Inlaid made easy….my butt.

I fought this thing to the very end.

Oh well, at least I like how it came out.

I used gold foil for the stars and matte silver for the word star.

I then splattered water on the card and added embossing powder.  This was a cool technique I just learned for the recent Online Card Class.   I love the splattered look.

I also splattered white paint to give it more of a celestial feel.

Considering this card fought me to the very end, I really like the result.

Thanks for looking at my creation!

I really wanted to use the My Favorite Things Bundle of Blossoms background stamp for this project.

This is a great project to color while watching (really listening) to tv.

I colored with prismacolor pencils and enhanced with some gel pens.

For the Thanks I used a soft matte silver cardstock.  It looks white here but take my word for it.

Thanks for looking at my creations.

It is time for the Camp Create cards.  I am wayyyy  behind as I was finishing the Online Card Class cards.   So now in two days I will create 5 great cards.

I really like these Camp Create ideas and it makes me try new techniques.   For today I am doing Fantastic Foiling!

I had some Anna Griffin French Inspired Minc Foiling that I thought would be cute with the little chef from My Favorite Things

The Eiffel Tower and Paris flag are foiled, but you cannot tell by this photo.   Here is a close up to show the colors.

As you can see the tower is red and the flag blue.

Vive La France!!!!

Thanks for looking at my creations!!!!

Well it comes as no surprise to me that I have been so busy and not inspired to do any cards lately.   However that does not mean that there are deadlines to upload images and new card kits coming. So get a move on girl!!!  I decided to do the homework from the Online Card Class Heat Wave from the SSS July 2016 card kit, killing two birds with one stone.   I had sketched out the ideas for my cards so it was easy to add the techniques from the Heat Wave Class to my ideas.

Take this kit……and add this class

and you get 7 cards from one kit.

First day of class taught us some basics on embossing as well as some interesting techniques.   The following card is just simple embossing on watercolor paper.

I tried to get the illusion of leaves floating on some water.  Very Zen like.  Calm.

Also on the first day of class, they showed us several techniques.  Some I tried, others I wanted too but did not have the time.

The first technique (which I have done before) is embossing a die cut.

In this card I used the paper from the kit that had a lot of triangles.  I added additional triangles and heat embossed an entire die cut.

I used some WOW copper colored embossing powder.    I stamped some additional triangles that were a scribble look and added some bling.

Here is a close up of the die cut.

Another technique they used was glitter embossing powder.

I copic colored the small panel underneath and then covered the whole thing with versamark and some glittery embossing powder.

It is hard to see how pretty the card looks with the shimmer over the copics.

The final card from day one was embossing on something besides cardstock.   I decided to use wood veneer to make this card.

The wood cracked and split on the bottom thru the flower.   I am not sure if the heat was too much for the wood, or if it was a user error.  Most times it is me making a mistake.  I still like the card.  I think the stark white on the wood is very pretty.

On Day Two, Jennifer showed us some pretty techniques that can add detail to your cards.

I used the technique of a small strip of double sided tape and embossed it with pink powder.

I masked off the middle and stamped the flowers using a mask so the images did not overlap.  I then colored the card with some colored pencils.

She also showed a technique of splattering water and embossing over the wet area.

I really like this technique.   I took the paper that already had the purple splatters and added gold splatters.

She also did the technique of using a glue pen to make little dots to add additional embossing to fill out a space or enhance an image.  I ended up doing that on the vellum window.

You can see the sequins captured behind the vellum to make this shaker card.

On the last day we learned about ironing off embossing powder to create a look.  But the project that caught my eye was the batik looking card.

I used the stamp set to create a background and embossed in white.   The after the fold and refold process I used three shades of purple distress ink.

I always ask my brother to rank the cards and this was his favorite.  His logic: Today I like purple.

Overall I enjoyed the class and I liked this card kit.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my creations!

  Posted in the Online Card Class Heat Wave

  Posted in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge #238-239 Anything Goes

Posted in the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Gallery – July 2016

I live in Southern California and basically it is nothing but a dried up desert in the summertime.  So wild fires are a reality for me.   Being in California I get asked a lot about earthquakes, and to be honest fires scare me more.  Do not get me wrong.  I hate earthquakes.  But it is a “less than a minute” shake of terror and then it is over.  Kinda.   But for me fires are this sense of dread and anticipation as it gets closer and closer to my house.  Thoughts of evacuations and losing everything comes to mind.

What started out as a normal SAturday afternoon turned scary.   I noticed the light outside seemed to have a yellow haze to it, but I did not see anything in the sky from the view in my kitchen.

Then I heard a siren.   Then another.

I thought, oh geez, someone’s house is on fire.

Then another siren.

Then a helicopter.   I knew when I heard the helicopter that it was something bigger.

I went to the front of the house and I could see that it was indeed a fire.

For those who do not know me, or where I live.  My little neighborhood is butted up against the freeway.  On the other side of the freeway is scrub brush covered hills.  The type of scrub brush that will go up like tinder.   There are also houses located on those hills.

I went back inside and then the helicopter kept going over my house.  They were so loud I swear they were about to land on my roof.

The sky kept getting darker and darker and by now there were about 8 helicopters constantly moving around dropping off water.

My brother who worked for Aerospace said, well as long as the DC10 does not come, it means they got it under control.  Those DC10’s cost a million dollar to use, so they have to be serious.

I asked him what it looked like, how would I recognize it.

He said, you will know.  It is a huge huge plane.  There is no mistaking it.

The smoke was thick.  The smell was thick and smokey.   The fires seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

Then the helicopters increased and I felt like it was a war zone.  One after another going over the house to get to the fire.

Then I saw the BIG plane.   I asked my brother “Is that the DC-10?”   “Yes it is”

Sorry I don’t have a picture.   It had dropped it load when I first spotted it.  Since it is a one drop scenario, it then looped away and fly off.

Although this looks bad, it is really much better than it was earlier.

We took a car ride up onto the freeway and saw the flames on the hills.   Even though it was close, I knew if they let us on the freeway, they felt it was safe.

That night I sat outside by my pool, still hearing the helicopters, still smelling the smoke and watching the fine ash floated around me.

I felt better, since it seemed to be under control.

But with fires you never know.

Here it is Monday and the helicopters are still coming but only once in awhile.  I think they check for smothering hot spots to make sure it is out.

I truly admire firefighters.  Such a dangerous job and they risk their lives to help save our homes.   True heroes.  Thank you for doing what you do for all of us!!!

I have been challenging myself to finish old Simon Says Stamp Kits.   Of course I had no interest in doing Christmas cards or Valentine cards.  So I was lucky to find a summer card theme.This  August 2015 card kit screams summer.

So let’s just jump into looking at the cards

I love this card.  I made a watercolor beach with the flip-flops.   I embossed the crashing waves and used small bronze dots for the sand.  I really like the way it came out.

A couple of folks asked me about the wave stamp.   It is from Papertrey Ink called

What the Doodle: Waves Mini Stamp Set

A great set for $5.00

I went for a clean and simple look with this card.  I used the stamp on 5 different pages and die-cut the Sunshine out of shiny gold paper.

Here is a close-up.  I also added glossy accents on the letters.

When I started this card I did not have high hopes.  But as I was working on it, I started to love it.  Especially when I noticed that the puffy stickers were mirror images.  So when I stuck them on the end of the cord they matched up perfectly.  I made the waves out of cork so it looked more beachy.  I really like this card.

Here is a close up of the puffy stickers.

When I saw this paper, I really liked the sun burst in the middle.  When I laid the margarita die on the top of it I liked how it seem to radiate.

I used the 100% happy stamp on the inside of the glass so when you tipped the sequins you can see the image.

Here is a close-up of the glass so you can see the stamp.

I used a stencil on this card.  I colored the embossing paste with ink to have a graduated sunray look.

I will be honest.  I did not like this card.  I loved the paper but it did not sing to me.  But it still made the cut.

Last but not least, a shaker card.  I stamped SUMMER on the clear acetate.  and added sequins that matched the paper.

Thanks for looking at my SEVEN cards from ONE Kit!

Posted in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Anything Goes

  Posted in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge – Anything Goes #236-237

 Posted in Dies R Us Challenge #52 Outdoor Fun

Yesterday was my annual pool party.   I use to do the annual Christmas party but it was getting so hard for everyone’s schedule.  There were too many activities to do both on my schedule and my family members to pull of the Christmas party in December.

My brother in law was always kidding me, but seriously inviting himself over to swim in my pool.   So I started this tradition.  Dogs and all.

My theme this year was Nautical or more ocean themed, Tropical and Patriotic.  LOL

I had bought new chair cushions that were a blue and green coral because the other cushions were getting a bit flat and out of shape.  Hence the ocean theme,  Since my outdoor tableware was a tropical pattern and it was the 4th of July weekend my theme automatically became the Naut/Trop/Pat theme.

To start with Eli (my brothers dog) had to wear his new patriotic bandana.  Little does this dog know that he is going to be exhausted by the end of the evening.  Eli has a fear of the water and thinks it is his personal responsibility to try to save everyone out of the pool.   Get ready Eli, it will be a crazy day.

Penny can smell the ribs cooking and is really looking forward to a bone or two.  But she is being very patient.

Penny is a sweet natured Terrier Mix that has a bad habit of nipping at people when the other dog gets excited.   More about the other dog later.

Penny’s DNA is a complete surprise to me.

She is a terrier mix, but I guess she is more of a Chihuahua/Australian Shepherd mix.  Her fur, when long, does look like a Australian Shepherd, and maybe her legs do look like a Chi’s, but I thought she would have more terrier in there.

Oh well, I digress.

The other pooch at the party is the “Head of Security”, my Maltese Olive.  She barks her head off at any potential stranger. Which can be very annoying.  This in turn gets the other dogs worked up.   Penny then nips, Eli growls.  All this because a little white fluff ball says “This is NOT a DRILL, I repeat, This is NOT a DRILL”  Barkity barkity bark bark BARK BBBBAAAARRRRRKKKKKKKKK.

Do not be fooled by her cute dirty little face.   She means all business.

Here she is with her Uncle Doug who is trying to get her to behave.  LOL, good luck Doug.

Crazy, fat bellied, dirty face Maltese.   God I love you!

The night before the party I made some cute Ocean themed framed pictures of my appetizers and drink menus.

I think they are real cute.  I designed the background using Photoshop Elements and used mostly Lorie Davidson images.  I don’t remember the font name but it looked like a Pirate font to me.

We put cut flowers into mason jars and added some American Flags.

So how do you add a patriotic theme to a tropical dinnerware set?   Just add some star stirrers.  LOL.   Yup it creates the theme just right.

Please note the appetizer plates match the fabric of the chairs.   I just loved this octopus I found at Joann Fabrics.  He really made the ocean theme complete.

Appetizers made and put out.  Please notice the dog nose on the lower left corner of the picture.  Eli must check everything out.  Especially if he can smell it.

Wide shot view.  Notice the large movie screen.  I bought that at Amazon and it is amazing.  It is portable and can easily be put up in 30 minutes or less.  Depending if the helper will let you read the instructions.

You can get it from Amazon HERE.

Guests have arrived, my sister kicking back with a Sangria.  You can kinda see the cushions that match the plates.

My grand niece Kenzie playing in the pool with Eli.  Eli loved the shooting water.  He was completely drenched by the time the day was over.

Here is a video of Eli playing with Kenzie as she shoots water in the air.

Eli trying to save Kenzie.  This poor dog ran around the pool all day long trying to save us.  He did manage to save a few pool toys.

My beautiful niece took a selfie at the party!

By this time I stopped taking pictures as I was in the pool, eating, talking and enjoying myself.

By nightfall we watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” on the big screen.   We had popcorn and theatre boxed candy.

When it was over it was around 11pm, so everyone went home, tired and happy.

Until next year!!

I wanted to try to add two more patterned paper cards.

I felt really unproductive today and making cards will automatically make me productive.  Right??

My first card was a overlay of mountain scenes with a little camper.   I really liked this camping paper that I bought the other day.  What is it with me and camping.  Must mean I want to go.

My second card is from the same paper pack.  It was some feathers on a kraft colored paper.  I recently bought some gold Inka Gold and I wanted to play with it.   I used a stencil over the paper and added a paper cut feather and a real feather dipped in gold glitter.

It is a little hard to see the quote.  So here is a close up.

Thanks for looking.

Posted in Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Patterned Paper

Posted in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Add some Shimmer

Posted in Word Art Wednesday Challenge #236-237 Anything Goes

Thanks for looking.

I wanted to try the reverse stenciling card on the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge #253.

I thought it would be easy.

I was wrong.

I started with the Hero Arts Bold Floral stencil.  In my mind it would be a beautiful background of floral prints with some special floral arrangements on top.

The angels would sing to the glory of my creation!   It looked horrible.  I should have taken a before shot.  Really, it was bad.

I picture the angels walking away, wings drooping, heads shaking in disappointment.

It looked blotchy and sad against the white background.  So I decided to ink over the whole card front hoping to make everything blend together.

Now it look like a blotchy card with ink on it.

Big Sigh!

I finally blended ink making sure I was color matching each flower.  OK now it looked better.  Then I water spritzed it.   Much better.  Used a border die to tidy up the edges.  Even better.

I stamped out some florals.   Egads.  They looked horrible on the card.  I tried every trick in the book.  I finally die cut a Papertrey Swirly pattern in a copper shine paper and I really liked it.

The florals still looked horrible.

I ditched the florals and did a Boutique Border and embossed it in a copper/bronze powder.  Ok, that looked better.

I finally put it all together and called it a day.

Days it took to design and re-design the card – 4 days

Number of die cuts not used in the card: 8

Hours of frustration and thinking about the card: 16

Number of Angels smiling at my final creation: Priceless

Thanks for looking:

Posted in Papertrey Inks Make it Monday #253 Reverse Stenciling

Posted in Word Art Wednesday #236-237 Anything Goes

Posted in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Add Some Shimmer

On the Simon Says Stamp blog I saw a pretty card made by Yana Smakula that was just sooo pretty.

I had the Hello Beautiful stamp from the February 2016 card kit.  I did not have the floral stamp set, but since this week’s SSS challenge was patterned paper I thought I would make it with pattern paper instead.  Oh by the way, I did order the stamp because it is sooo beautiful.  I cannot wait to make flower clusters.

I choose 5 different pattern papers with 5 different cardstock colors.  All different, but all beautiful.

The flower print with Navy!

The vintage roses pattern with pink.

The Fruits and Flowers with coral.

Finally the small flower print with pine green.

Thanks Yana for the inspiration!

Posted in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

and posted in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge #236-237