this little light...pp#27

hey tracey, momma, friends old and new!

today at the paper plunge, we are shining the light...well, not really.  we are featuring projects that use the spotlight technique.  not sure what that is, look here!  there are so many ways to get this fun look...coloring, punch outs with color underneath, or what i did...add a splash of color with a 'tile'.  anyway you choose, this technique makes a clean and simple card pop with color!

i decided to go old school and use the marble technique to spotlight part of this dahlia...

stamp set:  regarding dahlias, gorgeous grunge

paper:  blackberry bliss, very vanilla, black, glossy

ink:  stazon black, blackberry bliss

extras:  alcohol, cotton balls, neutrals candy dots

my inspiration came from one of the very first swaps i made for the very first stampin' up! convention i had ever attended many years ago.  here is that card...

i remember putting this card in a huge collection box, hoping someone would notice me.  well, they did!  a few weeks later, my card was one of the cards featured on the stampin' up! website...and this was before we uploaded our own work!

tonight was fun...

i just spent the evening cooking with carlo, a wonderful event held every month in a local restaurant.  you listen to stories about the food the chefs prepared, drink wine with every course, and enjoy the company of others.  carlo and his sons share their passion for food and wine and truly make you feel like family.  

this evening is one of my favorites for many reasons...spending time with my husband, john, meeting new people, listening to mike play any kind of song on the organ...however, having a standing date with my friend sue is the best part.  she is quite an amazing, beautiful person, both inside and out.  she is so kind, smart, funny and one of the best special education teachers i know.  she is dedicated and passionate in every area of her life.  i know when i'm sitting on the porch with God, sharing a diet pepsi, i will be sure to tell Him..."thank you for lending me sue."

i hope you have a good friend...they are truly priceless.

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time-

peace be with you

metal on mine...pp #26

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

today's paper plunge challenge  is all about adding a metal embellishment to your card.  i chose to add metal brads to complete the porthole look.  i've used this theme/stamp set before, but i just had to reinvent the card because...well, i just love this look!

stamps:  by the tide

paper:  marina mist, chocolate chip, adventure bound, bermuda bay, very vanilla

ink:  crumbcake, cajun craze, basic gray, marina mist bermuda bay

extras:  top note bigz, deco labels and circles thinlits, mini brads, rhinestone, dazzling diamonds, sponges, mister

the difference between this card and my previous fish...i tried the 'joy' fold.  i'm unsure as to who joy is or why this fancy fold is referred to as such, but it's fun!  you'll find a wonderful tutorial by beate johns here. it's just something different! 

notice the way it opens?  pretty cool, huh?

speaking of joy...

i always try to do things, everyday, for the people i love, with love.  that way of thinking truly turns the mundane into something worth doing...especially when you don't feel like it.  tonight was one of those nights i didn't live by my own rules.  i let my tired take control of my feelings, words and i suppose actions and it didn't feel good.

i once read that you should be a person that children and animals run to...they are the best judges of character.  they prefer joyful people...not cranky or mean people.  just something i need to remind myself of once in awhile! 

in the meantime, consider mother teresa's words... "spread love everywhere you go.  let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."  

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you

until next time-

peace be with you

leslie

stars and stripes...fms #175

hey tracey, momma, friends old and new!

today i decided to create a manly card...do men like glitter?  hmmmm...

anyhoo.  my inspiration came from a sketch by freshly made sketches.  this 175th sketch has limitless possibilities...i know i will return to it often!  here it is...

and here is what i made...

i love the glittery paper and the way you can make a star 'pop' off the paper.

stamp set:  guy greetings, gorgeous grunge

ink:  black tuxedo momento

paper:  black, very vanilla, typeset dsp, gold glitter

extras:  distress tool, sponge, star thinlits, small star punch

i didn't get to put a post up on the paper plunge due to the fact my brayer is messed up!  how in the world did glue get on there...and then of course when i went to scrape it off-GAH!  i'll be back next week to join that very talented group of ladies.  check us out on friday mornings...and won't you consider playing with us?  you inspire us to continue to create each week!

in honor of dr. seuss's birthday, i thought it is only fitting to quote him today.  these words are from the man himself, about himself, not those from one of his books.  "whenever things go sour in a job i'm doing, i always tell myself, 'you can do better than this'." 

pretty awesome words to consider.

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time-

peace be with you.

leslie