What a weather week!

Just a few days ago on Monday we had about 2-3" of snow on the ground, the schools were closed and the temperature didn't get to 30 degrees. Yesterday you wouldn't have guessed it because there is no evidence and the temperature was almost 80 degrees. This short burst of heat will end by Tuesday and we'll see more seasonable temperatures. But for those of us that like to exercise outside in warmer weather it was a nice change of pace.

Until my next post,

Diane

Love, love you, love you more

Last month along with trading ATC's Sid and I sent a magazine across the pond. I sent him Sommerset Studio and he sent me Craft Stamper in honor of his getting published in that magazine. The Craft Stamper magazine came with a free stamp that I used to make a birthday card for my hubby. The stamp could also be used for Valentine's Day but I thought it was a good choice for a birthday card for my special guy. My card is a compilation of a few ideas I saw in the magazine. I cut the mini hearts apart from the main stamp and used it as a border. It was tough to see so I colored over it with a Sakura Gelly Roll pen. The rest of the stamping is done with Color Box chalk inks since they work well with clear stamps. I outlined all the "tags" with a Stardust Gelly Roll pen but it is hard to see in the photo. It gives the card a bit more bling.

Until my next post,
Diane

Easy as 1,2,3 card

This is another card I made using the one sheet wonder technique. If you google that term you'll find MANY options to choose from. Better yet why waste the time to google just click on my link and you will find many templates. This card, and the others in this batch used up some extra scrapbook paper. The base of the card is from DCWV and it is glittered. The paper is from Provo Craft. The stamp is from the Sugarloaf/Inque 264 set of stamps. The finishing touch which might be tough to see from the scan is the Sakura Stardust pen outlining I did to the stamped Happy Birthday and the flower borders.

Until my next post,

Diane

Spinner ATC's

These three ATC’s were for Sid in the UK for our monthly swap. I picked the theme which was to use craft spinner often used by children (hey we are all BIG kids right?). This was featured on the Yahoo group the Scrapbook Lounge. Unfortunately there aren’t any new episodes but the Yahoo group is alive and well.
#1
Center the card on the spinner. Dip a waterbrush into your color (I used Colorations Watercolor in lime, orange, green) and lightly touch the card as it is spinning. Add the second and third colors drying in between colors. Next, move the card to each of the four colors and reapply the colors drying in between. The stamp I used is from Impression Obsession. I stamped it using Whisper Orange and Butterscotch dye inks. Trace the lines of the stamp with a VersaMarker and emboss with clear embossing powder. Next, outline edges with Marvy Metallic Marker. Add the dragonfly embellishments and add to an orange background.

#2
Color over the openings of a Plaid swirl stencil with a VersaMarker on Paper Cut glossy paper. This will act as a resist. Center the paper on the spinner. Spray Colorations Watercolor spray with Fuchsia and Turquoise without drying in between. Spray Glimmer Mist Pearl and dry all sprays. Run the card through a Cuttlebug with swirl embossing folder. Dab the raised portions with Tsukineko Brilliance in Pearlescent purple, lavender and sky blue. Add the metallic word from Michaels $1 bargain bin and mount on a black background.

#3
The base is black glossy paper from the Paper Cut and the flowers are white glossy paper also from the Paper Cut. Estimate the size you need based on the size of the punch and cut to size. Center the piece of paper on the spinner. Using a fine tip Sharpie lightly touch the tip to the paper while it is spinning. Mix the colors to suit your taste. Punch the squares into the flowers. Adhere the flowers using a small Xyron to the black glossy cardstock.

I had fun making these and hope Sid likes them.

Until my next post,

Diane

Card for Sid

Here's the card I sent to Sid that had my Feb ATC's inside. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the ATC's. The card is from a concept called One Sheet Wonders. I used patterened paper instead of making my own background paper like some folks have. The template I got was from Mae Collins, she has a bunch of great templates to use for inspiration.

The patterened paper is from Provo Craft. The stamped image is another of my Studio G $1 stamps. I colored in the stamped image with Sakura Glaze markers.

Until my next post,
Diane

Card for March ATC of the month

If I have one handy, I like to include a card when I send out my ATC of the month or ATC lotteries. For swaps I don't send a card (maybe I should though) because the ATCs get distributed to many people. I probably should send a card (for a swap) when I can because the folks that host the swaps do a lot of work and often don't get thanked.

This card is one of my latest Sheetload cards and now you get to see it in detail. I used an 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock cut in half to make two A2 cards. On top of that is a piece of DCWV textured cardstock. The rest is paper from American Traditional Design along with the flower embellishment.

So...for those of you that do swaps my belated THANKS for all the work you do resorting cards, ATCs, 4x4 pages and all the other things we crafters like to trade.

Until my next post,

Diane

Winter Wonderland

Like a great majority of the eastern seaboard of the USA my local area got some snow late Sunday and early Monday morning. Naturally the schools were closed as were many goverment offices. Since we rarely get snow my joke is that (one) snowplow driver must get very tired. It was a very wet snow and in my little world didn't really stick to the road or driveway. Now that's what I'm talking about. What if we could invent a way to have it just stick to the ground and roofs. It would be a beautiful winter wonderland. Folks wouldn't have to shovel, we wouldn't need snow plows or sand/salt and the snow would stay pretty. I went out early Monday morning to fill the bird feeders then came inside and snapped some photos.

Until my next post,

Diane

Laughed until I cried

On Sunday I went to see Menopause the Musical with two friends. I got the idea of arranging a girls day out after reading another blog (sorry can't remember who). The recommendation was so strong I clicked on the link and right there and then decided I needed to arrange a road trip. The show is about 90 minutes or so of non-stop laughing...unless you are the teenager/20 something gal that sat next to my friend Jeannie. After the show at an early dinner Jeannie said the poor girl didn't laugh or smile throughout the show. We all said she'll get it in about 20 years then realize what it's all about. The show was so great I bought the soundtrack, something I rarely do. Not only is the show entertaining but a portion of the proceeds goes to ovarian cancer research. For those of you down under it is coming your way so check out the link to see when you too can laugh until you cry.

Until my next post,
Diane

Stampers Corner March ATC of the month

This month at my Yahoo group Stampers Corner our ATC of the month club had a theme of “acetate use”. The base of this cards is using the Rock King card stock from DCWV. On top of that is a whitish piece of paper cut to the same size as my acetate. I’ve got a pack from the Paper Cut. It is heat quality so you can use it in a copy machine or laser printer and you can heat emboss on it too. I ran a 8.5 x 11 piece through my laser printer and printed some free quotes from Pennywise Arts. I adhered the paper to the acetate with my Xyron to hide the glue lines. I used Ranger alcohol inks in the following colors: lettuce, meadow, pesto, bottle and stream. The finishing touches were a bit of peel-off stickers from Dovecraft colored with the same alcohol ink colors and some outlining with a Marvy Metallic Marker. Hope you like it.

Until my next post,
Diane

Giving Credit where it is due

A while back I had a post of the page I submitted for the Yahoo Mixed Media Art Friends that I belong to. I had seen a video that gave me inspiration but couldn't remember who did it. It bothered me and I kept searching using different terms and FINALLY found the source. Jennifer McGuire made this post and although I modified it using recycled cardboard instead of Grungeboard and Gel Medium rather than Mod Podge the concept was basically the same. Take a look at Jennifer's video and maybe you too will be inspired to make something fun.

Until my next post,
Diane