Last One .... for July

I think this will be my last creation using the YNS July challenge.  I may get another card done, but I'm not sure I will get it posted by the 31st.  That's ok.  I've really enjoyed the challenge this month.

For this card, I used YNS dies.  I didn't have a YNS graduate, so I used one from the internet and colored it.  It's for an Auburn graduate, so I used the blue and orange colors.  

I'm loving the precious flower dies that came with my Groovy set.  I have used them several times, and they are just perfect.  Having the extra layers to go with the border makes it so easy.

I think this card turned out very soft and sweet.  Now, I need to get it in the mail since it's about 2 months late!!!

Looking forward to the August challenge ... and hoping I have time to play.

Have a marvelous Monday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!

~*Shell*~

Can't Get Enough

Ok ... I just can't get enough of the YNS challenge for July.  I've made another card that was based on the sketch inspiration in this challenge.  

This time I used Fight Like a Girl.  This is SUCH a precious set.  Unfortunately, there are far too many in my life that are fighting this horrible disease.  :(  This card was made for a special 11 year old fighting brain cancer right now.  That's why the ribbon is gray.

The sketch was my inspiration for this card, but I turned it a bit.  The image is a large one, and it just didn't work with the original sketch.

I hope your week was wonderful, that you had a beautiful Sunday, and that you have a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~

Groovy Challenge

It's been great to create and be able to post lately.  I hope to be able to continue creating in the next few weeks.  Things are going to start getting busy again, though. :(

Today, I made a card using the Your Next Stamp Challenge sketch.  Gracious ... I just love their stamps.  This sketch was super fun to work on, too.

I just love Groovy Cute Fhiona .... she's so precious and so fun to color!  I tried going with the 70s colors and themes.  

See ... isn't she adorable?!

This die cut is so intricate and pretty.  I thought the card needed a little delicacy.  

You can find the sketch challenge on the YNS Challenge Blog and join in - even if you don't have YNS stamps.  

(oh ... yes, I just noticed that my peace signs were upside down on the embossing ..... ugh.  Can't fix it now....)

I hope you have had a groovy Tuesday and that you have a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!! :) 

~*Shell*~

Simple Birthday

Each year, my husband ministers to between 10 and 20 families as a deacon in our church.  Because I want those families to feel special and to feel connected with us, I make sure each member of each family receives a hand-made birthday card.  The trick each year is coming up with a card that will help them feel special, while keeping it simple enough to mass produce and flat enough to mail with normal postage.  

This is the card I came up with for the 2013-2014 year.  It's very simple .... CAS ... but I think it has a 'happy' feel.  The balloons and the flag-tag were all cut using my Silhouette Cameo. Then, the balloons were embossed using my Vagabond.

I hope that the families enjoy their cards.

Have a marvelous Monday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!

~*Shell*~

With Sympathy

It's always sad to let a family member or friend pass on, but it's such a relief and a blessing when you know that they belong to the Lord before they go. Recently, my cousin lost a long battle with cancer (I. Hate. Cancer.) and went to be with the Lord.  My mom and I wanted to send a card and gift to his mom and needed a card.

Flowers are just always good to use for sympathy cards, but this set just works perfectly.  I chose to do it as a silhouette and color the background of the image layer.  I used blue and yellow for that background, but you can't see the yellow very well in the picture.

The flower dies at the bottom are from Your Next Stamp .... the Groovy die set.  The butterfly is also from YNS, but was in the Spring die set.  I thought it interesting that I could use the Groovy flowers for a sympathy card.  The background layer is embossed, and the image layer and shadow were cut using a Spellbinders' die.  

My inspiration for this card came from the YNS Fun Friday Challenge.  The pastel stripes and colors on this card remind me of the pastel fruits and smoothies they used on there.  

Hope your Saturday is filled with joy and creative juices, and I hope you have a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!

~*Shell*~

Wedding Bells

It's hard to believe that kids on our close friend group are not only old enough to get married, but are actually *getting* married!  Just incredible.  Weddings get started with showers, though, and shower gifts. :)  I finally got into the Haven to create a bit, and here's what I came up with for a couple of special kids.  I sure hope they liked the card and the gift.

I used the Wedding Bells set from Clear Dollar Stamps and lots of pearls.  They just seem to really spruce it up to me.  That lace was perfect, too, wasn't it??

The floral square die behind the image piece just added such a delicate touch to the card, and the flower just said 'wedding' to me.

I've been up to the Haven quite a bit lately .... and I've really enjoyed it, too. I hope you've found time to be creative, as well!! :) 

Have a fantastic Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~