2022: Catching up [card #153-193]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I know--- I am failing at posting regularly! I just can't seem to catch up 😞 Like I've mentioned before, blogging isn't the same. It's almost tooooo much work to share on here when everyone just goes to Instagram or Facebook instead. That being said... I still like to blog because I can share more details or share more photos, but then again... it's a lot of work. LOL #catch22 Apparently I really struggle with social media and blogging 🤦🏼‍♀️

Anyway-- if you are here, THANKS for stopping by! 

I've got a few creations to share today. I've been busy making custom cards for friends/neighbors. I love making custom cards- it stretches my crafty comfort zone and skills; it makes me have to think outside the box or use colors I might not use or learn a new technique. 

I really enjoy when someone likes one of my cards and asks me to recreate it using their specifications or colors. These custom cards are easy to make since I'm just recreating my own card design. LOL 🙃 This first card was based on THIS confetti wishes card. (card #193-194 I had to make two just in case I messed up the custom card! Now I've got an extra to share with someone else!)

Next I made a custom birthday card for Trav's grandma- she turned 92 earlier this week. (card #174-175 I needed two so Trav could pick which sentiment he liked best. Again-- another card for my stash!)

I was inspired by THIS card on Pinterest for the next CAS card. I needed a few sympathy cards to have on hand, but this design just didn't work like I wanted. So instead of throwing it away I changed the sentiment and now I've got an extra friendship card for my stash-- I see a theme here:) (card#182)

The sympathy cards I ended up making took a bit longer and turned out so beautiful! I really love how these little dots (scraps from a die cut image) made this card design pop! I like that these cards bring comfort to those who are hurting and sad, but I hate using them. I already had to use one💔 (card #153-158 I figured I would make several just in case I needed more. Hopefully not!)

I have A LOT of scraps on my desk... I don't throw anything away #SAVfact. Some of these scraps include alcohol inked papers [Etc. Papers EVO Synthetic papers-- my FAVORITE alcohol ink papers]. I created this quick CAS card using scraps and a die cut sentiment. EASY!!! (card #183-184 I actually made another one with the sentiment "Hello" but the photo doesn't look good so I'm not going to share it! LOL!)

My final creation was actually just a design/idea that I wanted to try to create based on THIS layout. I miss using patterned paper in my creations (not sure why I don't anymore). I tend to use more "WHITE" backgrounds now, but I originally started cardmaking by using patterned paper and wanted to go back to my roots. #semiFAIL I still see A LOT of white on this card... but I like how it turned out😉 (card #193)

That's it for me today. I hope to share MORE soon. I have really enjoyed hanging out in the studio this past week... I hope I get to work in there more often on a regular basis!

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: 

Most supplies are by The Stamp Market, Etc. Papers, Paper Smooches

Card #153-194

2022: [cards #160-161]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I've been able to spend MORE time in the studio, and it feels soooooooo good to be back! 

Trav's grandma (Gran) has always loved my creations, and since she just moved into an assisted living home, I thought maybe I could send more cards to her to cheer her up and let her know we are thinking of her. 

This first card is to welcome her to her new home. I know this move has been hard, but she has told us that she really likes her roommate and that her room is nice. It's CAS with a few extra embellishments. I love that patterned paper and yellow home:) 

This next card is the perfect note to send to say "thinking of you"! I love the way the sentiment is die cut from the patterned paper and layered with a black paper. I also added a few silver gems to make this card shimmer a bit. Still very CAS. 

That's it for me today. I actually created five sympathy cards over the weekend (same design but different colors)- I can't wait to share the final edited photo. I shared a sneak peek on Instagram because I never throw scraps away... including the TINEST dots from a scalloped die cut. I used them as accents on the sympathy cards and it took forever! BUT it was TOTALLY worth it:) 

You can see the very tiny dots on the card and on the mat! SOOOOOOO tiny! Sooooooooo fun :) 

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

2022: Paper Smooches Get Well [card #143]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

It's been awhile since I posted... I'm creating but have been busy with different things. 

I'm also struggling with social media/blogging. It's not the same anymore. Companies only want you to create for them if you have a huge following or if you get the most clicks and/or likes on your posts. I never started crafting for approval or to be liked but that's where everything is headed. You also have to have a YouTube Chanel (I do... but it took me 24 hours or more to make a video! I don't have time for that anymore.) and you have to post reels and stories and blah blah blah. It's too much! 

I want to craft and share because I love what I do... I want to share with my friends because I think they will be inspired and share what they make after seeing my creation... I want to go back to 2012, or even 2015. I miss the "old" crafting world ❤️ 

That being said... I pulled out my OLD Paper Smooches stamps to make this get well card. **NOTE: Just because a stamp or die is "retired" doesn't mean I can't still use it! Honestly- some companies come out with too many images and designs that I want or think I need and by the time they get to my house I've already ordered the next month's release, never to use what I bought previously. To help me with overspending and never using items, I'm just going to shop my stash and use what I have right now. #retired #retiredstamps #stillgood

This card was a custom card for a friend who's client broke her ankle. I love the watercolor design- not perfect but I'm working on "waiting" for the paint to dry. LOL 😂 I also LOVE my PS stamps/dies. I miss Kim and PS lots <3 

That's it for me today.

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies Sympathy Friend: 

Paper: watercolor paper

Inks: The Stamp Market watercolors 

Stamps/dies: Paper Smooches Tiny Hearts dies (retired), Well Wishes stamps (retired)

Accessories: Nuvo Crystal Drops, Stickles red glitter

Card #143 (I've made several cards since I last posted... taking photos/editing them takes a lot of time too....sorry for not posting them)

2022: Spellbinders Boo Dance Collection [cards #111-114]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I am beyond excited to share that I was asked AGAIN to create a few special projects for the amazing company Spellbinders!!! Can you believe it!?!? WOW! 

These cards were shared last month on social media... I'm a bit late sharing here:) 

#SAVfact: I do not like Halloween. Never have. I don't decorate for the holiday; I don't buy candy to give out; I don't make Halloween cards... until this year! And to be really honest, I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the cards I created! These creations made me step out of my comfort zone in many ways:

1. I had to make projects for a holiday I normally don't create for.

2. I used distress inks to ink paper/add dimension and detail.

3. I used Copic markers---ok, I used ONE copic marker for each card... but still! I don't normally add detail with markers! 

4. I pulled out and used papers that I love (I know that doesn't sound like I'm out of my comfort zone.... well I don't like using papers I love because I'm a hoarder🙃).

This little mummy's legs MOVE!!! He dances on the front of the card- sooooo fun! 

This ghost's legs also MOVE! That's why I put the sentiment "boo-gie dance" on the front! LOL

How about a bit of GLIMMER!!! Iridescent and silver! 

And finally... my FAVORITE card! An alcohol inked background with a 3D diorama effect for the front! Soooooooooo spooky! 

I actually have at least ten more designs that I would like to make before this Halloween... but I'm not sure I will get them done! I will keep you posted:) 

Be sure to check out the new Spellbinders collection and order your  Halloween stamps/dies/foil plates before it's too late!! 

I'll be back to share MORE soon! THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

2022: Spellbinders Winter Collection [cards #115-117]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I am beyond excited to share that I was asked to create a few special projects for the amazing company Spellbinders!!! Can you believe it!?!? WOW! 

Their new Winter Garden Collection is now available and is full of different Christmas themed stamps and dies. You can click HERE to see it all--- and you can be like me and put it all in your cart today! I want everything:) 

I was really challenged with the two die sets I received because I don't normally work with flowers... or 3D images! I had tons of fun stepping out of my comfort zone to make the following Christmas cards. If you know me then you know I love a good challenge that makes me think and try new techniques or styles! 

I made three cards to share today. I'll start with the first card I made because I failed at making a flower 3D! LOL 😂 I tried but the die cut flower just didn't look right (that's where the challenge came in and it drove me to make another card!). This first card is very clean and simple with a sentiment and the flower. I think it's very pretty... but that flower challenged me! I also have never heard of this flower before, the Helleborus Christmas Rose. I did some research and found it to be a very beautiful flower. You can't see it in this photo, but I added a bit of glitter to the flower to make it pop. 

Supplies: Spellbinders Yana's Christmas Sentiments, Helleborus Christmas Rose dies, and Glimmer machine

Because I was struggling I decided to move on to the other flower die set, the Jasmine Etched dies. This little flower inspired me to do an accent panel on the left side of a very clean and simple card. I love that the papers for the leaves and stems are striped, matching the background paper. The simple sentiment (from Create A Christmas Sentiment die set) was the perfect accent and finishing touch for this project! 

Supplies: Spellbinders Jasmine Etched dies and Create A Christmas Sentiment die set

After the success of a 3D Jasmine flower on the last card, I jumped back to the Helleborus Christmas Rose and made a vintage holiday card. This is my absolute favorite card of the bunch-- probably because I was successful with the 3D flower!! LOL ;) What I wasn't so successful at was adding copic coloring as the accent for the petals🤦🏼‍♀️ I used two different copic markers but I guess I needed to go darker for the lines to show. Either way-- this is my favorite card! I love it! 

Supplies: Spellbinders Helleborus Christmas Rose dies and Create A Christmas Sentiment die set

That's it for me today, but I have a feeling I will be back with MORE 3D flower creations using the Spellbinders Helleborus Christmas Rose and Jasmine Etched die sets! I had so much fun getting crafty with these dies.

Be sure to check out the new Spellbinders collection and order your Christmas and holiday themed products HERE. 

I'll be back to share MORE soon! THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

2022: Technique Tuesday Promotion Cards [cards #95-102]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I'm super excited to be back today sharing MORE Technique Tuesday creations!! Our challenge was to create a sympathy, encouragement, or get well card. I was sent a beautiful stamp set, "Lily Wishes", that included many different sentiments that helped spark my creativity for these projects. 

I also stepped out my comfort zone this time around as I didn't really paper piece, fussy cut, or add lots of detail. I went with clean and simple for many of these cards. It was fun but also very hard for me as I tend to add, add, addddd more and more! LOL 🙃

First up, card #95, "CAS Strength". It's a simple card with a rustic and warm feel. 

Next up, card #98, "Modern CAS". I went with a more modern and busy patterned paper for the background and highlighted the flower without coloring it. I love how this card turned out.

This next card is more my style as it looks like I added tons of detail... but really it was so simple to make! I splattered paint on the card base, sloppy watercolored the flower, and added a sentiment. EASY! It's card #100 and is called "Hope for U". 

Two more cards--- sometimes I can't help but create as many as I can using the product I was sent! I had lots of fun with this challenge! 

Card #101, "Strength For Today". This card was inspired by a bathing suit-- it had black/white stripes with colored solid flowers with a few dark maroon accents. I loved the jade, blush pink, and maroon combo that I had to try to make a card from this adorable bathing suit. I wish I could copic color like some of you--- mine is basic! I used one color because the maroon accents turned into a MESS! LOL!

And finally, card #102, BW CAS + Neon Fun. I loved how this card turned out--- it's fun and whimsical and yet the sentiment and image are formal. I think this card is perfect for just about anyone❤️ 

I had so much fun creating for Technique Tuesday for the past year!!! I'm sad to say that they are closing their business doors soon. **Be on the lookout for more details on sales and what new adventures the owners will be taking. **THANK YOU, Technique Tuesday, for all your love and support and for allowing me to share my creations with you and your friends/fans! What a blessing it has been to work with you and your product❤️ 

That's it for me today.

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: 

Stamps/dies: Technique Tuesday Lily Wishes stamp/die set

Card #95-102

2022: Rainbow Hello [card #109]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I’ve got ANOTHER quick project to share with you today— add alcohol inks, ETC. Paper (EVO synthetic papers) and a vellum rainbow together and you get the most beautiful card to send to a friend! I love how this card turned out. 

This was actually a left over piece of EVO synthetic paper that I wasn't sure how to use. I also found this vellum rainbow in my leftover stash. Sometimes it's possible to put together leftover and make a beautiful card:) 

That's it for me today.

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: Rainbow Hello 

Paper: ETC. Papers EVO Synthetic papers; vellum, metallic gold, white

Inks: Imagine Crafts VersaFine Onyx Black; Ranger alcohol inks

Stamps/dies: The Stamp Market Cosmo Cluster stamp, Mod Rainbow cover die; Paper Smooches Tiny Hearts (retired)

Accessories: white thread

Card #109

2022: Unicorn Birthday [card #105]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I’m back with another quick post and yet a very detailed card! LOL 

I was asked to create a birthday card for a sweet young lady who loved unicorns. I knew immediately that I needed to use my Paper Smooches unicorn image (retired)— it’s perfect! I also knew I wanted rainbow colors and a bit of glitter. I loved how this custom card turned out so much that I created three more with pink backgrounds. 🙃

That's it for me today but don’t worry! I’ll be back tomorrow with another rainbow card (using alcohol inks) ANNNNNNNND later this week I will share some of my Technique Tuesday creations! I can’t wait to show you everything I’ve made:) 

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: Unicorn Birthday 

Paper/inks: The Stamp Market and Imagine Crafts VersaMark 

Stamps/dies: The Stamp Market and Paper Smooches (retired)

Card #105 (then I made three more #106-108)

2022: 16 years Engagement Anniversary [card #104]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

Today Trav and I celebrate the day he asked me to marry him, 16 years ago! 

The story is detailed with so many fun facts… let me see if I can share a few: 

1. I knew the day I met him that I wanted to marry him. 

2. I found a note with some lyrics on it at his house about a month before he asked me to marry him. I didn’t know what they were or what song it was for… but I knew the date was 6.1.06 (as those numbers add up to my favorite number: 13).

3. His grandma went into Hospice on 6.1.06, thwarting his plans. She passed away three days later. 

4. I knew he was one day going to be my husband— how soon, I didn’t know but that didn’t matter. I bought him a 12 string guitar that he said he wanted on 6.14.06. When I talked to the sales person on the phone, I told him that this was a gift for husband but I wasn’t engaged yet. He was shocked and laughed at me. I knew Trav would ask me and I wanted to be prepared. 

5. That night, on 6.14.06, I met Trav at his house so we could go help our friends prepare for their wedding in a few days. We were also singing “Bliss” at this wedding. He sat me down at his kitchen table and started to sing a song written for me. It ended with him getting on his knee and asking me “Will you be my wife?” (This rhymed with the word in the phrase before, “life”.). Of course I was crying as he pulled a gift bag up (it had a hole in the bottom) to reveal the ring HE designed and created (it is SO big!!! ). He got on his knee and asked me to marry him. I yelled out “YES! This is fabulous!” LOL! That was the in word of the year. He also gave me a shirt that read “Soon-to-be Mrs. O’Gwynn”!!! Then he told me the story about how he asked my dad. 

6. My dad traveled a lot back in the day and he was somewhere out of the country. Trav tried to get ahold of him several times before I got to his house. Trav said he was so nervous. Dad finally picked up and Trav told him what was going to happen that night. Dad said “yes” but also added that Trav was “a stand up citizen”. LOL 

7. After Trav gave me the ring and shirt, I told him I bought him a gift too! He was shocked and amazed and couldn’t wait for it to arrive in the mail. 

8. On our way to go see our friends (which now we were VERY late to our appointment with them) we called my mom. She was in Wisconsin and had no cell service. I called Dad and he was excited. 

9. When we got to our friend’s house, it took them at least 10 minutes to see the ring on my finger! It wasn’t’ a small diamond— they were just focused on their wedding and preparing! LOL! 

10. We finished helping them around 10pm and finally had dinner. The only place open was Perkins. 

11. We sang “Bliss” at our friend’s wedding a few days later and everyone said we were singing it to each other instead of the bride and groom! Oops! We were in love and ready to get married too! LOL! 

12. Trav’s guitar came way before the wedding. We decided to get our engagement photos with it. When I walked into his house to meet him for our shoot, he told me to help him put his new guitar away so we could get going as he wasn’t ready just yet. I opened up his guitar case and inside were two sets of diamond earrings that he designed, each a quarter of a carat and totaling one carat. He had bought me some engagement earrings! I wore them for our photos and still do to this day! 

Ok… I know this story is long (and I’m sure I’ve missed some details). I love our love story. It’s my favorite ❤️

**You can see my engagement ring in the background. It has a large diamond in the center, diamonds down the side and front/back. I love it! I wish I could wear it more often— being an aqua fitness teacher makes it hard. 

I’m sure I’ve bored you enough for the day. That’s it for me today. I’ll be back with MORE creations SOON! 

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: 16 Years Engagement Anniversary 

Paper: Etc. Papers Evo Papers Synthetic Papers

Inks: Ranger alcohol ink

Stamps/dies: The Stamp Market

Card #104

2022: 21 years [card #94]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I shared earlier this week a fun celebration card for Trav and my 17th year of knowing each other. Today I’m sharing ANOTHER celebration card for Trav— he’s been working for Walgreens for 21 years!!! WOW! 

He loved Granny’s card with the stripe design; he wouldn’t stop talking about it. He thought it was so cool that it was little strips of paper and said it must have been hard to make (not really! LOL!). I decided to use a few strips on the bottom of his card to make it similar to Granny’s. Add a number shaker— my new favorite thing to make, and it’s done! EASY!

That's it for me today. I am almost cost up on posting my cards but have so much more to create that I will probably never be caught up! LOL

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: Congrats 21 

Paper/stamps/dies: The Stamp Market 

Embossing Powder: Wow! Embossing Powder

Ink: Imagine Crafts VersaMark

Card #94

2022: 17 years [card #93]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I created a few fun cards this past week to celebrate some fun events, including knowing Travis for 17 years! 

We met on May 22, 2005 at New Hope church, which was the sister church to the one I was attending at the time. The moment I saw him I knew— I wanted to marry him. We spent the entire day together- he played the guitar and I sang on the worship team; we attended a meeting after the service; I called him an hour later and asked him to join me for a party with some friends. I didn’t want the day to end! My pastor’s wife whispered to me as we were leaving the party that Travis was worth holding on to (don’t let him go). I told her I would do my best. 17 years later I love him more than the day I met him… I’m blessed beyond what I deserve with his love ❤️ Happy “Day We Met” Anniversary, TROG!!! 

That's it for me today. I’ve got MORE to share with you later this week! I’ll be back! 

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: Love You 17 

Paper/inks/stamps/dies: The Stamp Market

Card #93

2022: Granny’s 90th [card #89]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I’ve got MORE creations to share with you today! 

My Granny turned 90 in May!! She deserved a super fun shaker card to celebrate! 

SAVfact: I number all my cards after I finish stamping the back with my blog/YouTube name/etc. This card was #89– I was soooooo close to Granny’s age! It would have been fun to have it the same number, but maybe next year:) 

That's it for me today. I will be posting even MORE creations soon! 

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav

Supplies: Happy 90th 

Paper: The Stamp Market cardstock, transparency paper

Inks: Imagine Crafts VersaMark + gold embossing powder 

Stamps/dies: The Stamp Market Numbers

Card #89

2022: Catching Up [card #??]

Hello again, sweet friends! 

I hope you all are doing well:) While it’s been a a month or two since I’ve blogged… I’ve been in the craft room regularly and still creating! The last card I posted was 2022.063 and now I’m up to 2022.110!! I’ve got A LOT to share. 🙃

I started a self challenge a year or so ago where I would try to use up the supplies in my stash for each creation. I love this challenge because I tend to hoard the embellishments or patterned papers. I also forget why I buy certain stamps or dies if I don’t use them right away; my inspiration fades with time. I have embraced this challenge again (while still buying new stuff too! LOL!) and created a few cards since I blogged last. Enjoy them all! 

A Valentine’s Day card inspired by Kristina W.

 Custom card created for a friend’s uncle

A special birthday card to celebrate a neighbor

Custom anniversary card— wasn’t sure which color she wanted for the background so I made two:) 

A friend lost his 14 year old pup and that required a special sympathy card

Trav needed a special birthday card for a neighbor who loves to golf… of course I had to make a pun:) 

That's it for me today. I hope to share more on the blog soon! 

THANKS so much for stopping by!    

Be blessed ❤️

Sav