Cat Fish

 Aloha dear ones!

When I first saw this stamp set at Simon Says Stamp, it made me laugh! A cat-fish mermaid! What a sense of humor! 

Have you ever heard the Catfish Song by Jonny Boston? It incorporates a lot of song titles by Elvis. It's adorable and goes along "purrr-fectly" with this stamp image!

It's simple using a brushed background, a little stamping, paper piecing (umbrella) and die cutting. We have a sketch by Dirty Dozen gal Lisa using the monthly Jukebox theme at Splitcoaststampers. I used the colors and sketch to create the spliced umbrella. The edge of the sentiment oval is edged with Copic marker.

Thank you for your visit!

Stamp Set: "Cuddly Summer Critters" by SSS

Cardstock: Accent Opaque White 120#

Ink: Distress Oxide - Broken China, Evergreen Bough, Speckled Egg, Vintage Paper; Memento Rich Cocoa

Spellbinders Oval Die

Copic Markers

Adhesive Foam Tape

Stickles Diamond, Wink of Stella, Pearl for accent

Here is a little addition - "I wish I had."

I wish I had used a few brown dots for sand, a darker blue

sky, and some white ripples in the water 🎨 

Jukeboxes and Elvis?

 Aloha friends,

The theme this month at Splitcoaststampers is Jukebox. Jukeboxes remind me of the 50s-70s when we had to pay a nickel (or more) to hear our favorite songs at restaurants or other public establishments. At home we would listen to the radio or play a record that we bought. I was happy when they replaced 8 tracks with cassette tapes. Music CDs came and went. Now people just stream from somewhere out there? That's a song, too.

The number one song ever played on a jukebox was Elvis Presley's Hound Dog. I had no idea. 

When we used to live in central Oregon, we often drove over the Santiam Pass or over Highway 2 next to Mount Hood. It's so breathtaking! The Santiam Highway runs along the river with trees and mountains on both sides of the road. I have a lot of fond memories of the Cascade Mountains. Although we didn't have a diner along the road there, I do remember eating at diners on the east coast. 

After sketching the background, I stamped the dog and used Copic markers to color the scene. His giant bone is popped up with the little red bow. The sentiment is printed and popped up. Thank you for coming by. PS I'm now a Dirty Girl at SCS. 

Stamp: "Doggie Kisses" by Art Impressions (the doggie)

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (for the doggie)

Cardstock: Accent White Opaque 120#, SMS Black 80#, GKD Cherry Red 80#

Rounded Rectangle die from SMS (sentiment)

Pencil & Copic Markers

Adhesive Foam Tape

Red Twine

Stickles Diamond & Wink of Stella

Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your visits and comments!

A Quiet Bay

 Aloha!

I made this for my sweet hubby, Bruce, for our anniversary this year. He loves to fish and to be on the ocean. Each year I try and include a poem about the ocean and faith. Nope, not going to share 😂

It's very simple and quiet - I didn't add bling or anything just to let the ship be the focus. I hope each one of you is doing well!

Stamp Set: The Boatyard by Art Impressions

Cardstock: Accent Opaque White Cardstock; Sizzix Opulent - Greys

Ink: Memento Desert Sand

Watercolors: Koi; Tombow markers (dark contrast and sea gulls)

Stitched Rectangle and Oval dies: Gina Marie

ScorTape and Wink of Stella clear

Thank you for visiting! 

Corner Pop Up Card, Happy Anniversary

 Aloha!

I wanted to make something a little different for one of our daughter's wedding anniversary this year. Boy, was this a tough card for me 💪🏽👷🏽‍♀️⚒

When it folds up flat it is only 4 inches square so it fits easily into an A2 envelope. It is going to need an extra ounce or nonmachinable stamp because it's thicker than a regular card. However, I did use the thickest card stock and add more paper layers than required.

If you decide to create one of these designs, definitely use your score board and stylus to create folds, and a bone folder to strengthen these folds. It just takes a single basic shape die cut to create the aperture in front of the card. I also used Scor Tape and a craft glue to make sure the box shape and folds do not come apart. This card bends and folds in/out.

Here is the YouTube link to watch the tutorial. It's super fun to make and see how this works. It was a more advanced level card to create. Corner Pop Up Card

Stamps: Sentiment by SSS, tiny heart and bee inside by W plus 9 

Cardstock: Accent Opaque White 110#; GKD Bubble Gum Pink

Pattern Papers: Couture Creations "Bloom & Wild" - all the paper in this pad is breathtaking!!

Dies: Hero Arts Nesting Circles; cut out circle frame window using a circle die plus a cross stitched circle die (by SMS) on pink that frames the front hole on the card.

Other: Gem bling, Paper flower with gems and glitter glued onto it

Front, opened

Opened, inside

The underside, showing how it folds open/closed

This is when the box is closed, flat to fit into an envelope

Thank you for taking a look! It was very fun to create a box folding card!

Hug a Rawrus Today

 Aloha!

Ok. Isn't he a cutie pie? I wanted him ever since I laid eyes on him 🐱‍🐉 Look at how tiny his arms are!

And I found this coolio tutorial on YouTube by Lisa Curcio using a fun fold called "Curvy Pop Up." It isn't that hard. The front will have a bendy panel and the back is a regular card spine so it stands up. Even better, it lays flat and fits right into an A2 envelope. I'm going to cut out fun letters to spell the little girl's name across the bendy front.

I've been following a family whose two yr old little sweetie, Eliza, is going to lose her battle with a rare cancer. She loves dinosaurs, hence this cute card. I had to make it for her. She is still able to run around and have fun but she is on hospice at home. She also has had the company of a tan & white stuffed owl ever since she was a baby and chews on the little tag it came with. I have a couple of owl cards I would like to make for her, too. You can read about her and how uber sweet she is by googling Eliza Moore or her parents, Chance (he's a nurse) and Kate (a pharmacist). She has at least a gajillion followers on social media.

Stamp Set: T Rex Love by Fun Stampers Journey

Cardstock: Accent Opaque White, Stampin Up Old Olive

Pattern Paper: Gina K. Designs

Colored with Copics

Lime and purple gems

Thank you for stopping by!

Sweet hugs!

15 Minute Thank You Card

 Aloha!

We wanted to thank a neighbor for trapping 3 stray kitties for spay/neuter program. Someone had dropped off a female and, of course, it became pregnant in no time. She had 3 cats and they are now all "fixed," and cared for by our neighbor. It happened so fast, in our parking area, and I wanted to make a quick cat thank you card. Whew! It took less than 15 minutes but close enough. The inside is stamped and colored, too, but they were already here so I couldn't grab a picture of it. We am grateful to have a neighbor who has kindness and concern to control the cat population, as well as trying to socialize them. I hope it works out. Now to try and catch Mama cat before this happens again. She already knows what a trap is though.

Stamp: SU Pretty Kitty

Ink: Memento and Versafine

Crayola Crayons

Accent Cardstock

Enamel dots

I'm going to share with the 30 Day Coloring Challenge. Kathy encourages the coloring world to just jump right in. It is highly inspirational. 

It's CAS, square & fast!

Thank you for taking a look!

Baby In A Basket & What's Up With Google Blogger?

Aloha, friends!

You know what happy means? A new baby! Babies touch me right here, in the smack dab middle of my soul. I just love babies. They are so sweet, chubby, cuddly, and beg for little sweet kisses. That new baby smell is better than flowers, puppies and new cars put together. Ok, I get carried away.

Our friends have a new grandbaby, a baby boy to join his older brother. They live locally and on a coffee farm. Doesn't that sound like fun? Hard work, but fun. They have 3 generations living, working and loving together. It's a simple card, no interactive parts, but it was way easier to make. Some days easier is better 👶🏼 I would like to share this in Kathy's 30 Day (really 10 day) Coloring Challenge! You can read about it HERE.

And what IS up with Blogger? I see they will no longer allow anyone who signs up for email notifications to receive new posts from this platform. The "fix" seems too advanced for this old mare. I have a WordPress blog but oooh, the hassle of trying to export and import, bleh. Me no likey technical changes and challenges. Google Blogger is creating such a headache. Please share your ideas with me. Not sure what to do about this one.

Stamp Set: SU Bundled Baby

Inks: Memento Gray Flannel

Colored with Crayola color pencils

Gina Marie Stitched Scalloped Oval dies

Cardstock: Accent White, SU color

Pattern Paper: Doodlebug

Enamel stars

Foam tape

Thank you for visiting!!!

Copic Markers and Wildflowers

 Aloha,

I took a Copic coloring class from Sandy Allnock, link here: Mini Copic Wildflowers Class 1. It's an inexpensive class that builds confidence using alcohol markers without needing to sketch first. Just start coloring on white cardstock. I was terrified but after tossing a couple tries, it started to get easier. I say jump in and do it - you won't be disappointed. She has since added Copic Wildflowers 2 but I have not taken that class yet.

🔷🔹🔹🔹🔷🔹🔹🔹🔷

Copic markers

Various embossing folders by Anna Griffin, Cuttlebug, Sizzix & Darice

Gems and crystals, Glossy Accents

Cardstock: I tried some new to me cardstock that Jennifer McGuire spoke about in her favorite things 2020. It's from Amazon, called Accent Opaque Digital, 16 pt "Smooth" 120# white, 8-1/2 X 11 inches, 150 sheets. It truly is smooth, super thick and sturdy, feels almost like chipboard and takes alcohol markers and color pencils well so far. I accidentally dropped a bit of water onto it and it swelled right up, so not good for watercolor, even a little. For the price, I am very impressed with this cardstock either for card bases (the sturdiest I have ever used), bright white, I used the metal cut plate more when die cutting but the die cuts look GREAT using this cardstock.

Copic Wildflowers 1

• Color, then die cut

• Swirly Sweet Peas

• Wax Flowers Bunch

• Paintbrush

• Branch of Sweet Peas

• Thistles

I hope you enjoyed seeing what you can freehand with Copic Markers!

Thank you for stopping by!

A Cat In The Heart

 Aloha!

I made this card yesterday. It's for an all grown up young lady I knew when she was much younger. We both love kitty cats. Recently I ordered this cool heart die from SSS and paired it with the MFT kitty cat stamp for a simple window card. I put the little cat on a sketched rug, wood floor and wall papered with teeny hearts. The die cuts a heart out while leaving the double stitched lines around the frame. I adhered the heart scene inside the card and the heart window is open to the kitty. Sorry the colors are off - I used two different editing sites.

Stamp Set: "Smitten Kitten" by MFT

Die: "Shimmer Heart" by SSS

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White

Inks: Memento and Copics

Sparkly Ribbon by SU, Glossy Accents, Flat Sequins PPP

Thank you for looking!

Hidden Treasure

 Hi, friends!

Bet you thought this was going to be a pirate card, right? Surprise! It's the name and type of die set I used. When you pull the top tab upward, the flap goes up with it, revealing a secret panel underneath. Way cool!

I made these back in November or December but just can't remember the name of the stamp set I used. Thank you to Becky and friends at SCS for encouraging me to keep going despite the challenges life throws at us!

The dies are from Scrapbooking Made Simple who uses Tonic to make their dies. Stacey is the owner and is such a sweet, generous and kind crafty store owner in Santa Clarita, Ca. She's going on 400 YouTube videos and she really explains products and techniques in a super easy way to understand. 

These are more of a Thinking of You, Grateful for You, type of card. The sliding portion reminds me of a Pizza Peel shape. There is plenty of room to write a note on the back of the card and on the top of the "peel" or tab portion of the sliding back. When you pull the top tab up, a scored panel die cut opens up below to show a sentiment! It was very confusing and hard to make these so I made a few practice ones first. They are very fun to open now that they are completed!

How does it work? There are 3 main dies: one cuts out the front and scores the line on each side as well as above a window and shutter flap opening that slides up. A narrow fold line is scored on both sides to attach to the back, forming a channel for the large sliding 3rd die cut to pull the front flap up. Honestly, it was really hard for me to figure this out 🤓🧓🏽🔬  This sliding piece slides between the front of the card and the scored channels. The 3rd piece looks like a pizza peel. The handle forms the pull tab which slides the front shutter open or closed. The bottom of the window shutter flap is adhered to the bottom front of the back, pizza peel shaped sliding piece. Whew! Pulling the tab on top pulls the window panel up, exposing the sentiment. 

Die Set: Hidden Treasure Reveal Base by SCS

Cardstock & Inks: GKD

(Wreath stamp set, lost the post it note I wrote it on...if you can recognize it, I'd appreciate your helping me to remember it)

Copic Markers

Other: Plain twine w/silver thread, PPP clear sequins, ScorTape 

Thank you for stopping by!!!

This Year & Topaz Card

 Aloha!

I'm sorry for not keeping up with everyone's lives, blog posts and beautiful creations. Talk about a challenging year!

My husband, Bruce, has been having a hard time with his memory. It took me a couple of years to see it. The signs were vague and not consistent. I thought it was just forgetfulness. By the time I and the doctors put the puzzle pieces together, I was super stressed. Since March we've been busy with all sorts of new doctors, long tests, lengthy appointments and changes in his medications and how we approach day to day living. But Bruce is my favorite guy and boyfriend not to mention husband so somehow we will walk this new journey together. I hope to get cards made and out to so many of you. 

Becky (TLady) & The Teapotters at SCS have recently filled my mojo with love and encouragement. Thank you, Becky and all the friends in Teapotters group at SCS!

This card:

I made 3 of these similar cards and one of them for Becky. It's very simple, using a die cut for the front edge, adding the topaz-like bling, a little ribbon and the "friend" but it's a big step for me and feels good. 

Stamp Set (leaf) "Autumn Splendor" kit by Gina K. Designs

Ink: GKD

Cardstock: GKD and SMS

Die Cuts: "Friend" and leaf by GKD 

(I'm sorry I forgot which I used for the border. It's either SMS or Spellbinders? Oops.)

Ribbon and bling

Thank you cardmaking buddies everywhere.

Each one of you is a gem!

Stuffed Tummy

Hi dear friends, 

I am learning how to operate a new phone. I really had no idea a camera could take clear pictures on a phone. This is only the second day I've had it so please be patient while I figure out all the stuff. It's a Samsung S10. I bought it used but with a little warranty to save some money. Sure beats the old Moto G6. I had to perform CPR on it so many times but now I can't get the microphone to work. I need a microphone in order to talk. I will need to perform some surgery on my laptop after parts get here. It's under warranty but the company is ignoring me so far. A story for another time. 

I have been coloring on the days I've felt really without mojo. Here is a sweet mouse that got inside a bird feeder and ate till he fell asleep. It's so adorable it makes both Bruce and me smile to look at him! 

I hope to enter this into House Mouse challenge but may be too late. I don't have gingham or plaid so I stamped stripes in two directions to create squares.  Then I added a pink dot in the corners of the squares to try and make it look gingham. 

Stamp Set: Feeder Friends by House Mouse; Diagonal Lines by MFT

Cardstock GKD

Ink: Memento

Copic Markers

PPP sequins

Multi Matte Medium

Thank you for coming over and taking a look - lots of love to you and yours! 

The Sunflower

Hi, there!

Glad to "see" you!

I love the Gina K. Designs Autumn Splendor stamp and die set. I know it isn't autumn anywhere but the sunflower is such a happy flower. I wanted to send it to a local friend to say "Hello!"

I only used color pencils and one gray Copic marker for the flower outline. I love that technique from watching Melanie Muenchinger outline her flowers. Super simple to use the color pencils but takes a while to layer all the colors and blend them out. I do not use Gamsol or other products, just the pencils because the texture is so soft. When using the oils or Gamsol, you can achieve a look similar to alcohol markers but I seldom use it anymore.

Wishing you a safe and pleasant day, rain or shine. Life is hard.


Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor by GKD
Cardstock: GKD
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Prismacolor Pencils; Copic Marker C3
SU Fine Tip Glue Pen
Sequins and clear drops

All my best to you and yours!

Keep on stamping 🦋

Yellow is a Happy Color

Aloha friends,

How are you doing? I mean, really. How are you?

I ask because the last few months have felt overwhelming for me. I feel like I'm in the deep ocean, it's cold and I'm treading water. Some days seem much easier to stay up but other days, well, maybe I choke on some water, but hey, I'm still here!

Bruce is ok, just older and more frail. His memory is not as good as it used to be. He has taken a few months off from Home Depot to decrease exposure to the public. We do not see a time when he can go back yet. Isn't it like living a live, horror and science fiction novel or film, without an ending yet? I guess that is what my brain is struggling to accept and endure, just like most people are doing. Bruce misses working but we do not want him to get sick on top of his age and heart and gut challenges.

When all else fails, emboss resist. I'm not kidding. I can cut out dies and color images, but for the stretches of time when I hit the wall, emboss resist. It's easy, never turns out twice the same way, gives you a sense of completion fast and you have a little hand-made gift to share with someone else who might be struggling, too. Thank you, #ginakdesigns . You taught me most everything I know about cardmaking 🤟

For now I am not on social media much, nor can I watch any news because of the overwhelming feeling. So please forgive me when I miss some of your posts. On better days, I can check and see what you are up to and leave some love for you! Oh, and I am able to complete cards and get them mailed out - it's a miracle for me and I'm celebrating that every time I can get to the mailbox and send sunshine! Here's to all the better days ahead! 🍻🙏🏽🏄🏼‍♀️


Stamp Set: My Favorite Things "Etched Flowers" and sentiment is by Flourishes
VersaMark Embossing Ink
Wow Pearl Embossing Powder (it leaves a pearly sheen)
Inks: Gina K. Designs
Cardstock & Envelope: Gina K. Designs (Hey, the envelope is stamped both sides with the VersaMark Ink and MFT flowers stamp)
Tag die: (I think it is) Spellbinders (It's from one of the die-cut and save in a box days)
Crystals, Glittery Perfect Pearls (in the tag holes)

I made and mailed out some pink, blue and purple cards today using the same stamp and technique, different sentiments and tags.

Emboss Resist is my friend.

Thank you for coming over! 

I'll be ok - just rough waters at times.

Take good care of yourselves. Text or write someone alone 💜

Meditation for today: Psalm 112, all of it, and esp verse 7

Space Monkey

Aloha, friends!

We have friends whose daughter & hubby had a baby! They decorated his room with monkeys and space lol! Sweet, huh? I had to make a card, so here is a monkey in space!

I saw the Cheeky Monkeys come on sale at Clearly Besotted. Other monkey images just didn't seem to do the trick. Once these arrived, voila! To make a helmet for the little guy, just draw a simple circle around his head and fill it in with Glossy Accents or something similar. I put the monkey on an Action Wobbler for some fun! He is standing on a sketched out weird semi circle for the moon.

This was about the sixth try to make a galaxy background. The distress oxides just looked too chalky for me. The dye inks lacked the pow factor. I kept trying with regular distress inks and the card is finally finished.

The new mom and dad also picked blues and greens for his room and that is why the front of the card has a green layer and the inside has a blue one. Whew. Diamond stars are all over the envelope and white base of the card. Throw a bunch of clear crystals and call it done!

Stamp Set: "Cheeky Monkeys" by Clearly Besotted; Starry background by Hero Arts
Inks: Distress, Delicata Silver (moon), VersaMark (background) and VersaFine Black (images); Bleed Proof White by Dr. Phil Martin's (the stars flicked on the background with brush and water)
Cardstock: GKD
Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils
Clear Embossing Powder (stars on card layer and envelope)
Glossy Accents and clear crystal gems
Action Wobbler

front--

inside--

Cheeky Monkey!

Mahalo for stopping by!!!