Saying "Happy Birthday" With a Jane Austen Birthday Card

Hi, guys! I know it has been a long time since I shared a card I made with you. Truth is, I haven't been making any since I was in the hospital.  This week I was finally in my stamp room making cards again. The card I am sharing today I made for my dear friend Amy who celebrated her 50th birthday (and I missed it!).  Amy is one of the ladies in the Jane Austen group I mention from time to time.  What better way to say Happy Birthday to another Jane lover than with a Jane card!

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Papertrey Ink (Jane Text Paper), Gina K Designs
Ink: Versafine Black, Old Paper & Antique Linen Distress Inks

When I gave my friend her birthday gift, I made sure to include a vial of ink that is called Jane Austen.  It is a lovely dark green shade.

It is great to be back on my blog.  I look forward to visiting with you as well.  You don't realize how much you love your blog until you don't get time to work on it!

I thought I would share a photo my husband snapped today.  We have been having a snowy/icy and cold winter here.  He found my garden sign poking out from the snow!  I have been itching to get outside and after this winter, I will have PLENTY of work to do to get it ready for Spring!

Have a great day!  Until next time!

Say It With Flowers

As I have previously written, I haven't been doing much in the way of crafting or card making lately.  I have been out and about enjoying summer and spending time with family and friends.  I had to make an exception to my break when I was asked by a partner at the firm I work for if I could make a special card for him to give his wife for their anniversary.  He had never asked me before (normally, I make them for assistants and a few other staff members), so I said yes.  The only guidance he gave me is his wife loves color and flowers, so this is what I came up with.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts, Paper Smooches, Gina K Designs
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Archival Inks, Memento Black
Misc: Copic Markers, Gems

Here is another example of one card using three stamp sets by different companies.  It is a fun way to get the most of the many supplies I have and give the sets a different look.

It felt so good to get my fingers inky!  Hoping to just find time to create for myself soon.  I know I have relatives coming next week and a block party to attend next weekend as well so I am not sure when I will fit it in.  Summer is really in full swing here!

If it is summertime in your area, I hope you are having a lot of fun and family/friend time, too!

Until next time!

Spring Has Sprung - Holy Communion Time

Spring is here, and the requests for 1st Holy Communion cards have begun!  This is the first one that I made for this season.  It is for a little boy named (you guessed it) Max.

Supplies:
Stamps: Catholic Rubber Stamps
Paper: BoBunny, GinaK Designs
Ink: Archival Black
Misc.: Spellbinders Circle Dies, Memory Box Die

For a different look, I decided not to color the focal image of the little boy.  Against the dark color papers, I think he really stands out nicely.

Wishing Max and all those children who receive their 1st Holy Communion this year every happiness.

Until next time!

Bring on Springtime!

Today we are finally experiencing the first traces of Spring (I hope!).  The sun is shining and the temperatures are in the upper 40s.  This is a much appreciated break from all the cold.  To celebrate the warmer weather, my husband and I went to the Bayard Cutting Arboretum for a walk and some lunch in their lovely tea room. The view is just splendid on a day like today.  I look forward to going back when the snow is all gone and buds start appearing all around us.

To celebrate this wonderful day, I am sharing a floral card I made for a co-worker to give his wife for her birthday. He wanted a romantic feeling card, with shades of blues and brown.  I decided to use a lovely set by Gina K Designs as I love the flower stamp which I was able to stamp repeatedly to get this pattern and the sentiment is very sweet I think.

I added a doily to give it some texture and it was colored with Weathered Wood Distress Ink to add some distressing and color to it.

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with beauty!

Another Round of Christmas Cards

Hi, guys! I have been busy in my stamp studio making a bunch of Christmas cards.  I thought I would share a few with you today.

This first one was fun to make as I am very big on puns.  Gina K Designs had this adorable sheep set that I feel in love with so I knew I had to use it.  The set has a bunch of different sheep to use and I thought the santa hat one was adorable for this and stamped it 3 times.

My husband has been paying attention to me and my crafty ways.  We took a cake to his aunt's the other day and he rescued the baker's twine from being tossed away. When we got home he handed it to me and so I had to use it on a card today.

The next one I used a present stamp from Stampers Anonymous and decided to make the background look like a present as well.

Here is a shot of the inside.  I used a stamp from the December Simon Says Stamp Card kit.  To make the battery look like a "copper top" one, I used metallic Distress Paint.

Thanks for visiting with me today! It always makes my day to hear from you.  Until next time!

Frankie Goes Trick or Treating

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  I am starting my Halloween cards now, and today I am sharing one I made for a friend to give his nephews.  I wanted it to be cute, but still appeal to adults.  I created this scene by using a fun piece of paper that featured a haunted house, and made Frankie go trick or treating!  I was fortunate enough to win a bunch of cool glitter stickers from a fellow blogger from the UK, so I used the balloon to make it a kid-friendly card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Craft Smart, Impression Obsession (Spider Web)
Paper: Gina K (Black, Mango), Unknown Pattern Paper
Ink: Distress Black Soot, Archival Black
Misc.: Glitter Balloon Sticker

Impression Obsession makes such fun background stamps.  For my background I used their spider web stamp.

I hope you find some time in your day to do something you love!

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!

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!

Vintage Valentine for Grandparents

Hi, guys! Yes, I am sharing another Valentine!  I had made a lot of them this year and may have another one to share this weekend and then I can start my St. Paddy's cards! This one is for a little girl to give her grandparents.  The stamp caught my eye as I love the vintage look of her.  The stamp is from Red Lead Paper Works. I was not familiar with them but am loving them.

Supplies:
Stamps: Red Lead Paper Works
Paper: Gina K Designs, Paper Doily, Authentique
Ink: Archival Black, Distress
Misc.: Prisma Colored Pencils, Computer Generated Names

I used distress inks on the focal image as well as the doily.

She really made me smile, and hope she does the same for you!

Until next time!

Puppy Love Valentines

Hi, guys! For today I am sharing two cards I made using this adorable puppy Valentine stamp by Red Lead Paper Works.

The first one I made for a little boy from his uncle.  I made the background by using an old Stampin' Up set of Conversation Hearts.

Supplies:
Stamps: Red Lead Paper Works, Stampin' Up
Paper: Desert Storm
Ink: Archival Black
Misc.: Prisma Colored Pencils, Tim Holtz Alphas

The next one up is a Valentine for two little kids to give to their daddy. I used Distress Inks to age the focal image as well as the doily.

Supplies:
Stamps: Red Lead Paper Works
Paper: Gina K Designs, Authentique, Doily
Ink: Archival Black, Distress Inks
Misc.: Prisma Colored Pencils, Rectangle Scallop Punch

Isn't it fun making cards with one stamp and getting a totally different look?

Have a great day!  Until next time!

Popping Up to Say

Hi guys! I thought I would share the Valentine I sent my parents.  I thought the images from Lawn Fawn were very cute.  The faces on the toaster and toast just crack me up.   The images were colored with Prisma Colored Pencils and aged with Distress Inks.

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn
Ink: Archival Black, Distress Inks
Paper: Gina K Designs, 7 Gypsies

The inside of the card reads:

I love you!

Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, I just love puny cards.

Hope you have a great day, and that you find some time to do something you love!

Valentine For Felix (Hero Arts Hearts)

Hi, guys! Hope you had a great weekend!  We sure did!  Saturday my hubby was in his monthly show in Manhattan.  They performed episodes of "The Shadow" and "Richard Diamond, Private Detective."  It was a great time shared with friends as well.  I really love when they do the old-time commercials. Truly hysterical. I think it is wonderful that both my husband and I have creative outlets that we can enjoy and share with others.

For today, I thought I would share a Valentine card I made for my friend to give to her husband.  She likes large size cards, so this was an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of card stock scored in half.  I had a hard time photographing this card due to the shape and size of it.   I heat embossed hearts and inked them with various shades of distress inks.  I used Tim Holtz Alphas to personalize the card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts
Inks: Distress Inks, Versamark
Paper: Gina K (Black & White)
Misc.: White Embossing Powder, Tim Holtz Letters


Tomorrow I will be on a vacation day and I will be working on a bunch of Valentines and other cards that have been requested.  I am looking forward to having a fun day of inky fingers!

Until next time!

Girlfriends and Cosmos

Hi, guys! I am sharing the last of my Christmas cards with you today.  I made these for two of my girlfriends.  The first one was made using the fun Christmas words by Dyan Reaveley.  Plenty of Distress Inks and a fun sexy stylish woman image by Hero Arts were used on this one.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts, Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley, Stampers Anonymous
Inks: Distress Inks, Red & Black Archival
Paper: Gina K Designs

One of my good friends loves to sip Cosmos when we go out and makes a wicked one herself,  so I made this card especially for her (she knows who she is!).

Supplies:
Stamps: Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley, Vap Scrap, L. Jackson
Ink: Red and Black Archival
Paper: Gina K Designs

You can tell I had fun using the Dylusions Christmas Words set this holiday season.  I found them hysterical.

Now that the holidays are behind us, I will begin working on some birthday cards and valentines soon! Valentines are some of my favorite cards to make.  I can't wait to begin them.

Have a great weekend!

Happy "Owl"idays!

Hi, guys! Sorry for the lack of posting, but with the holidays comes lots of obligations, and also lots of fun times as well.  Today I am sharing a Christmas card I made for my friend Erich's nephew, Alex.  I thought I would use this adorable set from Hero Arts which features various owls.

Suppplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Black Memento, Distress, Stampin' Up
Misc.: Copic Markers, Glitter, Red Gel Pen, Typewriter Dies (Memory Box)

Distress ink was used to make the sky blue (very light application of Tumbled Glass color). To personalize the card I used the Typewriter Dies by Memory Box.  I decided to use more untraditional colors for this card and used a lot of browns.

Wishing Alex and his family a very happy holiday season!

Until next time!

Welcome Baby Jackson Liam

Hi, guys! Today I made a card to welcome my friend Alysia's new baby boy.  For this card I used a House Mouse image that I love.

Supplies:
Stamps: House Mouse
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink
Paper: Gina K Designs, DCWV
Misc.: Copic Markers, Papertrey Ink Buttons, Ribbon

The tiny mice in the baby shoes always make me smile, and I hope this card makes Alysia smile.

Making cards for new babies is a favorite occasion for me.  It is such a happy time and you can use such sweet colors and adorable images and sentiments.

Have a great day!  Until the next time I get my fingers inky!

With Deepest Sympathy

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a card I made for a friend of my husband who lost his mom.  I wanted to make it a nature themed card, and appropriate for a man.  I didn't want to make it too fussy, and wanted it to be calm in feel.  This is what I came up with.

Supplies:
Stamps: Rubber Stampede
Paper: Core-dinations, Gina K Designs
Ink: Stampin' Up
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Scallop Edge Punch, Sanding Block, Gem

One of my favorite papers to use is Core-dinations as I love the different colored cores in their papers and love to sand them.  It gives the image such a fun distressed look.

Hope you have a nice day!  Until next time!

Happy Thanksgiving Using Twinkling H2O's

Hi, guys! Today I made another Thanksgiving card. I decided to use Twinkling H2O's. If you do not know what they are, they are little pots of shimmering watercolors.  You spritz water into the pots and paint the color on.  The shine is so beautiful to see.  I haven't used them in quite some time and I plan to use them a lot more often.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous
Ink: Archival Black
Paper: Watercolor, Gina K Designs, Recollections
Misc.: Gold Perfect Pearl Mist, Gold Gems, Water, Scallop Punch

As you can tell, I am really enjoy this blueprint stamp set.  The images are so lovely and you can use them for many occasions, but I am loving them for Fall.

Have a great day, and hope you are enjoying your Autumn!  It is my favorite season and hope these cards are doing it justice.

Happy Birthday Titi Pilar (Distress Inked Poppies)

Hi, guys!  Today I made a card for a friend's aunt.  She needed it to be written in Spanish and gave me the sentiment for both the outside and inside.  I, unfortunately only speak English, so this was a joint effort.  For this card, I white embossed the image and inked it with various shades of blue and green distress inks.  I then sprayed it with Perfect Pearls mist to blend and give it a pearlized look.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamp Camp
Ink: Versamark, Distress Inks
Paper: Gina K Designs
Misc.: Ribbon, Oval Punches, Gems, White Embossing Powder, Perfect Pearls


I understand the aunt was extremely happy with the card and especially that it had had her name on it and that it was written in Spanish in the inside.  It sure made my day to hear it!

Hope you find some time today to do something you love!

Sending Love Your Way

Hi, guys! Hope your day is going well.  Today I am sharing a card I made for a friend.  Her dad passed away.  When I started making this card, I did so with a happy heart. I wasn't working on a sympathy card when I first started it.  I was taking Jennifer McGuire's Kick Start online class, and that day they were focusing on play time, and just allowing yourself time to work with different inks and mediums or embellishments, etc.  I took out all my spray inks and was spraying and using water to make a fun background on a sheet of watercolor paper.  When I got to making the card, I saw a sky of blue and let it inspire me to make this card.  I thought the sentiment of "Sending Love Your Way" would be a lovely way to show my friend how much we love and care about her.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor Paper
Inks: Distress Inks, Distress Stains, Dylusion Spray, Perfect Pearl Mist
Misc.: Memory Box Butterfly Die, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Gems, Thin white ribbon, Organdy White Ribbon, White Embossing Powder

I wish you a great day ahead and hope you take a moment to enjoy those special in your life.