Fusion: Thank You

Emma's teacher has done a wonderful job keeping her second graders engaged and learning through this crazy time so a thank you is definitely in order.  I am amazed at how creative on line learning can be - and how fast second graders adapt!  Art and Gym have not been forgotten either.  Emma made a beautiful chalk art design at the end of her driveway....

And for gym class a bit of archery at the lake!

I was inspired by both the sketch and the photo this week. Hope you are inspired too at Fusion - join us!

                                     



Stamp Set: Harvest Hellos
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Oxides
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Basic Black

Round Two - FMS433

I managed a few more graduation cards for my daughter this week......in between sunny days perfect for yardwork....

and snowy evenings that brought down branches and power lines.....

and clean up days to take down my favorite tree that was broken in the storm.....

Luckily Owlette came along with her dad to cheer me up while he chopped my tree down!

And this is all that's left but there is already new growth .....thankfully Burning Bushes grow fast!

I love Jen Mitchell's splashy sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches! It was perfect for my next round of graduation cards!  Have fun with it!

                                               

Stamp Set: Label Me Bold (SU), Bravo Grad (FSJ)
Paper: Whisper White, Follow Your Art DSP
Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Memento Black, Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, Copics

Graduation Season - Sort Of.....FMS432

My daughter recently "placed her order" for 35 graduation cards this year.  I thought I had better get started and made 6 of these using the colors and plaids from the Country Express DSP.  I usually make a variety of designs in small batches so I don't get bored! 

Erin is a college advisor and usually works with students for two years starting in their junior year.  Now her meetings are being done totally on line and many graduation ceremonies have been cancelled.  Such a strange time indeed....more important than ever to keep in touch - especially with a hand written hand made card......

Use whatever shape works for you on Jen Timko's fun sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

                                       

Stamp Sets: Check You Out, Label Me Bold, Congrats Grad (Pretty Pink Posh), Simply Celebrate Spring (Lawn Fawn)

Paper: Country Club DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Copics, Memento Black, Night of Navy, Garden Green, Soft Suede

Stamp Review Crew: Bonanza Buddies

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Bonanza Buddies today.  So many possibilities with this set! I decided to just have fun stamping and ended up setting a personal record with this card.  I had to stamp 13 times with eight different colors and position everything just right. I cut four white panels to start with - fully expecting to need even more before I was done -  and began with the Grapefruit Grove step in the middle.  By the time I got to the balloons - my last three images to stamp - I was literally holding my breath.  I had gotten through 10 images with no drops or smudges anywhere. Unbelievably I made it to the finish line on my very first try! Wow - lucky day - if I weren't quarantined I would be out buying lottery tickets!

You have probably just come from seeing Lou's wonderful work.....

If you have then head on over to see what delights my amazing friend Cindy has in store!

I used the sketch at Cas(e) this Sketch for my design.

Stamp Sets: Bonanza Buddies, Label Me Bold

Paper: Whisper White,  Birthday Bonanza DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, Terracotta Tile, Mango Melody, Grapefruit Grove

Fusion: Let Us Remember

All those poppies.....so when I remembered the sentiment in the set called New Wonder I just couldn't help myself.......


Crafting certainly helps during these days in quarantine.  So pop in and join us at Fusion!

                                    


Stamp Sets: Painted Poppies,  New Wonder
Ink:  Seaside Spray, Memento Black, Copics
Paper: Whisper White, Peaceful Poppies DSP

Something Is Fishy......FMS431

Things you may already know about me:

1.  I don't like to eat fish or touch fish or smell fish.......so I definitely would not go fishing.

2.  I think fish hooks are scary.

3.  I almost never ever make a guy card.

And look what we have here today - a fishing card for a nephew's birthday!  

Must be a result of all these hours in quarantine......it can mess with your mind.... :)

LeeAnn has a wide open sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches - have fun with it!

Stamps: Lures (Impression Obsession), Jar of Love (SU)

Paper:Classic Garage DSP, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Life Askew

Life is definitely askew these days so perhaps that drew me to this design with its stripes askew.  I was watching a video by Kylie Bertucci and about 20 minutes into the video her husband Bruno made a card with off kilter stripes.  It is definitely not my usual type of card but it looked like fun so I thought I would give it a try.  (I seem to have a lot more time for such experimenting these days!) Because I used patterns instead of solid colors I kept the sentiment super simple.

In the meantime someone else is hard at work adding swirls of colors to her Easter Eggs!

                                            

Congrats to the Just Add Ink team celebrating their 500th Challenge!

Paper: Needlepoint Nook DSP, Night of Navy, Whisper White

Die Cut: Friend (SSS)

Under the Weather? FMS430

These little umbrella animals make me smile!  And I hope that you all are staying "above the weather" as we self quarantine to get through these crazy times.  

But I am not the only one stamping more these days.  Emma stamped this lovely bunny piece using toilet paper rolls and paint!  Wishing you all a healthy joyful Easter!

                                               

So many possibilities with Jacquie's delightful sketch this week!  Escape for a while - join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Umbrella Pals (Newton's Nook)

Paper: Whisper White, Pleased As Punch DSP, Basic Black

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Versamark

Stamp Review Crew: Love You To Pieces

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Love You to Pieces today.  At first glance you may think this set is only for Valentine's Day but when you combine it with another set the possibilities are endless.  Today I used the mugs from Rise & Shine. They pair with the sentiment perfectly.  I am hoping it won't be too much longer before we can get together for a cuppa with our friends!

And since we are talking about jigsaw puzzles.......

I usually do jigsaw puzzles during the winter - after the Christmas rush is over.  So relaxing to do a puzzle and binge Netflix!  I went online last week to order a few more since we will be hanging around home for a while.  I like Charles Wysocki scenes from Amazon and discovered they now cost anywhere from $40 to $80 a puzzle - and some are used.  What?!?!?!?!  Further investigation proved that puzzles are sold out almost everywhere - or are really expensive.  I bet when this is over I will be able to pick up a lot of puzzles....cheap....

If you missed Kelly's wonderful work head back there......

Otherwise keep going to see what delights Lou has in store!

Stamp Sets: Love You to Pieces, Rise & Shine

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Highland Heather

Paper: Whisper White, Pleased as Punch DSP

Fusion: Gnomes

I am making a few more Easter cards than usual because we won't be having a family gathering this year.  Hoping this gnome will make someone smile because he definitely makes me smile!

             I used both the sketch and the photo as inspiration this week at Fusion.  Hope you join us!


                                       

Stamp Sets: Spring Gnomes (SSS), Easter Bunnies (MFT)
Paper: Whisper White, Gorgeous Grape
Ink: Memento Black, Gorgeous Grape, Distress, Copics

Crafty Friends....FMS429

Crafting is definitely the therapy I need these days.  Of course it may not be cheaper than therapy but it works for me!  I'm visiting lots of blogs and Facebook groups and continue to be inspired by beautiful work.....and by amazing stories of courage and coping during this scary time.  I am also mailing out a card a day to check in with friends, family.....and crafty friends!

Meanwhile Miss Emma is getting very proficient on her iPad as her lessons are now online. Yesterday was Superhero Day and everyone in her class shared pictures of themselves as a superhero!  

Square cards are fun!  Enjoy Judy's sweet sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: It Starts With Art

Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Follow Your Art DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Pacific Point, COpics