Remembering A Kindred Spirit

Hello Stamping Friends,

Well, it's been quite some time since I last posted for you, but there is a reason for my recent silence.

I lost a very dear friend to brain cancer right after Christmas this year, and the reason I'm sharing this with you is because she was the person who taught me how to set up this blog and begin the blogging journey that I've been on for the past 3 years.  

Her name was Glynis, and she blogged for years about all sorts of topics in her life.  She was a creative and hilarious lady and a devoted friend, the likes of which is very hard to find in this life.  

She was patient, caring and and so very intelligent, and she willingly shared her gifts and time with so many people around her, including many orphans in several African countries through her work with a non-profit organization here in Oklahoma.

So, to honor my friend, today I will begin year number 4 of Quick And Easy Stamping, and as I share my creations with you, I pray you receive the benefits that Glynis and I envisioned through the birth of my blog; building creative confidence through quick and easy stamping.  

Be brave and bold and step out into your creative experience.  I hope I can be a small part of your journey as you share in mine.

As Glynis always signed her blog posts,

~Peace

barb

Glynis tasting our canning works of "art"

Non-Traditional Christmas for TSOT #247

Hello Stamping Friends!

Here today with the latest sketch, theme and color challenge over at Try Stampin-Or Not-On Tuesday, courtesy of designer, Kaylin.

The challenge is to highlight ornaments in non-traditional colors with this sketch, so I took this challenge full on!   

(I had to dig in my paper stash to find this paper from a number of years ago!  Glad I held onto it.)

Happy Stamping,

barb

The sketch:

My Card:

 I love how this card turned out.  It's really my stamping aesthetic.  Quick and easy!

A little detail:

 A simple coordination of color panels that highlight the variety of colors in this Basic Grey paper, with the true meaning of Christmas elevated... Joy!

A little touch of linen thread for a natural accent is what I wanted for this distressed paper.  

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  ;-)

Stamping Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Coloring Card "From The Herd"

Hello Stamping Friends!

Back again today with a new sketch challenge card from Lynda Cooke, a designer at Try Stampin' -or not- On Tuesday.  I must admit, I almost opted out of this challenge....not because it was too hard, it just felt like my creative mojo was almost gone.  I'm still not quite sure if I LOVE this card, but I decided to call it a "coloring card" and will use it as a kid's card so they can color all of the fun animals.  It's growing on me.   ;-) 

Hope you enjoy my card and try the sketch out for yourself.  Don't forget to link your card post to the Try Stampin' blog.  You'll be happy you joined in the fun!

blessings,

barb

My 'coloring' card:

Lot's of dimension on this card.  It always adds interest.

If you don't want to color the images, use it as a kids card and let them color it!  ;-)

Don't you just love the expressions on these cute faces?  LOL  It makes me smile!

The sketch:

 Stampin' Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

A Joyful Heart

Hello Stamping Friends,

Today I come today bearing a card that speaks the truth for me.  A joyful heart is good medicine.  Proverbs 17:22

Sometimes life seems to simply be hard.  Whether is a crummy case of the flu, or a cold in the winter or something much more serious, everyone needs joy and cheer in their lives.  When a friend is down, this simple truth, sent on a handmade card, could lift spirits and bring joy.  

Consider it.  A simple act of kindness could change someone's entire day...

Now, on to all the details for this quick and easy card.  :-)

I made my card for the Paper Pal Arts sketch challenge this week and also the Create With Connie and Mary color challenge.  I also submitted my card to the Paper Players sentiment challenge!

For the focal image, I used the new photopolymer stamp set, Banner Blessings  and the designer paper from the Confetti Celebration.

I hope you enjoy it!

barb

 

My card:

 

The sketch:

The color challenge:

 A little detail:

 

Stamping Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Newborn King in Green and Blue

Good Thursday, Stampers!

I'm posting my card today based two different challenges....an old color challenge over at  Color Throwdown  

and the current sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.  

As you know, I really enjoy playing along with challenge blogs.  It's been such a great help to me because I'm not naturally gifted in design, color or composition.  I've needed practice and these challenges have really helped in getting my creative juices flowing, and have given me a place to start.  If you're like me, you might find this will help you, too.  :-)

My card:

I like the Lucky Stars embossing folder and thought it would be a simple background for the nativity scene in The Newborn King stamp set.  (I love this set!) I embossed the star with silver embossing powder to add a little zip, but still keeping the card clean and simple.  In the same way, I added the silver background circle because I liked the illusion of a halo. The rhinestones in the sky add a little sparkle and light for a special birth!  :-)

 I hope you enjoyed today's card.  Have a great day and try to get some creative time this weekend and maybe even play along with a challenge blog! 

Be blessed,

barb

Stamping Supplies:

Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Pacific Point 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Pear Pizzaz 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Silver Foil Sheets

$3.95

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Versamark Pad

$7.50

Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder

$4.95

Pear Pizzazz 1/4" Cotton Ribbon

$5.95

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folders

$7.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

YouTube Stamping Tips and Tricks

Hi Stampers!

 
I think I'm going to start a Thursday feature on my blog offering a weekly tip or trick video.  What do you think?  Would that help you?  There are SO many stampers far smarter and more clever than I, who have made very helpful videos and have posted them on YouTube.  I
  like to be your clearing house for bringing you some of the best tips
and tricks from  generous paper crafters across the blogoshere.  Goodness knows how I have benefited from these talented folks.  Ok!  Time to share this first video from Connie Stewart.  She has a YouTube channel and a blog called Simply Simple Stamping.  She's an inspiration to many.  

Here is Connie's Tip Video!

Wednesday's One Stop Blog Hop

Hello Stamping Friends!

I wanted to introduce a new weekly feature to the Quick and Easy Stamping Blog and that is: 

Wednesday's One Stop Blog Hop.   As I have said before on my blog hop posts, there is such a wealth 

of talent and inspiration in the paper crafting/carding making world that I want to share with you,

so I've decided to pick my top 5-7 Quick and Easy cards each week and post them here for your enjoyment.  I will always link the artist's blog address to their card so you can go visit if you choose.  I am learning so many finer points to good composition, color coordination and even editing from these fine crafters.  So, I hope you join me each week for this new feature on the blog, and enjoy all of the talent out in the blogosphere....and create a few cards of your own, too.  ;)

Happy Creating,

barb

Amy Storrie

 Jan McQueen

 Jodi Mckinney

 Crystal Dawn Langton

Windy Ellard

Carolina Evans

"One Stop Blog Hop"

Hello Stamping Friends,

     Today I wanted to share something a little different with you.  How about a One Stop Blog Hop!  When you check in here to my blog,  you will find my favorite cards from several different card makers.  As you know, there are many wonderfully talented artists out there, but  Stampin Up will be my focus.  So, let's get this party started!  

(If you would like supply lists for cards, visit artist blogs)

Here are my favs this week:

nance leedy 

Deb Currier

Yvette Ashe

Jennifer Timko

Dawn Olchefske