"Tiny Houses The Tim Holtz Way"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers on this Monday, March 5, 2018.
I know you had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed yourself no matter what you did.  Didn't you?
Next weekend, prepare to change those clocks because the time will move forward in welcoming the change of the season..."spring forward".
How many of you watch the TV show of how they build those tiny houses on wheels?  I will watch an episode every once in a while and I really enjoy how they build those houses.   Most of the episodes portray living simply in small homes with the same amenities you would have in a larger home.  The difference is in the square feet of space.  Usually, a small home or tiny house is considered small if it is about 500 square feet.
The way I'm feeling while typing this post is this, I don't think I could live in a tiny house but I could use one for my crafting space.  I've seen a utility house/playhouse that I'm trying to convince my DH to buy for me.  A lady in our community has one and she converted it into a crafting space with heat and an air condition unit.  She makes and sells her crafts from her little tiny house.
I may never get a tiny house for my crafting,  but I sure could convert some paper into one, two, three for your view today:

 This is the first tiny house made into a card. The inspiration came from Pam (FritillaryB) on Scrapbook.com.  On the house the sign reads, "LIVE LIFE boldly" and the metal tag says, "EXPLORE". This describes exactly how I see my crafting for 2018 (go on an adventure and experience new things).  I've used some Recollections flowers around pieces of a die (Swirl Flower Wish) that I cut apart to make vines. The house (medium chipboard) was embossed with a Sizzix TH Alterations (brick) folder and opaque crackle texture paste was applied in some of the open spots.  Rusty hinge distress ink was applied over the brick portion. The butterflies are from K & Company and Recollections.  The Ranger water color paper was colored with Distress Oxides and splattered with water.  A fun project to make.

 This  project (For Her House), was made by using both die cut pieces from Tim Holtz tiny house die. The paper was donated by Pam (FritillaryB).  I used Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations brick embossing folder,rusty hinge and evergreen bough distress ink to enhance the paper. I fussy cut a clock from a piece of paper I had in my stash. The window frame was also cut out and I made the window shelf from a piece of beige cardstock.  The flowers are small heartfelt flowers cut out of pink cardstock. The butterflies came from Kaisercraft Kaleidoscope paper pad.

 This  project (For Him House),  was made with navy blue cardstock from PaperandMore.  This time the base of the tiny houses were embossed with Sizzix Texture Fades Riveted Metal embossing folder and the roof of the houses were embossed with the Sizzix Texture Fades Diamond plate embossing folder.  Nuvo mother of pearl embellishment mousse was lightly used on some parts of the houses as well as Stampendous chunky metallic embossing enamel. I cut out flowers using paper that was previously colored with Distress Oxides and the TH die set Wildflowers #2.  The fancy pot is a die from Cheery Lynn Designs.  The jalopy is a Sizzix embossing folder cut out that has the mother of pearl mousse on it.  The boys, suitcases and airplane were from a free vintage photo search on Google.

I enjoyed making all three of these tiny houses and will be glad to do it again in the future.

Thanks for taking a little time to view with me today.  Please come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

"Birthday Celebration"

Hello friends, visitors, followers and viewers.
We have made it to the middle of the week. Keep pushing forward...you can do it.
Great things have happened to us and greater things are on the horizon.
Birthday Celebration!!!!
It's here!  My "Sunshine" is jumping for joy because she is a big "nine" years old today.  WOW....time flies and if I blink really fast, she will be a teenager.
I have two birthday cards to share.
One for my box that I'll be giving to the soldiers and the other one for "Sunshine".  We sent her one in the mail and this one will be sent to her e-mail address today.

This is for a soldier:

 I took a photo without the sentiment and one with the sentiment.
The process used to make the background :
(Tissue Technique)

• Use a piece of white tissue paper that is bigger than your card base.
• Crinkle or crumble the paper up in your hand.  Apply distress ink (your choice of colors) over the crinkle paper.
• Cut the tissue paper down to the size you want and adhere it to your card base with an adhesive.
• Embellish as you desire.

This will be used as an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com  ATG #Challenge #292- #293 - Anything Goes  and

http://www.cropstop.com/blog CURRENT CHALLENGE

Below are items I used to help make this card:  Ranger Distress inks; a cut from Cricut Art booking cartridge; Spellbinders Romantic Vine die; Doodlebug Design chunky brads and Petaloo texture mixed media layers.

Here is the card I will be sending via "Sunshine's" e-mail.

 The items used:
Inks: Distress Oxide; VersaMark; Ranger black Archival ink; Hero Art white embossing powder
Stamps: Recollections Doodle Birthday; CTMH celebration
Paper: Ranger Water Color paper; Recollections black cardstock; Recollections Burlap paper
Size: 6 x 5.5

Thanks for viewing today. 
You are always welcome to come back. 
Comments are encouraged.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois

"SC653...distress inks and water colors"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
What's today?
It's Wednesday, July 12, 2017.  The middle of the week.
It's also hot, humid and very sticky outside and it is not even noon yet.
I played with distress inks and water colors this morning.  What a great way to start my day!  I just felt like getting inky since it is too hot to be outside for a long period of time.

 
entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com,

Cardstock: Neenah white; Recollection black; Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection; Ranger water color paper
inks: Ranger distress inks; Koi  water colors
stamp:  Penny Black "T for Transparent"
stencil: Tim Holtz burlap stencil
die: Avery Elle dotted borders die
embellishments: Recollections chipboard dragonfly and hummingbird; Prima flower
sketch from SC653

 Black archival ink; Sakura Koi water colors; Ranger distress inks

Avery Elle dotted borders die; Penny Black "T for Transparent" stamps; Tim Holtz burlap stencil; and Prima flowers

Thanks for stopping by today.
For all of you who sent "Sunshine" some love...she wants you to know that it made her very, very happy.  Thanks so much.
I hope you enjoyed your view today.  You are welcome to come again.
Comments are always welcome here.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

"Warm Thoughts"

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Hello to all my friends, family, followers, visitors, and viewers.
I have a big smile on my face at this very moment...the temperatures outside are going up into the seventies today and tomorrow.   On Thursday, snow is coming.  Can you believe that?  From spring/summer to fall/winter in less than two days. 
I just heard from a friend in New England.  She and her family are celebrating along with the Patriots today (their win in the Super Bowl), but she stated, "it is snowing".
I'm already prepared.  That is one of the reason I'm smiling.  I may feel the warmth from the sun today but my thoughts will be warmer when the temperature change on Thursday.
So, to go along with the weather, I've made a cute, cute card sending warm thoughts to my friend in New England and reminding myself to feel this way when our weather change:

Here is my card for today

• I used the double stitched rectangles to cut out opening on the focal layer of my card
• I used another piece of Neenah white cardstock to determine where I would use the distress ink.  Once the inking was completed, I placed the focal layer on top of the ink layer and adhered them together.
• Using the Avery Elle stamps, I stamped the penguin images on more white cardstock, colored and cut them out and placed them on the focal area using foam tape after the sentiment was stamped.
• These two layers were adhered to the black cardstock, the design paper and finally to the card base.
• Recollections faux gems were added beside the sentiment

equipment used

stamps and dies used

cardstock that was used

distress inks that was used

Thanks for visiting and viewing today.  You are always welcome to leave a comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois

"Sharing With Friends"

Monday, December 19, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
This is a busy time of the year for so many people... the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holiday.  Yes, your tree is up.  The lights are hung.  The music is playing in the background...but wait...all of that was done the week during and after Thanksgiving.  Why are we so busy and feel that time is running out and you won't get everything done?
I have been prepared since last December (lol) .  Since my girls are grown and gone...we don't do all the decorations and the shopping we were accustomed to doing when they were home.  Yes, there is a grandchild, but she doesn't visit until after the holiday is over.  This year we are going to visit her on Christmas day.
I talked with several people at church yesterday.  We talked about the upcoming holiday and what their plans were for this time of the year.  Many of the older people just want to be at home to receive family while some of the younger generation want to be away sharing with friends.  One group of teens had already boarded a tour bus to spend the holiday in Florida  while others are driving north on Wednesday to do the same.
All in all, life is sweeter when shared with friends and family.  Here is the card that prompted this blog post for today:

While I was playing with some distress inks last week, I did the background for this card and set it aside (at the time I was not sure what I would use it for).  I came back to it this morning to stamp something on it for my post today.  

Stamps used:  Sentiment (from Hero Arts CL351)  Hummingbird ( from Inkadinkado "mindscapes") and the border on the right (from Recollections "crochet lace")

Five faux gems were added.  The focal layer was added to a piece  of black Recollections cardstock which was then added to the coral Recollections cardstock base.

This will be added to my collection for 2017  (cards to use when the time arrive).

Caution:  I may do like I did last week...pop in every now and then from now until the New Year.  I'm not "holiday" busy but I am sharing in helping others during this time of year.  

I hope and pray that this season of joy will be spreaded toward you and your famiy.  

May God continue to bless you now and well into the New Year!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois

"Trying Distress Ink Lifting For The 1st Time"

Hello Visitors, Friends, Viewers and Followers.
Happy "cold" Monday to all the people in my neighborhood.  My coat came out so I could wear it again.  Yesterday I had to change what I had intended to wear to church due to the drop in temperature.  My early appointment this morning required even a heavier garment than yesterday.  Well, so much for my coldness, what about yours ...you with the 85 degrees, sweating with a pair of shorts on and your feet out...yes YOU my dear
 ( smile when you read this line)?
I had some down time and I watched some crafting on Youtube.  Out of the ones I checked out, I made a card from the instructions provided by Jennifer   McGuire...http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2016/02/lifting.html.
She stated..."Distress Ink “lifting” can be done with just Distress Ink and water". To myself I said, Oh what fun! I have distress inks and plenty of water.  What can go wrong?  So, I used her instruction in  the video  for today's card:

I, per her  recommendation, heat embossed an outline image on regular white cardstock.  I used an image from Penny Black's blooming garden clean stamp set (hydrangea) on Neenah  white cardstock.  I  then *generously* covered the entire piece with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink. 

Next, I used a brush to “drop” water inside the lines of the image as she instructed.  I also used water and a brush to add in bit of Shaded Lilac Distress Ink. I added pieces of paper ribbon to the corners of the distressed piece.  As Jennifer stated... this Distress Ink lifting technique is an easy one!  I'm impress with how it came out.  

This second card is simple for Spring has Sprung-GCC051616 challenge at the Outlawzchallenges.ning.com for today.

Neenah white cardstock was used for the 4.25 x 5.5 card base followed by a piece of Recollection black cardstock cut 1/8 inch less than the base.  On top of the black piece is a piece of Ranger watercolor paper that has been colored with water color paints in green, yellow and pink.  A branch has been cut out by hand and faux dogwood flowers from Martha Stewart  have been added along with a 3D bird from Paper House.  The sentiment is a sticker from Paper Studio Inspirational Phrases Gold Foil.

This third card is also for Outlawzchallenges.ning.com CAS challenge May 15.  This week's challenge: It is Mother's Day month in South Africa.  Your challenge is to make a card or project for the most important woman in your life. 

Neenah white cardstock was use for the 4.25 x 5.5 base followed by black Recollection cardstock cut 1/8 inch smaller than base.  An image from Hunkydory The Second Little Book of Decoupage was use along with a Paper Studio Mom Phrases Foiled sticker.

Thanks for viewing with me today.  Try the distress ink lifting...I'm sure you will like it.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois

"Playing With The Guys Today"

Hello Everyone!
It's cold, cold, cold with snow in the forecast. The schools in our area are closing down early due to the prediction of snow and cold temps.   Keep warm everyone if you live in the Eastern part of the USA.

You know what?  I looked back over this week of postings and saw that the following had happened:

• I played around with Anna Griffin and Tim Holtz on Monday
• I played around with Jennifer McGuire and Tim Holtz on Tuesday
• I played around with just Tim Holtz on Wednesday
• Yesterday, I played with MME (Marcia Cornell)

Today, it is just the boys, the guys, the men and me!  Tim Holtz and Ken Oliver...I used their products to create the background to the cards I'm sharing with you.

I have four of Ken Oliver's Color Burst (Ultramarine Blue, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson and Orange).  They were all used on top of a piece of watercolor paper from Ranger.  Then, I used Tim Holtz's Mix Media die to cut out a section from the piece.  I added a Spellbinders die cut on top with a red bow adhered to it and stamped "Thinking Of You in the right corner.  

Think spring instead of winter was the theme behind using as many light colors from Tim Holtz's Distress Inks (spun sugar, scattered straw, cracked pistachio, shaded lilac, evergreen bough and abandoned coral). From the Couture Mariposa Collection I cut out the butterfly (one half of it) in two colors, black and mint green and adhered them together, slightly off set.  We R Memory ribbon was placed at an angle and the sentiment "forever" came from out of my stash (I lost the backing with the company's name).

I forgot to post who we were celebrating for Black History on yesterday, so, today:

Doris “Dorie” Miller  and Bass Reeves are our Black History focus .

The story of Doris Miller has been glamorized in motion pictures, but few know the real story of the Black cook who became a hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Bass Reeves is a legend of the west, one of the first Black lawmen in the region and one of the first Black heroes of the era. He was one of if not the first Black lawman to serve west of the Mississippi River. (Goggle these two guys and learn more about them).

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois

"Can You Spot The Difference In These Twins?"

Good Morning to my Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
It is the middle of the week.  Two more days to go before the weekend break.
It is Ash Wednesday.  Some of you will be participating in LENT.
It is Black History Month and the person I want you to focus on today is Bessie Coleman.  Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African American descent and is also the first Native American woman to hold a pilot license (use Google and read more information on her).

The two cards I made today are twins (somewhat so).  I want you to spot the difference if you can. They were made with the following:
• Blue Recollection cardstock for A2 (4.25 x 5.5) base
• Black Recollection cardstock for mat 1/8 inch less than base
• Grunge paper 1/8 inch less than mat. It was colored with distress inks (fossilized amber, scattered straw, evergreen bough and mermaid lagoon. I also used Tim Holtz’s Splatters stencil in various spots on this paper after distressing it.
• Designer paper from Colorbok Delilah cut at 4  x  2.75 ( one piece was left as is while the other was distressed some more with evergreen bough distress ink and I used the same stencil to add some black circles.
• A yellow piece of Recollection cardstock was cut at 3.5 x 2.25.  Both were distressed with the evergreen bough distress ink and black circles were added using the same stencil as above.
• Birds from K & Company
• Light blue homemade paper was used with the Spellbinders Romantic Vines for floral die cut
• Die cut of greenery using Tim Holtz Alteration Holiday Greens dies
• Little B punch for the black pieces on the sides
• Recollection faux rhinestones
• Spellbinders A2 Tranquil Moments die with two brads was adhere to one of the cards.

Entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

Entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

These cards can be used for any person that is going through "something" .  At the moment, I have a brother-in-law who is in the hospital.  He is a firm believer and he knows that God has his condition in HIS hand.  I just want to send him  one of these cards  to let him know that I'm a prayer warrior and we all have to Trust God and believe that everything is going to be okay.

Hope you enjoyed your view today.  Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois

" Ranger Distress Inks Plus Perfect Pearls Equals..."

Good Morning Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
What a great day so far.  The sun is shining bright.  The birds are chirping as if it is spring time.  It is still cold but no snow as of yet.  Mardi Gras today!  It is still the celebration of Black History month and we are focusing on Hiram Rhodes Revels, Former United States Senator (google this person and read more about him).  Valentine Day is Sunday. We are praising God for our sister  who is celebrating 5 years of being cancer free . It is just so many great things going on. What about your area?  Anything exciting?

I used a collection of material based on a technique done by Jennifer McGuire.  See here.
Here are just the first set of supplies I used.  With each card I changed the distress ink and the perfect pearls to get the look you see in each one.

This first card:

• Neenah white cardstock, green DCWV foil cardstock and vellum 
• Recollection butterfly
• distress inks you see in the picture along with the reddish perfect pearls
• Cuttlebug embossing folder

This picture shows some of the material I used in my project.  I tape the white cardstock down and applied the distressed inks first.  Choosing which perfect pearl to used  is simply up to each individual.  

This second card:

• Neenah white and brown Recollection cardstock; vellum
• tea dye, blue, pink distress inks with purple perfect pearls
• Recollection butterfly 
• Cuttlebug embossing folder

This last card:

• Neenah white cardstock and rust DCWV foil cardstock
• blue, red and yellow distress inks with rust perfect pearls
• Spellbinders embossing folder 
• Recollection sticker

Check out Jennifer's video.  Get some distress inks plus perfect pearls and the results will be amazing.

I love the look of these cards. Don't you?

Sending you a hug and LOVE,

Lois