Neutrals and Gingham

My goodness, I have had a busy week! With all the organizing of the Stamp Review Crew, work, and getting some much needed de-cluttering of a couple of rooms done, I have barely had time to even think about stamping! My son and his wife came over last night and we had a good time talking and laughing. And today we went looking at new living room furniture. Ummm, maybe we'll wait a little longer!

I was glad to find a couple of challenges that inspired me right off the bat this evening though! This is an interesting color challenge from Nacho Average Challenges. I wouldn't usually use browns and black together!

The Friday Mashup challenge this week was to use gingham, or kraft, or both! It tied right in with the other challenge!

That gingham was made using Basic Black Core'dinations paper, embossing it in both directions with the Stripes embossing folder, then sanding it. It turned out just as I envisioned it! Yes, I used the same image combination earlier this week, but I think it deserved repeating ;) I did discover that I need to get a new Basic Black ink pad though. I have the old style pad (dried out) and the new style ink. They are not compatible! Stazon to the rescue!

• Stamps: Lots of Thanks, Harvest of Thanks, Everything Eleanor
• Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Jet Black Stazon
• Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Basic Black Core'dinations, Whisper White
• Other: Big Shot with Apothecary Accents and Ovals framelits and Stripes embossing folder, sanding block, 1" Swuare punch, Naturals ribbon, dimensionals, sewing machine and thread

And look Ma! No white gel pen! Oh, wait. I used it on the inside...

I really am addicted to that white gel pen ;) The inside is not naked either. I stamped part way off the card stock with the "many thanks" image in the lower right corner.

All right. I need to head to bed. We are cooking our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. Too many shift workers in our family to get together on Thursday. The ham and turkey breast are int he fridge, and the veggies are all waiting for me in the morning. I plan on getting some more stamping done tomorrow afternoon. I need to get a few projects done, including the ones for the hop on December 2nd! Don't forget to come and check it out :)

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Cakey Birthday

You may have noticed that I have been participating in more challenges lately. There are several reasons for this, including just wanting new inspiration. I feel like becoming more a part of the on-line community. When I left Red Lake Hospital to work closer to home in Bemidji, I lost my group of stampers that would meet with me once a month. Our schedules just did not mesh anymore. Plus, I couldn't look at the schedule anymore and try to find an evening that worked for most if not all of the group :) I have been missing that kind of interaction. And frankly, I have not found a new group yet. I hope to soon. This is not at all about sales for me, although it doesn't hurt :) It is about the socialization factor. Those of you who are reading this post are most likely crafters too. You know what it is like to get a group of people together working on crafts. And talking, and laughing, and sharing the stories of our lives. I really miss that. So, now all of you blog readers out there have become my "group of ladies" to share with. I appreciate any and all who come visit my blog and read my silly stories, and comment on my posts. They make me smile and feel some of the connections I felt with my friends... and I thank you! OK, now on to the stamping! That's what brings you here anyway :)

I used 2 challenges for this card. The Friday Mashup challenge was a theme and/or color challenge. I hit both! The color combo was Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Going Gray, and Smokey Slate. The theme was cake :)

And a sketch from Retro Sketches. They always have great sketches there :)

I was inspired also by Heidi Baks card with the cascading dots. I used a variety of circle stamps from my stash to create that background. It took more time than I thought it would!
Incidentally, this ended up being Charlene's birthday card, cause it was special enough to send to my girl :)

I stamped a little cake in the inside of the card also. You can never have enough cake. This color combo surprised me in how much I enjoyed creating with it. I will have another card to share with you later with the same colors.. I have the main image colored and matted, sitting on my desk waiting for layout inspiration :)

Now, this picture is 2 years old (Geoffrey has put on more muscle and his curly hair has grown back), but it was too late in the evening for me to grab a picture of Geoffrey (now 17) on Friday night when he wore this chainmaille shirt again. He went to a Halloween dance at school, and won a prize for best costume! Geoffrey and Dakota made this shirt. They bought a roll of 14 gauge steel wire, coiled, cut, and linked the circles together to make this shirt all by hand. Dakota has since made and sold 2 of these custom made shirts. They have both made and sold countless bracelets, key chains, and chainmaille cross necklaces. It is pretty cool to see your kids develop a specialized craft :) Proud mama here!

Supplies:

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