STAMPtember!

 Hello friends!

I am excited that today is the release of Whimsy Stamp's STAMPtember stamp set in collaboration with Simon Says Stamps! 

This stamp and die set are so fun!

I was so glad I had some crafty time and ended up making 3 cards. 

My first card used the Boo stamp and die. I used a jewelry tag for the sentiment and branches from the Bat Branch Die set.  They were colored with Copic markers.  I wanted some texture for the background, so I also used the Bats Galore Slimline folder.  

My second card uses these adorable ghosts with the Boo stamp and die set.  I added some tombstones from the Build a Graveyard die set.  Cobwebs from the Witch Broom set were stamped on the tombstones. I also added a circle for the moon. The background was inked with Distress inks.  

My last card I decided to make a fun shaker card! I used the Mitered Frame set and some acetate. This Boo was so cute with her little pink bow. ;) I added some pink sequin leaves and a sheer black ribbon. 

Be sure to check out Simon Says Stamp to get your exclusive set! 

It's been so much fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

Howdy!

Howdy friends!

It is such a gorgeous weekend here in Chicago! My sister is spending the day with me and we are heading to a large craft fair near my home.  I am excited to spend some girl time with her and do one of my favorite things....shop!

Today I am sharing this adorable stamp set from Whimsy, called, Barnyard Friends.  This little cow is darling! I colored the image with Copic markers. I did some masking to place this little nugget in the bucket using the Barnyard Elements stamp set.   I added a sweet little tag, a flower from the Hibiscus die set, and some twine to the bucket.  For a finishing touch I added this wide striped ribbon. 

Enjoy your weekend friends!

 

Shark Snack!

Hello friends!

I have a card to share that I made using Whimsy's Shark Snacks die set.  I love the size of this die! It really fills the card and the details are on point! I used water color paper and Tim Holtz inks.  The hearts were left over from the Slimline Hearts Background die that I used on another project.  I keep all of the extras in a pouch and use them as I need them for my cards.  :)  I added glossy accents and a white gel pen to add a few highlights.  

I think the alphabet die I used here is now retired, but any larger font die would work great here!

I appreciate you stopping by today! :)

 

Love You No Matter What

Hello friends!

I have a sweet card today that I made for my hubby using some products from Whimsy Stamps.  It uses the adorable die cut called, Happy Couple Die set.  I used black paper and gave it a coating of glossy accents.  The background was done with Tim Holtz Distress Inks and the Floating Hearts Cover Plate Die.    I paired it with a cute gingham ribbon. 

I have been slowly getting back to my craft room.  I managed to make a Halloween project that I am anxious to share with you soon!  I also went back to school this week, as life continues to go on.  

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today.

 

Shark Attack!

Hello friends!

I have a new card to share with you today. 

It uses Whimsy Stamp's new Shark Snacks Die set.  This shark couldn't possibly be any cuter!  (If it's possible for sharks to be cute, LOL)  I used Distress inks to give him his color.  I added the fun Bubbly Die frame in hot pink for a pop of color.

Life update below:

For those of you who have been checking in and have messaged me, I want to thank you.  It means a lot when people go out of their way to show they care. 

My sweet MIL passed away on July 24th.  We had services for her last week.  My son, DIL, and granddaughter made the long drive from GA to come in.  My husband and I were incredibly touched by the amount of people who went out of their way to attend her services.  Our hearts were truly filled with gratitude.  The last year has been a roller coaster and now we are hoping for some peace for a bit. 

Thank you for hanging in there with me....hopefully some craftier days are in my future. 

 

You're a Treasure!

Hello friends, 

I have a quick card to share with you today using Whimsy Stamp's Mermaid Boy.  The image is so cute and comes with such cute accessory stamps to create a scene.  Everything was colored with Copics.  To finish off the card, I tied rustic twine and some dyed mummy cloth to the top.  Simplicity is my friend these days as crafting has definitely taken a back seat at the moment.  

My sweet MIL is in her final days of life and will soon meet Jesus. It has been a long emotional summer and she needs peace with no more pain. 

Thank you for so many of you who reached out with words of support and prayer. 

 

Shine On!

Hello friends!

Just a quickie card today showcasing this adorable set from Whimsy Stamps called, Bear 

Bubbles. I kept the card pretty simple by just coloring it with Copics and doing some machine stitching around the edges.  I added a few hearts and a sweet pink gingham bow. 

Life update:

My MIL was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks and was diagnosed with kidney failure and congestive heart failure, on top of her dementia diagnosis.  Since coming back from the hospital she has not been eating.  My husband had to make the difficult decision to place her on hospice.  2025 has not been a very kind year for us.  But in the midst of this storm, family and friends have shown up. They've been there for us, and that has made a huge difference for us. 

Thank you for hanging in there with me, my sparse posts and such.  

I hope life is treating you well!

 

Life IS Better When You're Crafting!

Hello friends!

Just a quick post today using a new(ish) set from Whimsy Stamps.  It is called Crafting Fun.  It was fun to sit and color for a bit. :) The back red panel was cut using the Mix and Match Scallop Rectangles.  For a bit of "filler" I added some black dots.  

Thank you so much for stopping by!

 

Quick Card Fronts for the Win!

Hello friends!

First, I want to thank those of you who took the time to leave me a comment.  It means the world to me, to hear your experiences and kind words. So thank you for that. 

On a wonderful note, my son returned from his 4 month deployment.  (He is in the Navy)

I have shared pictures below that show his return to his baby girl and wife. :) 

I love the Quick Card fronts from Whimsy Stamps.  They make cardmaking so easy, which I need right now.. ;) This set is called, Duck Pond. 

I added some machine stitching, a ribbon, and a couple of gems.  

 

Trying to get my Mojo Back!

Good morning!

If you are still a visitor here, I am truly grateful. I mentioned a couple of months ago that life has been a bit messy and emotional and just plain 'ole tough.  My MIL was placed in memory care and has had a difficult time transitioning.  My FIL moved in with us, but shortly after moving in, got COVID pneumonia.  He was in the hospital and then rehab.  He has now been back home for a couple of months and it has been quite the transition for us empty nesters.  Giving up our master bedroom and bath on the main floor, worrying about what he is going to eat, therapists coming in and out of our house, and just having an extra person in the home. My husband is an only child, so there is no one else. Just us. All the while, trying to sell his parents' house, work our regular jobs, still see Cortney, worrying about Kyle who is currently deployed, and me throwing my back out.  (MRI pending) 

But through all this, we did celebrate 32 years together, Cortney selling her first painting at Artist in All, me finishing my 30th year of teaching, and the start of summer break. 

I guess that's life huh?

The good, the bad, the ugly. ;) 

I am not complaining, as I have learned a long time ago that everything is fleeting and enjoy even these tough moments. So we have resolved to make this time with his dad the best we can for him. Make some memories while he is with us.

Anyway, on to my card..... which is really why you stopped! 

This bearded dragon is so cute peeking out around this wall! Another adorable set from Whimsy Stamps! I used the brick stencil to create the wall. I had some left over leaf and flower die cuts in my stash and used them here for the top right corner.  I added a bit of hand stitching, which on hind sight probably didn't need.  (Since it IS hidden! LOL) but.....it's there! A bit of twine and a small clothes pin finished off the card.  

Thank you for being patient with me and still checking up on me!

 

Happy Birthday Denise!

It is a very special day today! It is Denise's birthday over at Whimsy Stamps! 

I weaved up a little card to share in her special day.  A few Whimsy dies and a simple stamp for the sentiment.  

 Wishing her a wonderful happy day!

 

Firemen are Heros

Good morning and happy weekend to you!

I have a new card today using new die sets from Whimsy Stamps called, Firefighter Trio and Fire and Ice.   Die cutting makes for a quick and easy card.  I added a sentiment from the Firefighter Stamp set.  The background paper is from the super cool new collection of papers, Grungy Numbers. A bit of twine was added, and I called it done. :)

So for all of those firefighters out there, thank you for the job you do!

 

A Couple of Hippos Doing Yoga!

Hello friends!

I hope you all had a blessed Easter!

Mine was busy and hectic as usual, but a good one.  Unfortunately, my son is deployed, my DIL and granddaughter are in Georgia.  So Facetime had to suffice this year.  My FIL is back living with us after a 6 week hospital/rehab stay.  He is doing pretty well, but a huge adjustment for all of us. 

It has been difficult to find some "me" time lately.

I did sneak in these two cards using Whimsy Stamp's new Hippo Yoga set.  You may or may not know that I have been doing yoga for the past 13 years.  So yoga is a huge part of my life! But a hippo?  Now that's a new one! ;)

I colored the images with Copics.  I added a "floor" using the Mermaid Scales Stencil.

The second card uses the same stencil and Copics.  I added some fun ribbon from like a million years ago!  

These cards make me smile, which at this point, I could use a lot of! :)

Thank you for stopping by!

At some point, I will get my life together again, and hopefully find more time to craft and post!