Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Fall wreath

Art Impressions: 4964, 4867, 4703

Marvy markers: 6, 15, 18, 28, 45, 83

Unknown patterned cardstock; kraft cardstock

Strathmore 140# watercolor cardstock

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer of thanksgiving sheet music (internet search)

Bazzill Yam cardstock; white cardstock

Ranger:  Orange Blossom archival ink; Orange Blossom embossing powder

Inkadinkado: 9514P (only used portion of image)

Tombow marker N35

General's pastel chalk pencils (orange, yellow, red, green, brown)

Krylon matte spray

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

An apple a day

Art Impressions: K4088

Ranger distress markers: Hickory Smoke, Cracked Pistachio, Peeled Paint, Peacock Feathers, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose; Jet Black archival ink

Sizzix:  Stitched Rectangles 661189 

Media:  red/green/yellow/white cardstock; Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor paper

misc.: apple punch, black pen

Used the apple punch to create a stencil for the background.



Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Happy birthday

Art Impressions: 4051, 4959, 4964, 4867, UM 4271, 4604, 4605, 4607

Marvy Markers: 8, 15, 17, 40, 45, 49, 65, 86

Misc.: black fine point marker, white/red cardstocks; Strathmore 140# watercolor paper

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Pastor Appreciation


Art Impressions: 4964, 4963, 4604, 4605

Stampcraft 440H15

Jody Poesy

Ranger:  Black Soot, Tattered Rose distress inks

Marvy markers:  15, 30, 45, 49, 83, 89, 96

Inspiration from Art Impressions YouTube video Sept. 27, 2017

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Best wishes in your new home

Art Impressions: 4051, 4052, 4603, 4876, 4958, 4959, 4967

Marvy:  15, 19, 45, 72, 86

Strathmore 140# watercolor paper; Bazzill Piglet; white cardstock

As seen on the Art Impressions blog - YouTube video

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Trick or Treat


Sten-Art stencil

white cardstock; Bazzill gold cardstock

netting ribbon

Ranger:  distress inks (Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Fired Brick); Jet Black archival ink; distress glitter (Black Soot)

Sizzix:  TH alterations (Halloween Shadows 658253)

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Saying goodbye to a furry friend

Art Impressions: 4963, 4964, 4961, 4959, 4051, 4606

Sizzix: TH Stitched Rectangles 661189

Bazzill pink cardstock; unknown green and white cardstocks; Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor cardstock

Marvy markers

Inspired by Art Impressions blog post

Thursday, October 26, 2017

It was a dark and scary night


Art Impressions: 4873, 4275, 4875, 4701, 4051

Marvy markers:  1, 8, 45, 86

Strathmore 140# watercolor paper; white/gold cardstocks

As seen on an Art Impression YouTube video

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Laurel Burch cat

Stampendous: Laurel Burch stamp, stencil and die 

Jody Poesy sentiment 

Ranger:  Jet Black archival ink; distress oxides, distress marker

Sizzix: heart punch

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Dragonfly thanks


Stampers Anonymous dragonfly stamp

Sizzix thinlits die

Ranger: distress watercolor crayons; Jet Black archival ink

Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor paper; unknown red, burgundy and blue cardstocks

Inspired by Cassie on TH Addicts FB post


Sunday, October 8, 2017

Covered bridge in the fall

Art Impressions 4804, 4051

Marvy markers: 15, 21, 43, 45, 54, 86, 88, 89, 100

Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor paper

Unknown brown, black cardstocks

Inspired by Art Impressions blog post

Sunday, October 1, 2017

A bounty of good wishes

Art Impressions WC Series 3 Set 1/4056, #4875, UM 4111, #4051

Jody Poesy sentiment stamped in Jet Black archival

unknown green, brown cardstocks; Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor paper

Marvy markers: 2, 6, 27, 30, 40, 45, 49, 54, 83, 87, 88

Stampin' Up corner punch

Inspired by package front of stamp set

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Happy anniversary

Art Impressions Open Window 4608, Flower Set 4052

Marvy markers: 8, 15, 20, 45, 72, 86

Jody Poesy sentiment

Jet Black archival ink

cardstocks: white (A2), purple, watercolor

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Happy birthday

Art Impressions: EZ Project B 4272, Foliage Set 1 4051, Open Window 4608, Tree 4269

Marvy markers:  15, 28, 30, 45, 72, 86, 100

Jody Poesy sentiment

Jet Black archival ink

cardstocks: white, green/Bazzill, watercolor

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Sending you a smile

Art Impressions: Rustic Container Set 4871, Southwest 4763, Garden Wagon mini set 4875, Flower Set 2 4868, Foliage Set 4051

Marvy markers:  6, 15, 17, 28, 45, 72, 101

cardstocks: white (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"), aqua/Bazzill (3 3/4" x 5 1/8"), watercolor (3 5/8" x 5")

Ranger:  Jet Black archival ink

Jody Poesy sentiment

This card, without the sentiment, can be found on the Art Impressions site in the video section.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Thank you with a view

I spent Labor Day weekend in NJ with friends and stayed with one family that is near and dear to my heart.  This was the card I left on the bureau upon my departure.
Art Impressions: EZ Project C, Watercolor Series 3 Set 2 4057, Flower Set 4052, Foliage Set 4051, Watercolor Series 2

Marvy markers: 1, 15, 20, 29, 40, 43, 45, 72, 86, 100, 101

cardstocks: watercolor (3 3/4" x 5"), black (3 7/8" x 5 1/8"), purple (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

Friday, September 1, 2017

Rural birthdays

My uncle recently turned 90 and always lived on a farm.  Sadly, he lost his swine barn to a massive fire a number of years ago.  I thought this stamp would help bring back fond memories of the farm while celebrating his birthday with friends and family.
Art Impressions: Flower Set 4052, Foliage Set 4051, Old Barn mini set 4807

Marvy Markers: 1, 15, 18, 21, 27, 45, 55, 72, 74, 75, 79, 86, 96

Cardstock:  white, watercolor, Bazzill (dark blue)

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

By the sea

Art Impressions: Cottage by the Beach, Foliage Set, Flower Set

Marvy markers: 40, 43, 45, 55, 74, 75, 86, 90, 96

Watercolor cardstock; Bazzill turquoise cardstock; white cardstock

Ranger:  Wild Honey, Antique Linen distress oxide inks; Tumbled Glass distress ink

Sizzix: 4" circle (old red die); Waves texture fade; Shells #2 sizzlit

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Happy anniversary southwest style

Watercolor cardstock; Bazzill Yam cardstock, Bazzill Piglet cardstock dipped in Picked Raspberry and Frayed Burlap distress oxide inks and Picked Raspberry distress ink

Marvy markers: 6, 15, 40, 45, 55, 72, 86, 96

Art Impressions: Southwest

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

A little birdie told me..

it's your birthday!

White card, purple layer, watercolor cardstock card image

Art Impressions Rustic Container, Birds, Foliage Set, Flower Set 2, and Spring Basket sets

Marvy markers: 8, 15, 17, 45, 72, 86

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

With sympathy - watercolor

When you make one sympathy card you might as well make a 2nd, or even a 3rd while you have the supplies out and ready.  This card features Art Impressions Ornate Container, Chest of Flowers, Clay Pot and Foliage set.  Marvy markers (15, 45, 86) were used to color the images on watercolor cardstock.  A dark blue layer is between the card front and the card base.  Grafix masking fluid was used to create the trellis.  Black Soot archival ink was used on the Jody Poesy sentiment stamp.

My next door neighbor lost her oldest sister to a massive stroke and an old friend/neighbor/church member passed away at 101. 

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Thank you in watercolor

When a loved one is buried a temporary marker is sometimes placed until the engraver has finished and delivered the forever one.  The first time I went to the national cemetery where my husband's cremains were interred you can imagine my dismay and horror that a word was misspelled.  He was my soul mate; but it was spelled 'soule mate'.  Somewhere somehow somebody goofed.  Big time. 

I wrote a note saying that it needed to be corrected as this was a dishonor to my husband and a blot on the cemetery.  Two weeks ago I returned to see if the niche marker had been corrected.  It was replaced and is now correct.  This is the card I sent to let them know I had seen the change.  It probably wasn't necessary but I felt it was the right thing to do.

The Art Impressions images (4605 Spring Basket and 4051 Foliage Set) were stamped on watercolor paper using Marvy markers (3, 15, 45, 48, 86).  Bazzill Piglet is the pink layer atop the white card.  The sentiment was stamped in Black Soot archival ink using a Jody Poesy stamp.





Sunday, July 30, 2017

Congratulations on your retirement

A very good friend is retiring from Rutgers University.  I'm so happy for her...this has been a long time coming.

White cardstock; blue vellum cardstock

Art Impressions: 4051 Foliage Set, 4604 Chest of Flowers (colored with Marvy markers)

Sizzix:  mini stencils 006, 070; 661195-Ornate Frame 2

Distress ink:  Peeled Paint, Stormy Sky


I bet you can't tell that I've found a new line of stamps that I've come to enjoy more and more as I play with them.  Art Impressions has a line of watercolor stamps that are so much fun and lets your creative side run wild.  The sets coordinate so well with each other...the sky is the limit when it comes to making a scene.  One really does need to watch the initial youtube video that Bonnie Krebs, designer of this line, has made illustrating how she uses the stamps and markers in an easy way that makes the art look like you took hours to create, not mere minutes.


Friday, July 28, 2017

Watering can

Watercolor, Blue Bazzill cardstock, white cardstock

Art Impressions: 4761 Watering Can, 4051 Foliage Set 1, 4701 Clay Pot

Marvy markers



Found a new hairdresser who made me feel totally relaxed and welcomed.  And did a fab job on my hair using the Deva cutting technique for wavy/curly hair.  Although my hair isn't sporting as many curls now the new cut is much more 'me' and easier to manage.  Hence, I just had to say 'thank you'. 

She not only sent me a computerized memo thanking me for making my initial appointment, another as a reminder of my upcoming appointment and then one thanking me and looked forward to seeing me at my next appointment.  I've never received this much attention from any stylist.  Ever.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Flower cart

Art Impressions 4703 Flower Cart, 4052 Flower Set, 4051 Foliage Set

Kraft, blue woodgrain cardstocks

Sizzix 661189 Stitched rectangles (on kraft cardstock)

Marvy markers

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Best wishes

A young friend has graduated with her masters degree in library science and has moved out of the area.  This was a big move for her and I wanted to recognize both the move physically and professionally.

Best wishes, Lauren!  It's been so much fun watching you grow up and turn into such a fine young woman. 




Art Impressions:  Blooming Birdhouse 4603

Jody Poesy: best wishes

Jet Black archival ink

Marvy Markers: 8, 15, 45, 75, 86

Watercolor, Bazzill, white cardstocks

Friday, July 21, 2017

My chocolate princess

My neighbor's chocolate lab is a teenager!  I've always called her my chocolate princess...she's such a sweetheart.

Maraschino Bazzill cardstock; white cardstock; mixed media cardstock

Provocraft embossing folder

Stampers Anonymous:  Crazy Dogs CMS271

Sizzix:  Crazy Dogs 661593

Unknown crown, primitive star punches

Glossy Accents, Jet Black archival ink, distress markers, Carnation Red enamel accents

Krylon gold leafing pen


Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Covered bridge

Art Impressions:  Flower Set 4052, Foliage Set 4051, Covered Bridge 4808

Marvy Markers:  15, 20, 29, 45, 86

Cardstock:  watercolor, fuschia, white


Sunday, July 16, 2017

It's your day...down on the farm

Blue, green, watercolor cardstocks

Marvy markers

Jet Black archival ink

Art Impressions: Foliage Set, 4807 Old Barn Mini Set

Saturday, July 15, 2017

It's your day...at the lake

VAP Scrap sentiment

Blue, green, watercolor cardstocks

Art Impressions: Watercolor Structures, Foliage set

Marvy markers; Jet Black archival ink

Friday, July 14, 2017

Cat in a basket

Art Impressions:  4052 Flower Set, 4871 Rustic Container Set, 4867 Watercolor Foliage Set 2, 4873 Watercolor Cats

Stampendous: Thinking of You

Jet Black archival ink; Marvy markers

Pink, purple, watercolor cardstock

Scallop border punch


Wednesday, July 12, 2017

A rose for you

Gold and white vellum; white cardstock; watercolor cardstock

Krylon gold webbing spray, gold leaf marker

Unknown rose die (cut 3 and layered for dimension) then covered with Glossy Accents

Distress oxide inks: Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Peeled Paint

Martha Stewart border punch


Sunday, July 9, 2017

I'm sorry

Art Impressions: Flowering Mailbox 4607, Clay Pot 4701

Marvy Markers

Jody Poesy: sentiment

Black Soot archival ink

watercolor, white cardstocks; blue vellum

Thursday, July 6, 2017

In the garden

Maraschino Bazzill cardstock, watercolor cardstock

Marvy markers; Jet Black archival ink

Sizzix punches: 660168, 660172

Art Impressions: 4583 With A Friend Window

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Happy birthday!

Piglet Bazzill cardstock, watercolor cardstock, green cardstock

Art Impressions: 4701 Clay Pot, 4051 Foliage Set

Misc.: border punch, Marvy markers

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

You're how old???

White, blue vellum cardstocks

Stampers Anonymous:  CMS266 Newsprint & Type, CMS288 Hipster

Ranger:  archival inks (Shadow Grey, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot); distress inks (Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Tumbled Glass, Abandoned Coral, Antique Linen); distress markers (Abandoned Coral, Faded Jeans)

Sizzix: Hipster Goat 662249, 3/4" circle punch 661852

Monday, June 26, 2017

Thinking of you

watercolor, blue, white, purple cardstocks

Art Impressions images (Garden Wagon Mini - 4875, Flower Set 2 - 4868, Foliage Set 1 - 4051) (colored with Tombow markers and a waterbrush)

Sizzix: Lattice on the edge die

Stampers Anonymous: Leaf Prints CMS273

Stampendous: sentiment

Finnabair: text stamp (over the lattice die)

Ranger:  archival inks (Sky Blue, Leaf Green, Black Soot)


Wednesday, June 21, 2017

It's all about the happy

Parakeet Bazzill cardstock; watercolor, black cardstocks

Art Impressions 3323 image (colored with watercolor pencils and a waterbrush)

Hope your days are happy and life is good & all is well in your neighborhood.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Happy 5th birthday!

Mixed media, white cardstocks

Packaging insert as brown layer; candle punch

Sizzix:  Layering stencil 072; Framelits 661593

Stampers Anonymous:  CMS 271 Crazy Dogs

Ranger:  distress inks; distress oxide inks (Vintage Photo, Broken China); Espresso, Hickory Smoke archival inks; Glossy Accents

Charlie is an uber-active chocolate lab that I know.  The layering stencil pattern fits his personality...crazy and all over the place!   lol

Monday, June 12, 2017

Living room makeover - showing off my creativity and colorful spirit

This month marks the 10th anniversary of being in this house and our 30th wedding anniversary.  Sadly, Walt passed away the end of March and didn't get to be a part of our gift to each other.  We figured this was the perfect year to makeover the living room. 

The carpet was oatmeal and from the previous owner.  Our furniture was from the early 90s.  All looked okay but the carpet color wouldn't have been our choice and the furniture was breaking down internally.  The carpet, sofa, chair, recliner and 2 end tables were given away. 

I wish I had been able to take before photos of the room and furniture but because of Walt's health and the need to make room for a hospital bed, etc., I didn't.  Afterwards I was too grief stricken to think of photos.  But after a few weeks I decided to continue with our plan.  It was the first time in over 30 years I had to make important decisions on my own. 

I'll start the tour outside as that was part of the plan.  New pillow and entry mat.











Hard to see the true color with the storm door closed. 

Hotel St. Francis Spirit Blue by Valspar

Front door, south end of living room, hall

Window wall: Ivory Brown by Valspar
Hallway: Stone Manor by Valspar
North end of living room

Warm Putty by Valspar
Flooring is 7" wide hickory by Bruce (Flooring Surfaces in Champaign)

Casey is checking out the new smells.

Pine bookcase.  I cut baseboard, quarter round molding and crown molding myself (seated on the floor of the garage using a dull -sheesh- saw.  From drab to...
...to fab!

Chalky Paint, Sealing Wax, Dark Antique Wax system by Valspar (tinted Stone Manor)
School desk I picked up for $15.  Had been royal blue and red.  I sanded the desk top and the rough bits on the metal frame.  Dark walnut stain and a clear sating sealer (both Minwax) for the wood top.  Red spray paint as a base coat oversprayed with orange spray paint then another misting with the red spray paint.  The red was too pinkish-red and the orange too yellow on their own. 
I sanded this down a bit; I was afraid 2 coats of the top color wouldn't cover the stenciled areas.
Chalky Paint, Sealing Wax, Dark Antique Wax system by Valspar.  The legs are the same as the shelf unit (tinted Stone Manor) while the top was tinted Fire Orange by Valspar.

The northern end of the room at night.  The lamp base is walnut and was made by my dad.

The northern end of the room at night.
The reading corner...furniture from Stahl's in Mount Pulaski.  LOVE the fun fabrics!

The relaxing station...sofa is Flexsteel and also from Stahl's.  Love the denim blue fabric with off-white nubbins on it.  I'm using a toolbox tray on top of a strip of burlap to hold the tv remote, a pair of glasses, etc.  Sheers from Lowe's and less expensive than Bed Bath & Beyond - with a coupon - (also in the size I wanted).







I am extremely happy, pleased, satisfied, etc. with the way the room has come together.  I will take my time adding wall art and putting things on the shelf unit.  Lots of sweat equity but worth every ache.