Under the Weather

Hello!

How I have missed you and my wonderful blog. I'm just here to let you know that I have been under the weather and in the hospital. Home now and feeling better, but not up to the energy required to be online. Looks like there is surgery in my future, so it may be a little while. I'm hanging in and can't wait to return. Thanks for all your sweet thoughts.

You Floor Me!

Hi, pals!

I just wanted to let you know that we are having our hardwood floors redone. So, the whole house is getting packed up and moved out. A huge job. As a result, I will be unplugged for about a week - no access to my dear Mac! Don't want any sawdust getting in there, that's for sure.

So, I'll see you soon - have a great week and I will miss you all.

Shimmering Mer-boy!

I thought that I would end this week with something a little different. As you know, I am an ocean and mermaid nut. Several years ago Mary Engelbreit had a magazine called the "Home Companion" in which she provided some graphics for crafting. I saved this little Mer-boy, knowing that I would use it someday. Well, the day arrived!

I trimmed out the image, placed it on some backing, added dictionary wings, mounted it on top of an oval box and added tons (and I do mean tons) of embellishments, glitter, Stickles, and shells. And even more super-fine glitter. Everywhere.

I just wish that I could better capture the shimmery glory of this little box! So, hubby says, "It is pretty, but what is it for?" Huuuum......well...he is right! No purpose other than to make my heart smile a little!

I am entering this in Simon Says Stamp anything goes challenge - hope it qualifies 'cause it is anything!

Thanks for looking and have a super holiday weekend!

Another Sheila Image!

Here is a card I made with yet another stamped image provided to me by my blogger buddy, Sheila. I never would have guessed that I can't stop coloring these - very therapeutic. Not that I NEED therapy, mind you! It is such fun and so rewarding! Thanks again, Sheila!

I made this card for my dear friend, Jill. She has been having a rough time lately with health and family issues. We haven't seen her as regularly as we used to and I really miss her. She has a heart of gold and is an excellent crafter. She is in my thoughts so very much.

I colored the image with Copic pens and highlighted it again with my trusty Yasutomo Niji Pearlescent Watercolors to add some glimmer. I'm really learning to like these! The amazing border and the tag are Memory Box dies - these are the best ever! I added a little bling and some hand-dyed ribbon from my stash. The sentiment is Hero Arts Classic Messages, CL414.

This one's for you, my sweet pal! Love ya!

A Ribbit-ing Birthday - in under the wire!

I've had so much on my mind lately and this sketch from Cath over at Moxie Fab World is one of them. She has been providing some neat sketches to spur our imaginations. This one stuck for me! I had never done a circle card and now is the time!

That, coupled with the great video and Simon Says Stamp challenge for embossed resist over at Lilly Pad cards, and the Critter contest on the Hero Arts blog (for which today is the last day!), my little brain has been busy.

One of my dear cousins loves frogs. And, who wouldn't? So, every year for her birthday I break out the cute Hero Arts Flower Frog stamp, F5294.

This year I stamped it 3 times so I could layer the torso and the head, colored her with Copic pens and added some Glaze Pen and Stickles. And, of course, Googly Eyes! No matter how I try, I just can't seem to get Copic-colored images to photograph true. It isn't fair - I work so hard at blending, it looks great and it photographs so blotchy. Darn!

I cut the scalloped circle with Nestibilities. Then I tried something a little different. I cut a circle with my circle cutter and cut it into fourths. On two of the pieces I clear embossed with Hero Arts CG330, Flower Dots (my new fav - so '60's looking!) and the other two pieces I did with Hero Arts CG149, Circle Pattern. I inked the pieces up and applied them - can you even see them?

Anyway, I added Ms Flower Froggy, some sweet leaves and a sentiment (Hero Arts CL137) banner (as per Jennifer McGuire's great instructions). What a combination! She is seriously lots brighter and more cheery in person.

Happy birthday, cousin Joyce!

Thanks, Shelia!

My new blogging buddy Sheila (here is her great blog, "Color Me Happy") sent me an adorable blingy card and some delightful stamped images. I was going to hold off coloring them, but they kept calling my name.......so I gave in and colored up this one (sorry, I don't know the source). As I told Sheila, I am very much NOT a fall person - I wish summer lasted all year long (good thing I live in California, eh?), but I love the fall images she shared with me.

Did I have fun with this! After coloring it with my Copic pens, I used some Yasutomo Niji Pearlescent Watercolors that I have had forever and never used (I admit, I tend to hoard supplies!). I used it for some subtle shimmery highlights. I also wanted to add some dimension to the image, but since I didn't own the stamp I couldn't stamp a second butterfly for a raised layer. I got the idea of cutting around the butterfly with my Exacto knife and raising/folding the wings upward a bit. I like the look and it will be much cheaper to mail without the additional layer.

The little label is a Memory Box die stamped with Hero Arts Classic Messages, CL414 and attached with some twine.  Thanks a bunch, Sheila! I am so delighted with this card.

Bonjour, mon amie Mary!

Now that my HUGE moment of fame has passed (right!), and my toes have uncurled a bit from the big Moxie Fab World news this morning, I want to share a card with you which I made for my dear friend Mary's 60th birthday. Keep in mind that she loves Paris and that she has a French Bulldog. She is also really smart, incredibly funny and cute as can be. You'd love her!

I found a greeting card at the car wash (yes, I still look at ready-made cards!) with this amazing dog. I cut her out, embellished the heck out of her and featured her on this Eiffel Tower card. You may remember another card that I recently made in this style - I even posted a link to a YouTube how-to video. These cards are neat because they fold flat for mailing, are fun to open, and stand up so perfectly on their own. It stay in place with a little piece of Velcro.

So, the doggie got a crown (made from Shrinky Dinks - how fun are they?!) and lots of glitter and rhinestones. I stamped the Eiffel Tower, the French postmark and the sentiment. I added lots of embellishments from my extensive stash.

One of the sides has a little sentiment (computer generated) about turning 60. I knew that those six years of French class would come in handy some day! The paper is Graphic 45's "Curtain Call" - love it. Very French, eh?

I left the third side of the card for my note, so I didn't photograph it.

Okay, now I need to stop speaking in a very overdone French accent (it is such fun!) and get some work done. Eh, mon petite cheri?

Thanks for all support on my Moxie Fab recognition-what a day!  You all are the very best! Au revoir!

My Big News - Moxie Fabber of the Week!

Well, today is a big day here in the old craft room! Cath Edvalson at Moxie Fab World has selected me for a HUGE honor - Moxie Fabber of the Week! I still can't believe it. Please check it out and leave some love, as Cath says. Thanks so much - I am soooo tickled, my toes haven't touched the ground!

As if I can even settle down to type another word.....so, no card today. Thanks so much for checking in - go have a wonderful day!

Critter Cards

Good morning! Here is a sweet little mini note card set (I made six, two of each design) that I made the other day. I was inspired by a set by Britta Swiderski who has a great blog that I frequent. She is great - so full of great technique & product information and inspiration! I went right out and got some small envelopes and got busy. The real neat thing is that I got four cards out of just one piece of cardstock! For this set I used Hero Arts CL155, Playful Animals and CL323, Sparkle Clear Froggy. Some Glossy accents and googly eyes, of course. As you can see, I even stamped the little envelopes. Fun!

I love them all, but I must say that the smiling croc is my favorite, even though the naughty guy took a bite right out of the corner of the card! Shame on him (I actually used my scalloped oval punch)!

Thanks for stopping by here. Have a funtastic weekend! I am going to have a HUGE surprise announcement here on Monday, so I hope you check in.

Back from Vacation With a Monstorous Grin!

Hi, all! We have returned from our little summer journey and all was great! I love the ocean and California's beautiful central coast has a special place in my heart (it is where I went to college). I did miss my blogging, but I believe that it is good to "step away" once in awhile.

Here is a quick and happy little card I made using Hero Arts "Monster Fun" clear set CL391. This guy is so versatile! I just added some color, some scraps of paper, a bit of Stickles and the ever-so-popular googly eye. Simple! I don't like to spend too much time on cards for little fingers, because they usually don't last for long - they are not sandbox-proof!

What kid wouldn't love it? I have just the little monster in mind......as always, thanks for looking!