Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ghosts of Halloweens Past Part I

I'm pulling out some Halloween cards from past years as I get ready to make this year's cards. I LOVE HALLOWEEN! Buying Halloween stamps, paper & ephemera; making and sending out Halloween cards; little kids running around so excited in their Halloween costumes - it's absolutely my favorite holiday. I also enjoy revisiting my old cards saved in my Halloween stash box.  Here is my very first Halloween card ever:

I stamped Small Square Background Edge (Hero Arts) six times on a white cs rectangle. I stamped the bats, cat & haunted house from the Halloween Stencil Stamp set (Hero Arts) on Golden Yellow Eloquent LaserKote SP and cut all three into odd shapes and adhered to 3 of the squares. I cut 3 squares from orange corrugated, black wavy corrugated and black velvet SP. Stickers were adhered to the squares. After wrapping an orange piece of wire around a wire spiral tool (no name on this cool tool) I straightened it out half way, added 3 seed beads, curled the ends and adhered it to the black velvet square (along with sticker eyes). The white rectangle was layered to a black rectangle and orange and black metalic threads (Sulky) were wrapped at right angles repeatedly around the layered rectangles. I tied an orange bow and wrapped spiraled black wire around the bow and attached everything to the white card base.

On the second card I used a stamp from The Peddler's Pack Stampworks stamped on vellum, painted with Radiant Pearls with a coating of glitter. The sentiment was computer generated, the dash-dot border was hand-drawn. The vellum was backed with a black layer, and then adhered to a deckle-edge cut rectangle of DP, layered to a black panel layered to an orange cardbase with a dash-dot-equals hand drawn border (black pen). I added a ghost, pumpkin and spider punch and tied a rafia bow to the corner of the main image layer.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Heard You Caught A Bug!

YAY! It's 9pm on Monday night - in my world it's "Lie To Me" time. Happy feet, happy feet running around looking for the remote control.

So quickly I will post today's card. The main stamp Caught A Bug is from Whipper Snapper Designs. I LOVE their stamps, but I disagree with their position as an Angel Company, so I don't own very many. Which makes me sad because their stamps are SOOOOO cute, and they are running a promotion right now with the CUTEST *free* halloween stamp (I'm a little over the top when it comes to Halloween stamps) with any purchase over $50. Hmmm, it's not my birthday, it's not Christmas, it's not Mother's Day - so I'm outta luck right now. Wait! It is my anniversary on Friday. 38 YEARS! Maybe I could work something out . . . but I digress. Here's today's card:

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Two Simple Cards

It's Sunday night and I've been on the go all day. These are two cards that I made a while back. I'm going to post them without any description right now - but I'll come back and fix that tomorrow.


Saturday, August 28, 2010

It's Your Day Lizzy Ladybug . . .

Sweet, sweet little lady bug. As usual, I have a lot of ladybug stamps - all mostly cute and SMALL. Not this one from Whipper Snapper Designs! And she's not shy as she wishes the recipient a Happy Birthday!


I stamped the lady bug with black pigment ink, embossed with clear emb. powder and heat set. I painted her with a combination of Radiant Pearls and Tombo markers. I applied drops of Glossy Accents to the black areas. I used Classic Ovals and Classic Scalloped ovals Nesties on the main image and the backing layer. The sentiment was computer generated and I cut the ladybug from a second image and paper pieced over the original ladybug and covered her black dots with Glossy Accents. The sentiment was die cut using Circle & scalloped circle Nesties which I then paper pierced. I cut the DP (?) and layered it over a red layer cut with a Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestie. Everything was adhered to a white card base. I also added three red gems.
Stamps: Lizzy Ladybug (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Paper: DP: (?), CS: white, red
Ink: Black pigment ink (Colorbox)
Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat tool (Uchido), markers (Tombo), (Glossy Accents), computer-generated greeting, Spellbinders Oval & Scalloped Oval, Circle & Scalloped Circle (Nestabilities), 3 red gemstones, Fiskars paper cutter; (Fiskars), Scor-pal; (Scor-Pal), Glue Glider Pro, (Glue Glider Pro)
Size: 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

Thanks for stopping by - have a great day!

That's a LOT of Salmon!

I promised to post a picture of two of the King (Chinook if you're in Canada) salmon (one day's limit) that my husband caught on his recent fishing trip with his buddy Phil. They do a yearly fishing trip to Langara Island on Oak Bay Marine Group's Charlotte Princess. These two salmon weighed 34 lbs & 29 lbs. Dick is on the right - looking very happy! Maybe that's because this was their second trip this year!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Ya Gotta Love the Pacific NW!

Even though the sun has been shining this past week - I know the rain is going to return any day now (minute now?). This digi stamp from Bugaboo Stamps, "April," is from Ruby's Calendar Girls collection. Doesn't she seem appropriate to our weather here?  I'm pretty sure her favorite colors are pink & orange (and maybe purple too!) so I tried to stay true to her color preferences.

I colored Ruby with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol and a stump. I used a Sakura Gelly Roll clear star pen on the umbrella, rain slicker, boots & puddle to give them a wet look. I tried to show the glitter pen effect in this close-up but the sparkle doesn't seem to show that well in the photo. Operator error?
I stamped the sentiment (Dolphin Song) and cut both images and black background layers with Spellbinders Ovals & Scalloped Ovals (Nestabilities). I adhered a pink cs layer (after I ran it through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder) to a black cs layer to a white card base. I cut a rectangle of the DP paper, backed that with a black cs rectangle layer. I added four black brads to each corner of the DP. I layered three flowers (Petaloo) together and added a pink brad to the center. (Basic Grey).
Stamps: Ruby Calendar Girl (April) (Bugaboo Stamps), I Love the Pacific Northwest, (Dolphin Song)
Paper: DP: Delilah Stripe (BoBunny), CS: white, black & pink
Ink: Black dye ink (Memories)
Accessories: colored pencils (Prismacolor), Gamsol, blending stump, edge distressing tool, Spellbinders Oval & Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, brads (Basic Grey), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots ef (Provo Craft),(Fiskars paper cutter; (Fiskars), Scor-pal; (Scor-Pal), Glue Glider Pro, (Glue Glider Pro)
Size: 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

Thanks for stopping by - have a great day!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

You've Got Style!

I found this paper during my last visit to Ben Franklin in Monroe. I used to visit the store on a weekly basis - but since we moved to the beach, my visits are limited. They totally rule when it comes to a great selection of wonderful designer paper. Boo-hoo, I miss shopping there. Anyhoo - I have several stamps that will go perfect with the DP - including Yvette (Inky Antics):

I started by stamping Yvette with black pigment ink, applying clear embossing powder and then heat set it. I sponged Antique Linen distress ink around the image. Then I applied Dries Clear adhesive on her dress, shoe and hat - and sprinkled black opaque Ultra Fine glitter (adhesive and glitter from Barbara Trombley's Art Glittering System) over the adhesive. Next, I applied gold Glitter Glue (Sulyn Industries) on the lower portion of her hat and her earings and Flower Soft for her hair. I used Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities to cut out the image and the black layer in back of the image. The DP was cut and layered to a black panel and adhered to a white card base. Last, I added four black Mini Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest) to each corner.
Stamps: Yvette (Inky Antics)
Paper: DP: En Vogue (Graphic 45), CS: White, black & cream
Ink: Black Colorbox pigment ink (Clearsnap), Scattered Straw distress ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Heat tool (Uchido), clear embossing powder, Dries Clear adhesive & Ultra Fine glitter (Barbara Trombley's Art Glittering System), Black Tombow marker, Dew Drops (Robin's Nest), Classic Oval Nestablilites, Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

Thanks for stopping by - have a great day!>
Thanks for visiting, and have a great day!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Changito Happy Birthday

It's Wednesday! Hump Day! Also, StampTV day. I love Gina K's project videos. I learn something new each week. Another great project video source is Beate Johns' blog. If you visit the Splitcoast Stampers website, you're probably familiar with her work. For step-by-step visuals, (especially if you want to learn how to use Copics) you have to visit Theresa Momber's blog. Her artistic abilities are amazing.

I used another Changito stamp on today's card. This one is a Happy Birthday card:
I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored the image with Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol and a blending stump. I used a corner rounder on the image and the black background layer. I cut the DP into three strips and layered them on a black panel and then adhered to a white card base. I added three ribbon strips and three orange brads.
Stamps: Changito B-Day (Stampendous)
Paper: DP: Hot Tomato (Graphic 45), CS: White, black
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Colored Pencils (Prismacolor), Gamsol, blending stump, ribbon, brads, Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Hang In There . . . I've Got My Eye On You.

The sun was out bright and early this morning so I took a cup of coffee and my camera out on the front porch. At first, it was very peaceful and quiet. Soon, however, my cranky black friend (below) started screeching at me. I drank my coffee and tried to ignore him (her?) but s/he never gave it a rest. Finally, I put my coffee cup down and I jumped up and took this picture. It didn't faze him one bit. In fact, he started posing for me! I think he seems to be saying, "I've got my eye on you!"


As I said in the beginning (of my blog), I started this blog to encourage myself to get back to creating cards. I absolutely love all the beautiful paper, embellishments, stamps, ink and coloring mediums. But, somehow I lost my card-making mojo and the only way that I was expressing my love for those items was by shopping for them!! I set my plan in motion to get back in my creativity zone - by building this blog. My goal: make a card (or two or three) EVERY day. WHEW! Crazy much?!? So I made this card to remind me that when things get hectic - and they will (!). . .

Stamps: Changito Tire Swing (Stampendous), Hang In There (Art Impressions)
Paper: DP: Archaic/passe' (Basicgrey), CS: White, black
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Colored Pencils (Prismacolor), mineral spirits, stump, yarn, Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

I added a button and sponged some distress ink to the main image of this card. I also stamped some ferns along the edge.

Stamps: Changito Tire Swing (Stampendous), Hang In There (Art Impressions)
Paper: DP: Archaic/passe' (Basicgrey), CS: White, black
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), peeled paint distress ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Button, twine, dauber, colored pencils (Prismacolor), minteral spirits, stump, Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

Monday, August 23, 2010

Thank You Dragonfly

I've had this stamp forever. Sometimes I put googly eyes on him and other times I let him be beautiful with his coppery wings. I found this paper and I thought he would add a little whimsy to the card.  I'm going to have to retake this picture because his rich coppery wings (and the bottom layer behind him) are washed out.
Stamps: Dragonfly (Magenta)
Paper: DP: michov (S.E.I.), Unryu, CS: White, copper, black
Ink: Black Pigment Ink (Color Box)
Accessories: Clear embossing powder; heat tool (Marvy), computer-generated greeting, oval & scalloped oval punches, Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Sunday, August 22, 2010

A Good Day Fishing . . .

I love this digi-stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil. It reminds me of my husband (who just returned from a deep-sea fishing trip in the Queen Charlotte's - and was THE MAN when it came to catching salmon!). I'm going to post a picture in the next day or two. So, to honor his fishing trip, I made this card (even tho the dude isn't fishing for salmon).
Stamps: Fishing (Mo's Digital Pencil), Country Dual Pines (A Stamp in the Hand)
Paper: CS: White, lt blue
Ink: Computer generated digital stamp (HP), Dark Moss (Color Box Fluid Chalk), scattered straw, mustard seed and stormy sky Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Tiny Bubbles e.f.; (Cuttlebug); Labels Four (Nestabilities); circle punches; ink dauber; edge distressing tool, Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

No Stamps Used Part II

The sentiment on this card was computer generated - so actually this is another card made without a stamp. What's this world coming to?? I love the combination of colors used on this card. And not too fussy.
Paper: DP: (I used a scrap piece so I'm not sure), CS: White, lt teal and brown
Ink: computer generated (HP)
Accessories: D'vine Swirls e.f.; (Cuttlebug); circle and scalloped circle paper punches (Paper Shapers); Flourish scroll (BossKut), long classic rectangle (Spellbinders); computer-generated greeting; MS ribbon; paper piercing; Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Friday, August 20, 2010

No Stamps Used?

How unusual is that - not a single stamp used on my card? VERY! But I found this fabulous paper with various pictures and a great texture. I was curious to see what I could come up with to use one as the focal point of a card. Of course, the flower totally overpowered everything else. Best laid plans and all that , . .
Paper: DP: Life's Journey Stamp Collage Embossed Paper & Teal Damask (K&Company, LLC) CS: White, lt teal and moss green
Accessories: Paper flowers (Petaloo); Flourish scroll (BossKut); MS ribbon & border punch; bling; Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Christmas In August, Part II

It may seem strange to be working on Christmas cards in mid-August, but pulling out all my Christmas stash (papers, stamps and embellishments) is actually a nice break. Of course, I'm making more of a mess in my craft room but it's worth it just to take an inventory of what I have - and what I don't have. I'm making my shopping list for this Christmas - it'll be here before we know it!

I had this paper left over from last Christmas and it was one of my favorites.
Stamps: On Visa (American Art Stamp)
Paper: DP: Peppermint Stick and Popcorn Balls (BasicGrey) CS: White and red
Ink: graphite black pigment ink (Brilliance)
Accessories: Swiss Dots e.f.; (Cuttlebug); Paper Bliss accent; Class A Peel Stickers (Stampendous); red, gold, green & white glitter; Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Stamps: Warm & Cold (Penny Black), Merry Christmas (unknown)
Paper: DP: Peppermint Stick (BasicGrey) CS: White, lt green, lime green and red
Ink: graphite black pigment ink (Brilliance)
Accessories: Swiss Dots e.f.; (Cuttlebug); circle and scalloped circle paper punches; snowflake punch; brads; red, gold, green & white glitter; Fiskars paper cutter; Scor-pal; Glue Glider Pro.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

My Deer Lady Friends and Christmas in August

I'm starting out with a picture of two friends who were checking me out while I was checking them out as they walked down our street. This is a very common pasttime for us. Dick and I love to sit on the front porch and watch nature sharing our space. Dick's really great at keeping our bird feeders full - so we never lack in bird visitors.

Two of the stamping sites that I follow were doing "Christmas in July" projects so I'm posting these two Christmas cards. I know, I know, I'm a little behind . . .
Paper: DP: Kelly Panneci, CS: White, lt green, and red
Accessories: Swiss Dots e.f. (Cuttlebug), Spellbinders squares Nestabilities, Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-pal.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)
Stamps: Two Winter Trees (Magenta)
Paper: DP: Snowed in Trees (My Mind's Eye) CS: White, lt green, red, and lt blue
Ink: black dye ink (Memories)
Accessories: Swiss Dots e.f. (Cuttlebug), Spellbinders squares Nestabilities, Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-pal.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Great Impressions Butterfly

I have *several* butterfly stamps in my collection, but I think this one is so classy. I kept FUSSY to a minimum on this card. Often, I have a problem of knowing when to stop adding embellishments to my card. I keep these quotes on my b-board to remind me. Can you relate?:
Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending. (Longfellow)
As a painting nears completion, I sometimes wonder when to stop... the best clue for me is when I start painting the next one in my head. (Kathryn Mullaney)
When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone. (Churchill)
The minute you finish a piece, get rid of it! If it's bad, it'll drag you down, if it's great, you'll just sit there looking at it. (Author unknown)

The designer paper was cut with the long classic Nestabilities and layered over dark brown card stock that was dye cut with the long scalloped Nestabilities (I cut the scallops off one side). The two butterflys were stamped with gold pigment ink, embossed with clear embossing powder and heat set. After cutting them out, I taped them onto scalloped circles and adhered them to the card. The third circle contains a computer-generated happy birthday sentiment. I added three gold gemstones, two punched flowers and two flourishes.
Stamps: butterfly (Great Impressions)
Paper: DP: Small Black Blooms (Kimberly Poloson) CS: white and dark brown cardstock (Bazzill Basics).
Ink: gold pigment ink (Color Box) and clear embossing powder
Accessories: Circle punches (Paper Shapers) & scalloped circle punches (Marvy), Flourish scroll (BossKut), long classic rectangle (Spellbinders), computer-generated greeting, punched flowers and bling, Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-pal.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Monday, August 16, 2010

A crabby day at the beach

Impression Obsession's blog and Flower Soft's blog had a joint blog hop this past week so since I'm a big fan of both, I made this card using a couple of their products.


I stamped the main image with dye ink and used colored pencils to color it. I added Flower Soft sand around the crab and highlighted the crab's shell, conch shell, water and lighthouse with a clear Gelly Roll pen. I distressed the edges of the image layer and backed it with a black layer. I layered that to a blue CS layer that I had Cuttled with a Tiny Bubbles ef. All were adhered to a black layer over a white card base. I threaded hemp through three yellow buttons and backed them with pop dots.
Stamps: Crab (Impression Obsession), Inside: My Heart is at Home (Great Impressions )
Paper: CS: White, black and blue
Ink: black dye ink (Memories)
Accessories: Tiny Bubbles e.f. (Cuttlebug), sand (Flower Soft), edge distressing tool, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, clear Gelly Roll pen, buttons, pop dots, jute, Fiskars waves border punch (inside), Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-pal.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Fishy Friends Hello

Ahhh. Sunday. My cup is half full. Saturday is gone and Monday (back to work!) is just around the corner. But today is Sunday all day and I get to play - with my art supplies!

Over 15 years ago, the wife of a co-worker started selling Stampin' Up! products. I bought a couple of stamps from her before she moved away. That's how my infatuation (obsession!) with rubber stamping and card making began. I don't have many Stampin' Up! stamps in my collection - but I bought these guys on e-bay.


and here's the inside:



I started by running some med-blue CS through my Cuttlebug with the Tiny Bubbles ef. I stamped the star fish, seahorse, crab and fish (inside) with dye ink, colored with Prismacolor pencils, and cut them out. I cut 4 circles from the blue cuttled cs and 4 scalloped circles from black cs using Nestabilities. I layered the circles and then adhered the fishy friends to the circles. I cut a rectangle out of the blue cuttled paper and another from the DP and layered them with a black layer over a white card base. The sentiment is computer generated, cut with a Nestabilities and layered over black cs.
Stamps: Fishy Friends (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: DP: Surf's Up (Best Creations, Inc.) CS: White, black and blue
Ink: black dye ink (Memories)
Accessories: Tiny Bubbles e.f. (Cuttlebug), Spellbinders circle, scalloped circle and dbl ended tags Nestabilities, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, clear Gelly Roll pen, brads, Fiskars waves border punch (inside), Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-pal.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

A little bug told me . . .

What a fabulous day!  The sun came out early and stayed all day. It doesn't get more beautiful than a sunny day at the beach. Of course, with the sun comes all the tourists so then there's no room at the beach. I just consider myself so lucky that when Monday comes, I get to stay.  In the meantime, there were so many colorful kites flying. I love watching them - so many different shapes, colors & sizes. It's hard to pick just one as my favorite - try as I might.

The card that I'm posting today was one that I made about a year ago. This guy is one of my favorite stamps. Such an attitude! Frog was painted using Radiant Pearls, and I applied loud yellow glitter (Magik Glitter) to his eyes & Royal Coat dimensional magic over that to give his eyes a "pop." I used Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots on the tan background layer and paper pierced the tan scalloped layer behind the frog.

Inside:

Stamps: Thinking Frog and A Little Bug (Diamonds), Happy Birthday (Hero Arts )
Paper: DP: Burgundy Collage (Paper Pizazz), LaCreme Matstack Glittered & Textured DP (DCWV), CS: White, Red, Olive Green, Tan
Ink: Black pigment ink (ColorBox), black dye ink (Memories)
Accessories: Radiant Pearls, loud yellow glitter (Magik Glitter), Royal Coat dimensional magic, Circle punches (Paper Shapers) and scalloped circle punch (Marvy), flourish scroll (BossKut), Spellbinders classic and scalloped rectangle Nestabilities, Swiss Dots e.f. (Cuttlebug), edge distressing tool, paper piercer, Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-pal.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Thinking of You Alicia!

Today I decided I was ready to go "public" with my blog so I listed it on my Facebook and sent the link to my daughter. She of the million friends told me she "shared" my blog link so now my knees are knocking big time. It was too early! But my sweetheart daughter-in-law, Alicia, became a "follower" of my blog - so now my blog has a friend who cares! How cool. Thanks, Alicia. You're always there for me! And Happy Birthday girl. Even though the birthday card we're giving Alicia this year is "store bought" (really lovely though, isn't it Alicia?) I'm dedicating this next card to her (since I can't be there with her as the family celebrates) But I'll be . . .

Stamps: Sophie (Mo's Digital Pencil) and computer generated sentiment
Paper:DP ?, CS: white and purple
Ink: computer
Accessories: Spellbinders Oval & Circle Nestabilities, edge distresser, ink dauber, flowers, brads, Tombo markers, Radiant Pearls, Fiskars paper cutter, Scor-Pal
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Old Friends

Since we moved to the beach, we've been so fortunate to have our good friends Carol & Phil spend time with us. They own a time-share condo just up the beach so they spend a week every two months. Carol and Phil were with us when we bought our lot here twenty-some years ago. Here's a picture that Carol had the waitress take of the four of us during their last visit.

Whooo Loves Ya Baby?

With owls being so popular this year, I purchased this guy so that I would have more stamps to use on cards that required a more masculine feel. He was fun to paint. I made this one for my youngest son's birthday.

Stamps: Artsy Owl ((Memory Box), computer generated sentiment
Paper: DP: The Green Stack (DCWV), CS: white, chocolate brown, kraft, olive green
Ink: Black Pigment Ink (Colorbox) with clear embossing powder, green distress ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Rectangle and Tags Nestabilities, corner punch, branch die (Quickutz), edge distresser, sponge dauber, Radiant Pearls paint (Angel Wings Enterprises), fine point paint brush, heat gun, paper cutter (Fiskars), Scor-Pal & Scor-Pal pad, twine, pop-dots, Glue Glider Pro, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug embossing folder
Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Happy Birthday Cathy!

For many, many years I've been exchanging birthday cards with one of my best friends from childhood. Cathy and I sang duets at our church when we were in grade school, played the violin together in the school orchestras, sang in a trio with another friend at the "Highland Dairy Fun Gang" Saturday Matinee and kids' talent show/contest (I think that's what they called it in our hometown). We used to walk home from school and stop on the path by the lake and try to make each other laugh - often to the point where we ended up laughing so hard we peed our pants!  She is a fantastic person and I treasure the memories of our shared times.  Here's the card I made for her this year:


Here's the inside:
Stamps: Wonderful Birthday (Hero Arts ), Yvette ( Inky Antics)
Paper: LaCreme Tan Floral Black Flock DP (DCWV), LaCreme Matstack Glittered & Textured DP (DCWV), and black & ivory CS
Ink: Black pigment ink (ColorBox), Ultimate Metallic Gold (Encore!)
Accessories: Computer-generated sentiment, bling, ivory Flower Soft, Spellbinders Labels Six, Classic and Scalloped Ovals (Nestabilities), fabric flowers (KaiserCraft), edge distresser, ink dauber, Summer Sun (Radient Pearls)
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

My First Post

This is my first post!  I can't believe we're almost halfway through August. Soon it will be fall and I haven't made that many summer cards yet. I'm so behind in my schedule!

Working with paper is my passion and my plan is to use this blog to inspire me to make more cards using all my art stash. I know hoarding art supplies is a major problem for other card designers, so I'm not alone. This card is one that I made for my friend, Carol, who was leaving on a trip to Greece.  I ended up making two (not identical) and I sent the other one to her before I got a photo taken. The flower was my first attempt at making a tissue paper flower similar to the one in Daniela Dobson's tutorial here.  I have a long way to go before I'll be satisfied with mine.  The main image is colored with Prismas and bIended with baby oil and a stump. I cut the dark brown layer on the main image down to make it fit better and then paper pierced around it. The sentiment is edged with stormy sky distressed ink and then edge distressed:

Stamps: Lounging Around (Sassy Studio Designs digital stamp), Relax & Enjoy Yourself (Impression Obsession)
Paper: DP: Granola (BasicGrey), CS: blue and dark brown
Ink: Black, Soft Baby Blue (Memories), Broken China, Stormy Sky Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: clear embossing powder, Prismacolor colored pencils, odorless mineral spirits, stump, foam adhesive, Spellbinders Labels Six and Small Petite Circles Nestabilities, edge distresser, ink dauber, ribbon, tissue paper flower, brad.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)

This is a card that I made for one of my grandsons for his birthday:


Here's the inside:


Stamps: Simon (Mo's Digital Pencil digital stamp), Computer Generated
Paper: DP: Ambrosia (BasicGrey), CS: white and dark brown
Ink: Black (Memories) Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Prismacolor colored pencils, baby oil, stump, foam adhesive, Spellbinders Labels, Small Petite Circles and Oval Nestabilities, edge distresser, ink dauber, Sakura GellyRoll pen, brads.
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2)