Friday, September 30, 2016

" A Quirky Ending"

9-30-2016
Happy Friday to all my friends, viewers, followers and visitors.  We made it!  Yes, some of us did, to the end of the work week...to the end of the month...to the end of a (whatever you decide to put in the blank).
What a great day to chew some gum, drink some cider, get muddy or be tested (National Calendar Day) ....or...
What a great day to have a great day and to show your kindness towards others.
Your comments to this blog and on my card creations never goes unnoticed.  I usually try to answer your comment or come to your page to show some love.
On a Friday, which is today, I like to make a card especially to show my kindness towards all the lovely people who have responded in some way towards me during the week.  I don't want to make a list because I may leave out someone and the list is long.
There are two cards today.   Some of you are very sophisticated and serious and some of you are quirky with your sense of humor.  However, no matter which card you select, they both show how much I appreciate your continued support:
Supplies:
Recollection brown cardstock;  Paper and More bronze cardstock;  Recollection beige foil cardstock;
dies:  Sizzix thinlits garden greens; ODBD Beautiful Borders and ODBD Layered Lacey Ovals
Recollections fabric flower
Here is a Quirky Ending to my week in card form.  I started with a dress on Monday and I'm ending with a dress today.

Recollection brown and black cardstock
Design Paper from Recollections Steampunk Botanica paper pad
die that was used: ART-C stamp and cut alphabet die
Sizzix leaves embossing folder
hemp cord
image was cut out by hand...it is not a die
Thanks....Your Kindness Means So Much
Have a lovely day and a nice weekend.
Thanking you in advance for your comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Thursday, September 29, 2016

"It Is Distressed And Stamped"

9-29-2016
Good Day to my Friends, Followers, Visitors and Friends.
It is September 29 and only one more day left in this month.  One more work day left in this week.  WOW! Time does have wings if you are enjoying yourself.  You don't want it to end but the days, and moments are passing us by.  If you haven't stopped to smell the coffee or roses or something else, you must do it now.  Life goes on and it does not wait for you to play catch up.

Okay, I told you about this class by Tim Holtz called "Creative Chemistry 101" that I enrolled myself into.  You know, the one my sister was raving about.  I've watched two days so far.
Day 1

  • I'm assuming it is named creative chemistry so that as he mentioned, you will understand the characteristics and properties of your inks and paints.  You will be able to unlock the creative know how of their uses, effects and applications....my money had been spent and this terminology reminded me of being in a chemistry classroom instead of learning how to improve on my cardmaking.   
Day 2
  • The fun begins with blending distress inks, spritzing/flicking and stamping..  I'm going to show you the card and not a tag as he used.   I didn't want to spritz and flick (water) at this time....I anticipated doing it later on another project.   So far, have I learned anything different than what I was doing before....yes...don't start on the paper...start on the craft sheet in a circular motion....water can be mist into your hand and flicked to the inked area...I can use various colors of distress ink on my stamp along with water to make the image look like watercoloring.
Here are two cards from Day 2.  You might say to yourself....nothing looks different from her other distress inking projects....you are correct.  I don't have a lot of my projects left to compare a project without the class to projects with the class....My thoughts about distressing ....it is what makes you happy.  Even Tim said this...if you try to duplicate the same project over and over...it will never look like the original.

Supplies
craft cardstock;brown Recollection cardstock; Paper Temptress white cardstock; DP-Recollection Bright and Basic
Ranger Distress Inks...dried marigold; broken china;wild honey and fossilized amber
Other inks...Hampton Arts black pigment
die cut...Sizzix  garden greens
stamp...Inkadinkado meadow  and  Recollections color splash stamp and stencil
Entry: WordArtWednesday 
Anything Goes - Challenge Weeks #250-251

Supplies
Recollection pink and black cardstock; Paper Temptress white cardstock
Distress inks: wild honey; seedless preserves; fired brick; evergreen bough
other inks: burgundy colored marker
stamp: Hampton Art and Michaels
Ranger liquid pearls dimensional pearlescent paint



Sorry that this was a long post.  I''m aware that not many of you like to read however, you do like to view and make comments and that is the area I really enjoy.  Keep coming back and I hope you like what you see.


Sending you a hug and LOVE.
Lois

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

"Circles And Flowers"

9-28-2016
Good Day to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Thanks for joining me today on another card making venture.
I received great reviews on the 6 x 6 cards on yesterday.  However, I have to be truthful.  The one you will see today was done on yesterday.  I didn't want to post all three on the same day.  I saved this one so it could be showcased by itself.  It has more going on than the ones you saw yesterday.  
By the way, one of those cards from yesterday was chosen as a Showcase card on the Outlawzchallenge.ning.com website for their 9-21-2016 Wednesday sketch challenge.
Here is your view for today:
Enabler's List

  • CTMH blue cardstock
  • DP from Scrapbook & Collage Papers The European Collection
  • dies...Spellbinders Romantic Vines;Sizzix Thinlits Garden Greens; and ODBD Double Stitched Circles
  • Recollection flowers
  • thinking of you stamp (I have no idea because the package is lost)
  • Recollection sequins and faux pearls

card that was showcased on the Outlawzchallenges for Wednesday sketch challenge 9-21-2016

My badge to display on my page.
Thank you for your time and for viewing today.  Come again...I love to have you comment!


Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

"Six By Six"

9-27-16
Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.  It is the beginning of another three days of rain here in my part of the world.  A repeat of what happened last week...only this time I don't have assignments that places me out and about in the rain.
When it comes to size...what are you most comfortable with? Two inches?  Four inches?  Size two?  Size four?  Size six?  Size ten?  Size sixteen?  Size XXL?  
Wait one minute...did I get specific with where the size would be.   Now, I know most of you started thinking about dress sizes didn't you?  If not, you were thinking about shoe sizes, am I correct?  Shirt sizes? The amount of rain in the rain gauge, perhaps?
Your mind wasn't wrapped around card sizes but that's exactly what I have thoughts on today.  My very first cards, about three years ago, were always made using 4.5 x 6.   I found that I was accumulating a lot of cardstock for ATC's and or tags (an area that I didn't venture in that often).  The accumulation got so bad that one day I went into my craft room with a garbage bag and threw out every piece of scrap cardstock that I was keeping.  I soon change my card sizes to 4.25 x 5.5.  I was no longer accumulating the extra pieces of cardstock.  How fantastic this was.
I was asked by some people, "why do you make these little small cards"? (These were and are all non-card making people).  They are the ones who go into a card shops or pharmacies to buy the 5 x 7 cards.
I watch Create and Craft sometimes and most of the time those crafters make 8 x 8 or 6 x 6 cards.  This crafting show also sells items to use in card making which includes the envelopes for cards of this size.  When I ordered a kit for my granddaughter, some 6 x 6 envelopes came with the kit.  I kept them to use later...
The "later" gradually makes its way into my craft room because I have to get comfortable making cards larger than the A2 (4.25 x 5.5) size.  I accomplished that goal today.  Not one, but two cards in the six by six range:
entry for MojoMonday.blogspot.com #467
Enablers List:
CTMH white cardstock;
Recollection black cardstock and DP from Recollection Christmas Noel paper pack
bow from Recollections embellishments 
used the Spellbinders scallops die
followed the sketch given for MojoMonday #467

entry for the Outlawz's challenges

Enablers List:
Bazzill orange and dark brown cardstock
DP from Recollection Christmas Noel paper pack and from Bright and Basic paper pad
Cottage Cutz wreath and leaves die
Celebrate It Fall Ribbon

Thanks for taking the time to view my writing and cards for today.  Come again and don't forget to leave a comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Monday, September 26, 2016

"Anything Goes"

9-26-16
Good morning to all.  Welcome to a little piece of my crafting world.  It is a joy to have you visit and I hope something you read or see will inspire you today.

We are coming in today from an awesome weekend.  My husband's 93 years old aunt was funeralized on Saturday.  This was a woman whose mind was sharp and accurate up to the last minute.  She could remember and speak on things that the average person has forgotten.  My children always referred to her as their favorite aunt (actually she was their great aunt).
My youngest daughter celebrated her birthday also on Saturday.  She was the last in my family of September birthdays.
It is so strange that we have no one during the October month for birthday celebration.  The only thing we can do is to participate in the 'breast cancer" awareness in October due to our family having a long history of women in our family who have had breast cancer.

For today, my card is for the Outlawzchallenge.ning.com Monday Greetings challenge and for WordArtWednesday.  It is "anything" goes.  This means you get to choose how you want your card to look.
I have used the following supplies:

  • pink and blue Recollection cardstock
  • Ranger watercolor paper
  • distress inks...in the family of blues, red and greens and black
  • a dress form  cut from a Darice embossing folder
  • a piece of burlap
  • an encouragement sentiment taken from Pinterest prayer board.
  • the border was by hand...no die was used
entry for outlawzchallenges.ning.com
and
entry for wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Your visit is always accepted as well as your comments.


Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, September 23, 2016

"Hello Friday"

September 23, 2016
Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
We often greet one another with the word "hello".
When answering the telephone, our first response is "hello".
If my granddaughter has done or said something that is not appropriate and I have to repeat my response  to her, I'll say, "hello", did you hear me?
"Hello" has been the most popular sentiment used on a handmade card, lately.  Looking back over some of the pages containing cards I've made...many include that sentiment.
Adele's "hello" lyrics have been playing in my head for a couple of days now and I'm going to assume those lyrics prompted this card for  today.
Supplies used:

  • Neenah white, Recollection red cardstock
  • DP from Recollection Christmas paper pack along with a piece from my stash
  • topper taken from a notecard from botanica natural
  • faux pearls from Michael's store
  • Ranger distress inks: fossilized amber and fried brick
  • Darice embossing folder 
entry for WordArtWednesday
Challenge Weeks #248-249 - Anything Goes

Hello Friday!  I've been waiting for you all week.  It has been very busy for me this week and I can relax some today.   My Saturday will be another busy day so just let me calm down and start again.

Thanks to all who come by to view and leave comments.  Your continued support does not go unnoticed.   I appreciate it very much.  Enjoy yourself today and everyday....

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Thursday, September 22, 2016

"How Many Shapes Can You Find?"

9-22-2016
Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.   The teller at the bank was singing this when I visited today..."rain, rain go away...come again another day."  She wanted me to comment on the amount of rain we have been receiving since Tuesday.   I can't stop the rain!  No one gave me that power.  I've been out and about in it since Tuesday.  I've gotten wet but also dried off.  I've taken an umbrella every day since Tuesday but as they say, when it rains, it pours.  It has been raining heavily on and off and literally it seem that every time I needed to get out of the car to walk into a building, it was heavy, hard, rain.
Tomorrow, if no other appointments pop up between this writing and tomorrow morning, maybe I will get a break.
I'm still giving thanks for the rain, the wetness and the busy schedule.  God is in control!

Today, I have for you two challenge cards and a tag which was a gift sent to me:
Sketch Challenge for SCS 611
Supplies used:
Neenah white and Recollection black cardstock;
DP from DCWV Asian paper pad and Paper House Country Girl paper pad
ODBD stitched circle die and feather from Fabric Craft
I followed the sketch given for this challenge

Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge for 9/19
Supplies used:
Kraft cardstock; Recollection black cardstock; Recollection Signature Special Smooth Cardstock
image from DCWV Botanic paper pad
musical chord from Amy Design
H, B and U cut from Art-C stamp and die cut alphabet
circle and star from CTMH chipboard 
The challenge required the use of a circle, square, rectangle and star.  Can you find all the shapes on this card?


 











I have a sister who took 3 classes under the direction of  Tim Holtz (Creative Chemistry 101,102 and 103).  This is a Thank You tag (front and back) that she sent to me using a small portion of what she had learned.   It is gorgeous with a lot of time and love that went into making this.  I was convinced by her excitement to take the course (I really thought I had signed up for the 3rd course from Jennifer McGuire's page) ....I'm enrolled in his first class now because you have to take the first before applying for the 2nd or 3rd.  Wish me much success on adding more interest to my card making and mixed media project from what Tim  will teach me.

Thanks for viewing today.  Come again and your comments are always welcomed.

Sending you a hug and LOVE, 
Lois

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

"How Beautifully Fragile Are We?"

Wednesday 9-21-2016
Good Day to Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
Welcome to the middle of the week.  I've had two days of being very busy and it is not over.  Maybe on Friday I will be able to relax and catch up.  What about you?  Are you relaxing?  Are you busy? Are you working hard or hardly working?

I sent out some packages this morning with a note that they were "Fragile" or when the lady at the post office asked about them, my reply was they could be considered "fragile and they needed to be handle with care".
Those packages prompted my idea of a card for today.

Before I get to the card, this is the question for you...are you fragile?  Do you know of someone who is fragile and need to be handle with care?
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary meaning for "fragile" is:   Easily broken; brittle; frail; delicate; easily destroyed.
Now let's change the question from are you or someone you know fragile to do you  weep because our eyes have been brutally opened to just how fragile life is. And it terrifies us.
Think on this now and throughout the remainder of the day.  Take note of what thoughts come your way.
Here is my card for today:
Front view

Side view
Supplies used:
craft cardstock from Colobok
black cardstock from Recollection
DP from Base Coat Collection made by kaisercraft
used the moroccan punch from Little B for the white die cut piece
butterfly was cut using Sizzix thinlits Tim Holtz Alterations detailed butterflies die and balsa wood.
words were printed from my computer using MS Word and Canon printer.

Don't forget to think on how fragile we are.   You could also read scripture related to this topic ( 1 Peter 1:24;   Psalm 103:14;  Psalm 103:14)

Thanks for viewing.  Your comments are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

"Happiness Always Has A Starting Place"

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
How many of you have started watching the new shows appearing on the TV screen?  You have probably picked your favorite for the season haven't you?  Are you a football fan and you are definitely in that cave until Super Bowl?   TV just makes you happy doesn't it?
We are not all people who are into the new shows or the football games on TV, but we know where happiness starts don't we? 
Because I'm happy......I just had to use this for my sentiment today on this card:


Neenah white cardstock
DP from Botanique paper stack
die cut heart using Spellbinders  hearts die
die cut floral vines using Spellbinders Romantic Vine 
Recollection flower.

Can you tell from the card where my happiness starts?

Thanks for viewing.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Monday, September 19, 2016

"Beauti..FALL"

Monday, September 19, 2016
Hello to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.  Welcome back from your weekend of fun and excitement.  Some of you had a great and awesome time crafting away.  I saw those beautiful cards and I responded to most of them.  If I missed someone, let me know and I will try to see your creation sometime today or tonight.
The colors of autumn  are approaching and they are beautiful.  Here is something in the area of papercrafting to focus on today:
Supplies used:

  • kraft cardstock and dark brown cardstock from Recollection
  • orange cardstock from Bazzill
  • DP from DCWV Autumn Melody paper stack
  • ribbon from Michael's Celebrate It
  • butterfly die cut using Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations thinlits detailed butterflies die
  • small leaves cut from CTMH flower cartridge
Fall is...
  • sweaters
  • hot cocoa
  • walks in the woods
  • fireplace
  • harvest time
  • splendor
  • hayrides
  • falling leaves
  • crisp apples
  • pumpkins
entry for Challenge Weeks #248-249 - Anything Goes at WordArtWednesday
Thanks for joining me today.  All comments are accepted.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, September 16, 2016

"When Life..."

Good Friday to all of you.  
I hope you will have a glorious weekend with lots of fun and excited things going on.
There are many items on my list and I'm not sure if I will get around to all of them.

Many of you who like quotes or sayings have read or heard the ones that begins with, "when life...":

  • when life knocks you down...roll over and look at the stars or calmly get back up and say you hit like a *****.
  • when life gives you a hundred reason to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile
  • when life puts you in tough situations, don't say "why me"? say "try me".
  • when life is sweet say thank you and celebrate and when life is bitter say thank you and grow
  • when life gives you lemons make lemonade
  • when your life hits a brick wall.....
What happens to you or what do you do when your life hits a brick wall?
  • do you lose faith
  • do you focus on one brick at a time
  • do you yell "plot twist" and move on 
I like the way Oprah Winfrey looks at it:
 A lesson will keep repeating itself until it is learned.  Life first will send the lesson to you in the size of a pebble;  if you ignore the pebble, then life will send you a brick;  if you ignore the brick, then life will send you a brick wall;  if you ignore the brick wall, life will send you a demolition truck.

My solution to when life....no matter how damaging it appears, there is always hope...that is if you open your heart and arms to embrace it.

 
entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.con

I've used kraft cardstock; black and beige Recollection cardstock for the base and layers.
On the beige layer, I die cut out the brick wall using Sizzix Tim Holtz Alteration die.  I cut out pieces from the die cut.
I used flowers from K & Company on the portion of the brick wall.  I stamped "wishing you...Hope" from Stampendous Encouraging Words clear stamp.
The butterfly was one from my stash.

Remember:  The brick walls aren't there to keep us out, the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.
In real life brick walls don't stop flowering vines from growing they use the wall for support and keep on growing and that's the way we have to approach some situations in our lives.

Thank you for viewing and leaving comments.  Come again to enjoy your view!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois





Thursday, September 15, 2016

"Cardstock, Die Cuts and Stamps"

Hello to my followers, visitors, friends and viewers.
Have you ever timed yourself when you needed a quick card?  I'm talking about a card that still looks elegant and has a purpose but it doesn't take you an hour to produce.  I'm not talking about one that you've made and pull out of your stash....those can be called quick cards also.
Today, I've used cardstock, die cuts and stamps to make a "quick" card. I didn't know they were going to be as quick as they were until I put them together.
Here is your view:
Supplies:
Cardstock...bronze (Paper and More) light blue and white (Recollection)
dies...Sizzix Tim Holtz Alteration Mixed Media #2, ODBD circle stitch die and Mauvy butterfly
Stamp...Stampendous Encouraging Words
Embellishment....faux gems from Recollection and trim from Michaels
Challenge Entry...wordartwednesday.blogspot.com ...Challenge Weeks #248-249 - Anything Goes

Supplies:
Cardstock...purple and mint green (Bazzill)
dies...Sizzix Tim Holtz Alteration Mixed Media #2, ODBD circle stitch die and Mauvy butterfly
Stamp...Stampendous Encouraging Words

Quick, as in less than an hour.  
Thank you for visiting today....your comments are always welcome!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

"Thinking About You"

Happy Wednesday to my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
We made it to the middle of the week.  We can breathe a little easier after today because the weekend is ahead.
When Wednesday comes, can you get your mind off of the weekend or do you just live in the moment?  As a matter of fact, what are you thinking of that you can't shake this morning, afternoon or evening?  Is it me?  I hope not.   Is it someone who is sick?  Is it your child or spouse?  Your mind can be on a number of things at this moment and it is okay if you don't want to share.
Today's cards focus on the theme "Thinking Of/About You" .  I'm still working on some cards along those lines for my sister.  I made one yesterday and another one this morning.
Here they are.


This card was made using craft cardstock, dark brown and beige Recollection cardstock and DP from Recollections Steampunk Botanica. 
 I used an image from Pinterest.  I copied it twice and colored it with colored pencils. They were fussy cut out with scissors.  When I adhered it to the card, I did it in a 3D effect but it will still go through the mail.  
Die cuts of garden greens from Sizzix were added to add fullness to the vase of flowers.  
Bronze crystal Nuvo drops were added to the bottom of the card.  
It will be a "Thinking Of You" card....I just didn't photograph this with the sentiment.

This was an easy fun card to make.  I selected colors to go with the image after I had colored it with colored pencils.  
Supplies:
Image from Pinterest, colored with colored pencils in pink, brown and white
The image was place on top of a rose piece of paper that resembled a note card (free printable from Pinterest).
The sentiment was printed from my computer using MS Word.
The next layer is a piece of DP from Hunkydory the Little Book of The Orient
The next two layers (the stripes and polka dots) comes from Nicole Floral Pattern DP
The background layer is pink Recollection
All layers were matted with black Recollection.
The card base is Neenah white cut at 5.5 x 6.5
The design was from sketch challenge 610 from SCS.

I'm thinking about you today and hope you are doing well.  
1 Thessalonians 5:18 New International Version (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Have a Blessed Day!

Sending You A Hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

"Going WHIMSICAL"

Hi to all my friends, visitors, viewers and followers.
Thank you so much for telling me I brighten your day on Sept.12, 2016.  That really was a bright, vibrant card wasn't it?  Let's keep the brightness flowing today from person to person...is that okay with you?
How many times have you felt whimsical?   How often have you acted in an unusual,  playful or amusing way?
Let's  do it today...I've already started... waiting for you to catch  up
Entry for MojoMonday.blogspot.com       Mojo Monday 465
and   http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2016/08/anything-goes-challenge-weeks-246-247.html

I love creating with red, black and white.  I also love  using vintage images and while searching Pinterest, I came across a vintage image of Mary Poppins.  Do you remember that comedy?  So, the two became one in this card I'm sharing today.  Actually, there was a third thing...I like MojoMonday.blogspot.com sketches.  I don't play every week but I needed some inspiration.  This sketch appeared to be along my challenge radar.

Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; Recollection black cardstock; red foil  and red polka dot from stash
DP, black checkerboard from Recollection Christmas Noel
image from Pinterest in the vintage section
crystal white NUVO drops
ODBD stitched circle die

The sentiment: It means that whatever is going on in your life, it will eventually cease, hence "every storm runs outta rain".   

I'm still trying to brighten your day...just doing it whimsically!

Thanks for your viewing, your comments and your visit!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois   

Monday, September 12, 2016

"I'm Trying To Brighten Your Day"

Hello, hello, hello to my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
It's Monday....you already know this.  Those that are back at work wish you wouldn't remind them as to what day it is.  You know we only look forward to Wednesday and Friday.
Did you stop for a moment and reflect on Sept. 11?  One headliner said, "It doesn't get easier".
The thoughts may have put a damper on your reflection but guess what....I want to brighten up your day today.
Yes, it is bright in here!  It is so bright you may need some sunglasses to block the glare (lol):
Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; yellow Recollection cardstock; Hunkydory cardstock;
die cuts from Sizzix Tim Holtz Alteration greenery
Prima flowers
fan made with the yellow Recollection cardstock and a Martha Stewart punch

Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; black Recollection cardstock
Sizzix  embossing folder
image from Pinterest in the vintage (free section)
yellow coloring pencils

Entry for both cards:
Outlawzchallenges.ning.com   for CAS  and Monday Greetings

Go forth and brighten someone's day today.  Volunteer to do something nice.   Pay it forward if you can.  I've sent out that first birthday card to it's recipient for this month....one down and so many more to go (I told you so many people in my family is born in September).

Thanks for viewing.  Leave a comment and come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, September 9, 2016

"ORANGE....You Glad I'm Liking It"

Good Friday to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Here comes the weekend.  I can see it...I'm anxiously waiting for it...I want to embrace it!!
It is one that we will probably get that last trip to the beach and have a picnic due to the forecast of beautiful weather this weekend.  Our Labor Day was a little marred by the hurricane weather last weekend but it is okay.
Go and get those toes sandy and wet.  Have that picnic in the backyard or on the beach.  Fall is approaching so this may be your last chance to enjoy the hot, humid weather condition.
Fall...I know you love it.  The crisp air.  The falling leaves.  The three "P's" (pumpkin, peanuts, potatoes).
I hope you will enjoy viewing these two cards today.  Orange ...my new favorite color until I start making more Christmas cards.  You should be glad I'm liking this color.
Supplies:
beige and brown Recollection cardstock : DP from DCWV The Modern Meadow Stack and some pieces from my stash
Recollections flowers with faux pearl
die cuts using Sizzix Tim Alterations Holiday Greens and Avery Elle Wonky stitch
Embossing folder for top layer is a Darice folder



Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; brown and orange Recollection cardstock
image from Google
die cut leaves from Spellbinders fall foliage die

I know you are glad that I'm using orange as my favorite color for today.  
Come again...I may change my colors (haha).
Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Thursday, September 8, 2016

"Taking It For A Color Wash Ride"

Good Day to my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Another wonderful day to get busy doing what we do.
Do you start your day doing for yourself or doing for others?  Do you complain about what you're doing or do you have a happy heart?
I know you've met many people who just do for themselves and never think about others....they have an "I, me, mine" attitude... I have mine, you get yours.  You have met people who are always doing for others and never thinking about themselves...if need be, they will do what older people would say, "spend their last dime" on someone else rather than themselves.
Those who have the "I, me, mine attitude usually complain or have something negative to say if you ask them to do something for someone else..."why are you asking me", "what am I going to get out of it", "go ask someone else and if they can't do it, then, come back to me".
People who take the initiative to do for others appears to have a smile on their face, a song coming from their lips and a skip in their walk...why?  They are not looking to be rewarded by men but to  receive the Lord’s reward. (Colossians 3:23)
Here is my card reflecting that scripture today:
Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; Ranger water color paper; Colobok Signature DP
Free image from google
Scripture verse from Colossians 3:23
water color inks  and colored pencils....mostly a color wash after getting the paper  wet and wiping most of the inks off of the brush.
Spellbinders heart die

Just sharing this simple card with you and I hoped you enjoyed your view.  Please come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

"A Masculine Card"

Hello Friends, Family, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.  Happy Wednesday to you.  
Are you struggling with making cards for the men in your life or men in general?  We have a tendency to make cards geared toward the females or babies.  It is very rare that we come up with masculine idea cards unless it is Father's Day or Dad's birthday.
My intention for today was to force my hands at a masculine card.   I had in mind a young male teenager who recently graduated from high school and is now off to college.
Take a look at what I made for him:
Supplies:
craft cardstock for the base
Recollection black cardstock for matting
Recollection Regent Street paper pad for the frame
image from Recollections Steampunk Botanica
NUVO golden sunset crystal drops
Ranger distress inks for the bird and edges
Avery Elle wonky stitch border die

I hope you enjoyed your view.  Please come again.  You are always welcome to leave a comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

"Just A Little Lift"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers on this glorious day.
I hope great things are happening for you today or great things will happen before today comes to an end.  It has been a long weekend.  A little dreary due to the hurricane/tropical storm that passed through on Saturday and partially Sunday.  It was a beauty on Monday.  We were able to go out and do some things away from home and just enjoy the day.
 I casually walked into Michael's knowing that I have limited myself to buying craft items.  Just strolling and checking out some items to pass the time away until......I saw some notes cards for $1.50.  My, my, my!!!...I can give up a soda or a cup of coffee for this treat...can't I....and I did.   You know me....I can't go in a craft store...walk around ...and not come out with anything...I couldn't.
Those little note cards came in handy this morning due to some other important issues.   I simply took out my colored pencils and distress inks and started coloring.  I want to share my coloring as just a little lift to something I didn't initially start:
The dragonfly, bee and flowers are colored with color pencils.
The background is colored with Ranger distress inks.

I have so many people to thank for a lot of things they have done for me.  Some of you commented that you would be keeping me and my family in prayer.  You have done this is the past and I appreciate it so very much.  Thank You!  Thank You!  Thank You!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, September 2, 2016

"Have FAITH"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
I'm so happy that the majority of you in Florida...family and friends...have made it through the hurricane.  It could have been worse than what it was...but God!
Minor structural damages that my daughter endured (fence was blown down), can be repaired or not replaced at all is so much better than a life lost.
Here, where I am, we are bracing for the wind and rain that is headed our way. I didn't go shopping during the week and I know I will not be shopping this weekend.    Be safe my friends!

I'm hooked on "purple" today.  I'm using a color that is not one of my first choices but trying to engage my mind into getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing   with something different.  I did another card in purple last week and some of the material was left near my crafting space on my desk (using what's there helps to clean it off on a Friday morning):
Entry for WordartWednesday.blogspot.com

Anything Goes - Challenge Weeks #246-247

All of the supplies used were on my working desk  except for the sentiment.  I had to find something for all who have and all who will be in the path of Hurricane Hermine which has hit Florida, and now weakens into tropical storm headed in my direction.

  • base is Neenah white cardstock cut at A2 size;  Bazzill purple for layering
  • layers of cardstock from DCWV the Chateau Lavender stack
  • Recollection flowers in the purple hue;
  • two white die cuts from my stash
  • die cuts (purple) from ODBD  Beautiful Borders


Thanks for viewing.  Leave a comment.  Come again

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Thursday, September 1, 2016

"Butterflies And Blooms"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.  
First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you  who continued to view and support me in my crafty habit.  Your comments are very nice and I do enjoy hearing from you.  I also enjoy when you reshare something I've made and or Pin it to your Pinterest account....Thanks so much!!!

Welcome to Thursday and the first day of September.
This year has really been sailing by and every now and then I caught a breeze from it.  I, like many others have wondered, where did the time go?  Are we really having such a marvelous time that we don't remember how we missed Monday when yesterday was Friday... (when you think about that statement...you're get the significance of it (lol)?

Very often during the summer I did "stop to smell the flowers".  After cleaning out the garden earlier this week, I missed some of those flowers that were so pretty with all their blooms.  Very few flowers are left and the butterflies still come dancing around.  The beauty of nature is just awesome.  When you're not busy...just stop... see it... and then listen to the sounds it makes.  How wonderful!!!

Today, keeping in the flow of September birthday cards and the way the flower garden is today, I have made two cards for your viewing:
Entry for WordArtWednesday
Anything Goes - Challenge Weeks #246-247
Supplies:
Paper...Neenah white cardstock; Recollection red and black cardstock; Colorbok Craft cardstock; Recollection Steampunk Botanica paper pad
Embossing Folder...Sizzix
The image from the Steampunk Botanica was "fussy cut" to fit over the craft cardstock.  Two butterflies from the same paper pad were cut out and adhered to the image.

Supplies:
Paper...Recollection beige cardstock and Steampunk Botanica paper pad; Manila cardstock
As in the previous card, the image was cut out of a sheet from the paper pad and adhered to the manila cardstock.
This was so simple and easy to do.

The sentiment for these cards will have something to do with "birthday greetings" for my family members.  I plan to personalize them with their names.

Thanks for viewing the butterflies and blooms today.   
If our flowers fade away, we can always make a card or two for them to last forever.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois