Happy Halloween!

Hello, friends!

Happy Halloween! I'm stopping by today to share the cards I sent out to my sweet nieces and nephews this Halloween.

I do love this day, it brings back so many memories of my own childhood as well as the days when my own children were young enough to trick-or-treat. (Don't get me wrong, even though they are all teenagers, they all still find reasons to dress up!)

Anyway, I had a great time making Halloween cards throughout the month of October, and here are the cards I made:

Supplies:

Stamps: There She Goes (Bewitched By You); Hero Arts (Scroll Tree, Clouds)

Dies: Martha Stewart (Picket Fence); circle; stitched rectangle

Supplies:

Stamps: There She Goes (Bewitched By You); Hero Arts (Scroll Tree, Clouds)

Dies: Martha Stewart (Picket Fence); circle; stitched rectangle

Supplies:

Stamps: There She Goes (Bewitched By You); Studio G (Happy Halloween)

Dies: stitched banner; stitched circle; scallop stitched rectangle

Supplies:

Stamps: There She Goes (Bewitched By You); Studio G (Happy Halloween)

Dies: stitched banner; stitched circle; scallop stitched rectangle

Supplies:

Stamps: Studio G (Happy Halloween, pumpkin); 

Impression Obsession (Wooden Plank); Hero Arts (Woodgrain)

Dies: Spellbinders (Nestabilities - Labels 1)

I hope you are having a great day! Happy Halloween to those who celebrate it!
Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

A Tribute to Melissa Lane

Hello, friends.  I'm here today to share a card I made for the tribute to Melissa Lane of Honey Bee Lane following her sudden passing in early October, 2018.  If you would like to participate, check out the STAMPlorations blog post HERE.

I never met Melissa in person, but through her consistent participation in the challenges as CASology while I was a team member, I visited her blog often and admired her as an artist, a lover of God and nature, and an inspiring woman.

When I read about her sudden passing, I was saddened deeply.  Isn't that a testament to her?  I have never met her, yet her life brightened mine and her passing affected me in a way I could not have predicted.  It did not take long to understand the depths of her faith and her beauty...a few visits to her blog and it was clear.  She was a woman of God, a faithful servant, and an inspiration to me.

If you have ever visited her blog, you may have noticed that she signed off every post with, "Grace and peace, Melissa." Grace and peace is what I wish for her in eternal life and for her family and loved ones here in this life.

I thought it was only fitting to use stamps and stencils from STAMPlorations, where Melissa was a valued design team member for two years.

Supplies:

Stamps: STAMPlorations (Noteworthy 1)

Stencils: STAMPlorations ARTplorations(Happy Flowers)

Dies: WPlus9 (Sunshine Layers), Simon Says Stamp (Leanna)

Other: Studio G (purple gems)

For my card, I die cut the white panel, stenciled the flower, and stamped the sentiment.  I cut a die cut butterfly in half and layered it twice so that the wings could flutter open. The gems serve as the butterfly body.

I will send this card to Shery at STAMPlorations since she is collecting cards to forward to Melissa's family.  (This is open through October 31st and directions for mailing are at the specific post HERE.)

Grace and peace to you, Melissa.

Thank you for stopping by,
Judy

Entered Here:
(1) Word Art Wednesday #356-357
(2) STAMPlorations Never-Ending Anything Goes Challenge

Fall Cards for My College Kids

Hello, friends! I find it hard to believe that it has been almost three months since our oldest two children went off to college.  So far they have been doing great, thank God...enjoying classes, friends, activities, etc.

I decided before they left that I would send them each a card every month, and so I want to share the cards I sent in early September and early October.  (I know they have received them already, so I'm not spoiling any surprises!)  It was funny, in this day and age in which everything is sent electronically, I had to remind them to check their campus mailboxes every once in a while!

I thought they would get a kick out of these fun Art Impressions images; I personalized their cards by printing and die cutting the computer-generated sentiments.

Here are the cards I sent my son and my daughter in early September, using "Hot Java Mama" and paper-piecing for her nightgown and robe.

Here are the early October cards they received, using the same set and more paper-piecing:

(It's true, they don't call me enough.)

I have some fun Halloween cards to share soon, but I'll do that later this month so I don't spoil the surprise!

Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoy your weekend!
Judy

How I Spent World Card Making Day

Hello, friends! Yesterday was World Card Making Day and I had a choice to make -- would I spend it cruising around online, watching what everyone else was making and what sales were going on, or would I spend the day actually making cards?  In the spirit of the day, I decided to make cards...and I made lots of them!  It was wonderful!

I spent the day making 18 cards in total, all for the Holiday Card Drive currently being held at Cards for Little Hearts.

 

I found it easier to make sets while I had my supplies out. Prepare for a picture-heavy post! (I'll share pics of the sets I made, then I'll do individuals at the end...feel free to scroll through quickly!)  If you have any questions about any of the supplies I used, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll respond.

First up, a set using the sweet "Holiday Hugs" snowman from My Favorite Things:

Next up, a set using an adorable snowman ("Snowy") from Penny Black...it was fun paper-piecing the hats and scarves for each snowman!

Next, a cute Penny Black penguin set ("Arctic Bus"); I had fun changing up the backgrounds, using a variety of shimmer inks, splatters, and distress inks:

Next, a set of cards using some "Smitten Mittens" die cuts from Reverse Confetti:

Next, some sweet carolers from Clearly Wordsworth paired with a sentiment from Hero Arts:

Finally, one single card using some left-over die cuts (Pretty Pink Posh "Festive Holiday") and scraps of paper...love it when those things come together to make a card!  (The sentiment is from Hero Arts.)

I've already packaged up these 18 cards and will be taking them to the post office this week.  The Cards for Little Hearts holiday card drive goes on all month in case you'd like to send in a card or two!  You can find details HERE.

I'll leave you with individual photos of each card...thanks, as always, for stopping by today!
Judy

Cards for Little Hearts - Winter/holiday card drive has begun!

Hello, friends!

I am sorry I haven't been here much -- I am still making cards but not for many challenges these days, just for my specific needs.  I promise I'll be on soon to share what I have made in recent weeks.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some information about the start of the Winter/Holiday card collection over at the Cards for Little Hearts.

In case you haven't heard, this year-long card drive has specific themes at certain times of year.  Today starts the Winter and Holiday card collection.  Christina Hor, the founder, details everything you need to know at the website linked here.

For specific information regarding the Winter/Holiday Card requirements, click HERE.

You can be sure I will be making some holiday cards for this drive -- what better way is there to spread holiday cheer than with a cute handmade card for a child or teen in the hospital during the holidays?

The way I see it, I have way too many holiday stamps...BUT I feel good knowing I am using my stash for cards that will brighten a child's day at the holidays.  I bet you have some fun holiday stamps you could use to make a few cards?

I think I have at least five different snowman stamps to play with (Jane's Doodles, Hero Arts, My Favorite Things, Gerda Steiner, etc.). I also have a bunch of cute woodland animals, Santa's, elves, winter scenes, etc. How about you?

Even one card is worth sending...every card counts!

Join me in sending a few holiday cards to cheer up youth with congenital heart disease spending the holidays in the hospital.

Let me know if you do, I'd love to hear!  I may just send out some random acts of crafty goodness to those who participate...so let me know! ;)

Have a great day...and Happy October!
Judy