Handmade card: A Marine hero!

As promised this is the complete view of a commissioned card for a coworker's daughter. She safely returned home from Afghanistan recently, and with a promotion to Sergeant to boot. I was honored to be able to give back to one of our women in uniform, proud Marine and beloved daughter. Her mother was so impressed with the card!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Sneak Peek: A Hero

In my line of work I come across many challenges, and this one is no exception. The mission was creating a shabby chic card for a heroic daughter of a co-worker who had just returned from deployment. Stay tuned to this blog for the whole card and envelope.

Mini Album: Tags aplenty

Bling detail

I'll admit I have been guilty of not seeing creative opportunities everywhere. Incorporating past clothing tags was an idea I have been mulling over for awhile and just now set it to paper. 

 

The different colors and textures looked good together. They are the tags for some of my favorite clothes.

 

Distress stains are my go-to supply recently. You can apply them directly or paint with them. In this case I used them directly to paper.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Mini Album: Worth every minute - Part 5

Mini Album: Worth every minute - Part 3

 I would like my creation to speak for itself when words fail me.

 Tags are a perfect way to allow the receiver to add their thoughts and/or photos. Little pockets can hold all kinds of memorabilia.

Mini Album: Worth every minute - Part 2

In welcoming someone into our family I wanted to show how home is a relative term. In the way I wrote 'Home is where you are' and added the figures
next to a cozy house.








































Dylusions Postbox RED made the heart mask show perfectly. I enjoy working with all kinds of found objects or leftover chipboard sheets.

Yoshi card: Celebrating Shirley

Yet another unique Yoshi card was created for his Aunt Shirley (his grandpa's mommy). It is amazing how much I have learned about pugs since I got to Texas. She is a close friend and supporter, so her satisfaction is one of my goals when I make her cards.

She loves the cute tricks he can do, like sitting up when he wants a treat or just to watch his favorite western on TV.

The photo I used may have been indoors but the card is all about the great Texas scenery.

Thanks for visiting my blog!
 

Handmade envelope: Auntie Marie's b-day

 Yoshi's Auntie Marie is a very special lady, so that required a very special envelope. The closure was made up of some of my favorite brads (wood flower and corduroy). The patterned paper may look like the previous ones, but I chose this one because of the doilies embellishing the edges.

 

I echoed the wildflowers from the card and added a little gingham ribbon to a Jenni Bowlin milk cap chipboard button. Heidi Swapp's mistable letter and label matched the look perfectly. Where there are flowers here in Texas you will undoubtedly find butterflies, so Martha Stewart's butterfly punch came in handy.

Thanks for following my blog!

 

Yoshi card: Better late than never

Yoshi's Auntie Marie is one of his favorite people  to cuddle with at any time. His photos are more than just an inspiration. He is a larger than life character so it is always a challenge to outdo the last card. Marie lives in the Texas Hill Country so I always like to add wildflowers since they are her favorite.

 

I used some ribbon that I distressed with some of Tim Holtz' distress stain, just love the STUFF! It adds that little something that finishes everything like nothing else. Jenni Bowlin's star stickers is another must have for me. It helps me personalize any card or envelope. The Prima bling needs no explanation, LOL.

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Please feel free to add a comment or suggestion.

Sneak peek: Gratitude and Gifts

In the last couple of months I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for all of the blessings that have come my way. I have a job that allows me to work with amazing people. Even though at times it can become stressful the laughter and teamwork, shared in the quiet time, make up for it.

It has only taken me this long to restart my blog because I wanted to excel at my day job. My creative mind has never been as active as when I am learning new things. I take pieces of paper where I can doodle in between job tasks.

I trust what I have to share in the coming days/weeks/months will show how my creativity has developed. My gift to you is a small sample.

Handmade envelope: Vintage homemade

 

This envelope was created for yesterday's handmade card.  Heidi Swapp's Color Magic paper is an amazing product. I love the subtleties I can achieve with inks.

 

I was looking to make it appear vintagey and dimensional. I love Amy Tangerine's thickers and the little stitch marks on them. 

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Pug card: Bette's card from Yoshi

 

This card is Yoshi's way of thanking his friend, Bette for showcasing him in the PDCA Nationals catalog. Yoshi's career is at an all time high and he is a proud little pug. He wanted me to add thank you in different languages (chinese, spanish, english) as he has fans in many countries.

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Handmade envelope: Gracias envelope to Kathi

 

I wanted to share this envelope which I created to accompany yesterday's Yoshi card. Heidi Swapp's Color Magic paper is so much fun to work with that I strongly recommend it. You can customize it to any project. I used chalk inks and distress inks, as I have yet to purchase any mists. 

 

It has been forever since I worked with buttons but I had a blast adding these to my envelope label. The black and white twine was tuxedo black by the Twinery (recent purchase on yardsellr), I love the richness of the color!

 

...and the final product is one I am immensely proud of to say the least. I trust Kathi will love it as much as I did creating it!

Thanks for stopping by my blog

Canine Card: Shetland Island beauty

 

This is one of my favorite rustic style cards. The beauty of the Shetland Sheepdog inspired me to create a unique feeling card. The Scotland Coat of Arms is gorgeous and brings in the history of this breed. Chevron and wood patterned paper were used to add a rich mix of textures.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I welcome your comments and suggestions for future creations.

Handmade envelope: Father's Day from Yoshi

 

Here's the handmade envelope for the Father's Day card I created for Yoshi's daddy. He was particular that it had to be colorful like his Poppa's favorite shirts. The buttons were my idea and thankfully he allowed me to put them on the front of the envelope. The flower was found in one of the Michaels' clearance bin, and I was so happy that it almost matched the patterned paper perfectly.

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I welcome your comments and/or suggestions on current or future creations.