God Bless America

Anita's Card

Fortunately, I have family not too far away, so hopefully my card will make it in time for the July 4th holiday.  I really wanted to play along with the Muse challenge as I love Anita's card & it immediately made me think of my Penny Black circles & lines, 40-084.  Finally today my card came together.  

I easily masked so I could stamp just 2 sets of lines with space in the middle for my sentiment.  The images are white embossed with Stickles added to the dots.  The sentiment is an old favorite from DeNami & is stamped in Brilliance Mediterranean Blue.  I colored the stars with a marker & added Stickles.  The other day I was rummaging through a drawer & came across 1/2 a sheet of foam stars I've had forever.  They have adhesive on both sides, so I just removed the cover from 1 side & poured on Elizabeth Craft glitter (it's the kind that is flat, smooth & doesn't come off) & then removed the other cover & stuck them down.  
I think my brother & his wife will really like this card.  Hope you do, too. Tons of entries, but may as well join in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  I always appreciate reading your comments.  Wishing you a great week.

Happy Saturday

Wow--summer has arrived in Western Oregon!  Low-mid 90s before July 4th is definitely NOT what we're used to around here.  I'm about to hop the fence & join the pool party at the neighbor's--LOL!  Martha, my friend in Texas, will be laughing at me, I know. Actually, we have air conditioning making the house a great environment for making cards so that's what I did today.  If you were following the Penny Black blog this week, you know they just released new stamp sets & the first ever Penny Black Creative Dies.  My card is made with the cute Transparent set summer fun, 30-107.  If you're not big on coloring you may think little images aren't for you, but I discovered it's not so intimidating to color a small image.  I even managed to add a bit of shading to my flowers.  The Madison Paper Pad has a great variety of designs & I decided to try some paper weaving with the polka dotted papers.  I used a Spellbinders oval in the center & popped up the panel over my flowers. This narrow grograin ribbon was a gift many years ago & I love the look with these little flowers.  Enjoy your weekend, whatever the weather, and thanks so much for taking time to visit my blog.
Added note: Joining in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp.

Home Tweet Home

Started my PTI Blog Hop card this morning, but lots of interruptions so just now finished it.  Gold has never been out of style to me, so I'm thrilled it's now a "trend."  What is new to me is using gold even for cards that are not "elegant" in style.  Hubby's daughter & her family are about to move into the house they bought after leasing for the past year, so decided to make a card for them.  I used PTI Lovely Leaves stamping the trunk in Versafine Vintage Sepia & the first 2 layers of the leaves in Brilliance Thyme.  The 3rd layer is a dotted outline of the leaves & is stamped in my favorite gold ink--Delicata Golden Glitz.  Sorry it doesn't really show in the picture.  The sentiment is stamped in the same ink while the berries & birdie wing are colored with a gold metallic Gelly Roll pen.  The birdie & sentiment are by Studio G & put me out a whole $1.00!  All the edges are sponged with Distress Ink antique linen.  I bought the MFT cloud dies with the idea that they might work for hills as well.  I did trim them a bit so the billows aren't quite so high & I'm thinking it works--love the kraft felt, too.  You'll notice my card is slightly lighter than the stamped piece, thanks to my friend Rosemary reminding me that everything doesn't have to exactly match & I like it!  Finished the card off with twine tied in a bow. 


Thanks for taking time to check out my card.  I'm looking forward to seeing your latest projects.

Summer Wedding

from Pinterest

I've missed the last couple

Impression Obsession challenges.  I was determined to get my card made in time for the Colors of Summer challenge.  I looked at my Brush Tree, E7690, & saw a modern bride's bouquet on the order of the one from Pinterest.  Can you see it or did my imagination get the best of me?  For the background I covered a piece of cardstock with pink, purple & green Distress Paints using Gesso between colors.  I white embossed the image, punched the corners & sprayed with Shimmer Spritz Frost.  I mounted the focal piece to the middle of a vellum panel with rounded corners & Heart Flourish, D2145, white embossed in 2 corners.  This was attached to a slightly smaller white card.  The final touches are a purple bow embellished with a pearl & 3 tiny pearls added to the hearts.  

I'm so happy you stopped at my blog.  Let me know what you think & I'll be visiting you soon.

Thoughts of You

 

This card is for you, Carol, & everyone dealing with the devastating flooding in Alberta.  Last minute entry for PTI MIM to color vellum flowers.  My blossoms from PTI Flower Fusion #9 are too small to use Betsy's technique, so will have to try that later.  I used Memento markers to color the vellum & popped up the middle one for dimension.  I used the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch! which I really like. Since I included a tag on the card, I'm also entering the challenge at A Blog Named Hero.  
Almost midnight, but technically this is my 3rd post of the day.  That's what happens when you get behind on your cardmaking--LOL!  Thanks for stopping by.

Sketch + Kraft + Rose = Card Exchange

Nothing better than making crafty friends & getting a card in the mail, so I try to participate often in Deborah's card exchange. I've intended to use her sketch in the past, but I think this is the first time it happened.  I really like it & will keep it handy to use again.  I printed this small picture of my Oregold rose when I was making THIS card.  The smaller version was just right for the sketch.  I used more of the salvaged yellow cardstock & my Spellbinders oval dies.  I intended to use scored lines, but they didn't show up well so decided to pierce them using my Tim Holtz ruler.  This is my first "splotchy" card & I can tell you that pigment ink is not the best product to use, but it was the color I wanted--just try to get it dried!  This shade of kraft is usually not the one I use, but it actually went the best with this yellow to my eye.  The sentiment is an old Hero Arts stamp I still love, stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia which is also swiped on the distressed edges & pierced holes.  I used my new roll of Score Tape to attach the ribbon & boy is that a snap!  Finished off with some Mark Richards yellow dots--nice alternative to gems.  

I didn't wait to post the card after it's  received since I'm entering the challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show which is about to end.  Thanks for coming by & letting me know what you think.
  

Father's Day Take 5

As soon as I saw Penny Black's new slapstick/Cling Hot Rod!, 40-224, I knew it was a must-have as I'm married to a car nut!  If we won the lottery he would have a car collection, no doubt.  It arrived in time for me to use it for his Father's Day card & I finished it the night before--usual for me--LOL!  However, it just didn't look quite right & so later that day I re-stamped & attached the car to his card.  He generally leaves the cards I make for him on the coffee table for several weeks, so I see it every day.  I've still never been happy with it & so today I stamped the car several more times & finally I got a version that looks much better on the card.  The car was first inked with Distress Paints spun sugar & seedless preserves & stamped on cream cardstock.  Then I overstamped with Versafine Onyx Black using my stamp positioner to get my 2-tone paint job.  I trimmed it out & attached it to the foam tape still stuck on the card--just had to add a little Glossy Accents since it wasn't sticky anymore.  The background is made with Penny Black's snow dust, 4102K, because I knew hubby liked the trees since he had me use that stamp on a sympathy card he sent.  Another adjustment today was sponging on some darker ink at the bottom of the card.  

Kind of strange to re-make a card after you give it, but he didn't mind & I'm much happier now. I'm also entering Penny Black Saturday Challenge & Casual Fridays.

By the way, did you see the sneak peak on the Penny Black blog?  Looks like wonderful new products! Enjoy the rest of your weekend & hopefully I'll catch up with all of you soon as I have a week off.  Thank you so much for stopping by.


    

Penny Black in Gold & Green

Thanks for all your support of my new Penny Black Stamp Squad position & sweet comments on my projects so far.  I love PB background stamps & over a week ago I stamped roman surround, 40-201, in Delicata Golden Glitz onto cream cardstock.  It's so beautiful I didn't want to cover it up & have been just looking at it on my table.  Finally last night I was able to make it into a card.  I black embossed a leaf from dahlias, 30-159, 5 times onto the same cardstock & sponged them with VersaMagic Sage & Niagara Mist.  Then I brushed on Tsukineko Shimmer Mist Gold, curved them up with my fingers & attached them over some gold floss onto the background.  Fortunately I found just the right color button in my stash.  The panel is mounted with foam tape to the card front on which I stamped the sentiment, also from dahlias. One of my college roommates has been on my mind & so I think this will go to her.  Hope you like my newest Penny Black project & maybe you'll be inspired to create something with gold.  It's back in vogue, you know!  By the way, check out the guest designer this week on the Penny Black blog--very inspiring!  

Valentine's Day in June

I love getting cards done ahead of time so I'm not rushing at the last minute.  Hubby likes purple so I used Memento Lulu Lavender & Grape Jelly.  I used the PTI MIM video as my inspiration.  This week the technique is overlapping ombre.  I needed a 3rd ink color so used second generation stamping for the middle circle.  Might be considered cheating to use a stamp with lines in the design making it impossible not to get the images correctly lined up, but I hope not--LOL!  The circle & sentiment are from PTI Trendy Tree Tops, the embossing folder is by Darice & the circle dies are Spellbinders.  Since this is for hubby I resisted the urge to add glitter & instead just used some Crystal Lacquer on the hearts.  Simple card, but I have to say I like how it turned out & think he will, too.  Since I used circles this will also be my entry for the challenge at A Passion for Papertrey.  Hope you're ready for Monday and thanks for stopping by.

Edited to add: Awarded Top 3 at A Passion for Papertrey--yah!

"Joy & Friendship"

I have to say that yellow is not one of "my" colors. That doesn't mean I never use or like it.  Of my 60 rose bushes only 3 are yellow but I wouldn't be without them!  The one on my card is Oregold & I think it's a stunning tribute to my beautiful state.  It's one of the many roses my dear dad planted even though he always said with a twinkle in his eye "the only flower is a red rose."  With an enormous stamp collection, I don't make a habit of printing images.  However, when I saw the CASology theme was "yellow" this picture I recently took immediately came to mind.  Yellow roses are associated with Joy & Friendship making this wonderful Penny Black quote from the clear set "friendship" a natural choice.  Don't you just love the Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Rosa embossing folder?  The yellow scalloped circle is die cut from a piece of a store bought card I saved knowing the heavy cardstock could be re-used.  This card is for all of you sweet folks who add joy to my cardmaking with your encouragement & kindness.  Thank you!

Penny Black Stamp Squad Blog Hop

Welcome to the first ever Penny Black Stamp Squad Blog Hop!  I'm so excited to be starting things off today.  If you saw my announcement on Thursday you know I love Penny Black quote stamps.  My card showcases "moment of joy" inked with 2 Memento markers--Danube Blue & Lady Bug.  The printed papers are from Penny Black's Madison designer paper pad.  I glued 2 patterns together to make my double-sided papers for the pinwheels.  Aren't they fun?  Next up is Lin's blog & I know you won't want to miss it.  Be sure to leave a comment on each blog, including the Penny Black blog, for a chance to win some Penny Black stamps.  If you get lost, the complete list of today's blogs can be found HERE.  Enjoy the hop!

The Secret Is Out!

I am thrilled beyond words to be a member of the first Penny Black Stamp Squad!  I've loved Penny Black stamps since I began stamping years ago & now I get to share that love with you "officially" with lots of Penny Black creations in the months ahead.  Here's a sneak peek of my first stamping project using fabric, Gelatos, Gesso, dry embossing and, of course, Penny Black stamps!  Hope you'll check it out on today's Penny Black Blog. Thanks for sharing in my excitement today--everything's better shared with friends!

DeNami Patterned Paper Blog Hop

Time for another DeNami Blog Hop.  I have lots of patterned paper, but have to admit I use it very little.  You may not think you see much on today's card, but actually I only used cardstock for the blossoms & the card base which is completely covered. The solid gray papers are from a K&Co pad, the lavender dotted paper is from a DCWV stack, the black dotted paper is from an Echo Park pad & the one I used as my wallpaper showing through the windows is a gorgeous piece of shimmery paper from Paper Adventures.  All stamps are DeNami.  This is my first card using the Flower Box Window which I embossed in white on the gray paper.  The little valences are scraps of a paper doily.  I black embossed  the flower box on the darker paper, cut it out & glued it over the base image leaving the top edge unglued so I could tuck the blossoms under it.  Speaking of blossoms, they're from a stamp of 3 flowers on stems so I just stamped it 3 times & fussy cut the blossoms I wanted to use.  They're colored with Distress Markers & have a dot of Stickles in the centers.  The focal point is attached with foam tape & so is the end of the sentiment flag which was die cut with a MFT Fishtail Flags.  Lots of inspiration so be sure you don't miss any blogs.  The full list & details on prizes can be found on the DeNami blog.  I'm sandwiched between 2 of the fabulous DeNami DT members, so you should have arrived after being wowed by Tammy Hobbs & now you're off to the incredibly creative Lisa Petrella.  I may not have computer access for a few days, but I'll catch up with everyone soon.  Enjoy the hop!

Card Exchange

I've gotten back to doing Deborah's monthly card exchange.  It's so fun to send & receive cards from fellow crafters.  I intended to use the sketch, which I love.  However, I've been needing to take this quote to heart lately with some challenges in my life & had never inked the stamp (Penny Black) which fit the theme of sailing/boats.  Figured I'd just layer it up as the only element, but then I remembered this old Magenta ship stamp I hadn't used for years.  The ink is Adirondack Denim (another old favorite) & the corner piece is Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares cut diagonally.  Finished off with this lovely hemp cord (MFT) & a navy button.  I encourage you to join in the monthly card exchange--maybe meet a new crafty friend.

Life is Sweet & Roses

When I saw Ashley's PTI MIM video of photo postcards I knew a photo of the lake would work great.  Finally sat down to do it after work today. I couldn't think of anything creative to add, so just left it with this sentiment from PTI The Sweet Life, which really says it all.  For the reverse side I used an image from Hot Off The Press Stamped Stitches for my lines & PTI Water Color Wonder for the dividing line.  Sorry I couldn't get the picture to focus very well.

I do have some more pictures of roses, though.  The flowers are so beautiful--hope you enjoy them.  I appreciate your taking time to stop at my blog.  Wishing you a great week.

Celebrate America

Mr Lincoln Tree Rose

Mr Lincoln

Sheer Elegance