We've had an adventure

I've been missing, but I promise it is all for good reason. We took a trip up to Big Rapids, Michigan for a family get graduation and had to mess with the ice storm that recently decended upon the midwest. We had to leave a day early (in an effort to beat some of the weather), so there wasn't really any time to post. I also didn't have time to put together a project, so there won't be anything new to report until we get home to Columbus. Sorry to disappoint. Have a happy holiday and we will return to our regularly scheduled programing soon. Merry Christmas!

This just in. . .

I was featured in the Columbus Dispatch today along with several other artists in the area that make and send their own Christmas cards. Emily, Eva, and I all worked at the same place (at different times). I am a big fan of both of these talented ladies. Check out the article here (though most of the cards aren't online). This is the card I submitted.



The photo isn't great because I didn't stage it like I usually do. The Dispatch wanted it to be a simple head-on shot and it's too late to rephotograph right now. The stamps are all Papertrey. I stamped using Burnt Umber Palette ink and then colored with Prismacolor pencils. I'm happy with the card, but it really didn't translate in the newspaper as well as I was hoping. It's nothing like a magazine!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: Boards & Beams, Boards & Beams Holiday Additions, Snowfall - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette, Frost White - Colorbox
Other: Glitter Pen - Sakura; Foam Tape - Scotch; White Embroidery Floss - DMC, Buttons

Suggestions?

Does anyone have a home remedy for arthritis? Even I think I'm taking too much Advil these days. Healing power of mangoes? Soothing relief from cracked black pepper? Anyone?

Life's Rough. . .

...when you get to the warm bed before it's been made.

Peace On Earth

Hello, All. I've been working on submissions, so I'm sorry that I haven't posted as much as I should be. The right knee in my favorite jeans blew out this week. I'm bummed. Anyone that knows me personally knows I despise clothes shopping. It's the worst time in the world to actually need to go shopping too. Perhaps I'll just live in my khaki pants and backup jeans until after Christmas. We'll see...

I made this card last week. I love the doves and I wanted to make sure I used them at least once before the busyness of the season stole all of my craft time. I also used the Guidelines set for this card. I really like the look I can get with those stamps but I never remember to use them. I almost always reach for the Polka Dot Basics set when I need a background quickly. I'm going to try to use it more often. You are my witnesses.



I used some silver cardstock I had laying around too. I don't often use metallic papers in my crafting, but I like the cool richness it adds to this project. I also used my beloved glitter pen on this card, but you can't really see it. It sparkles and shines in real life though. The whole dove medallion is adhered using foam tape to give it a little more pop. Lots of layers; very blue. I hope you've enjoyed today's card. Take care and watch out for crazies when you're out doing your holiday shopping.

Recipe:
Cardstock: Stonewashed & Admiral - Bazzill Basics, Silver - Paper Source, White - Strathmore
Stamps: Believe, Holiday Tag Collection 2008, Guidelines - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Prussian Blue - Palette, Frost White - Colorbox
Ribbon: Navy Grosgrain - May Arts
Brads: White mini brads - American Crafts
Tools: Nested circles, Nested Flowers - Quickutz; Die Cut Machine
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch

Oops. . .

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! I really don't mean to be gone as long as I am sometimes. All of a sudden it hits me that I haven't been back to the blog in a few days and I start to feel guilty. Then I feel like I have to bring something super fantastic to wow anyone that has been patiently waiting for a post. Bring on the performance anxiety.

Anyway, I'm going to push through the guilt and bring you a couple of small projects. I've been working on gift tags lately. Every year I wrap our gifts in recycled kraft or white butcher paper (ironic for a vegetarian, huh?) and then embellish with either fabric ribbon or baker's twine. I really like the baker's twine because the presents look like they're wrapped in candy canes. This humble wrapping lends itself quite well to a nifty tag. I never liked the dueling patterns on my gift tags and wrapping paper when I was a kid. This wrap job lets the gift tag sing!

So far this year I have made several sets of gift tags for craft shows. I was making a few more sets just yesterday to restock and I thought it might be nice to share. These two are my favorites.





Each tag is stamped with charcoal ink and then colored with pencils. I also used a glitter pen to embellish the snowman's hat and the garland and star on the tree. There is a sip of adhesive on the back to make them super easy and self-adhesive. Peel & stick!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. If you are in the area I am going to be at the St. Joe's Montessori School Winter Festival this weekend. The kick off is tonight and Sunday there will be fun from 12-5. Take care, everyone!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Strathmore
Stamps: To/From - Papertrey ink (Spooky Sweets set), Snowman/Tree - I'm not sure. I got them at Archiver's in the Hot Spot bins last year. I'll update this if I find their blocks (I unmounted them).
Other: Colored Pencils - Prismacolor, mineral spirits, glitter pen - Sakura, Permanent Double Sided Tape - Scotch