April 2013 Tim Holtz Tag

Hi, guys!  Sorry in advance for the super short post, but time is a-ticking and I want to submit this tag for the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 for the month of April (which is almost up in a few hours!).

This month we learned how to give our projects a patina look using Distress Paints.  I am loving these paints, especially the metallics!  I must say, this tag was a hoot to make as I even got to do some finger painting on the embellishments!  So, Winnie's Inky Fingers are now Painted Fingers!

If you have time, I highly recommend you join in the fun and try making a tag of your own!  I can't wait to see what the May tag will be!

Good night all!  See you soon!

"Two" Our Sweet Victoria

Hi, guys!  I was asked to make a birthday card for a friend's daughter's second birthday.   The only request was to have her age and name on the card.  I have made cards for little Victoria before, so I wanted to make sure I did this one a bit different when it came to the personalization.

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Banner), Inky Impressions
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink
Paper: Gina K, Carta Bella (True Friends)
Misc.: Lawn Fawn Banner Die, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

My friend Christine loved the card and is looking forward to giving it to Victoria.  Chris showed me adorable pictures of Victoria running around holding a purse with a little toy dog.  I am told she carries it everywhere.

Hope you have a great day!  Maybe get a little Inky?

It's A (Baby) Shower!

Hi, guys! What is more fun than a baby shower?  The anticipation, the adorable decorations and lots of happy, excited family and friends.  I was asked to make a baby shower card for a co-worker.  We aren't sure if it will be a boy or a girl, so I went with a neutral color palate of green and yellow.  I am entering this card in the COLOR CHALLENGE over at Simon Says Stamp & Show.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous, Kolette Hall
Paper: Gina K Designs, DCWV
Ink: Memento Black, Versamark, Versafine (Black), Copic Markers
Misc.: Clear Embossing Powder, Metal Tab, Bakers Twine

I heat embossed the sentiment with clear embossing powder to make it stand out against the patterned paper.  I found a metal tag in my stash that I thought would look cute on the card as well.

Hope you have a great day, and find a few moments in the day to do something you love!

Deanera's First Holy Communion

Hi, guys! Hope your day is going well!  It is Spring and many young people are making their First Holy Communion.  I was asked if I could make one of my cards for a friend's granddaughter who is receiving the sacrament in a few weeks.  I made a card for this little girl for her birthday, and she loved seeing her name on the card, so that was the only request I had to follow.

Supplies:
Stamps: Catholic Rubber Stamps, Lawn Fawn (Banner)
Paper: Gina K Designs, Carta Bella (True Friends)
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Misc.: Lawn Fawn (Banner Die), Spellbinders Square Dies, White Ribbon, Tim Holtz Ideology Rosette Ribbon, Pearl

I am always so touched to be asked to make a card for such a special occasion in a person's life.  This is such an important step for Deanera, and I wish her and her family many blessings.

Until next time!

WOYWW #203 Prepping For Some Serious Card Making

Hi, guys! Hope all is going well!  It's Wednesday, so that means I am sharing what is on my work desk! Thank you, Julia, for this fun!

Today my desk has a bunch of stamps on it begging for ink!  I started pulling various florals for Mother's Day cards and spring birthday cards I will be making.  I also have a Holy Communion Stamp and sentiment sitting there to make a card as well.

Next, I took a picture of my chalkboard where you will see a list of cards I am currently working on for various people.  I find this a good way for me to keep track of what I need to work on.

So, you can see I am a very busy card maker!  The spring brings lots of holidays and family events that many people send cards for.   My fingers will be very inky for quite some time.

Hope to visit a bunch of desks today.  If you want some fun, or inspiration, I would highly recommend you join in at Stamping-Ground!

Until next time!

Cuter Than Most

Hi, guys! I decided to make a quick baby card today using the adorable onesie I used the other day. This time I decided to stamp and emboss the sentiment with bright white embossing powder.  I love the way it pops against the blue.

Supplies:
Stamps: Too Much Fun Rubber Stamps, Studio G
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Versafine Black, Versamark
Misc.: White Embossing Powder, Mini Buttons

I have had this 99 cent sentiment stamp in my collection for ages and never used it.  I think it is perfect for a cute little one.

Have a great day!

Party Like a Rockstar - Elvis Style

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  I have a good friend named Irvina who loves Elvis.  There can never be too much Elvis in her life.  So for her birthday card the choice was easy.  I have a set of stamps from The Stampsmith that has a lot of Elvis images and sentiments.  I am not sure why Elvis is wearing a bolero jacket and why he has a flower in his hair.  I am sure it is from a movie so I will be asking her tonight!

Supplies:
Stamps: The Stampsmith, Papertrey Ink (Stars), A Muse
Ink: Hero Arts, Black Versafine, Distress Stains (Ribbon)
Paper: Gina K Designs
Misc.: Seam Binding

Hope Irvina has a very Happy Birthday and all the best in the year ahead!

Are you an Elvis fan?  Or maybe it's The Beatles that you prefer?  For me, it's country music and when Vince Gill sings, I am in my own little happy place!

Until next time!

Forever and Always (Engagement Card)

Hi, guys!  I hope all is going well. With the Spring comes lots of gatherings!  Last weekend you may recall that I went to a celebration for my Jane Austen Group, and a Sweet 16 for Elvis (the cat)! This weekend I will be attending an engagement party for my friend's daughter Melanie (and her fiancé Michael).  I decided to use the color combo of their invitation for their card.

Supplies:
Paper: Papertrey Ink, Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink
Stamps: Renaissance Art Stamps
Misc.: Pearls, Dazzling Diamonds, Sizzix Cuttlebug Folder, Circle Punch

I really love the metallic silver paper and find it really embosses well.

I cannot wait to get together with my friends to celebrate such a fun event.  I can guarantee a lot of laughter and love will be shared.

Here's wishing Melanie and Michael all the best as they start their life's journey together.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

WOYWW 202 Cards For Moms

Hi, guys! Today is Wednesday, so you know what that means!  I am sharing what is on my work desk! Thank you to Julia of Stamping-Ground for the great weekly fun!

You will spy a couple of cards in progress that I am making for my friend Erich to give.  You will see my bottle of Diet Pepsi that was much needed. I have my Copics and some Distress Ink on the desk as well.

Here is a closer look at the cards I am working on:

I look forward to visiting with you guys today.  If you want a lot of fun, I would highly recommend you join in!  I would love to see what you are working on!

200th Anniversary Pride & Prejudice /Happy Sweet 16 Elvis Party!

Hi, guys! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I sure did!  I am very lucky that I have a great set of friends.  You may recall I mention my Jane Austen group - "JAPSNA" - from time to time.  They are a fabulous group of ladies who love all things Jane.  Saturday evening we got together to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Pride & Prejudice and the Sweet 16 of Elvis, our friend Monika's cat.  Yes, we roll like that!  Monika is a great decorator and had lots of fun Jane items out.  The white picture frame was actually from my wedding, as it was the table number on my JAPSNA table!

I made a card using the invitation to give to Monika to celebrate Elvis.  I just loved the invitation with the cat dressed like Mr. Darcy! I had to  use it!

I decided to emboss the card to mimic the wallpaper background on the picture.  I colored white silk flowers using Distress Stains (Victorian Velvet, Bronze).  The center of the flower is a pin I had on hand from a previous JAPSNA gathering.  

The party was a pot luck (my favorite type of party!) and my contribution was the Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pulled Pork!

My friend Mariola made Creme Brûlée with the assistance of Monika doing the Brûlée!

Elvis' Napoleon Cake!

Elvis' party favors!

Elvis is one lucky cat!

It was such a fun evening, spent with wonderful friends, great food and plenty of love and laughter!

I consider myself blessed to have friends who have been so wonderful and loving to me.  They were there after the loss of my husband to help me through the hard times with laughter, and were there to celebrate my remarriage and second chance of happiness, and they continue to show me their support and love daily.

My wish for each of you is a very special friend!  I hope that you will consider me one of your online friends over time!

Until next time!!

Get Well Card For An Aunt

Hi, guys! Hope you are all faring well.  I thought I would share a card I made for a friend to give her aunt who is recovering from surgery. I think I am feeling Spring fever as I am enjoying using birds and florals lately, as well as fun color!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Ink: Black Archival, Distress Ink, Prisma Colored Pencils
Paper: Gina K Designs, Creative Imaginations
Misc.: Spellbinders Dies, Pearls, Memory Box Die

I think this bird is just adorable.  It is an oldie but a goodie that I had in my collection of retired Stampin' Up stamps.  I used my Prisma pencils to color the image.

Wishing Aunt Flo a very speedy recovery!!

Until next time!

First Holy Communion Card (For A Girl)

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a card I was commissioned to make for a friend.  Her niece is making her First Holy Communion in May and she wanted a personalized card for her.  I was able to make her blonde like Madeleine using Distress Markers.  The card is embossed, and I used various Spellbinders Dies to frame the image. The flowers are paper, and I used Distress Inks to apply a touch of color to them.

Supplies:
Stamps: Catholic Rubber Stamps
Paper: Gina K Designs, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Black Archival, Distress Markers
Misc.: Spellbinders Dies, Flowers, Gems

Wishing Madeleine and her family many blessings as they celebrate this Holy Sacrament.

Until next time!

WOYWW 201 (Merci Beaucoup!)

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well.  Today is Wednesday, so I am sharing what is on my work desk! So, what is going on in my stamp studio today?  I am making a thank you card for a special person.  Peter is a wonderful gentleman who used to be my boss many years ago.  He sent me this great gift; it now resides in my stamp studio (which is decorated in a Paris theme!).

I am using the Tim Holtz Paris stamps and Graphic 45 sentiment.  I even decided to decorate an envelope to go with it.

I am looking forward to visiting lots of work desks today.  Thank you, Julia, for this great weekly fun!

Hope you find a few moments in your day to do something you love!

Floral Thank You Cards

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Today I am sharing a pair of thank you cards I was asked to make for a co-worker.

This first one features a Papertrey Ink stamp.  I liked the color combination when I was finished.  I kept it simple, but I think it looks very clean and neat.  The image is heat embossed using Ranger Silver embossing powder.

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Gina K Designs, Stampin' Up
Ink: Versamark
Misc.: Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Stampin' Up Flowers & Brads, SU Silver Cord

For the next one, I decided to use one of my older stamps that I hadn't used in a long while.  It is by Anna Griffin.  I love her work and style, and am glad I took it out to use!

Supplies:
Stamps: Anna Griffin, Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K Designs, Stampin' Up, Tim Holtz
Ink: Distress Inks, Stampin' Up,Versamark
Misc.: White Embossing Powder, Tim Holtz Banner Die

I heat embossed the image with white powder, and colored it using my favorite Springtime colors.

I hope I have inspired you to look through your stamps and use a few that you haven't used in awhile -  it is so much fun!

Have a great day!

Boy Scout Troop Recovery After Hurricane Sandy

Hi, guys! Hope all is well.  I thought I would share what my family was up to a few weekends ago.  My sister has 4 children and all take part in scouting.  As you may recall, Long Island (where we live) was hit hard during Hurricane Sandy.  The boy scout troop lost all their belongings (camping gear and supplies) that they had stored in their storage locker.   We are aware, in the scheme of things, how lucky we are as we kept our homes and so many weren't as fortunate.   The boys held a fundraiser breakfast.  The parents of the kids waited tables and served the breakfast and the monies raised will go to purchasing replacements for some of their lost belongings.

Meet my 4 nieces/nephews from Long Island:

I think it is wonderful how the kids are learning to join together and work hard when things "knock you down."   I am so blessed to have these sweet kids in my life!

Here's wishing all those who are still suffering from the aftermath of the storm soon find life returning to normal as soon as possible, and know that others are praying for you.

Until next time!

In Memory of Charlie (Pet Sympathy Card)

Hi, guys! Hope you are having a lovely weekend.  For today, I am sharing a card I made for a fellow blogger (and now friend) Bee.  She needed a card to send to a family member who lost their dog named Charlie.  Bee remembered I made one a few weeks ago for a friend and asked me to tailor a card for her and to somehow incorporate his name.  I decided to use a banner with his name on it, and heat embossed the paw prints to give them a wet (muddy) look.

Supplies:
Stamps:Vap! Scrap, Rubber Stampede
Paper: Desert Storm Enviromental, Gina K Designs
Ink: Versafine Black, Prisma Colored Pencils
Misc.: Clear Embossing Powder, Spellbinders Dies, Lawn Fawn Banner Die

I am sorry for the family's loss, and hope the card brings some bit of comfort to them.

Until next time!!

It's A Blog Hop! Get Scrappy!

Hi, guys! Hope all is well. Today I am participating in The Get Scrappy Blog Hop!

These are the crafters who are participating!

Chaitali
Pooja
Winnie     You are here!
Bethany
Joyce
Cindy
Cecilia
Olga

As paper crafters, we all share one thing in common:  paper scraps!

Yes, that is my folder filled with my scraps!  Today, I will share how I often use my scraps in my card making!

I will be making three cards using the following scraps from my folder to make fun embellishments. Aren't they pretty?

I just love patterned paper.  I hate to waste any of it.  So I use them to make die cuts for embellishments. I cut my papers into strips and then adhere them to a piece of card stock in fun patterns.

Then I cut out die cuts to use for my cards.  For the first one, I used the Tattered Floral Die by Tim Holtz.

This is the card I made using this fun embellishment.  Cute, or what?

For the second one I used the Caged Bird Die by Tim Holtz.

This is the card I made with the bird embellishment.

Finally, for the third card, I used the Townscapes die by Tim Holtz.

This is the card I made using the Townscape embellishment.

I hope this has inspired you to pull out your scraps and get SCRAPPY!

The next person up is Bethany. She will be sharing how she uses her paper scraps.

A special thank you to Chaitali for organizing this blog hop! Chaitali has a link on her blog where you can post your creations and she will be holding a random drawing for a prize!  She will also be randomly drawing one winner from comments left on the participants' posts! So, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!   Good luck to all!

Until next time!


  

WOYWW 200 (Stamping With Celery Using Distress Paints)

Hi, guys! Hope you all are doing well!  I can't believe it is Wednesday already! You know what that means: I am sharing what is on my work desk with you!  Since I did a lot of cooking for the holiday weekend, I had a celery heart saved to stamp with.  I hate tossing them out and have the hubby remembering that I use them so he now saves them for me. I learned this years ago from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, and decided to use my Distress Paints, and I think it is a lot easier this way and lot less mess (no need for brushes).

I love how the print looks like old cabbage roses!

With this large sheet of flowers, I will be able to make two large cards.  I completed one today.

This was fun!  I will be able to get a bunch more sheets out of this piece of celery and I am hoping to decorate a matching gift bag too.

I am looking forward to making the rounds and visiting with you today to see what you are working on. Thank you, Julia, for this great fun!  Why not join in and share What Is On Your Work Desk? I would love to see what you are up to!

Until next time!

Congratulations, Mr. Chairman!

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Today I was asked to make a card by my husband for one of his oldest and dearest friends, Jeff.  Jeff was just elected Chairman of the Board of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. It is such an honor, and so we wanted to recognize it with what else?  Yep, a card!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous, 100 Proof Press
Ink: Archival, Versafine
Paper: Gina K Ivory, Core-dinations
Misc.: Cuttlebug Music Embossing Folder, Tim Holtz Exclamation Point, Clear Embossing Powder

Core-dinations Kraft paper is a great paper to use with your embossing folders. Using a sanding block and removing the color reveals the Kraft core underneath.

I decided to heat emboss a cool record image with clear embossing powder on the envelope.  Isn't it a fun way to finish off a card?

Without art and music in our lives I believe our world would be a pretty cold place.  Thank you to Jeff for all you do to keep music alive and well on Long Island.

Until next time!