Handmade envelope: Home away from home

 

 The stitched brad I used on this envelope was almost tailor made. I don't think any other brad could echo the look of a hibiscus flower the same way. The jewel brad was my attempt at adding a little more decadence.

 

The recipient of this envelope considers Hawaii her home away from home so I wanted to allude to that. The alphabet letter I used is actually a combination of an "L" and an "I" to represent a Tiki motif. Again I used a Prima paper leaf cut up to look like a palm frond.

 

Thank you 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!

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!
 

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!

 

Handmade envelope: Nana Kathi's birthday

When you take the separate items I use to create these handmade envelopes, it's pretty crazy how they all come out so differently. I can't say I really had a clear cut idea when I started this one. It just evolved!

 

Nana Kathi loves the weathered wood look (that you see alot of here in Texas) so that was clear cut as the background of this envelope. The rest was more based on eclectic vintage pieces, like the jean button brad ('New & Improved') and the wood flower brad. One of my recent influences is Junk Gypsy and I channeled their style in this envelope.

Thank you for following my blog! I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Handmade envelope:Freshly caught

 

The envelope for yesterday's highlighted handmade card had to be as masculine as I could make it. The above closure brad was a plain brown mega brad when I decided to add a star sticker in the middle of it. The recipient is a proud retired veteran and (current) correctional officer/mentor. He is a proud member of the unit where I work.

 

Despite not knowing him for a long time I could tell he is a PROUD American who is making the most of his beautiful life. He enjoys  every aspect of fishing, from enjoying the outdoors to bringing back that perfect catch.

Looking forward to your comments and/or suggestions... Thank you for following my blog!

Handmade card: Fishing for wishes

 

 This card was created for someone who loves to fish. Even though it is a masculine card I thought it was only fitting I add a few dimensional bling to the fishing lure. Some of my extensive stash of wood patterned paper came in handy.

  

The picture I had in mind, when creating this card, was that of an old comic book with the different frames inside each page. In the past I looked forward to fishing trips with my family and I believe I brought that across in this card. The recipient is a new co-worker, who told me he relaxes by going fishing in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

I look forward to your suggestions and comments, or you could always email me if you would like to see me create anything special for you and yours.

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 card: Hugs and Kisses

 

This is what resulted from my wanting to create a beautifully feminine card. I feel like people fail to send cards like this just to let someone know they are thinking of them. Heart cards are NOT just for Valentine's day. My goal  is to let my loved ones know I love them every day not just on holidays.

Thank you for stopping by my blog! 

Handmade card: Missing home

 

The whimsical clouds in this patterned paper inspired me to create a missing home card.  Even though I know I may be missing home while away at training, I will be putting all my energy on learning everything I can.

 

Thank you for continuing to follow my blog! I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Canine card: Ooo La La!

 

Bienvenue mon amis (Welcome my friends!) to my continuing canine card collection. Welcome to beauty and creativity. This bling took my breath away and I have been keeping myself from over using it. This was the perfect place for it. The sweetness of this French Bulldog screams out Paris.

 

When I think Paris I see masterpieces in the world's great museums, delicious chocolates, breathtaking sites (like the Eiffel tower) and beautiful cruises down the Seine. I know the ship pictured is a cruise ship, but that was the general idea.

 

This card would be the perfect gift for any French Bulldog lover. If you would like any card customized with your preferred breed, leave me a comment or drop me a message. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Handmade card: Paradise found

 

Where my last creation sprang from paint chips, this card sprang from a tropical paradise calendar I was given. Each page is more breathtaking than the next so it took me a little time to choose the image I wanted to work with today. I knew I wanted to incorporate wood patterned paper. Using white wood patterned paper would have felt too matchy matchy so I resisted that temptation. I like it much better with the wood patterns and chevron pattern I selected.

 

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Canine Card: Springer Spaniel

 

This Springer Spaniel has such an expressive face I did not want to detract from it. The embellishments are minimal and the coat of arms shows where the breed originated. The wood patterned paper has a subtle doily pattern to soften the wood look.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog and admiring the work I create with such love 

Handmade Tag: Discovering my style

I have this crazy love for wood patterned paper. It may be the distressed thing or just the realistic thing. This tag was a fun challenge to myself. The feather I added just for kicks (I found it in the backyard today!)

 When I saw these K&Co slide stickers in the store I knew they were the dimensional fanciful embellishments I needed on my cards. A little change of pace from all the canine cards. You know what they say about variety being the spice of life. Back to canine cards tomorrow! Any requests or challenges?! Please let me know and I will gladly oblige.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Enjoy the journey!

Canine card: Siberian Husky

Once I saw this image of a Siberian Husky I knew I wanted to use it on this card. The eyes are so clear and expressive. The fur is so fluffy that you almost feel like you could reach out and pet him. I wanted to echo that softness on the embellishments so I used some blue velvet ribbon and baker's twine wrapped around a soft blue jeweled brad.

If you see that there is a dog breed I have not featured that you would like to see, drop me a comment or email. Thank you for stopping by my blog!