Ready for a nap???

Well I am ready for a nap!  

I had my first ever gall bladder attack this past Saturday evening.   It didn't let up, so I got tests, and then surgery!  

Though I feel better every day, I am still ready for a nap!

Well, six months ago, I became a part of the "Dirt Pile"  a.k.a. SplitCoastStampers design team.  My work was displayed in an amazing members only gallery!

I can now show you some of those cards!
The theme was "A Long Winter's Nap":

Stamp Credits: Starving Artistamps;

Stamp Credits: Starving Artistamps;

No stamp used here, just a coloring page resized for a card;

Stamp Credits: Rubbernecker Stamps for backgrounds (They are the best place for background stamps!!!); and  Verve for the coffee cups and sentiment;

I hope you enjoyed this little walk down memory lane with me... Now I am going to nap... ;)


Please post a comment if you have any questions about these cards or any other cards on my blog.
~Thanks!

Mixed Media Mermaids

I have been admiring other's mix media projects for some time, now.   So I decided to try the Mix-Ability Challenge over on Splitcoast.  This past week's challenge was to seal a part of your artwork.

I had some Liquitex Glazing Medium from a jewelry project last year, an gave that a try.

Lydia cautioned to test the medium to make sure it wouldn't run the coloring on the artwork... well, I should have listened.  I assumed since I was glazing with a water based glaze over solvent based artwork that I would be fine...  I was wrong. ;)

In my first attempt the metallic markers (solvent based) bled and ran.  I had thought I put too much on at once.

Then I tried to paint a thin layer on first, and then go thicker.  But I still got some bleeding, but thankfully This is an underwater scene, so it kinda worked for me.  (I am thinking heat setting the markers  and letting my thin layer cure longer would have helped)

All in all it was a fun experience!

Stamps used: Rubbernecker: Abstract Roses and Beauty and the Beast Backgrounds; Starving Artistamps: Mini Positive Words; A Day For Daisies: Water World;

Thanks for stopping by!

You are Special!

This card is for the sketch challenge #419.

The images are from Starving Artistamps. This cute little bear is by DoodleFactory and is a part of the newest DoodleFactory release: Animals II

Thanks Korin for a GREAT sketch!

Stamps: "Bo" by DoodleFactory from Starving Artistamps

Paper: MME, Tim Holtz, Cosmo Cricket; Kraft and Vanilla Carstock

Ink: Fluid Chalk Ink (chestnut roan) and Tim Holtz Distress Ink (antique linen & old paper)

Accessories: crocheted flower, button, foam tape, Spellbinders dies

Just a little more...

Christmas.

With all the Christmas chaos around my home (not that I would have it any other way) I didn't get a could of Christmas projects posted.  The first of which is actually Christmas themed.

This card features two DoodleFactory Sets: Animals II and Santa's Sweet Shoppe.

Details:

• Stamps: Sentiment, Christmas Tree Set, and Sprig; all from Starving Artistamps; 
• Paper: Memory Box dp; Cardstock From Bazzill; Images stamped on Bristol Smooth paper;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black;
• Accessories: Judikins Diamond glaze; Stickles; Copic markers; Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies; Spellbinder die; ribbon; foam tape

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!  

There is one in every crowd

There is one in every crowd... even a crowd of monkeys!

Details:

• Stamps: Whiffle, Mun, Oots and Heffy by Doodlefactory's Animals II set from Starving Artistamps; 
• Paper: My Minds Eye; black, off white, and pink cardstock;
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black;
• Extras: Spellbinders oval die; Canson photo corners; ric-rack; foam tape, Copic markers;

I hope you smile today!

Thanks for taking the time to stop and look!

Oh and just one more thing:

Happy Shopping! (click ad to go to Starving Artistamps)

Once Upon A Birthday

Every card maker I know has a type of card that creates "crafter's block"... where the creative juices just refuse to flow.  For me, it is birthday cards... and especially for people I know.  It is so bad that I have given up on most family members opting for a store bought cards.  (now don't you gasp--there are some very nice cards sold today)

So my dear older brother has a birthday next week and this year I was determined to make him a card this year--conquering two tough cardmaking topics for me: Birthdays and Guys.

My brother is a great guy and deserving of the royal treatment:

 Details:

• Stamps: Antidepresstamps~Royality from Starving Artistamps; 
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black; Tim Holtz antique linen;
• Paper: Graphic 45 and Die Cuts With a View patterned paper; white and black cardstock;
• Accessories: Copic Markers; foam tape; Stickles and Liquid Pearls (gold); Spellbinders and Sizzix dies;

Here is a tip:

• Whether you are using markers, watercolor, chalks, or pencils, I find that that when coloring faces a little white dot on each cheek bone to put a little life and whimsy to the character you are coloring.  

Here is a question for you:
What is your tough cardmaking audience/occasion??  Sympathy, birthday, mother's day (another toughie for me)??

I look forward to your comments!

LOL!

Sometimes you just need to laugh!  Well, I do, anyway.

Details:

• Stamps: Griz the Hyena from Animals II and sentiment from Into the Woods, both by DoodleFactory from Starving Artistamps;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Markers;
• Paper: Studio G and My Mind's Eye patterned paper; white cardstock;
• Accessories: foam tape; letter stickers-Recollections;

I sure hope you get to laugh today!!

Need a lift?

Need a lift???

Of course you do.

Encouragement... we all need it.  It is a card stash standard, perhaps as important as a birthday or sympathy card.  And, like birthday and sympathy cards, I am better at them when I don't need them yet.

I think this koala image is like mac & cheese... warm and comforting.  He is ready to be sent out to encourage and comfort a friend.
Like most of my colored images of late, he is stamped on smooth Bristol paper with Memento Tuxedo Black then colored with Copic markers.  The body of the koala was colored with various tones of cool grays and the belly, mustache, and inner ears were colored with warm grays.

Other details:

• Stamps: Wozlo the koala by DoodleFactory and sentiment all from Starving Artistamps; 
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black; Tim Holtz distress ink: frayed burlap and peeled paint;
• Paper: Kraft and tan cardstock; smooth Bristol paper; 7 Gypsies patterned pattern;
• Accessories: sponge, Copic markers, foam tape, drop punch;

I hope this cuddly koala inspires you to make an encouraging card for someone today...  once you have one in your stash... you will see many people that need it. ;)

Thanks

This image is so much fun!!  Just a Clean-And-Simple (CAS) card for my thank you card stash.

Details:

• Stamps: Hilde Hippo from DoodleFactory Animals II; Classic Decor Sentiment;  Large Harlequin Background; All stamps from Starving Artistamps;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Faded Lilac; 
• Paper: white, black and Kraft cardstock;
• Accessories: ribbon, foam tape; Spellbinder Label 1 die; sticker-Recollections;

These stamps are perfect for bringing a smile to someone!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, today!

What's Up!?!

So, what's up with you??

Detail:

• Stamps: Mortin by DoodleFactory from Starving Artistamps Inc.; Sentiment from Urban Spraypaint #1 also from Starving Artistamps Inc.;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Markers;
• Paper: Studo G patterned paper; black cardstock; Bristol paper;
• Accessories: foam tape;

Isn't this sloth the cutest!?!  

More fun animal stamps at Starving Artistamps: DoodleFactory Animals II!

a book is like...

Just having fun with two of my favorite things: Books and Stamps.

Details:

• Stamps: Sheldon by DoodleFactory from Starving Artistamps;
• Papers: Bo Bunny patterned paper; old book (flowers); Cardstock; Bristol Paper;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Blue and black pens-- Sakura; Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen;
• Accessories: DIY Library Card; Spellbinders bitty blossoms; foam tape;

Thanks for stopping by!  More animal cards tomorrow!

Do what you love!

Sometimes all it takes is a quite moment and a good cup of coffee to make everything seem possible again!  That was the inspiration behingd this card:

The images are from Starving Artistamps!
The mom is "Madge" from the Doodlefactory "Tis the Season" set.  And the porch swing is from the Juniper and Jupiter "Swingers" set.

The coolest thing about the "Swingers" set is that the other sitting images from DoodleFactory and Juniper and Jupiter all fit on the swing and bench!!!  VERY COOL!

• Madge and the bench were colored with Copic markers.   
• I stamped the images with Memento ink on Bristol (Smooth) paper.  
• The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye and Cosmo cricket.   
• The sentiment embellishment is from Making Memories.
• The card is a 5" x 7" card.

I just hope my Mother's Day weekend has a quiet moment like this one--but it isn't likely.

These are such fun images to work with!! 
Thanks for stopping by.

Simple Joys

AT LAST!

I finally carved the time to play my favorite challenge:
Color Throwdown

They always have fabulous color combos, and a super talented team!

The throwdown challenge (CTD183) can be found HERE.

Here is my card:

I have to say, Bristol paper is my new best friend.  I have started using Strathmore 300 series Bristol smooth paper for markers, and I LOVE IT!  I know most folks use Neenah papers, but this paper works in my budget a bit better (thanks to coupons and art supply stores).

The sentiment was done on my computer.  It is Century Schoolbook  12pt.  I tabbed in between each letter so I could cut them apart this way.

Ingredients:

• Stamps: Juniper and Jupiter Swingers exclusively from Starving Artistamps;
• Paper: Strathmore Bristol Smooth; My Mind's Eye Gertie (the Baja Breeze layer); Kraft; light Kraft die cut scalloped rectangle and Really Rust Cardstock;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Adirondack Pigment Snow Cap;
• Accessories: Computer/printer; Martha Stewart double edge punch; foam tape; Copic and Shin Han markers; sandpaper;

I hope you have been enjoying these Juniper and Jupiter as much as I have!
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my blog!

SOAR!!!

This  week I was inspired by the sketch at Card Positioning Systems: Sketch #256

Details:

• Stamps: Juniper and Jupiter Swingers Set from Starving Artistamps;
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap;
• Papers: Kraft and black cardstock; Strathmore 300 series Bristol; My Mind's Eye Gertie Papers;
• Accessories: foam tape; Spellbinders circle die; Martha Stewart Cloud stickers; American Crafts Thickers glitter letters; ribbon, embroidery floss; Copic markers;

Thanks for stopping by my blog, today!

Swinging with Starving Artistamps!

 The owner of Starving Artistamps has been busy...busy with twins.

BUT we (Starving Artistamps and the whole design team) are all back on track now, and with some NEW RELEASES!!!
WOO HOO!

I love these new Juniper and Jupiter's SWINGERS!
Here is my first creation with them:

Details:

• Stamps: Juniper and Jupiter Swingers;
• Ink: White Pigment Ink; ColorBox- Wicked Black;
• Paper: Bo Bunny and Memory Box patterned paper;
• Accessories: buttons; twine, foam tape; sewing machine and thread; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Prismacolor Pencils;

So go check out the new images at Starving Artistamps!

I’m a Paper Piecing Fool!

LOL!  Well, not exactly, but I have a paper pieced fool to show you!

The Moxie Fab World blog is having a paper piecing challenge to celebrate the “Stamp It” techniques magazine.  Of course I thought of the Starving Artistamps stamp set  “Antidepresstamps ~ Royality"!”

*BTW—there is a special at Starving Artistamps through March 17th!  Check out the home page for details.*

On the jester, I used colored pencils to add detail and dimension to the pieces.  The edges of the flags and other elements were inked with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

Card details:

• Size- 5.5” x 5.5”
• Stamps: Antidepresstamps~Royalty from Starving Artistamps;
• Ink: StazOn Jet Black (sentiment and outlines of Jester and flags; Tim Holtz Distress Ink Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy;
• Patterned Paper: Sweet Nectar die cut card pad and tag pad by K & Co.;
• Cardstock: Bazzill;
• Accessories: Colored pencils, Wire, Foam tape, Stickles (glitter glue)

There are many other fabulous examples on the paper piecing challenge post at the Moxie Fab World blog!!  Take a gander!

As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today!

~Juliana

YOU are special

Here is another card using the super cute images by Juniper and Jupiter from Starving Artistamps.  This little girl is super easy to use—and is fairly all occasion.

Materials:

• Stamps: Juniper and Jupiter (“Juniper”) and  Comic Book sentiment (flyswim); all from Starving Artistamps;
• Paper: Bazzil cardstock and K & Co. designer paper;
• Ink: StazOn Jet black; Marker: EK Success; Coloring Media: PrismaColor Pencils;
• Accessories: foam tape; Martha Stewart Punch;

Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Juliana

It IS good to be Queen!

Starving Artistamps has a brand new collection debuting this week! Coming all the way from Denmark designed by the WONDERFULLY talented, Nina Aaslund!!

I am so excited to finally show you Nina's newest collection “Antidepresstamps Royalty”!  I love this set and all the images—and I am sure you will love them, too!

Here is my first creation with this set:

Materials:

• Stamps: Antidepresstamps Royality
• Papers: K &  Co. and Stampin’ Up!
• Ink and Coloring Media: StazOn Jet Black and Memento Pear Tart; Colored Pencils and gold gel pen;
• Other Materials: Stickles; Spellbinder’s die; foam tape;

Please take the time to head over to the Starving Artistamps Gallery blog and see the truly stunning my design teammates have made with this FUN set!

Have a ROYALLY good day!

~Juliana