Coffee House Sunday

Hi Everyone!

It's been a very long time since I've done a weekly round up post. This time, however I'm going to do things a little different in order to relieve a little bit of the work it takes in putting this kind of post together.
I want to do a weekly post on Sunday's consisting of various articles, crafts, quotes and just things in general that have caught my attention throughout the week and that may inspire and interest you as well. In the past, I've called similar posts to this "Saturday Morning Coffee Cafe" but I've always had a hard time with that title...I never liked the way it flowed. So, this time I'm calling it "Coffee House Sundays" It was important to me to keep the "Coffee House" theme to the post because to me this is the perfect post to read while you enjoy a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning either in your own house or your favorite coffee shop. These newer posts will also be a little different because I'm not including as many photos. Honestly, those always took the longest!

Ok, so now that we have all that out of the way, are you ready to get started? Great, grab  your coffee and let's see what's been happening this week!

• My youngest son came home last week with one of those fidget spinners. Yes, it's pretty cool; but the biggest lesson here is just because you invent something cool, doesn't mean you'll be rolling in the money. 

• Lately, I've been trying to eat a litle more healthy. I love Peanut Butter (my favorite is Skippy Natural) and bonus it can help with weight loss! 

• We found out this week that Prince Philip is retiring from public life at the end of this year. The dude is 96 years old, I think he's most definitely earned his retirement, yes? Not unexpected at all; but did you know that he and his beautiful bride (that would be the Queen) are actually related?!

• Not to be overly dramatic; but for goodness sake don't ignore a painful headache!

• Coke wants to help you poop--yes you read that correctly! 

• I love a good Gin and Tonic. It's a great cocktail for a lazy summer day. However, this 154 proof gin might be a litle more than I could handle! 

• Truth be told I was always team Jennifer when it came to pick a side with Brad, Angelina and Jennifer triangle. Sad for the kids involved that Brangelina fell apart, however; but hey it looks like Brad has quit alcohol...thank goodness we're spared that rehab story!

• I just finished Fredrik Backman's new book "Bear town" You should read it too...

• I intend to make a washi tape bookmark as part of my gift package for my son's teacher for teacher appreciation week. What are you doing? 

• I buy those variety packs of chips for my kids lunches. However, no one ever wants to eat the plain potato chips. What to do with them? Make chicken of course! 

• Remember when everyone was doing the Ice-bucket challenge to support ALS? Good news, there's a new FDA approved drug to help treat the disease thanks research funded by those donations. 

• 82 of the 216 Chibok girls were released by Boko Haram. Little victories

• Norbert the therapy dog made my heart melt a little...it's ok if yours did as well. 

I hope your Sunday is great!

Brighten My Day

Hi Everyone!
Well, we made it through another week! I hope yours was a good one and if not, well...at least the weekend has finally arrived! We don't have a lot planned for the weekend except for a baseball game for my son tomorrow evening; and then church on Sunday and maybe a little shopping and lunch after. How about you? Anyone have anything exciting they're doing this weekend?

Shall we talk about today's card? As you can see, it is NOT a birthday card! I used Simon Says Stamps "Watt's Up" set to make this bright fun card. I struggled with what color to make the light-bulb (only a crafter would say that!) and this is actually the second version of the light bulb. I originally had it a much darker orange; but decided I didn't like that very much so I re stamped it and then used my YR04 Copic Marker to color it in instead. I actually cut out the image and then adhered it on top of the older darker image, which you can see as a small outline around the image. I used the sun rays stamp to create a "burst of light" behind the lightbulb. Of course, I added some shimmer with my favorite Wink of Stella pen. I cut out a small heart and added it to the center of the lightbulb as well. I used an embossing folder on the Simply Chartreuse (PTI) background piece. Honestly, I don't know what the design is called....it's one I picked up from Hobby Lobby a while ago.  I layered the card pretty much as shown and added the sentiment in black ink down in the corner.

I think that is about all for me this week. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! I would love to hear about anything special you have planned and would like to share! Thanks for visiting with me today and I will see you all again on Monday!

Challenges:

1. Crafting with an Attitude: Anything Goes
2. Crafty Girls Creations: Anything Goes
3. Crafting with Friends: Anything Goes
4. Creative Fingers: Anything Goes
5. Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes
6. Making Memories Crafting: Anything Goes
7. Polkadoodles Crafting: Anything Goes

Best Birthday Wishes

Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for visiting with me today. I have another birthday card to share with you today. I promise I’m going to be sharing a wider variety of cards soon. I just need a LOT of birthday cards! Like Monday's card, this one focuses on the sentiment. I added a bit of texture to the Fine Linen (PTI) card stock with the Swiss Dots embossing folder; but other than that, really tried to keep the sentiment the star of the card. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp “Best Hugs” set. I love this set because there are so many things you can do with it and such a variety of sentiments you can put together.

I took two photos so that you could maybe see the Wink of Stella clear glitter pen I added to the “Best” on the card. I love my WoS pen; but dang it’s hard to see in a photograph! After I stamped the sentiment, I added a row of small hearts in Teeny Bikini ink (SSS) and then added some glossy accents to each one for a little shine.  I wasn’t sure about this color combination: Enchanted Evening, Fine Linen, Berry Sorbet, Teal and Sweet Blush (all from PTI) but once I got them all together and finished the card, I have to admit they actually work pretty well together.

That is all for me today. Have a great day and I’ll see you on Friday!

Challenges:

1. Crafting By Design: Anything Goes
2. Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
3. Little Red Wagon: Time to Celebrate
4. The Crafty Addicts: Add a Sentiment

Wishing You the Best Day Ever

Hi Everyone!

I had every intention of posting this card earlier today; but the day just got busy and away from me. So, better late than never I suppose. It's really a simple card, so there's not really a whole lot to say about it. I really wanted the focus to be on the sentiment in the center. I used Simon Says Stamp "You Matter" set to stack up the birthday greeting. Since there were so many colors on the card, I decided to just keep it basic with a black ink. I added a little texture to the card by embossing the red background piece. I added some blue and red prima flowers for a final bit of embellishment along with a simple white faux stitching line.

Challenges:

1. Always Fun Challenges: Flowers
2. Artistic Inspiration: Anything Goes
3. Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes
4. Make My Monday: May Flowers