Scooter!

These notecards were inspired by the fabulous Lisa Stenz here.  I absolutely fell hard for the scooter in one of the new Holiday stamp sets.  Who says the scooter has to be used just for Christmas!?!  

The four new Close to My Heart colors are represented, Glacier (upper left) Pixie (upper right), Canary (lower left) and Thistle (lower middle).  The other two colors are Sweet leaf and Sorbet.  I didn't have the new paper fundamentals yet for all of these (like Lisa used), but I had some design papers with those colors to highlight how awesome these colors can be!  For a change I decorated the envelopes, too.  This was all packaged up as a gift for a dear friend.  

I need to take some photos of my remodeled work space . . . 

It's time to restock my card stash.  I started with this one because I was inspired to try watercoloring the butterfly.  It turned out alright - but I felt it needed something more (the stamped lines were Glacier color, like the body of the butterfly, and it just looked "blah").  I grabbed my gel pen and added just a little glimmer.  

Now that the remodeling of the space where I do my art work is completed, I finally have time to play again!  It's a good thing since all I was doing was shopping and my budget can't afford that tactic! Hugs!

Wedding cards . . . or Annniversary!!

This card was so much fun to make (but remember, I like to color!).  

I used the new CTMH stamp set called Celebrate Love Occasions. I also used CTMH inks and their new ShinHan alcohol markers as well as a couple of Prisma watercolor pencils.  (the purple and greens).  Then I randomly cut around the image at the bottom of my white piece (with the flower decoration) and layered it over a bright design paper from Pebbles.  Very fun!

This card was scrap-lifted from Lucy Abrams.  She is a popular artist and I can't find where the card was posted (perhaps it was pulled for publication?) but you can see her fabulous blog here.  I used different paper, color scheme, an extra layer, used two different size butterflies for the openings, and placed my sentiment in a different spot, but basically it is her card!  This was really quick and I love the effect!

Have I mentioned that summer in Minnesota is amazing!?  I am loving the outdoor time, the beautiful GREEN colors and the wildlife is fantastic! The other day we were at Grandview Lodge and I was delighted to watch a black squirrel and a gray squirrel playing together.  They are so much fun to watch - I could just daydream and watch their antics all day. 

Hugs! 

Sad and Happy

I'm sad, because my local scrapbook store is closing. But I'm also happy, because I was able to pick up a lot of great items at reduced prices.  The owners had such an up-beat attitude, it reminds me of how very positive people are in Minnesota.  So, no tears here - just looking forward to new beginnings and, on my part, playing with my new toys.

The stamps are My Favorite Things and had coordinating dies to cut the flowers and leaves.  I used Close-to-My-Heart inks (Blush, Hollyhock, Tulip and Lagoon) and cardstock (Pixie) and the design papers were from Pebbles.  

There is no place like HOME!

 These bicycle cards were inspired by a recent trip that included wandering through a Paper Source store.  The inspiration card was a CAS design with a single bicycle.  I used all CTMH stamps, ink, and paper and added just a little more detail.  I love this card!

The title of my post?  Steve's daughter Melissa and her husband Jim gave birth to Thomas James (TJ) on July 2nd.  Today, nearly 4 weeks later, TJ was discharged from the neonatal ICU to go home!  What a blessing!  

It is good to be home!
Hugs!

Wedding Card!

This card was for my new hair stylist in the North.  She is getting married this week and I thought that was a good excuse to make a wedding card!  I had fun - and sorta copied the second card from this post by Melissa Phillips.  I find her cards way over my head, but sometimes I try them anyway!  *giggle*

Amanda was pleased!  

The papers, inks, and stamps were all Close-to-My-Heart.  The bag/envelope was embossed in the Cuttlebug and the cool doily that holds the glassine envelope bag closed is actually a drip-collar for candles used in church!  ( I found a bag of them in a drawer and my Beloved said I could have them for scrapping!!  :-D )  

We may be starting our travels tomorrow!  We've both been putting things into the suitcases all day and asking each other, did you pack the "xyz"?  It's really quite entertaining!  I'm fiddling around on the computer now while he naps.  Only fair since I slept in late when he got up for Rotary at 6 am.  

Hugs!!

Anniversary cards!

I've been playing with my color pencils and odorless mineral spirits lately and created these cards.  The HUGE challenge for me was actually punching the white mat.  I have a set with corner and straight punches but still have a hard time getting the alignment right.  Any tips would be appreciated - perhaps I should look for a You-tube instructional video?!  Which ribbon treatment is your favorite?

Hugs!