December Birthdays

The youngest member of the family turns two years old on December 16th! Little Rae... so hard to believe!

Well... I forgot to take a picture of the "Elmo" card that I made for her and asked her mom to take one for me... So she did! She also had Campbell, 7 years old, take a video of the opening of the card- I won't post that one! It was hysterical and apt to make you sea sick...

Here's the card...

I took the pattern from Pinterest knowing that Elmo is Rae's very favorite character! Elmo turns and spins all the way around the card! Rae Rae loved it... so her mom says. 

I know the love Elmo doesn't last long... so thought I'd jump on it for my last birthday 2 year old grand baby! So cute...


Back to Christmas designs...

Happy Thanksgiving

All of our three children and their families will not be able to get to Vermont for the Thanksgiving holiday, only the two closest to Boston. After the amount of snow we're getting today, the kids will LOVE the sliding for sure! How do we keep the snow for the holiday??

Anyway,  I made  card for our daughter, Jessica and her family in PA that won't get here. As I was working on it, I thought of several other people that I should also send cards to if I get to make them.

Here's my card for Jessica:

If you've been looking at Pinterest lately, you'll probably recognize where I got the idea- from Susie B. at Splitcoaststampers.com. although I added the PTI Gobble Gobble turkey...

The card is 5"x7" which means that I also made an envelope to go with it. It is made on PTI kraft paper. I loved the three scoring lines on the front, marking the turkey's spot and the word - grateful. I think when I made another one I might try making score lines for each of the words. Maybe also embossing the 'so very" in white on one of the lines?

The words are die-cuts and "blessed" is attached with foam adhesive to make it stand out. I also die cut a heart in red with "So Very" handwritten in white gel pen to add to the greeting. A little clear Wink of Stella on the turkey... which was also done in kraft and stamped in brown, then sponged with Distress spiced marmalade. The turkey body is attached with foam to stand out from the tail feathers.

We'll definitely miss Jessica and her family ... I know they'll enjoy a few days in their new house without having to make the four hour drive! Happy Thanksgiving!

November Birthdays

Avery Neal turned six years old on November 6 and Emma Rose is 11 years old today!  Trolling Pinterest gave me the ideas for both of these cards.

Here's my card for Avery... She has always loved Flash, superhero! That's who she was last year for Halloween...

I made this a shaker card... with Boston as the city because they live so close to it. Lots of fun putting it together, although it was also time consuming. Avery is such a little spark plug, I think she enjoyed it...

I used the dress up doll as Flash with blonde hair just like Ave! Each heart is a scratch off secret message, "Love you" "happy, happy birthday" and "six years old!"

Next is sweet Emma Rose who turned 11 today! I sent her card to her new house in PA... hope she gets it on time!

Kind of difficult to get a good picture of this one... because it's the Z-fold card. Emma is really into crafting and origami so I knew she's love to figure this one out...

Using PTI's new pile of presents stamp and die, as well as Give a Hand ... Make a Wish... and Red, White and Blue, I put this one together. There are 11 candles bordering the outside panel with the presents on the front fold.

Taking a picture from above allowed me to show the detail that you don't see when the card is folded. I used the star burst die in gold glitter paper with a popper under it to shake as the card opens with "Happy Birthday" die on top. The fireworks are on the other side in gold embossing... it's these details that I think Emma will love!

I didn't get a good shot of the card closed though... I hope it traveled through the mail ok!  Happy birthday Emma Rose!

More Birthdays!

Hard to believe that Campbell is seven years old... she is quite a young lady!

Of course I am out of the pattern of card making and forgot to take a picture before I mailed it! The card was very similar to Lyla's card in June... Superheroes!

While at Helping Hand on Thursday night I discovered Ellen had a birthday in October... and this is the card I made for her...

Using PTI Pumpkins I used the dies and the stamps to create these cute little pumpkins! Splitting the kraft paper and attaching with fun foam, gave a great depth to the card...

Using the new leaf dies were a great addition to the pumpkins! Will definitely use them again..

Happy birthday Campbell Grace and Ellen!

September Birthdays

Without doing any anniversary cards this year, I moved on to September birthdays. My brother Jerry, had a birthday on September 3. The seasonal changes that come in September always bring to mind the changing leaves and Nature showing all her colors!

For Jerry I used a pattern that I had done in the past with PTI Oak tree.  John's sister Nancy had a birthday on September 7th. I sent her another card that I had on hand with PTI's sunflower plate.

My sister Judy has a birthday on September 22nd. This is a picture of me, Jerry and Judy when we were kids. Love the shot of him sneaking in and photo bombing in the 50s! Boy we sure were cute!

My card for Judy was a PTI Botanical Block watercolor. I of course, forget to take the picture!

I will always think of Mom on September 24th, this year is no different! Sometimes missing her is such an ache...

SAF: Farewell

After two days of inspirational activities, videos and just plain fun, I made 17 cards! I learned about artists, masterpieces, and new techniques to bring to card making. Definitely got my mojo back!

Thanks so much to everyone at PTI for the hard work putting this all together! It was more than just card making, I really could not wait to get to the next activity. The organization was just incredible and I know I will watch these videos again. I love how you took each project lesson and gave background as well as a new lens to look at each masterpiece. Great teaching!

Here's a picture of me with all seventeen (yes- seventeen!) cards that I made!

Now I am thinking ahead to some new inks... Maybe in time for next year's Stamp A Faire???

SAF: Watercolor Like A Master

This last challenge is the Watercolor challenge with Kay. Hard to believe this was her first video because it was wonderful... step by step with her thinking and process.

I chose PTI Year of Flowers- November. Here's my first card...

I love how this card came out! Using watercolor paper, I stamped and colored just as Kay did with her example. My colors are SU Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green and PTI Ripe Avocado. 

I did try the splatter, but could almost have used a darker color. The watercolor paper is attached to PTI Ripe Avocado paper with fun foam, and the PTI paper is attached to the White card base with Scor-tape.

I was so impressed with this technique that I also did another...

This time using a Pennyblack Tiger Lily stamp. Using pretty much the same colors, except that for the last step, I used a multi-liner to draw in the black stamen and the black specks on the petals.The colored paper under the watercolor paper is PTI SMokey Charcoal. Again I used fun foam as an added dimension between those two layers.

This was a favorite for me of all the techniques I worked with over Stamp A Faire and one that I will definitely use again.

SAF: Color Blocking

Wow! This was tricky... and not what I was expecting when I started. I've never been drawn to Andy Warhol's artistic style but I recognize it. Here's my take...

Using PTI's Flipping Out, I made this block to add on a card base. I do not have a Misti stamper which is probably why this was a bit more difficult.

Using Post It notes and a straight edge, this was quite a challenge. The inks are a variety of SU and then I masked and colored the block in with Copics that were a close match to the stamped inks. This large block was then attached with fun foam.

The sentiment is on a green paper and white embossed, added with adhesive. Thanks, Lexi, I do like the result and I learned something new!

My last project to do is watercoloring. I've saved my favorite for last!

SAF: Pointillism Play

The next project is with Heather and it features pointillism, which was a new concept to me. I wasn't quite sure how to make this work, but here's what I did...

Thanksgiving is a time when I always seem to need a card for family that's far away. I could just envision that turkey's feathers in lines that could be duplicated with points.

But to be honest, I had to check online to see what the colors were when that tail was spread out! So here's my little guy from PTI's Gobble, Gobble stamp and die set. I added the washi tape on the top because it felt like I needed something there!

The sentiment is embossed, the body of the turkey is added with fun foam so he's standing out from the card as is the second dialog box. The paper is PTI Fine Linen.

SAF: Mastering Drip and Splatters

Now that's a great title! As much as I love the splatters and drips on everyone else's cards, I am so hesitant to do them on my own cards. After all the effort, it's so hard to think about making a mistake...

So this is a perfect activity for me to try. It makes me realize that I am more of a control freak than I ever think I am. Here's my try...

As you can see, I never tried the string! I did feel better about the drips when they were contained in the butterfly stencil! It was fun to get the splatters going from high and low... Lizzie was such a great teacher and looked at it all so scientifically I thought!

In hindsight darker colors would have worked better than the yellow, maybe red or red orange. The card base is watercolor paper, and it is one layer. The sentiment is attached with fun foam for some dimension. I used watercolors for the splatters and drips, the body of the butterfly is Black Wink of Stella.

SAF: Masterpiece Inspirations

There were so many great examples and the Design Team really outdid themselves! It was difficult to choose which one I was after, but I love Georgia OKeeffe, bold and bright... but those sunflowers...

So here's my take...

One of my very favorite PTI purchases is this sunflower coverplate! There are so many ways to use it and these are two new ones for me!

This is a one layer card. I made a stencil with the coverplate. Taping the stencil down on my watercolor card base and masking a border, I sponged Distress inks to color. Then I removed the stencil and using a watercolor brush, blended the colors leaving the white stencil lines, except at the center of the flower.

Love the result!

Then I wondered what would happen if I watercolored the white spaces. This is the result...

Couldn't put on a sentiment, it was like ruining a piece of art... So I'll have to make it a note card or add a sentiment when I need one!

Now I need to try this with the oak tree coverplate....

SAF: Floral Impressionism

Next project is with Melissa, and it's floral impressionism. I will never forget visiting Giverny and Claude Monet's studio or the Waterlillies in the museum in Paris. The whole gallery is just breathtaking!

So thinking about this task was a bit daunting. It took on a life of its own. Of all the projects for these two days, this one was the most difficult for me. And my results showed it!

Here's my project...

The white was overwhelming on my flowers, not subtle and light! Looking over the final project, I think if I had chosen lighter colors it may have helped. The paper is PTI Summer Sunrise, the die cut PTI Swoosh is in Soft Stone.

Oh well, the card works as a hello card, but I'm not sure I think it's impressionistic...

SAF: Gilded in Gold

Stamp A Faire's next project was with Danielle, Gilded in Gold. I did not have the gold leaf product that she used (although it's on my wish list!) so first I tried embossing with gold powder. It was quite a process for the project I took on! I quickly turned to another alternative...

Next I remembered that I had some Deluxe adhesive gold paper from an earlier PTI order! Woo-hoo! Made my whole day!

My granddaughter Emma loves to get cards in the mail and is quite a penpal with me. She is ten years old and loves everything crafty! So my task was to make her some stationery for her writing. Here are some examples...

Using the new PTI Art With A Heart stamp set, this project was fun! Love the results... The scalloped edge was die cut and then using the adhesive gold paper I also die cut it to add above the scallop. Emma will love the gold!

The "E" is cut with PTI Alpha die, the stamped flowers are using a variety of inks that I have on hand. I love this set!

The envelope was a quick addition to finish off the stationery set. I made four different cards with envelopes. Then I became concerned that her brothers would feel left out, so I made them each one card, just in case they want to write to Grammy :)

Here they are...

William just got a fish for his birthday and Thomas has a new love of baseball! So I htink they might try a note to me...

Thanks Danielle, such a fun presentation and a great product to be looking for!

SAF: Starry Night

Stamp-A-Faire Project Two is Starry Night with Amy. Love this painting and the video that went along with the biography of Van Gogh was so interesting. I love this technique and did three examples, each one so different from the others!

This example clearly copies Amy's card, loving the tree silhouettes! I am loving the new PTI Big Hugs stamp and dies set, also PTI Soft Stone paper which I used for the die cut. I did the black painting with my watercolors... 

The night sky was done with Distress inks, and water. The stars are splattered white and silver paint. The card base is PTI Smokey Shadow... 

This example is so different, almost like the universe from space- So I didn't use the shadow effect, instead went to another stamp set for the space theme! The third example was much like this one and I felt like I might need to save it for another project...

What a great technique!

SAF: Master Color Recipe Challenge

Starting off with the first project, I was reminded of a card that I was once made for an online class. I was not happy with the result so I never sent it, but the idea was so similar to this...

... that I chose to redo it! (Kind of the idea that if someone says you can't paint- by all means paint!)

Here's the redo...

Much happier with the result starting with the fact that I used PTI Soft Stone paper, instead of white.  It is a one layer card; masking the borders, sponging and masking each color layer.

Using Wplus9 Guiding Light stamp set, I stamped the shadowed scene with Stazon Black ink. The sentiment is from SU So Happy For You.

This project makes me realize how my card making has changed over a few years, with techniques and stamp choices. Good way for me to begin, dusting off the old... making it fresh... giving it a new look!

Stamp-a-Faire Eve...

Tomorrow is the day... I can't wait to take part in this fun event! My mojo for card making has been off and I'm hoping this will get me back on track. John is away on a golfing trip and I'm here enjoying no schedule except my own! So tomorrow is just stamping... stamping... stamping! Well - maybe some painting too ...

Tonight I chose a project that I'm most proud of to share before we begin. I chose Stephanie's birthday card, because I love the clean lines and it got me started after all the Christmas cards were completed. I was having a hard time getting going then too!

Here's the card...

The write up is on my blog for January birthdays. Stephanie told me how much she enjoyed the card and it made it even better! I almost chose the last Christmas card example which was also a favorite...

I loved how the silver embossing came out on the edges for this card, matching it to the embossing on the greeting. The Copics coloring came out really well, but I felt like the picture was blurry...

And I'm off to a great start!

Lyla is 5!

Lyla Kate will be five years old on June 30th! She has wanted to be 5 forever... such an exciting day!

Here's my card for her...

Using the PTI Superheroes stamp and die set and the Comic Strip die, I made this card thinking of all the things that Lyla loves! The backgrounds are sponged on the card base, masking each one, and with the comic die also cut in fun foam to make it have more dimension and seemingly to make each rectangle stand on its own. The glitter letters and number just add that special touch. The candle flames are heat embossed with gold sparkle...

I love the busy look of this with the colors and different sparkle letters and candles ... kind of like Lyla's personality! She loves to dress up and play superheroes as well as princesses and mermaids... The inside is "Hope your day is action packed!" I know it will be...

Happy birthday, Lyla Kate!

Get Well Mason!

Our grandson Mason, had his tonsils out on June 8th. This is the get well card that I sent him from an idea I got on Pinterest ...

Using the PTI So Striking stamp and dies, this card worked up very quickly! The two grey clouds are attached with foam tape while the sun is inlaid on the card base. The black cloud sits directly on the card base.

I used the dotted dies for the first time ever! I have had them for years and never used them! Didn't they work perfectly for the rain? It allows the charcoal paper to show through..

The greeting is gold heat embossed and sponged gold also surrounds the sun. Love how the card came out!

Put a iTunes gift card inside since I have no idea what Mason would like to do as he recuperates! Two weeks on the couch!

We're sending healing thoughts, Mason!

William is 9!

So hard to wrap my mind around the fact that William is 9 years old! I still see him as that smiling "from ear to ear" little guy! He's really into comic books and reading everything he can get his hands on as well as keeping track of his bank account. I promised that I would send some cash in his birthday card!

Here's the card...

I used designs that I saw on Pinterest to help design this card. Using PTI Superheroes and Striking stamps and dies, this is the card I came up with. The city in the background is from Altenew city skylines stamps. I also used PTI GIve Me A Hand stamp and dies.. to be honest I use them quite a bit!

The PTI comic strip die was a lifesaver for me! I will use this many times, I'm sure... I also cut it with fun foam so the card base is really a layer below. Love the dimension that gave the whole look.

Many of the pieces are attached to stand  out from the design. Love how this card turned out!

Happy birthday, nine-year old William!

Mystery Reader...

My favorite school activity with grandchildren so far happened recently... Mystery Reader! I had never heard of this event before this year- let along take part in it... and as a retired literacy coordinator- that's sayin' something!

Here's the scoop... You sign up to read a favorite story to the kindergarten kids and give three clues as to who you are so they can guess which kindergartner you belong to! Parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. are all encouraged to get a time slot. So I traveled to my granddaughter's schools and got a time to read...

Campbell was first in kindergarten and was just so excited to see me and hear my story. It was amazing!  Two weeks later, I signed up to be the Mystery Reader in her sister, Lyla's pre-K! It was simply the BEST thing ever!

I decided to send thank you note to both teachers for sharing this tremendous experience. Here are the cards:

Clearly Besotted Simply Scrumptious was perfect for this since strawberries are just starting to show up everywhere on fruit stands. I love the clean and simple look to this card and made two different examples... one high and one low on the plants. Clear stamps work so well for this because you can see where they match to stamp on the other layer.

I used PTI's strawberry for the inside of the cards with berry much...

This gives an idea of the fun foam backing on the top layer to give the card dimension... I did not use it on the "thank you" piece. Although I did heat embossed the letters with black to stand out better.

I noticed that on one of the cards I went around the die cut with black marker, but not on the other! It really does make a difference when you look at it.

So my three clues...

• Love to boogie board with my grandkids 
• LOVE strawberry ice cream sodas and shared them on my birthday this year (btw ... Every kid LOVED them!)
• Live in Vermont but spend time in Florida in the winter...

Yes- Campbell and Lyla guessed who I was... Thanks to two great experiences in teaching an old dog new tricks! 

First June Anniversary

June is the best time for a wedding- our wedding 45 years ago included! There are two anniversaries to celebrate in June...

Here's the first...

Special friends that have shared so much of their time, energy and gifts with us celebrate this year on the 20th. We don't see them often but they helped to change my entire view of the world!

Peonies are one of my most favorite flowers- and ours are just finishing the most beautiful display ever! The smell as you approach them is magnificient! I wanted to share this with these very special people..

PTI Border Blocks stamp and die set, on Tim Holtz watercolor paper helped me do that. There is a piece of fun foam between the black layer and the watercolor paper which achieves a great sense of dimension in real life. I used watercolors to paint the block. The sentiment is heat embossed with silver... and I added the heart bling just to dress it up a bit!

Happy anniversary, Barry and Wendy! Our anniversary is next...

June Birthday and a retirement ...

Love, love June weather- and this year it has started off so well! Memorial Day weekend was definitely the very best! We celebrated my birthday a few days early, actually still in May with family and friends. The pool was the biggest hit with 85 degree days...

Here's my card for a friend on June 10th. He's going through a very tough time with health issues right now, both he and his wife. I really admire how strong they both are... and count my blessings everyday!

It's actually a picture of the second card because I sent the original without taking a photo! PTI Guiding Light stamp and die set, the lighthouse is actually stamped with three separate stamps on the card base. Using the die, I cut it out from Tim Holtz watercolor paper, then painted the ground and sky. The watercolor paper is attached with fun foam and the lighthouse shows through the cut. "Happy" and the birds are stamped on the watercolor paper in black, "birthday" is diecut with black and glued on the paper with some of the letters leaving a space above the lighthouse. I love the dimension of this card!

Happy birthday, John!

And a retirement... a friend is retiring from teaching after 40 years in the same school library! Here's my card for her...

It is from a card class that I took some time ago, but the sentiment was perfect! The inside says... "All the best!" I need to make a few more of these to have on hand especially now that I seem to be connected to watercolor! This is PTI Flower Favorites and one that I use as a go to for several basic cards... I especially love the little bee in the corner...

Enjoy that retirement, Georgeanne... You deserve it!

It's Been Awhile... The Start of June Birthdays...

Trying to get my mojo back for card making! I hadn't made a card for over three months! Where did the time go?

Painting... I am so interested in watercolor painting! Wishing I could be more of an artist in terms of drawing, but I continue to find real peace in painting, mixing colors - watching videos on YouTube. It seems to take all of my crafting/cardmaking creativity!

Our granddaughter Emma, had a piano recital in Pennsylvania on Sunday which we were not able to go to. So sad to miss it, but we did send a card to let her know how proud we are of her with cash instead of sending flowers. Her mom gave her the flowers. That was the first card I made since January... and I forgot to record it!

Now I know I have some birthdays, anniversaries and graduations coming that I'd really enjoy sending cards to celebrate. So I started by cleaning the craft room, as it always reminds me of why I love making cards; sending family and close friends handmade cards. So first up is a birthday card for a good friend- she helped us to secure a great spot for February and part of March in Florida next year!

Using PTI Botanical Blocks frames, and watercoloring PTI Favorite Flowers on Tim Holtz watercolor paper gave an amazing result for this iris. It is a classic color combination for them. I used the diecut for the sentiment and attached it with Zig pen glue. The framed flower is on a fun foam adhesive. The card base is SU Natural Confetti paper.

Happy Birthday, Kathy! 

More Birthdays a Comin'

So because we leave for Florida and none of my card making supplies are there, I needed to get all the cards I send completed before we left. So here are the March/April cards...

Using the same basic idea.. Tim Holtz watercolor paper cut to A2 size, die cut the lighthouse and then paint the background with Distress inks. I used the rough side and LOVE the dimension... Then mark where the building should be stamped in the card base.

Because it is more than one stamp, I needed to actually trace the cut. And it is not perfect! The red roof is some what off center, but really do you notice that? I just love this card...

Attaching the whole piece with foam tape gives an amazing dimension- look at the letters from the PTI Swoosh die just kind of floating! The word "HAPPY" is stamped on the paper. 

Using the same premise for this card, I am partial to that added look!

This is definitely my favorite go to stamp and die set so far... Now I need to make some cards with other sentiments to have on hand. Also while in Florida, I am planning to try my hand at painting some of my own freehand cards... we'll see how that goes! Birds.. fruit... the ocean, maybe?

Happy birthday Chris and Steve!

More March Birthdays: Friends

Two of my friends have birthdays in early March, so this year I made cards with PTI WInter Woods. Usually at this time we still in winter and snow, although spring is just around the corner!

Here's the cards...

As you can see, it is a partial die cut stitched circle with PTI Peaceful Pinecones die cut on the edge and then stamped in- so it is all one piece. Then I added the bird, cardinal or chickadee to fit. 

The birches are added inside the card to show through the window. I didn't add plastic on the window, rather left it open.

The greeting on the front is embossed in silver, and then I felt it needed just a little more, so I added snowflakes, either embossed or diecut from glitter paper.

My favorite is the chickadee, seems more appropriate to the scene. When I found some white birch patterned paper, I tried it as a backer for the window.  I think I like the window open better.

The birthday swoosh from PTI is glued on with scor-tape, and "Happy" is stamped in black. The pattern for the card worked up pretty fast after the initial die cut. That was the hardest part!

Happy birthday, Jo and Judy!