Golden Tree

Hi, blogging buddies!

Here is another Christmas card that I learned how to make a couple of years ago, but I put my own twist on it. This is a
Memory Box die. Such golden reflections and sparkle! Again, it is difficult to capture with the camera.

I used some Multi Medium Matte to tame the bow - a trick I learned from Emily Leiphart - check out her amazing blog: http://leiphartonart.blogspot.com/

This one is very elegant in person. I only have about 4 more cards to make.......but they are the ones I've been putting off.

I'm headed out for a walk but I'll return to my craft room to continue working.

Have a lovely day and thanks for the visit!

'Tis the Season!

Hello, bloggin' buddies!

I was so frustrated that all the blogs and websites I frequent were featuring Christmas cards even before we even had Thanksgiving......now, here I am getting in at the last minute!

I'll start with a bright and festive card that I actually learned to make at a marathon card making class in my old stompin' grounds (the San Francisco Bay area). I don't often use black on my holiday cards, but I like it in this instance. I modified my design slightly from that which was taught....always need to put a slight spin on things.

Hope you are enjoying the pre-holiday days. We are, but we are experiencing quite a storm today. At least we don't have to shovel it (sorry for our family and friends in the east and north). As long as our power stays on I plan to do some serious crafting this afternoon.

Take care, stay warm and dry and thanks for the visit!

Not Paper - Beads!

Dear blogging buddies:

I have been making jewelry since the 1960's (an old hippie gal, here!). I have recently gotten re-inspired by taking a few classes and learning new techniques, especially with using tiny "seed" beads for which I didn't believe I would ever have the patience.

I have been posting my work on Facebook, but I thought I'd share photos of a couple of my recent projects here. This is such a fun and rewarding hobby!

This one incorporates bugle, seed and tila beads along with some super-sparkly crystals in the center. This has an art nouveau look, don't ya think?

This one uses silver pyramid beads, along with seed beads and tiny purple crystals. This was difficult to capture with the camera because it is so reflective.

Thanks for the visit and for indulging my other creative outlets!

Have a great day. We are enjoying some much-needed rain!

The Big Day is Almost Here!

Dear friends,
Here it is, Thanksgiving Eve!

We are packing up our car and heading to our beloved Calistoga in the
beautiful Napa Valley. It is extra--beautiful in fall with the vineyards aflame with color. Can't wait! We will be connecting with loved ones, enjoying the warm and healing mineral water pools and relaxing. Oh, yes! There will be some delicious food, of course!

This is another of the Thanksgiving cards that I made this year and I think it is my favorite. I can't help but smile at this adorable turkey by Neat and Tangled - even the little dots are cute, don't ya think?

The tag die from Hero Arts (I shortened it a bit) and the sentiment is an old one from Crafty Secrets. I love this embossed wood grain card stock from Ellen Hutson - it is so rich! I die cut (Paper Smooches) the leaf from some wide cork ribbon that I got at Michaels and attached it with Tim Holtz's Tiny Attacher. The top is a strip that I made from several scraps of patterned paper.

Wishing you and your families a very blessed Thanksgiving. Thanks for the visit - stay safe and happy.

Another Thanksgiving Card!

Happy Tuesday bloggers!

This is one of the three designs I made for Thanksgiving cards this year. We send/deliver quite a number and I don't like mass-producing too many of one design.

 Actually, for the cards of this design that went to our neighbors (hand-delivered) I made this into a cute shaker card with an assortment of fall-colored beads and sequins behind the leaf. Very cute and fun! The weather wasn't cooperating then, so I couldn't take a photo of them.

This gold-embossed sentiment is an old one from Stampin Up that I got at a used stamp sale. The leaf die is also an old one, from Cuttlebug.

I am trying to remember to use embossing folders more often - I have a huge collection and they add so much, especially on a flat card. This one is from Sizzix.

Things are getting busy around here. I love seeing the families of the neighbors arriving with all of their goodies and love. We will be packing up our car tomorrow. What a joyous time of sharing!

Take care and thanks for the visit!

A Thanksgiving Card

Hello, friends!

It has been awhile since I have posted. Life happens and it is all good. We are so happy in our new home and our new community - so much to do and learn, great places to explore and everyone is so nice and friendly. Happy times.

I am sharing with you to day a card that we made in our card class here in Sun City Lincoln Hills. I have been taking the class for a couple of months now and I really enjoy it. Our teacher, Dottie, is a total doll and such an inspiration. She has so many tricks to teach even this old cardmaking dog.

This, as is everything in our class, is made with Stampin' Up products. I don't have much experience with them, but I love how all the products are color-coordinated. It takes lots of the guesswork out of designing.

Thanks for the visit. I imagine that all my US friends are busy getting ready for the holiday - my favorite of the entire year.

Take good care and enjoy!

Pinkish

Okay - Yes, I do have a 'thing" for flamingos.

My dear friend Kathleen gave me this adorable hand-painted martini glass (I don't have a 'thing" for  martinis, but now I may have to learn - ha!). It is super-cute.

Of course I had to make her a flamingo thank you card. I had fun with it. I used lots of different stamps including Hero Arts, Paper Smooches and Stamps By Impression. I am normally not a pinkish person, but I had fun going over-the-top with pink on this card.

I'm still trying to figure out photographing my cards at our new house. I can't find the perfect spot with natural light - sorry! I'm working on it.

I had a fun card class today taught by a wonderful teacher and with some talented and fun women.I hope to share some of what I've learned with you soon.



Thanks for the visit!

A Bit of Beading

I recently took several beading classes right here where we live. I have always made jewelery (since my hippie days in the 1960's), but I have not done much much beading with tiny seed beads (I am so impatient and these take time). I have loved what I've learned - I have a great teacher.

This is my most recent project, a bracelet made with pyramid beads, crystals and pearls. I wish I could capture the stunning sparkle, but it is difficult. I plan to make many more of these. I love the magnetic clasps that are now available - very strong and so easy to wear.

Thanks for stopping by - hope you are having a great week.

Stay happy and healthy,

Put out that fire!

Good morning and Happy Friday!

I have a dear friend who recently had a birthday and, at our age, we gotta laugh at (rather than celebrate) getting older.

I made this fun fun "Center Step" card to highlight one of my favorite Art Impression stamps (Fire Out Set - 437). I colored her with Copic markers and added Wink of Stella for some fun.

The candles are from an old favorite Hero Arts set and the sentiment is Paper Smooches.

Hope this brings a smile! Take care, thanks for the visit and keep craftin"!

A fun day!

Hello, friends!
 
Sunday was the day to which I had been looking forward - card classes at the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento by the amazing Julie Ebersole! And it was glorious. I knew there was a reason we moved here. I came home with a stack of beautiful cards, lots of new tricks, and (of course) having shared lots of those famous Julie giggles. A great day. I can't wait for March, when she will return.

I have photographed some of my most favorites, but I am still having difficulty getting good photos at our new home. If you want to see better pictures, go to Julie's blog.

Now, I did take some liberties (to make up for mistakes!) with some of the cards so they aren't all exactly as she designed. But there are really no mistakes in crafting - it's all good, right?

Take good care and thanks for the visit. I sure hope you are having a great week.