Love for the water!

Living right on the ocean, I get the most beautiful sunrises and even sunsets on the other side of our condo.  I'll post a few photos below.  I see lots of cruise ships, tankers, cargo ships and sailboats too. (We won't talk about the hurricanes.)

 The ocean is a little rough right now due to another tropical storm going by.  We have a FULL MOON right now and the moon reflecting and shining on the water is breath taking which is how I got the inspiration for this card.

This was a very quick, clean steel die I used to made 4 cards.  This was another very inexpensive die called Sailboat Frame from Aliexpress.  I used a circle punch for the moon and made the moon reflection on the water with my Silhouette. 

First, my card.  I made 4, leaving 2 without a sentiment until needed. Next, a sunrise from 3 days ago starting at 6 am.  I got 3 different pics all within 35 minutes.  Lastly, a sunset I got last week from the other side of condo/home.

A2, clear glitter on waves that you can't really see

Left some cards without sentiments to add later according to occasion.

6:00 AM

6:20 AM

6:35 AM
I captured these great pics with my little IPhone.  It was just another one of those early
mornings I couldn't sleep so I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat on the balcony not knowing
the awesome show I was about to get.

We have the ocean on one side and the Banana River on the other.  Lovely sunset!

This is where I live now!!!

I had lived in Greenville, SC all my life except during my years in college in Charleston, SC.  I've been a passionate beach, water, ocean lover all my life.  I now have the opportunity to do just that!!!  I now live in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Below are pics I took just the other morning.  I awake many a very early morning.  I grab a cup of coffee and head to the balcony.  I get quite the morning show any given morning.  This particular morning, I grabbed my old IPhone 7 and took these pics from 6:00 am - 6:35 am....that is how quick the morning sunrise changes..

The last pic is on the other side of the building where I am able to grab a a pic of the sunset.  We have the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Banana River on the other. (We won't discuss hurricanes.)

I also just finished a renovation on a little condo across the park from us.  It's also on the beach but not as high up.  I'll share the renov pics in a few days.

But cyber friends, this is why I love the beach!!! God's beauty!

6:00 AM (Sunrise)

6:20 AM (Sunrise)

6:35 AM (Sunrise)

Sunset on Banana River on other side of our building

Beach Life ....... Salt Life

Sunny beach weather is back after Hurricane Dorian.  Did anyone notice that the hurricane was never referred to as "he" or "she".  Hummm...

Anyhow, I'm slowly returning to card making.  So many of yal out there have way surpassed me on the new and improved techniques, machines and gadgets.  WOW!  My goal is just to be able to make cards to send to family and friends.  OK...a challenge now and then would be fun.

You need to stop by Little Card Maker.  We have been team members on several blogs, but she continued when I stopped.  She has continued to be my inspiration until I could open my boxes and find for my inspiration.

I bought this simple little beach die from Aliexpress.  I made the words "Salt Life" on my endearing Cameo.

Cards for size A2.  I just realized I have not added a watermark.  I added puff tape for dimension and extra texture by stitching the edges.  The cloud is a punch.  The seagull is a die.

It's been a long time! Living in Florida now!

Hello...It's been quite a long time since I have posted!!!

I'm now living in Cocoa Beach, Florida. We had a visit from Hurricane Dorian.  We were lucky this time and came out with minimal damage.

I've missed creating cards and trying to get my feet wet by creating some simple, fun beach cards.  I wasn't able to bring all my supplies in my move, but that just makes it a fun new challenge.  

These dies were bought on Aliexpress.com through different companies.  I stitched the edges, and created my own sentiments using my dear Silhouette Cameo.  I was so excited to brush the dust off and seeing it still turned on.

Used some ranger inks on background paper and adding splashes of water drops.  (Thank you Lola for the inspiration.) Added shaker eyeballs on crab and used Copics to color. The little cocina shell was found right before the storm several days ago.

I call this "Marsh View" and reminds me of my brother's beach house on Pawley's Island, SC

This was made for my sweet grandson Wyatt.  I should had said, "Whale Hello".  I used Diamond Dust Liquid Pearls on both beach scenes.

All the cards are A2 size.

Sail Away !!!

As a child, my brother and I would play in the old wooden rowboat in the creek across from the beach house.  We weren't REALLY allowed to "row anywhere", but in our minds, we traveled far and had many adventures.

This image Sail Away from Paper Creator's reminded me of those days of old so it was only fitting I made this card and send to my brother who's now retired and lives at that very same beach.  I hope it makes him smile.

Join the fun monthly challenge #53 at Paper Creator's Crafts.  Theme: Anything Goes!  If by chance you want to purchase an image use "CELY" to get 20% off in the coupon code area.  So many pieces comes with one image along with papers, designs and pre-colored images.

oars and shells are dimensional using pop-ups
jute and metal wheel charm

I made this 5x7 but can be changed since it is digital.

My Happy Place (2nd posting today)

Ok...I don't want to bore you, so you can just skip this post if you don't want to see an awesome video my friend Christian (using his fantastic drone) and I put together when I was at the beach a few days before Hurricane Matthew. I invited him down along with my friend Laura.  We had a great time with my brother and his wife.  Anyhooooo, I think it turned out beautifully and makes me smile and homesick for the beach.  (You can see me waving as the drone passes over...haha).

Seeing this on a huge TV screen is wonderful.  Clicking on FULL SCREEN at bottom right corner helps too.

Thank you Christian for all your help and patience...haha

You can't fake fabulous

Just a simple, fun card using an image of Mitzi Duck that has been sitting on my craft table.  Nothing fancy, just fun...haha

I made sun background in studio, doubled one image and then reversed it so the girls look like BFFs.

A2, starfish, metal brad, onion bag scrap, Wink of Stella on hat

Inner Tube Birdbrain Slider Card

OK...I'm back for quite a while now.  The beach was wonderful! YES...the beach is my "Happy Place".

I love Faith's From the Heart Stamp Inner Tube Birdbrain, so I bought it and ran all the way into my craft room to make a card.  Well, you know me, I made 4.  This card is SO ME!!! I was inspired by Donna's Indiana Inking card.

I'm joining From the Heart Stamp Challenge #160.  You can use the sketch and/or use blue and water.  To get the effect I wanted, I chose the blue and water. Cut It Up is also having an awesome challenge: Summertime Memories...well, you know that's ALL ME!

A2, sun punch, LAwn Fawn Hillside Border dies, cut image using Cameo, pop-ups for dimension, wink of Stella on drink and eyelids, copics for color

Sketch or Twist to follow at FTHS

Other Challenges:

Cut It Up #102 : Summertime Memories

From the Heart Stamps #160: Sketch or blue/water

Sea you soon...

This is a "total case" of a Lawn Fawn card.  I love the cute Mermaid for You set.  All I needed was the stamp set.  I have a new thing that is on my Silhouette Cameo Design Studio that will cut the images out.  It might not be as quick as the die set but it saves me a lot of money....money I can spend on more stamp sets.  Anyhow, I colored with copics and added a Wink of Stella to the mermaid's fin.  The "hello" die is from Momenta.

A2, pop-ups for dimension and allowing slider to move
Waves are also from Lawn Fawn
Stitched rectangle from Lil Inker

Challenges:

One Stitch at a Time - Layer it Up

Corrosive Challenge Blog #6 - Lots of Layers

Best Fishes

Yes, my time blogging lately has been sporadic at best.  My craft room was out of control, so I took a week off to clean.  I'm halfway there, but found a good place to stop and do a quick card.  The card is a total "case" from Jennifer McQuire.  I find it hard to jump back into creating after being away for too long.

I used Fintastic Friends set from Lawn Fawn.  I used the dies along with copics, and pop-ups for dimension.

I've enjoyed checking my emails and catching up on so many blogs I loved to follow for smiles and inspiration.  Unfortunately, I haven't been leaving comments, but will try to catch up.  I know the time and love that goes into a card and I personally know that comments left "goes a long way" for encouragement.  So....I'm going to do better.

A2, embossing powder, think black pen, white pen

Headed to the beach (2nd post)

...well, in the near future!  I used this adorable From the Heart Stamps Spectacular Birdbrain last week and made several cut-outs, coloring each a little different.  I'm sooo into "beach mode" so I'm continuing with the theme but using one of the images to play along in the FTHS Challenge #155 with a twist.  I'm following the twist: a circle card.

I'm also entering Cut It Up Challenge #98. The theme is "sun & surf", but be sure to use a die.  Plenty of those here...wading birds, starfish, homemade beach fence, circle cut, glasses and cutting out the image...oops, let's not forget the clouds...haha

5" circle card.  I used pop-ups for dimension on clouds, bird and sunglasses.  Pop-up sunglasses will be removed for mailing but will easily re-stick once taken out of envelop.

I'm doing "twist" - circle card

You're Spectacular

I struggled with this card....only because my heart wasn't in it.  Still missing our Boo.  If anything was going to cheer me up, then it would have to be working with a From the Heart image and entering into some favorite challenges.  This is Spectacular Birdbrain by From the Heart Stamps.  I'm following the Challenge sketch #153 and twist (fussy cut image).  I'm also joining in on Cut It Up Challenge #97: any sketch and use a die cut....in this case, the sunglasses for the cut.

A2 horizontal, wink of Stella, copics, homemade dots, pop-ups for dimension, circle punches, Silhouette Cameo

From the Heart Sketch

Beach shadow box

Bought this beach theme shadow box from Lori Whitlock at the Silhouette Store. ( I got the idea from Deloris at Stamping at the Lake.) Gosh...$1  It folds flat for shipping and doesn't need any extra stamps.  I reduced the size in order to use an A2 envelop.  My brother and SIL sent me a picture of where it sits in their kitchen.  They now lived permanently at Pawley's Island, SC (AND, I can go visit and stay as long as I want...yippee!)

A2, folds flat for mailing

Sitting in one of the kitchen cubbies at the beachhouse

Materials:

Silhouette Store - Shadow Box (Lori Whitlock) she made video to help with instructions

Impression Obsession - seashells and egret

Life is Good

I hunger for the beach...I see it in the near future!  I just bought this adirondack chair die from Elizabeth Craft.  I ripped the packaging open and away I went.  I made 4 cards with some slight differences.  (I like the fence one better only because that what you will see at our SC beaches. )I see a big future for this chair for all seasons.  You may get tired of seeing it.  HaHa

Please forgive me, but one of you sent me this awesome stamp that I used on the inside of the card.  I said I would never forget, and yet I have.  I will blame it on aging along with the drugs for back surgery and pain of the broke knee...haha  ANYHOOO..if it was you who gave me this, PLEASE let me know so I can tell everyone.

A2, my beach fence I made

A2, CAS, outside of card

Inside

A2, different version of inside

Materials:

Elizabeth Craft - Adirondack chair, crab, palm trees

Lawn Fawn - sand pale and shovel stamp and die and stamp on outside

Impression Obsession - starfish die

Fiskar - waves

Get Your Tail To The Beach

This leg brace is keeping me from traveling, but the moment I'm free, I'm off to the beach.

A friend saw a card at a store and asked me to do my version for her.  I made this CAS and made 8 of these cards....4 for me and 4 for my friend.  This is the first card I made since November.  All of this was designed in Silhouette Studio, except for the Fiskar wave die.

A2, pop-up dots for dimension

Circle Sea and Shell Shaker Card

....try saying that 5 times quickly...haha

I've been playing with my new tool, the We R Memories Photo Sleeve Fuse.  My seal-a-meal machine worked fine, but for intricate shapes and curves, it wouldn't work.  This is very easy to work with and I have plenty of old photo sleeve pages..so yippee!

I used Seahorse Habitat set from Doodle Pantry.  I cut out the seahorse using my Silhouette Cameo.  I used all types of sequins.  Next time I want to use real sand.

Doodle Pantry continues with the Ants In the Pantry Digital Challenge #7 and has a 30% sale in the store (with some exclusions).

%" circle, Lil Inker Stitched Circles, IO Seashells

You brighten my life

Gosh....I made 4 of these cuties, but I need more for so many friends and cyber friends.

I cased Wings of a Butterfly-Vanessa using Lawn Fawn Jelly Star Clear Stamp Set. (Still trying to get mojo back so casing really helps.) The sentiment is from Life's a Beach by Lawn Fawn. A little distressed ink, dots of water, pop-ups for dimension and I'm ready to send them out. Oh...white highlight pen and Wink of Stella.

A2, lil linker stitched rectangles

front view

Seahorse Habitat

I hope I'm at the beach when this is posted.  Seahorse Habitat set is a Doodle Pantry June release. Our Ants in the Pantry Challenge #6 continues...join us!

CAS.  I added an extra layer on the gold seahorse and scallop for added dimension. I'm entering my card in the Die Cutting Diva's Challenge #219 - National Aquarium Month.

A2, Lawn Fawn Hillside border die, SVGCUTS seaweed svg,  MB large bubbles die

pop-ups for dimension, starfish metal brad, Cameo to cut

Seahorse Habitat Shaker Card

Ahhhhh....I could smell, see and hear the sounds of the coastal waters as I was making this fun card.

Less is best sometimes.  I didn't want to subtract from the beautiful pre-colored scene.  It came together so quickly and easily, but I hope it look like it took me a long time to the person I send it to...haha

It's June 5 and Doodle Pantry is having some lovely and fun new releases.  I chose one of the images from Seahorse Habitat.  Ants in the Pantry Challenge #6 is still in progress.  Come join the fun and for a chance to win a $GC to the store.

A2, acetate sheet, IO starfish die, onion bag, old sentiment stamp, Die-namics stitched square die, Martha Stewart glitter and glitter I order online, glitter pen on pearl and water areas, double sided dimension tape roll

angle view to try to show inside

by the sea.....card in a box

Yup, I yearn for the coast!  I plan on a trip by the end of this week.  Hubby will stay home and tend the house and puppies.  The first of June is "girls beach time"...a tradition I will continue to follow even with my husband retiring.  He'll probably enjoy the peace and quiet of me being away...haha

June 1 at Doodle Pantry means a new Ants in the Pantry Challenge..#6.  There will be some new releases on June 5 so "stay tuned". Enter the challenge for a chance to win a $GC and more if you use a Doodle Pantry image (not just a sentiment).

A2, IO shore bird die, Lil Inker stitched rectangle die

cloud punch, sun punch, acetate sheets

I used items from Doodle Pantry Mini Summer Trio, Doodle Pantry Flip Flops, and DP Smooth Sailing