Favorites of 2019

For the past few years I've put together my Favorites post where I choose my personal favorite card of each month of the year and repost those here on my blog on (or very close to) December 31st. I hope you like re-visiting these with me.

And in case you're wondering, this is the second year in a row that I've had a blog post every day of the year. Thank you to all of you who visit my blog whether it's often and or just occasionally. I appreciate you!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

Be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll reveal my word for 2020 and share some of my  crafty plans for the year.

A Sunflower Hello

The Challenge Your Stash group has a monthly challenge on the 28th of each month. Yes, I know this is not the 28th. No, I was not late. LOL! I actually shared my card with the group on the 28th, but my blog was kind of busy that day (and yesterday) so I waited until today to share the card here.

Barb chose the group's theme this month (and remember we have to use what we have - no purchasing allowed). She asked us to use some of the dies in your stash and make a card/project with only dies - no stamping.

It was a fun challenge and it definitely allowed forced me to dig through my dies that haven't seen much use.

Thanks Barb!

I used three dies on my card - but later wised I'd also used a A-2 type of background die for the background DP. Oh well, I didn't - and as my Grandma used to say, "Don't cry over spilled milk."

Dies Used:

Frantic Stamper - Brush Script Hello 

(from my time on the Frantic Stamper DT)

Simon Says - Sunflower Stem

Spellbinders - Circle

Here's the inside of my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Dies: Frantic Stamper Brush Script Hello, Simon Says Sunflower Stem and Spellbinders Circle

Papers: Fun Stampers Journey Green Olive and Summer Days and Recollections Brown and 110# White CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Bling Strip

Enjoy a Cabin Retreat

One of the things I enjoy about serving on design teams is the fun of working with newly-released stamp sets and products. Today's card features two stamp sets from Raisin Boat that are available as pre-order in the SumMore Fun store.

The Cabin is from the Pier Happiness stamp set.

The word Enjoy is from the No Loss for Words stamp set.

I used the masking technique to add the tree behind the cabin.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Raisin Boat No Loss for Words and Pier Happiness stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy and Rich Cocoa Inks

Papers: Recollecitons 110# White and SU Early Espresso and Wild Wasabi CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

You Are Pawsome

This is one of those posts - you know the ones. They tug at your heart. 

Even though I knew this day was coming, I guess I wasn't quite prepared, all the same. But ready or not, here. it. is.

I've thoroughly enjoyed serving on the Eyelet Outlet design team these past nearly two years. It has stretched me in ways I never dreamed and has caused me to think outside my normal style. It's given me the opportunity to work alongside some amazingly talented crafters. I will always be thankful to Suzanne (the owner of Eyelet Outlet) for allowing me the honor of being on her design team.

Even as much as I love the products - (definitely!) - and being on the design team, after much soul searching I decided it was time for me to leave the team. My time is more scrunched since taking on a part-time job and I needed to lighten my load a bit. Therefore this will be my last "official" post as an Eyelet Outlet design team member. But - I love that word! - BUT... you'll still see me making cards with Eyelet Outlet products because remember, I love them. 

Once or twice a month I'll have a Focus on Eyelet Outlet blog post where I'll show a few cards I've made that focus on Eyelet Outlet products. 

Okay, enough talking, let's get on to today's card...

Eyelet Outlet Products Used:

Cat Washi Tape

Kitten Brads

Paw Brads

Skinny Washi Tape

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Eyelet Outlet Products: Cat Washi Tape, Kitten Brads, Paw Brads, and Skinny Washi Tape

Stamp Set: Simon Says Paws-itively stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Pink Passion CS and DP from the MFT Black/White Stripes Paper Pad

Happy Birthday Gorgeous

Today is a very special day and The Project Bin design team is having a blog hop to celebrate. What is so special about today? It's Denise's birthday. For those of you who don't know, Denise is the owner and artist/designer of The Project Bin stamps... and she's just about the kindest person you could ever hope to know. She is a real joy to work with; being on her design team has been a true delight!

So, about this hop. If you're on the hop already, it means you arrived here from Tamie's blog. If you didn't, that's okay. You can start at the beginning of the hop by going HERE.

You'll likely notice that the cards in this hop are birthday cards, but The Project Bin isn't just for birthdays, so while you're hopping, you'll also want to check out the online store - HERE. And you might want to go to The Project Bin blog - you could leave Denise a comment on one of the posts, wishing her a Happy Birthday. You'll find the blog HERE.

For my card I used the Born Yesterday stamp set. 

I used another stamp from The Project Bin's Born Yesterday stamp set on the inside of my card...

Now it's time to hop on. The next stop in this fun birthday celebration is Joanne's blog. Enjoy!

In case you are (or get lost), here's the entire hop:

Kelly

Dawn

Stasia

Tamie

- Me -

Joanne

Barb

Tracie

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: The Project Bin Born Yesterday stamped with Memento Bamboo Leaves Ink

Papers: Recollections Ivory and SU Soft Suede CS and DP from my scrap file

Die: MFT Wonky Stitch Rectangle

Embellishments: Echo Park Enamel Dots

Delicate Flowers for Your Birthday

I love creating floral cards - the images seem to come alive as I color them and the finished results make me smile. The flowers on this card are from Technique Tuesday - Ritzy Mum - and the sentiment is from the My Sentiments Exactly Birthday Innies and Outies stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: My Sentiments Exactly Birthday Innies and Outies and Technique Tuesday Ritzy Mum stamped with Memento Bamboo Leaves and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections 110# White and SU Wild Wasabi CS

Die: MFT Wonky Stitch Rectangle

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones

Owl Have Some Ice Cream

Some days just call for ice cream, right? 

This must be one of those days because this little owl grabbed my attention. Such a cutie and so simple/fun to color.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Stampendous Block Owl Cone stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

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

Embellishments: Paper Studio Brads and Stickles Glitter Glue

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Merry Christmas!

My husband took a new job just over three years ago after serving as a pastor (in a few churches) since before we were married. He's still in ministry, but now his role is Associational Mission Strategist. Our association has 25 churches. He encourages pastors, offers guidance and leadership on an as-needed basis, brings the churches together for missions/ministry opportunities and so much more. We both really like this work and are so appreciative of the leaders and churches we work with.

Each year since he's been in this role, I've made a Christmas card for the ministry families in our association. I strive to keep it within the Post Office regulations so we won't have to pay extra postage (sometimes that's a challenge for me) and I also resist images that require coloring since I'm making multiples of the same card. As you can suspect, dies, silhouettes, and sentiments tend to be my choices for these cards.

You can see my previous three cards via these links if you're interested...

Jesus Is the Reason - 2016

A Bethlehem Night that Changed the World - 2017

Joy to the World - 2018

Here's this year's card:

I hope the ministers/families like the card. 


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Colorado Craft Company Bethlehem's Light stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and SU Daffodil Delight Inks

Die: Taylored Expressions Little Bit Nativity

Papers: Fun Stampers Journey Summer Days Recollections Black and White CS and AMuse Studio Polka Dot DP

Embellishments: Paper Studio Brads and Washi Tape from an unknown vendor

A Howly-Jolly Christmas

It's Christmas Eve... are you ready for the big day?

We are!  Family gathered, food to feast on, and celebrating the special birth. What a joyful time of year!

From our me to you...

Have a Howly-Jolly Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Gerda Steiner Christmas Puppies stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Blueberry Bushel CS and Paper Studio Blue Gingham DP

Dies: Spellbinders Circles

Paint: Master's Touch Acrylic

Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs Glitter Enamel Dots

A New Discovery

I made a recent discovery that may very well become an addiction.... and the good news is, it's only costing me $5 a month. Sheesh! I spend that much whenever I get close enough to a Starbucks to drive in and buy a delightful Frappuccino. But I digress.

What did I discover?

Brutus Monroe has a Stamp Club Membership! Did you know that? 

For a mere $5 per month, one can receive a 2 x 3" stamp set with the image designed by Christopher himself. How fun! Not only that, my understanding is (I haven't tried it out yet) that Stamp Club members get a 10% discount on other Brutus Monroe purchases. You can read all about the Brutus Monroe Stamp Club - HERE.

I immediately joined upon hearing about this and the cute Cute CUTE little snowman and sentiments arrived in my mailbox not long after I did.

It called for a Kodak moment!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Brutus Monroe Stamp of the Month (December 2019) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Papertrey Ink White and SU Island Indigo and Night of Navy CS and DP from my scrap file

Die: MFT InstaFrame

Embellishments: Gina Marie Glitter Enamel Dots and a Snowflake Brad from an unknown vendor

Baby It's Cold Outside

I chose to use sentiments (and no stamped images) from two different Raisin Boat stamp sets on today's card.

That and some fun winter'y papers seemed to work for me this time. I love to color, but sometimes it's nice to just use sentiments... and it amazes me how quickly a card goes together when there's no coloring.

It doesn't show up well in the photo, but I actually diecut the rectangles of blue and snowflake DP into the card, so it's an inlay of papers and not adhered on top of the base DP.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Raisin Boat Tangled Tinsel and Winter Heart and Sole stamped with Memento Paris Dusk Ink

Papers: PaperTrey Ink White, Recollections Blue, and SU Soft Suede CS and DP from my scrap file

Die: Spellbinders Circles and Rectangles

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones