Magical Ocean

Hello Readers,

For today I am writing on behalf of Make My Monday. I got this image from Pinterest and thought it would make a fantastic card challenge. Here is my interpretation of the pin, enjoy!

Lots to see of the sea.

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Challenge #28
Photo Inspiration

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The magic of the inspiration photo led me to
create such an elaborate design.

For me, the texture of the inspiration photo is
what makes it so remarkable. I provided rhinestones, textured and shiny
paper was used to achieve texture.

Detail showing the card in the light. Lots of shine but not too much color.
only blues and browns which is consistent to the inspiration photo.

I know I talk about children's books all the time. Well this is no exception, for the book I am about to reference is probably one of my favorites of all time. The book is called Flotsam by David Wiesner and it is about a boy who discovers a camera washed up on shore. Curious, he opens the camera to expose the film inside and waits at the one hour photo lab to develop the film. He discovers are pictures of a magical land under the sea filled with strange and familiar sea creatures, walking islands, and alien civilizations. 

What makes this book unique is that it doesn't have any words. This allows the child (and adult) to create their own story. My daughter told a different story every time she 'read' the book. Illustrations are mind blowingly gorgeous. Even as an adult it is a must 'read'. So go to the library and check it out. I know you will be as amazed as I was when I first saw it. 

Well I think it is time to get off my soapbox and say goodnight. Thank you so much for stopping by to visit and if you want to say hello that would great too. Take care everyone and I hope this message finds each and everyone of you well. See you soon and happy stamping!

All the best,

Shawna 

Snowflakes

Hello Friends!

Well here I am again to join in some other challenges. This will be my first entry into Make It Monday. Also, I will be entering Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge. With all that said, here is my card for today, enjoy!

The Make It Monday team has presented a technique called
sentiment strip grounding. My sentiment also uses partial die cutting along with stip grounding. The rest of the sentiment 'day' was then added to complete the grounding technique.

Three gems were added to for a bit sparkle and interest.

Above: Showing the rest of the sentiment 'day'. I really enjoy how the stamped sentiment settles into the die-cut so nicely; Below: This photo shows the luster and layering of the snowflakes.

For those of you that experienced snow may remember how magical it is to see the first snow of the year! So clean, fresh, and so sparkly; especially during a sunny day.  I know in March I will look at this post and wonder what on earth I was thinking, but for now I idealizing the thought of snow.. I guess that is what you do when it is 93 degrees (34 celsius) outside.

Well that should do it for me... I want to thank you once again for joining me at TheGrandStampede. I hope you enjoyed your stay and looking forward to your return. Until then take care and happy stamping!

All the best,
Shawna 

Girls Rock!

Hello Friends,

For today I am playing along with RetroSketches. At first I saw this sketch and thought I would pass but then it wouldn't be a challenge would it? Here is my card for today, enjoy!

I thought this sketch would make a perfect card for my daughter's first day of school.
Now the trick will be for her not to find it.. 

I really like the movement of the black border.
To me, having straight lines with this background and layout didn't make too much sense.

 Left: A detail of the stars with its lustery silver stars. I thought this would make the perfect 'neutral'.  Right: Detail showing the stitched border and the colors on the background that were colored using Distress Markers and a damp cloth for wiping the embossed areas.

Challenges Entered:
RetroSketches: Challenge #226



I cannot believe school in the USA is about ready to start up. Teachers and parents alike are gearing up for another year of learning and growing! Wow! Does time fly when you are having fun. But our fun isn't over yet! We still have two camping trips to complete before school and two more planned for after the school year starts. Summer isn't over yet friends; I am hanging on til' the end! 

So that concludes another post. More will come in the next twenty-four hours; that is a heads up and an apology for bombarding your inboxes. I do however, would like to thank you for joining me for this post. I hope you enjoyed your visit and look forward to seeing you soon. Until then, take care and happy crafting...

All the best,
Shawna 

Anchor's Away!

Hello Readers,

For today I am playing along with CAS(E) this Sketch and CAS Colours & Sketch challenges. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

Ahhh... Blue, my favorite color. So soothing and peaceful.
To me, the sentiment echoes what the colors signify.

I used a rope stamp for the last stamp of the lineup.
I think it anchors the card; no pun intended.

I used minimal embellishments
trying to match the Dapper Denim color.

Entering Challenges:

CAS Colours & Sketches: Challenge #185

CAS(E) this Sketch: CTS #184

Well hello friends! I am back from a short hiatus spending time with my family. My husband's father and his wife came for visit to our home. During that time I also had the honor of spending my birthday with them, husband, and children. We had ice cream cake which was adorned with a tea light because we were out of candles (note to self: get candles before my son's birthday).  Now I am back to stamping and trying to find my mojo again... I have a feeling this year will be the best yet... 

Well I have to go and eat dinner. Thank you so much for joining me today and am so happy to be back in Blogland!! Take care everyone and we will see you soon. Until then, take care and happy crafting.

All the best,

Shawna 

I'm Feeling Very Olympic today

Hello Readers,

As some of you may have reconized the title of this post is also a famous line in a movie from 1993 called Cool Runnings. I saw the challenge for today and had this movie stuck in my head.. It is actually a true story about the Jamaican bobsled team; who against all odds qualified for the Olympics. It is a good movie worth watching again.. Anyway, here is my card for today. Enjoy!

Using grungy circles to create the Olympic symbol. Note the
map of the world in the background.

2016 is depicted using Roman numerals. I like the way you can only see
about half of the numerals; allowing  your brain to fill in the rest.
I think it creates a bit more interest to the design.

Detail view of the Olympic symbol and map of the world.
Popping up the focal panel and not gluing down the numerals
adds a bit of dimension.

The Olympics are right around the corner and I can't wait! We will spend the next two weeks glued to the television watching the Olympic coverage. I know there is some controversy around the Zika virus and the quality of the water at Rio. I hope the water quality is safe enough for the athletes to compete and the mosquitoes are held at bay. These games are supposed to be fun so let's just pray that all goes well. I know our family will be watching with eager eyes!

That should do it for me!! I hope this post entices you to join our challenge this month at The Male Room. I would like to thank you so much for dropping by TheGrandStampede and do hope you will return soon. Until then however, have a great day, take care, and happy crafting..

All the best,
Shawna

HOC Challenge

Hello Readers,

Another month marks another challenge at House of Cards. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Using droplets of water in varying
sizes to create a mystical scene.
By leaving the card sentiment-less it allows for
any occasion you choose.

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The inspiration for our August challenge.

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Watercolor paper and the right painters tape makes all the
difference in the success of this card.

Detail showing the outlined roses. I like the way the roses seem
to bleed over the edges of the color.
I think it creates more interest.

Remember anything goes just as long as you follow along with our inspiration; it may be the photo, color, and/or twine. Most of all just have fun and create what makes you happy.

That should do it for me!! I hope this post entices you to join our challenge this month at House of Cards. I would like to thank you so much for dropping by TheGrandStampede and do hope you will return soon. Until then however, have a great day, take care, and happy crafting.. 

All the best,

Shawna 

Golden Years?

Hello Readers,

Today we start a new challenge at Make My Monday. This is such a fun take on our theme this week, 'Fun in the Sun!'. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

Happy cheery colors surround this traditional sunrise!
Yes sunrise, because the recipient is starting a new chapter in life. 

Challenge for the next two weeks:
Fun in the Sun!

The lines on the sunrise extend out beyond its borders.
The black frame blocks you from visually connecting the lines
but I can promise you they do connect.. 

Diecutting the word 'happy' is perfect for this card.
So happy and cheery.

 I made this card for a friend at church. Her long time co-worker is going to be retiring soon and she needed a card to celebrate the occasion. 

When I was a child I thought retiring meant you kind of went away and slowly wait till.... well.... the end of retirement. Times have changed or I was grossly misinformed! It is probably a bit of both. I see my parents and in-laws enjoying their retirement to the fullest. Some of them travel, volunteer their time more often, or become more active with their homeowners community. They are more active and busy then I am at times. Times have changed, and thank goodness because our retirees are more active than ever before. They don't wait till 'the end of the retirement'; oh no, they are out and about contributing in their community and for that I am so grateful... 

Well that should do it for me. I hope you have a great day and thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. I do hope you will join us at Make My Monday. It should be fun! Until then take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna