Black and Red

Hi Blog Friends!

Are you ready for the Labor Day weekend?  I guess this will be the last holiday before the weather gets cold and we can't do our outside fun activities.  Here in Santa Fe, NM, the smell of Fall is in the air.  The mornings are cooler, but our days have been pretty warm.  

Today's card is stamped with a cling mounted stamp I bought at one of the stamp conventions.  I failed to write on the stamp who makes the stamp.  If any of you out there in stampland know who makes this one, please share the into.

I used a Spellbinder's lattice die for the background.  Really like this die.  I was worried that it would take forever to punch out the little diamond shapes, but they fell out like butter.  Yay!  No coloring on this card, so it was pretty easy.  Added some ribbon I bought at a yarn store in Albuquerque.  Yep, a yarn store.  It's beautiful ribbon with tiny threads of gold running thru it.  I'm sure knitters love it.  I wish hubby had taken a closeup of the ribbon, it truly is pretty, and unlike anything you'll find in a craft store.  

That's it for today.  I hope you all have a fun, restful and safe Labor Day weekend!  

May your glass always be half full

Hi Bloggers!

When hubby photographed this card, the two shots turned out so differently because of the angle he took the pictures.  The top picture doesn't really show much of the glittery sparkle, but as you'll notice, the second shot is very sparkly!  Colored with Spectrum Noir's alcohol markers.  By the way, I spoke with Mark at Stamp A Mania and wanted to let you all know they're have an awesome sale on Spectrum's....50% off, limited to the stock they have available.  Great price if you've been wanting to try these alcohol markers.  Mark also mentioned he has their sponge dauber cases on sale.  I want to get one of these cases, as they each hold 40 (yes, forty), sponge daubers.  I love using the daubers with dye inks, although I only have abut 5 daubers, and they roll all over the place.  Really like the idea of 40 daubers contained in ONE case. Check out the specials at www.stampamania.com    I think I'll place my order for the sponge dauber case --- loaded with the sponge daubers.  Play time! I've been dying to try them with the Kaliedacolor pads.

Here's Ms. Glitter

I used a piece of glittered scrapbook paper for the background. Remember, you can "click" on the pics to enlarge them.  That's it for today, looks like Ms. Glitter is enjoying a nice glass of merlot. Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Until next time...  

Quite the Pear

Hello Blog Friends!

Today's card was made without using markers.  Believe it or not, I don't always color when making cards.  :o)  This card has a few more embellies than I normally use, but I like the way it turned out.  Sometimes I am determined to think outside of my usual comfort zone.  This was one of those times.  

I believe the trim punch is a Martha punch.  I used scrapbook paper on the background, added three rhinestones, a yellow ribbon and green button.  When I saw this stamp, I thought it was the cutest thing for a "couples" card.  If I remember correctly, I bought it at Michael's, and.....I think it was in the dollar bin!  I haven't seen their dollar bin for a while, but maybe I'm not looking hard enough.  I need to check that out of of these days.  Loved the little pears and the sentiment. 

I want to thank you all who have written to ask about our son and his torn retina surgery.  He's doing well, although the gas bubble they put in his eye for the surgery, has not quite totally dissipated yet.  Once that's gone, he can get back to work.  He'll be one happy camper when that happens.  :o)   That's it for today.  Thanks a million for stopping by.  Until next time........

A Sympathy Card

Hello Blog Friends,

Today's post is a sympathy card I made for a friend who's dad passed.  I love this tree stamp, and thought it would make a nice sympathy card.  I keep a box of what I have labeled "card parts"....I'm sure all you stampers out there have a similar box.  Actually made this piece a while back.  The technique is called "soot" stamping.  I used scrapbook paper for the background, ivory card stock behind the tree, and gold thread and a gold leaf brad to finish it off.

On the inside of the card, I made a little frame and added a tiny strip of the scrapbook paper to it to dress it up a bit.  The sentiment is a PSX stamp.  

Oh.....wanted to remind you all that you can "click" on any of the pictures to enlarge them.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Until next time....

A House Mouse/Bunny Get Well card for Pat

Hi Bloggers!

Our son, Pat, had to have emergency torn retina surgery last Saturday.  He's going bonkers trying to be still during the healing process.  Did you know after retina surgery, you must keep your head down (so that pressure is not put on the retina, I think), for 10 days?  They got Pat a massage chair so that he can keep his head in the head rest looking down.  He's listened to a number of audio books, watched movies on his iPad, and has been really good about keeping his head down.  The chair has a tray below the head rest where he can put his iPad on it and use it that way.  He's a pretty active guy, so it's been really difficult for him to be so idle.  We're just praying that his eye heals and that he regains vision in that eye.  

So....I tried to find a get well type stamp relating to an eye, but alas, no such luck.  I did find stamp where the bunny is close to checking an eye, so used it.  lol   Actually, I think Dr. Bunny is checking tonsils.  Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?   Colored it up with Copics, used some teeny brads, and got it done.   

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Summer is slowing coming to an end, and before we know it, the snowflakes will be flying.  I don't want that to come too soon tho!  Enjoy the warm days we have left.  Thanks for stopping by today.  See you again soon.

The Big Yellow Umbrella Couple

Hello Bloggers!

Catching up on my blogging today.  Scanned thru a few pics and came across this card.  I think I bought this stamp at convention in Albuquerque.  It makes a cute anniversary card...in my humble opinion.  

Colored the image with Spectrum Noir's.  If you've ever wanted to try "alcohol" markers, but shy away from the more expensive makers, Spectrum's are the way to go.  It's a great way to try 'em out without breaking the bank.  Stamp A Mania, www.stampamania.com   has a terrific selection of the Spectrum Noir's and their service is the best around.  They are currently offering special (even lower than the already low reg. price) on the Spectrum's.   If you decide to try them, they have several smaller sets that you can try.....basic colors is a good way to begin.  Cynthia and Mark can guide you in which colors to start out with.  I will also be happy to answer any questions if I can help you.  And...the coolest thing is you can use them with the other alcohol marker.  I have and they blend beautifully together!

Okay now, on with the card.  I used blue and white baker's twine and a blue button for embellishments.  LOL....I'm laughing because just in my last post I said I don't usually use a lot of embellies!  Well, this card really doesn't have a lot, but I had to giggle when I saw the button and twine.  I do like to use them as I mentioned in my last post, although when I'm in a hurry, I don't use 'em.  The white punch on the right hand side is a Martha punch.  Love her punches.  

That it for today.  I want to thank you for stopping by today, and a special thank you to those of you who leave a comment.  When I read comments, it makes me feel like I'm not just talking to myself!  So...thank you, and please keep those comments/questions coming.  I appreciate you very much!!!  xxoo

Girls just wanna have fun

Hello Blog Friends!


Today I'm sharing a card called "Girls just wanna have fun."  I just love cards that show a little fun and a glass of wine and a martini to boot!  Looks like one of the girls likes red wine and Miss Pink is sipping on a martini.  I used the sentiment stamp that reads "May your glass always be half full" although the sentiment stamp that comes in the package with these little ladies actually reads "girls just wanna have fun."  I switch stamps around all the time tho, and that's half the fun of stamping!  :o)

Colored this image with Copics and used Stickles around the die cut.  I used a pale pink metallic paper behind the black card stock.  It's really shimmery.  I'm a pretty simple card maker, I don't use tons of embellishments, although I have taken several classes where they are used and I like those too.  I guess it depends on who the card is for, what supplies I have on hand, and last but not least, how much time I have.  Time is a precious commodity these days.  

Well, that's it for today.  I'll be back before you know it.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Kitty Lilly's Sympathy Card

Hi Blog Friends,

My dear cousin, Judy, who lives in Surprise, Arizona has been heartbroken because her kitty, Lilly passed away.  Lilly was her fur baby for many years, and she left a big void in Judy's life.  I made this card for her and tucked in a copy of the Rainbow Bridge, hoping that it helps her.

This little angel kitty is so perfect for a kitty sympathy card. Although there's not much coloring, I colored the wings, halo, cat and eyes with Spectrum Noir markers.  Stamp A Mania sells every color of the Spectrum Noir markers, and at very affordable prices. They have a short video, color chart, and specials on the markers. Check them out at www.stampamania.com  

I added a ribbon and punched out a heart, edged the heart with Distress Spun Sugar ink. Hubby took the pic in the evening, so it's a little dark.  Hope you can see it.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks so much for stopping in today.  See you soon!

Liane's Sweet Fairy

Good morning Bloggers!

Today I'm sharing a card by Sweet Liane!  It's her adorable Fairy with glittery wings.  Isn't she beautiful?  Love the colors Liane used on this card.  A few different colors of card stock and scrapbook paper were used, and then she added a piece of white flourish trim at the bottom.   I don't know if you can see it in the pic, but the white trim is very glittery.  Then she added the little orange flower to finish it off.  Love this.  Thank you Liane!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll be back again soon.  

Here are the BEARS we see up in the mountains where we go!

Happy Weekend Bloggers!

I received a couple of emails asking where we've been going when I'm not blogging.  We go up to Pendaries (an area settled by a Frenchman, and is pronounced Pan-da-ray), NM, located in the beautiful Mora Valley in Northern New Mexico.  We found the property years ago, and fell in love with the tall pines, green meadows and valleys, and cooler weather.  Plus, there's a wonderful raspberry farm close by and we always make time to visit the farm to buy raspberries, and the little cafe that sells fresh raspberry sundaes.  You can also buy their jelly, syrups, and an array of other wonderful things.  Since we're in the mountains and the home of wildlife, I'm sharing a few pictures of the nightly visitors who come by looking for food.  Because of the terrible drought NM has been experiencing, the bears look for food anywhere they can find it.  These pics were taken by one of our neighbors who has a wildlife night camera.  It appears that the bears can smell the remnants of "peanuts" our neighbor puts in his squirrel and bird feeders.  Can you see the Mama bear and Baby bear in the second pic?  Baby is imitating Mama just perfectly!  You NEVER want to get in-between or even close to a Mama bear and her cub(s).  All bears in this part of NM are called Black Bears, even if their fur is the reddish/brownish color.  Bears are always in search of easy pickings.  

I do worry about hubby walking our dog Zoe at night, right before we head off to bed.  He takes a flashlight with him, but still......no match for a hungry bear.  I hope you enjoy the pics of our night time visitors.  The date/time stamp is at the very bottom of each pic.  As you'll see, some of the bears are out hunting early...like at 9:13 pm!  I goofed and didn't get them in the right chronological order.  Oops.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll be back with a card soon!

T