Handmade card: Love every moment

As I have mentioned before, I love challenging occasion for cards. In this case a friend wanted a special card for her fiancé for, in her own words, putting up with her. Her fiancé loves riding his motorcycle in his free time, but yet he has a soft cuddly side watching movies with her. I handed this card to her this morning and look forward to hearing what his reaction was to receiving it.

Handmade card: Urban traveler's birthday

Friday I found out I had just a few days to create a super special card for a friend. She loves to travel to exciting destinations and vivid colors. She has an incredible sense of style and I wanted to ensure that came across in her birthday card. Since her birthday was yesterday, she took the day off so she could enjoy her day (away from the craziness that is our job). 

First thing this morning I answered my phone at work to hear my friend excitedly thanking me for her card. She explained it captured her spirit to a "T" and she would be encasing it in a frame so she can enjoy it every day. Ms Winn totally made an otherwise dull Tuesday, terrific!

Donations: PDCA Nationals auctions

This year it was my pleasure to donate 20 of my handmade cards to the Pug Dog Club of America's auctions. I knew anyone attending this annual convention would enjoy a varied collection of pug cards.

I look forward to seeing the look on the winning bidder's face. Stay tuned for more pictures.

Handmade card: Voyage to wellness

I welcomed the challenge of creating a get well card for a dear friend with relish. She had undergone a complete knee replacement and was going through a painful stage in her recovery. She is an avid world traveler and adventurer. I wanted to make sure she received it before I posted it. Thankfully she loved the card. I trust you (my bloggers) will feel the same way.

Handmade card: Momma Gloria's birthday card

In my last post I referenced a crystal inspiration card. This is the complete picture now that the recipient (Momma Gloria) has received it. I treasure the reaction to my heirloom creations and I was told  she purchased a frame to proudly display the card and envelope. She was stunned that someone had created such an ornate card.

Sneak peek: crystalline inspiration

In this wondrous creative process, I sometimes get flashes of inspiration in the unlikeliest sections of the craft store. This sneak peek is evidence of that. The one certainty I had was that it had to be colorful with a stained glass design. I believe this is my vision come to life.

Handmade envelope: a completed melody

I enjoy challenges, especially when they are not planned. For this envelope i needed more than one 12"x12" sheet of paper. The vintage look I wanted came through perfectly.

Sneak Peek: Magical Journey

In today's sneak peek I want to share a topic I feel very strongly about. Love is a very sacred pact between two people. This is just a small detail prior to unveiling a bigger picture. This blog, like myself, is in a process of constant evolution and growth. Please accept my invitation to take this magical journey!

Enjoy & Share!

Yoshi card: best is yet to come

I waited until Kathi received this card before I blogged it. This was one of those personal creative explosions I have from time to time, LOL! The vines are meant to represent Yoshi's family tree since Kathi is the breeder who created our Grand Champion Brindun's Johnny One Note. She sent us all an email as soon as she got our card. I decided to create and send it early since I had my wisdom teeth extracted on Thursday .....I had no pain until this morning, and now I have an ice pack on my face. Oh well, at least I have one more day to recover before I return to work. 

Enough about my pity party....here is the card in all its glory ! Thank you for visiting my blog. Please feel  free to send me a message with any questions or requests.

Photo credit: Glenda Harlin

Yoshi Card: Super Star

Just returned from a San Antonio dog show where our Grand Champion, Yoshi, was awarded Select Dog. This award is a 4-point major win. In our eyes he is a Super Star every day, but it's always good when someone else agrees.

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!

Outside the box: Butterfly dreams

Recently I received a challenge to use these butterflies in a magical project. My love for challenges has led me to some awesome creations. I look forward to sharing my final result incorporating these lovely jeweled butterflies.

Stay tuned!

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 1

 This is a very special project dedicated to the newest addition to our family. The cover may look a little different just because I changed the red-dyed twine for ribbon.

I decided to define the love in this album with hearts on the cover. The word sticker I found was perfect for what I wanted to convey (Worth Every Minute).

My collection of Tim Holtz distress stains came in handy, especially the new metallic one in Bronze.

 The flower was from Amy Tangerine's line but I did embellish it with a gold pearl pen.

 The distressed look came out perfectly since I did not want it to look perfect. I want it to be like an heirloom that they can treasure for a long time.

The inside front cover is a vibrant heart behind the words 'It's all about YOU'. I used some Heidi Swapp calendar printables to make extra memorabilia pockets throughout the album.

I gesso'd the back of said heart and colored it with Dyan Reaveley's  Dylusions pure sunshine mist.

Many more pages follow, so stay tuned!

Handmade card: Aloha birthday

 

Hawaii was the inspiration for this one-of-a-kind birthday card. I was commissioned to create this card for a lady who loves to travel to Hawaii. She loves the history, look and feel of the place. I did not want to just get a hawaiian landscape and call it DONE. The vintage poster I found was the perfect image that screams Polynesian escape.

 

The fake palm frond was created by trimming a prima paper leaf from my stash. Heidi Swapp bling and Invisibles polka dot patterned paper completed the look. The color on the paper was from several shades of Tim Holtz distress ink.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Handmade envelope: Mexican souvenir

This envelope is one of my favorites that I've created, not just because of who it was going to, but because it has a little bit of everything on it. Excusing the run on sentences that I am famous for. I have collected a wide variety of Tim Holtz paper that I like to use A LOT!!!

 

I brought back the love of all things MEXICO with this vivid sticker... Don't worry the stones were just props!

 

The brads reminded of things I saw in Mexico. The red is a bright color you see everywhere there. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Yoshi card: Tropical birthday

All cards are created equal, with love and attention, but there are some that lie closer to the heart. The idea behind this one was to be whimsical and tropical at the same time. The recipient adores Mexico, so he was a little understanding about the Hawaiian shirt.

 

In my defense hibiscus flowers also grow in Mexico, just saying. The coconut drink was my idea since I could not get a coconut cocktail (for my birthday) on my one and only trip to Mexico. At least Yoshi enjoyed one for me on this card.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Handmade envelope: Vintage blessings for Aunt Shirley

This envelope was created to celebrate our dear Aunt Shirley's birthday recently.

 

Even though we live miles apart each of these envelopes have the ability to bridge that gap and touch Aunt Shirley's heart. Each year we have known her has been celebrated in such a unique way. I can only hope the cards we send her are as valuable to her as she is to us.

 

Thanks for visiting my blog!

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!
 

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.