Don't stand too still ...

... or you might have vinyl adhered to you!  I am on a vinyl-cutting spree, mostly because I just love the way my Cricut cuts the vinyl.  These creations all adorn my crafting space.

This one sits above the sink in the craft area (a.k.a. laundry room).  I see it when I walk into the room, and it gently reminds me that I need to laugh.  A lot.  This is blue vinyl (although it looks black) from the Cricut vinyl pack. Aren't those letters just too cute?

 

As a professional worrier, this should be my mantra. I used my new 12x24 mat to cut this.  The largest be happy letters are 4" tall. The hearts and be happy are all black vinyl.  The large roll of black Contact paper was a very inexpensive purchase from Home Depot.  I think the label said that it is faux leather, and there's definitely a texture to it.  Great deal, by the way. The don't worry is wood-grain Contact paper.

 

I don't need too much reminding to enjoy life, but a gentle nudge never hurts, does it? This time, it's pink Cricut vinyl.

 

The entry into my crafting studio (ahem ... laundry room) reminds me to create.  So I do. More of the black leather Contact paper.

 

As I said ... don't stand still too long ... you might be labeled!

 

Christmas with My Sweetie

This year we decided not to purchase anything for each other.  We've done it previously, and this year is no different.  Don't worry, though.  We will be doing something for the house that we will both enjoy.  (Besides, I have this thing for Joann, Michael and HL.)

Nothing was said about cards, though.  So that's what my sweetie is getting.  This has been a difficult year for us.  His mother passed away in March. Other issues are also hanging heavy over both of our heads.  Through it all, however, he has stood by me and is my rock.  I hope he enjoys this card and realizes how much I love him.

Merry Christmas from Me to You!

What a glorious feeling it is to have everything in place ready for the big day!  I've spent the last few hours just enjoying myself in my craft area. I decided that it was time to venture into the 5x7 size cards instead of my usual 4.25 x 5.5. I really enjoyed having the extra space for my creations!

This first card features an adorable Golden Retriever.  Ours went over the Rainbow Bridge almost four years ago, and I still miss him.  This pup certainly isn't Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, but he does a really good imitation.  The sleigh is a modern version of Santa's ... it's almost time for him to take off!

 

I had a little paper that mentioned cocoa, and that's where this started.  Where it ended up, though, is entirely different.  That snowman looks like he is having a blast, doesn't he?  I love using papers that coordinate, and I pulled out all of the stops to add more decorations to the card.  I think the recipient will love it!

 

So, from my crafty place in the sun to you and yours, may you have a joyous and blessed Christmas.

Happy Anniversary

This card is going to sister and The Runner to celebrate their 21st anniversary on December 23.  It's inspired by this card by Shari Carroll on the Simon Says Stamp blog.  Isn't the Mama Elephant happy die adorable? 

Happy Birthday!

This card is for a co-worker.  I was inspired by this card by Shari Carroll on the Simon Says Stamp blog.  Isn't the Mama Elephant happy die, well, to die for? 

More cards ... more photography practice

Four more cards with a trial of some setup photo studio work.

 

What is that badge all about on the right side of my blog?

Over there on the right ...  do you see it?  It's for the upcoming 2015 blog party to grow your blog.  You might want to check out all of the details at 2 Bags Full.  I didn't participate last year, but I did visit a LOT of blogs. I am looking forward to joining in this year.  I hope you will join in as well!

Photography Trials and Tribulations

I read a great blog post this morning from Debby on the Simon Says Stamp blog. She gave some excellent advice about photographing cards.  Since I have the space in the guest bedroom, I decided to take the plunge and set up in there; I won't have to knock down the setup until we have a guest and need the space.

Here are my first attempts.  I shot in RAW and then did some editing.  I can't figure out why the colors came out differently, especially since I didn't change anything except for changing out the different cards.  (That's why I added Tribulations to the title.)

You'll notice that the next two cards are the same layout.  I used a sketch that I found on Operation Write Home.  What a project that was ... trying to align everything perfectly!

This card is based on an old Mojo Monday sketch.  I've had it in my stash for a couple of months.

Finally, here's another simple card that is in my stash. My camera doesn't sit too straight on the tripod, which is another tribulation.  I think I might ask Santa for a new tripod.

The Runner and the Pumpkin

A few months ago, sister gifted me with one of her fantastic creations.  She made me a pumpkin!  (See the post here.)

Apparently, the Runner (sister's DH) liked it so much that he wanted to keep it. When I heard that I decided to make one for his birthday on November 21.  I wanted it to be the most fantasy-inspired pumpkin you've ever seen.  I think this fits the bill, don't you?

I started with a papier mache pumpkin from Michael's.  I gessoed and painted it and then did the whimsical checkerboard pattern.  Then I turned it upside down and sprayed it with a number of colors of Dyan Reavely's sprays, allowing the paint to drip down toward the top of the pumpkin. Then I added different glitters to add even more zing!

Don't you just love the top?

Hmmm ... now I know how the Runner felt ... I want to keep this!

Mojo Monday - #368

This card came together in the blink of an eye, all thanks to the super Mojo Monday sketch #368.

Look what sister sent me!

Isn't this is the most original pumpkin you've ever seen? She made it for my birthday. Love it!

Another birthday (a special one) for a friend!

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared two hanging pages for friends having a special birthday?  Well, here's another one going to another friend.  This time it's an 8x8 canvas. I used several stencils and some modeling paste to add some texture, then painted it with Dylusions sprays and some acrylic paint.

The photo is from The Graphics Fairy.  It had the word Jan above the one to signify New Year's Day; however, my friend's birthday is October 1, so I cloned out the Jan.  Doesn't she look festive ... as if she is toasting my friend on her special day?

 

For the "Birthday", I cut it twice out of a piece of file folder, colored one with black to make the shadow and the other with multiple colors of Dylusions spray paint.  After adhering them together, I added two layers of UTEE to make it really shiny.  Love it!  Aren't those three rectangular pieces of bling gorgeous?  They started out as plain clear pieces, but the addition of some colored Sharpie made them really come alive.  Then the addition of the sparkly rick rack just took it over the top!  Love me some bling, that's for sure!

 

 

Another part that I really love is the floral cluster.  The large flower is a Cricut Flower Shoppe cut.  I also added a tiny flower from Cheery Lynn Designs' Sweet Williams Strip #B307 and a flower from a Petaloo collection.  The lacy piece at the top of the cluster is from Cheery Lynn Designs' Lace Corner Deco I #B174.

 

 

Last, but not least, I am really loving this butterfly.  It was in a package that my son and his girlfriend gave to me for my birthday.  I colored it with Distress Ink to match the layout.

 

I am entering this into Cheery Lynn Design's current Challenge 152 Lace.  Although I didn't add either real lace or cut lace, I think that the deco corner really has a lacy feel to it.

One more anniversary card

Someone special will be getting this card next week.  I hope the happy couple enjoys it!

Happy birthday!

Here's a happy birthday card that I whipped up last weekend for a friend's birthday later this month.  I followed the Step x Step directions found on the Frilly and Funkie blog birthday card found here.

Here's my take on the card:

I just love all of the texture on this card.  The paper started out pure white, but with many layers of Distress Ink, I was able to transform it.