Fa-la-la

Hi, Blogging Buddies!

Yep, yet another tag - can't get enough of them! These are again inspired by Tracey McNeely's "25 Days of Christmas Tags" and again I was inspired by Day 21, this time by Samatha Casey. She used a Lawn Fawn llama image and some silver snowflakes. While hers has a sweet frame, I kept mine simple to allow for mass production. I used the llama from the Lawn Fawn "Says Who?" set, colored it with Copics and added some small snowflake embellishments.

Thanks for the visit and wishing you a fa-la-la-lovey day,

What is Hot Fudge?

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I hardly remember what hot fudge is. I have been living the healthy life with huge changes in thinking, diet and exercise for about ten years now. I've never felt better and I'm more healthy than ever!

But, I still think this great image on a 2004 Stampin' Up stamp is hilarious. I got the stamp at a used stamp sale years ago and haven't been able to part with it. Because the image is the star, I've kept the card simple with (an equally old) embossing folder by Cuttlebug and some Copic coloring. Makes me smile.....

Sure hope you are having a good week. I'm off to treat on some healthy popcorn. Thanks for the visit!

Cinco De Mayo

Hola, Bloggin' Budies!

Well, as you can imagine, there are lots of celebrations here in California today. What a colorful culture! We are heading to a fun neighborhood dinner.

I made this card for the hostess. Lots of fun. I used the Lawn Fawn Everyday Pop-Up Dies for the card base and the new Hero Arts "It's Fiesta Time" stamp and dies set for the cute pop-ups. These were so much fun to color with Copics. I added some colorful banners and some small flowers from my stash.

I've been having such fun with these Lawn Fawn pop-up dies. They add such a fun dimension to cards. It does add some extra time to the process because you have more surfaces to decorate, but for a big impact it is so perfect.

Have a colorful day and thanks for the visit,

Fawn-tastic!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Lawn Fawn makes so many super-cool dies to add lots of pop to our creations - they are unique and such fun. Today I have a card I made using the "Everyday Pop-Up" dies and the "Toadally Awesome" stamp and die set. This is only the third card I've made using this Pop-Up set and I almost have it mastered - ha! Kelly Marie's video makes it look so easy - I just thought I could do it this time without watching the video. No way! Soon it will become second nature (I hope).

I love this "Toad" set - the faces on the little guys are just too cute! I colored them with Copics and added some embellishments with some Wink of Stella and Signo white gel pen. Die cuts from splash background and flower dies (from my stash) complete the "hoppy" scene.

It isn't easy properly photographing a 3-D card! I did my best. This is headed to the Lawnfawnatics current challenge, "3-D cards."

Thanks for the visit!

Aloha!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, Aloha is the word. I have just returned from a couple of weeks in my happy place, Kauai. We try to go there every year and it just seems to get better. Here is a photo of part of the beauty that I saw on my morning walks. Paradise!

Today's card is a reminder of our trip. I used Avery Elle's
"Stay Fresh" stamp and die set. I ink-blended a partial circle onto some wonderful woodgrain paper, using a mask. The pineapple is heat-embossed on vellum and colored from the back with Copics. Some gold card stock was used as a mat and for the greeting, which is from Lawn Fawn. Gold Gansai Tambi watercolor splatters, sequins and twine complete the embellishments. The woodgrain and gold papers are from my LSS, the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento.

Thanks for the visit and carry the aloha spirit in your hearts,

Let's Put Out the Fire!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

It has been awhile since I colored up an image from one of my favorite companies, Art Impression. They have so many great characters, especially for us seniors (and I don't mean high school!). I made this card for a friend who, thankfully, has a sense of humor. I used Copic markers and made some die-cut star embellishments. The patterned paper is from Lawn Fawn.


















The inside is simple and to the point.

Sure hope you are having a good week so far. Lots of sunshine here for a change.

Thanks for the visit,

Piggy Party!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

One can't ever have enough birthday cards, especially those featuring cute animals, right?

I recently made this card using the cutest partying piggy ever! He is from Simon Says Stamp's "Birthday Farm Animals" stamp set. I colored him with Copics, gave him some sparkle with Wink of Stella and used some layers of party pink and black paper to send him flying.

I have just recently started reaching for my Copics again - I tend to get involved with one medium, trying to master it - HA! - at the expense of others that I also love to use. There are so many wonderful things - the new colors of Distress Oxide Inks, Alcohol Inks, colored pencils, water color, original Distress Inks, markers....oh, my! The crafting days simply are not long enough for all the fun there is to have.

This fun guy is headed to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog's "Anything Goes". You've got plenty of time to play along, so join me there.

I can almost see the weekend from here....thanks for the visit and have a good one,

I'm Obsessed!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, I am - with Impression Obsession products and (as you know) mermaids! I love some of the new products that have from Impression Obsession, especially some of the sentiments, and will use some on future projects. Today I decided to combine some of my favorites for an ocean-inspired birthday card to submit for the current challenge at  the IO Blog.

I'm not sure what the name of this type of card is (half gate-fold?) but I haven't made one in a long time and thought it would be perfect to highlight this delightful mermaid.

Impression Obsession products I used are the mermaid by Lindsay Ostrom D19179 which I colored with Copic Pens, Wishes stamp set MC657, and my all-time favorite shell die set, DIE 077-W. I added an embossing folder by Darice and an older heart punch from Stampin Up and lots of Wink of Stella for sparkle.

Isn't she swimingly adorable? Hope you are having a great weekend. 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,

Wining Again!

Hello, bloggin' buddies!

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend. Stinking' hot here, so some crafting going on! I haven't used my Art Impressions stamps in some time, so I got a set ("Celeste Set") out and got busy.

I like to combine paper piecing and Copic coloring to get some variety and shading. Because this gal is such a focus I decided to keep the background plain and I just added a die-cut flower (My Favorite Things "Gerbera Daisy) as an embellishment.

I particularly love how the couch turned out - it is pretty realistic!

I don't know if any of you have issues with Signa white gel pens.....they are great when they work, but I had to try several before I got one to write......I can't tell you how many of those I throw away every year. No more....I'm going to try (cheap) white acrylic paint and a tiny brush.

Thanks for the visit, have a great week!

Mermaid

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I am back after a short vacation where I got to spend time at the ocean. Today's card is reflective of that great time.

I love this little mermaid set from Newton's Nook, "Mermaid Crossing". I did some Distress Ink "smooching" with some Perfect Pearls for the background, added some texture with a Tim Holtz stencil, colored the adorable gal with Copic pens and added some coral (Stampendouss Cling Coral Tree).

I am adding this to the current challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog.

Thanks for the visit - hope your week is going swimmingly!

A "Challenging" Monday

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I had the chance this weekend to look over some current challenges - it has been awhile. I decided on the one at Art Impressions, one of my favorite stamp companies. Have you seen all the videos and new lines of products they have been producing?!

But, as much as I love the new things, I continue to reach for my old favorites! And I've done it again. You've seen him here before, and you more than likely will again - one of my all-time favorites, the sneering old buzzard!

The Challenge is "Layer it On Me" and while I don't (yet) have the Mini Trifolds and the Clasp Keepers that are featured on the blog, I decided to go with what I have and what I love.

I used Copics to color the big guy, used a Pico Embellisher for his eye, and splattered him with some watercolor. I cut out this layer with a stitched dye and edged the shape with some Distress Embossing Powder. This is a technique that I've been wanting to try and it seemed perfect for this card.

Then I laid on the layers. First is the amazing woodgrain paper that I frequently use, then some torn vellum, and finally some wood patterned paper. I tied it all up with some dark twine which I attached with Tim's Mini Attacher.

You have until June 8th to play along. Thanks for the visit - have a grand week!

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, 

Spring Tags

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

It sure feels like Spring and Easter is here. I have been playing with an adorable new set by Neat and Tangled in conjunction with Simon Says Stamp. It is called "Cute Chicks".

The amazing blogger Emily Leiphart from Art From the the Heart did a wonderful video on masking these little guys to form the perfect parade. Check it out.

I colored the sweet images with my Copic markers, masked with Inkadinkado stamping masking paper and used some sequins from my stash.

I decided to avoid bunnies this year, so I have used this set and some florals for my Easter cards.

Hope you have a great week - keep springing! Thanks for the visit,

Cutness Quotient

Happy Friday, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yep, I've been playing with my Fuse Tool again!

I was inspired by the February Paper Smooches Challenge, "Fun & Cute". And cute is the perfect word for so many of the paper Smooches stamps - I love 'em!

Today I colored up (Copic pens) a double dose using the "Party Pals" set. It is an older set, but a favorite and perfect to pair with my balloon die and some colorful sequins for a real party in a card.

The stars in the background are from some unmarked stamps I got at a used stamp sale. I tried adding some white dots like I have seen so many doing on various blogs - I still struggle with those darn gell pens, but I like the look. A dash of Wink of Stella adds some glimmer.

It is a beautiful sunny day (which is why I got the reflection on my acetate balloon) and I plan to get out an enjoy it!

Thanks for the visit!

Ugly Sweater

Hello. Bloggin' Buddies!

I'm wrapping up the holiday cards - sometime I save the most fun for last.

First this was a simple A2 card featuring a favorite (but apparently retired - I can't find it on their website) Art Impressions holiday stamp that I colored with Copics. But the more I looked at it, it just had to be MORE. So I took it apart and made it into a 5" x 7" inch card, adding layers of "ugly sweater" printed paper (cut with SSS stitched rectangle dies), a playful bow (Die-namics) and lots of sparkle with Wink of Stella, Stickles and embelishments.

The sentiment I added inside is "Don't get your tinsel in a tangle". Fun?

The colors are actually much more vibrant - it has been so dark in the house that I had to use a flash.

I made this card for someone very special to us. She motivates us to move, inspires us to be healthy and is a total kick in the pants. She is also very kind, loving and thoughtful. Jeri is our aerobics instructor and we appreciate her so very much! I never dreamed that I would set my alarm for 6 am on Saturdays to exercise, but she makes it SO worth it. Thanks, Jeri!

Merry Christmas, dear readers - I also appreciate YOU!

Grateful

Hello, Bloggers!

Hope you are doing well and getting ready for the weekend.

Today's card is my acknowledgement that fall is really on it's way. Every year I approach this time of year kicking and screaming. I am a summer/tropical gal and don't like to see the days getting shorter and cooler and the leaves turning.

Anyway, I used a new Paper Smooches set for this card - Blossoming Buds and used my Copics to give them some fall colors. I used the coordinating dies called Blossom Icons. I am getting into these watercolor backgrounds! There is Wink of Stella on the flowers, but it isn't too visible.

This is my final entry into the current Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge "Anything Goes"

Take good care, thanks for the visit and have a wonderful weekend.

Asian Doll

cute girl
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

Today's card is another featuring a cute Hero Arts Stamp. Isn't she adorable? I colored her up with Copics and used a new Nestie die for the background shape. The card background is a piece of delicate rice paper stationary I found when a local stationary store was going out of business. Can you see the stamp in the lower left corner? I added a little final class with some pearls and little flowers. I think this gal has personality! Thanks for looking!

What's Cooking?

For those of you who know me, it ain't much! Even though I'm not much of a cook, I love to collect vintage cookbooks. I found a cute way to incorporate pix from one of my cookbooks into a card. These Hero Arts stamps are just perfect. I paper pieced the chef's hat and spoon and layered them for dimension. And every chef needs googly eyes! I embossed the sweet little pot holder to resemble stitching and used my Nesties to cut out the cookbook and related designer paper.

Love this little chef......wonder if he is busy for Thanksgiving?