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.

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!

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,