A Pearly Flower for You

My happy for the day is actually two things: I found two cool new paper punches on clearance (over 55% off) at Michael's today, and they followed me home! After hitting the arcade with the kids, we stopped at Michael's for a few scrapbook supplies for their layout sessions. I wasn't planning to get anything for myself (because a few goodies I'd ordered last week arrived yesterday--more on that in a minute), but while walking through the Martha Stewart section, I couldn't help but notice the clearance tags--on punches, no less!! Something near and dear to my heart. The clearance-priced ones that called to me were the Medium Double Embossed Car Punch and the Chrysanthemum Large Punch. Can you imagine the smile on my face right now? I can't wait to go play with my new toys. :)

I finished this card, for today's SCS sketch challenge, right after breakfast before heading out for the day with the kids. The sketch was a fun one.
I've really enjoyed getting to know the line of {ippity} stamps. I've won several sets in blog candy and from challenges. My current favorite {ippity} set is Now & Always. It has the most beautiful HUGE bloom images that are perfect for layering and paper piecing. Last week I found it on sale at {ippity} chick Emily Niehaus's blog, and finally took the plunge and ordered it. It came yesterday! Just in time to join in on this week's {ippity} challenge to CASE a card from the SCS {ippity} gallery using {ippity} stamps. Done!! I immediately knew just which card I wanted to CASE: this beauty made by JenMarie Taylor. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I adore her paper-pieced flower with the pearl center! And her gorgeous, envy-worthy DP, too. I was definitely inspired. I don't think I did her card justice (and I know I could have picked better papers for this), but I learned a lot in the process and can't wait to paper piece this gorgeous flower again soon.

This week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge is to use felt. I have LOTS of felt scraps in my sewing room, so I had fun thinking up a creative way to use it. I finally settled on cutting a thin strip of ivory felt, twisting it, and fastening it down with a brad at each end as a decorative accent. I rather like the dimension it added to my card.

Well, that does it for now. Even though we had a ton of fun, taking the day to go out and about with the kids put me way behind. For details on the supplies I used in this card, please click here. See you again soon!