The Calla or Peace Lily

Aloha!

The Calla Lily. It is not a lily at all. The botanist made a boo boo and it just stuck being called a lily. However, it is a cousin to the Anthurium - a red, heart shaped flower with yellow spike in the center. And what do Calla Lilies and the box jellyfish have in common? Neither need a mate to reproduce! ;)

Here is a lovely painting by Henri Matisse depicting his interpretation of these gorgeous flowers:

by Henri Matisse

The Calla Lily comes in a rainbow of colors. This one started out as a white one, but evolved into lime yellow. It's colored with a strange combination of color pencils, Copic markers and Memento markers. Then I covered it with clear sparkly marker - it glows.


Stamp Set: Elegant Florals by Theresa Momber for GKD, as well as the sentiment in Gina's Stippled Flowers set; Background is MFT Bundles of Flowers
Cardstock: Neenah 110# white and Bazzill lime color
Inks: Gina K. Designs
Crayola and Prismacolor Pencils, Copic and Memento markers
Nuvo Clear Sparkle Marker
Yellow dots by W+9; Oval & scallop dies by Spellbinders; Corner Rounder; ribbon, craft foam layer & glue dots

Thank you for coming by!!!

Seascape in Neutrals

Aloha, dear friends,

We needed a masculine card to say thank you to a local, young man here. First thing I thought of was to tie the card theme with the ocean.

Stamp Set: Framescape Tropical Skies by Gina K. Designs, designed by Theresa Momber

Inks: Distress Oxide Inks in Fossilized Amber and Vintage Photo (use both fine spray and large water drops then allow to dry before moving on to gold paint. I used Gina K. Designs Black Ink to stamp the tropical scene as well as the decorations on the envelope. I doodled some ocean swirls and horizon, and coconuts in the tree by using a Memento Black marker.

Cardstock: Pure Ivory by GKD 80#, Black layering, Neenah 80# for the scene.

Gold paint splatter: Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Gold (mix with water on an acrylic block, use a wet paint brush and flick the thick, gold paint away off the edge of the block and towards the scene).

The ship's wheel is an embellishment I made a few years ago by die-cutting the wheel out, coloring it with some gold paint, pressing onto a VersaMark pad, then used Ultra Thick Embossing Powder in clear to create a solid, clear-domed cover for the wheel. There is a small champagne color gem in the center and a gold brad at the top holding it to the card.

Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts! With aloha ♥

Gina and the Great Divide!

Aloha!

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood ♫ cause I was able to make a card and play along in StampTV Great Divide Release Party Challenge!  I hope you were able to play, too!

She asked us to cut the layers into a piece or several pieces, any way we wish. I chose a simple angle, two layers. I cut a sliver of gold mirror card as a dividing accent (the great divide part) as well as some Japanese gold cording.

The flower is heat embossed with clear embossing powder, then sponged with distress inks. I masked the flower and splattered plain water over the red background. It was cut, mounted on black with about 1/8th inch all around both pieces.

Using the homemade 2nd most incredible stamping tool invented LOL, I stamped the vertical sentiment and then scattered some gold rhinestones using MMM to secure them to the card.

I messed up the first card and lost the second try. Third time? OK! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead ♥

Stamp Set: "Bold Blooms" (Rebecca Oehlers) and "Vertical Greetings2" (Theresa Momber) both by GKD
Inks: VersaMark, VersaFine black, Delicata gold
Distress Inks in Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick
Cardstock by GKD white, AC cardstock black, SU mirror gold cardstock
"Mizuhiki" gold cording from Japan; Art Beads gold rhinestones; Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
Scor Tape and Multi Matte Medium (MMM)

Thank you for looking!

With lots of aloha ♥

Flamingo Toes & Last Day for Chance to Win

Aloha everyone!!!

I hope your day was absolutely fantastic, or at least very close to it!

Today is the last day to comment (by midnight Hawai'i time, 10 pm Pacific time, 7 pm Eastern time). I will draw winners and post them tomorrow! Excited? I am!

The thing is this -- When I visit stamp companies, blog hops, or other stamping giveaways, the chances to win anything is so very small. They usually pick one winner out of hundreds or over a thousand entries. And the winner sometimes gets something nice and small or a giant giveaway. Most everyone else has little to no chance of winning. And if it is a creation entry prize, well MY chances go down even more LOL!!! That is why I have few entries here but three prizes given away. Isn't that waaaay funner? Ok. Moving on :)

Today's card is for a friend who absolutely loves pink flamingos!!! I mean she LOVES pink flamingos! The more the merrier.

Remember VersaMark "Dazzles?" Most of us use regular VersaMark but don't know what to do with the Dazzles, at least for me. I thought of a "tone on tone" look for white cardstock (the background here). I sprinkled some glitter onto it but it only stuck to a small area because it dried fast while I was distracted by the chickens. Yes. They scream for me under the lanai until I throw some seeds down - like right now. BRB.

Now I love Dazzles and look forward to creating different backgrounds for a tone-on-tone look. If you've pushed it into the back of your stash, I hope this gives you reason to bring it out and start stamping with it for a soft image or a soft background!

Stamp Set: "Aloha" by Theresa Momber for GKD; and "Leafy Background" by JustRite Stamps
Cardstock: GKD White and SU Pirouette Pink
Inks: "Dazzle" VersaMark, Memento "Angel Pink" and "London Fog"
Copic Markers in RV group, Grays and B00
"Cherry Blossom" embossing folder by Darice
"Raindrops" in clear and silver by The Robin's Nest
Multi Medium Matte adhesive, Sakura "Clear Stardust" pen, Wink of Stella Clear and Platinum embossing powder by Ranger

The "Dazzles" VersaMark Background

Thank you sweet ones!

I'm very happy to be drawing prizes later tonight

to say "Mahalo" for encouraging me to keep trying!

Names will be posted tomorrow ♥

With Aloha 

The Wild Sea

Aloha friends,

This is a card for the StampTV Kraft Challenge this week. Come on over and play along with us! It's Kendra's Challenge!

This might make a manly man happy to receive.

I started off by stamping the images  and sentiment from "By The Sea" (Theresa Momber for GKD) in Chestnut Roan ink by Color Box. It is a rich dark brown with just barely a hint of deep red in it. Becca Feeken "enabled" me to buy this a couple years back lol.

Then I highlighted the images with a Signo White Gel Pen (it's new and very inky). Let it dry. Then I took some Memento Cloud White ink and sponged it around for clouds. Using Prismacolor Pencils, I added shading under the waves, behind the lighthouse, rocks/foundation, boat and birds. I also added a little flag on top of the sails, have no idea why. It kinda felt naked for some reason, a sailboat with no flag in a gusty sea.

Theresa Momber, I am thinking of and praying for you to keep 

on getting better and stronger because we all miss and need you!!!! 

Stamp Set: By the Sea GKD
Cardstock: GKD Pure Luxury (Ivory and Black Onyx)
Prismacolor Pencils
Memento Ink "White Cloud" and "Jumbo Java" (cloud highlights and shadows)
Color Box Ink "Chestnut Roan"
Spellbinders Dies: Pierced Rectangles, Pennant Flags
MFT Dies: Pierced Tags
Black Floss: WeRMemory Keepers (so soft!)
Gold Sequins, Multi Matte Medium, Stickles Diamonds (all over the black floss)

 

Thank you for stopping by & leaving some ♥ !!!

 

Floral Seas :)

What? A sea of flowers? Flowers in the colors of the sea? Nawww. This is a feminine ocean card. Pink skies with flowers and a lighthouse. I feel like making something a little more fussy and feminine, so here it is.

I did cheat a little (☺) ! I used a card base and tole flowers from Anna Griffin, and her little gold premade bows! The scroll die cuts are from MFT. Pearls and rhinestones by KaiserCraft. Embossing folder Anna Griffin "Camilla Lace." White card Neena Solar White. Pink cardstock  was a piece I had leftover in my stash. And I saved the negative after cutting out an Opulent Oval die, embossed it and used it as a frame.

Stamp Set: By the Sea illustrated by Theresa Momber for Gina K. Designs
Colored with Prisma Color Pencils
Heat embossed with Ranger Silver Embossing Powder
Dies used: SB Detailed Scallops 5x7 inches, MFT scrolls,
Embossing Folder - Anna Griffin Camilla Lace
Sparkles by WoS (Wink of Stella) - in the light beam and on the water
A dusting of Prismatic Glitter from Gina K. Designs (which ended up all over my face, body, bed and husband because the fans were on = shower #3 for the day)
3D Crystal Lacquer
3d Foam Squares by Scrapbook Adhesives
Scor Tape

Thank you dear friends, for always visiting

and leaving me such up-building comments :* 

Mahalo!

Thanks a Latte & Thinking of You!!

This is one of the first stamps sets I purchased from Gina K. Designs. I was just getting into stamping and well, let the addiction begin LOL!

I really wanted to send a little surprise to Gina and her hard working crew - this card and a bag of 100% Kona coffee. It's just a little gesture to say thank you, and to try and be kind to everyone - you never know the journey they have had and continue to walk. I also made a little thinking of you card for her sweet mommy, Ruth, who I heard is doing better after breaking up her foot and having surgery. I didn't get to send Ruth a get well card and I had this longing ache to do that - and it finally came to pass ♥

Stamp Sets: "Thanks a Latte" by Theresa Momber,; "Branching Out" by Melanie Muenchinger, sentiment from "Dogwood and Butterfly" by Theresa Momber, all for GKD.
Pattern Papers, cardstock and ribbons all by GKD.

For all you do, Gina & crew, a big thanks!

And continue getting stronger and better, Ruth ♥

Thank you for stopping by, you lift my spirit up!

An Oval Sea

Hi friends. Hoping your day has been good, and if not, let's hope for a better tomorrow.

This is a Three-Paged Card! It has a sea view through an oval aperture window. The third page has the sentiment and room for message. This is the tenth of ten cards to give to the doctor who will get these to the shop who sells them for me. We give them 10 at a time, and they've been patiently waiting for months for this group of ten.

Recipe:

Stamp set Aloha by Theresa Momber for Gina K. Designs
Cardstock 120# white by GKD; Blue shimmer paper that was on sale and not in original pkg; Neenah     Solar White for the sponged ocean scene.
Light Lime half backed pearls by Kaiser Craft
Spellbinder dies: Petite Ovals, Opulent Ovals (embossed the blue layer with this)
Fiskars corner punch/embosser
Memory Box turtle die (covered w/Versamark and then heat embossed 2-3 coats UTEE)
Martha Stewart score board (scored around the scenery)
Gold cord bow by GKD
Inks Gkd and Memento, Versamark, Delicatta Gold
Masking tape (masked the ocean horizon)
Wink of Stella clear (on ocean)
Scor Tape (for adhering the second page only to the top end of the third page of the card, and for attached the sponged scene onto GKD cardstock)
Glue dots (to hold turtle on), Monoadhesive (to adhere blue layer to front), Aileene's Clear Tacky Glue (also holds the turtle on, as well as behind the lime pearls for extra hold)
White gel pen (Signo) to draw on the waves
Black #2 micron pen to draw on the birds


I used mini sponge daubers to sponge the scene with Memento inks, using a piece of masking tape to create the horizon line.

The turtle was die cut, sponged with colors of green, touched up with Gliteratta Gold ink for sparkle, then Versamarked both sides, and heat embossed with 2 or 3 coats of UTEE. It's how I make charms for cards :D

The Opulent Oval was used as an embossing plate of sorts through the Big Shot.

Below is Page 2, adhered to the top of the back page with Scor Tape, scored to create the 

EZ fold up crease. Can you see the sparkles from Wink of Stella clear on the ocean? 

And finally, the 3rd and last page of this card. The envelope matches this third page.

Thank you sweet friends, for stopping by and checking out this latest card ♥

Silver Moon Ocean

I can't get enough of the ocean, or flowers, or animals :) But I do need to make a lot of ocean theme cards. This one is simple, black and white. I used water and Perfect Pearl (pearl) as a water paint and painted the moon through a negative die cut circle. I used the same Perfect pearls across the ocean for a silvery sheen on top of the blues of the ocean. White gel pen helped me make the waves. There are lots of aurora borealis color rhinestones, tiny rhinestones in the sky for stars, and rhinestone flourishes - lots of bling. I used some Crystal Lacquer on the palm branches for texture as well as on top of the breaking waves.

Thank you friends -- I appreciate you coming by!!!

Aqua Seas

It took a long time to get these next few cards completed.

First up is a colorful scene built on yellows and aquas, touches of purples and pinks, lots of pearls (hand colored each one as they used to be ivory), tiny rhinestones and Crystal Laquer for stars. I colored the tropical bird, covered it with VersaMark and heat embossed 3 coats of UTEE on it. Yes, you could probably use it as a pendant on a necklace, but I wanted to bring something special to the scene. It's flying over the beach.

Stamp Sets: "Aloha" and "Tropical Nature," both by Theresa Momber at Gink K. Designs
Inks by Memento; used sponge daubers to create the scene, and a negative from a label die cut to keep the scenery in.

I found an embossing folder that has the same shape as the die cut shape for the scene and it had embossing around the edges. I sanded the color off so you can see scroll work on the embossed layer.

I made the simple pin with pearls that is set into the triple bow. I cut and bent the end of the pin so that it won't poke anyone. Questions? Feel free to send them to me :)

This is a 5x7 card. The envelope took me all day to make. s-l-o-w.

3 coats of UTEE on the tropical bird, Crystal Lacquer on the boat, palm branches, coconuts. 

Wink of Stella all over the ocean. Mini rhinestones as stars, and some more Crystal Laquer, too.

Thank you, dear friends, for coming over and taking a look!!

Easel Thank You with Post-It Note Pads

MIUM Challenge at StampTV, STV14MON24
(click HERE to see the challenge)

Tricia is hostessing the challenge at StampTV this week, and I am so very glad to be able to play along. We need to pop up at least one flower, so both the daisy tops are fussy cut and popped.

This is an easel card made for my nurse care manager. She works very hard to ensure all her patients try to get care and answers and I appreciate her even with all the red tape and brick walls that somehow find their way into our healthcare system.

I made the box big enough for two pads of Post It notes so a pink one is on the bottom and blue on the top. Behind the front panel is a decorative hidden panel with a note and images for the recipient.

This is the video I watched to remind me of the measurements, then I tweaked some of the layer sizes & box---

Easel Card

Stamp Sets: Birds & Blossoms by Theresa Momber for Gina K. Designs, and Assorted Greetings, also by GKD.
Cardstock and Designer Paper by GKD, Pure Luxury and Shabby Chic Spring
Spellbinder Circle and Scalloped Circle dies
SU Modern Label punch
Fiskars Scallop edge punch
Corner Rounder punch
Inks: Memento & Copic Markers
Sakura Clear, Gold, Aqua and Orange glitter pens; Wink of Stella in clear
Teal organdy ribbon, teal pearls and amber rhinestones from Want2Scrap, adhesive pop dots, lots of Scor Tape, two "Post-It" note pads in pink and blue

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Get Well for Friend

One of our friends was out cutting the grass and he fell and bumped his head. He had to go to the hospital because he was actually bleeding into the brain, sweet guy. But they think he will be alright and sent him home after a short stay.

I used all GKD products except the twine and hand punch for the sentiment. Stamp Sets: By the Sea 2 by Theresa Momber, and Under the Weather by Rupa Shevde. Entered into MIUM at STV, use 10 layers by Lee.

Thanks so much for coming on over to have a peek! Aloha dear friends!

Floral Friends and a Positive Outlook - two more cards for SCS HYCCT!

Hi there,

This is the first time I worked with acetate. After trying Copics (no), Distress inks (no), and a few other inks, I read up on YouTube what does work? Ta Da - Our Humble Sharpies :D

You must color quickly lest you color over dry ink. This removes the ink! I used two shades of pinks and greens, and had to color as fast as I could. I outlined all of the image (stamped originally with StazOn) with more black Sharpie because it no longer was bold enough to see.

The 'smeary' parts in the photo are actually the shadows cast from the image towards the beige embossed paper insert behind it - It was the best picture I could get. It looks so much better IRL -- why is that so much of the time?

Because the corners smeared a bit, (Color Box Chestnut Roan), I stamped lace and florals around the card, then distressed edges. But the acetate is clean, sparkles and shines!

Stamps by GKD Dogwood and Butterfly by Theresa Momber, Corner Embellishments by Anna Griffin 18th Century Garden, Lace by SU.

The next card was supposed to resemble "subway art" but I have no idea what that looks like. The only sentiment I have that might come close to that is the one I used by Hero Arts below.

I love the dp which is from Susan Wright for K & Company. The mat pack is stunning.

Thank you dear ones for stopping by and taking a look!!!

Aloha ♥

Winter Nights

I love seeing snow, esp at night and how quiet it makes everything. I also miss seeing the deer creep across the land, looking for food, standing majestically in the moonlight. We nailed up so many No Hunting signs on our last property and were always shocked when people would come up in pick ups, a spot light and guns shooting. We had to duck in our own homes. Don't miss that! But in my mind and on paper, I can see the way it should be.

Made for Beate's HYCCT "Flat is Beautiful" challenge, plain flat card.

Stamp Set by Theresa Momber, available at Gina K. Designs "Life is Good" (I just used the larger deer and one of the sentiments in this set) I added a tail and extra points to his antlers.

Masking and sponging (pink and blue). I cut a 1 inch circle from Scor Tape, covered it with clear glitter and that is my moon. I used both glitter and white gel pen for snow/stars.

Much aloha for looking.

Moon Rise

I love Theresa Momber's tutorials on sponging a variety of scenery. She can blend colors like nobody's business.

This is for Ann's "I Spy" VSN Challenge over at SplitcoastStampers Website. The VSN this month is about opposites. So I spied a dark sky with a bright moon rising. Using Theresa's sponging technique in my humble way, I tried to recreate an ocean scene with stars twinkling above. Yes, I have a long, long way to go but the more steps we put forth forward, the closer  to the goals we get, Yes? Sitting still doesn't get us any closer to achieving :*

Stamp Sets by Theresa Momber, "Aloha" and "Tropical Nature." Both available at GKD.
Pure Luxury cardstock available at GKD.
Memento inks and markers used, as well as Signo White gel pen for stars and waves.
Cuttlebug Twig embossing folder
Pop dots to lift the panel from the card.

Moon Rise

Thank you dear ones for looking!

Mountains at Dusk

You can probably tell I've been in the mood for creating skies and scenery {sigh} -- so beautiful to look around or remember different places we've been!

First I sponged pinks, blues and purples, then used Memento gray to stamp different parts of stamps sets to get the scene. I added lots of craggy shadows to the mountain and a few more pine trees using Copic grays.

Really did mess up the border of the scene, so I hid it! I cut a square aperture in the card, adhered the scene from the back to cover the boo boos, then cut a frame from gold shimmer cardstock. Embossed some gold for some plant life in one corner, and for the sentiment. I just touched the edges of Delicata gold to the sentiment die cut - sure does sparkle like embossing!

Finally, added a white with gold thread bow to another corner and adhered cardstock to cover the image inside the front flap of the card.

Entering into StampTV Mix it up Monday Challenge. Just add some heat embossing and enter the challenge!

Stamp Sets: Mountain Wilderness and Country Roads, both by Theresa Momber and available at Gina K. Designs. Cardstock and ribbon also from GKD.

Thank you so much for looking!!!

Please don't feel the need to comment twice (once here

and once at STV) -- With aloha

Sweet Friend

Hi, again,

I've been too busy with trying to keep up with the SCS DTGD challenges. Really, you have to be way strong and healthy (not to mention fast) when playing that one! Not me LOL!

This challenge was to use ribbon in a 'different' way. So I made a couple tabs and tucked them under the split background layer.

I love Theresa Momber's art and this is one of her stamp sets "Birds and Blossoms" available at GKD. I also used Stampin' Up for the scalloped layer background: Irish Blessing (green) and Lace (lavender). I used the Cuttlebug "Twigs" embossing folder, some Copics to color, added a touch of glitter to butterfly and flowers, as well as Liquid Pearls Mint Green to flower centers. There's only ONE rhinestone on my whole card :D and JustRite sentiment taken from "Just the Right Words" stamp set. The focal image is cut from Spellbinders Labels #10.

Thanks so much for looking!!!

Build Dreams, Camping

For our oldest grandson, Evan.

He went on a camping trip to Catalina Island (California). He's getting older all the time! So I made this card for him to help mark another adventure in his life.

Stamp Set: The Good Life by Theresa Momber, available at Gina K. Designs
This scene is colored with Memento Markers, touched up with Stickles Diamonds and Stardust glitter pens in Yellow (Coleman lantern) and clear (metal chair frames and pegs for tent).
I wanted the fish to look like trout so painted them with pink and blue, a touch of lavender, then spread Stickles over them. I added stickles to the fire, too.

The tent is paper pieced and pop dotted, as are the fire, lantern, the fish and the sentiment.

I cut the ends off a toothpick, then colored it lightly with brown, used Glossy Accents to attach to card.

Add twine at the bottom, and the aqua Bazzill paper in the background is embossed with Stampin' Up Square Lattice.

Entered Into: The Outlawz, Twisted Thursday Challenge

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look!!!!

Pink Vintage Trailer

We have some good friends north of Los Angeles and we go waaaay back. They restore vintage pull trailers. When I saw this stamp, I just HAD to make them a card with it. I hope they like it ;)

Stamp set: "The Good Life" by Gina K. Designs
Cardstock: base 120# GKD Pure Luxury White; pink by Bazzill
Ink Memento Black, New Sprout, Sea Breeze, Rhubarb
Colored with Copic Markers, Sakura Clear and Pink glitter pens
Modern Word Punch by Stampin' Up
Fiskar's scallop border punch
Button, twine, lime and pink rhinestones, Corner Chomper photo corners
Adhesive pop dots (sentiment), glue dot (button), Glossy Accents behind rhinestones, twine knot

Entered into: The Outlawz, Paper a la Mode, "Favorite Tool"

Thank you so much for stopping by!!!

Bringing Them Home

I love the sea. This is a lighthouse by Theresa Momber and "By the Sea" stamp set, available at GinaK Designs.

The lighthouse and greeting are pop dotted to give more 3D feel to the card. The only color is yellow. Handmade the quarter moon charm tied to the twine.