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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Show the Love!

I don't know about you, but I get so much inspiration just by participating in challenges from various blogs and websites.  They really help me get my mojo going....especially when I feel my mojo has up and left me.

One of my favorite challenges on Splitcoaststampers is the Featured Stamper challenge.  This week Beth chose a stamper whose gallery I had not come across before:  NikkiSchmaltz.  I chose this darling, glittery heart card she made.    Isn't it just the sweetest?

Of course, we are required to change two or more things when we case the featured stamper.  I changed:

1. stamps
2. designer paper
3. different embossing folder
4. used heart punch instead of ribbon




Yesterday I made a card for the Inspiration and Queen for the Day challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  The inspiration website Stef provided was Layla Grace, whose, as Stef wrote "...tagline is Love your Life, Express Your Style. The founders of Layla Grace state, "We feel that beautiful surroundings bring harmony, balance, and happiness to your home and life, and strive to showcase products that will achieve this philosophy.” There store is filled with inspiration.

I fell in love with this Beige Provincial Decoupage Frame. 
Secondly, the Queen for the Day was Connie Jo9 and I chose her beautiful Mom card to case.     As an option, we could also tell a story with our card.  I don't have a humorous story to tell as a lot of the other challenge participants did, and I don't know if this qualifies as a story, but I did want to relay that I am constantly touched by the deep bond of sisterly love between Connie Jo and her sister Cathy (Mutnik). They always encourage, inspire, uplift, respect, and love one another that comes through clearly in their posted comments on one another's designs.

So, I thought I'd use a photo that was taken of me and my two sisters a couple years ago when my sister, Kay (middle), came to Michigan to visit me after I had my hand surgery. We haven't been able to see each other often (like Cathy and Connie Jo) over the last 35 years because she lives on the Pacific coast and I'm alllllllllll the way over here in the midwest of Michigan. Nonetheless, we have a deep sisterly bond as well, which includes our baby sister, Wendy (left). Wendy and I have been fortunate to live near one another and we, too, share a close relationship as sisters. We took my parents to the local cider mill on a beautiful fall day, and we had so much fun! My husband had us pose for this picture in front of the wagonload of pumpkins at the cider mill.


I used my Rubbernecker Weeds and Vines images by stamping and heat embossing them in white onto kraft cardstock.  To line up the vine image for framing my photo, I relied on my Stamp-a-ma-jig.   I matted the kraft with SU's Soft Suede.


8 comments:

Joanne (jojot) said...

so glad I 'bopped' on for a quick look see, as I was rewarded with such beauties on your blog....the first, the heart card, is so dazzling and dramatic, and then, well, there is that va-va-voom red/white/black beauty that followed, and then the sentimental and regal finisher.....you have had some very successful stamping time, my friend....so glad you shared them all with us

hope you are having a great weekend

hugs,giggles and snorts
snosnertie

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Love your smooch card Charlene!! Now how cute, charming and fun is that card!! And your photo frame....stunning!! You are amazing!!!

Lorraine said...

I love the results of all that inspiration. You sure know how to channel it into some wonderful works!

Bev Gerard said...

Wowwwwww! The FS card is jumping from the page, insisting that we come on in & savor this fun creation! Love the switch from ribbon to punched hearts ... no to mention the "mmmmmwwwaaaaaaah!" effect of those lips!

Then there you go, mesmerizing us with that fantabulous framing with stamps in white ... Totally inspiring, Ms. Charlene!


(((hugs)))
Tex

Traci M said...

Hi Charlene,
Hope that smooch card is for your DH...it is pretty durned sexy!!
And I love your card with the picture of your sisters...so much like the inspirational piece which is understated and lovely!!
You did a great job with these challenges!!

Anne Harada said...

Oh my!! What a way to make a statement with those fabulous lips!! Simple, but leaves quite an impression, I think. I guess if they had lipstick on them, but I think they are glittery, which may not leave quite the impression you were going for. But who would put lipstick on a card?? No, glitter is waaay better. Yep, you nailed it!! (Oh, and I love the photo card too!! :} )

Beverly said...

Oh Charlene... I loved reading your story about your sisters. What a beautiful card! I also have two sisters and a brother, unfortunately we don't share any kind of bond.... but I do so love reading about others who do.
Happy stamping my friend!

C said...

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile..been doing artwork on my walls...painting them...ugh.
Love your "pucker up" and your sweet,sweet sharing about sisterly love. Sadly, I don't get to see my family often. Hubby captured a precious moment and you turned it into a masterpiece.