Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Last day of March!

Happy Wednesday to you all. It is the last day of March and around here it is going out like a lamb. We are having beautiful weather this latter part of the week and I'm so looking forward to the warm temps. I don't have anything to share today as I twisted my back and hip yesterday as I was cleaning in my basement (The Dungeon). I got my feet tangled up and almost went down. After a little time spent with the heating pad and a good nights sleep, I'm as good as new! Whew....now today I can paint on the fence, being out in the fresh air and sunshine will be really good for me!

Have a wonderful day and try to spend some time just for you!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Sweet Pea......



This card is going into my stash for that time when I just need to say Hello to someone. As you can tell, I just love flowers and I think I get that from my Mom...This was her favorite time of year, when everything came back to life again after the hard winter. She had so many spring flowers and we all waited for them to come up and bloom; then we would walk around the yard and she would tell us about each of them. Wonderful memories......

Supplies: SU card in purple
Gina K Designs White card stock
Cuttlebug embossing folder and die to match
Spellbinders Dies
Copic Markers: YG03,G24,VO1,V12,VO9,V15,V17 & Colorless Blender
SU Inks in Almost Amethyst, and Marigold Morning..
Cotton Balls for shading around images
Flourishes Sweet Pea Stamp
Hello stamp also from Flourishes
Ribbon Colored to match with Copic Marker

And before I go, someone asked me about the Dragonfly in Sunday's post; I used 3D Crystal Lacquer to make him shiny and add dimension. I just totally forgot to post that fact. Have a wonderful day and think of me, because, if the sun shines, I must get back to painting on our fence.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Kraft, Aqua, and Teal.......

I did this card for the Just For Fun color Challenge #4. (I have added their link on my "Places I like to Visit" on the right hand side of this blog) The colors to use are Kraft, Aqua and Teal....I didn't really have Teal, so I have improvised .....One of my circles is a dark teal and my dragonfly is a teal color. I hope you enjoy this one. It is a card I would send to one of my Grandsons.



Supplies:
Gina K Designs card stock (Ocean Mist)
Kraft card stock
Dark Teal card stock
Nestibilities Circle Dies
Paper piercer for one of the circles
Uni-ball white pigment ink pen for the stitching
Dragonfly image from Two Peas in a Bucket-two different sizes (Layered)
I covered the Dragonfly with 3D Crystal Lacquer for dimension & shine
Dew drops
Sentiment from Theresa Momber & Gina K Designs (Purrr-fectly Delightful)
Cuttlebug folder used to emboss the circle directly under the dragonfly
Ranger Distress Ink - Forest Moss
A little blood, sweat and tears!

I still feel like this card isn't finished... you know how you just sometimes get that feeling? I was totally out of my comfort zone with this one and as usual I'm still struggling with photography. I keep trying to take pointers from others and one of these days I will get it!

Friday, March 26, 2010

TGIF!!!!!



Good Friday morning to you all. My project for today is a pin cushion for a dear friend! I used a metal dog food can; one of the small ones...washed & dried and began. I took a piece of red card stock and covered the base of the can then added three layers of lace with the red sticky tape, then a little white ribbon around the top to cover where my lace attached. I used the Bow Easy to make my bow, let's face it, I just can not tie a bow on my own. I took a piece of left over fabric and used fiberfill to fill then used a rubber band to hold it all in place. My cushion part was big enough that I had to push it down into the can, therefore I didn't try and stick it to the inside of the can. If you are afraid yours might fall out, just add a little hot glue to the inside edges of the can. This little idea opens up many decorating options for me and I will be making more with more spring colors!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Changing Weather.......

Well I spent yesterday, watching it rain and snow most of the day. No accumulation but after 70 degrees last week this week is off to a strange start! There is a saying here "If you don't like the weather in East Tennessee, just hang around 15 minutes and it will change". This time of the year it is soooooo true!

My card today is Lilacs. Now if you know me, you know how very much I love them! They are definitely a blast from my past!



I used an image from my computer and cut out the image with Spellbinders dies and sponged Ranger Distress ink onto image while still in the die. I added flower soft to the Lilac for texture. It doesn't really show in my picture. The edge of the set-up card stock was punched with a Martha Stewart Punch and layered over some lace. The right hand side of the card I used a stencil and my light box and added the lace design, which I then used Ranger Distress Ink (Dusty Concord) to highlight the design. A few pearls some purple silk ribbon and you are done! I apologize for the picture. My ribbon looks blue but it is truly purple. Sometimes I just can't seem to get it right with my camera.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, may it be a truly blessed day for you!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Mopsie.....



I hope you enjoy this little guy! These images are just too cute! They are from Peachy Keene Stamps. I colored with colored pencils and mounted spellbinders dies, distressed while still in the die. The card was run through my Cuttlebug using an embossing folder and then distressed using Rangers Distress Ink Dusty Concord. A little flower a pearl and off you go! My grandsons are getting a little old to enjoy these cutsy cards I think, but I always send them anyway. I really must try and do "more appropriate" cards for them in the future! A little MAD money tucked inside always helps!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

"Flopsey"

As it is getting closer to Easter, I decided I better get busy on my cards for the Holiday. I think the image is too cute!



I colored the image with Crayola pencils and used mineral spirits to blend, cut out with Spellbinders dies and sponged with Ranger Distress inks (Broken China) while it was still in the die then matted it on Gina K Designs Ocean Mist Card stock. The set up card stock was run through my Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots embossing folder and sponged with Broken China also. A few pearls, some ribbon colored with Copic Markers and it's done. Oh yes, the image is from Peachy Keen Stamps.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Mowing Day....

Today is the day...The mowing season has begun here in East Tennessee. I love to mow and my husband has purchased me a brand new mower and today is the first time I get to use it! I visit a blog of a woman who lives in Conifer, Colorado. "Moved to the Mountains" (http://toniarmstrong.blogspot.com) Anyway, Toni says they were expecting 1-2 feet of snow there by yesterday. Whew! I'm glad I live here and Spring is coming

Also I have been painting on our picket fence, Whew what a job. Remember Tom Sawyer? Well there were no takers here so I had to do it myself. We have a small yard, but many, many pickets so it is going to take awhile.....My step daughter started painting the fence last year, but had a bad shoulder and didn't get to finish. She accomplished quite a lot and since I have lots of time I will try and finish this year. Also got some sun on my face, arms and legs. Yes it was National White Leg Day here. Soooooo....I will not be posting as much since the weather is nice and I long to be outdoors! I have several projects and let's face it ladies, I just don't move quite as fast as I used to! And sometimes, if I move quickly, then the next day I don't get to move at all. So everything in moderation!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Just For Fun Stamps Friday Challenge

Here is my card for the Just For Fun Stamps Friday Color Challenge:



The colors are black, cream, and an additional color that you like. My card recipe is as follows

Gina K Designs: Black Onyx Cardstock base
Gina K Designs: Ivory/cream Cardstock ran through a Cuttlebug folder
Ranger Distress Ink - Aged Mahogany
Sheer ribbon from Reasonalbe Ribbon
Score Tape
Bow Easy
A stick pin I made myself using ivory pearls

Clean and simple. Looking back, my ribbon doesn't show up well. I should have used an bolder color to really bring out the card. I'm still learning....please bear with me.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful Day and remember to wear green! I have Irish and White Dutch (German) heritage and truly feel like an Irish person! I would love to visit and see the country!

I don't have any pictures to post this morning as I spent the day running errands yesterday. I'm working on a couple of projects and hope to post tomorrow. Now I'm off for more coffee.....and remember to wear green today....not only on the outside but on the inside!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

CARDS FOR MEN...

Good morning out there! Happy Tuesday...Today I'm sharing a card I made for my husband. I'm not very inspired when it comes to creating cards for men because I just naturally love all the frilly and fru fru that goes along with the girly side of me. Maybe I need to do more cards like this so that I can expand my horizons!



I started out using cardstock from Gina K Designs, I cannot for the life of me remember the color names. It is a cream colored card with dark brown and olive green layers and i used watercolor for the image. I stamped the watercolor paper with a background stamp and a floral stamp using Ranger distress inks. I colored my ribbon with a copic marker. It started out gold and became olive green in the end. I love matching ribbon with Copic Markers!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Gina K Designs Pure Luxury Heavy Weight
Watercolor Paper - Strathmore
Stamp purchased on ebay...No name just a sprig
Background Stamp from Stampabilities (Le London Script)
Ranger Distress inks (Tea Die, Aged Mahogany, and Peeled Paint)
Gold ribbon given by Ellen Hutson when I ordered from her.
Copic Marker (YG03)
Dew Drops from the Robins Nest cd15 Halloween (I used the green)

I know, I know, I must do better about keeping the names of things together so that I can tell you about them. I promise to do better!!

Well I'm off for my next cup of coffee. Have a Blessed Day!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Rain Again.....Or Still....

Well, it is Monday morning once again and it is still raining here. The temps are in the 30's and they are calling for snow in the Smokey Mountains this morning. Just when you think it is safe to come out in the sunshine, it starts to rain again. Our grass is turning green and we will have to mow soon.

I took yesterday off and just sat in my chair. I picked up my Grandson from his Dad and We had dinner together before his Step Dad came to get him and take him home. I love those days because we don't get to see him much anymore. He is really maturing and becoming quite a nice young man. I love to talk to him and see what he has been doing. He is so full of enthusisam and he is quick witted to boot!

Well ladies as you prepare to go to work today, just remember one thing.....I DON'T HAVE TO!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Here Kitty!

This is my next card....I just love this image. It is from Gina K Designs, by Theresa Momber. The name of the set is Purr-fectly Delightful. If you like Cats then this one is for you! I love the little kitty has green eyes! So green eyes, brown and blue cardstock. I think I have just met the Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Friday Challenge. Yea!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. It is raining here again this morning. The grass is beginning to turn green and trees are budding out. Spring is right on us and I can't wait!

  • Supply List:

  • Cardstock from Gina K Designs

  • Spellbinder Dies: Circles, Squares and Labels

  • Ribbon Colored with Copic Markers

  • Copic Markers

  • Stamps from Gina K Designs - Theresa Momber

  • Ranger Distress Ink in Scattered Straw

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Hello All.....

Well, we finally made it to Saturday.....At least I did! I spent the afternoon yesterday going through my drawer of punches and sharpened and waxed them so they would be in good shape and ready to go. This is something I had been meaning to do; just never seemed to have the time. Now that little chore is DONE! I didn't make a card yesterday, but I'm hoping to finish one today or tomorrow. I don't have any major household chores for today, which I just love. I can spend my Saturday doing whatever I want. I have not had that luxury for many years. Saturdays were spent, cleaning, moping floors, laundry and scrubbing bathrooms. You know....the Suzi Homemaker day. By the time I finished all that I didn't have any energy for anything else. I love being at home every day. I wasn't sure how that would affect me, but I'm thinking I was ready.

Well guys, I'm going for my second cup of coffee and We will talk later...

Friday, March 12, 2010

Happy Friday toYou.....


I read a blog recently that said "All your cards cannot be perfect!" I am so glad others slip up just like me. Once I uploaded this picture I noticed that not all of my layers are straight. Well It just goes to show you that we are not perfect by any means. This is the card I made using the Iris stamp from Flourishes (A Year of Flowers). I used colored pencils and odorless mineral spirits to blend; then mounted on card stock cut with Spellbinders Die added a few pearls, a little ribbon and a layer punched with a scallop punch from Martha Stewart border punch and you have another Spring Card. Irises are one of my favorites as it is for my sister.
It is raining here this morning and my hands are sore! My ear aches again and I'm feeling kinda old and worn out. It will be a good day to just sit and visit with my husband, as he will not be working due to the rain.
Have a good day and a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hello...

Good morning out there! It is Thursday and I have been out of commission for a couple of days...Not feeling well. I have had an ear ache and let me just say that was a first. After all these years I now know what a terrible pain that can be. My grandson and daughter used to have them a lot and I never knew how much pain was involved. I am so fortunate to never had one before and I hope I never have one again!

I do not have anything to post pictures of this morning because I didn't create for the last two days! I am working on a card with Iris flowers for the spring and hopefully I can post that tomorrow. I am using colored pencils and mineral spirits to blend the colors and so far I have been very pleased with the results. I just need to finish and take a picture and I can post for you.

Have a blessed day and remember the time changes this weekend! Can't wait I love Daylight Savings Time!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Spring Fever.....

I'm beginning to feel the fever! The temps here yesterday were in the 60's and I loved it. I got outside and pulled weeds in a flower bed and saw a few things beginning to go green and I have to tell you, it made me feel so good. I have been wanting to spend some time outside and I was able to figure out some of the things that I need to be doing. Lots of work to do....I'm looking forward to getting started.

Here is my card for today:





I used several stamps from Flourishes; The doves are from the Doves and Holly Set #69. The limb and the birdhouse are from another set(Home Tweet Home Set #42) also from Flourishes; and the saying is from a Clear Art Stamp set that I have from back in 2007. I cannot, for the life of me, remember the name of the set. Old age must be setting in.

  • Card Stock from Gina K Designs
  • Martha Stewart Border Punch
  • Score Tape
  • Copic Markers
  • Little Piece of string
  • Twinklets Diamond Dust


    These are the Copic Markers that I used. I have several of these markers and I love each and every one. They last for such a very long time and you can blend them nicely to add shading where you want it. I'm just not very good at it yet. I just keep working at it every day.

    Well this has become a very long post and I didn't mean to Ramble on and on, so I'm going to get another cup of coffee and browse some of the blogs I love and see what everyone else is doing.

    Have a blessed day!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Monday, Monday.....Life is Good!



Well it is Monday once again and I'm not sure where the weekend went! We had dinner with our kids, and their kids and my sister on Saturday night and celebrated some of the birthdays and things that we sort of missed along the way and spent catching up time with all. We had such a wonderful time!

OK, this is a picture of a box that I made to hold cards or anything that your heart desires. I used a piece of homemade mulberry paper that I have had for years and do not remember where i got it. As you can see it has botanicals mixed between the layers; then I sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (English Ivy and Vintage Pink) Vintage Pink is my new most favorite color! I used Spellbinders dies for the Medallion and an image from the Winged Friends Digital Download from Two Peas In a Bucket. I used Ranger Distress Ink in Vintage Rose, and Aged Mahogany for the Butterfly, then sprayed with Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist and then covered it in 3D Crystal Lacquer for dimension. I just love the aged...vintage pink look! Hope you enjoy it.

Ok now you can go to work, as I am not! I have been laid off from work for 1 month and I'm not bored yet. I really love being able to do what I want, when I want. Not such a bad life. Oh well I know this will not last but I'm truly enjoying this time and I don't think I'm supposed to. Ha

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Happy Saturday....



Happy Saturday to all of you! I hope you are ready for some beautiful weather...We are so looking forward to these few days of sunshine. Yesterday was a wonderful sunny day and I totally enjoyed it. It was still a little cool, but after all the Brown and mud and snow and rain etc. etc. Well lets just say most of us are ready for Spring and it is just around the corner.

I hope you enjoy my card for today. I used Cuttlebug folder and embossed the card base, which is Gina K Card Stock. Then I used Spellbinder tag dies for the next layers (I used a little of the Ranger Distress Ink in Tattered Rose to give it a little grunge look)and then I took the Coffee Filter technique I learned from Sherry Cheever and used a Spellbinder Flower Die and added some little seed beads to the center. A little white ribbon for bows and you have it! Oh yes, Thanks again Sherry for this technique. Sherry's blog is listed at the right side of my page....Walking on the Bad Side. You should visit her blog. She is a very talented lady and she likes a little grunge just like me.

Ok....Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the weather wherever you are and I'm hoping you all have sunshine!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Moving Right Along....



While I was opening boxes and going through supplies, I found a couple of aprons I purchased long ago when painting on fabric was IN. I decided since Copic Markers are pretty permanent I would stamp on the fabric and color with Copics. I used a die ink in dark brown and a stamp from Stampin-Up 2005 Garden Collage and then I used an iron to heat set the image then colored with Copics. Be sure to heat set the image again after you use the Copics. I did 2 of these and one had more dense woven fabric and the image didn't do as well. You need a tightly woven fabric or be sure a really soak the stamp before you try to stamp.

I apologize for the terrible picture, as you can see my photo skills are not improving much.

Well it is Finally Friday again and we are looking forward to a beautiful weekend with warmer temps and lots of sun. Just a hint of Spring here and we are loving it.
Have a Blessed Day!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

I love Lilacs!!



When I was a little girl, a hundred years ago, My Grandmother had this huge Lilac bush in her yard. Each and every Spring it would be full of blooms and she allowed us to pick as many as we wished. I loved the smell of the flowers then and I still do. That was one of few things that she allowed us to pick, as she was very particular about her flowers. I have a Lilac bush in our yard now, but Max was forever more chewing on the limbs of the bush and it only had maybe 3 blooms on it last year. I'm hoping now it can grow and give me those beautiful blooms that I remember so well.

My card recipe is:
Gina K Designs Cardstock, Spellbinders Dies, Lockhart Stamp, Copic Markers, White Ribbon and a Martha Stewart Edge Punch.

As you can see I'm kinda hung up on Spring right now. I'm so wanting to be outside some during the day. There are so many projects that I want to do. Right now I'm having to be content with working on craft projects inside the house and that is not all bad either. I've almost finished the crochet project for the dresser scarf and have begun working on a tablecloth that I had started with cross stitch and embroderie.

More later, have a Blessed Day!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Watching the weather....

No pictures today, Yesterday I spent the day watching the weather. It did a little bit of everything here all day long and I just didn't feel creative. So I sat in my chair and worked on a cross stitch tablecloth. I have an idea for a new card so I'm planning on working on that today. Some days it is just hard to get motivated....
Have a wonderful Day!

Monday, March 1, 2010

EASTER TAG.....



This is an Easter Tag I did using vintage things. I found some old lace and beads that were used for wedding dresses and decided to use them along with a vintage photo that I had.

Supplies list:

Tissue paper and cardstock made using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist; technique
from Linda Duke (Linda's works of Heart) Her Blog is listed on the right side of my blog. Green Ribbon from Ellen Hutson, LLC...Spellbinders dies for the pendant and vintage photograph from my archives. I used Score tape for sticking everything on because I wanted it to stay in place. Sticky Stuff! I distressed the tag with Tattered Rose Distress Ink from Ranger.

I hope you enjoy this, as we pass into the Spring! (Slowly pass into Spring, as we have another front coming out of Texas tomorrow with more snow on the way)