Stamping and Zentangles....who knew?

I promised another post today, so here goes.  I'm ahead of schedule wih dinner, as what I thought was chicken that I took from the freezer was a ham bone.  So, I threw that baby into a pot and cooked it to make a yummy stock, and put it into the crock pot with some onions, Garlic, veges, beans, yadda, yadda and it's cooking while I'm happily going about my business.  Gotta say, the smell is making me crazy hungry for ham bone soup.  But it will be great to have dinner ready whenever we want to eat tonight.  I love, love, love my crock pot.

Now, on to two more cards I made yesterday:

Can you tell I was on a quest?  I had warercolored some textures cardstock and thought I would make as many themed cards as I could with it, the same colors, and the same blue and green fiber.   I also wanted to experiment with joining my doodles and Zentangles with my rubber stamps.

On the first card, the background is a Hero Arts stamp, with some Penny Black stamps, and that lovely Printworks verse.  The second card features Hero Arts background Penny black background and border, and the same fibers.  

Both cards are stamped and warercolored with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The funky plant is a Zentangle drawn by me, hence why it looks different on both cards.   I love the way it stands out against the warercolored background.  Think I'm onto something here!

Hope you get some time to play this weekend!

Blessings,

lynda

Our Daily Bread Designs Card Challenge

This is my second post today, and is a card for Our Daily Bread Designs "create a shaped card"    http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/odbdslc192-shaped-card.html .  It could be any shape, but no straight edges.  This cars is for a dear friend who needs some encouragement.  This scripture from Psalm 91:2 seemed to be perfect.

Here is my card:

I used textured card stock.  Stamped and water colored with Tim Holtz Distress Inks in bundled sage, broken china and tumbled glass.

Thank you for visiting.

Blessings, 

lynda

Mojo Monday Challenge Card

I took a vacation day today and stayed home and played in my craft room ALL day!  I had such a wonderful time, just making cards and playing with my stamps, inks and zentangles!  This post is for the Mojo Monday challenge #334 Tall & Skinny  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2014/02/mojo-monday-334.html .  

Here is the sketch.  The link above will take you to the MM blog and the rules.  

I needed a sympathy card, so pulled out some of my Penny Black stamps and the MM sketch, and went to work.  Here is my card: 

I used some textured card stock from my stash.  The butterfly and background stamps are Penny Black.  The phrase is from Gina K. designs Fanciful Tags set.  I used Tim Holtz distress inks bundled sage, broken china, and tumbled glass.  The butterfly was stamped, then water colored using distress ink.

Hop on over to check out some of the other submissions for the Mojo Monday challenge.  Better yet, why not join!

Blessings, lynda

Happy Valentine's Day Card

Well, so much for keeping it simple.  When it comes to hearts and soft pink and cream, simple just doesn't work for me.  This card did start out that way, but somewhere along the creative process it started begging for lace.  And pearls.  And flowers.  You get the idea!  I gave in and this became my Valentine card for my favorite guy...now to make one for my hubby!   Just kidding, of course this is for him.

The background stamp is from Stampin Up, hearts are Spellbinders dies embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Valentine verse from My Sentiments Exactly.

There you have it.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

lynda 

Soft Green and Mauve Cards

I love this color combination.  These Anna Griffin stamps work so well with his combination, don't you think?  The Anna Griffin background paper completes the vintage look I was going for.  

I couldn't  find the right green ribbon, so I made my own from seam binding and ink.  Check out his link to learn how to do this 

http://www.paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2011/02/technique-tuesday-crinkled-ribbon-for.html

I also used Anna Griffin embossing folders for the mauve piece behind the image panels.  I just sponged some ink over the embossing to make it show up a little more.

I hope you are keeping warm and cozy during these fiercely cold winter days and nights.  Spending time in my craft room with my stamps, papers and inks always gets me warmed up!

God bless!

lynda

Stamping Crop Project

Just want to share how much fun we had at our stamping ministry crop Saturday!  We each took turns "teaching" a project.  All of the projects were fun and we all learned some new ideas and techniques.  Here are some cards using my napkin technique:

I promised to put my project directions and card pictures on the blog, so here it is.  This is not a new technique, but I thought it would be fun to revisit it.  You need an iron and ironing board, some pretty napkins, plastic wrap, card stock, and large pieces of scrap paper.  

Just place a large piece of newsprint or scrap paper on the ironing board, then your card panel, then a piece of plastic wrap a little larger than the card panel, then the napkin (be sure to use only the top ply...most napkins have two plys, some have three).  Finally placa another piece of newsprint on top of this sandwich and press with a medium hot iron, no steam, for a few seconds till thelastic wrap melts and the napkin adheres to he card stock.  When cool, trim off excess napkin from the panel, and finish your card.

You will notice from my pictures that I ran some of my finished napkin panels through the cuttlebug with an embossing folder to give it some texture!

It's easy, and fun.  Let me know if you try it!

lynda

Fun card challenge

I just discovered a new to me challenge blog, http://fusioncardchallenge.blogspot.com.  This is the challenge sketch I modeled my card after...I used both the sketch and the idea of the photo.  Instead of coffee I used cupcakes, however!

It was a fun card.  I am doing short creative stints in my craft room, as I'm recouperating from 

Kidney stone surgery and I tire easily and still hurt.

Here is my take on the challenge...

Stop by and check them out!

Blessings,

lynda

Fall Card with Adirondack Ink Pads

I love using my Adirondack ink pads.  The colors are rich and earthy, and just perfect for making fall cards.  When I saw this challenge on the Our Daily Bread blog (Ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com)I knew just what stamp I wanted to use.  This butterfly stamp is a favorite of mine from the ODB line, and I usually make lots of spring cards with it.  I have had it in my mind for a while now to try it with fall colors.

I inked the stamp using just the corners of my Ink pads, adding colors from several different color pads.  This is an inking technique quite often.  I start with the lightest color and tap it one one area, then a darker color to another area, and so on, working to the darkest color.

After the stamp was all inked up, I breathed on it, stamped it, and immediately added clear embossing powder.  You can't tell from the photo, but the embossing really adds shine and depth.  I sponged the tile with the image on it to soften the cream.

I used this sketch from the Mojo Monday sketch challenge at Mojomonday.blogspot.com:

Stop by the Our Daily Bread and Mojo Monday blogs to see all the creative cards from these challenges.

On a personal note, I have been trying to pass a kidney stone since Friday, when a ct scan showed that it had moved from my kidney to my urethra.  Feeling pretty lousy all weekend with considerable pain most of the time.  I'm trying lots and lots of water and juice with lemon.  I read that lemon helps break down the stone, which I'm very interested on doing, as its a 7 mm stone.  I want that bad boy out.  I'd would very much appreciate your prayers please!

Blessings,

lynda

Tulip card

I saw these papers in my stash, and just had to use them.  Pawing through a bunch of stamped and dry embossed images I have in a box, I came across this tulip I had embossed a long while ago.  The colors I used on it made it the perfect accent for these papers and my card.  

Here's the result of that paper/image marriage:

The green is just the background, not part of the card.  I love the sheer ribbon and bow, and the tiny pearls.

Hope you're enjoying this gorgeous fall weather!

Blessings,

lynda

Fall Card Making Day

I spent this lovely day playing in my friend's craft room.  We pulled out some of our fall stamps and tried some techniques.  We had a great day of stamping, with inspiration, creativity, laughs, and fellowship.

We each made a card for the Mojo Monday blog challenge.  Here is my card for this week's sketch challenge:

I used her leaf die cut, then white embossed the fall words on the maple leaf.  Then I sponged Adirondack inks over the embossed words, and assembled the card.

This is the Mojo Monday blog challenge sketch:

Be sure to stop by and check out all the outstanding entries!

Blessings,

lynda

Zebra Card - Great One For The Guys!

I needed some cards for our card ministry at church that could be sent to guys, and noticed our stash was short. I decided I would whip up a couple, so I would have them for the next shut-in mailing. I resorted to one of my favorite color combos....black, white, and lime green. I love the crispness and drama of these colors together.

Stop back soon!

Blessings, lynda

A Thought Away Card

It's back to coral for this springy card! I seem to be using a lot of this color lately. Just a simple card with some stamping, a punch (EK Success) for the phrase ( Stampin Up), ansome dies, embossing folder, and, of course, some sweet little pearls...just so you know it's from me. Tee-hee.

This /'$&@/:~<£ fibromyalgia is really acting up today. We're celebrating Dans birthday with the kids today, so the little ones will keep me occupied!

Think spring!

Blessings,
lynda

Thinking of you card

I needed a masculine card for a coworker who is in the hospital. This was a bit of a challenge,as I am a 'no frills barred' kind of gal. I love to glam it up. I actually made this card twice....the first version is the same except it the other one has a bow and silkier ribbon, instead of a knot and this interesting ribbed ribbon.  This version is a tad more manly,I think. I had to hold myself back from adding more,but I am happy with it.

For the embossing on the right edge, I used a Cuttlebug narrow embossing template. I sponged some forest moss distress along the design to highlight it. The tree stamp is one of my old favorites from Magenta.

We're off to celebrate hubbie's birthday....but first I have to finish HIS card.

Till next time...blessings,
lynda

Asian Note Card

Thought I'd go with an Asian theme for this simple note card. I started with a cream colored card, layered with a teal blue, then a narrow black border for drama. I ran the cream main Image piece through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder just three fourths of the way on the card panel. Then I inked the flower with teal and black inks and stamped it along the no -embossed side of the panel. It seemed to need something, so I scored along the embossed area between the image to create the score line which separates the embossing from the image. A little thing really, but really changed the effect a lot.
A coordinating floral image die cut and layered in circles for accent. With some ribbon,and, yes, a couple of pearls (colored with my Copics to match the teal). That's it...a simple Asian note card. I used the same floral accent circles inside with a black card stock strip.
Here it is:
lynda

Thinking of you card...

Thinking spring here....thought I'd pull out some pretty coral card stock to use with a print paper from my stash. Tones of khaki, tan and cream round out the look and lend a feel of spring to this card. This stamp is from one of my favorite Stamping Up sets. I "colored" some white pearls with my Copic marker or match the card elements. Easy-easy and quick card.
Enjoy!
lynda

Three cards, one stamp

I had a little fun with this early spring snowman, using three different color themes. He makes me smile, with his little kite, and It made me think about the hope that early spring brings. The warm, sunny days give us hope, something to look forward to.

i hope you enjoyed our gorgeous 70 degree day today. i opened my office windows at work...it was bliss!

Here are the three cards. I hope they make you smile, too.

Blessings,
lynda

Card Ministry Weekend

What a terrific two full days of stamping and card-making fun! It was a special two day card ministry meeting this month. We had lots of fun,food, and laughs....oh, and also lots of stamping!

We all got many cards made for the church card ministry. We would love to have you join us...just leave a comment or email me for details. We meet every month, on a Saturday, usually for the full day. This weekend was our first two day event.

We had a challenge this month to use three different elements on our cards. Here are some of the cards from the challenge. Hope to have you join us some time, or all the time. It's free and fun, and we all learn from and inspire each other.
Blessings,
lynda

Card - A Friend Loves At All Times

I felt a little better today...fever is gone, but I'm still  achey all over, and a little sick, but somewhat better.

I actually sat and made a card, so I'm posting it quickly before I go back to my "sick nest" on the couch.

I will write more in a day or so.  In the meantime, you can check out my article on my Journey Through Autumn blog at http://journeythroughautumn.blogspot.com/ .  I tell you how you can get FREE digital magazines on your ipad, computer, or iPhone or kindle from your library!

If you have not seen my previous post, scroll down for details about my Zen Doodling class at the Greece Public Library in March....it's free, and fun. I'd love to see you!  Just call or stop in at the library to sign up.

Blessings,
lynda

Doodling!

This is my first post from my ipad, and I'm thrilled that I figured it out!  I just finished a "doodle" for an accent on my coffee nook.  It's sort of like a card, but without being a card....it's just to put on the shelf or wall.  I started by drawing a coffee cup outline, then filled it with doodles.  I have been enamored with the Zen Tangles for a few years now, and find that doing them is very relaxing.

Here's a picture of my coffee cup doodle:

 

I did the coffee cup on white card stock, then filled it with my own doodles.  Then I distressed it with distress inks and die cut the layers.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the tan layer, then distressed the raised areas.

If you haven't seen my coffee nook, you can can check it out here:  www.journeythroughautumn.blogspot.com

If you would like to learn more about doodling, I am teaching a class at the Greece Public on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30-7:30 pm.  The class is free....just call the library at 225-8951 to register and reserve your spot.

Blessings!

lynda

The last card from last weekend!   I still have a tiny bit of the paper left, so I have to plan a trip to Hobby Lobby to get some more.  This is another ten minute clean and simple card.  

Sometimes less is more, as in this card.  A definite veer from my usual fuss and frill, but every once in a while its fun to break out of your comfort zone, so to speak.

Tomorrow I'll be spending the day stamping at the swap, so I'm sure to have more cards to post soon.  Stop back and check in soon.

Blessings,

lynda