Celebrating Fifteen and Bon Voyage!

Last week (while many of you were at Scrapfest!) Gary and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. Now, I know that 15 years isn't much compared to many of you, but it is a milestone for us (like my pal Robin, we can't wait for our 40th to celebrate).

Each of us waited patiently for decades until we found our perfect match. I had actually given up on the idea of marriage and was quite happy and fulfilled as a single gal.

We finally met when we were in our mid-40's. It was as if we had known each other all our lives - similar backgrounds, values, personalities. I thought we would be best pals, but Gary had other ideas!

Some were concerned that we had each been so independent for so long that we would find marriage difficult, but we celebrate every single day - laughing, supporting and loving! Our only regret is that we don't get to have grandkids, but Gary has blessed me with the BEST extended family and dear friends who are like family. It is all good and just keeps getting better.

I love this Penny Black stamp (Tom & Tilly) because you don't see the faces, so it really could be US! I paper-pieced it to represent the clothes that we wear. The perfect inside sentiment is Technique Tuesday by Ali Edwards (I love her work!). That brilliance is from shiny Candi embellishments.

Thanks so much for checking in. We are heading out for special anniversary cruise, so I will be unplugged for a few of weeks - I'll miss you all! Happy crafting!

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking.......

I am a huge fan of live musical theater. I recently won the chance for a "walk-on role" in the production of "Anything Goes" - I got a great costume and two lines! I had a total blast with it!

With Liz Brenna Strycker, my mentor

With Howard Stateman

While I am a real ham and love performing, I am not at all good at rote memory (I never did master my multiplication tables!), so I can't really be a serious performer.

But when I get a chance like this, I am in my glory! Here I am with a couple of the real actors, Howard and Liz, who were both so talented and sweet.

The producer and the entire cast were so amazingly supportive and kind that I wanted to make them some thank-you cards. Since the theme of the show is a cruise ship in the 1920's, I chose that same theme for my cards.


I used Hero Arts E2493, Cloche Hat, which is perfect for the 1920's and CL371 with Die-namics "Just the Ticket" in this collage-style card. Some kraft and travel-themed pattern papers and some hand-dyed seam binding tie it all together.

Because this design incorporates movement, I am submitting it to the Moxie Fab World movement challenge, based on some of the tips in the great Card Design Handbook.

Thanks again to the South Bay Musical Theater for giving me this chance and for being so gracious and fun! Love you guys.

Thanks for looking in and break a leg!

Housekeeping!

We have a dear friend who just loves to vacuum (I know, give her your address, right?). So when I saw this Stampendous stamp (CRV173 - Chanito Vacuum) on sale at my local scrapbook store I had to grab it. And I dug out some remaining scraps of chevron printed paper from my SSS April Card Kit in response to the current SSS challenge "We're So Trendy".

Those who know me know that trendy is the last thing that I am.....I am so stuck in the 1950's and 1960's that I probably drive you all nuts. But, I am seriously trying!

It is colored with Copic pens, the sentiment is Hero Arts CL487 and the trim is a recent thrift store find. 

Thanks so much for looking - hope you are having a grand week!

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!

Retro Fun!

The current picture perfect challenge at Paper Smooches Sparks is this yummy photo. Love the mid-century modern look!

As many of you know, my house is a 1950's rancher and we decorate with lots of mid-century fun things.




 I decided to combine this with Cath's Card Design Handbook  "Repetition Challenge" over at Moxie Fab World.

For this one-layer card I used Paper Smooches "Boob Tubes" and "Hip to be Square" stamp sets, Copic pens and masking.


I just bought some Ranger Super Fine Detail embossing powder, but I am finding it very difficult to work with. Anyone else having problems?

There may not be enough contrast between the background and the first tv, but I really wanted to keep this card flat.

Thanks for checking in - I am off on another adventure, so I will be "unplugged" for about a week. I miss you all already!

 

Do they really mean ANYTHING?

The current challenge at Simon Says Stamp is "Anything Goes" featuring Hero Arts stamps. Well, I decided that this is a great opportunity to toss "clean and simple" out the window and have some great and crafty fun!

I made a collage card with one of my all-time favorite Hero Arts stamps (love the vintage graphic and the hip sentiment!) and some found/saved treasures. The retro-star embossing folder sets it all off. Don't even want to think about postage for this baby! There are always hundreds of entries for this challenge, but I am determined!

Have a great day!

Focal Point with Fins

The other day I spoke about mermaid cards and I realized that it had been too long since I made one. So I took advantage of Cath's "Focal Point Challenge" over at Moxie Fab World (if you don't have that "Card Design Handbook", get your hands on it!) and got busy.

I decided to use a "center step card" format to really highlight the main focal point, my adorable mermaid from Stampendous.

Isn't she glorious? No clean and simple girl here! Lots of color, glitter and embellishments! The sentiment is Hero Arts CL 490. The great patterned paper is from Authentique. Love it!

This card went out to a very special pal.

Thanks for looking and have a swimmingly  delightful day!

A Banner Day

Happy Monday, everyone!

What a great (long) weekend I had! A wonderful day in San Francisco, lots of fun in Calistoga (California's Napa valley) and we found some great vintage treasures. Just check out the amazing vintage typewriter I got - and it matches my craft studio! I was inspired by the amazing Lisa Spangler to look for one. I can't wait to start typing. Fun ahead!

I am posting the quick card for the current challenge at CAS-ual Fridays for banners and flags. I am never sure about how much I can embellish and still be considered "clean and simple", but this is my shot at it.

The stamps are Hero Arts and I don't know the source of the paper. Just a happy little card.

Take good care and have a wonderful week. We are enjoying perfect weather, so I am heading out to enjoy it.

As always, thanks for checking in.

Minty Pears

I decided to jump on board Cath's Minty Fresh Challenge over at Moxie Fab World. I haven't done a challenge over there for some time and I've missed it! Cath is such a source of sweet inspiration.

As you know I am a huge fan of Lockhart Stamp Company stamps. Several months ago I took an amazing class from Karen Lockhart where she taught us great techniques for coloring with Prisma colored pencils. I hope to take another class from her in October.

I thought pears would look just peachy on a mint background. Have you ever had a minty poached pear? Yum!

For this card I used Lockhart's #2068 pears stamp, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler and some Lawn Fawn paper. I wanted to keep it pretty simple to focus on the image.

Green is probably my least favorite color, but I do like mint green. My hubby's favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip, but I think it tastes like mouthwash! We are still the perfect "pear"!

Thanks for being here and have a minty-cool day! Have a glorious weekend - see yu next week.

Water Words

Okay, so I know I said no blues for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge. But it just kept tickling my little brain. I wasn't too happy with yesterday's card, so I tackled another. Clean and Simple - I am determined! I selected a blue-grey color, which is often what we see here along the coast in the SF Bay Area with our famous fog.

I love the sentiments on this wonderful set from Ali Edwards by Technique Tuesday called "Bring on the Sun". The thoughts and the fonts all rock. I also unearthed an old (2001) Stampin' Up set called Wonderful Woodcuts and used Nestibilities Lables 21 (I trimmed off the bottom). No bling, no distressing, no embellishments, no coloring.........all good!

I hope the sunshine breaks through any fog you may be in.....thanks for your interest and support!