One more tiny thank you!

As I have shared with you, I really like making some tiny cards for simple thank yous that don't need lots of words. One of my dear friends is nuts about giraffes, so I made this for her. I love the simplicity of it. The stamp is from paper Salon (1020F) and the sentiment is an SRM Stickers (I'm just starting to use these - they are great!).

The flower is from my stash, I did some faux stitching aound the edge and I even lined the little envelope with matching patterned paper.

The sweet giraffe is colored with Copics and I used some Glossy Accents on the balloon.

Thanks for looking and thanks, Kathleen!

A Star is Born!

A little while ago I had a small (one two-word line) walk-on role in a local production of the musical "42nd Street". It was the thrill of my life! Such fun! The producer, costume director and the entire cast and crew were so kind and lovely to me. And friends and family were so supportive and enthusiastic!

I wanted to make so special thank you cards to everyone. I had this stamp from Inky Antics (H2-0865-F) which looks quite a bit like I did when I was dressed for my part - even the hat. I colored her with Copic pens and added lots of star-power. The background is Hero Arts CG299 and the sentiment is on a Memory Box die cut embossed in silver with Hero Arts CL342. Distress inks, Stickles and some rhinestones from my stash were added for some punch.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

In fourteen-hundred-and-ninety-two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue! Today is Columbus Day in the USA. In keeping with that theme I am sharing with you a sailing card that I recently made for my dear sister-in-law. She is a magnificent sailor, having sailed up and down the western coast of the US, all over the British Virgin Islands and everywhere around Mexico. One amazing woman in many, many ways.

This card uses a die cut, patterned paper and some hand-cut pieces. The stamp is done with an emboss resist. This isn't my normal style, but this was made in a class at my local scrapbook store and was it perfect for my sailin' sister. And, of course, Chrissy (Columbus!).

All hands on deck - have a great day!

Vellum Window Card

.....inspired by the lovely Kelly at the Hero Arts Blog! Kelly prepared a great video on the Hero Arts Blog showing the technique for making a vellum window card. This is her card.

Very cool, eh? I decided to give it a whirl. I just love this little "decked out" Doodle Bat stamp (E5249) by Hero Arts and I had been "dying" to use it! I decked him out in Copic and Glaze Pens. Don't bats hang upside down? I think so..........

My layout is different and I used some different stamps, Hero Arts CL118 and CL468, but I sincerely appreciate Kelly's inspiration and instruction. Here is my card. This was such fun. Thanks for looking!

A Damp Thank You!

I wanted to make some cards to say a special thank you to some of those who sent along special wishes for my birthday and my speedy recovery. I have learned to love tiny cards; sometimes just the handmade card and sentiment can sort of "say it all" and you don't need too much space to write a personal greeting.  The envelope size here is 3.5" x 5". I often pick up inexpensive note card sets on clearance or at garage sales and just use the little envelopes. Easy!

You know how nuts I am for mermaids. I made several (what does one call a grouping of mermaids? A gaggle, a swarm, a pod......????) of these little gems, using a stamp by Uptown Design Co. (#125186). I colored them with Copic pens and added a shell (punch by Martha Stewart, edged with Distressed Inks and run through the crimper), an ocean water patterned paper banner with some rub-on sentiments (t.y.notes) and some pearl accents. I added some Stickles & faux stitching and I stamped some shells on the envelopes. Fresh and fun!

Some of you have asked about our recent floor refinishing project. It was a total hassle, but so worth it. It looks so  beautiful and now we are finishing the entire re-do. It is long over-due and such a treat.

Thanks for looking and have a great week!

She's Baaaaaaack!

And, I'd love to say it is with a vengeance, but I'm afraid it is going to be more like "easing back into it". Thank you so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts - you all are simply the best! I look forward to returning to all my blog and flickr activities very soon.

What a better day for my return than "World Card Making Day"! All you need to do is check around the internet for lots of special contests, blog hops and sales. And, this is the perfect day for you to get inky and make a few great cards.

I recently needed a sympathy card, which are always so difficult to make. Rather than using a traditional "with sympathy" style, I elected to use butterflies, which have traditionally been a Christian symbol of resurrection, and a peaceful color combination. Sorry, but I made this several weeks ago and didn't note the materials and products before it was mailed. I will try to be more careful next time.

Thanks again for all your support and concerns - so happy to be back!

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!