On the Subject of Smudges

The question came up on SCS about what to do with a smudge, otherwise known as a "creative opportunity." Can you find it on this card? (Click to enlarge.)

Somehow, I managed to get a tiny splotch of red ink in the upper left corner, so I stamped "What's New?" over it; but that wasn't enough. To balance it out and make it look "intentional" I got out my matching red marker and added dots around the tree and on the ends of the blossoms. Then I took the red ink pad and added a few more smudges on the edges--I think it's done now!

Monogram Card

Here's another example of correcting a minor flaw. By adding 3 dots at the end of the line, it's now centered under the monogram. That one was easy...

Stamping Suspended

For the past week or so, we've had painters in the kitchen and family room. Everything was piled up in the dining room while they worked, and now it is my intention to put back only the things we really need and use. While I take this opportunity to de-clutter the downstairs, there is little time (or energy!) to do any stamping.

However, Rick and I will be taking time to celebrate our 41st anniversary tonight over dinner at a local steakhouse.

See you back here in a few days!

Birthday Butterfly

Here's a card that was fun to make, complete with matching envelope and bookmark. The stamp I used was from Stampin' Up years ago and still in my stash. I cut off the antennae from the image and replaced it with purple wire. The wings are painted with Twinkling H2O's to give them a shimmer. The dp is from Michael's and is what I used for the coordinating envelope, using The Enveloper. I also used a strip on the bookmark mounted on purple cardstock with another piece of the yellow ribbon.

Not bad for someone who got konked on the head last week... (See previous post.)

First Card Since I Got Back

Things have been interesting around here since I got home. Monday night (after a 9 hour flight home) I got vertigo, went to bed at 7:30 and woke up an hour later on the floor--don't know how I got there. I was bleeding from a gash on the back of my head and throwing up. My DH came running upstairs to see what had happened and figured I hit my head on the corner of the night table on my way to the floor. What a mess! Being an Eagle Scout, he knew just what to do, cleaned me up and tucked me back in. After 2 days and nights of almost no sleep and feeling awful, I finally started to perk up on Thursday and even went grocery shopping. I know stamping withdrawal can be severe, but this was definitely over the top!

Finally, on Thursday afternoon I finished up this card I had started before I left. Now that I'm feeling almost normal (whatever that is!) there will be more cards to follow...

OWL Be Seeing You...

...when I get back from my trip to Prague. (For updates during my trip, check out the Fox Mtn. link to the right.) Meanwhile, here's another card I made using my new Hero Arts owl and branch stamps. The colors used give it a masculine look. It's still blank inside, so I may use it for Father's Day!

Thanks to Kristina Werner

Here is my CASE of the card that Kristina posted on her blog (noted below.) If you haven't visited her site yet, don't wait another day--she has such great ideas, and her videos for Make-a-Card-Monday are terrific!

My version of her MACM for today is a 4" square with matching envelope.

For the flower on the front, I used Versamark ink and chalk. For the one on the tag, I used markers directly on the stamp (Barely Banana and Really Rust) and spritzed the stamp with water for a water-color effect.

Thank you Kristina for your great design! (Check out her video at www.kwernerdesign.com/blog.)

Colorful Coffee Cups

Here's a card I made today with one of my new stamps from the Show in Allentown. I used lacquer on the cups to make them pop, but next time I think it would be better to emboss the image in black first. The colors are fun, though!

Judith Would Be Proud (I hope!)

At the Stamp Show yesterday, I purchased a DVD at Stamps By Judith. She's the lady who was seen many times on the Carol Duvall Show with her little peg stamps and huge talent. We got to meet her in person and watch her create at her booth. One of my purchases there was her 2-hour DVD. This card is the result!

In addition to stamping techniques, she stresses several ways to enhance stamped artwork, such as using a light gray marker to make the image pop. Another is the use of a stamp with little dots to fill in some of the open areas around an image. Both are shown here, though faintly. (Click to enlarge.)

I'm really enjoying her DVD and hope to incorporate more of her tips in future projects!

Stamps by TAC (which would NOT make Judith proud...)

ALLENTOWN STAMP SHOW

I just got in from the Stamp Show in Pennsylvania where Joan, Evelyn, Mary and I spent almost the whole day and spent our whole budget too (and then some!) My feet are killing me, but it was worth it. I got lots of new paper, a few new stamps, and tons of new ideas.

The Paper Cut had a make-and-take using their acetate and cardstock. The deer on this card is actually a photo that was printed on the acetate and mounted between black and tan cardstocks. I stamped the quote with gold metallic ink and assembled with brads and double-stick tape. Easy!

Last of the Dark Cardstocks...

...now that Spring is here! I just ordered assorted packets of cardstock from SU with lots of pastels and look forward to using them for flower themed cards over the next few months.






Meanwhile, I used the last few dark green cards with flowers as a hint of what's to come.






First, there's another fern card from the preparations for my workshop. I like the way it came out, but thought it may have too many steps for a class. (See posts below.)

The rose card was done with 2 stamps I bought used from a Silver Stamper friend, and I just love them both. The rose leaves look very realistic, and I anticipate using them often. I sponged the edges of the white cardstock to soften it. The rose was done with watercolor crayons directly on the stamp, then a spritz of water to give it a watercolor look. The crystal center added a little bling. I'll use the card to thank my friend for making such a nice pair of stamps available.

I'M BACK! (Finally...)

My computer went down (again!)this week, so I haven't been able to post. That doesn't mean I haven't been busy creating, though!

First, I put together a bunch of cards/kits for my workshop next Saturday. I'm calling it "Six on Saturday" for $10, which just covers my cost. I try to keep it affordable and fun. My idea for this one is to use The Enveloper to make 2 of the envelopes, one out of each 12x12" dp sheet. It'll be like a One Sheet Wonder, but since a large portion will go for an envelope, they'll just get 3 out of each sheet. Everyone will start off with a sheet of a fern design, but get a choice of designs for the next set. For those of you who'd like to follow, here's how it works:

1. Cut an 8x8" square for the first envelope. This will leave you with 2 strips: one that's 4x8" and one that's 4x12". Use the 8x8" to make an envelope with The Enveloper.

2. Cut the 4x8" strip in half to make 2 squares 4x4" to line the flaps of two standard white A2 envelopes.

3. Cut the 4x12" strip into 3 pieces as desired to use on the card fronts.

Shown are the 3 cards made from the fern design, which I hope will be simple enough for everyone to complete. One is vertical, one horizontal and the 3rd (shown on top)is a long top fold card.

Be sure to check out the next 2 posts from today!

Happy Bird-Day

Here's a super easy card to make, with a matching envelope! I think it speaks for itself...

Technique Tuesday Tile Card

Tuesday night at Cyndy's house, we made three cards using three techniques. One was with a Spirelli "flower", one using folds and tags, and this one using a faux tile technique. Here's the procedure:

1. Stamp an image on white cardstock and color it in. We used a blender pen and inks to keep the colors subtle.

2. Cut the card stock into 4 vertical strips, spaced unevenly. Then take each strip and cut it across at random intervals in such a way that when you put them together, they give a "brick" effect. The trick here is to cut them one strip at a time and place them on the cardstock (in this case Navy) BEFORE they get mixed up!

3. Sponge the edges of each piece, one at a time. When you finish all of them, begin pasting or taping them to the darker cardstock, also one at a time.

4. Tie matching ribbon around the image and mount to a card.

Very time consuming, a little bit tedious, but soooo worth it!

Rubber Stamp Tapestry Creation

After receiving my newest RST peg stamp set, I made this card using colors that would mimic the underlying designer paper. I'm really pleased with the results!

I'm also pleased that after purchasing a new basket to hold all the cards I've made that are ready to go at a moment's notice, I discovered that I had a stash of over 35 cards! So I guess it really pays to keep them all in one place. The basket is a white oblong with hoops for handles at each end and is just the right width to hold cards standing upright...plus it goes with the decor in my stamping tower. Thank you Michael's for the 50% off coupon!

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!