New Cards for June Events

This card was made with newly acquired Rosie Posie stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  Love its versatility to make roses, mums, daisies, sunflowers and geometric honeycomb designs.

This one was for Sara's birthday.  I won't tell which one...

The butterfly was an embellisment by K&Company that I cut apart from a leaf.

This is the same stamp set with matching die cut for blooms and leaves.  I used the off stamping technique to increase the color values and used a few stamped cut-outs for dimension.

I sent a few older cards to Operation Write Home for use by military personnel to write to relatives and friends at home.  It's a worthwhile organization and a good way to clear out my "stash" and cards that haven't sold at the clubhouse to refresh the basket there for new designs.

Our group of card makers met this month to make some cards for our own Outreach Committee, to sell in the basket, to send to Operation Write Home, or for our own use.  Here's a masculine design I came up with from inspiration on a Make It Monday video from Papertrey Ink.

A big week for card making--and good to use my new space and test its organization.

New Arts & Crafts Space

If you don't focus on the cement floor, the pink Fiberglas insulation and the exposed ceiling--it's a great space. And I don't focus on those parts. I have a window looking out onto my garden instead to focus upon--when I'm not focused on creating watercolors, pastels, colored pencil or botanical illustrations, or greeting cards.

You see, with the ceiling and much of the floor cropped from the photo, it looks even better. Sunshine coming in the window in the morning also helps.

And if you don't look through the open spaces into Larry's workshop, you can almost

imagine you are in a studio.  It is my studio--and the end of this panoramic view.

This morning, the House Sparrow was also singing the praises of his home to find a mate outside my studio window.  I learned today that the House Sparrow is not a sparrow at all, but an Old World weaver finch.  Larry was upset when we took the first nest out of the box a month ago, but now that the first family is out, we should consider taking the nest out again according to the North American Bluebird Society web site. 

 

His birdhouse is above the pink poppies in the view out my studio window. He has the advantage

of a swimming pool and the meadow on the rock ledge beyond the fence for easy insect hunting.

I think he's as happy with his "digs"

as I am with mine.

New Cards in a New Space

Just redesigned my card making space and I'm so organized now!  I was given a slightly used, multi-level Ikea computer stand that fits into a corner.  I cornered it facing out of the basement window alcove and overlooking my garden (if I swivel around in the chair).  Good vibes for creating!

Folded card from a template from Papertrey Ink Make It Monday blog video. 

The punched balloons make a return engagement inside the fold.

Materials used to make the folded card with a birthday theme:  rounded corner punch, balloon punch from Martha Stewart, balloon bunch stamp borrowed from the clubhouse collection, some K & Company double-sided paper from the Berry Sweet paper pack, and a Happy Birthday sentiment from a dollar bin special (JoAnn Fabrics) with a turtle, too.

Graduation card for a young man going to American University in the fall.  He is Larry's cousin's son.

Special pocket inside for a check or gift card.

Graduation card materials: K&Company Confetti birthday paper pack, ticket corner punch, 1 1/2 inch circle punch, stamp set with WOW!, Congratulations, and Just for You.  The StazOn black stamp pad worked best with the Michael's Ditto stamp set which doesn't seem to take up regular ink readily.

And a pocket card inspired by a Papertrey Ink Make It Monday video two weeks ago.

The note card pops out of the pocket of kraft paper (from Wiggles and Giggles in Wethersfield).

Other materials used--

a variety of stamp colors in blues and greens (Ocean State Job Lot special) for the larger flower and leaves and blue and green ribbons (Christmas Tree Shoppes), a Cloud White VersaMagic stamp pad for the dandelions (opaque and chalky on any surface, especially good on dark papers), and some jute string from Wiggles & Giggles.  The stamps were more dollar specials from JoAnn's Fabrics and Michael's.  I used the corner rounder on the inside note card to help distinquish it from the pocket card.

A lot of fun with some great inspiration online at Papertrey Ink and a stock of discount items found locally--and all organized in my new space to create!