Magical....FMS551

 

I snuck in a Christmas card this week even though it is 88 degrees as I type!  We are trying to soak up every last bit of summer before school starts and the leaves fall!

We headed north to spend the day with Will among the dinosaurs  He is only three and a half but can name just about every one he sees.  What is it with kids and dinosaurs?  He had a great time hiking through the woods past those huge creatures - he read the map and led the way!

                                                 

It was magical all right......if you love dinosaurs......

I used rows of gold twine as elements of Kim's wonderful sketch.  Interpret the sketch as you set fit and join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Snowman Magic, Season of Chic

Paper: Basic White, Soft Succulent, Lights Aglow DSP

Ink: Versamrk

Pumpkin Spice Season! FMS550

 

Well maybe not quite pumpkin spice season but very close!  Summer is winding down and we are noticing the shorter hours of daylight already.  We are trying to squeeze in as much fun as we can before Miss Emma goes back to school.  We went to the Van Gogh exhibit that seems to be traveling everywhere across the country.  It was truly amazing and we all loved it.

Art and color just wrapped around you everywhere.

After learning about Van Gogh's tragic life and seeing beautiful examples of his art we entered a large room and for half an hour learned even more as his work surrounded us on all four sides - fabulous!  Then we entered a very plain room with stools along the wall and put on virtual reality headsets.  I have no words for this experience - I have never seen anything like it.  As you can see from the picture I was hanging on the side of my stool for dear life as we traveled through more of Van Gogh's world. What an adventure!  Emma was way more relaxed than I was!  

I think next week I may be inspired to make a card that sings the blues!

Meanwhile my friend Jen Mitchell didn't let me down with her sketch this week - I am a fan of her squares!  Feel free to stretch it out if you need to and join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Pumpkin Spice (Newton's Nook)

Paper: Whisper White, Tea Boutique DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Distress

Fusion: Color Palette Seagull Beach

I had a great time using the colors, the sketch and the photo for inspiration when designing my card for today.  Always fun to spend a day at the beach!

After I photographed my card I noticed I had eight beach balls instead of seven like the circles in the sketch  - oops!  No worries we  love creative freedom here at Fusion!  Hope you join us!

                           

 Stamps Sets: Beach Huts (SSS), Seaside Seagulls (MFT)

Paper: Whisper White, Rings of Love DSP

Ink: Copics, Memento Black, Seaside Spray

Almost Apple Season.......FMS549

 

Almost apple season here already!  Seems like only yesterday sweet corn season started - and before that blueberry season - and before that strawberry season........obviously I just eat my way through summer.  Nothing better than buying fruits and vegetables at our local farm stands.  Many of my friends and relatives have gardens so I am well supplied with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers also.  But I have now drawn the line at zucchini - enough already!  

I love the new dies that go with the Apple Harvest set - worked perfectly for this week's sketch! 

Jen Timko kept it sweet and simple this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Have fun with the sketch!

Stamp Set: Apple Harvest

Paper: Smoky Slate, Basic White, Powder Pink, Gingham Cottage DSP

Ink: Copics, Memento Black

Just Wanted to Say......FMS548

 

After four days of 90 degree heat in upstate New York I was ready to play with fall leaves today!  I know all of my friends in Texas are rolling their eyes saying "only four days?" Our mini heat wave is over and I am glad.  Although Miss Pepper and I did enjoy a matinee every afternoon in the den - our only room with AC.  It was a great break from the heat and that awful humidity.  

My two favorite movies were The Rescue on Disney Plus and Thirteen Hours on Amazon.  Both were about the rescue of the soccer team from a cave in Thailand.  Even though I knew the boys were rescued those films are harrowing to watch.  One is a documentary featuring the actual people involved and the other is a Ron Howard film of the rescue - both very well done! 

So now you know how I beat the heat......ice cream may have been involved as well....

Jacquie's sketch is wide open this week!  Have fun with it at Freshly Made Sketches

Stamp Sets: Texture Chic, Just Wanted to Say(Spellbinders)

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Basic White, Texture Chic DSP, Gold Foil

Fusion: Cheese and Tiers

 

Sending cheer with a bottle of wine works for just about any occasion.....unless you are trying to cheer me.  Bring cookies....I'll put the kettle on......

I was inspired by the sketch and the photo this week at Fusion - join us and use whatever inspires you!

Stamp Set: Bottled Happiness

Paper: Basic White, He's The Man DSP, Textured Chic DSP

Ink: Soft Succulent, Merry Merlot, Crumb Cake, Memento Black

On Point (Sort Of).....FMS547

 

The hippos in this set just make me smile!  I turned the ballerina into a tightrope walker who is having no trouble at all balancing on that festive rope!  I got the Hippest Hippos set this week and wanted to use it right away.  So a quick glance at Judy's sketch and I knew what I wanted to do.  Key words here are......quick glance.  I used dies from Trees for Sale to make the tightrope.  I remembered the three panels across the bottom so I cut three poles and created my scene.  When the card was finished and photographed I looked at the picture and the light went on.......three poles create two panels.......four poles would have made three panels.....sigh....

Have fun with Judy's great sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  I did!

Stamp Sets: Hippest Hippos, Trees For Sale, Kite Delight

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Seaside Spray

Paper: Basic White, Tea Boutique DSP, Polished Pink, Daffodil Delight, Highland Heather