Love and Encouragement

I have been making cards for many years and for many situations and occasions.  Most of them are happy and are easy for me to embrace, but some, like sympathy cards, are harder for me.  This week I was asked to make a special card for a friend to give.  You may recall I lost my first husband to cancer and when I hear the word I feel overwhelmed with sadness.  I was asked to make a personalized card for a young man (37) who is losing his battle with cancer and will be with the Lord soon.  My friend asked for a card of encouragement and love for this young husband, father and friend.  This card weighed on my heart and soul this weekend and this is what I came up with.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor
Ink: Distress Stains, Distress Ink, Archival Black
Misc: Clear Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Tim Holtz Index Labels

Bible verses and words of love and encouragement were included inside.

My thoughts and prayers go out to this young man and his family and friends.  I hope this small card shows him how much he is loved by so many.

Until next time!

Distress Stain Sympathy Card

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a sympathy card I was asked to make.  A coworker needed a card for her child's teacher who lost her husband suddenly.  When I hear stories like that it makes my heart ache.  I was told my coworker really didn't know the teacher well yet, so kept it simple and went with nature as I was not sure of their faith or beliefs.    I did decide to make it more bright in color than I normally do, because I thought it may lift her spirits a bit (especially coming from a young student).  I did the background with various shades of Distress Stains and black heat embossed the image and sentiment.

You will notice that I used my Lovely as a Tree Stampin' Up set for the main image.  I find it is perfect for so many occasions.  I used watercolor paper for the panel, as I love the way it works with Distress Stains and water, and there is a lot of color play and little warping.

I am submitting this card to the following challenge: http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

Wishing you a good day ahead!  Until next time!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a pair of Thanksgiving cards I made for my friend Christine to give to her in-laws and her mother.  This first one is for her in-laws.  You may recall my post from WOYWW where I showed this panel being made with lots of fun Distress Stains.  Ranger Gold embossing powder was then used on the stamped images.  This is an old Stampin' Up set that is one of my all-time favorites for this time of year.

My Tonic Distressing tool (Tim Holtz) got a lot of use around the edges, and then they were inked with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  Watercolor paper was used for the panel as I just love how vibrant the stains look when applied to it.  You can get a lot of play with the stains and water and not worry about the paper pilling or warping too much.

For Christine's mom, I used the adorable image of this pilgrim mouse by Inky Antics.  Various leaf buttons were added for some fun and dimension.  Christine calls her mother "mama" and wanted that incorporated on the front of the card.  Inside the card I used Honeycomb paper in orange so when she opens it, she will find a 3-D pumpkin.  

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and so you can expect a lot more Thanksgiving cards to be shared here.  Just love the togetherness this holiday fosters.   Now, if only retail stores will keep in mind the true spirit of this holiday and stay closed at least long enough for everyone to have the chance to dine together.  We have relatives who have missed dinner these past few years due to retail stores having to be open early that day, and it makes me so very sad.  I am all for shopping, and love Black Friday sales, but FRIDAY is the key for me.  Okay, off my soap box!   You know I must feel strongly about this as I am not much of a ranter on my blog!

I am entering these into the following challenges:
http://arandomthursdaychallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/09/art-16-anything-goes.html
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2013/09/challenge-99-anything-goes.html

Have a great day!  Off to get my fingers INKY!

July 2013 Tim Holtz Tag (Patriotic Theme)

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  As many of you know, I am participating in the 12 Tags of 2013 challenge by Tim Holtz.  Each month, I look forward to Tim posting his new tag and learning something new! This month, being July, the tag had a patriotic theme.  Tim's was to thank the firefighters who lost their lives in the Arizona wildfires.   I made mine using a patriotic theme, but mine focuses on how lucky and happy I am to be living here in the USA, and how "good" my life is because of it.

These tags are very technique and product heavy.  I used crackle paint on the stars and "4," lots of Distress Stains, Distress Ink and stamps galore.

Winnie's fingers were very inky when I was all done with this tag!  But boy, was it fun!

If you haven't tried one of these tags, I think you should.  It is always a fun, creative challenge!

Until next time!

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!

May 2013 Tim Holtz Tag - Rub-On Resist

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Today I am sharing the two tags I did for the Tim Holtz Tags of 2013 for May.  Tim showed us how to use rub-ons as a resist and they work great for that.  You will see I used Distress Stains in 4 colors to get the background as well as a spritz of water to blend.  I enjoyed antiquing the enameled tags with Alcohol Ink and then applying rub-ons. Staining the ribbon and giving it the crinkled look is something that I really enjoy, too.

Here is a closer look at each tag:

As you are probably aware by now, I really look forward to this monthly challenge.  I find that I learn so much, and have a blast while doing so.  Besides, I can guarantee my fingers will be EXTREMELY inky by the completion of the tags and that means I had a great time.

If you haven't tried your hand at a tag, I would highly recommend you join in the fun.  The size of a tag is great for learning and then you have a completed piece of art to enjoy.  After we complete our tags, Tim has a gallery on his blog where we all share them (if we want), and that is another aspect of the fun, learning and community.

Until next time!

1 year Blog Anniversary and Giveaway

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  Today my blog is turning 1!  I can't believe how the time has flown.  I have been having such a blast sharing my creations and daily life with you.  I thought I would share a card celebrating a "Happy Birthday" I made for my husband to give to his boss.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamp Camp, Verve
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Versamark, Black Archival, Distress Stains
Misc.: White Embossing Powder,  Scallop Punch

I really love using my Distress Stains. I love the way they blend with water. The fun backgrounds always surprise me and make me smile.

I've decided to give away some cards I've made to a reader to celebrate the blog's anniversary. Just leave a comment on this post between now and Sunday, March 3rd at noon EST and I will randomly draw a winner.  Simple as that!

I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who have shared this year with me.  I have been blessed with a lot of wonderful readers and kind new blog friends. Each one of you has touched my life in a special way. The blogging community is truly wonderful and I am so happy to call myself a blogger!

Until next time!

WOYWW 195 (Messy Distress Fun)

Hi, guys! Today is Wednesday, so I am sharing with you what is on my work desk. Thank you to Julia for this fun!  I am working on a birthday card for my husband's boss.  I decided to use Distress Stains and white embossing powder. I had some white fabric flowers in my stash and I decided to stain one to match.  It is a lot of fun, and my hands got plenty inky!

I look forward to visiting with you each Wednesday and sharing in the fun.   If you want to share what you are working on, please join in the fun at:http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/

Hope you have a fun, creative day ahead!

Fluttering Sympathy Cards

Hi, guys! Hope all is well.  Today I am going to share a pair of sympathy cards I made this weekend.  I needed to make three of them as we had three losses in various families at the office.  I decided to make them using nature stamps by Stampers Anonymous, with painterly backgrounds using Distress Stains and water on watercolor paper.  What I like about making them is that each one turns out to be a bit different.  Here are two of the completed cards.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous, Close To My Heart
Ink: Black Archival, Distress Stains, Distress Inks
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor Paper
Misc.: Tonic Distress Tool

I was able to vary the colors of the cards as one had some pinks showing, where the other one had some more yellows.   I distressed the images and them used distress inks to set it off.

I am entering them in the following challenge:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/simon-says-anything-goes.html

When I saw the use of Tim Holtz products listed, I knew these would be a great fit!

Hope you have a nice day, and that you find time in the day to do something you love!

Guest posting today!

Hi!  Hope your day is going well.

Just a quick post to let you know that I am a guest blogger today!  It is my first time and I am very excited!  If you have a moment, please pop by and visit.  In the post I explain how to make a Christmas card:

http://www.waypastfab.com/2012/12/17/winniesinkyfingers/

Thank you, Kelly, of Way Past Fabulous for the opportunity!

November Tag for Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2012

Hi, guys!  As many of you know, I am participating in the 12 Tags of 2012 by Tim Holtz.  Each month Tim demonstrates a new tag using various techniques and products meant to inspire you to create your own.  I can't believe it is November already!  Here is my submission:

I love that I get to use so many of my supplies when I make a tag.  For this tag, distress stains were used in various colors as well as distress inks.  The image was heat embossed onto the tag.  One of my favorite parts of this tag was making the leaves by using Core-dinations kraft paper, then sanding and inking them.  Love how they came out.  I never thought to pull apart my twine before, and then inked it as Tim showed.  It was a fun touch and am so glad he shared that idea.

I hope you like this tag, and if you are interested in making one for yourself, I would suggest you check out Tim's blog at www.timholtz.com and I am sure he will inspire you.

Have a great day!  Until next time!

True Friends

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  I was asked to make a special card for a friend to give to one of her best buddies.  I was asked to make it shabby chic in feel and to incorporate shades of pink and greens.  This is the card I came up with for Sheryl.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Stampin' Up, Watercolor Paper
Inks: Versafine Black, Distress Inks
Misc.: Perfect Pearl Mists, Ribbon Colored To Match, Distress Tool, Stick Pin, Heart Punch, Embossing Powder

I love using Versafine Ink for embossing with clear powder.  The image comes out very crisp and clean of any stray powders.  One of my least favorite things to do is use black embossing powder as I seem to get stray powders on my image.  They can be knocked off, or wiped off with a paint brush, but using clear powder just makes it so easy.

Making this card made my fingers very inky, so you know I had fun!

Have a great day!

Happy 40th Birthday, Sis!

Hi, guys!  This weekend was a lot of fun.  My kid sister turned 40 today, so we went out and saw a comedy show and had dinner with my other sister and some really good friends.  I can't believe my little sister is 40, but at least she is in the same decade as me now.  I thought I would share the birthday card I made for her.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up, Cornish Heritage Farms, Crafty Secrets
Paper: Recollections Note Card, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Archival Black, Distress Ink, Distress Stains
Misc.: Ribbon, Embossing Powder, Distress Markers, Perfect Pearls Mist

The sentiment inside the card reads "You're no spring chicken ... Happy Birthday!"  She got a great chuckle out of it.  I love funny cards, and can give them to my sister.  You know who you can or cannot joke with about their age.  Since I am the eldest of the six siblings, I have been on the receiving end of many funny age-related cards.

This was a lot of fun to make.  I love the use of Distress Stains on watercolor paper.  I spray them with Perfect Pearl Mists and they blend so nicely and give it a nice shine.

Hope you have a great day!  Until next time!