Handmade envelope: Betty Jo's Giddy Up

When I created this envelope I saw it clearly in my mind's eye. I almost felt the wind brushing through my own hair....weird, but true. What I had been told about Betty Jo was that she was a very independent and active 80 years young. She runs her own errands in her trusty van she has owned since forever, loves her family, loves Texas wild flowers, and is a huge Aggies fan. I absorbed all of that information and created this envelope for her card. Enjoy!

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.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Yoshi card: Belated Birthday Nana

In many ways I hate to forget anyone's birthday, but due to having a day job now, time is at a premium. Our dear friend Kathi loves receiving cards for any occasion. When the card includes her favorite pug, Yoshi, she is even happier.

 

I just recently found a great deal on some Heidi Swapp fabric ribbon and knew I wanted to transform it with Tim Holtz distress inks. Add a couple of hearts and a brad/button combo, VOILA!

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Handmade card: Fredericksburg

In the seven months I have lived in Texas I've experienced the richness of the history in every corner of this state. From the plains of the East to the deserted mountains of the West, but I must admit I am partial to the Hill Country. In this part I count Fredericksburg which I recently visited.

Travelogue: Gillespie County, Texas

This is my first Springtime  in Texas and I must say it is definitely awe inspiring. It's like someone turned on the hue on a Hi- Definition TV. Nowhere is that more evident than in the hill country.  My trip to Gillespie County was one full of vibrant colors, scents and patterns. I trust you will enjoy these pictures as much as I did taking them.

Red Corn Poppy field

Larkspur

Bluebonnets

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Card: Susan's farewell

 This is the completed card I created for a traveling nurse who is moving to Montana. She is loved by everyone who works with her. Every spare moment she spends in the employee breakroom knitting a gift for a friend or family member.

I wanted this card to act as a souvenir of her time in Austin. I used Adobe Photoshop Elements to create a postcard full of signature images of Austin (longhorns, capitol building, wildflowers).

 Topped with blue crystals that guide the eye to the embellished heart wrapped with the proverbial bonds of friendship that will endure time and distance.

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Travelogue: Washington County, Texas

Before moving to Texas my family raved about the beauty of the wildflowers, but I had no idea until I experienced them for myself.

I may not know the name of all of the different wildflowers yet I can appreciate beauty when I see it.

Some of the ones pictured are Bluebonnets and Indian Blankets. This photo was taken by me while driving through Washington County (from Houston to Austin) on Hwy 290.