The {Stamps} of Life July Release

Can you believe it is July 1st? Wow, where has this year gone! Sharing some cards I did with the new July release by The {Stamps} of Life. It is a fun set with lots of possibilities called "crayons2stamp." Here's four fast and easy cards I did with it.



I've had my Mini Cooper for three weeks. Have had some problems with the driver's side window not going down. (You should have seen me pull up at the drive-in window at the bank. Could not get it to go down, so had to drive on. My face matched the car. Wink.) I'm getting it fixed though so everything is good (unless the motor falls out). :) I still haven't taken a picture of "Minnie." It's so hot here that going outside to do anything is awful. It's so bad I'm wishing I had not planted all those flowers that HAVE to be watered everyday. I come in and nearly have to "cut" my clothes off cause they're wet. (Isn't that a pretty picture?)

Runway Inspired Challenge #13

Runway Inspired Challenge #13 drew my attention because of the bright houndstooth patterns. When I remembered a houndstooth butterfly stamp by Unity Stamp Company I knew I had to "play" along. ;) I heat embossed the butterfly images plus sentiments with black embossing powder on bright colored cardstock by Diecuts With A View. The bright pearls are new ones by Doodlebug Design. I have fallen in love with heat embossing all over again. I never used to do much because I kept my heat gun stuck away in a drawer (across the room). I would "think" of embossing but it was always a lot of trouble getting up, finding the embossing gun, plugging it in, etc. By the time I did all that, I could have already stamped the image. Then a few weeks ago, it hit me....why didn't I keep the heat gun plugged in and sitting on my work table? Such an elementary concept but one I had not thought of before (probably because of the "neat freak" in me). :) Now all I have to do is reach for it...I still have to get up for the embossing powders but hey, I need to exercise ever once in a while (wink). :) Course it created another problem, now I want more colors of embossing powders (as if I need an excuse to shop). :)

If you have been keeping up with my Mini Cooper "adventure", then cross your fingers, toes and eyes (ouch) for delivery today. Yep, it's possible I might have it by late this afternoon. If not, then definitely in the morning (course when I typed definitely, I shook my head). When I finally get it, I'll take a picture and post on the blog....just to prove to you AND MYSELF I got it. Wink. :) Then wave at all red Mini Coopers you see, cause it might be ME. :)

Friend Cards

Have a card that fits two blog challenge sites today. Casual Friday's new challenge is called "Sweet Spots." Love this challenge as you get to use polka dots (one of my favorite things). Stampin' for the Weekend has a "bugs and butterflies" challenge which if you know me, I am a butterfly "collector" (in stamps and crafty goodness anyway).
I used clear cut shapes by Little Yellow Bicycle for my images. The sentiment stamp is by Hero Arts. I created the large polka dots with my Sizzix eClips (cardstock by Diecuts With A View). Fast and simple is my motto (especially in summer when I want to be outside reading, swimming, etc.)


I also did a card for the PaperPlay Challenge of "Back to Kraft Basics." This card has kraft cardstock by The Paper Company and patterned papers by Diecuts With A View (also the clear sentiment sticker). The stamps are by Hampton Art and were heat embossed with black embossing powder (and then colored with a Copic marker). Easy peasy.

If you have been keeping up with my mini cooper adventure, I finally have a date (maybe) when I will get it. The dealer called yesterday and it's going be delivered to my house late Monday afternoon OR Tuesday morning. I don't usually want the weekend to speed up but this one is already going too slow. Wink. :) So remember if you see a red mini cooper (jerking or stalling....cause it is a manual/straight shift and I'm "rusty"), don't forget to wave.
Oh and if I am on a hill, don't get too close....cause I might roll backwards....just kidding....maybe. :)

Wonderful World Card

Market Street Stamps is having a block party with the chance to win some goodies. :) Here is my card I made using their stamps. If you haven't checked them out, then you are missing out on some really fun images. The set I used is called "It Takes Love." The patterned papers are by We R Memory Keepers. The silk flowers are by Bazzill and the felt flowers are by American Crafts (topped with button brads by Karen Foster). Fast and easy which is the best kind in summer when school is out, books to be read on the front porch and pretty flowers waiting to be watered. :)

Went to pick up my "new" red mini cooper Wednesday afternoon after some delays with the window getting fixed. The dealer had it all clean and waxed and looking oh so good. My hubby wanted to drive it home to "check" it out (and being the good wife I am, I "let" him...wink). So I am following him down the highway grinning from ear to ear looking at the cute car in front of me (thinking the whole time, I can't believe I bought it and it is MINE). :) We have gone nearly 30 miles and hubby pulls over. I think to myself, "how sweet, he is going to let me drive the remaining 30 miles home."
Instead I hear, "the window (driver's side) won't go up or down." SO we turn around and drive back to the dealer where we have to leave my "new" red mini cooper and I don't have it yet! (Insert hysterical sobbing here....wink). :) They are going to deliver it to my house when the problem is fixed....maybe today, maybe tomorrow, or maybe who knows! Grrrrrr. This waiting is agony I tell ya. :)

Call Me Anytime Card

I have a fast and easy card for you today that fits two blog challenge sites. Casual Friday's challenge is "put a bling on it." I used glittered red cardstock by Diecuts With A View and one red rhinestone for my bling. The challenge at Cupcake Crafts is called "tags, you're it" which is to have a tag on your creation. I used a Sizzix Framelit to create my tag. The stamp is by Unity Stamp Company and the ribbon was found at Hobby Lobby.

I hope your week is going well. I'm excited today as I get to pick up my "new" red Mini Cooper. I've been looking at them a while and last week found a good deal on a used one. This is also the first car I've ever bought myself with "my" money. This one has a manual transmission. My first car when I was sixteen was a red MG convertible my dad bought. It was a manual transmission with the first gear stripped so I had to start off in second gear everytime (which made for thrilling starts....plus the heater and radio didn't work). But I loved that car and boy did I look "good" in it (course I was sixteen too....wink). :) So if you see a red Mini Cooper zipping down the highway, wave big cause it just might be me. :)

Body and Mind Birthday Card

Sharing a fun birthday card I did for three challenge blogs. I used the sketch at Papertake Weekly for the design. Casual Friday's challenge was to use designer papers on a masculine card. The Simon Says Stamp challenge was called "one for the boys." I had a great time coloring my Gina K Designs rubber stamped image with Copics.
The cardstock and patterned paper are by Diecuts With A View (Summer Days Collection). I also cut apart a rub-on by Diecuts With A View for the sentiments on this one.

I don't know if summer has arrived at your house but it is at mine full force. I went swimming this afternoon and the water is already "warm" (still feels good though). :) We're watching the mini series on the History Channel too. I'm beginning to think those "Hatfields and McCoys" don't like each other very much. Wink. :)

Birthday Banners Card

Sharing a fun card I did for Hampton Art using the Party Time cling stamp set "one more time." :) This one is at the Hampton Art blog today too. :) All you need for this one is some cardstock, markers and a little ribbon. Fast and easy so you can get outside and enjoy your summer. :)

Happy Memorial Day! I need to get busy in the kitchen getting things ready for tonight's BBQ (hubby is doing his "famous" ribs). My contribution is going to be baked beans and a pasta salad (and possibly a Buttermilk Pie.) :) Want to get done so I can spend the day outside by the pool with a good book. :) Sounds good to me...wink! :)