Happy birthday!

Stampers Anonymous CMS273 Leaf Prints

Sizzix Tattered Leaves Bigz die

Ranger distress inks, archival inks, Antique Bronze distress crackle paint

Mixed media cardstock, unknown cardstock

Grungeboard

Hero Arts Printer's Type Upper and Lower Case

Happy Thanksgiving!

All is safely gathered in...it is always a delight for me to see farmers out in the fields bringing in the harvest.  Locally corn and beans are our biggest crops and last year central Illinois had record-breaking yields.  This year's crops seem to be following their lead.

Impression-Obsession: sentiments, cloud background

Stampers Anonymous: CMS116 Thankful Silhouettes

Sizzix:  pumpkin mini movers & shapers die

Bazzill cardstocks, mixed media cardstock

Ranger: archival inks (Sienna/Russet, Tree Branch Sepia); distress inks (Tumbled Glass, Antique Linen); Adirondack ink (Ginger)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy birthday!

My dear CR, I don't know the actual date of your special day but wanted to recognize it all the same.  My heart breaks thinking of your struggle but you are a strong and amazing person and know that you can handle what lies ahead.

The Art Impressions image (4587) was stamped in Black Soot archival ink onto 140 lb. watercolor cardstock.  The image was colored using distress markers and a waterbrush.

I do not know the manufacturer of either the brown layer or the peach card base.  The card base was run through the 'Quilted' Sizzix embossing folder.

May your candles burn brightly now and forever.

Peace at Christmas

to a special friend who is facing the end of her life way too soon.  She and her family are celebrating Christmas early as well.  I can't even imagine....

The Art Impressions images (4702) were colored with distress markers onto 140 lb. water color card stock.  The color is pulled from these lines using a water brush. To highlight the snow I added Sakura Gelly Roll Pen in clear glitter.  IRL it adds just the perfect touch.

The lighter blue layer is Bazzill Bling; the dark blue cardbase I don't know who makes it.  The snowflakes from Tim's CMS 246 Mini Weathered Winter were stamped in Adirondack Snow Cap Pigment ink.

Peace to you, CR, as the end of your earthly journey draws near. 

Happy Thanksgiving early

to a special friend who is facing the end of her life way too soon.

The Art Impressions image (3180) was stamped in Black Soot archival ink onto 140 lb. water color card stock and colored with various distress markers and a water brush.  I ran the bright lime green card base through the Provocraft Autumn Type embossing folder but only got a faint image - which was actually preferable.  I smeared Versamark Ink over it hoping the raised portions would stand out.  They did but not by much.  So I smudged a brown distress ink over the whole thing and was quite pleased with the end result.

To you, CR, I wish you peace and contentment and all the blessings that you can have.

Collect

This time of year I'm busy collecting leaves, hickory nuts and acorns.  I remember the days when I collected them for fun...now it's not so much fun raking or blowing, bagging and then transporting them to the landfill so I can re-use the paper bags.  What with the abundance of them on my lawn currently I thought this was a great idea to feature on my version of Tim Holtz's tag of November.

surfaces:  #8 manila tag, distress watercolor cardstock, textured surfaces (cork, corrugate)

colorants: distress spray stain (Fossilized Amber, Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Twisted Citron, Ground Espresso); distress inks (Ground Espresso, Gathered Twigs); distress archival (Black Soot, Ground Espresso); distress markers (Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Vintage Photo, Ground Espresso, Fossilized Amber); distress paint (Black Soot)

sticking stuff:  foam tape, Glossy Accents, mini staples

embellishments: Remnant Rubs (TH93119)

stamps:  Autumn Blueprint CMS133

dies: Sizzix Alphanumeric 3/4"; Impression-Obsession 213-D

For those of you who prefer a larger image...

Happy birthday ala the Crazy Dogs!

Here are 2 variations on the same idea for friends who are dog lovers.

 Ranger:  distress markers (antique linen, old paper, wild honey, candied apple, faded jeans); distress inks (tea dye, old paper, twisted citron, ground espresso, chipped sapphire); archival inks (potting soil, tree branch, jet black); Gold Liquid Pearls

Sizzix:  lattice on the edge die, crazy things and crazy dogs thinlits dies

Stampers Anonymous:  cms 237 crazy things, cms241 ledger script, cms271 crazy dogs

Misc.: twine, Zing embossing powder/Neon Green, rubber stamps (The Cottage Stamper), Typeset embossing folder/Cuttlebug, Bazzill cardstock, mixed media cardstock

Idea-ology: textured surfaces/burlap



Both stamps were used either on the front or the inside of each card.  I couldn't decide which option I liked better so I created one of each.  One friend has 2 black labs, the other 2 yorkies.  Thought these crazy dogs fit each owner quite well!