Red Poppy

After making several cards using the hydrangea vase stamp, I turned to the poppy in the Bloomin' Beautiful SU set. This one reminds me of all the wild poppies that grow in Tuscany and is a pleasure to use. After embossing with black, the blossom and leaves were painted with Twinkling H2O's. A metallic gold pen added detail at the center of the flower.

The bee in the same set is also quite nice when popped out. Enjoy!

Two Cards Posted, Same Night

Here's another card made with the same stamp set (see card below.) Isn't it amazing how two cards using the same stamps can look so different! The top and bottom of the vase are embellished with a gold metallic ink pen, the flower centers with silver. The dots around the outside are done with a black felt tip pen.

After attaching the ribbon and scalloped circle, I added a tiny velcro closure underneath to keep the card from popping open. The inside is stamped with the flowers and leaves to frame the words "Happy Birthday." This stamp set is so versatile!

Matchbook Card

This was such fun! I used my new Rubber Stamp Tapestry set that just came in the mail for the vase and flowers. Before attaching the oval to the card, I stamped one of the SU "Definitely Decorative Ferns" twice--once in sage ink and again in Versamark. It will be mailed to someone special in another envelope made with The Enveloper, shown beneath the card.

After scanning, I decided to attach a photo anchor with a brad to secure the bottom flap.

Card on Card

Here's a card I CASED from another Silver Stamper. The little card on the front says "Thinking of You" under the flap. I sent it to let someone know she was missed at Bible Study. Inside is just a note. Isn't it a shame that hand-written notes are such a rarity these days? The card front made use of some scraps I kept from a class I went to over a month ago. Turquoise crystals embellish the floral designs... The fern, stamped with VersaMark, is from the SU Touch of Nature set.

TAGGED AGAIN--This time by Rochelle!

Here are 7 things about me never before revealed online:

1. I believe that what you DO isn't as important as what you ARE.

2. If I could live anywhere in the world, I would choose Tuscany--as long as I could still have all my friends and family nearby (and my stamping supplies, of course!)

3. I'm a Nascar fan and my favorite driver is Dale Jarrett, with Tony Stewart as my second favorite.

4. I've watched every episode of Murder She Wrote at least twice (but still forget who did it!)

5. My favorite month is October because of the mild weather and all the wonderful colors of Fall.

6. When I was a teenager, my family used to take our cabin boat up the Hudson River from Long Island, through the locks and canals, all the way to Lake Champlain and Canada.

7. I usually finish the Sunday Times Crossword by Sunday night.

It's your turn to reveal something of yourselves, whether you're tagged or not!

One Last Easter Card

I love the looks of this card, but not the way it's behaving. Because I water-colored the image (probably with too wet a brush,) it warped the paper; and now it just won't lie flat no matter what I do. I finally resorted to attaching it with brads so that it doesn't come apart completely. Sometimes you just can't win!

The designer paper is from a 6" pad of Basic Grey Lilykate, which works really well with the image and colors I used. Yellow Stickles are used for the flower centers.

Have a blessed and meaningful Easter. He is risen indeed--HALLELUJAH!

Hero Arts Owl

Here's a simple card using stamps from Hero Arts. The owl's eyes are enhanced with tiny "rain dots" that almost make him look like he's wearing contacts! (Click on card for detail.)

The branch was stamped with Versamark on both the cardstock and the scalloped oval, then chalk was applied on the oval. A brown marker was used for the dots on each of the scallops, then the oval was taped over the corresponding piece of the branch. Each of the two ovals are mounted slightly off center for balance.

Enjoy!

One of a Kind

The beauty of designing and making our own cards is that each one truly is one of a kind. Here's one I put together at Evelyn's house yesterday, using her Martha Stewart punch for bordering. I'm lovin' that lacy punch, but it's very hard to use. Anybody else have that problem?

Diamonds Cuttlebug

Here's a card made with the diamonds CB folder and coordinating cutting die. I love the nice clean lines of the various shapes. Of course, with my warped sense of humor, the inside reads "Obviously." stamped on another beige diamond. I added a Happy Birthday underneath, with a personal note. It will be sent to someone with an equally warped sense of humor...

I've Been Tagged--Again!

Thanks to Nancy Grant at Inkcicles. Here goes:

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? If I only had a memory...

2. What were you doing 1 year ago? Last year, both my parents (in their late 80's) were having health issues, and I was going back and forth to my sister's house on Long Island to help out. My mom was in the hospital, then my Dad, then both at the same time, then both recuperating at home. Thankfully, they're both doing well now.

3. Name your five favorite snacks: That's easy! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate ice cream and chocolate covered raisins!

4. Name five things you would do if you were a millionaire: Actually, I don't think I'd do anything different than I do now, except that when we travel, we would go first class! I've always enjoyed sharing my blessings with others, so it would be nice to have more to give.

5. Name five things you enjoy doing: Leading Bible studies, stamping, doing crosswords out in the sunshine on the deck, traveling, and watching TV with my favorite cat on my lap.

6. Name five things you would never wear again: Size 12 slacks (not that I wouldn't like to!) spike heels, bell bottoms, maternity clothes or eye shadow.

7. Name your five favorite toys: my computer, my digital camera, TIVO, the Tassimo machine, and my rug shampooer.

Five people I'm tagging: there goes that memory thing again...

BACK TO BASICS

Today, I just felt like doing something simple; so this is what I came up with. Getting out the light box and dry embossing with a stylus can be so relaxing--and it makes a card look fresh and bright. It looks better IRL!

HERE'S A TIP:

Ever have a card that came out so great you didn't want to part with it? By scanning all my cards and keeping them in a ring binder, I can keep track of what I've made (whether they were great or not) and to whom I sent it, along with the date it was mailed. This also keeps me from sending the same card to someone another time.

One Stamp Challenge

Isn't it amazing how one floral stamp can do so much! I stamped the flower on green Bazzill cardstock with black ink, then stamped it again on white cardstock. Green chalking highlights the leaves, shades of pink highlight the blossom, with brown chalk for the flower center. The blossom was cut out and attached to the card over the floral image. Add two buttons, a bow and a sentiment-- done!