Merry Christmas to All!

I am sorry for the lack of posts recently. I am doing my best to get Christmas projects done. And while I am photographing them on the way, I don't have the time for blog posts.

I will catch up in the new year. Especially with my work for Starving Artistamps.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas, surrounded by those you love, and bringing you closer to the One who loves you the most.

With Stampin' Blessings,
Juliana

Anniversary Roses

In continuing to work on Christmas gifts I am fulfilling an *order* for anniversary cards for my MIL. Today's color challenge on Splitcoast was a great opportunity! The colors are Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, and Rose Red.

There are some details that did not show up in the picture of the card. I rock & rolled the Roses in Winter, and the centers are Brilliance *Red Rocket Gold* which is like Rose Red with Gold pigment with it. I stamped the rose panel with Itty Bitty Backgrounds inked with Palette's Glue Pad. I used Micro-pearl Pearl Ex on those places. The same with the Celery base card. It is inked the same way but is stamped with French Script background.

You can see this a bit in the detail picture. (you can click to enlarge if you wish)

The Pearl Ex adds a very subtle elegance to the card.

What I have been up to....

DH is a member of Kiwanis and it has become a tradition for me to do the table decorations. This year I was a bit cash poor (though they do reimburse me) so when Jenn Balcer from Splitcoast posted the tutorial for these loopy trees, I thought it was the project for me.



I just had one big problem--I don't have any Christmas scrapbook paper and I do not live anywhere near anyone who does. So I used wrapping paper. I purchased what was labeled as heavyweight paper, but it was still too thin AND the graph on the backside showed, so I doubled it. (that took quite a while to do and then cut) If I were ever to make these I would drive the 70 miles to get the scrapbook paper or pay for expedited shipping.
Well, now it is back to my regular Christmas workshop happenings.

Perhaps I will get far enough along to post something soon.

Until then, I hope you are enjoying this Christmas season!!

Back in the Saddle

Well, the watercolor saddle.

I used to watercolor very often and since my colored pencils came onto the scene--I have gotten out of the habit. But last night I needed to unwind a bit (Christmas Stress) and I figured watercoloring was the ticket.

I also needed a few sympathy cards. I think simple is best for sympathy cards. So I just used this lighthouse stamp from Inkadinkadoo on some watercolor paper made into a card. This one is for my brother in law who lost his mom right before Thanksgiving. (Simple not flowery).


I also thought this was the perfect time to try out my new stamps from Starving Artistamps. These equestrian images are perfect for a family friend who is across the country going to the police academy. She has waited so long to get into an academy (there have not been any in Michigan due to budget constraints). She is entering *Hell Week* according to her parents. I hope this card can take her mind off of her stress for at least a moment. She loves horses (being away from her horse will probably be the hardest part of the academy). I am certain she will be able to relate to the sentiment!!




This last card is because I remembered that Tracey over at Starving Artistamps needs card in the portrait orientation rather than the landscape orientation. So I re-did the same design but in the other direction. I am so glad I did--because I like it much better. It wasn't the direction my instinct let me to go--but it is better!

I really like the sun stamp. I misted the stamp, colored it with watercolor crayons, re-misted it, then stamped it on misted watercolor paper. With the mistings, the colors ran a bit--giving the illusion of a hot midday sun. (Something that is lacking here in northern Michigan).

I made multiples of each card (it is that time of year when I need multiples of everything). And when I had completed watercoloring each card--I was a calmer person. Probably from visiting the summer shore and the hot prairie--and I never left my home.