Freshly Made Sketches #500 Celebration

 I have always following sketches, it makes thing so much easier for me.  I have followed Freshly Made Sketches for quite some time and although I have made many sketches have never "published" my work. But to celebrate (and to win) their #500 Sketch I wanted to do so.  Who can pass up winning gift cards/certificates from the wonderful sponsors. 

You can find the #500 blog here

This is the #500 sketch 

And this is my submission/take. The paper(s) come from the July SCT Sampler. It's a kit subscription I decided to try a year ago. It's been fun to see some new papers and embellishments that I would not normally buy.  The kit also had a 3x4 stamp set Sunflower Bliss from The Stamp Market. It's another perk of the kits you get exclusive stamp sets before anyone else!  

I don't blog much, usually only to publish something since I don't spend much time on the other social media application to post. 

Have a great day!  

Joanie 

Share Your Design - Gerda Steiner Designs

 It's been a long time since I created cards for challenges and just recently decided that I wanted to create again for some challenges.  My focus lately has been birthday cards for 3 groups on Facebook and although it's fun, I'm a little "birthday'd out". 

Gerda digital stamps has been one of my favorites and I collected the freebies and used them and then purchased this one, many, many moons ago.  I played around with it, trying to get it sized correctly and came up with this design. 

This is the "Ice Skating Mouse", I think I have sparked a little mojo with winter cards.   I'm not sure about the designer paper, it may be a very old Lawn Fawn, the other paper is Stampin Up Old Olive.  I colored this cutie with Copic markers and you can't tell but I used Wink of Stella on the skates.  I created the sentiment with word and cut it out with a Spellbinders die (I'm sure retired) and then a snowflake brad from "somewhere". 

I'm entering this into the Share Your Design October challenge, getting in just at the end of the deadline.  I hope I can use this cutie on other cards, perfect for the upcoming winter season to make someone smile. 

Have a blessed day!  

Joanie 

Hero Arts Challenge #15 Fall and Halloween

 This is my first Hero Arts Challenge, so I had to dust off my blog that I have neglected for way too long.   I couldn't find any Hero Arts for fall/Halloween, it's possible I may have some. I have taken so many of my stamps off their wood blocks, and unfortunately did not document well. 

So my card uses Stampin Up! paper and ink (Really Rust and More Mustard). Stamps are Gina K including her wreath building template. I love the wreath builder it makes a card like this come together quickly. I don't normally make square cards, but sometimes it's a nice break from my usual A2 cards. 

I would love to be the random winner so I can buy some Hero Arts products for fall and Halloween. 

Send a Smile for kids Mom's Day challenge

I noticed on Facebook a call out for Mother's Day cards from Send A Smile for Kids.  I have to admit that making a Mother's Day card is a little difficult, not to mention Father's Day, since I'm now an orphan.  Probably not the best terminology but both of my parents are gone, and I miss them so much. My dad 26 years, my mom a short 3 years.  But I decided to create a card for this challenge and hopefully make a few to send in time for Mother's Day.

Information on the challenge is here

Here is my submission

All the paper is Stampin Up!  I know you can't see it but the off white mat is a retired Confetti Cream, oh why did this get rid of it!!!

Play along if you'd like and send some cards to this organization!  They would appreciate it! 


Have a great week! 

Joanie

Sending Paw Prints Challenge #5

I'm on a roll here..... that is actually participating in some challenges and inking up some stamps.

For this challenge we were to use green.   My green is in this cutie's dress as well as the paper, albeit fluorescent green.  This was a scrap piece which worked out great.  I used a sketch from Operation Write Home #2 and made a few little changes but overall I stuck to the sketch. It's actually my best way to make cards, because it provides all the measurements.

The stamps are from My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Feline Better set.

I did this one quickly because I wanted to get this challenge done early because it is spring time in Indiana and what that means, is crazy weather..... rain and snow, cold then warm.  Our furnace went out a week ago on the same day our lawn mower died.  So we stimulated the Indiana economy for sure this week.   Tomorrow I get to try out the new lawn mower!

Thanks for all the previous comments, it's fun to post things..... I just wish I had more time!

Until next time!  Stay safe!

Joanie

2017 Spring Coffee Lovers Bloghop

I stumbled across this blog and saw all the great prizes and decided since I'm attempting to put myself on a craft "budget" that I should try to win prizes if I run across a blog with companies that I like.  So this one was one that I decided to do for a couple of reasons... I like coffee, or as my husband would say, you like cream with a side of coffee..... which is probably true and I have had this stamps set with a coffee theme.

I inked up a set from Taylored Expressions that I have to say, I've had quite awhile and never used.  I'm probably the only person in the universe that has done that..... right???!!! 

I dug out some ribbon (on the bottom) that I have had for years and quickly did this card, considering it is Tuesday @ 8 pm and the deadline is tomorrow!   So anyway, it came out okay and I may play around more with this stamp set since I have it out.

Hope everyone is having a great day/week!! 


Joanie

Sending Paw Prints Challenge #4

Sending Paw Prints Challenge #4

Another great challenge over at Sending Paw Prints to create a thank-you note that has an element of newsprint.  This was easy for me since I have LOTS (and lots) of designer paper. This piece of newsprint just happens to be from Stampin Up! 

I hope you will play along with this group and send/make cards for them.

Here is my submission for the challenge:

Spring is in the air in Indiana, yesterday (3/24) is was in the mid-60's, a little windy but it sure did start to green things up.  I think I will be mowing the lawn very soon.

Unfortunately all the Indiana teams are out of the NCAA Tournament, but Xavier is still playing... maybe they will pull it off! 

Have a great week! 


Joanie

Sending Paw Prints Heart Challenge

It has been a long time since I used this blog for a challenge, but I hope to get back to participating in a few challenges here and there.  This post is for the "Sending Paw Prints" February "heart" challenge.

In October we had to send our kitty Tyler over Rainbow Bridge, it was so sad and our hearts were broken. We weren't sure when we would be able to adopt again, but somehow a picture on Facebook led us to the Humane Society of Indianapolis . The original kitty we saw on Facebook that led us there didn't quite warm up to us.  So we looked around and finally a little fur-baby picked us out and it was all she wrote.

Her name at the shelter was Bobbi Jean, but we changed it to Samantha.  She's approximately 2 years old and has been so much fun and has been able to fill a little empty space in our heart. Each day we fall more and more in love with her.

Here she is, I think she is content in our home!!

 



Here is my card for the challenge,

 

 

 

The challenge is still open for anyone who happened to fall onto this blog, which is highly unlikely, but check it out, the challenges are on going! 

 

 

Have a great week!

 

Joanie

 



Shopping Our (my) Stash #222

I found another blog to follow and participate when time permits and this one is SOS (Shopping Our Stash) and this week is #222.

The challenge is/was to use something from your oldest birthday supply. I have to admit that birthday cards are not something I make on a regular basis, a few.  But awhile back I participate is a challenge that pointed me to a company called Hambo Stamps and for some reason this group of pigs made me smile. So I bought it...... and never made a card until this challenge.

I want to say for anyone that notices, that the image is cut out... I did NOT cut that out by hand.  I bought a Cameo and have been playing around with using it to cut out stamped images. My vision is that I will be able to reacquaint myself with stamps that I love and always want to have a die, but one was not made.   So it was fun to practice with this image and see how this machine can change my card making.

Another thing...... I realized that I didn't really have a sentiment to go with this.... so I found one that "sorta" worked if you imply that the pigs are big... or something like that.  So maybe that is what I'm missing (sentiment) with this stamp and that is why I never pulled it out.

Anyone have a sentiment they would use for these stamp?

So check out the SOS blog/challenge here

Have a great week!! 


Joanie

Inspired by a Song

I have found a new challenge blog and hope to play along with them.  It's called Cards In Envy.  You can find information about their blog/challenges here

The current challenge is to make a card inspired by a song...... so here's my card's story....

The Eagles were a very popular band in my teenage years and the song that inspired this card.....it may be a stretch.....

So if you haven't figured it out.. the song is "Witchy Woman".  I don't think the song is about witches, I think it was meant that the woman was more of a seductress.... but the word witch was in it... so I ran with it. 

I wish I could remember where the stamp came from, but all the paper is Stampin Up! 

Looking forward to see everyone's card and the song that inspired it! 


Have a blessed day! 


Joanie

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge

This is my first time participating in this challenge. I took a short break after OWH ceased operation. I reorganized and cleaned my craft room. I have joined some new groups on Facebook including Stamping Enablers, trust me join that group and you will want everything! We just spent Labor Day weekend on a big debate.... the Brother Scan and Cut... to buy or not... and of course HSN had a special ..... I did NOT buy... yet..

So Send A Smile 4 Kids is the first organization I'm going to send cards to, you can find information about them here.  They have a challenge going on now to make a Halloween card (kid appropriate).  So here is my submission for the challenge and you can find the details on the challenge here

I don't remember where this stamp came from, the paper is all Stampin Up! 

Looking forward to working with this organization!! 

Have a blessed day! 

Joanie

It's over......

I sent my last box of cards to Sandy and now I am taking some time to reorganize my craft room so I can begin my next journey of cardmaking.

One of the groups I belong to on Facebook mentioned Send a Smile 4 Kids.  An OWH'er is going to help that organization so I figured what better way to continue on this crafting journey.

So I am removing the OWH references on this blog and start to revamp it for the next stage. It's long over due, but as all the OWH people know you get in the zone to make those deadlines and other things take a back seat.

Hope everyone finds what they are looking for after OWH.   For the moment, I believe I have found my place, but will always keep an open mind for others.  I have a ton of supplies that need to be shared with the world.

Stay tuned..


Joanie

ODBD and Sketch #257

Today's post is for two challenges, the July ODBD (the final one <sniff,sniff>) and Sketch #257.

ODBD was to create a thank you card and thanks to Adele (#6), I dusted off my Lawn Fawn stamp set that she used as dug out my Stampin Up banner punch.

and my second card is for Sketch #257, here are the details of the sketch

and my submission a Christmas card!  Christmas in July!

I continue to spend as much time as possible filling up my last large flat rate box (need to maximize the cost) for OWH.  I sure hope there is a way for us to access some of the great resources like the sketches.  I love  having the measurements for them, there are few challenges that do that.

Have a great week! 

Joanie

OWH Sketch #256

Another sketch challenge from OWH!! Woot, woot!

Here are the details of the challenge

and my card, decided to dig out a few Christmas supplies and try to "finish strong with a few holiday cards.  I'm starting to panic thinking of trying to get cards done for the deadline.  I'm planning on taking a day or two of work in July to be able to fill a large flat rate box.

Until next time!

Hope everyone has a great week!!

Joanie 

OWH ODBD Challenge and a Sketch!!!

June's ODBD challenge can be found here to make a "missing you card".  I decided to make this card for this challenge and the OWH Sketch #255 found here


Here are the sketch details

So here is my card

This is "Freckles" from My Favorite Things.

I have been so busy trying to "Finish Strong" as well as work, HOA work etc....... this summer is going to fly by......

I hope everyone is spending time making cards for this last push.  I think Sandy is going to be overwhelmed with what we are going to send her!!  Or maybe she won't!

Enjoy your week!


Joanie

OWH Finishing Strong Memorial Day Bloghop 2015!

All good things come to an end, but I have to say this one makes me a little sad. I don't remember how I learned about OWH (Operation Write Home), but I did.

I'm not a "real blogger", I created this to participate in challenges and other blog hops for OWH. Along the way I have met some great people and very talented card makers.  They have inspired me and sometimes intimidated me.

I have always been patriotic, I love our country despite some of the issues we hear about day to day. My dad and brother served in the military and just recently with my mother's passing did I realize perhaps the impact my cards may have had.

My mother kept every letter that she and dad wrote back and forth during WWII. I imagined the excitement they must have had when they opened the letter and seeing the other's handwriting. I was a little embarrassed by some of the things I read, but I realized how much they loved and must have missed each other.  I even found a letter that my brother wrote to me when he was in Korea, he was 18 and I was 6.  I don't remember that letter but it is something I will treasure and I am thankful that my mother did keep these items. I have high hopes that one of my cards will someday be found in someones "stash" of stuff and they will read what their parent wrote to the other and feel the love they felt for each other.

With that being said......it is with bittersweet feelings, I must post this.....

Operation Write Home, a charity that has supported heroes with handmade cards since 2007, will be closing later this year. All cards need to be sent in by August 1st, so I’m helping to get the word out 

This will be the last Memorial Day blog hop and it makes me sad!! Don't get me wrong I'm happy that the troops are coming home and the need for the cards has dwindled, but my stash of craft items grew and I continued to make cards for OWH.  I hope to find another cause that I can show my creative side.

The challenge was to create a red, white and blue card for any of the the themes (love, missing you,birthday or a Anyhero card.  So in staying with the theme of "Finishing Strong" I wanted to do all of them.

My first one is the Anyhero card:

The birthday card:

The thank you card: 

The miss you card:

Last but not least love:

It has been an honor to be associated with this organization and I will miss some of the usual card makers.  I hope to spend the next month or so filling up my final box to OWH.  I also plan on making sure that I follow,bookmark,friend etc all of you that I have come in contact with.

I also want to make sure that I update my listing of sketches.  I use those sketches so much in my card making and I would hate to "loose" that link.  So I don't know about you, but I'm going to be very, very busy.

I have spent a little time trying to find another organization that accepts cards.  I found one on splitcoaststampers.com  (click on the link to go to the thread).  They have a cause each month and this one is for a church.  They also appear to be looking for organizations, so maybe we can help them with groups that we know.

So on a positive note..... I'm happy that I:

Found this organization and could help
Had the funds to continue to support my card making for this organization and make cash donations
Met some amazing people/card makers (especially Sandy)
Learned new things/techniques from all of you
can dig out my glitter and start playing once the OWH cards have been packed and sent.  <grin>

And in honor of Memorial Day



Gerda Steiner Designs May Challenge

This card submission is for the Gerda Steiner Design Challenge for the month of May.  I used OWH (Operation Write Home) sketch #98.  I love these sketches because they have measurements! I am so challenged with coming up with card layouts.  I see great cards and sometimes I wish that they would put the measurements because photos can be deceiving on how big the card is, how big the strip of paper is etc.... etc.

You can find the sketch layout plus many, many more here


The skunk is very cute and I paired him up this paper from My Mind's Eye (Indie Chic - Nutmeg). I'm sure this 6x6 was something I bought from Michael's when it was on clearance.   I used my "nesties" and the sentiment is from Stampin Up! set Lots of Thoughts. This was pretty easy to put together so I'll spend this rainy Sunday putting a few more of these in my shoe box that will go to OWH in June.

So here is the card!

Have a fabulous week!

Joanie

Happy May!!! ODBD Challenge

OWH has a fabulous sponsor, ODBD (Our Daily Bread Designs) for monthly challenges. If we "meet" the challenge they will sponsor/pay for shipping two boxes to our heroes.   Last month it seems we just made our challenge so hopefully we can do better the month of May. 

This month the challenge is embossing. I have a LOT of embossing folders and I don't use them enough.  I went to Joann's a few days ago and they had some Cuttlebug and Darice folders on clearance for $2.97.  I couldn't resist.... I hoped I didn't have these at home, but thought if I did, I'm sure I could find a good home for them. 

So with that being said, here is my submission for the challenge.  I used a folder from "Paper Studio" from Hobby Lobby and for you OWH "peeps", you will recognize the stamp set because it is the set "All the Time" a percentage of the sales from this set went to OWH.  A win/win in my opinion. 

Have a great week!  

Joanie 

April ODBD

Every month ODBD sponsors a challenge to make 50 cards. If OWH card makers meet that challenge ODBD will sponsor two boxes of cards for our trips!  Isn't that amazing!!  What a great way to thank our heroes.

This month we were asked to make masculine cards, and this is my entry for this months challenge.

It's a little hard to read, but the sentiment says "Howdy-Hoe"... get it???  

I got this set awhile back at Michael's at 50% off and you can find it on-line here  It's from Art Impressions and called His and Hers Gardening. 

A very simple card. 

Last month I participated in this challenge and random.org picked ME as a winner.  I received a gift certificate, which I have already redeemed. 

Stay tuned and I will make a card with what a received from them. 

BTW, you can shop with them buy clicking here 

Have a great week!  

Joanie 

OWH Sketch #252

Once again, it's been a little while since I have been able to participate in a sketch challenge.

Here is the sketch

and my contribution to the other lovely cards

Is there a shelf life for the enamel accents? I had a tough time getting them to come out and then when they did they weren't white.  I used them on the head band band and the heart for dimension. So I ended up turning the bottle upside down for awhile and then turned it back and did that a couple of times. I think it finally got mixed up a little better.

A big THANK YOU to random.org <grin> for picking me to win the March ODBD gift certificate.  I was so excited and I can tell you..... I already used it! I will use it soon and point what I received with it.

Thanks to ODBD for all you do for OWH!!

Enjoy the week!  Spring has sprung. I mowed the yard for the first time on Saturday!


Joanie