Got Mail?

I like the idea of sending out lots of happy mail at a time like this, and that's when blank cards or all occasion cards come in handy.  This weekend I colored the last of my not-yet-colored Alex Syberia digis.  It's appropriately called Happy Mail.  I colored with Copics and you can probably tell I didn't spend a whole lot of time on the coloring, but that's what I love about it -- it doesn't have to be complex to be pretty.

The pink splattery background was cut with an ages old Spellbinders die.  It was laying around, plain white, needing to be used, but a little spiffing up was required, so I brushed on some Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide ink and splattered with lightly dilute white acrylic paint.  Another ancient Spellbinders die was used to cut the sentiment.  All the parts were put together with a little strip of designer paper onto a wood grain cardstock base.

Honestly, I'm not finding more time to craft because of "staying at home".  I still have a house and garden to care for, I have a husband and two dogs.  I cook, do laundry, clean a room now and then, take the dogs out, do the online banking and bill paying.  Yesterday I made the first three months of our yearly photo book and I ordered a new (and awesome) compact camera to carry in my pocket when we go out with the dogs.  I read, watch movies, text and email with friends, the list goes on... and sometimes I make cards.  It's a small town life.  Not so bad right now.

Sending wishes for good health and happiness.  Be safe and find contentment in the little things if you can.  Hugs!

Lucky to Live Here

On Goldens and Garden today:

More pics there.  Hope you can drop by!

It's a Beautiful Day

I've wanted to color this digital stamp forever and it finally happened.  My particular version is watercolored and I totally made up how the orchids should be colored, but for all I know there may be orchids exactly like this.  Honestly, coloring is a lot easier when you make it up as you go along.

The stamp is a Power Poppy digital -- Perched in the Orchids -- and, yes, it's on sale right now.
Sentiment is from the retired and sold out (sad face) -- Best Day Ever.
Watercolor was done with a combination of Gansai Tambi paints and Tombow dual brush markers.

Seriously, I had to use this sentiment.

Inside is quickly finished with another sentiment from the retired set plus a stamp from the clear set -- Orchids Rock.  Love that set and its sentiments.

The massive sale is still going on at Power Poppy.  Many clear stamps and digis on sale plus there are offers on free shipping for domestic orders and discount shipping for international orders.  Some of these clear sets are retiring (sob, sniff, sad face), but Marcella needs room for the new stamps that will be coming soon (happy face).  See all SALE items here.

That's all from me, friends!  I will direct you to the Power Poppy blog where team samples will blow you away.  Gorgeous stuff!  Links will be provided there so you can leave some comment love with the designers.  These girls are somethin' else.  Really.

Have a happy and healthy day!

Bedelia

A mid-week hello to you!  I feel like I finally accomplished something in my stamp room.   My focus has been scattered and I've been unable to settle.  Gee, I wonder why?  I think we're pretty much "business as usual" at my house, but with certain restrictions, yet everything feels different.  Yesterday we went to one supermarket to pick up a few perishables, but then had to go to an additional store to finish up our list.  Even then there were things missing.  Are people eating more eggs than usual?  Bread?  I really can't complain, though.  We've been pretty lucky here.

Today I'm sharing something sweet.  Bedelia the Bunny is a Stamping Bella a friend gifted to me.  She's one of my favorites because she's an adorable critter and you know how I feel about critters.

I colored her with Copics and added Wink of Stella to the blooms and Stickles glitter to the flower centers.  I even embellished with sequins, which I need to do more often, considering I have a bunch of them.  Have they gone out of style yet?  I hope not!  I strung a little garden banner in the corner.  Trying to keep this CAS without sacrificing too much.

This was a rather quick card which was good for my current short attention span (due to distraction, ahem), but on the other side of the room I also had a watercolor going on.  I'm thinking that might be the new normal in my stamp room for a while.  Anyway, I finished the watercolor and I'll share it on Friday.  Meanwhile... I think I'll start two more projects.

Take care, wash your hands, keep your distance, stay safe and let's make this bug go away!  Hugs and love to all.

Hi-5! Huge Sale at Power Poppy!

Hello, there!  How about something that's fun and bright and cheerful?  It's just what the doctor ordered, I think.  I played with a Power Poppy clear stamp set that's been around for a while and I love it now as much as ever.  It's called Folk Heart.   It's on sale for 40% off... because it's retiring!  But wait...  Marcella has many stamp sets for 30%, 40%, and even 50% off, and some of those are retiring, too.  Plus there are some digital stamps up to 60% off.  Sale starts at noon CDT today.  Hi-5!

Check out more details on the sale, but for an update with even more info check the Power Poppy blog later:

The Folk Heart set is super adorable and fun to play with because there are several stamps that can be used to accessorize or enhance the 3 main images.  I colored with Copics and cut out all my pieces and arranged as shown on an embossed panel that I thought was a nice match with the stamped flowers.  Cute!  Makes me smile, and we need that, right?

I'll refer you again to the Power Poppy blog where you can see more beautiful creations and get linked up with my teamies.

Back to more coloring, I hope.  My days seem busy, but not much time in my stamp room.  There's something wrong with that picture!  Take care, friends!

Stamps:  Folk Heart  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, CTMH Dutch Blue, Bazzill yellow  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Accessories:  SU red candy dot, Sizzix 'Flowers' embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape  Dies:  Tutti Stitched Nesting Hearts, Poppystamps Stitched Mainstreet Tags

Golden Retriever Bubble

Come visit my Golden Retriever bubble on Goldens and Garden.

Thank you!

Twofer Spring Animals

Hello, friends!  I hope this day finds you well because you've been taking extra good care to stay out of harm's way.  All is well at my house.  I heard card making helps ward off viruses, so I've been keeping myself busy with that.

Today I'm playing along in the Twofer Challenge:  Spring Animals.  I was pretty sure there was something in my not-yet-used basket that would be just the ticket and, sure enough, SSS Woodland Whimsy was the one for me.  I have a "hello" card and a baby card featuring the little fawn.

I knew I would love this set.  Isn't it sweet?  I used the fawn once before, but this is the first time I've sat down and really played with the set.  I used 13 of its stamps on these two cards and there's a lot more to go.

For the "hello" card I stamped the fawn, then stamped a patch of foliage around her without masking.  Colored with Copics, sponged the background with distress oxide inks.  Drew a few grass sprigs.  Nothing spectacular, but cute and fun.  Cut out and popped up the trees and the sentiment.

Inside is shown below.  These little foliage and flower stamps are fun to work with.  It has almost a folk art look.  With the "hello" on the front and it being blank inside I can use it for any number of occasions.

It's been a while since I made a baby card and I've always enjoyed them, but this is quite different from most I've made.  However, I love it to pieces.  Again, those flowers make a pretty accent.

Inside is more of the patterned paper and a flower sprig and this very heartfelt sentiment that chokes me up a little bit.

Well, I'm sure glad I took the time to make these cards.  It felt great!  Thanks, Darnell and all the Twofer team for such fun inspiration!

You all have a happy day and I'll see you again later this week, I hope.

Stamps:  SSS Woodland Whimsy  Paper:  Neenah white, Moda Scrap Forever Green designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Oxide Shabby Shutters and Salty Ocean  Coloring:  Copics  Accessories:  Scotch brand foam mounting tape  Dies:  Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Square Set, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Hearts

Blue Columbine

Hello again!  It's Friday Fun Day at Power Poppy, so that means I had a decision to make as to which of Marcella's pretty flower stamps I'd like to color.  There are so many to choose from!  You may remember I've been in a coloring slump lately and nothing seems to come out quite right.  Still haven't pulled out all the way, but petal by petal I'm working my way back (I hope).

Lots of blue in this one.  I think of this shade as periwinkle, but it suits these columbine blooms just fine, too.  The stamp is a digital download called Cup of Columbine.  Alternatively, there is a clear stamp version called Cheerful Columbine.

A matching blue card base, sanded to show the white core.  Sentiment from another Power Poppy clear stamp set:  Natural Beauties.  For this Cup of Columbine I printed the "no line" version on Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor paper... but... I colored with Copics.  It has somewhat of a watercolor look, but quicker to accomplish.

Stop by the Power Poppy Blog for eye candy!  I'll leave you with a link list, too.  Hope I didn't miss anyone.

Leslie (that's me)
Gloria
Nancy
Broni
Stacy
Allison
Christine
Lisa

Have a great weekend!

Hugs and Meeces

Hi, there!  Just quick and cute today.  I slipped into my room to tidy up and then cards happened.

I love my new(ish) Poppy dies -- Hugs Heart and Scribble Daisy Heart Frame -- and knew from the get go I'd like to pair them with these little Newton's Nook Garden Mice.

Can't stop at one when they're this easy.

My bloggie friend, Cat, sent the mice for me to play with 'cause she knows I think they're adorable.  One of these cards is already on its way to cheer a friend.  Have a happy day!

Old Goats for Girls

Hey, there!  Billies or nannies... did you know both goat genders have horns?  They both have beards, too.  I had to look it up.  These goats are part of the Old Goat Set from Art Impressions.  I've had it a while, but was full up on guy birthday cards so it just sat around waiting its turn till my friend suggested there was no reason it couldn't be used for girlfriends.  Hmmm... why didn't I think of that?

I had a not-yet-used card layout and an ornate white mat in my card parts drawer.  Put them together and they made an adequate base for this bunch of birthday well wishers which I colored with Copics and fussy cut.  The sentiment and the balloons are popped up.

Speaking of those balloons... they appear as though I might have colored them and left white highlights, or perhaps added white gel pen when, in fact, each is cut from plain old colored card stock and coated with Glossy Accents.  The white highlights simply appeared in the photo.  Very cool!

Moving right along... I'll be back when stamping happens.  My billies/nannies and I wish you a happy day!

Stamps:  Art Impressions Old Goat Set  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, textured white, scraps colored card stock, Prima Fairy Flora designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copic markers  Accessories:  Inkssentials Glossy Accents, oval punch, corner punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape  Dies:  Spellbinders Floral Ovals, Impression Obsession Balloons

Mermaid Flow

Welcome, friends!  A new week, a new month... I can hardly believe March is upon us already, but here it is, nearly spring.  Might as well start out the month with a pop of color.

I've collected a few Laurel Burch stamps from Stampendous.  This one is called Mermaid Flow.  It's one of my newest stamps, added to round out my beachy/fishy/underwater/nautical collection which was lacking, but is in much better shape now.  I colored all fanciful with my Copic markers, framed, added some shimmer... and now it's ready for the mail.

A close up shows some of the Wink of Stella shimmer.

I'm still trying to get my coloring mojo back.  Thank you for being patient with me.  I'll list supplies below.  Have yourself a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Stampendous 'Mermaid Flow' by Laurel Burch  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White for image panel, Neenah 110 lb white for frame and seashell, Bazzill black  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Impression Obsession Seashell Set