Friday, April 3, 2015

Busy But Happy and Some Cards!

Hi there!

Long time, no see! It's hard for me to believe it's been almost a month since I've shared anything here on my blog. Life has been so busy with a whole lot of different things going on but it's all good! 

I've been getting crafty too and continue to make cards but I just never seem to have the time to sit down and share them here.

I'm hoping that changes because my hubby and I have been making plans for retiring at the end of this year. We are both so excited for this new chapter in our lives and are really looking forward to not working anymore! That means lots more time for crafting . . . . . and blogging too - YAY!

The house needs remodeling so we just starting that process by looking at what needs to be changed and what we can leave the way it is. We want to be able to sell it in the next couple of years. We are also starting to look into renting a place in Florida during the winter months each year, which we would start doing in the winter of 2016/2017. 

I've also been working hard running the Simon Says Stamp Flickr group. I love seeing the cards shared there and am really enjoying taking care of their challenges every other week. If you've never played in one before, I encourage you to join in! You can check out the latest one here. It just started today. It's a watercolor challenge and you have two weeks to play!

I was also recently at a crafty retreat in Ohio with some of the most amazing women! I made a few cards but mostly walked around in awe of all the talent. We had such a wonderful time! We laughed until we had tears running down our faces and our stomachs hurt! If you want to see some of my photos from that special weekend, you can check them out on my Instagram page

I do have a few cards to share with you too. The first three were created at the retreat. Copic markers were used on the first two and watercolors on the third.













And this last one was also made using watercolors. I wanted to create a fun, colorful, watercolor background and add some flowers, rain and a springtime sentiment. I'll be entering this into the Mixed Media Monthly challenge #11, which is, "April Showers."

 

The floral stamps/dies, sentiment and raindrops were all created using Simon Says Stamp products, which I've listed at the end of this post. The background was created using a mix of Distress Inks and water. I also used embossing paste for the raindrops. Hey! This would work well for the newest Flickr challenge! Lol! :)

Okay that's it for me today. I'm off to work. It'll be a busy two days with Easter coming up on Sunday. The floral department looks and smells amazing right now! I'll be spending Sunday with my family at my brother's house and am looking forward to seeing all my sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews!

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend! ♥

Simon Says Stamp: Abby's Spring Showers stamp set, Raindrops Stencil, Watercolor Flowers stamp and die set.
Distress Inks: Spiced Marmalade, Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry 
Wendy Vecchi White Embossing Paste 

38 comments:

Lin said...

What a fun informative post today, Barb......and so glad to hear about the retirment plans - YAY!! Sending you an email......LOVE that last bright flower mixed media one!

Nancy said...

Such exciting news, Barb! So happy for you! I LOVE the last card too. So gorgeous and bright! Says "Spring" to me!

Rachel said...

Barb I know you've been BUSY just from your IG feed! but looks like you've been having so much fun, too. I love your April Showers card! The distress colors look fantastic.. Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
-Rachel
rwkrafts.com

Lynn said...

Busy, but wonderful times Barb! Love hearing about your next steps with both of your careers! How wonderful to retire! Your cards are all gorgeous as always! xx

Virginia L. said...

I am happy for your happenings! That is awesome that you are making plans for retirement! That's VERY exciting! Glad that you had a blast in Ohio! Happy Easter, Barb and family!

Sue McRae said...

How fun to be planning your retirement Barb! Having more crafty time is definitely a bonus!I thoroughly enjoyed your lovely assortment of cards today, and your tulip header is so pretty!

stampingandstitching said...

Barb, I'm delighted to hear about your fun plans for retirement and wintering in Florida - are you sure you won't miss all the lovely snow though?!! Your crafty retreat sounds brilliant and I love the fabulous cards you created there. Your mixed media card is so pretty too, wonderful background and I love the textured raindrops! Hopefully work won't be too hectic today and tomorrow. Happy Easter to you and your family:)

Barb Ghig said...

Welcome back to blogland, my friend...we've missed you! I'm so happy to hear that you and hubby are planning to retire...you're gonna LOVE it!

Looks like you had lots of fun at your Crafty Retreat! Your cards are absolutely gorgeous, Barb! Beautiful blending with your Copic markers and of course I love your water colored background! Loving the fun raindrops and happy colors, too!

Happy Easter!

joy said...

Love your tulip header, Barb! And, how exciting your news is. I am so happy for you to be able to retire and then spend your winters in Florida. I know you will love the warm sunny weather.

All three cards are gorgeous. I especially love the last one. I hope to join in the SSS flickr challenge this time.

Joan V said...

Gorgeous cards. Thanks for sharing.

Cindy C. said...

Beautiful cards, so nice to see your creations!! And it's good to know that you're happy, busy or not!! :)
Happy Easter my blogging friend!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Barb! Sound like you have some fun times coming your way. I love the cards.
Happy Easter!

Lynn K said...

Love all you cards, especially the last one! The colors are so pretty and I love the raindrops. Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

Dawn T said...

Fabulous cards Barb. And what fun your life is leading too. I wish you all the best for the coming few years. I liked see your retreat pics. Looks like on incredible time was had by all.

Greta said...

Oh how exiting, Barb! I'm retiring soon after you--can't wait! Love all your cards, but the last one is just amazing!

Jacqueline said...

Such gorgeous, happy cards on your blog, Barb! Also happy to hear of your plans for the future - exciting and thrilling for you to be able to have more rest and enjoyment and time for family and DH! Blessings for Easter! Hugs!

Michelle said...

Beautiful cards, Barb! Your new plans sound very exciting! My retirement is about 15 years away, so I'm looking wistfully to the future right now. ;-) Your crafty get-away sounds like it was fun.

I Card Everyone said...

Oh Barb... so happy to hear your news... and what wonderful news to hear. I have missed you! Such gorgeous cards!
=] Michele

CinnamonSally said...

Gorgeous cards Barb. Also good luck with your retirement plans. I retired from work last Friday after 20 years in our local school office. I am so looking forward to creating lots more things.

Sarah G said...

Great to hear from your Barb and to hear about your exciting plans for the coming year! Love your cards - looks like a very productive retreat to me :) Hugs x

Nat said...

sounds like you entering a very exiting chapter of your life! Not working does sound so sweet, I could only dream. Your cards are gorgeous as usual (love them all)and I saw your pictures on Flickr of you and the gals!! Looks like so much fun :) Happy Easter to you and your family! :) !!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Barb what beautiful cards! Your colouring and watercolouring are such lovely hues. I can't pick a favourite but those EP raindrops are fantastic! So cheerful!

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful cards, love them all and thanks so much for entering our Mixed Media Monthly April Showers challenge!

Laura Norris said...

Nice to hear that your absence has been for good reasons! Congrats on the retirement news. That sounds so exciting. Your cards are lovely and sounds like the retreat was great.

Robin K. said...

So happy for you Barb! I know how much you'll enjoy wintering somewhere warmer:). And I know you'll love having more time to devote to crafty endeavors!!! Your cards from the retreat are amazing- I took a peek at your Instagram pics and you can tell everyone was having a blast!!! Hugs, Robin:)

Carol McCready said...

Your cards are just gorgeous. I love all those fabulous colors.

Good luck with that house remodeling.

alexandra s.m. said...

It's so good to hear you're doing well and have wonderful plans for the future!
Your cards are absolutely AMAZING Barb!
Thanks for all you do ;)
Hugs~

Astrid Maclean said...

This is delightful, such a happy piece, love it! And of course, thanks so much for adding it to our Mixed Media Monthly challenge!

Lydia Fiedler said...

I loved seeing these in real life and meeting you - I feel like I've known you all my life and now I miss you terribly. Thanks for making me laugh. Hope you're doing hand exercises for all those Mother's Day bouquets :)

Love ya. xxoo

Karen said...

It's been a super long time since I've been blog visiting or posting! Glad I stopped in here today, congrats on your news and such gorgeous Cards, love the copic coloring! I miss the flicker group, I can't log in anymore! So frustrating but maybe I will just sign up again! Glad to see your still here crafting away!!
Hugs!!

Martha said...

OH, Sweet Barb, what exciting news! The end of the year will be here before you know it.

All your cards are simply beautiful!

Donna B. said...

Barb, your cards are gorgeous! I particularly love the watercolor background on the last one and those fun rain drops. Thanks so much for joining us this month at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

maria f. said...

Such exciting things to look forward to! Yay for you and DH. And wow on your cards. I came to see that serene sympathy card. It is just perfect, Barb. And I love the bursts of color on the other beauties.

alexandra s.m. said...

Your cards are so beautiful!
Thanks for sharing!!

Jana said...

Beautiful!

Daria G. said...

Gorgeous Cards!!!

Debbie said...

All of your cards are beautiful! Thanks for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

Melanie said...

This is wonderful. Thanks for playing the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge with us!