Life's short...live it with zest!

Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490 stencil

Stampin' Up:  Lemon Zest, coordinating punch

Ranger:  Fern Green archival ink; distress oxide inks (Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Crushed Olive, Shabby Shutters); distress inks (Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint, Lucky Clover, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Tattered Rose); heavy duty mixed media cardstock; distress resist spray; Glue N' Seal; clear embossing ink/powder

Yellow ribbon

White cardstock

Rubber Stamp Tapestry Fresh Lemonade SFV10013

Schooners

I have a poem that was sent to me about saying goodbye to someone you loved and it referenced a sailing ship.  This older Stampin' Up Schooner set fits the poem so I like to use it for sympathy cards.

Two very different looks using the same stamp. 

Sizzix Handwritten Love 660218, Scribble & Splat 660222

Cardstock:  blue, white, watercolor

Ranger: Studio 490 circles stencil; Wendy Vecchi blendable inks (Cornflower blue); distress inks (Salty Ocean, Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Antique Linen), archival inks (Cornflower Blue, Jet Black, Potting Soil); distress crayons (Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Tarnished Brass)

1st time aunt

A young friend just became an aunt for the first time - another way to celebrate the new arrival in her family!

Ranger:  Wendy Vecchi enamel accents (Sunflower, Potting Soil); Jet Black archival ink; Wendy Vecchi blendable inks (Cornflower Blue, Sky Blue, Peat Moss, Fern Green)

Stampers Anonymous/Studio 490: Delightful Art SCS164, Plaid Flannel WVBG054, Flowers Say It All WVZ65975

White pigment innk

Cardstock: white, green

Oh hoppy day!

Two friends became 1st time grandmas - what a special event that definitely needs to be recognized!

Stampers Anonymous: Funny Farm CS361; gradient circle stencil
Oval and scalloped oval punches
Ranger:  Watering Can archival ink; unknown blue, green and pink distress inks
Studio 490 open circles stencil

Waiting for spring

Stencil Girl L709

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock

Sizzix: Wildflower Stems 2 664164

Ranger distress inks (Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Cracked Pistachio, Evergreen Bough); Studio 490 blendable inks (Sunflower, Prickly Pear)

White gel pen; black, white cardstock; black polka dot ribbon

Stampers Anonymous: washi tape

Bunches of art

All these cards use pretty much the same ingredients:

Stampers Anonymous: SCS163 A Bunch of Art/coordinating stencil (Studio 490 - Wendy Vecchi)

Sizzix: Stitched Ovals 661188

Ranger:  Jet Black archival ink, Jet Black distress marker, Studio 490 blendable inks (Watering Can, Acorn, Orange Blossom, Sunflower, Red Geranium, Poppy), distress ink (Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Twisted Citron)

Micron black pen, white/black cardstock

Hey there...

Stampers Anonymous:  Studio 490/Wendy Vecchi LCS009 Nature's Art, mat minis mug art, SCS162 Mug Art, coordinating stencil

Ranger:  Jet Black archival ink, Studio 490/Wendy Vecchi blendable inks (Acorn, Bluebird, Sunflower), enamel accents (Potting Soil)

cardstock: white, black

Challenge for the week

My friend, Lori, has been issuing weekly challenges (to use your s**t because we most have plenty to use!) over on Facebook.  This week you were to watch a video (she shared the link on FB) by Francis Papillon.  Here's my take using the same general procedures but not the same products.

Ingredients used (in no particular order):
Ranger:  archival inks (Coffee, Black Soot); Distress Grit Paste; Glue N'Seal; Distress paints (Walnut Stain, Tea Dye, Crushed Olive, Fossilized Amber, Antiqued Bronze); Distress crayons (Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain); scraps of cardstock; Stampers Anonymous (Studio 490 015, 016 and TH CMS343); leaf punch; black Sharpie; mulberry scraps; snippets of hemp twine

Will you (bee) my Valentine?

Studio 490: Art For You LCS093

Ranger:  archival ink (Jet Black, Saffron, Red Geranium); TH grit paste: TH distress crayons; distress oxide ink (Wild Honey)

Sizzix:
661190 Wildflowers
657846 Honeycomb texture fade
659577 Layered Bee die/texture fade
660056 Alphanumeric 3/4"


White, black cardstock; vellum, mixed media cardstock; MPR Associates, Inc. - paper ribbon

coordinating envelope - honeycomb stamped in Saffron. Overstamp bee in Jet Black. Overstamp '14' in Red Geranium.

Happy birthday!

Ok, looks like I'll be using Irfaniew for now to edit my photos.  Still having troubles figuring it out but at least you can see the card I sent out this month.

Purple, white cardstocks

Stampers Anonymous: Studio 490 Birthday Art SCS159 (Wendy Vecchi's latest release!!)

Ranger:  distress ink (Wild Honey, Scattered Straw); archival ink (Sap Green, Leaf Green, Fern Green, Hydrangea, Violet, Deep Purple, Jet Black)

Birthday blossoms

This card is full of dimension and texture and will soon be winging its way across the U.S. to wish a very special friend a happy 60th birthday.  It was inspired by the one seen here.

To the green card base I added Studio 490 translucent embossing paste through TH stencil 061.  Once dry I smudged various brown distress inks over the paste to make it pop.

The doily was die cut from inexpensive watercolor paper using Sizzix 661497.  LOVE the new tool that helps get out the little paper bits left in the die!  I was hesitant to order it as the denture brush I've been using works okay but on these more intricate dies this tool is awesome!  Antique Linen and Old Paper distress inks were smushed onto my work surface and misted so I could drag the doily through them.  Once dry I adhered it to the card front using Multi Medium - but only in the center so the edges would be free.

I applied silver metal foil tape (from the heating and air conditioning aisle at the local home improvement store) to a scrap of chip board.  Die cut using Sizzix Watering Can 660235.  Alcohol inks (Pebble, Slate, Mushroom, Rust, Pitch Black) and blending solution were pounced over the pieces.

Using a tiny label I pressed it into the rest of the doily ink mix, scrunched it up, unscrunched and let it dry.  The numbers were in my 'tovers jar, colored with Black Soot archival ink and glued down before the tag was wrapped around the handle of the watering can.

The flowers (Stampers Anonymous  CMS269) were stamped in Jet Black archival ink on mixed media cardstock and colored with distress markers (Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord, Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon, Twisted Citron, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss, Wild Honey, Carved Pumpkin, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Ground Espresso).  So glad there's a matching die (Sizzix 661613) as I am not fond of fussy cutting!

I fiddled with placement of the flowers then added several very narrow upright strips of green cardstock behind them.  Multi Medium was used to glue down the flowers and foam tape was added to the back for more dimension. 

From another scrap of green cardstock I stamped 'happy birthday' using Ground Espresso and Black Soot (just at the edges of the letters) archival inks.  More brown distress ink was wiped along the edges of the banner.  A smaller scrap was added to the back to raise it up.

Happy 60th birthday, MB!

Remember this

New stamps from Studio 490!  New enamel accents that I won on Wendy's blog!  New Studio 490 stencils!

The top layer of the card is a #8 manila tag cut down.  The images (SISI Leaves & Berries) were stamped in Watering Can archival ink.  Whatever colors (green, orange) were on my blending foam worked perfectly for the green-colored base card.  The pinked layer is watercolor cardstock colored with Wild Honey distress ink.

The message (Trademark Art SCS132) was stamped in Jet Black archival ink.  Through the Square Grate stencil I added random squares using Tumbled Glass distress ink.  The border stamp was inked with Wild Honey and randomly placed on the card.  Scattered across the small stripes are tiny dots of Forget Me Not enamel accents.

This birthday card is headed to Rio de Janeiro where our first exchange student lives with her husband and 2 children.  Happy birthday, Dani!

Sending a special card...

Here's an example of the Distress Oxide inks (Peeled Paint, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick) on lesser quality watercolor paper over a background image (Studio 490 Just Say It WVBG026) that had been stamped in Ranger's Watermark ink.  I used a plastic canvas to guide the black dots (Sakura black gelly pen) surrounding the card front.

The floral image (Studio 490 Flowers For Art SCS136) was stamped in Jet Black archival ink on mixed media card stock and colored with distress markers (Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Twisted Citron, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint) using a waterbrush.

A bit of black replacement window screen provide a nice backdrop for the flower (which I cut out leaving a tiny white border for better visibility).  I punched out a bow (Sizzix 660163) and a narrow strip from mixed media cardstock and colored them using the distress markers and waterbrush. 

Studio 490 enamel accents (Sunflower, Potting Soil) were added to the flower's center for dimension and interest.

Happy birthday, my friend!

I have found that this inexpensive watercolor paper is only good for backgrounds and such as any detailed coloring is lost to bleeding.  Distress Oxide inks are terrific on Ranger's heavy duty cardstock.  I've also tried them on glassine (remember that?) and was pleased with the results. 

Hello friend

Distress oxides on heavy duty cardstock make up the gorgeous (I think!) card front.  I used Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber, Vintage Photo and Spiced Marmalade.  The piece was run through an embossing folder (Notebook Paper by The Paper Studio) then slightly sanded so the lines would show up better.  The edge was punched using an EKSuccess border punch (Binding Edge PL8002).

The next layer is the reverse side of the package insert from a Studio 490 stencil.  Two laurel branches (Sizzix) were cut from the same layer.  The peach mini label (Sizzix 657214) was edged with Vintage Photo distress ink and overstamped with a text stamp (unknown manufacturer). 

The bird was stamped on mixed media cardstock in Black Soot archival ink and colored with distress markers (Twisted Citron, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Worn Lipstick).  The sentiment is from Sizzix 561218 (framelits/texture fade w/ stamps) and stamped (BSai) on a scrap from the same larger D-ox/m-m cardstock piece.  It, too, is on a scrap of stencil insert.  The card base is Bazzil cardstock.

I have quite a few advertising magnets that were just begging to be repurposed.  This one was covered in glassine paper (remember it?) that had been treated to a range of Distress Oxide inks before being wadded up.  At this point I smeared Vintage Photo archival ink over the wrinkles then smoothed it out and heat set.  Double stick tape was used to adhere the glassine to the magnet.  IRL it looks like real stone.  (YAY!)  The stamp (one of Tim's new ones) was stamped in Jet Black archial ink and heat set.

Happy birthday to a California girl!

I won a full set of Enamel Accents!!!

Not long ago I won a full set of enamel accents on Wendy Vecchi's blog, Studio 490.  I created this card to say 'thank you'.  These are so much fun to play with and I have so many ideas floating in my head...can't wait to try them all!

The base and blue-green layer are Bazzill cardstocks.  The top layer is mixed media cardstock and was just a 'playing around with ink and paints' kind of background.  I ran it through a Sizzix checkerboard embossing folder.  At this point I tried Wendy's Embossed Foil Technique...cool!  You'll have to check out her blog to see how it's done.

I used a scrap of the same background and die cut a heart (Sizzix Heart Wings) and stamped the sentiment (Stampers Anonymous SCS110 Art Comforts) in Black Soot archival ink.  Around the edges I dotted enamel accents (Sunflower, Cactus Flower, Garden Patina).

Additional ingredients not listed above: unknown roll of foil sheets, gold mesh, Studio 490 tag art stencil (on base card - Garden Patina, Sunflower archival inks)

A bouquet of pretty posies

Friends recently sent me a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers.  This was the card I sent each of them to acknowledge their lovely gesture of support*. 

watercolor cardstock, green, blue-green cardstock

distress inks (Spiced Marmalade, Iced Spruce, Abandoned Coral, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn)

enamel accents (Leaf Green, Sunflower, Potting Soil)

Rubber Stamp Tapestry: Creekside Garden FAB 3608

Sizzix: Celebration Words: Script 660223

*On the home front, we're facing new challenges.  A few days ago my husband decided to stop all cancer treatments and accept palliative (supportive health) care to make his remaining time here on earth as best he could.  While we've discussed it over the years almost to ad nauseum, saying it out loud and publicly made it real.  Kind of like getting hit in the face with a 2x4.  Wham!

Be original

LOVE the new Hipsters stamps from Stampers Anonymous!!! And can't wait for the dies to come out in May...yay!

Green cardstock, watercolor cardstock, plaid background (will be featured on 3/17 blog post)

Stampers Anonymous Hipster CMS288, CMS 236 Crazy Talk

Studio 490 mini brick stencil (new from Creativation 2017)

Ranger: distress inks (Iced Spruce, Rusty Hinge); distress markers (Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin); Jet Black archival ink

Sizzix:  Ornate Frame #2

Sakura Black Micron pen, size #01


This birthday card is headed to northern Illinois.  The recipient looks quite similar to the bird so it's a perfect choice for the birthday boy.

Have a bright bright sunshiny day!

Happy birthday, Wendy!  I tried a different technique using my Studio 490 stamps and stencils.  The stamps were inked with distress markers onto distress watercolor cardstock.  I pulled the color in towards the center using a waterbrush.  I drew inside the fence stencil using a distress marker then pulled the color in to the middle of each picket.  The sentiment was stamped in archival ink, likewise the butterfly (colored with more distress markers).  It's hard to see in the photo but there's a colorwash of light blue for the sky at the top of the card.

The watercolor cardstock layer sits on top of a brownish-green cardstock which is then on top of a Bazzill Hillary green A2 card.





Stampers Anonymous/Studio 490 stamps: Daisy Art LCS101, Wildflower Art LCS089, Card Art Sentiments SCS146

Stampers Anonymous/Studio 490 stencil: Fence & Foliage Stencils for Art

Ranger:  distress markers, archival ink (Jet Black, Fern Green)

I'm so very happy for you!

You've bought a new home!  After years of married life, divorced life and helping out the kids and grandkids you've found a place to call your own.  Which means you can't blame any messes, etc. on anybody else!  lol

Studio 490 (Stampers Anonymous) SCS139 Simply...Art, SCS145 Artful Thoughts, SCS146 Card Art Sentiments

Ranger archival inks (Black Soot, Deep Purple), distress markers

mixed media cardstock, unknown cardstock

Hope you make lots of wonderful memories in your new digs!

Haunted house

front view

 side 1

  side 2

Oh my gosh...what a lot of work...but LOVE the results!!!!!!!!!!!  This is my version of Tim Holtz's Haunted Mansion.  (If you want/need to see larger photos jlmk and I can email them to you.)

I watched Tim's latest video (on today's blog) after I had completed my house and was waiting for everything to set up.  My roof was shingled before I added the tower.  I didn't start out with 110# cardstock but with the black posterboard so I could create texture directly onto the pieces.

The tower was painted in the distress paint colors listed below once I had stamped 'All Cracked Up' in clear embossing ink and heat set with clear powder.  Looks like old stonework, doesn't it?

No mica could I find in my stash so I created 'glass' out of old Sizzix packaging and alcohol inks.  The lower part of the smoke stacks were covered in the stucco, wrapped in gauze then letting it all air dry before I added some Forest Moss, Hickory Smoke and Black Soot distress inks to bring out the texture.

Before assembling the chimneys I traced around the bricks using the white Sharpie then colored them in.  I wanted a base layer so I could add the pigment inks over them.  I was afraid on the black posterboard they wouldn't stand out.  Before the ink could dry I sprinkled clear embossing powder over them; heat set then assembled.

Both roofs were a light green paper that I covered with the distress paints - Forest Moss (let dry), Hickory Smoke (a bit less, let dry) and Milled Lavender (even less, let dry).  IRL this is a really sharp look and rather eery...like moss-covered stone work.  Over the lower roof I stamped the reflections (text in Hickory Smoke and numbers in Black Soot distress inks).  Adds interest without really being able to determine what is on the shingles.  The mansard roof was run through the Notebook texture fade then covered with the same paints.  Again, the colors IRL are just really neat looking...IMHO.

The windows and rings around the upper windows were painted with Hickory Smoke distress paint (just dabbed it on unevenly with my fingers) and stamped the Marble Cube using Black Soot distress ink over it.  Up close it really looks like marble...as least as real as it gets using paper and paint! 

The doors were covered with distress woodgrain cardstock (distress stains and distress crayons to color them).  The door handles are long fasteners and jump rings...so glad the scale was just perfect!

The ghosts I edged with Pumice Stone and Black Soot distress inks then covered with the crazing medium.  Once dry I smooshed Hickory Smoke distress ink all over them.  A flickering tea light was put under the house and voila!  I'm ready for some trick-or-treaters!

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Here are the items I used to create my spook-tacular haunted house...

Stampers Anonymous: Studio 490/All Cracked Up WVBG030: Tim Holtz/Reflections CMS111

Idea-ology: long fasteners, jump rings (door handle/knocker)

Ranger:  distress inks (Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Hickory Smoke); distress paint (Hickory Smoke, Forest Moss, Milled Lavender); distress crayons (Black Soot, Hickory Smoke, Walnut Stain); distress stains (Antique Linen, Walnut Stain); distress embossing ink and clear embossing powder; Texture Paste (Transparent Matte); archival inks (Black Soot, Hickory Smoke); Micro Glaze; Adirondack pigment inks (Sunset Orange, Mushroom, Terra Cotta, Red Pepper); distress woodgrain card stock; distress collage medium (crazing); alcohol inks (Mushroom, Caramel, Blending Solution)

Sizzix: Village Dwelling 660992, Village Manor 661591, Notebook texture fade, Wood Planks texture fade, mini stencil 038 Bricked, ghost trio die cut (courtesy of The Funkie Junkie)

Miscellaneous:  Stampendous Marble Cube stamp TC01, Liquitex Ceramic Stucco, gauze, plastic packaging, black posterboard, white Sharpie pen, skull beads (courtesy of The Funkie Junkie), pumpkins (purchased from The Funkie Junkie)

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I sure hope that covers everything!  Both my workspaces are an absolute chaotic mess right now!  lol