Floral Thank You Card

I finished this card last night, but just couldn't stay awake to take the picture and get it up on the blog.  The stamp is from Hero Arts, one of their oldies but goodies, which I colored with markers and misted and stamped.  I sponged the die cut and layered it on the Spellbinders label die.

I did this card for the Hero Arts contest this month for the flowers theme.  Check out their blog http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/ .

I also entered it in the Card Patterns challenge here http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/ .
Here's the sketch they have this week.

Also, I entered it here http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/2012/03/23/simon-says-stamp-presents-a-flower-challenge/ at LilyPad's flower challenge.

Well, that's it for now....I had a long, long, LOOOOOONG day, and am exhausted.  Think I'll take the night off...do some knitting, have a glass of wine, and just relax.  Ohhh, that sure sounds good!

Blessings,

lynda

Colorful Spring Daffodil Card

Inspiration 
We had a wonderful weekend with our granddaughter, Keeley, at our house for three days.  There's nothing like the innocence, fun, and spontaneity of a seven year old girl to keep you happy!

The first thing Saturday morning, Keeley asked if we could stamp.  Of course, I said YES!  She went right to her stamping supply box, and I gathered some stamps.  She made me a birthday card, drew me some pictures for my refrigerator, then proceeded to stamp and color some birthday cake stamps to make birthday party invitations for her mom, dad, and sister for the birthday celebration we would have on Sunday when they came to get her.

Penny Black Daffodils stamp colored by Keeley

I decided to show her how to color on the solid-type stamps with markers, spritz, then stamp.  Well, that did it.....she was hooked on that technique for the rest of our stamping time together.  I used a daffodil stamp, and colored it in shades of yellow and green, spritzed it with water, stamped, and she let out a squeal and her eyes were as big as saucers!  She said it was like magic and couldn't wait to try it.  I handed her the markers, and she proceeded to make one just like mine.  Then, she asked if she could use any colors.  Well, of course I encouraged her to use whatever she wanted and to make it look however she liked.  Here is Keeley's interpretation of spring daffodils.

Don't these colors just make you smile and want to sing?  I kept looking at her design, beat down the 'adult' part of me that wanted the daffodils to be yellow, and truly enjoyed her imagination, playful colors, and inspiration.  Isn't it grand what we can learn from children if we just let go of our pre-conceived ideas and 'should be's?'

After card-making and lots of laughs, fun, and smiles and mess, we cleaned up and made cup cakes for the party.  Her mom and dad oooohed and aaahed over her creations on Sunday, and we all enjoyed the cupcakes.  Everyone knew where to sit with their place settings.  We had a great weekend, and although Keeley learned a new stamping technique, I think I learned much more from her.  I truly enjoyed her child-like abandon, and learned to let go and be more open to what I am feeling and not let the should-be's have so much say in my creative time.  Her daffodils are magical and fun....I would love a vase full on my table right now.

Card I made from Keeley's design

Today I made a card from her piece.....Here is the finished card, which I will send to her so that she can see what she taught Nana last weekend!

I have entered it in the following challenges:
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/  Springtime challenge,
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Say it with flowers

That's it for today, stampers.  I hope you find some inspiration where you least expect it.  And I encourage you to open your eyes to the possibilities around you, and let your heart lead you in your crafting.....lose your inhibitions, think like a child, and let YOUR inner child out to play.  You'll be glad you did!

Blessings,
lynda

Birthday Card With Markers and Dove Blender

Tombow Markers and Dove Blender 

Here's a blast from the past!!!  I love this giraffe stamp, and have had it for years.  I taught a class on coloring with markers a few years ago at The Stamp Pad, and used this stamp. 

The stamp is from The Artful Stamper.

I embossed it with black on white card stock.  I used Tombow markers.  Starting with a creamy light beige, I colored along the middle of the face (nose and forehead, along the outside of the ears, and along the right side of the neck. 

To create shading, I added a shade darker next to the creamy light beige, then blended the two with the Dove blending tool and Dove Blender Fluid.  The fluid in the Dove blender mingles the two colors so there is a soft, gradual fading from one color into the next. 

Close up of coloring and shading

Finally, I ended with a much deeper shade of topaz along the left side and the outsides of the face and insides of the ears, and the horns.  Using the Dove blender, I blended the dark shade into the medium.  I used a much lighter shade to create a shadow effect along the outside of the giraffe image. The torn edges and the fibers finish off the masculine look of this card.
This is a terrific card for a man.  I tend to make lots of girly, flowery cards, then never have masculine ones around when I need one.  Think I'll make up a couple of these to have on hand for those guys in my life.

Blessings,
lynda