Lakota Prayer...Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #231~Anything Goes,

Hello,

Welcome to Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #231, where we're featuring the ever popular...

We are not going to discuss how long I've had this Lakota Prayer stamp and I am *palm smacking myself in the forehead* (repeatedly...) for leaving it unattended for the time I have!  It is so pretty, so detailed and so very meaningful.  While a multitude of inks/backgrounds could be used with this image, I opted for the colours I found when I researched "Lakota prayer colours'. The Medicine Wheel of the Lakota is red, white, black, yellow. I honoured the combination here...

A simple card; a powerful prayer

Please be sure to visit my amazing team's creations, then play along with us! 

 Anything Goes means anything goes!  

See you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:

Crazy 4 Challenges #374~Use Your Words

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

That's Crafty Challenge Blog~Just Words

Thank  you for dropping in for a visit; you've brought me joy and smiles!

Hero Arts Mum Stem and Thank You...A Blog Named Hero~ February CAS Challenge, Happy Little Stampers February CAS Challenge~Blue,

Hello!

Snowy, blowy and gusty here...perfect crafting weather!

Today, I'm sharing cards made a few days back and, as per usual, I'm posting nearly last minute!  I need an organization assistant; someone to take photos and do the writing stuff.  Wouldn't that be fabulous....

Anyway, recently I was the oh-so-lucky winner of two Hero Arts wood-mounted stamps: Mum Stem and Hnadwritten Thank You. As you know, I *need* challenges to spur creativity, and lo and behold, I found two challenges perfect for debuting my gifts:

A Blog Named Hero~ February CAS Challenge

and Happy Little Stampers February CAS Challenge~Blue

I used my Mum Stems to create a subtle background (very subtle, it seems...IRL, far more visible) for the bold thank you.  CAS...absolutely x 1,000% CAS, which is the standing invitation for both challenges...

I was, however,  concerned that p'raps my card was too CAS, so I created another...Mum Stems in HA orange soda, pale tomato, soft cantaloupe and butterbar.  The sentiment is from the colour layering pineapple set.  Less CAS...but still has plenty of white space with the airiness of the floral images (aren't they pretty!).  The outer frame is popped up....

Time to start cleaning up my stuff, which 'somehow' has spilled all over the kitchen and even so far as the living room, in readiness for my husband's return from his weekend of working out of town (which will be followed, beginning Tuesday, by a week away.  Guess where I'll be heading in his absence...yep! Mom's house! Niece and nephew time!! Fingers crossed the weather improves...).

Thank you for dropping by; your visit brings me joy!

Thanks, You're Purr-fect....Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #396~Cats

Hello,

Time for this week's Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #396, where we're inviting you to bring *cats* (yep, uh huh...cats....kitty cats, groovy cats...cats in whatever way, shape and form you can find 'em) to the gallery.

Aren't these *catsparella* (that's what they're called. Seriously! I checked.) cupcakes fun!  They make me smile really loud...

Source

One guess as to who is sponsoring the challenge. Yes, sweet Jen, from Newton's Nook Designs fame. Her Newton is one of the four-legged gems of the stamping world...

Check out what the lucky winner will receive:

How generous is that?  Meow-velously so!

The only Newton kitties I had were either dressed in Halloween costumes or tangled in Christmas decorations.  I could have used them. Totally. But guess what: I left them at my mom's during my previous visit. Sheesh!  Soooo, I went with three different kittens (no, their mittens are not lost *grin*), set atop the swirly thanks from Simply Sentimental...

One of my mom's friends, who also volunteers at the seniors' residence, is a full-fledged cat-fan.  I'll give this to mom to pass on to her...maybe I'll even be there when she does (because  *someone* is planning a trip to mom's place on Tuesday...wooo hoooooo!).

Please visit the CAT-alicious creations of my DT, leave them some love, whip up a card/project of your own.  We'd be extremely happy...we'd likely purr with joy....

Thank you for dropping in today; hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

You Mean the World to Me...Inkspirational Challenge #129, Cards in Envy~Red and Blue Card Challenge

Hello,

Welcome to a new Inkspirational challenge, but before I share the details:  a huge *thank you* to those who created cards for the sweethearts photo inspiration.  Beauty overload!

For the next two weeks, we're inviting you to join Inkspirational Challenge #129~Connect. Think about the possibilities: connecting with a friend,  connecting dots, connecting with technology, making a connection (oh...light bulb - figuratively and literally -  just popped into mind...an electrical connection. Why didn't I think of that earlier!)... Oodles of directions to explore with this powerful word.

For you, two cards: same style, different colours...one each for my niece and nephew...who I'd so love to connect with more often!  Concord & 9th Map Love (which I don't see in their shop anymore! Glad I connected with this set before it disappeared)...and yes, I most definitely do love it!

NOTE: Honoured and thrilled to selected as an In the Mailbox Favourite by Donna, Toni and Lisa, from Cards In Envy~Red & Blue Challenge.  THANK YOU!

Please drop in to see my amazing team-mates' takes for this word prompt

 Shauna

Sandie

Pia

Marina 
Nonni

and then...well, you know the rest!

Bring along a card/project and connect with us in the gallery!  

See you there!

Exciting plans on your weekend roster?  I'm off to run a few errands then, hopefully, settling in for some serious stuff: crafting!

Also sharing at:

Cards in Envy~Red and Blue Card Challenge

Thank you so much for dropping by; you've made me smile!

Beautiful Wildflowers...The Flower Challenge #5~Case Our Guest Designer (Therese Calvird), Where Creativity Meets C9 Challenge #6~Love

Hello,

We're just back from running errands in the 'big city' and before settling into supper preparations (and watching Master Chef Junior), I wanted to share my card inspired  by The Flower Challenge #5~Case Our Guest Designer (Therese Calvird). (Therese's talents...oh my stars! Isn't she amazing!),

as well as the theme over at Where Creativity Meets C9 Challenge #6~Love

I finally, finally, finally figured out a way to use my Concord & 9th Wildflowers set, that has received ever so much attention, but with results not worth sharing.  Then I realized: I don't *have* to watercolour these pretty blooms; in fact, I don't have to colour them at all.  They're gorgeous all on their own, as is....in their marvelous outlined glory. It took Therese's soft pretty card to connect *those* dots.

My card parallels (in my thinking anyway *grin*), Therese's in the following ways:

• colours:  I used Altenew Frosty Pink and Peach Parfait for the flowers, similar to her selections.  a dusting of Candy Floss on the Concord & 9th "Beautiful" die cut
• image choices: Therese used one style of flower, as did I.  She also included a leaf images, as did I (Frayed Leaf ink)
• die cut sentiment, spotlight inked: same here. My "beautiful" has a dusting of Candy Floss ink

Definitely a  'different' version, but with similar elements that I hope you - and Therese and the C9 team - will like.

Also sharing at:

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #466~Florals


I so appreciate you dropping in for a visit! Thank you!

Daisy Thank You & Carousel Birthday...CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #209, Inspired By All The Little Things Challenge #44, Cards In Envy~Red & Blue Challenge

Hello,

Time is flying quickly in my world; I can't believe next week is already March! So much to do...in my card-making realm as well as other facets of life. One step at a time, right?

Moving along...did you know that Altenew, well-renowned for their outstanding layering stamps, also has a selection of 2 x 3 stamps - some of which are layered - that are simply amazing?  A couple of said sets appeared in my mailbox on Monday...and talk about perfect timing! Some challenges that I figured I'd have to pass on (mojo wasn't dot-collecting), I now had every reason to enter! Yayyyy!

My first card is for CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #209

Check out these little daisies!  Of course, initial inspiration came from the Altenew blog, but I added a couple of my own twists. Aren't these ever so cute?

Inspired By All The Little Things Challenge #44 and Cards In Envy~Red & Blue Challenge sparked my second card...

No ferris wheels in my collection, but I have a brand spanking new carousel! Sweet and detailed! I stenciled my MFT Concentric Circles with Candy Apple Red and Blue Print Sketches to capture the movement of the photo (don't look at this card too long...I don't want anyone motion sick on my account!).....

There you have it....the debut of my Altenew minis. I still have another one to show you (need to practice with it first).  Stay tuned....

NOTE: Honoured and thrilled that my carousel card received Top 3 over at Mod Squad Challenge~Geometric Shapes.  THANK YOU!!

Also sharing at:

Mod Squad Challenge~Geometric Shape

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Hope your week is unfolding wonderfully; so appreciate you dropping in for a visit!  I've fallen behind in commenting again...working on remedying that very very soon!

Just Chicken-In...Freshly Made Sketches #275, The Heart Desires Challenge #9

Hello,

Okay...I decided to be 50% silly and 50% whimsical today (you can slide the scale as you see fit...).

My card is what happens when my goofy mood meshes Freshly Made Sketches #275 with

the oh-so-pretty mood board at The Heart Desires Challenge #9

Yep.  Had to.

Okay,.,off to create something a bit more serious...maybe.

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday; Family Day long weekend here, so we may go cross-country skiing...

Thanks for visiting! (Eye-ball rolling at my shenanigans: 100% allowed and encouraged)

Lacy Scrolls Thank You....Inspired By All The Little Things Challenge #43, Altenew February 2017 Inspiration Challenge

Hello!

Wonderfully sweet and incredibly talented Michele, of icardeveryone fame, is the GD for Inspired By All The Little Things Challenge #43

I wanted to play along, but didn't know what to focus on. Patterns?  Colours?  Flowers? Several elements? One element?  Too many choices!  Finally, just stopped dithering and did this...

Altenew Lacy Scrolls, a sentiment from Many Thanks and a light inking of a flourish stencil...that's it.  All Altenew means I'm also heading to Altenew February 2017 Inspiration Challenge

Best get this into the Inspired By gallery...nothing like being last minute!

Hope you're  having a fantastic Friday!

Valentine Cards for My Niece and Nephew...Fusion Challenge~Pretty in Pink

Hello,

Time for a new FUSION challenge, but before I spill the details (well, you can already see the graphic, but let's pretend, okay): cheering and applauding the 71 amazing entries for the previous one. Selecting winners is becoming more and more challenging; in my books, you are ALL winners for sharing your time, energy and abundant creativity with  us!  Let's keep the momentum going!  I'm hoping we'll land close to 90 entries with this, FUSION~ Pretty in Pink!  Delicate pink stripes, polka dots and solids; sweetheart candies, cups and saucers, a pretty teapot in the background...and I'm sure you'll see even more when you look closely.  The sketch...definitely inviting!

Guess what I did?  Yep...two cards...one drawing inspiration from the photo. The first is the Valentine card (Concord and 9th Heartstrings yet again...swoon!) I sent to my niece;  my whirly, twirly, giggly, lovey-dovey sweetheart!  She certainly does make my heart smile...as does my nephew, my wild-and-crazy, equally as lovely-dovey dude. All boy, that one!

For him, however, I opted to go with the sketch (well, kinda-sorta). Mr. Raccoon was colored with Tombows blended out with Wink of Stella.  He is one sparkly critter, I tell you!  I didn't realize my nephew - he's four -  was an ardent fan of shakers, until my last visit. I was showing my sister-in-law the cards I had brought, and he immediately scooped up a Valentine shaker I'd made, gave it a good ol' rock 'n roll,  and declared it his...to give to  his 'favourite' daycare teacher.  How cute - and sweet - is that! So, a shaker for him...and if I'm making a shaker for Mr. Nephew, then I'm making the same for Ms. Niece.

 BTW: the background is white! I have no idea where this 'pink' hue is coming from....

For impressive inspiration, please visit my teammates:

Becca Cruger

Betty J

Jeanne Jachna

Karren Johnson

Linda Callahan

Lyndal Higgins

Michelle Leone

Michelle Lupton

Michelle Williams

For those of you new to FUSION challenges, and for those good friends returning: a quick outline/reminder of how things work: 

PROCEDURES:

1. Play with just the sketch challenge.
2. Play with just the inspiration photo challenge.
3. Or you can create FUSION by combining BOTH challenges into one card.
4. Use the challenge graphic and link back to Fusion in your post.

Your turn!

What sparks your creativity? Sketch? Photo? Both?

Looking forward to seeing how this FUSION challenge will inspire you!

Also sharing at:

Where Creativity Meets C9 Challenge #6~Love.

That's Crafty Challenge Blog~I {Heart} You

Uniko Challenge #39~ Anything Goes (optional twist of Love)

Thank you for spending time with me today; your visit brings me joy!

Hearts and Flowers...Serendipity Stamps February Blog Hop (mid-month)

Hello,

Welcome to the second Serendipity Stamps February Blog Hop of the month. Is February flying by as quickly for you as is for me?

Once again, the design team will be showing you some fabulous products and offering you a chance to win some goodies from Serendipity Stamps. All you need to do is hop along and leave comments, which puts you in running for a $20 gift certificate.  Here's the hop list....

 Mary's Blog

Carol Mayne - you are here

Karen Amidon

Miriam Napier

Julie Warner

Vickie Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Two Valentine/Love cards for you today.  The first features the fabulous Love die - which is wonderfully sturdy, making adding layers so easy -  and the Summer Flower Pops Background. Hearts and flowers for Valentine's Day...all in one package *grin*  A quick run through a brick embossing folder adds texture to the heart background...

the  Love die and Marble Cells Background, stamped on the heart die-cut, here...

Bold and dramatic!  

Please head over to Serendipity Stamps Blog for more hop details. Oh yes, and there are awesome deals to be found!  Check these out:

• The Fun Heart Cling Set, for example, is this month's 50% off stamp

• Free Shipping on US orders of $25 or more 

Next on the hop list: wonderfully talented Karen Amidon.

Also sharing at:

Allsorts Challenge #402~Hearts and/or Flowers

Simon Says Monday Challenge~Use Your Favourite Tool: Big Shot, MISTI and rectangle panel dies (these are Crazy Double Running Stitch Nesting Dies from STAMPlorations)

Thank you for spending time with me today; your visit brings me joy!

Floral Heart...Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #229~CAS

Hello,

Welcome to Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #229~Clean and Simple

Neat and Tangle's new Floral Heart stamp and die appeared at my place recently and oh my! So pretty! I 'had' to go for some aperture-rapture!  Oh, and I used a colouring technique inspired by Jennifer McGuire's post here: Tombows blended out with a Wink of Stella pen.  You should see the sparkle on this little number!

NOTE: Thrilled and honoured to be selected for an Honourable Mention at CASology Week #326~Romance.  Thank you, Joyce!!

Please be sure to check out my team's fabulous designs, then create a CAS project of your own.

See you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:

CASology Week #326~Romance

Allsorts Challenge Blog~Hearts and/or Flowers

Cards In Envy~Be My Valentine

NOTE: Honoured and thrilled to be selected, by sweet Toni M, as an "In the Mailbox" choice at Cards In Envy. Thank YOU!!

Thank you so much for spending time with me today; your visit brings me joy!

Such a Sweetheart..STAMPlorations Love TAGplorations (Day 7)

Hello,

Hope your day is filled with LOVE and Chocolate!

Welcome to Day 7, and the finale, of STAMPlorations Love TAGplorations. Haven't the previous 6 days of love-themed inspiration been fantastic? Day 7: guaranteed to be the same!

Today, I'm sharing a plethora of decadent treats (I actually water-coloured!) prepared especially for you, to celebrate Valentine's Day. Macarons, sundaes, waffle cones, donuts...Can you feel your sweet tooth tingle?  I can!  My card features: Crazy Double Running Stitch Nesting Dies, and Sugar Rush...a whole lot of Sugar Rush *grin*

Sending you off to hop, with a reminder of the details:

After hopping through the participating designers' blogs today, we'd like you to create your own love or Valentine's day themed project or two and link up for a chance to win the prizes we have up for grabs. You can create any project you want -- tag, card, ATC, art journal page, page layout, bookmark, home decor, canvas, whatever -- as long as it fits our theme (love/Valentine's Day) and has a tag in it (no matter how big or small).

Commenting and linking up is from today until Tuesday, February 14, 11:55 p.m. Pacific. We'll announce the winners on March 10 in the February Challenges & Hops winners post so be sure to follow our blog if you aren't already.

Also sharing at:
STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge

Crazy 4 Challenges~Food/Dining

Thanks so much for spending time with me today; your visit brings me joy!