Record-breaking week..sadly

What a week.  It saddens me when I have to make 5 sympathy cards within a few days.  I do believe that's a record.  A friend's dog, friends, former neighbor, relative of relative.  It's been a rather stressful week for me with my husband's health situation but I know that if the tables were turned I would hear from these same people.  How can I not reach out to those individuals and let them know I care about their breaking hearts?  Here are 2 cards that came together quickly so replicating them was rather easy.

I found some gorgeous green leaves in my yard (tulip poplar, oak and redbud) that were in fabulous shape.  Acrylic paint was applied to them then stamped onto mixed media cardstock.  All I did was change the sentiment to fit the recipient.  This one was is from Studio 490.

This is one of my favorite Stampin' Up sets.  I colored the image with distress markers, huffed hot air (I have plenty!  lol) then stamped onto mixed media cardstock.  The tree needed to be grounded but wasn't happy with my drawing a line or anything similar.  This is a narrow embossing folder that I carefully inked up and stamped at the base of the tree.  Yep, just what it needed.  And the extra swirly bits break up the monotony of a straight line.

Guess I'd better make a few more so I'm not caught unprepared...although I do hope next week isn't a repeat!

Happy 4th of July...rather belatedly!

My plate has been overflowing with my husband's health situation and wasn't even sure I was going to be able to get this month's Tim Holtz tag created.  I had the idea early on, just no energy or time until yesterday when I made myself take a break and as Nike says 'just do it'!

Sizzix:  Calendar Words: Script, Celebration Words: Block, Alphanumeric 3/4"

Stampers Anonymous: CMS 145 Americana Blueprint

Ranger:  Jet Black Archival Ink, distress watercolor cardstock, #8 kraft tag, distress inks (Ground Espresso, Barn Door), distress markers (Barn Door, Faded Jeans, Wild Honey, Ground Espresso), distress stains (Vintage Photo, Hickory Smoke), Micro Glaze

Advantus: Idea-ology-tag token

misc.: twine, Gold Encore pigment ink (Tsukineko), star brad, fireworks stamp (A Country Welcome)


I wonder what remix techniques Tim will combine for August's tag?
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PS...what settings do I need to use so that my entire tag shows up in the link on Tim's blog?  I tried making my image smaller but still only see a tiny portion.  Hope someone can tell me how to make the necessary changes.

Another 'crappy' birthday card

*Ranger: watermark resist ink, Jet Black archival ink, distress ink (Hickory Smoke, Mowed Lawn), distress stain (Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Barn Door)
*Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Newsprint & Type, Halftone & Rings, Wildflowers
*Impression Obsession Inc.: F17110

I stamped Newsprint & Type first in watermark resist ink; heat set.    Lots of MS, CP, BD smeared on my craft sheet, misted then kept plopping the cardstock into it until I was satisfied; heat set.  Halftone & Rings was stamped in Mowed Lawn distress stain.

This is perfect for soooo many of my friends! 

Happy birthday to my sweet princess!

This sweet princess is a 12-year old chocolate lab belonging to my neighbor.  I just love looking after her when her non-furry parents aren't around.

Barks Marvin (Brett Wedele/Stampers Anonymous)
Ranger: distress markers, distress inks, glossy accents
unknown and mixed media cardstocks
Sizzix: leftover alpha bits, dog bone, mini stencil #54

Holy crap!

I'm pretty sure I got the general idea off Pinterest but when you have certain stamps by Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers just itching to be used...well, this came together pretty darned quick.  And I have quite a few upcoming birthdays when this can be used...age 45, 65, two 75 year-olds...especially since they have my sense of humor!

The image was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink onto mixed media cardstock and colored with distress markers.  The plunger and toilet paper holder and yes, and extra sheet of toilet paper is a separate stamp(!!!) were stamped in JBAI and colored with distress markers.  And who doesn't have a stamp of poop with fumes?  Come on...surely there's someone else who has my sense of humor!

All this is layered onto a light blue sheet of Bazzill cardstock.  Perfect for the unsuspecting 65 year old!

Holy crap!  Look who's 65!!!

Watercolor distress is not just for women!

Love the watercolor distress technique; I always continue to sop up the color until I can't.  The depth you can achieve is simply amazing!

I used Mermaid Lagoon, Lucky Clover, Pine Needles and Tea Dye distress inks for my background.  With the heat tool I made sure it was completely dry before stamping the image (Evolution by Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous) in Jet Black Archival Ink then plopping it into a container of clear embossing powder.  A quick tap on the back and any excess dropped back into the container.

Happy 90th plus, good buddy!

Under the sea

*Bazzill light blue cardstock
*leftover alpha bits
*#8 tag (cut to fit A2 card front)
*Marvy wet look markers
*Tim Holtz stamps: Mariner, Nautical, Halftone & Rings
*Sizzix: Holiday Greens, Bubble Texture Fade
*Ranger:  Watering Can Archival Ink, distress markers & inks,
clear embossing powder, watercolor cardstock
*My Sentiments Exactly H179
*Versamark ink

3 cheers for the red, white and blue!

Oh boy!  I don't know about you but the new thinlits die of Tim's that features all 50 states is a bugger to use!  Here are 3 options...I was hoping I could make 2 from each die cut but quickly realized that wasn't going to happen.  Waaaay too fiddly!  But after the pieces are removed, you're left with a stencil.  Now that I could work with for my 4th of July card.

This paper was pieced and run through my Xyron.  Let me tell you, those itty bitty eastern states almost didn't remain part of the 13 colonies!  Sheesh!

But here's the stenciled version...much more user friendly (for me!).

Encore silver, bronze, gold pigment inks (Tsukineko)

fireworks stamp (A Country Welcome)

stars, stripes mini stencils (Tim Holtz/Sizzix)

United States, Mini Bird Crazy & Things thinlits dies (Tim Holtz/Sizzix)

Mini Bird Crazy & Things, Crazy Talk stamps (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous)

Jet Black Archival Ink, distress inks, watercolor cardstock (Ranger)