Soft Sympathy

I am addicted to French Foliage. I've been using the heck out of it lately. I always seem to get attached to something AFTER they retire it. Day late and a dollar short is my motto. Oh well, works for me. Once again, the need for a sympathy card sucks, but it WAS really fun to put this one together. I really like the color combo. Not sure if I'll be able to duplicate it ever again. lol

I really love doing detail work. The leaves seem to come alive with a little marker attention. Time consuming yes, but definitely worth it.

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Soft Sky, Early Espresso

Stamp Sets ~ French Foliage, So Sorry, Truly Grateful

Other supplies ~ cream ribbon, burlap ribbon

With Gratitude

Wow. This card took F O R E V E R  to complete. It doesn't look like much. I'm trying to think what took SO long. I think it was the leaves. I probably stamped a dozen before I got the colors I wanted. The turkey took a while too. It was done with markers. Oh, and the feather. That took a while as well. I guess it all adds up. I won't even admit to how long it took from start to finish. This card has been entered in the SUO Challenges blog for challenge #82 Harvest Time!

Here's the Sketch!

I got this wonderful color combination from Fab Friday's Blog. They also have wonderful challenges. This was from challenge #26.

Here's the color combo!

Here's my card!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock ~ Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla,

DSP ~ Sweater Weather

Ink ~ Soft Sky, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand

Stamp Sets ~ Ex Libris, French Foliage, Fine Feathers, Harvest of Thanks

Embellishments ~ Burlap, Hemp Twine (not SU)

Many Leaves... Many Loves

Vacation is over. Kids are back to school. Summer is ending and Fall is in the air. I enjoyed my first Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks this morning. First of the season I should say. I'm a longtime addict. Oh Starbucks...

Since the kids are both at school today (I have one in preschool that only goes part time), I thought I'd get back on track and get a card created. We visited family in Seattle, Wa. over the weekend and I needed to come up with a Thank You card. No, I didn't have any in my inventory, believe it or not. Oh darn, an excuse to make one. he he!

This card makes me think of warm cozy Sunday nights, hot tea, fuzzy socks and the kids giggling under their livingroom forts. I used the sketch from Retro Sketches challenge #78. It was a fun one. Lots of room to be creative!

Here is what I came up with... I love everything about this card. Love the colors, love the textures, love the layers, love the leaves... Many loves!

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

DSP ~ Sweater Weather

Ink ~ Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzaz, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze

Stamp Sets ~ French Foliage (retired), Harvest of Thanks (Holiday Catalog)

Others ~ Woodgrain embossing folder, Apothecary Accents, Artisan Label punch, Adorning Accents Edgelits

*Non-Stampin' Up! brass brads, linen 

Whew! That was a lot. It took me a good part of 3 hours to complete this card. I kept changing things and adding things as I went along. Of course I really didn't have a plan except for the sketch. I love my whims!

WHOOP WHOOP!!! This card was chosen as the RetroSketches ROCKstar!

Epic Teachers... We love them! (Mojo Monday Challenge 296)

The school year has ended for my little man. His first year of preschool was a major success! I KNOW what his poor teachers had to deal with, so I am forever in their debt. He's a stinker! I had a little bit of time this morning, so I put this card together. It will also double for Mojo Monday's challenge #296.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Pool Party Core'dinations, Epic Day This and That DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Pistachio Pudding, Wisteria Wonder, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky

Stamp Sets ~ Blue Ribbon, Family Reunion, Affection Collection, French Foliage, Curly Cute (inside)

Other supplies ~ Designer Vintage Faceted Buttons, Pearl Basics Jewels, Bakers Twine

Happy Father's Day!

Here are the cards I created for the two most important dads in my life.

To my Dad, You are my world. You have shown me life, love and given me a great sense of humor. You are amazing. You are Superman and you've taught me to be tough and to back a horse trailer like no one's business. I am so thankful for you!

Supplies used for this card: 

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, Tempting Turquoise, Coastal Cabana, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green

Stamp Sets ~ Open Sea, Clockworks 

Other Supplies ~ Natural hemp twine, clock pieces, bronze colored brads, Antique Brads 

To my Hubby, You are my rock, my love, and my life.  I couldn't ask for a better father to our two wonderful kids. You truly make our family whole. Without you, I would be a lost ship. I am so thankful that I found you just 10 short years ago. 

Supplies used for this card:

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral, Marina Mist

Stamp Sets ~ French Foliage, Open Sea, Label Love, That's The Ticket, Hearts a Flutter, Family Reunion, Itty Bitty Banners, Ciao, Baby!

Other Supplies ~ Natural hemp twine, Designer Fabric, Soda Pop Tops, Staples 

A new Challenge!

Time for a new Challenge! This one is from Mojo Monday. It's a fun blog with lots of sketch ideas. The theme, and color scheme are open. I'm headed downstairs to my craft cave right NOW to work on it! What will I come up with? What would you do? I'd love to see your designs. Send me an email with a pic!

Here's what I came up with. It turned out so much better than what I had pictured in my head. I just LOVE it when that happens!

Supplies used for this card

Paper ~ Specialty DSP (unfortunately retired), Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Stamp Sets ~ French Foliage, Blue Ribbon, Family Reunion

Other Supplies ~ Designer Builder Brads, Crochet Trim, Pearl Basic Jewels, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, misc brads, misc string