Happy Holiday Hug

This little guy says it all, doesn't he?  May his "merriness" be felt world-wide!

Enjoy!

Burst of Watercolor

This is my first attempt at watercoloring a stamped image.  I sent it off to my stampin' buddy, Donna.  I liked the process and hope to try my hand at more of it next year.  I liked it so much, it looks like I didn't know when enough was enough!  This arrangement could use a stylist and a barber!

Enjoy!

OLW73 "Peace"

My One Layer Wednesday idea of a "peaceful" card.  I'm most at peace in my garden which I hope is clear in this card!  The rules for this challenge can be found here on "Simplicity." 

The tiny flowers (HAD to add them!) and paper are from K & Co.  The stamp is from Rubber Stampede.  You can't see it in the picture but the hat is outlined with a Stardust clear pen, like it's reflecting the sun!

Enjoy!

Perpetual Birthday Calendars

Great gift idea!  Click on the tab above entitled "Calendars" to see some ideas for the Stampin' Up! perpetual birthday calendar template.  More ideas can be found here on my Smugmug site.

Enjoy!

Christmas Stars

Another clean and simple card.  You could use this idea for the 4th of July, as well, just by changing the colors.

Enjoy!

HUGE Give-away!

I learned from Simplicity that Carly Robertson at The Simple Things is having a huge give-away today!  Hop on over and check it out!!

Christmas With Penny Black

Here are a couple of clean and simple cards using Penny Black stickers.

Enjoy!

Journal Update

Some new journal ideas below and here.

 

Enjoy!

Christmas Moonlight

This is a beloved Stampin' Up stamp which remains a favorite.

Enjoy!



Baby O Baby

Here are a couple of cute baby cards in non-traditional colors.

Enjoy!

Thankful for Background Papers; Loving Thoughts

I remember when I started stamping, I only used solid colored paper and if I wanted a background, I stamped it.  (Did that make me a "purist?")  Phoey.  I have now evolved into a believer in using the beautiful background papers that are out there!  God bless you, K&Company!

Smugmug link. 

Enjoy!





Christmas Candy Canes

Love using the old-fashioned images on Christmas cards:  candy canes, jingle bells, and the like.  This card uses Stampin' Up! En Francais for the script background and an old SU stamp for the candy cane (masked); I have no idea what set it originally belonged with.

Enjoy!



Tribute to Gabby Giffords

The inspiration for this card came from Nancy Riley (here).  When I was making my own, I was watching the 20/20 special on the Giffords and thinking that this card would be perfect for Gabby.  She is, in a word, amazing.

Enjoy!



Christmas Wren

As soon often happens, I got the inspiration for this card from an online source, but I'm sorry to say I didn't make a note of the artist so I can't give the proper credit.  If anyone recognizes it, feel free to post the credit in comments.

 

It doesn't show up, unfortunately, but the bird's eye is a colored stone and the berries are glitter.  It's quite festive in person.



Enjoy!



Another Idea for Giving Thanks

Enjoy!



Windy Day

It has been windy and chilly here in Northern California.  A little late for dandelions, but what the heck.  The image is Penny Black "sparklers." The sentiment is SU "Teeny Tiny Wishes." Simple and sweet. 

Enjoy!

Christmas Floral Story

I used Penny Black Floral Story for this card.  The sentiment is from Endless Creations.  The image was colored with colored pencils, Marvy markers, and Tim Holtz distress inks.

Enjoy!



On a Breeze

The idea for this card came from Shari Carroll created for Hero Arts. I can't find it on either Shari's website or Hero Art's website to give you a link. Shari called the grass stamp "Silhouette Grass," but the one I found at Michael's (just like it) is called "Tall Wheat."  I clear-embossed the stamped image, sponged on distress inks, and then overstamped with en Francois SU stamp.  There are many beautiful card images on Hero Arts and in other galleries on the web using this grass stamp, but you may need to search under both stamp names.

 

Enjoy!

Timeless

This layout can be created using any similar sentiment stamp.  It's timeless and can be given to everyone on your list.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Tree

These cards are from the Stampin' Up! "Branch Out" set.  I love how the tree can be used for virtually any sentiment.  I put these cards on SCS today here.  It amazes me how many wonderful card crafters are out there, especially given postage costs and the fact that few people send "real" cards any more.  We are hold-outs and it's great to have a resource to give us inspiration and motivation.  So much to enjoy every single day! 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 125

It's a little nippy this morning which makes working on Christmas cards easier.  I always find it challenging, as a card maker, to have Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas on top of each other.  Another instance of "Why Couldn't I Have Been In Charge Of That?!"

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 125

Christmas cards 2002-2010

Almost forgot about these cards.  If you'd like to take a look, you can get to them here. 

Enjoy!