Friday, March 31, 2017

"Bowties And Socks"

Friday, March 31, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
We have made it to another end of the work week and also the end of March.  April Fools day is tomorrow.  No joke, it is.
I'm going to be quick and fast because we are experiencing terrible weather where I am and I need to post before the electricity goes out.  Be safe if you are in the "eye of the storm".  Take cover and be safe.

Two cards for the males in my life.  The fashion trend is to wear a bowtie instead of a regular long tie and to wear fashionable socks.  More and more young men and now, older men are going for this trend.  My DH is into the bowties but not as much with the trendy socks.
One young man is always posting his sock feet up on a desk on Friday.  This is where my inspiration came from for one of the cards I made.
I've had a bow punch for a long time and rarely use it.  Today, I pulled it out for the bowties on my card.  Richard Garay is an upcoming crafter with many stamps and dies on the market.  He has some neat items to make masculine cards.



Thanks for coming to view...Enjoy your weekend!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, March 30, 2017

"Using Gelatos...Pigment Sticks Instead Of Ice Cream"

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Hello visitors, viewers, followers and friends.  We have one more day until...the end of the work week;  the end of March;  the end of Craft Month....are you ready for all of this to end and you start all over again with something new?  In our celebration for today (National Day Calendar), you are in control.  Pencil it in on your planner several times to let yourself know that you are in control.

Gelato
When I first saw this word, it was given to me for a prompt on an embrace your art project.  My thought was to check out Google to find out what this was (I had never heard of it).  The first explanation that was given:

Italian or Italian-style ice cream.  Now, my thought was that this couldn't be what the instructor wanted us to use.  She was an artist and I knew the word had to be something in the art line.  She could not have asked us to do something with ice cream other than relaxing and enjoying it.


I went back to Google and saw that the Company, Faber Cast-ell had these pigment sticks that you could color with.  I waited patiently to buy them at a reduced price ( not a full set) to try.


I still have the same set with just the basic colors.  I pulled it out and started on this project I'm showing you today.  The background on the focal area and the dogwood was basically colored with the gelatos. The little rose colored drops comes from liquid pearls and the little green dots in the middle of the dogwood comes from NUVO crystal drops (gloss woodland green).





Enjoy:

entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com

Challenge #276-277 - Anything Goes

 

from the side to show the layers of the dogwood image

another view from the side

Cam & Chloe Hampton Art dogwood stamp; Gelatos from Faber Castell; green woodland NUVO crystal drop; Rose liquid pearls



 Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois


 


Wednesday, March 29, 2017

"Quilling The Novice Way"

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Hello to All!
It is the middle of the week and I'm doing okay, what about you?
Is your crafting going well?  Have you bought enough supplies during this crafting month.?  If not, you have today through Friday to get those orders in.

Speaking of supplies, I have some that I don't use very often ( you do too).  I was so interested in learning how to quill about two years ago. I purchased a kit from Amazon with the intention of learning to quill properly.   Not really knowing what I was doing, I "twisted" some paper and glued it to a black background and posted it . I received some positive responses on the card I did.  I knew I didn't know what I was doing and I imagine the experts knew also but they were really nice towards me.   I knew then as well as I know now that I would eventually have to take a class or watch a lot of Youtube videos to learn this technique.  I didn't take a class but I have watched some and I'll say it again...some videos to get more of a feel to quilling.  I'm still a novice ...rolling the paper strip with the tool and making teardrops.   I just cannot get all those circles to come out the same size  even with using the quill ruler that came in the kit.  Should I give up?  By no means, NO!  I'm like the "little engine that could"...if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again!

Here is another attempt at quilling (I considered it the novice way):

entry for WordArtWednesday
Challenge #276-277 - Anything Goes

I used Quilled Creations Beginner Quilling Kit, Jolee's Boutique cross, and coordinating papers from my stash to make this card.  Eventually it will be used as a sympathy card or given away for Easter.

Thanks everyone for visiting and leaving a comment.  You know you're always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

"Let's Go Masculine"

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Hope you're having a great day so far.    For the pollen lovers, you can have all you want and some more.  I wish you could keep it to yourself and not to share it with me and all the other allergy sufferers.

Today is AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT DAY
National American Diabetes Association Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March.  This day is a one-day “wake-up call” to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes and encourages all to take the diabetes risk test and learn about your family’s history of diabetes.
Along with allergy problems, I'm  also  a diabetic.  I'm not proud of either one.   I work on keeping both at a level where I can continue to enjoy life.

We all can agree that masculine cards are not that easy to make.  Not many men like flowers or butterflies.  So, what can we put on those cards other than cars, tools and other men?
I saw this pattern on Pinterest and decided to CASE it and use my arsenal of paper to make one similar to it.
I picked paper from the brown-ish family and put a little red in it to give it some "pop".  The paper is from a Recollections paper pad.  The design is simple, just squares and rectangles of paper with a layer of black cardstock.  Arrange the paper in different directions, add a piece of hemp cord or string and a tag and sentiment....voila', you're finish



My brother celebrates his birthday Thursday and my son-in-law's birthday is the first one for April. among all the men in our family....hubby, and nephews are in April also.   It is so amazing that not any of the girls or women in my family have birthdays in April...it is all about the men.  So, I'll come up with other designs or keep making this one for all the other men.

Thanks again for visiting...I always enjoy your company and your comments.  Leave a little dust so I'll know you were here!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Monday, March 27, 2017

"HEARTFELT"

Monday, March 27, 2017 / 3-27-17

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Happy Monday to you.  If you are "Joe, Jo, Joette, Joey, Joseph, Josephine, Johanna, Joann, Jodie or any variant of the name Joe then this is a great National day on the calendar for you.
Question:
What comes to mind if you hear or read the word "heartfelt"?
Do you think about sympathy?  Do you think about thoughtfulness?  Do you think about being in love?  Do you think about being sincere?  Do you think about creating?

Today, I'm sharing a card that I made using images from the Heartfelt Creation "Botanic Orchid Collection".  (The inspiration came from our outing on Saturday).  While we were out and about on Saturday, I looked at a collection of orchids  (I love these flowers and wanted to add more to the ones I already have).   I'm very interested in the blue orchid but  I don't want to spend $$ on getting one at the price I saw on Saturday.
Most of my family members will not attempt to try orchids because they can't get them to bloom again after bringing them home...so far, I haven't had this problem.  I have about five orchids and just like clockwork, they bloom once a year and the flowers stay on the plant for about two months.

I also used a corner die from Our Daily Bread Design to give this card some extra "lift":
This card will be entered @ www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

side view of card

 

"You Are So Thoughtful"!  It is heartfelt and I'm being sincere!
I do love having you to view my creations as well as leaving a comment.
Please come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, March 24, 2017

"Beyond Embossing...A Step By Step Tutorial"

Friday, March 24, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors, viewers and for today, class members.
We are going to go beyond embossing and create a card using an embossing folder as our guide.
Materials I used

  • Darice "henna" embossing folder
  • Ranger perfect pearls  (if you don't have this, you can use any coloring medium that you have.  An example would be Distress inks, Distress Oxide, Pearlescent Chalks, your Copic or Spectrum Noir pens
  • Embossing Machine ( I used my Big Shot...you could use the Sizzix Texture Boutique if you have one)
  • Scissors, glue, foam tape, exacto knife

I made this card and posted it a while back.  This week I posted it again on another site and received so many questions that I decided to do a tutorial on how I made it.
http://lilartsywoman.blogspot.com/2016/06/beyond-embossing.html

The finished product from today's tutorial.  It will also be entered in WordArtWednesday  
Challenge #274-275 - Anything Goes

Another card from the same tutorial using Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks...see you don't have to use Perfect Pearls

Let's get started:
 Step One, we will use whatever paper we want for our project (here I used white the first one I used bronze cardstock).  
We will cut three or four piece 4.25  by 5.75 ( 4 1/4  by 5 3/4). These pieces will be embossed with the Darice "henna" embossing folder.   One piece will be set aside for our base (we will be adhering our pieces to this piece once we finish coloring and fussing cutting out the pieces we want to use.


Step Two:
On the extra pieces, color in the desired pieces that you want to use  (it is really up to you).
I used Perfect Pearls to color these pieces  (follow the directions for using Perfect Pearls).
Someone wanted to know: "how do you keep the powder from rubbing off?"  This is what I did and it worked for me...after coloring, I misted some water in the air and waved my paper through the mist ( you may have to do this several times...trick  used by Jennifer McGuire).  Please do not mist the paper.
Perfect Pearls can be mixed with water for painting...you may want to try this method but I will suggest using watercolor paper.


Step Three:
Cut out the pieces you have colored.

Step Four:
On the piece you set aside, try placement of your cut pieces on it.  Some pieces may have to be cut apart again depending on how you want your card to look and how many layers you want.  Use glue for pieces you do not want to be lifted and use foam tape for pieces you want a little lift to.
We are going to build our focal area from bottom to top using either the glue or foam tape.
*Note...if you don't want to have a lot of dimension using the foam tape, then use form paper behind the piece that you want to raise up off your paper (I used foam paper on the brown card..it lifts but not very high). 

Step Five:
This is really not a step...I'm showing you how I start layering my pieces with the glue and foam tape.
I had to cut the leaves from the flower so they could be applied as the first layer, then the flower.
*Note: the flower has several parts...it is up to you how many parts you want to show.  In my examples...I'm showing two + three layers on one card and on the other card three layers.



This is the finished product after layering my pieces.
I added Ranger liquid pearls into the empty circles and on top of the flowers.  I layered my top piece to a brownish purple piece (DCWV "the Far East paper stack" ), layered it again to a pink (Heartfelt Creation "Botanic Orchid Collection paper pad") another brownish purple piece before the Neenah white card base.

 Thanks for viewing with me today. I hope I gave you  more encouragement to try going beyond just embossing a piece of paper.
I invite you to visit with me again and comments are always encouraged.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Thursday, March 23, 2017

" Will We See The Cherry Blossoms In DC"

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Hello followers, visitors, viewers and friends.
Push through today and Friday and then you can have some fun.  I know you can and I know you will.
While we were having those warm days when the calendar was still saying winter on the East Coast, a lot of trees and flowers started budding and blooming. 
I'm not that far from Washington, DC.  The news reporters  kept reporting that the cherry blossom trees were blooming earlier than usual around the end of February. However, we've had snow and cold weather in the last weeks that had some effect on the blossoms that were on the trees and those that were beginning to form.   
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual springtime celebration, attracts visitors from all over the world to Washington, D.C.  The Festival runs March 15 through April 16.  You can imagine the number of people who are on Spring Break attending this Festival and having a marvelous time visiting other areas around the White House. 
My card today reflects this occasion and the report of the cold weather not really keeping the blooms from blossoming or the people from visiting.
To make this card I:
1. Use a Ranger Craft Tag to do my coloring on.  I used various colors of Distress inks to color my background along with a stencil (cracked pistachio, scattered straw, stormy sky, peeled paint and twisted citron).
2.  I cut out the Cherry Blossom from the Spellbinders die using craft paper and scrap cardstock.
3. I added the liquid pearl to the center of each flower (pink).
4. The bird was added to the branch.  The bird is a patch I had in my file from years ago.
5. The sentiment which were words I typed and printed using my computer and printer.  Each one was cut out and placed on the tag.  The tag was layered on top of a brown Recollections piece of cardstock.
6.  I cut out a piece of DCWV "the Far East" cardstock paper to fit the length and width of the tag. This was also layered with a piece of brown Recollections piece of cardstock.
7. I used a Neenah white sheet of cardstock to make the card base.
Ranger liquid pearls

Ranger Distress inks

Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms die
 Thanks once again for viewing with me today.  If you get a chance before the April 16 and don't live that far from Washington, DC, visit the Cherry Blossom Festival. You could also visit the other attractions in this area .  There are various places of interest.

Come again.  I enjoy your visitation.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

" DCWV The Far East Stack"



Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Hello viewers, followers, visitors and friends.
We are in the middle of the week....hip, hip, hooray!  Keep pushing...something great is going to happen (your weekend). 

I've been doing some cleaning and throwing away some "junk" out of my craft space. I'm downsizing  many paper pads and cardstock.... they will be donated to the school I retired from. While looking through what I have, and may hold on to a little while longer, is a pad that has pretty paper with a Chinese background. I've often used the DCWV The Far East Stack many times but today, I looked at it with a set of fresh eyes.


Card stock used: burgundy, tan, black and brown Recollections,
Designer Paper: Die Cut With A View "The Far East Stack"
Spellbinders "horsehair" embossing folder
fussy cut "ginkgo"  leaves from a pattern found on Google (tissue paper...light blue and brown).
die: Spellbinders "Romantic Vines"
"copper penny" Nuvo crystal drops.


card with small photo
I have not decided on a sentiment for this card as of this printing.  I'll put it aside to be used when needed.  Any sentiment would go well with this background.

Today is NATIONAL GOOF OFF DAY according to National Day Calendar. 
There are many different things that a person could do.  Strictly speaking, goofing off is the avoidance of work. So whatever you do on National Goof Off Day, try not to look like you are working. 

Thanks for viewing.  Thanks so very much for your comments.  Come again, I enjoy your visit!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

"Stenciling + Distress Oxide"

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Hello friends, visitors, followers and viewers.
It was nice hearing from so many of you on the first day of spring.  I appreciate all the responses and comments made on my project.

According to the National Day Calendar.  Among the many things to celebrate today are National Common Courtesy Day and National Single Parent Day.
Stop and think for a moment... how many people do not show common courtesy.  You don't want to hold a door open when coming or going in a building.  You don't want to speak to different ethnic groups of people. You don't say "please" or "thank you" when help is asked for or given.  What is wrong with us?
We look upon single parents as if they are so "beneath" us.  Some people think being a single parent is a crime.  Again, have we lost all sense of character.
I have noticed recently, that in these two areas, people are acting so cruel.
From the National Day Calendar: " If common courtesy is not a part of your daily routine, then this is the day to start implementing courtesy into your life.  Try it; not only will the other person appreciate it, but you will feel good about it also.     We all know of a family member, friend, neighbor, coworker or someone who is a single parent. Support and appreciate them. Make this day a special one for the single parents that you know."

Inspiration for this came from many Youtube, Pinterest and Google Images since the induction of Distress Oxide inks.  People are just exploring ways of using it.  
Here, I've used a stencil and many different Oxide inks to make the background for this card.  I simply stamped a sentiment using a Recollections "color splash" stamp, also with Distress Oxide ink. I added a few gold sequins and considered this card finished. 

entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com

Here are some of the main supplies used:  stencil from Art-C "interlocking squares" and Distress Oxide.

You can do the same technique with any type of inks.  I've experimented with stenciling using inks from different sources and with gesso and texture paste.  The technique is not new, it is just the material used to achieve it.

Thanks for visiting.  Your presence and comments always keeps me doing what I do.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, March 20, 2017

"Celebrating The First Day Of Spring"

Monday, March 20, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Happy Spring!   It is here but the temperature is like winter.  I have patience...we will get there...and then my allergy problem will bloom all over again.

Two cards today using one sketch that came from MojoMonday Monday #489.
I strictly used cardstock and embossing folders with prima flowers to bring it all together:
Embossing folder = Spellbinders EL-006 M-Bossabilities Reversible Embossing Folder, Mystic
Paper from Craft Smith "metallic foil" and Create and Craft
Sentiment stamp = Stampendous "Spring Sentiments"
sketch = Mojo Monday #489 http://www.mojomonday.blogspot.com

Embossing folder = Spellbinders SEL-006 Horsehair Embossing Folders
Paper from my stash of leftovers
same sentiment as above from same company
same sketch as above.

I'm going to do some inside "spring" cleaning to my craft space today.  The trash truck will roll by early in the morning and I have a lot of "junk" to throw away.  

Enjoy your day!
Thanks for stopping by today.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, March 17, 2017

"Our Weird Sense Of Humor"

Friday, March 17, 2017

Hello Everyone!
Happy St. Patrick's Day to those who are celebrating.  Enjoy your celebration.
Happy Friday to those who are working their last day for this work week and can't wait until the close of the day to start your weekend.

The story behind my card for today, has nothing to do with a St. Patrick's Day card.  It is one that started behind our  weird sense of humor.
Story:
DH announced that he was going to the grocery store to get him some ice cream.  So I stopped what I was doing and said, "there's something I need from the store but I don't know what it is.  I would go with you but it is so cold outside I don't want to put on all that heavy outer wear.  I'd rather stay warm...you go."
He comes home with the ice cream and a bag of lemons.  I asked, "what are the lemons for? That's not what I needed from the store.   Do you plan to squeeze the juice in your ice cream when you eat it?"
He tells me the lemons are for me since I was so cold.  He thought I could make me some lemonade and pretend it was summer time.  Then, I could get warm.
What a "joke" he is or we are!
I took his joking and use it for this card today.  I had been thinking how I could use green on a card since yesterday . 
Here it is for your viewing:

I started with a piece of Ranger water color paper.  I added cracked pistachio, peeled paint and fossilized amber Distress Oxide to the paper and spritzed water on it.  While waiting for the paper to dry, I stamped the jar onto vellum paper (two times).  I cut out the jar and added a piece of cardstock to look like a straw between the two pieces.  I also stamped the lemon-lime like slices from the Fiskars fresh fruit stamp and colored them with water color brushes from Akashiya Sai Watercolor Brush Pen set.  When the paper was fully dry, I used a border from Lawn Fawn stitched scalloped borders on the edge. All the piece were adhered to the card front.  I layered this piece with black Recollections cardstock and a piece of stripped green cardstock from DCWV before placing it on the white card base.
To my husband, here is a card letting you know from your humor, I simply enjoy you.  Thanks for the inspiration.  Lemonade to make me feel warm in this cold weather.


These are some of the items I used:
Ranger Distress Oxide
Recollections jar stamp
Fiskars fresh fruit stamp
Lawn Fawn stitched scalloped borders
Sizzix Big Shot machine

I hope you find your sense of humor and make someone else laugh today or this weekend.
Thanks for stopping by.  Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, March 16, 2017

"Feathers...Real and Fake"

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Hello Everyone!
Today is St. Patrick's Day eve.  Are you Irish?  Do you enjoy the festivities that happens on St. Patrick's Day? 
When I worked with children in the school system, they would be so happy if you didn't have on any green for St. Patrick's Day.  This would give them a chance to "supposedly" pinch you (3rd graders).
I haven't made a card for this day and probably will not by tomorrow.  My thoughts are leaning a little towards using green on a card for tomorrow.  You and I will have to wait and see what happens.

Due to the snow that some of you had, our backyard was filled with birds that were trying to find food (lol). They flew in from your area to my backyard.   Lots and lots of birds. 
Guess where my inspiration came from for today...yes, those birds and their feathers.
Here is what I came up with in a short amount of time:
entry for www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

To keep up with my goals for 2017...make scripture cards or in this case a card for my bible journal group, I present to you my interpretation of God's provision using Psalm 91:4.  When I decided on using feathers, I also decided on using something from the Bible.
Psalm 91:4  HE WILL cover you WITH HIS feathers & UNDER HIS wings you WILL FIND refuge.
God is Good all the time!  All the time, God is Good!


 Here are some of the supplies I used. 
Spellbinders "feather" die; American Craft "premium ribbon"; Touch of Nature "feathers" and Sizzix Big Shot Machine.

From the National Day Calendar website, I'm participating in: NATIONAL EVERYTHING YOU DO IS RIGHT DAY...March 15th may have been a difficult day as it was National Everything You Think is Wrong Day, but March 16th is just the opposite as it is National Everything You Do is Right Day.  You get to feel good about everything that you do.
HOW TO OBSERVE
When you are right, you’re right.  There is no wrong way about it.  Take the good with the bad and a have a right kind of day.   Use #EverythingYouDoIsRightDay to post on social media.
Have a Safe, Legal and Fun Everything You Do Is Right Day.

Feathers, whether real or fake makes good embellishments on your cards.  Try using some on the ones you make.  When you are right, you're right with whatever you use (lol).

Thanks for viewing.  
Come Again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

"Just A Lil' Bit Country"

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Hello visitors, viewers, friends and followers.
We didn't get the snow like my family in the northern part of the country did. We did get some sleet, rain and cold wind.  "Baby it is coooooold outside".  Here comes the heavy duty coat, scarf and boots to deal with this winter weather. 
Yesterday, my northern friends were posting how they were enjoying the snow and crafting all day.  I'm glad "you dropped everything except your crafting supplies and just had an enjoyable day".

Due to the very cold temperatures today, my inspiration for making my card came from a gift I received for Christmas.

Here, take a look:
"Whatever you do, do it well"



 I'm going to enter this card at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com


Had to wear these because of the cold weather and this is where my inspiration came from.    I'm just a little bit county.  What about you?  (This was a Christmas gift from my oldest daughter).

Items to help make this card:
dylusions "Couture Collections"
jolee's Boutique cowboy hats
Paper House 3D Country
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text "Cowgirl"

Brave the cold and go a little country today.  If you don't have the boots, just make sure your feet are well covered in something heavy duty for the wind and or snow.

Thanks for visiting.  Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE, 
Lois

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

" Using A Jane Davenport's Acrylic Stamp"

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.

What is the type of card that you make most often than others?  I'm not referring to the seasonal cards you make during Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. I'm asking about those cards that you have  for ongoing celebrations....  Is it a sympathy card?  Is it an encouragement card?  Is it a birthday card? Is it a wedding anniversary card?  Is it a get well or on the road to recovery card?  Is it a new baby card?  Or, is it a congratulation card?

I was checking out my box of cards on yesterday and noticed  I needed to add more birthday cards to my stash.  We are just into the third month of the year and the birthdays are coming fast.  I have three family members in the month of March who celebrate and will be celebrating birthdays.  My son-in-law starts off the month of April celebrating along with four other family members during the same month.

I can say, with my large family and friends, "birthday" cards are the ones I make the most in the greeting card occasions list.
Here is one for your viewing today:
have a fabulous birthday


Items used are Distress oxide inks (worn lipstick, spiced marmalade and broken china); Jane Davenport's acrylic stamps; Heidi swap "magnolia Jane" stamps;
To color the roses, I used a combination of the red  brushes.

If you're having a birthday today or sometime this month...then, "Happy Birthday" to you.

Thanks for stopping by to view and/or make comments.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, March 13, 2017

"Distress Oxide... 1st Try"

Monday, March 13, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers. 
Welcome to Monday.
 We are back from a glorious, cold, windy weekend that was still full of fun and relaxation.
Our weather people are saying we will have snow coming in tonight.  My granddaughter saw some in her area this weekend.  She was getting excited because as it was sticking, she thought the school would be closed.  However, the sun came out in the afternoon and it all melted away.

At first I wasn't going to do it...buy the new Distress Oxide inks.   I looked in my painting and coloring supplies and said, "I don't need anything else to color with."   As you can see from this post, I had no restraint (a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control or within limits).  My sister made one comment... (You may want to use it for the darker colored cardstock)  and this sent me off to start looking for a bargain.  I found one and the inks arrived within two days.

Here is the card I made:
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step




 I used the following Distress Oxide: worn lipstick; fossilized amber and broken china on top of a piece of paper taken from Paper House "Field Study" paper pad.  The next thing I did was to stamp the image from Stamp in Up "Beautiful You" onto the distressed paper (the dress is paper pieced from paper I had in my stash).  I cut out the "flower bramble" from the Cuttlebug die and separated pieces of it to fit within the frame which was cut from black Recollections cardstock.

Here, you have some of the other items used to make this card:
Paper House "Field Study" paper pad
Cricut Cuttlebug "flower bramble" die
Stampin'Up "Beautiful You" stamp
Ranger Distress Oxide inks

I'm going to experiment with these inks and watch YouTube to see what else I can do with them.  Someone posted that Jennifer McGuire did a tutorial or post on how she used these inks.  I'm going to check it out and will keep you posted on what I can do with them.

Thanks for viewing.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois




Friday, March 10, 2017

"A Piece- A- Day Card"

Friday, March 10, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.

Ready for the weekend?  Yes, I am!   I'm planning on going to a craft exhibition on Saturday...just to get some ideas and to enjoy what others have made.

Happy Birthday to one of my sisters  (GPR).  Hope your day is an enjoyable one.

 Readers, look back at my title for today because it says exactly how this card was made...a piece each day.
This card started on Monday.  I took a Neenah white piece of cardstock and embossed it with an old textured plate that was in the back of my file cabinet.  I just wanted to know how the embossing would look because I had never used this item before.  I think it came free with some items I had ordered years ago.  I placed the embossed piece aside, satisfied with the look...(my thought)...I'll use it one day.

Tuesday, while playing with some inks from Umbrella Crafts (coral; summer orange and peaches N cream), I colored the embossed piece of card.  I was going for an ombre effect in which I did achieve. Again, placed aside because I had something else in mind.

Wednesday, I cut out the die from Our Daily Bread Designs "Beautiful Borders and Spellbinders "Grate Effect".   The Grate Effect die cut was cut down to the size I wanted.  I mat and layered a piece of Prima "Tales of You & Me" paper with brown Recollections cardstock.  My plan was to use this to make something for "National International Women's Day" but I changed my mind and again placed the piece aside.

Thursday, I cut out the Spellbinders Victorian Bow from a piece of cardstock from my stash...determined to finish this card, I used a sentiment from some stickers I had for a planner....it was placed aside again because the sentiment was calling for something else.

This morning, Friday, I used my Cricut Expression and the Flower Market cartridge to cut out the "hot air balloon.  I wanted to go with a bicycle but it would not look good up in the air to balance all the other items on the card.  I added three faux gems and a star that was on my desk.
I photographed the card and started writing about its journey during this week.
an entry to be submitted to http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Challenge #272-273 - Anything Goes

these are some of the items used to bring this card together



The lesson I take from this card:  Your goals, your dreams, your aspiration don't happen all at one time.  Sometimes, they come piece by piece until the full puzzle is put together.  God doesn't give us everything all at once because we will not appreciate the small pieces it takes to enjoy our journey!

Go forth and have a beautiful weekend.  Embrace your journey!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Thursday, March 9, 2017

"Vellum With Heat Embossing"

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Hello To All!! 
Over the "hump" with one more to go before the weekend.
The weather has been so up and down.  Warm, hot, cold, cool, and now snow for the weekend along with the time changing.  I'm ready for "all" of it.  Why?  I can't do anything to change it so I might as well embrace it with open arms.

Card makers... do you plan your design for your cards....get inspiration from other places...use a sketch...copy someone's work and change the colors...just where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration for today came from a piece of vellum and from a challenge sketch.
The vellum came in the mail from a company that was soliciting for a donation to a charity.  It was printed with flowers and had enough "white spaces" for me to  use on this card I've made today.  How fantastic was that....I didn't have to purchase it . Free inspiration!


Thank You Card
Items used to make Thank You Card






This second card came about by visiting http://www.mojomonday.blogspot.com.  I liked the sketch but waited until today to play along.  My granddaughter sent me a little note and I wanted to send her something back.  I used the sketch to create a card for her.  
entry for MojoMonday.blogspot.com


Item used to create card for Mojo Monday.
Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE, 
Lois