Warm Birthday Wishes

I've been a member of the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society for a long time now... receiving the club flower stamp set each month. I hoarded them for a while, then started a series on my blog, committing to using them. 

I thoroughly enjoy this series because flowers are my favorite thing to color. 

This month's Greenhouse Society stamp set is Winter Pine Tree. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Winter Pine Tree stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy Ink 

Papers: Neenah 110# White and SU Flirty Flamingo CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones and Stickles Glitter Glue

Blue Knight - Buck, Doe and Fawn

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I used the new Buck, Doe, and Fawn stamp set today.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

For this card I stamped the Buck onto a piece of fun North Pole map designer paper and added a bit of striped paper to one side and a piece of torn black cardstock to the other side to ground it onto the piece of designer paper found behind the image.

It doesn't show up in the picture, but I added a red glitter enamel dot to the buck's nose... it's Rudolf, the red-nosed reindeer!

Card #2

For this card I stamped the trio of smaller deer onto a piece of white cardstock and used the Paper Roses Stitched Circle dies to cut it out. I layered it on a circle cut from Spellbinders Circle Dies to make it stand out a bit more.

Touches of designer papers, a sentiment punched with the Stampin' UP! Word Window Punch, and a star brad finishes the look. 

The sentiment is from the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Mini Greetings 1 stamp set which can be found - HERE.

I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used. 

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:

Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE

and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today

Manly Farmers

One of my favorite challenge groups is the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS, under the capable and organized leadership of my friend Barb. The idea is we can't shop for anything when making our monthly challenge card (which we post on the 28th of each month). 

We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was Sue's turn. She challenged us to make a masculine card with at least one layer and embellishment. Sentiments were optional.

My grandparents farmed, my parents had a hobby farm for a few years, and I married a farmer-wanna-be who was called into the ministry instead... so when I think of masculine, I think of tractors. 

I hope Sue, Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Our Daily Bread Plough the Fields stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

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

Dies: Gina Marie Big & Little Chain Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: SU Old Olive Brads

From a Kit Series - Take 4

I started a new series on my blog in July. The idea was born from the fact that I have a lot of unused card/stamping kits just waiting to have some attention. Sheesh! Seems as though I buy them and they just sit... so it's time to take action.

My first post in this series can be seen - HERE. But let me warn you... it is NOT a pretty card. In fact, it's horrible and most of the items from that kit ended up going in my donate box and are now no longer in my stash.

This month I pulled out the Spellbinders July 2018 Kit of the Month. I purchased it on clearance long after it was current. This kit included some fun dies, papers, sequins, envelopes, and a variety of other items.

I put several items from the kit in my donation box, but I loved the dies and some of the papers and embellishments. Of course I can also use the envelopes and the adhesive roll, so I feel like it was worth the money I paid for this kit on clearance.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the Spellbinders July 2018 Kit of the Month, I used CS (Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Tranquil Tide), some dies (MFT Stitched Rectangle), some stencils (Taylored Expressions Square Window Masking and Tim Holtz Rays) and some Lawn Fawn Ink (Guava and Sunflower).

2021 Travel the World - Week 42

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world, so I continued the series in 2020 and here I am in 2021, the third year of traveling the world. 

This week's country is...

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean.

The Dominican Republic only has one bordering country, Haiti, with which it shares the Hispaniola island. The two countries have a land border of 233 miles.

Before Haiti and the Dominican Republic were formed, the island was a single nation called Hispaniola. Today, Haiti occupies the western three eighths of the island, while the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern five eighths.

The size of the Dominican Republic is roughly double the size of New Hampshire.

The Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean. About five million people visit it every year. The majority of tourists come from the US and Canada.

It is also a popular destination for honeymoons.

The idyllic climate of the Dominican Republic lasts all year long: it is mostly warm and sunny, so it is known as an "endless summer".

Puerto Plata features the only cable-car system in the Caribbean.

The Dominican Republic is the 86th most populous country in the world.

The official language of Dominican Republic is Spanish.

The capital city, Santo Domingo, has a rich history. Founded in 1496, it’s the oldest European settlement in the Americas.

The Dominican Republic is home to the oldest Cathedral in the Americas. Catedral de Santa Maria La Menor celebrates its 500th anniversary this year. In 1514 Christopher Columbus’s son laid the first stone for this cathedral. Since then, it has survived everything from pirate attacks to earthquakes.

Baseball is a national pastime and a great source of pride. Boys often dedicate their childhoods to this sport, hoping to play in the big leagues in the US. Almost 40 percent of players in US leagues come from the Dominican Republic. Thousands of Dominican boys believe that baseball is their only path out of poverty, leading them to drop out of school, follow manipulative scouts, and even resort to steroids.

The Dominican Republic is also a popular golfing destination, it has many courses along its coast.

Dominicans are famously not punctual, arriving late to a meeting is the norm on the island.

Merengue is a style of dance developed in the Dominican Republic. Its quick dance steps are matched by equally fast-paced music.

Dominicans are known for their loyalty and their commitment to their family. As a result, many people in the country prefer living in joint and multi-generational families.

Dominicans eat patriotic food. La Bandera, meaning “the flag,” is a traditional meal of stewed meat, red beans, and rice. It’s served regularly in Dominican households. 

Tostones (tos-TOE-nays), which are small, fried plantain patties, are often a side dish at meals. (Having been to the Dominican Republic where I've eaten tostones on more than one occasion, I can attest to their deliciousness.)

The national drink of the Dominican Republic is coffee.

The Dominican flag is the only flag in the world that uses the image of a Bible. This coat of arms is at the center of the flag.

25% of the Dominican Republic’s land and shoreline are preserved as national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries.

The Dominican Republic is the only place in the world where the blue, semi-precious stone called larimar is found. It most closely resembles turquoise, and it is called “larimar” because it resembles the color of the Caribbean Sea.

One of the main industries of the Dominican Republic is sugar refinery.

The Dominican Republic mostly relies on exports of coffee, cocoa, sugar and tobacco to fuel its national economy.

The Dominican Republic is the 10th biggest cocoa manufacturer in the world.

The Dominican Republic produces 55% of the world's banana market. Bananas are mainly produced in the North West and in the South of the country.

The Dominican Republic was a popular location for pirates in the 17th century, as many people were recruited to pillage Spanish ships full of treasures.

The Dominican Republic is located on a beautiful island with sandy beaches, forests, and plenty of interesting fauna and flora. Between December and March, you can spot humpback whales on the shores of the Dominican Republic.

The rhinoceros iguana, a species of lizard threatened with extinction, can only be found in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic is home to over 300 species of birds. Some are unique to the island, such as the Hispaniolan Trogon, the Hispaniolan Emerald or the Broad-billed Tody.

The national tree of the Dominican Republic is the West Indian Mahogany.

More than 50% of the land of the Dominican Republic is used for agriculture and 40% is covered by forests.

The Dominican Republic is home to the largest lake and the lowest elevation point in the Caribbean, called Lake Enriquillo.

Lake Enriquillo is home to about 400 species of American crocodile.

In traffic jams, it is normal to honk your horn as loud as possible in the Dominican Republic.

Dominicans are often very religious. It is quite common to see signs saying "God has blessed this business" on shops.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Dominican Republic... The Dominican Republic is home to a large number of Caribbean flamingo, commonly called red flamingo.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Whimsy Flamingo Fun stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Balmy Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Paper Roses Stitched Circles, and Simon Says Sentiment Labels

Embellishments: Gina Marie Clear Enamel Dots

Hello from Santa

I discovered the Dirty Dozen Christmas (Sketch) Challenges on SCS this year and have enjoyed making a card each month. 

This month's sketch seemed playful to me, with its tilted panel and simple design so I chose a playful Santa stamp for my card - Crackerbox & Suzy's Side Santa Large.

The sketch is intended to be a square design, but I rarely make square cards so I changed things up a bit making it a rectangle (A2) size card instead.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Crackerbox & Suzy Side Santa Large stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Paper Studio Mini Brads

Blue Knight - The Grove

Please Note - This is my second blog post of the day. If you're here to see my Double Duty one, it follows this one so just keep scrolling or go - HERE.

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I used the new The Grove stamp set today.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

I used the masking technique to stencil inks onto a piece of white cardstock to create this scene that is framed by the lovely stamped image. To do so, I first stamped the image using a Misti stamping platform - not worrying about how well it covered because I knew I would be stamping it again once I'd finished my ink blending. That was mostly done to help me to know where I wanted to build my hills, sun, and sky. I kept the stamp in the Misti so I would be able to stamp again.

I then tore strips of scrap paper, one layer at a time and used them for masks to blend ink onto my scene. Once I was satisfied with that, I placed the piece back in my Misti and restamped the image.

Card #2

For this card, I stamped The Grove onto a piece of cloudy designer paper, using Memento Bamboo Leaves ink. I then added  a buck to the scene using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

The Scripture is from the Chickadee on a Fence Post stamp set - seen HERE.

The Buck is from the Buck, Doe & Fawn stamp set - seen HERE.

I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used. 

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:

Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE

and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today

Double Duty - Taylored Expressions

Barb, Kelly and I have a few different challenge/series going on each month. You're probably familiar with at least some of them - Three Musketeers, Ready Set Go!, Stamp What, Hot Mess Success... and on the 22nd of each month, the Double Duty series. This one was Barb's idea - and it is a lot of fun! A few months ago Barb invited another friend - Carol - to join us in this adventure.

Each month we each choose one stamp set from a pre-determined stamp company and make two cards using it. At least one thing has to be seen on both cards (color, embellishment, stamp, etc.). We post on a double-digit day each month, too - the 22nd. Today is the day!

This month's company is Taylored Expressions. I love Love LOVE Taylored Expressions and have several of their stamp sets. I also had the honor of meeting Taylor many years ago - she came to a Copic class that I took in Des Moines Iowa. She is just as sweet as can be! 

For this month's cards I chose Taylored Expressions' Poinsettia Bouquet stamp/die set.

Card #1

Card #2

I used the same color scheme on both cards as well as some of the same papers. The embellishments and dies are the same, too... so lots of similarities.

Be sure to check out Barb's blog, Kelly's blog, and Carol's blog to see their Double Duty posts, too.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Taylored Expressions Poinsettia Bouquet stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers 

Papers: Neenah 110# White, Recollections Black, and SU Shaded Spruce CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: MFT Stitched Rectangle Die and SU Oval Punch

Embellishment: Recollections Rhinestones and SU Ribbon

RSG My Santa Wishlist

This is the third Wednesday of October, which means it is the day that Kelly, Barb, and I reveal our Ready, Set, Go cards. 

Not sure what Ready, Set, Go 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 and she invited Barb and I to join her on the adventure. We take turns choosing the theme (this month it's Kelly's turn), but the idea is for it to be a bit more challenging than just the average theme.

This is what Kelly had to say about this month's theme...

My Santa Wishlist 

Nope.  Not A Santa image with a wishlist! 

YOUR wishlist :)

Please create a card that shares with us something that you are dreaming of or longing for. Are you hoping for a vacation?

 A new car? Some new stamp toys?

 Peace and quiet (me, LOL! J/K!) 

Whatever reflects your heart’s desires, let your card reflect what you are wishing for. 

I'll be the first to admit my card is very simple, not at all what one thinks of when we mention extreme challenges. Truth is, most of my cards are very simple... that's just the way I roll. But I did put a lot of thought into Kelly's challenge.

After pondering my wish list I realized the thing I most wish for is for this pandemic to be over. My husband and I have known many people who have lost their lives from COVID. We know countless more who have had it and recovered. It's caused us (well, mostly me) to stay home more than I ever have before in my entire life. 

Once I'd decided what my wish was, I had to figure out how to portray it on a card. I decided to simply go with a get well sort of card, knowing that I want everyone to be well. 

No. more. COVID.

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!

Stamp/Die Set: Stampin' UP! Hand-Penned Petals stamped with Lawn Fawn (Ballet Slippers, Butter, and Celery Stick) and Memento (Tuxedo Black) Inks

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Certainly Celery CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Spellbinders A2 Basic Rectangles

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones and Ribbon from an unknown vendor