YEAH! Its Friday. I’m sure I am not the only one who is crazy busy with summer being here. Jay and I have a little get away next week!!!!!!!!! Nothing fancy, just some time by the beach. We can’t afford anything over the top right now. We just had to dump some money into a special stove as another means of heating our home since oil is OUTRAGEOUS. So its going to be just the 2 of us. You know what? We feel GUILTY for going without the kids!
This is the first time that feeling has ever crept in. We are normally, are literally doing a happy dance in the kitchen when we get a minute of alone time, let alone 3 nights-KID FREE! That is countless date time! Much needed, but still we feel bad.
I think since they are older, we know they would enjoy going. Oh well. We plan on doing some other fun stuff like going to a weekend at Story Land, and Santa’s Village. I am just so surprised I feel so bad going without them. I am sure we will get over it once we hear them fighting! LOL!
Anyway…………….I am filled with joy! Hence, the card 😀 I have so much to be grateful for. My family, friends, God and believe it or not-health!! Things are going super 😀 I just feel like I should acknowledge that. We are all quick to complain, so why not be quick to say “Hey you know what? My life is really good right now” So that is me-Life is good. Be happy, thankful and joyful. I would love to hear what is going GOOD for YOU! No complaining-just good stuff.
Speaking of good stuff……………..
It is sketch time here (a little early for those of you who stamp on Friday’s :D)
Hope you like this weeks sketch! I know I do. I think I may make another!
I have to say I am just totally in LOVE with this card! So much so that this is the Sat. Sketch! Yes, a day early 😀 I have a lot going on so I am sure many of you do too.
I made this about 2 weeks ago, and have just been nuts since this is a busy week preparing for reveals and whatnot, so it sat, patiently waiting to be photographed and shared with the world 😀
The colors are so rich and pretty together-black, olive, ruby red, and coral.
I LOVE that the middle panel is in the window up on dimensionals-so like a floating layer. You see the bottom layer peeking through. Its a really fun look. I have done similar cards, with the floating layer, before but think this is my favorite.
I have been looking around and doing some shopping since I LOVE happy mail! Haven’t had a delivery in a while, so I was due!
Seems like everyone is using some new stuff from The Purple Turtle Shop. OK I guess I should say that I noticed Debbie is using their stuff! LOL! Well after looking around, and getting curious, I put several sets in my cart! I have been having some fun with all that, let me tell you. I love ALL stamps 😀
I have to say my first inked set was Bold Carnations. I just fell in love with it. As I was browsing the store it really popped out at me. It was very different than some of the silhouettes I had. I like the larger scale this set has, as well as the mix of smaller images. Plus the price was insanely awesome. These sets are like unmounted rubber. They come with a black pad, for you to stamp on. A wood mounted set like that would be TRIPLE the price for the size of the images you get. I was really happy with what I purchased, since I was unfamiliar with their store and products.
I colored the solid flower with my SU! markers, then stamped it. The solid blocks, stamped in black, were colored in with my Copic markers, then punched out.
Anyway-this card quickly came together! I needed an everyday card, and felt this sentiment was PERFECT!! It is from the Sentiments set. I LOVE sentiments, and believe you can never have too many. That set just has a nice mix! I am also shocked at the price-$11.99! That is really awesome.
Now here is another-for another view of what the stamps are like:
(OK this is like a PERFECT sentiment for so many difficult times! Don’t you think?)
I know these are so not my usual colors, but that is what I really love about this one. I saw a skirt in the store, and the bold flowers were layered in yellow, red, and black. It was SO striking to me so I went with it. You can see the much larger bold flower stamped in yellow.
Again I used the Bold Carnations set, and Sentiments set. The bird is from another must have set for me (hehehe) Silhouette’s.
I think we all should step out of our comfort zone and try new things. Be it a technique. layout (hint hint) or color scheme. Heck maybe even a new type of stamp! If you haven’t tried UM stamps or acrylic and you really like an image, why not try it out?
I hope this inspired you to do just that. Try something new.
Well I have dinner to make, so Im off and running. If you try the sketch send us all a link here, so we can see your take on it.
Also thank you all so very much for your lovely comments on my PTI project yesterday! Meant so much. I am working on compiling questions to answer in one post 😀
Later!!
36 Responses for "Filled with Joy"
Great cards and layout! I ordered Bold Carnations and have not inked them up yet! I don’t know what I am waiting for!
Looking forward to doing the sketch!
Lauren,
These are beautiful!!!!!!!!! Great enabling again, will have to check out this site. I hope that you and Jay do have a great time. We all need some adult time every once in a while, some days more than others(LOL).
Have a good weekend
Donna :]
OK Lauren….get out of the guilty zone! As the mother of three grown kids and 5 grandchildren, let me tell you the kids will THANK you for going off with Jay and re- juicing your batteries as parents.
You will come home with a closer relationship with your husband, a happier outlook on parenting, (aka fighting kids, mice running around, yada, yada, yada). and most of all, you give the kids time away from you…now don’t get me wrong, they love you but they need that time away from you just as much as you need it away from you. Give Grandma her time with them, I know I look forward to my time with my grandkids.
Now go and have fun…..have a Mai Tai for me….yum…LOL
Love the stamp sets you used today…..I’m gonna have to check them out!
Pam in Ar.
I almost bought silhouettes and then didn’t at the last minute. Now I might have to get it. It’s definitely outside my comfort zone so I think that is why I didn’t – but why I should have! 🙂 Thanks for inspiring!
NO MORE GUILT!!! You deserve every minute of an adult vacation!!! I wish my hubby and I had been able to do more of that…it sure would have been nice. Just enjoy every moment, and renew your love and devotion!!! AND HAVE FUN!!!
Your cards are gorgeous!! I LOVE that first one especially, the colors are just fabulous. You make me gasp every day with your creations….WOW. You are talented beyond belief!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, THEN A GREAT GETAWAY! 😀
Super cute cards! I never made it back to leave you a note about how awesome your projects were yesterday ( I dont think I did anyway). I love the soft look of the paper. Going to get a crimper this weekend. -Molly B
I really like the first card. I never thought to have a floating layer like that. Then again, that is why you are on all the DT’s and I am just an on-looker hoping to get some of your creative vibes coming my way.
I have purchased one mini set of inque boutique stamps and love “the secret weapon” I just need to get a bigger one. I can’t wait to try out more fo their sets. They look like so much fun at reasonable prices.
Love the second card too. I recently stepped out of my comfort zone with some colors for a card and it has got to be one of my favorite cards I have made yet. So much fun. TFS!!!
Lauren these are gorgeous cards! You always cause my jaw to drop. I have these stamp sets and couldn’t even come close to what you’ve created. I was the lucky winner of $100 worth of Inque Boutique stamps on SCS!! Inque Boutique even sent me a free large acrylic block and their 13 x 13 stamp mat! I have been so excited to see that many more people are discovering these sets. More inspiration for me! Thanks for sharing your creativity.
I love the cards, and your 3 day freedom!
What is good in my life?
You propose an interesting question so I took time to ponder it and think only good thoughts. And here is what I came up with: it is sunny, my children are happy and healthy, my husband is hard working and loving, and I have a nice home in a lovely neighbourhood. I don’t have a lot of anything, except stamps! LOL But what I have is all good and makes me smile.
Thank you for reminding us of the good things!
Enjoy your time and put the guilt in a drawer at home and leave it there!
Rieca
Lauren, these are gorgeous! Guess I’ll have to check out those stamps, you enabler, you! Have a wonderful time with DH.
love the cards.
Have fun on your get-away. I totally understand you feeling like you do. But….the adults need our time too. 🙂
After and hour or so your kids won’t even remember your gone! Not that they won’t miss you, but I’m sure they’ll be having a good time as well. Enjoy your little vacation!
Gorgeous stamps…wow! Love the sketch Lauren! Looks like fun! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow…hehe!
Enjoy that time away next week! I know we all feel a little guilty at times but do you think the kids feel guilty when they go for a sleepover somewhere else? Probably not…lol….they will be fine and you two need the time together!
Thanks for posting this early….I can sleep on it tonight…lol!
Tout simplement magnifiques vos créations, je ne me lasse pas de venir ici admirer ces belles choses.
Amitiés from Switzerland
Rachel
Lauren,
This card is very pretty, but I wanted to ask you some questions about some of the other cards you have done in the past. What colors do you use for your CC stamps on the dog, bear, monkey, and cat? I’m wanting to purchase some Copic markers but can’t afford all of the colors, which basic colors do you think would be good to start out with? I have the CC stamps, bella stamps and billy stamps and many more. Also I wanted to know how you did the reflection on your bella card you did for your birthday. You are very talented and you’re an inspiration to all stampers especially me. Thanks and keep stamping!!!
Love all your cards – they make me feel happy. Enjoy your break. We will enjoy ours.
Love your sketch! I absolutely love the window in the front panel.
I hope you and Jay have a wonderful get away. You both deserve some “together down time”.
No complaints coming from Ohio. I have lots of good things. A good job, a wonderful daughter that is doing well for herself (she’s 28) and the prospect of finding a new home to start the next stage of my life. All is good!!
Lauren, I’m so happy you’re so happy! LOL! Been there with the guilt thing myself, but they don’t miss going with you nearly as much as you think. Your cards are great, and I think I’ve seen that skirt you mentioned!
Lauren—-the most loving thing you can do for your children is show them how much their parents love each other. GO! Keep that marriage strong so that when the children all leave you have something left!
Question: did you cut the rectangle in the first card out with a spellbinders die?
Gorgeous, gorgeous work! And I totally understand the guilt feelings… been there, done that, went anyway and had a great time, haha. Enjoy!!!
Beautiful cards. Great colors. Don’t feel guilty, you deserve it!
Lauren,
you are so SUPER talented…everything your hand touches turns to gold! I am quite good at “copying” ideas, but you have a gift of originality! Incredible!
Thanks for focusing on the positive! A while back I decided for every complaint, gripe or negative thought or word, I had to balance it with a positive thought, comment. Amazing how much healthier that makes you feel! Have a good break with your hubby…I feel guilty, too…but it will help you to continue to SHOW your children what a healthy marriage looks and feels like. That’s what you would wish for them right?
Enjoy!
Hey you –
Gorgeous cards, and great sketch…love it. Maybe I’ll get the time to play…
What’s good in my life…good friends *wink*, my dad is alive, and walking, pretty well too I might add, and um…my girls always make me smile 🙂
Hope you’re enjoying your Saturday!!
*smooches*
Great sketch…
These cards are Beautiful!!
The colors are just Fabulous together.
The stamp sets are Wonderful.
*Have a great time at the Beach!!
The kids will miss you…but will be fine 🙂
*I have my health..and my loving family..
“LIFE IS GOOD”
Love your cards Lauren….love your gratitude even more! What a wonderful reminder….so here goes. I am thankful for my home. I have complained about it for two years. We moved from a big city to the country and a family home that was built in 1858 and vacant for 8 years. I’ve complained so much about it and you have made me think. I love my house! Not for how it looks but because I now have an acre organic garden out back and I can run outside in my jammies if I want to to look at it. There are 120 acres of beautiful land to look at. The house has it’s issues but looking at this….it’s wonderful! Thanks!!
Snuck away between loads of laundry to play with your sketch! Don’t tell my husband okay??
http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/2008/07/saturday-sketch-and-new-catalog-sneek.html
Hugs,
MacKenzie
Both of these are very beautiful, Lauren!! Enjoy your time together!!
I understand the guilt feelings too. My husband and I are planning something fabulous for our 20th anniversary in Feb. Living in Europe opens the doors to so many different places we would not have the money to visit otherwise. We feel guilty about exploring without the kids too since this will be a once in a lifetime experience. I guess they will have to wait until their 20th anniversaries too ;o)
Thanks for all of the wonderful ideas and go have some fun!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Justine
These are so Beautiful, love the colors and terrific stamping, great sketch too!
Well, it’s Sunday, but I just now got time to attempt the Saturday Sketch!
Here’s mine: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/980740?cat=500&ppuser=138733
Lovely cards, thanks for sharing and giving this sketch. I got inspired by this card. I needed a baby shower card and saw this sketch.
Here is my take on the sketch for a baby shower
http://missyscreativecorner.blogspot.com/2008/07/baby-showerlauren-meader-layout.html
I love your sketch card, with the floating piece! Great colors and I love the pretty images. Hope you and your hubby have a wonderful time, without the kids–you need that as a parent–we all do! Don’t feel guilty, just enjoy your time!
Hi Lauren,
Have a great time with Hubby (guilt free). Its funny, the few times my hubby and I get away, we end up talking about the kids 🙂
Here is my version of your sketch:
http://katiespaperhaven.blogspot.com/2008/07/eat-cake.html
Thanks for the fabulous sketch, Lauren! I love it! Here’s my card.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/982706?cat=500&ppuser=37504
Your cards are gorgeous as always, and I LOVED this sketch! here’s my take: http://tanyastampsnthings.blogspot.com/2008/07/laurens-sketch.html
Enjoy your grown-up vacation! I’d love one of those…! LOL!
Thanks for the great sketch and the great cards!! I am loving the Bold Carnations stamp set, I need to use use min more!
Here ismy card….
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/985327?cat=500&ppuser=89838
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