Christmas Thank You

As most of us at this time of year, Thank You cards need to be made and sent.  Yesterday I took  some time to create this quick and simple card to us as my Christmas Thank You.

All products are from Stampin'Up!.

Products used: Real Red Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Quilted Christmas DSP,  Stitched Shaped Framelits, Thanks stamp from Blissful Bouquet Oct. 2015 Paper Pumpkin. On the inside, which I did not take a picture of , I used "So Much"  from Perfect Pairings, and stamped the back with"handstamped for you" from the Better Than E-Mail stamp set. I finished it off by adding dimensionals on the back of the Thanks piece to add more interest to the front of the card.

That's it for today. I'm expecting my son and his family from VA in a few hours.  They will be staying until Monday and we are having our family over tomorrow for a Sunday meal.  I think the New Years Eve celebration will be low key. We will sit around and chat, perhaps play some family games, and EAT until midnight.

I pray you have a wonderful, blessed, and prosperous NEW YEAR!

Crafty Hugs,

Bernadette

Our recent Travel Log

 OUR  October and November was very busy traveling. It starts when we drove to PA on October 5th to attend my brother-in-law Johns 70th. birthday, then drove back home on the 6th. After unpacking , we packed and loaded up the car to drive to Longboat Key, Fl on the October 13th. heading back home after a wonderful week on October 21th.  On our return we were able to spend time with our family to celebrate my granddaughters 4th. birthday on Sunday the 22nd.

After a few days to unwind, do wash and errands, we PACKED AGAIN, and flew out of RDU to Phoenix on October 25th. to stay at our home at Roadrunner Lake Resort. Before we left NC we made reservations at Sedona Pines Resort to use our time share exchange points.  Did I say PACK AGAIN!!! BUT in spite of having to pack again, the trip to Sodona was certainly worthwhile , not only the resort, but the scenery. It's known as Red Rock Country and certainly lives up to it's name. We did quite a bit of sightseeing while there and saw and learned so many interesting things.

We returned to Scottsdale for week and headed out November 20th. and we are both were looking forward to going home.  Thanksgiving spent with 5 our 7 children and their families to stuff ourselves and be thankful for all the Lord has provided us.

Our little place at Sedona Pines

Steve and I standing in front of the many beautiful Red Rock Mountains of Sedona.

Jerome State Historic Park, Douglas Mansion, Jerome, AZ

I'm posting just a few of the many photos I took through the weeks we traveled. If you have any questions about the places we visited, I would be happy to answer them if I can.

The duck on the pond at Roadrunner Resort

Some of the beautiful aquarium displays at Ody Sea Aquarium

Eating lunch overlooking the feeding dolphin area at Ody Sea Aquarium

Clarksdale, AZ

Montezuma Castle, Camp Verde, AZ

Have a great weekend and I hope you get to do something you LOVE!

Crafty Hugs,
Bernadette

Christmas Notes

I made five sets of these for neighbor Christmas gifts and added a bag of candy with them also. Some of the gifts had 4, 5, or 6 3x3 cards with SU 3x3 envelopes included in each little pizza box. I saw the original idea over at Mary Fish's site and fell in love with the look and simplicity of them, but changed it up a bit to be able to use what products I had.

I did use one SU pizza box, but the remainder of the cards I put into boxes made using the SU score board and instructions off of  YouTube. The trees were punched with papers from the Quilted Christmas collection from the 2017 SU Holiday Catalog.

Products: Tree Punch(retired), Quilted Christmas DSP, Star Punch, Stitched Framelits, and SU Pizza Box.

I pray you had a very Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter and family and here's wishing youa very blessed New Year!🎉

Crafty Hugs,
Bernadette

Our Florida Vacation

Our timeshare property on Longboat Key, Fl. Thankfully,
received very little damage from the recent hurricane.

Our "sentinel "a Double-Crested Cormorant overlooking Sarasota Bay.

One of my favorite places to sit and enjoy the water and seeing the Ospreys.

My husband and I  love visiting the piers. This one is on Anna Maria Island.
It was built in 1947 with names engraved of locals who
frequented it on the boardwalk.

I call these brown pelicans, "Florida Surfers".
They are so interesting and fun to watch.

The Chihuly Museum in St.Petersburg, Fl 

Fascinating demonstration of  glass blowing at the Hot Shop in
St. Petersburg,  Fl

Watching and learning about Manatees at the Bradenton,  Fl. Museum. This
group are being rehabilitated to be released soon. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend and go do some exploring! There is always so many wonderful things to see, even in our own communities.

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Lego Happy Birthday

Today I'm posting a birthday card that I made for my grandson Kempton and I'll be linking this to Seize the Birthday  and The Paper Players.

All of the products used are by Stampin'Up! The paper is Party Animal, the retired Boys Will be Boys stamp set, and retired Big Dots embossing folder. SU Emerald Envy was used for the main card base and the embossed panel. I used Emerald Envy and Pacific Point ink to stamp the Lego's. The Banner Triple Punch, the Round Stitched Framelit, and enamel dots completed the card.

That's it for now. Have a wonderful evening and go do something you LOVE!

Live Simply,
Bernadette 

Dinasours and Volcanoes, Oh My!

Several weeks ago I cut a project on my Cricut Air to share with my grandson Reinor.
He's is very interested in Dinosaurs, but I decided to add Volcanoes also. CRICUT has the cutest cartridge that included both, so that made this Art project come together quickly. Create a Critter, I have to say, is one of my favorite cartridges.

Reinor worked very diligently on the perfect background for his volcano and dinosaur.

 

He was also very careful with the glue to layer all his pieces together.

Before we finished the project, we read a story about a dinosaur and watched a video about volcanoes. It was such a sweet time to spent crafting and learning with him. He's is one special little guy.

That's about it for tonight.  We are headed back to NC tomorrow  morning after our week stay in Longboat Key, Fl., so I'm off to bed. Have a great weekend and go do something you LOVE! 

LIVE SIMPLY, 

Bernadette 

Be Still and Know

Today I'm posting a Sympathy card. Thankfully, I don't have to make very many of those. I'm using a stamp from the Verve set, Scripture Medley 1 and the October 2017 sketch over at Viva La Verve. which I'll be linking it to.

The paper I used is from SU's Painted Autumn DSP. There are such pretty patterns in this series. I think I like every one of them. I used Very Vanilla for the base of my card, layered it with a leaf pattern from the DSP, embossed a piece of Garden Green CS, and stamped the sentiment with Soft Suede. The button is a retired SU product, the ribbon is some that I had in my ribbon stash and finished it off with some pearls.

That's about it for today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get to do something you LOVE!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Big Day Masculine Card

Hello from North Carolina. Just stopping by today to post a card that used the card sketch from Just Add Ink challenge. Unfrotunatly, I did miss the deadline, although I had the card completed yesterday. But, I was in need of another masculine card and I just loved the simplicity of the sketch they provided.

I'm continuing to use the Party Animal DSP a little at a time. I really love the bright colors in this paper. The products are all SU with the stamp set being from an older Sale-A-Bration. The base of the card is Emerald Envy and the sentiment was stamped in the same color.

Today is a little on the dreary side today. We have had quite a bit of rain and grey skies.  I was going to do some cleaning, but decided to stamp instead! Can anyone relate? :>}

Have a wonderful day and go do something you LOVE!

LIVE SIMPLY,
Bernadette

Wetlands Masculine Birthday

Yesterday I decided to use the goose in SU Wetlands for the second time this week. I really do love this stamps set. I always think "masculine" although, it is also great for beach scences. I'll be linking this to Seize the  Birthday today, a great blog site to keep your stash of Birthday Cards adding up.

I stamped the grass and goose in JetBlack StazOn then colored the gooses back and part of his neck in Crumbcake using the Aqua painter. The base of the card is Crumbcake. The Naturals White was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The sentiment was cut using one of the Project Life Cards and LabelsFrmelits Dies. SU Jute Twine and a button from my stash finished it off. The card is headed out to my BIL who is turning 70 in a few days. I sure hope he likes it.

That's it for today. I still need to work on some 3x3 cards that I'm giving as a thank you gift. Have a wonderful day and go do something you LOVE!

Live Simply,
Bernadett

Masculine Happy Birthday

Just a quick post today. I decided to link up to  Freshly Made Sketches since they extended  their weekly sketch challenge. Why not stop by and check out all the lovely cards.

*All the products used on this card are retired SU products , except the blue patterned paper which is Party Animal DSP and the solid papers.

I'm off to start on another card and some gift cards that I need for this weekend. Have a wonderful evening and go do something you LOVE.

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Masculine Happy Birthday

Just finishing up a card today for one on my SIL's. I chose to use the Freshly Made Sketches #306 sketch which stirred up my creative side. I will also be adding this to Seize the Birthday for their weekly challenge. These are two great challenge sights, each with a talented crew of card makers. Why not stop buy and check them out.

I'm continuing to use SU Party Animal DSP as I continue my journey designing cards for my SIL's and grandsons. I used a stamp from one of my older Paper Pumpkin Kits, the Banner Triple punch, and Banners Framelits Dies. The card was pretty simple to put together once I decided on the paper and stamp set. This is a great all around sketch I probably will use again.

Y'all have a blessed and great weekend. Now go do something you love!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

They Say It's Your Birthday

I'm here today with a card I made for one of my sons for his upcoming birthday. I just received my paper shares last week and chose to use one from the SU Spooky Nights DSP. I  layered the dsp on a Very Vanilla base and SU Pumpkin Pie. A greeting from the stamp set, Suite Sayings, one of the trees from Totally Trees , Paper Studios embossing folder, a retired button and some burlap ribbon finished up the card.

I will be linking this over on Viva la Verve for their September sketch challenge. I really enjoy their sketches. They seem to really challenge my creativity.

Have a great evening, enjoy tomorrow and go do something you LOVE!

LIVE SIMPLY,
Bernadette 

Celebrate You

I worked on this card today for CSA on Sunday for my older Granddaughters birthday at the end of the month. I'm not sure if it fills their requirements to make it CAS, but hopefully it will.

This is the first time in a very long,long time that I colored in a stamped image. I always get anxious about doing it, but this time I decided to keep working at it. Okay, it took me 4 X's of re stamping and coloring to get it correct! I used one of the floral stamps from a older SU Hostess set, Blooming with Hope. I just love this set and probably won't be letting it go anytime soon. I stamped the image in StazOn then used an Aqua painter dipped in the Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry ink to color in the petals and center.

To finish off the card, I adhered the floral piece to a strip of Crushed Curry. That was added to a embossed panel, then to the main card. I used two ovals. One cut from the Ovals Collection and the sentiment from Suit Sayings cut with the Stitched Shaped Framelits.

Well, that's about it for this Saturday. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend and go do something you LOVE!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Happy Big Day/Holiday Share Package

The first thing I'm sharing today is another birthday card I made several days ago. I wanted to play around with the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set, which I haven't inked up in a long,Mint Macaron and adding a secondary color. I've always liked Gorgeous Grunge and searched Pintrest for some ideas. This is adaptation of the one I was drawn to.

I went back and forth with the card stock colors, but finally decided on Daffodil Delight. So Saffron would have also worked, but I like the softer yellow. The Chalk Talk stamp worked perfectly in the area a wanted to use it. Another sstamp set I really like and used very little. My next challenge is deciding if this card would be an appropriate masculine card. What are your thoughts? I would love to hear from you.

I was doing the HAPPY DANCE on Wednesday after receiving my paper share/goodies from the Holiday Catalog! I love working with Linda Heller from Stamping School. She is always so kind and has the deliveries out quickly. Thanks Linda.

That's it for today's post.  I'm off to work on another birthday card. Have a wonderful weekend and please go do something you LOVE!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Happy Birthday To You

Here is my second attempt at using this paper, but with a different layout. I'm liking this card a lot better then the
one I posted yesterday. I probably will change out that one. There is no sense wasting a much needed birthday card.

Product: Birthday Bouquet DSP, Flower Shop Stamp Set and Pansy Punch, Sizzlets Leaves, Stitched Shapes Framlits, Ink Watermelon Wonder (I stamped off so it wasn't so dark and bright) The stamp is one from a Paper Pumpkin Kit.

I'll be linking this to Seize the Birthday . Make sure you stop over to see the great cards that have been posted. Have a great evening and as always, go do something you LOVE!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Happy Birthday

Just a quick card tonight. I wanted to link it to the Freshly Made Sketch #304 before tomorrows deadline. I have been watching the updates for Hurricane Irma all day, so my focus has been off.  I'm not sure if I'm truly liking this card, though. I did decide I would just enter it. Sometime during this week I hope to get a chance to redesign it.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. My daughter is riding out the storm in Sarasota, FL and hopes to be back to NC by Wednesday. She has been keeping us informed how things are progressing. The most recent report was about 8pm saying they had just lost power.  Thankfully she is not close to the waterways, so storm surge will not be an issue.

**Sorry that I don't have any product information for you on this project. Sometime this week I'll add it to this post.**

Have a great week and I hope you plan to do something you love.

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Masculine Happy Birthday

I'm back again today using the Viva la Verve Sketch  for August and also linking to Seize the Birthday.  As I am still working on my  birthday cards for the Big men and Little men in my life thought these 2 challenges would add to that. When I came across these left over SU papers and I knew one of my SIL's would love the theme.

Products used: Ret. SU papers, SU card stock, Star Embossing Folder (SU ret.) SU Stitched Shapes Framelits, SU Chey Cobbler ink, twine.

That is about it for me today. I'm not sure if  I'll be able to card make tomorrow.  The contractors are coming back to finish the dry wall project. It causes quite a mess with the dust and since my craft area is right above it in an alcove, it would be difficult to work. Oh well, there will be other days.

Go do something you love and...

Live Simply,

Bernadette

Boys Will be Boys Birthday

Hello All! I didn't get to make a card over the weekend that I thought I might, but I was able to today. This will be linked to Seize the Birthday for their recent challenge.

I'm working through my list of Grandsons right now. There are 6 of them and this is card number 2. Of course, I also have 3 sons and 3 son-in-laws I'll need to get started on sometime soon. I guess slow and steady will win the race if I keep at it!

The products: SU card stock, Party Animal DSP, Boys Will Be Boys stamp (ret.), SU stitched shapes framelits, circle die.

That's about it for today.  I'm off to start supper and just call it a day. Have a restful Tuesday evening and if you have a chance, go do something you love whatever it is!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Happy Birthday

Here's another card I completed today using the Party Animal DSP by SU.  I'll be putting this into my Birthday card file for my grandsons upcoming birthdays.

I also decided to link it to the Seize the Birthday challenge site. Hopefully, I'll continue to link to it weekly. All of us seem to need birthday cards on a regular basis and what better way to add to that stash by making one each week.

**All the products used on this card are from Stampin' Up!

I need to get my crafting area cleaned up.  I don't think it's been quite this messy in a long, long time!

That's it for the this today. I hope to get some card making done this weekend. We'll see how it goes.

Go do something you love...

Live Simply,
Bernadette

So Sorry

I'm back today with a card for the Freshly Made Sketch challenge.  I made this for a young niece of ours who has been battling some blood clots. She's been a real trooper, but I thought I would continue to encourage her and let her know we are praying for her.

**I'm not sure why the layered panel came out wonky under the sentiment. When I was cutting it, it appeared fine. Oh well, I'm going with it. Although I have been back to card making for more then a month, I'm finding it a struggle to produce cards easily. I'm not sure if it is the long hiatus I took, the lack of up to date product, or I just am not as creative as I once felt I was.

I will give it another couple of months and evaluate my progress and see if I have to move to another creative outlet. Anyone else go through these periods of creativity?


Products used: Paper by Scribble Scrabble, SU Baked Brown Sugar and Mint Macaron ink , SU Baked Brown Sugar paper, SU Thoughts and Prayers, So Sorry, Copper Dots.

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend, enjoy your family and go do something you love!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Have Your Cake

Today I'm posting a card for the Case on Friday Birthday card challenge. This type of card is always difficult for me. I just want to keep adding layers, It takes me a little longer then usual and I struggle walking through it, but eventually produce something I'm happy with.

The products: stamp set is from an older Paper Pumpkin,the patterned paper is the Party Animal DSP, the base is SU Tangerine Tango, and ink and dots are Pacific Point by SU.

I'm hoping to get another challenge card done by Friday, but I'm not sure which one. Have a wonderful day and go do something you love.

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Big Day

Today quieted down after 9 AM this morning. My daughter, granddaughter and great grandaughter headed out to VA. The family, 19 of us, had a early lunch at our home yesterday. We talked, laughed  and enjoyed watchiung the cousins interact. It was a full, busy, fun day.

Tonight I headed to my crafting space to complete a card I started several days ago to link to the Freshly Made Sketches site. This was my first card using the Party Animal Designer Series Paper. It's so bright and fun.  I used Crushed Curry for the base  Emerald Envy for the grounding level. I finished off with a stamp from the SU Sale-A-Bration set, Big Day stamped with Crushed Curry. I used the stitched Oval die to cut around the sentiment and then added some enamel dots.

I hope you had a wonderful and full weekend. Enjoy your Monday and go do something you love!

Live Simply,
Bernnadette

Oh Taste and See

Last night I had a chance to finally work on a card for a Card Challenge.  I can't remember the last time I have done that. Sad but true. This card is for the Viva la Verve August Sketch Challenge. It was so nice to hear that Julee and her creative team will be getting back on a regular schedule again soon.

This card is pretty simple. I incorporated just a few layers and some dots to finish it. After I had completed adhering everything down, I thought I should have added some pink ribbon. Ugh, I hate those after thoughts, don't you?

Almost everything on the card is from my "older" stash. The solid papers are by Bazzill and SU, the patterned strips are from paper by Bo Bunny, dots and ink are SU, and so is the round stitched framelite piece.  I used a 2014 Scripture Verve stamp that I have a special person in mind to send it to. I love using the scripture stamps by Verve. They not only have beautiful fonts and a great variety of scripture verses to choose from but, stamp so crisp.

That's it for today for posting. I just finished cleaning my house and doing some wash. I might have and hour or so to start another card for another challenge if I don't take a nap first! Have a great remainder of your day and go do something you love!

Live Simply,
Bernadette

Blissful Acres News

Life has been busy around here, but a good busy. We have had family in, a big family meal, babysat my 2 grandsons, and went to Lynchburg, VA to visit my son and his family.  Besides all that, we are having our entry wall repaired. Not so much fun, but it needed to be done.

This project has caused lots of dust and noise.  My crafting area is right above this on a second floor open alcove. Unfortunately,  crafting is not optimum right now. Tomorrow the dry wall guys and painters come in. Then flooring and woodwork contractors the following day.  It will be so good to have this project all done!

Couldn't get us all in.

Our neighbor told the boys they could play on her lawn while the sprinkler was running.  Of course they took her up on it!

Kate and Evan enjoying Sunday breakfast.

Kempton and Renior had a sleepover and bug exploration at the Lake Benson Park. And what a beautiful park it was. The boys did use the playground but wanted to ride their scooters and explore the lake more.

This weekend my daughter, grand daughter and great Grandaughter will be here. The local families are beyond excited.  This will be their first time meeting little Lorelai. I'm sure we will all be demanding to hold and love on her.

That's it for the update in the life of the Bliss Bunch here at Blissful Acres. I hope to have a few challenge cards done this week,  but time and mess might win out. Have a great week and go do something you love.

Live Simply, 

Bernadette