Stampin' Up! Evergreen

Vannessa had an interesting HYCCT challenge that really threw me for a minute.  Our card was to be Elvis-inspired!  I pulled out guitar stamps, sequins, but then I really thought about it and drew some inspiration from my childhood.  My mom always had the Elvis Christmas record (yeah, I'm old) playing around the holiday.  We used to get her a hard time about it growing up, but now I just smile when I hear those songs. I upgraded her to the CD back in my college years, so we can still enjoy the music as adults.  :)   Long story, but my card is based on Blue Christmas.

It's a simple card using the Evergreen set which is still available online.  I loved Ingrid's card and simplified it to make it work for me (and Laila's short naps).

Here's Miss Independent walking around the petting farm.  She loves to walk now!  We have to find her some better shoes.  6.5 seems like a difficult size to find, but we are going to look for some again tomorrow.  The rain needs to stay away so we can go to the pumpkin patch tomorrow too!

Posting through exhaustion...

Dudes... I'm tired!   Now that Jason is working an extra day each week I feel like there's no breaks.  It's go go go and go some more.   I think being busy keeps me from being so down, but man, I'm worn out.  I did managed to stamp some yesterday and today, so I thought I'd share my cards.  This card was for Lydia's Sending Flowers challenge to make a card with flowers.  I used my favorite flower set, Too Kind.  I love the Raspberry Ripple on Crumb Cake!

This card is for Kittie's challenge to create a scene.  I tried to make it look like a framed scene, but eh...  not so much.  I'm just happy to have made a card.  I'm struggling with the challenges this year. 

I have one more, but I'll share it tomorrow.  I'm ready for bed!  :)

Someone got to see a real live sheep this week!

FMS109: Kissed Ribbon

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  I *think* I followed Jen M's sketch close enough to count?  I had a bit of a rough day and had to try to stamp after a scary doctor visit, so my mind was about half on trying to make something and half on worrying.  I did combine it with KelliJo's HYCCT kiss challenge; if you look closely you can see that my ribbon has been kissed by the chevron stamp from Oh Hello. 

Hopefully that works and I don't get booted from the team for not following the sketch.  :)

Laila's hair is getting so long!  When she decides to put her food in it now, it's REALLY a mess!  lol

Pocket Full of Ribbons

I'm starting to think I won't finish the HYCCT challenges this year, but I haven't given up just yet!   I managed to finish up two yesterday and one today.   That leaves four more to be caught up.  Whew.  That's a lot, right?! Anyway, this card is for Bev's challenge to make a pocket card.   I kept it pretty simple and used up some of the awesome designer paper I found last year.   Here's the whole card:

The second card I wanted to share is for Teresa's challenge to make a tall card.  I used the measurements she recommended, 3 1/2 x 6 for my final card size.  I even made my own envelope with the awesome Envelope Punch Board!  :)  

Simple, but that sheet of designer paper was too fabulous to cover up too much.  :)

Laila LOVES the dishwasher and I guess now Buba does too.  :)   We are taking her to Old McDonald's Farm tomorrow to pet some animals and run around outside.  I hope she has fun!  

Starburst Cat

I managed to get Laila down for two SHORT naps yesterday, so I ran and tried to stamp while I could.  I managed to do two HYCCT cards.  I'm going with simple ones this year because that's pretty much what I have time for.  This one was for Patricia's challenge to use the Starburst techinque.   I used the cloud dies I bought with last year's HYCCT gift certificate I won from Your Next Stamp and the starburst dies from PTI.  That made it much easier to make.  :)

This card is for Stacy's challenge to use a fuzzy critter on your card.  I pulled out my boxes of old stamps to find a Fluffles stamp.  I had a bit of a Fluffles addition before I signed up with Stampin' Up!, so I thought it might be fun to use one of them.   I even tried coloring him with my Prismacolor pencils and baby oil.  I hadn't done that in forever either.

I love crazy hair pictures.   It will probably look like that today since she's already rubbed peanut butter in it at breakfast.  lol   I have stamp club tomorrow, so we'll be cleaning and working around the house today.  What a fun Saturday, right?

Blingtastic Hope

This is the last of the HYCCT cards I have made up.  I didn't get any made yesterday, so I'm falling way behind.  I really really REALLY hope I can catch up on Sunday!   This was for Donna's challenge to use glitter and rhinestones on your card.  I chose a simple sheet of the 8x8 paper I had for breast cancer awareness and trimmed it down.  I thought it was perfect to bling out!  No stamping required.  :)  

Laila does not want to let go of Buba (zebra) to eat, so he's getting a bit dirty.  I don't know if she's clinging to him because her teeth hurt or what, but everything requires his presence.

Stampin' Up! Wetlands and Owl Punch

I wanted to share a couple HYCCT cards that I made yesterday.   Jason and Laila had playtime, so I went to my room to try to get a bit of stamping in.  :)   This one is for Ardyth's challenge to make a card with no words on the front.   I wanted something serene, so I hope this works.  It was my first time getting a card made with the Wetlands set.   I colored a clear block with markers, sprayed it with water, and then stamped it on my paper.  I was inspired by Deena's card that I found on Pinterest.   It did have to dry for a while before I stamped the birds.   It's a fun look I think.   

Someone asked about the markers...  I'm not 100% sure as I had a ton of them on my desk, but I think going down in this order is close:  Soft Sky, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand is close...   I tried a few times with different colors and different amounts of water, so you'll probably need to be prepared for some practice to get it how you want it.  

This card was for Tenia's challenge to make a Washi tape background.  I'm not sure mine qualifies as a background, but hopefully it counts.  Laila and I found this fun tape on our shopping trip last week so I just had to get it.  I knew it would come in handy for something!   I think this card would cheer up anyone.  :)

Laila had some of daddy's yummy mashed potatoes last night.  She hasn't been eating that well this week and I'm pretty sure it's the darn teeth again.  She also hasn't been napping much which is exhausting!   I have her by myself for four days a week now and that 30 minute break just doesn't seem like enough.   I can't get anything done.   Who needs a clean house or clean clothes, right?!  lol

Stampin' Up! Branch Out

It's Wednesday, which means a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  Yay, right?!   Our sketch this week comes from the queen of layers, Narelle! I love the sketch; you can really layer it up as much as you like!  For mine I kept it more simple because I wanted my card to resemble a framed print.   Sort of anyway.   I did combine it with a HYCCT challenge from Patty:

In honor of October make a card featuring pink, green, & yellow with a touch of something shimmery or opal looking. You may use any shade of pink, green, & yellow that you wish, pastels, earthy tones, or bright tones. Keep the theme of the card upbeat and happy!

And the sketch:

I hope the card has a feeling of spring or renewal.  I wanted it to be simple, but cheery.   My bit of shimmer is on the boots which are embossed in Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  

My three loves relaxing together on the couch.  :)