Feeling Grateful

I actually had some free time to sit at my desk uninterrupted last night and in that time got three...yes, you heard right, THREE cards done.  Well, almost three.  Still need to put a sentiment on the last one, but for all intents and purposes it's done!

Both these cards were made with Close to My Heart Stamps.  The first card uses the Always Grateful stamp set and features some first and second generation stamping.  For those who don't know what that means, when you ink your stamp and then stamp on your paper, that's first generation.  If you then stamp again, without re-inking, the faded image you get is second generation. The fading makes the trees appear they are at a distance from the more vibrantly stamped trees in the foreground.  Love how this one turned out!

My second card also features stamps from Close to My Heart.  This time I used the Feathers stamp set.  I took three of the images and three colors of ink and randomly stamp them on white cardstock, creating a fun background, which I made the focal point of this card.  A simple stamped sentiment from the Always Grateful stamp set and it's done.  

I am feeling very thankful that I had time to create!  I hope I find more time again soon!!

Holidays are coming!

Like it or not, the holiday season is fast approaching.  I personally would like to stay in fall for a bit longer, but I know in a blink of an eye Christmas will be here, with the long, dreadful winter on its heels.

So in that spirit, I made a Christmas card today.  I was just in the mood to experiment and play.  So I got my water color paper out, my Tim Holtz distress inks, and a brush and played with some colors (Faded Jeans, Broken China and Seedless Preserves) until I was happy.  Once that dried I sprayed on some Platinum Pearls Color Mist to give the background a nice sheen.

Then I stamped this adorable Snowman image from Art Impressions onto Neenah Solar White cardstock then colored with my Spectrum Noir Markers.  I assembled the snowman shaker (the stamp set comes with an action wobble spring) and I played with it for a few minutes before assembling the card.  Yes, I did giggle!

Anyway, I decided the snowman needed some snowdrifts to sit in, so I free handed a couple drifts and added holographic embossing powder to them.  At this point, everything on my desk was shiny and sparkly, as well as my hands, my shirts, my face, and my hair!  

I assembled the card and added the sentiment that came with the set.  Quite a cutie if I must say so myself!

 

It's been awhile...

During the last four years, I begin the school year with 6 weeks of hell that the school calls Soccer Season.  During those six weeks, my son eats, drinks, and sleeps soccer.  If there isn't a game, there's practice.  There is some form of soccer occurring daily.  Throw in piano lessons for my daughter and just the pains of getting back into the routine of school and you will understand my "hell".

Well, now the soccer season is coming to an end.  It's bittersweet as my son will be graduating this year.  Unless my daughter decides to pick up up soccer next year (which is unlikely), the "hell" that is soccer season is over forever.  Depressing as it is, it does mark the start of the Fall Season, which is my favorite!  Love all the pretty colors and  cool, crisp days.  Makes me smile.

On the bright side, I will have more time to sit at my desk and play with my stamps.  I did some more organizing over the weekend, and actually managed to get this card completed.  I utilized two stamp sets from Newton's Nook Designs, Wagon of  Wishes and Love a' la Carte . As well as some rich inks from Close to My Heart to create the background. Simple card, but a great way to usher in the season!

Happy Harvest!