CRYSTAL & PEARL SNOWFLAKE

I usually send all Hawaiian style Christmas cards, but I saw this card some time ago and saved the picture to scrap lift it (so sorry, I don't remember who or where it is from).  I thought it was so pretty and I decided to give it a try to send to my special Aunt.  I stamped and embossed the 3 back panels with gold embossing powder.  Raised them and then added the snowflake layer.  The crystals are from the $ Store and were on ribbon - used to hang around the bottom of a light shade, lol.  Cut them off and mounted them on a gold embossed snowflake I cut using SCAL.  Added the tiny pearls and the large one in the middle.  The gold strip on the bottom is a Martha Stewart border punch, put on the ribbon and called it done!

CARD MAKER'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!

A lady on the Cricut MB posted this cute poem this morning.  I laughed OUT LOUD!  It sure suits me!  You crafting ladies will sure appreciate the humor and completely understand the humor!  Enjoy!!!


CARD MAKER'S CHRISTMAS EVE

T'was the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree,
I'm wondering what Santa has brought just for me.

Could it be card stock or chipboard or lace,
Or maybe a Cricut, I said with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him, "Hi Santa," I said.
He responded "You know... good little girls should be in their beds."

I know I should Santa, and now I've got caught,
But I was just so escited, to see what you brought.

Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly and left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear'
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"

THANKSGIVING CARDS

I haven't  been posting because I've been busy getting my Thanksgiving cards finished. At last they are in the mail to family and friends!  I sure hope they enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.  I love the Autumn colors, they are my favorites.  Here are some of the designs I did:

 

 

WE GIVE THANKS

Two new cards using the same sentiment; first one on the left was stamped with copper colored ink and embossed with "Fall Oak" embossing powder as was the sentiment. The cuts are from SCAL and are called Linus' 3D Fall Cards SVG Kit . There are some GREAT cuts in this kit and I will be making and posting more of them soon.

The second card is an acorn stamp using a mixture of a golden yellow and coffee bean colored inks. I did the sentiment and leaf in the same colors then used copper embossing powder for the glimmer. I also added some color with my Copic's and the ribbon. Very simple, but I really like it!

AUTUMN

MMMMMM yummy! I am baking home made pumpkin pies and my house smells soooo good! We are going to our annual Pumpkin Carving part tonight and I always do the pies. I'm in such a Fall mode with doing my cards for Thanksgiving and pies in the oven. Only there are no Autumn leaves, wood smoke in the air or cold weather. Oh well, fake it till ya make it!

The top card reminds me of PA where I lived as a small child. Covered bridges and country lanes... I used nestabilities on the scallop cuts, inked the edges and added some ribbon and a few embellishments. I love the burnt orange colored paper and have been using it a lot.

The second card is a simple one. I saw one very similar a long time ago and saved the idea. Just used my CB to do the bacground embossing and then I added the ribbon, leaf and acorn embellishment to spiff it up a bit. It's simple, but elegant. Again that purty burnt orange paper.

MR. SCARECROW

Well, here I am creating outside of my comfort zone again - and I'm starting to like it! This card took a lot of time and I really had fun with it. All cuts are done with SCAL with their Harvest Hill Farm set. I love the goodies in that set! Again I used "me & my BIG ideas" pack of Autumn paper for the background. It's a beautiful olive green that is raised flocking, like velvet. I didn't have any gingham paper so I searched on-line and downloaded some digi paper. Then I put the piece I used for his shirt through the CB to give it a bit more texture. I inked the edges of Mr. Scarecrow, sponged his face and shirt to give him a bit of an older look. Also used some raffia for his straw, real buttons from my stash and a couple stickers for embellishments. The leaves are ones that you scatter on tables for decoration. I've had them for years and used to use them as sprinkles inside of my cards. Now their ON the cards!

JUST MAGNOLIA CHALLENGE: WEEK 28 Martine's Sketch

This card is a bit more ornate than I usually do, and I'm a bit nervous about it. I usually do more plain and tailored type cards, but I need to break loose! This is a large card - it measures 6.50 x 6.50 inches. I love the paper and colors, but I think I may have gone a bit overboard with the embellishments. What ya think? ANYHOW, it was for a challenge over at Just Manolia, following the above layout. I love the cards the ladies do over there. Since I am doing Autumn cards I wanted to keep on that track, and I can send it as a Thanksgiving card. Paper is from "Me & My Big Ideas"pack, cut oval with SCAL and added all the goodies from my stash.

AUTUMN THANK YOU

I'm in an Autumn mode... Sure wish I could have some Fall weather for a bit. To compensate I'm working on my cards for the season and for Thanksgiving. This was for a friend of mine in NJ. I know she is getting Autumn weather! A simple stamp that I really like with "Fall Oak" embossing powder I got at the convention in Tucson. Added a little coloring with Copic's. A couple artificial leaves and paper from "Me & My Big Ideas", a touch of ribbon and Voila!

GOLF CARD

A friend of mine wanted a birthday card for his son. He's an avid golfer, so of course that was a perfect theme! I used SCAL and some clip art that I gathered. I love the "tracing" feature in that program! I didn't have the right Cricut cartridge to do a golfer, but these came out great. I really like the little golf bag charm. I ordered a great selection of card charms from Fancifuls, Inc. I think they are a neat embellishment.

SNOWMAN SERIES

Here is the finished group. I did the four different designs with 5 cards of each. I sure my client likes them!

FUN, FUN, FUN!

It feels so good to be crafting again! I finished the 4th (and last) set of cards for my Christmas snowman series! I'm really happy with how they came out. I sure hope my client is too. I used lost of silver stickles on the snowflake embossed background done with my Cuttlebug. Silver embossing powder for the snowman and Martha Stewart snowflake border punches, then added the little candy cane. I got carried away on the poinsettias.... They had gold glitter centers and I wanted silver, sooooo, I picked off all the gold and dipped them in glue and silver glitter - VOILA'!

ALOHA...

I know I haven't been on here much lately. My daughter was here visiting and also some other good friends. We had so much fun at the beach snorkeling, picnics and running around the island. My time for my card making was limited - in fact I hardly had any, lol. But it was worth it. She flew home to Oregon today, and I miss her so much. Living on an island so far away has its disadvantages... So now, I need to get back into the swing of things and get my creative juices flowing again. I'm working on the final card for the Christmas card order and am really liking what I came up with. I'll be posting it soon. Take care all, and hug your loved ones today!

STILL WAITING. . . . .

My replacement Cricut has not arrived yet, so I am keeping busy doing cards without using cut outs. Here are a few Halloween cards that I did. Sure hope that FedEx delivers to me today!!!

O M G ! ! ! ! ! ! !

I'M IN SHOCK AND PAIN!!!!!!!! I turned on my Cricut to work this morning and no response!!!!!!!!!! After calling customer support and trying numerous solutions, it's official.... SHE'S DEAD!!!!! I know I use her a lot, but not to excess. What a shame. I have to contact customers to let them know things are running behind. Good news is, I paid for upgraded 2 day shipping and it should be here by next Wednesday - I SURE HOPE SO!!! WAAAAHHHHH!!!! I'M SO SAD!!!!

MIDNIGHT MADNESS (MMSC21) CHALLENGE ENTRY

I jus HAD to enter this challenge. You wouldn't believe the great prize they are giving away!!! A chance to win a crafter's dream space! Check it out! To enter follow their instructions (on the above "check it out link") and create a card using this layout. Since I'm into the snowmen right now, I did this simple one with this stamp I like, only in blue this time. Added some stickles and a shimmery bow and snowflakes. Fun to make! Good luck all!

ANOTHER IN SNOWMEN SERIES...

Well, I am 3/4's finished with my Christmas card order. This one I really like. I love the stamp, so cute, and the burgandy colored paper. I used my new CB snowflake folder! It looks great with the white glitter paper. The snowflake edge is my new Martha Stewart punch. The circle is a file from svgcuts.com, one of their free downloads cut with SCAL. Also used the new "puff stuff" for the snow. It all came together really well. Again, I hope my client likes it as much as I do!

HAPPY WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

I hope all my fellow card makers had a great day creating! I sure did. I made the third snowman card in my series I am doing for an order. You can't tell by the photo, but the red paper is a thin layer of fabric. It gives it a rich textured look. (I also have some of the paper in dark green that I am going to work with.) The "snowlady" stamp is one I just got on e-bay, I think she's pretty cute! I embossed the corner snowflakes in silver and added a little crystal center to each one, then added the bow. I'm very happy with how it came out. It's simple but stylish, I think.

I'M GETTING THERE...

Mahalo for the well wishes ladies, they are appreciated! Am feeling a bit better, but have a way to go. But what could be better medicine than making a few cards!?!

I received an order for 20 Christmas cards and was anxious to get to them. When I was on the mainland I bought things to do with snowflakes. Just my luck, the customer wants snowmen! Snowflakes and snowmen are a perfect match! This is the 1st card design, there will be 4 in the series, 5 of each design. I embossed the light and dark blue paper with snowflake stamps and "Stardust" emb. powder, also the little snow flakes around the snowman and scalloped edges. (Also added a little blue stamp ink on those edges - the circles were done with my Nestabillities.) I love the snowflake corners - they were made with my new "Martha Stewart" punch set (Also got the side one and will use it later!). Another new goodie I got at the convention in Tucson is the "puffed" looking snow beneath the snowman. It's called Liquid Applique. When you put the heat gun on it, it puffs up and looks just like snow! Too Cool!! Then added some ribbon and the metal snowflake charms - got those at Micheals. All in all, I really like this card, sure hope my customer does too!

SORRY...

Well, I haven't had the energy to post anything new, and I haven't made anything new! I got home all fired up and now am down with a miserable cold. My daughter is here visiting and I sure hope she dosen't catch it. Who would want to come to Hawaii and get sick?!? Hope to be up to snuff soon and posting again.

HOME SWEET HOME!

WOW! It is soooo good to be home! Had a good trip, but always glad to return to the "rock" as we lovingly call our island.

Had a fun trip down to Tucson to my FIRST rubber stamping and scrapbook convention! Saw lots of great products and learned some new techniques. Also got to meet Melissa Forsyth-Sampaga (pictured in pink below), who designed the stamp used on the cover of the September issue of CardMaker Magazine! Bought some goodies from the booth where she was doing demonstrations on coloring with Copics. Boy is she talented! Also went to another scrabook and card convention a week later in Phoenix. So, between the two places, I purchased a lot of new supplies, learned a lot and need to get to work! I hope to have a new card to post soon!

Picutre Of Melissa and Convention In Tucson

ALOHA FOR A WHILE....

Well, sorry to say I won't be making any cards for a while. I am off to Phoenix to visit my Dad for two weeks. So, I say aloha and look forward to getting back and visiting all your great blogs! Take care, aloha nui loa, a hui hou! Joanne HUGS to all!

OUR 23rd ANNIVERSARY!

Hard to believe, but today is Mr. Z's & my 23rd anniversary! I made this card for him. It's simple but sweet I think, he really appreciated it and liked it a lot. Last night we had a great evening out just the two of us, dinner under the stars on a balmy Hawaiian night. Tonight we are celebrating with friends, so it's been a fun party weekend!

COCKTAILS ANYONE?!?!

I have some friends that are really going to like these - they are fun party people! You know who you are..... I really like the glittery paper on these. It gives them real sparkle! It's hard to see, (double click on the picture) but the margarita has moons, stars and bones floating in it, perfect for Halloween!

TRICK OR TREAT

I'm really into the Halloween cards at the moment! I'm doing a lot of them to send to family and friends and it sure is fun!

CANDY APPLES!

I have an Aunt that LOVES candy apples! When I saw this stamp I had to get it and do this card for her. I totally scrap lifted it from a sample card at "Impression Obsessions", but I couldn't help myself! It's just too darn cute and fit perfectly for what I wanted. I did add the ric-rac, but other than that, it's a complete lift!

#1 - ANYTHING HALLOWEEN

This is for a challenge over at GLUE, PAPER, SCISSORS. It will be a lot of fun because it's for anything Halloween! Endless possibilities... I had a lot of fun doing this card. I used SCAL to do the cut outs of the pumpkin, spider, owl and witch. They are from a file called "Spooky Silhouettes". The circle is done with Nestabillities, and then I added the ribbon and the little bat.

MAHALO KAYE!

These two blog awards were sent to me by the sweetest gal who folows my blog. Her name is Kaye and we have met by being fellow bloggers - think that is a proper term, lol. It means a lot to have someone take the time to come and see your creations and leave such nice comments. As she said, "It helps build your confidence". Check out her wonderful blog, and also those of the ladies that I have passed on this award to who are listed below. So much wonderful talent!

Christine

Cheryl

Jackie

Liz

Stephanne

FLUTTER BY WEDNESDAY #72

Grow in your own time in your own way...

I wanted to do a card just for fun today! I was blog hopping and found a wonderful place. It's "Danni's Dreams" and is really great, check it out! They were having a challenge that you had to use a butterfly or a fairy and one of your favorite phrases. Well, I decided to use both the butterfly and fairy with my phrase, and this is what I came up with. I used a cut with SCAL for the butterfly, stamped the fairy and colored with Prisma's and OMS. Popped the phase and fairy with glue dots and added the butterfly and ribbon. I thinks it's cute, but a bit "home made" looking. Oh well, it was fun and what I needed to relax!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN PUP!

Time for some fun Halloween cards! This one is simple and pretty cute I think. The little pup makes me smile!

SCAL - Sure Cuts A Lot

I was blog surfing today looking for some new svg files. They are files that can be cut with my Cricut but you don't have to use their cartridges. I found a great site called "Just For Sharing" that offers some neat free cut files. This card was made with one of the cuts, a very pretty design. I just added the stamped image and background paper behind the cuts to match. I like the lavender colors.

BRIGHT ORANGE!

I scrap lifted this design, and I'm sorry I don't remember where from to give them credit. I loved the simple layout and only two colors. I changed the colors to the light and darker orange and tweaked some of the details a bit. Thanks so much for the inspiration! It's a really fun, but simple card.

AUTUMN TILDA

Another Tilda, this one just for fun. I really like these Fall theme papers!

WEKK 19 - RACH'S SKETCH ATJUST MAGNOLIA

This was the layout sketch for this weeks challenge over at "Just Magnolia". I am a BIG Tilda fan. she's is so adorable. I was in an Autumn mood when I did this one. It's my favorite time of year, and it has been so hot - it got me longing for cool Fall days. (I have to go to the mainland for those...) I bought a great pack of card stock called "Harvest" by "me & my Big ideas". They are beautiful. I was so anxious to use them that I had to get my hands on them for this challenge. I really liked the result I came up with. I altered the stamp a bit. I blocked out the little flowers that were blowing around with the leaves, in order for it to have more of an Autumn feel. Used Prismacolor pencils with Gamsol and added a few embellishments. Hope you like it!

Check out all the great Tilda cards for this challenge at Just Magnolia.

BIRTHDAY SERIES

Two more cards that are being made for orders. The top one is simple and sweet, the second one bold and bright! I love doing things that are SO opposite of each other. That way I don't get bored with the same theme all the time.

BIRTHDAY

Another card - not a real involved one, lol. Just simple and cheerful.

SIMPLE THANK YOU

Another of the cards ordered by my friend. It's a simple card, but I really like the colors.

CHANGITO BIRTHDAY

I love the "Changito" series of stamps! They are so adorable, playful and fun! This one was great fun to do, and I really like the jungle type paper. When I saw that sheet of paper it said, "You HAVE to take me home!" I knew it would make a great background for one of the little monkeys. I used the Life's A Beach cartridge for the leaves and colored with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.

THANK YOU

This is one of the cards that I'm doing for one of my card orders. I really like the paper. It's from Citrus Matstack by Premium Stacks. This one has that nice accented areas of sheen and glitter. They are really pretty colors and designs. Hope she likes it!

FRIENDS - Week 18, Friendship

I love Tilda, and this is for a challenge over at "Just Magnolia".

45th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

I'm finally taking the time to post some recent cards. This one was a bit hard to photograph and the pic does not do it justice. The card is for friends of ours who we met while they were here vacationing in Hawaii. We've kept in touch and sure enjoy them when they are here. They are going to ITALY to celebrate their 45th! Fantastic way to celebrate! CONGRATS Joanne & Barry!!!

STRAWBERRY BASKET

A special thank you for someone who keeps in touch!

CATCHING UP

I can't believe I haven't posted on here for a week! I was busy with an order of a dozen cards for a friend, and got another order from another friend for a dozen also! I'll post some of them when I get the chance. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

WINTER FLOWER?

Aloha and Happy Saturday. YEAH, the creative juices are back!! Funny though, they are a bit "off". I did this card this morning and saw the idea in my head, but when it was complete it wasn't quite what I pictured. It looks almost like a Christmas card to me, lol. Oh well, at least it is going much easier today! Also, I discovered a new technique - at least with the darker blue paper. When I was embossing the leaves, I "over cooked" one and the paper started to turn a lighter color. I liked the look and did it on purpose to the rest of them! A lady on the Cricut MB says, "There are no mistakes in card making, only happy discoveries" (or something to that effect!). And boy is she ever right!

BLOG CANDY!

Would you like a chance to win some awesome "blog candy"!? A kind lady in Norway has some lovely goodies up for grabs, check them out!

http://simplyinger.blogspot.com/

MONKEY BOQUET

You know those crummy days when you just can't quite seem to get it together - the creative juices just don't seem to flow... Well, today was one of those for me. I did manage to get this one card done, but it was a struggle for a card so simple. Guess it's time to go to the beach and chill out. I need to get my creative karma back!

BIRTHDAY CARDS

Today's cards are ones that I am doing for a friend. She needs a variety of birthday cards to give to friends and family. So, I will be working on those for a while. I really like doing them because they are for all ages and I can choose any colors and designs that I want. Enjoy!

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE #42

For this challenge we were to use our favorite CB embossing file. By far my favorite is the "Swiss Dots". It is so versitile and can be used with nearly any design. It's beautiful done with white on white, or any other color. Today I used blue. The flowers are done with some of the new paper I got yesterday at Suzi's. It's a beautiful paisley print - kind of hard to see in the little flowers. But don't worry, I'm going to do another card that will show it off!

WAIMEA DAY

Paid a visit to my favorite scrapbook and card making shop in Waimea today, "Suzi's Scrapbooking Paradise". As always she helped me find just what I was looking for - paper for my Christmas cards. It never ceases to amaze me what a great variety of paper she has and how she knows exactly where to find just what you ask for! Mahalo Suzi!

MY 1st "CHIRP"

WOW! I am excited! The Cricut web site does a new letter every week with lots of great info and promotions. They also spotlight people who have made cards that "catch their attention". The card I did for Paul for his birthday, the "57 Chevy" got noticed! I am really honored - the cards the ladies do on there are fantastic! I am humbled to even be considered in their league! You can check it out - scroll down to the "Cricut Board" section and you will see the cards that are featured. Check them ALL out! Mahalo nui loa Cricut for the notice!

http://www.cricut.com/newsletters/volume.aspx?ID=195

DRAGONFLY & FLOWERS

This card is for my sweet Aunt Ruth in NY. She really loves gettiing cards, so this is made with lots of aloha just for her. The dragonfly is an iron-on from the Dollar Tree, the flowers were on the Walk In My Garden cartridge and the leaf swirl was on the George cartridge.

LEAPN' OVER!

I made this card for my Pop! He's in AZ and really looks forward to getting mail and hearing from me. This card is another done with the adorable Penny Black "Toadily" stamps. The inside of the card read: "To see "warts" up at your pad!"

CHALLENGE #51 - BEACH THEME

A simple design for the Cupcake Challenge. I really like this stamp, it sure is beach themed! Added a little bling and summer looking paper...


http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/

SWEET WATERMELON TIME

This little gal makes me smile! She is so adorable with that big slice of melon. I got the paper that is the main part of the melon when I was on my trip to Hilo last week and was really wanting to use it. I decided to use it more as an accent on this instead of the main background, and I like it. I colored with Prisma's and then added embellishments and called in "pau"!

GOLDEN KIMONO

Here is one more for today. It is a card I made for my sweetie to send to his son & his girlfriend to say thanks for the birthday present they sent him. The Japanese symbol represents "thanks". I know they will really appreciate it because his girlfriend is Japanese.

CHERRY BLOSSOM KIMONOS

Yesterday I was over on the other side of the island in Hilo. We have a NEW Scrapbooking store over there!!! I got so excited because we only have one other type store on our island. This is a BIG thing! The new store has a wonderful variety of supplies! They even have Nestabilities, CB embossing folders, and lots of special things I have been ordering on the internet. I bought this great kimono stamp and some beautiful papers from Japan. So here I go again, off on my Asian designs.

The first one is the stamp gold embossed and mounted on some of the beautiful paper. The second, I did gold embossing of cherry blossoms on peach colored paper and then mounted three of the stamped kimonos on a strip of the Japanese paper.

LOVE FROGS - CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE #40

I've really got a thing for frogs at the moment! Don't know why they look so cute to me... I already kissed a lot of frogs and have my "Prince!" In any case, this is for my first entry for the "Cuttlebug Challenge". They provided a layout sketch to follow and this is what I did.

GOLDEN AUTUMN LEAF

Here's another card using the paper I did with the "shaving cream" technique. The colors go well with Fall themes.

PINK ROSE

Well, I've been really busy today. Here is a 4th card. I seem to be on a bit of a pink kick....

PINK DRAGONFLY

Another one for today. I love the soft pink colors on this one. The dragonfly is actually an "iron-on" I found in the Dollar Store. The frame is embossed with a CB design and open part was cut out with Nestablilities rectangle.

FROGS

I just got these adorable "froggie" stamps by Penny Black. They are called "Toadily", really cute and FUN! These are the first cards I made with them.

The first is simple with just a little ribbon and bling. On both cards I colored with Prisma pencils and used mineral spirits to blend.

For second one I used paper that I designed with the "shaving cream" method (look farther down this page...). I think they worked pretty good together. I used my Nestablilities to cut out the oval. I cheated and added the lily pad they are sitting on as there is not one with the stamp. Added a little bling and was good to go!

TILDA GOES HAWAIIAN

I adore the TILDA stamps. I think they are absollutely adorable! When I found one with her in a hula skirt, I couldn't believe my luck. Of course I HAD to have her and see what I could create with her. This one is pretty simple. I have some other tropical style papers that I want to experiment with. Should be fun to see where they lead.....

57 CHEVY

I had a lot of fun with making this one. It was for my sweetie's birthday. He's a big CAR guy! Sorry, it's not an Alfa Romero...

ALOHA ALL - PAPER DESIGNS

Well, it's hard to believe, but today I didn't design one card!!! Instead, I made some paper designs for making cards. I used a technique called the "shaving cream" technique. You put a pile of shaving cream on a plate, sprinkle drops of ink on top, take a knife and drag it through the ink in the shaving cream, then lay your paper on top and push it into the cream. Lift it out, squiggy off the cream and VOILA! Beautiful designs on the paper. I found the best results when using an every day photo paper - the semi gloss worked really well. Amazing and fun! Below the pictures is the link to where you can watch the video to the technique: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/shaving-cream

ASIAN TRIO

I'm getting a lot of enjoyment from my new Japanese themed stamps. I did these three today.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Another Asain theme... I'm really into them at the moment. I just got a new set of Japanese stamps and am really enjoying them. I love the simpicity - think I've said that before...

SAY IT WITH CHERRIES

This card was done for a sweet lady I contacted on the Cricut MB. She did a fantastic card and I loved the stamp she used (I can't say what it was cuz it's a surprise for someone who visits here a lot! I'll post it when it's been received...). I asked her who made it and where I could find it. She told me but said she would be happy to send me some of the stamped images. Of course I gladly accepted her offer, and in return offered to pay her for them. She said no, just send me one of your cards. So this is it, I sure hope she likes it. She is such a wonderful example of the great ladies on that web site. MAHALO DANITA!!!

VACATION

I designed this card for the "Ad Inspiration Challenge #23" on the Cricut MB. The colors were dark plum, dark blue and a sort of light blue-gray. I didn't have any paper the blue-gray color, so I went with this Hawaiian plumeria print. It was as close as I could get! I used my Life Is A beach cartridge for the card cut outs and the George cartridge for the thin frame. I stamped and embossed the "vacation", stuck on a few embellishments and that was it!

SUMMER!

Happy Sunday everyone. Here is a little inpiration to hit the local swimming hole! This stamp is just too adorable and screams summer! I had the lime green papers from my last trip to the mainland and really wanted to use them. I searched for something to go with it and this is what fell into place. I used Prisma colored pencils with mineral spirits for most of the coloring. But, I did use my Copic's for the shading on her inner tube. I really like how it all turned out.

CRAZY GET WELL

Well, this one is sure "outside the box" lol! I wanted to cheer someone up with something different, and I think this is about as different as you can get. It's kind of a hodgepodge of sorts, but I think it works.... At least I hope it does!

50's STYLE HULA GAL

One more card for today, LOL. I just keep on a going. This one I really had fun with. I am trying to do a lot of Hawaiian type cards for a gal who would like to sell them for me. So I hope you don't get tired of them! Aloha nui.

BEE WELL

2nd card for today: I have a friend who recently had back surgery. She is not allowed to sit up or get out of bed for 3 MONTHS!!! That's a LOOONNNNNGGGG time! I'm going to send her a card once a week to let her know that we are thinking of her and to try and bring a smile to her face. I have made this card several times before for friends that were under the weather. It's bright, simple and cheerful. I really enjoy making this one.

SMILE

Two cards so far today - here is the first one. I copied this design from a card I saw a long time ago. It just made me smile. For some reason it popped into my head today. I wanted something fun to make so I gave it a go! It still makes me smile.

WITH SYMPATHY

I just did this card for a challenge on my Cricut site. I had to use a specific layout and only use 2 colors. I know black & white are not really considered colors, but I went for it anyway. I really like the see through plastic type sheet that has the leaves on it. It adds a nice touch.

DRAGON

Another card for today. This one I used a stamp from All Night Media, colored it with gel writer pens that have a sparkle sheen to them and also a gold opaque paint marker. Then I cut him out and raised him with dots. The symbol on the bottom right reprents the dragon. I love the Asain designs for their simplicity.

EXPECTING!

We are so happy for friends of ours. They have found out they are "pregnant"! They are thrilled to be adding to their family. We wish them so much happiness.

COFFEE & FRIENDS

Yesterday I got together with three very lovely ladies for coffee and "girl" time. We don't do that often enough! It was such fun, and I just wanted them to know how much I enjoyed it. So of course what better way to let them know then to make a special card for each them?!! I used the George cartridge for the lettering, backed the cut out areas with gold paper, embossed the coffee cup in gold and used the gold stamp pad for some accent "dabs" all over. The inside reads, "coffee and friends are the perfect blend". And it sure was - even though one of the gals is a TEA drinker!

MEOW!

A VERY SPECIAL MAHALO

I want to send a very special thank you to all the great ladies who post on cricut.com on the Community Messageboard. They have been an inspiration and an important part of my creativity. They are so supportive and helpful. Always there to lend a hand, no matter the problem. They share, and they care. Without them I don't think I would have gotten up the nerve to try and do this blog! Bless you all!