Spread the Joy!

I don't go to many concerts but I felt like I was at one Saturday night.  I listened and watched the live stream (on my computer) of the first iHeartRadio Country Festival live from Austin, Texas.  It started at 8:30 and I finally called it quits at 1:00 a.m.!  I think Luke Bryan was singing the final song.  I felt like I was really there with the crowd.  The artists were great - Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen and Dan + Shay.  Each artist sang at least 4 songs and many sang more than that.  It was awesome!!

While listening to the concert, I did a little creating.  I have this stamp set, Spread the Joy, that has not seen ink yet.  Wouldn't you know it - right after I got it a few months ago, it was retired.  Oh well, I really like the saying on it and will continue to use it.  The stamp was created by a Stampin' Up employee, Emily.  Stampin' Up held a design contest and this was the winner.  Here is how Emily describes the set:  "The theme—Bucket List—was tricky! Although I do want to go skydiving and visit all 50 states, a big part of my bucket list is becoming what I want to be—so my set is a reminder. “Spread the Joy” reminds me to let loose and enjoy life; to leave love notes for my husband and kids; to be brave when life is stormy; and to do the things that really matter! I’m particularly proud of the jam and bread—100 percent my husband’s idea."  Cool, huh?




What's on your bucket list?  I still have a few things on mine but I am marking a lot of them off and not sitting around dreaming about them!

I used the Hardwood background stamp (in Occasions mini catalog) for the background and stamped it in Pool Party.  The die cut piece is from Apothecary framelits.  There is not a framelit or punch for the oval saying so I hand cut it.  I don't think I would have thought about putting these colors together - Pool Party and Crushed Curry - but I got the idea from my Color Coach (a great tool) and I really like it!

Marianne and I got together this weekend and put the finishing touches on the Quarterly that we are hosting this weekend.  I think we are ready!!  I am hoping by the weekend Sonny will be back to his old self.  He is still feeling poorly.  He went to the dr. on Thursday and started on an antibiotic and a pill for his cough and I thought he would be rallying by now.  But I woke up during the night and he was missing from his side of the bed.  He ended up sleeping in his chair last night and is still asleep this morning.  He's getting pretty grumpy from feeling bad for so long and I don't blame him.  The weather is supposed to be in the 80s later in the week and I know he wants to be outside!!

More of Ashley's Creations

Thought I'd share the rest of the cards Ashley made while she was here.  Not too bad considering we were only in my craft room a day and a half!!  Wish I could say I got this much accomplished!

Framelit Card she made for a friend who is getting out of the Army in a few days trying to decide what is next in her life.

Framelit card closed

Simple card using Apothecary Accents sizzlits

She had a hard time with this one but finally got the rectangle cut out in the center with my exacto knife.

Very similar to the previous card - just didn't use the knife!!  Uses Delicate Doilies stamps.

Thankful for You!

I've been trying out a few card ideas for a swap I am in for Convention in July.  This was one of the designs that I rejected.  I like the card but didn't think it was "wow" enough!  I borrowed Zoo Review from my downline and friend, Debbie.  My card for this swap has to be something that relates to January.  When I picked the month of January, I thought it would be easy.  I could do a snowman and make a really cute card.  Well, that was before I saw the new SU catalog!  They retired my Snow Much Fun set and are going to wait until the Winter Mini catalog for the Christmas / winter stamp sets.  So, back to the drawing board!  I'll be sharing the card that made it later.
For this card, I made the base card Night of Navy.  The next layer is Crushed Curry that I ran through the Hexagon embossing folder.  The Sizzix die cut is from the Apothecary Accents framelits.  I sponged a little turquoise around the stamped images and Night of Navy on the edges of the framelit.  I used the new hostess set, Banner Greetings, for the sentiment.  I don't usually order the hostess sets because I know they won't carry over from year to year but I really like the Banner Greetings and I know they will come in handy a lot during the year.

I'm kinda bummed out.  We just finished watching Game 2 of the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs.  Pittsburgh (at HOME!) against Boston and they lost tonight 6-1!  Not to mention they lost Saturday night 3-0!  They better get their act together or they will be staying home.  I sure would like to see them in the Stanley Cup games.