DSP Makes the Card

Hi Stampers. Well, I'm rested from my LIM Blitz. I have done some fiction reading. I seem to be on a vampire binge and after reading several True Blood novels, I'm on to Laurel K. Hamilton series. I've caught up on Bible study homework, and baked a couple of quick breads (zucchini pineapple), for the family. I slipped in this card yesterday, cause I just had to make something.

Sometimes dsp can just about make the card. Though I have labeled myself as a clean and simple stamper, I believe you can use dsp and still make the card, well, C&S. I think achieved that with dsp from DCWV's Mariposa matstack. I added some SU lace, a button, a bit of twine and a lacy circle die from Nestie. The base is white. The sentiment is from SU's sorta' new Whimsical Words. It is stamped in Memento london fog.

Now for a bit of personal but good news. I try not to complain about finances for several reasons. Of course, the main one is that I know God is the Great Provider. I confess that it gets the better of me when faced with challenges. The "plan" my husband and I had for ourselves, was like that of most retirees who have worked and have pensions and social security coming. The dh has been getting his for more than a decade and we lived off it, but I was looking forward to mine. So, I turned 62 in July and applied for everything. Because of some unwise choices I made, my pension was two thirds of what I expected. This wouldn't have been an issue except that I can no longer take care of my dh on my own. For my health and sanity, I had to hire some nursing assistance for a few hours a day. Poof, there went the plans. Well, God is so good. No, I didn't win the lottery. I just worked the budget is all. Made some changes to our lifestyle, and was blessed my my youngest dd, whose family we moved in with and it looks like we can do this comfortably. Yes, I will have to curtail spending on stamping toys, but I can't kid myself, I have a boatload of stuff already. We all know it's the nature of the beast to want more. I just have a good feeling about the rest of my life in comparison to two months ago and I know I'm so blessed. Praise God!

Blessings to You Readers
Erica

Less Is More & My Final 10th Entry

 

Well readers, I did it. I have made my contribution to the Less Is More Challenge no. 33. I had a blast doing it. It really made me push the envelope. I started my first card in a mess of craft room. By the time I got to no.6, I knew I needed to clean-up if there were to be a chance I'd finish all 10. And so I tidied up my room and moved on to finish the remainder. There are a few hours left and I hope the Divas will be able to give us some good news on Saturday morning. I probably won't join the next challenge. Yes, I cleaned up my room, but I let a few other chores fall by the wayside. I will stop by to enjoy the entries and comment as time allows me to.

This card is not just for Mother's Day. I think anyone who is away from home and misses ther mom, could brighten her day (especially if she's a great cook), by sending her this card. It's a known fact, that mothers everywhere don't want to wait until Mothers Day to feel loved. The image and sentiment are from Close To My Heart. The letters are from a Sizzix alphabet I found on clearance a year or two ago. I don't exactly love it, but it was on sale, so I had to have it. All the papers used are CTMH and I colored with Copics.

And now I can spend a little time catching up on my reading and apply myself to my Bible Study course.
Its been fun Divas.

Blessings,
Erica

Coming Down to the Wire at LIM

Here's my 9th entry. I think I'm gonna do it. I confess I made this card a few weeks ago, but I have not posted it. I was going through my clear stamps and realized that I often buy a set of them for the sole purpose of using only one stamp. That's not good. So I purposed to have a re-look and try to use at least 3 from any sets that have more than 5 images. Often, I have put the sets into storage binders and taken them from their original packaging which is the case for this. I like the varied butterflies and the way the artist drew them. I didn't feel any coloring was necessary on them. The sentiment is from the same set and they are stamped in Ranger Van Dyke brown. And I used my Memory Keepers corner punch to give the card a bit of pizzaz along with a piece of SU chocolate chip 3/8 inch wide ribbon (retired).

There is less than 15 hours to post at LIM. If you haven't yet submitted, what are you waiting for. And if you have, I hope you've entered your fair share. My 10th card is coming.

Blessings,
Erica

LIM Challenge no. 33, card no. 7

Good evening stampers. Here's my 7th entry to Less Is More. This is a bit different and I got my inspiration from a blog I just happened on called Random On Purpose. You'll see the the card I CAS'd there. I like the way she placed the dsp.  It really is an easy peasy card. The DSP was hanging out in my stash and the sentiment is from a very old tried and true SU set, called Sincere Salutations. I stamped it in Memento Paris dusk and used a Nestie to get that edge. Neenah solar white is my base.

Eight is a comin'. But there's only one more day. Get on your horse. The final ride is gonna be rough. Go LIM, GO!

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 33, Card Entry no. 6

 

Yes, blog readers, it really is no. 6. I started Saturday morning and have posted every day since. I looked through all of my faves scattered all over my PC, printed out and in binders, and some scratchy drawings I did of sketches I'd see when I was somewhere other than at my laptop. This one is my very own original. And I thought I'd better do a one layer card, since that's a monthly feature at Less Is More. At first I stamped one balloon in the middle. But as I looked at it and realized how teeny tiny it is, and how big the sentiment, I realized it would look better with three. Don't the stamp experts say everything should be done in threes when it comes to stamping? The fact that I noticed this makes me think perhaps I'm understanding the concept of balance and other artsy stuff that the pros talk about.

So, the base is....what else...Neenah solar white and the images are both Studion "G" dollar stamps from Michaels.
They were part of my less than $10 haul earlier this week. I stamped in Memento Paris dusk. The coloring was done with Copics and SU markers.

I have a 7th submission ready to go and I'll post it tomorrow in the PM. Then onward to create 8 thru 10. WHEW! Stay with me fearless stampers.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge no. 33, card 5

 
Hi Stampers. I'm posting card no. 5 for LIM. They are over 300 entries and there is still lots of time left if you haven't played yet. I stopped by Michael's today with only a $10 bill in my purse. The store is all geared up for Halloween, which I don't do. It bothers me a bit that Thanksgiving is given such short shrift. Then we leap head first into Christmas. T-Day is my favorite holiday of the year.

With very careful shopping, I purchased 8 stamps and one punch, that with my 10% senior discount allowed me to spend $8.54 cents. They're all dollar stamps and a tiny flower center punch. I was very careful in choosing my stamps because I really do have enough stamps. But these images spoke to me, especially at $1.00.

So my card uses neenah solar white for the base, a scrap piece of SU certainly celery and the EK Success notebook border punch. I dry-embossed a small Cuttlebug folder, I purchased when the CB first came out and I couldnt get enough folders. The Congrats is from Wordsworth clear stamps. Don't you just love when you find a greeting that is vertical? It's stamped in Mary Matchables crimson red. My few Marvy inkpads are very old, but they still stamp fresh. Very little re-inking is needed. Well, hope you like my card. I'll be back tomorrow with no. 6.

Blssings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 33, card no. 4

Good Monday evening stampers. How's the first of the week treating you? Mine wasn't too bad. I found out that I will have lots of family in for Thanksgiving. Some I haven't seen for quite some time. It will be a busy time for me.

To see my previous submissions, just scroll down. They're all in row. Might break in after the 5th entry with a little Mojo Monday...I'm liking the sketch.

My card base is Neenah solar white. I've embossed the front using a newish SU embossing folder called flower garden. I used chalks to color the flowers and butterfly, and I think it looks pretty good. The butterfly is a die from Cheery Lyn Designs. They are based right here in Phoenix, just like Spellbinders. Hmmm, wonder if they would have a warehouse sale like Bazzil Papers. These dies are finely detailed, but take quite a few passes through the CB to get the "cut". A bit annoying, but probably worth the work, as they are beautiful. I will likely invest in a few more. I sprayed with fixative to keep the chalk in place and vibrant. The sentiment is from Hero Arts clear stamps and is stamped in Rubber Monger (very old stamp pad) steel blue.

Well, off to eat a simple dinner, then on to Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen. I love his brash personality and I get a kick out of the wannabe chefs competing. The winner will be chosen tonight.

Blessings,
Erica