Anything Goes!

Happy Sunday, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I took on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge "Anything Goes" using Hero Arts products. I've been making lots of artsy-type cards lately (stretching my creativity) so today I took a refreshing break and just made a fun and happy card with an old Hero Arts stamp (Happy Cat, C4331), some texture and some super-bright and happy colors.

I triple-cut and layered the "happy" using Papertrey Ink's "Wet Paint" die to make it really pop. The flower is an old die cut I had in my stash.

Hope your weekend is a knock-out! Enjoy what is left of summer - I sure am! Thanks for the visit,

So Excited!

Hello, bloggin' Buddies:

I have a quick post today to share with you a card I made for our neighbor. She is really into gardening (which I am not, BTW) and likes a good chuckle. This is a stamp set from one of my favorite companies, Art Impressions.

I colored her with Copics (sorry I couldn't get a quality photo), used Nestibilities and My Favorite Things (Gerbera Daisies) dies and paper and twine from my stash.

This is headed for the current Art Impressions challenge which is "Anything Goes".

Thanks for the visit and have a deluxe day!

Outside My Comfort Zone

Happy Monday, Bloggin' Buddies!

I tend to be very controlled and precise when making cards - perhaps it is a result of my training, education and career. That isn't a bad thing, but I have been trying to get out of that zone and try some more "fluid" and "artsy" techniques.

To that end I recently took a class where we learned to use watercolor pencils with floral stencils. It wasn't easy for me, but the more I did the more I loved it.

This is one of results that I have saved - there are several that I did not. I used a Penny Black stencil, a random background stamp (stamped with Distress Ink), and some Gesso (applied with fingertips). Since I was already on the edge I decided to use a vellum panel (that stuff has always intimidated me) for my sentiment (Simon Says Stamp). I added some Pearl Pen dots for some dimension.

I plan to keep playing with this technique and continue to find ways to challenge myself creatively.
Have a great week and thanks for the visit!

Another for School

Happy Saturday, Bloggin' Buddies:

I have another "Back to School" card to share with you. No challenges or anything, I just got what I thought was a funny idea. Doesn't that little guy look so guilty? Ha! He is one of my favorite critters from Paper Smooches. The apple is paper-pieced with an older Hero Arts stamp. The "bite" was made with a scalloped oval Spellbinders die. I made the sentiment on my computer (also an Apple).

Anyway, it is the time of year when so many folks I know are getting excited about fall. Count me out - this tropical gal gets into a sad funk with the pending end of summer.

Have a great weekend and thanks for the visit!

School Daze

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!
Yes, it is that time of year again - time for back to school. We are so excited because our niece has landed a contract for a permanent (she has been substituting) teaching position in a school not far from our house.

Inspired by the current   Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge, "Anything Goes", I made a few of these cards for some of the kiddos in our lives. Doesn't that owl look like a wise guy? I colored him with my new Zig clean color markers. He is from the "Hooties" set and the die is the Notebook Basic.

So, grab your homework and your lunch and get going to school!

Thanks for the visit,

Another Hobby

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I usually keep to card making here, but I want to share with you a necklace I recently completed. I have made jewelry since my hippie days of the 1960's, but never with this intense level of tiny beadwork.

I do love it, but doubt that it is a design I will repeat. It is just too labor-intensive and those holes are so tiny!


This has such a cool wiggle - perfect for a mermaid!

Thanks for the visit! Back soon with more cards.