Thank You from the Dogs

My husband's cousin recently watched our dogs for us over a weekend.  They had a great time at their lake home on Lake Entiat in Washington, while we vacationed at Chelan.  This card was to show our appreciation.

Card design was inspired by one found on Pinterest.

GKD Cardstock.  CTMH Washi Tape.  Cuts from Artiste.  Stamp CTMH.  SN Markers.  CTMH pigment ink in Sky & Slate.  Memento Ink.  PSE 9.

 

Diva Stamps from GKD

Word Balloon is a CTMH Stamp cut with Artiste

 I love this line of "Diva" stamp sets from Gina K Designs.  There are a lot to choose from and they are so "me" in so many facets of life!  I made the Golf Diva for my husband - the golf fanatic, and the Marathon Diva for a co-worker, a running fanatic.  I run a little bit too, but she's gearing up for a marathon and this card was perfect.

The others intentionally have some space left on the front so I could add a sentiment later.  Each of these stamp sets has some really great sentiments that carry out the theme - friendship or any occasion.

I cut these with my Brother Scan'n'Cut - which works AWESOME for this kind of design.  So easy!  But I did have some issue cutting through the heavy base weight GKD Pure Luxury cardstock.  So much so that I actually cut through my mat after dialing up the pressure - oops!  (Fixed it temporarily with duct tape - will need to get a new one!)

I only just began using GKD cardstock - and boy am I hooked!  I'm looking to get as many colors and weights as possible.  I LOVE the heavy base weight, but it does take some doing to cut on my CE2 and BS'nC.

I'm a fan of the layered white-on-white look for these mini cards.

I color the images with SN markers and PrismaColor pencils, then cut them with BS'n'C.  Works like a charm!

These last two cards have space for the perfect sentiment to be stamped later.

Enjoy more of your summer!

Mojo Monday: New Year!

Mojo Monday 327

Sentiment is Heidi Swapp stamp, cut with my new Brother Scan N Cut.  Burlap ribbon & base from CTMH.

 

New Year, New Beginnings 

FCCB Challenge #192 Use A Sentiment

 

Portland Meadows

I was so fortunate to recently receive my first DSLR camera, a Nikon 5200.  Thank you Jim!

 

Now I know NOTHING about photography with an SLR camera, what with interchangeable lenses, ISO, and the myriad of settings available.  But I'm excited to learn, and can't wait to take a class.  

I went in search of some interesting subjects, and of course horses came to mind.  So I headed over to the track to see what I could shoot. 

 

There is plenty of unpleasantness in horse racing, but I have had the pleasure of riding enough OTTBs (Off the Track Thoroughbreds) that I can appreciate the service a track brings to the hunter/jumper community.

So here's what I've come up with on my first excursion out. I hope you enjoy some of these photos as much as I did snapping them!

There's a reason we refer mechanical speed  as "horsepower."  I love it.  Horses rock!

Vicki's Altered Book

My uber-talented aunt, Vicki Jacobs, made me the most fantastic altered book when I turned 41.  She is beginning a Meetup near her focusing on Altered Books:  Tigard Altered Books.  I can't participate in the first meeting, so I wanted a place to showcase her work with the rest of the ink & paper loving world

Playfully distressed with ink and added embellishments, I know all kinds of goodies are awaiting discovery inside.

Did she choose this particular book for the spine color, or the topic... or both?!

The Road to Beauty, An Adventure in Rejuvenation.  1924  In an of itself the topic from its day is funny, and oh what fun Vicki added inside!

This gift was given to me on my birthday which was 11.11.11 that year.   I love the original Art Deco illustration!

Vicki's tongue 'n' cheek humor comes out right away!

I love the flowing lettering - so colorful and embellished with the punch.

The great thing about creating an altered art piece with someone in mind is the little ways it is personalized.  While this page is colorful and has lots of cool stuff, there are a number of things that are specifically relevant to me.  The picture of me on my wedding day (in the hair & makeup phase), my Mom's name, the stitching... so personal and thoughtfully executed in art.

Circles & squares - such a fun page!

So much to love on this page!

Some themes and creative styles tend to come out when compiled in one book.

I ADORE poetry in paper projects.  And as this one is wonderfully done in Vicki's own hand.  I love it!

What could be better than a pocket...?

...the fun tag that goes in it, of course!

Vicki & her daughter Valerie love to skate and support Portland's roller derby.  More personalization which is part of why this book is meaningful.

I really enjoy the colorful artwork on this page.

More pockets and poetry!

This fun page has a gate-fold surprise.

Just some fun text - so much to see and touch and enjoy in this special creation.

 Best of luck coordinating the Altered Book Meetup Vicki!  I know you'll provide inspiration to all, and can't wait to see how you've been inspired in you next creation!

********************

Funny excerpts from the original text in The Road to Beauty:

"The morning lemon and water was never omitted, nor were the exercises.  The end of the week found Rose brisker and with more"pep" than she had had for years.  She was eating everything she didn't like, and was always so hungry that she loved them.

Chapter entitled:  HAIR HEALTH - The Glory that was Grease.

     "Gloria now turned to her tall friend:  'Nona, I'll just wager you have taken very little interest in what you have been eating and that you haven't been sleeping nearly enough.'

     'Well, what do yo expect when I live alone?'"

Matchbook Cards for Kids

Some cute and simple cards for my niece & nephew who are coming for a visit.

Folded card measures 3 1/2" x 2 7/8".

Cut on cartridge did not include pocket, my simple addition.

Tag measures 3 1/4" x 2".

 

At first I used colored staples to affix the end, but then I "classed" it up with 1/4" ScorTape covered in glitter.

The back of each of these tags has a small message for the kids, "Have a great day," and, "Enjoy the rest of vacation!"

These cards were super-simple and a fun change from the ordinary.  A great thinking-of-you card for any occaision!

Cart:  Artiste, Graphically Speaking, Forever Young, Paper Pups

Cardstock:  CTMH, Bazzill Basics, scraps

Bling:  CTMH

Stamp: CTMH

Distress Ink:  Black Soot

Punch:  Making Memories

Glitter: MS