Looking for Inspiration

I’ve been having so much fun finding inspiration for my cards and other projects. Everywhere you look, there are things to spark your imagination. Like these towels from Costco. Look at the Stampin’ Up colors!~ I see Poppy Parade, Mango Melody, and Pumpkin Pie right away.

The colors in these towels remind me a bit of the colors in this post that was inspired by Amelia’s sunscreen (she calls it “sun scream.” So cute!!).

Then there’s this pen from the dollar store.

I love this pen – and it writes purple! Of course, it has been claimed by an almost 4 year old.

And finally, here are some pillows. I forget where I found them.

I was having so much fun with my inspiration finds, I wanted to share this fun with my team. Our challenge this month was to find something that inspired us and create something using the inspiration piece. For my entry, I was planning to create something using Granny Apple Green, Blueberry Bushel, Mango Melody, and maybe some Daffodil Delight. But then my mother-in-law’s Better Homes & Gardens magazine arrived. Since she’s in an assisted living facility, all her mail comes to our house, mostly so I can take care of her financial stuff. But the perk is I get to read magazines I wouldn’t normally purchase before I take them to her.

Take a peek at the cover.

Of course I had to pull out my Stampin’ Up! Daisy Delight Stamp Set and Daisy Punch.

I actually had more flowers, but they wouldn’t all fit. I had so much fun making these, I couldn’t stop. I stamped the flowers on Whisper White Cardstock in (clockwise from top left) Daffodil Delight, Soft Sea Foam, Poppy Parade, Mango Melody, Soft Sea Foam, and Melon Mambo. Then I sponged them in the same color – except for the Melon Mambo and Soft Sea Foam ones. I sponged Flirty Flamingo on the Melon Mambo one. The Soft Sea Foam, of course, was just to add a little definition to the Whisper White flowers.

The leaves from the Painted Harvest Stamp Set are Stamped in Granny Apple Green on Soft Sea Foam Cardstock, then punched with the Leaf Punch. The flower centers are Sahara Sand ink on Soft Sea Foam Cardstock, then sponged with a little Daffodil Delight.

To make sure I could get as many daisies on the card without covering up the white embossed sentiment, I placed the flowers on the card without adhering first, then stamped and embossed the sentiment. I love how everything pops on the Basic Black background. I used Mango Melody for my card base.

When you read this, I’ll be in Chesapeake, VA. I love this area of the state. Mike & I spent lots of time in the Tidewater area when Jon and Wesley were little. We had several rentals here, and had fun family times when we’d come down to check on things or clean for new tenants. There was a very cool place – The Fun Escape – that was a lot like Chuck E Cheese’s – without the rodent – on steroids. They had lots of games, virtual reality sports, bumper cars, and a crawl through/slide play area (like they have at fast food restaurants).

This time, we’re here because Mike has a class – and I came along just for kicks. My plan is to get up early, eat a healthy breakfast, take a walk or work out in the gym, and catch up on things. The reality will probably be me sitting in bed reading all day. But I have hopes that I’ll get at least a little exercise.

Here’s the funny part of the story. We’re staying in a suite. I always think, “kitchenette,” when I think suite – with plates, silverware, glasses and things like that. We have a fridge, microwave, and a lovely kitchen sink. Since I knew we’d be getting in late, I brought last night’s leftovers for dinner (coriander crusted tuna with black bean salsa. And, yes, it was as good as it sounds.). We bought two tuna steaks the other night from Costco, and, of course, it was enough to feed 8 people, because – Costco. I didn’t think about freezing one for later until I looked in the pan and thought, “Wow. That’s a lot of fish.” But, hey – lunch and dinner the next day, right? And we grew a lot of the ingredients ourselves, so I was very proud. (Not the tuna, of course. Although we’ve had quite a bit of rain for the past 40 days and nights, it hasn’t reached Biblical proportions.)

I looked for plates to reheat the tuna. None. No problem. I used the lid of the container I packed it in as one plate and the container for the second. Silverware? None. No problem. Since Mike travels a lot, he keeps a bag with plastic ware and more in his car. Then I noticed the only dinner ware in the motel room consisted of two coffee cups and two tumblers for water. And then I noticed that there were two single serving packs of coffee. One was regular; one was decaf. Seriously?

Me: Dude, I love you, and I know you’re much bigger and stronger than I am, but I will seriously fight you for the regular.

Mike: Calls front desk and asks for more regular to be sent up. Smart man. He hasn’t lived with me for 36 years for nothing!

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a lovely weekend!

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