Thinking Cool Thoughts

While a large chunk of the country suffers through a heat wave, and we here in Texas suffer through our "normal" heat wave and our extraordinary drought conditions, I thought I would try to invoke some cooler images and make a Thanksgiving/Fall card.  "Lovely as a Tree" is such a great stamp set.  Beautiful images and very versatile.  In fact, I think I may use it in my next "think cool thoughts" experiment and emboss the line of trees in white and make some type of Christmas card.  Or maybe I'll bleach stamp them.  I haven't nailed it down yet ... just a few design ideas floating around in my noggin!

I partially CASE'd this card from the new Idea Book & Catalog (page 114) and changed it up just a bit.  I did use an old Kaleidacolor rainbow pad for the leaves image.  I'm also thinking of adding some marker splatters to the entire card to add to the aged appearance that the sponging gives.  For the inside, I'll be adding a greeting from the retired set "Thankful For."

And I suppose I'll be "Thankful For" this heat when winter rolls around and we have no snow.  Winter is definitely the best part of living in south Texas!


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Witchy Woman

I don't know any other occasion where I feel it's ok to combine orange and purple except for Halloween!  So say hello to my little witchy friend!

Isn't she cute??  This is another old SU set that I've hung onto.  And, since I've been on a watercolor kick, it doesn't hurt her appeal that the design lends itself perfectly to that technique!  Funny how that happened....

Anyway, Halloween cards are the only real time I feel "ok" with putting wild colors together without any qualms.  This color combination is way outside my comfort zone.  If I were designing for any other occasion, I would never put these colors together.  I don't mind coloring outside the lines, but sometimes I have trouble coloring outside my comfort zone!!

Happy Monday everyone!

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Just to say Hello!

I really do like the polka dots embossing folder.  It gives just enough design and texture without overpowering your main artwork.  This is cute card I made recently.  I've been on a kick of using up discontinued cardstock and old stamp sets.  This was a Sale-a-Bration set from years ago that lends itself beautifully to watercolor.  I used my SU watercolor pencils and blender pen for the watercoloring.  Then I mounted the image on a small piece of designer series paper to "frame" it.

I added a little bit of "bling" to these two flowers with the Basic Rhinestones Jewels.  I love the little bit of sparkle it adds!


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Puppy and Kitty Birthday Cards

Good Monday Morning.

Unfortunately, I have to go to work soon, but I thought I would sneak in a post before I do!  Anyone else totally dread Monday mornings because you have to go to your job?  I certainly do!  In fact, the dread begins Sunday evening! 

I made some birthday cards to send to From Our Hearts this weekend, using two old, but still loved, SU sets (Bow Wow and Meow Meow).  Watercoloring is definitely one of my all-time favorite techniques.  I also used one of the new hostess sets, "Happiest Birthday Wishes" on both of the cards.  I'm trying to make a conscience effort to use up a lot of discontinued colors of cardstock and ink.  I've thought of donating all of it somewhere, but can't quite bring myself to part with it!  After all, it makes perfectly wonderful cards!!

I thought these cards would be age appropriate for kids, although most kitty lovers of any age will probably like the kitty card!

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Thinking of You

I confess, I love pink.  And flowers.  So putting them together is pretty natural for me.  Here's a card I designed using "Flower Fancy" and "Sincere Salutations."  So glad they both made it into the new Idea Book & Catalog.  I tried a little "rock and roll" inking technique with the flower, although it didn't show up very well.  I used Melon Mambo and Rose Red, and there just wasn't enough contrast in the colors to see the technique. 

I did another version, leaving the greeting off and flipping the card vertically.  This flower shows the rock and roll a little better.

Which do you like better??



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Happy Independence Day!

Yes, I know this is a VERY old Stampin' Up! set, but it was the only thing patriotic I had at my fingertips early this morning!  What I should have had was something showing a grill with smoke coming out of it, since that's the aroma I woke up to!  My husband was up bright and early getting the smoker ready to go.  We're smoking a brisket today.  He's accompanied in his mission by his grill buddy, Ginger (one of our dogs).  It doesn't matter how hot it is, if the grill is fired up, Ginger is out there.

Ginger is especially enjoying this Fourth of July (for once in her life) because of the ban on fireworks sales and use in our area.  Texas is suffering through such an extreme drought, and most of the counties in our area are not only under a constant burn ban, but fireworks have also been banned.  That makes Ginger, Jazz and myself very happy.  Ginger and Jazz are deathly afraid of them.  I have to heavily sedate Ginger every year.  And the reason the ban makes me happy is that I might possibly be able to get some sleep tonight since our inconsiderate neighbors hopefully won't be setting off explosives all night.  I guess that's "unpatriotic" in this country to be negative about fireworks, but there are other ways to celebrate our independence besides being completely disrespectful of your neighbors.  Ok, stepping off my soapbox now....

I hope everyone has a wonderful and SAFE Fourth of July.  And remember, your neighbors may have to get up early and go to work on Tuesday!  :)

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Happy Birthday Birds

I recently had fun using the discontinued set "Happy Together" and some old Cameo Coral cardstock.  I confess, I still miss some of the old colors.  I'm also sorry I didn't convince myself that I liked this little stamp set sooner!  Oh, well.  I'm always nervous to purchase stamp sets towards the end of a catalog year, but this will be one I'll probably keep anyway. 

I stamped Happy Birthday from Curly Cute on the inside of this card.  I made several extras of this card and will be shipping them to From Our Hearts for our service personnel to use.  If you're not familiar with this group, be sure to check out their website at From Our Hearts.  What a great cause.

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!