Make Your Own Magic!

It seems like there is a lot of interest in wizards and such right now... and Eyelet Outlet has some fun Wizard-themed items to make card-making easy and fun.

This card has some super adorable Wizard Washi Tape on it... I've not seen anything like it other than this one that's available at Eyelet Outlet. There's also a variety of Wizard-themed brads on my card; even the glasses that fit perfectly on my stamped image.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Eyelet Outlet Products: Wizard Hat Brad, Wizard Set Brads, and Wizard Washi Tape

Stamp Set: Craftin Divas Troll Wizards stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU So Saffron CS and Hot Off the Press Masculine Camouflage DP

My Recycle Bin Revisited

If you visited my blog on Wednesday, you were introduced to my bright pink recycle bin, the place where all kinds of odds and ends go in anticipation of being able to use them on a card someday. If you missed that blog post, you can see it by going HERE.

Today's card features an poinsettia image (that I'd previously colored) and a sentiment, too - both from my recycle bin. I added some layers of paper and a piece of ribbon for a quick and easy card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image and Sentiment: from my Recycle Bin

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishment: Stickles Glitter Glue and Ribbon from an unknown vendor

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! Wherever you are; however you celebrate, it's a day for giving thanks!

In keeping with that idea, Tracie, this month's "hostess" of the Challenge Your Stash (CYS) group's theme, asked us to make Thank You cards. That's a great theme, Tracie - THANKS!

I used CC Designs Thankful Lucy for my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: CC Designs Thankful Lucy stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections 110# White and SU Crumb Cake and Early Espresso CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

My Bright Pink Recycle Bin

I've been extremely busy lately - meetings, a new job, and getting ready for a little 5-day long out-of-state trip. It's all good stuff, but it's sure put a scrunch in my card-making. 

What's a girl to do?

Dig out her bright pink Recycle Bin, of course.

What is that? It's a bin that I stuff all kinds of card-making bits and pieces in, with hopes of using them someday. This is the day to take advantage of an image I previously colored and even cut out, but never seemed to put on a card. The result was a pretty fast/easy card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image & Tree: from my Recycle Bin

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishment: Stickles Glitter Glue

Travel the World - Week 47

This is the 47th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Lesotho

The terrain of Lesotho consists of highland with plateaux, hills and mountains.

Lesotho is a landlocked country: a country surrounded by land with no access to the sea. There are currently 45 such countries, the vast majority of them suffer economically due to the drawbacks caused by a lack of access to the sea.

People living in rural and mountainous regions live in huts called rondavels. Walls of these huts are made from stone and mud while the roofs are built from the grass. Those who live in towns have houses with concrete walls and roofs covered tin.

Lesotho is slightly smaller than Maryland, U.S.

It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 4,593 feet in elevation.

Lesotho does not have many forests. In fact, forests cover less than 1% of the land area.

There are two national parks in Lesotho.

Maletsunyane Falls is Lesotho's 630 foot high waterfall. The plunging water of the waterfall creates a reverberating echo when it contact the basin of the falls, and local legend has it that the sound comes from the wailing of people who have drowned in the falls.

The economy of Lesotho is based on agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, hydroelectric power and mining.

The main mineral resource is diamonds from the Letseng diamond mine in the Maluti mountain range. The mine produces very few stones, but has the highest dollar ratio per carat of any diamond mine in the world.

The Sani Pass in Lesotho has been named one of the world’s most dangerous mountain passes. The hairpinned pass connects Underberg in South Africa with Mokhotlong in Lesotho.

There are known to be 339 bird species in Lesotho, including 10 globally threatened species and 2 introduced species, 17 reptile species, including geckos, snakes and lizards, and 60 mammal species endemic to Lesotho, including the endangered white-tailed rat.

The population of Lesotho is estimated to be around 90% Christian.

Lesotho is home to one of the scariest runways in the world. The Matekane Air Strip is a high elevation airstrip with a runway that extends to the edge of a 1,968 foot cliff.

The Katse Dam in Lesotho is the second largest double-curvature arch dam in Africa. 

Pap-pap or papa is the daily staple food of the people of Lesotho. This dish is a cornmeal porridge (a dish consisting of oatmeal or another meal or cereal boiled in water or milk.) The porridge is accompanied with a thick sauce made from vegetables, peas, and other chopped greens.

Funerals and weddings are an expensive occasion for a Lesotho family as they have to serve delicious food to the guests and neighbors.

Lesotho has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa.

Meat in Lesotho is a rare delicacy for many households. Milk too is rare for most households. Starchy diets are common for the poor households with animal sources of protein, mainly meat and milk becoming a rare prestige for those ‘rich’ few who can afford.

To avoid the cost of importing food from the neighboring South Africa, most families in Lesotho raise their own wheat, corn, cabbage, peas, pumpkins, and more.

Not many countries can say that their traditional dress is a blanket. The Basotho blanket is a very common sight in the kingdom of Lesotho, often with colorful patterns. The blanket is not only used to protect the Basotho against the cold, but is also worn as a status symbol and cultural identification. Almost entirely made of wool, they protect very well against the harsh cold winter.

Lesotho sees 300 days of sunshine every year. The rainy season falls between October and April.

I decided to let this Lesotho fact be the inspiration for this week's card... Lesotho is one of a handful of places in Africa where it’s possible to ski.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Penny Black Skiing Snowman stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Old Olive CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Brads from unknown vendors

God's Power

The Bible Art Journaling group on SCS is hosted by Julie. She gives us a theme to work with each month. For November she encouraged us to create a BAJ project with a theme of Power/Powers.

There were many verses to choose from. I went with one that speaks of God's mighty power.

By God's grace and mighty power,

I have been given the privilege

of serving him by spreading this Good News.

(Ephesians 3:7, NLT)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Owl Wish You a Happy Birthday

I have a birthday card to share with you today. I used two different Raisin Boat stamp sets to make it. The tree is from the Merry Nature set.

The sentiment is from the No Limits stamp set.

Both of the stamp sets are currently significantly reduced in price (so are most things in the SumMore Fun store). 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Raisin Boat Merry Nature and No Limits stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink

Papers: Recollections White and SU Ballet Blue and Early Espresso and DP from my scrap file

Embellishment: Eyelet Outlet Owl Brad

Sweet Friend

We all have them, right? Sweet friends. They're the best! Maybe today we should send our sweet friend a card and let her know how much we appreciate her - maybe even tuck a gift card for a special treat inside. 

Eyelet Outlet Peppermint Candy Brads

Eyelet Outlet Skinny Washi Tape

I added some of the Washi Tape inside my card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Eyelet Outlet Products: Peppermint Candy Brads and Skinny Washi Tape

Sentiment: Paper Nest Dolls (freebie with order) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black, 110# Blue, and White and Stampin' UP! DP

Joy to the World

I've been doing quarterly personal challenges in 2019. This quarter's challenge is to make a "Nativity" card every other week. This week's Nativity is from the Taylored Expressions A Winter View stamp set. The sentiment I used is from My Sentiments Exactly.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Taylored Expressions A Winter View and sentiment from My Sentiments Exactly stamped with Catherine Pooler Midnight Ink

Papers: Recolletions Black and White and SU Summer Sun CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Be Yourself

There are many wise women in the world. You know the type. Those who impart bits of wisdom that make life better. Take for instance Coco Chanel who said
Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself. Wise words, indeed.

I am so glad Denise (the owner of The Project Bin stamps) included that saying in her Wise Women stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: The Project Bin Wise Women stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and White CS and Fancy Pants Energy and SU DP

Die: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangle

Embellishments: Offray Ribbon and Brads from an unknown vendor

Leaf It to the RSG Gals

It's the third Wednesday of September, which means it's the day that Kelly, Barb, and I share our Ready, Set, Go creations. Not sure what that is? Well, it's a lot of fun! And a bit of creativity. And an extreme challenge theme.

Ready, Set, Go is an idea that Kelly came up with over two years ago and she invited Barb and I to join her on the adventure. We take turns choosing the theme, but the idea is for it to be a bit more challenging than just the average theme. Ready? Set? Go!

This month it was Kelly's turn to choose the theme and she came up with a really creative and fun idea. She mailed a gorgeous wooden leaf to Barb and I along with these words...

I've enclosed a leaf that I purchased for us YEARS ago when we first started thinking one day we'd use it. Now is the time! I bought 3 of them in Tennessee on our vacation during the winter - and while it was a GLORIOUS blanket of snow (yay me!). I also adore the changing leaves and the gorgeous colors of autumn. Your challenge for this round is to create a card with this gorgeous leaf somehow in a card! (we DID sign up for a challenge, amiright?!) You can use any other stamps, embellishments, etc. - just use this somewhere/somehow. Happy changing of the leaves and season!

Here's my card (complete with the leaf):

Be sure to check out Barb's blog and Kelly's blog to see what they did with this Ready Set Go theme!


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Leaf: Tim Weberding 

Stamp Set: Sugar Pea Fall Fox stamped with Memento Potter's Clay Ink

Papers: Recollections Ivory and SU Cajun Craze and Early Espresso CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

Travel the World - Week 46

This is the 46th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Tonga

Tonga is an island country located in the southern Pacific Ocean.

The official name of the country is the Kingdom of Tonga.

Its closest neighbors are Fiji and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northwest, Samoa to the northeast, Niue to the east, Kermadec (part of New Zealand) to the southwest, and New Caledonia (France) and Vanuatu to the farther west.

Tonga consists of 169 islands of which 36 are inhabited.

The coastline of the islands total 260 miles in length.

Tonga has many white and golden sandy beaches and magnificent swimming, diving, and snorkeling locations.

The climate is tropical with a distinct warm period (December–April), during which the temperatures rise above 89.6 °F, and a cooler period (May–November), with temperatures rarely rising above 80.6 °F.

The first question out of everyone’s mouth in Tonga is ‘alu ki fe? Where are you going? It’s another way of saying hello.

The birth of a child is among the most important events, but the official social introduction of a child to the community is celebrated only at the end of a child’s first year. 

The Mapu a Vaea or “Whistle of the Noble” are natural blowholes on the island of Tongatapu in the village of Houma in the Kingdom of Tonga. When waves crash into the reef, natural channels in the volcanic rock allow water to forcefully blow through and create a plume-like effect.

Migrating humpback whales bear their young and breed in Tongan waters from June to November. Flying foxes and small bats are the only land mammals native to Tonga.

Sailing is a popular activity in Tonga.

Christian churches exist in even the most remote villages. Bells or log drums call people for services at the crack of dawn.

The coconut palm is the common plant in Tonga. The leaves are used to make houses and the nuts are used for food and drink.

Some of the chief cash crops of Tonga include bananas, coconuts, vanilla beans, coffee beans and root crops.

A brother and a sister can never be in the same room alone in Tonga as it implies incest.

It's against the law in Tonga to go swimming on Sundays and all stores are closed for the Sabbath. You can get arrested for swimming or doing laundry on Sunday.

Just talking with a girl or being alone with her implies that you’re together.

Tongans won’t walk in the bush at night because they’re afraid of the devil (ghosts).

Any illness that cannot be explained is attributed to the devil. Sometimes when someone gets sick they think it’s because their dead relatives are upset so they go dig them up and clean their bones.

Tongans bathe regularly, but their favorite way to bathe is in the rain.

People shake hands when they meet, and relatives kiss by pressing each other’s noses against their faces and soundly inhaling through the nose.

Tongans enjoy beating things. Husbands beat their wives, parents beat their children, teachers beat the students, and everyone beats the animals. This is no lie, dogs are so used to getting beaten here that they are quite vicious and try to attack strangers. But, all you have to do is bend down like you’re picking up a rock and they run.

I decided to let this Tonga fact be the inspiration for this week's card... Tongans enjoy a relatively high level of education, with a 98.9% literacy rate, and higher education up to and including medical and graduate degrees (pursued mostly overseas).

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: MFT Bedside Manner stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Marina Mist CS and DP from my scrap file

Punch: SU Wide Oval

Embellishment: Eyelet Outlet Nurse (Stethoscope) Brad