June 2013 Tim Holtz Tag (Distress Marker Fun!)

Hi, guys! Today is the last day of the month, and I am squeaking my June 2013 Tim Holtz tag in! This month Tim focused on using the Distress Markers for watercoloring and other techniques.  I had fun using them to watercolor and splatter ink as well as a few other tips he gave us. This month I decided to have some fun and use some old twill I had on hand.  I saved it from an old shopping bag as I loved the thickness and color.  I used Tim's tool to fray the edges of the twill and used ink along the edges to give it an aged look as well.

As you can see, I did two tags.  I do one for myself each month, and one for my friend Ruth, who loves them, and now visits Tim's blog as well.  Some day, I hope to get her to get her fingers inky, but until then, she can share in the fun this way.  If you haven't tried your hand at these tags, I highly recommend you give one a try! You learn some great techniques, and you have plenty of inky fun!

Hope you have some fun today, and enjoy the remainder of the weekend!

Until next time!

Birthday Cards for a Daddy and a Grandfather

Hi, guys!  Today I am sharing two cards that I made for a little girl named Victoria to give to her daddy and her grandfather for their birthdays in a few weeks.

The first card up is for her father, Seth.  I decided to use an old Stampin' Up set featuring one of my favorite stamps:  a fun loving crab!  I figured since his horoscope is Cancer (just like mine!) that this set would be a fun one to use.   I wanted to keep the card fun and happy since it was coming from his very young daughter.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Distress Stains, Archival Black, Inktense Pencils
Misc.: White Felt, Googlie Eyes, Twine, Corner Rounder

I thought adding the felt and the googlie eyes made it fun and whimsical and something Victoria would love.  Who can resist not shaking a card with those eyes?

For the next card, I decided to use a set of stamps and a matching set of dies by Lawn Fawn.  They feature paper airplanes.  I figured they would be perfect for a grandfather.  Do you remember making them back when you were a kid?  I sure do!

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn, Studio G
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Distress Stains, Distress Ink, Archival Black
Misc.: Lawn Fawn Dies, Hero Arts Gems

I did the background using Distress Stains in various blues and white and plenty of water.  I was inspired by a wonderful blogger and artist, Sandee. She is so kind and shares her knowledge with you.

I hope Seth and his father have a Happy Birthday!

Until next time!

20th Year of Teaching Anniversary Card (Chalkboard Technique)

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a very special card I made.  My very good friend Asia is celebrating her 20th anniversary as a teacher!  I am in awe of her talents and kind nature.  She teaches kindergarten and I know she gave so many kids such a great start in their schooling.

I decided to use the chalkboard technique and to use one of my very large Ranger Tags as the card.  I found these adorable bags that look just like looseleaf paper and so I decided to use one of those instead of an envelope.

The stamps I used for the tag are from Stampendous.  I used some fun math-themed washi tape as the ribbon pull.  I think it was a fun touch.  The funniest thing for me while making this card was to try and print the way I used to in grade school.  I was much neater as a kid, and formed my letters properly back then, too.

This was a fun card to make, and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful friend in Asia.  Her students  sure hit the jackpot by getting her as their teacher!

Have a great day!  Until next time!

WOYWW #212 - Fantastic Friend

Hi, guys!  Today is Wednesday, so you know what means!  I am sharing what is on my work desk with you! Thanks to Julia of Stamping-Ground for this weekly desk-snooping fun!  Here I'm starting to work on a birthday card for my good friend Asia.  As you can see, I pulled out stamps and fun papers.  I just picked up the Ten Seconds Studio metal tools and they are there waiting to be used, too!

Here is the completed card!  I had fun, as I got to use my Stampers Anonymous Blue Print stamps, and my Tim Holtz French Industrial paper. The fan is heat embossed using Ranger Platinum embossing powder. I like the look of that one better than the silver color as I think it gave it a vintage feel.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous, House Mouse
Paper: Tim Holtz French Industrial, Gina K White
Ink: Versamark, Versafine
Misc.: Ranger Platinum Embossing Powder, Hemp Twine, Corner Rounder

I am very happy with how it turned out.  I am going to enter it in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Stripes.  I used large striped paper from the Tim Holtz paper pad, and smaller striped paper from the pad and made tabs along the side.  The hemp even has stripes in it, too!

Thanks for visiting with me today!  I appreciate each and every one of you!  I hope to visit some of your desks today as well!

Until next time!

It's A Girl!!

Hi, guys!  I have been so happy this week as my stepson Eric became a father on Wednesday! Sweet little Aryana is here and mom and baby are both doing well!  I have been champing at the bit to make a card for them, but they didn't know the sex of the baby, so I waited.  I decided to use one of my House Mouse stamps as the focal image.  I find her so adorable all nestled in her walnut shell!

Supplies:
Stamps: House Mouse, Amy Tangerine
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers, Distress Ink
Misc.: Paper Doily, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder

I decided to use my new date stamp by Amy Tangerine to add the birthdate on the card.  I thought it would be a fun way to personalize it.  The doily is aged by using Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I cannot believe the young boy I remember is now a dad! It is amazing how fast time flies!  I know my late husband is looking down on the happy family and is sharing in all the happiness.

Aryana, you are loved more than you can possibly know!

Until next time!

Dude, You Rock!

Hi, guys! Hope you are enjoying the last few hours of the weekend!  It has been a long time since I got to sit down and blog!  Family, work and summertime commitments have had me swamped.

Today I am sharing a birthday card I made for a friend of my husband.  Steve is an actor and performs with my husband monthly in their company's recreations of old-time radio productions in Manhattan. I decided to use some of the goodies from my June Simon Says Stamp Kit, and added the old-time microphones from a Lawn Fawn set I had on hand.  They look just like what the theatre company uses!

For the inside of the card I added the sentiment "You Rock!" I thought it would be perfect for him as well as for the fun paper I used.

Steve signs off the monthly shows with the line "Good night, America, bye-bye and buy bonds!"  The audience all joins in with such gusto and it makes for a fun end of a great evening.

Wishing Steve a very Happy Birthday and as much joy as he brings to so many others!

WOYWW #211 Graduation Card Using Tim Holtz Stamp Focal Image

Hi, guys! Today is Wednesday, so you know what that means:  I am sharing what is on my work desk with you!  A new purchase is sitting in plain sight today.  I picked up a set of Inktense pencils. I have been wanting them for some time.  They work so well and are so vibrant.   I am working on a card for my nephew Tom who is graduating grade school this week.  I didn't want to do the usual cap and diploma since he is so young and thought he would like this Tim Holtz stamp. Tom has made Tim Holtz Tags with me in the past, so he has an appreciation for his work and loves Distress Inks, too. Those alpha/numbers by Tim Holtz are a fun touch to personalize it.

Thank you to Julia of Stamping-Ground for this weekly desk hopping fun!  I look forward to visiting with some of of you today!

I am entering this card in the Challenge: Kraft at: http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.co.uk


Hope you have a great day!  Until next time!

Father's Day

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  Yesterday was Father's Day and I hope you spent it with those you love. Yesterday my hubby and I had his father over for a barbecue.  It was a lot of fun and extremely tasty!

Grilled Marinated Flank Steak and plenty of sides

Hubby knows how important it is to express your love to your dad, so he made his own card for his dad!  I thought I would share it with you!  His dad loved it!

He used a woodgrain background stamp on kraft card stock, and lots of Tim Holtz hardware.

I will be visiting my dad sometime soon, but thought I would share the card I made for him.  I used the fun goodies from my June Simon Says Stamp Kit.  It was a hoot to use, and stretched my creativity, as it is not my normal style.  But it suits my dad well, as he likes funny cards and nothing too sappy.

I am very blessed to have such a great father! I was just remembering the other day about the time he took me to a Father/Daughter dance when I was a Girl Scout Leader.  I was in my 30s and he was such a good sport to accompany me.  It was a full square dance, and if you knew my dad, you would know it was funny as he is not a dancer. Square Dancing in NYC is not the norm, either!  But what a great sport! It is one of my favorite memories dancing around with him.  

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!  Until next time, my friends!

Some Masculine Cards

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  Father's Day is rapidly approaching and so I thought I would share some of the cards I have made for this holiday.

I made this first one for a friend to give her husband from their little girl.  Seth is a coach and loves lots of sports, so I thought it would be a fun one for him.

Last year I was asked to make a card for a friend's father-in-law and I made it using lots of metal, etc.  So this year, I decided to go in a different direction and use woodgrain and a cute pup fishing.

The last card up today is one I made for my brother for his birthday.  I decided to make this fun shirt card using some patterned paper that I thought was perfect for a man's shirt in its look and texture.  I added some very tiny buttons as well.

I am entering this last card in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge: Use A Button
If you have some buttons waiting to be used, why not join in the fun!

I will be sharing the Father's Day card I made my dad after he gets it, so it remains a surprise!  I am not going to list all the supplies since I shared a lot of cards today.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I will get back to you!

Thanks for visiting!

Nothing Says Flag Day Like An Uncle Sam Kitty!

Hi, guys! Hope all is going well!  Today I am going to share a couple of cards I made this week for some family members.

I made this first one for my sister Maggie.  If you have been reading my blog for a while you may remember that I make her a special card each year for Flag Day.  I know it is not a usual "card" holiday, but it is a tradition between us.  You can see last year's card and explanation here. This year I decided to go with a kitty dressed up like Uncle Sam by The Stampsmith. The patriotic paper is from the Tim Holtz Seasonal paper pad. Distress ink was used to age/antique the image.

Next up is a graduation card I made for my nephew Christopher who is beginning High School in September.  I decided to use some of the fun goodies from my Simon Says Stamp June Kit.  It is the first kit I ever used, so it was fun to try my hand at using some new products.  I decided to use my Stampers Anonymous Lightbulb Blueprint stamp, as I thought it went well with the sentiment I found in the paper pad. Tattered Rose Distress ink was used on the image as it went very well with the sentiment color.

A special thank you to all who have sacrificed so much for our country and our flag! I hope if you live in the U.S. that you will hang out your flag today and show your appreciation and love for it along with me.

Until next time!

You Add Color To My Life

Hi, guys!  Today I am sharing a birthday card I made for an interior designer.  Fern helped pick out paint for my friend's new home and so I thought this would be a great way to celebrate her.

Supplies:

Stamps: Paper Smooches

Paper: Bo Bunny, Gina K Designs

Ink: Memento Black, Hero Arts Shadow Inks

Misc.: Copic Markers, Scallop Rectangle Punch

I went with primary colors and framed the easel with the paint brushes and crayon stamps.  A computer generated name was added to personalize the card.

Wishing Fern a wonderful and colorful year ahead!

Until next time!

WOYWW #209 Prepping for Flag Day

Hi,  guys!  It is Wednesday, and you know what that means:  I am sharing what is on my work desk!  I am currently working on a Flag Day card for my sister.  Flag Day is on Friday (6/14) here in the States.  I took out a bunch of patriotic images, and my stash of red, white, blue ribbons, etc.

I decided on this adorable kitty dressed in an Uncle Sam hat by Stampsmith.  You will see my Distress Inks out on the desk as I decided to antique/age him a bit.

I hope to share the finished card on Friday after I give it to my sister!  Looking forward to visiting with you today and seeing what you are working on!

Thank you to Julia of Stamping-Ground for making this fun weekly challenge possible!  I love how crafters from all over the world spend time together each week and it makes the large world feel much smaller!

Until next time!

Tutu Cute

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! This weekend was a very busy one for us.  We attended a dance recital for two of our nieces.   When we go we always bring the girls some flowers and a little present.  I decided to stamp a pair of tiny tags with the tiny Ballerina stamp in the Stampers Anonymous set. They were stamped with ink to match the girl's costumes.  I hung one on a cute snack size Nutella & Go.  It kind of reminded me of Minnie Pearl and the price tag on her hat!

I love to make little treats for people by adding personalized tags, or gift bags/boxes.  The girls were happy to receive them after all their hard work.   Want to meet the girls?

Amanda & Grace

Hope you have a great day!  Until next time, my friends!

ARRRR! Pirate Birthday Card

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  Today I am sharing a pirate-themed birthday card I made for a little boy.  I decided to make it appear like a framed photo/painting with his name underneath.  Embossing stitches were used along the side for fun. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Lizzie Anne
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink, Copic Markers
Paper: Desert Storm, Gina K Designs
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle Die


I think he is an adorable pirate and I know Wyatt will love having a pirate named after him. 

A few weeks ago I wrote about my vacation to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  One of the fun activities my husband and I participated in was a night walk entitled "Pirates Among Us."  We encountered lots of victims of the infamous pirate Blackbeard.  To say I was freaked out a bit is an understatement.  To hear of the cruelty and horrors he inflicted upon people was very unsettling.  It was a fabulous program, so if you ever get there, I highly recommend you see it.  It is NOT for little ones as it is scary (at least for me it was!).  My pirate is much more G rated!

Enjoy your day!  Until next time, my friends!

Do You Remember Speedy?

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  I may be dating myself, but I was asked to make a get-well card for my friend to give and I thought about using my Speedy stamp by Viva Las Vegas Stamps.  Do you remember him from the old Alka-Seltzer ads?  I do, and he always makes me smile!  I figured he would bring cheer to the recipient!

Supplies:
Stamps: Viva Las Vegas
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Circle Punches, Bakers Twine, White Gel Pen


I decided to add white pigment ink directly to my embossing folder, and am pleased with how it gave it a softer look.  I wanted to keep the blue, white and orange theme throughout the card to reflect the colors of Speedy.  My white gel pen made an appearance for this card as I added it in some of the circle centers.

Don't you miss some of the old commericals from childhood?  My hubby and I were talking about commercials after I made this card, and he sang me the Wheaties jingle his mother used to sing to him. It cracked me up as that was one I never heard before.  But to this day, hubby has to have his Wheaties a few days a week for breakfast! I loved the old Coca-Cola ads and can remember singing along with them!  What was your favorite?

Until next time!

WOYWW #209 - A Kit And Lots of Die Cuts

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Today is Wednesday, so that means I am sharing what is on my work desk with you.  Believe it or not, I decided to try my first crafting "kit." I ordered the June kit from Simon Says Stamp and as you can see I am currently going through all the goodies.  There are a lot of papers and even a fun stamp set!  I will be using this kit to start my Father's Day cards this week.

I came home to find a great gift sent to me by my sweet blogging friend Jan.  She sent me a package of the most adorable die cuts.  I can't wait to use them in my work!  The sheep are super adorable and are my favorite.  Jan is so very sweet, and her work is so lovely.

I am looking forward to visiting with a lot of you today and to see what you are working on.  Thanks to Julia for all this desk hopping fun!

Hope you have a great week ahead!  I will be sharing later this week what I make using some of these fun goodies!!

Until next time!

Birthday Butterfly Wishes

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  Today I am sharing a birthday card with a butterfly theme for a friend to give. She is giving a gift of a set of my cards in a butterfly box, so I thought this card would go lovely with the packaging.   This card front is watercolor paper stamped with Distress Inks and Archival Ink.  The key to this card is to stamp with archival ink directly on the embossing folder and then run it through your machine. Then you can go as wild as you want with the Distress Inks as that really makes the embossing pop!

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous

Paper: Watercolor, Ginka K Designs

Ink: Distress Inks, Archival Ink

Misc.: Cuttlebug Folder, Ribbon

I had very inky fingers when I was finished with this card! But I feel it was worth it!

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

Some Blueprint Birthday Cards

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  I made a pair of birthday cards using the Blueprint Stamps by Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous.  I just love using these stamps as they are so fun to color and have a great look to them.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K Designs, Desert Strom
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Misc.: Tim Holtz Wishbone

Isn't that wishbone adorable?  I applied it with Glossy Accents.

This second one is a fun present/gift stamp.  I like that I can use this for birthdays as well as Christmas or any other occasion that a gift is involved.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Misc.: Gems

If I had to recommend a great birthday stamp set, I would say this is it!

Hope you have a great day!  Until next time!

Everything Is Better With A Friend!

Hi, guys!  Had some Distress Ink fun today!  I made a card for my friend Christine to give our mutual friend Ruth for her birthday.  Both these ladies are some of the biggest fans of my work and show me so much support.  They both have me make cards for all their special occasions, so Christine wanted one made for Ruth!

I decided to pull out my Distress Inks and some Perfect Pearls Mist.  Christine loves butterflies and I know Ruth does too, so I decided to use my Martha Stewart butterfly punch on this card.  The butterfly is layered with 3 colors from the card and attached down the body of the butterfly which allowed the wings to be bent to mimic flight.

Supplies:
Ink: Versafine Black, Distress Inks, Perfect Pearls (Gold)
Paper: Watercolor Paper, Gina K Designs
Stamps: Hero Arts
Misc.: Clear Embossing Powder, Oval Punches, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punches, Bling, Pearls (colored with Copic Markers to match)

It is hard to see in the picture, but the watercolor paper was sprayed with gold Perfect Pearls which gave it a nice shine and helped blend the inks even more.

Wishing Ruth the happiest of birthdays!

Hope you have a fun day and find some time to do something you love!