Walk away March 20, 2009

This card was almost a goner.  I liked the way the patterned paper (by an unknown company)looked with the Groovy Guava card stock, but then I had trouble coming up with a focal point that looked right.  The first one I made looked hideous so I took it off and left the card blank for a couple days.  When I came back to it, I had fresh inspiration and am pleased with the result.  Sometimes it’s best to walk away.

I inked the entire cat stamp in Close to Cocoa ink, then used a blender pen to remove the brown from the eyes, inking them with green marker (though it’s hard to see in the pic).  The pearls came from Hobby Lobby, as did the heart rhinestone.  The crown was glittered with Stickles in Fruit Punch.

Shades of Gray March 16, 2009

Well, not just shades of gray, also some black and white!  Yesterday while I was working on the color challenge, I made several additional cards I wanted to share.  All supplies are SU!

I stamped a couple different images on the gray cardstock to create my own patterned paper.  The edges of the white cardstock were distressed with a Tim Holtz distresser.  When I was at Hobby Lobby last weekend with my friend Emily, she picked up a distresser by Heidi Swapp for just 99 cents. What a deal!

Sorry this pic is a little blown out.  I would like to figure out how to do some simple editing (cropping, adjusting brightness, etc), but haven’t done so yet. The card above is pretty straightforward, just some stamped and punched circles.

Another quick card.  Focal image is the same as the one in the first card in this post.  Stamped the stems in Basic Gray three times before re-inking to vary the depth.

I stamped the animal print background in Basic Gray ink, on BG card stock.  The zebras are stamped on black card stock in white pigment ink and heat embossed with white powder.  Those are the most notable details.

I made this card with my nephew Ezra in mind.  He will be turning three next month, so in honor of that I wanted to repeat the main image three times.  Once I got started, I began to second guess my choice of theme because he is sort of obsessed with trains right now.  But alas, I don’t have any train stamps, so, this will most likely be his card from me and Uncle.

That’s it for now.  My husband caught the flu I had last weekend so I stamped all day while he tried to sleep.  He seems a bit perkier this evening, so it’s time I pay him some attention.  A friend loaned us the first season of 24, so we are going to check that out.  Heard it’s good.  G’night!

KW Color Challenge #45 March 14, 2009

What an appropriate color choice for today’s challenge.  It is very gray outside, but thankfully there are peeks of green and pink and yellow popping through as well!  But you will find none of those colors in this card…

All the items used are SU! (shocking, I know).   I stamped the French Script background stamp on the Basic Gray card stock with BG ink.  Then I used white craft ink to stamp the Brocade background stamp over the top, then heat embossed with white detail powder.  Next, I got out the flowers from my Pretties Kit and layered them, held together with a rhinestone brad.  The finished flower was adhered to a strip of Basic Black cardstock with gray velvet ribbon from last season’s Beachfront ribbon originals (love!).  Card base is Basic Black.

Taking this challenge really got my mojo flowing.  I will post some more black, white and gray cards later this weekend.

Winter Wishes March 13, 2009

My maternal grandmother used to crochet snowflakes. When I saw this stamp set, I knew I had to have it! Despite the warm weather teaser and the blooming foliage, I awoke this morning to ice pellets hitting my window. So, in honor of what I hope is the last cold snap before spring, winter wishes!

List-less March 12, 2009

While I was sick and listless, I got to thinking about how over the last few months I have become blissfully list-less.  Allow me to explain.

For as long as I can remember I have  functioned with a list at my side, a crutch I adopted sometime in my formative years, and carried into adulthood.  Once I became active in Mary Kay, the Six Most Important Things to do list became a part of my daily routine.  This list, and all others before and since, was simply to guide me to and through various tasks throughout my days and weeks…or so I thought.

About 9 months ago, I started to notice the lists I once thought of as friendly helpers,  were  beginning to look more and more like schoolyard bullies.  Instead of getting a sense of accomplishment for completing one or some of the items on my Post It,  I began to feel I had not done near enough in the day.  Even when I did complete all items, I would often find myself adding new ones, that would then go unfinished and would taunt me until they were checked off, only to be replaced by more, more, MORE!  The list and my interaction with it was starting to wear me out!

So, after a bit of deliberation,  I decided to ditch the list. It was difficult at first, but liberating as well.  I still get a lot done each day, but don’t have the stress of the glaring listed items that DON’T get done.  That was the real issue for me.  Now don’t get me wrong, I still make a list of things to pack when going on a trip, we make a grocery list, so as not to forget the goat milk yogurt, etc.  But the lists that once ruled my life have disappeared.  And I say good riddance to them!  They served a purpose for a time and are still utilized on the odd occasion, but now I appreciate a more flexible way of thinking and doing. I like not relying on ideals on  ink and paper to judge the value of my waking hours.  I am happy to be List-less.

What old habits have you happily kicked to the curb?

And now, a card. I am totally addicted to Stampin Up’s Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  I stamped this butterfly( not sure the company who makes it), colored it in, then put the dazzling diamonds over top.  The colors from the image show through, making this glitter so incredibly versatile! I did pop the glittery wing of the butterfly for dimension.  With the exception of the ribbon, all other items used are SU!

Smile! March 10, 2009

Just got this pic of my nephew, Lincoln. Had to share!

Silver Lining March 9, 2009

We’ve all heard that each dark cloud has a silver lining, and today is proof positive for me it’s true. Despite the fact I got very sick last night and am still totally wiped out and nauseated, little sparkly bits of the proverberial silver lining have brightened my day. For starters, my servant hearted neighbor brought me Gatorade, ginger ale, Real Fruit popsicles and a collection of chick flicks. How nice is that?!

Second, it’s beginning to look a lot like springtime, everywhere you go! (take a look at the five and ten, glistening once again…:) The tree outside my bedroom window is coming to life with fresh, green, leafy buds, and shiny red berries. Third, I was able to sit outside in the sunshine and read my mail, getting a much needed, solar re-charge. Even now, as I wait for my wonderful husband to come home bearing Saltines, I have the time to blog for the first time in a month!

So while I wouldn’t have chosen for today to go the way it has, I am thankful for the blessings I have been given in the unexpected. In the Little House Books, Laura Ingalls Wilder says something to the effect of, “There is never a loss without some small gain”, and I heartily agree.

NOW for a new card post! My friend Brandi said she is tired of looking at this truck card every time she checks my blog- and right she is! Here are some samples of cards I made for Valentines Day, and one I made for my nieces birthday. I like how simple the V-day cards are, and the sparkle on the birds party hat.  All products are SU!