Blue Skies are Ahead

Hi Friends

I hope you enjoyed  a great weekend. I have a few things to share with you today, but first I thought I’d share a card I made for the latest Lawn Fawn Inspiration week (this was on the Lawn Fawn Blog but not mine).

I just love the new Blue Skies stamp set (and coordinating dies).  There are so many fun options with these stamps.  I cut the sentiment so that I could stack it on my card. (Being able to cut the stamps is such a nice option with the clear stamps… I used to be afraid to do it but now embrace it because it opens up so many creative options)

Now, I do have some things to share with you. 

Lately, I’ve been struggling with a lot of stress and not managing life very well. Thankfully, there’s nothing majorly wrong, it’s just a lot of things have been piling up. I’ve finally gotten to the point of being overwhelmed and over-stressed. I have a demanding job and had to travel a lot in the last few months. Plus, other commitments outside of work, and they’ve all come together to a point where I’m not doing anything very well. This has caused me a lot of angst, and it’s gotten to a point where I’ve just had to acknowledge it and get back on track.

One really important piece of my life that I need to get in order is spending more time in God’s Word and growing in my faith.  I’ve been reading the Bible and going to church, but I’ve not dedicated enough to the Lord.  As a Christian, Jesus is supposed to be the focus of my life, and I need to spend more time with Him in prayer and reading the Word.

I asked the design teams that I work on for some time off. Both Lawn Fawn and Lawnscaping have agreed and support me.  I will be stepping down from Taylored Expressions Baker’s Dozen Design Team as of last week.  I’m very saddened by this, but it is probably for the best. I have really struggled and failed to keep up and meet their requirements.

I hope that those of you who visit my blog will come back after my sabbatical.  I do understand if you seek inspiration elsewhere. There are so many talented designers out there with inspiring blogs, so I am always grateful for the visitors I receive.

Even though I am planning to take June off, I do plan to participate in the Lawn Fawn June inspiration week because I already have some projects made.  In the future, I will continue to share Lawn Fawn projects.  I sure hope you come back.

Considering my news today, I figured today’s card was appropriate. I know that blue skies are ahead.  God is in control, and I will be trusting in Him.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for stopping by.

Hugs and blessings

Nette

Taylored Expressions May Release Day: Band it Dies

Hi Friends
Welcome to release day for Taylored Expressions.  I hope you’ve got your order in mind. I’m sure there are going to be some items that sell out fast. One may be these fabulous Band It dies that I get to feature at the blog here today.
Here’s what I’ve come up with:

Paired the dies along with the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm paper that I love.
You can see up close here that I recessed the inner oval to create some dimension.
(For these male cards, we can’t bling things up  too much, so I have to add some interest where I can.)
I have a second project featuring these fabulous dies and stamps, but this time I went with a gift bag.

I really enjoy making custom gift bags (or  other packaging). It makes the gift that much more personal.
Be sure to check out the other Baker’s Dozen Design team. You are sure to be blown away by their projects.
Carole Burrage
Charmaine Ikach
Jen Shults
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Lynnette Kauffman <----that’s me
Sankari Wegman
Shannon White
Shelly Mercado
Stephanie Kraft
Tammie Edgerton
Taylor VanBruggen
Wanda Guess
Hugs and Blessings
Nette

Taylored Expressions May Sneak Peek: Mr. & Mrs. Cutting Plate and Lifetime of Love

Hi Friends

I know it’s a post-fest this week!  I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by. 

I have a couple of sneak peaks to share today for the Taylored Expressions May Release. With summer around the corner, wedding season will be in full steam.  This release is well-timed to help us out with those wedding cards that we will be needing.

Today, I am sharing a card using the Mr. & Mrs. Cutting plate to be released. Here’s my card:

 

As you can see, it’s a full size (for the 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 cards), so it makes card making very easy. I added some lace and ribbon along with some pearls to finish it off.

 

Here’s a close up so that you can see some detail. I just love these colors together

 

Next up, I have a card made using the new stamp set, Wedded Bliss.  This stamp is great for those of us who love coloring.

I put it with some Dear Lizzy paper, Lucky Charm.  This has become one of my favorite paper lines and I find myself hoarding it. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the creations by the Baker’s Dozen (and the guests participating).  Here are the links for you:

Carole Burrage

Charmaine Ikach

Jen Shults

Joan Ervin

Kerri Michaud

Lynnette Kauffman

Nancy McKinney

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Tammie Edgerton

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

 

Thanks for stopping by, hugs and blessings

Nette

Lawn Fawn Critters in the Dog Park

Hi there,

I am so excited about today’s post.  I adore this set of stamps that Lawn Fawn is releasing, Critters in the Dog Park.  As a dog lover, this set is almost perfect for me. I say almost because I am desperate for a Lawn Fawn chihuahua stamp.

At any rate, I decided to make a dog birthday party scene.

I just thought that a stack of dog bones would be  the perfect gift to a dog party.  (when I was on vacation, I spent a lot of time coloring and cutting, so these bones were the result of that).  I have a stack of colored dogs, (and hot air balloons for that matter) that were a result of our recent vacation, so be prepared, you will be seeing more of these.

Be sure to head over to the Lawn Fawn blog to see the rest of the design team’s projects!

Hugs and blessings

Nette

Road to Friend’s House

Hi there

I am a posting fool this week. I have posted more yesterday and today than I have in the last 3 weeks combined!  Life has been crazy lately, and stressful.  

But I thought I’d share a card to celebrate friendship 

This is using a set from Taylored Expressions called, Cozy Cottages.  I love coloring and had so much fun coloring these houses. I love the sentiment, “the road to a friend’s house is never long”.

I’m seeing my best friend this week, and I’m so looking forward to it.  Since I’ve been struggling lately, the time spent with her will be so welcome. 

Sorry if I’m not upbeat, hopefully I’ll snap out of it before long. 

Have a blessed day

Nette

Taylored Expressions May Sneak Peek: Birch Tree Accessories

Hi Friends

The sneak peeks for Taylored Expressions May release start today, and this is such a super fun release. This release has a lot of gorgeous and useful dies that I’m sure you are all going to love.

Today, I’m sharing a project utilizing some of the new dies to be released, they are called “Birch Tree accessories”.  As you might suspect from the name, they are designed to coordinate with a new set of birch tree dies, but they are fun and functional in their own right!

Here’s my project:

And Just for fun, here’s a close up of the owl and cardinal.  I tied some twine on top of the birdhouse and put a piece of pink paper with stickles behind the heart to add  some bling.  I colored both birds with my Copics.  As you know, I love critters, so these die cuts are right up my alley.

Now, as you must be aware, there are other previews to be found on the Baker’s Dozen design team’s blogs. SO run over and see their work, you are sure to be inspired.

Carole Burrage

Charmaine Ikach

Jen Shults

Joan Ervin - Guest Designer

Kerri Michaud

Lynnette Kauffman

Nancy McKinney

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Tammie Edgerton

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Be sure to check out Facebook on Wednesday night for the Taylored Expressions preview party.  It’s lots of fun and full of inspiration.

Hugs and blessings

Nette

Lawn Fawn Puffy Stars

Hi Friends

It’s another day in Lawn Fawn Inspiration week. Today we are featuring one of the new die cut sets, Puffy Stars. These are so super cute.  I decided to use the largest star as the base of my card. Here’s what I came up with:

and just for fun, a second card….

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and blessings

Nette

Lawnscaping challenge

Hi Friends

Lawnscaping is kicking off a new challenge today. It’s all about blinging up your card (or other proejcts). I went with some pearls….

Here’s the official badge for the challenge

The challenge is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp who will give the winner a gift certificate to the store. 

We can’t wait to see what you create.  Hope you decide to join in.

 

Hugs

Nette

Lawn Fawn Good Apple

Hi Friends

It’s inspiration week for the May release by Lawn Fawn. Today, we are featuring projects using the “Good Apple” stamp set. It’s so cute, and with the end of the school year fast approaching, this set is very timely.

I made a little gift set that could be given to a teacher as a thank you gift.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Hugs

Nette