Dream Your Heart Out - Day 55

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Used:
Inkadinkado - Cabin in Woods

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I Can't Thank You Enough

FYI - This is my second blog post of the day. If you're here to see my Stamp What? post either keep scrolling (it's the next post) or go HERE.

I made a quick card using the gorgeous horse from the Raisin Boat Giddy Up! stamp set. If you're like me, sometimes there just isn't enough time to get everything done. This was one of those weeks. Quick and easy makes me happy - I still get to make a card, even when there isn't much time.

Sentiment - Raisin Boat Flourishing Thoughts

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Stamp Sets: Raisin Boat Flourishing Thoughts and Giddy Up! stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and SU Sahara Sand CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Recollections Mini Brads and a Charm from an unknown vendor

Stamp What? Moose Tracks

Kelly (of the Three Musketeers, Ready Set Go, and Hot Mess Success) came up with a great idea for a series this year and asked Barb (of the same groups) and I to join her. 

Stamp What?!!

You know that stack of stamps you have that you have never used or haven't used in a LONG time and are sitting on a shelf, collecting dust?  It's time for us to take one down off the shelf and use it!  But which one?  The name *Stamp What?* comes from using only STAMPin' Up stamps for this challenge and never knowing WHAT it will be! Even we won't know which one it will be ~ it's chosen at random either by someone for us or by number generator.  (I used a number generator to determine which one to use). Since it's chosen at random, it will be a surprise, even to us!  

I have 24 of the older (wood-mounted) SU sets left - I did a big purge last year. I numbered them and then entered the number 24 in a random number generator to choose this month's stamp set. That might not have been a good idea - EEK! It chose Definitely Decorative Pines. And just so you know... I'm really questioning why this stamp set didn't leave in the Big Purge of 2019?!?!?!

What to do? What to do???

I took a piece of white CS and stamped the moose first. I then masked it and stamped the two pine trees. Then I used three colors of Ranger Distress inks and blended them all over the entire stamped piece. To tone it down a bit, I then gently brushed a baby wipe from bottom to top all across the piece. I guess it worked okay. But... the card is just blah, in my opinion.

Be sure to head over to Kelly's blog and Barb's blog to see what stamp sets they used and to admire their creativity.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: SU Definitely Decorative Pines stamped with Catherine Pooler Midnight Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Dapper Denim CS and MFT Black/White Stripe DP

Ranger Distress Inks: Faded Jeans, Peacock Feather, and Salty Ocean

Embellishment: Celebrate It Ribbon

Dream Your Heart Out - Day 54

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Set Used:
Jillian Vance - Strength
Unity - Always Been You
Unity - Tulips and Daisies

Die Use:
My Favorite Things - Hello Beautiful

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Old School

Do you have a lot of stamping supplies? Some of them see way too little use? If so, you're like me. And just so you know, we're not alone. In fact, there's a Challenge Your Stash group on SCS that is trying to rectify that, one card at a time.

Each month - on the 28th of the month to be exact - we share a card we've made for that month's theme (chosen by one of our members) and we're not to buy anything. The idea is to use what we have. Barb, the leader of the group chose the name Challenge Your Stash for this little group and it certainly fits.

This month Jen chose our theme - 

"Old School" - old school techniques or supplies and/or images that remind you of the old days.

What a fun theme!

For my card I chose not to color - because when I first started making cards, I didn't do any coloring. I did some two-step stamping back then, but no coloring.

I also used a stamp set I've literally had for years and years - October Afternoon Report Card - which is an old-fashioned school theme stamp set. I did choose a sentiment from a My Favorite Things stamp set - You Make the Grace - because I thought it went with the card very well.

Here's the inside of my card:

I hope Jen, Barb, and the other CYS gals give me a good grade don't put me in the corner with a dunce hat on my head.


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Stamp Sets: October Afternoon Report Card (images) and MFT You Make the Grade (sentiment) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

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

Dies: Spellbinders Circles

Embellishment: Hobby Lobby Ribbon

Dream Your Heart Out - Day 53

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Set Used:
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Happy Flowers
Unity - Let Your Dreams Bloom

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Wishing You a Fabulous Birthday

For the past few years I have set some personal crafting goals. This year was no exception. If you're interested in seeing all of those plans you can see them in the page at the top of this blog titled My Blog in 2020. 

One of the goals is a monthly series I've called 

Could Ya?

Should Ya? 

Would Ya?

Yea!

In this monthly series, I plan to try something out of the norm... i.e. a size of card I rarely use, a technique I've wanted to try (or try again), an unusual fold, a card for a bizarre holiday, etc. I also plan to try a new recipe on these days - not a card recipe, a kitchen recipe.

In January I made a card for a little known holiday. This month I decided to try a technique that I wouldn't normally use. Just so you know, this is Plan B. I first attempted to do the Baby Wipe Technique that I found in the tutorial section on SCS but I failed miserably at that so I tossed those attempts and decided to do a Rubberband Stamping Technique instead.

After masking off the section I wanted to stamp using Post It Notes, I wrapped some rubberbands (varying widths) around an acrylic block. I then stamped it into SU Wild Wasabi Ink and randomly stamped over the desired area. 

After that dried, I used my Big Beautiful Blending Brush to blend SU Daffodil Delight Ink all over that same masked area. 

After that it was just a matter of stamping the sentiment and arrow strip onto the piece and then putting the card together.

I didn't want any embellishments to detract from the Rubberband Stamping Technique so I kept them at a minimum - three tiny enamel dots from Eyelet Outlet.

And don't forget... there's the added feature of this series - try a new recipe. What's for supper? I found a recipe for Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes on Pinterest. We're going to give it a try.

You might remember that last month I was making Cheesy Baked Chicken Breasts with Mushrooms. I liked it, but neither one of my guys did. Oh well, you win some; you lose some.

Wish me luck tonight.


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Verve Better Together stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Rubber Band Technique: SU Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi Inks

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Daffodil Delight CS

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots

Dream Your Heart Out - Day 52

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Set Used:
Gerda Steiner Designs - Frogs

Die Used:
My Favorite Things - Amazing

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Hey Chick!

Oh my goodness. Is it just me or are these chicks just way too cute!?!?!? They are the newly released Chick Brads from Eyelet Outlet and they are perfect for our Easter, springtime, even summertime cards. Cute cute CUTE little critters!

The Enamel Dots and Hearts on my card are also from Eyelet Outlet, as is the grassy strip of Washi Tape. They all go perfectly with the sweet little girl from the Kraftin' Kimmie Down on the Farm stamp set.

Eyelet Outlet Products:

Chick Brads

Enamel Dots

Enamel Hearts

Washi Tape

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Stamp Set: Kraftin' Kimmie Down on the Farm stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: FSJ Summer Days and Recollections Black and 110# White CS and Paper Studio Blue Gingham DP

Die: MFT Stitched Mini Scallop Triangle

Punches: SU Circles

Eyelet Outlet Embellishments: Chick Brads, Enamel Dots, Enamel Hearts, and Washi Tape

Dream Your Heart Out - Day 51

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Set Used:
Unity - Be Joyful

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2020 Travel the World - Week 8

I started a Travel the World Series last year. (It should be noted that I did a similar thing in 2018, only it was the 50 states.) For 50 weeks in 2019, I visited a different country (virtually) and shared facts about that country. I then selected one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. Fifty weeks; fifty countries... BUT there are 195 countries in the world so that was just a little over 25% of them. Of course I couldn't stop, so this year I'm continuing with fifty more countries, one per week.

This week's country is...

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is located on the continent of Europe, and includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Though often considered to be the same place by many people, Great Britain and the United Kingdom are actually two different things. The United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland – but Great Britain doesn’t.

In terms of area, the United Kingdom is smaller than the state of Oregon.

The country is known for being rainy. Therefore it probably isn't surprising that each year it is estimated that over 80,000 umbrellas are lost in London.

No matter where you are in the United Kingdom you’ll never be further than 75 miles from the sea.

The United Kingdom's 7,700 miles of shoreline is the perfect habitat for a variety of seabirds and seals.

The United Kingdom has 394,000 kilometers of paved roads, enough to go around the world up to ten times.

Agriculture is also a large part of the nation's economy. They grow over 60% of their own foods.

The United Kingdom has only 15 National Parks but they cover 8% of the British land.

Stonehedge is older than the Pyramids. Located in the south of England and one of the UK’s most famous tourist attractions – Stonehenge was believed to be created in around 3000BC, meaning it’s older than Egypt’s pyramids.

The busiest airport in UK is the Heathrow Airport in London. In 2017, this airport recorded over 78 million passengers.

The 270 functioning stations of the London Underground boast over 400 escalators and there are another 40 stations that aren’t even used anymore.

Scientists have discovered a unique type of mosquito in the underground of London. This species has evolved independently from other sorts of mosquitos.

Taxi drivers in London undergo a test before they get hired for the job to estimate how well they know the streets of London.

The first speeding ticket was issued in UK. In 1896 a person was caught driving 8 miles per hour in a zone where the maximum limit was 2 mph.

Big Ben in London actually doesn’t refer to the clock. Big Ben is the bell that is located in the clock tower.

Queen Elizabeth II has visited over 100 countries on official duties – but astonishingly, she doesn’t need to have a passport. This is because British passports are issued in the name of the Queen.

London has the largest library in the world. The towering British Library in King’s Cross, London, has over 170 million items in its catalogue.

Windsor Palace is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1953 and in 2015 her excellence became the longest reigning Queen in the world.

Wherever the Queen is residing a royal flag must wave at the top of the building.

Buckingham Palace has its own police station.

The UK loves a good ceremony, and it certainly makes a big deal out of royal weddings. The most recent major event took place in 2011 when Prince William married Catherine Middleton. The day of their wedding was declared a national holiday, which meant an extra day off work.

Tea is by far the most popular drink among Brits. It is estimated that they drink on average 165 million cups of tea every day.

Saltford Manor, the oldest home in the U.K. is about 6,000 years old. It is furnished with furniture made of stone.

There are over 500 pubs in the United Kingdom named The Red Lion.

London has over 170 museums.

There are over half a million vegans living in the United Kingdom.

There’s a law that allows a random citizen to kill a Scott entering the city of York if that person is holding an arrow above his head.

Shakespeare added around 3,000 words to the English language.

The smallest statue in London depicts two mice fighting for a piece of cheese. The story in the background of this tiny sculpture is in fact tragic. During the time when The Monument was getting built, two builders got involved in a fight after accusing each other for eating a sandwich. Both of them died in the fight. It was later determined that a mouse had eaten the sandwich.

The first postage stamp was created in UK. It was designed in May 1840 and it featured the figure of Queen Victoria.

The author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling is from the United Kingdom. She is the first billionaire to fall off of Forbes billionaire list because of charitable giving.

Corante was the first British newspaper. Its first ever copy was printed in 1621.

Fordwich is the smallest town in the United Kingdom. It has around 400 residents.

During the 16th century, the king raised a tax for everyone that had a beard.

The first King of England, William the Conqueror made a law that everyone had to be in bed by 8pm.

There are only few trash cans in the whole city of London. They were removed because London had experienced a lot of terrorist attacks in the past and trash cans have been a common dropping point.

The United Kingdom has a limit of 12 minutes of commercials per hour of television.

The sports soccer, rugby, golf, boxing, and cricket were all invented in the United Kingdom.

Smith, Jones, and Williams are the most common names in the United Kingdom.

I decided to let this United Kingdom fact be the inspiration for this week's card... there are more chickens in the country than humans.

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Stamp Set: Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Chickens stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

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

Die: MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Matte Enamel Dots

Dream Your Heart Out - Day 50

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Set Used:
High Hopes - Jolie's Little Friend

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Simply Technique Tuesday

I must admit, I've been somewhat of a hoarder. Yep, it's true. Confession is good for the soul, or so they say, so I just wanted to own my hoarding tendency. BUT - this is the year! I'm going to try to do better.

See, I've been a member of the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society for well over a year now. I love flower stamps so it seemed like a perfect fit! Truthfully, I have used some of these stamps, but others I've been guilty of leaving un-inked. for. way. too. long. I've committed to using them this year in my Greenhouse Society series.

Since the sets arrive toward the end of the month, I actually use them the following month, so today's card is made with the January 2020 Greenhouse Society stamp set - Fabulous Flax.

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Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Fabulous Flax stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Recollections 110# White CS and Paper Studio Lime/White Gingham DP

Die: My Favorite Things Wonky Stitch Rectangle

Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and a Glitter Enamel Dot from an unknown vendor

Dream Your Heart Out - Day 49

This is today's entry in my 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out devotional journal.

Stamp Set Used:
Penny Black - Hangin' Out

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This Is the Day

Today is a Sunday Summit day here on my blog. What does that mean? It means instead of having a card to share, I'm sharing a Bible Journaling entry.

I used a Spellbinders stamp set for this easy entry. The set is called This Is the Day. 

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Stamp Set: Spellbinders This Is the Day stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and Ivory CS and DP from my scrap file

Washi Tape: from an unknown vendor