Hello to a Baby Girl

Stopping by today for a quick jaunt.  I whipped up this welcome baby girl card for a new grandma I know.  The patterned paper is from the stash, a Basic Grey pattern from many moons ago.  The images are from Lawn Fawn's Hello Baby stamp set.  I think this works very well to welcome that sweet girl into a new grandma's life.

Wishing You Joy Cards

I'm back to share some more watercoloring with my Papertrey Ink Peonies on Parade stamp set.  This time I white, heat embossed the images onto watercolor paper and then colored with my Mission Gold watercolors.  I had varying levels of success in these endeavors, but I do like the risks that I took and I think the cards ultimately turned out ok in the end.

This multiple colored version is my favorite.  The crystals are from Studio Katie.

A delightful set of cards that will go into the stash for later days.

Sweet Baby Girl Album

I decided to put together a baby girl mini-album.  This album is based off a store-bought chipboard album.  I covered each page with solid cardstock or patterned paper as a base.  Then, I embellished each page with matted frames for picture placement and included stickers and other embellishments to accent the pages.

So much of the album is pieces from the stash.  I had a blast and I'm sure you know that the stash is still mostly intact!

Fun, fun.  I haven't spent a lot of time in the recent past on min-books.  However, with each one that I make, I find that I enjoy making them.  They spark the creative juices and make me want to do more.

A Second Faux Stained Glass Card Set

I told you I was going to copy the Faux Stained Glass technique again and I'm stopping by to share with you this card set I made.  This time, I used the Poppy Stamps 2013 Blooming Rose die.  I used Brisol paper and my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers to color the images. 

Fantastic, don't you think.  This technique is fun and produces a very satisfying result.

Pretty Peony Blooms

I'm sharing a set of cards with you today that I am extremely proud of.  These cards were stamped using some masking and my Papertrey Ink Peonies on Parade stamp set. I stamped onto some old watercolor paper and Bristol cardstock.  I used my Polychromos pencils to color the images on the watercolor paper and my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers on the Bristol.  See if you can figuer out which are which.

This last card was an attempt to use my Mission Gold watercolors.  I really didn't like the finished result, so I used my Polychromos pencils to neaten up the look.  In the end, the result is passable, but this isn't my favorite of the bunch. 

This was really fun to play with and I intend to use this stamp set again soon as it created a wonderful result.

Another Sympathy Card

Unfortunately, I needed a sympathy card on short notice.  I combined sentiment and bird stamps with some Distress Oxide ink blending to create this simple card and heartfelt sentiment on the inside.

There just isn't words to say, but I send the card anyway as a way to comfort and support.

Happy Purr-thday!

I'm sharing a set of cards brandy created for a cute Purr-fect birthday sentiment.  I super like the play with patterns that are present with both cards - adding glitter to the black, white and kraft look is inspired.

Both cards are a great example how die cut images can be paired with pattern to set a scene and tone.  These kitties are certainly going to make the recipient pleased when they receive their card!

Andie for 

Feeling Profound Loss and Friends Expressing Deep Sympathy

It seems a little weird to write this post.  I am nearly a half a century old (I'll be 49 in November).  I have had great grace to be able to have my grandparents in my life.  At 89 and 91 they moved to Arizona early last year and I took advantage of that change to spend time almost every week since then. 

My grandma Mabel passed away on August 7th.  She was 91 and was suffering from cancer.  Her health was tolerable except for the last 5 weeks which were a steady decline and increase in pain and challenges to breath.  We are very blessed that her time of suffering was relatively short, but it also means that she's now gone home to be eternally with her Savior, Jesus. 

I wanted to share this card that Brandy made for my family.  It expresses how very much love and support was poured out on our family from our friends.  My front room is filled with new plants (showing hope!), baskets which were delivered with food and snacks (which were much needed with the commitments to family and other schedule requirements through the week of planing and executing the funeral), and lovely cards to express sympathy and support (that I still thumb through for encouragement). 

Brandy knew that grandma's favorite color was navy.  This card is a perfect reflection of her love and care.  She knew that we would need support and brought the card with a lovely mason jar filled with flowers to brighten our somber home.  Brandy also came to sit beside me at the funeral, an act of love I will never, ever forget.  We don't ever want to experience loss of this kind, but the good part is how it shows you the blessings which are one heartbeat away. 

Thank you, Brandy, for your care and love.  There are no words that can adequately express my gratitude.

Andie for 

Another Alcohol Ink Painting by Brandy

Brandy shared this wonderful alcohol ink painting with me and I just couldn't wait to share with you.  alcohol ink is a challenge to paint with, but I think these poppies are beautiful in an ethereal way.  So lovely!

If you haven't given the alcohol ink painting a try, here's a few videos to help refine the technique:

The Frugal Crafter Paints with Alcohol Ink

Painting Flowers with Alcohol Ink

Lovely technique and I admire the talent and skill on display.  Way to go, Brandy!

Andie for 

A Birthday Card for My Hubby

My hubby celebrated a birthday and I needed a quick card to tell him how much I love him.  This card was made using my Concord & 9th Sketched Stripes background stamp.  The pattern created by the stamp set creates a fantastic background for my simple, masculine card.  I white heat embossed the sentiment which fits perfectly on this A7 card.

Simple and easy, plus a lovely, sweet sentiment on the inside.  Happy Birthday, Dan!

Welcoming a Baby Girl

I realized at the last minute that I needed to make a card to go with my mini-album.  I whipped this up with the leftover pieces from the same Simple Stories Baby Steps patterned paper collection.

Simple, but effective. 

Alcohol Ink Painting

Brandy has been expressing her internal artist again.  This project is created on Yupo paper with alcohol ink and a paint brush.  Alcohol ink spreads and travels on it's own across the Yupo paper, so the technique isn't as straightforward as painting with other media. 

This was Brandy's first attempt with alcohol ink painting and she thinks she worked on it over the course of 4 hours.  Timing is partially dependent upon the ink drying a bit between layers and dropping in color to mix and create the depth and layers.  Brandy used the smallest brush that she had and exercised patience as the ink travels where and how it wants. 

Brandy learned a few things from this first attempt and so we'll all hope that she practices again soon!

Andie