Make It Crafty "Ashlyn"

Yesterday I posted a card using the lovely Adele from "Make It Crafty".  Today I have a card showcasing the beautiful Ashlyn.  

The papers I used are from the "Love Letters" stack by Recollections (Michael's).  I so enjoy this collection and will be very sad when I've used it all.  All the papers are Kraft with red, blue, green or white designs.  The number of red papers is getting really low!  The flowers are a combination of silk stems, Prima roses and red glitter brads.  I've been using a lot of rhinestone swirls lately because a local shop that specializes in apparel with bling (Classic Creations by Nan) is also carrying my cards.  All the cards I have there feature the bling! 

Ashlyn is colored with Copics (of course).  She is mounted on a Nesties Label 9 cut from the "Love Letters"  collection of papers.

The weekend is here and I hope you all have fun plans.  Thanks for stopping by!

Make It Crafty "Adele"

This will be a short post as it is getting late and I haven't even eaten dinner yet!  This was a good day as I was in the studio all day!

  

The beautiful girls at "Make It Crafty" are so much fun to color and even more fun to put onto gorgeous papers for unforgettable cards.  The card I made today features "Adele".  

The papers are from the K & Company Susan Winget Botanical collection. Beautiful pale colors and designs from nature.  The butterfly/flower in the lower right corner is from a coordinating set of embellishments. Rhinestone swirl is by Michael's Recollection.  The scalloped border (in tan cardstock) is Martha Stewart.

I colored Adele with Copics.  I have long hair but it is nothing like this! 

Today was pretty productive so I hope to have another post tomorrow with another "Make It Crafty" theme.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a great week!

Another Photo to Portrait Birthday Card

It's been a busy couple of weeks here in Branson, including hosting our dear friends from Phoenix for a few days.  That was very fun with lots of shopping, dining out, walking, talking, playing cards, and did I mention shopping?  There is so much to do here and the leaves have been turning to brilliant reds, golds, and oranges.  Perfection!

Yesterday was our very good friend Steve's *0th birthday (let's just say he is a year younger than me!) and I made a very special birthday card for him.  Steve is one of the most talented singers here in Branson and particularly enjoys singing for the dinner crowds at Mickey Gilley's Texas Cantina, next to the theater.  I've enjoyed taking my own photos and turning them into sketches then coloring them with my trusty Copics.  Here is what I did for Steve.  

This is the finished card.  Lots of layers and dimension.  The back paper is from my scrapbook stash.  The gold sheet music, black musical notes, and piano keys came from the DCWV "Performance" matstack.  And Steve's image colored with Copics.

The sketch came from Photoshopping the picture and adjusting the drawing to a level of detail that I could color comfortably.  As I do more of these I intend to make less detailed sketches.  Even though I've done artwork all my life, sketching images is not my best suit, but I love the coloring.  I have found my niche in this technique and really enjoy it. 

This was the snapshot I took of Steve while he was performing.  He hates -- I mean HATES -- having his photo taken and didn't know about this one until I gave him the card.  He might not like being photographed, but he was blown away by the image on the card! That was very fun to see. 

So, once again, happy birthday, Steve!

Thanks everyone for stopping by.  I hope you are having a great week and that this beautiful fall season is bringing you crisp temperatures, crisp colors and even crispier piles of leave to jump into! 

Enchanted Princess In Emerald

There seems to be a theme in my last few posts:  lots of hair and flowing fabric.  What can I say?  I really love coloring these images.  This one is "Enchanted Princess" by Make it Crafty.  I think I should have made this digital image a bit larger for this card but I had intended to put it on a square card when I started out.  

Then I found these coordinated papers in the Lemon Flower mat stack by DCWV and it grew into a larger card.  I like to pick up silk flowers at Michael's and Hobby Lobby that are small enough for cards.  The best selection is in the wedding department.  A touch of bling in the lower corner for balance.  I don't have a sentiment on this yet because I'm not sure how I will use it, but it will go in the lower left corner, I think.

I used Copics for the coloring.  The sheer part of her dress was very fun to color and provided a nice challenge.  I was just thinking, this might make a nice St. Patrick's Day card, but I'm not holding on to it that long!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you visit again soon.  Not sure what I will be posting, but my friend Jo is coming for a couple of days to play in the studio with me.  Who knows what we will come up with?

In The Pink with Saturated Canary

Meet Jules by Saturated Canary.  When I saw this image I went back in time a few years......... Ok, MANY years --- when I wore dresses my mom made for me and had as many "can-can" slips underneath as I could manage.  I loved the swish-swish sound and the way the skirt moved!  

I decided to work this up in pink because I found the background paper at Michael's and just had to have a sheet!  So I actually colored the image to match the paper, instead of the other way around.  The solid paper trim is copper metallic.  Kind of a bold choice but it worked somehow.  The pink squares are scraps that miraculously matched the dp.  Jules sits on a classic oval Nesties die cut and a Nesties beaded oval die cut.  The white corners are also Nesties. 

She is colored with Copics.  A couple of the colors are new ones I bought to complete the series of pinks that I wanted and I am happy with the results. Ooooo, I would've so loved this dress as a little girl!  I can even hear it swish!

What was your favorite dress when you were little?

Thanks for visiting!  My next post will be a beautiful enchanted princess.  I hope you come back to have a look.

Maiden With Long Golden Hair

Yesterday my mom and I decided to spend the day in town so I didn't get a post done as I had planned.  But we had a great time with lunch, shopping, a photo shoot for my other blog, dinner at our favorite place listening to our friend Steve sing (he is great!) and watching a very talented young man make his Branson singing debut.  Good Times!  

So today I'm catching up on laundry, light housekeeping, email, and posting.  The card I have today features a gorgeous image from Make it Crafty.  Meet "Maiden with Long Golden Hair". I love coloring long hair and the luxurious folds of a beautiful gown, though I must admit this one was a challenge!

The background paper and the brads in the flowers are from the Basic Grey "Marrakech" stack from a few years ago.  I'd nearly forgotten about this colorful collection.  The flowers are from my stash of oldies but goodies.  The maiden sits on a circle of white glitter paper and Nesties teardrop circle die cut.

She is colored with Copics and, once again, I deviated from my usual bold coloring to a more simple water-color style.  I can't decide which style I like better.  I guess it just depends on the mood I'm in or the feel I get from the image.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I'll be "in the pink" with a Saturated Canary card.  I hope you come back for another visit!

Crafts and Me "Phlox Princess"

Normally I'm not much of a purple person, but when I found these gorgeous coordinated sheets of designer paper at Michaels I just had to have it! I love the greens and aquas with the shades of purple.

This is the "Phlox Princess" by Sara Burrier at Crafts and Me.  She has such a free, gypsy-like look and, like her namesake, phlox is such a beautiful purple flower.  The flower embellie I used isn't exactly phlox, but was a lovely match anyway.  The swirl of rhinestones mimics the flow of her hair.

I colored the image with Copics and added sparkle of Stickles to the apron. 

Thank you for stopping by today.  It's good to be back to work in the studio and I have more colored images I can't wait to showcase on more beautiful papers!

My New Favorite Dies: Cut-Fold-Tuck

I've been working on cards again! After 11 weeks of physical therapy for my neck (from the car accident in April) I am finally feeling much better.  It was hard to keep my head down for long periods of time, so I occasionally colored or did simple things.  But, over the next few days I will be posting a few cards I've done lately.  Also, I have two more shops that want my cards so that is good incentive, too!

One of the easy-peasy cards I did was for my aunt who just turned 91 years old.  She loves my cards and keeps them all in a pretty box --- she's so cool!  Anyway, I had just purchased a couple of the Spellbinders Cut-Fold-Tuck die sets so I used the "Round About" for her card.  

The card sketch is very simple.  The complexity of the medallion would get lost in anything with a lot of embellishments.  For some reason, this photo has too much yellow in it, but the pictures below are truer to the colors.  I have lots of double-sided card stock, mostly by K and Company, which is perfect for these dies.  

It would be fun to add bling around the pieces, but I kept this one simple with just the little painted brad in the middle.

Here is a close up of the painted brad that I had in my stash of odds and ends.  

My aunt and uncle called me last night to tell me they loved this card, too, even though it is quite different than what I usually send.  My uncle said it looks like it is spinning and they had fun trying to figure out how I did it!  Once again, thanks Spellbinders for making these intriguing medallions so easy!  A big thank you to Michael's, too, because last week they had a 50% off coupon and it was valid for the Spellbinder Grand Calibur, so I have a new toy that will make multiple die cuts so much quicker! 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you check in again to see what else I've been working on.

A Fleeting Miracle

A few weeks ago I couldn't wait to write this post to make an announcement I've been waiting a long time to do.  But I was asked to wait awhile longer.  Today, though, I write with sadness for the loss of unknown promises, butterfly kisses that now ride the breeze, and a fleeting miracle that still brings joy and hope.

On July 20 I found out I was going to be a grandma for the first time!  My son and daughter-in-law, now married over a year (already!) were giddy with excitement when they gave us the news.  Unfortunately, last Wednesday morning my son called.  Any morning call from him makes my heart stop, and this time was no different, except that I just knew before he told me.  They had a miscarriage.  My daughter-in-law was at about 11 weeks, and is doing well.  Both of them still have their moments, but are very hopeful that good news will replace the bad soon enough.

Sympathy cards are always tough, but I couldn't even fathom a card for a miscarriage or the loss of an infant.   Thanks to an internet search I found some lovely ideas and sentiments.  Below is the card I made for them.

The image is digital by Sara Burrier at Crafts and Me.  She is colored with Copics and highlighted with Stickles crystal.  The background paper is from the DCWV Mariposa stack, one of my all time favorites.

I couldn't decide between two sentiments I found, so I put one on the front and another inside.  Neither one had authors' names to give credit to, and I don't remember the sites I found them on.  

What a charming image!

This is the second verse on the inside.  Accent papers are Bazzill metallic and the die cuts are by Spellbinders.  The border punch is Martha Stewart.

Since the ultrasound was done early, the baby's gender was not determined for sure.  But "collective intuition" declared it was a girl.  For baptism and christening she was named Emma Sam.  She will never be forgotten and will be waiting in Heaven to meet her parents someday.

You're very much loved, Emma.

Happy Birthday, Norma Jean!

Today is my dear friend Norma Jean's birthday.  Last night we celebrated with friends and enjoyed lots of laughs, delicious food, and wonderful live music by our talented friend Steve Crawford.  I wanted to do something special for Norma Jean and since she loves bling I knew the birthday card should be filled with it.  I also have some fine photographs of this lovely lady, so I selected a favorite, converted it to a digital sketch, then hand colored it with my Copics.

Here is the photo...........

Isn't she beautiful?

Here is the sketch........... 

Of course the watermark wasn't there.  :)

Here is the finished easel card..............

Lots of bling!

Norma Jean's hair is snowy white with a shine like a halo!  I used silver Liquid Pearls over the Copics and added a few streaks of white Enamel Accents by Ranger.

The letters are by Sticko and lining them up was more challenging than the coloring!  Materials I used include red textured card stock, black glitter paper, large swirl by Prima, and pieces of assorted rhinestone sets.  The labels are cut with Nesties dies. 

Norma Jean loved the card and was clearly surprised.  That's the best thing about our craft .... bringing smiles and good feelings!  

Facebook Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop

On the third Wednesday of each month the Facebook chapter of the Design D.I.V.A.S. has our Oldies But Goodies (OBD) blog hop.  This is when we use neglected and forgotten items from our stashes.  The Design D.I.V.A.S. is a private Facebook group which is a branch of the Original Design D.I.V.A.S. on the Splitcoaststampers website.  The acronym for the D.I.V.A.S. is Divine Inspirational Virtuous Artistic (or anointed) Sistahs.  This is a very talented and supportive group, which I'm blessed to be a part of.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope you enjoy the hop. If you came here from the lovely Maria's blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning hop on over to  my awesome friend Cindy's blog. 

For my card I used this luscious image of Anastasia by Make It Crafty. 

The photo looks darker than I intended, sorry.  Basically the red, black and silver combination seems to be a favorite of mine lately.  The image is new, but the flowers and brads are from my neglected stash.  The frame is Nestibilities and one that I rarely use.  It's not that I don't like it --- I actually LOVE it but I often end up with images too large to fit.  This one is just right!  The papers are from my scrap pile and the border nearly hidden underneath is a Martha Stewart punch.  

Here's a close-up.  I colored the image with Copics and highlighted the red roses and hair with more bling. I like how this turned out and I'm happy to share it with you.  Now, be sure you visit all the talented D.I.V.A.S. in the hop!  You'll be so inspired!  Your next stop is my talented friend Sue's blog.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sassy Cheryl Challenge #126 - Pretty Papers

It's been awhile since I joined in on Sassy Cheryl's challenge --- but I've been taking peeks at all the deliciousness from the design team.  I've been back in the groove a bit lately and actually have a card to show tonight.  The challenge this week is "Pretty Papers" which is not a problem with me!  Like all of you I love my papers, almost to the point of hoarding them! 

This glimmery pretty paper is from the DCWV Nantucket stack, which is all so beautifully coordinated around a nautical theme.  I used this stack when I made lighthouse gift boxes a year ago for my son's wedding rehearsal dinner.  (I can't believe they have been married a year already!)

This is Precious Callie all colored in pretty lavender Copics.  She's such a cutie pie!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all have a great weekend.  Keep cool wherever you are!

Image From a Photo

A friend of mine who is a fan of my cards (bless his heart!) asked me to make a birthday card for his grandson.  He had a couple of photos of little Isaac sleeping in his car seat with his favorite toy Boz.  He asked if I could make an image from one and hand color it. I hadn't made images from photos before, but was eager to try it.  This card is the end result:

The card is made from papers I've had in my stash for awhile. It worked out pretty well with the colors in the image.  I stayed with the actual colors, for the most part.  The red was added for contrast and pop.

I colored the image with Copics after using Photoshop to create it.  I used the Photocopy effect in the Sketch category to make the image, adjusting the detail to make it just enough to give what I needed to color it without too many extra lines.  Some shading did remain.  I used the erase tool to remove the background, but ended up fussy cutting the image anyway.

Here is the actual photo.  Isn't he a cutie?

My friend hasn't seen the card yet.  I hope he likes it.  Now that I have tried this technique I have dozens of my own photos that I would like to turn into my very own images! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th of July.  Most of all, keep cool if you are sharing this heat wave across the country.  My prayers are for those who have lost their homes in Colorado and are still without electricity in the east.

R.I.P.  Andy Griffith.  

Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop

On the third Wednesday of each month the Facebook chapter of the Design D.I.V.A.S. has our Oldies But Goodies (OBD) blog hop.  This is when we use neglected and forgotten items from our stashes.  The Design D.I.V.A.S. is a private Facebook group which is a branch of the Original Design D.I.V.A.S. on the Splitcoaststampers website.  The acronym for the D.I.V.A.S. is Divine Inspirational Virtuous Artistic (or anointed) Sistahs.  This is a very talented and supportive group, which I'm blessed to be a part of.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope you enjoy the hop. If you came here from the lovely Vicki's blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning hop on over to Linda's awesome blog. 

For my card I used a K & Co. dp stack that I have had for years but haven't used for nearly that long.  I have several sets like this and, thanks to a recent article in "Paper Creations", I now know what I am going to do to use up these older papers.  Cards designed by Erica Duda on pages 56-57 of the Summer 2012 issue gave me the inspiration for this card.  The card is really easy-peasy!  Once I decided on the assortment of coordinating papers it was just a matter of cutting them into a variety of sizes using the Nestabilities Large Scallop Circles and the assorted leaves dies. All layers are stacked with 3D tape.  The background looks like strips of papers, but is actually one of the papers in the stack.  I just added some antique lace and the brass center in the flower.  Quick and colorful notecard!

You can be sure I will be making more of these cards, with the scallops as well as other floral shaped dies!  I hope you like it and that you have new inspiration for using that old dp that just keeps stacking up.  I am on a "paper diet" --- no new papers until I use up the oldies but goodies!

I am the last stop on the hop so, on behalf of all my Divine Sistahs, we are so happy you took time to hop with us.  I hope you left lots of love in the comments --- these are very talented ladies and deserve lots of kudos!

Remember me?

Hello, everyone!  No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, though lately I've been hanging on the edge!  We've been blessed with guests in our home, celebrating Mom's 80th birthday with a big party in Sioux City, IA, and opportunities to take wedding and portrait photos. On the other hand, I still have pain in my neck from the car accident in April and hassles with the insurance company.  So now we have an attorney.  

My mojo for cardmaking must not be totally AWOL because I still can't resist picking up a new Nestie now and then or downloading new images from my favorite designers.  I've been coloring so now it is time to put those cute images on cards.  

Here are three cards I've finished over the last couple of days:

I love this Sugar Nellie image and found it worked beautifully with the DCWV "The Performance" matstack. I kept the card pretty simple and flat for easy mailing.  The leaves and die cuts are Nesties and the pearl swirl is by Recollections.  The metal flower is Autumn Leaves "Scrap Metal" that I've had in my stash for a long time.

As always, I colored the image with Copics.  The shading on the image is already so beautiful so I have to really hold back and not overdo it!

This is a Mother's Day card that I didn't get finished in time, but I will be sure to hold on to it till next year.  I love this Kenny K image.  It takes me back to watching my mom back in the 50's and 60's (that's 1950's and 1960's) when she was home when we got home from school and did a whole lot of cooking for us five kids!

Again with the Copics!  The dp is from the DCWV Farmer's Market stack.  The homespun look caught the mood I was looking for.

Last night I made this card using "Lady of the Stars" by Crafts and Me.  The photo doesn't do justice to the beautiful dp from the DCWV "Lemon Flower" matstack. It is a beautifully embossed piece.  The yellow behind the image is coordinating glossy dp that I embossed with Cuttlebug Musical Flourish.  

I used Copics and kept the colors light and simple.  I covered the strings of of stars in the image with clear, grey and black rhinestones, also adding bling to her hair and wings.  The butterfly is by K & Co.  The acetate wings glare from the light in the photo.

So, there you have it!  Quite a variety of pieces, but that's what I do.  There are so many artists and styles that I love in this community that I just have to try them all!

I hope you are having a great week and I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. 

Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Hop and DP2 Challenge

Lately I've been really busy with photo shoots so cardmaking has taken a back seat.  However, I needed a card for a friend who turned 90 years young last week, and it just happened to fit in with the D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies blog hop and the challenge over at Mo Manning's DP2 Challenge.

So, first to the OBD Blog Hop.

On the third Wednesday of each month the Facebook chapter of the Design D.I.V.A.S. has our Oldies But Goodies (OBD) blog hop.  This is when we use neglected and forgotten items from our stashes.  The Design D.I.V.A.S. is a private Facebook group which is a branch of the Original Design D.I.V.A.S. on the Splitcoaststampers website.  The acronym for the D.I.V.A.S. is Divine Inspirational Virtuous Artistic (or anointed) Sistahs.  This is a very talented and supportive group, which I'm blessed to be a part of.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope you enjoy the hop. If you came here from the lovely Vicki's blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning hop on over to Maria's awesome blog.  

For my card I used a Mo Manning digi "The Engineer" which I haven't used for over a year.  The dp is from a neglected stack and the brads are the last of a package I've had since Washington crossed the Potomac!  

I colored this fun image with Copics.  As I mentioned, the card is for a 90-year old friend, so the sentiment on the inside read "Growing older is mandatory.  Growing up is optional."  Talk about and oldie but goodie! Happy Birthday, Harold!

Now, I am also entering this in the DP2 challenge #134 "Tickle My Funny Bone".  The only requirement is to use one of Mo's images, and she has plenty that will make you chuckle!  Hop on over to see the fun the DT had with this challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to move on to Mary's blog for her inspiring project.  We appreciate the time you spend on our Design D.I.V.A.S. blog hop. 

Mo's DP2 Challenge #133 --- Anything Goes

Mo's challenge this week is "Anything Goes", with a Mo image of course.  That works perfectly for me since I have this wedding card that I made in March for a very special young couple, but hadn't posted it yet.  

The sketch is my own design, but is a close match for the optional sketch over at the challenge blog.  Check it out here.  All is very simple using red cardstock, white satin gloss report cover stock, and silk flowers from the bridal department at Hobby Lobby.  I used the Nesties die to create a frame for the image, rather than a mounting shape. 

This image is colored with Copics.  What really made this fun was that when I got to the reception the topper on the cake was very similar to this image!  Both reflect the joy of Lindsey and Josh on their special day. 

I also did the photography for their wedding.  This is one of the shots.  Poor Josh; he is so light sensitive and the photos were done at noon on a very sunny day.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm hoping that my neck pain will subside soon and that I can get off the meds which make me a bit out of sorts.  (Neck pain from accident that I wrote about here.)  I have so many new images I want to color up and make cards! 

You Are My Sunshine

The month of April certainly slipped by in a hurry!  It was a good month for the most part, though.

  We had very welcome company during the first two weeks of the month.  There is always so much to do here in Branson, even if it's just to drive around taking in the scenery.  Our friends from Livermore, California had never been here and were so taken with the beautiful sights.

My mother, a breast cancer survivor, will soon be 80 years old.  Her breast implants succumbed to the effects of gravity so she had out-patient surgery a couple of weeks ago to replace them.  We keep teasing her about having a "boob job" for her birthday!  She loves the attention and we are all very proud of her.

Like I said, April was a good month --- for the most part.  Mom's surgery was up in Springfield which is 35 miles away and we had made a few trips up there for appointments before the surgery, too.  I like to chauffeur her and every trip to Springfield also includes hitting Hobby Lobby and Barnes and Noble.  Last Wednesday when I took her up there for her post-op check-up the hit was on us.  Another driver rear-ended us, right across the street from the doctor's office and ER.  Injuries were not apparent at first and once the police report was filed and Mom had her check-up, we attempted to get neck x-rays at the ER.  I was already having neck pain and pain down my left arm with tingling in my left hand.  It was going to be HOURS just to get the x-rays, so we came back to Branson where we were able to get them very quickly.

Now, as we go into the month of May, I am waiting to be scheduled for an MRI and an appointment with a neurologist.  My doctor didn't like what he saw on the x-ray report, or the symptoms I am still having.  In fact, today is the most painful yet, which can be typical of whiplash.  So, while I have so much I need to do, and want to do, the concentration and stamina just aren't there right now.  It's hard not to be angry, yet I know the other driver didn't hit us intentionally.  Thankfully, she has insurance.  Time will tell just how good it is.  

Meanwhile, during a thunderstorm in the wee hours this morning, I was thinking about cards I have made but not yet posted.  One of them is this adorable ragamuffin by The Saturated Canary.  I made this card early in April and sold it almost immediately in our shop.  

The paper is from my scrap box, but what doesn't show up is that there is embossed vellum  laid on the dp.  The Nesties sunflower die cut is the same paper, showing the brighter color.  The effect is very fun, tho' it doesn't show up well here.  I have a passion for ribbon and just happened to have this yellow gingham with the "You are my sunshine" embroidered on it.  It's fun to use the rhinestone shapes in unusual ways, like here with the circles enhancing her face, the umbrella, and the word "You" on the ribbon.

I loved coloring this image, which I did with Copics.  

Many thanks to my blogland friends and readers.  It's hasn't been easy to be away from my passions recently, but with all the cards I need to make during the coming weeks, I certainly hope to be around more often! Have a fine day and thanks for stopping by!