CAS(E) Sketch Challenge

As I mentioned recently, I am really getting into stamping and creating cards so I sought out some card and paper crafting blogs for inspiration and to help me learn new things. Through one of those blogs, I found out about the CAS(E) Sketch Challenge and am excited to be participating in my first one this week.

Basically, they provide you with a sketch and then you make a card using the sketch as your guide, then link up to their weekly challenge link party. Fun, right?

Here is this week's sketch.....

And here is my interpretation of that sketch.....

If you'd like to see more cards made with this sketch, head on over to the CAS(E) Sketch blog.

Quote of the Week: Focus

"What you focus on is where you are headed. If you focus on anger, you will find more things to be angry about. If you focus on gratitude, you will find more things to be grateful for. By choosing your focus, you choose your lifestyle, the world around you, and your future." 

- Unknown

8 Years

Eight years ago today, we lost our baby girl. Although I lost her while I was pregnant with her and she'd never take a breath on earth, she was still very much a part of me. I had lots of hopes and dreams during that way too short pregnancy and they died along with Darcy. But I didn't lose hope. Because I am a Christian, I know I will get to hold Darcy again in heaven one day.

I feel blessed to have carried Darcy and am comforted by the fact that on my darkest days I am carried by Him.

This song sums it up....

One final thought; people never really know how to deal with me on this day. They are thinking things like Should they say something? Should they not? If they say something, will that bring it up? What if I was having a great day and they say something and bring it all back?

Let me explain that I will never ever be able to forget what happened on this day. This day isn't as bad as it has been in the past; each year is a bit different but I will never forget so yes, please say something. It's healing and helpful to know that while I may be the one who carried her, I am not the only one who loves her and remembers her.

Find Your Voice Summer Workshop

The last couple of summers I have participated in a summer workshop. (You may remember the fun Creativity Boot Camp posts.) I've mentioned before summer is a rough time of year for us when Noah is out of school. I enjoy participating in these type of workshops because they force me to be creative at a time of year when scheduling time to be creative is hard. So I was excited to learn about the (free!) Find Your Voice Summer Workshop. 

The Find Your Voice Summer Workshop is a free eight week class that is all about embracing, finding and practicing with your storytelling voice taught by the talented Kristin and begins on Monday, June 24th, 2013. Each Monday morning lessons will be made available on the rukristin blog and in the Find Your Voice Facebook group. Each week's lesson will include thoughts on several topics pertaining to the theme of the week, a coordinating worksheet, and several creative prompts. There will be inspiration from contributing team members in each week's pdf as well more inspiration as in a follow up blog post each Wednesday.  I'll be participating in the class and then sharing my projects here as well as on the Coley's Corner Facebook page. I'm also excited that one of my besties, Monika, will be participating in the workshop as well! 

If you'd like to participate, you can find more information here. If you sign up, be sure to drop me a note and let me know! I'd love to come check out your projects! 

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to take a minute and give a shout out to all the amazing Dads that are in my life!
Happy Father's Day! Love you guys! 

USA Art

I wish I could take credit for being the brains behind this adorable USA themed art but it's actually an idea I saw created by the fabulously talented Jen at Craft-O-Maniac. When I saw it, I immediately knew I wanted to create something similar.....

 I had already decided that I was just going to do one mantle this summer instead of doing a summer mantle then a patriotic mantle then go back to the summer mantle. I would make my life a little simpler by just doing one mantle for the entire summer. I knew I would use the blue, red, and yellow color scheme because I already have things in that color scheme from last year. But I also wanted to somehow incorporate something patriotic into the mantle and color scheme so when I saw Jen's art I knew it would be perfect. 

I already had a blank canvas panel and all the paper in my stash. The USA map file was a free file from the Silhouette store that I had downloaded last year. I just threw it all together and voila! 

(linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Quote of the Week: Paint Yourself

"If you're feeling blue, paint yourself a different color." 

- Hannah Chetam

Create your own "Rubber" Stamps

Recently, I have been really into stamping, making cards, and what not. I used to do it years ago but stopped for awhile and lately I have picked it back up and fallen in love with stamping and card making again. I really enjoy it and I love that I can create a card in 5 - 10 minutes. It's a great way for me to feed my creative soul when I don't have a ton of time or energy for a bigger project.

I was making a card and I really wanted a bigger polka dot stamp for a background than the polka dot background stamp I own. So, I grabbed my hand held circle punch and some craft foam and made one. That got me to thinking, I bet I could make stamps with my Silhouette. So, I gave it a try and it worked! 

Because I was a little hesitant to cut foam on my Silhouette (I don't want to mess it up!) I decided to try a thinner foam from my local dollar store. I started with a simple mustache shape because I have a friend who adored all things mustache related and I thought it would be fun to make her a set of cards. I double cut it with the blade on 9 and speed on 1. It worked perfectly! Because it was a thinner foam, I cut three mustaches out and glued them together using E-6000. I let them dry for a little while and then I attached them to my acrylic block I use for stamping with clear stamps by just adding a piece of removable tape to the block. Then I inked up my stamp and stamped away! 

Top image is the stamp on my acrylic block and bottom image is a stamped card.

I made a set of cards with the stamp and then boxed them up in a cute little window box I made. 

I have made other "rubber" stamps since making the mustache and they all have worked well. I will tell you though, if you give this a try, you'll need to use shapes that are a good size and do not have a ton of detail. I have tried a smaller, more intricate shape and it just didn't turn out well and resulted in an un-clean, smudged stamped image. 

This post is part of the monthly Silhouette Challenges hosted by Lauren at The Thinking Closet. 

Check out other posts by Silhouette Challenge participants below: 

DIY Business Cards {Silhouette Tutorial} by Create & Babble

Where Home Is: A Gift for a Military Family by Suburble

This Month's Facebook Silhouette Challenge by Tanya's Creative Space

3D Tea Gift Box Download by Creative Turn

File Cabinet Makeover by Super Sweet Life

Jewelry Box Creation by Joy & Gladness of Heart

Retro Chair Silhouette by Tried & True

Toddler Train T-Shirt by The Thinking Closet

First Silhouette Project! 3-2-1 Blastoff Shirt by de Jong Dream House

Placecard & Card Medley by An Elegant Touch

Using my Silhouette in the Shower (Bathroom Organization) by Whole New Leaf

Pretty & Personal Birthday Bundle by The House on Hillbrook

Binder Clip Photo Holders

I love these little binder clip photo holders.

I actually made these way back in January but I knew we were going to use them for the group craft at the BirthMom Buds Retreat so I didn't post them. 

These are just large binder clips (I found mine for 4 for a dollar at the Dollar Tree) that I have been decorated. They'll hold a photo, a note card, a recipe, etc. 

Decorating them is a cinch. You simply cut scrapbook paper of your choice to fit the binder clip, then adhere it to the binder clip. Then, embellish! You can embellish with ribbon, flowers, die cuts, or whatever your heart desires. 

They are pretty quick and inexpensive to make and make a great group craft for women's groups or organizations.

(Linking to the parties listed in my side bar)

School's Out for Summer

Last Friday was the last day of school for Noah. 

I always dread summer. Noah's behavior always takes a turn for the worst during the summer because of the interruption in his normal routine. We are only on day 2 of summer vacation and it's been rough! He will be going to the summer program for a couple of weeks starting Monday so that should help! 

Quote of the Week: Great Things

"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." 

- Vincent Van Gogh