Thank you

In the mailbox the other day, I came upon a package chock full of stamping goodies from the Online Card Class. I won a random drawing from Day 7, on top of everything I learned!!!

What a treat!

So I sent this thank you to Jennifer Mcguire...

It is made with Distress inks mixed with Liquid pearls over embossed images of bees. I just love how it came out! The sentiment inside says, "thank you!" It was such a nice treat!

Easter for Grandkids

It hasn't been so high on my list to make Easter cards for the grand kids, but I decided to try the scratch and sniff chocolate.

Here's my cards...

Using punches, I got the idea for the bunny and inlaid his circle head into the card layer. His ears are added above the layer so they stick up which is hard to see in the picture. The brown eggs are then embossed with the scratch and sniff mixture of sugar free chocolate pudding and clear embossing powder. 

There is also a patterned paper egg hidden in the grass. The sun and sequins just added a little more color! The grass is stamped with Distress inks. And here's the envelope...

There are four cards and envelopes, each just a bit different... but the inside sentiment is "sending warm fuzzies!"

More April Birthdays

My nephew has a birthday on April 21st, as does my daughter's husband. Johnny is my godson and my sister's firstborn. Here's my card from the Online Card Class...

This card is using partial dry embossing, with the middle of the card clear for a greeting. I used PTI's Big and Bold for Wish Big. The monochromatic theme with the cupcake embossing folder, made this one work up very quickly. The inside sentiment is "the more candles, the bigger the wish!"

A college friend also celebrated her birthday this month, and I was late for it! Here is a birthday card that I had on hand...

I made this one at a Stampin' Up event last year. I was really into their products and to be truthful, it did get me hooked on card making! I like this one ok, but wouldn't make it again.

Watercoloring

From the Online Card Class, watercoloring is one of my favorite new techniques for cardmaking. I am determined to get better at it...

Here are my Mother's Day cards for the moms in the family so far...

I am using the original for Mom from the class here, these two are representative of crocus and tulips... I continue to work hoping they will get a little better! I do think a lot of the trick has to do with good watercolor paper. I am keeping my eyes out for the 140# paper. 

Although these are on watercolor paper, it isn't the heaviest and I do think that will make a difference. I can't tell you the number of trials these took! Many tries at forsythia, lilacs, daffodils and opened crocus... 

I think what I love about the watercolor is the texture of the paint on the paper and the detail in the color.It is remarkable the difference it makes in the image. So far the tulips are my favorites... so far...

Easter

When I was a kid, Easter was always a time to get new clothes, starting a whole new year with Spring.  I remember new shoes, hats and spring outfits parading through the center aisle at St. Bernard's Church! It was never an easy money time for my parents with four kids and lots to get. 

When I think of Easter now, it is kind of with that whole new clothes spiritually that I was missing then. Although I don't usually attend church regularly, I do pray and reflect on the whole spiritual meaning, as I count my blessings!


With that in mind, I am sending this card from OCC3 to my Mother, as she is really the only family member that celebrated Easter outwardly with Church and the whole deal. With her dementia and inability to think that way anymore, I pray that her day is spent in comfort and peace! 

This card is from the OCC3 homework for the background into foreground assignment. I am also sending Mom the Mother's Day card that I did in watercolor flowers. Wish this were an easier time for her, I pray for that Easter transition!

April Birthdays

Both of our sons-in-law have birthdays in April, actually only one week apart! Chris will be 33 on April 14th and Steve will be 42 on April 21st. Our daughter's both have chosen their life mates very well, and they do feel like sons!

Chris is a proud dad to two wonderful daughters, and it has been not the easiest year this year for the family. So I am wishing him a better year to come with this card...

Using patterned paper, the birthday die was cut through two sheets, the patterned paper and anoother sheet of white. Then inlaid on the patterned paper using the card base as the support. The candles are die cut on white and then stamped, the flames are actually silver glitter paper with gold colored on the centers. 

The greeting Happy was embossed first in white, and then I stamped black on top of it. I don't think the white was as impressive! This card took forever, because I just wasn't happy with the result!

Here's my card for Steve from one of my Online Card Class 3 projects:

The candles are cut and inlaid on the black layer. The flames are actually embossed with gold embossing powder. The candles are inlaid and so is the word happy, all with either patterned paper of layered paper that I created. Here's the link to the original homework project for the card  OCC3.

Next Easter for Mom...

Maggie May

My daughter, her husband and three children are awaiting the arrival of Maggie May, a Golden Retriever puppy! She is ready to leave her mom and 10 siblings on Sunday. 

Her arrival has been long anticipated by the whole family. It has been two years since the passing of Macy, their beloved Black Lab. A family dog has been sorely missed by them, but especially Jessica, our daughter.

Also to note is that Maggie's sister, Bailey, is going be part of Will's teacher's family - also a very close friend- so they will all still be connected. We are just so excited for them ...

The inside sentiment appropriately is Best. Day. Ever!

April Birthdays

Great news today!  I was one of the lucky winners from CAS3 and will be receiving surprise from the drawing ... as if everything I learned wasn't enough! What a blessing... and I noticed that there is a new class opening for registration on March 31 on watercoloring. I wonder if it would ever help me get better at it?

April this year is so slow in coming... spring! Everyone I know has had enough of winter... Thomas turns 4 this year on April 2. I used this picture for my inspiration for him...

In his sunglasses with the shark costume, hugging his cousin Lyla Kate! Priceless! 

When 4-year old Campbell got my St. Patrick's Day card.. her comment was, "SO what does it do?" I guess I've sent the granddaughters a lot of interactive cards lately :) With that I mind... I considered young Thomas carefully ...

One of my favorites,  Avery Elle's Funky Monkey set (wish it had dies) , and the Zipper Die from PTI with Movers and Shakers  had the greeting, "a special birthday for a special kid!" under the zipper. He will love it!

The inside sentiment is "Look who's 4!" 

I used clear embossing powder on the monkey, sunglasses and bananas. The monkey and bananas are attached with foam squares. His name is with SU's letter dies in yellow, and the greeting is embossed with gold from PTI's Polka Dot Parade #12 giving it a bit of sparkle! 

The card base it Neenah Desert Storm with a black layer before the white. I still have two more cards for April, both of my awesome sons-in-law are April babies...

Today I played around with watercolor paper - free drawing daffodils, lilacs and forsythia with Copics from the Clean and SImple 3 class and Jennifer Rzasa's techniques. I am going to keep trying...