Amazing!

Amazing is the name of the Penny Black transparent set that includes the sentiment tag and sentiment on this card.  The white panel is one layer, with masking used to make the flower appear it is behind the tag.  I think what most endeared this set to me is the polka dotted border on the tag.  It looks like multiple layers, but that is how the stamp is made.

30-243 Amazing;30-113 Petal Party; 40-310 Star Ivy

I created the black and white background matt using Penny Blacks's Star Ivy slapstick stamp, embossing with white on black cardstock.  Black, white and red is a favorite color combination of mine.

The set includes several other tags and sentiments, making it a stamp set you can use in many ways for many occasions.

Cooper's diagnosis is a partial tear of his ACL.  We have the choice between conservative treatment or surgery.  Both options carry the requirement of weight loss and low level activity for several months.  For now we are spending time researching and thinking.  Cooper is faced with losing so much of what makes his life enjoyable; more food, going for walks, running in the yard, and playing catch with his toys and tug of war with his blanket.  He is still feeling the effects of the sedation and the trauma of a day at the vet's today.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.  I think I am feeling some trauma myself.

Thank you for stopping by. 

Fun with Penny Black

Don't you love it when you get a great idea and it actually finds its way onto a card?  That's what happened when I had an assortment of Penny Black transparent sets on my desk.  I haven't used these sets very much, but once I had this idea the ink pads came out and some stamping began!

30-247 Life's Journals; 30-306 U R the Gift; 40-327 A Little Bird

I masked the mouse image and stamped over it with the library card image, and because I had finished the card before I thought to add the "RECORD", I just stamped that on a scrap of cardstock, cut it out and pasted it onto the library card.  I also stamped an extra mouse and pop dotted it to the original stamped image.  The ink bottle is high lighted with Glossy Accents, which doesn't show well in the photo.  Of course, then I added the Happy Birthday sentiment, making the card a good addition to my stash.

I love that kraft paper.  I learned about it from Sandy Allnock.  It's called Dessert Storm (an unfortunate label, but I love the paper) and made by Neenah.  Did you know you can go to your local Staples store with special paper requests and they can order for you and when it comes in, you go pick it up.  No postage fees!  I love this shade of kraft .. not too light, not too dark.

Cooper goes to the vet tomorrow for an exam of his leg and x-rays under sedation.  He is so frightened at the vets' that he is too tense for a good exam.  It will be hard to leave him there for the day as he was so upset when we did this for his teeth cleaning.  But meds aren't fixing the problem and we need to get him back on all four legs again!

Have a great week!  The Georgia grandkids are back to school today!  And one is entering high school.  Truly, time flies!!  Thanks for your visit!

Let's Chat by Penny Black

This transparent set Let's Chat by Penny Black contains thirteen stamps!  My intention when I pulled this set out was to use the sentiment "happy hello".  And then I just added more stamps to my Misti until I liked the arrangement.  Even though the colors are bright, this could be a guy card because of the graphic design.

30-244 Let's Chat

These "hot" colors remind me of our hot Alabama in August weather.  And today is the day I decided I could not stand the weedy patch of landscape that surrounds the dying rose bushes, so I spent some time cleaning up that space.  I guess I decided the rose bushes should be allowed a "death with dignity".  I murdered the petunias last month and three of the four Knockout rose bushes are dead or dying.  I am going to assume the sprinkler system is not aimed correctly to water the non-survivors.   So much for trying to raise flowers again.

This has been a week of appointments for Cooper and me.  I finally made and kept an appointment with the dentist and Cooper had to see the vet for his right rear leg that doesn't want to spend much time in contact with the ground.  It's a close call, but we spent more at the vet than the dentist and I had two teeth taken care of.

So far I don't see much improvement in Cooper's limping situation but my teeth are great!

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy these last summer days.  The kids here go back to school next week. 

Enchanted Garden by Penny Black

It's a very stormy day and there is no better time than now to play with some of my "older" Penny Black stamps.  Both of the cards use images from Penny Black's transparent set Enchanted Garden.  I love that it's possible to obtain such different looks from the same stamp set! 

30-205 Enchanted Garden; 51-007 Tagged

I've colored with Prismacolor pencils on kraft, added some white enamel dots (sadly, the color from the flowers bled through).  The butterflies just found their way onto the card somehow! 

30-205 Enchanted Garden

I love a black and white color scheme.  I thought about adding a little red heart, but chose instead to stay with only the two colors.  This contemporary style heart is quite versatile and need not be filed away until Valentine's Day! 

I am revisiting stamp sets that I've loved when I first added them to my collection and then set aside for a newer set.  I don't believe there is a finite number of ways to use our stamps.  And setting them aside for awhile and then revisiting can be very inspirational.

Chores are done for the week; except that daily make meals thing.  Honestly, I have grown weary of planning and cooking meals.  Maybe not even the cooking so much, but the planning!!  Maybe I need to focus on being more grateful that I live in a country of abundance and the problem is choosing.

Have a great day!  Thanks for your visit.

Sunshine in the Rain

"Sunshine in the Rain" is the name of this classic Penny Black slapstick stamp. 

40-058 sunshine in the rain; 30-014 salutations

I love paper piecing!  Cutting and pasting is so relaxing.  After pasting all the elements into place, I added some shading with Copic markers.  Glossy accents make the boots and umbrella shine!  I am going to enter this card in Simon Says Stamps Wednesday challenge encouraging the use of Penny Black stamps and dies.

Our friends really are "sunshine in the rain", which makes me love this image even more.  And I hereby resolve to start sending more of my cards instead of collecting them.  I know finding a card in my mailbox really makes my day, so why aren't I sharing those good feelings??

We are experiencing much more sunshine than rain here in northern Alabama.  And the heat is holding steady in the 90's.  I feel sorry for the kids in their crisp new school clothes who will be starting school here next week.

There is an announcement on the Penny Black blog today welcoming a new designer to their team.  Be sure to check it out!  Her watercolor art is beyond amazing.  She is Micheline (Mimi) Jourdain who has been guest designing for the blog for a while and is now a permanent designer. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your life includes friends who are your sunshine in the rain!

Jumbo Love

The Wednesday challenge on the Simon Says Stamp blog is "anything goes" and they are spotlighting Penny Black stamps and dies.  How could I resist?

Add ca30-209 Jumb Love; 51-025 Love Expressions

I've used the adorable little ellie from Penny Blacks transparent set Jumbo Love along with the sentiment from the creative die Love Expressions.   Sounds like the perfect match to me!!

I am resolving to spend more time in my craft room during this unrelenting spell of hot weather.  It's July in Alabama and I am annoyed that it is hot and humid!!

I know Simon Says Stamp would love to see what you can do with Penny Black stamps and dies.  It's not a requirement, but it is an opportunity to use those great Penny Black stamps!  Click here for information.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Penny Black Christmas in July

It's been a week of Christmas in July on the Penny Black blog.  I know I've said it before, but this time I really mean it .. this is my favorite snowman of all time .. it's Penny Black's Snowy, a woodblock stamp from 2002! 

2521 K Snowy; 51-058 joyous wishes; 51-066 crystal trio
 

I've used Penny Black Creative Dies for the snowflakes and sentiment.  I added texture to the scarf and hat by going over the Copic coloring with the blender pen.  Since it's been in the 90's here in Alabama, it was a relief to think about snowflakes and the holidays.

I am back from my nine days in Wisconsin where I spent my days taking care of baby Jack who needed to stay home for one more week after his surgery.  I am delighted to report his recovery is complete and could not have gone better  He is a delightful baby and has an amazing big sister in Evelyn.  Leaving was difficult after spending so much time with the grandbabies. 

It's Saturday and once again you can find me on the Penny Black blog. 

 

If you would like to see photos of the adorable little ones, just click here and you will be transported to my Runs with Scissors column, where I have happily posted pictures.  Thanks for stopping by!!