VINTAGE PICNIC

I think I'm beginning to get my "mojo" back when I received the Vintage Picnic set from Papertrey! I've been working on some of the basket images and having a wonderful time coloring them with my Copics and other markers. (BTW, I am trying to register for two of Jen delMuro's Copics classes on July 25 --- EXCITING!!!) Anyway, here is one that I'm kind of proud of as I love the cheery colors and also the layout. I hope you like it, too!

HAPPY FOURTH!!

It's July 3 and I'M NOT AT WORK!!!! Yeah!! I decided last night to sleep in this morning since I don't have to be at work .... that plan seems to never work out .... I always wake up at the regular time (even without my alarm set), and can't go back to sleep; however, one advantage of being off is that I can ALWAYS go take a short "power nap" anytime during the day. I bought my little six pack of Starbucks Mocha Frappacino at the store last night, so I've had my shot of energy, my bowl of Cherrios, and my meds and I'M READY TO GO!!

I had been working on this card since Susan told me about the Vintage Picnic set from Papertrey and that it would be a must have!! I checked into it and sure enough she was right!!

I colored the plaid with fine tip Sharpies and handles and flag pole with Sakura Glaze pens in grey metalic. The stars were done with the Glaze gold metalic. I hope you enjoy the card and that you have a great JULY 4th!!

I'M BAAACCKKKK!!

It's been a looooong time since I've posted. My medicines have kicked in and I'm feeling much much better! I had trouble with a medication that was prescribed to make the tingling/burning sensations a whole lot better. It had to be approved by Medicare to reduce the cost from $225 down to $60. They had me as LL Bien and the Rx was Linda Bien. After about a month and a lot of patience and stick-to-it-ness by my doctor's office, WE FINALLY got it approved. I'm feeling so much better. I had a check up last Friday and, since starting back on my diabetes diet and paying attention to my medications, I've lot a total of 61 pounds!!! I'm so proud of myself and am looking and feeling much better. I have, of course, had to get some new clothes which is a good thing!!

I have made a few cards during this time and am now taking time to post them. This first one was a "just because" type of mood I was in along with wanting to use this plaid paper. The images are from Whipper Snapper and I used my Copics to color. It's a simple card, but ideal for jotting off a quick note.

I made this card for a friend who was in the hospital. I really enjoy using this Decorative Bird Set from Hero Arts. The decorative paper is from Paper Trey's Men of Life Collection. I like the look of the cross stitch pattern and combined it with the Close to Cocoa from SU. The dots that fill in the scalloped edge is Scribbles 3-D paint in coordinating colors.

This last card was one that I dreamed up wanting to use this quilted pattern paper. I don't think it shows up on the picture, but all of the lines have been scored and Scribbles 3-D paint was used at each intersection to "anchor" the quilting. I love this little baby elephant, "Ellie" from Stampendous. The flowers are the table confetti by Gartner that I picked up some time ago at Michaels' Bridal Secttion. I then colored them with coordinating colored markers from SU as the markers seem to work better than Copics on this this type application.

Well, that's all for now -- have to go attend to my laundry. I've washed and folded three loads so far. Have about two to go. I don't mind laundry. I did my dreaded job yesterday ... ran and EMPTIED the dishwasher!! I don't know why I hate that job so much .. I think I'd rather do anything other than empty the dishwasher. I generally just run it and get the clean dishes out as I need them; however, I generally leave the dishwasher door down (which is stupid) and I have visions of tripping over the open door when I go back into the kitchen.

I'll talk to everyone again REAL soon!!! as I plan on making a few cards this afternoon. My inspiration and "mojo" is slowly returning.

Hugs to all

Birthday Balloon Ride

How much fun is this little stamp from Penny Black. I'm in love with little Hedgies (no matter who makes them -- they ALL CUTE)! I colored this with my Copics and shaded the edges of the main image with Cat's Eye. The little "music" dp is a freebie that I got out of a magazine and thought it would perhaps look like "Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You" etc. etc. The sentiment is the curvy verses from Stampin' Up "You're a wonderful reason to clebrate!". The ribbon is a wire ribbon which is probably why it stands up so well!

Enjoy the look see.

A Day at the Beach

Sweet Seasons is a set from Stampin' Up that I really enjoy using -- there's one that applies to each of the four seasons. This one, of course, is for summer. The "BEACH" is a part of the "A Shore Thing Collection" from Snag'em Stamps that I had ordered last year when I was stamping some "Save the Date" cards for a friend's wedding in the Bahamas. The card is one of those little ones (4.25 x 4.25) that I just love to make. I hope you like this card as much as I had fun making it.

Celebrate Memorial Day!

My good friend, Jay, is still recuperating from back surgery. He is very patriotic and is always sending emails about our troops and American holidays out to his friends. I made this card to send him for Memorial Day. The image is Patriotic Bear from Whipper Snapper Designs. The layout is from Michelle O's blog Stamps, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles. The star papers are from a stash of dp Mat Pack. The sentiment is a Stampin' Up rub-on. The star buttons have been in my button inventory for a long, long time. I used embroidery thread on the hole (and boy what a hard time I had doing that. As a result of diabetes, my left hand trembles and it was a real chore threading the buttons -- note to myself .. invest in another needle threader)!

Ingredients:

Very Vanilla CS, Real Red, Night of Navy, White, Summer Sun

Pallette Noir Black ink, Cats Eye beige for shading

Stampin' Up Large and Small Star punch

Buttons, Embroidery Thread, Copics

GRAND OPENING!!!

My daughter, Sara Williams (Tweaks and Designs), designed my new blog for a Mother's Day Gift!!! ISN'T IT GORGEOUS!! I love the colors, flowers, and little birds. She was so creative (as usual) with the fonts, design and all of it!! I was secretly hoping that she'd do this for Mother's Day for me (we certainly do think alike) and hurray SHE DID!! I made this card trying to use the same mum images and same colors to introduce the opening of my new blog!! I had ordered from Lizzie Anne the Garden Inspirations set (having seen a preview of what was going on the blog) so that I could use it on the first card going on the new site. I used Sage Shadow from Stampin' Up as the base color. The polka dot decorative paper is from Papertrey's Polka Dot Parade and the small floral under it was a freebie from Lizzie Anne that came with the stamp set. I mounted the two dp's were mounted on Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up). I used SU's Scallop Circle Punch for the large flower (colored with Copics). The leafy stem was colored with Stampin' Up's Sage Shadow and cut by hand. I punched the flowers from Blush Blossom using STU's Three for You punch box. Cat's Eye shading was used on all of the edges and 3-D Paint in tan was used as the centers of the small punch flowers. Dashes, Dots & Checks ribbons from Michael's accents the dp strip.

I love this card and think it is such a compliment to MY NEW BLOG!!

I hope you like it and the blog design.