Nesting Robins

Hello!  You've got Colleen here for an Anything Goes week at Topflight Stamps!  Considering we're in springtime, I have birds and nests on my mind.  I needed a New Home card for someone special, so I pulled out Visible Image "Christmas Robin" stamps as well as PaperArtsy Alison Bomber "House & Home" stamp set.  On a scrap of cardstock, I used Versafine Clair ink in Fallen Leaves to stamp the birds (mom and baby), then fussy-cut them out.  I had some punched leaves from my stash to snuggle around them to create a nest vibe.  I used Versafine Onyx Black ink to stamp the sentiment and add it toward the top of the card.  It's a quote from Laura Ingalls Wilder: "Home is the nicest word there is."  I also added some pearls as "eggs" in the nest.  These are from Hunkydory.  One of my fave accents!  

Supplies From Topflight Stamps:

Visible Image Christmas Robin

PaperArtsy - Alison Bomber - House & Home Edition

Versafine Clair - Fallen Leaves

Versafine Onyx Black

Hunkydory Pearls

Thanks so much for joining me today!

Neighborhood Homes

I try to keep a stash of New Home cards ready for delivery to the shop when they need more (Arts Plus Gallery in Collingswood), and this was a recent make.  The background layer was stamped with The Greetery's "Seed Catalog", topped with a beautiful piece of copper metallic cardstock that was dry embossed (Stampin' Up!, but not sure of the name).  The final pieces to add were some cute little houses (Stampin' Up! "Holiday Home"), stamped simply in black and edges gently inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  The sentiment is a digital, from The Graphics Fairy.

Hope you have a blessed day!

Easy Pastel New Home Cards

A friend had given me a bunch of cardmaking goodies she didn't want anymore. Among the items were these bright, fun papers and some matching die cuts.  I assembled them into two new home cards, and added a sentiment to each.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink "Love Lives Here."  

Thanks for looking at my cards today!

Have a blessed day!

A Day for Groovy Guava

Hello again!  Yesterday I posted a card that featured Groovy Guava and mentioned I had a fun time making a few cards with that retired In Color from Stampin' Up!.  Here are the other two!  All in the same color scheme:  Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Groovy Guava, Certainly Celery.

They're simple cards, but I wanted to share just so I could say hello to you all again.  😊

Stampin' Up! Simply Scrapping kit (Secret Garden?), Touch of Nature butterfly; Papertrey Ink Love Lives Here sentiment and house; Inkadinkado Chandeliers flourishes; gold sequin

Stampin' Up! Simply Scrapping kit from years ago!  Secret Garden?; gold sequins

Thanks for joining me again!  God bless you!

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. 

Little Aqua Houses for you and me

Hello friends 😊

One of the categories of cards I sell at the local shop is "new home".  I made these two for sale, and it gave me a chance to use a new-to-me town house die that is so cute!  It's from Poppy Stamps.  So versatile.  Wish it came in a slightly larger size too, but it's okay.  I have PLENTY of supplies to choose from, I don't need to shop for more craft supplies right now.  Ohhhh, I think I've uttered that phrase countless times in my life!  LOL

Both cards have a strip of mirror cardstock on them, but you know how hard it is to photograph that kind of thing.

Poppy Stamps Town Houses die; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die; mirror cardstock; Stampin' Up! patterned papers

The card below is supposed to feel like nighttime, with the stars above, and the yellow 'lights' in the windows.

Poppy Stamps Town Houses die; Papertrey Ink Cover Plate: Night Sky die, Boards and Beams sentiment; mirror cardstock

Psalm 127:1 NIV

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

Wishing you a most beautiful day!

From Shabby Chic to Clean and Simple

Hey there!  It's Friday, the weekend is here, and I'm grateful for that.  And I'm here again to share cards.  Hope you don't mind.  

We've got a busy day ahead tomorrow.  My daughter has to move from one dorm building to another as Temple University has all students condensing to one side of campus.  Right now, they're spread out all over, and with many students having gone home already, there are a lot of empty beds and rooms.  Our girl is mostly packed and ready to go, and she'll need our help to load it all up and bring it to the new dorm building.  Both of her roommates had gone home a few weeks ago, and she was sad about that.  Now, she'll have two other girls to move in with, and she already knows them.  I pray all goes well.  One thing is for sure, we are not in control of most things that happen in our lives.  Our times are in His hands.

PinkFresh Playful Animals 2 sentiment; Stampin' Up! Stitched So Sweetly, Ornate Frames dies; pearls; Papertrey Ink The Sweet Life rose and matching die

Anna Griffin flourish stamp; PinkFresh Playful Animals 2 sentiment; crochet lace; picture from magazine; Stampin' Up! Ornate Frames die, Framed Tulips embossing folder

Poppy Stamps Town Houses die; Papertrey Ink Boards and Beams sentiment, Tag Sale #10 die; black sparkle ribbon  

Stampin' Up! butterfly patterned paper, Stitched Nested Dies die, Blissful Blooms sentiment; blue rhinestones

Below, this is the card our cat, Cristabel, 'gave' to Daddy for Father's Day. 

Stampin' Up! Top Note die, Nine Lives cat, bowl, yarn ball; Papertrey Ink Everyday Cat Sentiments sentiment

For my oldest, sparkly-lovin' daughter's birthday this summer, I made her two cards, both below.  Plenty of bling and shine on each of them! 

Gina Marie Designs Flower Pleated Lace Nested Rectangles die; Memory Box Precious Hearts, Scalloped Banner dies; pearls; green rhinestone; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle die; Papertrey Ink Year Round Puns sentiment; gold cord; gold glitter paper and royal blue mirror cardstock (both Stampin' Up!)

Stampin' Up! Absolutely Fabulous sentiment, Beautiful Friendship rose stamps; Spellbinders Fancy Tags die; pearls; hot pink glitter paper

Stampin' Up! Happy Birthday To You cake stamp, Petal Burst embossing folder; doily; clear rhinestones

Stampin' Up! Blissful Blooms sentiment, Sailing Home sailboat stamp, Smooth Sailing boat, rope, wheel dies, Stitched Nested Dies die 

Well, that's it for now.  May this post find you healthy and well.  😀

God bless you,

Butterflies and Birds

Good morning friends!  It's Sunday March 29th, 2020 and I hope you are healthy and well. 😊  There are so many sad stories in the news; sometimes it is good to step away from the TV, radio, internet to give your emotions a break.  I am grateful for this card-making craft of ours.  The process of making, photographing, and sharing them is therapy for the soul.  The cards help me escape for a little while.

For today, here are cards with themes of birds and butterflies.

My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Duo die; butterfly sticker; pearls; Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Square die; Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment stamp; Inkadinkado Floral Damask stamp (behind doily)

My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Duo die; Hero Arts Canvas Stripes background stamp; butterfly sticker; pearls; EK Success Postage Stamp border punch; Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment stamp

Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment stamp ('for your loss'); butterfly sticker; crochet lace; My Favorite Things Mini Delicate Doilies die; Verve Heartfelt Phrases sentiment stamp ('so sorry')

Papertrey Ink Topiary Trio sentiment stamp; butterfly sticker; Sizzix Donut Phrases dies ('so sweet'); gold pearls

Hug Snug Mottle Brown seam binding (in a Colleen Bow); L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles dies; Stampin' Up! Natural Beauty bird stamp; Spellbinders Labels Eight die; Inspired By Stamping Creative Tags sentiment stamp ('hello'); Verve Heartfelt Phrases sentiment stamp ('feel better')

Stampin' Up! Punch Potpourri bird stamp, Extra Large Bird Punch, house stamp (set unknown); Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment stamp and die; My Favorite Things Bold Greenery dies; twine

Thank you so much for joining me here today.  I will see you again soon.

Social distance hugs,

Thank You, Friend, You Are Enough...and more

Hello friends!  It's hump day, and we're halfway through the work and school week. For those of you who have young kids, how's the homeschooling going?  I have to admit, I don't think my stress level would be too good if I had to work from home full time AND help little ones stay focused and on track with schoolwork, plus find other ways to keep them occupied.  That would tire me right out!  God bless all of you who do it every day. 

I've got a parade of cards to share today.  The first one is my favorite.  I am of Irish descent (Polish and Lithuanian too), born on St. Patrick's Day, and I have a penchant for shamrocks and Irish blessings.

Memory Box Lucky Charms, Lucky Leaves shamrock dies; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die, thank you sentiment; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; vellum; Gina Marie Designs Pleated Lace Rectangles die; Ann-ticipations Irish Blessing stamp (under vellum); vintage thread

In the close-up below, you can see better the sheen on the green cardstock.  It has a pearly look.  Very pretty!

Memory Box Lucky Charms, Lucky Leaves shamrock dies; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die, thank you sentiment, Luck Of The Irish small shamrock stamp; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; vellum; Gina Marie Designs Pleated Lace Rectangles die; Ann-ticipations Irish Blessing stamp (under vellum); vintage thread

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags tag die, sentiment stamp; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle STAX die; Prima paper; vintage thread

Wplus9 Clear Cut Stackers Stars dies; Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banners die; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles dies; silver cardstock; I can't remember which set the sentiment came from!

Papertrey Ink Choose Joy sentiment; Gina Marie Designs Picket Fences With Wood Grain Finish die, Frilly Lace Rectangle die; rhinestones; Altenew Lavender Bud stamp and die; small leaf die cuts from Stampin' Up! scrap bag

Echo Park Trust In The Lord sentiment; K & Co. butterfly die cut; Kat Scrappiness Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangles die; brown rhinestones, assorted Ranger Distress Ink sprays; gold embossed snippet from store bought card

I'm glad I bought the Papertrey Vintage Picnic set when I did, because it was on clearance and is all gone now.  It's the sweetest set.  I put my picnic basket on a gingham 'blanket'.

Papertrey Ink Topiary Trio dies, Vintage Picnic stamps and dies
(basket of food, sentiment); Gina Marie Designs Picket Fences With Wood Grain Finish die

A coworker of mine retired last year, and I made a card for him that looks very similar to the one below.

The Craft's Meow Just Sayin' sentiment; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; sun and palm tree stickers - dollar package; My Favorite Things Stitched Basic Edges die; Stampin' Up! Avant Garden dotted stamp

Verve Strong Anchor stamps (anchor, wheels) and matching Nautical dies; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; Inspired By Stamping Masculine Tags sentiment and nautical frame stamp, Fancy Label 2 dies; twine

Our Daily Bread Workshop Tools tool dies; Lost Coast Designs Measuring Tape stamp; Stampin' Up! Hardwood and Sanded background stamps; Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments sentiment   

Avery Elle Winter Wreath stamps and dies (wreath, berries, bow); Impression Obsession Birds dies; Papertrey Ink Daily Designs Sentiments sentiment, Double Ended Banners die

I had my eye on this oldie but goodie Stampin' Up! set, Garden Pleasures, below, for a while.  I found it for a (bird) song on Mercari (it's a yard sale kind of site, where people sell used items and ship around the country; I sell things on there too, and have made a decent penny doing it!).  It is such a charming stamp set.

Stampin' Up! Garden Pleasures birdhouse, bird stamps, Holiday Home sentiment stamp, Linen background stamp; Spellbinders Lacy Squares die; pearls; Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banners die 

Stampin' Up! Christmas Stocking punch (don't own it, not sure if that's the right name?), Hardwood background stamp; red gems; Sizzix / Tim Holtz Bricked embossing folder; twine; Hero Arts Holiday Sayings sentiment

Impression Obsession Square Shaker Frame die; Stampin' Up! Peaceful Boughs pine dies; Flourishes / Spellbinders Classic Tags die; Papertrey Ink Tag-Its #8 Mini sentiment; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background stamp; red button; twine

Before I go, I would like to share this verse from Scripture with you.  I say it aloud when I feel any anxiety creeping in to my mind:

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

If we give in to fear, the enemy has won.  Stay positive, even amidst all the strangeness we are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Research has proven that focusing on the positive is good for you.  I found this article on the Mayo Clinic's website that shows benefits of keeping negative thoughts away from your mind.  Here is an excerpt:

"The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body."

Sending love and social distance hugs to you all!
God bless you!