It's been a long, long time.....

It's been a while since I've posted, but I haven't been idle in creating "stuff". Here are some photos of my recent creations. Will post details a bit later.

I love a rainy day!

I just love rainy days! They are so perfect for creating your own little masterpieces.

This card was done for a wedding my son was attending today. It turned out so beautiful in real life. Too bad the scans don't do it any justice. I used the Naturals Ivory CS for the card itself and under the stamped images. I used So Saffron and More Mustard for the layers. I embossed the images using the Upsy Daisy (front) and Heard from the Heart (inside) SU! stamps. The ribbon and clear stones were purchased a while ago and I have no clue who made them or where they came from (helpful, right?). I also used Moon Glow Two-Toned embossing powder in Terra Cotta Plum. The images look so rich. I used a Versamark pen to draw an outline around the edge of the card and embossed that as well. This card is so pretty IRL I almost hate to give it away...almost.

This next card I actually did last night (it was raining then too). I used the new SU! In Colors (Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango) for both cardstock and ink. I also used the Naturals Ivory for the card itself and under the stamped images. I am going through a Naturals Ivory phase. White just seems so stark for this rainy season and the ivory is much softer. I cut a strip of the Tangerine Tango cardstock and cut three slits in three columns to slide the stamped image through. I didn't have any matching ribbon, so I rigged up something a little different. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? I really like the way it turned out. I used the Organic Grace stamps for this one. I used the fern with Versamark on the background. The flower and dragonfly were done with the Tangerine Tango.

These were done a couple of days ago (yup, raining then too). Must be something about the rain...

I just love the way the Friend to Friend card turned out. I used my new Big Shot to die cut the rectangles and corner images (Sizzix Architecture #4). I used Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip and (of course) Naturally Ivory Card Stock. The ink was Chocolate Chip. I used a strip of the SU! Twill Tape behind the images. The stamps were from the new Pocket Silhouettes set.

The Live with Passion card was actually inspired by Michelle Zindorf (my new idol...I'd probably stalk her if I lived nearby [don't worry Michelle, I'd be very harmless]). I embossed with clear embossing power the Inspired by Nature flowers on More Mustard CS. I punched out a Post-It circle for the moon and stuck it down. I brayered (is that a word?) the sky in Not Quite Navy, removed the Post-it, and brayered the ground in Old Olive. I then overstamped the grass (Kiwi Kiss ink) and punched the corners. That was layered onto the So Saffron Cardstock and attached to the card base (some old, ugly prefolded card). Not sure where the brads are from. More stuff from my stash.

Well, it's still raining, so I think I'll play just a little bit longer while the inspiration is still there. I have to clean my house and stuff, but just can't quite get myself in that mindset when I have all these ideas running through my head.

Creativity Strikes!

Well, I found some creativity last night. I made my very first vinyl cutout with my Pazzles Inspiration. I have only played a little with it using cardstock, but I finally got brave. I bought some of the Cricut vinyl and transfer paper at my local JoAnn's, played with the design I had in mind (although I'm still not sure exactly how I did it! LOL), and sent it to the cutter. Voila! It worked!!! Slapped in on the rear window of my Edge and did the happy dance all the way up the driveway! (I think my son wants to have me committed....)

A few new cards

Had some time in my craft room lately, and came up with a few new cards. The birthday cards here used the Dotted Swiss Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, some ribbon from Michaels, and SU's Corner Punch and Flower Punches. Just too darn easy!

This card was done with the Along the Shore set. I just love this set. I used the watercolor pencils on the watercolor paper and Real Red cardstock. The shells I colored with the SU markers as they were a stark white.

This card was done with the new preview set, and an old favorite. The outside view first, then the inside spread.

Card Slideshow

Back to Life

Well, now that my daughter is all married and the cleanup is done, I can get back to MY life! I did a few thank you's for some special folks who helped me with the wedding.

Wedding Invitations

I finally have one of the invitations completed. Here is a picture of the outside of the invitation, along with the envelope:

It is a tri-fold with the top folded only to the middle. The flower and shells are all die cut (some by a Cuttlebug, some by a Pazzles Inspiration). They are all chalked and inked with Stampin' Up inks: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip. The edge is punched (punch name unknown) and chalked.

The inside of the invitation is pictured here:

The right side features a pocket to hold the RSVP card and Registry Card. The center is stamped with the hibiscus and leaf from SU's Do the Hula (retired) set, using Pretty In Pin and Certainly Celery inks. The invitation information is printed on SU's vellum and attached with a Fastenator decorative staple. This picture better shows the punched edge. The RSVP card is also stamped with the Hula stamps.

I have two of these done. Only 278 to go!!!! And they have to go out in two weeks. Oy!