And as the year comes to an end...

I haven't had much time lately to do any stamping.  Things in life are, as always, hectic.  My 20th high school reunion was a couple of weeks ago, and I had such a wonderful time catching up with old friends and reconnecting with people.  I don't care what anyone says, Facebook is a blessing!

At this time in my life, I have come to the realization that life is just too damn short; too short to be living miserably; too short not to make the best of it.  So, there is change on the horizon.  I anticipate a rollercoaster of emotions forthcoming.  It's not going to be easy, that is for sure, but in the end, I have to do what is best for me.  I've learned that, hey what?  It's ok to think of yourself first once in a while.  My feelings do matter.  I don't have to do what other people think is right for me, or for my family because in the end, I know what is right for me.  No one else. 

I know I sound like I'm rambling, and I know I don't normally post anything other than happy little card creations, but I've been inspired and needed to unload my thoughts somewhere. 

One of these days, I may actually get back into my crafting.  It is, after all, a great pressure reliever, but until then, I will be busy with work, children & family and just the everyday chaos of this crazy life. 

Be well, my friends.

Anniversary Card

Here is an anniversary card I made.  It's largely based on Dawn McVey's card seen here.  I just switched up the colors and the main damask stamp.  This set is called Damask Designs by Papertrey Ink and was actually designed by Dawn, who I got to meet briefly at CHA this summer.  Love those girls at Papertrey - they really are Class A people!

Recipe:

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Damask Designs
Paper: Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate, SU! Pink Pirouette, Curious Metallics Poison Ivory
Ink: Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate
Accessories: Ribbon, pink crystal

A Harvest Card in Non-Traditional Colours

Here's a harvest/Thanksgiving card that was in the batch of cards going to my friend Victoria for her friend.  I had coloured the image a little while back and was happy with the way it came out.  I decided to use colours that are not the traditional fall colours in order to bring out the yellow in the corn and the blue halo around the image. 

Recipe:

Stamps:  SU!
Ink:  Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper:  SU!'s Retired Cool Caribbean, Papertrey's Lemon Tart cardstock and patterened paper, Neenah Classic Crest - Solar White
Accessories:  Gamsol, Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, Prismacolor pencils, blending stumps, Papertrey's ribbon in Lemon Tart, dimensionals

One more for the Whiff of Joy Guest Designer call...

Here is my third and final entry for the Whiff of Joy Guest Designer call. This is Willow with hot chocolate from Whiff of Joy. I love her! She's a lot of fun to color. She was colored using Gamsol and Faber-Castell polychromos colored pencils, which is my favorite way to color. I can almost smell the hot cocoa in her cup! This is a card that is going to my friend Victoria, along with the cards in the last two posts and the cards that will be seen in two future posts. She has a friend who is going to be deployed, so she is compiling a few cards for him to take on his deployment for he and his fellow troops to send home. They're on their way today V!

Recipe:

Stamps: Whiff of Joy, SU!

Ink: Tsukinedo Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Bashful Blue, Papertrey Ink White, patterned paper

Accessories: Gamsol, Faber-Castell polychromos colored pencils, crystal embellishment, Plaid Extreme Glitter in Hologram

Whiff of Joy - Guest Designer Call - 2nd Entry

As you can see by my previous post, Whiff of Joy is having their guest designer call. If you'd like to try out to be one of their guest designers, there is still time to get your entry in!

Here's my second entry. Isn't she sweet? (Aren't they all!) This is Lizzie, all nice and warm for the winter.

I had a lot of fun coloring her, but my favorite part is the flocking on her ear muffs, muff, and boots! This image is perfect for flock!

Recipe:

Stamps: Whiff of Joy, SU!

Paper: Shimmery White, Bashful Blue, patterned paper

Ink: Tsukineko Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Flocking, glue pen, mini pom-poms, ribbon, Gamsol, Faber-Castell polychromos colored pencils, blending stumps

Whiff of Joy Stamps - Guest Designer Call

Whiff of Joy Stamps is having a Guest Designer Call for the end of September, October and November and I would love to be a designer, wouldn't you? For more information about applying to be a Guest Designer check out Katharina's Blog.

I love Whiff of Joy Stamps. Their images are so sweet and unique! Here's my latest creation. This is Melinda the helping angel. I just adore the Guardian Angel collection. How can you have just one?

Recipe

Stamps: Whiff of Joy, Sentiment: SU!

Paper: SU! Almost Amethyst, Patterned Paper, Neenah Classic Crest - Solar White

Ink: Tsukinedo Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Gamsol, Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Plaid Glitter Paint - Holograph, SU! Ribbon

A Card for a Friend

I have an internet friend who has really been going through a tough time lately battling cancer, as well as knee surgery and complications which have arisen recently. She's a wonderful person from what I know of her through the internet and her posts are always well thought out and respectful. She's really been dealt a lot and I admire her grace through all that she has endured, and continues to endure. I made this card for her, in hopes to brighten her day, even if just a teeny bit!

I got to play with a new product that I recently picked up - Plaid's FolkArt Extreme Glitter in Hologram. O. M. G! I *heart* this stuff!!! After I stamped the flowers and colored them with Copics and Prismacolor markers, I painted all of them with this Extreme Glitter and WOW! What an effect! It dries fast (a few minutes), the paper doesn't curl, the glitter stays put - it reminds me of cardstock that comes pre-glittered - the kind that doesn't fall off the paper. I love it and will definitely be using it again in the future, I even went out and picked it up in silver, black and gold - can't wait to find some time to play with those too!

Recipe

Stamps: SU!

Paper: Shimmery White, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor Premiere Markers, Plaid's FolkArt Extreme Glitter in Holograph (painted on all the flowers - love this stuff!!!), ribbon, self-stick gems