I thoroughly enjoy this series because flowers are my favorite thing to color.
This month's Greenhouse Society stamp set is Pomegranate.
Papers: Neenah 110# White and SU Watermelon Wonder CS
Dies: Pink Fresh Diagonal Stitched Rectangles
Embellishments: Cloud 9 Rain Drops
We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was Kari's turn. She challenged us to reuse, recycle, or repurpose on our cards.
I decided to attempt to make a card mostly using items found within the container.
I had fun snooping in this container until I found some items I thought had potential for this month's card.
Here's my card:
I hope Kari, Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
We take turns choosing what stamp will be used. This month it was Kelly's turn and she chose Newton's Toboggan from Newton's Nook. She said she chose it because it has 3 (us) kitties and snow/winter (when we met at Stamp Camp!)
I have such fond memories of our time together for camp so this image set brought lots of smiles.
Of course, I'm very VERY tardy in creating/sharing my card. I'm working at catching up one-card-at-a-time.
You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.
Card #1
I stamped the image directly onto some designer paper for this first card. I used a Misti so I could re-stamp it a few times to get a good crisp image. I layered that piece onto another piece of designer paper with a slight tilt for some fun.
Card #2
I used Whimsy die (Window 1) to create this playful card design. I just happened to have some soccer designer paper so it was a great complement to the fun image.
The sentiment on this card is from the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Mini Greetings 1 stamp set.
I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used.
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First, let me begin by wishing each of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day will be spent with people you care about doing things you enjoy doing. I know that's something I'll be doing today. I'll also be reflecting on the many things for which I am thankful. The list truly is a long one.
My mother passed away on November 5th. We left to go to Missouri for the funeral and to spend some time with my dad, helping him a bit. It's truly been one thing after another since returning home... and I am feeling quite overwhelmed with all that must be done as well as what hasn't been done.
I've decided the best thing for me to do - for me - is to give myself some grace. Therefore between now and the end of the year (it's really only a month away) I'm going to work at catching up some friend/challenges I missed (Crafters of Faith, Three Musketeers, Stamp What, Hot Mess, Double Duty)... but I'm going to skip doing the challenges I just do for me (like the Made from a Kit series). I am going to do one more Travel the World series cards, which will be #45 for this year. That will leave me exactly 50 countries left to do, which I'll start in January.
I said all that to say this - you'll be seeing less activity on my blog through the end of 2021... but that's okay.
Now, before you go, check out this card. I actually made it before the 5th, but hadn't even taken the time to get photos taken and post it here on my blog. Sheesh. It's about time.
Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU So Saffron CS and DP from my scrap file
Dies: Catherine Pooler Sunburst, MFT Stitched Rectangle, and Simon Says Hello Sunshine Frame
Embellishment: Gina Marie Enamel Dot
You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.
Card #1
For this card I simply stamped the image onto white cardstock and colored it with my Copic markers. I wasn't happy with the reflection of light in the water - it looks green due to the yellow and blue blending together. I decided to try something a bit different when coloring my second card.
The sentiment on this card is from the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Chickadee on a Fence Post stamp set.
Card #2
For this card I again stamped the image on white cardstock and colored with Copic Markers, but I went with darker colors and didn't create a sunset/sunrise instead choosing for a glow across the horizon.
I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used.
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This year I was especially excited because I was hosting one of the challenges - a tutorial I'd never done before but thought it looked easy enough and lots of fun.
I waited expectantly for Falliday Fest to begin.
Then.
Such a little word, but it packs a wallop. Then my mom passed away and a quick trip out-of-state was necessary. I missed ALL of Falliday Fest, including my own challenge, but fortunately I'd already created a card for it and had my post ready to go live... so live it went. You can check out all of the details of my Floating Strips challenge, as well as a link to the tutorial, by going - HERE.
A bit of acetate, some strips of paper, etc... and in less than 45 minutes, I had made my card.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Leaf: from my scrap file, blended with Lawn Fawn Carrot and Lobster Inks
Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle ad Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double Layers
Embellishments: Black Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor
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 Barb's turn), but the idea is for it to be a bit more challenging than just the average theme.
I've thoroughly enjoyed these challenges, but alas, all good things must come to an end. We have decided this will be our last year to do the Ready Set Go challenges, so this is our second to last one. (I'll be choosing the theme for next month so be sure to come back to check it out, too.)
This is what Barb had to say about this month's theme...
I looked back at our first challenges we did back in 2017 when we started. Kelly started off in May of ’17 and asked us to create a card using our oldest stamp and newest stamp for a card. The following challenge that I gave in June was to use the first letters of each of the words in of Ready-Set-Go and use something on your card that starts with the same letter. For my final challenge, I am going to combine a variation these two themes
First—pick a stamp or set that you have had for more than 5 years as a tribute to our 5+ year challenge. Then, pick another stamp or set that you have had less than 5 months-one of your most recent ones. Then—use the letters R-S-G as a guide for at least three elements on your card that start with those letters. Your card will showcase 2 different stamps or sets—an oldie and newer one, along with three special elements, reflecting the words Ready-Set-Go.
I have truly enjoyed our monthly challenges and let’s go out in style with card #55, our second to last card! Ready? Set? Go!
How fun is that?!?!?!?!
I followed the rules... I know, surprising, isn't it?
Old Stamp (I've owned it for over a decade if my memory serves me correctly) - Rubber Stampede Sunflower II
New Stamp (I just recently purchased it and it hadn't even been inked up yet) - Rubbernecker Freehand Border
Letter R - Rhinestones, Ribbon, Rubbernecker, Rubber Stampede
Letter S - Sunflower, Stitched, Single Layer (not counting the card base)
Letter G - Gingham, Garden Green, Greeting
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!
Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Garden Green CS
Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles
Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones and SU Ribbon
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...
Micronesia
Because it’s a group of islands it does not have any bordering countries, however its nearest neighbors are Guam to the North, Nauru and the Marshall Islands to the East, Australia and Papua New Guinea to the South and Philippines to the West.
The country is often simply called Micronesia; however, it is not to be confused with the wider cultural and geographic region of Micronesia which includes more than 2,000 islands including the nations of Palau, the Marshall Islands and Nauru, Kiribati and of course, the Federated States of Micronesia.
The terrain varies wildly from island to island, with some consisting of lovely low coral atolls to volcanic outcrops and high mountains with incredible views!
The temperature in Micronesia is consistently warm year-round.
The islands were first sighted by Europeans in 1500 by Spanish explorers. Micronesia was colonized by Spain in 1886 who then sold the islands to Germany in 1899. Japan then occupied the islands from 1914 until 1944.
Micronesia has 5 main archipelagos that surround it, they are the Caroline Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands and the Line Islands. However, they also have many other islands that surround them and some of them remain unexplored.
The total land area of Federated States of Micronesia is only 271 square miles, however this is spread out over an incredible 1,003,866 square miles of ocean - an area approximately five times the size of France.
The Micronesia island of Pohnpei is so small that there is only one main road, and all the locals know each other very well, as well as where everyone lives. Very much like a small village, there are no addresses as a result.
The tiny Micronesian island of Kosrae has almost no reported crime, making it one of the absolute safest places on the planet. Unrelated, but they also don’t have any crocodiles, snakes, or any other dangerous creatures like this, unlike neighboring islands.
While English is the official language, there are eight other languages spoken in Micronesia: Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, and Kapingamarangi.
Micronesia is one of the least visited countries in the world. It only receives around 30,000 tourists a year.
Micronesia produces vegetables, fruit, coconuts, pigs, chicken and fish.
As this tiny country cannot rely too heavily on tourism because of how isolated it is, fishing and related activities support most of its economy. Micronesia specialises in fish processing and exports fish as well as fruit and nuts. It also exports craft items made from wood, pearls and shells.
Every year on the island of Yap, the Homecoming Festival or ‘The Taste of Yap’ is celebrated. Activities include a stone money ceremony, canoe building and traditional dancing such as the men’s standing dance and a stick dance.
Micronesia is situated in between the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Philippine Sea, which means that these islands are home to the world’s most amazing coral reefs.
The tiny Micronesian island of Mogmog is home to the largest terrestrial arthropods (crabs) in the world. The crabs have a leg span of nearly one meter and can crush coconuts with their pincers.
Micronesia is one of just 22 countries not to have an army. Instead, as a former US-administered territory, the USA provides aid and is responsible for Micronesia’s defense. In return, the USA can maintain military bases in Micronesia.
It is estimated that over 50 ships have sunk around the island of Chuuk after Operation Hailstone during World War II, when the Japanese base around there was destroyed. This means divers come here to explore the wreckages underwater, an interesting Micronesia fact.
Micronesia is home to the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world. Operation Christmas Drop is an annual military training operation that airlifts Christmas gifts and humanitarian aid to Micronesia. It began in 1952 and continues to this day.
In 2018, a plane sunk in a lagoon after overshooting the runway in Micronesia. Fortunately, all 57 people on board were rescued safely.
Nightlife is nearly non-existent in Micronesia. People prefer to sleep, retiring to bed early.
Micronesia is home to the most color-blind place on Earth. Worldwide, only one in every 30,000 people have achromatopsia (color blindness). But on Pingelap atoll in Micronesia, one in 10 people are afflicted.
There is an unusual tradition in Micronesia. Every New Year, locals change their names to confuse evil spirits.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Paper: JoAnn's 110# Kraft, Neenah 110# Solar White, and SU Creamy Caramel CS and DP from my scrap file
Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double Layered, and Pink N Main Concave Rectangles
Embellishments: SU Linen Thread
Blog design by LeeLou Designs
