Sunday, May 27, 2012

Love what you do...do what you love...


That phrase "Love what you do...do what you love" has been in my head for several days.  I'm not really sure why, but it makes me think I am very blessed.  I love my job and I love my crafty hobby and I get to do both pretty often.  What do you get to do that you love?  

One thing I really, really love is layering stamps.  My oh my, I LOVE layering stamps.  My card today features two new stamp sets from The Craft's Meow.  These will be getting lots of ink time from me (in fact this week I'm sure you'll see several more)!  The card has already been popped in the mail to a good friend's daughter who graduates next weekend.  Love how the ColourQ combo came together for this.  Yet again another color combo that I would have never considered on my own, but the end result is great!

Take care!  Hope you have a fabulous Sunday!

PS I may have that phrase backwards..not sure...but I don't think it really matters :)!
 
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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Just Us Girls: Photo Inspiration

It's Saturday and time for another Just Us Girls Challenge.  We thought we'd change it up a bit and replace the 3-D Template Challenge with a photo inspiration challenge.  Vicki has challenged us with this fun baby boy inspired photo.  You could pull all kinds of inspiration from this:  stripes, colors, teddy bears, trains, circles...you name it!  I'd love to see what inspires you about the photo! 
For me, I picked up the strips and colors.  I love the texture created by the paper itself and a very, very simple layout.

Pop on over to the Just Us Girls blog to check out the design team inspiration and play along with us...you have until midnight EST on Thursday!

Friday, May 25, 2012

CAS-ual Friday: Man!



It's Friday, Friday!  Have to love Friday's...especially when there is a long weekend coming up!  The pool is opening and we're ready to go.  Okay, well, maybe not ready to be putting a bathing suit on, but ready to have a break from the heat!

Now, back to business!  It's time for another challenge at CAS-ual Fridays.  This week our sponsor is the fabulous Gina K Designs. The paper all the designers are using this week is thanks to Gina K Designs and is called CAS-ual Fridays.  It is absolutely fabulous.  You should also check out all the videos on the Gina K site...I've used several and they are an awesome way to jump start your creativity and put your supplies to even more use.
Our challenge for you this week is to make a masculine card!  For my card, I punched several circles out of the Casual Fridays paper and then punched several out in plain card stock and adhered them behind the patterned circles before adhering each one to the card base. It gives the card a little extra dimension.  My favorite card using this technique is here. I then added a small banner.  This card is going to my co-worker who is celebrating their five year anniversary at work.  A great reason to celebrate!
 
I'm looking forward to seeing your guy inspired cards this week!  Your inspiration amazes me...I love going through all the entries! 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Missing You



Good morning.  I'm on a bit of a coloring kick...can you  tell from my last few posts?  Well...the coloring continued for this week's PaperSmooches Sparks Challenges.  Love the cool colors.  For my first card, I used the camouflage hearts.  They remind me of the autism awareness puzzle piece so I may put them to use like that in the future.  


And for my second card because I wasn't quite done with the color combo or coloring...is a very, very simple thank you.

Happy Friday Eve!
 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Runway Inspired Thank You


Oh me oh my were there a lot of different ways to interpret the current Runway Inspired Challenge photo below.  All kinds of symmetry and color patterns. I decided to focus on the colors and a little bit of symmetry.  Judith sent me this fabulous Hero Arts stamp that has a gorgeous background and one flower that pops out.  I used the flower and since I don't have Copics used water color pens like I did on this card here.  To add a touch more color, I put several little red gems in the middle.  It would be fun to make different color flowers for a set of thank yous.  Thanks so much for the gorgeous stamp Judith!
 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

While the Big Boys Play...


It's baseball season...and that means we are at the field a lot.  I love when the older boys are playing at a park where there are play sets or something for the little guys to do.  On Friday night, Jonathon's team was playing under the lights at a park where Ryan (the older kids) normally play.  One field wasn't in use, so they found some other kids and had a good old fashion game of kick ball going on.  Of course, between the kids kicking/running, they also found the dirt!  They could have been occupied for hours.

And on Saturday, Jonathon was playing at a field where there are play sets.  They love going to this park!  Marcel was very proud to be standing on a particularly tall part of the play set.  He came over to me and specifically asked to be "pictured."  I love the way he's laughing at Collin.  Super happy little guy!

And here's Jonathon on first base...ready to roll. He's been hitting the ball really well this year!  It's so nice to see his confidence grow on the baseball field.  We were chatting about a missed play that a teammate made on the way home the other night and he said, "Mom, my team needs to believe in him.  They need to believe he can make the play and he needs to believe in himself too. When my team said, Jonathon's going to hit Brandon and Nick in, I believe I could and so did they.  I hit a double and got two RBIs."  Love his perspective...we do all need to believe in ourselves and others.  He then went on to say he learned that in karate.  I love his karate instructor and so glad that he remembers that very important lesson.


Now...onto my card share for today :)....you all know by now that I'll eventually get to my card.  I've been looking at the Embellish Challenge for a bit thinking about how I could create some movement on my card.  Finally decided to stamp the sentiment in each color a few times to create a sense of movement.  Hope you like it!


Monday, May 21, 2012

For Sale

Pat is out with Ryan and Jonathon at the Reds' game tonight and the little boys are up in bed (not they are not sleeping, but in bed :)!). I decided to do a bit of organizing which resulting in me realizing that I should sell some of my stamps...so here goes!


  • Shipping will be $2 per set.
  • If you would like more than one item, please let me know and I'll send you a quote through PayPal.  
  • I'll ship once per week normally on the weekend after receiving payment.
  • I'd love to do all of this through PayPal, but if you don't have a PayPal account, please let me know.
  • If you're international, let me know and I'll let you know the shipping.  
  • Please email me at lmangan@cinci.rr.com with what you would like.



Hero Arts

  • H5470 - International Skyline Wood Stamp - $6
  • CL315 - Hello Tree - $4
  • CL428 - Earth Flowers -$10
  • CL404 - Just a Note - $12
  • CG211- Magical Background - $10 (never opened)
  • CL475 - Friendly Flags - $10
  • CL Background large dots - $8 unsure of number

PaperTrey Ink
  • Year of Flowers Roses - $15
  • Embellishments - $20
  • Embellishments Die - $5
  • Happy Day - $20
  • In Bloom Die Set - $10
  • Super Stars - $20
Chipboard Albums
  • Doodlebug Plain & Simple Tall Chip Album - $5
  • SEI Travel Journal Beginnings - $3 (3 available)
  • SEI Hardcover Folder Beginnings $1
  • Piggy Tales Hide & Seek Flag Book - $5
  • Maya Road Mixed Half Circle Chipboard Banner Album - $3
  • Maya Road Arrow Binder Album - $4
  • Maya Road Mason Jar Chipboard Album - $5
  • Maya Road Gear Coaster Chipboard Album - $3
  • Maya Road Love Word Chipboard Album - $6
  • Maya Road Home Word Chipboard Album - $6
  • Maya Road Sheer Heart Coaster Album - $2
  • Maya Road Fresh Chipboard Road Rage Signs - $5
Canvas
  • Maya Road Laundry Day Canvas Pieces - $5
Hope you find something you'd like!