Something Very Old & Something Very New…

Oh, I am SO excited that you dropped by today. I really want to share this project with you.

As you may or may not know, I was extremely involved in the wonderful and challenging hobby field of cast-ceramics. That was my passion for creating and teaching from 1970 till I finally retired in late 1999. One of the very first projects I created was to stain a coat-of-arms plaque then accented and highlighted it with a product manufactured by Jaygot. The product was called Luster Paste. It was always a stable in our home studio.

When I closed my studio in 1982 to pursue other ceramic related avenues, I set my Jaygot Lusters in a safe place. Needless to say, over the years, they became forgotten items- till last week.

This type of product has always been around under several different descriptive names and I often considered purchasing “the newest” product trends for papercrafts but was hesitant. (Actually, I recently did purchase something called a glaze wax). At any rate, upon the rediscovery and rejuvenation of my dear, old faithful Lusters, I completed this, my latest card adventure.

Special Note: This card was actually inspired by Susan Tierney-Cockburn’s A Patriotic Bouquet video: (https://stierneyc.wordpress.com/author/stierneyc/).

The background papers are from Elizabeth Craft Designs: Whisper Blue and Soft White.

The die used for the blue is part of an unbranded set.

The Bucket’s paper is from Neenah’s Starbeams collection Copper.

The papers for the leaves and ferns are from USArtQuest’s Indian Batik collection, Forest Green and Light Sage.

For the flowers, I used White Foamiran and added USArtQuest’s Prills, Lemon Chiffon, for the stamen.

All the dies are from Susan’s Garden Notes (Elizabeth Craft): Galvanized Bucket #1525, Ivy Vine #1297, Ostrich Fern #1424 and for the flower, Amaryllis #1208.

All the accents and highlights were accomplished by using the Luster Paste and applied with daubers:

·         Light Blue for flower centers and tips

·         Charcoal for the outer edges of the Bucket and handle.

·         Lemon Gold for the Bucket high lights.

·         Green Gold and Charcoal for adding dimension to the leaves and ferns.

Wish there was a way to pass on the excitement that I experienced creating this Thank You Card. Bringing the flowers to life, arranging the leaves in the Bucket, even just creating the background die cut. It was so rewarding seeing this one come to life.

Well, I have again just rambled on and on. I do hope you will search out some of your long stored-away craft-type products and see what you can create.

Till next time,

God Bless You and Yours

Birthdays are Special…

 

Thank you for stopping by today. Creating cards, especially when the card is for a very special friend’s special celebration, is always a joy.

Birthdays are Special for everyone. I know, some of us want to have that “it’s all about me” special day but refuse to acknowledge how many times we have celebrated that day. Well, for the lady who received this card, that is not the case. She seems proud of her 45^th celebration of her 21^st Birthday!

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For the flowers, I selected a Red Foamiran purchased through Whimsy Stamps to die cut  with Heartfelt Creation's Large Sweet Peony. I then accented with Chameleon Pens’ Burgundy, full strength. I used Prills for the stamen (not sure of color name). The leaves are die cut from US Art Quest’s Indian Batik Marble – Harvest Green. The laser cut medallion was purchased through 14 CraftBar.

 

The papers are a Navy Blue and Golden White Pearlescent.

 

Well, till next time, I hope you will have fun crafting!

 

May God Bless You and Yours

 

 

Southern Magnolia…

If you have ever been in the Southern States, you know the love affair shared by all for the beautiful Magnolia Trees. For most, seeing that magnificent tree, says you are home.

For me, today, while designing this anniversary card, I really started feeling a little longing for those old carefree, youthful days in both North Carolina and Virginia. Sometimes, those by-gone years bring back beautiful memories.

Now, to get back to reality!

For today’s card:

As you are aware, I love creating flower. I get excited using either paper or Foamiran. And today, I did a little of both.

The Flower:

Using White Foamiran from Whimsy Stamps, I die cut one layer for each petal of Susan’s Garden Notes #1142, Southern Magnolia. To create a more realistic center, I blended both sides of each petal with Chameleon Pens YO2-Mellow Yellow and NU2-Light Peach. Working with these pens is always a joy and I am always amazed with my outcomes.

To form the petals, may I suggest you watch Lady E’s video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2xzNHEpaAI&t=591s.

Go ahead, I’ll wait…Isn’t she great!

(Because I only have one hand I use a ball stylus to open each petal instead of pulling with both hands to form the petal cups.)  Next, I hot glued my layers then added “GoMamGo” Prills from USArt Quest to the centers.

The Leaves:

Again, using the Southern Magnolia die set, I cut 2 layers of Indian Batik Marble Forest Green paper from USArtQuest. Using the smallest ball stylus, I created the veins. I used a thin foam forming pad to work on in order to get a deeper vein. For the glossy effect, I used a VersaMark pen to cover the up-side of the petals. Then I heat embossed them with a fine clear embossing powder.

The Medallion:

I really love the wonderful selection of laser-cut chipboards that I have found on the 14 Craft Bar site. Take a look and I think you will be amazed!

Ok. Now just assemble as you wish using the cardstock of your choice.

Sure hope you could follow my ramblings – outside of a few hot glue burns, I had a great time with this card.

Thank you for spending some time with me today. Hope you will drop by again. Till then, may your cardmaking projects always be exciting and well received.

May God Bless You and Yours

Celebrating 70!

Just a quick, more masculine type project today. More than easy but makes a statement.

A friend and retired, yet very avid auto-mechanic, just celebrated his big 70^th birthday. He is a lifetime Michigander and proud of it. Well, that explains the background for this card -- a Michigan road map, scanned and reprinted. The unbranded stamped vehicle was stamped with black ink then heat embossed with a fine clear embossing powder. The “70” was die cut through the map. I then glued a small piece of black paper behind the cut out. Because it looked “flat,” I used a VersaMark pen to the numbers and again heat embossed with a fine clear embossing powder.

Wishing everyone a Great Summer! And if you are traveling, enjoy the trip and return home safely.

May God Bless You and Yours!

Special Occasions…Special Flowers…

Thank you for stopping by today. Hope your summer is going well and your creativity is "flowing!" 

This first card was designed for a very special lady who has been a great friend and adviser for my mother during her last years. It was difficult to express my gratitude for all she has done. Thank you just never seems enough.

My desire was for a delicate and very feminine arrangement. Soft colors and delicate rose-like flowers, seems to speak volumes of love and respect.

This flower die is one of the originals from Heartfelt Creations, Vintage Floret. I used white Foamiran and accented with a pale pink blush. The centers are a golden white shade of Prills.

  

This second card is to help a young lady celebrate her special 18^th birthday. In a few weeks she will be on her way to college. I felt it was time she receives more adult type cards.

The flower die I used is a new die by Lady E, Flower #2. Like most of my larger flowers, I used white Foamiran and added a purple colorization to the edges. This turned out a little larger than I expected but really love this cut.

Well, guess it is time to finally start my spring cleaning. OK! I missed spring! Summer cleaning?

Take care and have a wonderful and safe July!

May God Bless You and Yours!