More Doggy Grins

Hi, bloggin' Buddies!

The other day I shared a card that I made with this same Art Impressions stamp set, "Doggy Kisses" and I have need for another similar card. This time I used my all-time favorite image from the set. This just really does make me laugh.

Once again I used my Copics and some bright rainbow paper. Because this qualifies I am going to submit this to the current Ai challenge, "Make Me Laugh".

Hope all is well with you. Thanks for the visit. Keep laughing!!

The Queen

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

My husband has an appointment with our dentist today and I go tomorrow. I always try to make them a card - they get a kick out of it. I thought that this Art Impressions "Crown" set #4370 couldn't be more perfect. It kind of says it all, don't ya think?

I paper-pieced her and colored her with Copics. The sentiment is framed with a Spellbinders "Fancy Labels Two" die cute. Very regal in gold paper. I added Glossy Accents, Stickles, sequins and rhinestones.

As long as I have her ready, I'll add it to the current Art Impressions challenge,  "Make Me Laugh".

I'm off to my appointment - wish me luck! Thanks for the visit,

WAY Outside the (cake) Box

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

For whatever reason, I am currently very into bears and this Impression Obsession one has to be one of my all-time favorite stamps. I've used it many times, but certainly never in this way! I had an idea for this card and put it all together and then I decided that this guy simply didn't look festive enough. I thought perhaps he needed a party hat and I had nothing that seemed to "fit". The "Birthday Wish" set was on my table and I got an idea.........a bit crazy? Well YES! I played around with one of the cakes in the set and created a festive party hat.

On top of everything else (dare I say that?!), in my 50 years of card making I don't believe I've ever added anything I've handwritten, but hey.........it worked.

I used Distress Oxide Ink for blending around the bear and placed everything on an ombre blended background. The hat is embellished with Wink of Stella and Stickles.

Impression Obsession Products Used:

Instant Photo Frame Die, Die 175-W
Big Bear Stamp, D15152
Unbearably Awesome Stamp, B15158
Birthday Wishes Stamp Set, CL826

This crazy card is headed for the current challenge at Impression Obsession, "Birthday Wishes".

Thanks for the visit. have a great week,

What's Funnier than Undies?!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

As you know, Art Impressions has been making me laugh for a long time. But, of all the dozens that I've owned, I've probably gotten the most use out of this set from 2010 ( "Lingerie Shoppe - UM3539"; no longer available, but if you hunt you can find it) because it is so poignantly hilarious. And the images are so cute and easy to color and/or paper piece. Love it.

Now, just try to tell me you aren't smiling.........

It was fun to use lots of layers of girlie goodness and embellishments.

You can ALWAYS find lots of sets at Ai that keep your heart happy.

This, of course, is headed for the current challenge "Make Me Laugh" over at the Art Impression blog.

Thanks for the visit and sharing a chuckle,

Doggy Hilarity

Hi, bloggin' Buddies!
I am finally taking a break from making my July 4th cards. I ended up using 3 different designs and making way too many cards. I just feel like we need to celebrate something about our country right now. I will share them soon.

Now that hospitals are starting to allow surgeries that had been postponed I have several friends (mostly men) who have just had, or who are now scheduled for, surgery. So I reached for a stamp set that is perfect - Art Impressions "Doggy Kisses" clear set AiCS38.

I put this card together with a cutie from this set - isn't this image adorable? - along with the coordinating sentiment, my Copic markers, and some patterned paper.

Since the current challenge over at the AI blog is "Make Me Laugh" I thought I'd submit it. This may not make you LAUGH, but (come on!) it's gotta make you at least chuckle.

You have until July 1st to play along so come and join me!

Thanks for the visit, have a great weekend and stay well!

My Amazing Uncle

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Well, yesterday was Father's Day so I can post the card I made for my wonderful Uncle. Although not really related by blood, this man has known me, understood me, teased me and helped me ever since I was five years old. He truly has my heart and I can't wait until the virus settles down so we can go an visit him.

Since he is good with tools I knew he would enjoy a card made with the Lawn Fawn Magic Iris Die. I have had such fun with this inter-active design and it isn't as difficult as it looks once you get the hang of it.

Here is the card with the Iris closed and open:

Iris closed 

Iris open

I used the Lawn Fawn "Super Star" stamp and die sets with a Distress oxide Ink galaxy sky. I added some silver star and moon die-cuts. This card was fun to make and it was a big hit.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and thanks for the visit!

Old And New with Hero Arts

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
As many of you know I have been with Hero Arts since they started. I was already a cardmaker and was so excited when a local (SF Bay Area) small business came along with terrific designs that I have loved for so long.

I was blog-surfing this morning and stumbled upon this challenge over at At Blog Named Hero called "Combine Old and New".  Believe me, with an entire cabinet in my craft room filled with Hero Arts goodies I knew I had to play even though the clock is ticking.

For this card I combined one of my older and favorite background stamps. I remember that when it was released it was such a big hit that it immediately sold out and I had to wait for it. I've combined it with my most recent Hero Arts purchase, this lovely floral stamp. I don't usually do florals because I am not good at coloring them, but I was introduced to this stamp at a recent Zoom class I took and found it really easy and fun to color with Copics.

Hero Arts Products Used:
Envelope Liner Background CG461
Hero Florals Rose Stem CM260
Hero Florals Rose Stem Frame Cuts DI505

This has been a fun challenge! I wish I could say come and play along, but it closes at 5pm EST today!

Hope you are having a glorious weekend and thanks for the visit,

The Birthday Bird

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

I've saved my all-time favorite Ai Zoo Crew stamp (Buzzard Set #4194) for my final entry in the "Art Impressions Funny Farm and Nature Challenge #284". What a character! I have used it so many times for masculine birthday cards. In fact, I think every male I know has received a card with this great image, but this is one that I will never let go. So fun.

For this card I've colored the bird with Copic pens and added some woodgrain paper, Paint splatters, torn vellum some twine, and a couple of tiny staples for a "natural" look. As if this guy could really ever look natural!

And this sentiment, which I have put on the inside, couldn't be more appropriate or funnier! Love, love, love!!!!

Even though some of the Ai Stamps I have used for this challenge are retired, it hopefully gives you an idea of the classic terrific images this company has provided over the years - and they still do. Check out their current releases and keep your eyes open at used stamp sales for some of the fun stamps I have used.



Thanks for the visit and stay crafty,

I't's Only Natural

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

Least you believe that the only Art Impression stamps I own are their amazing critters......no, no, no! I love their crazy folks, too.

One might say that I am stretching it by entering this fun card into the current "Art Impressions Animal and Nature Challenge #284" but what is more "natural" than watering your garden? The way I garden, Mother Nature usually takes over, with dry and windy weather, plant-eating critters and lots of weeds! So I'd say that this qualifies as "Nature".

This fun clear stamp set called "His & Hers Gardeners" is still available. I pared this gal up with some patterned paper, some garden twine, a die-cut flower and some little buttons. I can just hear the tone in her voice, can't you?

I sure thank you for the visit!

Drinks to Go.......

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
Today's Art Impression card is made with one of my oldest sets (Giraffe Set #4190) from their Zoo Crew line. The Zoo Crew was a bunch of playful designs of critters that offered a unique and hilarious sense of humor. Over the years I think I owned them all and I still have most of them.

This card I made for the "Animals and Nature Challenge #284" seems perfect for this new life of staying home, ordering all kinds of take-out......here in California we can even order hard liquor drinks with our dinners to go!

One of my dearest friends absolutely loves giraffes, so when this stamp set was released I had to immediately buy it. It has seen lots of use.

OMG! His eyes, right?!111

Thanks for the visit and have a great day.