I am sorry my postings disappeared for a few days. I might be mostly offline for a few weeks. We shall see how that goes. I am days away from my next knee surgery (Monday August 21st). Because I am on surgery countdown I am off all meds, including over the counter ones like Motrin, Aspirin and such. Yes I am uncomfortable and in pain. My mobility is limited to and from the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. I am most comfortable on the bed right now. I am making the most of my situation. Trying to craft anything right now, which is normally fun and good therapy for the mind, my mind is just not into it at all. I do try, once or twice a day, but I have to sit in bed, and the body mechanics aren't the best for crafting and my mind just flatlines quickly. I know it is because I am distracted by the impending surgery. Whats worse, I have all those new shiny Holiday catalog goodies, and just zero interest in playing. Or the interest is there until the supplies are in front of me, the...

Here is an alternate card I created using the stamp set that is included in the all-inclusive Soft Sayings card kit, item 145466. I watercolored the background with Tranquil Tide re-inker and water and an aqua painter. Set aside to dry. I then stamped the Happy Birthday in Versamark ink and heat embossed with white heat embossing powder. I used glue dots to adhere the copper mesh trim as an accent. I did not feel it needed any more. I wanted to keep it simple and elegant. Not every project needs to be over-the-top many stepped. I have really been working on the KISS principal this summer - Keep It Simple Silly. Who has time to spend an hour or more on each card they need? Oh don't get me wrong, I love to sink my teeth into a WOW over the top card, but not everyone has the time nor ability nor desire to always have over the top projects. Simple supply list with no item numbers today: Aquapainter, Tranquil Tide re-inker, water, Soft Sayings card kit, White embossing po...

Silently the snow falls in the forest over the winter pines. I stamped the greeting before I ran the layer through the embossing folder By embossing through it or over it, it softens the bold black greeting a bit, taking some of the emphasis of it away. That was my plan. It was just too bold with black ink stamped on white cardstock. I tried something that I learned others had known for a long time, you can flick paint with the Wink of Stella brushes! Position your Wink brush above the object and flick the pen with your fingers. That is how I got the frosted look on the pines. Honestly this would make such a lovely and easy mass produceable holiday card. And since it has no embellishments, would save a little on costs and make it just that much easier to replicate. Learn more about the Carols of Christmas special bundle  HERE . Purchase your Carols of Christmas bundle  HERE . I won't dwell on the supply list today. It is a pretty simple one anyway....

Who doesn't love peace for the holidays! Well, anyone who has a family knows that peace is not literally celebrated at home. Holidays at our house means loud, music, stomping feet, silly games, laughing, and full bellies. It gives me peace to think that that is not that many months off. This card is cut 4 1/4" x 11 so it opens to the top, not the side. I used one of our layering circle framelits to cut out the whole on the silver spotted foil paper. To stamp and emboss the Peace on Earth greeting, I cut out a separate piece of paper, but it looks like it was done directly on the card base. That way if I messed up I didn't waste all the cardstock and it gave me flexibility in positioning it in the circle window. To punch the ticket tear border, punch the entire 12" by 1" or 1/2" length of the paper. Cut and place on one side. With the extra length, line up paper to match the pattern on the other ticket tear piece. Trim to fit. Feeling a shiny and s...

It is never too early to start thinking holidays and cards and decking your halls. This darling card was created using the Carols of Christmas stamp set and framelits bundle you can purchase during August, ahead of the official release of the Holiday catalog in September. You can read more about that special HERE . You can purchase the bundle HERE . Supplies: Stamps: Carols of Christmas Inks: Versamark watermark ink  Pad • 102283 $8.50  Refill (0.5 fl. oz.) • 102193 $5.00  Papers : Whisper White cardstock 100730 $9, Garden Green cardstock $8 102584, Be Merry Designer Series Paper 144111 $11.00 Accessories: Copper Heat Embossing Powder $5 141636, Heat Tool $30.00 129053, Banner Triple Punch $23.00 138292 I cut my designer paper into all three sizes of the banner triple punch, 1", 1 1/2", 2" at varying lengths. I did staple them together to give them stability before I adhered them to the card front. Pro tip; When cutting the designer paper, make sure ...