To Those Who Inspire Us

Hello stampers!  We made it through another Monday and we're on to Tuesday!  And you all know what Tuesday's bring...an all new Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge.  This week we have a fun sketch for you to play along with.  I cant wait to see all of the beautiful creations you share with us!
Our Women's Ministry is full of amazing women that are constantly inspiring me in one way or another.  These women, along with this weeks sketch, helped inspire today's card.  If you haven't earned the Sale-a-Bration stamp set Part of My Story, it is one you must have for your collection.  The sentiments are the best!  Just a few more days left of Sale-a-Bration...don't miss out!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, Whisper White, Silver Foil

Ink ~ Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party

Stamp Set ~ Part of My Story

Other Supplies ~ Cross of Hope Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Wooden Butterfly Elements, Iridescent Sequins, Coastal Caban/Granny Apple Green Reversible Ribbon, Duet Banner Punch

There are so many inspiring people in our world!  I absolutely love this sentiment!  I fussy cut "Who Inspire Us" and used the Duet Banner Punch to cut out "Here's To Those".  Fussy cutting sentiments is one of my favorite techniques...it's like creating a whole new image!

Baseball season is in full swing {pun intended} so my stamping and blogging time is so very limited.  I miss my time in my craft room, but being out at the ball fields watching my boys play is what I live for.  These years fly way far too fast and will be over before I know it!  So, if you don't hear as much from me over the next couple of months, you'll know why. 

Happy Stamping!

A Friend is Thinking of You ~ Monday Montage

Welcome back to Monday Montage!!!  We have another fabulous hop in store for you this week!  Make sure you click on the links below so you don't miss any of the creations...we promise you will love them all! 
I've said it before and I'll probably to continue to say it as long as I'm stamping...my creative time is my therapy time.  Whether it's taking a bit of time in the early morning hours before my house wakes up or some quiet moments in the evenings or, if i'm lucky enough, a few hours over the weekend, time spent in my craft room is often times a therapy session for me.  More often than not, my cards are created based off of my current state of mind, which was the case with today's card.  Exactly one year ago, my boys suffered the unexpected loss of one of their classmates, who was also the sister of one of their friends.  Even today, a year later, it is hard to put in to words how much my heart hurts for their family and everyone else who were effected by her passing.  I can't even begin to imagine the heartache they feel each and every day, but I pray that it becomes a little less with each passing day.  While their family is on my mind almost daily, they especially are today.  I choose yellow for the roses in hope of spreading warm feelings and friendship for all of those who will be missing her today.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Whisper White, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover, Botanical Butterfly DSP

Ink ~ VersaMark, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover

Stamp Sets ~ Petal Palette, Part of My Story

Other Supplies ~ Petals & More Thinlits, Black/Silver 1/4" Striped Metallic Ribbon, Well Written Framelits, Subtle Embossing Folder, Layered Leaves Embossing Folder

I LOVE all of the sentiments in the Part of My Story stamp set!  And being able to coordinate the Well Written Framelits with this particular sentiment just made me happy!

Next stop on the hop is my friend Cathy...I always love all of her awesome creations! Or if you want to hop backwards, you can hop on backwards to the amazingly talented Amy...her stamping style is amazing!  Thanks you for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

We've added links to all of our home pages as well so you can hop along in any order you'd like!

Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts

Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs

Charlet Mallett - Painted Orange

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run

Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations

Chosen Family

Hi Stampers!

Mr. Groundhog is proving to be a big, fluffy liar this year!  Just a few days after predicting an early spring, we have been hit with below freezing temps and SNOW!  Snow in February...GROSS!  I am so ready for the cold, gray weather to go away and the warm, sunny days to come back.  On top of the yucky weather, I'm home with a sick kiddo today :-(  While he's laying low, watching some of his favorite shows, I'm enjoying a little quiet time in my craft room!  I'll take it!

While I wait out our winter weather, I'll make the best of it with some spring-like creations.  Inspired by the amazing Artisan Design Team Member, Jennifer Picard, I cased her beautiful card using the Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Part Of My Story.  I love all of the sentiments in this set, especially the You're My Chosen Family stamp.  This sentiment is so true for so many special people in my life!  Stampin' Up! gave us some awesome products in this years Sale-A-Bration catalog, many of which I have used on today's card.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Petal Pink, Lemon Lime Twist, Botanical Butterfly DSP

Ink ~ Memento, Petal Pink

Stamp Sets ~ Butterfly Gala, Part of My Story

Other Supplies ~ Butterfly Elements, Starburst Punch, Animal Friends Thinlits, Share What You Love Artisan Pearls, Gold Metallic Thread, Butterfly Duet Punch

This card is going out to my best friend, Erica, who moved away to Texas a few months ago.  She may not be related by blood, but she is most definitely my chosen family...my sister, who I miss so much!  I'm counting down the days until I get to see her in July!

I've got a little time left before I have to go pick up my older boys from school.  I think I'll have just enough time to squeeze in another card or two.  While I don't like any of my kids being sick, having a day off at home in the middle of the week isn't too bad. 

Happy Stamping!