If nothing ever changed...

...there would be no butterflies.

Great sentiment, isn't it? I managed to stamp quite a bit yesterday, so have lots to share over the next few days.

I love the way this card came together - simple layout, clean lines and sophisticated colors (at least that's how they seem to me, LOL!) I started by stamping the script (Vert Love Comes, but only partialy inked) onto the white square, then the butterfly over that (End/Begin). I stamped the sentiment (Butterflies) onto caramel cardstock, then pierced a straight line underneath just to add some interest. I mounted that onto a dark brown card base, then tried to decide what I wanted to do with the butterfly panel. I finally settled on matting it with red, which gave it a nice pop.

Back with more tomorrow! :)

Sympathy Card

Just a simple card I made to send to my MIL. Black card base, scraps of BasicGrey Scarlet's Letter, some swirly black ribbon, and SU's small scallop circle punch. Sentiment from "Hope for Comfort" (retired SU).

Being Still

I usually keep things pretty much stamp-related on this blog and save my personal ponderings for my other blog. I'm making an exception today, though.

Our family is currently in a state of shock, as my FIL passed away unexpectedly on Monday night. The kids and I have been/are sick, so we're staying here while hubby is now out in Arizona with his family.

There has been a lot of other stuff happening, too, and rather than me writing a novel right now I'll just say that I'm feeling rather overwhelmed.

So I made this card for myself this morning. A reminder to be quiet and find strength and comfort in my Savior. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 What a blessing to know that whatever may happen, He is still in control and will work the circumstances to fulfill His purpose (Romans 8:28).

So if you notice I seem quieter than normal - no, you're not imagining it. Just taking care of other things as necessary. But I guarantee I'll still be making time for my personal ink therapy :)

Card details: stamps - Inkadinkado Birds Galore, SU Words of Wisdom, paper - SU, embellishments - prima flowers, dew drops.

Getting Scrappy

After yesterday's card, I had a lot of scraps on my workspace. Since everything was from the same Chatterbox package, pulling another project together was super simple. These lightweight papers are double sided, and inks don't seem to sink in too badly (the green floral panel across the bottom had a big burgundy butterfly stamped on the back, and the sentiment panel reverses to a big ol' stripe). I left more white space, added some photo corners (stickers from the same package) and this time tied the ribbon on rather than adhering it. I like this card soooo much better!

The sentiment is from Verses Rubber Stamps and actually says "Happy Anniversary" underneath, but I think it works nicely as a birthday sentiment, too.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Sheesh...

Ever have one of those cards where NOTHING goes right? I started out to make a card based on a sketch from another blog. Pulled together the paper and stamps I wanted to use. This should be simple, right? Well, turns out the stamp had a dead spot (which I finally admitted to myself after stamping it about 8 times with different inks, papers, etc.). Guess I'll be contacting the manufacturer about that. I tried a few other images, but nothing was clicking with the sketch. I then pulled out this swirly flower - the phone rang, startling me, and making for quite a smeary image. Dropped my ink pad and messed up the second image. Then the kids were fighting, so by the time I made it back to my workspace, I had forgotten my glorious plan. Oh, well. This is what finally came together. It looks nothing like the initial sketch, but it's done. I'll just pretend that I can't see the rough condition of that poor flower or the bumps in the ribbon from the glue dots (and I'm reminded of why I don't like satin ribbon). But I *do* like the end of the ribbon off on the side there. See, something postive! No more ink or rubbah for me today - I think it would be best for all of us if I take a break :) Stamps: Inkadinkado and Paper Trey, Paper: Chatterbox

To Perk You Up

I squeezed in a bit of stamping time this afternoon, and made this quick card using today's sketch over on SCS. I'm still trying to use up some of the paper that I've accumulated, and I grabbed the DCWV glitter stack; I think the bright colors were a reaction to the gray, rainy day we were having :) I think everything is pretty straightforward - the coffee cup is Inque Boutique, and the sentiment is Stampendous. I'm not quite sure what happened with the photo and the coloring on the cup... it doesn't look all smeary like that IRL. Anyway, it was a fun card to make and perfect to send on to a friend.

Sale! Sale!

Ah, one of my favorite words! :) Have you been debating about purchasing some lovely smARTworks stamps for yourself? Well, this is definitely the time! Susan is having a big ol' Spring Fever sale - 35% off all in-stock rubber. Woo Hoo!! Get all the details here, and browse the catalog here.

Interested in a set, but wish you could see a finished product? Well, have you checked out the smART Cookie blog? All the stamp sets we've used are listed on the right - just click and you'll see what we've created.

So what are you still doing here?!?