Paper Smooches August 2016 "Friendship"

This is only the second time I have entered a card to a Paper Smooches challenge. I must admit I kinda collect the stamps and use them but not in PS challenges. For this card I used stamps from three different sets. In my scrap box I found this piece of previously die cut designer paper. The images  were stamped in Memento ink and colored with Copics. A smidge of Distress ink was sponged for the sand and sky and then I added a little line work. Lastly I added some hemp cord.

Stamps - Paper Smooches: Delightful Greetings, My Peeps, Summer Lovin

Ink - Memento, Copics, Distress Ink

Paper - Neenah, Lasting Impressions

Other - MFT Hemp Cord, Copic Multi Liner

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2016/08/august-challenge-friendship.html

Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes" Birthday

I like making a card specifically for one person in particular. This year one of my new students is into anything with a coastal/ocean theme and in particular mermaids. I found this adorable stamp and selected it to make a card for my friend. I began by stamping with Memento ink onto Neenah paper and coloring with copics. Next I used a new stencil from MFT and lightly stenciled with Distress ink tumbled glass. I die cut this piece with a scalloped die from Sugar Pea, and then cut a mat from orchid opulence paper. After attaching this image to baja breeze cs at an angle and then applied some Wink of Stella, Glossy Accents and some lavender crystals on her fish tail.

Stamps - Impression Obsession (D19179) Mermaid, Hero Arts (CL372) Sentiment

Paper - Neenah, SU!

Stencil - MFT Circle Grid

Die Cut - Sugar Cut Birthday Journal Card

Inks - Memento, Copics, Distress

http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.com/2016/08/anything-goes.html

CAS Mix Up Card Challenge August 2016

This card is being submitted to CAS Mix Up Card Challenge for August. I love using stencils and this is probably one of my favorite cards. Not only did I use the stencil but also brushos and a spray of water, but I also stamped and heat embossed. Heat embossing is also one of my favorite supplies and I keep my heat gun on my work table and the embossing powder within arm's reach. This stamp is from Michael's in a new stamp set that also includes a stencil (not this one) and some designs. What makes this card special to me is that I made it for my husband for our anniversary, a big whopping 49 years.

Stamp - Water - Brushos - Heat Embossing - Stencil

Stencil - Artplorations Leaf Print

Stamp - Michael's (name unknown)

Other - WC paper, Brushos, bling, VersaFine, embossing powder, black cardstock

http://casmixup.blogspot.com/2016/08/cas-mix-up-august-challenge.html

Below I have attached our wedding photo. Not only was I wearing a mini dress and fishnet hose but I love the Capezio Mary Jane's. What I want to point out is that in this photo I have relatively slender legs but now my legs are large, not because of weight but because of a somewhat unknown condition called Lymphedema.

 Eleven years ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and had a lymph node removed and five weeks of radiation. I went on with my life. Then this past year a friend told me she thought I might have lymphedema and not veinous insuffiency which the doctor said I had. To shorten the story a second doctor put me in a Lymphatic Physical Therapy  program at Scripps LaJolla. I had seven weeks of therapy and now have special garments to wear. I try to use the pool several times a week. Why am I telling you this? Because few people know of this condition nor do doctors. The lymphatic system is given little attention in medical school. Millions, I repeat millions of people have lymphedema. Many women who have had breast cancer have lymphedema and wear a garment on their arm. Fortunately lymphedema now has a spokesperson who is working hard to raise monies for research - Kathy Bates. When I saw a show with Kathy speaking about her cancer I was elated and grateful for her coming forward. Honestly I am the lucky one as many people have it much worse than I. My legs are both swollen but symetrical as some people have one leg normal and one very large. I need to be careful I don't injure my legs as this could lead to an infection. Anyhow I just thought I would share this with you so that I could do my one small part in bringing awareness to Lymphedema. Thank you.

Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes"

This card uses an older stamp from Stampavie "Mouse with Sunflower." I stamped with Memento ink on Neenah paper and colored with Copics. After trimming the image I die cut the orange paper (SU! pumpkin pie) with a scallop die from Sugar Pea Designs. When assembled I mounted the piece onto a green patterned card stock from Lasting Impressions and added Wink of Stella on the sunflower and butterfly. Lastly I stamped the sentiment (unknown maker).

http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.com/2016/07/bold-and-bright.html

CAS Mix Up July Card Challenge

For the July challenge for CAS Mix Up I stamped the sentiment and also stamped the image using markers and water. I really like this technique and with the right line art stamp it is not only CAS but elegant. Often I use this stamp and technique to make a sympathy card. I began by sponging with distress inks on watercolor paper and let it dry. Using SU! markers I applied the ink to the stamp, huffed and added water. I trimmed the paper and used an old SU! corner punch and matted with two favorite SU! pieces of card stock. This piece was matted onto white cs and then I stamped the sentiment in Night of Navy. 

Most of the supplies are SU! the paper and markers are Night of Navy and Old Olive. The stamps are no longer in their original container but they are SU!, as is the corner punch.

http://casmixup.blogspot.com/2016/07/cas-mix-up-july-challenge.html

Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - Latte Tag

Yesterday I visited a friend at her new condo at the beach. I made this card for her to thank her for a delightful afternoon and lovely lunch.

I began by making the tag, then die cut the cup, and then made a mat for the tag. I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of designer paper. Hemp and ribbon were attached to the tag and mounted onto the base card.

Dies - Paper Smooches "Gift Tags 2"

MFT - "Coffee Cup"

Stamp - MFT "Perk Up"

Paper - SU! Kraft, 110# white cs, snippets

Other - MFT hemp cord, SU! pumpkin pie ribbon, VersaFine

http://coffeelovingcardmakers.com/2016/06/summer-coffee-lovers-blog-hop-2/

Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - Psychedelic Card

Recently I received an order of products and among the items I bought were two stencils from MFT. Immediately I got out some distress inks and began to play and when I finished this piece I decided it had the look of the psychedelic 1960's. Actually I had another card in mind to use this background paper, and not for this blog hop, but then when looking at my growing "coffee" collection I chose these two cups. After trimming the piece I stamped and heat embossed the cups and the sentiment. One of my favorite color combinations is orange and turquoise so I selected SU! pumpkin pie cs to add a little more pop and then attached to white cs.

Many of you are too young to know or remember the 60's but it was wild and crazy time and although I am in the age group my husband and I remained straight-laced (he was an aerospace engineer). Having said that I did wear a mini dress at my wedding and white fish net stockings. Wow that was 49 years ago next month.

I like my psychedelic coffee card and hope you do too. 

Stamps - MFT "Missing You a Latte", Stamplorations "Sketcy Coffee Cups"

Stencil - MFT "Chunky Herringbone"

Paper - Neenah, watercolor, #110 white cs (Michael's), SU! Pumpkin Pie

Other - Distress Inks, VersaFine, embossing powder

http://coffeelovingcardmakers.com/2016/06/summer-coffee-lovers-blog-hop-2/