Year of the Pig!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I'm just popping in to share a sample of what I made for a few special friends who celebrate the Lunar New Year. This is the year of the pig, or boar. I had fun with this, using the traditional deep red and gold.

The terrific die is a fairly new one from Spellbinders and the embossing folder is an old one from Elizabeth Crafts that I found at a garage sale. The sentiments are from Mama Elephant's "Lion Dance" stamp set and, finally, the adorable party pig (colored with Copics) is from Simon Says Stamp "Birthday Farm Animals".

I love learning about different cultures and traditions and it warms my heart to be able to say a special "Happy New Year" in this manner.

Hope your year is wonderful, no matter how you celebrate it!

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,

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,

You Old Goat

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, it is very hot here, so I am allowing myself to spend more time in the studio. Such a shame.....

As I have said before, when I first saw the Tim Holtz Hipster (Stampers Anonymous and Sizzix) series, I was taken aback and honestly slightly disgusted. But, they seriously grew on me and now they are my special pals. Their personalities are so unique and silly! And, depending on how they are used, they can be so versatile -- and so terribly HIP!

One of my favorites is this goat (although my first love was the Ostrich, here). Originally I had made a wonderful background for him with layers of Distress Oxide Inks, but when he was complete he looked so much more outstanding against this rich solid color. I embossed the background with LifeStyle Crafts' "Retro Squares" embossing folder and added a couple of strips of the Distress Oxide background to the front of the card.

Mr. Goat is stamped with Versafine Sepia ink and is watercolored with Distress Ink markers. HIs glasses and tie were done with Versafine Black and Glossy Accents were added to his glasses.

I made a little boutonnière with Memory Box "Adorable Posies" dies using Distress Cardstock. The sentiment is from the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous "Crazy Talk" set.

For the inside I used a perfect phrase from Simon Says Stamp's "Happy Birthday Farm Animals" set.

Hot fun in the Summertime! Thanks for the visit and stay cool and hip,

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!

Feeling Slightly Crabby

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I haven't posted in quite awhile - lots going on (most of it good!).

I just finished a project that is simply too cute

not to share. A group of us (we call ourselves the Crusty Crab Club) gets together every year to attend a crab feed and this year I made some favors and the centerpieces.


These little treat bags, which contain 4 Hershey's Nuggets, were fun to make and pretty easy. I love the results. I used an adorable Elizabeth Craft die and some beautiful Stamping Up Designer Series Papers. The result is just too dang cute!

As it turns out, these were completed just in time for the current challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog which is all about treat bags and boxes. You've got plenty of time to play along.

Thanks for the visit! Have a super-great week,

Uninspired

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yep, that is how I've been feeling lately. When that happens I try to pull out some easy things, such as using  some backgrounds that I previously prepared or coloring up some some ready-made images.

Here are some cards that I recently made using Suzy's Sizzling Series Watercolor Paintable Prints from Simon Says Stamp. I used my trusty Zig Clean Color Markers (I so love them!).

I took some real liberties with the one on the right side. I removed the bottom sentiment (it just wasn't "me") and added a mermaid (from Clear Art Stamps, 2010) for a focal point of interest.

Lots of Wink of Stella, Wink of Luna and Stickles here, also!

The photos is a bit blurry because I used my phone (uninspired again).

Hope you've been having a great August. Thanks for the kind visit,

Cool Summer Colors

and yummy hot coffee!

Hi, Blogging Buddies!

My caffeine kick continues as I make a little packet of cards for a coffee-loving friend. When I make cards for others to give I try to keep them single-layer for easy mailing.

Today I decided to go with a Distress Ink blending technique (with fun summer colors) over embossed images. I used Spiced Marmalade, Pickled Raspberry and Abandoned Coral. I splashed some water droplets everywhere and added my cute sentiment panel.

Simple, bright and fun.

I broke out most of my coffee-themed stamps for this one: Simon Says Stamp "Choose Happy", Hero Arts "What's Perking", and Paper Smooches "Cyber Cafe".

This is headed to the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - there is still time for you to play along!

Have a cool day - thanks for the visit!

Rainbow

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

The past couple of weeks have been tough, eh? So much sadness in our country's news.

I made this card as a small tribute to those who were lost in the Orlando massacre (and for a couple of dear friends).

I used one of the panels from Simon Says Stamp Suzy's watercolor paintable prints. I watercolored it with Zig Clean Color Markers, Wink of Stella and glitter pens. The colors are much more vibrant in person!

This is the first time I have played with Decco Foil and, NO, I do not have a laminating machine or a laser printer!

I simply used Score Tape and sandwiched the strip in a couple layers of typing paper and ran it through my die cutter (with a new, unscratched top plate). It worked beautifully and it added just the rainbow kick I sought.

I raised the panel with Fun Foam.

Wishing that your dreams do come true, especially those for love, peace and understanding.

Thanks for the visit,

Foxy Fun!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I recently played with one of my old favorite Hero Arts stamps - "Fox".  I have been getting rid of many of my wood stamps, but I just couldn't think of eliminating this from my stash. I stamped him on the inside of the card, colored him  with Copics and added some shiny eyes with Irrestible Pico Embellisher.

Since the unofficial start of summer is right around the corner, I figured that I'd better get this card finished and in the mail pronto!

This uses some of the amazing woodgrain cardstock (from which I cut a diecut hole for peeking out) that I get from my LSS, the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento. Also Stamping' Up's "Petite Petals" stamps and punch, Simon Says Stamp "Abby's Spring Showers" and "Talk Bubbles" Wise Dies.

Hope all is well with you all and thanks for the visit!

Color Burst

Howdy, Bloggin' Buddies!

I've been playing with my long-neglected Color Bursts. They are very intense watercolor powders that almost explode with vibrant colors when wet. I used them on some wet watercolor paper, sprinkling the color on very lightly, to make some fun backgrounds. The color pack I used is called Caribbean Brights. And bright they are!

I added some sprinkles of Heidi Swapp Gold Color Shine and a shiny gold die cut which I made using the Poppystamps "Mod Flower Border" die. I believe it may be retired, but I was able to find one.

The gold-embossed (Hero Arts Powder) sentiment is from the Simon Says Stamp set called "Banner Sayings". It is paired with a banner die which I did not use today.

The beautiful gold cardstock is one that I got at my LSS in Sacramento, Paper Garden Boutique. A delightful place!

This is a fun technique with a great product, but shellack of control is a little difficult for me. I guess I need to work on that!

I hope you are having a great week - I see the weekend from here. Thanks for the visit.

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,

Happy Easter!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

As soon as we return from our ZUMBA class this morning we will be hustling around getting ready to host our little family for Easter. We are looking forward to it and love sharing this special time.

For today's card I went through some old flower stamps with a new eye for watercoloring. This Hero Arts stamp, "Sketched Tulips", is from 2004 - well before we even thought of watercoloring cards. But it is just perfect for it! I made a real effort to keep these flat for mailing, so I used an embedded die-cut technique with Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangle dies. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp's "Rejoice" set.


Last night I even put together some quick nameplates just for the fun of it using the bunny from "Abby's Spring Showers" by Simon Says Stamp. I added some tiny pom-poms for the puffy tails. It took virtually no time and the kids will get a kick out of it. Plus, there will be no fighting about who sits where - ha!

If it is something you celebrate, I wish you a happy Easter. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for the visit,

Bowl of Cherries

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have a card I made with the cutest ever stamp set from Stampin' Up called "Giggle Greetings" I got this from my friend and SU Demonstrator, Dottie Macken. There are four different images in the set and they are just ripe for watercoloring - I used my Zig Clean Color Markers and an aqua brush.

To add to the "homespun" look I used a stitched die from Simon Says Stamp, some vintage patterned papers, a doily and some twine (all from my stash).


For quite awhile I resisted getting these markers because I had several different watercoloring mediums, but I must say that I totally love them. The brushes are good quality and the colors are so vibrant. I also like that they are so portable. You can purchase them individually to see if they are something you like.

Hope you are having a great week - thanks for the visit!

Happy New Year!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, it is the Year of the Monkey! I have a couple of wonderful friends for whom I like to make Chinese New Year cards and this year is extra fun because it is the year of the monkey. I always try to incorporate red and gold in my cards, as those colors have special significance.

This card has a rich texture from a Sizzix embossing folder. The happy fella is "Funky Monkey" from Rubber Soul (I picked this up at a sued stamp sale a couple of years ago!) and I also used Die-namics ("Mini Pennant", "Zig Zag Stitched Oval"), Hero Arts "Alphabet with Label" stamps, and Simon Says Stamps "Hello You" stamps.

Inside

Wishing you a happy new year filled with posterity and good luck. No monkeying around!

Thanks for the visit and have a great week.

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!

No Lines to Stay Within!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

My quest to loosen up a little and not be so controlled in my designs continues. I recently took a class at my LSS (The Stamp Art Shoppe in Roseville, CA) where we learned to watercolor with Distress markers and Wink of Stella pens with "lifeless" stamping. Very fun, but also tricky.

I have been practicing. This card uses a beautiful stamp (perhaps a Magnolia?) by Impression Obsession. The flower was done with a Scattered Straw Distress marker and the Wink of Stella (clear) provided the liquid for the watercoloring. The background is a Bundled Sage marker used with a water brush for a soft watercolor finish.

The mat color is a dark green - it is increasingly difficult to find some natural light for photos this time of year. The sentiment is an older one from Hero Arts and I double-punched it out with a punch from Stamping Up.

This is going into the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is "Thinking of You".  And, in keeping with Jennifer McGuire's current campaign to "Share Handmade Kindness", this is going into the mail to someone special tomorrow.

Thanks so much for the visit outside of my comfort zone and have a great day!

Giving Thanks

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

It is that time of year when we celebrate giving thanks. My Mom taught me early to be grateful and to express it. Hubby and I thank each other several times a day. It is important to let others know how much you appreciate them.

This week's Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog is all about thanks. I have already made all of my Thanksgiving cards, so I made this watercolored all-purpose thanks card using a Hero Arts background stamp (Harlequin Pattern) and a Lawn Fawn sentiment (Scripty Thanks) in some wonderful gold paper I got at my LSS (Paper Garden boutique, Sacramento CA).

I am thankful for your visit and I hope you are having a great week.