I'm Here for You - TGIFC76

Hey there!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  I had a long weekend because of my craft show - but I'm so glad I did it!  I only sold cards, tags and a few pumpkins I made with scrap wood and retired DSP and I walked away with $250! (I actually made $384, but I deducted my vendor fee and the money I spent on this gorgeous piece of furniture that you'll see below!)  Not too shabby!  I even had 2 other vendors ask if I would like to sell my cards at their stores!  The only downside to the whole thing was that it was 3 hours of driving each day.  Saturday night I went to bed at 8 with a pounding headache.  I really pushed myself too far.

In fact, I was so distracted by this craft show that I forgot my TGIF card!  So, here it is on Sunday night!  There is still plenty of time to play along so I hope you join us at TGIF Challenges!

We have a beautiful fall color combo for you.

The leaves here in MN are really changing and as I drove on my hour and a half drive to the vendor show I saw so many birch and aspen trees inspiring me to make this card.

I love the In the Meadow stamp set and thought it was a perfect set for this color combo.  I'm out of kraft cardstock, so Tip Top Taupe subbed in.

I used my Aqua Painter on Shimmery White CS to make the background and color the Lots of Labels layer with the tree.  I added a few Pumpkin Pie Brights Enamel Dots and finished with a sentiment from the Here for You stamp set.

I hope that you join us this week! We love to see everyone's creations each week!  You inspire us too!

Here is the beautiful "pool party" piece of furniture I bought at the vendor show.  Most of the vendors sold handmade/antique/refurbished/artsy/shabby chic style pieces - this one is an old radio cabinet that's been emptied out.  I'm not sure if I'll use it for a coffee bar (I don't drink coffee), a guest room piece or whether I'll use it in my craft room.

Have a wonderful week!

-Holly

Farewell to the Friday Mashup - A Beautiful Ride

Today I wanted to share with you a card I made for the final Friday Mashup challenge.  This was one of the first challenge sites I ever played for but honestly hadn't played along with for a long time.  I think I have too many challenge sites saved and not enough time to play!

Nonetheless, I wanted to play this week.  I really liked the sketch.  Make sure you head on over to www.fridaymashup.com to see the challenge site and check out the inspiration. 

Create a Project with an "Easter theme or Chicks & Bunnies" 

or Create a Project using the above "Sketch"

or Mash it Up and create an Easter project using the Sketch above. 

I chose to just use the sketch since I don't really have many Easter stamps, and well, Easter has come and gone!  I also had this idea in mind when I saw the sketch and was relieved to know I didn't have to use both categories for the challenge. Whew!  (See I told you it has been awhile since I've played along!)

I masked the white stripes with washi tape.  

After sponging the sunset colors, I carefully pulled the washi tape off.  

I added some stars and a little shimmer to the center of the wheels by adding some Silver Dazzling Details.  Love the extra pizzazz it gives! 

While I had my sponges out, I also wanted to try another technique I saw on instagram.  Loved the black and white trees too.  They are from the set In the Meadow.  The sentiment is from Suite Sayings.

All three of these sets are in the Occasions Catalog from SU!  You could order all three and still earn a FREE Sale-a-Bration item!  You have until tomorrow, March 31st, 11:59p MT.

Thanks for stopping by midway through your week!  Make sure you head on over to The Friday Mashup and say farewell to a great challenge site.  I saved a few blogs to my homepage while I was there.  Great talent!  

Have a blessed Wednesday!

-Holly 

In the Meadow - Freshly Made Sketches 216 for Dad

 

My dad has been hunting his whole life.  I remember many years watching him bring home his game with a huge grin on his face.  I was so happy for him when he sent this text.  Sorry to anyone who is offended by this, but I see it as a way of the Lord providing for us.  Venison stew - yum!

 

This Tuesday my dad sent me this picture:

 

So, I wanted to make my dad a card.  I just received a new set with my pre-order called In the Meadow.  It will be available January 5th.  This set spoke to me for two reasons - the mountain range and the two deer.  The set is so peaceful and the sketchy drawings are perfect.  I can't wait for you to see the whole thing!  Here is the original stamped image of the two deer (c)Stampin' Up!:

 

 

 Since I wanted to make this custom for my dad, I took my Early Espresso marker and colored only the larger deer.  After I stamped it, I filled in the missing outline of the deer and added the antlers.  I watercolored the antlers with Soft Suede like I did for the body of the deer.

 

 

I am beyond thrilled with the way it turned out. Just how I had it in my mind! :)  The sketch/layout is from Freshly Made Sketches - I love this simpled layered look! 

 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by (again) today!  I hope you found some inspiration here today to think outside the box!  SU! gives us many great stamp sets - sometimes it is fun to add to them!

 

Blessings!

-Holly