Ready for BEACH weather?

H-E-L-L-O   B-L-O-G-G-E-R-S!

Are you as ready for some sunshine as much as I am?

Well, that's where my mind is today and when I saw the new challenge

at Sugar Creek Hollow was "Dreaming of the Beach",

I just knew I had to play along!

I have had this Stamps Happen Inc., #50031 Collecting Sea Shells rubber stamp in my collection for YEARS!  And, it seems every time I decide to stamp/color it, I end up putting this adorable little girl in either a PINK dress or a PURPLE dress!  LOL!  What's up with that???

I do so much with digital images these days that it was actually quite nice to stamp

and color an image for a change.  I have ALL these wonderful stamps that

aren't shown much love lately ... really must do something about that!

 I've used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for my coloring.  Can you see the little 'sunburn' I've given her on her cheek, back & arms?    Once I got going on my design, I decided to pop up the image ... it just added more character along with the distressing and faux stitching.


My background panel is from the Basic Grey 'Wisteria' paper pad.  Another item I've had in my stash for years!  I only have a couple sheets left so have been rationing it.   I'm amazed I don't have more pattern papers with PURPLE as the theme since it is my favorite color and I find I use it a lot!  Hmmm ... have to make a note of that for my next shopping trip.

Speaking of OLD ... see the 'bling' at the bottom.  Those pink star fish have been in my stash since the beginning of my scrapbooking/card making days (something like 10 years now).  I had forgotten I had them until I started looking for the purple gems (also old) to place in the center of my flowers.  WOW!  Now that I'm really thinking about it ... there's a LOT of OLD stuff used on/for this creation!  That's a good thing!!

A few additional challenges I'd like to share with are:

Shopping Our Stash - Oh Shiny!

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge - Gem, Glitter, Any Bling You Fancy

The Artistic Stamper - Use Distress

ABC Challenge - F is for Flowers

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to stop by my blog and I hope you have found a bit of inspiration along the way!  Now I will leave you with what I see outside my doors today . . .

 

 HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Calling for another 1-3" today/tomorrow.

Guess I'll just have to stay in my crafting cave and be creative!  

And honestly ... I'm quite happy to be able to do that!!

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Lavender Lace cs, SU Old Olive cs, SU Very Vanilla cs, Basic Grey 'Wisteria' dp

Stamp/Ink: Stamps Happen Inc., #50031 Collecting Sea Shells, Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress

Accessories:  Tim Holtz distresser, ZIG fine tip markers, Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourishes #B117S & B291, Cheery Lynn Designs Tropical Leaves #B119, Cheery Lynn Designs Build a Flower #3 (B265), Spellbinder 'Fleur De Lis Squares (S4-318), Hobby Lobby Lavender organza wedding ribbon and lavender gingham check ribbon, Kaiser purple rhinestones, NO CLUE who made the pink starfish gems

Technique:  Faux Stitching, Distressing