ROSES IN WINTER

I realize Valentine's Day is past - but I have been so busy with "life" that I didn't get a chance to post any of my Valentine cards. So, in addition to today's "ROSES IN WINTER", I'm posting a few of the Valentine cards I made for my nieces and nephews.

I made this card to give to a dear friend - but I can't say who it is because she reads this blog (or at least I THINK she does!) It's VERY simple in construction - just a few square layers - no fancy corners, not alot of bling - but I love it!

The image was colored with Copics - 4 shades of reds/pinks on the rose itself - 5 shades of green on the leaves - and about 5 colors on the small flowers. I chose to outline the image in B000 instead of my usual C1 or C3 because the image wouldn't be casting a shadow against blue sky but would actually pick up a little "ghosting" from the sky behind it.

INGREDIENTS:
Bravo Burgundy Cardstock
Pink Designer Paper
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
GinaK 80# Luxury White
Mini Half Pearls

Now for the Valentine cards - I made a BUNCH - but here are just a couple of them.



Of course the images are from
my Jill's Jems Digital Images -
Valentine 2010. My two personal favorites.

Colored with Copic Markers,

The background for Draco the Dragon is a Cuddlebug Embossing Folder which reminds me of reptile skin - so I thought it was a perfect choice for this image.

That's all for today.
Thanks for stopping by and until next time -

Happy Stamping!
Jill

ODDS ARE, THE BUTTERFLIES HAVE IT

Today's post was made in response to a Splitcoaststampers challenge called WAYS TO USE IT. Sometimes the challenges are very limiting - this time however the only rule was that you had to use ODD numbers of items on your project.


I had just purchased this new stamp from NORTHWOODS RUBBER STAMPS yesterday and thought it would be perfect since it has 3 flowers in it. I stamped it 3 times on GINA K LUXURY WHITE cardstock using MEMENTO TUXEDO BLACK ink then colored one image completely, 2 butterflies from the second image, and one butterfly from the 3rd image using COPIC markers.


The next step was to cutout the butterflies from the 2nd and 3rd images and to apply WATERFALL STICKLES over the entire images. While these were drying, I cut my cardstock, mats and ribbons. I have an irregular sized envelope so I cut my cardbase 5.5" square, then placed the matted, main image so that it sticks out from the top making my finished card 6.25" x 5.5". Once the card was constructed I added WATERFALL STICKLES and STARDUST STICKLES to the main image as well as NUT BROWN FLOWERSOFT to the flower centers.


Once everything was dry, embellishments were added in ODD numbers to fit the challenge: 3 brads along the side, 5 brads in the ecru lace ribbon, 3 colors paper, 3 "ribbons" -although one of the "ribbons" was created using the MARTHA STEWART LATTICE punch.


For those of you who LOVE glitz and glimmer this card should be right up your alley. The photo doesn't do the card justice because the light was so bright that the glitter appears harsh. In reality, it is a soft, subtle shimmer. Quite beautiful in real life.


That's it for me today - I'm off to create some Valentines. Nothing like waiting to the last minute is there?????


Have a great day
and Happy Stamping!


Jill

ANYONE FOR A BUBBLE BATH?

I've received a few more requests for my "BUNNY" digital image - so in case you missed her the first time - here she is again. You should be able to open a larger version by left clicking on the image then right click and "save as". Enjoy.

This has been one of THOSE days. You know the kind I mean. When you wake up with a plan but apparently God has a different one! That's the kind of day it's been. It started out just fine - up at my regular 6 a.m. alarm, showered, dressed, stopped by Mickie D's for Sweet Tea and Scrambled Eggs and arrived at work by my 7 a.m. start time. Completed most of my day's work by 10 a.m. and then the phone rang.

It was my 27 year old son. He was coming downstairs from what was his bedroom (until he moved out), slipped, and managed to fall over the side of the open section of the stairs catching his foot between the wall and the stair top. He heard something "pop" and he couldn't walk without pain. So leaving my desk a mess and the computer still running I left the office to go pick him up and begin the lengthy process of an ER visit. As it turned out nothing is broken - for which we are EXTREMELY thankful, but he is splinted and using crutches for the next several days.

So, instead of posting this over my lunch hour it seems I MIGHT get it posted by dinner instead.

I have loved this image from House Mouse stamps since I first saw it but I've talked myself out of buying it a dozen times at least. I really never had a card to use it on. Until now that is. A friend of mine is undergoing some neurological testing - hopefully to rule OUT Parkinson's - but everything is up in the air right now. I made this card for him and his wife just as a reminder that when they get tired and worried that it's okay to take a little time away and cast all their cares on the one who has the answers.

CARD INGREDIENTS
SU! Sage Shadow Cardstock
SU! Ruby Red Cardstock
SU! Whisper White Cardstock
K&Company Classic K Bailey Designer Paper
Copic Markers
Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Sponge Daubers
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
SU! Creamy Caramel Ink
SU! Close to Cocoa Ink
SU! Bashful Blue Brads (I think)

Thanks for visiting today -
and Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

SCRAP CARD

Okay - raise your hand if you're tired of Winter yet? Another Winter storm moved through our area last night with more on the way this afternoon - and while I really don't like to be out on the roads when it's icy and snowy, I sure do enjoy looking at the beautiful scenes the ice and snow produce. Like the one shown below. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago a day or so after an ice/snow storm. I don't know why there were still leaves on some of the trees/bushes but the rusts and reds against the evergreen and blanket of white made for a very pretty picture.

I mentioned yesterday that I needed to make several sympathy cards this week and this is another of those. This is the one I am sending to the husband of the deceased and it is made almost entirely of scraps that were laying on the desktop from other cards & projects.

I used scraps of DP from K&Company as well as pieces of cardstock in Sage Shadow, Ruby Red and Very Vanilla from Stampin'Up! The rectangular pieces were pierced around the top,bottom and left edges and all the scraps were sponged using Chocolate Chip ink and the sentiment was stamped in the same color. This is the first time I've used brads following a circular pattern and I definitely like the effect. I really wanted to dress this up a little more but then decided that it was just right for a man. No frills - no ribbons.

I'm on my way to the kitchen here at work. My freezing fingers and shivering body are calling out for something besides sweet tea. Hmmmm - maybe HOT CHOCOLATE. Perfect for this cold, winter's day.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and enjoy the rest of your day.

Jill

IN SYMPATHY

Unfortunately, I found that I needed to make some sympathy cards this weekend. The father of one of my oldest friends (not in age but in time known) passed away on Monday last week. Then one of my mother's closest friends passed away on Wednesday. These two cards were made for my friend and her mother. The sympathy card for the spouse of my mother's friend will be included in tomorrow's post.

I'm always surprised how different two cards can look even though the same layout - and in this case the same stamp - is used. Placement of a few embellishments and a change in color really make a HUGE difference to the overall "feel" you can achieve. The card on the right feels more "homespun" and "earthy" while the one on the right I perceive as elegant and totally feminine even though it's in shades of blue and green.



















For both cards I used the same stamp from Anna Griffin Stamps. The card on the left uses Ruby Red & Very Vanilla Cardstock from Stampin'Up! as well as Designer Paper from K&Company. The image was stamped using Real Rust Ink and lightly colored with Copic markers. SU! Ruby Red Brads and a sheer ribbon in a rusty red were added to finish.

The card on the right uses Stampin'Up! Sage Shadow and Whisper White cardstock. The image is stamped using Sage Shadow ink. The Designer Paper is from My Minds Eye - Laundry Line. One small piece of 1/8" blue/green ribbon was added as the accent to complete the card.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my 2 versions of the same layout. Stop in tomorrow to see the sympathy card I made with table scraps.

Thanks for visiting -
and until next time -
Happy Stamping.

Jill

ELEGANT ANNIVERSARY & CREATIVE SPACES

Yesterday was my 28th wedding anniversary and it was a wonderful day. I was invited to my best friend's house to "play" all day and then invited, along with my DH, to stay for dinner as well. The entire meal was a melt-in your mouth taste sensation - prime rib, green beans with roasted almonds, and honey-buttered potatoes. My favorite though was the potatoes. So much so that they are on our menu tonight!


Prior to dinner Cindy and I spent the day in her craft room (see photos below) and I actually managed to create 6 cards during the early afternoon and after dinner. I will be posting these cards throughout this week. Today's card is the first one I made yesterday though. My hubby's anniversary card. I love how elegant it looks.





The cardbase is CHOCOLATE CHIP. The image is a retired image from STAMPIN'UP! called TRUE LOVE. I stamped in Versamark then heat embossed in gold. I chose this particular image because the flourishes around the heart and flowers reminded me of the flourishes on this gorgeous paper by THE PAPER STUDIO. The paper and the ribbon are available at Hobby Lobby. I left one end of the ribbon loose and cut a "v" making two pointed ends then rolled the ends and attached it to the card with a gold brad. It's a little difficult to see in the photo but it really adds to the effect IRL.


A very simple, but extremely elegant card and one that can be completed in under 5 minutes! It's amazing what a little DESIGNER PAPER can do!!!!


Here are the photos of the wonderful creative space I was priveleged to get to use yesterday. I couldn't get it all in one photo but hope you can see the "L" created by the 3 different works stations.





Thanks for visiting -
and until next time -
Happy Stamping!


Jill

WHAT'S THAT IN DOG YEARS????

My son celebrated his 27th birthday a few days ago and he received this ADORABLE card from his aunt in the mail. I thought it was so cute I wanted to share it with all of you. Not only is the Whipper Snapper Image such a cheerful one - but the color combination is so striking and the layout is perfect for a masculine card. Not to many embellishments - just a few hard metal pieces to say "This is a man card!"

Since I have not had a chance to ask her about the Designer Paper I cannot confirm the Manufacturer - but odds are it's from Stampin Up! The cardstock pieces are definitely from STAMPIN'UP! and are DUSTY DURANGO and REAL RUST. If you haven't put these two colors together yet - DO IT! They are gorgeous together!

I haven't been posting for a while as I've been updating my house a little. This is my "new" living room. What a difference curtains and a plant can make!!!! I love to sit in there now - it feels so warm and cozy - but hopefully I will get back in my studio this week and not "veg out" in my recliner.

VALENTINE'S DAY is just around the corner. Make sure to check out my VALENTINE 2010 set of DIGITAL IMAGES - it's not too late to order them for this year's projects.

I hope you enjoy your day - after a bit a nasty business this morning (a visitation) I am going to my friend, Cindy's house to play all day and then have a delicious meal that she's prepared for my hubby and me in honor or our 28th wedding anniversary!

Thanks for visiting -

and until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill