Handmade card: Stand up and Dance

One of my favorite things is when someone gives me total creative freedom. In this card I was told "she likes PURPLE". Thank you Ms Jackson for giving me the freedom to create a beautiful birthday card for a beautiful lady.

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!

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 card: The King sang it BEST

As a child I remember my grandmother watching Elvis Presley movies. At the time of course I had no idea what I was watching or hearing, but looking back now I am extremely thankful. The card below is an anniversary card for our Chaplain's wife. Once he told me of their favorite Elvis song I was transported back to those musicals where he went from action to a dance number. Most of those movies were full of vivid colors, textures, and people having fun. That is what I hope you see in this card.

Yoshi card: Dream bigger

In learning about show pugs I have come to the conclusion that you can always achieve your dreams if you dream bigger than the expected. Showing black pugs has been an adventure and one that I have enjoyed immensely. Enjoy!

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

Sneak peek: Jar of happiness

I am blessed to have friends that inspire me to create beautiful things. This sneak peek shows detail of a card I just finished for a dear friend. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Yoshi page: Game On!

Today's page shows Yoshi in the stands waiting for his turn in the ring. It took me a few seconds to come up with the title, but once I did the font had to be perfect. Enjoy!

Handmade card: thank you Tasha

The most amazing gift is the gift of life. In this case my brother's girlfriend is carrying my new niece until May. Creating this card was so much fun!

Sneak peek: Yellow rose

This yellow ribbon rose was created with Cosmo Cricket Glubers... It was loads of fun to create

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 tag: Enjoy today

 This is the result of my texture play. I created a tribute to a co-worker whose mother is a strong breast cancer survivor. Her story inspired me to create this tag that she could display at her desk.

Many times I have been guilty of waiting for a special occasion to create something for someone. This friend has taught me how to do my job in a more efficient way. Even though thank you is something I can say in a card, I decided saying it through a tag would be more fitting. She was flattered and impressed when I incorporated her favorite color into this tag. The back of the tag reinforces how she inspired me.


It is a small tribute to all those strong women who battle breast cancer only to emerge as beautiful butterflies from a cocoon of pain. Thank you for inspiring me with your strength.

Sneak peek: You inspire me

Playing with textures is one of my favorite things. This sneak peek shows a detail of a recently created tag. 

Stay tuned for the remainder of the tag!

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.

Handmade card: Crocheted celebration

This card was created with scraps and bling. The flower was actually the cut out center of a crocheted doily embellished with red bling.

My sister commissioned this card for a co-worker who loves to party. Her birthday was a big affair this year and this card echoes the color scheme of the party invitation.

On the inside of the card I added one of my favorite stickers, since it is hers as well, a yummy margarita.

Thank you for following my blog! I welcome your comments and suggestions on any challenge or request you  may have.

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 tag: Summer's fancy

 Yesterday I set out a challenge to think outside of the box, and believe it or not, this is what I came up with. I wanted the colors to POP. In my everyday I prefer working with kraft paper but in this case I wanted the most contrast possible. I achieved that by using this black tag I found in my stash by the incomparable Teresa Collins.

I thought of making the paint chips look like ribbons across the paper and reinforce that with real washi tape. In the past I focused so much on making everything perfect that I failed to see the beauty in the imperfections. In this case I did not worry about the ribbons being perfectly straight, since I was concentrating on an overall summery feel. I am very happy with the result and would love to see anything you guys/gals may have created in my challenge.

 

Again I thank you for indulging my fanciful creations. Thanks always for stopping by my blog!

Mini Album: Our Family Photo

 

Their family is a unique and tightly bonded one. In this the last page in the anniversary mini album I created for my sister, the chinese proverb is perfect. This proverb states 'One generation plants the trees, another gets the shade.'

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Mini Album: Relationship memories

These are just a few of their vacation spots. The photo on the left was taken at Universal Studios while standing in line. The one on the right was taken in the pool in Sanibel Island, Florida (paradise on Earth).