Farewell to Downton! PP284

I made a tea card today in honor of the final episode of Downton Abbey airing tonight.  I have enjoyed every episode of  that series and hate to see it end!  But in true Downton style I will brew a pot of tea to enjoy during the show and keep a stiff upper lip while saying farewell.....

Edited to add:  A reader pointed out that the finale is next week!  Sorry I was rushing things.....but I will brew that pot of tea anyway and enjoy the Oscars instead!

I love Claire's layered sketch this week at the Paper Players! Have fun with it!

Stamp Sets: SU Sprinkles of Life, Avery Elle Tea Time
Paper:  SU Have A Cuppa
Colors:  Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo

Sky Talk.......CTS161, PPA289

I watched The Martian last week and loved it. But I have to say no matter how beautiful and alluring the thought of flying through space is I could never strap myself into a capsule and head to infinity and beyond as Buzz Lightyear would say! By the time I finished the movie I was also in awe of the teamwork and unbelievable math and science skills involved in such a mission.  Oh I know we aren't on Mars yet but I am sure some day we will be.......so The Sky is the Limit seems like the perfect congratulations sentiment for someone embarking on a new venture!

And while we are talking about the sky I would like to say that all we have had falling from the sky this winter is rain..........worst winter for snow I can ever remember!  I miss that fluffy white stuff!

The CAS sketch at CAS(E) this sketch! this week is right up my alley!

                                          The colors at Pals Paper Arts are                                                delightful!

                                              



Stamp Sets:  Sky Is The Limit, Balloon Celebration, Celebrate Today

Hello There! FMS225

Hello there world - I am happy to report we are all healthy and back to normal around here!  It has been a long two weeks!  In between naps and way too many Disney videos Emma and I managed to create a card now and then.  So far she hasn't embraced my CAS style.......I would say she is more of a mixed media/collage type of gal who firmly believes there is no such thing as too much glue.....

My oh so talented friend Jen Mitchell has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us - whatever your style!

Stamps: SU Helping Me Grow, WPlus9 Hand Lettered Hello
Ink: Wisteria Wonder and Wild Wasabi Blendabilities, Black
Paper:  White, So Saffron DSP

The Red Balloon.....PP283, CTD380

A long time ago my French teacher set up a movie projector in class and showed us a delightful film called The Red Balloon.  It's a simple story with minimal dialogue and color.........except of course for a fabulous red balloon that follows a little boy around wherever he goes.  When I saw the Paper Players Challenge this week and the colors at Color Throwdown my very first thought was that red balloon.  I made a skyline using the Holiday Home framelits and cut out a balloon from red foil paper,  I wish the photo showed how shiny and fabulous that red balloon looks!

Joanne has a fun CAS challenge for us this week at The Paper Players!

I also used the colors from this week's Color Throwdown!

Birthday Balloons......PPA288, #GDP023

In the spirit of the Bringing Birthdays Back campaign I decided it was time to add some birthday cards to my stash. I let a piece of that beautiful designer paper from It's My Party take the lead on this card.  The stamped images from the May 2015 Paper Pumpkin set called Birthday Bundle complement the paper perfectly!  I just love when that happens!

Amy Lazzell has a fun sketch for us at Pals Paper Arts! Hope you play along!

Global Design Project has a Balloon Theme this week......



                                        

Let's Paint the Town!.....FMS224

Looks like that bunny I mentioned in last week's post is still at it - painting everything in sight!  I love that new set Love You Sew and couldn't resist doing one more painted card.  The sentiment worked perfectly with the skyline from Calling All Heroes!  I received many comments and questions about the children's book I mentioned as my inspiration last week. Here it is and yes it is still available on Amazon!

Our resident artist Jen Timko has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches - join us!

                                       

Stamp Review Crew: Sale-A-Bration 2016

The simplest set in Sale-A-Bration this year is my favorite - Hello.  That's it.......Hello!  It's like the favorite little black dress that goes with everything.  I paired it with the new Sunburst thinlit die to make a non-traditional baby card.  I used the negative space from the die to make a mask on my white paper.  Then I went to work with ink blending tools using shades of yellow and the slightest tint of tangelo.  The result is a bold graphic design - a bright welcome for a new little one!

The Stamp Review Crew is showing off all Sale-A-Bration items this week!  If you arrived here from Nancy's site you are on track and can head right over to see what delights Lisa has in store!

I based my design on the sketch from CAS(E) this SKETCH.

Lot of Sleep and Vitamin C......PP282

After a week like this one lots of Vitamin C is just what we have all needed!  My daughter has bronchitis, my poor sweet Emma has pneumonia, my son has the flu, the big guy has a an upper respiratory infection with severe bronchial spasms and I have the flu with acute bronchitis! Say what?!?!? Enough already! I have never had bronchitis in my life - and I hope I never get it again!  There is progress but wow it has been a tough week!  You know you are sick when you can't even stamp!

Emma has the right idea..............lots of sleep!

On the plus side winter has finally arrived in upstate NY and temps well below zero should kill off all these pesky germs. And we should see some snow :) It is also very cozy in front of my fireplace...........

I love the delicious colors Laurie chose for our challenge this week at the Paper Players! They were perfect with the fruit from Apple of My Eye! Come play along!

I used this wonderful sketch from The Challenge for my layout.

Easter Lamb.......FMS223

Long ago I used to read my daughter a story about an Easter Bunny who painted everything in town Easter colors just before Easter.  Looks like that bunny grabbed the paint from Love You Sew and started painting Easter Lamb!

Our talented Artisan Amy O'Neil has a fun sketch for us at Freshly Made Sketches - enjoy!

Good Company.......PP281

Amazing how a long ride goes by so quickly when you have a good friend along! It's also amazing how the slightest jingling of car keys brings all the pups running....ready to go for a ride!

My amazing stamping friend LeAnne has a theme challenge for us this week!  Let the dogs and cats out to play with the Paper Players!


                                             




Stamp Sets:  Beautiful Ride, Timeless Textures
Paper:  Shine On Specialty Paper, MintMacaron
Ink:  Soft Sky Blendabilities, Black, Zig Markers

Much Appreciated! PPA286

I am delighted to be the featured stamper this week at Pals Paper Arts!  I can't believe I have been on this team for five and a half years! Wow!  I have had the privilege of working with some amazing stampers - and I am delighted they are still keeping me around!  I am excited about our recent expansion to a sketch team and a color team.  

I used the new set Helping Me Grow on my card with Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron and Pool Party.  This set is so appropriate because working with Mary Fish and the Pals has definitely helped me grow in this card making world! And all of your comments and encouraging words are definitely much appreciated!

I hope you find some crafty time this week and join us at Pals Paper Arts!

Thanks a Hole Punch! FMS222

It is one of those weeks.....the big guy has bronchitis, Emma is under the weather and I am watching the pups for my son.....so that means four dogs to walk every four hours.....and oh so much poop to scoop! Rosie the Riveter is the perfect inspiration for my card today in more ways than one!

Here they all are watching Paw Patrol so I can type my post!  And yes Corduroy is on my coffee table.....amazing what you can ignore when you have to!

I love how Narelle's focal point is just slightly off center on her sketch this week! Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches! I used the Hostess Set Love You Sew for my card.