Today ... it's BARB!

Woohoo!   Today is the 5th of the month and if you've been to my Blog before you know that the 5th is the day we celebrate with our SCS Crafty Girls Blog Hop!    This month our Crafty Girl Inspiration is from Barb - {Barb's Inkin' into Retirement}.    Although I've never got to meet Barb (IRL),  I'm sure she would be a fun gal to hang out with as she's always busy with lots of neat projects and great stamping!   This is my card for Barb as she's a gal who uses lots of fun colors and layers.  She also seems to like Ribbon (well, who doesn't?).   

If you want to see the rest of the SCS Crafty Girls "Inspired by Barb" Cards,  check out the blog roll on the right!  

Supplies:   Basic Grey Green at Heart, AMuse Studio Botanicals 1, Handscripted,  Inks AMuse Studio Bellini, Lime,  AMuse Studio Bellini Satin Ribbon, Pearls,   Misc Washi Tape

April Showers ...

bring May Flowers! 

It's the 5th of the month and time for our SCS Crafty Girls Blog Hop!   I always like this time of the month.  This month however I struggled and it wasn't for lack of a GREAT challenge because I had several ideas.  Unfortunately,  I waited until the last minute and it just seemed like it was more of struggle to get done than I expected,  LOL!   That's what I get for procrastinating.  Diane came up with a great theme. 

The sketch is from this week's Mojo Monday #235.   I used AMuse Studio butterfly and cloud dies for the AMuse Studio Blog Challenge and I made sure to use "Clouds" for the Twisted Tuesday Challenge.

Be sure to check out the other Crafty Gals Blog posts for our April Showers Blog Hop!

     Melina :  Crafty Scrapper

Jackie:  Kreate With Me 2

Tracie:  The Crafty Touch

Athina:  Stella, Roo and Fena Too Designs

Carolina:  Cardolina Scrapolina

Barb:  Barb's Inkin' into Retirement

Diane:  Stampin' Ldyglfr62

Heather:  Lost in the Land of Stamping

Patty:  LaLatty's Stamp 'N Stuff

Jeanette:  Cre8tive Play

All Supplies :  AMuse Studio - Paper Latte Woodgrain, French Roast Shimmer, Green Gingham;  Stamps beautiful botanicals 2;  French Roast Organdy ribbon, Cloud Dies, Butterfly Dies, Glitter, Green Buttons

Because You're So Nice

For my B-Day,  Samantha,  the GREAT Gal Pal that she is gave me some new AMuse Studio Burano Paper, Ink and Ribbon to play with.  What a super fab b-day gift!  I finally had time and the creative MOJO to make my first card with it.  Love it!  I'm looking forward to playing with this again AND of course getting more of the colors.  The posies on the top are from a new MS Punch I found in the bargain bin for $5.  Love a deal.   This fun sketch is from Paper Secrets first "CYAO" Challenge.  Every weekend there will be a new sketch to use.  I liked this one and I hope to get another chance to use it again.    Stay Inspired!

Supplies:  AMuse Studio Paper Burano Venetian, French Roast Shimmer, Kraft:  Stamps AMuse Studio beautiful botanicals 2, just because;  AMuse Studio Ink Burano, Lime, French Roast;  French Roast Buttons

You Make Me Happy

I was thinking something silly when I saw this sentiment - "you make my heart happy".   I was actually thinking how happy my stamping and scrapping goodies make me, LOL!   It's so refreshing for me to work on cards and scrap pages.  I got into this hobby actually with recommendation from a "Career Coach"!  Yup!  I met with her several times expecting this incredible career advice.  After several weeks, she said I was missing balance and needed a hobby.  I tried several different "hobbies" and happened on some friends who scrapbooked.   After a rough start (perfectionist tendicies) I settled in and started getting pages done.  After that I discovered stamping and the first few years I only made Christmas cards.  As you can see I've branched out, haha!  The rest as they say is history...good history!  I really enjoy all the cards I make and send.  Some weeks I'm better at getting them out in the mail than others.   This cute sketch is this week's Sweet Sketch Wednesday 123-57.   Enjoy!   Supplies:  All A Muse Studio - Paper:  Orange Gingham, Grass Damask, Grass Shimmer;  Stamps:  beautiful botanicals 2, hand scripted;  Ink:  Papaya, Orange, Grass;  Butterfly Die,  SU! Pumpkin Pie Satin Ribbon, misc charms

Friendship Appreciation

The challenge at Perfect Sentiments #2 this week is to make a card for friend.  They also included a picture for inspiration.   I liked the inspiration they provided because it seemed really peaceful and pretty in biege, browns and blues.   It was a great combination and it really made me start thinking of all of the friends I truly appreciate.   I made 3 of these cards to send to friends.   I hope they enjoy these as much as I enjoyed making it.  I also appreciate the inspiration from Perfect Sentiments!   Supplies:  Paper:  A Muse Studio Kraft,  Stamps:  A Muse on the wing, beautiful botanicals 2;  Ink:  A Muse Studio Bermuda,  Ocean and French Roast;  CTMH Opaque Pearls;  Twine, Misc Charms

Today It's 2

So yes,  I know I just posted another card not too long ago but today it's 2 cards because I want to get this one posted before the deadline tonight on the A-Muse-A-Palooza Facebook Site.   It would sure be awesome to win 3 new Ink Pads!   The challenge was to use Onyx and Orange.  Now these 2 colors would have probably been much better with Halloween stamps but I didn't have any.   I tried to come up with an idea with the stamps I had but after about 45 minutes,  I decided it was futile.  IRL,  the glitter doesn't look so heavy and gives a nice sparkle to the card.   The sketch is from the sweetest thing #133.  I'm sure I'll be back with another card using this sketch.   Thanks for peeking in!   Supplies:  Amuse CS Orange, Shimmer Damask Onyx,  Onyx Gingham,  Ink Amuse Lime, SU! Pumpkin Pie, Stamps Amuse Beautiful Botanicals 2, On The Wing, Sparkles

You Are Special

This card was inspired by a GREAT time I had out to dinner with my friends, Samantha and Jeremy.  They're such good sports about letting me pick my favorite place to eat.  We had a good time visiting.  I'm posting this card today since it's the Amuse Blog Hop starting at Kania's A Muse Studio Blog.  Be sure to check it out this weekend for some fun giveaways and great cards.   

I found this card sketch on SCS for Viva la Verve June Week #2.  It went just perfectly with all my new A|Muse stamping goodies.  When you're just starting out, having matching supplies is tricky.  This paper was shared with me by friends on the SCS Recycle thread and the stamps I just got not long ago.  Supplies:  All products A|Muse except for Rhinestones.  A|Muse Paper: Kraft, Shimmer Damask, Gingham, French Roast Dotted Organdy Ribbon, Nestability Ovals, A|Muse Stamps Beautiful Botanicals 2 and hand scripted

Friday Night Fun!

Woohoo!  Something about time in my craft room on a Friday night!  Always a good way to start the weekend.  Tonight I found a couple fun card sketches to take advantage of.  The card on the left is for my boss who will no longer be my boss on June 1, boo!  She's wonderful and I wanted to be sure I took the time to send her a card and tell her how much I appreciated her.  The card sketch was from CPCM Tuesday Sketch Challenge #108.   I was inspired by the lace I received in a package from my SCS friend Angie.  It was just the perfect length to complete the 2 cards.  The stamps are from CTMH & Hero Arts.  The cards on the right are for a friend of mine whose fault it is lately that I'm hooked on Amuse (Hi Samantha!) and my Mom.  All paper, stamps and Ribbon - Amuse.   The card sketch is from Create with Connie & Mary   .  They are diehard SU! fans so my card didn't meet their requirements on the blog but I had saved the sketch to use.  Aren't those charms CUTE?!  My latest addition for cards - charms.  My friend Kari on SCS gifted me the large eyelets and they were just perfect for these.   Supplies:  (Card #1) Paper - The Paper Company Weave Aqua, BasicGrey "hello lucious", Stamps CTMH Blessed, Hero Arts, Queen & Co Pearls.  (Card #2) - Paper Amuse CS & Polka Dot,  Stamps Amuse Beautiful Botanicals 2, Hand Scripted,  Amuse Lime Organdy Dot Ribbon, Misc Charms & Punches