Look Out 2019!

Happy New Year's Eve!  This is the day in the past where I have posted my Year in Review.  However, this year, for many of the earlier months, many photos of my cards are not showing in their posts--just a box that looks like this:  

Some time this past summer, I deleted many pictures and files in my Google account.  When I did that, I did not realize that the photos of the cards posted on my blog would also be deleted. Insert sad face here.............  I still have many pictures of my cards saved on my computer, but I am not looking back in the past as a new year is coming tomorrow!  And, 2019 is going to be a year of changes for me--a year of purpose--a year of goals!

First--I have set a goal to do a card a week--for 52 weeks--with a preset challenge for each month.  I picked some themes from the Challenge thread on Splitcoast Stampers.  Since there are not 12 challenge forums, I added a few themes of my own.  Each Tuesday, I will post a card that fits the theme of the monthly challenge from below:

January ~~ Fancy Fold card

February ~~ Use a Sketch from SCS

March ~~ Use the weekly Alphabet Challenge from SCS

April ~~ Make a CAS--Clean and Simple card

May ~~ Use Embossing on a card

June ~~ Use a new Technique for a card

July ~~ Make a Christmas Card

August ~~ Use a SCS Color Combo

September ~~ Make a CASE Card of SCS Featured Stamper

October ~~ Masculine Card

November ~~ Use only Die-cuts on a card

December ~~ Make a card for any Holiday

Every Tuesday, I will post a card that fits the theme for the month.  Tomorrow, is January 1st, and a Tuesday, so come back to see card #1 of 52!

I have few other goals for 2019--a year of purpose for me.  A week or so ago, I deleted a few games on my phone--like Candy Crush and Gummy Drop. Yes, I was hooked on them and mindlessly played them often during the day.  The only game left on my phone is Trivia Crack, as I think that is not mindless and makes me think!  I plan to spend more time reading--using my Nook app or some of the many books I have.  I completed the Michelle Obama book Becoming while on my trip to San Antonio two weeks ago for the National High School AD Conference, in less than a week. It was also a very inspiring book for me and made me think a bit more about goals and achievements and purpose and aspirations and all those kinds of words............  I do not have a specific goal as to a number of books to read, but I will spend more time with my face in a book!  

And lastly, I am going to get my sewing machine out of the corner and placed on a table, in full view!  I took a beginning quilting class a few years ago and have done little since then--other than buy quite a few kits and projects!  So--I also have a goal to work on some of those quilting projects and complete a few this year. I have quilts and table runners and wall hangings--all in plastic bins, waiting to be used!   Again, I do not have a set goal of how many projects to complete, but my sewing machine will be out in the family room, looking at me each time I am in the lower level.  It will be used!

I guess I have three goals for 2019 and I plan to work hard on each one to be more purposeful for the new year.  I am not calling them resolutions---they are goals to be a better person in 2019.  I will challenge myself to be more creative in my cards as well as create some quilted beauties to display or give to others.  I will also read more of the books that I have purchased in the past and put a self-imposed moratorium from buying any new ones.........  That goes for quilt projects AND books!  I know I cannot impose that on my stamping supplies--but I will definitely use more of the ones I have!

I hope you will travel along with me on this journey in 2019--and it starts tomorrow.  Come back to see my Fancy Fold Card for January!

Challenge Your Stash!

Today is the day I post a project for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 24th month of de-stashing-we are at the end of our 2nd year into our challenges.  Yes, we will be back in January for the start of year #3!

The premise is to create a card or something else that uses only items that are in your own stamp room--nothing new is to be purchased.  The hostess each month posts their challenge to the group and the card is due to be posted on the 28th. Each person in the group creates their card with their own image, their own papers, their own embellishments with their own supplies--using up items from their own stash!  The card can be for any occasion and each person is encouraged to send the card on its way to someone so it can be admired.  It is a way for us to step out of the box a bit and create something that follows a challenge--isn't that what a challenge is supposed to be.  And--no money is spent as all items are to be already available in each of own stamping spaces.

Jody posted our December challenge--Use an owl on your card

I inked up one of my favorite Penny Black stamps.  I made another graduation card--I made one for Maggie's November challenge too!  

Here is the inside of my card:

If you check some of the blogs on my sidebar, you may find others who have posted their cards yesterday on the 28th, today or in the next few days.  There may be more posted in the thread on SCS, so you might want to check out the link here.  We also have a keyword for the SCS Gallery--it is CYSDEC.  You might see many cards there is you do a search.

I hope you enjoyed my card and I know I am excited to check out what my other hoarders, I mean stash reducers have made!  Thanks for stopping by today!  For January, Sue is up and we already know our next theme.  Be sure to check back to see what we create in 2019!

Image/Sentiment:  Penny Black-Word to the Wise

Cardstock: Recollections 110# White, Stampin' Up Smokey Slate, Basic Black; Doodlebug Cap and Gown 6 x 6 Patterned Paper Pack

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Black Brads; Black Thick Twine; Copic Markers

Happy Birthday Denise!

Today, The Project Bin's Design Team is celebrating the birthday of Denise, the owner and designer of The Project Bin.  In honor of Denise's birthday, her design team is hosting a blog hop to showcase her wonderful stamps!

I’m the last stop on birthday hop and I am sure they saved the best for last! Denise is Kind, Caring and such a Sweet Lady.  I am able to say those words as I was blessed to meet Denise in person this summer when we visited the Washington DC area. I’m thrilled to be part of this birthday hop because birthdays are so much fun when you get to celebrate wonderful people!  Denise, the wish I have for you on your birthday today is to celebrate in style, laugh often, hugs those you love and enjoy some awesome cake!  

If you just came to my blog first, you'll want to start at the beginning of the birthday blog hop with Kelly's amazing blog and finish with The Project Bin blog where you can wish Denise a very Happy Birthday! 

I used the Awesome Sauce stamp set to create this card today and the favorite thing about this stamp set to me is this is the first set Denise sold.  This set has great sentiments and the theme reminds of how warm and awesome Denise is!  All of the sentiments in this set describe Denise to a "T"--She is Awesome Sauce!

Denise, I hope you get to smile, giggle and belly laugh on your special day and make sure to hug your wonderful hubby and sweet son!    `

If you haven't seen the stamps at The Project Bin, there is truly something for everyone!   Whether it's sweet and inspiring, or whimsical and fun, The Project Bin has it all - perfect for all your card making needs.  And, many of the stamp sets come with coordination dies--how cool is that!

Here is the inside of my card, using a sentiment from the Born Yesterday stamp set.  This is my  my wish for Denise and her special day!

Are you ready to hop?  Remember, I am the last stop, so click on the link for Kelly below to start at the beginning! We hope you enjoyed hopping along with us as we joyfully celebrate with Denise on her special day!

  

Here is the full hop order:

Kelly Santi

Dawn Barrett  

Tamie Jubinville-Camp

Angela Bode

Stasia Sloma

Jeanette Cloyd

Andrea Jacobson

Barb Deichl--you are here!

The Project Bin Blog

I hope you have enjoyed my card and will stop by The Project Bin Blog to wish Denise a very happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Denise, Ms. Awesome Sauce!  
Cheers to you and many more!

Image/Sentiment: The Project Bin Awesome Sauce and Born Yesterday Stamp Sets

Cardstock: Recollections 110# White; Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Mint Macaron, It's My Party Designer Series Paper

Ink: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Mint Macaron 1/3" Grosgrain Ribbon, Crushed Curry Candy Dots and Brad Bases; We R Memory Keepers Nesting Frames 3

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I do not have a new card to post today, but I am recycling one of my favorite Christmas Cards that I made last year.  It is one I made as a design team member for The Project Bin Stamps--A Way With Words!  I love so many of their great photopolymer stamp sets and I think you too will like these great sentiments!  And, as a bonus, some of the sets come with matching steel dies! Denise is the owner, founder and creator of these wonderful stamp sets. Please be sure to go and check them out!   

For this card, I used the a beautiful Christmas stamp set called Joyful Song.  This set comes with 5 great sentiment stamps for the holiday season!  I think it is the perfect sentiment to celebrate Christmas Day!

Here is the Joyful Song stamp set:

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas Card!  AND--I hope you have a Blessed Christmas Day!

Image/Sentiment: The Project Bin Joyful Song Stamp Set

Cardstock:  Recollections 110# Ivory; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green; Paper Pizazz Green Plaid Patterned Paper 

Ink: Stampin' Up Garden Green

Accessories: Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine;  Spellbinder Labels 7 Die; Enamel Dots

Abraham Lincoln Quote

This card is for the monthly swap that Pam hosts on SCS.  Each month we make 10 cards and include a matching envelope.  They can be any theme for any month.  All of the swappers are wonderful and I have received awesome cards each and every month.  

I inked a Verses stamp that I have had for a bit. I think everyone can use a birthday card!

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope Pam and the others swappers like my card this month!

Image/Sentiment:  Verses Abraham Lincoln Quote

Cardstock:  Recollections 110# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Rockabilly Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red Pleated Satin Ribbon; Black Rhinestones

Ready-Set-Go Jingle!

Today is the third Wednesday of the month and that means a Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! The 3 Musketeers (Jeanette, Kelly and Me) are back with another challenge for December-our 19th month!  We are now coming to the end year #2!

I provided the challenge for December: Since December is busy for all of us, I wanted to send a simpler challenge and hoped it does not cause too much stress or planning for a card.  The challenge is to make a Christmas Card or a New Year’s card and make it metallic!  You can use metallic paper or use metallic embellishments or emboss with metallic colors.  Use your creativity to make a shiny card!  Ready?  Set.  Go!

I am in the process of writing out my Christmas cards and found a card that I thought was a perfect once to use as a CASE.  I used a fun Stampin' Up embossing folder--Woodland Textured and use a second piece as a "spotlight"  I have a package of various colors of Mirri Cardstock and picked a green for my metallic!  I used a Penny Black die called "Jingle All the Way" and added a silver jingle bell brad.  A Simple Card--Makes me Smile!

Here is the inside of my card:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too! Kelly is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in January! 

Image/Sentiment: Penny Black Die Cut-Jingle All The Way

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Recollections 110# White; The Paper Cut Mirri Card Green Metallic 

Ink: None Needed

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Woodland Textured Folder; Silver Bell Brad

Unidentified Image Swap

This is the card for the 41st round of the Unidentified Image swap on SCS.  It is a group of ladies who are a part of a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same image, sent to us by the hostess.  The unidentified part is that we are to not discuss the image at all until the day they are to be posted--today!   The image for this round was provided by Laura Jean.  She will swap the cards and include the next image that Terry, our next hostess in their return envie.  And then we get to do it all again--for round #42--in February! 

Laura Jean sent us this cute Elzybell Penguin image.  She sent this image in honor of a friend who recently die who loved penguins and asked us to make it a birthday card.  Laura Jean is going to donate her +1 card to the Madison Ronald McDonald House.  What a sweet gesture--thanks LJ!

Here is the inside of my card:

If you check some of the other blogs listed on my sidebars, you may find some other swappers who have posted their creations today or in the next few days.  I hope Laura Jean and everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment:  Elzybell Penguin/Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Words
 
Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, Highland Heather; Doodlebug Polar Pals Small Dots Patterned Paper
 
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up Highland Heather
 
Accessories:  Copic Markers; Stampin' Up Night of Navy Corduroy Ribbon; Mini Pennant Punch; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circles

Friday's With The Project Bin

It is Friday, so  that means that I am back with another card for The Project Bin Stamps--A Way With Words!  Every single Friday I will be posting a card made from one of their great photopolymer stamp sets.  So, please plan to come back each week to see what I have created--I think you too will love these great sentiment stamp sets.  And, remember, some of the sets come with matching steel dies! Denise is the owner, founder and creator of these wonderful stamp sets.  The sentiments she has for us to ink up are just perfect for any holiday or time of year.  Please be sure to go and check them out! 

I am so excited to see what great stamp sets Denise has in mind for the future.  I am sure she will have some wonderful sentiments for us to ink up and for you to consider purchasing!  I just know you too will love creating cards with these stamp sets!!!

If you want to check out more creations from the design team, be sure to check out The Project Bin Blog as often as you can.  Every day there is a different card posted by one of more of the design team members.  

For this card, I used the a beautiful Christmas stamp set called Luke 2.  This set comes with 5 great sentiment stamps for the holiday season!  It is the perfect set for your all of your Christmas Cards!

Here is the Luke 2 stamp set:

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope you have enjoyed my card for The Project Bin. Check back on every week, any day for inspiration for the team but especially on Friday's to check out my cards. I am so excited to be on this wonderful design team!

Image/Sentiment: The Project Bin Luke 2 Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Recollections 110# White Cardstock; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Be Merry Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, White Candy Dots and Brad Bases; MFT-My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Circle Dies