Thankful for a Break

Hi stampers!  It's been quiet around here because I took some time off from blogging to enjoy some family time!  I didn't really mean to but I just never got around to blogging :-)  Jon left for China after Thanksgiving and I spent a few nights with my dad and step mom which we don't get to do too often, so we stayed really busy and had lots of fun!  Then we took off for my mom's farm since I don't like staying home alone :-)  But between my mom having to work her volunteer job a lot and my step dad hunting, I was pretty much alone with Ian anyway :-)

But, now we're home so it's back to blogging and stamping I hope!  Even though I'm pretty much in full on Christmas mode now, I had one more fall card I had yet to share.  Clearly, I'm still working on that watercoloring thing ;-)

I paper-pieced the basket and really like how it turned out!  This is also colored on shimmery white instead of watercolor paper.  Both are great for watercoloring!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I'm so thankful for all the blessings in my life, including YOU!

Happy stamping!

Fab Friday 101

Hi stampers!  I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and ate way too much like I did ;-)  Ian had a really good time with everyone and his cousins this year since he's finally over his major stranger danger!  He was pretty much asleep standing up before his nap, so worn out :-)  He on the other hand, didn't eat a LICK of Thanksgiving food, he doesn't know what he's missing!

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge over at Fab Friday.  You should play along if you're not too busy Black Friday shopping!

I'm still working on my watercoloring skills so you're going to see this a lot :-)  

Make sure to check out what the rest of the team did and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Hello Pumpkin

Hi stampers!  How can there only be a few days until Thanksgiving already???  My card today uses a pumpkin.  I have to say I'm not a huge pumpkin fan.  I do like pumpkin spice lattes and a few other pumpkin flavored things but not too many!  One of my faves though is my pumpkin pie cheesecake!  And I don't even like pumpkin pie, ha!  But, I'm pretty sure I'd eat about anything if you make it in the form of a cheesecake ;-)  I'm hoping that I can bake it at our destination and they won't be out of cream cheese or pumpkin or other vital ingredients!

I've had this little pumpkin stamped and sitting on my desk for a long time just waiting to be used as a card.  Well actually I had another one made with our current succulent set but when I got basket of wishes, the little plants in it fit SO MUCH better!  I actually saw a display card at onstage that had succulents in a pumpkin so great minds must think alike!  I have to say, I got the idea while looking at Pinterest and searching succulents.  It's a great way to come up with ideas for stamp sets...note I wasn't even looking for stamped projects ;-)

Mint macaron, always artichoke, and perfect plum are my go-to succulent colors as well!  I have rarely used artichoke and plum for a long time so it's always fun when something makes you pull out colors you tend to neglect!

This is also a great way to extend the use of your Halloween sets! The pumpkin is from jar of haunts!

Happy stamping!

Outside My Comfort Zone

Hi stampers!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I'm sharing something today that may not look like a typical "Mindy" card. I figure I really need to expand my range with this Artisan gig looming;-)

I'm really trying to get better at watercoloring so I finally bought basket of wishes (you KNOW it was the succulents that really got me, right?) to play with.  I have had some trouble stamping on our watercolor paper with our basic black ink (and stazon too, for that matter) so I did some asking around for advice and used it to come up with what I found to be the perfect solution.  I first inked up with versamark and then my basic black. It worked like a dream!  I think the VM really helps pick up and stick down the black ink.  I went a step further then, and heat embossed with clear powder.  It looks great and it helps the coloring a bit since it separates the colors slightly.  I highly recommend you try it!

I have also been thinking of using this pop of pink for a while and always seemed to forget.  I really like the bold look of it and I think it would look really good with quite a few ideas!  It's kind of unexpected in a "fall" card but I think it works!  I also love the combo and black and dijon!

I added a little bow of our gold twine from the holiday catalog and some burlap ribbon.  The sentiment may be a little occasions sneak peek that was an all attendee give away at OnStage called all things thanks.  And look closely and you'll see a tiny bit of a doily peeking out under it.

Don't be afraid to try new things, ok????

Happy stamping!