February 27, 2015 Retail Therapy

Every year at this time of year my "bestie Donna" sending me a "thinking of you" card.  15 years ago on this day my son Aaron took his life at the age of 26, talk about leaving a hole in your heart that it did.  You never forget but you do deal and remember the happier times in his life.  He left a sister and a twin brother and my kids will never be able to say I did not love them.  Anyway this year her card was just the boost I needed to get through this week.  It surely brought a smile to my face and I know she is keeping me in her thoughts and prayers during "this time" each year.  the inside sentiment says Why are you just standing there holding this handmade card?  Jump up and down or something!.  Thank you dear friend.

February 24, 2015 Embossed Illusion Butterfly

I saw a video on how to do this technique and I think it is called Embossed Illusions - the butterflies appear to be flying under the leaves.  This technique is quite easy - stamp leaves in versamark and emboss in white.  Then stamp butterflies in black memento ink - then I put a piece of white scrap paper over the image and rubbed to soak up any black ink that was lingering.  Then sponged my colored ink on the entire image, easy peasy and love the look.  You can wipe the color off the white embossed leaves after sponging.  Punched the butterflies out with SU punch, colored them with Gelatos - popped then up with foam tape, and of course a bit of glitter bling on their wings.   I made this card for Sketch Saturday but entering a few other challenges:
     Sketch Saturday - follow sketch
     Love to Scrap - anything goes
     Party Time Tuesday - anything goes
     Come and Get It - lots of layers
     4 Crafty Chicks - things with wings

February 17, 2015 Just Because

Made this quick card because I loved the sketch for Sketch Saturday this week - and because my goals for February are to use my stash!!  Another stamp set by Hero Arts that had yet to see ink -  and asst. papers from paper packs that I seem to continue to add to.  I really like the way this card turned out, to add a little extra interest to the focal image I took some ink refill and water, dipped the point of my paint brush in teh mix and then flicked dots on just the focal image, I like the way it turned out.  I always need a simple just because card for a special need in chemo angels so I am sure this will be on its way this week.  Challenges:
     Sketch Saturday - follow sketch
     Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
     Simply Create Too - anything Goes

February 15, 2015 Happy Birthday to You/washi tape

This is the birthday card I made for my 2 year old "great" granddaughter Bella - and I am sure there will be a picture or two pop up on my blog in the next day or two at her birthday party. Stamps are from AMuse Studio as well as the balloon die.  I love this technique which I saw on a blog by Simplicity - there are so many different applications that this can be used for and this worked out perfect for  Bella's birthday.  I love washi tape and have "several" rolls in my stash so you can bet I will be using more of it in my future cards.

February 12, 2012 Love Skunk

This is the Valentine I made for my hubby from me - as I can be quite a "stinker" at times - well ok most of the time.  This stamp saw ink for the first time today and it is from Great Impressions F542S,  I colored the hearts with copic markers, gave her a few blond curls a little glitter pen on the heart and a mix of CS from AMuse studio, and my scrap bag.  I have had these darling red flowers for a while too - so I need to find a challenge that "uses your stash" as that is what I did today.  The love is a die cute and I just sponged it a bit with distress ink and the little red enamel heart is from CTMH.  I think he will like it, and hope he sees the humor.     Challenges:
     Great Impressions - Love, Love, Love
     House of Cards - All about Love
     Scrapper's Delight - Anything Goes
     Dream Valley - Valentines Day
     
     

February 11, 2014 BE MINE

Recently there was a huge SU sale of supplies, stamps, punches etc. of a dear SU demonstrator that passed away about a year ago.  Her husband got everything together and with friends priced the items got them all set out and donated all proceeds to the high school music department (where he and his wife had both worked for many years).  I love this set - has images for just about any occasion and I though this would make a really cute simple Valentine.  Colored with copic markers, heart doily from Michaels, cs from AMuse Studio.    I also added a tripod and a different light system to my photo taking so this is a work in progress with my photo editing.  

February 8, 2015 Happy Birthday

This is the first time this little guy has seen ink and I decided to make two cards while it was already inked up.  The stamp is by Great Impressions F548S - I needed a birthday card for my great granddaughter (well actually I need three for her as my son and daughter both requested that I make them a card for her too!),  This little guy was colored with copic markers and the kite was coloerd with colors to match the "free" kite paper from TLC - and did you know that February 8, is National Fly a Kite Day (FOR REAL).  Some cute polka dot paper gave it a bit more of a child feel and of course some gems on the side.  Love my stitched Die cuts.     Challenges:

     Sketch Saturday - follow sketch
     Clear it Out Challenge - anything goes
     Papertake Weekly - anything goes
   

February 3, 2015 Born to be Wild

Was stamping last week with a BFF and I have always enjoyed stamping up a couple of these extra to take home with me.  It is one of those stamps you find at the checkout of your favorite stamp store and it is made by Small Stamps.  Doesn't require any coloring - just a bit of distressing around the image cut with oval Spellbinders and it is good to go.  Had a special request for a chemo patient that was needing a bit of cheer and encouragement. I am hoping this will be the smile bringer!!!  

February 2, 2015 Little Girl with Teddy

Is this little girl just the cutest - she is from Bugaboo and it was so perfect for the occasion I needed.  I have a little chemo buddy that has had a rough winter but is finally getting to return back to school this week and I thought this was the perfect card to send her way.  Colored her up with copics, som DP from a paper pad I had, as well as the yellow.  Then One day last week I was "reorganizing" and found a box of already made cards with envelopes so USE up the STASH.  The ribbon a sweet stamping friend gave me and it went perfect.  I tucked two McDonald gift cards in the envie so she can go get some chicken mcnuggets with her mom and brother.