Fall Theme Mid-Week Throwdown

     Over on the Stars and Stamps blog, the mid-week throw down is Fall theme.  Hard to believe it is less than a month until schools start!  After a summer of very strange weather, I am beginning to think that our garden plants are just not going to produce correctly.  We have only gotten 5 tomatoes out of 6 plants, so far.  However, the plants are like 8ft. tall!  Again this week, they are predicting night temps in the low 50's.  The poor things are confused.  So, I figured it was time to do fall cards.

 

     This past spring, I bought a grab bag of stamps from Inky Antics, at a local show.  This scarecrow was in that bag!  I thought he was super adorable, and I am so glad I get to finally use him.  The corn stamp is from a Gina K. Design set by Theresa Momber, as is the sentiment. I used SU! inks and torn post its to sponge my background.  My clouds are dies from Memory Box, and the image was colored with Copic markers.

     Hope you have a fun weekend planned.  We have lots of chores to get done! 

We have Flair, this Week!

     I am so happy to see that the Friends with Flair link is up this week!  It seemed for most of the summer, it was the only challenge I was able to get done.  Unity has been running some crazy sales the past couple of weeks, so I hope you have picked up a few of your favorite stamps.

 

     No one was more surprised than I, when I opened my mailbox to find the August KOM waiting for me.  Eek!  I just love autumn and Halloween, so this kit is greatly appreciated.

     My card just sort of happened.  I used the sentiment, hat and web stamps from the kit.  My spider and glitter swirls are from Jolees.  There is this MS spider punch that I had found on clearance, which created the platform for everything.  Oh, I forgot to mention scraps of paper, and a touch of washi tape.  Poof, I present Halloween!

 

     It is also Shark Week and I had to giggle when I opened my mail and found this picture of my GS, with the caption, "Shark Week is Exhausting".  Have a Great weekend!

ODBD August Challenge

     Over on the Stars and Stamps blog, each month, ODBD sponsors a challenge.  They will pay the shipping for a large box of cards for every 25 entries.  This really helps to get the cards to our soldiers!  WTG, Our Daily Bread Designs!

     This month it is a color challenge, where we are asked to create in pink, green, and brown.  That is one of my very favorite combinations.  It was the color of my daughters room when she was born.  :)

     My card is created using a stamp set from Gina K. Designs, called Stenciled Spring.  I colored my image with markers from Memento and Marvy.  The papers are by My Minds Eye, from their Vanity Fair collection. My embellishments are stitched ribbon, and a single chocolate mini brad.  I added a few accents with my white gel  pen.

     Thanks so much for paying me a visit!  I feel like I am finally getting back into the swing of things.  It has cooled a bit here in PA, and that has given a mid summer boost of energy.  I am sure it won't last, but I am enjoying it for now.

Saturday Special!

     Good morning!  Since yesterdays post was a bust, I am going to try and make up for my lack of blogging, lately.  For some reason they never posted the Friends with Flair challenge, over at Unity.

     Today, my card is for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  This week, our challenge is Anything Goes.  This is also a new link to their challenge, as they have moved.

 

     I may not have been blogging much, but I have been creating.  I have been trying to use some of the older stamp sets that are stacked in the closet.  This one was a gift from my dear friend Olga.  It is SU! from back in 2004, called "See with the Heart".  I collaged the stamps and fussy cut after I colored with Copic markers.  All of the flowers are outlined with Sakura stardust pen, to add sparkle.  It just never wants to photograph.  For embellishments, there are paper doily, stitched ribbon, brads, button, and twine bow.  The card stock is a scrap, and the paper is from Basic Grey's green at heart collection.

     I had a request for a new GS photo, so here is Brian at 2 months!  Time is sure zooming!  He had his first big series of vaccinations this week, and he was a real champ.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Friends with Flair post

     I was not able to play with the Friday crew, last week.  We took a trip to see our adorable new GS.  I just don't want to miss all of his little milestones.

     This week, I created once again, with the July KOM from Unity.  My mind is truly at the beach, with my toes wiggling in the sand..... oh how I wish!

 

Products used:

White, and Baked Brown Sugar (SU!) card stock.
Designer paper from MME called Paris &Co.
Inks are Baked Brown Sugar, and four shades of VersaMagic inks. 
Embellishments are gems, twine, and a fish skeleton charm.
There is also Sakura stardust pen as accents, but it is not photographing so swift.

     That is it for me, and thanks for the visit.  Be sure to check out all the creations for the week.  The Friends with Flair posting is always a well of inspiration.

     Someone must be snoozing, and forgot to put up the Friends with Flair links.  I will post this, and edit it later.  Time to go to work!

Still melting in PA, plus FwF!

     Good morning, blogging friends!  Having a real tough time keeping cool these days.  I figured I would do an early post, before I head off to my steamy work.  I have had a great time this week, playing with the July Kit of the Month, from Unity.  It is full of wonderful summertime stamps!  Here are my Friends with Flair offerings for this week.

 

     Look at these beachy keen stamps!  This card was created with kraft, white and pistachio pudding card stocks.  There are Spellbinders dies, and inks in pistachio pudding from SU!, and toffee crunch from Memento. I used Glossy Accents on the seahorse, and added a few bronze pearls for embellishments.

     I would also like to enter this first card over at Simon Says Stamp Challenge, which is By The Sea.

 

     Card 2 is a monochromatic card using a vintage theme.  My papers are from DCWV, and this wonderful bike stamp is inked in old olive from SU!.  I used some piercing, and an MS punch to create a border.  There are pearls and a Prima flower to finish this one off. 

 

     Here we have card 3.  It uses the flower stamps from the KOM, and I can tell you now, I will be grabbing these flower pieces over and over.  They were colored with Copic markers.  I used paper from my scrap bin, and some washi tape to segment the card.  There are some bright buttons and an MS butterfly punch, as an accent.

     Okay, that's it for me.  I will be around to visit everyone before the weekend comes to a close.  If you are in this heat wave, be sure to check on a neighbor or loved one who may need help.  It is so important for us to care for each other.  End of lecture.....

The Unity Challenge for July

 

     My July KOM arrived, yesterday.  I finally had time to sit and pop the sheet apart.  Yes, I should be getting ready for work, but I just had to get something inky.  Here is my take on the Unity Challenge for this month, following the color inspiration photo.

 

     This is one amazing set of summer stamps.  I used the current In-Colors from SU!, as well as their Honeycomb embossing folder.  I found some scraps of happy paper and some summer ribbon that I had won awhile ago.  The rest is all Unity goodness.  The huge sun, I am sure, will be used over and over, as will all of the delightful stamps in this kit!

     Check out this months challenge here!

     I will also enter this over on the Friends with Flair page, for this week.  Thanks for stopping by.

Friday Fun and FWF!

     TGIF, friends!  It's been hot, hot, hot!  Sure would have been a great week to avoid work and stay in the AC, but that was not to be.  The installed a new POS register system at work, and everyone has been scrambling to learn it.

     Here are a couple of cards I created while I was trying to decompress, and keep cool.

 

     This first card is created with the June KOM from Unity, called Love the Little Things.  There were some large, beautiful images in this  kit!  I made up this image with gold embossing powder, and Copic markers.  I did some distressing, added paper doily, ribbon and pearl.  The designer paper is a older pattern from K&Co.

 

     Card 2 is a CAS card, made from paper scraps and stamped in Memento Toffee Crunch ink.  This card uses the May 2013 KOM called Totally and Utterly Amazing.  The card base is pearlized card stock.  Love these vintage images!

     Okay, guess that is it for me.  There is another great sale going on over at Unity.  After you give the Friends with Flair crew a visit, stop by and do some shopping!  You won't be sorry.  These stamps are fantastic red rubber, and leave the best impressions!

Happy Friday! Enjoying the Holiday?

     My holiday was a wee bit delayed, around here.  DH was away on a guys 5 day fishing trip, and just got home from VA, last evening.  Sooooo, I am planning on some cooking on the grill, and fun times!

     I could not let the week go by without a Unity post!  Here is my offering for Friends with Flair for this week.  I used the June KOM, "Love the Little Things". 

 

     The stars strip was created by sponging some chalk ink on a Crafter's Workshop stencil.  I used the same ink  (Blue Iris) to stamp this great bike image from the kit, and cut it out with a SB oval die.  My red background was created with the really cool background stamp that was included in the kit and bleach.  Love that technique, when you get it working right!  I found these red, white and blue medallions in my stash, as well as this stitched ribbon and flag pick.  Throw in a couple of little gems, and that is my patriotic, summer card!

     I would also like to enter this over at Simon Says Stamp, for their Patriotic Challenge.

     I also wanted to share my cute little GS, all dressed for the holiday.  He is losing his hair a bit, and has the peelies, but is growing like a weed! 

    
     That's it for me.  Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!







Friends with Flair

     Good morning, fellow bloggers.  Hope you have had time to be crafty this week.  We have had a very hot, stormy week around here.  It feels great to be home after another week away.  I have missed being able to do posts, and was not very happy when I came home to computer issues.  I am trying this post from hubby's laptop, until we get them resolved.  Anyway, have you seen all the new goodies, and special offers over at Unity?  Be sure to check it out, and get some inspiration from the Friends with Flair posts, this week!

     My card was created with a Unity Itty Bitty set that I found in my DD's craft room. The set is called Favorite Mustache.  It was fun to play with someone else's goodies.  I even used papers from her scrap bin.

     Have a fabulous weekend, and thanks for stopping around.

Friends with Flair Trio

     Hi everyone!  Sorry I have been missing for the last couple of weeks, but the 31st, I was in the labor room with my DD, and last Friday, I was still away cuddling the sweet little guy.  Since I won't be able to post next Friday, I just had to get a few cards posted for this weeks FwF.  If you would like to link up for a chance at a prize, be sure to visit the Unity blog!

 

     My first card uses the new June KOM called "Love The Little Things".  I found a large scrap of this pink and brown polka dot paper from Wild Asparagus, a digital image of a vintage Spring tree, and some paper doily pieces laying on my desk.  After moving them around a few times, I stamped the bird and sentiment with Memento ink, and colored the bird with Copic markers.  I cut it with SB Labels Two dies, and fussy cut the sentiment.  sponging was done with SU! inks, and a button, twine and flower was added.

This card will also be entered over on the OWH blog for the mid week throw down "Things with Wings".

     Card two is using the pretty dress form from the KOM.  I also love the fancy medallion, which I think made a great background.  The designer papers are from My Minds Eye, coloring is done with Copics, and a Viva Décor pearl pen accented the medallion.  The dress form was cut with a SB scalloped rectangle die. Sentiment is from A Muse.

 

     Card three, also used My Minds Eye papers, images form the June KOM, leaf trim from May Arts, and coloring with Copic markers.  The sentiment embellishment was created with SU! products and twine.

     The images in the new KOM are such fun to color, and create with!  Please be sure to check out the wonderful designers, and leave some sugar.  Yes, you can also be a winner with a comment!  Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

     If you missed my baby post, you can see it here. 

My First Grandchild!

 

     Good morning, dear friends.  After a long, exhausting few days, I am here to share a photo of my new grandson.

     Brian Quinn Daley came into this world on Friday, May 31st., at 3:00 p.m..  He weighed 8 lb. 14oz, and was 22 1/4 inches long.  I am staying a few extra days, as my daughter needs some extra help with her own personal care.  He is just amazing, and is expected to come home today.

    Thanks for all of the prayers, and well wishes these last few weeks.  I could feel you all cheering us on in the labor room.  I was so blessed to be present for his arrival!

    
I will get back to my regular craft routine when I arrive back in PA.

Love,
Mary Anne