**Paper Smooches: June 15-28 ANYTHING GOES Challenge #1

Hello, friends:)

It has been quite some time since I've posted. Lots has happened in the last few months including COVID-19, losing Olsen, taking a sabbatical from work, a bit of depression and anxiety which brought on some weight loss and then I gained most of it back as my appetite came back 🤦🏼‍♀️....

It has been a hard year.

Well, it was time...I finally took some time for myself. It was super fun getting into the studio on Friday last week with Finn- he's my little helper (sometimes). We wanted to make a card for Trav for Father's Day. LONG story but Trav and I both thought this holiday was yesterday! LOL We celebrate all weekend how much Finn loves his Daddy with gifts and fun dinners/etc, as well as a card:) 

We (Finn and I) created this simple card for the Paper Smooches June Anything Goes challenge. I say this card was simple... but it really wasn't! I'll tell you why:

1. I messed up this card 2x! I neeeeeed to get better white cardsotck- it makes marks for everything (i.e. bad gluing and removing it tears it up, picking it up creases it, glue residue doesn't come out no matter what you do and no matter what glue eraser you use!)
2. I had to die cut several sentiments to create PAWESOME.... which now that I think about it... I should have spelled it PAWSOME🤦🏼‍♀️
3. This was Finn's idea and all he did was sleep! #notagoodhelper NOTE: He sleeps to my left, under a window and right next to my most important and used cabinet. I had to rearrange everything in my cabinets so that he could sleep peacefully without me trying to get into that cabinet. The things I do for this pup! LOL! 

Even though I had mistakes aplenty and no help from Finn and even spelled the word wrong on the finished project---- I love this card:)

Fun things about this card: the charm is die cut from leather, the sentiment is paper pieced and the letter P is actually a G.

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Charms dies, Amazing & Awesome dies, Tiny Hearts dies, Sportsball

That's it for me today. I hope you create something for our challenge-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: March ANIMAL Challenge #1 + Olsen's Last Post

Hello, friends:)

Olsen's Last Post: The past few weeks have been super hard for Trav and I as we lost our pup, Olsen Bebo O'Gwynn, on Thursday, March 5, 2020. He was exactly 11 years 10 months old. His health had been declining the last month, but it really got worse the last week. He started drinking a lot of water and not wanting to go on walks. We took him to the vet and they ran some tests, which resulted in Olsen taking thyroid medication since they thought it had to do with his thyroid or Cushings disease. A week later, he had completely stopped eating, no energy (even though he slept all day), and he started breathing super heavy. I took him to the vet for x-rays and they found fluid in his lungs. They took more x-rays and found that his kidney was enlarged (3x the bone size that they compare it to) and that his stomach was being pushed (possibly by a tumor on his liver). We had the vet perform a procedure to drain his lungs thinking it would help, but it was unsuccessful. We took him home but decided early on Thursday morning it was time since his quality of life wasn't great.

Hardest thing I had to do.
I miss him so much.

This was the last photo of him in my studio with me. He wasn't feeling good at all.❤️

That being said... it's been emotionally hard to work in my studio this month. But I managed to find some time to create two cards in his honor. Both are animal themed and fit our new Paper Smooches March ANIMAL challenge theme.

This first card was created for Trav- hardest card I ever created. This pup from the PS Woofers & Tweeters stamp set reminds me of Olsen so much. ❤️

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Paws For A Cause, Woofers & Tweeters stamps/dies, Tiny Hearts dies, Fringe dies, Rainbow dies

I created two of the next card- one for each of my brothers and their families. Leander (my older brother) and Carrel (pronounced CARL; my younger brother) sent us sympathy cards. Their love during this difficult time was much needed, and I wanted to send them a "thank you" for thinking of us.

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Lucky Dog Two, Dog Icons (retired)

I'm sorry my photos are so blurry- both cards are Olsen through and through ❤️

That's it for me today. I hope you create something for our challenge-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: February LOVE Challenge #1

Hello, friends:)

I was able to play around in my studio yesterday and that means....I'm joining in the fun with the Paper Smooches February LOVE challenge.

I went with a simple design using some of the NEW Paper Smooches Half Moon papers along with the Heidi Swapp Color Fresh 6x6 paper pad. Add a vellum speech bubble, a few hearts and white thread, and finish it with a die cut sentiment.... EASY!

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Half Moon papers, Love Word 2 die, Tiny Hearts dies, Speech Bubbles dies

That's it for me today. I hope you create something for our challenge-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: October 2019 PS DT INSPIRATION challenge #2

Hello, friends:)

I'm joining in the fun with the Paper Smooches October 2019 PS DT INSPIRATION challenge. I've been thinking about this challenge for a very loooooooooooooong time because I am always finding inspiration when I visit the PS blog. The PS DT is SUPER TALENTED!!!

This is my second challenge creation, and I had to make something based on TERI ANDERSON's fun style!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Teri's color choices and layers of pattered paper make my jaw drop in awe! LOVE LOVE LOVE everything Teri creates:)

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Couterous Cuties stamps/Icons dies, Inverted Notes

I used The Stamp Market Color Crush papers and inks for this card. I was inspired by one of Teri's cards for Paper Crafts Magazine. I did put a few Sav-flairs on this... hopefully, you can see Teri and Sav in this card:)

That's it for me today. I hope you will join in the fun-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: October 2019 PS DT INSPIRATION challenge #1

Hello, friends:)

I'm joining in the fun with the Paper Smooches October 2019 PS DT INSPIRATION challenge. I've been thinking about this challenge for a very loooooooooooooong time! I am always finding inspiration when I visit the PS blog. The PS DT is SUPER TALENTED!!!

For my first challenge card, I decided to try a simple design with lots of white. Any guesses as to who I was inspired by? JILL HAWKINS ❤️❤️❤️

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Essentials stencil, Thank you die

This card was easy to make and could possibly be mass produced quickly! You could even change the sentiment and colors to match whatever theme you want! #winwin

That's it for me today. I hope you will join in the fun-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: March 2019 BIRTHDAY challenge #1

Hello, friends:}

I'm sharing my first Paper Smooches March 2019 BIRTHDAY challenge creation today. EVERY DAY it's someone's birthday- that's why I need to build up my stash 😉 I already have missed 5 birthdays this month. 🤦🏼‍♀️  Photo Credit: Brooke Lark

I needed something quick this week (so I didn't miss ANOTHER birthday), so I found a clean and simple card by Julie Ebersole (October 2017) that I could CASE. Her style is simple, fabulous, and always leaves me inspired! 

I started with an all gray background and dry embossed the polka dots.... but it just was too dark, like no one would want to celebrate after seeing that card! LOL! So I went with a white background, dry embossed the polka dots and layered on the accent embellishment and sentiment. EASY:) 

I  used the following PS stamps/dies: Birthday Bash, Polka Dot Borders dies, and Feather Frame die

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

Paper Smooches: February 2019 HEARTS challenge #3

Hello, friends:}

I'm sharing another Paper Smooches February 2019 HEARTS challenge creation today. This challenge is almost as easy as the Anything Goes challenge because all PS wants to see are HEARTS- use one heart, use multiple hearts, or heart pattered paper. It doesn't matter as long as you there is a heart somewhere on your creation ❤️ Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova

I was asked to create a special card for my friend's mom and dad because their anniversary is on Valentine's day. There are not very many cards that have both sentiments...so I created a Z Fold Spinner card (inspired by Jennifer McGuire). Each side of the heart has one sentiment. 

This is a *QUICK* video showing you how it spins as it opens. When I say QUICK, I mean it! It's quick in time and for speed of the spin! LOL! 

I  used the following PS stamps/dies: All Year Cheer

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

Paper Smooches: February 2019 HEARTS challenge #2

Hello, friends:}

I'm sharing another Paper Smooches February 2019 HEARTS challenge creation today. This challenge is almost as easy as the Anything Goes challenge because all PS wants to see are HEARTS- use one heart, use multiple hearts, or heart pattered paper. It doesn't matter as long as you there is a heart somewhere on your creation ❤️ Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova

I went with a "get well" themed card for our friend Henry- he is recovering from a fall off a ladder and major surgery. Remember: you don't have to create a LOVE themed card or project! All you have to do is add hearts. I added stamped hearts to vellum using Illustrated Faith Grey pigment ink as well as inlaying a heart in a circle. I used up some of my FAVORITE Pink Paislee Memorandum 12x12 papers #usingupmystash DONE! Easy entry:) 

I  used the following PS stamps/dies: First Aid Kit, Love-Struck, Tiny Hearts, Fringe, Embroidery Hoop, Ornaments dies

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

Paper Smooches: February 2019 HEARTS challenge #1

Hello, friends:}

I'm playing along with the Paper Smooches February 2019 HEARTS challenge.  This challenge is almost as easy as the Anything Goes challenge because all PS wants to see are HEARTS- use one heart, use multiple hearts, or heart pattered paper. It doesn't matter as long as you use a heart ❤️ Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova

I wanted a semi-masculine card so I pulled out some of my OLLLLLLLLLLD Simple Stories Sn@p Life paper pads and journaling cards. This is a card for Trav (hopefully he doesn't see it before I give it to him, but he probably will 🤦🏼‍♀️). I want to celebrate National Marriage Week [February 7th-14th] by giving him one card a day 😍 I feel like myself again because I used one stamp or image from MULTIPLE stamp/die sets! HOOOOOORAY! 

I  used the following PS stamps/dies: Off the Charts, A Little Lovin', Luminous Spring, I Love You die, Hearts dies, Gift Tag 2 dies, Ornaments dies

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

Paper Smooches: January 2019 ANYTHING GOES challenge #2

Hello, friends:}

Today I'm sharing another creation for the Paper Smooches January 2019 ANYTHING GOES challenge. 

I have been absent from social media and blogging due to the passing of Trav's dad on January 4th. I created a special sympathy card for Trav--- it will be posted soon:) 

For the challenge I created a CAS sympathy card that can be mass produced quickly. I was inspired by a layout found on Pinterest- I find that I need LOTS of inspiration and starting points when creating sympathy cards. I know they are helpful for those grieving, but I just do not like making them... esp for my husband or family/friends.  ❤️ I used the following PS stamps/dies: Sympathy Sampler, Reflections. 

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

Paper Smooches: January 2019 ANYTHING GOES challenge #1

Hello, friends:}

Happy New Year!!! With a new year I like to create new goals. One crafty goal I would like to accomplish this year is to create at least two cards for the Paper Smooches challenges. I used to be able to play along weekly, but my schedule changed when I accepted a job at our church. I miss crafting, and this goal will help me make time to join in the fun! **MORE goal details coming later today on my Instagram page! 

Today I'm sharing my first creation for the Paper Smooches January 2019 ANYTHING GOES challenge. I am always in need of extra cards to send to friends and family, to cheer them up or to let them know I'm thinking of the. Side note: Trav really likes this card- we debated at first whether or not to use two sentiments or any at all! LOL! I love when he helps me create. ❤️ I used the following PS stamps/dies: Kindness Sampler, Fun & Flirty, Desert Icons dies, Big Vases dies, Crystal Clear 3 dies. 

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

Paper Smooches: December RIBBON challenge post #3

Hello, friends:}

Today I'm sharing another creation for the Paper Smooches December RIBBON challenge. Photo credit

I was inspired by a t-shirt at Walmart 🙃  I wanted to make a fun card to send to Kim and this unicorn is PERFECT!  

The "ribbon" that I used is a small silver DMC thread. I used the following PS stamps/dies: A Holy Holiday, Magical Sampler, Unicorn. 

That's it for me today! I hope you will join in the fun--- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}