Feeling Patriotic

Hi, friends! I have a few patriotic projects to share with you today that was posted on the SRM blog a few days ago. Make sure you check out the blog the last few days as SRM has a giveaway going on that includes some Fiskars punches.

First up is a set of tubes that were simply decorated with stickers borders, twine and die cuts. Inside are Hershey's Kisses. I love these tiny tubes and they're so fun to decorate.

Here's a card using some Bo Bunny papers from last year. I love how these papers create movement because of their graphic style (with a vintage touch...my favorite!). I decorated my card with some Want2Scrap bling, more twine and stickers.

Another card using the same papers, twine and stickers. I added the word sticker borders on the edges as a subtle frame.

This is it for me today. I'm off to see a doctor for my annual (more like every 3 years) check up. I am still battling a nasty cold and now, also starving as I am not allowed to eat until the tests are done. So it's probably not a good idea that I am looking through one of my new favorite sites, FOODGAWKER. It's like Pinterest but strictly for food. It has a sister site called CRAFTGAWKER and it's also fabulous. Well, I'd better get away from the computer before I break my fast. Have a great weekend!

Hello Sunflower Card

I have another card today inspired by mixed media. I am really enjoying the process in making these cards. I usually don't do techniques, but am inspired to try new things. I created a Mixed Media-Inspired Pinterest board specifically for this type of cards as I see myself doing this more regularly.

For today's card, I made a collage background using Penny Black's Music Background, Love Chapter set and Flourishes Sunflowers.  I stamped them with Versamark ink and heat embossed with white. I then sponged various Memento inks (Cantaloupe, Rhubarb Stalk, Potter's Clay, Pear Tart and Rich Cocoa) on the embossed panel.

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I water colored the sunflower using Memento inks as well. I colored the sentiment from Stitched Sentiments set with Copics to coordinate with the background colors. I adhered random Want2Scrap LeCreme pearls where I thought they were needed :)

As a final step, I sprayed Tsukineko's Goosebumps all over my card. This product was part of a prize package I won a while ago and I didn't know what to do with it, so it sat in a shelf. But let me tell you, I LOVE it! Instant texture that leaves a beautiful effect, don't you think?

The colors were inspired by Flourishes's Colorful Creations Challenge. I'll be back with more mixed media-inspired cards. For now, I have to tend to my sick family. It seems we're taking turns with a nasty cold. Have a good one!

The Craft's Meow's May Blog Hop: Flowers

Welcome to The Craft's Meow's May Blog Hop. Our theme this month is Flowers. If you came from Lindsay's blog, then you're at the right spot. Please check the TCM blog for the complete list.

I used a few sets for my card today. First I created a background collage. If you follow me on Pinterest, you might have noticed that I've been inspired lately by mixed media which is gaining more popularity among cardmakers lately. This card was inspired by that art form. I stamped the hexagons (from Thanks Bee to Thee), I love you collage (Sent with Love), cancelled stamp (Telegram) with Versamark ink onto a white card stock. I then heat embossed it with white. I blended a few Distress inks to achieve the colorful background.

I stamped the stems (from Flower Garden) on a Want2Scrap tag. I fussy cut the stamped flowers (also from Flower Garden) and adhered them using foam dots. I distressed the edges of the tag, sentiment and background panel. The sentiment is from the Telegram set. I finished the card with a natural Twinery twine and Want2Scrap LeCreme pearls.

One commenter will get a stamp set of their choice. He or she will be chosen from the comments left on ALL BLOGS. Deadline to be eligible for prize is11:59 EST, Thursday May 9th. Winner will be announced Friday, May 10th. Your next stop is Sharri Seffens. Happy hopping!

Penny Black For You

Happy Monday, friends! I have a card for Penny Black's For Family Challenge going on now. This card was made using three PB stamps: Flower Charm, Flower Flourish (background) and Sweet Wishes (sentiment).

I first stamped the background stamp on white cardstock and used that to paper piece the little girl's dress. I then added some Copic shadowing on her dress. The bottom panel was left over from the stamped background piece.

The rest of her was also colored with Copics, in a more messy way. She kind of reminds me of my curly-haired little girl. The sentiment was highlighted using Want2Scrap's LeCreme pearls.

I am also on the SRM blog today with some patriotic projects. They were so fun to make for expat me who misses the US a lot, but I do love living here in Croatia. I wish I could live in two places at once. :) Have a great day!

May Day Picnic

Our church family had a picnic yesterday, May Day, which is a national holiday here, at another beautiful part of Croatia. Isn't this a beautiful view? It reminds me of the Hobbits' shire. Our town is just as pretty, I think, so lush and green. I got to play photographer and enjoyed taking these photos. These are dear friends of ours and they are like family to us.

Some photos of my kids and their BFFs.

My daughter's pet for the day, a very hungry caterpillar.

Our dog Max photobombing our friends' engagement photos.

One of my favorite shots of the day. This happy, young couple will be married soon!

Our friends' daughter who has the prettiest blue eyes.

Trying to take a family photo is a little bit challenging with little kids. I remember going through this so many times. It's the stuff of memories.

Thanks for letting me share a little bit about life in beautiful Croatia. Do you celebrate May Day where you live?