Kisses and a Card!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

One last Christmas post before I pull the plug and relax & celebrate with my sweetie.

This is another gift card holder, but this time it also includes some sweet kisses! Several sites show how to create these little gems (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWrs7U2sBRE) and I took a little bit from several.

I used Paper Smooches snowmen stamps and Hero Arts snowflake stamps. The gift card slides right in (and out!) where the semi-circular punch was made.

A fun little way to present a card, especially for the kids.

Since our home is decorated for Christmas in true 1950's style, here is a little way in which I will share our cheer!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with love, peace and good health! Thanks, as always, for the kind visit,

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,

A Little Lip-Smackin'!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have a little gem to share with you. I had so much fun making these holders for lip balm. I purchased some lip balm from a local soap-maker and used a new die and stamp set from My Favorite Things. The die makes perfect little holders and the stamp set, "Sending Smooches" is simply adorable! Cuteness?!

I need to run off to do some good works, so I will close quickly. Take care, dear elves. 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,

Stepping Away

from the holiday cards for a few days......

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I must admit that I am getting overwhelmed with all the Christmas cards on the blogs (I can't buy any new holiday supplies because I don't get out my crafty stuff until my Thanksgiving cards are complete and I have NO memory of what I already own). So, today I am posting a non-holiday card just for some relief.

We were in Oregon on a hiking trip early this summer and I came upon a sweet independent stamp store  called Young At Heart in the historic town of Astoria. With so many stamp stores closing, I was excited to check it out.

What a delight! I thought I knew every stamp company that existed, but the shop carried a line that was new to me and the stamps gave me such a chuckle! The company is Two-Lips Stamps and they have products available on their website if you can't get to Astoria.

I can't tell you the number of times I have said that when I die my dear husband will not only know just how many stamps and dies I have (ugh!), but he will have no idea what to do with them! Ha!

I stenciled a background using a Hero Arts stencil and Distress Oxide Inks and, even though I am not really a "butterfly person", I added some using a very old Hero Arts set.

I hope you are having a grand week and thanks so much for the visit!

Just Another Crabby Day!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I have something different to share with you today. We are part of a group that attends our local crab feed every year. Somehow (?!) I've become the person designated to create centerpieces and individual treats for the group. This is the third year (see a previous post here). I've been doing this and I'm running out of ideas! I was seriously challenged this year, but I love what I came up with.

I used some older "Jellybean Large Circle Shaped Shakers" that I had in my stash. I had stopped using them for shaker cards years ago because they made cards too bulky to mail. I'm glad I held on to them! I used a circle die and filled the shakers with "red hot" candies. The crab elements were die cut from a set by Tailored
Expressions called "Sack It - Crab" that is designed to make treat bags. So, I modified it.

After I made the little stand up tents I realized that I needed a counter-weight for the bottom so a dark chocolate bar came to the rescue.

For those of you who do not follow my Facebook page you can see how crazy we are - we even dress in crab costumes for this annual event. Yep, we came up with those, too.

We have way too much fun. Wishing you a not so crabby week and thanks for the visit,

Frankly......

Hi and Happy Halloween, Bloggin' Buddies!

That haunting day is finally here and, since it has been delivered, I am sharing my last creation with you.

As I've told you before, I have some amazing exercise instructors. That is one of the reasons that this stamp set (Kelly's Monster Stamp and Cut by Hero Arts) is so perfect for a card for them - the sentiment inside is "Frankly, you are amazing!". Love it!

I colored the image with Copic markers and added layers of goblinly fun with an embossing folder, a paper web and some fun patterned papers.

I love how this turned out and that it gave me another chance to share my sincere appreciation.

Stay safe and have fun.......now, on to Thanksgiving craftiness (I know I'm late on that, as all I see on blogs these days is Christmas stuff. I hate that Thanksgiving tends to get lost in the craziness. The Canadians have it right, celebrating it October 9th).

Thanks for the visit,

Trick

.....or TREAT!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Hubby and I have a special exercise class with a wonderful group of folks, a great instructor and a terrific workout.  Even though mass production isn't my thing, I like to make a little something special for for this group for the holidays. This year's Halloween treat was inspired by one that my crafty friend, artist and amazing teacher, Sandy Brien, shared with us a couple of months ago. I made it "my own", using supplies that I have. I love how it turned out.

The pole is a paper straw from the party store, the dies are Memory Box and the stamps are old Hero Arts. I had the ghost buttons in my stash. I filled it with DARK chocolate because that is healthy, right?!

I am submitting this to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog for "Anything Goes". Check it out!

We have some lovely fall weather today and the promise of some much-needed rain on the way. Today is the day of our church auction for which I completed 100 cards. I have no idea how they will sell (I had difficulty pricing them, as I am not a merchant). If they aren't a big hit I won't go through all that again next year!

Take care and have a treat of a week! Thanks for the sweet visit,

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,

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have another Halloween card. My friend (and President of our Paper Arts Group) Shirley shared this adorable "Bobble Head Sweet Pea" die by Frantic Stamper Inc. She even showed us how to make our own "wobblers" (you can see videos on You-Tube) for his head using wire and some round stickers. So creative (and thrifty!).

The Tim Holtz "Crazy Things" stamps and dies are the perfect size for this adorable pouch, so the possibilities are endless!

Thanks so much, Shirley!

I combined this cutie with some patterned paper from my stash, some die-cut bats and a sticker sentiment.

Have a wonderful day - it sure feels like fall! - and thanks for the visit,

Quote the Raven.....

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I've been out of town and need to catch up with cards! Seems Christmas has exploded and I'm just now ready to post for Halloween.

While I'm not crazy for the "holiday", I've always adored all the wonderful Halloween images, so I always make a few cards.

I'm still crazy for the Distress Oxide Inks so I made a dark background with several layers and splashes for a haunted look. I matched it up with an older die (Sizzix Bigz Die - Raven & Scaredy Cat) from Tim Holtz, leaves from Memory Box and various embellishments from my stash.

Stay safe and have a wonderful week! Thanks for the visit,

Pretty?!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Judi of Judikins at Paper Garden Boutique

We are safe from the California fires, but know many who are in harm's way. It is so sad - so much devastation in so many places! Praying for all who are suffering.

I was recently lucky enough to take a couple of classes at Paper Garden Boutique from the amazing Judikins. Judi and her husband Rob have an amazing array of products and stamps which they sell on their websites, at conventions and at "pop-up" shops. What a fun day.

We made some wonderful backgrounds using their unique Mica Gloss inks. Such shine (which unfortunately isn't done justice in my photo)! I used one for today's card.

I wanted to use my new stamp set called "You're Pretty" from Neat and Tangled which I believe was designed just for me.

Why do I say that? Because, for those of you who know me, the way someone looks is the LAST thing on earth I think about. So I love the idea of sending someone a card that says "You're Pretty" on the front. It will cause some second thoughts. But the sentiment  on the inside is the sentiment that "all me"! There are several in the set and I love them ALL!

I was inspired by the sketch on the current Little Tangles Challenge Blog with which I ended taking some liberties, but I plan to enter it anyway.

I also used an old (and dear) Hero Arts set (CL383) to stamp a butterfly on the inside and the envelope and some butterfly dies by Impression Obsession (DIE255-Y).



I love this card which is headed to one of my dearest fitness instructors.

Remember that we are ALL pretty! Stay safe and, as always, for the visit.

Wheelie?

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy World Cardmaking  Day! I thought I'd celebrate by making a fun card while others all over the world are doing the same thing.

I recently got this adorable skateboard dude set ("Wheelie Mini Shaker") from Art Impressions. It comes with its own "wobbler" to provide some real action and dies for the "zoom" and the stars.

I love it because my husband had one of the first commercial (he had previously crafted his own!) skateboards and he still has it. Thank goodness he doesn't try to ride it (at least not when I'm home - ha!). It makes me smile.

While my husband hasn't had to wear a tie since he retired, this silly guy reminds me of him and his best buddy Larry. They have been friends since second grade and this card is going out to him.

I added some fun patterned paper, used my stitched rectangle dies and added my own sentiment inside  (Wheelie hope you feel better soon").  I am including a short video (my first!) to share the action.

I am adding this to the current challenge at Art Impressions, "Jiggle a Little".

I wheelie thank you for the visit! Have a great World Cardmaking Day,

Sparkle on!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I have made some progress on my Halloween cards but I don't want to post them until they reach their recipients. Maybe late next week.

I have a wonderful young friend who shares my love of mermaids. She is super-creative and has an Etsy shop where she sells her sparkly and Disney-inspired creations. This is the special card I made for her.

The mermaid is an older Unity stamp by Suzi Blu called "Elena Seaside". I love her unique style. I used Zig clear color markers to watercolor her and added sparkle with Wink of Stella and Stickels.

The sentiment ("Shine from Within") is one I finding myself reaching for more and more (the world needs all the sparkle possible!) by Reverse Confetti (I used it recently here).

The background is Distress Ink watercolored onto a panel I heat-embossed with the "Shells" background stamp by Impression Obsession layered on top of some DCWV glitter paper.

Thanks for the visit and have a weekend full of sparkle and joy,

Another Old Goat!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Are you feelin' it? Summer is well on its way out and doesn't make me a happy gal. I go kicking and screaming into fall. Ah, well, for everything there is a season!

I'm back today with my Tim Holtz Hipsters. I've used Diestress Oxide Inks on this old goat. I just can't get enough of these inks - I'm neglecting my other mediums! With this cool background and funky image I have used a stamp from Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz) "Wildflowers" set and a perfect sentiment from  My Craft Spot's "Down on the Farm".

I even stamped the inside and the envelope! Too fun!

I need to get into the holiday mode. Based on what I'm seeing on other blogs I am way behind already.

I am adding this to the current Simon Says Stamp "Work it Wednesday"blog. See you there!

Thanks for visiting this old goat. Take care and have a wooly week!

Hooray for Hollyhocks

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Another card today using Brushos. These backgrounds are such fun and so versatile. On this one I added some hollyhocks with a slight off-set back shadow. Die is from Obsession Impression - an old favorite.

The  sentiment is "Block Out" by Little B, such a great set for a fun look.

Keeping it short today - a busy and fun weekend ahead. Have a great one and thanks for the visit,

TuTu To You!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

In a recent blog post (check it out!), my talented pal Nancy (who I met in card-making classes) reminded me of a really fun "Tutu Toad" stamp by Stampendous. I had to dig her out and color her up. Even though I'm working to eliminate wood-mounted stamps, there are some that are just too special!

This stamp makes me giggle and I'm so glad to see her again. I took a fun twist with her and put her together with some amazing patterned paper and an adorable sentiment from Reverse Confetti ("Shine from Within") for this inspirational and super-shiny card. I just want to dance with her!

Other supplies used: Stitched rectangle dies, Nuvo Drops, Stickles, Black Pearl Pen, Copic pens.

I haven't played in a Retro Rubber Challenge in some time. The challenge is "Anything Goes" and since this stamp is from 2012, she qualifies!

Thanks for the visit and thanks to Nancy for the inspiration!

Pineapple Chin?!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

So, the other day one of my very favorite exercise instructors was leading us in an exercise and she said to imagine a pineapple under our chins! Well, I've just had that image in my head ever since! I decided to thank her for doing that to me - ha!

I made this card with the Hero Arts Layering Pineapple die which is a little tricky to use. I doesn't cut out the shape of the pineapple, but rather the textural elements. A bit of a challenge. In fact, if I had realized this when I purchased it (I love all things tropical) I probably would not have.

I die cut the image and colored it up, using a mask, with Distress Inks and some finger daubers. It went well.

The sentiment is from "Many Thanks" by Paper Smooches and the sequins are from Simon Says Stamp "Sunshine Mix". I splattered the background with my gold and black Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors. The cardstock is Essentials by Ellen's "Desert Storm".

The nifty Stickles edging on the left side is a little trick I learned from the amazing Julie Ebersole when I took a class from her at the Paper Garden Boutique. My hand isn't quite as steady as hers, but I love the look.

Thanks for the visit and think tropical,

Somewhere over the Brusho Rainbow

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I've been sharing some cards I made from backgrounds I made with my crafty friend Shirley using Brushos. Here is another.

Shirley showed us how to make a rainbow and the results are so striking. I'm still struggling with the lack of control with this medium, but I love the joyful results.

I just added some die-cut words and a bit of twine from my stash to complete this festive card. Fun!

Thanks for the visit,

Glamping

Hi, bloggin' buddies!
I have a thing for vintage trailers. I love to see how owners decorate them and set up for show.

When I saw this Fusion Challenge (I am new to this site/challenge) I knew that I had to join in and have some fun.



While I love the colors and the sketch, I elected to go with the photo as my inspiration. I watercolored this sweet camper from Stamping' Up and added lots of accessories. The banner is from Simon Says Stamp ("Folded Banner") and the sentiment is from Lawn Fawn. The perfect patterned paper is from an Authentique pad called "Adventure".

Although it has been an unusually hot one, I always hate to see the end of summer, with its long days and cooler nights, coming to an end. A trip in this baby would cap it all off with style!

Thanks for the visit and happy trails,

Another Brusho Background

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies,

A quick post tonight to share another of the Brusho backgrounds I made while learning from my friend Shirley. I love all of the amazing the colors of this one - and it is actually just a single color (Ultramarine) of Brusho. I used lots of water to blend the granules.

This is a new die from Simon Says Stamp - so appropriate with what is currently going on in the USA and around the world. Love it!

I am submitting this to the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Blog Challenge which is "Anything Goes".

Thanks for the visit and remember to be kind,