Blessing for Elliot

Since my sister and Dad couldn't be in Prague for the baptism, I copied the blessing onto light cardstock, added some dry embossing for embellishment and mounted it on blue cardstock as a keepsake for each of them. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

From Allentown to Prague

My, what a difference one week can make--Allentown on the 4th and Prague on the 11th!

We just got back from 5 glorious days in Prague visiting with my daughter and her family. The Lord was gracious in providing picture perfect, warm weather for our entire stay. The highlight of this visit was meeting our new grandson, Elliot, and witnessing his baptism at a growing church in the midst of an atheistic city.

My daughter commissioned me to make 30 birth announcements, which I delivered when we got there (although I had to finish the last 10 while there.) Of course, I never got around to making a copy for this blog...duh...

From an artistic standpoint, Prague is an inspiring city. There is architecture of every kind, spires everywhere, bridges, statues, texture in cobblestones and metro walls, outdoor markets and much, much more. The weather was sunny and warm, not a wisp of a cloud, unusual for this time of year. Flowers and trees were in bloom, suggesting to me that I need to try my new Flower Soft as soon as this jet lag wears off!

It's time for floral cards inspired by things that made an impression on me during my visit to Prague! Stay tuned...

Allentown Stamp Show--2009

Today was the day we wait all year for. We started out at 8 am and arrived as the doors opened, bubbling with expectation -- and we were NOT disappointed! I drove Cyndy, Elaine and Joan in my car; and Evelyn drove Linda. It's so much more fun with a group, especially when we split up and meet again for lunch. Then, it's "Show and Tell" when we share all our finds before heading back out on the floor.

Some stampers/scrappers take this stamp show very seriously, as evidenced by the carts some of them brought to wheel around their purchases. Not a bad idea; but we made trips out to the car to lighten our tote bags.

Shown here are just a few of the many card samples on display at the various booths. The first one shown was at the Flower Soft table, where I purchased 4 jars: Ivory, Christmas Green, Lavender and Nut Brown--can't wait to use them! I picture using the green for leaves and stems, the brown for black-eyed susans, the lavender for flower spikes and the ivory for snow or dandelions. I'm sure there'll be lots of other uses... (Ignore the demonstrator's lunch...)

The next photo was taken at Denami Designs, where they had tons of cards on display. I especially liked the one with the torn edge. Many of them had lots of glitter. One technique I often forget to use is repeat stamping--using the same image 2 or 3 times across a card. I'll have to work on that...

Skip down to the next post for more photos!

Stamp Show, Continued

Since I'm still learning how to stamp scenes, I took a picture of a deer scene that really looked beautiful. I especially like the way they carried the grassy scenery and deer into the foreground. I hope to CASE it one of these days!

The last photo had some ideas to use with the Cuttlebug I already own. Just click on the images for further detail.

After 5 hours of walking on concrete, we headed for home. I was exhausted by the time we got back (around 5:00) but it was well worth it! We all had a wonderful day, spent too much (over budget, of course) and saw a lot of gorgeous cards. Can't wait for the next show in 2010!

Don't Let Your Age Bug You!

Although I've used the Bug Builder set from SU for children's cards, they're also great for my Silver Stamper friends. The word stamp is from Hambo Stamps and is the perfect complement to any bug stamp.

After cutting out these adorable bugs, I popped them out with SU dimensionals. Golden gems are added for bling, on the bugs and for a row of three below. Black Stickles were used on their heads.

Get Out Your Party Hat!

Another easy card!

First, I stamped the Hero Arts image and cut it out with postage stamp scissors. After mounting it on beige cardstock with SU dimensionals, I set it aside while I worked on the card itself with wavy scissors, a strip of patterned cardstock for the bottom and a piece of coordinating polka dot dp. A green button with a beige embroidery floss knot adds some detail.

After adhering the image to the card, I traced over it with a light brown marker pen and added some gems for bling--less than 10 minutes to complete...gotta love this Hero Arts birthday frames set!

Birthday Card for Someone Special

Don't you just love those cards that seem to "evolve" as you go along? This one started out with a leftover cuttlebug card and a scrap of black and red Basic Grey dp.

First, I split the dp (unevenly) so that the wide piece could hide some blank space along the fold and the narrow piece could go along the inside on the right. Next, I used some black embroidery floss along the edge of the dp. Then I found a red button in my stash with one large hole in the middle, into which I glued a black pearl. But then, what to do with all that blank space above...

Since Spring is here, with its promise of showy tulips and daffodils, I got out my Inkadinkado clear set of flowers and chose this showy tulip. I stamped it twice on red card stock so that I could pop out the foreground petals of the bloom with SU dimensionals.

After attaching it to the card, I did a little shading on the petals with a Versamark pen. To give it some "life" I added black Stickles and prisma glitter to the stamens. Done!

I just love it when a card comes together!

Mothers Class Does It Again!

This week, our class focused on House Mouse stamps. Although I had a wide variety of stamps, everyone seemed to choose the same ones. These little mice are just too cute!

Isn't it amazing how cards made with the same stamps can all turn out so different! Linda's card lies flat on the table because she chose to mount her image as a flap, like a mini-card on top of one piece, with the message underneath. The others stand up, some horizontal, some vertical. We had a lot of fun, and I'm sure the recipients of these adorable House Mouse cards will get a chuckle out of them.

One Last Easter Card

This one was for Evelyn, who has seen all my others. So I put this together just for her!




First, I stamped, heat-embossed, and colored the basket. Then, using my peg stamps from Rubber Stamp Tapestry, I "filled" the basket with leaves, ferns and flowers. Next, I added a tiny dragonfly enhanced with Stickles, and used a gray marker for a shadow and some dots around the image. Finally, a bow was attached with a glue dot.

After punching the notches on the corners, I taped the image on dark green Bazzill cardstock and mounted it to the card with SU dimensionals. All in all, an easy card to do--and fun!

Don't Throw Away Those FRAMES!

After using the die for another card, I was left with this outline. I got out my watercolor crayons and painted it to make a frame. After attaching it to the card with double-stick tape, I stamped the flowers and greeting. The flowers were painted with Twinkling H2O's, as are the dragonflies. (Unfortunately, the shimmer on their wings doesn't show up well here. Click on image for a better view.) The dragonflies are popped out with foam tape.

This is just one example of how to make use of leftovers from other projects!

Beautiful Butterflies!

Mothers class members made faux cloisonne butterfly cards this week, and they all turned out great!

(For instructions, see March 23, 2007 post--and don't forget to click on photo to see details.)

We decided to name them this time. One mother named her butterfly "Bob"... What can I say, they're an imaginative group...

Enjoy!

Keenagers Project

One of the reasons I haven't posted lately is because I've been spending hours and hours preparing for a special Easter project for the "Keenagers" (seniors) at my church. Since most of them are in their 70's and 80's, all non-stampers, I had to make up kits with everything pre-stamped, ready to assemble. Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge!

First, they put together a bag topper for Easter treats. They filled the bags with Easter grass, added the candy provided and sealed the zip-loc top. To make the cover, all they had to do was color in the image and tape down the paper strip and the scalloped oval.

Next, we did the purple card with the butterfly. Since the card was already folded and punched with my Fiskar's eyelet border, they basically just had to tape down the white strip, the butterfly and the inside greeting. This was the easiest project of the four.

Then we did the bunny card, which was a little more involved. They especially enjoyed using mini dots and pom poms for the bunny tail!

Last and smallest, but not least, they assembled the cross card. After wrapping the embroidery floss around the image and securing it on the back, they attached that piece with SU dimensionals to the darker cs and mounted it on the card. Earlier, Evelyn and I had made matching envelopes for the smaller size using our Envelopers.

There was lots of excitement in the room, especially with one woman who said in the beginning that she could never make these. I'm so glad we proved to her that she could!

Since this occurred on the same day as the Mothers classes, they were all happy to help. They jumped right in as leaders, and the older folks really enjoyed having younger moms there with them. All in all, the effort that went into making this a success was well worth it.

This whole event just goes to prove that stamping can also serve as a creative ministry! Every time we make a card and send it out to someone, it says "someone cares" enough to take the time to think about that person and express it in a personal way.

GOOD NEWS FROM PRAGUE!

We just heard from our favorite SIL that our new grandson was born just 2 hours ago! Through the marvels of internet technology, we already have pictures of mother and son. Welcome, Elliot!

Valentine from Across the Pond

Imagine my surprise when I went to the mailbox to find a Valentine all the way from England! It was from Germaine of her Stampilicious blog whom I "met" through the blogosphere.

The hearts are gold embossed, and the square in the center opens to reveal a little message. The gold twine is the perfect finishing touch.

Thanks Germaine--your card will remain on display in the Stamping Tower!

Cute as Can "Bee"

This adorable card is one of three done at Cyndy's workshop last week. I especially like the colors Cyndy chose.

First we stamped the images, then placed a circle template over the area we wanted to highlight. Using a paper piercer, we followed the edge of the circle to "frame" the image. Then we watercolored just the inside of the circle, mounted all the pieces to the card and added some Stickles on the bee's wings for bling.

Cute stamp set! (from Stampin' Up.)

New Watercolor Technique

This watercolor involved the use of regular watercolor paper, a water brush and dye inks. Although this card looks better IRL, I'm not entirely happy with the results. (Click on card for closer look at details.)

The stamps were from a clear set by Art Impressions. After watching the coordinating DVD and trying their method, it still needs some more experimenting to get it just right. I like the way the grass and the pot turned out (not the kind that is smoked--no pun intended!) but I think the flowers could have been done better. I'll have to try again soon...

To finish the card, I mounted the image on dark background paper, then on a pearlized designer paper, with gold stick-ons for bling.

Another Easy Card!

Here's a one-stamp card that was oh, so easy to do. After inking up the Hero Arts "Misty Garden" stamp I borrowed from Mary, I stamped it on white cardstock. Then I used chalk to color the flowers, tore the edges and mounted it on yellow designer paper, which I also tore. After mounting both on pale yellow cardstock, I adhered it to a white card.

For bling and extra interest, I used Stickles for the center of the purple flowers and light brown gems for the yellow flower centers; then added a square button on the lower right corner. It was so easy, I also did another card in pale purple.

With floral images like this, can Spring be far off???

Valentine Connection

Send me an email with your snail mail address, and I'll send you a "real" Valentine!

Thanks Jackie at Kreate With Me 2 for this wonderful idea. You can check out Jackie's blog using the link at right.

Stampscapes Fun

Yesterday, the 4 Tower regulars (Joan, Evelyn, Mary and I) spread out our "toys" on the dining room table and went at it. We were experimenting with Stampscapes images and had some good results. Here are two cards I completed, although I still have a lot to learn!

The chapel card was done using 6 stamps: chapel with trees, country path, tall grass, meadow grass, overhead branch and clouds. Dye ink was applied evenly beforehand on glossy cardstock with sponge daubers. For the grassy area, I used green pigment ink and removed some to lighten the pathway. I mounted it on the inside of a card with a small square "window" through which all you see is the steeple until you open it. After stamping a sentiment on the blue overlay, I mounted it on the card and added a blue button.

The cabin scape was made with 5 different stamps: cabin with trees, grass, pine tree, clouds, and birds. Ink was applied less evenly using a Colorbox stylus and dye inks. I mounted it on white cardstock with a kraft overlay and added a pine tree brad.

This was a lot of fun, especially with the four of us sharing ideas and oohs & aahs! ...not as difficult as it looks!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Someone recently sent me a list of quotes for encouragement, and this one was particularly thought provoking:

"SOME PEOPLE COMPLAIN THAT GOD PUTS THORNS ON ROSES, WHILE OTHERS PRAISE HIM FOR PUTTING ROSES ON THORNS." (Anonymous)

Which one are you???