Know what happens when you bury yourself in the studio to continue with the ongoing never-ending clean-out, purge and organize task? Nothing real creative. It's Halloween month and as I unbury more and more Halloween stuff, I am working to resist the want to stop the organizing and start the Halloween fun. I have managed to organize all of my dies from Memory Box, PoppyStamps, Elizabeth Craft Designs and most of the Spellbinder dies. I still have the dies from Savvy, Penny Bl

I'm knee-deep in creating cards for a class. For a quick break, I thought I would share with you what I saw on various blogs that I really liked. I love this card that Justin Krieger made for the Stamp Ink Paper CASE Challenge this week! Click on this link to Justin's blog for the details; http://jkcardsonline.com/2016/06/sip-challenge-53-case-the-designer/ Earlier in the year, Karen Dunbrook made this monochromatic card. It appears to be a very easy technique to use when you

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful spring day in the Pacific Northwest. The day after a holiday weekend means lots of errands. And I'm still wanting a leisure holiday pace. What to do? Make a very simple card. I had 3 squares of handmade paper intended for another unknown use. I had a new die from JustRite. With a panel of white linen card stock, I used the new die which cut 3 stitched square openings. I stamped the brushstroke with Electric Pink ink and took the heat gu

There is a new stamp line design, Pen and Ink, that a good friend directed me to find. I was to purchase 3 stamps for her while I was at this store; I loved them so much I had to buy a few for myself. Thanks, Gail! The artwork is by Josephine Kimberling, who resides in the Seattle area, and has an extensive background in art and design. She has created designs for Nordstrom and Hallmark according to her website. I'm so happy she is sharing her beautiful art with the stamping

It IS a wonderful world. I can even say that on a Monday! The sun was out in full glory today . . . our thermometer read 88 degrees this afternoon. Its too early in the year to enjoy that kind of summer day on a regular basis, so we'll take it when it shows up. It was our nephew's 47th birthday too. I spent the day making potato salad and homemade apple pie for the family celebration. My card today was inspired by Penny Ward; she's always creating beautiful cards. She posted

The term "black gold" is one used quite often by asphalt producers. They lay down millions of miles of black asphalt on our roadways every year. It's black and they make money. My card today is a "thank you" card to an asphalt paving company who invited us to their annual employee awards and recognition breakfast last month. All employees from all over Washington State and northwest Oregon are invited to attend; there must have been 3-400 people. Everyone is like family; this

Do you own a MISTI? MISTI = Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented. Art 'n Soul cannot keep them stocked; they sell out almost immediately. I've read that more are on order! On Dina Kowal's blog, she has made a MISTI cover using canvas material, IMAGINE Crafts' Memento Luxe craft pigment ink that is permanent when heat set, and stamps from Impression Obsession. Click on this link to go to Dina's blog posting for the details: http://mamadinis.blogspot.com/2016/03/mini-misti-canva

Another slow day. My back is better but has little twinges now and then, especially if I lean over to pick something up. What to do? Clean out some paper piles (i.e., receipts, statements, etc.) and find a little play time in the studio. In the same British magazine that I discovered how to make yesterday's card with washi tape, I also came upon a technique to use powdered watercolors with clear plastic wrap. Coincidentally, Dianne Johnson also used a similar technique in the

At the suggestion of a friend, I ordered Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils; they're made in Switzerland. I only ordered a set of 20 because they're a little spendy. They're a permanent pencil with a smooth lead and exceptional lightfastness, according to their literature. I had purchased 11 of them earleir but I think I left them in LaQuinta; of course, the resort cannot find anything left behind in our room. I'm so glad I re-ordered because I like the smoothness. The co