All About the Alcohol!

Happy New Year, Bloggin' Buddies!

I've finally been able to store all of my holiday stamping and crafting supplies and play with my alcohol inks. It has been far too long. I really like them, but it always seems to take so much set-up to get ready to use them. I don't like messes!

This alcohol doesn't come on the rocks, but on Yuppo Papper! Great stuff.

I was able to add some foil to this and I thought it still needed a little more, so I added a die-cut stitched star and a shadow script greeting from Sizzix and Tim Holtz.

Such a bright way to start off the year!

Thanks for the visit,

Sweet little tags

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Every year I look forward to the "Twenty-five Days of Christmas" hosted by Tracey McNeely. I make quite a few Christmas tags every year because I give packages of them as little gifts (to folks who still give gifts!) and we use them when we wrap gifts that we provide to needy families (to make it extra special). And I love to do it - each one is a tiny little creation filled with joy!

These tags, which use Lawn Fawn's "Say What?" stamps and dies, was inspired by Day 21 and the cute tags by Karin Åkesdotter  using this same image. I have used this set for numerous tags this year and I know I'll reach for it in years to come. The critters are so darn cute! I embellished the ages with some greens from Tim Holtz's Sizzix holiday greenery dies and some Stickles for sparkle.

Thanks for the visit and happy Thanksgiving,

Paper Bird

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

As I have mentioned, I have been working with pigment powders to prepare for a demonstration that I will be doing. So much fun! I decided to try this terrific die by Tim Holtz called "Paper Bird" together with one of the backgrounds I crated.

I added some flowers from Tim's "Funky Flowers" dies and a cool diecut greeting by Tim for Sizzix. I love how it all came together.

I was inspired to use this cover plate die by one of my most talented mentors, Cheiron Brandon. Be sure to check out her blog at http://www.cheironbrandon.typepad.com. I absolutely love her style and I have learned so much from her over the years. I'd sure love to take a class from her someday, but she is in the New York area - darn!

Isn't it cool that we can have a community of carmakers without borders? I have card making pals all over the country and the world! Thanks for the visit and have a great week,

I {heart} Hearts!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, I do. Most of my life I've loved hearts. I used to own way too many and I used them everywhere.......now, although I still love them, I've settled to using them (lots) on cards and wearing them as jewelry.

I wanted to put together another card for the current "Where Creativity Meets C9" challenge which is watercolor.

I just got my first shipment of the Concord & 9th new release and I am just tickled pink! They are such a great company. I haven't had a chance yet to do more than catalog and organize my new products, but I did use a sentiment from the amazing new "Birthday Stacks" stamp and dies set for this card. I heat-embossed it onto back cardstock with liquid platinum embossing powder.

I chose the wooded heart from the "Cozy Up" stamp set and used my Zig Clear Color Markers to watercolor it. It is mounted with some Fun Foam for added dimension. I added some sparkle with Wink of Stella and used a woodgrain Sizzix embossing folder for the back piece of the card.

I can't wait to play with and share with you projects I make from this latest release. I already have my second shopping list started.......maybe I should be drafting up an addition to my craft room!

Take care and have a wonderful weekend. I appreciate the visit.

Year of the Dog

Hello, blogging Buddies!

I have a few special friends (including my fellow stamper and blogging pal, Cindy) for whom I make Chinese New Year cards. I love the challenge because each year features a different animal and because I have a fascination with the rich and colorful traditions of the culture. It is all good.

Laurel Burch

February 16th is the big day and this is the Year of the Dog! My card features a wonderful Laurel Burch image by Stampendous. I was a big fan of Laurel in the 1960's and 1970's. I wore her jewelry (still do!) and carried her beautiful bags. She is probably most well-known for her cat images. She died in 2007, but her unique art lives on! I love it that Stampendous has a new line of terrific products featuring her designs.

I watercolored the "Tail Run" dog with Gansai Tambi paints and assembled the card using the traditional red and gold colors. I used a Sizzix  embossing folder for the background, some gold-printed vellum and some gold foil paper that I die cut (Memory Box "Parker Numbers" & Die-Namics Border).

Do not remove this vinyl!

There is something worth noting about Stampedous cling stamps. Unlike most clings, they come with an additional "cling vinyl label" which you do not remove from the stamp; it is mounted directly onto your block or stamp positioner along with the rubber stamp. Here is a tip sheet to better explain this feature: https://www.stampendous.com/tips-techniques/stamps/cling-rubber-stamps/.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and lots of stamping! Thanks for the visit,

Longing for You!

Howdy, Bloggin' Buddies!

It's that time of year - love is in the air! I am a huge fan of hearts (but only one fella has mine!), so I use them throughout the year. Needless to say, I have a hefty stash.

One of my best pals is nuts about giraffes, so when I saw this adorable Impression Obsession stamp set, I knew it had to be mine. I've used this company's products for decades and I've always thought that their artists are terrific!

I colored this guy (aren't the eyes wonderful?) with Copic markers and added a small heart that I die-cut from some fun foam and some sequins from my stash. The sentiment is cut from a Tim Holtz/ Sizzix label die.

I'll be submitting this to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog, "It must be love". Check it out and play along!

Thanks for the visit and wishing you lots of love,

Fa-la-la-llama!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

A friend mentioned to me that I hadn't posted in some time, so here I am! While I have been creating, sometimes getting things photographed and posted is another matter!

We don't wrap a lot of gifts during the holidays, but we DO write checks and share gift cards. This gift card holder is made with a cute "Prickly Pear" set from Close to My Heart. I colored the silly guy and his cactus pal with Copic markers and used a Santa hat and candy cane from the "Bear Ware 2" set from  Essentials by Ellen (designed by the incredible Julie Ebersol). The scale works perfectly and they add such a jaunty holiday touch, don't cha think?

The sentiment is die cut from an old Sizzix set, probably long retired (like me- ha!). I used my "We R Memory Keepers" Envelope Punch Board to create the holder.

Unfortunately, our beautiful state of California is still burning - such a sad loss.

Take good care and thanks for the visit,

Oh, dear! It's here!

Hi, my Bloggin' Buddies!

Well, it is December. How did that happen?! And I never got my Thanksgiving cards posted. The dilemma is that I don't like to post cards until I know they have reached their recipients and then sometimes I just plain forget to get back here to post them. Out of sight....

Ah, well.  Here is a recent project and most of them have reached their new homes. I like to support local businesses and I met a gal who makes goat-milk soaps. I wanted to spiffy some up for little gifts for some lady friends and I went with this home-spun look with lots of trims from my stash.













I used some corrugated kraft paper (it goes with the texture of the soaps), some vintage lace, twine, a Tim Holtz tag die, and a Hero Arts snowflake die to create this special packaging. I found some cute clothespins and added some simple heat-embossed tags.

It's time to think Christmas!

Thanks for the visit and have a great day,

Scaredy Cat

Hello, Bloggin' buddies!

The haunting hour is getting closer! Toady I have another card with a terrifying Distress Oxide Ink background. These were so much messy fun to make! Lots of colors, lots of layers and ink all over!

I have paired it up with an image from a  wonderful older die - one of my favorites - from Tim Holtz (Sizziz Bigz Die  - Raven & Scardy Cat). What's not to love?!

The embellishments are from my extensive Halloween stash and the leaves are a Memory Box die.

We are having an unusually warm week here for this time of year. While I am enjoying it, we are all worried about the fire danger.

Hoping you are safe and sound - and not too scared! Thanks for the visit,

Brushing Up on Brushos

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yesterday my card-making friend Shirley (who is also the amazing President of our "Paper Arts" group) invited a few of us over to learn some techniques/play with Brushos.

I was introduced to these a few years ago but I never really got into them because I am such a control freak and there is NO CONTROL with this product! But, I am trying to loosen up and enjoy them because they really are spectacular and lots of fun. Thanks, Shirley!

This is the first background I made using the pre-wet background technique. I spritzed it with a little Perfect Pearls after it was dry to give it a shimmer.

My sense was that this needed to be a fall-themed card. I used the Memory Box "Boddington Tree Border" die and added an embossed  Paper Smooches ("Salutations") sentiment mounted on a tag from the Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations "Thinlits" tag dies.

I love the results and am just delighted to have had this friendly inspiration.

Thanks for the visit and have a great week,

You Old Goat

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, it is very hot here, so I am allowing myself to spend more time in the studio. Such a shame.....

As I have said before, when I first saw the Tim Holtz Hipster (Stampers Anonymous and Sizzix) series, I was taken aback and honestly slightly disgusted. But, they seriously grew on me and now they are my special pals. Their personalities are so unique and silly! And, depending on how they are used, they can be so versatile -- and so terribly HIP!

One of my favorites is this goat (although my first love was the Ostrich, here). Originally I had made a wonderful background for him with layers of Distress Oxide Inks, but when he was complete he looked so much more outstanding against this rich solid color. I embossed the background with LifeStyle Crafts' "Retro Squares" embossing folder and added a couple of strips of the Distress Oxide background to the front of the card.

Mr. Goat is stamped with Versafine Sepia ink and is watercolored with Distress Ink markers. HIs glasses and tie were done with Versafine Black and Glossy Accents were added to his glasses.

I made a little boutonnière with Memory Box "Adorable Posies" dies using Distress Cardstock. The sentiment is from the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous "Crazy Talk" set.

For the inside I used a perfect phrase from Simon Says Stamp's "Happy Birthday Farm Animals" set.

Hot fun in the Summertime! Thanks for the visit and stay cool and hip,

Distress Oxydes

Hi, Blogging' Buddies!

I have a Paris-inspired card made with yet another Distress Oxide Ink background (hence the title of this post - I believe that would be how it is said in French - ha!). Layers and layers of color were added to watercolor paper and each was dried to create wonderful depth of colors. Love!

I have a wonderful new exercise class instructor who, besides being full of knowledge and positive attitudes, opens our classes with a little gem of wisdom and inspiration. Last week one of her opening snippets was about the Eiffel Tower, so I decided that I would make her an appropriate card to let her know how very much I already appreciate her.

I used my large Sizzix Bigz Eiffel Tower Die (an oldie!) and I embossed the entire die cut with some Hero Arts Platinum Embossing Powder. The background was stamped with a Tim Holtz/Stamper's Anonymous set called "French Market".

The stamp and die set I used for the sentiment is "Amazing" by My Favorite Things - such a fun and versatile set!

I added some crochet yarn and a charm from my stash and it is ready to go. Since I am such a Francophile, I have lots of products that I have saved over the years that, although they are rarely used, I can't seem to let go of.

Thanks for the visit - Au Revoir, mes copains!

Clear and Sheer

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I just completed the "Online Card Class" called "Clear and Sheer". The class shares how to make cards using clear and sheer products, such as vellum (scary stuff!) and acetate. It is taught by some grand ladies of card making - Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, and Debby Hughes.

I was able to find a set of Hero Arts acetate cards (the last one!) at my LSS, the Stamp Art Shoppe. I've been wanting to give this technique a try, so since I was awake at 1:30 AM, I decided I may as well stop thinking about it and get up and give it a try. Crazy, eh?

For this card I used a Sizzix embossing folder on the card. I colored the raised stars with Copic pens. Then I die-cut four stars from white and silver cardstock (Lifestyle Craft die set). Two stars sandwich the acetate (using Score Tape) to create a solid panel on the front and the back.

The front sentiment is cut from glitter paper (DCWV) with a Spellbinders script die. I applied it to cardstock and ran it through the Xyron Machine and it adhered well. There were the typical little "glue buggers" that one gets with the Xyron, but I was able to remove them from the acetate with an alcohol swab (but carefully, as it will also remove the Copic coloring!).

My inside sentiment, "America the beautiful" is from an old Cornish Heritage Farms set by Kim Hughes (now of Paper Smooches fame). 

I lined the envelope with some coordinating paper using the Hero Arts Envelope Template and stamped some stamped on stars with an old PTI set.

This was a learning process and I will make some minor changes the next time. It is a fun technique with lots of possibilities. I urge you to consider the class - it is full of great ideas.

At least I'm ready for the Fourth of July! And I bet there is a nap in my future later today.

Thanks for the visit - hope you are having a star-studded week, 

Throw Back Thursday

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies:

Isn't amazing how trends come and go in cardmaking? There were brass stencils, buttons, chalkboard techniques, old-style glitters and so many more - now long gone.

Then there are some that left and returned, like shaker cards. Maybe I should have saved those old supplies (and my "granny" glasses from the 1960's)!

Recently I was going through all of my supplies - a true Spring Clean - preparing for the annual "Used Stamp Sale" at my LSS.

I uncovered a forgotten faux letterpress embossing folder.

I couldn't help myself, I had to give it one last shot.

I love the rich look and texture. Keeping with the vintage look, I added a silver button and a sweet retired Hero Arts sentiment.

Remind me - why did this technique get lost in the past? I love it!

Guess I'll go hop in my "flower power" mini-van and head to the park for some groovy fun from the past.

Happy New Year!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, it is the Year of the Monkey! I have a couple of wonderful friends for whom I like to make Chinese New Year cards and this year is extra fun because it is the year of the monkey. I always try to incorporate red and gold in my cards, as those colors have special significance.

This card has a rich texture from a Sizzix embossing folder. The happy fella is "Funky Monkey" from Rubber Soul (I picked this up at a sued stamp sale a couple of years ago!) and I also used Die-namics ("Mini Pennant", "Zig Zag Stitched Oval"), Hero Arts "Alphabet with Label" stamps, and Simon Says Stamps "Hello You" stamps.

Inside

Wishing you a happy new year filled with posterity and good luck. No monkeying around!

Thanks for the visit and have a great week.

Share Handmade Kindness

Hello, Blogging Buddies!

It is really feeling like fall here today and - yes! - we finally have some much-needed rain.

Have you heard about the great things going on at Jennifer McGuire's new blog? It is called "Share Handmade Kindness". She is encouraging us all to share what we love and what we make. That is what I love about paper crafting - it is so easy to mail or give something that shows you care. Folks always ask me if I sell my work, but my response is always that I'd rather share it with those who appreciate it. This week Jennifer wants us to share with friends and family - so easy!

I mass-produced (something I don't usually do) some special little favors for Thanksgiving. I made enough for our family gathering. I also made enough to share the ladies in my neighborhood. It was a joy. They are filled with some dark chocolate (for health!) and mints.

The dies are Sizzix and Spellbinders and I used a Paper Smooches stamp set. The ribbon is from Stamping Up.

I am also going to post this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, "Anything Goes". Check it out and play along!

Thanks for the visit and thanks to Jennifer for this sweet inspiration.

A Grand and Glorious!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

We are gearing up for a fantastic Fourth of July here in the USA. There has been so much devastation, loss and sadness in the news recently, but there is still not a more glorious place than our wonderful country.

I am also excited to have a card-making pal coming for the weekend and hubby will soon be returning from a short trip, so I am posting this early. My holiday cards have already been mailed, but I wanted to play with my new (yep, I won it in a recent challenge!) set from Art Impressions, "Dancers Set (UM3580)".  I decided to try a shaped card (LifeStyle Crafts dies) for some extra punch and the word die is from the Sizzix "Celebrate Set (657127)". Silver Stickles add some fireworks.

This will be headed for the current Art Impressions challenge, "Red, White and Blue" and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, "Anything Goes". You've got time to join in the fun.

Thanks for the visit and, to my US readers, have a safe and grand holiday!

Another Thanksgiving Card!

Happy Tuesday bloggers!

This is one of the three designs I made for Thanksgiving cards this year. We send/deliver quite a number and I don't like mass-producing too many of one design.

 Actually, for the cards of this design that went to our neighbors (hand-delivered) I made this into a cute shaker card with an assortment of fall-colored beads and sequins behind the leaf. Very cute and fun! The weather wasn't cooperating then, so I couldn't take a photo of them.

This gold-embossed sentiment is an old one from Stampin Up that I got at a used stamp sale. The leaf die is also an old one, from Cuttlebug.

I am trying to remember to use embossing folders more often - I have a huge collection and they add so much, especially on a flat card. This one is from Sizzix.

Things are getting busy around here. I love seeing the families of the neighbors arriving with all of their goodies and love. We will be packing up our car tomorrow. What a joyous time of sharing!

Take care and thanks for the visit!

Happy Thanksgiving

to all my USA friends. What a blessed time of year! I wish everyone safety, warmth and
lots of happiness.

Today I am sharing table favors that I made for our family gathering. We will be enjoying family and friends for a few days and then, this weekend, our house will become a (modified) winter wonderland.

I don't like mass production, but we needed 15 of these, so I kept them simple with the box die from Sizzix and Tim Holtz, Spellbinders Labels  and a greeting from an old CHF set by Kim Hughes.





Have a happy holiday and a great weekend!