciling, Slimline, sponging on ink, Summer, Simple things). 

Finally, I am entering this sweet pup and his boy in the Critter Crazy challenge

 The challenge at Jan's Digital Challenge Blog is a Monthly challenge and is Anything Goes. I hope to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

School's Out for Summer

 I made flat shaker cards for my DD1 to give to her students that are graduating this year in their school colors : )

The grads are a die cut, and there is an embossing folder with grad hats for the background. There were quick and easy to make!  The sentiment was cut on the Cricut. Sequins from Unity. 

 Hope they enjoy them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Zoom crafting and color challenge!

 My Zoom crafty day was focused on the color challenges at Splitcoaststampers today. The color challenge is celebrating #900, so 6 hostesses have a challenge this week!  

 The first challenge- I used Copic markers for the colors. The 'desert' is dots. I love House Mouse images- and will enter this card into the House Mouse and friends Monday challenge. 

 

For the 2nd challenge, I finally broke out this cute polar bear by Ellen Hudson. I won this stamp set and the dies that go with it, and yeah to finally using it!  So cute! 

 I may or may not get all of the cards done, but hey, I am 1/3 of the way there already : )  Do you participate in any card challenges?

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Create Your Stash, aka Use your stuff!

 I combined a couple of challenge at Splitcoaststampers for this card- the Featured Stamper- Faye- and the Create Your Stash challenge.

 Faye, the Featured Stamper at Splitcoast, loves florals and House Mouse.  I chose this stamp to use and it is a stamp I bought at Tuesday Morning years ago and had not colored.  It was as hard to stamp as I thought it would be. The image was colored using Copic markers. 

  

  I am going to enter this naughty mouse into the House Mouse and Friends Monday challenge.  What would you do if you looked out and there was a mouse on your hummingbird feeder : )  I know, they are not as cute as the House Mouse meece!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Jan's Star Spangled Wreath

 I love this new digital stamp at Jan's Digital Stamps- and do not think I have ever seen anything like it before!

 I may have to make a few of these : )  I fussy cut out the middle of the wreath and made it a shaker card. But, I left the white. Jan's coloring is so beautiful that I decided to use the Pre-colored image again!  I die cut the image and used dimensional tape to pop up the top layer. How quick and easy!

Challenges TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Alcohol inks

Thanks for stopping by! 

S

Our Alpha A challenge for round 17 is Alcohol Inks. I used a technique I learned from Jennifer McGuire a while back- using a piece of felt on a protractor and AI and blending solution.  I applied the AI in a zig-zag pattern. I added a little interest to the background using a Silver metallic cardstock and a Cheery Lynn die. I also added a Unity Stamp to add a touch of interest to the purple backing. 

  The white butterfly is also a Cheery Lynn designs die and I added a few gyms to the body.  I just love this beautiful butterfly!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

For Dawn

 A card for a fellow stamper who is battling breast cancer is our Teapot Tuesday challenge today.  We are to CASE a card from her gallery. 

 

 I CASE'd a card from Dawn's gallery and we were to add pink. This will go postal to Dawn and I hope it puts a smile on her face : )

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Remembering a Friend

 We lost a dear stamping friend this past month from the community of Splitcoast and also the Alpha group.  This past week, the Teapot Tuesday challenge is to CASE one of her cards and send it to her husband Mark.

Our Friend Karen, aka ArtDecoDiva, loved flowers.  This is a CASE of one of her cards.  I used a Penny Black floral, and a Spellbinders die and sentiment. I added gems on the die and called it done. Karen was a model cancer patient and was always upbeat and ministering to others : )  She will be so missed by many of us!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Shelly

House Mouse Roses

 I used the color challenge today at SCS using Fresh Fresia, Polished Pink and Evening Evergreen.

 I love bird watching and have a few bird feeders out- the pink is a bit bright, but I toned it down with a 'O' Copic marker. I used a number of neutral colors allowed in the color challenge.

  Markers used: Fresh Fresia- V01 , Polished Pink RV14, Evening Evergreen G29

Neutrals: Sahara Sand W1, Gray Granite W3, Smoky Slate N2, Crumb Cake E42, Soft Suede E44, Black, 'O'.

 I am going to enter this card into the House Mouse and Friends Monday challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Jan's Digital Stamps half through May!

  We are half way through the May challenge at Jan's Digital Stamps challenge!  The theme is always Anything Goes- hope you will come join us!

  

  My husband and I are running around alot this month!  It was our Grandson's 3rd Birthday, so we traveled to the Western Slopes of Colorado, and now off to my DD2's graduation- she has earned her PhD in Environmental Studies! Lots of excitement this month!

 

 I am using a May new release from Jan's Digital Stamps for this card called Paws-itivity.  How sweet!  This image comes pre-colored and black/white.  I did make a card that I colored, but it did not hold a candle to Jan's pre-colored image, so I am going to work more on my fur coloring!

I hope you will come join us for the May AG challenge over at the challenge Blog!!!

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Take Flight

For the Alpha challenge, we are on the letter Y=Yesterday.  At first, I thought Vintage, but then I saw this image on my desk and decided to color it up for memories of Yesterdays where we did fun activities with our kids.

 I am in another group where we have an image swap each month- one person sends us the image to create with.  This sweet House Mouse (called Gone with the Wind) is from CJ.  I colored the image using Copics, added Purple and Green DP to coordinate with the kite.  I like bolder colors and really love this sweet image!

What is a fun memory of an activity you did with your kids???

Challenges:

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge- Birthday or AG

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Best Friend

Man's Best friend, of course, is a pup of course!!!

Oh how I love this sweet pup image- my hubby grew up on a farm and it is so true to life!  This image is a new release from Jan's Digital Stamps. The images Jan sells come in black and white and pre-colored. On this card, I used the precolored image on this card. 

 The challenge at Jan's runs all month, and is always Anything Goes. Come join us! HERE is the challenge Blog link. 

Challenges TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Masterpiece

 I enjoyed coloring this sweet image rec'd from Tracie C for the image swap at Splitcoast.  We all receive an image monthly and send our card to an assigned partner. 

How fun is this sweet image!  I colored it using Copic markers. I stenciled the background using Recollections stencils and Distress inks. Purple was my Mother's favorite color, so I made the flowers purple.  The is one of those swaps where I think- I must have this image from Colorado Craft Company- I just love this!  I die cut the panel and added background foam dimensional and mounted it on Wasabi cardstock. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Happy Birthday

I played around a bit with die cuts today and put together a Birthday Card

 Distress Oxide ink was used on the background, then I misted it, water stamped the musical noted then restamped them using the DOX ink. Splatter using Iridescent medium was added then the die cut was added. Shimmery enamel dots finish off the card. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly