Blessings

I must have been thinking of Evelyn Rose when I made this card before she was born.  Babies are a blessing and Evelyn Rose has reminded us how sweet they are and how much love and joy they bring.

I used a Sizzix die for the shaped card along with the paper bow and rectangle on which the image is stamped.  This is a flower from Penny Black's Blooming Garden set.  If you are looking for one set of flowers to add to your collection, I recommend this one.  If you are not secure in your coloring skills, paper piecing work with this set, too.  That little bird is from the Tree-Mendous set, also by Penny Black.

So glad you dropped by today!!

Life is Beautiful

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This flower is from Penny Black's transparent set "Dahlias". I've heat embossed it with white, rubbed distress inks in pale tones of green and lavender over the image and mounted it on a white embossed background, "Delicate Pattern" also colored with the same distress inks.

I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and gently rubbed the same distress ink colors before stamping the sentiment. Of course, I needed a little bling, scattered gently on the card.

Life is beautiful!! The suitcase is open and ready to be packed. My household chores are either done or postponed!! My husband will be managing our home and dog while I am away. Hopefully, the can of silver colored paint for the bathroom will call out to him and he will become bored enough in my absence to apply paint to bathroom walls! The master bath is the only room we haven't painted at least once since moving here. Time to move on from the green and lavender color scheme!

By Sunday afternoon I will be in Milwaukee, holding Evelyn Rose for the first time! To say I am excited is such an understatement. I hope Evelyn is as excited as I am!

Hopefully the posts I have scheduled to publish in my absence will appear like magic next week. Thanks for stopping by!!

Uptown by Penny Black

Not very wisely, I started out coloring the images with Copics and then went through my paper pads looking for the right paper to use as a background. When I couldn't decide among these three patterns, I decided to use them all! I stitched strips together, forming the background.

The main image is from the transparent set "Uptown". The sun and sentiment are from "Sweet Home". The little mouse enjoying a visit to the city is from "Garden Critters", all Penny Black images. I've colored with Copics and mounted on the patterned paper. I love the summery combination of orange and pool.

And then I started adding "stuff"!! The front of the building looked vacant, so added the little mouse; then I had to add something for him to be looking at, so added the sun. And then I got the idea to punch out clouds from cloud patterned paper. A few touches with my white pen and I was done!

If you are looking for the "HI, Evie" post, just scroll down. It was such a cute photo I couldn't resist blogging it. Thanks for your patience with this proud grandma!!

Say "Hi" to Evie!!

I can't resist posting this picture!!  This is Evelyn Rose after her visit to the pediatrician!!  Don't you just love it??

Glad to know I have a granddaughter who feels free to express herself!!  I promise to get back to posting cards soon!!  Thanks for putting up with this delighted Grandma!!

Hedgehopper

Time out for a more masculine image!! This Penny Black stamp, Hedgehopper, includes a trail of tiny hearts which I have eiminated for this card. Colored with copics; punched out clouds and mounted everything on patterned paper. This one is headed to the 11 year old grandson!

I colored the plane and hedgie with Copics and held my breath while I stitched around the circle. There's glossy accents on the wheels, propeller and goggles. I used a glitter pen here and there just to add some sparkle!

I am off to run errands. Need to get things done before I fly to Milwaukee on Sunday. I do appreciate your visit!

More Evelyn Rose

I hope you don't mind, but here's a photo of Evelyn Rose, 5 days old, with her eyes open!!

Just finished Skyping with Evelyn and her parents and her other Grandma.  What an amazing world we live in that I can "visit" with my granddaughter who is 750 miles away.  Skype has made it easier to live so far away from this beautiful baby girl!!

Life is good!!

Tiny Wishes by Penny Black

I've used Penny Black's transparent set "Tiny Wishes" to make this card. The patterned paper background is composed of strips of various papers in my stash that I've ligned up and adhered to the notecard. The beautiful circle die cut is a gift from my friend Sally, who owns some very awesome dies!! I colored the image with Copics, added black enamel dots and of course a teeny, tiny sentiment.

The birth of our new granddaughter has thrust me into the 21st Century computer age! Not only have I adapted to (and seriously enjoyed) my new smarty cell phone, I have installed Skype and a webcam on my eight year old PC. Well, the computer "geek" at Staples and I installed it!! How did I know that Windows XP is not the same as Windows 7 .. and neither one is Windows 8!! Ahhh, it's been a day, for sure.

I had to physically restrain my husband from purchasing a new computer whle we were at  Staples. I am not ready to tackle Windows 8 and learn a new way of doing things on my computer.  But the change is inevitable .. just not this week, please.

The report from Evelyn's dad is that she is an incredibly calm and serene baby. Mom and Dad got a great night of much-needed sleep after coming home from the hospital at supper time yesterday. I peeked at her as she slept while we tested Skype; Evelyn will call me later when she is awake and doing some cute stuff! I did see a video of her on Facebook the other day and spent a good chunk of my day replaying her cute little sneeze!!

While I complain about having to learn new computer stuff, I am amazed and grateful that I can watch Evelyn grow in Wisconsin from here in Alabama.

Thanks for stopping by!! My next project is to download a Flickr app so I can transfer photos from my phone to my pc!! But maybe not today.

Petal Party

Petal Party 30-113   Delicate Pattern 40-047

I've used the Transparent set Petal Party for this card, as well as the Slapstick stamp Delicate Pattern, both by Penny Black. I stamped all the images in VersaMark and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I added color by using one of the pads that attaches to the distress ink applicator without the applicator. I find I have more control applying the distress inks in that manner. I arranged the three flower images, using some pop dots for dimension. I applied dew drops for the flower centers and a few at random on the lower background. I layered green and white ribbon to divide the card into sections.

I think that background stamp is perfectly named .. it does provide a "delicate" setting for these flowers.

Mom, Dad and baby are doing well. This Grandma is excited about meeting Evelyn Rose in ten more days!!  One of my best decisions was to enter the 21st Century and replace our antiquated cell phone that only took phone calls with a new cell phone that allows photos and text messages to travel back and forth from Evelyn's parents to her grandparents here in Alabama.  My kids are amazed that I am finally texting!!  I am loving the instant communication but I am so afraid I will turn into one of those people I see in restaurants who are paying no attention to their meal or their dining companions because they are either texting or reading their texts.  It is a bit addictive!!

Have a great day, whatever it holds!! And thank you for stopping by.

Welcome to the World, Evelyn Rose!

I spent several days cutting and paper piecing and stressing to make just the right card to welcome Scott and Sara's daughter into the world!  This is a Penny Black slapstick image:  Tweet Talk).

Evelyn Rose was born about 8:30 this morning and weighs 7.46 pounds and is 18.5 inches long.  Mother and baby are doing fine!  I have photos but have to learn how to transfer them from the phone to my computer.

This is the first baby for Scott (my youngest son) and Sara!  Very much loved by the whole family already.  LIfe is good! 

Love Birds

I am keeping myself busy with stamping and blogging as the last twelve hours before baby Evelyn Rose's birth by C section tomorrow go by slowly. I can only imagine the excitement and nervousness at my son and his wife's home this evening! I went to the telephone store today and purchased an up to date phone so my son can send pictures of the baby ... our old phone barely handled phone calls; didn't do photos!! You can be sure I will, with permission, post a photo when I can.

Now, for the card:

I stamped the tree image from the Penny Black slapstick set "love birds" onto patterned paper in VersaMark and heat embossed with white. Stamped the love birds on black cardstock and heat embossed with white. Drew the black scallops with my fancy ruler, outlined them with my white pen (that is still going strong!) The "love" sentiment came with the slapstick Penny Black set.

My heart is filled with love for this baby girl and we haven't even met!! Scott and Sara are excited and thrilled, but they have no idea how quickly and how deeply they will soon fall in love with their daughter. Life is an incredible journey.

Thank you for your visit.

Butterfly Kisses

This is an image from Penny Black's woodblock stamp "Butterfly Kisses".  It's a great image to color and would adapt well to paper piecing..

I used Copic markers to color the flowers and butterfly.  I added white dots wtih my pen and put some glossy accents on the butterfly.  The flower centers have been highlighted with a glitter pen, which doesn't show up very well on camera.

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my card for the Stamp Squad blog hop!  How fun to meet some of you and to see messages from old friends.  I am so happy to be on the Stamp Squad and so happy to be playing with Penny Black stamps.

It is a hot summer day here in Alabama.  I set out to take Cooper for a walk and he planted hs feet firmly on the sidewalk and chose to return to the air conditioning!  Spoiled little dog!!  Or smart little dog!  I'm wondering if the sun is too bright for his eyes; being an all white dog, his eyes may be more sensitive.  I know I feel more comfortable wearing sunglasses.  I'll have to check into that!

Enjoy your day and thank you for stopping by. 

Penny Black Blog Hop

Hip, hip, hooray!  I am doing a cheer to be part of the first ever Penny Black Stamp Squad blog hop!   We are not only hopping, we are giving away stamps!!  Be sure to leave a comment on each blog, including the Penny Black blog, for a chance to win a selection of Penny Black stamps.  To begin the hop from the start and for a complete list of of the stamp squad blogs, visit the Penny Black blog.  And now, how about a visit to a French cafe?  Ooo, la, la!!





espresso break  4317

    

I've used Penny Black's wood block stamp "Espresso Break", stamped on the inside of the card and colored with Copic markers.  I used a circle Nestie to punch out the cafe window after I embossed the front of the card with a "brick" embossing folder.  To make it look even more like we are standing outside the cafe peeking in, I've put a sheet of acetate over the open circle.  The letters spelling "Cafe" leave no doubt we are on a Parisian street, observing a morning coffee break.   Did you know that in many parts of Europe owners and their dogs are welcomed at restaurants?  How fun is that? 

I've enjoyed your visit!  Don't forget to leave a comment in order to increase your chances of winning a selection of Penny Black stamps.  Next stop:  the incredibly talented and wonderfully named  Penny Ward.



Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa 4302K  Charms 30-173

Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic response to the announcement of my Stamp Squad assignment at Penny Black. To prove what I said yesterday about their stamps covering all styles ... I've gone cute today using Penny Black's wood block stamp Mona Lisa. -  with some alterations!  Somehow I don't think the Mona Lisa would be as famous if it was just "Mona". Mona Lisa sounds much more romantic!

Well, maybe this is Mona Lisa's sister "Just Plain Mona", living in her castle tower, waiting for her prince to arrive. He must be late, going by the expression on her face as she checks the time.

And wait!! Is that a bow and ribbon in her hair? Or is she being attacked by the castle spider??

The castle "walls" are embossed with a Cuttlebug folder; the clock is from the Penny Black transparent set, "Charms". Ms. Mona is colored with Copics. Had to add some white dots for interest (and because I have a white pen that works!)

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you found a smile!!

Penny Black Happy Dance News!

I am so excited that I can finally announce some very happy news!!  I have been invited by Penny Black stamps to be a member of the Penny Black Stamp Squad!!  I feel like a high school girl whose "crush" has invited her to prom!  I can't stop doing the happy dance!!

It's no secret that I've been a cheerleader for Penny Black stamps for quite awhile, just never had the cute uniform and pom poms until now! I'm looking forward to a "cheer"ful relationship with Penny Black and my awesome Squad team members.  I really can't wait to share with you the cards I'll be making using the incredible variety of Penny Black stamps. 

Penny Black is featuring a member of the new Stamp Squad every day this week.  Today is my day!

Here is a sneak peek of the card I made for the official announcement:

 

To see the rest of the card, click here to go to the Penny Black blog.

Thanks for stopping by!!  So glad to have such happy news to share.

Ms. Hedgie by Penny Black

This image is one of my favorite hedgie stamps from a set called "Tiny Wishes". She is so much fun to paper piece. This time I've dressed her all in blue. The sentiment is from Penny Black's transparent set "Edge to Edge". Ms. Hedgie really does make my heart smile!

Hope your day is going well and that it includes something that makes your heart smile!

Thanks for your visit.

Fancy Flowers Penny Black

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I made this card by first stamping the Penny Black background stamp "Glory of Modesty" on white cardstock and then embossed with white. I used several bright distress inks to rub over the image, creating a background. I then stamped the "tree" image from fancy flowers on vellum in black and embossed, and did the same with the sentiment from "Friendship". I sewed all three layers of paper around the edges.  I added some white enamel dots and a few gemstones for added texture.

I was pleased with the way the vellum muted the bright ink colors of the background stamp.  I usually enjoy stitching around my cards, but stitching vellum that has been "warped" by a heat gun is not easy!!  I sewed and ripped out FOUR times before I got it right!!  Next time, I will sew first, emboss last!!

I have had way too much fun playing with paper and ink this weekend.  I kept up with the daily chores and laundry, but the only projects I tackled were at my craft desk.  Hope you've had time to play, too!

Thanks for your visit!!  Please know I appreciate every comment ... my kids would call it "feedback". 

Deborah Nolan's May Card Chain Challenge

Every month Deborah sponsors and coordinates an exchange of cards among stampers from all around the world.  Deborah presents options: follow a sketch, use a given combo of colors or create a card using a specific theme (friends, birthday, etc.).  Well, I must have been feeling a bit independent when I made a card for Jan in Alaska because I chose none of the above!!

I allowed the muse to take over and this is the card I made:



I used Penny Black's transparent set Hedgie Friends for the fellow on the bicycle; I put the little mouse from Garden Critters in the basket, with a butterfly leading the way!

Jan has received the card and seemed to enjoy the happy scene!  Of course, bicycle-riding season is probably very short in Alaska!!  Hope this helps brighten some of those long dark Alaska days this winter!!

I am literally counting the days until little Evelyn arrives.  Only twelve more!!  I wonder if her Mom and Dad would consider moving closer to Grandma?  I will be jealous of all the people who will see her every day while I have to be content with Skype and occasional visits. 

Thanks for your visit!!  And your kind comments.

Maddy's Card

Maddy is a young lady battling leukemia. She has relapsed after her first bone marrow transplant and is now undergoing a second transplant. I have read some of her journal entries on her Caring Bridge site and have been inspired by her lack of self pity and her fighting spirit. She has an amazing family, too!

Simon says is sponsoring a card drive for Maddy (Maddy and her Mom have asked for cards, as they make her smile). My goal was to make a cheerful card with an encouraging message! I used a stamp set from Tiddly Inks and did some paper piecing.  There's glossy accents on the balloons and hearts all over the place!!  Hope this brightens Maddy's day as she recovers at St. Jude's in Memphis.

It's the middle of the week already!! Now I am really behind!!! Time to get that to-do list out and check a few boxes!

Thanks for the visit. Hope your week is going well. LIfe is good!

Penny Black Kisses in the Sun

Collage stamps are a great way to know that your design works!! I love this woodblock stamp; the composition is pleasing. I stamped the image on a page from an old thesaurus, ( why didn't I use a dictionary? So much easier to spell!) choosing a page with an appropriate word to go with the image. What better word for a butterfly image than "belief"? The image is colored with Copics and I added some white enamel dots, pearls and "stitching" using a new white pen sent to me by a friend! I love it! It really works.

I was a spoiled birthday girl this past weekend. The best part was hearing from old and new and good friends by way of Facebook, emails, letters, cards and phone calls. Staying in touch really enriches our lives. I am grateful for all the love and attention!

Hope your Monday is going well and thank you for your visit!