A Horse of Many Colors

Remember in The Wizard of Oz When Dorothy and the gang were touring the Emerald City and they saw the horse of many colors?  Well that is my inspiration for today's cards.  The card of many colors.  
This technique is FANTASTIC is you have several that you need to make but don't want them to look exactly alike.  

I need to apologize for 2 things in advance..... 1.  My lighting and camera skills this week are NOT on point I am working to try to figure that out. 2. I told you in the beginning that I am a LOVER of crafting NOT a professional crafter.  If you look at my crafting there are flaws..... just like there are in my life....but I own them and accept them and move on from them.....

Basically what I have done is created the same card using the same base color and stamp sets and changed up the ink.....GUYS the possibilities are completely endless.......You could do this for DAYS.

                                  Yellow

                                  Red

                                Orange

Green

They are simple, the colors POP and someone will have a smile on their face when they get them.  I hope you try some at some point.  
Whether you are a horse of different colors or you choose to stay with one color, .. share what you love with the world, it makes us all better.  Until next time ......Stephanie

Sneak Peek

Have you heard of One sheet wonder???? I mean 1 sheet wonderful???????  I love LOVE LOVE this technique simply for 2 reasons: 1) you can use your imagination to create a number of creations, 2) It forces you to use your stash!!!! This weekend my daughter Sarah (the Rockstar) wanted to craft with me and so we decided to play with this paper. It's a paper from DCWV that has been in my stash box for a while.  We created 5 cards so far  have enough supplies to create 4 more. Here are the 5 cards we made.  Each  Monday I will show you different one sheet wonder techniques as well as the paper dimensions you will need to create your own creations at home.  I would love to see what you come up with.  (one of my favorite is creating your own paper!!!)

As you can see each one is completely different but it forced me out of my traditional (stamped image and sentiment). I not only loved how they turned out but most of all I loved that I got to share this time with my daughter sharing what I love to do with her.

Whether you are a one hit wonder or your hits keep on going share what you love with the world, it makes us all better.  Until next time..... Stephanie❤

Everytime I think of you......

If you are from the 90's you know that song every move you make, every breath you take, I 'll be missing you. I feel that every  day I see something, hear something, or even smell something and want to run to tell my mother..... but  Today is the day that we would celebrate the life of my mother.....if she was still here.... Before you start saying OH NO this is going to be a sappy woe is me post it's not ....

I am thankful for all the things that she taught me while she was here on earth .....about being a good friend (she had lifelong friendships), being a good mother, being the best grandmother (ask any of the grandchildren or great grandchildren), how to cook,how to have an incredible work ethic, learning to appreciate nice things, and letting go and having fun (she love to go gambling).
 The card I created today is very simple I love the image on this girl very quiet and reflective. I have used this image several times before with a Happy sentiment so it's kind of odd to me that I would choose her to reflect my mood for this day.  My mom was amazing.... and I am so glad that I got her.  God has allowed me to reflect on the good memories that she has provided me as well as the memories she has provided my children with.  I couldn't have picked a better one if I was picking myself.

If you have your parents still tell them you love them, call them, text them....because you can't when they are gone. Until next time.....share what you love with the world. - Stephanie

Stacking the odds.....

When in doubt stack it up and out..... hahahahahah!!! I love to stack things up and out on a card or layout.....NOT SURE that I would tell anyone to follow that advice (or any of my advice for that matter) but I was stumped as to what to do for this card so I decided to stack the paper to create almost like a curtain panel effect.

I used light grey card stock as the base with burgandy cut 5 x 4 then used 3 other pieces cut random sizes cut by my daughter backed by white card stock.  (Literally she cut paper and we just cut white paper 1/4 " smaller on each side to go behind it). I have change the light I normally used to my son's room for the day and the light I used for this picture does NOTHING for this but the color really does coordinate.   I used a 2" scallop punch in the same burgandy  then using the same gray as the base card to stamp the THANKS sentiment on.  You will see that this is a VERY simple card.  I am not sure that I won't go back and add ribbon or bling or buttons or something to add some more to dress this up a bit however there is nothing wrong with sending a simple card like this. 

There are so many ways that you could make this type of card your own..... I found some really simple card sketches online that would help you do just that.....

This was would be easy to add whatever shape you would like in the middle to make this your own with keeping with the layers

This next one is so super cute and simple but again you could add whatever you wanted to put your spin on things.  You can check out the creator here at her blog. www.thescrappiest.blogspot.com

This last one is probably my favorite out of the 3 simply because you could certainly add or take away extra layers if your style is more or less.  This sketch was designed by Debbie Carrere for www.mojomonday.blogspot.com.

I certainly hope that you have enjoyed today looking at these cards and sketches...whether you like more or less..stacking or piling.....whatever your taste or style.... Share what you love with the world, it makes us all better.  Until next time.... Stephanie

I Love Lucy and Ethel

Who doesn't love the old fashioned friendship that stood the test of time like Lucy and Ethel.  What I used to love when watching them (besides the shenanigans they would find themselves in) was the fashion choices in.  Not only the clothing but the headgear.....LOVED it all...

My card today is drawn from this inspiration.  The stamp is another one that I inherited from my sister before she passed away.  She had a flair for great stamps... and I haven't put a sentiment with this because  I haven't decided what I am going to use it for and I also can't figure out what she is going to be saying.....maybe you can be help with that.  Leave a comment if you want to help me come up with a possible sentiment for this card.  Again you can see that I went with one of my favorite color combos....orange, aqua and brown....not sure why I am drawn to this but it just jumps out at me!!!

Isn't she adorable....Really reminds me of Lucy and Ethel....She is either going to be giving someone the what for or she is going to getting in some trouble of her own  LOL.
And just for good measure because you just can't have enough....Here is one more..... LOVE THEM

If you love Lucy and Ethel shout it out, if they aren't your cup of tea, Hey it's ok....I am sure you have your fave.... share what you love with the world because it makes us all better.  Until next time..... Stephanie

Oh no its a HAIR BOW!!!

If you are from the South then you know it is customary to put a hairbow (size is dependent of where you are from) in your daughter's hair.  Some people start the moment they come out of the womb some people wait until they actually have hair for the clip of the bow to hang on to. For the most part these have been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember.  I was trying to explain this to my daughter in law the other day and was telling her that we just DID this there was no reason we TRAINED our hair to go to one side or the other. 

You think I am kidding?? I am going to show you .......LOL

This is my beautiful mother at the age of like 6 (notice the white hair bow?)

This is me and my sisters (Not sure why I am the only one with a bow, or why we look like young Charlie's Angels)

My daughters Sarah and Angel aged 3 and 4..... see we just did

so you see where I am going here?????

I just DID go with a Hairbow card. Not only did I do an image I made my own hairbow background paper using a bow stamp and used 3 different color inks stamping randomly on the paper.  I fussy cut 2 yellow ones and used pop dots to add to her bow on the girls image.  I have used this image already in the last week, she is one of my favorite to color (I think I love her hair).  I hope you have enjoyed traveling down my memory lane today.  Whether you love hairbows or hate them, wear them or don't , share what you love with the world....because it makes us all better. Until next time.....Stephanie

I wonder what they are sharing????

Sometimes it just does a body good to get out with friends and vent....... hahahahahaha see what I did there????? (sitting under a dryer....venting....? LOL)  Sometimes....... I realize that I should definitely be in bed at 1:15 in the morning.   This stamp belonged to my sister Kim Fields Murphy (she is the one in the back, I am on the left and my sister Leah is on the right and my precious great niece Payton is in front)

 who had a WICKED sense of humor and loved crafting.  She loved fun stamps and creating in bright colors.  Rarely did she create a card that was pastel or muted.  She loved bold prints and color.  This stamp belonged to her and I had to do it justice by keeping the color scheme something she would use.  Although I find myself using these 3 colors together often myself she would have found a way to kick it up a notch.  She passed away a couple of years ago and I received quite a few of her stamps and have decided to use as many as I can this year to make these fun little cards to share her with the world. 
Here is a sample of one that she made....Pregnabella by Stamping Bella

I loved that she was not afraid to mix colors and patterns and sometimes I use that for ideas in my own cards.  Whether you are Bold and Brave or Pastel and Quiet Embrace your style and Love who you are and what you do!!! Share what you love with the world.  Until tomorrow--Stephanie

Its all about Perspective!!!!

I tell my children all the time .....It's all the in the way you look at it.  I say that all the time (really I do) but do I listen to the words coming out of my mouth?  How many of us mothers do?  (REALLY DO????)  I am a member of an online crafting group called Fancy Paper Crafters (HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GO CHECK IT OUT HERE..fancypapercrafters.com each month we have the option to participate in swaps, both merchandise and things that we have made, a buy in of merchandise at a discounted rate and also participate in a sketch challenge. Of all the things the sketch challenge is the one that I tend to shy away from.  I have claimed to LOVE crafting however I have never claimed to be GOOD at it.  So this month in the effort of trying to use up old things first.......I decided to try the sketch.  So keep in mind I used my perspective.
Here is the sketch:

Here is my card

Not exactly the same concept but I used it as a jumping off point.  Which totally game me a NEW perspective about sketches.  I can use them as jumping off point where as in the past I have tried so hard in the past to use them as almost a ruler to go by exactly and got so frustrated because I couldn't get them to look just like the sample.   Hoping you have a great rest of your day.  

Celebrating the small stuff

Have you ever heard heard the term "Don't sweat the small stuff?"  Well I am certainly one of those people I can handle most of the "boulders" that life throws at me however the "pebbles" seem to trip me up.  So in light of that I tend to allow myself a few allowances... I allow myself to celebrate the small stuff.  I will get that candy bar at the grocery store I really wanted because I survived the tantrum my daughter threw yesterday.  I will go get some craft glue this month (even though its on the budget for next month) because I have survived 5 migraines this month and made 9 projects.   So yeah I celebrate the little victories that I never tell anyone about and if you saw me out you would never suspect I was celebrating in my head and heart. 
Those little victories are are what inspired today's card because sometimes in life's craziness we all have to seize

the moment  and celebrate.  I would absolutely love to think that I looked this cute in the 80's wardrobe but I can assure you I don't look this cute in leg warmers.  LOL I hope you enjoy.

Card Base: Stampin Up Crushed Curry
I Created my own Backgrond paper using this bubble stencil from Fun Stampers Journey and these inks from Stampin Up to create this Fun Background

Using these I created the back drop for this precious card 

The rest of the Card is as follows:

Sentiment Celebrate Yourself

Alternate Paper: Stampin Up Coastal Cabana

Bling: Hobby Lobby Brand

Orange Ribbon: Hobby Lobby Brand

Rock Star Potential......

Meet Sarah, My spunky 18 year old who thinks she is sooooooooo an adult.  She has some issues that make adulting difficult for her sometimes.  But she makes life fun and interesting to say the least.  She is usually smiling this big and really, really loud LOL.  She has inspired todays card because she usually sees the situations as fun......even though she is riddled with anxiety.  She is the ROCK STAR of our family and would so definitely rock these outfits.  I admire her courage to be who she is and NOT care what anyone else says or thinks of her in that situations .... she has rock star confidence..... and that smile though.....it is infectious!!!!!!  I hope you enjoy these little cards.  I used the same base colors and just changed up the background colors slightly to relfect more the colors of what they were wearing. My goal today is to be a CONFIDENCE ROCK STAR!!!! Have a great one!!!! ----- Stephanie

Base Card: Stampin Up Black

Back ground paper : Stampin Up Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Stamp: The Greeting Farm Rock Star Anya

Sentiment Stamp: Stampendous 

Bling: Hobby Lobby Special

Punches:  Hobby Lobby 2 and 3 " scallop punches

Life Throws Us Curve Balls

Sometimes let's face it..... life is not just fun straight lines and easy road ahead.  Life can be bumpy and curvy especially when you have kiddos involved.  This is my daughter Angel.  Isn't she beautiful?  She is 17 years old.  She suffers from disorders that cause her to have some significant behavioral issues.  So sometimes life with her can  be really curvy.  I don't tell you these things so you can go.....Oh POOr Stephanie....no I am learning as we all do what to do when life throws us curves.... WE LEAN INTO THE CURVE!!!! 

I used to be angry at GOD for her behavior and what it was doing to our family and then I realized that HE was using her behavior to bend ME NOT HER.  Ha did you see what He did there? He changed me..... (I can totally confess He is NOT through with me yet).  I was inspired by that very thought to create this curvy card today to remind me to lean into it and keep going it will straighten out eventually.
I hope that you enjoy the rest of your day!

Base card Stampin Up Rasberry Ripple
Clear Gems Hobby Lobby Brand
Stamp The Greeting Farm Postal Anya
Colored with Copic Markers
 Printed Paper ? (sorry remember I am destashing)
Punches 2 inch circle punch
              2.5 inch scallop punch

Title Change...... Did you catch it????

Have you ever wondered what it is in people that make them want to do good.... to be good..... When I watch my son Joshua interact with people especially perfectly good strangers I am totally amazed.  They respond to him as if they had known him their whole life.  Now I am partial but he is adorable.... but he is a life changer... a world changer.... and he's NOT afraid to change.... 

This is Joshua With my dad. Aren't they precious!!!When I saw this quote it reminded me so of Josh because is the first one to jump in on a new adventure (as long as he deems it safe).  I aspire to have the courage to see the world each day through his eyes and have the wonder of a child to see the world the way GOD intended it to be seen.  I thank GOD everyday for this child through the good and BAD..... Hope you enjoy the cards.. I have used the same card base and just alternated the secondary colors...

Base Card Paper :

Stamping Up pumpkin pie

stamping up pear pizazz

stampin up daffodil delight

quote unsure: possibly UNity stamps?

bling: Bellas baubles Stampin Bella

3 Years is far tooooo long!!!!

I won't bore you with all the minor details of where I have been for the last 3 years except to tell you that my mother had dementia and I was her  primary care giver and she passed away about a year ago and it has taken my children and I this past year to put our lives back in order which included a move back to South Carolina.  Although I would never wish being an end life care giver on anyone I have memories with her that no one else has..... memories I will treasure forever.  Because of that I basically had to pack up my craftiness and anything else that was for me and put it to the side (remember i have 3 special needs kiddos at home too) and just wait for the God to allow His timing to be right.
GUESS WHAT????? NOW is that time.  We have been in our new home for about 2 months now and although I would love to have a separate space for my crafting my bedroom has ample space to house both.  I have carved out one side for sleeping and one side for crafting and other than that I don't really use it for any thing else......who else does??? I  can also be in here and my kids be in the den and hear EVERYTHING going on (sometimes that can be good or bad :) )
I have crafted MORE since my move back to SC than I have in years.  My goal for 2019 is to use up most of my stash before I invest in new. I am only going to purchase essentials (which can be interpreted anyway you like :) ) So yesterdays creation was one channeled by my niece Sally.....she is a free spirit and groovy kind of chic.... she is one of the sweetest people I know and sometimes I i see her just skating through life like .....what's up?  super cool

Products Used (Remember I am using up old Product)
This is an A2 card 5 1/2 x4 1/4 

Paper Stampin Up Close To Cocoa
          Stampin  Up Coastal Cabana
Flowers  Bazill
Buttons Stampin Up
Stamp Shirleys 2 girls
Punch  Stampin Up Banner Punch

Thanks for stopping by!!! Please be sure and see me tomorrow and share me with your friends