It has taken me two weeks to get these 4 greeting cards finished -- some family members are in visiting for two weeks before school starts in the fall.

Today's set of cards are 4 Peafowl:

Peacock Tiles (E1674 by Impression Obsession) is colored with Copic markers and Gelly Roll glitter pens, edged with Vintage Photo distressed inked; adhered with pop dots.  Paper is Taj Mahal stack by DCWV.  Gold embossed Feather is from Fine Feathers set by Stampin' Up. Silver embossed Feather is from Peacock Feather set by HOTP (#1116); both are topped with 2 blue rhinestones.  Used Black Tinsel Twine by Tim Holtz for a finishing touch.

Green Peafowl is colored with Copic markers and Gelly Roll glitter pens; edged with Salty Ocean distressed ink.  This is the only Green Pavo rubber stamp I have; the only one I have ever seen.  I would love to get more.  Background papers are from The Old World Stack by DCWV.  I used 4 pieces of stock flowers to make two flowers adhered with two red Glitter Brads by We R Memory Keepers.  Sentiment is from Circle of Love rubber stamp set by Close to My Heart; adhered with pop dots.

Stylized Peacock from Circle of Love set by Close to My Heart (D1438) is colored with Copic markers and Gelly Roll glitter pens.  Background papers are from The Far East stack by DCWV.  Paper doily is brushed with Salty Ocean, Squeezed Lemonade and Broken China distressed ink.  Green Sheer ribbon is from American Crafts.  Added 3 rhinestones from Me & My Big Ideas to finish the card.

Lastly, this lovely Peacock (BA04 from The Stencil Collection) is Pearlescent embossed (Dreamweaver).  Base papers are from Cherry Blossom papers (Graphic 45 Bird Song Collection).  The peacock feather is an applique from Simplicity.  Red, Green, Blue and Pink rhinestones from a'muse, and the stock pink to purple sheer ribbon completes this attractive card.

Hope you are enjoying your summer and creating some wonderful cards when the weather is too warm to be outdoors!

Gold Leafing cards

I did some more great cards over the weekend.  I must say I am quite pleased with the way these turned out.  I had started them over a week ago.  Some of these cards take two days to make, allowing for drying time.  So, let's get started.

It has been awhile since I did any varigated gold leafing cards.  This Dragon (#LA18 by The Stencil Company) was done in Varigated Green Gold Leafing.

The background papers are from La Bella Rouge stack (a Hot Buy product by DCWV).  The dragon and matt paper under him are edged with Squeezed Lemonade and Broken China, and Picked Raspberry distress ink by Tim Holtz.  Adding 2 red brads and tri-colored string (by Queen & Company) finished off the card.

This Rosaceae Rose (#K1636 by Laurie Anderson) is colored with Copic markers with Gelly Roll Glitter Pens, and Orange Peel and Green Stickles Glitter Glue for enhancement.  Edged with Salty Ocean distress ink.  Paper is French Country by Graphic 45 (love their line!).  Final touch are two ribbons by May Arts (that came in my DCWV gift pack from earlier this year).

Another Varigated Green Gold Leaf greeting card -- Long Dragon (#LJ844 by Dreamweaver).

I kept this card very simple as the dragon is so large!  Paper is from Modern Chic pack (by Recollections).  The dragon is edged with Mowed Lawn distress ink.  Green and Brown Jute by Little Yellow Bicycle is twined around each other the length of the card and spot glued.  Finally, 3 gold rhinestones by Kaiser Scrapbook on the left finish the card.

A close-up so you can see (I hope) the varigated green gold leafing.  When doing gold leafing, you must have an embossing paste (dried several hours to overnight) as a base for the leafing to adhere to.  I find my cards come out better if I let the base embossing paste dry overnight rather than just a few hours.

Dragons are our most popular designs, followed closely by Tigers.  This Red Tiger (#KR08 by The Stencil Collection) is done in Varigated Red Gold Leafing.

Again, I made the Bamboo Leaves and Bamboo background paper work for me on the card design.  Tiger piece edged with Broken China distress ink.  Turquoise "coral" ribbon finishes off the card.

A close-up of the Varigated Red Gold Leafing -- so cool!  Imagine seeing this in person!

On this next card, I did something totally different!

I have never used so much twine as I have on this Glossy Black Tiger (same template as above card).  The embossing paste is from Dreamweaver.  The Bamboo (#LL533 by Dreamweaver) on the left is Varigated Red Gold Leafing over Green embossing paste.  Both pieces are edged with Mowed Lawn distress ink.  Base paper is Masculine Camouflage by HOTP.  I was hoping the Jute Twine would give more of a jungle-bamboo effect.  What do you think?

Flowers are just as much fun as Dragons, Tigers and Peafowl:

I used Ranger Silver Embossing Powder on this Cally Lily rubber stamp (#K-1696 by Laurie Anderson) design; colored with Copic markers, and Yellow and Lime Green Stickles glitter glue to enhance.  Design edged with Warm Violet from Misty Meadow cat's eye color box ink set.  Base paper is from the Afternoon Muse paper pack by Glitz.  Lime Green lace doily ribbon (by The Paper Studio) and 3 clear green buttons for a finishing touch.

I'm hoping to get into my craft room this coming weekend, so we shall see what I come up with this time!

Have a safe, happy 4th!

Finally!  I have greeting cards made up from most of the DCWV Challenge prize material I received back in early March.  It was quite a challenge to make attractive cards using each paper pack -- I usually have a card idea and THEN figure out what paper to use.  It was in the reverse this time.

Thank you once again DCWV for the wonderful prize package!  My sister was SO jealous, and I was flabbergasted!  So, enjoy my wonderful card creations and let me know what you think.

Unicorn rubber stamp by Gray Wolf Graphics (bought at Stampadoodle in Bellingham where I bought most of today's cards' rubber stamps). He is embossed in Silver super fine detail by Ranger. This is the first time I have used this format of embossing, and I am LOVING it!  Edged with Peacock Feathers and Shaded Lilac (Tim Holtz distress ink); same used on right edge of card on Scallop Trim punch (#118402 by Stampin' Up!).  Black and Gold base paper from The Stardust matstack -- love the foil and glitter papers in this pack!  Sentiment from Sale-A-Bration Vintage Verses set by Stampin' Up! using Crystal Turquoise ink.  Purple Lace Doily ribbon (by The Paper Studio, also purchased at Stampadoodle). Lime Green and Eggshell paper roses by My Moments and Pink paper rose by Urban Scrapbooker.

Halloween is still a few months away, but my prize box contained a paper pad of Halloween paper, so I couldn't wait to make a card -- great way to get a jump on Halloween since I don't think I sent out any last year!

This Jack-O-Lantern pair was created using a brass stencil by Dreamweaver. I embossed both with Copper embossing paste by Dreamweaver (my preference for embossing). I then added Varigated Green Gold Leafing to the Jack-O-Lantern on the right.   This piece was edged in Black of Rich Rustics color box cat's eyes ink.  The leaves were created using the Maple Leaf die cut and emboss on my Cuttlebug.  The Spider and Bats are from the Creepy die cut and emboss, and attached to the card with pop dots.  The Bat is actually two bats together with pop dots for a 3-D effect.  For base paper, I used the Silver Glitter card stock from the DCWV solid glitter box of cards (love these!)  The paper for the leaves, bat and spider are from The Bewitched matstack.  Finished off the card with an Autumn ribbon.

Since the Jack-O-Lantern card above got my Halloween creative juices running, I did another one:

Again, I used the gold card stock from the DCWV Solid Glitter box of cards -- so cool to be able to do this!  Pumpkins rubber stamp (95771.J by Inkadinkadoo) is colored with Gelly Roll Metallic, Florescent & Bright ink.  The Pumpkin paper is edged with Lettuce (Swell set) color box cat's eyes ink.  Notice on the gold card stock, I used the Pumpkin Spice embossing folder (by Cuttlebug by Provo Craft).  On the black paper, I used the Spiderweb embossing folder.  The Happy Halloween sentiment (97165.DD) is edged with Sweet Melon (Swell set) ink and mounted with pop dots. Finishing touch was to add Orange Halloween Rhinestones by Queen & Company.

This cute little House Mouse (Mudpie Holds Jelly Beans HMD1007) is perfect for an Easter card.  He is colored with Copic markers and edged with Orchid Pastel color box cat's eyes ink.  Paper base is from the Jingle Jelly base card stock by Recollections (in my DCWV prize box).  The sentiment is from the There She Goes Egg-celent set, using Forest Green staz-on ink and edged with Aquamarine color box cat's eyes ink.  The Tulip Yellow Flower is by Petaloo (Mulberry Paper Flowers set).  The grey and silver glitter bunnies were created using Martha Stewart bunny punches.  Final touch adding basic green ribbon.

Time to get a little serious.  My husband loves Owls, and we are both book worms, so this card is quite appropriate.  The Literary  Owl (M291 by Stampendous!) is colored with Copic markers and Gelly Roll metallic and glitter pens.  He is edged with Mowed Lawn distress ink (Tim Holtz).  Used same ink for inside edge of card,  Base paper is from the Stardust matstack -- another great paper pack!   Right edge of card was punched using Martha Stewart Lace edge.  Jute from Burlap set of 4 by The Paper Studio was added to the bottom as well as three Green Crystals by Mark Richards Elements.

I love using background papers as a part of my card design! 

This Dragon rubber stamp is from Graphic 45's Hampton Art.  He is colored with Copic markers and edged with Shaded Lilac distress ink.  Papers are from the very thick pad of Modern Chic by Recollections (8.5 X 11 inch paper).  Sentiment is also from the same rubber stamp collection, stamped in red.  Finishing touch on this card is the Twine from Tim Holtz' Autumn Tinsel Twine set (TH93027), and 3 Purple Rhinestones by KaiserCraft.  A simple card, but classic looking.

The Phoenix is a relative of Peafowl, so I was excited to get this rubber stamp in the same Graphic 45 Hampton Art set (IC0203).  He is Gold embossed with embossing powder.  Next time I do the Phoenix, I think I will try red embossing powder.  He is edged with Spun Sugar distress ink by Tim Holtz.  Base papers are from the same Modern Chic paper pack by Recollections.  The sentiment, same set, is stamped with Peeled Paint distress ink and adhered with pop dots.  Final touches are the Green "coral reef" ribbon and two green Mulberry Paper Flowers by Petaloo.

This Owl and sentiment are from the Owl Be Queen rubber stamp set by Darcie's (JCS141).  He is colored with Gelly Roll Glitter and Metallic inks, and edged with Peacock Feathers distress ink.  Same ink is used on the embossed Iron Works on right edge of card (#37-1923 by Cuttlebug).  Base paper is from The Fiber Stack.  If you have not seen or felt this paper, you have got to!  It is a cool touchy-feely paper!  The Swirl was stamped using Peeled Paint distress ink.  Green crystals on the swirl are by Mark Richards Elements.  The Ice Green and Bliss Pearls are by KaiserCraft.  I have bought Pearls the past couple of years and have never used them.  Finally decided it was time to do so and added them to this card.  Nice touch!

Okay, time to get a little bright and crazy:

When I bought the Mindscapes Butterfly set (#99121 by Inkadinkadoo), I didn't realize they were other than butterflies and dragonflies!  This Fairy Butterfly comprises of 3 fairies.  I used  Copic markers and Patina, Lavender and True Blue stickles glitter glue, edged with Mowed Lawn distress ink, and adhered to card with pop dots.  The base paper is from the HUGE Handy Dandy stack with the grey paper edged with Vintage Photo distress ink.  The Doily is inked over with Salty Ocean distress ink; two blue sparkly stickers dress it up.  The Friend sentiment is from a Quick Quotes set.  The Lilac and Lime Paper Roses are by My Moments.

Lastly, is the Dragonfly from the above Mindscapes set; 3 birds are included in the design.  He is colored with Copic markers and Waterfall, True Blue and Green Stickles glitter glue.  Green and Blue bling by a'muse and Elements were added to the tail.  Piece edged with Squeezed Lemonade distress ink, and adhered with pop dots.  The background papers are from DCWV's The Old World Stack (another favorite).  The second layer of paper was embossed with the Leaves embossing folder of the Peacocks & Leaves set (#657398 by Sizzix) and brushed with Mowed Lawn distress ink.  Light blue "coral" ribbon was added and then the sentiment, which is from World Treasures set by Stampin' Up!.  Pink bling on sentiment completed this card.

Well, what did you think?  I really enjoyed making these cards with my prize goodies, and look forward to making more.  I did receive more paper packs, but the pages are "one scene" and perfect for scrapbooks.  It would be a shame to cut up the paper.  I do have several scrapbooks I need to make, so those paper packs will be used for them.

I also received Christmas / Holiday paper packs in my prize box, but since I'm not in the Holiday mood yet, I will make cards using that material later in the year.

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

We have a lot to cover today!  Here are cards and projects I've done the past month between family tragedies, gardening and life simply getting in the way.

First up...During Horse Racing's Triple Crown Kentucky Derby in May, I set up a temporary station in the front room to watch the races and do cards.  I also made two recipe books.  This is the front cover of the first one....

The Recipe kit is a Teresa Collins product, and you know how much I LOVE Teresa Collins!  Of course, I always add my personal touch...

I included favorite family recipes that we all grew up with.  There are only so many pages included in the kit, so I ad-libbed and created more pages for more recipes.  This book contains 16 family recipes.  Then I got out my hand-dandy Bind-it-All and bound the recipe book with dark red O-wire.

I could only get 2 recipe kits, so the other one is for me.  A recipe book I've had for over 25 years has fallen apart, so I had to find a new recipe book to put them in. 

You do not need a Teresa Collins kit to make a receipt book (these were so popular, they sold out quickly!).  Try your hand at making a book, add in some favorite family recipes and give it as a wedding gift, new home gift, or high school/college graduation gift.  Good luck!

This is one of the greeting cards I made while watching the horse races.  This is from the Pine Cone Press Options Tropical Travelogue kit using new Graphic 45 papers.  If you have ever done an Options kit, you know what they are like -- a project, scrapbook layout or greeting card options -- your choice what you want to do. There are plenty of materials in these kits, so you can do additional projects or make other cards using leftover materials.  I really enjoy the Options kits -- a great way to relax!

This past weekend, I was able to get back into my craft room and make a few more cards.  I was able to use some new rubber stamps, embossing folders and ribbons that I had purchased the past several months.  But for some reason, these cards were time-consuming to create.

I really enjoy doing greeting cards with Koi on them.  This Pond Affection (JR1016) rubber stamp by Stampabilities was colored with Copic markers. Gelly Roll glitter pens were used to highlight the Koi with a little green on the lily pads.  The Koi paper is edged with Salty Ocean distressed inks by Tim Holtz.  The background papers are stock water and ferns.  I used stock brads and buttons (3 on lower right) in greens and blues.  Final touch is the Moss Green "coral" ribbon.

Time to get a little sassy!  My sister Jan gave me this rubber stamp for my birthday -- Vivienne Strut Your Stuff by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. She knows I love peacocks.  I colored her with Copic markers and used Gelly Roll glitter pens to highlight her hair and color the peacock feathers.  The piece is edged with Peacock Feathers distressed ink by Tim Holtz.  The background card stock is distressed with Picked Raspberry.  I stamped white card stock with CAC Peacock (CC139) by Impression Obsession background rubber stamp and used Gold embossing powder.  I'm lovin' these embossing powders (though I still enjoy using my embossing pastes)!  Final touch is Green "coral" ribbon.

From Sassy to Whimsical...My husband loves Owls, so we pick up just as many Owls as we do Peacock items.

This Steampunk Owl (CRP174) by Stampendous is colored with Copic markers (no glitter pens this time).  He is edged with Vintage Photo distressed ink by Tim Holtz.  The background green paper is embossed with Sizzix Gears folder using my Cuttlebug.  Paper String from Tim Holtz' Solids line is tied around the base.  Notice three (3) Jewels (pearls) by KaiserCraft in upper left corner for a final touch.  A great birthday card for my husband in August.

Lastly, another fun, but serious card....

This Grape Label (P184) by Stampendous was fun to color with Copic markers; Gelly Roll glitter pens were used to trace the words CastelloBlanc Grapes.  It is difficult to see in the photo, but Purple glitter glue highlights the grapes and Mystic Green glitter glue the leaves (Stickles glitter glue).  The piece is edged with Vintage Photo distressed ink. The background papers are from K&Company's Life's Journey paper pad.  I could not find the right ribbon for this piece, so as a last resort, I turned to one of my boxes of chocolate and confiscated the purple ribbon.  A perfect fit!

Remember the two boxes of DCWV products I won in a contest a couple months ago?  Come back and see those photos!

As you all know, it is that time of year again -- Graduation!  Here is the card I made for a friend's son.  In a few short years, his sister will be graduating. The family is heavily into music, thus the music theme.

Supplies:

• Graduation template by Stencilibility and embossed using Dreamweaver Glossy Black embossing paste.  Piece is edged with Shaded Lilac and Mowed Lawn distressed ink (Tim Holtz).  Pop dots used to adhere to the card.
• The base paper is basic white card stock.  Design is All That Jazz brass template by Dreamweaver that was sprayed with Wheat Grass and Lavender Tea Memories Mists.
• Edmonds - Woodway strip of paper below is from the Swirls and Stripes School line by Scrapbook Customs.
• The crowning touch is the Cello brad up in the top right corner -- the graduate plays the Cello.

Love it when I am asked to do a particular card.  Here's the latest card, a Get Well card.

Card is size 5 X 6½ inches (my preferred size of cards).  Ingredients:

• Rose K9-1656 rubber stamp
• Copic markers for coloring
• Stickles glitter glue:  Green, Mystic Green and Yellow
• Salty Ocean Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Sentiment is from Sincere Salutations set by Stampin' Up, using Turquoise crystal ink
• Blue stock ribbon
• Silver rhinestone
• Paper from Vintage Rose punch-out pack by Colorbok

Great bright card to brighten anyone's day!

Life has gotten in the way again.  I have made some greeting cards from that nice stash of gifts I won from DCWV contest a month or so ago, but I'm not quite done yet.  I haven't been able to get into my craft room for the past couple of weeks due to other things demanding my time and energy.  Hopefully, I can get back to cards this coming weekend...if not sooner.

I did get into my craft room long enough to make a 1st Birthday card for a May 18th party:

• Squeezed Lemonade Tim Holtz distressed ink on outer area of base card stock
• Green Glitter card stock embossed Happy Birthday with my cuttlebug
• Amanda Blows by House Mouse, colored with Copics and edged with Tim Holtz' Vintage Photo distressed ink
• Brown Paper String from Tim Holtz Ideaology Solids set
• Flowers from Bitty Bag 2 floral embellishments (comes with various sizes and colors of flower parts; you put together to make your flowers)
• Mini Star bling by a'muse in center of each flower

My card for the Butterfly Kisses Challenge 264 by Cute Card Thursday.  This is my first experience using embossing powder (I usually use embossing paste).  I really enjoyed making this card and made sure I didn't leave the class without buying embossing powder.  Yes, I took a little mini class for this card.  You can always learn something.  My sister Jan has been using embossing powder for years, but I've always preferred the paste.  Now, I will be using BOTH -- this card was so much fun to make!!  Thanks Hero Arts!

Many cities across the US were still digging out from early spring snow storms when Easter arrived. In honor of them, here is my Easter card, my entry into the Easter with Challenge # HMFMC141. 

The basic card stock is out of the Jingle Jelly set by Recollections. It is really a Christmas card stock collection, but with the gummies, I couldn't pass it up for Easter.  Tiny snowflakes in honor of both loved ones and strangers digging out from their March snowstorms.

The House Mouse design is Mudpie Holds Jelly Beans (HMD1007) colored with Copic markers, edged with Orchid Pastel ink from Color Box Cat's Eyes on regular green paper (with pop dots).

Basic green ribbon tied around the front of the card.  The Tulip Yellow flower is from the Mulberry Paper Flowers collection by Petaloo.

The two bunnies are created with Martha Stewart punches using metallic papers.  

The sentiment stamped in Forest Green staz-on ink and edged with Aquamarine Color Box Cat's Eyes ink is from the Eggcelent set by There She Goes.

The next time you visit Washington state, there are several scrapbooking stores you have to visit.  Many I have already mentioned on my blog.  This weekend, my husband and I, my sister Jan and her 9-year-old son, made the 90-minute trip to Bellingham to visit Stampadoodle & The Paper Cafe.  We have not been to this store in 3 years, so we were long overdue for a visit (and our receipt proved it!).

To entice you into this wonderful store, here are some photos of what to expect:

Loads of paper and ribbon! Each scrapbooking store has paper that everyone else has, and each has paper no one else has.  This store is no different.  In fact, it does carry a paper line I have never seen at any other store.  As they are also into bookbinding, they have always had this unusual paper.  You gotta come in to see what I'm talking about.

More paper, larger rolls of twine, and card/envelope packages.  There are many more shelves of paper than what is shown here.

Many choices in brass templates for embossing and fancy paper for origami.

Hundreds of rubber stamps, which is what this store is famous for!

Large selection of die cuts!

Need ink?  They have it in all shapes and sizes.....

More ink....

Samples of using their products are all over the store.  This one is hanging above the brass templates for embossing.  (And you can take photos of their samples!)

Into metal work?  They have supplies for that as well.

They has so much in their store, that it is impossible to put it all here.  You just need to drive up to Bellingham to see it all!

And the staff are very helpful!