Year of the Dog

Hello, blogging Buddies!

I have a few special friends (including my fellow stamper and blogging pal, Cindy) for whom I make Chinese New Year cards. I love the challenge because each year features a different animal and because I have a fascination with the rich and colorful traditions of the culture. It is all good.

Laurel Burch

February 16th is the big day and this is the Year of the Dog! My card features a wonderful Laurel Burch image by Stampendous. I was a big fan of Laurel in the 1960's and 1970's. I wore her jewelry (still do!) and carried her beautiful bags. She is probably most well-known for her cat images. She died in 2007, but her unique art lives on! I love it that Stampendous has a new line of terrific products featuring her designs.

I watercolored the "Tail Run" dog with Gansai Tambi paints and assembled the card using the traditional red and gold colors. I used a Sizzix  embossing folder for the background, some gold-printed vellum and some gold foil paper that I die cut (Memory Box "Parker Numbers" & Die-Namics Border).

Do not remove this vinyl!

There is something worth noting about Stampedous cling stamps. Unlike most clings, they come with an additional "cling vinyl label" which you do not remove from the stamp; it is mounted directly onto your block or stamp positioner along with the rubber stamp. Here is a tip sheet to better explain this feature: https://www.stampendous.com/tips-techniques/stamps/cling-rubber-stamps/.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and lots of stamping! 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,

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,

Brushing Up on Brushos

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yesterday my card-making friend Shirley (who is also the amazing President of our "Paper Arts" group) invited a few of us over to learn some techniques/play with Brushos.

I was introduced to these a few years ago but I never really got into them because I am such a control freak and there is NO CONTROL with this product! But, I am trying to loosen up and enjoy them because they really are spectacular and lots of fun. Thanks, Shirley!

This is the first background I made using the pre-wet background technique. I spritzed it with a little Perfect Pearls after it was dry to give it a shimmer.

My sense was that this needed to be a fall-themed card. I used the Memory Box "Boddington Tree Border" die and added an embossed  Paper Smooches ("Salutations") sentiment mounted on a tag from the Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations "Thinlits" tag dies.

I love the results and am just delighted to have had this friendly inspiration.

Thanks for the visit and have a great week,

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!

Fun Photo Card

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I was introduced to the idea of using photos on cards by my friend, and president of our local card-making group, Shirley. She showed me how to have photos printed "4 up" to result in a size that is perfect for adding to cards.

My hubby's friend from his hiking group took this amazing photo on a recent hike (which went right past a zoo). I made her a packet of cards using her photo.

Dies used are "Massa Leaf Background" from Memory Box and "Hello Words" from Paper Smooches (I secured the cardstock to some fun foam and diecut the word for some "pop"). The Cuttlebug embossing folder is an old one, as is the cute little Hero Arts stamp that I used on the inside and the envelope.

Thanks for the visit - have a great week!

ZUMBA!

Happy Monday, Blogging Buddies!

I am a fan of Zumba. As one who loves to dance and hates to exercise, it is just perfect for me. I can become exhausted and work up a huge sweat without realizing it because I am having so much fun. If you have never tried it, I recommend it.

Why am I telling you this? This week's Share Handmade Kindness Challenge at Jennifer McGuire's blog is "Community" and we are to share with someone who works/serves in our community.

I decided to give a special thank you to our sweet Zumba instructor, Summer. I made a card inspired by one I did months ago in a class at the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento taught by the amazing Julie Ebersole. I especially like it because we are celebrating some terrific and much-needed rain here in northern California.

I used a Memory Box die to cut some watercolor paper that I had painted with my Gansai Tambi paints and textured with a Tim Holtz stencil. I die cut (Essentials by Ellen) some stars and attached them with some twine. All good.

Even better is that I used the other portion of the paper to create another card which I can give to a special lady who works the desk at our gym!

Think about someone who is in your life who could use a little handmade kindness and get busy!

Have a great week, thanks for the visit and Zumba on!

Stretch Your Dies - Day 7, the Grand Finale!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Wowzer, but did I ever have fun with today's lesson. I loved all of the techniques, but Kathy Racoosin's "Hidden Letter" technique with alphabet dies had me in love. She did such a great job with her example that I couldn't wait to give it a whirl.

Did I tell you haw much I am loving my Gansai Tambi water colors?! Oh, MY!! It is unbelievable and so worth the investment. I'm glad that I got the 36-color set.

Anyway, I stretched some watercolor paper and went to town heat embossing and old favorite from Hero Arts, CG134, "Large Flower". I did a background first, let it dry and then painted the flower. When it was all dry I sprayed it with some Perfect Pearls, let it dry again and over-stamped it with Hero Arts S1832, "Italian Poetry". The sentiment is Hero Arts CL371, "Essential Messages", and the alphabet dies are Memory Box "Parker Upper Case".

Can you see the raised letters in the second photo? Unbelievable!

What a great series - I really recommend it it you want to make the most of your dies.

Thanks for the visit!

Stretch Your Dies - Day Two

Or, in this case, scream and cuss at your dies!

Yep, I'm back at the Online Card Class series. Those gals make it look so darn easy! I almost didn't post this, but I figured that classes are all about learning, and mistakes are sure a part of learning.

I have learned that it makes a HUGE difference which dies you select for this technique, which Kristina calls "Die Cuts Within A Larger Die".

My butterflies were just too delicate and the shapes too large. They just look strange cut off into a circle shape.

I wish I'd kept the butterflies at their full sizes, but that wasn't the technique, now was it? Ah, well. The technique is a good one, my execution just leaves much to be desired.

Thanks for the visit,

Products: Dies - Memory Box (Moonlight Butterfly, Kaleidoscope Butterfly), Spellbinders (Fanciful Flight), Paper Smooches (Hello Words); Paper - My Minds Eye (Follow Your Heart-Be Amazed)

Bee Mine!

Dear Bloggin' Buddies:

Time for another heart! This one features The fun set from paper Smooches called Bee Mine. I have loved this set forever, and Kim recently came out with dies to go with it - perfect! I tried some water coloring with Distress Inks on this happy fella with some Wink of Stella on his wings. Pretty darn cute.

I again used Jennifer McGuire's great stacked shape die stacking technique with Memory Box Stitched Hearts dies. Love the look!

I haven't entered a challenge in ages, but this is just in time to enter into the Paper Smooches Valentine Challenge.

I can't believe it, but Kim and Gang are celebrating their Fourth Anniversary this month - congrats and thanks for all the super-great designs!

Wishing you a day filled with love and fun. Thanks for the visit!

It's Heart Time!

Dear Bloggin' Buddies:

I love hearts! And, it is that time of year - yay! My cards have been made, mailed and received, so I can now share some with you. I had so much fun making them this year.

This adorable guy is from a new set from Stampin' Up - such sweet critters! I got this set from my friend Dottie, who was also the recipient of this card. I changed his banner into a string of shimmery hearts and used the "stacked shape die technique" featured by Jennifer McGuire.

The stitched heart dies are from Memory Box and the sentiment is a die from the Wet Paint collection by Paper Trey Ink. Love it all!

Happy Heart Week and thanks for the visit!

Golden Tree

Hi, blogging buddies!

Here is another Christmas card that I learned how to make a couple of years ago, but I put my own twist on it. This is a
Memory Box die. Such golden reflections and sparkle! Again, it is difficult to capture with the camera.

I used some Multi Medium Matte to tame the bow - a trick I learned from Emily Leiphart - check out her amazing blog: http://leiphartonart.blogspot.com/

This one is very elegant in person. I only have about 4 more cards to make.......but they are the ones I've been putting off.

I'm headed out for a walk but I'll return to my craft room to continue working.

Have a lovely day and thanks for the visit!

A fun day!

Hello, friends!
 
Sunday was the day to which I had been looking forward - card classes at the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento by the amazing Julie Ebersole! And it was glorious. I knew there was a reason we moved here. I came home with a stack of beautiful cards, lots of new tricks, and (of course) having shared lots of those famous Julie giggles. A great day. I can't wait for March, when she will return.

I have photographed some of my most favorites, but I am still having difficulty getting good photos at our new home. If you want to see better pictures, go to Julie's blog.

Now, I did take some liberties (to make up for mistakes!) with some of the cards so they aren't all exactly as she designed. But there are really no mistakes in crafting - it's all good, right?

Take good care and thanks for the visit. I sure hope you are having a great week.

Pinch Me! Pinch Me!

Hello friends!

As you know, I am without computer hook-up until we get our office/studio set up (should be up and running by early May), and I don't type well on my phone, but I had to make a trip to the library to share this news!

I had a day of classes taught by none other than that super-talented, high-energy, always inspiring, Paper Trufflez, Hello Monday, gal with the contagious laugh, favorite of mine - Julie Ebersole! I was so excited that I couldn't sleep the night before. It was like Christmas Eve, my 16th birthday and the Fourth of July all rolled into one! Yes, she is even MORE amazing in person.

Her classes were taught in the over-top-perfect paper store in nearby (about 30 minutes) Sacramento called The Paper Garden. Too cute - not just great stamps, wonderful paper, inspiring samples, but also really unique little gifts (the hand-made soaps look good enough to eat!). The owner, Stephanie, is so sweet - she gave me such a warm welcome. Her customers love her and she gives excelent personal service. I am so happy to have found her and her lovely store.

I took 2 two-hour classes from Julie. One was called "Die-Namite Designs" with some great die-cutting techniques. Some were much more tricky than others, but they were all super-neat and new to me. The second class was "All A Sparkle" (doesn't that just sound like Julie?) with some great glittery and glistening gems. I didn't even wear home as much glitter as I usually do. And, there was a bonus card! We made a total of 15 cards during this knock-out day!

It was so special, so fun and so inspiring. The other ladies in the class were super-nice and friendly. I plan to return to the store for more classes and supplies. In the meantime, here a few shots of some of my favorite cards (sorry, I haven't found the ideal photo spot in the new house).

Thanks, Julie and Stephanie! You inspired me and made me feel so welcome. Now I'm not home-sick any more!

Toasty

I have been going through my supplies, trying to purge. I came across this Memory Box die (Loom Circle) that I don't think I have ever even used. So, I gave it a twirl (through the Cuttlebug!). I figured it was perfect for the current Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge for "Lace".

I sort of ruffled the feathers on this cute "Chubby Chums" guy.

I decided on a monochromatic scheme with some fall patterned paper as my inspiration. In retrospect, it could probably use a little more contrast, but it looks cozy.

I am going to enter this into the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Blog challenge, which is to use a rubber or a clear stamp. Almost every card I make qualifies, as I rarely use a digital stamp......I love ink on paper! 

Thanks for the visit!

Another Terrific Tuesday Trigger

Whew! I got back home from a week of road trip fun just in time to post my entry in Cath's wonderful Tuesday Trigger. I love this picture so much - it gave me so many ideas for great cards.

Even though I have been resisting the hexagon trend, I used a new Spellbinders M-Bossibilities embossing folder that has hexagons on one side and a chevron pattern on the other side. Too trendy, eh?

Also used some great Basic Grey paper (Infuse), Memory Box Meridian Boarder die, Hero Arts CL148 and Frame Cuts label die.

After I tackle a truckload of laundry and deal with lots of mail and phone calls I will attempt to catch up on all of your lovely blogs & projects - I've missed you all!

Thanks, Cath - you did it again!