Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Hello to you and thanks for dropping in!  Today's card suggests a clear blue sky in the middle of a rainy day.  You know how it can be sunny and raining at the same time?  Spring is a lot like that and sometimes Life is, too.

I'm playing along with Double D's Showers and Flowers challenge.  I've combined my not-yet-used Laurel Burch Umbrella Cats (Stampendous) with several older goodies from my stamp room stash.

It was also a coloring experiment.  I tried Copics on Cryogen ivory.  I did not have such a great experience and will not recommend it.  However, I'm going to try pencils next and I'll let you know.  I'd rather use white paper, but only have the ivory.  The card turned out cute, though!

Old, but still loved:  The rain stamp is a very old wood block from a company no longer in business.  I stamped repeatedly to cover the card base.  The blue circle was embossed with my first ever embossing folder on a piece of  Core'dinations cardstock, discontinued by Stampin' Up.  I sanded the embossed circle to bring out the pattern.  See how the flowers are similar to those in the umbrella?    A strip of super old SU designer paper was added for the cats to sit on, and the green strip with cats was popped up.

This was not a quick card, but definitely a fun card to make as it involved quite a bit of play.  That same SU designer paper provided all I needed for the inside.

The sentiment is apropos of our times, but I did not choose this set for that reason.  It just worked out that way.  It's very true, though, isn't it?  If you're sharing your umbrella with someone I sure hope it's someone you love.

Double D Challenge:  Showers and Flowers

Have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Laurel Burch Umbrella Cats from Stampendous, Comotion rain stamp (very old and out of business)  Paper:  Cryogen ivory for coloring, SU Core'dinations (retired), Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White (card base), retired SU designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Cool Caribbean (rain)  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers  Other:  Cuttlebug Bloom Dots embossing folder

Monday Fun Day: I Fell off the Diet Wagon

Happy Monday!  Need a laugh?  Art Impressions girlfriends met up with Riley & Company Funny Bones for this one:

There's something about staying at home that makes me want to cook and bake yummy things.  It's not hard for me to ignore all the store bought treats Rich enjoys, but when something is homemade my brain tells me that if I went to all the trouble to make it, I really should eat it.  Darn brain!

Additionally, a flare up of sciatica is making any exercise difficult.  I still walk, but not far.  It mostly hurts in my hip and knee and I'm sure hoping it's only sciatica.  Actually, it's getting better, so I'm eager to start on longer walks and some big jobs outside.  I've been on the diet wagon and it's not a fun ride.  I'd rather burn off the calories... wishful thinking, probably.

If you want to sit in front of your computer and laugh out loud, just check out more Riley & Company sentiments here.  The girlfriends are from Art Impressions Laughing set.  I haven't had them very long, but I've colored them many times already.

Oh, by the way, I used Tombow markers for watercoloring, and the border is Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set.  Rhinestones from my stash.  I hope you're smiling!  Have a great day!

On Goldens and Garden

Home with the doggies again on Goldens and Garden.  Come visit!

Thank you.

Wash Your Hands

Hello there!  How about something very colorful to finish up the blog week?  I had a lot of fun with this one.  It's a Power Poppy digi called Wash Your Hands.  I thought about framing it or making it into a refrigerator magnet, but instead I think I'll mail it to someone just because I care.

I colored with Copics on X-Press It Blending Card.  Added glossy accents to the bubbles, hand drew the black border, and popped it up on foam mounting tape.

Have a look here, too:

Stacy Morgan
Gloria Stengel
Christine Okken
Allison Cope
Broni Holcombe
Lisa Johansen

Pretty stuff!  Have a lovely day!

A Springtime Hello

Hi there!  Still coloring a little something now and then.  I thought I'd have another go at this pretty bird before I file the stamp set away in one of the bird drawers.  I really didn't intend to cut out the whole dang image, but sometimes my card making has a mind of its own.  It was easy to cut out, actually, and I do love the dimension with it popped up.

I used Copics on X-Press It Blending Card.  Directly under the bird is a favorite Marianne Designs Anja's Oval.  I brushed the center with DOX Antique Linen and Picked Raspberry.   The gorgeous paper covering the card base is Mintay Springtime.

This week's cards were all made last week, but I continue to spend a little time each morning in my stamp room before the spring weather calls me outside.  A little sunshine, a little rain... typical spring.  I'm sorry for everyone who is still getting snow or, worse yet, the tornadoes I've been seeing on the news.  As if things weren't bad enough.  Take care, friends.  See you again soon!

Just Saying Hello

A happy hello today!  Playing with one of my newest Cottage Cutz dies called Telephone.  It comes with the phone, the speech bubble, and the "hello".  Not too many small parts and very fun, for sure!

All parts were cut at once in white and colored with Copics.  I thought this paper looked a little bit like flowery wallpaper.  It's some pretty Mintay from the Together collection.  The speech bubble is popped up and the "hello" is two layers.  Memo is part of the Mintay collection.  I borrowed a bird from a Spellbinders set.

It took some time to put the parts together, but no special skills required and I'm feeling pretty okay with that.  Just going with what feels right at the time.  You all take care and I hope you aren't going stir crazy yet.  I never run out of things to do so still okay here.  Hugs all around!

Goldens and Garden

It's cherry blossom time on Goldens and Garden today.  More pictures there.  Stop by and say "hi"!

Life and Love

Hello there!  Wrapping up the blog week with some Power Poppy.  I've watercolored the Asters Abuzz digital stamp for an anniversary card.  I think it works.  I've made lots of anniversary cards for a particular friend so I'm always looking at what I have through new eyes.

I've  used my Tombow markers for the watercolor.  Poppystamps Dotted Curve and some wood grain designer paper for a little interest in the layout.  The sentiment was cut with Sizzix Fancy Tags.  These are not new things on the market, but well loved.

The massive sale is still going on at Power Poppy.  Lots of clear stamp sets are retiring.  I believe all digis are on sale, including this one.

My Power Poppy friends have a few cards to share with you, too:

Stacy Morgan
Barbara Campbell
Broni Holcombe
Nancy Sheads
Christine Okken

Thanks so much for your time.  Wishing you a beautiful day!