When I spied this card by Lynn Mercurio I knew I had to try to make it! In my typical excited frenzy, the first one (left) I forgot to lift the face so that the star cutouts would have depth - and when I re-made it (right) I was so excited to get that part right, that I completely forgot the little trio of red brads. I put red dew drops, but on the navy paper they are completely lost. Well, I love this design enough to try again and I've also ordered some ribbon that is closer to what Lynn used. I was delighted that my Close-to-My-Heart stars fit one of the star Nesties perfectly! (yes, that's a Waltzingmouse Stamps sentiment in the right hand side!). ;-)Monday was a wonderful day - I puttered and played, I visited Britta (she is making remarkable progress now!) and I simply enjoyed the time off! I took time to honor those who have served our country so bravely - and to remember my own Dad's military service. He fought in Korea and Vietnam.
Have a wonderful week, dear friends!
Today is Open Stamping at my house - I prepared a "technique" today for my friends to work with the new clear cards! As I often do (never intentionally!) there is a learning lesson in this one!! Can you guess? Well, I took the protective paper off the outside of the card and it looked great to me - - - so I thought that was all there was. Nope! There is protective paper on the inside, too. SO, this card was made on top of the protective inside paper. I hope my friends appreciate the sacrifices I make for them! LOL
I hope your weekend is just what you want it to be. My Saturday turned out to be easy going. I'm very thankful for that - as I was on alert for work and it could have turned out to be very hectic. Easy going is much better! ;-)
Hugs!
Happy Thursday! This is just a little gift enclosure card - it was super quick and kinda cute! The stamps (paper, ink, everything!) are Close-to-My-Heart. The purple flower was stamped twice and popped up for dimension.
A good day - and I have great news to share from my visit to my SIL last night - she is off the ventilator - I mean, so "off of it" that it wasn't even in the room! YaHoo!!
Have a Fabulous Friday!
Hugs!
Hello! Hope this card and post finds you enjoying beautiful spring weather, end of the school year, or perhaps just the longer daylight hours! This card was in response to one of those challenge templates (weeks ago and I forget where!). I really like how it turned out. It didn't thrill me at first - but it's "grown" on me (cards do that sometimes if you sit still . . .) LOL
The details . . . hmmm. The kraft cardstock base piece is from Jillibean. The other papers are all Close-to-My-Heart as well as the sentiment stamp. The flower/vase is from PTI the Nina Brackett Lovely Shelf stamp set. (wow, quite a mixture there!).
I've been meditating - and I LOVE it! Sunday morning didn't go very well - I couldn't stop thinking about all the things I wanted to do that day - but I found that I can relax and meditate easily in the evening. So, for me it will be evenings now. Last night I had 15 minutes and stood up so refreshed! Tonight I went to my 90 minute Yoga practice - getting home at 8:45 and fixing dinner, etc. so no time for a meditation practice tonight. I'll pick it up again tomorrow.
My SIL is still making progress. I know words can't express adequately how much your sweet comments, words of encouragement, expressions of concern, and your prayers have meant to me these past few months. You are all blessings from God. Thank you. If there has been a life-lesson for me in this whole situation it is that we are not in this boat alone - we are loved by people we don't even know, and it does matter.
Namaste.
Last week I posted a card that was inspired by Karen Baker (here) and I was so smitten with the color combination that I did another similar card. This is a Hero Arts image, and anther one that is "negative" so the stamped parts are where you see the yellow. I used a micron pen to go over the lines in the poppies to make them "pop" and yellow stickles in the center of the larger open poppies. Very simple, but I like it!
My Yoga workshop yesterday was wonderful! We spent 2 hours learning and practicing meditation. I felt so energized and focused at the end of it - and slept so GOOD last night when it was time for bed. I intend to make meditation a part of my daily life - morning would be best to help energize me for the day, and if it's part of my life (like brushing my teeth) there is scientific evidence that it improves health and mental clarity. I could certainly use both! Having said that, I'm going to sign-off and go meditate a bit before church.
Namaste.
You see, there were SO many examples of how to use this stamp set that I actually thought that even I could handle - that I simply HAD to get it! Isn't this one just lovely??? This one (Laurie Schmidlin) inspired me, too!
Today was a strange day at work - I have been tested and told that I "don't have allergies" but my eyes were "wicked itchy" today - and I went through two individual size bottles of sterile eye drops in about 2 hours. I'm going to bed early just to close them for awhile and avoid the pain. If it's not "all-better" in the morning then I'll go to the doctor, guess it could be an infection or something awful. I don't want to mess around with an eye infection!
I do have a little "good news" to share - I have to add that I'm a little reluctant to celebrate the news because we've had so many set-backs . . . but here goes: my SIL is off dialysis and "making her own" today - and she's starting to wean off the ventilator, too.
Hugs!
Happy Tuesday! This card was a recent challenge (I believe) that I didn't participate in but I saw so many pretty things done with the template that I came up with my own version! I used the Close-to-My-Heart April stamp of the Month and the CTMH paper pack Zippidee (and that dotted green piece from Magic Moments that's still out on my craft table!!! - do you do that too?)
Work was good today - I developed a bit of a headache in the afternoon but it's gone now so no worries. I went to visit my SIL after work - she's coming off dialysis (thank God!) and they are very hopeful that she will begin to improve. She did open her eyes and smile at me - such a gift!!! It's like a gambling addiction, I think (I don't know because I don't gamble) but I can go there 7, 8, 9 days without her knowing I'm there, and then once - she will smile at me, and I'm just in heaven! We spent the hour holding hands and praying together. I know you are holding her close and I appreciate all the help.
Hugs!
My card was cased from this one by Belinda Chang here. In fact, it was Belinda's card that pushed me off the cliff and MADE me buy the Waltzingmouse Stamps Roses in Bloom set. I loved her card enough that I actually re-named the photo when I tucked it into my folder so I'd know where to give credit for the inspiration! I know I'll be having a LOT of fun with this stamp set - it's so-o-o pretty!
I had such a perfect weekend! I had a "to-do" list a mile long and I did everything on the list with only one exception! Ironing - how ironic (giggle). I haven't ironed in many, many years. In fact, we had to hunt for the iron when I wanted to do the "ghosting technique" last summer. Recently, I caved and bought three beautiful cotton shells that I can wear to work with my suits - and guess what . . . they have to be "ironed"! (rolling my eyes) Well - it was fun wearing them once! LOL
No, seriously, I'll get to them.
Hopefully before summer is over!
Maybe I should see if the cleaners will do them?
Hugs!
I just love the Waltzingmouse Stamps - Claire Brennan is a genius! This card was inspired by MANY cards that I spied on the March Blog-waltz. I wanted this set before it was released; but kept telling myself "no" until I was finally overcome and just gave up. Then, the volcano in Iceland erupted and my beautiful stamp set took another 5 weeks to arrive!!! Please - don't hold that against Claire - she was just as anxious about the deliveries as I was!
The details - hmmm. The little green dots are a design paper from the Magic Moments pack, the purple dots from the You Rock pack, and the lighter purple is from Bella - all Close-to-My-Heart papers. The green lace was a piece I found at Joann's in the scrap bin. I {Heart} that color - and was hoarding it for just the right card. My leaves were stamped on the design paper, then glued to a scrap of cardstock so I could cut them out together. Having the cardstock gives it enough "umph" to be able to shape the leaf a bit. I like the effect.
Yesterday was so busy, but very productive and rewarding. I started my day with some small chores, then went to Yoga class. I'm used to doing Yoga in the evening - but it's a nice way to begin your day as well. Today I've got another huge list of chores, but hope to squeak a couple of hours in the craft room. How's your weekend going??
Namaste.
This small card (I believe it was 3 1/2 x 4 1/4) was inspired by this card by Karen Baker at The Bald Dragonfly. I fell in love with the color combination - but I went about making this card very differently than Karen did! The image is one of my new Hero Arts stamps - and it's a negative image. So, my cardstock is Daisy White (CTMH) and everywhere you see yellow, it's Close-to-My-Heart Honey ink. Then I took a black pen and outlined it to make the flowers really "POP". It really wasn't hard at all!
Thursday evening - another busy and productive day at work and I'm so ready for Friday!!! I had a yummy dinner tonight. I had an beautiful ear of white corn on the cob begging to be eaten fresh! On a whim, I decided to substitute my usual "pat of butter" for a "drizzle of lime infused olive oil". I allowed just a tad of freshly grated sea salt . . . Oh My Goodness! The lime and the corn were a marriage made in heaven! I don't think I need to even buy butter any longer! This is one of the blessings of living alone - if I want to eat an ear of corn for dinner, that's just fine! LOL
Hugs!
I have a couple of friends who are graduating from ASU this month - so this is the card I've designed for them. I hope they don't see it on the blog!! I'm pretty sure neither one of them reads my page . . .
The colors are Barn Red and Sunflower (ASU colors are maroon and gold - you can see that from the emblem I scanned off of the graduation announcement!). I like the overall effect - and think it's nice to honor their school colors in the card.
Work was challenging today. I'm so glad it's over!!! Some days that's the best you can say about it. LOL Tomorrow is Thursday - so we're sliding into the weekend from there - always encouraging! The weather is gorgeous here and I hope to get more work done in my yard (before it's dreadfully hot!). What about your plans for the weekend? It's not too early to dream, is it?
Hugs!
First, let me share my heartfelt greetings to everyone who has or had a Mother! And for those of you who are Mom's - I send my wishes for a perfect day filled with undercooked eggs and crayon-drawn cards! ;-)
This card is another with the fabulous stamp from Hero Arts called Poppy (something). I'm really enjoying these negative image stamps - because you can do this awesome resist thing with them! Last summer I taught a technique at my monthly Open Stamping called "Ghost" - and it's basically taking the resist technique one step further - and removing the clear embossing after you've used it as a mask. You do that with scrap paper and a hot iron. (be sure to use a clean piece of paper each time or you'll spend hours cleaning your iron!) I think I'd like that on this card - because the "shiny" doesn't really do it for me. Anyway - the cardstock and design paper as well as all the inks I used are from Close-to-My-Heart. The colors for the Poppies were Tulip, Hollyhock and Sorbet. The stems were drawn in with the Chocolate marker.
Hugs!
The beautiful papers (Bella) and the sentiment for this card are from Close-to-My-Heart and the focal image is Hero Arts. The technique is a resist technique - where this negative image is clear embossed on design paper (the golden color paper) and then ink is added (I used daubers) over the open areas. Just part of the image is used here.
This card is a little different, too. The focal piece tucks under the sentiment (that is up on pop-dots) and opens up to have your greeting inside. I saw it done on another blog in "landscape" direction, but decided I would turn it to use with this stamp. I likey.
It's Thursday already - amazing. A productive week for me - hope you've had a good week, too. I'm starting to think about what I want on my weekend "to-do" list - I'm sure there is more to get done than I will have time to accomplish. Having a list helps me to prioritize things a bit and not waste time driving from point "A" to "C" then having to go back to "B". LOL
Hugs!
I don't know why I always upload the photos in the reverse order from what I really want. You would think I would figure this out! Hummph.
Well, it doesn't matter, really. The second photo is the card all closed - as it would be pulled from the envelope. The card opens and becomes an easel card (as you can clearly see for yourself). I had this beautiful stamp from Hero Arts and was just dying to imitate the tutorial that Jennifer McGuire posted (and Kathi Carlson expertly re-designed here). My SIL is in need of hope and beauty in her life (still very, very sick) and I thought perhaps an easel card could be on display where she could see it.
The details? Wildflowers from Hero Arts, Close-to-My-Heart textured cardstock and the design paper (Grace) that the stamped image was put onto. Inks are CTMH in Breeze, Petal, Pansy Purple, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf and Olive. The sentiment on the inside is from Nina Brackett Lovely Shelf. The "stop" for the card to stand is a black button with a CTMH fancy filigree adhered to the top. Ribbon is contraband from the local craft store.
Work was wonderful today - but I am tired so I came home to unwind and go to bed early. My SIL has been back in ICU and they're keeping her sedated - so no visit tonight. I didn't go to Yoga, but I am about to unroll my mat and go through a few important poses here at home before bed. I need to stretch out some joints that are bothering me. ;-)
I hope your day was good - and that you are appreciating Spring and good health! Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the world and leaving your sweet, uplifting comments! I {{heart}}} you!
Namaste.
I finally remembered to photograph the technique for last Sunday's Open Stamping! We were actually practicing several things here . . . The pattern on the flower box and "curtain" were 1st and 2nd generation, using the paper crimper (a tool I actually love but hardly ever use) and making the MOST out of Close-to-My-Heart's two sided papers! Don't you love how I demonstrated how to crimp your paper crooked?!
Today was very busy! Oh my. After work I rushed to the Honda dealer to have Keiko's oil changed (her computer was telling me to "go, go now!") then I drove into Phoenix to see my SIL. I came home with a card design burning a hole through my brain - so I sat down and played for over an hour. I'll post those photos later this week but let me tell you, I'm happy. I don't get "hit upside the head" with inspiration very often, but I'm glad it happens sometimes!!!
I'm planning to go to Yoga tomorrow evening. I haven't been since week-ago-Friday and my body (and mind) are telling me that I need to go.
Hope your week is off to a good start -
Hugs!
When I spied this card by Lynn Mercurio I knew I had to try to make it! In my typical excited frenzy, the first one (left) I forgot to lift the face so that the star cutouts would have depth - and when I re-made it (right) I was so excited to get that part right, that I completely forgot the little trio of red brads. I put red dew drops, but on the navy paper they are completely lost. Well, I love this design enough to try again and I've also ordered some ribbon that is closer to what Lynn used. I was delighted that my Close-to-My-Heart stars fit one of the star Nesties perfectly! (yes, that's a Waltzingmouse Stamps sentiment in the right hand side!). ;-)
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