Saturday, August 31, 2013

Shadow Stamping Sympathy

Welcome!  I am still trying to catch up here on my blog, by sharing all the cards I've made this summer.  This sympathy card features shadow stamping.


Brought out my trusty Thoughts & Prayers set by Stampin' Up!, and used two green inks to achieve the shadows:  Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive.  I dotted each blossom with Liquid Pearls.  An errant black smudge was covered up with some 3-D pearls.  ;-)


Entering this in two 'anything goes' challenges:  Simon Says Stamp and Word Art Wednesday.

Thank you for letting me share this with you!  I hope you have a wonderful day.



Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers - SU Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI; Old Olive  - SU Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: Old Olive satin ribbon - SU Accessories & Tools: pearls - Queen & Co.; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Friday, August 30, 2013

Feather Note

Hi there!  Mind if I show you a super-simple card, made in the earliest days after my surgery in June?  Back then, I could barely crawl to the attic studio, and found it difficult to sit with my foot down for more than a half hour.


What made this card easy:  a lovely K & Co. sticker, mounted on a die cut gray rectangle just sitting in my scraps basket.  Love this sentiment from Cute Circles by Inspired By Stamping, and the fact that it's vertical.  Sometimes you need a stacked sentiment, and not a horizontal one.  (Ooooh, darn!  My sticker is coming up on one corner!  Oh, the things you notice after you photograph something....)


Thank the good Lord I am making progress week by week.  Though it is sometimes painful learning to walk again, I know the day will come soon enough when I can get around without crutches and that awful, awful boot.  Can't wait!



Stamps: Cute Circles - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Going Gray, Pale Plum - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Bracket border punch - EK Success; Deckled Edge Rectangle die - Spellbinders; sticker - K & Co.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Inspired By A Magazine Tableau

It's been ages since I created an "Inspired By..." card.  I love to be inspired by things around me, like signs on the road, a little girl's bathing suit, a tissue box, framed butterflies and so much more.  I'm at it again with another framed butterfly.  I'll show you the inspiration, which came from maybe Better Homes & Gardens (saw so many magazines during my initial recovery after surgery, I just don't know!)  in just a moment.


I used a sentiment from Hero Arts, and a butterfly from Lost Coast Designs, one of the best sets I received when I worked on the design team at Blockheads.   


After coloring and trimming the butterfly, I applied Glossy Accents liberally to it.  


Gonna play along with the Simon Says Stamp challenge:  'Anything Goes' and at CASology's 'Book' challenge.

When my 11 YO was younger, she was fascinated by the whole series of these I Spy books, including this one about butterflies.

For my U.S. friends, enjoy your Labor Day weekend!  And for those of you around the rest of the world, enjoy your weekend, too.  :-)



Stamps: Butterflies - Lost Coast Designs; With Sympathy - Hero Arts Paper: Vintage Cream, white - PTI Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; Glossy Accents - Ranger; Rectangle die - Spellbinders

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Rosy, White and Blue

I've never been a fan of the red, white & blue color combo, but this card came together with ease.  After coloring a rose from an old set (anyone know the name?)  by Stampin' Up!, it seemed natural to pair it with this old piece of SU polka dot paper.


A Hero Arts sentiment on a tiny die cut and a pre-made satin bow, taken off some packaging, was all that was needed to finish it off.


Hope you enjoyed my "atypical Colleen" card today!



Stamps: Everyday Sayings - Hero Arts; (rose) SU Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, blue polka dot - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white satin ribbon Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; pearls - Queen & Co.; Classic Tags die - Memory Box

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Silhouette Sympathy

Ah, summer is almost over.  The kids go back to school next week, and it is definitely time.  They are often bored, and argue with each other.  That's when a parent knows it is time.  :D


Got a chance to play with two sets that needed some inking:  With Sympathy by Hero Arts, and Vintage Blue by Glitz Design.
I love the Victorian detailing of this border stamp.  It reminds me of Anna Griffin stamps, which I do adore.


Our visit with my mom last week was wonderful.  She took the best care of me, as only a mother can do.  We kept a busy pace each day, and now I am completely exhausted.  It was more activity than I've seen in the last two months since surgery.  Since I am still on crutches and a boot, Mom waited on me quite a bit.  I relished every moment. (insert happy smile here)



Stamps: With Sympathy - Hero Arts; Vintage Blue - Glitz Designs Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black - SU; kraft - PTI Ink: Crumb Cake - SU Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - SU Accessories & Tools - Corner rounder punch, 1/16" circle punch - Fiskars

Monday, August 26, 2013

A Pear For Thanks

Hey there!  I've got lots of catching up to do here on my blog.  There are many cards to get around to showing you, so let's start with this one, shall we?


This pear was patiently waiting to be colored and added to a project, like so many other images that I keep in a little box.  While I've been recuperating, this is a good activity for me to pass the time.  My friend Nancy said crafting is a good way to get me up-and-about.  My studio is in the attic, so I've climbed up there many, many days these past two months.  You can't keep a crafter down too long!  LOL

The patterned papers are from Stampin' Up!.  I am SO happy to cut into designer papers...have way too many, and need to whittle the stash down some.  ;-)

Thanks for joining me today!



Stamps: Essential Messages - Hero Arts; pear (unknown) Paper: white - PTI; patterns - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Happily Ever After

Hey there!  I'm glad you dropped by today.  Got another made-before-surgery card to show you.  It's a wedding card using some Stampin' Up goodies that are retired.  I am not sure I actually have some current SU in my stash.  Retired stuff costs less, but is no less pretty.  It makes me happy to use them!


This is a wedding card to place in the shop, in my basket of creations for sale.  The sentiment is from Ever After.  


My mom's been visiting with us since the weekend, and we're having a good time.  When she comes to town, we always go shopping.  Even with this big boot on my foot and crutches in tow, we manage to get out a little.  I look for places that offer free use of a wheelchair or motorized scooter, so that means we've been able to go to Target, IKEA, AC Moore and JoAnn's.  The last two are craft stores, of course.  :-)  I am on the lookout for Copic markers, so it looks like we'll be visiting Michael's soon, too.

Oh, before I go, I'd like to thank the folks at Papercraft Star for a Super Nova Award for THIS card and at Moxie Fab World  for a Trigger Target Award for THIS card.  Feels good to get a few prizes!



Stamps: Ever After - SU Paper: Soft Suede, Pink Pirhouette, patterns - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Frayed Burlap - Ranger Fibers:  white satin ribbon; crochet trim - Hero Arts Accessories & Tools: blue gems - Queen & Co; blue gem/brown pearl sticker - Webster's Pages; 24-7 die cut - SU; Large Label Punch - SU; Labels ?? die - Spellbinders

Monday, August 19, 2013

Princess Of Quite A Lot

Welcome!  So excited to be sharing more of what has been coming out of Studio Dietrich lately.  Today, it's a baby girl card, or maybe it could be a birthday card for a young lady (you determine how old 'young' is)...


I've got a wonderful collection of Verve stamps, and this sentiment is from Munchkin Phrases.  I stamped it on a My Favorite Things doily die cut.  {Recently, I updated my die collection by adding some exciting MFT goodies, including a stamp set. Love!} Added some pretty pink gems around the perimeter, and topped it with a glittered heart made from cereal box chipboard.  I like how thin it is, making it easy to punch through.  Plus, there's always an endless supply in the kitchen!


My mom is visiting with us this week from Texas.  Hubby and the girls went to pick her up from the airport as I type this.  I'm so excited to see her!  It's been almost a year since we've seen each other.

Enjoy your day!



Stamps: Munchkin Phrases - Verve Paper: white - PTI; gingham, bunnies - Nana's Nursery - DCWV
Ink: Old Olive - SU  Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug Accessories & Tools: Full Heart punch - SU; pink glitter; pink gems - Queen & Co.; Decorative Doily die - My Favorite Things; chipboard from cereal box

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Birdie Blessings

Hello friends!  A quick share of a card that was submitted for a magazine call, but (obviously) not chosen.  I stamped a Market Street Stamps Vintage Wallpaper background on a scrap of white cardstock, then punched out several shapes to arrange according to the magazine's sketch.  By the way, I just recently discovered that MSS went out of business.  SO bummed.  I love their background stamps, which cover an entire A2 size-card front in one fell swoop, in a beautiful array of designs.


I added two K & Co. stickers to it, and that was pretty much it.  I could not get the picture edited just right.  In real life, the colors are more rich, brighter.  This looks so blah.  No wonder the magazine didn't pick it!  Ha ha ;-)

Entering this at a new-to-me challenge, Card Crafter's Circle - 'Winged Things', City Crafter http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/2013/08/city-crafter-challenge-blog-week-172.html - 'Blessings', and also in my friend Jackie Rockwell's 'Lemon Zest' challenge.

By the way, some of you have asked where I get my K & Co. stickers, which I use in abundance on my cards.  I get them in the JoAnn stores.  I just checked online, and they really have a sorry assortment; the actual shops have a bigger, better selection.



Stamps: Vintage Wallpaper - Market Street Stamps  Paper: white - PTI  Ink: So Saffron - SU  Accessories & Tools:  label punch - SU; bird and sentiment stickers - K & Co.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Sunflower For A Friend

Wow, another card I made and photographed in the same day!  Wonders never cease.  :)


Started with a piece of nondescript swirly yellowish patterned paper, and added my own stamping to it.  I relied on French Country from Inspired By Stamping for this pretty sunflower and the fleur-de-lis, which I stamped all over.  With Copic markers, I colored the flower and touched the tips with Liquid Pearls.  The sentiment is from Fancy Circles.


I'm entering at Simon Says Stamp's Monochromatic challenge, ETA Jackie Rockwell's 'Lemon Zest' challenge, and in Papercraft Star's inspiration challenge.


Still on crutches with partial weight bearing in my big, nasty boot over here.  I met with a physical therapist this week, who taught me to do stairs with all my get-up.  It helped me big-time, 'cause I had a job interview this past Tuesday (sadly, I did not get the job), and the location of the job has no elevator, only a small flight of concrete steps.  The PT lesson came in handy, and I managed with no problem.  However, feeling overly confident, I began using the crutches on my carpeted steps at home, with partial success.  A couple of days ago, I fell backwards and banged my head into a mirror.  The frame broke (but can likely be repaired) but not the glass.  Couldn't believe I did not hurt my head at all!  Angels were laying me down gently, I suppose.  The mirror is special; the antique frame belonged to my late father, and I'd had a piece of mirror put into it when we bought this house 18 years ago.

Have a great weekend, everyone!


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

You Are A Joy

Why, yes, it's true:   you are a joy to me!  My blogging friends give me delightful pleasure, and I'm so glad to have found friendships through this hobby.  Even though many of you live nowhere near me, the world seems like a smaller place when we can connect online.  Love that!


This card was pretty quick to make.  The beautiful die cut border from K & Co. dresses this card up in an instant.  I trimmed a pansy and layered it on top of the border with a foam sticker for extra dimension.  The sentiment is from Verve's Kind Words.


Had my first physical therapy appointment on Monday of this week.  I learned how to traverse the stairs with my big black boot and crutches.  It was easier than I anticipated, and now mostly go up and down steps with my feet, instead of my knees or bottom.  Oh happy day!

Hope you have a beautiful day!



Stamps: Kind Words - Verve Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso - SU; stripe - K & Co. Ink: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: flora and fauna die cut border - K & Co.; pearls

Monday, August 12, 2013

Happy Summer

Well, this card's been passed over several times for publication, so it's time to show it on the ol' blog.  ;-)

This happy stamp set is Sending You Sunshine by The Craft's Meow.  I love that little clothesline!


I paper-pieced nearly every thing on here with some papers I won last year from Moxie Fab World:  Cosmo Cricket's Salt Air collection.  With these paper designs, the bathing suits look like ones I wore in the 1960's!

Had fun cutting "grass" from the green paper, and I used some Glossy Accents on the tire swing, but you cannot tell from the pics.


Then, during one of my initial trips to my attic studio post-surgery, I made another card using this same Craft's Meow set.  Not as fond of this one, but I wanted to share anyway...


The images were fun to color in bed, on days that climbing to the attic seemed too tiring.  However, when it came time to photograph this card, the colors look so muddy to me.  They are not quite so in real life.


And one more to share, while we're talking about summer scenes and Craft's Meow:


Kept it super simple, with some glitter over the colored images.  It was about all I could manage some days, just a super CAS design.  ETA:  I'm entering this at The Craft's Meow Summer Blog Hop.  :-)


One last (kind of lame) card to share.  Another simple summer creation, part of my "let's get the mojo back" streak after surgery.  My family gives this one the "ehh" vote, but it's kind of cute, don't you think:?


Made use of the Craft's Meow stamps one more time, since the set was out on my desk.  The craft foam decorations are from Target's Dollar bins a few years ago.


Today I had my first Physical Therapy session, and of course I am wearing the Big Black Boot, combined with crutches.  They taught me how to do stairs today, and I actually "walked" to my attic studio for the first time in seven weeks!  Whoo hoo!  I am so grateful.

Happy Summer to you!



Card One:  Stamps: Sending You Sunshine - The Craft's Meow Paper: white - PTI; patterns - Salt Air collection - Cosmo Cricket Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; Glossy Accents - Ranger; Dotted Scallop border punch - EK Success

Card Two:  Stamps: Sending You Sunshine - The Craft's Meow; Strawberries - Flourishes Paper: white - PTI; Chocolate Chip - SU; patterns - I don't remember! Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; doily - Wilton; flower - Inspired By Stamping; tag die - Memory Box; blue gem - Recollections Fibers:  twine - Creative Impressions

Card Three:  Stamps: Sending You Sunshine - The Craft's Meow Paper: white - PTI; Summer Sun - SU  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; Crystal glitter - Martha Stewart; rhinestones - Queen & Co.

Card Four:  Stamps: Sending You Sunshine - The Craft's Meow Paper: Bashful Blue - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: craft foam stickers - Target

Friday, August 9, 2013

Inspired By Stamping August Release - Masculine Tags II

Hello!  Welcome to our August Release Party at Inspired By Stamping!  This week, we're bringing lots of inspiration using new sets that are geared toward the guys in our lives.  Today we are sneak-peeking Masculine Tags II.  (links will work on 8/10/13, when all sets are in the store)

Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast kind of guy, this fishing scene was fun to create.  I stamped it on a Fancy Labels 2 die cut and embossed it with copper embossing powder.


Using three blue inks for the lake, and yellow, rose and lavender for the sky, I sponged my way to a beautiful scene.  I kept the metal die in place as I sponged so I would not get ink on the edges of the die cut.  I also used a small piece of a Post-It note to cover up the areas that I was not working on.  When the scene was finished, I removed the die and softly sponged the edges of the die cut with a light linen ink.


Have fun with stripes...on patterned paper!  I chose a patterned paper with a relatively serene look and stamped chocolate-colored stripes using Background Basics Lines.  The sentiment is also from Masculine Tags II. Can I let you in on a little secret?  I had stamped the word "Dad" from the same set next to the Happy Birthday sentiment.  It was so crooked, and there was no denying it.  I added a button from my stash with linen twine to cover my mistake, and I actually like it this way better!


Stuff to Know Before You Go:

Free Shipping will be available on all orders over $25. This is good for 48 hours ONLY:  August 10th at 7pm to August 12th at 7pm (Brisbane time). Coupon Code: AUGFREE  Buy all 6 sets for a bundled 10% discount.  Blog Candy!  Head over to Joanna's blog and leave one comment per day during the release for multiple chances to win.

Inspiration From Our Design Team:

Joanna ~ Tina ~ Calypso ~ Vicki ~ Grace ~ Deb ~ Colleen-that's me! ~ Irit ~ Shea ~ Leah ~ Kendra ~ Shani 

I'm happy you dropped by today!

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