Open Stamping Sunday - Technique Preview

This coming Sunday is Open Stamping at my house!  The technique I will teach uses the Close-to-My-Heart stamp set of the month called Friendship Bouquet which features beautiful sunflowers!  We will watercolor the largest image and make an easel card (that part is a review for some). 


Open Stamping is always a fun day - there is anywhere from 4 to 11 stampers all working, talking, nibbling and sharing for the afternoon.  The creativity is amazing and while I plan to teach something each month, I usually wind up learning more from my friends!  I love Open Stamping days!


Hugs!

Blue-Green

This card started out with some of the pretty CTMH "Dotty for You" papers that are the special this month.  You can barely see them under the focal image (oops!).  Then I added that giant bow . . .  but overall, the effect is wild and different and I kinda like it!

This past weekend was a notch slower than the pace I keep when Steve is home, and the change was good for me.  I feel rested and had some "down time".  I went with a dear friend to see "The Best Exotic Magnolia Hotel" and I highly recommend it.  It was billed as a comedy - and we did laugh out loud all the way through it - but there was a decent story-line and the actors were very good!  

I need to make a "to-do" list before the weeks get away from me and Steve has returned and I'm caught without getting my "assignments" completed!  For one thing, I promised to empty my china cabinet so he can move it.  We're tearing out the wall behind it to open up my living room and family room into one great room.  It's a change I've contemplated for several years and I was thrilled when he wanted to make the change also.  The open space will be so much better for entertaining (not to mention Open Stamping)!  I'll remember to take before photos so you'll get to see the project.

How was your Mother's Day?

Masculine Birthday

This card features the Teeny Trees set from Waltzingmouse Stamps!  I saw a very similar card on-line - but I don't have the name of the person who made the original.  I used a script stamp I have in "rubber" in a large format (4x6?) for the bottom part and used a different sentiment.  It could be for a guy-birthday or for anyone who likes trees!  

My own guy has returned to the "frozen North".  Already the house seems too quiet (other than the incessant beeping of the voice mail - political robo-calls are going to force me to disconnect my phone altogether, I swear!). 

What have you been up to lately??
Hugs! 

Thinking of you . . .

These cards were made one evening after work - I had a short amount of time to "play" and had some friends in need of a surprise in their mailboxes.  Using the Close-to-My-Heart papers made the card super fast!  I love how the images of the little flower and butterfly (from the new stamp set Word Puzzle) look on the light color design paper!  Very rich!  I used the CTMH markers to color them after embossing the outline images with black embossing powder.  

It's Sunday - Open Stamping day!  I look forward to this all month - having my friends over and seeing all the awesome creative things they are working on these days!  I'll be teaching an easel card with a couple of tricks (I'll post the photo later this week - no time right now!).  

Someone asked for a wedding photo - I'm happy to oblige!  This was one of my favorite ones; we sent a lot of these with thank you notes to our friends.  The first one, Steve is making "moose ears" behind me, then the pretty one, of us happy together by the tree, then the sweet kiss.  Robin James did a fabulous job with our photos - she was so professional, did exactly what I wanted and I simply couldn't have asked for anything better!  Perfection!

 Hugs!!

These cards are both from the Close-to-My-Heart paper pack called Dreamin' - which uses my favorite "autumn" family colors!  I was inspired by a card that had embossed an outline stamp and then colored in with copics.  I embossed with white, and colored in with the CTMH markers.  I like the look!  This little flower is from the stamp set called Card Word Puzzle.  The "Thanks" is from another set of lots of ways to say "thank you".  One can never have too many thank you cards!


Well, a busy week, and a busier weekend.  I'm so tired!  Think I'll have to go back to work to rest up!  LOL  


Hope you've had a good one!
Hugs -

Mixed papers

One of the things I love about the Close to My Heart products is that the colors keep re-appearing! CTMH will issue a beautiful paper pack that I just absolutely LOVE, and next season there will be a new paper that coordinates perfectly with the one from before. I have been toying with the idea of actually storing my papers by color groups *gasp*.

This card was a re-make! Kris Massey did it for a CTMH Unit swap and I simply popped off her focal point piece (which had been sweetly misted with a spray of ink) and exchanged it for the pattern Olive paper. This allowed me to change out the sentiment - I needed a sympathy card! Thanks Kris!

Well - the tax extension papers are on their way to the post office. I've never filed an extension before but our taxes are so complicated this year! We simply couldn't get it together. I hope you've filed a long time ago and already spent your returns!!!

Hugs!

He Has Risen! Alleluia!

I made just ONE Easter card - for a dear friend at church that needed it more than I needed the hour of time it took to make it. I borrowed this design from Jen Cuthbertson (here). It was "only" 98% cased, but I love how it turned out! Thanks for the inspiration Jen!

Holy week was so rich, full, enlightening, and rewarding. I am thankful that we're into the Easter season and joy has filled my world once again. The journey through Holy Week often leaves me feeling sad and drained. This year was different - due in large part to a book study group that helped me see things from a little different perspective. The book was The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, too.
Hugs!