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.

Digital art: Time passes

A year ago this month I was bestowed the incredible honor of being this little lady's God-momma. It is one of my proudest titles in life. She is now almost 15 months old and flourishing like a beautiful flower. If I had only one wish it would be to have her close enough to visit but that is not fair to her mommy, daddy and extended family in her home state. I love creating these digital pages to share and boast on my God-baby. 

Enjoy!

Digital art: School's In Session

We were graced with finding a female pug puppy in February. Oki has enriched our lives, and that of our first pug Yoshi. They are at times playmates and at times boyfriend-girlfriend. We laugh at how easily she learns some of his bad habits and vice versa. This was one such teaching session in our backyard.

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.

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.

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: 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!

Handmade card: the SWEETEST roses

Over the weekend I decided to play with some of my favorite paper line, My Mind's Eye "The Sweetest Thing". Throughout the week I will share some more cards. 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

Handmade card: Conguero birthday

Today was my co-worker's birthday. He is a talented conga player who counts Ray Barretto and Tito Puente as his idols.  I had quite a bit of fun creating a unique personalized birthday card. He had admired one of my previous cards, that was a sympathy card though. He mentioned how beautiful it was and how he could not afford a card that detailed. I made it a point to ask him specific questions about his passion, playing the congas. That information helped me to create this card. Enjoy!!!

Yoshi card: double birthdays

Today marks the birthday of two very members of my family, my brother-in-law and our close friend. I had a tough time outdoing my last creations for them. My brother-in-law loved his, and now I'm just waiting to hear back from our friend. You be the judge...

This is Marie's card above! I went for vintage themed and colorful.

For my brother-in-law's card I used one of his favorite Yoshi photos. The paisley resembles one of his dress shirts, and the saying "Eat,Sleep,Play,Repeat" defines Yoshi's favorite things to do.

Art Journal: Zink Happiness

Last Sunday I was watching Lisa Bearnson on HSN as she featured this amazing little ZINK (zero ink) printer. I am usually good at resisting buying brand new tools, but I did cave after learning all of the features. I received my purchase on Wednesday and could hardly wait to start playing with it. Here are some examples.

Handmade card: Taken 2 soon

To be totally truthful sympathy cards are my biggest weakness when it comes to creating a quick card. The one I just finished was for the family of someone I work with since his daughter tragically passed away. 

 

I knew I wanted the card to be feminine and have butterflies, so off I went head first into my stash. I pulled out a new butterfly stencil, started coloring it in with inks, then step back....YUCK, I said that is not what I wanted at all....think! Think! think! Took out another stencil with frilly lace cut outs ....tap, tap with dark watered down Faber Castell gelatos, step back!..... Oh NO not again. I refused to start over with a new card blank though. I took a dark brown, almost Kraft colored gelato while resting the paper on a paper towel. I got that a-ha moment feeling inside. 

Added a little bit of water to spread the ink, then dabbed it with the paper towel. This helped just enough of the background to come through. In the end it looks like a walk through a garden with a full moon illuminating the feathery hydrangea I added. These flowers are from a favorite floral sticker line by PSX studio. The butterflies are from the same line, you know I had to get butterflies in there somehow, LOL!

Finishing it up had to include pearls (on the flowers and the title). To me pearls signify femininity and all things delicate. Some canvas ribbon from my latest Michaels trip, and I called it a night.

The funeral is being held today and I had a close friend from work deliver it for me. I hope my friend, Warden Moran, and his family will think it a fitting tribute during this difficult time.

Yoshi card: Shirley's happy blessings day

Our friend Shirley has had some difficult times recently, so I made this happy birthday card to cheer her  up. I mailed it on Friday to make she would get it in time. Her eyes usually light up and her face breaks out into a big smile when she sees Yoshi. May you have many more blessings dear friend.

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.

Family page: Sparkling 4th of July

Today I have chosen an older photo to celebrate the true meaning of Independence Day. My cousin Mike served his country proudly.

Family page: Stylish cousin

Today I am featuring one of my stylish cousins. She is a talented graphic designer taking the Dominican Republic by storm. I am proud to be related to her. Isn't she gorgeous?!

Spring turns into Summer

As Spring falls away and Summer ushers I feel reinvigorated. While channel surfing I came across what I have been looking for for so long. The origami organization rack is just what the doctor ordered. It took some hard work and sorting, but thank heavens I was successful at last. I know this will  recharge my creativity. Thank you HSN and Origami for offering such an amazing value.