CTS #227

Good morning!  Today's post is a quick one for a quick card!  I had a ton of fun with this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge and I hope you will too.  Here's my card:

This card was made entirely with elements from the June Clique Kit.  I just loved this chevron paper and the Journal Card was the perfect sentiment and focal point.  I layered it on some navy paper and added it to my card front with foam tape.  To finish it off I added some heart from my own stash.  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for checking in today!  I hope you'll join us this week at CAS(E) this Sketch!

CTS #224

Well, I learned something very important today.  It's Friday and not Thursday!  Ha ha ha!  How about that?  I had it in my head yesterday that it was Wednesday even though all the things I normally do on a Wednesday were done the day before.  I guess that is what happens when it's the first week of summer break, your husband is finishing up the planting, you kids have three rehearsals for a gymnastics recital, and your cat keeps waking you up at midnight and 2am.  So, it's Friday and I have messed everything up but I still have a card to share with you even if I'm late on everything.  Here's my take on this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge:

I just love this sentiment set from Penny Black called All Great Things.  The sentiments are bold and so pretty.  They can hold down a card all on their own.  So, I combined the sentiment with some elements and papers from my Clique Kits.  Again, super easy and I could make several to donate to the church for birthday greetings.  Can't beat that!  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for putting up with me in all of my craziness!  I think I have things back under control but in this life...who really knows.  Ha ha!  Have an awesome weekend!!

CTS #223

Talk about slow going today!  I put off this post until this morning thinking I'd have plenty of time after my 7:30 doctor's appt to work on it.  Little did I know that it would take until 9:00 to be finished with the appt.  The day just got crazier after that too but I won't bore you with the whoas of a mom.  Ha ha!  I'm finally getting my card posted for the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge and the sad thing is, I'm late on my card for my own sketch.  Silly!  Better late then never. 

Not even a single stamp was used on this card.  Crazy!  I used elements from the March 2017 Clique Kit called Play.  I just loved this little lion paired with the stars which I popped up with foam tape.  The sentiment is a combo of stickers I happened to have laying on my desk.  I thought it all worked perfectly with the sketch and I hope you like it!

Thanks so much for checking in with me even when I'm slow.  Have a great day and see you over at CAS(E) this Sketch!

CTS #222

Good morning!  I hope you've checked out this morning's post over at CAS(E) this Sketch!  The challenge this week is great!  Of course, they always are!  If you are stopping by after seeing my card over there...thanks so much!  I'm flattered that you wanted to see how I made my crazy creation.  :)  You guys are awesome!

This week has been crazy and stormy.  Luckily, we have only had branches down, a broken basketball hoop, and a few bend uprights on a trampoline net.  So many people have trees down on houses and cars as well as power lines.  Driving through town yesterday looked like a war zone.  I swear, I felt like I was still in Florida and a hurricane had just gone through but I guess 70mph sustained winds will do that to a place.  Here's hoping that was the last of that.

Spending so much time in the basement has its perks.  I actually get cards made while ensuring the kids understand that everything is going to be ok.  They even settled down and crafted a bit too.  Anyway, one of the cards created during the storms includes this one for this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge.

This card is created with some stuff from the March Clique Kit called Play and the April Kit called Jellybean.  It started with this polka dot paper and added a black strip of paper popped up with foam tape to prop up my blue chipboard letters.  I then finished the sentiment with some alphabet stickers and finally, those amazing acrylic stars and some bling.  Super simple and fun!  Here's another look:

 
Thanks so much for stopping by and make sure you join us this week at CAS(E) this Sketch.

CTS #216

Good morning, you guys!  The sun is out and I'm on the mend.  I've been battling a wicked sore throat along with a head full of gunk.  All of this awesomeness wasn't enough so my ears decided to fill up and I got an ear infection also.  How's that for great?  Luckily, I seem to be on the mend.  I'm still not 100% but I at least don't feel like my head is going to explode or that I want it to.  Ha ha!  I'm hoping to get something...anything done around the house today.  We all know how a house can look when mom is sick and dad is out of town.  The kids have been in charge.  Oh my!  Wish me luck.

You won't need luck in finding inspiration in this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge.  It's a great sketch and the team hit it out of the park!  Here's my take:

I used a combo of the January and February Clique Kits for my card this week.  I saw the stripes and immediately thought of this cool corrugated paper from the February kit.  I made the card front using the corrugated paper and then wrapped it with this awesome gold heart vellum from the January kit.  Next I cut happy from black card stock using the Hero Arts Happy Stamps & Cut set.  I cut a piece of paper from the January kit to stamp the rest of my sentiment on and added a glitter heart to the end before attaching my happy.  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for checking out my card today and I hope you'll join us this week at CAS(E) this Sketch!  Have a great day!

CTS #213

Good morning!  How are you all doing this week?  Things are warming up here and I'm super ready for it.  Of course, now that I say that, we'll get a blizzard next week.  Here's hoping that's not the case.  I hope you are all starting to warm up and I hope my East coast friends are finished digging themselves out.  Here's hoping that's the last of it for everyone.  If you need something to do while you are waiting for Spring to arrive, I've got a challenge for you!  Join us over at CAS(E) this Sketch this week for an awesome sketch and amazing inspiration.  You won't regret it.  Here's my take on the sketch:

This card all started with a piece of patterned paper I had on my desk from a past Clique Kit (Dec 2016).  Before I knew what I was really doing, more elements from the kit landed on the card and I found a verse that flowed nicely with the layout of the card.  So, I guess you could say this card sort of came together on it's own.  Luckily, I really liked how it turned out and I hope you do also.  It was easy enough!

Thanks so much for checking out my blog today!  Have a great day and I'll see you over at CAS(E) this Sketch!

Little Houses

Good morning!  It doesn't get more wintery feeling than this morning.  We had an ice storm and are on day 2 of no school.  My oldest is rejoicing and I can't say that I'm too sad about it myself.  We've been putting together puzzles and playing board games.  Perfect winter activities in my book!  I have one last wintery card to share with you guys and I figured today was as good a day as any. 

My card today uses elements from a Clique Kit from Crate Paper's Snow & Cocoa line of products.  I started with this cool "hello, snow" card and added two hill to the bottom with kraft patterned paper cut using the Dual Dotted Border Builder Dies.  I layered this on a piece of navy cardstock cut with a Stitched Mats: Dual Stitched Rectangles with foam tape and added it to my card front.  Next, I added my little puffy sticker houses using a bit of foam tape on the middle house.  A few snowflakes, enamel dots, and sequins finish it off.  Here's another look:

 
Thanks so much for checking in with me on this chilly day!  I hope you have a great week!

Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Dual Stitched Rectangles

Dual Dotted Border Builder Dies

Clique Kit Holiday

Crate Paper Snow & Cocoa

InLinkz.com

A Bit More Christmas

Morning!!!  I'm slurping my coffee while typing this up today and it's a mighty good cup of coffee.  I hope you are all having a great week and are enjoying the holiday season.  We've been having tons of fun and keeping busy but not too busy.  :)  Today, I'm sharing another of my Christmas cards created with the Clique Kit I ordered for the holidays.  Don't worry, I finally subscribed so you'll be seeing more than just this one kit soon.  Ha ha!  Here's the card I created:

I layered this adorable reindeer vellum over some pink polka dot paper and cut them both with the Stitched Mats: Rounded Rectangles.  Next, I layered some of the fun extras from the kit to may this little focal point with the brrr banner.  A little black glitter tape extended my pink banner and a few enamel dots and a wooden snowflake finish off the card.  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for checking out my card for the day.  I hope you are having an awesome week.  See you again soon!

A Snowman on a Chilly Day

Oh my, it is COLD here today and it's only getting colder.  Thank goodness for fuzzy slippers.  :)  My boys are annoyed with the cold because there is no snow.  They keep saying that there is no reason for it to be cold if there isn't any snow.  I have to admit, I agree.  Not that I want a ton of snow.  I'm not ready to break my back shoveling but enough to play in would be perfect!  Maybe Friday...there is a chance.

We've been busy busy.  Are you surprised?  Ha ha!  Basketball for my little guy started this week and he is loving it.  Wrestling is in full swing and gymnastics is still going strong.  Throw in Christmas parties and concerts...CRAZY!  I will say, I feel more relaxed this year because I'm giving myself a break.  Christmas cards are going out when they go out.  I'm not stressing about having them done and sent by a certain date.  If people get a winter card rather than a Christmas card, I'm ok with that.  I'm trying to look at all the obligations of the season that way and, so far, it is working to keep my stress level down.  In honor of winter cards, I created this super cute snowman card!  LOVE IT!

This card was created completely with element from a Clique Kit.  I used the packaging from a product to add the light blueish background before adding my cute snowman sticker.  This amazing acrylic word looked awesome with the card and snowman so, on it went.  I dotted my "i" with an enamel dot and finished it all off with a banner sentiment sticker which I think made it all come together.  Here's another look:

Thanks so much for checking out my card for today.  I hope you are having an amazing holiday season!  See you tomorrow for another CAS(E) this Sketch challenge!

Another Week, Another Christmas Card

Good morning and happy Monday!  Did you have a wonderful weekend?  Ours was pretty awesome.  We attended an open house at the local art museum and a concert by out local orchestra.  Everyone had a very good time and it really helped it feel a little more like the Christmas season. 

I'm still hard at work on Christmas cards but I'm having a great time taking my time this year.  I decided to relax and mail them as I finish them rather than stressing about having them all out by a certain date.  So far, it is really helping to keep my stress level low.  Here's a card I recently created.

Again, I used some fun paper, stickers, and other elements from my trusty Clique Kit.  I stamped this snowy background using the dots that are included in the Oh Deer Christmas Stamp Set. Next, I cut some patterned paper with the Merry Christmas Border Die.  I added some mountains, black and white paper, and some enamel dots and snowflakes.  All layered up, the card turned out really cute!  Here's a closer look:

I just love the Merry Christmas Border Die.  It is such a great way to add a sentiment and dimension!  I hope you enjoyed my card for the day and are ready for a great week.  I hope it's the best Monday ever!  Here's what I used today:

A Tuesday Christmas Card

Good morningish.  He he he!  I am a little late getting this post going this morning but I have a good reason.  My oldest has his first wrestling match this afternoon!!!  I have no idea what a wrestling match is like at all but I'm still excited.  So, I spent the better part of the morning making sure he had everything he needed packed in his bag.  Then, of course, the zipper pulled out and if you've ever fixed a zipper, you can feel my pain.  Luckily, I got it all fixed and stitched up so it shouldn't happen again.  Thank goodness my mom taught me to cross stitch and I had an awesome teacher in middle school that appreciated what I knew and expounded on that beginner's knowledge.  Go Home Ec!  Regardless, all is well and he is off to school and then his meet.  I'm thrilled because this first one is in Algona home to none other than the Chocolate Season...darn, an excuse for coffee AND chocolate.  Ha ha!

So, I created this card the other day and I'm super happy to be sharing it with you.  I've noticed that most of my Christmas cards are taking on more of a winter theme...that's ok, right?  ;)

Again, I used some fun paper and a journaling card from my trusty Clique Kit.  I layered these items ten stamped snowflakes using the Rustic Christmas stamps.  The I stamped the adorable bear from the same set, colored him, and added a hat!  Next, I used the Rustic Christmas dies to cut out my shapes and add them to the card.  All layered up, the card turned out really cute!  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for checking out my card today!  I hope you are having a great week!!  See you tomorrow!  Here's what I used for this card:

 

 

 

A Little Foxy Christmas

Happy post Thanksgiving Monday.  Hmm...does a long weekend and a holiday make a Monday better or worse?  We had a wonderful weekend with only one day of busy running.  It was great!  We even got all the Christmas decor out and up.  My husband wishes we got all decked out for Christmas in October but that's just too early for me.  I would rather leave it all up a little longer. 

The thing I can never seem to get started too early though, Christmas cards.  My problem is that I really hate mass producing.  I try and I try but the most I can ever crank out before getting totally bored is about 10.  So, I keep slowly chugging away making cards one at a time.  At least I have some amazing papers, stamps, and other products to inspire me.  That makes things so much more fun! 

Remember this card?  Well, I couldn't help but use the rest of the background paper I stamped so, here's what I've created to share with you today:

I started by making a snowflake patterned paper using the snowflakes in the Rustic Christmas stamps.  The I used the Border Builders die set to cut a fun border allowing the plaid to show at the bottom of the card.  Next, I cut some snowflakes out of various papers using the Snowflake Dies.  I layered the snowflakes along with a fox from my Clique Kit and a couple of banners also from the kit.  I finished the card off with some enamel dots.  Here's a closer look:

The fox with his black and white scarf was just meant for this card.  LOVE IT!  Can you tell I'm slightly addicted to the Snow & Cocoa line by Crate Paper?  I'm sure it comes as a shocker!  Thank goodness it was the focus of this adorable kit!  LOVE IT!

Thanks for checking in with me today!  I can't wait to share something new tomorrow!

 

A Little More Christmas

Good morning.  Please forgive me if this post makes no sense.  My body has decided that 3:30 is a great time to wake up and not let me go back to sleep.  So, I'm dragging at the moment and I'm just hoping there is enough coffee in the house to wake me up.  I did want to share a card with you guys today since it's been a whole weekend without me sharing one.  :)  So, here's another Christmas card from my ever growing collection.

Again, all these elements are from the holiday kit from Clique Kits that I purchased.  The striped backdrop is actually the packaging from one of the items in the kit.  I wish the kit wasn't sold out because I would totally order another!  Luckily, I did order some extra papers and stickers.  Woo hoo!  Here's a close up of my card:

Isn't that little house in the jar acetate adorable?  SO FUN!  Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you are having a more restful week than I am.  :)  Have a great day!

Getting in the Groove of Christmas

Good morning and happy Monday!  Today I'm jumping on quickly before running my oldest to school to share a Christmas card with you.  I'm slowly building my stash of Christmas cards and before I know it, it will be time to mail them all.  Goodness, where has this year gone?  Crazy!  Well, here's a card I created on a day when I was on a Christmas card roll!  Gotta love days like that.

This card is made exclusively using a gorgeous holiday Clique Kit.  I'm wishing I would have ordered two of the kit because I am having way too much fun with it.  The polka dot paper is patterned paper from the kit while the pink tree design and Wonderful Winter are both their own exclusive journaling cards.  I layered all of these together and then added a row of tree stickers for fun.

Thanks so much for checking in and I hope you are busily making Christmas card or any cards for that matter.  Can't wait to see what you have created! 

It's Monday!!!

It's Monday!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Ours was busy but still super fun.  We got to go see the movie Trolls and, shockingly, it was really cute.  Can you tell I wasn't super excited to see it but that's what you do when you are a mom.  The boys had a blast and with a massive nerf war on Sunday, their weekend was the best ever.  Now, it's Monday and for some reason it always seems to drag on.  So, I was trying to think of a way to make it more fun.  What better way to start a Monday than with a Christmas card??  I can't think of anything better!  Ha ha! 

In case you haven't already noticed, I'm slightly addicted to the Lil' Inker Designs Rustic Christmas stamps.  I just can't help myself.  I keep reaching for them and they pair SO nicely with my holiday kit from Clique Kits.  If you haven't checked out their kits, you must!  They are jam packed with fun stuff.  I have a feeling I will be starting a subscription soon since I'm having so much fun with this one.  All the past kits look amazing too!  I used paper, stickers, and little extras (those asterisks...hello!!!) on this card.  I started with this fun paper and then started layering vellum that I inked and cut with both the Fringe Scalloped Circles Dies and Border Builders die set.  I was inspired by Jen's gorgeous card to color my city from Rustic Christmas stamps in colors that coordinate with my paper before cutting it out with the Rustic Christmas dies.  I stamped some trees on the vellum and then layered a tree sticker from my kit in front.  Next, I cut Hope from black card stock using the Brush Script Christmas Word Dies.  I added a sentiment strip and then some fun asterisks from the Clique Kit along with some clear sequins.  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and I hope your week is starting off on a high.  Have a great one and I'll see you here tomorrow!  Here's what I used for my card:

 

 

 

Full Force For Christmas Cards!

It's getting to be that time of year again.  The time of year where I realize that I don't have all my Christmas cards made yet.  :)  So, it's time to get busy and luckily, I've had tons of awesome inspiration on my desk lately.  Slowly but surely, the fun products are turning into cards for my family and friends.

The card I'm sharing today uses some fun Lil' Inker Designs products paired with more fun stuff from a gorgeous holiday Clique Kit that I ordered.  Here's my creation:

I started by making a snowflake patterned paper using the snowflakes in the Rustic Christmas stamps.  The I used the Border Builders die set to cut a fun border allowing the plaid to show at the bottom of the card.  Next, I cut some snowflakes out of various papers using the Snowflake Dies.  I layered the snowflakes along with a sticker from my Clique Kit and a banner I created using the Oh Deer Christmas Stamp Set and cut out by hand.  I finished the card off with some more enamel dots, sequins, and more stickers from my kit.  Here's a closer look:

I hope you enjoyed my card today and I can't wait to share a new sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch with you tomorrow!  Have a great Wednesday!