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!

Gothic Arches Challenge: Paris Exposition

This week I combined my quest to use up some scrap paper with my new stamps from Artistic Outpost to complete the Gothic Arches Challenge titled Paris Exposition.

The more I look at this card, the more I wish I had made the layer with the balloon image an arch, also. Not only do I think it would have made this piece more aesthetically pleasing, but then one could see more of the decorative paper underneath that features advertisements in French. Oh well. Or should I say, c'est la vie!

This final day of February is a cold but sunny one. March is predicted to come in like a lamb, and March means we're getting closer to spring!

I hope you're having a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Outpost; black cardstock by Bazzill; red shimmery paper from Target (seasonal Christmas item); very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up!; decorative paper by GCD; Archival jet black ink; Stazon dove gray ink; Prismacolor Premier Pencils; Mona Lisa odorless mineral spirits; border punch by Fiskars; miniature black brads; dimensionals by Stampin' Up!

The Gothic Arches Challenge website is located here.

For more information about Artistic Outpost stamps, please visit their website.