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???

My First Acetate Card

This is my first attempt at doing an acetate card, and I'm not sure I'd do it the same way again. I think I'd rather do it without the white card inside so that it has more of a "floating" effect. This set came from Hero Arts and included the white cards and envelopes, so I used them here. I'm looking forward to some more experimenting, though.

Meanwhile, I love the Cuttlebug butterfly with the pearls for the body. I've made several other cards using the 4 different butterfly folders, and they all came out simple and elegant. With CB backgrounds and a few gemstones, they were easy to do. More on both later...

And The Winner Is...

#11--"Homemaker"

Congratulations--you've won the blog candy!

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. Stop by again soon!

Another Happy Valentine

Here's a happy cat all decked out for Valentine's day:

This completes all the Valentines I'm sending out. Now I can concentrate on Spring birthdays and anniversaries.

Don't forget to check out the blog candy and challenge in the post below!

NEW YEAR BLOG CANDY CHALLENGE!

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

Just scroll down through the cards I posted in 2008 and choose your favorite. Then leave a comment on this post telling me which one you selected. At 10 pm on January 15th, I will pick a random winner to send a special Valentine with the clear stamps shown here. Have fun!

Eyelet Lace Valentines

Thanks to a 50% off coupon for AC Moore, I shopped on New Year's Day and finally purchased a new Fiskar's edger punch. Although it doesn't show up in the photo, the punch also embosses between the cutouts and the edge. It was just right for these Valentines in combination with some two-sided designer paper from Stampin' Up on the tall one, and the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots on the horizontal card.

Enjoy!

NO RESOLUTIONS HERE!

I've never been one to make New Year's Resolutions--they only get broken the first week anyway...right??? Instead, here's what I've done every year:

For the month of January, I hibernate. Isn't that a great idea? This is when I catch up on all those indoor projects at home, take time to reflect on the things that are really important, keep warm by the fire, do some reading, prepare Bible Study lessons for the Spring semester, write letters, etc. Oh yes, and purge my stamping tower of unwanted/unused items to make room for more creativity in the coming year. To make the time for these things, I pull back on all my usual activities: Mothers Classes are delayed restarting until Feb., we use a 6-week Winterim at Bible Study (usually a tape series) to allow time to prepare for our more in-depth studies starting late Feb. to May; and, except for church, Bible Study and grocery shopping, I stay home most of the week all month. It really works for me as a way to recover from the busy-ness of the holidays and recharge my inner batteries.

Besides, I just HATE the cold...unless we get a few inches of powdery snow that allows me to go cross-country skiing. (After the first 10 minutes of that aerobic activity, I really warm up!)

Leave a comment and tell what you do in January to beat the cold!

Inking In the New Year!

Best wishes to all for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

I hope to share many new card designs with all of you in 2009! Please be sure to leave a comment whenever you visit--thanks!

Christmas Is Here!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Tree Trimming Time

I finally remembered to take a picture of our Christmas "Bird" Tree! After Christmas, instead of storing it in the attic or basement, we remove the icicles, unplug the lights and carry the whole tree into the living room where it resides for the rest of the year. Since it has no ornaments, the "natural" look fits right in with our country decor.

Notice the box Rick made for the base--it has an opening in the back so the cats can go in for a nap.

(Click to enlarge for a closer view of the birds and pine cones.)

Get Your Sun Glasses!

Winter has just begun in earnest with our latest snowfall, but I'm ready for some sun! This birthday card was very simple to make: just some plaid dp, a strip of coordinating yellow Bazill cardstock, a darker yellow ink and some gold brads. Orange crystals add a little extra bling to an already bright card...

January Birthday

This stamp from Verses Rubber Stamps (purchased at Michael's??) is the perfect saying for a January Birthday card! The dp is from the "Old World" mat stack by Die Cuts With a View. The round stamp is by SU and was from the special offer with a subscription to Country Living magazine. I like the versatility of the stamp since it could be used as a snowflake (in blue or white) or as a flower. Here I just picked up on the round shapes in the paper and buttons, matching the green, which is a little different shade from the Christmas greens I've been using. I like using just the tone on tone with white, and no ribbon.

Enjoy!

Snowstorm Stamping Again

A huge snowstorm has been predicted for tomorrow and Sunday, so I plan to spend hours in my stamping tower "playing" with all my stamping toys in the afternoon. First, I'm going to finish cleaning, gift wrapping and baking some Christmas treats.

Diet? What diet???