Ahoy, matey!

Ahoy, matey!
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

Here's a happy little fellow! The background map is cut with Nesties on my Cuttlebug, stamped images are colored with Copics (with some Stickles sparkle) and I added some punched doubloons to add some texture and fun. I have included a shot of the inside, since it is cute. Now I'll be "talking pirate" all day - har!

Me and the Miners - Well, not really

Just a quick story today. On Sundays I often go to the neighborhood middle school (we called them junior highs) to walk around the track. Yesterday the gate I usually enter was locked, so I walked down the street and entered through another gate. I walked my mile, singing along with the oldies on my iPod, did my stretching and was heading toward the gate to exit. Are you ready for this – the gate had been locked. With a huge chain and big padlock. Oh, yes! I was trapped in the schoolyard on a Sunday morning! Knowing there was no way I could scale the 6-foot high fence, I started to panic. How was I going to get to Michaels for craft supplies, what was I going to eat, how was I going to update my blog, how was I going to watch Mad Men?

Lucky for me my dear husband was just a call away. He arrived on a white stallion (okay, in a beige Toyota) and was able to release me. The details (and, no, they do not include bolt cutters and a hack saw) aren’t important, but he is my hero once again! Bless his heart.

The lesson? Stay home and eat pancakes on Sunday mornings.

Moxie Fab World Tueday Trigger

Okay, pals, I am doing it again. The Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger is this photo of this most amazing house. I may be taking these triggers too literally, but here goes. I decided to use an embossed wood grain to reflect that this is an architectural shot and to represent the white textures. Then, am I the only one who thinks of flamingos when I see those angular raspberry-colored chairs? I do admit to being partial to flamingos...... (after all, this house IS in Miami!). Other than the soft bouquet of flowers on the table, this photo is all angles and so is my card. Lots of white in the background, some subtle aqua bling to reflect the sunshine on the water and in the room. While this isn't one of my best card designs, it was fun to be challenged with colors and ideas I would have never attempted. Thanks again, Cath!

Closed for Jury Duty!

Thanks to everyone for checking in, but can't do a post. I am serving jury duty, which not only saps my time but my energy. I see no immediate end to it. While I love the law, they are doing very detailed voir dire on up to 60 of us.......a drag. See you when it is over!

Whooo is college-bound?

Whooo is college-bound?
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

A final tribute to back-to-school today. This card is a bit more sophisticated, just perfect for our college girl. Lots of layers (including a torn dictionary page and real paperclip!) and a bright color that I normally do not use. This little owl is one of my favorite fellows, especially after I do some surgery to add fun googly eyes. Enjoy!

Quick Backback Tags

Quick Backback Tags
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

I used some of my favorite animal stamps and made up some crazy sentiments to add to mail tags for our backpack kids. I laminated them with plastic sheets. For those of you younger than 30, that is called a slide-rule! It got me through Chem 101!

The bells are ringing....

The bells are ringing....
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

School bells, that is! School starts here today and this little card will send a sweet girl happily on her way. A little birdie tells me she will have a great day! Hero Arts stamps I used: CL332 and CL452.

Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger

Okay, here is the deal. I have been lurking around Moxie Fab World for over a year (do check it out!). Loved it, but I stayed in the shadows. What fun is that? So now that I have a blog I decided to jump in! What a perfect time, too. When I saw this Tuesday Trigger it screamed to me! All I could think about was my favorite CuttleBug embossing folder and the packets of amazing handmade that my dear Aunt had just given me for my birthday!

This is the card that I made for my Aunt based the jewel box inspiration. To create the raised design (like on the jewel box) I used my embossing folder on a piece of aluminum foil and antiqued it with Ranger Alcohol Inks. The rich designs of the handmade paper I used reflect those on the box, the tiny corner brads reflect the knobs on the box and the rhinestone brads are representative of the jewelry. Sentiment is Hero Arts CL148.

Thanks, Cath. – this exotic design is way out of my comfort zone, but who says you can’t teach an old mermaid new tricks?

Ribbit

Ribbit
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

My best pal and I get together about once a month for crafting. She had this adorable Hero Arts Stamp and was willing to let me play! When I got home I made this card with this cutie and gave it to her to thank her for the day and for our special friendship. Have a hoppin' day!

Betty's Card

I made this simple card for my amazing sister-in-law Betty. This gal can do everything - sail, sew, cook, bake, raise kids, be a wonderful grandma, fix things, help people - you name it, she does it! And she does it all expertly and with love. Some kind of woman, that is for sure. Betty likes all things blue and vintage, so the card has both. The vintage ribbon, tatting and buttons came from a garage sale. It was fun to put this together for such a special person.

Happy Monday! This is a diorama card featuring a cute mermaid (love those gals! Can you tell?) from Crafty Secret's "Mermaid Clear Art Stamps". I actually won this set earlier this year from Sandy, the gal who does it all there! What a treat - I have really enjoyed this adorable set. Check it out, they have really neat crafting supplies. I completed this card as part of a challenge at Splitcoaststampters where I just made my first ever post.

The front of the card features the Crafty Secrets sweet sentiment, a seahorse, rhinestones and some Cuttlebug fish. The inside of the card has three layers of ocean life, so it only took about two days to complete - ha! It kind of reminds me of my old ViewMaster! The images are colored with Copics and some are suspended on thread to add to the 3-D look. I added some Tahiti Beach (MuddPuddles.net) sand and layers of torn paper for the beach. Don't you want to jump right in?

Adams Family Reunion 2010

Adams Family Reunion 2010
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

Hello! I don't usually post on the weekend, but I thought I would share with you one of the things I was doing last week. This is just one of several days of my husband's family reunion up in the Sonoma Wine Country. This was a group of us in the redwood forest. What a gang, eh? I am so blessed to be a part of this great family! See you tomorrow with a special card.

Lovely in Lavender

purple flower
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

This card went out to one of my YMCA water aerobics pals. This is a good card for hand delivery, because it is bulky and a bit heavy. I used some great double-sided paper for the folded flower, along with some favorite border punches and a Stampin' Up brad and rub-on. The tiny bow is made with a "Bow Easy" - if you haven't discovered this and are as nimble-fingered as I am (NOT!), you will love is.

http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/05/08/bow-easy-tutorial/

Good morning, sunshine!

Good morning, sunshine!
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

This is part 2 of my personal challenge (please see yesterday's post) using one of my favorite Hero Arts stamps, Silly Scape. Doesn’t it look like the city is awash in the morning sun? I put Glossy Accents on all the windows (yes, I am nuts, but I have a very steady hand!) and added color washes with watercolor pencils and my aqua brush. If every morning looked like this I would be more happy to face it!

The difference is night and day!

The difference is night and day!
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

As a (retired) city planner, this Hero Arts stamp (Silly Scape, K5425) is a particular favorite. I decided to challenge myself to make two cards – same stamps, same layout – one depicting the city by night, the other, the city by day. This is my night city, with lots of rich layers and shadows. I stamped the city several times on coordinating cardstock (7 Gypsies), cut out sections and layered (up to 5 layers) to create depth and shading. I love how well the font of this sentiment stamp (CL148) goes with the crazy building lines. Vintage buttons and Nestie frames were added to complete the card. Tomorrow I will post is the daytime version. Sleep tight.

Hippo Ray!

hippo front
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

My Uncle made the mistake (about 30 years ago) of saying he liked hippos. Well, I have never let him forget it! Here's a birthday card I made for him using an adorable Feltie guy from Sassafras Lass that I got from my pal Patti at Paper Maniac (a great place for paper crafting supplies, by the way - check it out!). The inside of the card reads "Hip Hippo Ray!" This is a simple card, layered with Nestie shapes.

Hi, Ya'll!

No card today (I have some ready, but my camera is not cooperating), but I want to highlight my new blog header! WOW! Isn't it grand! This was designed using the image on my business card by a most creative gal, thepohOtospOt, over at one of my favorite crafts shopping places, etsy. Check out this shop - this gal has talent and is patient and fun!

Now that I have figured out how to embed a link I can share this (and all kinds of other delights!) with you. So, check it out and let me know what you think! I am just delighted to have a new face!

Sparkle Bee

Sparkle Bee
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

Thanks for buzzin' in! This card is one I made with what I believe is a fairly new product - Elizabeth Designs black Outline Stickers. I placed the outline sticker on a supper-sticky sheet of tape (Be Creative Tape Sheet) and then liberally applied super-fine white glitter, rubbing it on. Then I painted the image with glaze pens (just adding small drops of color) and an aqua painter (notice the lovely shading?).

This is super fun, and you get to wear glitter on your face for a couple of days! The stamp, which goes just perfectly with this image, is by Cornish Heritage Farms, paper by Heidi Swapp, and shapes by Nesties in my Cuttlebug. I finished it all off with Copics color, a vintage button, embroidery thread, a Prima flower, a rhinestone, and some sheer ribbon.

It's August!

Vacation
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

That means last call for....vacation! And, my birthday month (but I don't "celebrate" those anymore!). With this card I tried combining distress with bling. I used Distress Inks directly on this great Hero Arts stamp, sprayed it with water from a Mini-mister, and stamped it onto water color paper. I also distressed the edges. My stash had some perfect coordinating designer paper and I added some scrapping mesh (I have never used it - got it at a garage sale) for some additional texture and interest and brads in the corners. Finally, the big bling - love the color!

Hope you have some vacation plans, even they are in your own backyard. Enjoy!