Cards Abound This Week!

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but with work and card orders, I have been swamped.  Over the next week or so, I will be sharing a lot of cards.  I have a friend Christine who always orders a bunch of personalized cards from me and who is going out on leave to have a baby soon.  She gave me a list of all the cards she will be needing for various occasions and holidays while she is out and I have to get them done before next Friday!  So far I have completed 8 out of 13, so you know what I will be working on this weekend!

I thought I would start by sharing two thank you cards she asked to be made.  The first one is for her in-laws for taking care of her daughter for a few weeks while her husband went back to work.  I decided to use the LARGE thank you stamp from Papertrey Ink.  The focal point is embossed with Zing embossing powder and I like how it pops against the patterned paper.

The next card up was made for Christine's brotther as a thank you for her daughter's dance classes.  Chris mentioned that her daughter's class all wears blue outfits and tutus.  I used a sheet of Nutcracker paper by Graphic 45 as I thought it was perfect.  The little ballerina stamp is by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous.  Love that little stamp!   I decided the cute sentiment by Dear Lizzie was perfect. Distress Ink in Faded Jeans was used to add color to the edges of the images and the patterned paper.

This week I am entering these two card in the challenge at: http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com  These will be my first submissions there.  Very excited to join in the fun!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you find some time in your day to do something you love!

Until next time!



WOYWW#224 - A Distressed Mess

Hi, guys! Today is Wednesday, so I am sharing what is on my work desk with you!  Thank you to Julia for the desk hopping fun!  Today you will see I had a lot of Distress Inks on my desk as I was busy making Thanksgiving cards for a co-worker to give.

This is one messy desk!  After using Distress Inks, Distress Markers and embossing powders, my hands looked extremely INKY!

I look forward to visiting with a bunch of you today and seeing what you are up to!  If you haven't taken part in WOYWW, I would suggest you give it a try.  Lots of crafty fun and so many nice people to get to know!

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!

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!

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!

Quotable Monster Cards

Hi, guys! Today I thought I would share a fun pair of cards I made using some cute monster stamps by Victoria Case.  I love them, but haven't really used them much.  I paired them up with quotes by Stampers Anonymous. I thought they went well together.

Supplies (both)
Stamps: Victoria Case, Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K
Ink: Archival Black, Distress Ink, Copic Markers
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder

I love these quotes.  When I was creating these cards, I thought about those words, and hope that my fears won't hold me back in life.  I also know that imagination is boundless for sure!

I am entering these in the following challenge:  http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2013/03/challenge-quotable.html

Do you have a favorite quote that you use in your creations?  If so, why not join in the fun?

Until next time, my friends!

You're Special To Me

Hi, guys! Hope you are having a great day!  Today I am sharing some cards I made using my gelatos.  I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire who was showing watercoloring with Inktense pencils.  I do not have those, so I dug out my gelatos and watercolored on watercolor paper to make these fun banners. I then punched various size hearts out of the painted papers and scattered them around.  The cards are each embossed as well.

Supplies: 
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versamark, Faber-Castell Gelatos
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart Heart Punch, White Embossing Powder

I love that they look so bright and cheerful.  Watercoloring is just so fun and so relaxing to me, and I just wish I could find time to do more of it!

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

Arigato (Thank You)

Hi, guys!  Today I am sharing a tag I made for a friend.  My friend Ruth loves my tags, and so I thought I would make one for her this weekend.  She gave me a set of old cards that she wasn't using and didn't have a use for.  I turned one of them into this thank you tag.  It is a great Japanese image and so I used a Japanese sentiment to go along with it.

Supplies:
Stamps: A Muse, Unicorn White
Paper: Ranger Kraft Tag, Core-dinations
Ink: Unicorn White, Distress, Archival Black
Misc.: Tim Holtz Embossing Folder, Gold Balls, Washi Tape, Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle Dies

I was glad to be able to use the washi tape I was given by my sister-in-law. She picked it up when she went on a visit to her family in Japan.

I am entering this tag in the challenge over at:http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/ (Stamps you love but don't use).  I have never used this stamp set by A Muse. It has great images and Japanese sentiments.   I had big plans for it when I first bought it, but never found an occasion to use it until now.

Hope you have a great day!  Until next time!

Embracing My Inner Pooh

Hi, guys! Tuesday was my husband's birthday. Both Elvis Presley and David Bowie share the same birthday as well.  I fought the urge to make hubby an Elvis card for I knew he would expect one.  Instead I made him one using a Winnie-the-Pooh stamp and sentiment.With my name I am sure you can bet that I have Pooh stamps.  The sentiment is from Verve and is one that I love, as my hubby gave me a plaque once with Pooh and this saying.  It is very sweet and special to me.

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve, Disney All Night Media
Paper: Papertrey Ink, Gina K (White)
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinder Circle Die, Scallop Square Punch, Stampin' Up Hardware, Bakers Twine, Copics

When I was a young child I loved Winnie-the-Pooh as my mom would read the stories to me. Later on I disliked him (hard to believe) as I was teased with my name and would have the song even sung to me. Years later, I am back to loving him again.  Yes, I have heard all the jokes and trivia questions and yes, I do love honey!  I have now embraced my inner-Pooh!

Notice the bakers twine on this card?  It was given to me by my father-in-law!  My hubby has people saving their twine from their bakery boxes for me.  It is funny and endearing all at the same time.

Wishing hubby the best year yet!

Until next time!

Happy Birthday, Tim Holtz!

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  I wanted to share a birthday card I made and sent to Tim Holtz.  As many of you know, I am a big fan of his.  I made this card using a few of Tim's techniques from both of his books (Compendium of Curiosities Vol. I and II).  I can't recommend these books highly enough as they are really great reference and inspirational books.

It is really fun to be able to just create something for the joy and love of creating and no pressing deadlines etc.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous, Verve
Ink: Alcohol Inks, Archival Black, Distress Inks,Alcohol Blending Solution
Paper: Gina K Designs, Glossy White
Misc.: Tim Holtz Fragment, Brads, Tim Holtz Tinsel, Tim Holtz Embossing Folder

I just adore alcohol inks and how fun they are to blend. I don't find myself using them often lately and must remember to use them more.

Wishing Tim Holtz a very Happy Birthday and may the joy he brings to others through his sharing of his talents be his in the coming year!

Until next time!

Fleece Navidad!

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  The weather has been brutal in so many areas of our country and today we are getting pummeled by a pretty wicked snow, sleet and rain combo.  Hope you are all staying dry and finding time to do something fun!

Today I thought I would share a Christmas card I made for my friend Kate. She loves puns as I do, and is always up for some humor.  I made the following for her:

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampington & Co.
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Core-dinations Kraft, Gina K (White), Stampin' Up
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Copic Markers, Ribbon



I always get a chuckle when I see this stamp.  Used a fun music embossing folder for the background and took out my trusty Tim Holtz sanding block and went to town.  I just love using the Core-dinations cardstocks! 

This was one card I got to hand deliver over a dinner, so it was fun to see her reaction.  It is always fun to make cards for people who really enjoy a handmade item.

Have a great day!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Hi, guys!  I have been spending some time making Christmas cards for family and friends these past few days.  I thought I would share a few with you now.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Ink: Distress Ink, Stampin' Up
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Gina K Designs, Core-dinations
Misc.: Impresssion Obsession Ornament Die

Here is another take on using this ornament die.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Ink: Distress Ink, Picket Fence Distress Stain, Stampin' Up 
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Gina K Designs, Core-dinations
Misc.: Impression Obsession Ornament Die, Oval Stampin' Up Punch, Gems, Ribbon, Snowflake Cuttlebug Folder

Had a lot of fun making these cards.  I enjoyed embossing the ornament in the first one and sanding it to reveal the pattern, and for the second one I used the same technique but used it for the snowflake background.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations!

Until next time!

Christmas Cards With Matching Tags

Hi, guys!  For today I thought I would share some tags and cards I made for my blogging friend Molly Jo for a raffle that she held.  I had not blogged them until now as I wanted to wait until after she had her contest.

When making these, I tried to make cards and tags that anyone could use.  I enjoyed using non- traditional colors and my "pun"ny stamps as well.

I sure hope the winner Ann will enjoy these cards and tags this holiday season.

Until next time, my friends!

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!

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.

Happy Birthday, Dad (Steelers Style)

Hi, guys! Today we are celebrating my dad's 72nd birthday!  As some of you may remember, he is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  We kids grew up hearing the names Bradshaw, Swann, Harris and, of course, Mean Joe Greene often. Most of my family roots for them (one brother is a New York Jets fan). For dad's card, I did hardly any stamping (yeah, weird, I know!).  I decided to use the Steelers colors for the card, and to make background paper using some of dad's favorite players' names.  Thank you to my friend Bert for giving me the list of names to use!

By embossing the football, it gave it some fun texture like that of a football. 

Supplies:
Paper: Gina K
Ink: Distress Barn Door & Walnut, Versamark
Stamp: Recollections (Football)
Misc: Clear Embossing Powder


For the sentiment, I decided to write "These men were great" for the outside of the card.  For the inside: "But you are the GREATEST!"  Added a few of my own personal thoughts, and sent it on its way to dad.

This was a hoot of a card to make.  I was glad to see the Steelers win on Sunday!  Hoping they make it to the Super Bowl so I can break out my Terrible Towels and cheer for them.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  You truly are the GREATEST!

47 Years And Going Strong!

Hi, guys! Today my parents are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary. I am blessed to have such loving parents.  They raised six children and have managed to keep all their hair intact. Mom may have wanted to pull hers out by the roots at times! 

This is the card I made for them for this occasion.  I had this adorable mouse couple that I have had for ages that I thought would be fun to use. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Town Mouse (Inkadinkado)
Paper: The Ink Pad NYC Green Apple, Stampin' Up 
Ink: Memento Black, Copics
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Hero Arts Gems


I wish them many more years of wedded bliss!  They are truly an inspiration on how a good marriage can stand the test of time.

Love you guys!

Hope each of you has a great day and spends some part of it with someone special in your lives.

Happy 87th Birthday, Cal!

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  Today I will be sharing a card I made for my father-in-law Cal for his 87th birthday.  I decided to emboss the front using the Tim Holtz Alterations embossing folder. I used Core-dinations Kraft cardstock (new to me) and sanded it to reveal the kraft center.  Remember those Scrabble Tiles I have been saving? Well, they found a home on this card.  I used Distress Stains to color the ribbon and age the appearance of it.

Supplies:
Paper: Recollections Kraft Note Card, Core-dinations (Kraft Core)
Ink: Distress Ink (Vintage Photo), Distress Stain (Vintage Photo)
Misc.: Mini Scrabble Tiles, Tim Holtz Gears, Tim Holtz Ribbon, Tim Holtz Alterations Pocket Watch Embossing Folder

For the sentiment inside the card, I used a stamp by Sweet 'n Sassy that reads: Your Influence In My Life is Timeless.  Perfect to use with pocket watches, I think.

Wishing Cal a very happy birthday!

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

Whimsical Faerie Birthday Wishes

Hi, guys! today I want to share a birthday card I made for my friend Anna. While deciding what card to make for Anna, I came across this little sprite of a faerie.  I think she is just darling. So, I decided to use the photo tinting technique I learned from Tim Holtz while participating in his 12 Tags of 2012. In this technique you add color to selected areas of the photo.  You will notice that I used glossy cardstock for the image, and stamped with a permanent ink (Archival Black).  To add color I used various shades of distress inks.

Supplies:
Stamps:Stampsmith
Paper: Ranger Glossy Cardstock, Stampin' Up
Ink: Archival Ink (Black), Distress Inks
Misc.: Gem, rectangle punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder


This is becoming one of my favorite techniques.  I find it fun and relaxing to color the images and am busy making tags using old family photographs for family members.

Wishing Anna a very happy birthday, and a great year ahead!  May each of you have a day filled with fun and perhaps a bit of magic!

A Heart On The Mend

Hi, guys! Hope you are having a great day!  Today I am sharing a card I made for a special friend.  She is one-of-a-kind and so supportive of my crafting and was the first one to actually pay me to make her a card.  I have the first dollar she gave me framed to this day.   Well, my friend suffered a heart attack on the way to work a few weeks ago.  It was so scary to hear and it is WONDERFUL to hear she is on the mend now.  After thinking about it for a bit, this is the card I came up with for her.  I decided to stamp on an Avery mailing label to make the Band-Aid look realistic and was able to drape it across the heart that way.

Supplies:
Stamps: Vap! Scraps
Paper: G Studio Note Card, Ink Pad NYC Earth Tone, Gingham Creative Imaginations
Ink: Memento Black
Misc.: Copic Marker, Heart and Scallop Heart Spellbinders Dies, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Avery Shipping Label

I am sending this wish out to my friend for a speedy recovery! I miss you each day.

This unsettling experience has reminded me, yet again, that each day is a gift and not to be taken for granted for a minute.

Hoping you have a great day, and each moment is enjoyed to the fullest!