I "Felt" Creative

Can you tell that I'm loving it? A soapy, fun mess!
That's me on the right.

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I did something really different last night and I want to share it with you. I attended a felting class. If you are unsure, felting is the agitation of wool with warm water and friction (we used nylon netting) to coax the tiny scales in the wool to separate and become lovely wool felt.

One can make all kinds of things like hats, purses, scarves, etc. As beginners, we felted bars of Dove soap! There were tons of different and brilliant colors of carded wool from which to choose.

Crazy fun! The felted bars apparently exfoliate skin beautifully when used in the tub/shower.

I always love to learn new crafts and it was great to be with some remarkable new women friends. 

Felted Soap Bars

The results are interesting and colorful. Years ago I used a different felting technique (shrinking a wool sweater from the Goodwill in the clothes dryer!) to make a beautiful and unique purse.

I made cards to thank our patient and helpful teachers - they were fun (yes, there was wine!), kind, and so experienced. 

Distress Oxide Inks were sponged through two different stencils (Hero Arts for the pink green and Kite for the blue/green) onto Bristol cardstock for easy blending. The silly sentiment (stamped in pigment ink and heat embossed with Hero Arts clear embossing powder) is by Laugh Out Loud and I stamped another one in black ink on the envelopes. I added some crystal sequins for some texture and interest.

This is headed for the current challenge "Make Your Own Background" at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge's blog.

Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful and creative week,

Near To My Heart

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy weekend! I have been behind on my card making lately, so I'm having somewhat of a marathon. Today's card is for my dear 98-year Aunt who lives in Upstate New York. She has a special place in my heart.

I created a background by "smooching" Distress Oxide Inks onto a watercolor paper panel. Love those rich tones! I heat-embossed this wonderful Impression Obsession sentiment (Near to My Heart, C13453) with coffee pigment ink and added a two-piece dimensional butterfly (IO DIE-255Y) and some sequins to complete the card.

I love the autumn feel of the card and that this sentiment is in the spotlight. Since it is, I will submit it to the current challenge at the IO blog, "Pop Up Your Words".

Then I need to get this in Tuesday's mail, as I am going to be visiting my Aunt soon and I want it to arrive before I do!

Thanks for the sweet visit and have a great Sunday,

With Sympathy

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Aren't sympathy cards the most difficult of all to make? Each time I need to make one I tell myself that I need to make several ahead of time so that I can avoid the creative process when my heart is so heavy. But it never seems to happen and I do like to make a card specifically for the intended recipient.

Today's card uses a creative "smooched" background using my all-time favorite product, Distress Oxide Inks. I love the depth and colors. I added a diecut in grey ("Earl Grey", Tailored Expressions) made with a cover plate die from Spellbinders (S4-254) and some peal embellishments. The sweet sentiments are from a Neat and Tangled stamp set called "No Words". The inside says "Because there are no words for this". I love it.

Thanks for the visit. I sure hope you are having a good week.

Put a Flower On It!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have another Hero Arts creation using a layering floral set, "For You Flowers". It isn't always necessary to use all the layers of the layering sets. I only used them for the focal image, which is stamped with Distress Oxide inks. I softened the layers up a bit with an aqua brush.  I added a sentiment from an old (2011) favorite, "Sending Smiles Messages", which is heat-embossed.

I appreciate that the challenges and Design Team at At A Blog Named Hero inspire my creativity. Though I am typically not much of a "flower gal" (although I was a Flower Child in the 1960's!), it is fun to stretch out of my normal style. Today's card is headed to the current challenge, "Put a Flower On It". The challenge ends May 10th, so try to play along.

Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend!

What's to Celebrate?

SPRING, my dear Bloggin' Buddies!

I see it on the horizon, too. I made this card for my sweet 97-year old Aunt who lives in Upstate New York. She is so sick of winter and her very favorite color is yellow. She seriously celebrities Spring, and will this year, especially with the weather that she's had.

I took advantage of the current challenge at the Creativity Meets C9 blog which is "Spring". I love using stencils, but I honestly wasn't too sure about using this "Flora Fill-In Set" with coordinating Patterned Paper - mainly because the paper is pre-printed. I wan't sure how it would come together. But, I figured that Concord & 9th has never let me down and they have some of the most inovative products on the market, so why not give it as shot?

I am so pleasantly surprised! I love the elegant softness of this card. I wasn't going for bright and flashy, so I used Distress Oxide inks to stencil over the paper. I love how it looks over the grey shades.  I popped-up a few of the images to add some dimension and picked up the grey tones with the die-cut ovals and added sunshine-colored sequins. My sentiment is from a set called "Birthday Stacks Stamp Set", which is so versatile - I can't wait to play with it further.

If this doesn't usher in Spring, I sure don't know what will.

Thanks for the visit and I hope Spring happens soon wherever you are,

Coloring in a Mondo Fashion

Hi, Blogging Buddies!

I am very excited about today's card. I tried a new (to me)  technique using my favorite medium, Distress Oxide Inks. I "smooched" the inks onto watercolor paper, drying in between layers (a must with Distress Oxides). I misted it with Perfect Pearls and carefully dried the paper, and weighing it down a little to get it flat.

I used my MISTI to stamp an old favorite, Mondo Hydrangea by Julie Ebersole (a great pal and source of inspiration and giggles) by Essentials by Ellen. I then cut out the images and assembled the card. Julie has taught me think of using black more frequently so I gave it a try.

I tried several products for the flower centers, but I decided on my trusty Prisma colored pencils - they did the perfect trick.

I love the results! Im entering this into the Classroom Pin-Sights Challenge, which is using the Pantone Drama Queen Color Palette. You should play along, as you have almost an entire month.

Thanks so much for the visit and have a great weekend!

What's Goin' On?

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

So, we used to say "what's goin' on?"; in fact, there was a great song in the early 1970's by Marvin Gaye that used those very words. I have learned from our young nieces that it is now said very differently.

Hence, this fun and colorful (aren't you tired of holiday colors?) card featuring one of my favorites - the Hipsters by Tim Holtz. Even though they've been around for awhile, they still make me smile! Although (as I have shared with you previously) the romance was a long time coming - at first they sort of creeped me out. Love grows. This guy kind of reminds me of my 8th grade English teacher.

I haven't played with my Distress Oxide Inks in far too long, so I had great fun with this blended background for which I also used a stencil and lots of splatters. It was so rewarding to get inky fingers once again.

Here's hoping you have a super-great Sunday and a terrific week. So sad about the terrible cold many of you are dealing with - it must be impossible! Stay safe! Every winter I rejoice that my parents moved me to California from Erie, PA when I was very young.

Thanks so much for the 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,

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,

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!

Eclipster!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Have you joined the eclipse craze? We have a dear friend, a cat-lover, who is in Charleston with his family to view the event. I thought I'd make him a card with a custom-made Tim Holtz Hipster ready to view the eclipse - yes, I call him the Eclipster! I used Distress Oxide Inks to make a galaxy background and to watercolor this crazy guy.

I get nervous when I need to get the old Xacto Knife out and do some fancy carving, in this case for the special glasses. I didn't quite get the lenses even, but that just kind of adds to his character, right? I heat embossed the glasses with several coats of shiny color. Fun!

Enjoy the event, be safe and (of course) stay hip! Thanks for the visit,

Don't go, summertime!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Although this summer has been incredibly hot, I sure don't like seeing it getting ready to say "good-bye".  The days are already getting shorter and my happy summertime mode is being threatened. My hubby loves fall, but I always dread it, so there you go!

For some reason my card making summer has been influenced heavily by the amazing Tim Holtz. I've always appreciated Tim's products and designs, but for whatever reason, I've been immersed this summer. It seems I'm always reaching for his "Crazy Birds", his hilarious "Hipsters", the amazing new Distress Oxide Inks, and I even have a new interest in his alcohol inks. My Pinterest boards are full of Tim-related products and ideas!

Today I have a card featuring a Crazy Bird. I have a friend who is into altered art and volunteers with a local charter school, teaching art. She is amazing! I wanted to show my support and wish her a good school year, so I made this "Z-fold" card using Distress Inks, some matching flowers from my stash and a cute speech bubble stamp from Lawn Fawn's "Chit Chat" set. I used some Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Collection cardstock to coordinate with the ink colors.

I had actually never made a Z-fold card until I took a class from my friend Sandy earlier this summer. It adds a little interest, especially for an artsy card and an ever more artsy recipient.

Thanks for the visit, and continue to enjoy your summer while you may.......

Distress Oxydes

Hi, Blogging' Buddies!

I have a Paris-inspired card made with yet another Distress Oxide Ink background (hence the title of this post - I believe that would be how it is said in French - ha!). Layers and layers of color were added to watercolor paper and each was dried to create wonderful depth of colors. Love!

I have a wonderful new exercise class instructor who, besides being full of knowledge and positive attitudes, opens our classes with a little gem of wisdom and inspiration. Last week one of her opening snippets was about the Eiffel Tower, so I decided that I would make her an appropriate card to let her know how very much I already appreciate her.

I used my large Sizzix Bigz Eiffel Tower Die (an oldie!) and I embossed the entire die cut with some Hero Arts Platinum Embossing Powder. The background was stamped with a Tim Holtz/Stamper's Anonymous set called "French Market".

The stamp and die set I used for the sentiment is "Amazing" by My Favorite Things - such a fun and versatile set!

I added some crochet yarn and a charm from my stash and it is ready to go. Since I am such a Francophile, I have lots of products that I have saved over the years that, although they are rarely used, I can't seem to let go of.

Thanks for the visit - Au Revoir, mes copains!

Still Distressing!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I just can't seem to keep my fingers clean! I have lost many hours playing with my Distress Oxide Inks - I simply can't keep my hands off of them.

This is a quick bookmark I put together for a lady at church who helped me out the other day. Since she sings in the choir, I thought this beautiful sentiment ("Lord is my Strength") from Spellbinders was appropriate - the font is so lovely! It is heat embossed on a tag that I created with Distress Oxide Inks and the "Bold Floral" stencil from Hero Arts. The butterfly is made from 2 Memory Box dies (Kaleidoscope Butterfly and Moonlight Butterfly).

Thanks for the visit and have a great week!

Continued Crabbiness

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have another crabby card to share. I made this as a thank you for a friend who hosted us on a recent trip to Maryland.

I used my new all-time favorite, Distress Oxide Inks. I made this fun background with the "smooching technique" (another favorite). These adorable crabs - they just make me smile from the inside out! -  from Ranger's Dylusions "Clearly Under the Sea" set were embossed with platinum powder and watercolored with Distress oxide Inks.


The sentiment is from Little B's "Block Out" die set. I used paper from the Ranger Cor'dinations Distress Collection because it coordinates with the ink colors.

I have a hard time NOT reaching for these wonderful and diverse inks......I'm waiting for the pre-order of the second release that should soon be on their way!

Thanks so much for the visit!

Rockin' with Ranger!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I haven't done a challenge in quite awhile, so today I'm playing along with Simon Says Stamp.

Side view showing the "Z" 

I made this crazy  "Double Z Card" to celebrate the Fourth of July, a big day in our family. I love using Ranger products and that is what the design team used, so I decided to jump right in.

This card features lots of Ranger products: Distress Oxide Inks, Glossy Accents, Multi Matte Medium and Stickles. What fun!

I also used Tim's "Small Talk - Occasions" and "Crazy Birds" by Stampers Anonymous, an embossing folder by Darice, Nesting Star dies by Lifestyle Crafts and some patterned paper, a tag and an embellishment from my extensive stash.

I am adding this to Simon's Monday Challenge and Simon's Wednesday Challenge - the theme of both is "Masculine".

I sure hope you had a wonderful weekend - I appreciate the visit!

Loving the Distress Oxide Inks!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

Tim Holtz has done it again! I am SO loving the Distress Oxide Inks and can't wait for more colors to come out. I have been playing with them for a few weeks now. I made a sample "tag book" to be able to compare how they work on different papers and with different techniques - it was a real learning process.

Yesterday I got up extra early to have time to play with the inks on manila tags. They are incredibly bendable! Amazing.

I blended, stenciled, "smooched", splattered, and lifted color with water droplets and it was all super-great. I also used some Perfect Pearls for that extra touch. There are so many great color combos, even with only 12 from which to choose.

Some came out better than others, but it was a process and I am pleased. I urge you give them a try and get inky!

Thanks for the visit and have a great day,