Papers & Plums

My Gratefulness Continues

* This is my second post today, so please scroll down and have a look if you please.

As a continuation on my previous post, I also gained a renewed gratefulness for friends and family this past week. Friends that visited when I needed company and a break from the routine of things, family that called me daily and visited and even stayed the night! This is not something I take for granted.

 

The card came together easily as I thought about all the people I am grateful for. Bright, cheery colors seemed only appropriate.

I am entering this card in the Moxie Fab Olympics of Stamping, under the "Thank You" category.

Your visit is always appreciated,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Year of Flowers: Violets, Background Basics: Retro, Inkadinkado: Birthday Wishes {Ink}: Versamagic Jumbo Java, SU! Summer Sun, Versamark {Paper}:PTI Select White, Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate {Other}: Prisma Color Pencils, OMS, Stickles, Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Marker

Celebrating one of the Best Gifts in Life

I have two children...but some days it seems like I have ten! If you have kids, I am sure you know what I mean. Today was one of those days where mama's buttons were pushed over and over again. Yet, in the midst of it all I am still so grateful to be home with my little ones. A smile and a laugh is all it takes to turn it around and make the day seem like the best ever. Such was the case with this day too.

And speaking of children, I have pregnant friends all around me, and that means baby showers. Since having my own and being so tremendously blessed by my friends' and family's generosity, I love the opportunity to "pay it forward".

Of course I had a handmade card to go with my gift. This stamp from Stampingbella really fit the mother-to-be. She's is such a stylish girl. I colored the image with my Prisma color pencils and OMS. A bit of glitter added that extra touch.

I didn't have an envelope that fit my 5" x 5" card, so I quickly made one from a piece of tracing paper.

 

I love see through effect you get this way. I am happy to report the recipient liked her card. =) Now we're just waiting to meet the new little baby boy.

I'm glad you visited today,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: Babycarriageabella, PTI Polka Dot Basics, Mixed Messages {Paper}:SU! Tempting Turqoise, Certainly Celery, PTI Stamper's select white (Ink}: SU! Basic Black, PTI Dark Chocolate {Other}: SU! Scalloped Border Punch, Marvy Circle Punch, SU! Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Prisma Color Pencils and OMS, Glitter

A Challenge is a Challenge - A Chance to Learn Something New

Do you use sketches to create your cards? I rarely do, but on occasion they can be really helpful. Half your work is already done. This weeks challenge from Stampingbella was just that - a sketch. And boy did I have a hard time making something work with this sketch. I just don't make cards with this many layers that often so I was really challenged. But that was the point.

After completing my card I was surprised to find that I really liked the result! That made me happy that I chose to participate even though, at a first glance, I didn't think it was for me.

 

This is also why I like the blogging community so much. It has caused me to think outside of the box more than once. And that leads to growth as a crafter.

And, by participating I ended up with one more birthday card for my stash. It's a win-win situation my friends.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: Kilo Watt by StampingBella, Sentiment from Everyday Button Bits by PTI {Ink}: Versamagic Black Chalk Ink {Paper}:PTI Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy {Other}: Marvy Oval punch and circle punch, Prisma Pencils + OMS, Two-way Glue Pen + Glitter.

Bellarific Monstah Bash

My first Bellarific Friday Entry!! Last week I received my first order from Stamping Bella. Great stamps for coloring and great stamps for little boy cards. Being that I now have two little boys I figured it was time to expand on this category of stamps

I colored these little guys with my prisma color pencils and blended with OMS. More practice for me. So much fun. My inspiration for how to color these came from Paulabella. I figured since I can't attend her coloring classes I could at least look at her amazing work and try to learn from that. Below you can see the whole image after I was done coloring. But the challenge was to use a "twinchie", a two inch square on your card so I had to cut one monstah out. Perhaps I can figure out away to use that little dude on a card too.

A bit of glossy accent made the balloon more interesting. The sentiment is from American Art Stamps and is one of my most favorite birthday greetings. I think you should enjoy your birthday immensely! Party all week! Eat lots of cake and get a little crazy. 

 

This card will go in my stash. There are many birthdays coming up.

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

Can too Many Craft Supplies Hamper Creativity?

Surely not!! I know I am always inspired by new products. A new set of stamps does  wonders for my creativity - and my mood! Stamps make me happy, its as simple as that. So if there is such a thing as having too many supplies, you won't hear it from me. I believe the same thing is true for purses and shoes...

But when craft time is scarce, looking at my desk and sifting through my stamp drawers can be overwhelming. I want to do something now, but what?? I simply can't think because my eyes is taking in so many fun things I could do, should do, want to do. That's when I decided to move just a few things into our living room. That way, I could work on a little something in between loads of laundry, diaper changes and baby feedings. And let me tell you - it works!

 

In stages, I stamped, colored, blended, cut, glued, glittered and made this card.  And I had fun doing it. This is not how I normally work. I like to go from start to finish in one sitting, so I was surprised to find so much enjoyment doing a little at a time.

How about you? Are you short on time? Overwhelmed because you can't use ALL the fun things in your stash at the moment? Try what I did. Pick a few things, play when you can and enjoy the creative process in stages.

Ok, gotta get back to dinner. =)

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details:  {Stamps}: PTI In Bloom, Everyday Button Bits, {Ink}: SU! Basic Black {Paper}: PTI Stamper's Select White {Other}: Prisma Color Pencils, OMS, Glitter, Dimensionals.