Color Inspiration 46; Card Patterns #7 & Use It

I'm still muddling through my creativity.
I know we all get in these slumps from time-to-time
& it seems that during these times
is when I have the best ideas.
I just can't seem to get them to come together.
I can't tell you how many cards
I've made in the past week that will never be seen:)
It's all part of the process......I'm sure.
But through it all,
I did make 2 cards, I'm somewhat okay with.
The first is my take on the latest Color Inspiration challenge.
I'm enjoying these challenges for 1 simple reason:
STAMPING!
I have more stamps than a person has a right to
& they are sadly neglected.
So, these challenges make me use them.
NOT that I have to use them,
but I choose to & I'm glad.
For this card, I used a flower stamp by October Afternoon
paired w/some watermark ink & holographic embossing powder.
The sentiment is even stamped in a Hero Arts "soft pink"
though it probably looks white,
& the DMC floss is a light pink color.
I know it's nothing great,
but I used some stamps I've never used
& that's what counts......to me, at least:)

My 2nd card is based off 2 challenges:
Card Patterns #7 sketch
& Use It's #3 challenge.
The Use It challenge was to use:
eyelets, which I did on my "berry bush:)"
polka dots, which I did on my green border paper
something more than 1 year old, which my AC stickers qualify

So, that's all I have.
Girls were home from school today
for teacher planning day
but the weather has been overcast
& extremely windy.
Maybe I'll work on some layouts?

Color Inspiration 45 & a Guest Designer Spot

So Sketchy is looking for an April Guest Designer.
Is this something you think you'd be interested in?
Then go here to get all the details.
If you've never seen Allison's sketches,
take the time to browse them,
as she's very talented.
She offers 12x12, 8.5x11 & card sketches.
Check out this post to see some layouts & a card
I recently did using some of Allison's sketches.
Today I did the Color Inspiration 45 challenge.
Such a classic color combo that I adore,
but I HAD to add a splash of color.

FCAT is finally over
& we're thrilled!!
Ashlyn feels she did really well
& I'm sure she did.
We're proud of how hard she worked.
The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous
& it's definitely getting closer to beach/tanning weather!!
Maybe I'll wash my truck this weekend?
Or not:)

I never claimed to be a stamper....

I was reading Lea's blog one day
& she brought up something I had noticed,
but had never really given a term to:
there are 2 types of cardmakers;
stampers & scrappers.
I fall in the latter & am fine with that.
But, when I decided to tackle the Color Inspiration Challenge #44
& mix it with the current 2Sketches 4 U - Kazan #21 sketch,
I challenged myself to use stamps only
& no patterned paper.
I realize stampers use patterned paper too,
but I have seen so many gorgeous cards
created with nothing but cardstock & stamps.
It always amazes me how beautiful these cards are with so few supplies.
And if a stamper saw my stamp stash,
they would probably cry to see them so neglected.
So, before you see my card,
I only ask that you be gentle.
It's simple & very amateur,
but I have to work at getting better at this thing called stamping:)
So, here it is............"grow,"
& aptly name, I might add!!
And there I go with the derned butterflies again!!

Every month when I get my copy of Scrapbooks Etc.,
I lovingly browse each page & am completely inspired.
And, every month I say I'm going to go through the magazine
& scraplift every layout I find inspiring.
I never do it though,
until this past weekend.
I went upstairs & got busy.
I was pleased to get 4 layouts done that day.
I'm not above scraplifting....
it's refreshing, I feel good about getting so much done
& I love that others inspire me with their work.
So, the first 3 layouts were from March's issue,
with the first being a "loose" interpretation
but the other 2 being almost identical scraplifts.

This last one was taken from Simple Scrapbooks.
I used to be a very clean, line scrapper
& I love to go back to that every now & again.
I had taken this picture 2-years ago
& today, I miss these tennis shoes.
Why?
Because my 4-year old won't wear tennis shoes!!

And,
I'm so excited because my mil is getting the girls around 5:00 this evening.
So, I'll be able to scrap until about 9:30.
THEN, my parents are getting them tomorrow
to plant their Spring garden,
which means I'll have most of the day to myself again!!
I don't even know where to begin with all I can get done,
but I kinda want to take the time for "me."
So, we'll see what happens.
I hope your weekend is as beautiful as mine will be.

Color Inspiration #43

I bet some of you are saying,
"Thank goodness it's Friday?"
Since I'm a SAHM,
I especially love Fridays
because I don't have to be up early on Saturdays.
Ashlyn is having a sleep-over tonight
& we're going out to dinner w/friends Sat night.
It's going to be a good weekend,
despite the rain & cold we're supposed to get.

I haven't done much scrapping the latter part of this week.
I've been too tired & my mojo went south.
Having said that,
Below is my take on the Color Inspiration #43

This is actually my 2nd card
because I don't like my first one
& will have to make some changes.
I used SEI's Oasis line of papers,
& they really are some gorgeous papers.
It might be hard to see,
but there are some blue stripes
& blue mixed in where the sentiment sits.
I also moved the word "with,"
as I didn't like where I placed it:)

I'm off to play with some new stamps now.
Stamping is definitely not my forte,
but it's something I need to work at it.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Color Inspiration #42

How did this hump-day find you?
Well.......................I hope.
Seems we weren't quite over the sickness.
Poor Camryn woke this morning with 102 fever
AGAIN
and she's complaining of her stomach hurting.
She was fine Sunday - Tuesday,
or so we thought?
Fortunately, she only had a 1/2 day at school today
& she's out of school the next 2 days for teacher conferences.
So, she's not missing any school
& can stay home & snuggle with me:)
The weather is yucky again
no sun, windy & a bad storm headed our way.
So, I've settled in to do some scrapping
in between taking care of biscuit-butt.
Here's my take on the Color Inspiration #42.
The first thing I thought of when I saw the colors
was Crate Paper!! I realize the colors may look a tad off,
but they match up pretty well with the challenge.

I'm really enjoying the color challenges,
& need to utilize them on layouts too.
My idea behind this card was to think of things
friends would do when they are together.
So, this K&Co playing card reminded me of that
but the card is "growing" on me.
Still not sure I like it, but it's finished.

I hope you're staying warm & well
wherever you are today.
Have a blessed day & thanks for visiting me.

Color Inspiration #41

How is everyone's week going?
Mine is good,
though I'm ready for a sick-free week.
Ashlyn went back to school on Tuesday,
and Camryn woke this morning with a fever.
Poor girl!!
Her class had their Valentine's Day party
& she was so excited about it.
As an early Valentine gift,
I bought the girls "petite" fake finger nails:)
Her little hand looks so sweet with them on
& she wanted to show her teachers.
Instead, she spent the morning with good ole' mom!!
In between taking care of sick baby,
I did a few design team assignments,
& made a card for Color Inspiration #41.
I loved this color combination
& opted not to do a Valentine theme.
I have too many of those cards already!!
The card does not have any "black specks" on it.
I've resorted to using a window sill for lighting
& the dirt from the window is reflecting on the card:)

Welp, off to do some 3rd grade homework.
Have a blessed day!

CPS 101 & Color Inspiration 40

Helping Ashlyn with her Valentine cards for school.
She opted to make them instead of buy them.
So, I borrowed some Cricut cartridges from a sweet friend
& she's crafting away:)
In the meantime, I did the current CPS 101 sketch.
I also incorporated Color Inspiration 40.
I've always wanted to do these color challenges,
but never took the time.
Is it ironic these colors match Making Memories Chloe's Closet?
Did I see you cringe:)

Wish I had bought more of this ribbon too!

So, not sure what we've got planned for the weekend,
but I hope yours is filled with fun.