Hi-ya Peeps

Sometimes you never know how good you've got it until you leave. I thought I was doing what was best for me by leaving a job I've held for seven years because it was time...time to grow, time to do what I went to school for, time for a change. So I left. And it was ok. Just ok. The new gig wasn't for me. I had the opportunity to obtain my old job again and I didn't let it pass up. I was welcomed with open arms by the ladies I left and by the ladies who covered for me for two months. Thank you, peeps at work, thank you for welcoming me back. Thank you for bringing me back to the land of normal.

Peeps. Those marshmallowy, much too sweet, brightly colored sugar-coated candies that emerge for the Easter holiday. After noticing some Peeps peeking out in the corner of the inspiration board at Off the Wall Craftiness and staring at Critters in the 'Burbs, my only critter set that I could use for The Lawnscaping Challenge, Calling All Critters, I knew what I wanted to do! I know it's an unconventional Easter card, and a non-cutesy Critter card, but I liked that I found another way to use my stamps.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) OfficeMax, (Teal) SU
Patterned Paper: (Papyrus) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs) Lawn Fawn, (Fillable Frames #2) PTI
Ink: (Bashful Blue Pigment) SU, (Onyx Black) Versafine, (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain Distress) Ranger
Other: (Teal Marker) SU, (Black Pen) Pilot, (Natural Twine) May Arts, (Rubon Letters) Making Memories

Stranded

My car stalled right in the middle of the county highway. After rolling to the side and calling my husband to rescue me, I sat there waiting. And waiting. After a few minutes I noticed a bluebird just sitting there on the telephone wire above me. Watching. And waiting with me. He never flew away, he never seemed to move. He just watched and waited. As soon as my husband rolled up behind me, the hues of blue fly away. I knew in my heart that the bluebird was sent by someone to be my protector those long thirty or so minutes.

This is just one of the many reasons why bluebirds will always be special to me...

The Lawnscaping Challenge is all about a splash of color. Having gone through a recent personal rough patch in regards to work, etc., I remembered the power of the bluebird and created this card. Instead of the black tones, I reached for the cream and brown, with a pop of blue.

The inspiration for the general design and neutral color theme came from the challenge at Scrapbooker's Paradise.

On a side note: I really like that I can use challenges as inspiration points, and appreciate it when they help to recall why I make cards. Thank you to all those wonderful crafters who put so much time and talent into running the challenge blogs.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Teal) Bazzill
Patterned Paper: (Basics White) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs, Sophie's Sentiments) LawnFawn
Ink: (Walnut Stain and Antique Linen Distress) Ranger
Other: (Natural Burlap String) May Arts, (Glossy Accents) Ranger, (Woodgrain Embossing Folder) Craft Expressions, (Tag Punch) McGill

Petie's Pal

Petie went almost everywhere with my oldest when he was two. Petie went almost everywhere with my youngest when he was two. Petie was, er, is very well loved (and oh so dirty). I might have talked about Petie before on here, I can't quite remember. Petie is a doll that both my boys love(d).

Wee Memories and The Lawnscaping Challenge have teamed up to showcase cute and cuddly creations. I started by adhering some soft baby yarn around a square block and topped it off with a pup that has a slightly distressed and well worn look to him. The square background reminds me of a chenille blanklie (as my boys affectionately call their blankets).The layout is from March's sketch at Artful Delight.

 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Vintage Cream) PTI
Patterned Paper: (School Spirit Collection) Crate Paper
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs, Sophie's Sentiments) Lawn Fawn
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Other: (White Enamel Accents) Ranger, (Colored Pencils) Prisma

Swimming Things

Me: Cole, tell me about my card.
Cole: Me? Ok. Ummm. There's swimming things, and I like it mama. It's like the, and I like the, the thank you, I like the writing on that. I like the cuttin' of the swimming things. I like the color of the white. Umm, I like the white lines there, it looks cool in the water like the water is poppin' up. Umm, I'll tell you something kind of funny. The swimming things. I like the beaks. It's like they are one colors of the other. Like that color should have been on that one and that one should have been on the third one. Ok, I'm done.
Me: Thanks Cole.

The Lawnscaping Challenge #4 is all about Paper Piecing, so affectionately explained (later than sooner) by my seven year old son in the conversation above. The fabulous prize this time around is a Guest Designer Spot for the next challenge, and a Fly Free Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn! The deadline to link up your paper pieced cards featuring Lawn Fawn Stamps is Wednesday, March 2nd. Can't wait to see what you come up with! Guest designing for the Lawnscaping Challenge has been so much fun, Laurel is an amazing and supportive design team coordinator with a ton of great ideas up her sleeve. Thank you for the honor, I {heart} Lawnscaping Challenges.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max
Patterned Paper: Daisy D's
Stamps: (Swimsuit Season, Sophie's Sentiments) LawnFawn
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine
Embellishments: (Black Enamel Accents) Ranger
Tools: (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers

A Cute Rodent?

Why yes, they are quite cute! Squirrels are fun to watch. Their personalities shine when they chase each other, bury things, fight-- all with boundless energy and enthusiasm... Hmm... Sounds quite like my two boys!

All kidding aside, here's another clean and graphic, easily mailable card for the veterinarian mama-to-be, I hope it makes her smile as it does me! The squirrel is paper pieced in a woodgrain pattern, the twine represents grass and I just love those hoopy loopy half circles to make him look like he's on the go. I based the design of this card off this sketch from Amy Heller, I'm seriously amazed at her skills. Moxie Fab World is also having a Card Creations Challenge week, I'm entering this one into the Thank You Category.

***For the TiffanyDoodles Blog Hop and a giveawy, please stop by this post here!***

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Teal) Recollections, (White) Georgia Pacific, (Only Orange) SU
Patterned Paper: (Woodgrain) Unknown Source
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs) Lawn Fawn, (Sentiment from Thank You) Heidi Grace
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine
Embellishments: (Divine Twine)
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbinders, (Scallop Trim Punch) SU