Saturday, August 31, 2019

Turning the Page September 2019

Time to turn the page on our calendars to a new month.

I make calendars each year for my desk and my family.

I thought I'd set up a regular post on the last day of each month to share them.

I hope you enjoy my “Turning the Page” posts.

Here's our September page.


 By the way, the calendars are clipped together and can be displayed on an easel
or hung on a push pin or magnetic hook.  We all have a different way to display them.

If you would like a word document with the calendar, email me
and I will be glad to send it to you so you can design your own.
Email link is on the sidebar.
  

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!




Friday, August 30, 2019

Starry Village for Rudolph Days

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

Today I'm playing with Scrappy Mo's Rudolph Days Challenge.


I'm not sure who makes this die.  Maureen gave me this die cut when
I saw her at the ESCR Retreat in May.

The background is a saturated paper towel from mopping up ink. I
separated the two ply and used just one of them.

I've put some Dazzling Details on the background and spread it out for
some sparkle.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (PB)
Ink:   Pacific Point (SU)
Paper:   Neenah, Pacific Point (SU)
Other:  Paper Towel, Kars Snowflake EF (Ret. Cuttlebug), Dazzling Details (Stickles should work), Die 


Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Memory Box Butterfly Enjoy

Hello there.  Happy hump day!


Use warm colors: red, orange and/or yellow.

Perfect colors for a butterfly!

I die cut the Moonlight Butterfly from a piece of soft yellow cardstock that
had been sponged with orange and red ink. I did just a random splotchy sponging.

I found a piece of Brusho background that had a bit of stamping
that had been inked in some Brusho splash on my craft mat. 
It worked great for a coordinating background.  The narrow red mat adds
some contrast and got the red in.


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Enjoy (PB), Script (Darkroom Door)
Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red (SU-for sponging)
Paper:   Neenah, Mixed Media (Strathmore 400 Series), Real Red, So Saffron (SU)
Other:  Moonlight and Kaleidoscope Butterfly Dies (MB), Orange Brusho


Monday, August 26, 2019

Flower Split

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!
I hope the week is off to a good start for you.


When I was visiting my friend Michele's blog the other day, I saw that
My Favorite Things has some challenges now.

I don't have a lot of MFT things, but I'm on my way to starting a collection.
I purchased this set after my friend Joanna sent me this card for my birthday.

I was able to combine both of the MFT challenges.



Since I used snippets for my flower pieces, I can also visit the


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Flower Silhouettes, Flowers in Bloom (MFT)
Ink:   Blueprint Sketch, Twisted Citron, Crushed Corduroy (DM), Pacific Point (SU)
Paper:   Neenah Solar White, Night of Navy (SU)
Other:  Foam sheet


Sunday, August 25, 2019

Emmy Loves Pandas and Sparkle

Hello.  I'm back with an Emmy creation.


Emmy loves pandas and when we saw last month's Simon Says kit, well,
Nana couldn't resist.  There are lots of great stamps in this set and Emmy and I
will get lots of use from it.

When I saw that Simon Says Stamp is having a challenge for kids this month
asking for sparkle, we knew it was made for Emmy.  That girl loves her sparkle.
And we'll sparkle around here for a long time to come!
ANYTHING GOES WITH SPARKLE

Emmy carefully painted some liquid glue on each balloon and sprinkled with glitter.
She learned to do every other balloon so they didn't all run together. (That chunky
glitter was a challenge!)  She also learned about masking and Stickles.


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Party Like a Panda (SSS)
Ink:   Archival Jet Black
Paper:   Neenah, Patterned Paper (Doodlebug/from kit)
Other:  Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Glitter, Stickles


Saturday, August 24, 2019

Colorful Butterfly

Hello my friends.

Today is the last day to play at CAS Watercolour and I have
one more colorful butterfly to show you.


Our sweet host for the challenge this month is Marcia and she chose....

My butterfly was stamped on mixed media paper and heat embossed in gold.
The embossing helps to corral the watery color.

I've wet each section and dropped in a bit of re-inker and just let it spread
within that section.

The color was a bit too intense in some sections so I used a wet waterbrush
to sop up some of the color.  The brush needs to be cleaned often or the color
won't lighten.

When it was dry, I let Stella generously wink it.

Love that shimmer.

I found this sentiment piece in the UFO box, already stamped
and embossed.

This month our design team is joined by Amy (Miss Lomax Art) as
our Guest Designer.  Be sure to check out her beautiful butterflies as well
as the rest of the Design Team.  Lots of wonderful inspiration there.

Then watercolor some butterflies and join us at
CAS Watercolour.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Butterfly (Ali), Script Sentiments #2 (Inky Antics)
Ink:   Encore Gold, Black
Paper:   Neenah, Mixed Media (Strathmore 400 series)
Other:  Gold EP (SU), SU Re-inkers (Island Indigo, Primrose Petals), Floral Affection EF (SU)


Friday, August 23, 2019

Tagged Poinsettia

Hello friends. Are you ready for the weekend?

Today I'm joining the Jingle Belles Challenge.


Tag! You're It!

While pawing through my background, I found this tiny piece of stenciled
snowflake card.  It was a perfect size for a tag.

I'm not sure whether I sprayed some watercolor on a stencil or sprinkled
Brushos and spritzed. Whatever I did, it was messy and didn't leave a crisp image.

I'd been thinking that I hadn't used my favorite poinsettia yet this year,
so I pulled the die out and made several while I was at it.
I've sponged the edges and shaped the flower, then added some gold
micro beads in the center.

I found a large sparkly snowflake cut from glitter paper and cut it in half
to add some interest behind the tag. 

It's all on a piece of textured cardstock.

I'll add this to the CAS Christmas Challenge gallery too.
This challenge is open until the 24th so you've still got a little time.

I love seeing how that Christmas stash is growing.
I'll especially love it when it's time to start mailing those cards.


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Holiday Snippets (PB)
Ink:   Real Red (SU)
Paper:   Neenah, Linen (Darice), Mixed Media, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer (SU)
Other:  Layered Poinsettia Die (Splbndr), Snowflake Duo Die (PB), Winter Snowflake Lace Stencil (MB), Ornate Tag Punch (ret. SU), Gold Twine (ret. SU), Gold Microbeads (Michaels)


Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Doggone Shaker

Hi there. I'm so glad you stopped by.

Today I'm playing with the Christmas Kickstart Challenge.

Here's my card.

I always check my UFO box hoping to use up some of that left behind stuff.

This time I found a badly colored image from SSS.

But this pooch didn't look too bad.  So I fussy cut him out.

I had cut the windows for something else and ended up not using them.
The piece was just sitting there and it all came together.

By the way, the Christmas Kickstart Challenge is
Dachshund Through the Snow.
Hope you'll forgive the punny title! For this challenge it's all about Christmassy canine companions, so break out any doggie stamp of your choosing and come join the fun.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps: Furry Christmas (SSS), Tin of Tags (SU)
Ink:   Baked Brown Sugar (SU), Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper:   Naturals White (ret. SU)
Other:  Square Windeow Trio (Honey Bee Stamps), Acetate, Foam Sheet, Sequins


Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Framed

Hello crafty friends.  I hope you are doing well and finding lots of crafty time!

Today I have some framed art.

While at the ESCR Retreat, Christine gave us some cardstock
with wide Washi tape on it.  Dolly had brought the Washi tape and we had
painstakingly smoothed it on that cardstock.

This wasn't the prettiest Washi tape but after this technique, I really loved it and
thought it made an awesome background.


First we covered the piece with gesso.  The piece above was covered in clear gesso.
The piece below covered in white gesso.

We cleaned our brushes and let the pieces dry.


Once the gesso was dry, we stamped on the pieces with Archival ink.

When that was dry, I colored the inside of the flowers with DOX inks that
I smooshed on my craft mat and spritzed with water, using a damp waterbrush.

I added some subtle stamping around the main design.

I loved these pieces so much that I asked Dolly for some more Washi 
covered cardstock so I could make some more.

She contacted Christine who had some pieces and she graciously sent me
another piece.

I cut it in half and did this one.

Then I did this one.

And I was lucky enough to find the frames at the thrift store.
The mats cost more than the frames!

Now to get them on the wall.

I'll enjoy seeing them and remembering the awesome time I had
with these wonderful, talented ladies.

You can see pictures from the retreat by clicking on the 2019 Retreat
button on the top bar.

Now all I have to do is get the grouping on the wall.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe (1)
Stamps:  Scented Messages (PB), Timeless Textures, French Foliage (SU)
Ink:   Archival Jet Black, Broken China, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen (DOX)
Paper:   Neenah
Other:  Clear Gesso, Wide Washi Tape (Alt.)

Card Recipe (2)
Stamps:  Elegant Weeds (ret. HA), Texture (Drkrm Dr), Script Background (PB), French Foliage (SU)
Ink:   Archival Shadow Grey, Versafine Onyx Black, Wilted Violet, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen (DOX)
Paper:   Neenah
Other:  White Gesso, Wide Washi Tape (Alt)

Card Recipe (3)
Stamps:  Botanical Asperula (Stmpnds), Timeless Texture, French Foliage (SU)
Ink:   Archival Jet Black, Archival Shadow Grey, Broken China, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen (DOX)
Paper:   Neenah
Other:  White Gesso, Wide Washi Tape (Alt)

Card Recipe (4)
Stamps:  Enamor (PB), Timeless Texture, French Foliage (SU)
Ink:   Archival Jet Black, Archival Shadow Grey, Versafine Smokey Gray, Broken China, Wilted Violet, Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint (DOX)
Paper:   Neenah
Other:  White Gesso, Wide Washi Tape (Alt.)


Monday, August 19, 2019

Dancing Daisies Split

Hi there.


I placed this stamp in my MISTI and inked the flowers with Distress Mini Cube Inks, 
using a damp waterbrush to move the color a bit and re-stamping as needed.

After the flowers were dry, I used some Tumbled Glass ink smooshed on my palette 
and my waterbrush to do a wet on wet wash in the background.  And then
 added some highlights to the flowers with Prismacolor pencils.


My dear friend, Nancy taught us this split card technique at the ESCR Retreat.
It seemed like the perfect fit for this card.

I'm sharing with The Flower Challenge
Blackeyed Susans are one of my favorite flowers.
They always bring forth happy memories.

ANYTHING GOES OPTIONAL WATER AND/OR WATERCOLOUR



Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Dancing Daisies, Special Sentiments (PB)
Ink:   Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint (Distress Mini cube), Dried Marigold, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs (Distress Markers), Tumbled Glass (DI)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 400 Series), Chocolate Chip (SU), Linen Texture (Darice), Neenah
Other:  Prismacolor Pencils, MISTI, Waterbrush, Papercutter


Saturday, August 17, 2019

Glitter for CAS Christmas

Hi there.

There's still time to join in at
CAS Christmas.


This month my awesome friend Loll is hosting.

I used glitter paper and a Penny Black die.

Here's a close up so you can see the sparkle.

Our Design Team and Guest Designer, Michelle have lots of
sparkle to inspire you.

Go by and take a look then I hope to see your glittery Christmas cards
in the gallery at CAS Christmas.


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Scripty Holiday (GKD)
Ink:   Real Red (SU)
Paper:   Neenah, Green Glitter Paper (Hampton Art), Red Foil (SU)
Other: Whirl Wreath Die (PB), Subtle EF (SU), Nuvo Crystal Drops (Autumn Red) 


Friday, August 16, 2019

Big Blue Butterfly

Hello crafty friends.  I'm so glad you stopped by.


Our talented Marcia is hosting the CAS Watercolour Challenge this month. 

I've stamped this big butterfly with white pigment ink on mixed media paper
and used white embossing powder to heat emboss.

Then I carefully sprinkled Brusho powders on the piece and spritzed with water
using a brush to help move the ink where I wanted it.

It doesn't show in the photo, but the top layer beneath the butterfly is dry embossed
with a Subtle Embossing folder and the sentiment is heat embossed.



Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Butterfly Trio (PB), Thoughtful Messages (SSS)
Ink:   Whisper White, WOW Embossing pad
Paper:   Neenah, Mixed Media
Other:  White EP (SU), Midnight Teal EP (Lindy's), Subtle EF (SU), Brushos (Cobalt, Turquoise)


Thursday, August 15, 2019

Artsy Paper Towel for CAS Mix Up

Hi there.

There's still time to join in at CAS Mix Up


Loll is hosting the challenge this month and she chose...

I'm still playing with my dear granddaughter's paper towels that
she used to mop up the Brusho and Lindy's Magical pieces.

Here's a picture of a similar paper towel as the one I used for this card.
See the flower in the middle?


It looked like a flower already on the paper towel, so I separated
the two ply and used liquid glut to adhere one to a piece of cardstock.
I used the same technique to do this as we used for tissue paper.
I actually die cut this piece which flattened most of the beautiful texture.
Next time I'll use the scissors!

I added a frame and sentiment and strung a few
gold beads to adorn my flower.

What kind of fun are you having with paper towel art this month?

Our Design Team and Guest Designer Betty have had lots of fun.
Check out their samples and hope to see yours at CAS Mix Up.


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Friendship Messages (SSS)
Ink:   Pacific Point (SU)
Paper:   Watercolor (Strathmore), Pacific Point (SU), Paper Towel separated and glued on Neenah
Other:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (SSS), 


Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Going Nautical for Twofer

Hello friends.  I hope your week is off to a crafty start.

I have a Twofer Threefer for you today.
It's a long post so be prepared.

First the Twofer

I had this old and well loved Stampin' Up! set out to do a card for my last class.
So When I saw the Twofer Challenge was
I was part way there.

Often times I start with one direction for a card and end up scrapping that idea
and going another way.  That was the case with this card.


It's an okay card for a guy, but I ended up with something a little different for the class.

After class the set was still out so I used the anchor for another card.


I stamped the anchors on some scraps of Neenah with blue ink and heat embossed
with clear embossing powder.  I fussy cut them out and added them to a
Neenah panel that has Subtle embossing.  A narrow strip of matching cardstock
divides the design from the sentiment.

As long as I had the set out, I went for a Threefer.


This anchor was stamped with Versamark and I used copper embossing powder on it.

My favorite is the blue anchor card.  But I'll be using all of them.

Oh, and the class card...
They liked that I kept it simple.


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe (card 1)
Stamps:  The Open Sea (ret. SU), Fun Birthday Sentiments (HLS)
Ink:   Soft Suede
Paper:   Rustic Ivory (gift), Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Other:  Clear EP, Stitched Shape Die (SU), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (SU), Cotton Yarn

Card Recipe (card 2)
Stamps:  The Open Sea (ret. SU), Walk by Faith (PTI)
Ink:   Pacific Point, Midnight Muse (SU)
Paper:   Blueberry Bushel (SU), Neenah
Other:  Clear EP, Subtle EF (SU)

Card Recipe
Stamps:  The Open Sea (ret. SU), Bouquet of Thanks (SSS)
Ink:   Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede (SU), Versamark
Paper:   Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla (SU)
Other:  Infinity Circles (HA), Copper EP (Zing), Subtle EF (SU)