Snow Friends

Picture this... somewhere in Kentucky under several inches of snow... it is cold and windy... perfect St. Bernard weather... or so we think! LOL... My big guys are not happy with this sudden blast of winter. Normally they play and frolic in it but this time they tap dance lightly on it... conduct business and get back in... QUICKLY.... I suspect they know something we don't... (this will be one LONG winter) and want to avoid the reality at all costs!

This image from Stampendous made me chuckle when I pulled it out. It kinda reminds me of my fluffs all trying frantically to avoid touching the "cold" stuff... Somehow I just can't imagine Big Ike carrying the 3 girls on his back, though...

I'm so glad that there is someone there to pick me up when I'm down. My hubby does a fine job and when all else fails my dogs always bring a smile to my face. Here's hoping your week is full of sunshine and smiles! (and hopefully little snow...)

Lori

Card Recipe

Card Stock - White - Georgia Pacific, Blue - Bazzill
Designer Paper - American Crafts - Merrymint - Marshmallow
Image - Stampendous - Polar Ride
Sentiment - Stampendous
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Sentiment - Studio G - VP0012
Ink - Coloring - Copic
Hats - Y08, Y11, R81, R85, BG10
Polar Bears - C0, C1, C3, 0 Colorless Blender
Ranger Liquid Pearls - White Opal - Cuffs of Hats
Ranger Stickles - Star Dust - applied lightly to Liquid Pearls after drying.

I have stamped, colored and then cut out the image. It is adhered with dimensional foam to make the bears "stand" out. The snow is also cut out in layers and stacked with foam to make it appear dimensional as well!

The journey... and a sympathy card

Sympathy cards are something I rarely do. I started this blog roughly two years ago to showcase some of my work. My card making has changed (for better or worse) over the last several years. I started out scrapbooking almost 9 years ago but changed to card making after a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer. Kathy battled breast cancer roughly 8 years ago. She had just passed the coveted 5 year point. Not long after, she found out her cancer had returned. This time the prognosis was anything but good. Her doctors gave her a year at best. I decided to try my hand at card making. And for close to 2 years I mailed a card nearly every week. That is until the last few weeks.... life slipped up on me and before I knew it 4 weeks had passed without sending a card.... and then Wednesday I was given the news.... Kathy had passed on....

Kathy was a devoted Christian and not a day went by that she didn't share her testimony. The love of Christ beamed in her eyes even as the rest of her body failed. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend and will be missed by her friends and family. She is no longer suffering. But I know she would want me to continue on and make cards for others. She enjoyed them so and took every opportunity to share with others how much she loved her "mail" from me. So this card (2 actually) will go to her husband and daughter. They close a wonderful chapter and friendship in my life. Until we meet again Kathy....

Blessings -

Lori

This card was inspired by a card I spotted in one of the many magazines I receive each month. I used my brayer to roll on a light coat of gray ink and then followed by stamping the tree image on top. I finished it off with a red bird and the sentiment in black.


Card Recipe

5 x 7 Inches

Card Stock - Black, White - Georgia Pacific, Silver - Bazzill
Designer Paper - The Paper Series - Silver Wedding Ornate
Ink - Image & Background - Stampin Up - Going Gray
Ink - Sentiment & Scripture - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Cardinal - Memento - Rhubard Stalk
Stamps - Image & Sentiment - Front - Papertrey Ink - Through the Trees
Stamps - Scripture - Inside - Our Daily Bread Designs - Scripture Series 1
Ribbon - Offray - 7/8 Simply Sheer Black


I added one of my favorite scripture stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs inside. The red bird came from the Papertrey Ink set.

Warm Winter Wishes

I'm trying to clean out my scraps. You know... that huge pile of paper left from other projects. I hate throwing anything away and it seems I have little time these days to use my scraps in my scrapbook. So if see a familiar color scheme and designer paper today... that was my intention.

My thoughts are turning to snow. We received our first major snowfall of the season this week. To some of you 6 inches is no big deal but for us... let's just say I am very glad to have a 4 wheel drive or I wouldn't have made it out of my lane.... lol

Snowy days are the perfect times to bake, craft and just snuggle up on the couch and watch a good movie. I may even be looking forward to a few more snows this year... (Did I really say that?) Just not TOO many! Have a blessed day!

Card Recipe

5 x 7

Card Stock - Brown, Red - Bazzill, Ivory - Gina K. Designs

Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Holly Jolly - Winter Branches

Paper Punch - Branch and Snowflake - Martha Stewart

Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Beaded Ovals, Classic Ovals Small

Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black

Ink - Sentiment - Memento Rich Cocoa

Ink - Coloring - Copic

Fur - E00, E37, O Colorless Blender

(Stickles - Ranger - Star Dust) lightly coated on fur & snowflakes

Mittens - E33, E35

Berries - R29

Ink - Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa (lightly sponged on image before removing from die)

Stamps - Image & Sentiment - Flourishes - Warm Winter Wishes

Pearls - Crystal Stickers by Mark Richards 3mm (Nestie & Snowflakes)

Greens - G28

So Very Grateful

And I am very grateful for all of the blessing the good Lord has bestowed on me this year. I have my health and my family.... what more could I need? What a blessing to know that he gives us all good things in time. Sometimes that means we have to wait and recognize that we receive blessings on his time schedule and not ours.

For those of you who read my posts regularly... you know how frugal I am. I love card making but hate to pay full price for anything and particularly my supplies! A week back when hubby and I were traveling I took a couple of opportunities to check out a couple of large craft stores in those cities. Well I had to take a look at the dollar bins and the sale racks... and what did I find? I found a wonderful image (marked down to $3.00)! Woo hoo! Well, I feel in love.... hard... and knew I could put this beautiful little bird to good use! And here it is with a lovely sentiment I cabbaged from another set! Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Card Recipe

5 X 7 Designs

Card Stock - Black - Georgia Pacific
Card Stock - Image - Gina K Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Little Yellow Bicycle - Frosty Flurries
Stamp - Image - Stampendous - Chickadee
Stamp - Sentiment - Clear Dollar Stamps - Heartfelt Sentiments
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copic
Ribbon - Offray - 7/8 Simply Sheer Black
Rhinestones - Kaisercraft Basics - Black
Punch - Martha Stewart

Copic Colors - Chickadee - Co, C2, C3, C5, 0 Colorless Blender, E00 (bottom of body)
Background - C0, C2, C3, 0 Colorless Blender
Beak - YR02
Berries - R24, R27, R59

Friends Warm the Heart

And boy can I use some warming right now? The weather is frigid here (4 degrees this morning) and we are expecting a major snowstorm tonight. I am home nursing a terrible respiratory infection but will have to be on the road in the morning no matter what. In my line of work, bad weather means all hands on deck! So with the looming snow what better subject to color than a snowman? And I have to say, he is one handsome dude! lol I recently purchased this stamp from the Flourishes website. I was a little "afraid" of coloring snow but after a little experimentation got the hang of it. Let me know if a photo tutorial would be of use! If you like the looks of my snow dude I can share the secret! lol... Have a wonderful and warm day! And stay safe out there!

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

5 x 7 finished size

Card Stock - White - Georgia Pacific
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny Tis the Season Snow Flakes (reversible)
Stamp - Image & Sentiment - Flourishes - Warm Winter Wishes
Ink - Copic
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Edging - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass by Ranger Inks
Stickles - Star Dust by Ranger - Snow on hat and stick arms
Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Beaded Circles
Pearls 3mm - Crystal Stickers Pearls by Mark Richards
Ribbon - Offray Satin - 7/8 Red

Copics

Snowman - C0, E21, E25, E50, 0 Colorless Blender

Shadow - C0, C3, C5, 0 Colorless Blender

Carrot - YR04, YR68

Sticks - E57

Buttons - C3, C5, C7

Bird - C3, C5

Hat and Scarf - R24, R29, R59

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa -

Forgive me for not posting since Thanksgiving... I found myself overcome by turkey, dressing and rolls... Then my hubby surprised me with a trip to Colonial Williamsburg (I posted a pic of the Governor's Palace above... cool huh?). Santa, he (my dear hubby) has been VERY good this year! So please bring him something nice. Would you believe I came home and caught a nasty respiratory bug.... YUCK! So Santa, please forgive me for slacking on my duties... and if you bring me a big lump of coal I will understand!

Lori

Forgive me for the long post but there is a project posted below. I thought you might enjoy some photos of my trip!

Some of the beautiful decorations at Colonial Williamsburg... Who would have thought hedge apples could look so good?



Day 2 we traveled to Jamestown. I visited there in 2002. In 2004, archaeologists discovered the actual fort and the Park Service has made some wonderful investments in this historic site. If you get the chance please check it out! This is what's left of the original church. It was built in the middle of the fort! It's been there for 400 hundred years!



And here's my Santa card. Doesn't she look mischieveous?

Card Design

5 x 7 inches

Card Stock - Navy and White (Bazzill)
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury Designs
Designer Paper - Pressed Petals - Winter Theme
Stamp - Image - Susana's Custom Art and Card Design - Elisabeth Bell - First Snowball of Winter
Sentiment - Craft Smart (Dollar bin at Michael's) :-)
Embossing - Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots - White background
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Image - Coloring Copic

Skin and Blush - E00, R20
Hair - E35, E37
Jeans, Jacket, Scarf and Hat - B24, B41, B45
Shoes - C5, C7
Snowball and Mittens - C0

Ink - Sentiment - Close to My Heart - Moonstruck
Ink - Memento - Summer Sky - Sponged around image before removing from die
Die Cut - Labels 14 - Nestabilties
Flocking - Stampendous - White - Fur Trim on Coat and Ball of Hat
Ribbon - Offray - Satin - 5/8 Navy
Glaze - Diamond Glaze - Judikins - Boots and Eyes
Paint - Making Memories - Navy Scrapbook Colors - applied to edge of white background
Stickles - Frosted Lace - Two layers on Snowball



A close up of the flock and stickles....