My Favorite Things - Flowers

This card was inspired by a card I had saved on Pinterest.  The artist is Barbara Anders and you can see her card here.  When I case someone, I try to change at least three things.  In this one, I changed the papers, the way the card opens, the sentiment, and the border element.  I made two of these today, because I needed 2 thank you notes right away.

I'm going to share a story now, so don't laugh at me.  One of the cards is going to friends we saw while in Turkey this spring.  The wife doesn't speak English, so on a whim I decided to see if I could write out our thank you message and have the computer translate it into Turkish!  Well, wouldn't you know it did!  Of course, I have no idea if the translation says what I meant for it to say!  LOL  I'll have to make a leap of faith on that one. ;) 

Another bicycle project

This is a tag I made to send off tucked inside the new CTMH Annual Inspirations 2016-2017 books.  I took these to the post office today - so my friends in AZ should get them very close to August 1st; which is when the new catalog goes live!  

My thought is that they might use the tag to jot down favorite things they want to get (a wish list).  The back side (which I failed to photograph - silly me!) has more journaling lines and the Enjoy the Ride at the bottom of the tag.  

This bicycle stamp set it in the Seasonal Expressions 2 mini-catalog, and that one is available until the end of August - so if you are as smitten with the bicycle as I am, you can still order it!  

"Borrowed" bicycle card

I borrowed this card from another CTMH consultant.  I tried to find her blog so I could link to her (giving her full credit of the design!) but have had no success.  So, if you know who created this awesome design, please let me know!  

It's an easel card of sorts - the text I used was different from the inspiration card and is in a set from Verve called Carpe Diem.  I actually made two of these, one to send and one to sit on my desk and remind me that life doesn't have to be perfect.  

Another sympathy card

This card uses two of the three background stamps in the CTMH set called Botanical Backgrounds (D1654).  I used watercolor pencils to color the open stamp images.  If you like it, I think you need to run, don't walk, because it is retiring this week (end of July). 

On another note, I've started to catalog my stamps so I can find them!  It's doubly hard for me with some in MN and more in AZ.  So, starting where I am, I got the software Evernote and have been creating a notebook with inventory (including photo of the set) for the stamps in my MN studio.  I've added tags like "background" or "flowers" or "leaves".  The database is searchable.  After I get all the stamps into the program, my challenge will be to organize them in the studio in some reasonable order so I can LOCATE them.  LOL  Have you tried Evernote?  Any tips for a beginner?

A dear friend of ours from Tempe recently got married!  What a JOY it is to create a happy card and not another sympathy card!  Woot!!

I used stamps from "I Do!" and Springtime Wishes, and ink colors of slate, saffron, and 2nd generation Smoky Plum.  The card bits were pre-cut and left-over from a Technique card at Open Stamping in AZ.  The papers are retired.  I do love the curtain fold and will probably make more of these when I see the right papers for it!  

Another wedding anniversary card

Sorry for the dark image!  I really need to get a light box set up in the Brainerd studio!  

This card was inspired by a 6x6 piece of leftover design paper from a retired CTMH summer paper pack.  I used the current bicycle stamp set, and the sentiment was white heat embossed onto the piece of kraft cardstock that was meant to indicate a nice country road.  

Wedding Anniversary - 50th!

Dear friends of ours just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary!  How can that be possible?!  They must have married when they were in grade school!

I used the "Happy Times" paper pack and CTMH inks (cocoa embossing powder, Pear on the leaves/stems, and Smoothie and Ruby on the flowers.  I used "wink of stella" clear over the flowers.  I made this so that the flowers "catch" on each other to hold the gate-fold card closed. Inside (sorry, forgot to photograph it) I stamped a flourish frame in cocoa and the number 50 with Saffron ink (to look golden).  Because of the sparkle, this one probably looks better in real life than in my photo.

Thank you for Kitty Sitting

A friend of the family volunteered was suckered into taking care of Mr. Bilbo Baggins while we were on our Holy Land pilgrimage.  She was very, very good to him!  

My card uses World Traveller, Around the World, Hello Life Scrapbooking and Hello Life Cardmaking stamp sets all from Close to My Heart.  The colors of ink were Lagoon, Pacifica, Ruby, Saddle, Slate, Black, and Saffron.  The paper pack is Florence.  

The measurements are a bit off - I could have moved the whole thing down 1/2 inch.  As it is, it measures 6 x 6 and doesn't fit into any envelopes that I have!  LOL  Live and learn.

Thank You Notes

My friend, Kim Heggins, sent me these wonderful dry embossed kraft cardstock pieces and some coffee themed washi tape (golly, I love that tape!).  I made this card with an "ancient" Close to My Heart stamp set. This is one I had that was wood mounted and I had removed the stamps and converted them to "cling" mount.  It's not quite as good as acrylic, but almost!  The ribbon is from my stash.

Our teen-age pilgrims have "left the building" so our lives might stand a chance of getting back to "normal".  LOL  What is normal, anyway?

Sympathy (this is getting ridiculous!)

Same stamps, this time I used the Florence design paper and zip strip.  The inside of the card is a repeat of the front (bottom portion) and has a sentiment stamped inside.  We whisked it off to a Celebration of Life service this morning while the ink was still wet.  

Sympathy (again!)

This one uses Close-to-My-Heart paper, embossing powder, Cocoa ink. The stamps and dry embossing folder are all "contraband" (Verve stamps, Cuttlebug folder) and the ribbon is May Arts.  Problem with it is that the acetate I used is too thin and the card is too wobbly.  I love the look, just not the execution, so I'm keeping the photo for a day when I might feel like making it with the proper materials.

Another sympathy card - less severe

This one is more of a "thinking of you" and sharing in your sorrow - but my aim was to bring a smile and brighten the day of the recipient.  It was a lot more fun for me, let me tell you!  I used CTMH Happy Days paper, and the Hot Chocolate stamp set.  I stamped the solid cup on the back side of the pattern papers and cut them out.  I made a small slit in two of them so insert the cups in a stack and added some ink lines to give the images a little more definition.  The sentiment is another from my stash - I think it might be Verve.  

We had fishing friends here for a few days - it was so much FUN!  I don't fish, but I sure did enjoy the big family meals at the table (or on the patio) and sipping wine and chatting into the late night hours!  I will miss our guests!

Sympathy card

I found that I need sympathy cards - several (!) - when we returned from our trip so I opted for a relatively simple design.  This one used a large rubber stamp of script in CTMH Champagne color ink on the card base, then the flourishes and sentiments from a Waltzingmouse Stamps set.  Juniper and Cocoa inks.  Not the best, but my heart was in it!   

Thank You Kindly

This card is for a blog-friend!  I used the Happy Times papers (CTMH seasonal special), a wreath I can't remember where I got it - and the Thank You Kindly is one from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  The ink colors are Juniper and Slate.  The card base is Slate cardstock. Below is the inside of the card.     

I used CTMH Hot Chocolate on the inside of the card and stamped the solid cup image in 2nd generation Juniper ink.  It sure feels good to make something again!

Thomas is 2 years old!

Our sweet little TJ is 2 today - and he is simply amazing!  It's been mentioned that I might be just a wee bit prejudiced, however.  

We have gifts, of course, but I needed to make a special card for him!  I used the Florence papers, and the following CTMH stamp sets; World Traveler, The Long Way Home (June Stamp of the Month), and You Mean the World to Me.  The number 2 was from the Framework Alphabet.  I made a fancy fold card that can stand up on it's own.  I love that VW bus!  The ink colors were Cocoa and Ruby.  

Now that we're back in Minnesota, it is "full speed ahead"!  We have a group of Fishing People coming in this weekend (extended) and a large group of Episco-teens coming for a pilgrimage next weekend (extended).  Steve and I were comparing calendars last night at the dinner table - we will continue to be busy!

Hope things are great in your parts of the world!  Hugs!!