SU Thinking of You and Sympathy Card

Today I have 2 cards using Stampin' Up! products. I've been real negligent for not utilizing them. And believe me, I have many to chose from probably like most of you reading this post.

 I feel by not carving out time to craft , I've sabatoged myself of my creative ability. You know the saying, use it or lose it. It seems I  get overwhelmed trying to decide on colors, layout, and stamps. Then give up and walk away.

When I was crafting on a more consitent basis, I found my inspiration by entering challenges or casing cards. A really simple solution to move ahead. But I've not taken advantage of that simple solution. Yes, I am more involved with my family since I am back East, but it's certainly not everyday. I guess I just need TO DO the suggestions I gave myself to move forward.

Well that's enough for my self help session! Thanks for listening.  If you have ways that motivate you when you've lost your creative mojo, please write and let me know. I would love to hear from you. Okay, now on to the cards.

Sympathy cards are always sad cards to make, but I needed one so I got to work. I do believe this was a CASE card, but unfortunately I don't know the creator. Sorry. Since I haven't keep up much on SU retired products, I'll just list what I used.

• So Sorry stamp set
• Butterfly Basic stamp set for flower
• Bermuda Bay ink and paper
• Very Vanilla CS
• Timeless Elegance DSP
• Soft Suede CS for base
• Banner Triple Punch

This card is for a friend of mine who is bravely fighting cancer. I have been trying to send a card even couple of months to let her know I care.

• Thoughts and Prayer stamp set
• Very Vanilla CS
• Crumb Cake CS
• Assorted  Enamel dots
• The embossing folder is by SU, but I don't know the name of it.

That's my post for today. I hope you enjoy your weekend and do something you love!

Crafty Hugs,

BernieBee 

Back and Ready to Create!

Well hello everyone! I hope 2016 is treating you well so far.

I've been MIA since December 16th! It's hard to believe that it has been that long. Below is an explanation for my absence and some photos. I'll try to make it short. :0)

I did get involved with finishing up Christmas Holiday cards and mailing extra packages before I was off for Boise on the 24th. We had a wonderful time visiting my oldest son and his family, but boy was Boise, ID COLD!!! I don't think it got above 18 degrees while we there.  My hubby and I headed out on December 30th. (insert sad face) and celebrated a quiet New Year in San Marcos at home.

But, the major reason for the absence was that I participated in fast. For the past 10 years I have started my New Year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. I was introduced to this at our church in North Carolina and have continued every year since. Our church here in S California also starts the new year the same way.  As I was seeking the Lord on how I would approach the fast this year, I felt I was to forgo my card making and Blog entries.( although, I made several cards to send to family members which I'll post here.) This would allow me more time to seek the Lord for His direction and wisdom for certain decisions I needed to make. I also included a Jewish Fast, which only included breakfast, dinner and skipping certain foods. I must say, it was a refreshing time and I have definitely have seen a difference in my walk with the Lord and answered prayer.

Birthday Cards

Here are the two Birthday cards I recently made. The one below was for my good friend and the other for one of my daughters.

On both cards I used SU's new DSP, Birthday Bouquet.  The cards were CASEd from  Stampin' Up. The one above from the new Occasions catalog and the tag card from an older Stampin Success.

Below are few photos taken during our Christmas holiday in Idaho

Snow for Christmas morning

My beautiful DIL, Susan and GD Esther

Amelia decided to make herself comfortable in the trunk

My son, Ross playing his fiddle for us

Esther testing out her new skates at the local rink

Well, that's about it for today's post.  I hope to be back "up and running" tomorrow playing along with some sketch and color challenge blogs.

Crafty Hugs,

BernieB

*Stamps: Flower Patch, Bloom with Hope, Butterfly Basics, Flower Fair Framelits Dies

Thank You / CASEing the Catty

Good morning! I had a chance to work on a card last night before heading to bed and finished it up this morning.  I wanted to play along with CASEing-the-Catty Challenge#35 and saw a card in the new catalog on page 16 that I really fell in love with.  I'm not sure why I like it, but I do and knew I would CASE it for this challenge.

I did switch up things just a wee bit using Lots of Thanks stamp set (ret.) for the sentiment. Since I  only have the new in color, Mint Macaron in marker form, and it didn't cover the floral stamp from Butterfly Basics as well, I used Pistachio Pudding ink. Lacking the Blossoms Accents, I punched a small flower from the same color paper with the Boho Blossoms punch. (ret.). Those sweet little floral accents might need to be added to my next order. :}

That's about all the playing I can do today. I'm off to do some grocery shopping and some other errands. I hope you can get to do something  CRAFTY today.

Have a blessed Tuesday!
Hugs,
Bernie Bee

Mojo388/ctd#333 Birthday Card

Now this is a very unusual occurrence. Two cards posted in ONE day! Today my mojo was just working and I was able to get this card finished earlier then I thought I would. I will be linking the completed card to the  MOJO 388 challenge combined with Color Throwdown #333 .

Yes, I know, another butterfly and more purple. I did mention I loved this new die and the color purple. I couldn't help myself and besides, the colors were part of the ctd color challenge. ;0)

After taking some time deciding on a background for this card, my final decision was just to go with the Coordination's paper without embossing or sanding it. It has just enough texture to add interest and keep it simple. The green in the photo is showing up much darker then it is. It's actually Pear Pizzazz, which is a softer green then what appears in the photo.  

Some things you might want to know:
I used the Naturals White card stock again and the Butterfly Basics stamp with matching Thinlits. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes  stamped with Pear Pizzazz ink added to a 1 3/8" circle and pierced using the circle in the Essentials pack.

That's about it.  I do have paper and stamps laying on my desk calling my name. Gosh, I might even get another card done and posted.  Well maybe created, but I doubt posted until probably tomorrow.

Make it a wonderful Thursday evening and I hope you can do something CRAFTY...

Hugs,
BernieBee