It Must Be a Pattern...

**3rd post of the day... scroll down for more

Hmmm... Mojo Monday on a Tuesday for the 3rd week in a row... I think I'm seeing a pattern. :)

Mojo Monday is celebrating their 200th sketch challenge- CONGRATULATIONS!  I know I enjoy their sketches weekly and am just BLOWN AWAY by the talent that is showcased there.  Excellent inspiration, for sure!

Here's this week's sketch...




















I followed the sketch pretty well, except for the bow.  It just didn't work once I had that flower put together on the card.  But, I AM pleased with how it turned out, so... oh well! :)

Here's the card...

Sorry for the picture quality... even though it's day light & there's natural light... it's a bit overcast, which is not making for the best photo op for the card. :(  The card base is white & is matted with kraft that has been embossed with Swiss Dots.  I used some striped paper from my stash mounted on olive green cardstock for the long rectangular piece.  I used a MS eyelet punch on the edge.  I used the SU Build a Blossom Punch for the flower (cut out in white) and inked the edges with a sponge in Pretty in Pink.  I used some sheer white ribbon edged in satin from top to bottom.  The sentiment is from ditto by studio g & says "lots of hugs."  I stamped it in chocolate chip & used my blender pen to color in "hugs" with pretty in pink.  I matted the sentiment on a chocolate square. I'll probably keep this card in my stash for my mother-in-law, who is going through chemo treatments right now.



Thanks for stopping by!

I'd love to hear your comments!  Have a fantastic Tuesday!

Bethany

More Pinks & Greens

**2nd post of the day... scroll down for more!**

I got lots of inspiration today from Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 119...

I thought about going for the princess theme & even got my stamp set out and ready... but I just couldn't resist the big pink flower and the green from the frog...

I also got a little inspiration from the sketch at Clean & Simple Stamping- FTL 149. 

As you can see, I did add a little extra banner to the card for my sentiment (since it just DIDN'T work the other way) and made the card *almost* square to let the banner hang off a little.  I think it looks super sweet! :)

Here's the sketch... (I also turned it on its side)


I'm also linking up to the NEW Studio Stampers Challenge Blog for their first challenge... Pops of Pink & Glowing Greens.  

Thanks for looking! I LOVE your comments!
Bethany

Summertime Fun

Happy Tuesday, all! I hope you are enjoying your day and staying cool... that's what my baby girl & I are trying to do here! :)

Pals Paper Arts Challenge 102 (PPA102) is going on now... the challenge is to create something that says summer to you!  Well, I drew my inspiration for this challenge directly from my husband & daughter.  They are both in LOVE with Popsicles.  The most recent box conquered were Jolly Rancher Popsicles...so I quickly grabbed the box from the recycling bin so I could copy their "look."  I turned it into a friendship card I thought I could send to a longtime friend I saw the other day. :)

I'm also linking up to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC11...


There is nothing more sweet than a popsicle shared with your sweetie on a hot summer day!

Here's the card...

The entire card... made to fit a business size envelope instead of an A2

A close up shot of the dimension of the second popsicle

A close up shot o fthe sentiment... "friend to friend"



Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a fabulous day!

I love reading your comments, so please feel free to leave a little love! :)

Bethany

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a relaxing and refreshing weekend!  We've been busy.  On Friday, we took our 2-year-old to see "Winnie the Pooh" at the theater.  She's been asking about it since she first saw the preview.  CUTE movie... with lots of little bits of clever humor that only adults will get and appreciate. :)  My husband, daughter, & I also took a weekend trip to a golf resort that has been a tradition in my husband's family for the past 3 decades.  We had a wonderful time, but we've all been a bit tired today... I guess we need a vacation from our vacation! 

As I've been relaxing all day today, I thought I'd share some cards I made last week for the fall.  At my school, I am in charge of sending cards to my fellow teachers & colleagues when the occasion calls for it... can't imagine how I got nominate for this job, huh? :)  Sooooo, since the school year is crazy BUSY, I've been making a stock of thinking of you cards, get well cards, and such.  I DON'T enjoy making sympathy cards, though they are unfortunately part of the stash I need to build up.  So, last week I tackled the challenge of creating some for use at school when the need arises.  Here's what I came up with...

This last card is one for a Christmas in July challenge that I just didn't make the deadline for... I had the card ready in time, but I didn't get it uploaded and linked in time.  Oh well!  I still like the way it turned out.  I've been looking for a design I like to make some holiday cards for our local Hospice chapter.  Last year, a group of my card friends & I made cards for them.  Collectively, our group made enough cards to send to the over 200 hospice patients they had at the time!  Every single patient received one of our handmade cards.  The coordinator told us that for many of the patients, ours would be the ONLY card they received.  That just blows me away!  So... I've been trying to work on some Christmas cards this summer so I can contribute more this year to the cause.  What can you do to make a difference in your community? :)

As always, thanks for stopping by!  I love those comments, and I hope you have a WONDERFUL day!  Keep cool if you can!

Bethany

LOTS of ribbon!

**3rd post of the day!**

Deesigns by Nina Dee has an I Heart Ribbon Challenge... you know I'm going to love that, right?  Of course!!  This week, it's about using LOTS of ribbon.  NOT a problem for me... I have LOTS to choose from.  (I know this for SURE because I spent HOURS today reorganzing it all.)

My dear friend Becky showed me how to make these cards.  I used my cricut to cut otu the heart and then laid out ribbon to "fill up" the cut out part.  To cover up the 'messy' inside, I just added a piece of white cardstock on the inside.  Here are a few I made... all with ribbon scraps I had!  The entirety of every 'heart' is made of ribbon, along with the accent ribbon on the sides.  A few buttons top off the cards. I left the inside blank so I could stamp the appropriate sentiment when I need to pull one of these out!

I love your comments!  Thanks for taking a peek!

Bethany

Yet Another Rainbow...

**2nd post of the day... scroll down for more!**

Here's another card I made since I just can't get enough of rainbows... or polka dots!! :)

I'm linking this up to Cupcake Inspirations Challenge # 118.  In case you've forgotten, here's the inspiration photo:



 I've only played along a few times at Cupcake Inspirations, so I'm not sure if you are allowed to link up more than one card, so if you aren't, please leave me a message & let me know!  (I searched the site, but couldn't find a defnitive answer.) 

Here's the card...

Love those comments!!
Leave a link to your blog so I can come visit you, too!

Thanks for stopping by!
Bethany

New Challenges!

Throughout my (many) hours on the web looking through the MANY, MANY talented crafters out there, I found two new challenges to try.  A Muse Studio consultants have a new web site with a weekly challenge: Studio Stampers.  (I don't currently own any A Muse products, but I see that changing in the very near future... it's on my wish list!!)  Veronica Zalis, who I had the pleasure of meeting when she lived on the East coast, is the featured designer this week.... soooooooo very talented!!  Her challenge is Pops of Pink & Glowing Greens.  Here's the inspiration photo...


Aren't all of those pinks & greens just lovely?!  I sure had fun with them.  I actually ended up making TWO cards for this challenge.  The first was with the card sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping- Sketch 148.

Sorry for the discoloration on the photo... the card really is white and not gray with bright pink circles on the right... amidst the glorious daylight were some clouds that didn't want to help me out with taking this photo!!

Here's the second card from the inspiration photo at the top... I just LOVE hearts!!!  (Especially when they are pink & green!) 

Both of these cards are for my mother-in-law, who is undergoing chemo treatments.  I've been trying to create a little stash of cards to send her as she goes through her treatments each week. I hope they make her smile & make her know how loved she is!

I LOVE your comments... they make my day! 
Be sure to leave a link back to your blog so I can visit you, too!! :)

Hope you had a great Thursday!
Bethany