Cuties from Outer Space

I really enjoy stamps by Gerda Steiner Designs.  These little guys are from the sets Alien Invasion and Blast Off, colored with Polychromos.  The backgrounds were quick and easy to create with Pan Pastels.

Graduation or Teacher Card

I love Tim Holtz stamps and find myself reaching for them often.  I think this card would be great for a graduation or teacher card, even a Father's Day card if the colors were changed.  My Dad loved to read and travel (not to mention apples) and I know he would've enjoyed a card like this.

The images are colored with Distress Inks; I like to smear them onto an acrylic block and add water with a paintbrush.

Stamps:  Tim Holtz - Schoolhouse Blueprints
and Mini Blueprints 8

Tired Soul Creations - haha!

Hello out there!  It's been a year since I've updated anything in my blog and hope to post regularly going forward.  I've been busy with life but am trying to squeeze in play-time with my crafts for stress-relief. I hope you enjoy seeing what I come up with.

I made this card for my friend's brother that is battling cancer.  I find it very difficult to say what I want to say - sending love and support in a positive way. I feel that all I can do, beyond lots of prayers,  is give him a smile and maybe a laugh.  I hope that he enjoys it.

I am far from an artist and find that drawing ants is a little too challenging for me.  Maybe Tim Holtz can come up with some Ant Crazy stamps??  That would be really great!

You can see my ant-children are not lifting the world but are more into cheering me on while I do the work.  I wonder where I came up with that idea!

Tim Holtz Die "Globe"

This stamp, by C.C. Designs, has to be one of my most favorite floral stamps.  I did my best to copy the colors based on the picture that came with the stamp, which was really beautiful.  I used Copic markers on this card.  Not too shabby, right?

C.C. Designs - Himalayan Poppy

Spring Has Sprung!

Here are a few cards I made for Easter.  I really like the basket and egg dies - there's so much you can do with them!  It's like coloring easter eggs but without the vinegar.

Dies - Cheery Lynn Designs

I love Whipper Snapper stamps.  They stamp so cleanly and are a lot of fun to color.  Who wouldn't love these little birds??

Stamps:  Whipper Snapper Designs

Summertime Fun

As summer comes to an end, I find myself dreaming of more fun times with my kids and wishing that school wasn't starting quite yet.  I'll continue to dream as we start the new school year…

Tim Holtz - Treat Blueprint and Mini Blueprint, Prickley Pear - Ferris Wheel,
Invoke Arts - Artland Ticket, Art Words Ticket Strip

Truckloads of Love

I had a lot of fun creating this card.  I used Copic markers, Distress Inks, and Pan Pastels.  I am still learning to work with the Copic markers and find the Pan Pastels to be more forgiving for certain applications.  I think my friend will really enjoy it…who wouldn't like a truckload of love for their birthday!

Images:  Dad's Truck/PrintWorkCollections, Spotted Winter/Penny Black

More cards for my Aunt...

I love all the different tools and products to apply color.  I am still at the point where I have to think about what kind of paper, ink and color will work together when I'm creating something.  I recently started an art journal where I have the freedom to really "play" without any concern for the outcome but to have something I enjoy looking at.  I'll add a couple of those pages in the near future!

The cards below were made for my Aunt's birthday gift.  I was going with a simple, elegant look on this card.  It's not as colorful as what I usually like, but I thought my Aunt would like it.

These flowers were colored with Copic markers...

And these flowers were colored with Inktense Pencils.  I haven't worked with them much and still need to work on it, but I thought the results were decent.

Back to the Copic markers...

A Gift of Cards

I have this really special aunt that is also a crafter.  I've been working on making some cards for her to send to kids, grandkids and friends.  Here's a few of them…

Tim Holtz Nautical Blueprint

Tim Holtz Nautical Blueprint

Tim Holtz Treat Blueprint

Images by Mo Manning

Here's a couple of cards I made with Mo Manning images.  I really love the way she draws children!

Image by Mo Manning - Bubbles Girl

Image by Mo Manning's - Angel With Puppy

A Night to Party!

This was a really fun card to make and I just love all the ticket stamps and film strips!  I think I'll go make some popcorn and grab a soda now…

Tim Holtz - Treat Blueprints
and
Odds And Ends