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!

Cherish the Light

Happy Friday!!
For me, this is the last Friday before Christmas, as the bulk of my Christmas is happening before Christmas this year.  I think I will enjoy the change, eventually, but I am not good at tradition changes.

I did find relaxation and enjoyment coloring this sweet image from A Day for Daisies!  It is called Sparkle Angel and it is a part of the December's showcase: Angels Sweet!

The image is colored with Copic and ShinHan markers.  The stars and halos have Stickles and a touch of Perfect Pearls (mixed with water and applied with a paintbrush).

The sentiment is from Rubbernecker.


There are more beautiful pearly creations on the blogs of my teammates:

Alison Arielle Broni Cathy Cindy Jen Juliana Kathy Tanja

I hope you can join us for the current A Day for Daisies Blog Challenge of adding pearls!


I hope your Christmas preparations bring joy and not stress!

A Simple Thanks a Latte

I am heading out to the Stamp Scrap Art Tour, today.

I will be demonstrating watercolor floral stamps today at the Rubbernecker booth.

Rubbernecker Stamps: 

• cup: Teatime Set 457;
• sentiment: Coffeetime Set 458;
• background: Victorian Floral 477;

It is a beautiful crisp fall day... perfect for day for a latte!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Biggest Adventure

The biggest adventure you can take is live a life of your dreams
   --Oprah Winfrey

Today I have a card with Rubbernecker stamps.

Rubbernecker Stamps: 

• Quote: "Biggest Adventure" 
• Background: "Loose Weave Background"
• Main image: "Birch Forest"

The main image was colored with Copic markers.

I will be demonstrating Rubbernecker Stamps at the Southfield Stamp Scrap Art Tour Show, October 18th and 19th!

Thank you for stopping by my blog, today!

Proverbs 31

A couple of weeks ago, I experienced a series of unfortunate events that resulted in me not being able to complete and post my weekly card for A Day for Daisies.

This weekend I was able to finish that card.
I used "Flower Maiden 1":

The sentiment ("She is clothed") is from Rubbernecker Stamps.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! 
Thank you so much for spending a portion with me!

Coffee Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog!  Happy National Coffee Day!!

Several papercrafting folks are celebrating by presenting a "Coffee Lovers Bloghop"!

Yes, I love my morning cup of coffee.  AND I my favorite season is fall when I can get pumpkin and egg nog lattes. 

BUT, seriously,  my favorite cup of coffee... is when I can sit and talk with a friend.  This is not something I get to do near enough!

And THAT has inspired my card for today...

Here is my card:

The main image is from Tiddly Inks: Thanks a Latte.  I colored the image with copic markers.

The remaining images are stamps from Rubbernecker:

• Striped cup and sentiment: Coffeetime Set;
• Cup and Saucer: Teatime Set;
• Background on brown cardstock: Coffee Bean Background;

Thanks for hopping on the "Coffee Lovers Bloghop"!   (Be sure to start HERE to get all of the information and not miss any of the action!)

AND thank you to the vendors supplying the prizes!!!

AND than you to YOU!  for taking the time to stop by my blog and comment!

Watercolor and DTGD

At SplitcoastStampers this week, there is the "Dare to Get Dirty" Challenges.  The SplitcoastStampers design team (Dirty Dozen) hosts a series of challenges for fan club members.

Both of my cards use the Rubbernececker Stamps: Floral Watercolors stamps.

My first card is for CassieT's challenge:

Card Details:

• Stamps: Rubbernecker Stamps: No mind has imagined and Blossom;
• Papers:white and Bazzill cardstock in light pink and green;
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks;
• Accessories: Spellbinders die, foam tape Stickles;

This second card is for "HousesBuiltofCards"'s challenge:

Card Details:

• Stamps: Rubbenecker Stamps: "Faith" and "Flowers in the Breeze";
• Paper: White, and blues from Bazzill;
• Ink: VersaMark and Tim Holtz Distress Ink;
• Accessories: gold embossing powder, Spellbinders die, foam tape;

I hope to play more, but other parts of my life is getting in the way.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, today

Finally, brethren...

Yes!  Another Rubbernecker card as I am getting excited for the stamp show in Novi.

This verse has been a theme verse for me:

Stamps:

• Meditate on the things;
• Field of Poppies;

Thanks so much for stopping by!

You will go out with joy!

I have yet another Rubbernecker Stamps card for you today:

Stamps:

• Will clap their hands
• Bed of Roses
• Thistle Floral 497-11

I am looking forward to demonstrating this technique at the Rubbernecker booth in Novi, MI August 3rd and 4th! (Heirloom Productions)

Perhaps I will see you there!

Faith in things unseen

I have a Rubbernecker Stamps card to share with you today:

Stamps:

• Things Unseen
• Lace Netting
• Blossom

I will be demonstrating this technique at the stamp show in Novi, MI (Aug 2nd & 3rd)!
I hope you come by and say "Hi!"

And now these three remain..

And now these three remain:   

Faith, Hope, and Love.   

But the greatest of these if Love. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

This sentiment is available from Rubbernecker: Faith Hope and Love (736-05)

The layout for this card is from Retro Sketches #123:

Isn't this a GREAT Sketch!?!

I used some other Rubbernecker stamps, too!

• Floral 496-08;
• Floral Damask (679) (Background and one pennant);
• Lace Border Set (762) (one pennant);

Thanks for stopping by today!!

If you are going to the Heirloom Productions Stamp Show in Novi, MI on August 2 & 3, please stop by the Rubbernecker booth and say "HI!"

Trust in Him

Trust in Him at all times,

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

~Psalm 62:8

I am playing with the Rubbernecker watercolor floral stamps again.

This time I have used Fall Tree:

I inked the stamp with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink pad and then with a fine paint brush and re-inker ink I added the details with Gathered Twigs, Crushed Olive and Peeled Paint. The image was misted then stamped onto watercolor paper.

The sentiment (Trust in Him) was stamped with Dark Brown Fluid Chalk Ink.

The background stamp (Brushed Hearts) was inked randomly with all the colors of the tree, misted thoroughly and then stamped onto watercolor paper.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!!

Strength and Dignity

She is clothed in strength dignity and she laughs without fear of the future
~Proverbs 31:25

Today's card uses Rubbernecker watercolor floral stamps with a Proverbs 31 verse:

I used Bunch of Poppies from Rubbernecker.

The blossoms were inked first with Barn Door Distress ink, stamped off (on a scrap piece of office paper) and then inked with Festive Berries. The stems are inked with Bundled Sage.

Before stamping I misted the stamp with colorless shimmer spray (Perfect Pearls and water).  The result is a shimmery watercolor effect. (I am not good at photographing the shimmer.)

The sentiment She is Clothed was stamped with Archival Jet Black.

Thank you for stopping by, today!

Hope in the Lord!

Happy Spring!
Here in Michigan it actually looks a lot like spring.  I have lived in Michigan too many years to be fooled into thinking it will stay like this... but for today, it is spring-ish!

The spring weather inspired this spring card:

The rest of the inspiration came from the ColourQ challenge (#233):

The background stamp (Mums 694) was inked with Tim Holtz Distress ink, then misted with water before stamping.  The background has a little bit of mottling and puddling of the ink... a look that works well with this image.

The squares are portions of the background stamp that I colored with Copic markers.
Thankfully, spring can happen at ANY time in my studio!

Thank you for stopping by my blog!
Happy Spring!


Details:

• Stamps: Mums (694) and Be Strong; both from Rubbernecker Stamps;
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers; Memento: Tuxedo Black and Pear Tart;
• Paper: white and grey cardstock;
• Accessories: bakers twine, foam tape, corner rounder, Copic markers;

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is today!  Irish or not, it is a fun day!

I have a "lucky" card to share with you today!

This little "Monkey Irish" is ready to play, get kissed, or pinched... what ever he can get for his pot of gold.

The pot of gold is accented with a gold glitter gel pen and then Glossy Accents are dabbed on top.

The background (victorian flower panel) was inked with distress markers.  After I stamped it, I dotted some Stickles for extra fun.

May the Luck O' the Irish be with you today!!

~Juliana O'Swanson

Card Details:

Image: Monkey Irish from Hambo;

Background Stamp: victorian flower panel from Rubbernecker

Ink:Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Dried Marigold, Squeezed Lemonade, Shabby Shutters, Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac, Seeded Preserves;

Coloring Medium: Copic Markers;

Accessories: foam tape, Stickles, Glossy Accents;

Watercolor Love

I have two cards for you using the "2 Daisies" stamp.
I inked the flower with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Markers, misted then stamp...

Then stamped once on this card:

Then I misted it lightly again and stamped  a second time on this card:

Whenever I use the Rubbernecker Watercolor Florals, I try to have a second stamping surface ready.

Thank you for stopping by today!


Materials:
"Love is All You Need" card:

• Stamps: Beauty and the Beast, 2 Daisies, All You Need; all from Rubbernecker Stamps;
• Paper: cardstock from Bazzill; designer paper;
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers, Sea Glass, Shabby Shutters, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo; Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan;
• Accessories:  heart and lace punches; Spellbinders die; sequins, pearls, button, twine, foam tape; 

"Proverbs 31:25" card:

• Stamps: 2 Daisies and She Is Clothed; both from Rubbernecker Stamps:
• Cardstock: Bazzill Cardstock; DCWV Embossed Card;
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers, Sea Glass, Shabby Shutters; Memento: Tuxedo Black;
• Accessories: Spellbinders die; stick on jewels; foam tape;

Poppies in Winter

Have you been over to the Rubbernecker site lately??
There are some WONDERFUL new images!  LOTS of florals which help me escape the "polar vortex" outside my window.
One that really caught my eye was Poppies (727-04)!

This first card also uses the "Peanut Butter" sentiment and "Horizontal Chevrons" background:

This card uses the verse "Trust in Him":

This one also uses two backgrounds: Grid and Horizontal Chevrons.

I made my own glitter mist using a spray bottle, Tim Holtz Distress Ink reinkers: Peacock Feathers and Tumbled Glass, and Perfect pearls.  I used the spray after stamping with the grid on the paper; and I used the spray on the Horizontal Chevrons stamp prior to stamping.

The poppy image on both cards are colored with Copic markers.
Thank you so much for stopping by today!


Card Details:

Friendship Poppies:
Stamps: Poppies, Peanut Butter, Horizontal Chevrons; All from Rubbernecker Stamps;
Paper: Bazzill cardstock;
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Ripe Persimmon and Dried Marigold;
Accessories: ribbon, Spellbinder's die, foam tape;

Psalm 62 Poppies:
Stamps: Poppies, Trust in Him,  Grid and Horizontal Chevrons all from Rubbernecker Stamps;
Paper: Bazzill cardstock;
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers and Tumbled Glass;
Accessories: sequins, Stickles glitter glue, foam tape and Spellbinders die;

May Your Wishes Come True

Today I got to play with on of the multi-step watercolor stamps from Rubbernecker!

This card uses: Watercolor Wish.
For me, it works best to stamp the stems, first, then the large blossom stamp, and finally the small (inner) blossom stamp.

For this card, I applied the Stickles (glitter glue) by putting a small dab on the flower centers stamp and stamping on the flowers.  It worked very well.

It is so easy to get these beautiful blossoms!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, today!!


Card Details:
Stamps: set: Watercolor Wish; backgrounds: Best of Times and Horizontal Chevron; ALL from Rubbernecker Stamps;
Paper: Stampin' Up!: Very Vanilla; Bazzill: cardstock;
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Worn Lipstick, Spun Sugar, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters; Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink: Chestnut Roan;
Accessories: lace, Spellbinders dies, foam tape, Stickles;

Be Strong

I have some new stamps from Rubbernecker Stamps!!!  There are some new images in the watercolor floral line!  Including this fabulous butterfly!!

Like I do with all the watercolor stamps from Rubbernecker, I ink the back with pads, markers or watercolor crayons; Mist the stamp with water; then stamp.

I have only begun to play with color combinations with this one!!  DEFINITELY a keeper!

Also, there are a ton of new sentiments on the site!  I think this one will be great for many occasions!

Stamps: Victorious and Watercolor Butterfly by Rubbernecker Stamps;
Paper: Designer papers from Canvas Corp and Basic Grey; Bazzill cardsotck;
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Tumbled Glass, Scattered Straw, and Peacock Feathers; Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan;
Accessories: Twine, sequins, border punch, foam tape;