Keeping in Touch With Friends, Part 1 ~ ATSM #77; OLS #1; NBUS #89; Penny Black (2); TCC #1

Hey There!

Once again we have whooshed around to Friday!

There are a couple three new challenges in the Blogland of Stamping which are helping us kickstart our creativity in 2014.  One of them is a challenge called The Card Concept.

The first challenge is a color challenge.  The concept behind the challenge is a new one and they describe the concept way better than I ever could, so please click on the link for all the details and to join in.  I think you will like the concept and the Design Team is extraordinary so you don't want to miss out on what they have made for you!

I made two cards, utilizing two different styles.

First up is a card that fits into the Clean and Simple (CAS) style (no surprise).  

I used a NBUS cityscape stamp from Penny Black called "Skyline" which I colored with my SU markers.  I like how the markers give the skyline a distressed old-world look.  I needed to use the markers in order to make every other building pink or brown, and that also meant that I could link my card with the current Addicted to Stamps and More which is "Make Your Mark." Shazambam!

Since I used a Penny Black stamp, new goodies, and a "love" theme on my card, I am going to link up with two different Penny Black challenges.  How about that!  Over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge, the theme for January is "NEW."

And at The Penny Black and More challenge, the theme for January is "Love is in the Air."  Besides Valentines, your card can be anything along the theme of LOVE such as weddings, anniversaries, or just for that someone very special.

And last, but not least, this card also worked perfectly for another fun challenge that I've been wanting to play in which is the recently rejunivated month-long One Layer Wednesday Challenge. This challenge now has its own website so it's much easier to find. Please check out all the details at One-Layer Simplicity Challenge. Besides being one layer, this month's challenge is all about "Restocking the Shelves" of whatever cards you may be running low on in your stash. My card is what I call an "all-purpose" card. While there is a sweet sediment on the front, it is general enough that on the inside I can stamp (or write) anything from a Happy Birthday to a Get Well sediment.

I hope you check out these challenges and play along!  Again, the links will take you to the sites where you will find all the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes.

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I made a second card for The Card Concept, one for the Clean and Layered style, but I'm going to cut and paste it into a separate post because I'm not sure if Mr. Linky will let me link up two cards from one post and, anyhowzer, this is long enough.  In that post I will also introduce you to our latest new friend!

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I had a lovely day Thursday with TWO lunches with the ladies!  I know!  It's not that I'm so popular that I have to double-up my dates with friends, it was just the only day some of them were free.  (Unfortunately I only have one photo to share.)  First up was more of a brunch than a lunch.  I was so delighted to meet up with two of my local bloggie buddies again!  

In the photo below on the left is Harriet of Ally Cat Cards, in the center is yours truly, and on the right is Kim of Cupcakes, Cards, and Kim.

As you can see, I didn't get the memo about the dress code colors!  These are two really nice, really fun, and really talented ladies.  We have already calendared our next get together which will be at the Scrapbook Expo coming to our area in March!

I went directly from there to a birthday lunch with three ladies I used to work with.  Also a lot of fun!  So much laughing takes place when I get together with my friends that I'm reminded of this Maxine cartoon:

Maxine gives "multi-tasking" a whole new meaning!

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Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS!* 

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower!  Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!  See you in a minute on my second post.

  

 

*Life Is Too Short!