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Make Your Own Happiness

Happy weekend everyone! I can't believe it's already Saturday night - where did the week go? I finally got a few minutes to craft today, in between my nephew's basketball tournament games. Since I knew I only had limited time, I pulled out Jen's Sketch For You to Try and got right to work.

I got this Inkadinkado Birds Galore set on a trip to Archiver's before Christmas and I don't think I've even had a chance to use it yet. What a shame! Jen's sketch looked like it would fit this image really well, so I stamped the bird image with Olympia Green Versafine ink and then colored in the open areas with a Certainly Celery marker. Next I inked the bird part of the stamp again with Satin Red Versafine and then inked around the edges of the bird with Crimson Versafine to give some color depth to the bird. I then stamped the bird, cut it out and glued over the green bird and used a light gray Tombow marker to add some shadowing around the edges. The patterned paper is some scrumptious Scenic Route Paper Loveland Collection. These colors just made me happy - two different colors of red, some pomegranate, pink, celery and black. I cut the striped paper into 1/2" strips and matted with black cardstock. The rhinestone flowers are some $1 bin finds from last spring, and I tied a length of black satin ribbon down the side. To finish off I stamped the Make Your Own Happiness sentiment from the Hero Arts Happy Messages set directly on the patterned paper and added a touch of Stardust Stickles to the flourishes on the bird.

I really love this Happy Messages sentiment set, and I think you'll be seeing me use it a lot. Make your own happiness - how cool is that? Too often I get wrapped up in all the "things" that I think I need or want to make me happy. You know the line of thinking.... if my business is successful, if I lose weight, if I get published, if my house was suddenly and miraculously clean from top to bottom.. if I had more money... if I had more space and time for crafting.. if I had a better house, furniture, etc. .... then I could REALLY be happy. What lame reasoning we trap ourselves with! Happiness can't be bought or earned - it's an emotion, one that comes from inside us. We control whether or not we choose to see the joy in life - to revel in the small wonders of creation. We may not be able to choose our situation in life - but we CAN control our perspective of our situation and how we ultimately react to the things life sends our way. So go out and make yourself some happiness! Rejoice in the little everyday blessings that surround you. Give yourself permission to be happy, no matter the situation - and go out and make it happen! :)

19 comments

Anonymous said...

omgoodness!!! i am in love!!! that bird, those colors and THAT sentiment!! you enabler!!!!!

Shannan Teubner said...

I love this card, and this sentiment!! I totally agree...happiness is a choice. Love your rant! Have a fab day!

Unknown said...

Beautiful card Julee - those colors are amazing! Just stunning!

Karrie Baker said...

Beautiful card Julee!! :)

Tracy.H said...

Oh, how true, Julee!! Love the card and love that sentiment. I might have to get me that set now! ;0)

Misty said...

You know some things in life just aren't fair...like why do us New Mexicans only get 3 scrapbook stores in the WHOLE STATE and why, even though my LSS lady ordered this set for me did Inkadinkado not send it (apparently they miscalculated the demand for that set and it will be available when they make more:0(...so sad. I guess I get to enjoy it from afar in your totally gorgeous card.

Beth Thomas said...

This is beautiful, Julee! I so (heart) that bird set and absolutely love what you did with it!

Kacey Elliott said...

Amen sistah! Love what you said today, so true! Beautiful card - you just made me add that sentiment set to my wish list :-)

Pegg S said...

Gorgeous card. I love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts -- I completely hear what you are saying. I had an AP English teacher in high school whose mantra was "allow yourself to be happy." He would constantly tell us this. At that age, we would just laugh it off and be like "what is this man talking about?? " LOL! I think as we grew older, we realized ... this man was completely right!!

Lila H said...

Gorgeous card!! and what beautiful words you put forth for each of us. I'm happy!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Julee, this is amazing!! You have such a gift for colors, placement, & details! Wow! Did I mention how amazing this is? Also...what a great reminder about happiness! Soooo true!!

Amy said...

I saw this sketch too and just had to try it! Your card is just beautiful!

Jeannie said...

Gorgeous card and I'm also loving the sentiment! I haven't seen it before but might have to pick it up too! Thanks for your words of wisdom too! Jeanne

Lastel said...

Beautiful card !

Libby Hickson said...

What a gorgeous card! And what a nice, uplifting post - thanks for inspiring me to be HAPPY today. :-)

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

What a gorgeous card. I love that bird and the bling!

Rhonda Kelly said...

Love what you did with her sketch. Very pretty card. TFS

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

Oh my, this is just beautiful! LOVE that paper and the bird, WOW!

Anonymous said...

This bird looks like the one from the ALWAYS set that I am falling completely in love with!!

Your happiness ramblings reminds me of what I do w/ my kids: I am always wishing them into the next "stage". "Once the baby is sleeping thro the night....Once the 4 yr is gone to school....etc etc." I have to remember to just ENJOY each stage cuz everyone says they grow up FAST!!

HAPPINESS is NOW!!

Shirley