Blessed

I played along with Mercy's Sketch challenge today - I really love sketches with clean lines! I wanted to create something with the "Whatever" set (Clear Dollar Stamps). I decided to make a 5x7 card, allowing myself a nice, large surface. I pulled the patterned paper from my BasicGrey Sugared pad, and then accented with some Bazzill. I also decided to go a little crazy and use one of my big, fancy prima flowers (score 1 for the "do not hoard" pledge!) So I now had all my elements, and I just stamped and assembled. I ended up misting the flower with gold glimmer mist, going over all the edges with old paper distress ink, and adding a couple K&Co pearls along the bottom. When it was all done, I realized there was no way I'd be giving it to someone else, so I pulled out a simple frame I had and voila ~ something new for the wall in our living room! It's still a full card, though, so if I do decide to part with it, it will be ready to go :)

Lovey-Dovey Tea Party

Well, Donna was the hostess of our tea party this time around, and challenged us to make valentines. I can do that! I'd made "lovey" cards the last two times around (trying to actually plan ahead for once!) so I decided to take a different approach and make a valentine for one of my good friends (who has been going through a lot lately). I pulled out some patterned paper from Making Memories (Boho Chic Olivia collection) and used that as my springboard. I cut a heart (Sizzlit Primitive Heart #2 die), and then stamped the script (from One Smile) in gray. Subtle, but perfect way to add some texture. I stamped the sentiment (My Heart) onto another pattern, grunged up the edges, and glued some ivory trim onto the bottom. I used yet another print as the base, which I misted with latte glimmer mist to soften the color and add some shine. I added a pin to the sentiment, as well as prima flower and button, and all done!

We're currently experiencing some very dreary weather (snow/ice last night, and now just steady rain) so I took that as a sign to do some more stamping :) I picked up this black frame with white mat last year, planning to make something for my craft space. Well, this is the time! I've been flipping through a lot of Somerset publications lately, so thought I'd play around with some artsy collage. The matted area is only 3x3, so I figured even I could handle such a small working space. I started off with plain old white cardstock, and started stamping. I think everything is pretty self-explanatory - the pink heart is actually mulberry paper, so quite sheer. The accents on the clock hands are tiny little hearts (from Junkitz Bag of Blingz) - what better way to illustrate time for love? I used a LOT of different stamp sets on this one: Bits of Time #1 and #2, Plant Love, One Smile, and Soar.

Feeling inspired yet? Be sure to check out what the other cookies have done, too!
In the Works, Mama Dini's Stamperia, Dee's Studio, Sweet Somethings, Susiestampalot

Salt: Joy

The current Salt challenge is to create something about joy. There are so many wonderful verses about joy, but I chose this one because frankly I've been struggling with my attitude lately. When I encounter trials (and it seems there have quite a few lately - nothing major, but just day-to-day stuff that keeps chipping away at me) I certainly have not been considering it joy. So now I have a little reminder to keep in my kitchen.

This cool frame was a find in the dollar aisle of my favorite grocery store, and I think I bought ten of them. It's pretty small; the clipped piece is 3x3. I've made quite a few gifts for other people (I'm down to 2 frames), but this one is definitely staying here. I computer generated the text onto some BasicGrey Phoebe paper, and matted it with another print from the pad. I added the Prima flower and teensy pink button as the finishing touch. I originally was planning something a bit more elaborate, but I really wanted the focus to be on the words. Plus the corrugated brown backdrop and metal clip on the frame set a great stage that didn't need much else!

May you have a joyful day!