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9/30/2013

Miscellaneous

Good Morning. We're in South Florida today, and I had scheduled a post to show up yesterday as we were traveling. I signed in using the laptop today, and see that my scheduled post is showing only as a draft. Not sure what is going on, as I had double checked the time that it was to post. I also see that on my laptop I am signed into this blog with gmail (which I think I set up when I was in Boston during the summer and in checking around blogger, it seems I can't change that). On my pc at home I'm signed in as I usually do. Oh I hate when I mess up stuff like this! I've tried to get that post to publish, but can only preview it. Sorry!

We had a nice day traveling south, beautiful weather. Very coolish as we left SC. Had to return to our house 2 different times before we actually got started for real. We stopped about a mile from our house to top off the gas. DH had gotten some travel cash on Saturday, even though we normally just use credit cards. I had put the money in my wallet as I was doing the last minute batten down the hatches house check, and laid my wallet on the dresser, to pick up as I came out of our bedroom. While DH was pumping the gas, I looked for my wallet to give him some of the bills to put in his own wallet, guess what? No wallet. So back home we go. Good thing I discovered this when I did, instead of 200 miles down the road. No drivers license, no insurance cards, etc..and all the other stuff you must have handy.

Then we started off again, got just a bit further down the road, and DH said "Did you check that the garage door closed?". Nope, neither of us could remember so back we go once again. Then finally officially got on the road, stopped to eat breakfast before we got out of our local area. We were about  90 minutes late on our departure, but it was not really a big problem. Does this kind of thing happen to you? I try to make lists (I did!) of pre-trip things  - like being sure the house temp is set to a certain degree and that it will hold for the period we're away, garbage is emptied, no running toilets, etc. but we still manage to leave in a flurry of forgotten things. Invariably.

As we travelled further south, the temperature warmed up considerably. Today it is lovely, and as I type this, I'm looking out on the water, sparkling like diamonds in the sun. So far I've not seen the dolphins that like to play out there, and the boat traffic has been fairly quiet as well. DD had a business meeting this morning, but should be home later. We're here with the 3 granddogs - who will sleep until their Mama gets back home.

Will try to take some pictures if I see anything interesting, and hope I can use this down time to visit some blogs. Didn't bring anything to make cards, hope my copics got packed along with some stamped images to color. So thanks for joining me today, and have a wonderful Monday. Hugs

9/29/2013

Christmas

Edit: This is the post that should have showed up Sunday. Once I got the other blogger problem (ie, operator error) sorted, I could get to this one to publish it. Hope you will enjoy the card!
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Good morning, and welcome. By the time you are reading this, DH & I will be on the way to Tampa to help our DD celebrate her birthday. Sorry I didn't get this card posted yesterday, but I was busy getting some necessary house chores done, packing, and thinking about what - if any - cardmaking supplies I wanted to drag along on the trip. Usually my copics go with me, along with some stamped images. I had thought perhaps to make up some card bases, take some paper, adhesive, etc, and maybe do some cards. Time got short, so I'll just be coloring, reading my kindle, watching the dolphins and hopefully enjoying some time with our daughter. We don't get to see her as often as we'd like.

My Friday night class was great! Lots of my Thursday stamping group buddies were there, so we had a good time playing catch up. We were in a shopping mode at the recent stamp show, so didn't really stop for much conversation. (Who wanted to miss out on a good buy? Not I!) Someone mentioned Brit sitcoms, and I piped up with "Anybody watch Doc Martin?". Well, some of them are almost as hooked on the show as am I, so we sat and talked about some of the funniest episodes. None of us can wait until the Season 6 gets to the USA (well, we'll have to wait, won't we?). I'll share the class cards here when I return.

In the meantime, here's my card to share today

 
 
- Cheery Lyn Santa Sleigh die, cut from the American Crafts glitter paper pack, which is very lightweight. I remembered to use the metal shim under this one as I cut, and it did much better than the angel die. I only had to slightly poke the bits, and they fell right out. I could have rubbed along, but the paper is thin and I didn't want to tear any of the places, so I poked carefully. It was pretty easy to get it all cleaned. (Note to self: label this die and the angel one to use the metal shim and wax paper!) Thanks Miss Pixie for reminding me of the wax paper and extra shimming.

- Adhered Sleigh to another silver piece from the same paper pack, and the Elizabeth Craft sentiment was cut from a snippet of the same red paper used for the sleigh and the scalloped trim.

- Poinsettia is from a 6x6 pack, which I don't have the name handy just at the moment, but if you are interested, I can provide it if you'll leave me a comment. I'll edit this post to name the paper pack.

- the card base is cut on the long length of an 8.5 x 11 piece of Recollection paper. Scored midway, folded. Then the top flap was scored and folded at the halfway point of the top piece.  (I'm trying to learn some different card folds to alleviate the same old fold I always use. Cause I'm comfortable with that one!)

9/27/2013

Rudolph Day

Hello and SHI-F-  we have another of our glorious South Carolina fall mornings outside. Sunny, but on the coolish side - was barely 70 when I got out of bed a few minutes ago. DH is painting the railing on our deck, and I expected him to be outside by the time I arose. Not so. He said the rails were too wet as yet. He doesn't like to be outside in the heat, and it still gets pretty warm mid-day, so he's been trying to get an early start on this chore. Three coats will take a long time to do, but the wood is very dry and rails are awkward to paint. Can't do it very well with a sprayer either. When he does the flooring, he will be able to use a roller (or perhaps spray it) and that will go faster. He's used a sealer product in the past, but it gets icky-sticky and he decided to try a deck paint.

I have an evening class at one of the few remaining stamp stores in our area. I suppose this would be called a kit card as the teacher has the supplies ready, papers all cut to size, and students construct the cards in class. I love taking her classes, and buy the products to make several cards later. I've been doing this for a few years, have yet to make one card at home. Occasionally, when I'm hunting for 'stuff', I'll come across the kit...feel a bit guilty for a few minutes. One day though....

As I was surfing blogs the last few days I've been seeing some fine cards submitted for the Rudolph Day Challenge over at Stamping for Pleasure.  Now you may ask yourself, what is that? Please do go take a look. Sarn starts this challenge at the beginning of the year - it opens each month on the 25th - and is an excellent way to get a head start on making your Christmas card. There will be lots of inspiration to enjoy, and if you enter now, you can at least get 3 cards made. I've been in the throes of Halloween, Fall and some birthday cards that hadda get done, so I was behind. Got busy last night and finished this one.


Friday Funday Challenge #19 at Jo's Scrap Shack

Hello and thanks for joining me this morning. Since it's Friday, you know it is a Funday Friday Challenge over at Jo's Scrap Shack.  This week is our sponsor is Digital stamps by Kenny K. I chose Harper Blue as my image to feature for this week's challengetheme of National Womens Friendship Day which was selected by fellow DT mate, Brenda. So here's the card I have to share:


- Kenny K Harper Blue digi was printed on Copic Xpress paper. I printed 2 images, then printed again on 2 different DP's, as I had decided to try paper piecing again. (this is _not_ easy for me, folks!). Harper's flared jeans reminded me of jeans we wore back in the '60's - which I'm sure many of you can't remember that far back!. So that mandated my choice of papers to piece her clothing; then colored skin & hair with copics. I colored the arms and neck on my 2nd c/stock print, cut them out and adhered to the base image. Otherwise her braceleted arm would have been underneath the pieced jeans. Her belt & bracelets were colored with Lipstick Red Spica pen, and IRL - these glitter a bit..as does her lipstick. Her hair got a bit of glossy accents for some added shine, as did her platform shoes. As I recall, these espadrille wedgie shoes from the '60's were of a fiber similar to coir rugs. Not a favorite style of mine, and the one pair I had - were miserable to try to walk in without being 'wobbly'. Diecut the image with a S/B oval, then embossed it with one of the Gold Ovals. Airbrushed the background in BG0000.

- Used rectangles from the clothing DP for background layering, and embossed the check piece with a Darice Chevron EF.

9/26/2013

Sunset Trees

Good afternoon, and it's a beautiful one in our area...very sunny after our rainy Wednesday, but a nice cool breeze blowing about. We are just back from running errands, some medical, some not. Had a nice lunch while we were out. Wanted to share another Dylusions background card and I have another one for later, in another colorway. Used the same stamp on both of them..but they look quite different with another set of sprays.


- Background done with diluted Dylusions sprays as I have described in earlier posts. I let this one dry naturally after a slight dab with a paper towel sheet. I just sort of 'blotted' quickly, not really drying it. I had selected colors thinking of a possible Halloween card, but when I saw the dried piece, it reminded me of a beautiful sunset.

- Memory Box tree stamp using Memento Rich Cocoa.

9/25/2013

Partial Stamp Convention Goodies



Good evening and it's been a dreary drizzly day at our house. We had planned to get up very early (ugh!) and go to a local country flea market. DH needs some new handles for his wheelbarrow and I was going to check on the availability of yellow pansies. That's what I like to have around the yard during the winter, as the bright spots of color can be very cheering on a gloomy gray winter's day. Last year I wasn't able to plant any, and I missed them during the dead of winter. I usually have some by our front porch steps and as I open the window blinds on a cold gray morning, it's heartening to see the bright pops of color.

Ok, as promised I got my stamp show haul partially unpacked last evening. I spread out some of the goodies on a big hassock we have in the basement...as I didn't want to lug them all upstairs where there is better lighting. I used the camera flash, so I hope these will look ok. I still have some stamps in bags that need be emptied.

Here's some pictures of items that came home with us from the show...hope you will enjoy seeing the 'fun' we had. Still have some unmounted stamps in a bag and some wooden Halloween ones that DH found. The vendor where we bought the unmounted stamps recommended I use them w/out mounting. When I've tried this before, I didn't get a good crisp stamping, but I'm going to give it a try. I don't like handling that EZ Mount stuff, as I always managed to get my hands an icky-sticky feeling. I did get some more of the yellow tack-it stuff made by Tsukineko that you put on a block, then the rubber clings to it. But as I said, I find I get a sharper image if I've got that mounting on the rubber. However, I'm going to try with the stamp press, and perhaps that will save me handling that EZ Mount. Hope you will enjoy and thanks for visiting. Hugs


9/24/2013

Iris Folding

Good morning. If you remember, I took a class on Iris folding some weeks ago. Today I've got 2 cards to share - of the 4 we made in class.



 
 This was the most complex of the designs we did & was the 4th card. I liked this one, but I don't like that the cardstock used as folding papers seems to make the front bow out as you can see here. I had some heavy books stacked on this one for quite a while, and it's still bowing. This will be a prototype. I learned a 'how to fix'  by getting some folds going wrong, and having to pull them up for a re-do. This caused white edges in some of the folded places where the tape had stuck. I took various copic markers to cover the white bits, just testing different shades of YG's until I got the places covered (well, pretty much anyway!). Something to keep in mind. These were the supplies we had available in the class, and I think basically, these were just 'snippets'. However, a good use of them I must say.
   

The wolf card is the one that got me enrolled in the Iris fold class. DH saw it when we were at Scrapbook Creation in Spartanburg, SC. It caught his fancy, and of course he said "You should learn to do that". Well, I did. The wolf is an image downloaded from the Silhouette store. Again, I had a bit of trouble with getting the folds going in the order they should be done. There were a couple of patchy places. The fix: Dab on some liquid glue, sprinkle on some sparkle glitter. Doesn't show here, but is very sparkly IRL. I have 2 more cards that I'll share later.

Hope you enjoy these, and perhaps give the Iris Fold technique a try. When I do more of it, I will be trying to use design paper rather than card stock. I think it would be easier to have as a flat front.

Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful afternoon. Hugs

9/23/2013

Punkin Head

Happy Monday and hope that your weekend was great. Ours was alternately busy & lazy. Sunday was the lazy day. I had things I had intended to do, didn't do 'em! (One thing was to photograph some of the goodies I brought home from last week's stamp convention). But I did sit down for a relaxing read, got drowsy and took a little nap. Lovely.

So here's the card I planned to post yesterday....


- Stampabilities image, on sale from Hobby Lobby, stamped on Cryogen paper, colored with copics. I airbrushed the background in BV00, trying for a sort of spooky, mysterious background. What you think? Is purple more mysterious than the blues I usually use? The jury is out on that here in our house!

- the sentiment is from a $1 package rub-on. I never really know how to use these things.

- matted using S/Binder Gold Rectangles One - which I've found to my disappointment only embosses. I used the 2 outer dies for the embossing effects and just trimmed the image to fit the background dp, using the Genesis cutter. Edged around the white framing mat with the same copic BV00 that I airbrushed. I used the brush nib against the outside of the die using it as a straight edge.

9/21/2013

Koi Fish and bubbles

Hiya, and TGISaturday! Welcome and welcome to a new follower, Migdalia of Crafting with CreativeM . Thanks for joining here, and I hope you will have time to check out Migdalia's wonderful blog. It's so lovely to see a new 'face' in the followers' list.

Here's a card I've had finished for a bit, using those yummy Ryn stamps. The background was made with Dylusions sprays - diluted - sprayed over a stencil.


- The Koi, seahorse and rising bubbles are stamps from here.  You have to use these lovely stamps in order to appreciate how wonderful they truly are. (And this is just my own endorsement). I want to try using Versamark and some embossing on these babies - but just haven't gotten around to it as yet.

- the foliage at the bottom was the top of a Stampscape tree stamp and bush that I've had for a while, as I've not yet ordered the seaweed or coral stamps that Ryn has available.

9/20/2013

Funday Friday Challenge at Jo's Scrap Shack

Howdy, and here we are back once again to Friday, so you know that means a Fun Friday Challenge over at Jo's Scrap Shack. Today Team A is being sponsored by The Paper Nest, and I chose the following image for my card.

Here it is:

- the digi image is called Mermaid with Clam, and was printed on Copic Xpress paper, colored - of course! with copics. After I colored & airbrushed the background, I mixed up Liquid Pearls (White Opal) with some water, painted the wash over the clam shell & pearl. IRL it gives a pretty pearly shine, just like the inside of a clam. I quite liked the effect, but unfortunately - my photography skill level doesn't show the shine. Also added some Stickles (Diamond) to the tail. Used a Sizzix Thinlets die that came with another product to diecut, so I don't really know the name.

- Dylusions card base background: Used London Blue, Vivid Turquoise, Calypso Teal that had been diluted with water & some that were diluted with water & White Linen to spray the Canson #90 w/color paper. I have a bottle of White Linen, nearly empty from using it to dilute other colors. I want to recycle the bottle, so added it about half full of water, shook it well. I sprayed the w/c paper with this white before starting to spray the blues over it. It was very wet after the sprays so I plopped another same size piece of Canson over it, gave it a good rub. I now have 2 backgrounds, but this process does eliminate the nice texture that the sprays had created. Next time I think I'll just let the first piece air dry. I knew I wanted to add the lovely Ryn Rising Bubbles stamp, which is why I chose the Mermaid image.

Before I adhered my focal image, I embossed the background with Tim Holtz Bubbles EF. I like the effect, but the stamped bubbles showed up quite a bit better before the embossing.

So won't you join us over at Jo's Scrap Shack Funday Friday Challenge, and let's have fun. Check Jo's blog for the easy rules.  It's an anything goes day...if you have either Bugaboo (Team B's sponsor) or Paper Nest stamps (Team A), use them by all means. But if not, just jump right in, anyway!

Thanks for popping by. Have a super day, and many hugs.

9/19/2013

Autumn

Hi & welcome to some new followers: Carol of Our Little Inspirations;  Donna of
Donna's Den; and Nessa of  The Crafty Laydee. Hope you can find time to check out these awesome blogs - 'cause you will see some beautiful work. Thanks to all of you for becoming followers here. Gosh I'm thrilled to see all my lovely followers; if you remember, I started this blog when my doctor told me I needed to exercise my brain cells. Who knew I'd have even _two_ followers!

We were out replacement window shopping again this morning. We've had reps come visit, but wanted to see an actual window and compare 2 different grades - but the same window - from 2 different reps. We went to the window company showroom; learned from the salesman there - who does not sell to the public - that both companies do good work (a relief). But there is a sizeable difference in the price we are being quoted between the 2 companies. The gentleman we saw today, could not of course - discuss the pricing aspect with us, since he sells direct to the businesses. He did give us some things to think about though, and I felt he was honest in his comments.The more we're looking, the more confused I'm getting as to which would be our best purchase...with not knowing how long we'll still live in this house.

Here's another card that I've had in the works. Hope you'll enjoy it.



- image is a wooden Magenta oldie, stamped in Versamark on Cryogen paper, embossed with Ranger Queen's Gold. Colored - carefully due to the embossing - with copics. I've found if I use a dot touch rather than the circular motion Copic teaches you, that the marker nibs don't get messed up. Then blended very lightly.  BG0000 hand done on the background. S/B circle diecut, and probably a square would have been more pleasing.

- kraft border backing, distressed with DI Spiced Marmalade.

- EK Success Leaf Border punch from a teal snippet, distressed edges with the Spiced Marmalade. 2 extra leaves that were trimmed from the border edges, were distressed with the DI. I remembered to do a little shaping with an embosser tool on these leaves before tucking them under the circle.

- sentiment diecut with S/B Fancy Tags, on kraft snippet; faux mat from tracing outer edge of the die, using more teal snippets left from the leaf punch. There was not enough to go out underneath the scrolls, so just used what was available.

- Colored some light blue rhinestones with Teal shades of Copics...think it was in the BG family of colors, but just kept picking a marker, coloring the rhinestones until I got the look I wanted.

- the sentiment is an old Amuse stamp.

I think this will be my 3rd entry at the current Snippets Playground, week 90, which has 2 more days to be open. Just a heads up:  there is a Ryn water droplets stamp up for grabs, along with some other goodies. Let me tell you - this is one fab stamp! So why not put your name(or card!) in the hat and maybe get lucky?

Happy Thursday afternoon. Thanks for joining me today. Think I have time to rest my eyes before a 4pm doctor apt with the DH. We had lunch while we were out and I'm sleepy! Hugs

9/18/2013

Christmas

Good evening. We had a definite touch of Fall in the air this morning as we had to get out for an early medical appointment. It did warm up mid-day, but the hint we've been feeling these last days was definitely more pronounced today. Actually, what is it -  3 more days until Official Fall??? This year has just flown past.

I've been wanting the Glowing Candles Memory Box die ever since I first saw it. Had it ordered at one place, been waiting forever it seems for it to get in stock and ship. I've been seeing some lovely cards using this die on so many blogs. Here's my version (well, the first one anyhow)..

MB die cut using a gold glitter paper. Recut it once more with green glitter paper, just to get the holly leaves, and overlaid the original diecut on the leaf portion. There's another small MB die of just holly leaves with a triple berry die, so I cut this one in green (for extra leaves) then again in red (berries, yes?). After I adhered the additional pieces, I had a light bulb moment:  should have used the round tipped embosser thing-y and shaped these extras for a bit of dimension. They were stuck down tight, and no way was I trying to take them off.

Used my favorite Aileen's Easy Flow glue for tiny bits of glue on the backside of the die. Using tweezers, I very carefully went to place on the red velvet paper (which I remembered having, and miraculously was able to find!). You guessed it...the piece dropped off the tweezers. Had the red been plain paper, the glue would have dried, no spots. On the velvet texture, it left a visible place, so that's why the little rhinestones by the candle flames. Hey, the rhinestones look better than the smears!
 

9/17/2013

Funny Email

I'm sharing an email I received today. I laughed, (remembering some of these occurrences all too well) - so I hope it will give you a chuckle or two this evening.
 -------------------------------
We all have experienced all of this but maybe not all at once.  :)

FOR ALL THE MEN WHO ASK, "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG IN THE RESTROOM"?
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When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.
 
You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern "seat covers"(invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance
In this position your aging, toneless (God I should have gone to the gym!!!) thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance".

To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying,
"Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more. 


You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday -the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That will have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. 
The door hits your purse,which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. "Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course.

You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper -not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get".

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes.

The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in, too.
At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.
You're e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d.

You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.


You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, ..... so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.
You are no longer able to smile politely to them.  A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this".

As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom.

Annoyed, he asks,
"What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" ...........

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms
(rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse, and hand you Kleenex under the door!

Send this to all women that understand what bonding in the bathroom is all about!


A Friend Is Like A Good Bra...

Hard to Find...
Supportive....
Comfortable
...
Always Lifts You Up...

Never Lets You Down, or Leaves You Hanging,
And Is Always Close To Your Heart!!!

Share with anyone who needs a good laugh!
     

Fall

Good Morning - welcome to my world. Today's card is made with one of my very first wooden stamp purchases. I saw this stamp in cling while I was at the stamp show on Saturday. Don't have the maker's name handy as I'm doing this post, but if you should like to know the info, I'll be happy to hunt up the stamp and provide the data. I've done this image stamping in versamark, embossing with Queen's Gold, then coloring with markers (not copics). It looks great done that way.

This time, the image was just stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, then colored with copics in the usual way. Stems have some Spica glitter pen as does the green & brown gourds. Airbrushed BG0000 for the background after finishing all the other coloring.

 
 
 
- background was done with Dylusions sprays and some stencils. It was one of my 'play' pieces. In case you can't tell, I'm enjoying these sprays. I've always had trouble with the Tattered Angels & some of the sprays of that sort. I did with the Dylusions at first, especially trying to spray through a stencil. I'm way too heavy handed. I've found what works best for me - at least at this stage - is to give short bursts of spray in different colors, blot with the paper towel roll. I've cut a partially used roll in half, because for the size of cardstock I'm using, I don't need the long roll.(oh yes, by partially used, I mean we've used about 1/3 of the roll, so it's not so hard to cut through the thickness of the roll.) Then when the paper gets all gunky looking, I just tear it off, there's a clean piece. It does not stain the next piece of toweling too badly. Not for the purposes for which I'm using it anyway!
 
Spellbinders labels dies for the image & faux mat. A clear sentiment was stamped with Memento Rhubarb, sponged a smidgen of DI Antique Linen while the sentiment was still in a small rectangle die. I didn't want to cover up any of my image, so on the side went the sentiment.
 
Hope you enjoy this one..I did. Come again when you can. Hugs 

9/16/2013

Halloween

Hi, and I certainly hope you're not getting sick of Halloween cards! At our house, someone likes Halloween cards. I do too, but not as much as I like Fall & Christmas cards. Anyway, I saw a card on Pinterest pinned from kittiekraft.typepad.com . I had DH come see it, told him we had the dies to make this one. He was all for it. Now, Kitty does fantastic cards, and she has certainly inspired me on quite a few occasions. Sorry but I don't know how to show her beautiful card here, but at least I can give her the credit for the original look.

I didn't have the same papers, and I think she used Impressions Obsession Haunted Hill diecut (I did too), but it looks much different against the orange, white & black striped paper on her card.

Here's my take on Kitty's card: (and I hope I've done the acknowledging part properly!)


I used the IO Haunted Hill die, along with a MBox Tombstone die.(both cut from a snippet strip that was just right to use for both dies) Adhered the tombstones first, had to remove/reposition 2 stones that were behind the house. When I adhered the IO diecut over the 1st diecut, I used popdots to elevate it just a bit. I also added some bits behind the house windows and the punkin for the glowing windows & face.

Pulled apart a small piece of a cotton ball to get the fog for the tree, which is entangled in the branches. Moon is from a circle punch, EK Success bats added from snippets. Ghost is also an EK Success punch, 'nother snippet.

paper is from Authentique Thrilling Collection, 6x6 pack.

Sentiment is from a pack of Martha Stewart borders that I've had for a while. Came from Michael's I think.

OK, I've been MIA at the Snippets Playground for a while, since I couldn't get round to visit & comment. I think we might be back on track for a few days, so I'm going over to visit the Playground. First, there's some terrific cards. Also - some nifty prizes. So let's away...to Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground, Week 90. You won't be disappointed at what you see.

Thanks for visiting, and lots of cyber hugs. Come again when you can.

Florals

Good morning, and welcome to Mayra of http://mayrasdesigns.blogspot.com/. Thanks for becoming a follower, and I would encourage ya'll to take a peek at Mayra's blog.

We had a lovely weekend, but I was really tired from ambling around at the stamp show. It was fun, but boy, was I tired once we got back home. I can remember when I could shop all day, go out that night and have fun. We won't say how long ago that was!!

Here's a card that has been pretty well finished and on the desk for several months, but I just never got round to doing the final touches. I was trying to do some shadow stamping, where you do the main image, stamp it again without reinking the stamp. This is a Stacy Stamp image that I've had for several years. I think I need to try the eraser cleaning technique on the surface of this stamp, as it doesn't give a clear crisp image, even when I use the stamp press. Recently I saw a video where the blogger showed how to prep the clear stamps by 'sanding' them so-to-speak, with a white pencil eraser block. I've tried that on some of the red rubber stamps I just bought, and I think I did get a sharper image.

Here's the card:


- Cardbase started life as a purchased, textured pack - 10 for $1.00, cream colored. I colored it with some leftover sprays that were on a craft mat, and it's a little blotchy in places. I had stamped the flowers from Stacy Wildflowers on white c/s,  then diecut with a S/Binder label die. Of course I sponged around the edges with Distress Inks. Handcut a faux mat using the outside of the image die using a green snippet that was just big enough for what I needed. This was all done some time back, and I don't remember what colors were used for anything. When I was ready to finish the card, found another green snippet, used an MS loopy punch. Left an edge at the bottom of the punched piece, which I halved and it was just wide enough to apply to each side of the card.

Of course when I adhered these 2 border pieces behind the focal piece, added the Elizabeth Craft diecut sentiment (another very tiny snippet), it looked presentable. However, when I took the photo, looked at a larger image, overlap on the punched pieces loomed like a sore thumb. So I just took a hole punch, punched out some small circles from the black snippet. Worked ok to hide the join at the top, but looked a bit odd to me (the Cheers covered it at the bottom). Decided to add the same look at each side of the image, and there you have it. Not one of my favorites of anything I've done, but hopefully, not a total wart.  I'll probably use this for somebody near & dear who won't be too critical!! LOL

I'm not hopping over the pond with these snippets, primarily just 'cause I haven't had time to pay reciprocal visits lately, so I'm bashful about joining in the fun when I can't play fair. I would encourage all of you to treat yourselves and fly 'cross the pond to see what those mischievious ladies at Pixie's Snippets Playground have been up to lately. I can guarantee you that you will be happy you looked in. I've snooped around - just not had time to type up comments; I know there's some really pretty cards to see.

As always, thanks for visiting, and come again soon if you have time. In the meantime, have a Blessed day.

9/15/2013

Dylusions

Good afternoon, and our Sunday is on the downslope toward late evening. It's been a lovely day; we even got in some swing time on the front porch. My #1 brother & SIL came by for a little visit, and to borrow a tool from DH. This brother is the family handyman, but unfortunately in the last years, he's had lots of eye problems. While we were in the driveway, saying goodbye to them, #2 brother walked by with his little dog (a Schnauzer). So we all chatted for a few minutes. They left and then DH, Bro #2 & I adjourned to the front porch to sit and yak a spell. There was a lovely breeze, so it was very pleasant to sit out.

Trying to play catch up with a few loads of laundry that didn't get done yesterday while we swanned off to the stamp show. Met a friend at the entrance and she & I stayed together, while DH wandered off to spot stuff that he thought I should see. We also met a bunch of our other stamp buddies from the Thursday stamp group I used to attend. It was delightful to see them after several months. Will try to spread out all the loot and take a picture of some of the stuff we bought. Oh it was fun, even though we didn't have as many vendors attending as have in previous years.

I had mentioned that Friday night I took a Mixed Media class (No, definitely NOT getting in journaling, but I enjoyed the techniques we learned).

So here's a couple pictures of the 12x12 sheet I produced using gesso (first layer on the paper), drying gesso, then spraying with Dylusions, adding some other products. We each picked a set of the sprays, choosing colors we thought would go well together (I chose blues), sprayed over the dried gesso, then wipe or swirl with a baby wipe or paper towel. I had textured my application of gesso - so had some ridge-y places. Most of the other students kept their gesso layer flat, so it dried faster. I wanted to try the textured look that I've seen on some blogs. The green places in the work were applications of Acrylic Silk paste, spread along the margin, then spritzed with water, watch it run, or blot it as you chose to do. The Silk Acrylics were a new product to me as well as the gesso, stone art, and pearlized embossing paste.

12x12 finished page- started with basic cream card stock
 

lower left section-after drying the surface, added stamping; Stone Art paste through a stencil (leaves) then painted with pearlized texture paste and Dylusions mixed together on a palette, using a brush



Butterfly charm, spots painted with pearlized paste mixed with Dylusion spritzed into it. Big Brush pen coloring the hummingbird

closeup of Stone Art raised surface- no color added
 
 
 
Gesso added through butterfly stencil, then leveled off using a palette knife. later added some color using a Faber Castell Big Brush pen, which can be blended while wet
 
Close up of the butterfly stencil & gesso. There is a bit of pearlized paint on the body.
 
 
The 2 sisters who taught this class were first time teachers. They did a fantastic job, answered all our questions - even those that didn't specifically pertain to the particular techniques we were doing for this class. All of us had 'what if' questions, and the ladies were so enthusiastic about trying to discuss - from either their personal experimentation, or just a general class discussion based on one person's knowledge about the processes we were asking about. It was so informative & good for me, because I'm a sort of 'controlled crafter', not great about just winging it with new techniques. This class led us to just be 'free' with our experimentation, and once I got started, I had a lot of fun. I did take a pair of think latex gloves, which I've learned is a good tool to use when I'm working with the Dylusions sprays. Don't like getting my hands all sticky, discolored - whatever, so the gloves are a necessary tool for me.
 
Thanks for popping in to visit this evening & I hope your weekend was just grand. Hugs







 

9/14/2013

Christmas

Good Morning & hopefully you have a fun weekend ahead. Shortly we will be on our way to the annual local stamp convention that is held each September. When I first got interested in this hobby, the sponsor was Heirloom Rubber Stamps but for the past 2 years it's been Scrap Arts. Some of my buddies & I were talking and we've decided there were lots more vendors when it was Heirloom. Not sure if this change we perceive is due to the sponsor; if fewer people are coming, therefore many vendors don't sign up for the show; or if the place where it is held, raised the entry fees way too expensive to make it profitable for vendors to participate. Earlier years it would run for 2 entire days but this year it's Friday night & then Saturday. When I checked online for the vendor list, didn't see as many listed as I was hoping. I'm sure I'll still  manage to find lots of things that I can't live without - but it's always a better show when one sees lots of vendors and especially those that I buy from online too. (Like Impression Obsession and Our Daily Bread Designs for example).

Here's a card that should have been very easy to do. Love this Elizabeth Craft Ribbon Tree die, but oh did I struggle with it. (it cut beautifully, but trying to get the little bits assembled so that the tree didn't look wonkered.. .my gracious. This one is the 3rd try, and I said "That's it - I'm tired of messing about with it".

I used several small paper packs - selecting random papers I thought would look nice together. This would be a great snippets card, but being honest, I'll confess I used 'whole papers'. Selecting the tiers from several papers, the remains would make 3 more trees and the die will make 2 tree sizes. This is the larger one. I looked at the example on the package to assemble, used the same configuration as shown. The pictured example doesn't look all that straight either, but mine still didn't look exactly quite right!


- Elizabeth Craft Ribbon Tree die. (My first effort, I glued the tree trunk to the card, placed the tiers against the trunk. Looked really crooked when I finished, even though I was attempting to keep the overhang edges balanced. Next effort I glued the tiers together first, then put the trunk in what looked to be the center of the stack. Still didn't look right. Did the same thing with this one that I finally settled with, thought it was ok, but then once I had it adhered to the embossed background, the top looks tipsy. Well, we shall just call this one a Folk Art Christmas Tree!

- EF is by Kars, and one of my favorite Snowflake folder.

- sentiment is an Elizabeth Craft sticker.

This is the first Elizabeth Craft die that I have to admit, I probably won't use a lot. Not because it doesn't cut well, but it's just too fiddly for my fingers. Maybe there is an easier way to assemble it than I did, maybe it's supposed to look slightly askew...and maybe I'll change my mind later! LOL

Happy Day and catch you later. You know I'll be having fun at the stamp show. Some of my buddies are supposed to be there. I usually enjoy walking around by myself, not feeling like I have to keep up or wait on, other folks. Thanks for joining me today, and Blessings.

9/13/2013

Friday Fun Day at Jo's Scrap Shack - FFC #17

Good Morning, and thanks for joining me today. This Friday the challenge at Jo's Scrap Shack, Friday Fun Day, #17 is to do an autumn themed card. Our sponsor today is Your Next Stamp.We would love to have you play along with us this week and show your autumn card. Please check out the rules at Jo's Scrap Shack  and submit your project. It can be any stamp, but just needs to have an autumn feel to the card.

To me, autumn means falling leaves and trees turning glorious colors, so this old CHF stamp seemed to fit the bill perfectly.


Inside

- image is an older Cornish Heritage Farms stamp, colored with Copics, die cut with a S/binder Circle.

- Impression Obsession die cut leaves using various papers & smudged with various colors of Distress Inks.

- sentiment from a clear Autumn themed set, stamped on the same kraft paper used for card base.

- EF was Darice Woodgrain

It wasn't until I had the card finished, that I realized I didn't leave much space to put a signature. I expect we can squeeze one in just under the leaves on the left side.

We'll be looking forward to seeing your autumn cards over at Jo's Scrap Shack, FFC #17, where the word of the day is: Autumn. C'mon along. Have a grand day, and enjoy whatever it is that you may be doing to get ready for the weekend. Hugs

9/11/2013

Purple Hyacinths

Good Morning. Did you see or hear me doing the Happy Dance? Yesterday we worked on window cleaning for a while. Original plan was to do 6 or 7 more of the windows, and finish up today. When we got the goal number finished yesterday, I still had a little bit of energy left, so convinced my Helper to let's go ahead and finish the remaining ones, so that we could tick this chore finished. He wasn't terribly enthusiastic about my idea; his recliner was calling to him. But we perservered, and Voila, all done. Except for the outside of 2 windows that are in the computer room, that faces the back deck. Because of some built-in things in the pc room, it's awkward to tilt these windows in to get at the outside portion, so we're going to remove the screens & wash these the old fashioned way.

Here's another card with a Dylusions background. I diluted several colors with just water & a small amount of the spray; then in another bottle I used some of the spray, added some of the White Linen spray, filled the bottle with water. I'm liking the way I can have new colors. I do label the new bottles at the time I mix up these so I don't forget just what colors I used. So far I've not tried mixing in any of the black spray to get darker shades, but I really like the look of the added white. Just have to remember to shake this white additive very well. The original White Linen has one of the 'mixer balls' in it, which of course - won't be in the newly mixed colors.


- background created using dilution sprays with white, in Pure Sunshine, Dry Martini, Postbox Red and some Calypso Teal. This was done on Canson #90 paper, and I think it gives a sort of 'canvas' look to the background. Before it dried, I pressed another piece of just plain white card stock over the wet piece, so there is a second background waiting for use.

- image is a $2 AC Moore clearance find. Stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy on the dried Dylusion background; petals colored with various shades of BV copics. This is the first time I've tried using the copics over the Dylusions and I used a sort of dot  motion to get some color in the petals of the hyacinth. Watercolor paper will suck in the copic ink quite a bit too. Didn't seem to affect the nibs however..but I was very careful to just 'touch' the paper. Used a Signe gel pen to get some highlights.

After matting, this looked rather plain, so I added a Die-namics leaf flourish, first in the purple - which looked too bright. Decided to offset with a darker green leaf under the purple, liked this better. I'll add a small sentiment in the top right corner.

Thanks for joining me today, and I'm off to try to pay some return visits to all the kind commenters who have been visiting me lately. Have a wonderful day.

9/10/2013

Halloween

Good Afternoon, and it's another window cleaning day (Arrgh). Trying to get 6 or 7 more done today.

Here's another Halloween card, very simply made.

 
 
- Great Impressions solid image stamped in Memento Tuxedo black on white card stock. Used Memento Canteloupe to layer the yellow tones I wanted for the background. Then started adding Lulu Lavendar, and adding in the blues with a sponge to create the sky. Just kept adding layers until I decided 'Stop'. Intended to go darker on the sky, but thought I should leave well enough when I got to this point.
 
- DH added a punched circle moon on some textured DP, and of course - his signature Bat silhouette over the moon.
 
- Memory Box ghosts, brooms and the sentiment. The ghosts & brooms are on a die set that has 2 sizes of cauldrons, a punkin with a handle and a tiny witch.
 
- used yellow, orange copics on the flames, then added some spica pens - yellow & red. Also used the Signe white pen to add dots along the chair frames. An orange round rhinestone was on the desk, so added it to the pot flames. It looks like an 'eyeball', doesn't it?
 
- trim is an MS border punch. Card cover is a snippet & the green & white dot under the spider border is the reverse side of the orange paper. 
 
Enjoy your afternoon. I will enjoy being finished with these darned windows! Thanks for visiting, and ya'll have a good day. Hugs.

9/09/2013

Halloween

Good afternoon. Window cleaning progress to report: 7 windows cleaned today. We have tilt in windows, and I always manage to get one 'out of the track', and we have to struggle to get it back in the track so it can be closed. One year we managed to bend a frame, had to call a repair guy to fix the frame, so now DH helps me hold the windows in a stable position. Today we managed to get one so that the locks won't work now! Decided then it was time to call it a day. 7 down, 13 more to go- on the main floor!

Here's a card I did practicing the Iris fold I learned last Saturday. It's not great, but at least I was able to follow the pattern.


- Various yellow DP and card stock. If DP is used, the 'back area' is not so thick. This will have to be a hand delivered card. I even stacked some books on the card front to flatten it a bit. It's still too thick for a regular envelope. The witch was die cut from the THoltz Witch die, which also has a bat.

- Sentiment is one of the 'on the edge' dies, not sure if it was DieNamics or Memory Box, but I can verify this if someone wants to know for sure.

- Cut a card front from Coordinations texture paper, used a S/Binder circle die to make the opening to cover the iris fold. Then adhered the witch. Entire piece was then adhered to a cardbase.

For anyone who is interested in trying the Iris folding technique, there are patterns available..just google Iris fold and you'll find lots of free ones to print out.

Thanks for visiting. Hope to see you again tomorrow if I can manage it. Ya'll have a wonderful evening, and now I'm off for a rest. You will see me doing a Happy Dance when these chores are finished! (I can hear my Mama saying now "If - in a hundred years - it won't make a difference, why are you fretting over it?", but I still like a half-way clean house!) Hugs


9/08/2013

All Occasion

Happy Sunday Morning, and Welcome.

First, let me apologize for not getting around to visit all who have left such lovely comments on the latest cards. We have been working like crazy, trying to get things cleaned before Fall sets in. It's been 2 years since I was able to do anything like porch & window cleaning, so things around here were pretty much in a grime-y mess. DH is not one to self-start on such tasks...so needs must get prodded. To be fair, I wouldn't feel comfortable having him do such things while I lazed around inside. To date we've gotten the back deck and a large shed pressure cleaned [He]. Then cleaned our back porch (which is small), then the front porch (which is pretty large)-[Me]. We didn't use a pressure cleaner on the porches, as the water flow pressure is just too strong on the vinyl that we have to clean. (When it's an He task, my duties consist of going to get missing required whatever, bringing cold drinks, dry shirt, etc. ). When we built this house, we tried to think of how to make it as maintenance free as possible - so no outside painting, etc. However, occasionally, one does have to clean grime. Yesterday I took liquid car wax, and wiped down the cleaned bannisters, railings and spindles on the front porch, hoping the waxy finish will help deter bird dropping stains, a bit of grime, etc. However, when we finish a task each day, I'm pooped, and all I want to do - is clean up me, (he's responsible for himself!), then launder the wet stuff & flop in the recliner. I will get back around - I promise. Many thanks for not giving up on me! :-)

After my late afternoon nap - which usually lasts from about 5pm to about 9pm, I grab a snack, and head to the basement to try to get a card ready to post. Some of the ones posted lately, were pretty well done, and I just had to add finishing touches, so easy to do. Then I fall into another doze, until I wake up to stumble up the stairs to go to bed. Winter will be a quiet time - I hope - as no outside chores to have to do.

OK..enough of my excuses. Here's the card I finished last night.
- Image is Stampabilities, Puddle Fun, stamped on Xpress paper, colored with copics and spica pens. Raindrops & puddle have glossy accents for some shine, plus I added some Gelly Roll Clear Star in places for sparkle. Airbrushed the image background with BG0000.

- S/binder Label 23 die cut, and same for the faux mat on lavender Bazzill. Smudged some DI Milled Lavendar on the Bazzill mat edges.

- Card base cover was created with Dylusions sprays. Started with Canson 90# w/color paper. Diluted Funky Fushia with water; a 2nd bottle diluted with water, added white linen.(the ones with white linen must be shaken well to mix prior to using). Sprayed these through a recently purchased water droplets stencil. Once this dried, I stamped the lovely Ryn raindrops stamp that was a recent win from Pixie's Playground - which I have been wanting to ink. It's a bit hard to see here, but I liked the look of the stamp with the image. I want to use this stamp on a main focal piece as soon as I get the chance. Then I embossed the piece with Sizzix Flourishes #3 EF, which I got on sale last week at the local AC Moore. Smudged edges & corners of the cover piece with DI Concord Grape & Stormy Sky before adhering to card base.

Purple is not a color I reach for often, but I like the way this one turned out. DH likes the frog.

I'm off this afternoon to visit a stamp buddy who's having a rough patch. We're going to just sit & visit, maybe we'll take her Silhouette Cameo for a cruise, maybe share some stamps - or maybe not. Just depends on what she feels like doing. Looking forward to it.

Ya'll have a nice afternoon, and remember, we  have a nice clean front porch on which to sit, swing or rock, maybe have a glass of something 'cool'. Thanks for visiting, and come again when you can. Hugs.