...a carousel ride.

...a gooey, roasted marshmallow.

...a day at the beach.

...fresh air.

...a beautiful sunset.

...ripe blueberries, freshly picked.

...a much needed nap.

...arriving home after time away.

Celebrate School

It's Friday again and, after receiving some school papers in the mail for the upcoming school year, I couldn't help but think of school things!  I made a school themed card, knowing how excited kids get during the days leading up to the beginning of a new school year.  At least, the elementary aged ones I know usually feel this way about it!

Stamps:  Paper Smooches (Smarty Pants - bus & stars, Market Fresh - dashed line, Salutations - sentiment)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), SU (Daffodil Delight)
Die:  Paper Smooches (Notebook)
Extras:  Wink of Stella Brush Marker, Copic Markers, black rhinestones (wheels)

I created my card using supplies from i{heart}papers.  I first die cut a notebook shaped panel of white cardstock using a Paper Smooches die.  I then stamped the dashed line and one word sentiment.  The bus was stamped, colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut before being popped up using foam dots.  I stamped a trio of yellow stars and added a little sparkle to them using a Wink of Stella Brush Marker.  For a little extra touch of fun, I added two small black rhinestones to the wheels for some extra dimension.  I adhered the entire main panel to the card base using foam dots.

I am joining in the current Paper Smooches Anything Goes Challenge as well as linking up with the current RUN challenge over at CASology because school bus drivers will soon be doing test RUNS of their bus routes in preparation for the new school year!

The family and I are actually on vacation as I'm typing this today.  DD is taking a nap after having a no nap kind of day yesterday.  It's good when a baby gets at least one nap per day...for everyone involved!  I'm enjoying the quiet along with a free cup of coffee & the guys are off climbing sand dunes and making more sand castles (or something of that sort...DH decided to replicate the Hoover Dam yesterday...).  We're enjoying Michigan beaches and blueberries straight from the bush.  This is what our family looks forward to every summer!  DD will enjoy it more next year.  This time, she is eating her fill of blueberries...and sand.

Have a great weekend!

A Prickley Pear Thank You

Today, I'm guest designing again over on the Prickley Pear blog and wanted to showcase one of their sentiment stamps because they really are some of my favorites!

Stamps:  Prickley Pear (Thank You Would Suffice)

Using a stencil, I sprayed the pattern on a panel of white cardstock using Heidi Swapp navy and green shimmer inks. I then stamped the sentiment and rounded two of the panel's corners before popping it up on the card base with foam dots.  A very easily mass produced thank you card with a simple, yet beautifully elegant sentiment.  You can find more of Prickley Pear's wonderful sentiments both in red rubber and as part of their clear stamp sets.

Another fun weekend is fast approaching and then DD's birthday photo shoot is on my to do list for the new week ahead!  DH may have to help me out with this one because she is quite the wiggle worm these days!  Wish us luck!  It still amazes me how helpless a little one arrives into this world and how quickly they become independent!  Thankfully, she will actually stop a moment to snuggle a bit now and then!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

CASology: Run, Run as Fast as You Can!

I told you I'd be back with another take on this week's CASology RUN challenge, so here I am! What else came to mind with the RUN cue word?!  A classic children's story!

I remembered I had a digital gingerbread man image from The Stamping Boutique in my stash and printed it out.  I used Copic markers to bring it to life and then embellished the buttons a little.  I used a mini flower punch and a brown metal sheet from Add a Little Dazzle to create the base of the buttons and then added a little black gemstone to each one.  The arms of the gingerbread man are popped up to make it look as if he is beginning to peel himself off the card base.  The sentiment was stamped at an angle to match the orientation of the main image.

Beaches and blueberries are soon to be our experience.  Our annual summer family trip is fast approaching and we're pretty excited!  Before then, however, there is the packing to do.  I always figure if I can survive the prep work, vacation will be a breeze!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

CASology #105: Making a RUN for It!

I've been a runner since back in high school.  I vividly remember wanting to get myself into regular running and yet cringing a little at the thought, not quite sure if I could do it and actually stick with it...and truly enjoy it.  I started by running a few blocks.  After dark, mind you, so no one I knew in school would see me.  My parents had my younger brother bike alongside me to keep me company on those short little runs.  As I got older, I went on my own.  Still after dark, but for longer distances and on busier streets.  Today?  I still run, but not as regularly, not as far and usually on my treadmill.  I have a strong dislike for jogging with a stroller, usually ending up stiff & sore from not being able to run properly.  Someday I'll be back on the trail!  Maybe with DH again...or one of the kids!

My first pair of real running shoes were from a popular athletic company.  I still think their shoes are some of the most attractive out there, but I tend to choose shoes more for comfort now than looks and, unfortunately (or fortunately), a different brand is hugging my feet.  I am seriously considering giving them another chance, though, next time I need a new pair of shoes.  It's been quite a few years and, who knows?  Maybe they've come out with something I'd like.  For now, they are the inspiration for my card this week.

I have a few friends who run races regularly.  I figure I can send this to one of them soon.  I printed off a logo, taped it to some of Add a Little Dazzle's metal sheets and cut it out.  I adhered it to the card base and then stamped the message using Mama Elephant's Sketchy Letters alphabet.  Sometimes a creative message helps a CAS design by eliminating the need for any extra explanation.  The addition of a little colorful shine on the main image created simple interest and the message added the final touch.

I hope you'll join in this week's challenge over at CASology!  There are so many things that come to mind with this cue word!  In fact, I'll be sharing my other take on it later this week if someone else doesn't nab the idea before then!

Be sure and visit the design team members' and guest designers' blogs for inspiration and more detailed explanations of their CAS designs!  Then, don't forget to link up your own RUN creation on the challenge blog by Monday at NOON (CDT) for your chance to win a prize from Add a Little Dazzle, this week's sponsor!

 

Ardyth Percy-Robb
Gillian Ross 
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino
Kimberly Wiener

May Park 

Meghan McMillan (on a break)
Melissa Chipperfield (you are here)
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer:  Meg

Guest Designer:  Lindsey

 

 

 Have a terrific Tuesday!