A bit of copper

 OK can someone officially stop the clock! I don't know where the days and months are going. I know I had been MIA but I was shocked and ashamed of myself that the last time I posted was a month ago. The DH was on vacation last week in Hawaii with his parents. He asked me if I wanted to go and I told him I never dreamed I would go in my lifetime let alone twice in one year. I figured having the house to myself was a vacation in it's self. Every night I was coming home from work to let the dog out and then leaving for the evening. I ended up with a nasty cough that has kept me home from work yesterday and today. I don't think the couch has seen this much of my behind or my head.

Today's card is rather a different color combo. I myself would have never thought of copper and royal blue. I used the Framed Labels Eighteen 3D M-Bossabilites on copper card stock. I then had to figure out what color to use with it. Several colors I laid next to it just weren't cutting it until I saw this blue. I used the Memorybox die Riviera Corner and matched the seam binding ribbon to pull that corner together. The main image was cut using the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen and the matching stamps from Our Daily Bread called Bird & Butterfly Labels. The sentiment is from Northwoods using the same Labels Eighteen to cut it out. I didn't go with the dark ink only because I didn't have a dark blue to tint the flowers. I sprayed the cream flowers with Perfect Pearls- Blue Smoke. I decided to keep the ink and flowers all in the same color pallet so it would pull together. I find when there are too many color variations of the same hue it can look like it was just thrown together. It just depends on the style of the card. Elegance usually requires some uniformity.

No much to talk about even though it has been some time since I last posted. We made a trip over to Grand Rapids to see my son at school. He has an internship with a company called Bar Fly which is a design company the owner of four local bars has formed for all of his print work. Including the Grand Rapids Brewery. They do the menus and all promotional items. I was dumb founded when we visited Elliot's work (that is right above the brewery) and the receptionist asked him if he had offered us a beer. The area is very industrial. It has an open concept with exposed brick and  heating ducts. Off to the side is a full kitchen with stainless steal appliances. They have a kitchen bar with several stools but in it is two beer taps so there is always two different kinds of beer on tap. What else would you expect from the owner who owns the brewery right underneath. I guess it must have something to do with creativity and  I think this is Elliot's dream job. I just hope he has one when he graduates in December- beer or not!

 

~Have fun and enjoy!

 

Friends are flowers...

 

 

 I have to say, this fall weather is doing wonders for my crafting and creativity. Today's card may look difficult but it really was rather simple. I used Core'dnations Pink Pearlized paper from JoAnns. I was told they are no longer going to carry this which is a bummer. It  makes very elegant cards and really seems to show off the detail in the embossing. The embossing folder I used is a Spellbinder's 3D M-Bossabilities called Persian Splendor. I wanted to use one of my coupons and I had this one in my hand and then didn't think I would use it that much so I put it back. I walked around the store and didn't really see anything that caught my eye (notice I didn't say "anything I needed") so I went back and got this folder. The first time I used it I fell in love with it and now it is one of my favorites. A diamond in the rough you might call it. The black frame is Spellbinder's 5x7 Elegant Labels 4. This one I did not raise with pop dots as I did on the wedding card in a previous post because the colors of the two layers were so drastic I thought the pop dots would show. I did however raise the sentiment tag which is also a Spellbinder's called Fancy Tag Two. The sentiment is from TPC Studio called Secret Garden Collage. The butterfly is from the Ashland line at Michaels. Very simple yet it looks like it took a lot of work.

 

 

I spent the day brushing up on Beeswax techniques. I am going to demonstrate using this at our stamp club next month. I haven't done it in awhile and I really like the technique. I can't believe I haven't had the wax out in such a long time. Since one of my favorite things to do is collage, this is perfect for adding texture. I am going to show the class this technique using a very small picture canvas. I have found that if I teach them on a smaller scale they don't get too overwhelmed. Once they master this, they can go onto larger pieces when they get home. Just getting started is the hardest because we don't think we can do it. Hopefully I will alleviate that fear so their creativity can shine through.

 

I can't believe the weekend is already over. I did get a lot accomplished along with some cleaning and organizing. Always feels good to get that done. A made an angel food cake and some fresh raspberry pure' to go on top. It will be a nice treat as I watch Duck Dynasty. Yes folks, I am a follower. I can hardly believe it myself. Out of all the things that are on TV- I surprise myself. Never would I have thought that I would watch a show about redneck duck hunters. I guess it is the humor and I can always count on ole Uncle Si for that.

 

~Have fun and enjoy!

 

White Lattice

I found something as great as sliced bread. These lattice diecuts from the David Tutera line at JoAnn's. They came in a package with the same design in kraft. I was able to make this card in less than 30 minutes. I used light blue pearlized tectured card stock for a different look. The flowers are from one of the dollar stores, which was another great find. The white tag was punched out using the new SU Bracket Punch and layered on a SU Night of Navy tag cut from Spellbinders Labels Nine. The sentiment is from a retired SU set. I really liked the cleaness of this card. I think when you use white, it has a tendency to create that look.

 

 

I got a phone call this evening from my friend who is in Florida right now and she called me because they are having the lightening storm of the century. She knows how much I love lightening and yes I would have loved to have been there. I can't tell you how many times we have been predicted to have storms and we get nothing but a few drops of rain. Bums me out every time. I think I must have been a "weather chaser" in a previous life.

 

The nights are starting to get cooler and I am looking forward to all that Fall brings. Sure there are several things about Summer that I will miss, but as one season ends, it brings on a welcomed change. I even look forward to winter for the coziness in the house and the beauty of falling snow. Call me crazy! Some days I think I might just be that. This week I looked out into the backyard and there were 11 turkeys and then all of a sudden a red fox came running across the tree line and one of the turkeys flew up into a tree. Is that natural for a turkey to fly up into a tree? Now I know being chased by a fox will make them run for their lives but really- flying up into a tree. And what is even crazier is that I live in a subdivision. I guess these are the things that keep life interesting.

 

~Have fun and enjoy!

 

 

 

Prima paper doll tags

 I just love these paper doll stamps from Prima. I remember playing with paper dolls when I was a child so I think I am enjoying the fact that it is bringing out the kid in me and I don't need an excuse.  A friend let me borrow this stamp and I stamped her on Prima tags and designer paper. I think this stamp is one of my favorites along with one that was just released. The new one has the girl wearing a long dress that can be embellished to look like a wedding dress. Can't wait to get that one.

Take a look below to see the different looks I came up with the one stamp. I lined these tags up on a shelf on my studio for inspiration every time I am in there. They just make me smile. Speaking of my studio, I spent the whole day in there yesterday. It was gloomy and rainy out yesterday and there wasn't anything that needed to be done around the house so it was a good day to create. I bought some of the new Spellbinders and I was in heaven. I will share my creations with you in the next couple of posts. I didn't even get out of my PJs all day yesterday so you know I was in a creativity mode.

To keep the post down I am not going to go into detail what I used on each tag. If there is something that you need information on, just leave a comment I will get back to you.

Looking forward to a day outside. The temps are a bit cooler but the sun is shining and that is all I need. I am however looking forward to fall. I think I sleep better so I am in an overall good mood- most of the time. Hope you all had a wonderful summer so far. Hard to believe it is almost over. Oh well there is nothing we can do to make it last longer, we have to just enjoy it for what it is.

 

~Have fun and enjoy!

For the Bride and Groom

 

This has to be one of most last minute cards I have ever made for an any occasion. I almost committed a stamper's cardinal sin by buying a card rather than making one. I had a wedding reception to go to Friday night and I made this card in 30 minutes. I haven't bought a card in over 10 years. This is how I justify all my spending on stamping supplies. I am always mentioning to my husband how much store bought cards are these days.

 

Thanks to my good friend Carol who let me borrow these two new Spellbinders and part of her idea. The new lattice is a bit different with a fancier edge to it. Hence the name Fancy Lattice. It isn't much of a difference when you look at the die but it sure shows up on a card. The frame is one of Spellbinders 5x7 dies called Elegant Labels 4. I layered the middle die inside the largest one to create the window. The smallest die was used for the image which is actually a tag. I ran a piece of satin black ribbon through it to give some black to the top and bottom of the tag. I had a devil of a time getting all of the pieces out of the frame and I sort of tore some of the delicate pieces in each corner. I wasn't about to toss it out or start over because I didn't have the time. That is where embellishments come in quite handy. I just covered up the mistakes with three glittered half pearls in the corners and added some flowers for a finishing touch. Can you believe that the only bling on this card are the glittered pearls. That is really holding back for me. I did use ivory pearlized card stock which had a shine of it's own. The pearlized papers make such an elegant project. The bride and groom are from the Inkadinkado clear set Wedding/Marriage.

 

Last weekend was the annual Float Down here on the river. There were thousands of people who took to the water including a 92 year old woman. Her first time was last year at 91. There also was a woman who has stage 4 liver cancer and she wanted to be able to cross this off her bucket list. She is deathly afraid of water and she said her grandchildren were at the side cheering her on. Below is a picture of just some of the floaters. They continued coming around the corner for a full 4 hours. The Coast Guard has to close this river to all boat traffic for safety reasons. This means the freighters coming from Lake Huron are even on hold at this time. There are boats from the Coast Guard and Sheriff to help anyone who needs it or anyone who starts to drift over to the Canadian side. That is the Blue Water Bridge in the pictures that connects Port Huron to Sarnia, Canada.

 

 

 

Below is a picture of my husband Gerry and me. My friend Carol has a place on the river and she gets to wake up to beautiful images of this water every morning.

 

 

 

The Fry pan Sisters

~Have fun and enjoy!

 

 



Just for You

It has been awhile hasn't it. I feel like I can finally sit back and enjoy the rest of the summer. It sure has been a busy one with all my trips. My daughter came home from North Carolina and we took a trip up to the cottage in the Upper Peninsula. About as far north as you can get- way up in the Keweenaw Peninsula by Copper Harbor. Some call it God's country.  We all ad a great time and it was nice to spend some time with my dad.

Now on to today's card. I used SU Indigo Island and So Saffron card stock. The background was embossed with the Damask folder from Darice. I used Martha Stewart's Deco Fan edge and corner punch to create the yellow square. The blue square is from Spellbinders' Decorative Labels One. The label sentiment is from the SU set Just for You and I punched it out with the matching Artisan Label punch. I used Indigo Island ink for the label. Don't you just love the lace. I have used it on several cards and I picked it up at Hobby Lobby. You can see more detail in the photo below.

 

 

It looks like this is going to be a beautiful weekend and the flower gardens are calling my name again. They haven't seen much of me either. Has anyone else noticed how big the bumble bees are this year and how many there are of them. My phlox has come alive with how many bees are on them. I don't mind them as long as there is a window between them and me. I am glad they are at least sharing the flowers with the humming birds. Now those I could watch for hours- window or no window. Well I've got to go if I am going to get anything accomplished this afternoon. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

 

~Have fun and enjoy!

Seeds of Kindness

 

I actually decided to come back from San Antonio, I just haven't found the time to post. I flew home last Saturday and then we had to head back to the airport on Wednesday to pick up my daughter who flew in from Raleigh, NC. The weather in Texas was hot but a nice hot, not that humid sticky hot. It was in the triple digits but we were either in air conditioning or the pool. We did manage to see the Alamo and do the River Walk which was a bit warm but very much worth the walk. The resort I stayed at was awesome and I think the highlight was the bathroom in my room. It was very elegant and it even had a rain shower in it. The tub was extra long. Long enough that the towels were at the back end of the shower on a shelf and they didn't even get wet. Now that is the way I wish I could vacation all the time. Every time I turned around they were feeding us. Needless to say I am going to have to do some extra walking.

 

Today's card has very little stamping. The designer paper is from Michaels and the black doily is a pre-cut from Wilton for cupcakes. The white doily is a pre-cut from Martha Stewart. I punched out the leaves with a Martha Stewart Frond punch and the flowers are by Prima. The sentiment and circle design is from the JustRite set Seeds of Kindness. It is an older set so I don't know if it is still available. I put down a strip of black satin ribbon and than layered a piece of lace trim on top. The lace just got lost in the designer paper without the dark color behind it. A few pewter pearls for some bling and the card was finished. Very quick once I had the design in my head yet very elegant. Isn't that how it goes. Sometimes it takes us longer to come up with the design than to actually put the card together.

 

 

 

 

 

I plan on spending some quality fun time with my daughter this week and the boys will be home next weekend so we can all be together. It is pure joy how well they get along now that they are all grown. Just glad those teenage years are behind us.

~Have fun and enjoy!