For a Unique Individual

One of my closest friends will celebrate her birthday on Easter this year (and luckily for her, she gets to go to someone else's house for dinner!). She's had some stressful days recently, so I hope this card will bring some cheer to her day.

I think that Graphic 45 makes gorgeous papers and the designs in the Botanicabella collection are no exception. This card also features images from Artistic Outpost. Stay tuned for more projects featuring their stamps, because just today I received three new sets!

Have a great weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Outpost; brown and sienna cardstocks by Bazzill; decorative papers by Graphic 45; Versamark ink; Archival jet black ink; wild honey, rusty hinge, and walnut stain distress inks; clear embossing powder; Martha Stewart border punch; Tim Holtz Idea-ology muse token and trinket pin; Karen Foster scrapper's floss; pop-dots.

Today is Another Chance

Here's a simple card I made using decorative papers pulled from my scrap pile. Have you figured out yet that I have a lot of scrap paper?

I like this sentiment. It's a good reminder to start each day with fresh optimism and renewed vigor to live our lives the best we can.

I hope you are doing something today to make your dreams come true.

Supplies:
Stamps: Studio 490 (Wendy Vecchi); Bazzill black cardstock; decorative papers by Pink Paislee, Colorbox black pigment ink; clear embossing powder, Fiskars border punch, Martha Stewart border punch; old button; Karen Foster scrapbooking floss.

A Robin Means Spring

It's the eve of spring and although our mini crocuses bloomed this past week, I have yet to see a robin! And now we're supposed to get an inch of snow tomorrow. I hope it really is just an inch because I am more than ready for a change in seasons.


I adore these vintage botanical images from Artistic Outpost.


To start my card, I chose a decorative paper from K & Company that features another sign of spring: tulips. Originally I intended to create something with brighter, spring-like colors, but the burgundy and dark green cardstocks coordinated best with the tulip paper. This card also features two new colors of Tim Holtz distress inks: Victorian velvet and bundled sage. The colors are as gorgeous as their names and I love how they look together.

Here's hoping that spring and all its harbingers are just around the corner for all of us! Have a fabulous weekend.

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Outpost; decorative paper by K & Company; very vanilla cardstock by Stampin' Up!; burgundy and green cardstock by Bazzill; ColorBox black pigment ink; Versamark ink; distress inks: Victorian velvet, bundled sage, and walnut stain; clear embossing powder; round and scalloped round Nestabilities; Martha Stewart border punch; Stampin' Up! small oval and scalloped oval punches; antique brass brads and photo turn; Stampin' Up! dimensionals.

C'est Magnifique

Who can see the words c'est magnifique and not think of the Cole Porter song? (Well, I suppose someone who doesn't know the Cole Porter song.) But I do know it and whenever I use this stamp set, I end up humming the tune for hours. Thankfully it's a tune I like! Like many Cole Porter songs, it includes a cute rhyme that makes me smile.

I hope you are having a magnificent day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Outpost; black cardstock by Bazzill; polka dot decorative paper by Graphic 45; page from an old book; Archival jet black ink; walnut stain distress ink; corrugated cardstock; old buttons from my stash; embroidery floss.

Sunday Postcard Art - Travel

I learned about Sunday Postcard Art through another blog that I regularly visit. For some time now I have been admiring the artists who participate in this weekly challenge and their beautiful and unique creations. I told myself that one day I was going to get up the nerve to participate.

Well, this week's theme is travel and I have some travel and foreign-themed stamps and ephemera, so I decided to take the plunge. I love collage art but it's not a style that I feel very comfortable with yet. I think I just need more practice (and more supplies--ha!) to achieve the right balance in my pieces. I have a feeling I will end up fiddling with this piece some more because I feel that it's still missing "something."

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

(Oh, and for the record, I don't actually keep a travel diary. The less evidence the better, know what I mean?)

Supplies:
Stamps: ArtChix Studio, Artistic Outpost, Hero Arts, Inkadinkado, Stampin' Up!; decorative paper from Graphic 45; very vanilla cardstock by Stampin' Up!; Versamark ink; distress inks: barn door, walnut stain, scattered straw, mustard seed; Archival jet black ink; Sticko brand postage stamp and post card sticker; Cavallini decorative stickers; transparency from ArtChix Studio; Kaiser Craft white flower; EK Success black gem.

Irresistible Embossed Background

The main image on this card is an ATC-sized piece that features a technique called embossing resist. It's such a simple technique yet it adds depth and texture to any project. I need to remember to use it more often.












We finally hit 40 degrees yesterday (after a record 94 days!), so it feels like spring really is on the horizon. I noticed the squirrels scampering around in the backyard this morning. I'm sure they're just as glad as we humans are that the snow is finally melting.

I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.
Happy Birthday, Dad!

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Outpost; Bazzill brown cardstock; Stampin' Up! kraft cardstock; decorative papers by 7 Gypsies; Versamark ink; clear embossing powder; peeled paint and walnut stain distress ink; Archival jet black ink; Stampin' Up! small oval and scalloped oval punch; Karen Foster scrapbooker's floss; old button from my stash; Fiskars border punch; pop-dots.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My dad's birthday is just around the corner so I made this card to send to him. He was a cute toe-headed blond when he was a little boy.

I used some of the new 7 Gypsies decorative paper I bought while on vacation.

Have a great day!





Supplies:
Stamp: Artistic Outpost; Archival ink jet black, walnut stain distress ink, and peeled paint distress ink; Bazzill brown cardstock; whisper white cardstock by Stampin' Up!; Prismacolor Premier pencils; Mona Lisa odorless mineral spirits; decorative papers by 7 Gypsies and the Paper Loft; embossed frame by K & Company; Grungeboard hinges; gold mini brads; scrap of corrugated cardboard; old button from my stash; dimensionals by Stampin' Up!