Encouragement – Page 61 – Ingenious Inkling

Hard Work

September 18, 2025August 2, 2014 by SmilynStef

It's been a while since I joined the fun at The Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge. I love the clean simplicity of this week's Inspiration Photo. I loved the text on The Paper Bag, the wood grain, the laptop and the tiny bit of blue on the shelves above the desk, so those are … Read more

Having Hope Builds Courage

September 18, 2025July 26, 2014 by SmilynStef

This afternoon I made a card for the Unity {be inspired} Challenge. It felt so good to have a quiet day to putz around in our new home. I'm still trying to figure out the best studio configuration in our new space, but it's coming along nicely. I used four of the colors and the … Read more

Always Follow Your Heart

September 18, 2025July 20, 2014 by SmilynStef

I wanted to join along with the 200th CASE Study Challenge with inspiration from the oh-so-talented Shari Carroll. Here's my take on her clean & simple (yet eclectic) design. I started with a *heart-themed* sticker focal point and then punched quite a few more hearts (in place of the circles in the inspiration card) to … Read more

Life is Wonderful

September 18, 2025June 14, 2014 by SmilynStef

I have spent the whole day unpacking my studio … okay, maybe not the whole day … I did get a massage & stop for lunch at Phong Lan for Summer Rolls. I've made quite a bit of progress, but can't quite figure out where I want things to be in my new configurations. I … Read more

Be Brave and Do It

September 18, 2025May 18, 2014 by SmilynStef

Tonight I'm making some graduation cards … this one uses this week's Freshly Made Sketch. This card is all about the paper … specifically Bo Bunny Country Garden Collection. All I added was a punched butterfly and some Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text Stickers.

Together Is Best

September 18, 2025April 12, 2014 by SmilynStef

I love the similarities between this week's CASE Study Challenge and … CAS(E) this Sketch I used my Dog's Life Inchies from Inkadinkado and took my color inspiration from the CASE Study card (Memento Cantelope, Rhubarb Stalk, Tangelo & Paris Dusk) with the contrast of the Black background. Rather than a big word across the … Read more

Why try to be normal?

September 18, 2025April 9, 2014 by SmilynStef

My husband and I are in the exciting (and a bit stressful) process of buying a new home. That also means we're in the process of selling our home. Our realtor has *suggested* that I turn my studio back into a dining room … which means at this point, about half of my art supplies … Read more

Good Luck

September 18, 2025March 26, 2014 by SmilynStef

Today's request was for a Good Luck card featuring a Beer … to which my husband commented, who needs good luck when you have a beer … gotta love that guy. Layout is from Try Stampin' on Tuesday which has a Masculine Touch this week. Papers are Basic Grey Persimmon. Main image is A Round … Read more

Sings the Tune Without the Words

September 18, 2025March 26, 2014 by SmilynStef

Crafter's Companion is sponsoring this week's Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge … and the theme is Buttons. I always love a chance to go wandering through my vintage button collection. I chose one metal one and three tiny glass buttons to pair with the beautiful Stamp-It Discovery Wing Composition Stamp {CC/SSS} that includes a portion … Read more

Country Garden Caring Thoughts

September 18, 2025March 16, 2014 by SmilynStef

I love Bo Bunny's Country Garden Collection … it has such beautiful papers and vibrant colors. I used three pieces to create this card using this week's Retro Sketch. The Challenge at A Blog Named Hero is to use Paper Piecing, For my accent butterfly from Hero Arts Antique Engravings Butterflies, I stamped it once … Read more