BUTTERFLIES and RAINBOWS

Okay, a little secret... I love butterflies and rainbows. They make me smile, even on a gloomy day. I love how a rainbow comes after the rainstorm. A little thing that brings such hope. Butterflies are so graceful and delicate, but they brighten our world and migrate (Monarch) thousands of miles through impossible conditions. They remind me I can do hard things.

I was so beyond EXCITED with Simon Says Stamp released their Stamp Card Kit for April, Beautiful Day I quickly ordered it and started creating with it when the kit arrived. I was super excited to try the Distress Oxide Inks. Actually, I LOVE everything in the kit!!

I used Mermaid Lagoon, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Squeezed Lemonade Distress inks over my embossed butterflies.

I mixed my Distress Inks (Squeezed Lemonade and Mermaid Lagoon Distress Inks and Ripe Persimmon, Mowed Lawn and Seedless Preserve Distressed Markers with my Glossy Embossing Paste to get the colors) Thanks KWerner for the GREAT idea and tips!

Squeezed Lemonade went around these embossed butterflies. I added some chunky glitter for a little bling. I had an issue with the sentiment, so I fussy cut around the butterflies to fix it. I like the end creation. I was having some serious doubts. I love when you can save a creation.

Butterflies and Rainbows #2

I've been wanting to try Distress Inks out. When I saw Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday and their new Stamp card Kit for April, I decided to give it a try.

Such gorgeous colors. I'm so in love with the stencil Butterflies. I love the little white dots and the GORGEOUS Really Rainbow Paper Pack from Lawn Fawn that comes in the kit

Altnew Challenge

 I am having too much fun with March 2018 Altnew Challenge.

Here is one of the cards I made with Altnew's I Love Everything About You

I had some left overs from my Pattern Play - Circle cards. 

It fit perfectly on my vellum to hide a bit of adhesive.

Altnew's I Love Everything About You

I was so excited about this March 2018 Altnew Challenge. Greece is "hands down" my favorite vacation.

Here is one of the cards I made with Altnew's I Love Everything About You. I love all the great sentiments with this set. 

Altnew Challenge 1

I saw Altnew March Challenge and it instantly brought back memories of our trip to Greece and Santorini...It was AMAZING!!

I had fun creating some cards with Altnew's Pattern Play - Circles

I love the color combo. 

A couple of pictures from our trip. Truly spectacular!

Love this church with the caldera and ferry in the background.

Altnew Challenge 2

I was so excited about this March 2018 Altnew Challenge. Greece is hands down my favorite vacation.

Here is one of the cards I made with Altnew's Pattern Play Circle Set.

Altnew Challenge #3

Check out this gorgeous inspiration picture for Altnew's March 2018 Inspiration Challenge. I loved our time in Greece and would love to go again.

I love the great sentiments from this Pattern Play - Circle Stamp Set. They are perfect to send some love to dear friends and family.

Happy Easter

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I love the rebirth that it represents. I love watching my girls look for eggs and re-hide them for the next week or so. They are so fun they way get so excited. I made a set of cards for them and of my nieces and nephews. My three year old kept on touching the Nuvo Crystal drops and asking if she could have her card as I was finished the sentiment after everything dried. She was so disappointed and thrilled when I told her "Soon!"

Love the glitter on the eggs

Easter Flowers

I love Spring, The flowers blossoming, the rainshowers and the way everything looks new. I saw The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and thought. Hurray!! I love Spring, this pretty flower, glitter and my little bunny with a scarf, because sometimes you need a scarf with those windy/rainy Spring days. I love the patterned paper with the fence design.

Distress Inks and Watercoloring

I purchased some water color paper for my daughter and I to try out. We had a great time creating together. 

She made me a pretty flower and elephant, both in rainbow colors. My favorites

I have a few ladies that I work with in our church group. I thought they might appreciate some love.

Happy Day Crafting Fun

Love this Patterned Play Circles from Altnew. 

Spring Time with my pretty flowers. They are a retired set from Simon Says Stamp (Whimsical Flowers)

Thanks with Paper Piecing background

Loved coloring this background.

Out of This World

I love this set from Lawn Fawn. I made some invitations for my daughter and so much fun I decided to make some birthday cards and test out distress inks and blending.

I have three daughters and I want them to remember they can do anything, so I made some girl astronauts. When I was young I wanted to be an astronaut.

Random Cards

I had a few random cards that needed some finishing touches. Some needed sentiments and some a bit of sparkle.

I saw this great card that used this technique with vellum and a fabulous flower background stamp and pieced paper. I wish I could remember where I saw it. I didn't have a background stamp that would work, so I used my Falling Stars die with my strips of paper. Cut the letters out and stacked them three high for a bit of dimension. 

I tried one without the vellum stars over the full card.

This sweet My Favorite Things Magical Dragon needed some bling on his scales and nails. 

Love this Pretty Pink Posh Hot Air Balloon set. So sad it was a Stamptember set. I added the sentiment from W9's Unforgettable set. It's one of my favorite sentiments!

More Mama Elephant Rain or Shine cards

I am in love with Mama Elephant's Rain or Shine set. I have been having fun practicing my coloring.

I made these for some amazing teachers

A closer view

Great way to use some of my scraps.

For a dear friend. She's has this sweet dog that reminded me of the dog in the set.