Language of Friendship Flowers

A while back I started work on a 12x12 tile canvas but just didn't know how to finish it up.  I was missing something.  When my daughter-in-law, Jody, was here last week I asked her what she thought.  Being a gifted artist, she said added some greenery to the vase of flowers.  So, Taylored Expressions was having a special on dies that week so I ordered a couple and used the springs from the Flower Box, Sprigs & Flowers Die.  They were perfect for the vase, which is also a Taylored Expressions die.  I put the completed project in a frame but forgot to take a picture of the framed work before giving it away.  I seem to do that consistently with finished projects.  I don't think I have shared it before so here is the center tile up close and below that you will see the full 12x12 tile canvas.

Stamp Set:  Language of Friendship; Ink:  Midnight Muse; Card Stock:  Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Decorative Label Punch (Stampin' Up), Posh Vases Dies (Taylored Expressions), Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers Dies (Taylored Expressions), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Colored flower from Taylored Expressions, Brass Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stay tuned as I did promise that I'd share the cards I made in a recent class I took.  I wasn't able to stay for the class so I'm making them on my own.  I should have one or two of them done in the next couple of days.

My Day of Rest and Worship

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;' One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:4-6

KJV

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Don't get me wrong!  I love the rain.  The only thing I don't like is when it's day after day without a hint of sunshine!  Well, at least the temperatures are getting warmer.  Now don't you think rain and blue just seem to go together?
 

Tomorrow night I'm attending a new class so be sure to tune in on Wednesday to see what what I've been up to.  I can't wait to share with you.

An Oldie but a Goodie!

April will soon be gone and Mother's Day is only a bit over three weeks away.  What special thing do you have planned to do for your mother?  Going to take her out to dinner?  Attend church with her?  What ever it is, I know she will appreciate it.

Stamp Sets:  Triple Treat Flower, Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Perfect Plum; Card Stock:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, 1/2" Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Jewels Basic Rhinestone, Fancy Flower Punch, Dazzling Details

My Day of Rest and Worship

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.  And into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100

NKJV

Beautiful Birthday Flowers

Today's mail brought my new CardMaker magazine.  I've had a subscription to this magazine for several years now and never get tired of seeing all the great designs.  Their Floral Birthday Card, as seen on page 20 of the magazine, was the inspiration for my Beautiful Birthday Flowers.  With all the rain and cloudy skies, it was fun to create something bright and springy.

Stamp Sets:  Secret Garden, Bloomin' Marvelous, Reason to Smile, Beautiful Birthday; Inks:  Marina Mist, Primrose Petals, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight; Card Stock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White

So pretty!  I think I'll send this one to my beautiful granddaughter.  She turns twenty-one next month.

Silver Rain & Dancing Flowers

Well, I finally got my clouds and rain and flowers design done.  It's a bit different from what I was planning but I like it.  Silver rain drops and dancing flowers sure beat the gloom and rain Iowa has been having.  I don't mind the rain but having it warm while it's raining would be such a plus.  Anyway, here's today's artistic endeavor.

Stamp Set:  My Friend; Ink:  Marina Mist; Card Stock:  Naturals White, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron; Accessories & Tools:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Dazzling Details, Stardust Gelly Roll Pen, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Mini Glue Dots

I haven't added a sentiment because I couldn't decide what the occasion should be.  I may just leave it blank and simply use it as a note card or just hand write it.

For My Wonderful Mother

There isn't much time to write this morning since I need to get myself ready for work.  But, I just had to share this card I put together last night.  Mother's Day isn't far off, you know.  Have you figured out what you are going to do for yours this year?  Surprise her with lunch and give her a nice card letting her know how much you appreciate all that she has done and continues to do for you.  Mothers are so special.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Extra-Large Oval Punch, Basic Bow Embossing Die, Mini Daisy Cluster Stencil, rhinestones, Stardust Gelly Roll Pen, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Clean, simple and sparkly!  She'll love it!

My Day of Rest and Worship

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

N

Birthday

Having worked eight hours today with errands run before clocking in, I didn't have time, again, to work on what I wanted.  But, when in a pinch, there is nothing like My Digital Studio to make it easy to work a simple, cute design.  I didn't take the time to write down what I used but will eventually go back and do so. 

Under the Weather

This is going to be a very brief post today.  I didn't get my project done, well, I didn't even get it started.  I've been running a slight fever and been so cold I haven't wanted to venture very far from my nice warm spot on the sofa.  Top it off with a headache and you know there was just no way I felt like being creative.  It's been rainy off and on for the past several days here and today was just plain cold, so this photo fits so well with my gloomy outlook.  Tomorrow will be a better day!

Early Espresso Sympathy

I had company today so time again was limited.  I needed a card that was quick and easy so I used my new Leafy Branch Embossing Folder for today's design.  Although it's hard to see on the card, it was sprayed with Luminarte Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist.  It added just a touch of shimmer to the Early Espresso Core'dinations Paper.

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Early Espresso; Card Stock:  Marina Mist, Early Espresso Core'dinations Paper, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, rhinestones, dimensionals, Luminarte Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist

It has been raining off and on here for the past couple of days with more to come.  It's given me an idea for a new design.  Check back tomorrow to see what's in the clouds.

Marsha's Art Journal

Today was art day at Grandma's house.  Zac and Nic were here for a few hours this afternoon so I sent a text to their mother to have them wear old clothes that they could ruin.  They each painted a picture on an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of Naturals White card stock.  Then, they painted a picture on a coaster tile and made them in to a wall hanging.  They used acrylic paints, sponge brushes, artist paint brushes, and q-tips.  They were really great projects but I forgot to take pictures of them to post for you all to see.

While they were busy painting I brought out my own art journal, which they thought was pretty cool, and added some color to a page I had covered with modeling paste.  It is not a finished project as I see several things I want to add, change or adjust.  But, I wanted to share with you what I accomplished today since I had the boys and I always try to do things with them when they are here.

Products used:  Dylusions Journal by Ranger, Tim Holtz Distress Paint, Simply Simmons art brush and eye shadow applicators. 

There is so much more I want to do to this but it will have to wait.  I've got some new cards and wall art in the works and want to finish them up first.  I'll be sharing those with you in the coming days.

I'm Exhausted!

These past four days have been busy and hectic and so tiring.  I am so glad they are behind me and I have three days to recuperate.  Having spent so much time at work, I've not had any chance to make anything new which is so frustrating for me.  I've found that I like doing something creative everyday.  So, over the next three days, I plan to get lots of new things made, photoed and shared with you.  I've got some new toys to play with so we'll see how it goes.  But, the first thing on my agenda is to get my son's work pants hemmed.  So, for tonight here's a fun photo for you.  It's where I'm headed but I plan to sleep in comfort with a soft cushy pillow and nice warm comforter.

My Day of Rest and Worship

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.  Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not where he goeth.  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the sons of light.  These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

John 12:35-36

KJV

Never Enough Time!

You know, there just never seems to be enough time in the day since I've started back to work.  I had an eight hour day yesterday, had to make a run to my son's in a neighboring town before going home and got home late.  Ugh!  And, I work for the next three days, too.  That means I won't have the time or energy to get much crafting done.  It's a stand on your feet kind of job so it can really wear you out.

Island Indigo Thinking of You

After my grandsons left yesterday, I sat down at my craft table and whipped up a new card.  I inked up the Leafy Branch embossing folder before I ran it through the Big Shot.  I'd not done that before and was a bit worried that the ink would not clean off the folder.  Needless worry.  It cleaned up just fine.  I like the monochromatic scheme of this one.

 

 Stamp Set:  A Little Greeting; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Leafy Branch Embossing Folder, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

It's A Storage Solution!

Well, I had a busy day with two grandsons who love to share their happenings with me.  We had a good time.  It was good to see them again.  It has been a while.  So, while they worked in their activity books, I reorganized my card stock getting ready for the Color Refresh.  Here is how I store card stock and ink pads as well as markers.  It's just one of the shelves in my supply cupboard.

The cupboard holds the majority of my stamping supplies.  It sits in my dining room which in most cases is my crafting room.  My space is limited and once I have it all organized, I'll share the big picture.

Beautiful Birthday

This morning when I decided to make a new card, I didn't have the tool I wanted so I improvised.  I used an eye shadow applicator to sponge on the colors for the background of the card.  I had no set design in mind and just played around until I came up with this card.

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes, Beautiful Birthday, Tiny Tags; Inks: Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink in Crushed Olive, Dusty Concord, Aged Mahogany, Faded Jeans. Black Soot, Fired Brick; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Baja Breeze; Accessories & Tools:  Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stardust Clear Gelly Roll Pen, eyeshadow applicator, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The little bush in the right corner was made using a stamp from the Tiny Tags set.  It was fun to be able to sit and play for a while today.  Now I'm off to hem a pair of my oldest son's work pants.  At least he didn't ask me to mend anything.  :-)

My Birthday Necklace

Sunday was my birthday and each year my mother and I used to do something special together.  She always had some little thing just for me and since she has been gone, I've missed that.  But, the first year she was not here to celebrate my birthday with me, I did something special just for me and kept that little tradition alive all on my own.  I always reciprocated back to her on her birthday, too.

This year I made this cute little necklace.  It uses a bottle cap, a charm, an insert and a chain.  Once the insert is punch to fit inside the bottle cap, UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) was added to cover the insert.  Then, it was placed in The Ranger Melting Pot and the embossing enamel melted into a clear layer on the insert.  You punch a hole, add the charm and chain and your necklace is complete.  I love that melting pot and can envision many cools thing being made.

The back of the bottle cap has a vintage look to it and matches the chain as does the lettering.  Given the fact that I'm a year older explains the insert I selected.  I love it and plan to make some for gifts to friends and family.

Happy Birthday to Me!

April Fool's!  Well, actually, my birthday was yesterday.  With it also being Easter and Sunday, it wasn't as important as honoring my Lord and Savior.  I had a great day with my oldest son, Wayne.  We had dinner together, went on a search and find mission but came up empty and had a Blizzard as my birthday treat.  I would have loved to have all my boys together but they were at their in-laws for Easter this year.

Since I didn't get to sit down and do any crafting, I decided to share my birthday cards with you.  While I had many birthday wishes, these are the only cards I received.  I think they are all wonderful.

The card on the top left is the one the gals at work made, signed and gave me yesterday.  On the right is the one from my friend Barb.  The bottom left card is from my friend Mary and the right card is from another friend, Merna.  They made my day along with all the other birthday wishes I received.

Tomorrow I'll show you the gift I made for myself.  I know!  I know!  It's all about me.  :-)   You can thank my mother for that.  She always made birthdays so special.  Now that she is no longer here to spoil me, I've carried on my own tradition by treating myself to something just for me.