This is a project I started in a class at Impress Cards & Crafts in Tukwila. Carla Zarkos taught a class using alcohol inks. While much of it was a review for me, there were new techniques that I learned. I also decided it was time to step out of my box because I tend to use the brighter colors. She asked us to select only one color and that's all we would work with. I chose Teakwood as my one color. On Yupo, I blew through a straw with each drop of color. I also just dropped

I know I don't use my Magenta Stamps as often as I'd like to. Every one of their stamps is beautifully and artfully designed; and the quality of the rubber is the best. I'm so fortunate to have been introduced to Magenta's line of stamps and other art supplies in my beginning days of stamping. Birthday card 5" wide & 6.5 high This is a Christmas poinsettia stamp that I used as a non-seasonal flower. All of the watercoloring is done on Strathmore 140 lb. hot press watercolor p

"Be Mine" are the two words most used today, in addition to the traditional "Happy Valentine's Day" that we greet our loved ones with. I have two grandnephews who live in Oregon that I seldom see and thought I'd surprise them with a card for this special day. They are 7 and 2 years old and adore each other. Memory Box and PoppyStamps to the rescue! I hope you've seen the new "whittles" collection by PoppyStamps. They are "whittle" dies, i.e., whittle elephant, whittle squirre

After an extended absence, I'm back. It's been snowing what seems like forever, and I'm using some of this quiet time to catch up on a massive backlog of cards to make for family and friends. My cousin's birthday was this last Thursday. I wanted to make a card that followed his outdoor activities with a little humor thrown in. I stamped the forest background onto white card stock using the VersaFine Clair Morning Mist. It was then trimmed down to fit behind the oval frame of

I've had the joy of taking card classes from Jean Okimoto at Impress Cards and Crafts in Tukwila. This is one of the cards Jean designed that we made at the last class using a fan fold die from Spellbinders as the featured die . . . Card design by Jean Okimoto That card inspired me to put this birthday card together using scraps of paper I had on hand. Washi paper was used to create the fan using a scored folding die from Nellie Snellen -- "Ball" NFD002. Rather than close up

One of my nephews is a crazy and fun-loving guy. It was birthday night at his family's home the other night and I wanted to make an unexpected card for him. And here it is . . . I've loved her since the day she arrived at my studio. She's one of the Slapstick Cling stamps from Penny Black. I stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with gold embossing powder. I colored most of her with Copic markers. Yes, the entire stamp was colored even though some of it is hidden by the s

Happy Mother's Day to everyone today. I hope you've enjoyed family and friend time, as well as time spent doing something you really love. My sister-in-law and her two daughters are very close family, and we enjoyed a family afternoon with them today. Instead of a typical "card" I chose to make card booklets for them. I used heavy card stock and covered each with washi paper, using mitered corner folds; mulberry paper was used as the inside liner to the front and back covers.

I know, where have I been since I haven't posted in a week. Well, my ankle gave way when I stepped down and down I went, body and all. X-rays the next day revealed 3 fractures in my foot around my ankle bone from rolling into the fall. The doctor said either the ligament or the bone will give way under that much stress; luckily it was the bone and not the ligament. I've been on the sofa, 24/7, with my ankle elevated and on ice. I have a walking boot and crutches and I can hob

Let the summer begin with the celebration of our nation's independence in 1776! I wanted to do a patriotic looking card, but I couldn't find the stamp I wanted to use. So, I improvised! Impression Obsession: "Circle Dangle" L15052 IMAGINE Crafts: Memento Ink and irRESISTible Pico Embellisher by Tsukineko in Bahama Blue Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker in Geranium Red Glitter Pen in Red Memory Box Stitched Square Layers Die 30038 We R Memory Keepers Next Level Emb

I was looking for some ideas to make a quick and simple birthday card. Voila! I cam upon the Clean and Simple (CAS) Colour & Sketch Challenge #222. I just received this Penny Black Stamp and decided to see how I could combine the stamp design and challenge. Penny Black Stamp: Collage of Wishes 40-385 Memory Box Distressed Windham Collage Die 30041 VersaMark ink The Ton embossing powder in Rose Gold Ranger Archival Ink in black Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens: Peony, Red Berry, H