Blue: Many Meanings

Well, I was hoping to post this yesterday, but today seems more appropriate with recent happenings.  I'm not sure how many of you have heard, but there was a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut today.  As an educator, I am shocked and horrified by this.  I know that words don't help very much, but this is what I posted on my Facebook account today and would like to share it in case anyone affected by this tragedy is reading my post.  I wrote:

"I don't know exactly what to say about the senseless tragedy that occurred today. I hope that the families of all involved can find peace in the Atonement of our Savior and that they can heal. I hope that the families that lost children will be able to know they are loved and are now in the arms of a loving God and a Savior who also loves them. I hope that those that have to endure life with the memory of this horrendous act will be able to turn their hearts toward heaven and know that He can bear their burden and guide them to peace. Words are not adequate. I wish I could be there to give hugs, meals, shed tears with my brothers and sisters, and try to fill the void that has been created during this Christmas season. ♥"

With that said, I'd like to share a card that I made yesterday in honor of the amazing children that I have the privilege to work with. For those of you who don't know, my REAL job is working with children who have special needs.  There are 8 amazing kids in my class and each of them has a different disability that they have to endure while here on earth.  This card is for them and for all the amazing people I know and love who have special needs.

Here is the card~

Details~

Inside of card

For these fabulous challenges~

A Day For Daisies: Shades of Blue

Crafty Creations: Wise Words

Word Art Wednesday: Uplifting Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp: Your Favorite

(I've used my favorite digi stamp company's image--ADFD!)

The color for Autism awareness is blue.  That is immediately what I thought of when I saw the challenge over at ADFD.  I remembered that I had the gorgeous "Blossoms for a Cause" digi and new that I had to use it.  Technically not all of the students in my class are diagnosed with Autism, but I feel that this card is still a fitting tribute to all the special children and adults that I have come to know over my few years of working with people who have special needs.  They are ALL a blessing in my life and each of them has taught me some very important lessons--the most important one is that God loves ALL of His children and wants ALL of us to be happy and return to live with Him.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.  Your visits mean the world to me!  I feel so blessed to be able to share what I love with such amazing people!  I do hope that you'll come and join in these amazing challenges.  I also hope that you'll take the time to say a prayer of comfort for those mourning the loss of loved ones and a prayer of thanksgiving for all the loved ones you have in your life.  Please go hug them.  Forgive those who have hurt you, move on.  Tell those you have hurt how sorry you are and that you will resolve to better starting now.  Love each and every person in your life.  You never know how much longer they will be in it.  Blessed stamping, friends.

CAS Bauble

Hello, it's me again!  Don't faint.  I know it isn't like me lately to continually post like I was able to over the summer, but like I stated in my last post, I'm home with strep and like to stay busy!  So, I've got another card to share with you all!!!

Here it is~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Dynamic Duos: Color Inspiration

CASology: Sparkle

Addicted to CAS: Bauble

This card utlizes a sentiment from the Teresa Collins set "Christmas Cottage" as well as images from the set "Tree Trimmings" by Stampin' Up!  I've used Basic Black and Certainly Celery inks by SU!, Whisper White and Real Red cardstock from SU!, and rhinestones from my stash.  I decided to pierce below the sentiment to accent it a bit more.  I love this card--it's one of my personal favorites. :)

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to come and say hello to me!  I appreciate you being here and hope you come and join in the fun with these fabulous challenges!  Merry stamping! :)

It's been awhile...

I've been feeling icky the past few days.  Going to the doctor on Monday to see if I have strep throat. :-O  Let's hope not...

Anyway, I've got two cards to share with you and I know it's been a long time since you've seen anything but a DT post so don't faint! ;)  Just joking--I appreciate all of you!

I've also got a little piece of news.  I was asked the join the DT at For Your Inspiration and I've accepted--so get ready for two more cards a month from me!  I like the flexibility of bi-weekly challenges and I am so grateful for the chance to be on another bi-weekly DT! :)  They also have 6 months planned in advance which helps my crazy OCD habits and need for structure.  Can you tell that I work with children with special needs, lol?!

So, now that's out of the way...let's get to these cards, shall we?  Like I said above, I've got two coming your way!!!

Here's the first one~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Addicted to Stamps & More: Sketch

 

Dilly Beans Challenge: Pop Dots & Dimension

Moving Along With the Times: Use 3 Elements Starting With Same Letter

(pink ink, patterned paper, pink gems)

This is an image that I wouldn't usually use, but I won it after this past round of the Link Up For Pink challenge.  I decided to stamp this little doll, named Camila, in dark pink ink and stamp her onto some floral paper.  I then added some shimmer with a glitter gel pen.  I think she turned out well! :)

Card two~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

CAS - Colours & Sketches: Color & Sketch inspiration

Brown Sugar Challenge: CAS/No Stamped Image, Just Sentiment

Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards: CAS

This was a fun card to make.  I got to use my brand new Martha Stewart punch to make my little heart and scallop punched pieces and added a bit of pizzazz with pearls and a glitter gel pen.  Sentiment is by Kaiser Kraft.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek--I hope to post again for "fun" really soon!  I appreciate all your kind words and I hope you come and join in these fabulous challenges!  Happy stamping! :)

Make My Monday: Autumn: Buttons & Ribbon

Well, it's been a wonderful November at Make My Monday!  I hope all my US peeps had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend!  We've seen some seriously gorgeous projects this month--thanks to everyone who has participated each week!  This is our last week for our autumn theme, and we'd like to see some ribbon and buttons on your projects as well!

Here's my card~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Addicted to Stamps & More: CAS Anything Goes

Crazy 4 Challenges: Put a bow on it!

The Cupboard Trilogy: Halloween/Fall

I decided to go CAS for this one.  Plus, I got to use a stamp set that I purchased last month at a local craft garage sale!!!  If you want to see my steals from that shopping trip, click HERE.  There is some{ish} gloating...just warning you! ;)

This card is pretty self explanatory.  Paper pieced pumpkin.  Button flower with rhinestone centers.  An amazing bow (if I do say so myself) that didn't give me as much grief as bows normally do.  Some dry embossed lines.  And a sentiment.  Voila!!!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek--you rock!  Please join in this last week of fun autumnal challenges and don't forget to say hi to the other amazing DT gals, too!  Happy stamping! :)

Red, White, and Blue

But not on the same card!  I've got 2 cards to share with you in this post.  One is red and white, the other is blue and white.  I was gonna have only one, but I got the most amazing stamp set in a stash swap today and I wanted to use it right away!  Granted I've only used one little image from it, but I'm sure you'll see more of it soon! ;)

Here's the card using my new stamp~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Addicted to Stamps & More: Red & White

Retro Sketches: Sketch Inspiration

Word Art Wednesday: Anything w/ Inspirational Sentiment

So, I used some patterned paper that I've had for a few years--I knew it would go with my new stamps as soon as I rediscovered it!  It's by Dear Lizzy + American Crafts and it's so fun!  Sentiment by SU!, liquid pearls by Ranger, pears by Hero Arts, flower stamp by Martha Stewart.  Other papers by SU!.

Second card~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

CAS-ual Fridays: Winter Blues

CAS{E} This Sketch: Sketch Inspiration

Charisma Cardz: Keep Your Cool

(Cool colors only.)

This one uses my new snowflake punches by Martha Stewart, glitter paper by Recollections, rhinestones by Studio 110, stamps and punches by Stampin' Up!, and the rest of the cardstock is SU! as well.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at my creations!!!  I LOVE having you here and hope you've been inspired to create something today!  Join in these fabulous challenges--and happy stamping! :)

Happy Birthday

It was my MIL's birthday this past weekend and we were able to celebrate them by having a fabulous steak dinner out and enjoying each others' company.  I love my family! :)  I couldn't post the card before the day, so I'm here to show it to you now! :)

Here's the card~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Dynamic Duos: Color Inspiration

Retro Sketches: Sketch Inspiration

ABC Challenges: Tic Tac Toe

(Ribbon, Use a Punch, Green Cardstock)

So, I think this turned out well.  I don't know what else to say.  We've had some incredibly stressful events the past few months, so I guess I'm out of words.  For those of you who know me, this is quite odd! ;)

Thanks for taking a peek and taking time out of  your day to stop by!  I truly appreciate all of you!  Happy stamping! :)