Tuesday, March 31, 2015

What's Your Biggest Fear or Obstacle?

Good Morning to All (Followers, Friends, Viewers),
Another question for you today:  “What is your biggest fear or obstacle? Do you suffer from heights, rejection, death, cancer, intimacy, failure, spiders, snakes, flying, public speaking, commitment, the dark, clowns, Friday the 13th, etc…?  Maybe I didn't put your fear on the list.  Here is one more…the fear of losing your relationship with God. Easter Sunday is approaching and I want you to sit and meditate on this one.  Where are you in your relationship with God?
Here is the card I’m sharing with you today:

Supplies : Core’dinations black and yellow cardstock ( the yellow has been embossed using a Cuttlebug folder); two pieces of patterned paper that I pulled from my stash (I don’t remember the company) (the polka dotted piece was cut at 2” by 4”, matted to a black piece of cardstock and centered on card, the floral black piece was cut in the shape of a cross and matted on top of a piece of black cardstock); a black flower branch die cut; 2 white faux flowers with faux bling and one yellow flower with faux bling, grouped and adhered to the right of the cross; computer generated sentiment cut in a half circle and matted with a piece of black cardstock, mounted under the band.
Have you figured out what your biggest fear is and do you know how to overcome it?

Thanks for taking a little time to share your view with me today.  Come back soon!

Sending you a Hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, March 30, 2015

Are You In Control?

Hello Followers, Friends and Viewers,
The weather report was right on target for this past Saturday.  It snowed!   It was pretty and even better for some, it didn't stick like it did in some other parts of the state.
Remember when I talked about the National Calendar Day.  Today we should be celebrating National Doctors Day; National Pencil Day; National Take a Walk in the Park Day and National I Am in Control Day.
My doctor left my area and I’m looking for a qualified person to replace or take the place of my primary care physician. I’ll leave this one to someone else.  I've used my pencils especially the eraser part so much that I need some brand new ones.  Any takers on sending me some?  I’ll celebrate this one.  It is raining and a little too cold to walk outside today.  National Take a Walk in the Park Day will happen later on this week but not today.  National I Am in Control Day.  Yeah, this one is really for me when I get my crafting items in front of me.  I cut, glue, punch, stamp, color, etc., to my heart’s content.
So, take a look at what I could control today… 




Supplies and Technique: beige Bazzill cardstock cut at 3 ¾ wide by 6 inches long; DCWV Heirloom stack for mat on top (it was a postcard that I just cut around and glued on top of the cardstock); DCWV the Timeless Type Stack and Botanique Stack was used for the patterned paper inside the card cut at 3 5/8 by 5 7/8; a piece of burlap 3” by 3” was folded into the shape of a vase and pinned down with two brown brads; Martha Stewart flower stickers (6 of them) were placed down followed by 2 Recollection floral embellishment; Sentiment came from Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text.  There you have it, another clean and simple design.

You let God guide you and be in control of your doctor, how you use your pencil, how you take that walk and whatever else you do today.  Thanks for visiting and enjoy the remainder of your day.
Sending you a Hug and LOVE
Lois


Friday, March 27, 2015

Childhood Memories

Hello Friend, Followers and Viewers.
We made it to Friday.  Looking forward to another wonderful weekend with a twist.  The report on the weather for this weekend is that four letter word..."snow".  Can you believe it when the temperature has been as high as seventy degrees this past week.  I've put away heavy coats and clothes.  My thoughts today went back to some of things or I should say days I had when I was a small child...Santa coming for Christmas; the Tooth Fairy bringing money for a missing tooth and the Easter Bunny delivering a pretty basket on Easter morning.  Why did we ever have to learn the truth? When we mature we should put away childish things but it doesn't hurt to think about them especially if you have a grandchild who gets excited about things like this.  I made an Easter Card In The Box from the thoughts of her this morning.  She likes finding the eggs hidden in the grass and among the flowers.
The box is a cut of cardstock 5" by 9".  Scored on the long side at 2 1/8, 4 1/4, 6 3/8 and 8 1/2. Turned to the short side and scored at 2 3/4.  It was then cut on the short side up to the score lines. Two inserts were cut at 1 1/2 by 3 1/8 and scored at 1/2" on each end.  The patterned paper to cover the box: for the flaps, cut 6 pieces at 2" by 2 1/8".  The side pieces: cut 3 pieces at 2" by 2 5/8".  The back of the box requires a piece cut at 2" by 4 7/8.
Here are pictures of my finished project followed by two other cards that I made for another challenge (they required that I use red and yellow on the card.




Reminiscence about your childhood today or live through it behind your grandchild or grandchildren's excitement. Just don't go back.  I need you in the present with me being an adult (LOL).  Have a nice weekend everybody.
Sending you a hug and LOVE, 
Lois

Thursday, March 26, 2015

How to Make a Screen Divider Card

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers
Do you enjoy your privacy?  Of course you do.  We all do.  Have you put up a privacy screen somewhere on your property to keep your neighbors from peering at everything you do?  What about a wall of cedar trees or red-tip trees? Today, I have a fun project to share with you called a screen divider card.  It will not keep your neighbors from being nosy but it will have someone asking “how did you do that”.
Supplies: 6” by 12” sheet of heavy duty cardstock. (We want it to stand and not fall over when we finish our card; patterned paper of your choice; foil cardstock; scoring board; paper cutter. Spellbinders Labels 16; Martha Stewart punch (see picture); your sentiment; metal accents or bling.
Technique:
1. After you have chosen a piece of 6 by 12 inch piece of cardstock, use your scoring board and score at the following: 1 ½ , 3, 6, 9 and 10 ½ all the way down.
2. Turn your cardstock so that the 6 inch side is at the top facing you. Place this in your cutter 1 inch down on the 12 inch side and cut from the 1 ½ inch score line to 5 7/8 inch (do not cut through the 6 inch score line). Move your blade to 6 1/8 mark and cut down to the 10 ½ score line.  Do this on both of the long sides.
3. On that 1 inch that you just finish doing, go back and score on the 4 ½ and 7 ½ (only on this piece, not all the way down as in step 1).
4. Those score lines you made in step 1 will now be folded mountain, valley, mountain, valley, mountain (up, down, up down, etc.) The 4 ½ and 7 ½ score lines on the 1 inch strip will be folded valley (down).  See picture
5. Use the Spellbinder punch on the bottom of your card.  The tip should be on the 1 ½ score line, the 4 ½ score line, the 7 ½ score line and the 10 ½ score line when you cut those spaces out. (see picture) 
6. Use the Martha Stewart punch on the top to decorate your screen.
7. Cut 2 pieces of foil cardstock (or whatever cardstock you prefer) at 3/8 wide by 12 inches long.  These two pieces will be glued to the top and bottom of card. (See finished picture).
8. Patterned paper for #1 and #6 was cut 4” long by 1 6/8 wide. Then I cut 4 pieces 1 ¾ “ long by ¾ inches wide and glued them  on top of the 4 by 1 6/8 piece leaving a ¼ in gap between the pieces.
9. Patterned paper for #2 and #5 was cut at 3 14/16 long by 7/16 wide and glued to the card base.
10. Foil cardstock was cut at 3 ¾ inches long by 2 ¾ inches wide with patterned paper cut 3 ½ inches long by 2 ½ in. wide matted together for #3 and #4.
11. It is your preference to put whatever sentiment or picture that you want on #3 and #4.
Here is my finished card.




use this picture for steps 7-10

He Is Risen

Thanks for viewing.  If there are any questions please contact me.  Hope the remainder of your day is in privacy.
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Let's Be Happy!

Good Morning Friends, Followers and Viewers,
You know what day it is?  It’s Wednesday, a happy day. Yes, it really is.  Things happen but you’re still happy [hap-ee].  You remember the song “Happy” that Pharrell Williams sings?  Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Music Vi deo) - YouTube   Today Im singing that song.  Lyrics: Because I'm happy / Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof / Because I'm happy / Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth… Happiness is an approach to life that embraces a willingness to overcome challenges with a smile on your face. Lots of laughter and trying to live as stress-free as possible also help. So, how happy are you?
  Here’s my good “happy” news…I’m being featured on www.papercraftingstudio.com.  Yes, Dawn Stegall contacted me and wanted to feature me on her website.  Friends, Followers and Viewers, please go over and visit her page and give me some love while you are there.
Here is my “happy” card for today:

Supplies: white on white card base and card mat using American Craft cardstock.  2 flower stickers; one cut apart to be used on top of the other for a 3-D effect using pop-dots.  The sentiment was hand written on the card and colored over with a raspberry Sharpie.   After adhering the flower to the card, I used a few drops of Glossy Accents on the leaves.  Clean and simple again.  I am going to post this over at www.canyoucaseit.com and enter this as CYCI #62



 





 Don’t forget to visit www.papercraftingstudio.com and leave me and Dawn some love.

Be happy no matter what is happening to you.  Remember trouble doesn't last always.
Thanks for stopping by!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

What Is A Perfect Day?

Good Morning to all my Friends, Followers, and Viewers,
Have you ever been asked to describe your "perfect day"?  I'm doing daily prompts with a lot of other crafters on another website and the prompt for today is titled "perfect day".  We have to submit something centered around this.  I'm thinking in my mind, what does a day like this look like?  Who could I have with me on a perfect day? What would I be feeling on a perfect day? First of all, living on this side of the universe as a Christian, I know there is no such day as a "perfect day". So, let me just use my imagination, if you will, for just the purpose of this writing:
A Perfect Day for me would consist of the following,

  • happiness                                                   
  • being fearless
  • love
  • carefree
  • no to-do-list
  • no complainers
  • no bad weather           
   This is just something I can think about or dream about but not something I can realistically achieve all in one day.  Notice that I underlined "all" because in my imagination all of these things will have to be present on that "perfect day". Not one or two but all of them on the same day all the time.  I challenge each of you to design, write down, draw or paint what your perfect day would look like and keep it in a journal to review ever so often.  Go back and take a look to see how close you are coming to your perfect day.
I'm sharing a card today for friendship because this is something that can be done whether your day is perfect or not.  I have used white and red cardstock. The Stamping UP! Love Is Kindness stamp and a friendship quote.  I also used a Fiskars corner punch on the top mat and pop dots to give some of the flowers a lift.  A piece of red Offray ribbon was tied around the image with a ladybug sticker added.  Another clean and simple card for your viewing.

Happy Easter
Supplies: All white cardstock for the card, mat, and die cuts.
The base was hand cut in the shape of an oval making sure it was large enough to have the mat which was cut from a Spellbinders Floral Ovals die matted on top.  Sizzlits flowers, branches and leaves set was used to cut (2).  One Kaiser craft paper bloom and one Joy crafts cutting & embossing butterfly border was used .  Sentiment was computer generated.

Thanks for spending a little time with me today.  I hope you enjoyed your view.  Come back again.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, March 23, 2015

My Very First Bokeh in Cardmaking

Good Morning to all my followers, viewers and friends,
It's day 82 of our calendar year and it's Monday.  We have only a few more days left to celebrate National Craft Month (March).  If you haven't been creative, it's time to pull something out whether old or new and join in during these last few days.  Yes, go forward!  I did!
I would like to share with you a card which uses the technique called bokeh (boh-kay).  It is usually equated or seen with photography.  If you take pictures like I do, it is the blur produced in the out-of focus parts of an image or the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light. This is an interesting technique that I have been wanting to try and I am so glad that I finally did.
Supplies I used:
watercolor paper; water and paint brush; gelatos; sponge dauber; circle mask punched from clear plastic; white ink;
Technique:


 Adhere painters tape around edges of watercolor paper and brush paper with water using a paintbrush
I'm using gelatos with water to cover my paper
I started with cotton candy (it looks blue) and applied it randomly on the watercolor paper  
I then applied lemon (yellow) and red cherry (red).  I used the heat gun to dry my paper...(just couldn't wait for it to air dry but it is recommended)
 After the drying, I used the masks of circles that I had prepared and placed it over the card and pounced on the white ink with a sponge dauber.  I moved the template around and covered more areas.
 Here is  what it looks like after the above step.








Remove the painters tape and let this air dry.









This is  the finished card (my very first bokeh)..  what a great technique to give your background an interesting look to highlight your focal image.  I like it.  This is easy to create and can be varied in many ways to get just the look you are after.

Thanks for visiting with me today.  If you have questions about anything you did not understand, please leave a comment and I'll get back with you.
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois 

Friday, March 20, 2015

Serving You Tulips and Punches

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
We made it to Friday with the busyness of the week and the allergy havoc.  Outside today at my house doesn't look or feel like the first day of spring.  It is okay!  Somewhere in the world it is not raining and feeling cold.  The sunshine is beaming down on you and you're probably skipping along enjoying the view.  Maybe some of you will have a chance to visit a botanical garden this weekend or go and buy some plants to start that spring-time garden.  I'm serving you tulips today.  Yes, those flowers that pop up along with the daffodils during this time of the year. I've even picked out a color for you.  How about lavender?  If you don't like that color just go with the flow today.  During this season, I'm quite sure I'll get you another color.  Think spring! Think tulips! Think being served!
Tulip Card:
I started with a white card base at 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches.  I matted the base with a deep purple piece of cardstock cut 1/8 inch smaller than the base.  On top of the purple, another green polka-dot piece of patterned paper, 3 by 5 1/4 inches was added. The last mat (white cardstock) was cut at 3 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches and punched with the Martha Stewart punch. Previously, I used the EK flower punch to cut six petals in various shades of lavender.  To make the tulips: use the edge of the desk or a pencil to make the petals curve (at least the two that appear on top). Glue these two pieces together, then glue to the third piece which we shall call the base. Die cut flower stem to use under the tulip. Adhere your tulips to the white mat. Cut a strip of cardstock to resemble ribbon and adhere this around the mat.  Cut two small butterflies and attached them to to the ribbon strip.  Here is another easy card for your viewing:
Punches used with card

May use this for Easter or for a birthday.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, March 19, 2015

What Do You Really Like About Spring?

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
One more day before Friday and then we will be headed to fun and excitement for the weekend.  On yesterday I titled my post, “SPRING…good, Allergies…BAD”.  Spring is good and there are many things that you and I love about this time of the year.  When winter is over and it stops releasing its icy grip, we all begin to remember why we like spring and or summer so much.  There is nothing like sunny mornings, lighter evenings and the thought of summer to cheer us all up. We also think about warmer temperatures, spring flowers, opening up windows, cleaning and sprucing up the house and garden. We cannot forget those blossoms that are beautiful; (even though they cause havoc for me), the cherry, pear, and plum as well as spring flowers; forsythia, hyacinths, daffodils and tulips.
I would love to get a comment from everyone who reads this post.  Please let me know or answer this question:  “What do you like about spring?”

Today’s share is a Happy Easter card.  The supplies used are: beige and brown Bazzill cardstock; patterned paper from Colorbok Sunset glow; Martha Stewart dogwood stickers; computer generated sentiment; Spellbinders Opulent Oval die; faux rhinestones; hand drawn bird; prima flower

Technique: Cut card base 4 ¼ by 5 1/2; brown mat is cut 1/8” less than base and the patterned paper is cut 1/8” less than brown mat.  Dogwood sticker was place on patterned paper and the hand drawn bird was placed on the sticker (backed with pop-up). Place prima flower on the tail of the bird. The opulent ovals die was used to cut out the generated sentiment.  4 faux rhinestones were placed around the sentiment.  Here you have another Clean and Simple Card.

Send your comment letting me know what you like about spring.  Enjoyed having you view today.  Come back again.
Sending you a hug and Love

Lois

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

SPRING, good...Allergies, BAD

Hello to all my Friends, Followers, and Viewers,
We  have made it to the middle of the week.  Yesterday was really bad physically for me.  You see, spring is in the air, and so are billions of tiny pollen that trigger allergy symptoms in millions of people. This condition is called seasonal allergic rhinitis (a condition that can last year round), commonly referred to as hay fever. Hay fever can affect your quality of life. It can lead to sinus infections, can disrupt your sleep and affect your ability to learn at school or be productive at work. It started with me on yesterday. It was so pretty and I went outside briefly last week and on the weekend, not realizing that my allergies would start playing havoc on my body this early.  No, it’s not early at all. Those symptoms reminded me yesterday that the calendar may say that the first day of spring is Friday but my body says, it has already arrived. So, if you typically have allergies this time of year, but haven't had any symptoms yet, now is the time to see your doctor or perhaps start taking something so you can cope with those symptoms.


Think spring and think birthdays was the inspiration for this card today.  I love flowers and I know others who will be having a birthday soon, loves flowers also:

Supplies used: black and green cardstock; quilled green and orange flowers; computer generated “Happy Birthday” sentiment; Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder
Technique: Cut the base card at 4 ¼ by 5 ½ and then emboss it using the Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder.  Quilling the flowers was the longest process but after that was done, they were arranged on a 3” by 4 ¼ “piece of black cardstock, then matted to a piece of green 4 ½” by 3 ¼ cardstock and lastly matted to the base card which is 4 ¼ by 5 ½.  The sentiment was printed out and cut at 4” by ½” long.  Here you have another simple card.

Thanks for being with me today.  Don’t worry about my allergy problem…from past years, I always keep a supply of medicine to relieve the problem.  Today, I can breathe better and be more productive than yesterday.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Is It Your Lucky Day or Not?

Hello to all my Friends, Followers and Viewers on this Tuesday,
Have you heard it said this morning on your job, radio, TV, or on the internet, “Today is your Lucky Day”?  Of course you have.  It is, according to the calendar, St. Patrick’s Day and that is what most people say.
What is the definition for "luck"?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “luck” as follows:
1. The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events. 2. Good fortune or prosperity; success....to gain success or something desirable by chance: 

So, when people come up to you today and say, “today is your lucky day”, will it be chance or success or by what God is doing for you?  2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV says, "For He says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, and now is the day of salvation."  God’s favor is something intangible where you've got God’s blessings on your lives. I'm not saying it’s not a struggle, but you believe for good things. There are so many people who don’t expect anything good in life. They don’t expect to get breaks, they don’t expect to get promoted, and they don’t expect anything positive. Try to get people to say, I believe if we expect God’s favor, if we declare it, if we thank him when we do see good things happening, then we’re going to see more of that.  God works all things, whether seemingly good or bad, together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Smile and say, “God’s favor is all over me because of Jesus. I expect good things to happen to me today!”

The card I’m sharing is titled “Smile” for two reasons.  One, it is a good day for God’s favor to be upon you and two, Embrace Your Art 365 prompt #75 is “smile”.
This is a very easy, simple and clean card or as they say in the crafting world, Clean And Simple (CAS for short).  I’m busy this week so I’m keeping it very short.  The supplies used: black mint green and white cardstock; petals from Spellbinders’ Create a Gerber Daisy Die D Lites; computer generated sentiment; 3 circles cut with paper  punch.

Dear Friends, Followers and Viewers,  as the apple of God’s eye, expect good things to happen to you each day. Expect divine protection because His favor surrounds you like a shield. Expect every need to be met by the One who highly favors you. Expect good, because you are precious in His eyes! 
Thanks for visiting with me today.  Come back again.  I promise I will not keep you long.
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois

Monday, March 16, 2015

Can I Do Just One?

Hello To Everyone (Followers, Viewers, and Friends),
What a marvelous weekend we had.  Very good weather had us walking outside without a heavy coat. The fellowship with other Christians was amazing.   I'm still joyful from these last two days.

 I’m challenging myself this week to do just one card per day.  I already know it is going to be hard sticking to this formula. If I have the time, it is usually two or three cards posted per day. That usually happens if I make one the night before.  This is a week of more important things that I have to do.  It is tax time.  It is spring cleaning.  It is doctor appointments. It is get up and exercise outside and while I’m out there, clean the flower beds.  You get the message… I just have more things to do and not enough time for crafting.

What I do have for you today is a card that I call “wishes”.  We wish people a happy birthday. We wish some a speedy recovery but don’t really want to say…get well soon. We wish some a safe trip or travels.  The point is this, I've done the outside but have left the inside without any words as of now because when the need comes, I’ll be ready to send someone “wishes”.
I really have to pinch myself (it's not even St. Patrick's Day yet) because I can do just one and feel good about it. Woot! Woot!



Supplies: Cardstock…GP white and black; white American Craft; DCWV Brooklyn Stack; Safari Chic Stack; burlap…beige and green; 3 wooden buttons; hemp cord; Sizzix Sizzlits Flowers, Branches & Leaves Set; Spellbinders Standard Circle die Computer generated sentiment
Technique: Cut the card base at 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 using the GP white. Cut the white American Craft 4"  by 5 1/4" and glue this to the base.  Cut out 3 circles of burlap using the circle die (2"). Align and glue them to the mat.  Cut out the flower branch (one black and the other out of DCWV Brooklyn Stack) and align them together to resemble a shadow and then glue them to the burlap. Cut a piece of hemp cord enough to wrap around card and through the three button. Adhere this to the base of mat.  Place sentiment on the card.  Decorate the inside.

You have been a blessing following, viewing and just being a friend to this blog.  Please continue to do so.  Come back anytime and enjoy your view.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, March 13, 2015

"Friday the What"

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers
Paraskevidekatriaphobia, do you have it?  Are you afraid of today?  All morning long, the headlines have been going over and over about Friday the 13th.  It is just another day of the week on the calendar for me.  What's up with all the hype?  Friday the 13th is widely accepted in Western culture as being the unluckiest day on the calendar.  However, some people think it is lucky.  Many will play the lottery thinking that the tides will turn and instead of bad luck it will be good luck.  I'm just not into the superstition.  Other things that are going on today, not because it is a Friday, but because it is March 13 are  National Good Samaritan Day;
National Earmuff Day; National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day; National Coconut Torte Day; and  National Jewel Day.  If I had to choose one out of all of these, it would be Good Samaritan Day.  This is a day for unselfish actions to help those in need and to celebrate kindness.
I'm sharing these cards for your view today:
"Have a Wonderful Birthday"
Supplies: black GP cardstock; pink Bazzill cardstock; DCWV patterned paper; vellum (with printed picture from computer); Offray ribbon; faux pearls embellishments; computer generated sentiment; colored pencils ; Martha Stewart punch.

"This is the Day the Lord has Made"
Supplies: black and white GP cardstock; Recollections yellow floral scroll patterned paper and black/silver patterned paper;  Martha Stewart punch; computer generated sentiment; colored pencil (red); vellum (with printed picture from computer);

"Just A Note"
Supplies: blue and white GP cardstock; Jolee's dimensional sticker; computer generated sheet music and "just a note" sentiment; Spellbinder die

Be Kind Today!
Thanks for viewing and have an enjoyable weekend.
Sending you a hug and LOVE, Lois

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Crafting, Why Celebrate?

Hello Viewers, Friends and Followers,
This is National Craft Month.  Yes, you already know this and have been celebrating or buying since March 1.  Let's answer some questions today.  Have you stopped to think or stopped to answer this question, "Why are you a crafter or why do you call yourself a crafter"?  What is your crafting forte or strong point?  Where do you get your motivation to do what you are doing?  Do you keep or sell your projects  or what happens to the finish project?  Have you ever looked at your work and started laughing wondering what were you thinking or drinking at the time?
When I take a closer look at myself and why I love to craft, first and foremost, I thank God for giving me this gift that has turned into a hobby of something I've done for years.   I actually started crafting in high school and it advanced to exploring my creative side over the years.  Areas of crafting I've dabble in are, drawing and painting pictures and objects, sewing, making floral arrangements, making dolls, making objects out of metal, making jewelry, making objects out of clay, etc. Today,  I enjoy preserving memories through scrap booking, mini-albums and cards.  I don't have one forte but the general perception as of this writing would be card making because that's what most people see me doing.  Because of my entrance into Embrace Your Art 365, some of my old techniques are coming back (drawing and painting).


Today I'm sharing a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  My thoughts were directed into many directions and trust me, I adhered to all of them:
Happy St. Patrick's Day
white and green GP cardstock; Spellbinders die; Recollections floral embellishments: Pebbles pearlescent chalks
Card base was cut 3X.  Two of them were adhere together to form card and on the third another spellbinders oval die was used for the opening.  Pebbles pearlescent chalks in yellow and green was used in the opening.  The green cardstock was cut down to resemble flower stalks and adhere to the opening along with floral embellishments.  The computer generated sentiment was die cut using a spellbinders circle die and adhere to card.

He Did It For Me
brown Bazzill cardstock for card base (4 1/4 by 5 1/2), DCWV cardstock beige and striped (2" by 4 1/2" each), corrugated cardboard (2" by 4 1/2"), bronze cardstock cut in oval shape using Spellbinders Elegant Oval die (3"), 3 TPC Studio gold metal accents (studs), Little Occasion cross sticker, computer generated sentiment, small piece of Offray ribbon:  Stagger the three (2") pieces of cardstock onto base; adhere cross with ribbon to oval; cut out sentiment using heart shape die and place on card along with the 3 gold medal accents.

Kindness
white American Craft card base; 3 x 3 piece of black material; red burlap hearts (2); red button; Recollection floral embellishment;  corrugated card board; piece of American Craft black string;  computer generated sentiment: Adhere all pieces to card base as seen in the picture.

Inside of Kindness

I've enjoyed your time today.  Come back and visit again tomorrow.
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois








Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Going Green

Hello To My Friends, Followers and Viewers,
We've made it to Wednesday and we're going green today.  I am if not you!  If you think about some things that are green, how about The Wicked Witch of the West, The Incredible Hulk, Kermit the Frog and people on St. Patrick's Day.  How about a feeling?  You can be "green with envy" or "green with sea-sickness." But "green" is also a new way of thinking about the world you live in, and a way of living your life. And it's catching on all over the globe. People decide to "go green" because they know that we only have one planet to live on, and we won't be able to live on it much longer if we keep wasting energy and resources, and trashing our home with air, land, and water pollution.    Understanding that when we talk about "saving the planet" or "saving the environment," we are actually talking about saving ourselves! That's because we ALL need: Clean air to breathe; Clean water to drink; Safe, healthy food to eat; Safe, healthy places to live; Energy to run the places where we live, learn, play and work.  This is good news but the best news is I went "green" (the color) today with all my latest creations.. I just couldn't put the green down.  In the crafting world the phrase is "clean and simple" for cards that have some empty spaces and this is the direction I went today.  I'm dedicating these cards and giving thanks  to all the ladies who send me love every day.  Those who like what they are seeing and are encouraging me to continue.  You know who you are and I will not print your name here. I love your inspiration:



Thanks for taking a little time out of your schedule to enjoy this Lil Artsy Woman's creations.
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois


Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Pack Your Lunch and Napping Day

Good Morning,
I'm always getting little tidbits from others about things I may not be aware of.  For an example, I fail to realize that March 8 was International Women's Day.  When I visited the website that was passed on to me, I didn't know March 10 was Pack Your Lunch Day and this morning I received a note that said today was  National Napping Day!
Hope you've had a good breakfast and it may be too early to think about lunch depending on what time of day you are reading this. But, what are you having for lunch?  Did you plan this out last night before going to work this morning? Did you pack a good lunch for yourself?  Is it a potato chip sandwich or a pizza dog?  I know in that lunch bag or box that you have, you have my favorite...a ham and cheese croissant with pasta salad that includes broccoli and peanuts.  (Just writing this is making my mouth water for a good lunch).  Let me tell you this, I'm at home today and I didn't pack a lunch but I will be fixing something very scrumptious for lunch...it doesn't take very long for cereal to disappear (lol).  To go along with my lunch, I'm going to have my national napping day (time) also.  I'm not getting this daylight saving time right now!  Before I eat and nap, let me share these two cards with you today:
Trust God
brown Bazzil cardstock; white GP cardstock; patterned paper from stash; die cut leaf from stash; feather; two faux diamonds; Spellbinders book die 

Easter Blessings
pink Bazzil cardstock with GP white cardstock for mat; patterned paper from stash ; dried flowers; two Martha Stewart's flowers and faux pink pearls; computer generated sentiment; Darice embossing folder

Thanks for your time today.  Eat a good lunch and take you a nap (remember the most successful people sleep their way to the top).

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, March 9, 2015

Get Over It Day

Hello to all that are Followers, Viewers and Friends,
Happy Monday to you.  I hope you had a fabulous weekend.  I did!  I enjoyed everything that I participated in as well as those things that I just watched from afar.  Good class and fellowship on Sunday.  Speaking of Sunday, did you do anything or post anything relating to International Women’s Day?  Some of you may be saying what is that...well...  International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.  This year’s theme, “Empowering Women - Empowering Humanity: Picture It!" envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination. 


About International Women's Day   When: 8 March   Where: Everywhere
What:   International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday.
Why:   Suffragettes campaigned for women's right to vote. The word 'Suffragette' is derived from the word "suffrage" meaning the right to vote. International Women's Day honors the work of the Suffragettes, celebrates women's success, and reminds of inequities still to be redressed.
Now today is:NATIONAL GET OVER IT DAY
Each year on the 9th of March, people across the country observe National Get Over It Day.  Just as it implies, National Get Over it Day is to do exactly that,  GET OVER IT.  Guess what, I'm trying to get over this Daylight Saving Time that started on Sunday.  I was awaken as usual at the same time but the clock was one hour faster than my body. Today, I've been doing everything one hour behind.  I'll just have to "get over it" and adjust.
This is what I want to share with you today from my craft room:  I'll call them twins because after I made the first one, I still had enough material left over to do a second one.  Take a look:
 
I used white cardstock for the base with a piece of DCWV patterned paper for the mat and a small piece of pink patterned paper on the first card.  Both sentiments were computer generated and the first one was die cut with a Spellbinders die. The flowers on both cards were lifted with form tape. A paper punch was also used on the first card.
Thanks for your time.  Continue to enjoy your day and don't forget to "Get Over It".
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois