Thanks to my Manicurist

These are my finger nails! I figure that I was the consummate professional for 35 years, so now this old lady can go wild and be crazy.

When I told my manicurist that I wanted dots on the red nails, I thought that she would have to get out a fine brush to apply them. No! She used a stylus (like we used to use with those brass stencils before there were embossing folders - remember?). She dipped it into the polish and quickly and expertly applied the dots.

Thanks, Joanne! Why not try that on my cards? So I did, and I love the look, with a little texture. Easy, too.

I made this card for two challenges. The first is Paper Smooches SPARKS Picture Perfect challenge using this photo for inspiration.

My background is stamped with Distress Ink onto wet watercolor paper and is reminiscent of the background on the wall in the photo. I also used the great colors and the frame element from the photo. The "thanks" is embossed to make it pop a little.

I am also submitting this to the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes!

This was such fun -  I plan to use this technique again and again.

Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend!

Paper Smooches stamps - Simply Said, Slang Gang, Geo-Graphic, Little Fella; Teresa Collins "He Said She Said" enamel dots, Copic pens, Viva Pearl Pen

Just Because

I have been wanting to make a special card for a dear friend who has a little dachshund. I wanted something kind of subtle (from me? - ha!). I used this perfect digital stamp from paperadictions at Etsy. So cute! It is foggy here this morning, so my photo isn't the best.

With the pouch I used a new Hero Arts stamp set called "This is Big" (CL570). It was sent to me by my wonderful blogging' pal, Anita Rex. You can check out some her wonderful creations on her blog Crafty Girl Designs. She is something else - one amazing gal!

Thanks so much, Anita! I cant wait to play some more with this great set.

I hope you have a wonderful week. I plan to make the most out of the last few days of summer.

Also used: Teresa Collins "Far and Away" enamel dots, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Momento Rich Cocoa ink, Copic pens

More Doodle Stampede

Today I am featuring another cute set from my creative pals at Doodle Stampede! Lots of great oceanic creatures are included in this set called "Underwater Party". Looks like some serious (and damp) fun goin' on.

Disclaimer: Even though it appears that this dolphin is really enjoying the party, remember that this is fantasy! I do not condone having dolphins in captivity under any circumstances, including for entertainment or for cute photo opps.

Decades ago I had the opportunity to swim with some wild dolphins off the coast of the Big Island In Hawaii and it was life-changing. These are magnificent creatures who simply cannot survive (in body or spirit) without freedom.

I sure hope you have enjoyed this little introduction to Doodle Stampede. Please check them out and join in the fun.

Hope you are having a great week! I'm not liking that the days are already getting shorter....ugh!

Banner die stamp by Simon Says Stamp

Doodle Stampede!

So nice to be home, crafting and blogging again!

Awhile back I mentioned that my YMCA friend, Michele, and her friend may soon be launching a new stamp company. It happened! Doodle Stampede is owned by two creative and fun-loving gals from California.



















I plan to be spotlighting these stamps the next couple of weeks.

Today I have used the set "Fill Me In". It is so versatile - these little guys have all sorts of hip accessories, or you can use them unadorned. I have used letters cut from Hero Arts Alphabet (DI061) and Memory Box Parker Alphabet dies.

Don't these guys just make you smile? Please check out these new stamps. They are made in the USA and so much fun.

Home Again!

Just a quick post to let you know that we have finally returned from our two great
back-to-back road trips and a quick trip to Calistoga (Napa Valley).

The road trip to Colorado was the longest I've taken in my adult life! We were on the road for six days and we saw 3 National Parks (and lots of other great things), the most spectacular of which was Arches National Park in Moab, UT. Amazing.

We also spent a week with all of Gary's siblings and their spouses. That was fun. The high altitude (7,000 to 10,000 feet!) bothered me a little bit, so I was glad to get back to sea level here in the SF Bay Area.

I hope to get back to cardmaking, blogging, and catching up with your wonderful blogs next week. Hope you are having a wonderful August!

 

Rest Stop from the Road Trips

Hello my friends and blogging buddies! I've missed you.

We are home for only a couple of days between road trips - to do laundry, read mail, do some yard maintenance, etc. We'll be back on the road before we know it. Logging in lots of miles.

I quickly put together this card (I've missed my crafting time!) for the current Paper Smooches Sparks challenge "Anything Goes".  The hungry gator actually took a bite out of the card. He sure looks guilty. Silly, eh?

Unfortunately, I will not get to checking in on your blogs for another couple of weeks. I can't wait to see the paper magic you've created.

Until then, I sure hope you are having a fabulous summer - happy trails!

Zumba!

A friend who is in my Zumba class is having a birthday. She and I are on a similar weightloss/ health/fitness journey (and doing well, thanks!). 

This is the fun card I made her using Art Impressions stamps and some great My Minds Eye paper. Makes me want to dance! The inside says "Keep Calm and ZUMBA On!"

I am submitting this to Art Impressions current "Twine Time" Challenge. Check it out and play along!

Thanks for looking in - hope you are having a wonderful week.

Stamps: Art Impressions - Golden Oldies Party Group, UMU1552; Girlfriends, UMF3572
Paper: My Minds Eye - Indie Chic, Saffron

Grand Dame

I am crazy for Art Impressions stamps and I try to play their challenges when I can. The current one is to use flowers - at least five of them - in a card. I just got this cute and sassy Zoo Crew Elephant Set (4191) and knew it would be perfect for a twisted easel card.

She's got flowers on her dress and on her hat and I embellished the card with flowers I made with some yummy felt I got from "My Favorite Things" and their Die-Damics Mini Rolled Roses Die.

Yep, another one that is slightly over the top, eh?


I sure hope your week is going well!

Thanks for the visit!

Stamps: Art Impressions Zoo Crew, "Elephant Set"; Hero Arts "Sending Love"

Dies: Spellbinders Circles, Die-Namics Mini Rolled Roses", Sizzix "Flowers and Leaves", Hero Arts "Small Tag Frame"

Paper: My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found - Blush" 6 x 6 pad

Felt: My Favorite Things

Window Under the Ocean

We returned from our 4th of July adventure early because it was just too stinkin' hot - but we had lots of fun. I didn't mind because I had been thinking about the challenge at Paper Smooches Sparks featuring this glorious underwater photo.

So, okay - maybe the heat got to me. Clean and simple this is NOT! But I had so much fun. It has been years since I made a diorama card. I had to sharpen my math and fussy cutting skills!


This card is three layers of oceanic goodness. The top panel is the shore, with some real sand (thanks, Hubby!). The center panel has an acetate window to allow for the 3-D effect of the fishes swimming around - and there is a rusty old anchor submerged in the sand. The back panel has the super-friendly whale saying "Huge Thanks".

This is difficult to photograph, so I hope you can understand and see it. It even folds flat for mailing!

Thanks for splashing by and have a wonderful week!
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Surf and Turf, Wicked Nauticool

A Red, White and Blue Birthday

I have a dear friend who shares a birthday with our country! Yep, she was born on the 4th of July, making her a Yankee-Doodle Dandy.

I made her this star-spangled card using Tim Holtz's Birthday Blueprint. I especially love these stamps because they bring back memories of the years I studied architecture.

I paper pieced it using scraps from my bin and added some glitter pens, brads, Stickles, some stick-on stars and a Hero Arts sentiment (Many Birthday Messages). Love that glittery red paper!

Looks like I still have time to enter this in the Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes" Challenge, so I shall.

We are headed out for another week. I have switched to Feedly with the demise of Google Reader (but I also have a sidebar button for bloglovin') - I'll see you there and then!

Happy 4th to my USA readers and Happy Canada Day! And blessings to you all.