Watercolor Class

I think that it's beneficial to be a beginner and learn new things. I have enjoyed previous Online Card Classes, so I was excited to try the newest class. (These classes are packed with content and a great value!) I had used some of my inks to watercolor cards occasionally, but that is the limit of my experience. I bought some water color supplies and am trying new cards. Right now I have made some card pieces and 2 completed cards. 

These cards are from the Day 1 Lessons: 

I have so much more to practice and learn! 

Supplies Used:

Watercolor set

Metallic watercolor set

Brush set

Gold pens

White gel pens

Watercolor paper

Hardboard

Small round bruh

Stampin' Up! cardstock, stamp, gold paper, embossing powder, Versamark ink, and heat tool. 

Fall Weekend

 After 16 years in Texas and California, I am enjoying my first Midwestern fall again. The Ohio weather has been mild, which is helpful. This weekend we visited a pumpkin patch and played outside. Alex made his first apple pie with his grandma. I knew that I needed to embrace the seasons as we moved back to Ohio, and I am enjoying the fall so far. 

Have a Beautiful Fall

 The leaves are changing in Ohio, so it's a fun time to play with the Beautiful Autumn bundle from Stampin' Up. I started stamping and punching pieces on Saturday and then used a sketch on Sunday to put my card together. Here is the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches (#455 by Jen Mitchell).

I mixed 2 stamp sets for my greeting. The original greeting was "Have a Beautiful Day," but I wanted my card to say fall instead of day. I used a retired stamp set from Close To My Heart to make the change and used the Mini Misti tool to line up my sentiment. I wanted to add the red maple leaves to the card because those are my favorites right now in our neighborhood. 

I am photographing my cards by our stairs, so I may look for a light box to improve the process. We are still setting our upstairs office and craft nook, and I feel grateful to have the space. 

Supplies Used

From Stampin Up: Crumb Cake cardstock, Pear Pizzazz cardstock and ink, Crushed Curry cardstock and ink, Cajun Craze cardstock, Real Red ink, stitched circle die (retired), Woodland embossing folder, and Beautiful Autumn bundle

From Close To My Heart: White notecards and cardstock, New England Ivy ink, pattern paper, and Autumn Air stamp set (retired)

 
 

Thankful Thursday: October 1

 I have been revisiting some blogs that I've read in the past. I enjoyed reading Thankful Thursday posts on The Frugal Girl, so I will share my thoughts here. 

1. The Ohio weather was nice in September! We've enjoyed a lot of time outside, including walks, bike rides, and a bonfire. The leaves are starting to change colors too. 

2. I am thankful for our patio, so we could enjoy safer time with family and friends outside. 

3. Hybrid school is working out for our family. Preschool is three mornings a week and sixth grade is 3 hours each morning with online homework. We feel fortunate to have a choice in options and that our schools are following strong procedures for health and safety. After teaching last school year, I acknowledge that there may need to be future changes and that each solution comes with challenges. I am really grateful for the time that preschool opens up for me each week. 

4. We have a gas range again! This is my favorite kind, and we've not had one since the end of 2014. We rented an apartment and 3 houses over 8 years, so I am grateful to settle into our own home now. 

Happy Fall Y'all!

The weather is cooling off in Ohio, and I feel fall coming. I left our box of coats and jackets in a closet when we moved in July. It was time to unpack it this week due to cooler mornings. It's time to start making some fall cards! I enjoyed working with this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. 

Supplies Used

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! (Cajun Craze, Garden Green, Soft Suede, and Crushed Curry) and Close to My Heart (white card base)

Inks: Stampin' Up! (Crumb Cake) and Close to My Heart (New England Ivy)

Stamps: Stampin' Up! (Banner Year) and Close to My Heart (retired)

Embossing Folder and Dies: Stampin' Up! retired

Punch: Stampin' Up! Banners Pick a Punch

Acorn Stamp

 Summer is winding down here, so I am digging out a couple of fall stamps sets. I had an unused set with an acorn, which I will use now. Our new town is named for the oak trees. This card is for my daughter's preschool director, who has created a smooth start in these uncertain times. My Stampin' Up! Night of Navy and Crushed Curry supplies match our school colors. I am happy to have time, space, and supplies to make cards from the kids' teachers.

Supplies Used

Papers and Card stock: Stampin' Up! and Close To My Heart

Stamps: The Stamping Village and  Close To My Heart (retired)

Inks: Stampin' Up!

Embossing Folder: Close To My Heart (retired)

Punch: Stampin' Up! Banners Pick a Punch

Teacher Cards

 I am working on cards for teachers. School has started in our new city, and the "thank you for your dedication" sentiment seems so fitting for this time. Teachers are putting in extra effort to make online, hybrid, or in person learning work for kids. 

I found the inspiration for my card design from the Happy Stampin' blog. This design is flexible to use with different sentiments, papers, and themes. 

Supplies Used

Stamp - The Stamping Village Thinking of You

Papers - Echo Park Teacher's Pet

Card Stock - Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake and Close to My Heart Notecard

Other - Stampin' Up! Banners Pick a Punch and Candy Dots (retired) 

Beach Card

 I tried a beach card for the Make My Monday challenge blog even though I don't have any beach theme stamps. I used the castle from the Lawn Fawn Critters Ever After set and two of my favorite Stampin' Up! colors: Crumb Cake and Pool Party. It turned out to be a simple card, but it was fun to experiment with a few options from my supply stash.