clair087

I almost didn't think I'd make it - but I've just wrapped up this little card today, and even managed to photograph it with the dark clouds rolling in. I really wanted to play along with this month's Pinkfresh Studio challenge - which was all about puffy stickers!  I don't have a heap of puffies in my stash, but I found a way to use what I got. Love when that happens! Here's my take on the challenge - and be sure to check out all the amazing entries over on the Pinkfresh blog ! I used the gorgeous Pinkfesh Fleur 1 stamp set for all the beautiful florals at the top of the card. I loooove this set so much and I want one of my own! I was lucky enough to play with a set to test it out but I'm going to pick up one of these soon. I love it so, so much!  I used some really pretty watercolors to add a bit of colorwash to the embossed florals. These soft colors are a combination of Distress Inks and Papertrey Inks.  I used shades of Aqua Mist, Amethyst Allure and ...

Hi everyone! Hope your Monday is sunny and bright!  I'm kicking off a new series that I'll be sharing from time to time on Mondays. I've been super original in coming up with the name, too :) Here it goes! MONDAY FAVORITES I know it's not everyone's favorite day, so I'm hoping a little crafty fave share will brighten those start-of-week blues!  I'll be popping in with a review of my favorites - new and old - from paper to stamps to inks to possibly items beyond the crafty world! This post will be influenced by new finds, current trending items on my desk, and products I just can't seem to put down. For my first Monday Favorites post, I'm sharing a roundup of my absolute favorite paper patterns! These beauties have been adorning my craft space for the last couple of weeks. Some are older picks and others newer picks, but I love how they pair together and the oodles of possibilities with these colorful fun designs! In each Monday Favorites feature, I...

Every year, like clockwork, we see a family of Robins in our backyard, scouting and checking the surroundings as they prepare to build their little nest. This year, too, they've found a spot just near our back patio doors, tucked under a beam, covered by our back porch roof, and this is their third year returning to that very spot.  In a matter of days, they were busily gathering branches, twigs and grass for their nest. Of course, making a huge mess in the process! But we don't mind. It's all worth it to see the little babies emerge in June, and fly out of their little nest. It's so darling to watch them, drop out of the nest like little dumplings. Chubby, adorable, and so eagerly trying to take flight. For today's card, I created a nest of sorts, and a card of gratitude for all these small joys in our life. I started with a chipboard base for this card. I used soft pink paint to cover the base, and added an aqua trim at the bottom, cut with PTI's Banner Border...

Happy hump-day! Glad you're here today.  I've been thinking a lot about picnics lately. There is something so idyllic about gabbing a blanket and a large basket, stuffed with foodie delights, setting out for an adventure full of sunshine, fresh air, and beautiful scenery...The weather has been perfect for setting out on an adventure as such, so my mind often wanders to daydreaming and planning.  Meanwhile,  in my craft space, I'm inspired nostalgic picnics of years past,   and today's card is a tribute to those sweet Summer days...The many layers, textures and colors, remind me of a pretty patchwork of quilt blankets, Summertime table linens and pretty floral Summer dresses...The doilies are always a reminder of a simpler time, and moments taken to enjoy the homemade. Whether it be a mason jar filled with preserves, or dainties scattered about a doily-lined platter. I'm very keen on setting aside time in our calendar to enjoy this favorite family tradition in th...

Watercolors are really quite dear to me. As a little girl, I used to love doodling with this beautiful medium, and it's so wonderful to see how mainstream they've become.  I don't use them as much as I'd like to, but every now and again, I'll reach into my art drawer and add a little color to my day.  One of these days I'm eager to try the many techniques I've been diligently filing away - it's just so fun to play and explore with art, don't you think? For today, I've made a simple card with a tried-and-true resist technique and a few splashes of color, using my new (and favorite!) Daniel Smith watercolors.  For this card, I was inspired by the gorgeous, new Altenew Mega Greetings set, which I so desperately want to add to my collection. Isn't it soooo lovely?! Since I promised myself I would try to only add stamps and dies that were unlike anything I currently own, I decided it was probably best to try and shop in my stash first. To my happ...

Hi Friends! Today's tag is inspired by moving to new places and exploring new faces and wishing lots of happiness upon those who do. We feel like we won the neighborhood lottery, and love how much these beautiful, warm days bring out life on our cozy little streets. It's always fun to watch the yards transform, the neighbors reconnect. Despite all the ongoing work and hectic Spring to-do lists, it's my favorite time year because everything seems to awaken! Love seeing kids playing out in the street once again, and neighbors enjoying their front porches, catching up since our long hibernation, or meeting for the first time.  Really feeling the neighborhood vibes and feeling so grateful that we live on such a great little street. To start this tag, I used Rustic White cardstock and PTI's Tag Sale: Quilted die , cutting off the bottom and adding an oval bottom, cut with To the Point Edgers 2 , out of Rustic Cream cardstock .  At the top of the tag, I added some yellow rib...

Oh what a wonderful day it is! It's a special time to thank some of the most important women in our lives - our dear mommas. I am so grateful and lucky to have the most kind-hearted, caring, wonderful mom.  Throughout the years, she has shown me so much love and support, and is a constant inspiration to me. I wouldn't be who I am without her. Momma, this one is for you :)  I created this card to say thanks, because she does so much for us, putting everyone before herself, and I never want her to think that any of it is taken for granted or not appreciated. When I think of all the gestures, big and small, my heart fills up so much, that it's hard to put into words how lucky I feel. So this card is sort of a way to express it - full of color and sweetness - it's how my heart feels when I think of my sweet momma!  To start this card I used Sweet Blush ink to blend some ink onto the edges. I also used a dotted stamp to stamp a little background detail with the same color o...

Happy Friday!  Something fun and unusual has been brewing up in my studio. Can you guess what it is?  I'm too excited, so I'll just spill the beans! Every now and again, my hubby pops in to my craft space to say hi, and lately, he's been sticking around a lot. I don't mind - actually I love it - but I have noticed something. It first started with him grabbing a few colored pencils and making me a lovely drawing.  Then, a few days later, he picked up a watercolor brush and doodled a bit of color onto a pad.  The next time he visited, I had a set of cards stamped and embossed, and I just so happened to leave one on his side of the table. I colored mine, he colored his, and when we were done, we had each made a little card, and I couldn't believe my eyes!  His card was beautiful and so thoughtfully colored.  We sometimes talk about how much we both loved coloring books in our childhood, so I can see why he really enjoyed taking the time to color. And that is w...