Happy birthday to a classic!

My neighbor is special...he's come to my rescue more times than I can count.  He's the classic example of how I wish ALL neighbors could be!

I created the background using distress inks and both of Tim's Stripes stencils.  Using the large stencil horizontally I applied the Frayed Burlap distress ink; turned it vertically and applied Frayed Burlap distress ink again.  This was continued until the card was covered 3/4 of the way.  The same process was done using Stormy Sky distress ink and the smaller stripes stencil.  Voila...cool plaid! 

On the right hand edge I applied Texture Paste through the large Treads stencil.  Let dry then replace the stencil and color with brown and gray distress inks.  The vintage auto was stamped in StazOn Black Ink onto a piece of plastic packaging.  Double-stick tape was placed strategically so as not to be seen by the recipient.    The letters were cut from blue cardstock using the Typeset decorative strip die.

The envelope has brownish-gray treads stenciled on it...I can't let an envelope be delivered naked!

Happy birthday to someone young at heart

I had fun creating the background onto mixed media cardstock.  Distress paints (Broken China, Tea Dye and Cracked Pistachio) were scribbled then misted and allowed to pool, puddle and drip.  I even was daring and sprayed the sheet with Fossilized Amber Distress Spray.  More water, more pooling, etc.  Once dry I used the same colors but in distress ink through several of Tim Holtz's stencils (007, 009, 024).  I really hated to cover it up with an image!

The image was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink.  Before it dried I poured clear embossing powder all over the card and flicked off the excess.  Heat set; let cool.  The number 5 was colored with Broken China distress marker.

Happy birthday to someone who is waaaayyy older than 5 (but sometimes acts like he's 5)!

Happy anniversary...Kliban-style

I just LOOOOVE the Kliban images!!!  This one was perfect for several anniversary cards.

The image was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink onto mixed media cardstock.  The basket of hearts were colored with red and brown distress markers as were the paw, eyes and nose.  The fluttering hearts were colored with Xmas Red Stickles.  The image is layered onto black cardstock then onto a red card base.

Happy anniversary to special friends across the miles!

Happy b day!

On white cardstock I applied Wild Honey and Mustard Seed distress inks through Tim Holtz' #005 stencil, moving the stencil around until the card was covered.  The image (Uptown Design Co.) was stamped in Jet Black AI onto missed media cardstock and colored with distress markers.  I painted the wings with Oyster Twinkling H2Os.  This layer was adhered to a black square before being taped down to the cardbase.

Love you to the moon and back!

#29 years of that wedded bliss stuff (and counting!)...happy anniversary to my best friend and soulmate!

The base card is white; the dark blue layer has flecks of silver imbedded...almost look like millions of tiny stars.  I covered a sheet of mixed media cardstock with gesso before applying yellow distress paints.  Tarnished Brass distress mica spray onto a damp sea sponge creates a unique texture.  I ran the cardstock through the Crescent Moon & Stars Sizzix die cut and glued to the blue layer with matte Multi Medium.  A bit of graphite pencil was used to darken the left edges of the stars and moon for extra dimension.  White distress crayon was rubbed all over the blue layer to soften the color and make it look more ethereal.  A Marvy punch was used on red Bazzill cardstock to cut out the heart.  It dangles from the tip of the moon with a bit of hemp twine.  The left edge also was smudged with a graphite pencil, the right edge with the white distress crayon.

New home

Good friends of ours back in NJ have sold their home in northern NJ and have built a home in southern NJ.  I couldn't let the occasion go by without acknowledging this special time in their life.

The base card is light blue.  Using 'Polka Dotty' Studio 490 stencil and Picket Fence distress ink I created a cloud effect.  A black Fude Ball pen was used to draw irregular lines around the border.  I find that if I use my left (non-dominant) hand to do this the lines are more irregular.

The brown layer was actually much lighter originally but a few swipes through Vintage Photo distress stain and paint added the darkness I needed and dimension because of the depth of each product.

White mixed media cardstock was coated with gesso then swiped through Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin and Vintage Photo distress stains that had been splotched onto my non-stick craft sheet.  I heat set the colors then spritzed whatever was left on the craft sheet with water and kept building the layers of color until I was satisfied (and my craft sheet was clean!).  The house and message were stamped in Jet Black archival ink and are from Studio 490's 'Homemade Art' SCS031. 

I placed Tim Holtz' mini rays stencil over the house and smudged in yellow, orange and red distress inks.  After each layer was dry I replaced the stencil and smeared Studio 490 Translucent Embossing Paste through it.  Again, let dry before applying this layer to the brown layer.  The black Fude Ball pen was also run around the edge, this time with my right hand because I wanted a bit more control.

We wish them an abundance of sunshine and blue skies as they go about making many wonderful memories in their new home!

Happy Father's Day!

Or in my case...step-father's day.  My step-dad has his hands full with 3 of his own children and 4 of us.  But he keeps us in line and on our toes.


I did see a similar card on Pinterest but neglected to write down the location.  Heavy sigh.

My basecard is off-white with a layer of blue cardstock before holding the blue-speckled cardstock.  The sentiment (Hero Arts) was stamped in Cobalt Archival Ink.  I die cut the circle using a Spellbinders die then embossed it using a slightly smaller scalloped die.  From black wire I fashioned a clothes hanger to hold the ties (Sizzix Crazy Things die).  Miscellaneous stamps and inks were used to decorate the ties. 

My step-dad certainly doesn't need more ties IRL so these paper ones will work perfectly.  To coordinate the envelope I stamped one of the Crazy Things tie stamps in Cobalt AI in the lower left hand corner.