Butterfly Blessings

A friend of mine graciously gave me some of her stamping supplies she no longer needed.  Among the goodies was this pretty butterfly stamp from Inkadinkado.  I paired it with butterfly patterned paper from Stampin' Up!, and added a Verve sentiment, to create this thank you card for her.

Verve Joy For The Journey sentiment stamp ; Inkadinkado Big Butterfly stamp; Nuvo Drops iridescent glitter glue; Stampin' Up! patterned papers

It was hard to capture the iridescent glitter I put on the butterfly, always a challenge to photograph!

The way I've colored it reminds me of the Adonis Blue butterfly (polyommatus bellargus). (credit) Only the males are this beautiful blue.  

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Enjoy this day! 😊

Sympathy Cards: Simple, Easy - Before & After

Hello friends!  I've got a handful of sympathy cards to share today.  My customer had asked for cards that would require only one first class postage stamp.  Many of my cards are bumpy and bulky (and I love it that way!), but that requires an 'additional ounce' stamp too.  So, I needed to go with flat cards for my customer.  While I made the flatties, I also whipped up some others that do have gems for my own stash.

Here are some before and afters, plus a couple of flatties at the end of the post:

Inkadinkado Floral Damask; EK Success Botanical border punch; Papertrey Ink Garden Garland flower dies; Stampin' Up! Rose Wonder sentiment

Inkadinkado Floral Damask; EK Success Botanical border punch; Stampin' Up! Rose Wonder sentiment, Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch

Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Hero Arts With Sympathy sentiment, solid flower stamps

Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; Hero Arts With Sympathy sentiment, solid flower stamps; pearls; gold cardstock

Hero Arts With Sympathy sentiment, solid flower stamps; lace; gold cardstock; pearls; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch

Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Hero Arts With Sympathy sentiment, solid flower stamps; My Favorite Things Dizzy Border die

Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch, Monarch Butterfly punch; La Blanche Spray Flower; Papertrey Ink Birds of a Feather sentiment; Nuvo drops iridescent

Hope you're doing well in your little corner of the world.  Sending hugs!

God bless,

Far Away, Missing You

Hello there. 😀 Did you have a nice weekend?  They are usually too short, at least that's been my experience. 😉 

I'm sharing a card I made for my mom, who lives far away from me, to let her know I miss her.  A friend gave me the set by Simon Says Stamp called Loving You From Afar, and it's perfectly sweet for my mom.

Simon Says Stamp Loving You From Afar houses and dotted heart stamps; Stampin' Up! sentiment (?); red and white twine; Kat Scrappiness Stitched Postage Stamp Edge Rectangles die

I paired with the houses and dotted heart image between them, a good sentiment from Stampin' Up!  This was in a scrap bag, already on this tag, so I am not sure which stamp set it came from.  I like how it coordinates with that dotted heart, though!

Since this is my first time using the SSS set, I am entering (again) at NBUS.

Hope your week is wonderful!

My Dad, My Anchor

Hello there!  Yesterday I shared cards for dad, and today, yet another to share.

This was for personal use, as well, and I'm happy with how it turned out.

Papertrey Ink For The Boys 'Dad' die; Stampin' Up! Smooth Sailing anchor & rope dies, Sailing Home compass; twine

In one of my Stampin' Up! scrap bags were these Paper Pumpkin pouches, or envelope sleeves.  Best way I can describe it.  The striped paper you see above was part of the bunch.  I cut it apart so all that was left was a panel, and - it was already slanted like you see, and with rounded corners.  From there, I built my card on a black cardstock panel (glued to a white card base).  I like to let cards 'speak' to me.  Often I've got no plan in mind, things just evolve.

Thanks so much for joining me again!

Irish Proverb

I cherish the Verve stamps I have, and rarely do I see any for sale on the internet.  So, I'm guessing I am not alone in my sentiment!  

I used a stamp from the Verve Blessings set, which is an Irish Proverb.  It's such a happy thing!

Verve Stamps Blessings sentiment; The Greetery Fleur Impressions flower stamps (on green panel), Nordic Frames die; fabric panel; sequins

I used an item for the first time that a friend gave to me a few years ago; it's an adhesive-backed piece of floral fabric.  It's pretty, so I did not want to cover up too much of it.  

Linking up to Darnell's NBUS challenge with this card.

"Live every day as if it were your last" is the last line of this Irish proverb on my card.  What a great reminder.  Some days I remember this, and other days the chaos of life makes me forget.

I hope your day is a beautiful one!

Daddy Deer-est

For Father's Day this year, I created one of these for personal use, and one for the shop (for next year!).  I love that woodgrain patterned paper from Stampin' Up!  Looks really appropriate with the Paper Rose buck die.

Paper Rose Deer Family die; Verve Strong Anchor sentiment; EK Success Rock Fern punch; My Favorite Things Pierced Oval Stax die; Stampin' Up! patterned papers

With a change of sentiment, these will work for Christmas, too.  But for now, they're for dear old dad!

Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Wishing you a beautiful day, and thanks for your visit!

Mother's Day Cards

Hello there!

Today I'm sharing Mother's Day cards I made a couple of months ago. Some went to the shop, some I used myself to send out.  Hope you enjoy the 'card parade': 

Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin My Wonderful Family sentiment, Country Floral embossing folder; Gina Marie Designs Small Butterfly die; Anna Griffin roses stamp; lace; pearl; My Favorite Things  Pierced Oval STAX die

Papertrey Ink Happy Hydrangea sentiment; Stampin' Up! Bella Toile background stamp, butterfly patterned paper; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle Stax die; Inkadinkado Butterfly; iridescent gems

Inkadinkado Butterfly; Blockheads Paper Arts Flower Garden poppy stamp; Flourishes Spring Bouquets sentiment; pearls

Flourishes Spring Bouquets sentiment; Pink Paislee Queen Bee 'queen' sentiment, bees; Blockheads Paper Arts Feeling Regal crown (with gold embossing); La Blanche English Rose rose stamp; crochet lace; pearls; Spellbinders Labels Thirteen die 

Stampin' Up! Because I Care hydrangea, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder; lavender pearls; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment and tag die; white & lavender twine

Anna Griffin roses stamp; Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin My Wonderful Family sentiment, Lace 3D Embossing Folder; Hug Snug Periwinkle seam binding; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle Stax die; pearls

Proverbs 31: 28-29

28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

I do so cherish my own mom.  💟

Tomorrow I'll be sharing some cards for dad.

See you then!

Dearest Friend, Happy For You

Hello!  Today's cards put the spotlight on patterned paper.  The first card used skinny scraps that all paired so nicely with one another (and I found them in a Stampin' Up! scrap bag).  

Altenew Dearest Friend sentiment; Stampin' Up! patterned paper scraps; peach gems; wooden butterfly; Kat Scrappiness Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangles die; EK Success Acanthus Leaf border punch

The second card also features 'vintage' Stampin' Up! patterned papers I've had for quite a while.  You may recognize them if you have been into SU for years.  I'm really trying to use up my patterned papers, but it will take me a loooong time to do this.  LOL

Stampin' Up! patterned paper, Organic Grace fern stamp; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die; wooden butterfly; Recollections ivory burlap butterflies

Hope you had a lovely Fourth of July holiday weekend, if you live in the USA! 💙💓

Purple Butterflies

Just a couple purple butterfly cards today, because....I do love purple.

Gina Marie Designs Small Butterfly die; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch, patterned papers, and sentiment (not sure; was in a scrap bag!); rhinestones

Inspired By Stamping All Year Wishes I sentiment; Gina Marie Designs Small Butterfly die; lavender pearl; Stampin' Up! Helping Me Grow frame stamp

This is a short and sweet post.  As I write this it is 97 degrees Fahrenheit outside.  My hydrangeas are SO UNHAPPY!  I've got to go out and water them, and beg them to hang in there!  We should be getting rain later tonight.

God bless you!

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue

Happy Independence Day to my USA friends!

Though red, white and blue is not a color scheme I gravitate toward, amazingly I've got three cards to share that feature it today! 

Flourishes Strawberries strawberry stamps (background), Botanical Bookplates Vol. 1 sentiment; Inspired By Stamping Mason Jar Summer Add On strawberry, circle frame; pearls

The Greetery Fleur Impressions floral stamps; Papertrey Ink A Cheerful Heart Galatians scripture stamp; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die; red ribbon; pearls; Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch

The day I made the card above, it all started with the red patterned paper scrap I wanted to use.  I literally did build this card with scraps I have had for a long time.  The pinking square die cut seemed about the right size for this scripture stamp, but it looked too plain by itself.  I added some floral stamps by The Greetery to dress it up.

The card below began with the scrap of patterned mulberry paper I received as a sample, and began piecing a few other elements around it.

Stampin' Up! Vintage Vogue floral border; iridescent & clear sequins; mulberry patterned paper; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die

Last but not least, this is not red, white and blue, but it's another scripture card that was built out of scraps.  Reminds me of the way God pieces together our lives.  He takes what is broken, cast off, and doesn't seem to fit, and makes us into new creations in Christ.  Praise His Holy Name!

My Favorite Things Pierced Oval STAX die; Papertrey Ink New Every Morning Psalm 118 sentiment; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Labels 2 die; Altenew postcard (floral images, trimmed out)

I had never used the PTI New Every Morning stamp before, so I am going to link this up to Darnell's NBUS challenge, #28.  The flowers were not colored by me; they came on an Altenew postcard with a stamp set I had purchased.  I did not want them to go to waste!  Too pretty to trash!

image credit

Long may she wave!  Enjoy this wonderful day! 💖💙

A Trio of New Home Cards

Hi!  I always need new home cards to replenish my selection at the shop.  I've got three to share with you today.

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment, Winter Hills house; Spellbinders Labels 25 die; cream twine; tag from Stampin' Up! 

Pink Paislee Auburn Lane house, frame and floral spray stamps; Papertrey Ink Daily Design Sentiments sentiment, Boards and Beams topiaries; Kat Scrappiness Stitched Postage Stamp Edge Rectangles die

Stampin' Up! Holiday Home house; Papertrey Ink Boards and Beams tree, Tiny Tags tag and sentiment, In The Meadow hill die; cream twine

Psalm 127:1

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. 

HOME is so precious. 

Pet Sympathy Card

A friend requested a custom order recently, for someone dear to her whose dog had passed away.  She liked this card of mine, which was in pink, but needed it in blue.

Stampin' Up! Lace 3D Embossing Folder, Happy Tails sentiment, paw print, heart and dog; Papertrey Ink Limitless Layers 2 1/4" Oval die

Since the beloved dog was a boy, I wasn't sure if my friend wanted to have a fancy rhinestone collar on the paper pooch.  She said she absolutely wanted it on there. 😀

May your day - and weekend - be blessed!

By Land and By Sea - Masculine Cards

Hello!  For my husband's birthday this year, I made him the first card you see here.  The sentiment cracks me up.  I'm actually two weeks older than he is, so of course, I am old, as well.  LOL

The mirror cardstock works so nicely with the Diamond Plate embossing folder and looks very automotive.

Unity Stamps Consider Yourself Vintage cars, sentiment stamps; mirror cardstock; Darice Diamond Plate embossing folder; My Favorite Things Slanted Sentiment Strips die

The next card was made for the shop.  The vintage sail ship stamp was in an assortment of maritime stamps I bought from an online yard sale kind of website.  I colored in a sun behind the boat, and I'm pretending it's a sunset, though I guess it could also be a sunrise?

Stampin' Up! High Seas 3D Embossing Folder; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags star tag and sentiment; linen twine; Dragonfly Laser Vintage Sail Ship rubber stamp

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Thanks for joining me today!