with sympathy x 2

Do you ever look at a finished card and think, "I like it, but it just needs something" in order to be perfectly complete.  Well, that's how I felt about this first card:

Love the vases, but the white space in the middle of the card was bugging me.  On my second attempt, I used the little filler bouquet of flowers to help balance out the swirly sentiment.

 All Supplies PTI unless otherwise noted:

Paper:  Solar White (Neenah), Oxford Collection (BasicGrey)

Stamps:  Gracious Vases, Think Big Favorites #3

Ink:  Fountain Pen (Jenni Bowlin), Cranberry (ColorBox), Vintage Touch Duo

Other:  Copic markers, glitter

Now this is a card that makes me happy.  Is that wrong considering it's a sympathy card?  I hope not.  Thanks for stopping by today.  And, please leave a link to your blog in your comment.  I'd love to check out your work. 

Have a great day!

Be still ...

Happy Sunday, friends.   Lately, I haven't been all that enthused about blogging so I'm making a bit of a change to my blogging style to see if it works for me.  Today's card is one that I think would make a beautiful gift set.  In fact, I think I'm gonna whip up a few more using the other fab prints in Damask Designs when I'm done here.  The reality that the house is clean(ish), empty, and quiet is also a motivating factor to hide & stamp.  LOL
 

All Supplies PTI unless otherwise noted:

Paper:  solar white (Neenah), Damask Designs

Stamps:  Daydreamer, Happy Trails, and Plain Jane (Verve)
Ink:  Stick Candy (Jenni Bowlin), lilac and purple (Memento)

Other:  white grosgrain ribbon, Happy Trails & Mat Stack 3 die, Spica glitter pen

So, what do you think about the CAS approach to blogging?  Thanks to all of my followers and those of you who leave comments for me.  It puts such a smile on my face to know that you took the time to leave me some love.  {{hugs}}

Rhythm & Soul

Some people have babies.  Others have fur-babies.  Well, my dear friend's first baby was her baby grand.  Which makes complete sense considering she's a music teacher.  I put together a little hostess gift as a thank you for having us at her cottage last week using Rhythm & Soul and included this mini set.

Non-PTI Supplies:  Patterned papers (from Stampin' UP! and American Crafts  Dear Lizzy collection),

Ink (Colorbox & Memento), Happy Birthday sentiment (Verve), and satin ribbon (Offray).

I love the texture from the impression plates over the Copic pianos.  For the masculine cards, I used the woodgrain IP and the In Bloom IP for the pink cards (which isn't as crisp an impression as I would've hoped for).  I realized that I did forgot to take a pic of the card I gave as the actual thank you card, but it also used Rhythm & Soul, and the same colour palette from the gifts.  Minus the red.  :)

Thanks for taking a look today at what I've been cooking up in my craft room. 
Have a blessed day, friends. 

August Challenge - All About Me

Every little girl has wanted a pony at some point in her life.  But, they usually outgrow it.  Me.  Well, I just developed a crazy love of (you guessed it) Carousel Horses ... When I was in university, my older sister gave me a Christmas ornament which was the start of my collection.  Each year, there's a new horse released which is added to my tree.  When my sweet niece was 3 or 4, she tried to steal one of mine because "they're pretty."  So, I bought her her own.  But, that gave way to a new tradition the two of us share.  And now, each Christmas, my niece knows that once their tree is up, Aunt Suzanne will have a special ornament for her - an ornament to match the newest one on my own tree.

All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.

Paper:  Rustic Cream, all prints (Hopscotch Collection, BasicGrey)

Stamps:  Admit One (LawnFawn), Birthday Basics

Ink:  Fountain Pen (Jenni Bowlin), Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo

Tools:  Wonderful Words die, Tag Sale 3, Edgers #2,

Other:  Copics, seam binding (Hug Snug)

When I saw this set previewed, I just knew that I could not pass it up.  In my mind, carousel horses mean Christmas & family.  So, this card is perfect for my niece's birthday.  My ornament collection is one that always reminds me of my sister, and now, my niece. Regardless of where we are all spending the holidays, whether together or apart, the tree in my home always is dressed in reminders of them.  I know.  I'm such a sap.  LOL

Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you'll take some time to pop by the Papertrey Posse blog and join in the August All About Me challenge.  Have a good one & happy stamping!