Paint and TP

The challenge at Splitcoast today was to blob some metallic craft paint onto paper with a hunk of toilet paper -- who could resist!  The second from the top one is actually the paper towel I was using to blob the paint with, spread out and attached with Elmer's glue.  The scanner didn't pick up the metallic highlights, the background is really much prettier in real life.

Dog sympathy card

I needed a sympathy card for my friend Lisa. She had Orion for 11 years and will miss him greatly. This is the card I came up with.  It was supposed to look like a dog collar with the little heart medal for a rabies shot, but I bet you didn't guess that till I said so!

Kaleidoscope and pyramid

Tried out some new techniques from Splitcoast and Technique Junkie -   Here are my results ...

Splatter Technique AKA Elaine's Rain

Ok the technique I read about on my current technique junkies ( http://www.patstamps.com/SOP_home.html)  said to use a paintbrush ( didn't have one ) and dye reinkers ( only had pink and yellow, not exactly rain colors ) so a little improvisation was in order. Found some metallic paint in purple ( really wanted blue ) and while looking for an old container to mix it in, noticed a coke can on the counter. AH HA !!!  So dropped a few drops of metallic craft paint in the can, added a few drops of water and VOILA --- I had a great toy!  Put my cardstock right in the kitchen sink, and shook out some drops of my shiny purple mix, gorgeous. It got even better and darker as the can emptied out, and I had to shake harder but with great results.  Had to name it after Elaine because she is the only person I know who drinks more coke than I do!

Mermaid and SC challenge

This summer scene is for the one layer challenge on splitcoast and uses markers and brayer tapping.  

This mermaid is just one layer for the splitcoast Friday challenge. I used brayer tapping to get the sun rays and tried doing a reflection on the lower left corner. She is colored with markers.

I can't decide if I like the sun defined by a line or left blurry.

Sweetpea mermaids

Nothing magic, nothing fishy, Just a little get well wishy

This mermaid stamp from Sweetpea was fun to play with. My colors of the day seem to be mossy green and caramel.  If you can't tell from the picture, my lady on the top is holding kleenex  -- my lady on the bottom has some dreamy waves made with crystal effects in the water. 

Steve's Housewarming

            

After Steve had a big fire in his Chicago house, this seemed like an appropriate card to send for his new home in Boston.

SC231

I love Wednesday sketches over at Splitcoast and did this simple thank you card.  Lazy me, I used the same torn cardstock from yesterday only with yellow and got the most beautiful blending of color you could imagine.

The kitty is a new dollar store find from Michaels; the thank you is Sweetpea.

Another colorway

Tried the same sketch as yesterday with different colors and was really pleased with the results. Oval is for personalization.

Sweet pea and splitcoast challenges

( on the left ) I did another Sweetpea stamp card with the mermaid. I just had to put those eyelets on and give her a bikini top.

( on the right) Tried out the sketch challenge on splitcoast and here is the card I came up with.

Get Well Soon

Amanda is sick again and of course mom is feeling helpless. After the swine flu scare, none of her friends will come over so she had to go out to get groceries with a fever of 103. Sigh. Hard to be a long distance mom!  This is the card I made for her after seeing one like it on Splitcoast.

SweetPea again

I have been playing with SweetPea butterflies again today. The window card has an awning that is folded and just attached on top so it actually looks like an awning and curtains with a window box full of flower soft flowers. The butterbly birthday card is on a background of metallic paint swirled on a plastic bag and brayered onto cardstock. The stamp is embossed and layered with punch out flowers and brads. 

SweetPea Stamps

Finally had a chance to play with my new stamps from SweetPea.   I spent the whole day doing different things with the butterfly thank you from Plate 2. 

First a polka dot one but the raised dots got lost by my trusty scanner.

Next some cracked glass effect with layers of embossing powder that I put in the freezer then bent to crack and rubbed with an ink pad.  I used metallic paint chips and ribbon with a metallic touch to add some sparkle.

The next  one uses the image as a background stamped in 2 different colors, then the same image colored in with pearl accents makes the center pop.  Actually pop dots are helping that pop effect, but so too is the dark color that sets it off against the orange ribbon.

I love the touch a few pearls here and there can add. And I did those corner cut outs holding a 1/2 inch round punch backwards so I could see how much I was cutting out.

Unfortunately the pop strips cause my scanner to scan pale since the image is not tight against the glass. Actually the purple and green is much darker.

Finally, I had fun doodling the grape vine and adding punchie grapes to a shadow of wine glasses. Three of the grapes are actually purple brads. You can't see the wine level which I did with crystal effects ( should have had purple wine instead of white wine.) 

Steve's moving card

This is the card I will mail to Steve's new home. I wonder if the post office will get the card there before Steve and his dad pull in with their U Haul!

Special note:  After I arrived in Boston, Steve told me he had gone to Budget to rent his truck instead since it was cheaper. I was so disappointed that my card did not match the truck he had driven !

New Stamp Set

Trina gave me the set called "Inspired by Nature" and I have been inspired, that is for sure. Here is a card I did using the new stamp set, my new Martha Stewart butterfly punch  ( which does NOT punch well and leaves the butterfly connected in 2 places) and some yellow flower soft. 

Steve's graduation from Medical School

Steve's graduation  on May 14, 2009 ... quite a way to celebrate my own 60th birthday. This is the front and inside of the card I made for him. 

The saw is of shiny silver cardstock  -- he is planning to be a surgeon.

What did he want for a gift? A set of VERY SHARP kitchen knives.

Catstamps for real !

I am so excited. Sweet Pea Stamps will be making  real live rubber stamps out of 2 of my poems! I feel immortalized! And I am on the same plate as ee cummings. Does it get any better?

Here is a sneak peek at the plate; my name will be changed to Cat on the final press. 

Makes my Mother's Day kind of special, two of my babies made good!

Birthday card for Sam

Found this scan on my computer desktop even though I made it WAYYYYY BACK in Florida.

Two for one

I was making a card for Barb's grandson when I decided the layout could really use some flowers. And ... a second card was born.

Persnickitty

 I spent my morning playing on the computer making a card to introduce my new kitty.

Birthday Cards

I am making a set of birthday cards for my friend Barb for all of her grandkids. It is kind of fun, she doesn't know why I have been pumping her for information on each of the kids.  

Mother's Day card for Sam

My scanner just couldn't see the layers so I used the camera on my macbook - it does a great job and I am sure if I only had a brain I could figure out how to make it take pictures without reversing them.

What it didn't see is the tiny shimmer of sparkle in the center of the flowers on the inside and in the center of the flower that makes the O in Mother. Plus each layer is cuttlebugged with a different lacy pattern.

However, it does give you the idea.  I love how the leaves on the outside are really green flowers on the inside. Sam has fake flowers all over her house so she will be pleased with this I am sure.

Birthday dress cards

I made these dress cards for Denali, my grand niece and also for Sarah, Barb's granddaughter. Both have the name embossed in pink on the dress top but the scan didn't show it.

Anniversary card for Colleen

Inside of card

Birthday card # 1 for Amanda

I love to go to Amy's to stamp --- not only does she have lots of supplies, but they are all organized and color coordinated instead of the mish-mash I seem to collect.  I was able to do a steal of her design and make the card pictured here for Amanda's birthday when I plan to mail 30 cards. I have 29 to go!

Another butterfly card with flower soft and fake stitching done with drywall tape.

Butterflies!

After seeing the butterflies at Dow Gardens, I have butterflies on my mind!

Thank you to Yoga Instructor

Namaste means peace ... and our yoga instructor, Diane,  sure helped us relax every Thursday night.

This is the thank you card I will give her tonight.

Cat in Sunglasses

This is the card I used for my change of address from Florida to Michigan. 

Happy St Pat's

This is the card I made for Amy but didn't get mailed on time!