Just completed two birthday cards, so thought I would post them:

I hand cross-stitched this hot air balloon design a year ago, but never got it mounted into a card.  Now it is complete so I can send it to a friend whose birthday is later this month.  Sometimes simple is best!

After more than 20 years, my college roommate and I reconnected earlier this year.  We spent the day with my husband and her cousin touring Pike Place Market in Seattle.  Found the very first Starbucks ever!  We enjoyed our visit, but it was too short.  Now her birthday is here, so I hand cross-stitched this Teddy Bear for her.  The chocolate chips on his cookie are actually beads.  

These designs took about 8 hours each to stitch, but they look great!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Safe New Year everyone!

Just to touch base with you, hope you are all doing well.  Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. 

Our holiday craft show Thanksgiving weekend went well.  Our last holiday craft bazaar on December 1 also went well.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas.  Gifts are mostly bought, working on making Christmas/Holiday Greetings cards (almost done) and started doing some baking, on which I am way behind schedule.  

I will post some of our Christmas cards here next week.  In the meantime, my husband Keith and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and a Safe New Year!

Come join us this weekend for a Holiday Craft Bazaar at

Edmonds Masonic Center

515 Dayton 

Edmonds, WA

Friday and Saturday (November 23 - 24, 2012)

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

My husband Keith will have his etched glassware and handmade chocolates available, and I will have my greeting cards, and (postage) stamp magnets and buttons for sale.

Hope to see you there!

Hi Everyone!

Can't believe it is Thanksgiving time already!  I have not been making Thanksgiving cards, but Birthday cards as November is a heavy month for Family and Friends' birthdays.  This one is for a friend.

Supplies:

• 5 X 7 inch white card stock
• Copic markers for coloring -- G14, G07, G28. Y06, Y13, Y19. YR04, B29
• Yellow Stickles glitter glue
• French Blue from Cat's Eyes Color Box for edging
• K9-1656 Rose by Stamp Rosa rubber stamp
• Transparent Yellow Ribbon
• Happy Birthday cuttlebug folder on green paper
• Green "blotchy" background paper is from a pack bought from Craft Warehouse in Yakima, WA, last summer. Pack has really nice paper!

Did a One Direction (boy band) birthday card for my 12-year old niece, and a Kitty Cat birthday card for her mother, my younger sister.

This card is for my brother-in-law (my husband's older brother). He served a couple years in the Coast Guard way back when...:

  Supplies:

• 5 X 7 inch white card stock
• Stars cuttlebug folder on blue paper (which came from the same paper pack as the rose card above)
• Turquoise/Grey flouish from Reminisce Accents by Creative Memories. I love this cartridge!!
• US Coast Guard stickers from Life's Little Occasions stickers (by K and Company) on Friend's Blue Sky paper (by Junkitz)
• 3 blue stock buttons

I still have another Birthday card to make before the month is over -- her birthday is actually day after Thanksgiving this year. Wonder how many times it has fallen on Thanksgiving Day over the years?

Those of you who live in Washington state with me, stay warm and dry. With all the rain we're getting, I'm ready to get the pontoons out for the house! :-) LOL!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

New challenge offering:

My card for Sentimental Sundays challenge:

I did over 20 greeting cards using embossing paste and/or gold leafing. These pumpkins are first silver embossed (a paste), then gold leafing over the top. This is a two-day process as I like to let the embossing paste dry overnight. I think it makes a better card.

I will post more details on this card on Monday, as I need to finish getting ready for our first Holiday Craft Bazaar this weekend, where this card will be available for purchase!

Have a good weekend everyone!  I will let you know if I win anything from this challenge!

I have a number of cards that I completed this past weekend to show off today.  Enjoy!

This is a Pooh Cross Stitch card, using the counted cross stitch method. Depending on the design, a counted cross stitch card can take anywhere from 4 to 16 hours to stitch!  Obviously, the longer the time to stitch, the more detailed the design, and the more gorgeous they look! The wide Bee ribbon adds a nice touch to the card.

I colored this Peacock several weeks ago when I did my other Peacock cards, but did not get him mounted into a card until now. I colored him with metallic ink pens.  The blue-green frame is from the Fancy Frames Cricut cartridge. If you remember, I used quite a few of these frames for my 50th birthday party invitations.

This kitty is done in White embossing paste. I prefer working with embossing pastes whereas my sister uses embossing powders. Love the kitty ribbon!

Another use of my Hanukkah rubber stamp and Star of David embossing template/die cut. The Star was cut out on metallic silver-grey card stock. I used glitter glue to outline the Star of David on the Hanukkah rubber stamp.  The music ribbon is see-through, and adds a nice touch to the card.

Another kitty done in Black embossing paste and using the same kitty ribbon.

I love these styles of Christmas/Holiday rubber stamps. They are fun to work with and color -- or not!  Decorative paper adds to the card, though this paper makes the card look busy. I added a bit of Metallic Snowflake Ribbon for a final touch.  A single snowflake from the ribbon is adhered to the inside of the card.

I love working with Birds and Flowers rubber stamps.  They are fun to color, using both Copic markers and metallic or glitter ink pens.  Add a little glitter glue, a few paper flowers, maybe ribbon, and you are done!

Snoopy is another Counted Cross Stitch project I did a few months ago, and finally turned it into a greeting card. Love the little 3-D butterflies!

Love this Lighthouse! Colored with metallic ink pens. Background holiday embossed paper is inked with Tim Holtz distressed ink. Base paper is metallic blue stripes -- so fitting for a lighthouse.  The ribbon came out on the market last year. It came out with a bunch of seashore stuff, so this is reminiscent of coral or fisherman's net ribbon. First time I've been able to use it. Have two other colors.

Notice the snowflake edge punching.

I've used this tulip rubber stamp before, but this time, I just used Copic markers to color.

Lastly, a pair of Bears in a Hot Air Balloon. Colored using Copic markets, add a ribbon, 3 bling, and done!

What cards have you done recently?

ABC1 --  New to You
by
All Beautiful Cards (ABC) Challenge

I have a variety of techniques I like to use in my greeting cards. But every once in a while, I try something new. If I like it, I incorporate the technique into my regular processes.  Not only do I get new ideas from my designer younger sister, Jan, but also from other blogs, websites, journals and greeting card kits.

I learned how to use twine instead of ribbon a few months ago. I really did like using the twine, various sizes. So here is a new card with my first attempt of incorporating twine in my own card design. Also new is the Star of David template. I bought this months ago, but this is the first time I have been able to use it. Finally!

We have Jewish friends who celebrate Hanukkah, though it is not their main holiday. I am so happy to see that companies are starting to produce items so we can make several different Jewish holiday cards.

Supplies:

• Base paper is from the Life's Journey designer paper pack by K&Company
• Basic red cardstock embossed using my Cuttlebug Candy Cane Stripe embossing folder
• Metallic Silver embossing paste by Dreamweaver on Star of David brass template by The Stencil Company
• Hanukkah stamp by Stampington & Company using silver ink
• Twine wound twice around paper and tied in front

Not bad for a first try!

How many of you use twine or jute in your greeting cards? Would love to see some of your projects!

Today, I am entering a new greeting card into the Any Winged Creature challenge by Flutterby Wednesday.  My winged creature is.....Tinkerbell!

Tinkerbell is a much loved creature, even by members of my own family.

Supplies:

• Tinker Bell Vellum Paper by Disney
• Speckled Green paper by Karen Foster Design
• Basic white swirled paper from a large paper pack, probably purchased from Benjamin Franklin Crafts store
• Tinkerbell diecut/embossing folder used in my cuttlebug on metallic green paper and basic darker green for her "shadow"
• Pink ribbon, white star and yellow and red brad from Disney Fairies Finished in a Flash kit
• Blue rhinestone on white star

Simple, but cute.

Here are two more cards I made with the others I posted last week for various challenges. I do not have challenges for these, but thought you might enjoy them.

I love dragons, peafowl and phoenix just as much as my customers. Here is a new Phoenix stamp I picked up a couple of months ago. He is from one of the new Graphic 45 Bird Song collections. I used Tim Holtz' Peeled Paint distressed ink around the outside of the phoenix paper, colored the phoenix with Copic markers and used Yellow Stickles glitter glue for the tail ocelli. The base paper is from the Oriental Papers book by Search Press. The grey-blue paper is from DCWV Metallic stack for extra sparkle. Used basic Color Me Crazy white flower by Petaloo inking it with yellow, green and blue ink from the Primary Elements Color Box Cat's Eye. Added a button to the middle of the flower. A little twine bow and three small brads complete the card.

The last card I created a week ago was another Peacock Tile card. The base paper is from DCWV Far East stack. Stamped the peacock on white paper inked with Tim Holtz' Broken China distress ink.  Used Copic markers and glitter pens to color the Peacock. The 2 small flowers are by My Moments. The larger green flower is by Art Talent from the Netherlands (gift from Belgium friends). The stock pink ribbon and three rhinestones from A'muse complete the card.

Did a bunch of new cards this past weekend, so will put a few up for you to see.

What did you create this weekend?

Decided to do another card for PSC53D: Birds & Blooms challenge by Perfect Sentiments.

These tulips are fun to work with to try and give them a stained-glass feeling.

Supplies:

• Base paper from DCWV The Mariposa stack.
• Basic green stock on top of that which was embossed using Victoria embossing folder for the Cuttlebug.
• Basic purple paper was inked around the edges using Cape Cod of Swell Color Box Cat's Eyes ink.
• Jet Black Staz-on ink for impression of Tulips.
• Tulips from Inky Antics.
• Coloring of Tulips done with Glazed Dimensions by The Stencil Collection. Some of the glaze give the tulips a glassy, 3-D effect.  The leaves are done with a metallic glaze.
• Basic brown ribbon.
• Lady Bug and Bee brads on green paper.

• Forest Green Staz-on ink for sentiment.
• Sentiment is from the Tulip stamp set.
• Squeezed Lemonade distressed ink by Tim Holtz.
• Sentiment and Green background paper were trimmed using Victorian Fiskars paper edger scissors.
• Sentiment adhered with pop dots.

Lots of fun playing with this one!

Today's card is for the PSC53D Birds & Blooms challenge by Perfect Sentiments.

I am really loving this Peacock Tile rubber stamp by Impression Obsession!  

Supplies: 

• Basic white paper inked with Vintage Photo distress ink by Tim Holtz.
• Copic markers and Glitter Pens to color the Peacock.
• Base blue paper on the card stock is from the DCWV Taj Mahal paper stack. This paper pack is so cool -- you can use the paper design itself as part of your card design.
• Basic stock white/gold ribbon. 
• Basic Pink and green flowers with Amuse bling in the center of each flower.

• The Dream sentiment is from one of the new Bird Song rubber stamp sets by Graphic 45. 
• Inked it's paper with Green (Swell set) and Frost White (Basics set) from Color Box Cat's Eyes.
• Used pop dots to raise the sentiment just above the flowers.

Off to do another card.....!

This Dragon greeting card is entered in the Use Dies and/or Punches Challenge by Simon Says Stamp.  You must use a die or punch on your greeting card. They prefer you use a Simon Says die or punch, but you can use any type on your entrant. I do not own any, so maybe I'll win one of the prizes.

My dragon is from one of the new Bird Song Graphic 45 rubber stamp sets. I have colored him in Copic markers and use Turquoise and Firefly Stickles glitter glue on his "leg feathers". I inked the edges of the dragon paper and Asian characters paper with Merlot from the Rich Rustics by Color Box Cat's Eyes ink. Red paper is basic stock on which I used the Sizzix Frame, Heart & Vines embossing folder. The right edge of the card was punched using the Scallop trim punch by Stampin' Up!. To finish off the card, blue and green rhinestones from Kaiser Scrapbook were added.

Today's greeting card I am entering in All Creatures Great & Small Challenge held by Papertake Weekly. 

I am a HUGE Peafowl fan -- Peafowl is the family name for Peacocks (males), Peahens (females) and Peachicks (babies).  I have been researching them and collecting them on postage stamps from around the world for the past 9 years.  I exhibit them on (postage) stamps and have earned awards for my exhibit.  I am in the process of writing a book.  Over the years, I have collected just about anything on Peafowl, but have had to cut back as I am running out of room to put items.  But when it comes to rubber stamps and templates, I still collect them quite avidly!

Okay, on to the card!  This Peacock is from one of the Bird Song Graphic 45 stamp sets.  I've colored him to look like the India Blue Peacock using Copic markers and Yellow Stickles glitter glue on the ocelli (train eyes). The lantern is done with Copic markers with two pink bling on the lantern flowers. Base paper is DCWV's The Luxury Stack. Flowers are basic petals and buttons. The ribbon is from the Secret Garden collection by the Paper Company.  I used pop dots to hold the lantern above the flowers.

Enjoy!

Made a new card for a challenge blog at Paper Take Weekly.  Their challenge this week is Anything Goes, so here is my entry:

The two (2) Flower designs are from one of the Bird Song Asian sets (they came out with 3 or 4 sets) from Graphic 45.  Loving Graphic 45! Used Copic markers for coloring. Edging of top flowers piece is Blue Lagoon of Chalk Cat's Eye Color Box set. Pop squares under top flowers so recipient can lift top flower piece along right side and see the entire Phoenix underneath.  Base paper is from Oriental Papers book from Search Press/Crafthouse Press. This paper was so cool, I am using it as part of the card, instead of a background.

Was in the card making mood today. Started 9 cards, but finished only 2. Have yet to color 2, and the other four are drying. Will finish tomorrow, I hope.

My first card I am entering in the Ribbon Carousel blog monthly challenge. Theme this month is Halloween and I must use ribbon or twice.  Everyone wears masks at Halloween and Twine is included.

Photo does not do this card justice! Design is from Carnevale di Venezi (Curious by Design Collection) by Rubber Stamp Concepts. Colored using Metallic Pens. Added a couple of blue blings on Venice. Background paper is from DCWV La Creme stack. Used pop squares to lift design and pink backing. Tied twine around base paper and again around design and pink paper (same piece of twine, did not cut it).  This one was FUN to do!

Truth be told, I did this card before I found out about the Challenge. My sister told me I needed to enter it in this particular challenge. Hope they like it!

You know how when you are going through your favorite scrapbooking or craft store looking for just the right papers, blings, stickers and sentiments to add to your current or near future project?  Then, something catches your eye.  "Love that paper!  Oh...it's a kit... well..." (you look over the kit front and back carefully)  "...hmmm.  Okay, I'll try it.  The paper is just too nice to not pick up the kit.  If I don't like the projects in it, I can use the paper on my own projects."

This happens to me way too often.  Two weekends ago, I started work on a project from the Destinations Options kit by Pinecone Press.  The problem with these kits is you have choices -- greeting cards, book projects or scrapbooking page layouts.  Sometimes, it is an easy choice of what to make, sometimes not. This time, it was a difficult decision.  After carefully studying the 12-page project idea book that comes with each Options kit (thus, why they are called "Options"), I decided to do the travelogue.  After all, it is called Destinations.  My husband and I hope to take a major trip next January, so this will be an appropriate album to add our photos to.

Here is my finished album:

The thing about travelogues is you can have so much fun with them.  You can ink the edges of the front and back, and any or all pages in coordinating colors. You can use pop dots to "lift" things up to catch the eye.  Just remember to save room for photos!  The Big square and compass are on pop dots. The paper just below the Big square has been curled at two ends. Nice touch.

Always be sure to record information about your trip, preferably on the inside cover or first page. Notice the second page is only a half page with a ribbon around it. When we go on our trip, it WILL be a Journey!

Room for a photo or two on the back side of the half-page. When working with these types of travelogues, you may consider cutting your photos into pieces -- cutting out what is most important/focal point, especially if the backdrop is drab and of no consequence. This half page will accommodate a 3-inch photo. Add another photo to page 4 and tuck it under the North.South.East.West. banner, which is on pop dots.

 A place for a photo on Page 5. You can add a smaller photo on the pocket or information about the photos. Same for the tag on the left. The tag on the right in the pocket says "Explore Discover Escape".  Hmmm, a small photo would fit on the back of each tag.

Page 6 is actually 3 smaller pages...Go.See.Do. is Page 6.

Back side of Page 6 (which would be Page 7), and Page 8, a little bigger than Page 6/7. Room for photos on both. Notice these smaller pages have "Tabs" for easy page flipping and design.

Page 9 (back of Page 8) and a small page 10 above. Perfect for photos with a little room to spare to write a memory.

Back of Page 10/11. Page 12 is back to the regular size album page with room for photos and information. (All these yellow stickies are to remind me photos go there.)

 Page 13 (left) with room for a photo and trip information. Now here is something different and interesting -- Pages 14 and 15: Green fold-out for up to 3 photos, and the smaller brown page above.

 Turn the pages and you have "Relaxation Vacation Getaway" and a place for more photos on the back of the fold-out green paper (Pages 16 & 17). Room for more photos and trip information on Page 18 (right).

 Page 19 has a compass on paper with twine wrapped around. Place photo underneath. Page 20 has more room for photos and a final memory. Wow -- 20 pages squeezed into this little album with some fun creativity!

Back side of album.  The album size is 6 X 12 inches.  The chipboard and rings were included in the kit.  I generally do not like working with rings, but in this case, it seemed like a good fit. I prefer to bind my books with my Zutter Bind-It-All.

It took a day to make this travelogue.  After our trip, I will add not only photos, but tickets, receipts, and any other little knick-knack piece of paper as a reminder of our trip.  

Have you made a travelogue recently to document your trip?

Time to get back to making greeting cards.  My personal stash is getting low, and I need to make some new ones for holiday craft shows coming up.  Yes, it is that time of the year already!

PS. Sometimes companies will sell the kit papers separately, so if you do not want to buy the kit, check out their stock to see if they offer the pages and other related items separately.

Hi Everyone -- 

How many of you use Copic Markers in your greeting cards or scrapbooks?  My younger sister got me started on them. In fact, she got me started in several techniques that I use today in making my greeting cards, though I started making cards several years before she did.  We have lots of fun swapping techniques, tips and rubber stamps when we get together once every year or two to work on projects.

I do not have all the Copic markers yet, but I am working on it...slowly. (Jan is a lot closer to completing the set than I am!)  If you are wondering how to keep track of the Copic markers you have so you do not buy duplicates, check out the Copic Markers website. Feel free to download their chart.  You can also download a chart from the Oozak website. (Just click on the company names which act as Links to their websites.)  Check off or color in the boxes of the markers you have, and no more duplication -- just remember to take the list with you when you go to your favorite stores!

What projects have you completed this summer? With fall almost here, what projects do you have in the works for the winter?  What needs to be completed by Christmas?  I would love to hear of your projects with photos upon completion!

I've been laid up for the past week with a sprained ankle, so no gardening for awhile.  It is all I can do to get out and pick my raspberries. Before I was relegated to crutches with orders to "stay off my feet" (yeah, right!), I did manage to complete a small Memories album for my mother. She lost her partner of 10 years on September 1.  Unfortunately, Gordon did not get to see the album as he passed away while we were enroute to visit them.  I would like to share this album with you.  It is not fancy and not meant to be. It was emotionally difficult to put together, but it has become a comfort to my mother and other family members.  Enjoy the Memories album!

The letters of Gordon's name is in silver -- odd that it became blue in the photo.

Gordon and mom.

Gordon's beloved dog, Schemer.
The following photos are Mom and/or Gordon with various family members over the past couple of years.

 Pillowcases I hand cross-stitched for Mom and Gordon one year for Christmas.

 Yes, I hand cross stitched this tablecloth, and they do use it.

 Addition to the house that Gordon added after he retired.

 Can you believe these used to be cow pastures? Gordon did great work on them! And, yes, that is a Bald Eagle in the lower photo above.

Papers and most sentiments used on this 8 X 8 inch Memory Book are from Creative Memories using the Earthy paper pack.  I used Zutter chipboard front and back cover, and the Zutter Bind-it-All binding kit to bind the completed album.

If you've recently lost a loved one, even though it will be difficult to put together, a Memory Album is a comfort to the family left behind.  And, a treasured keepsake for generations to come!

As this is September 11, prayers to our Soldiers overseas and for the families of those lost during the 9-11 tragedy. Prayers for peace for all of us.