Sunflowers and Sawdust...

A RAK for one of my oldest friends Renee.  I've know her since I was a teenager.  She was also a bridesmaid in my wedding.  She loves Sunflowers and has started her own woodworking business...Sunflowers and Sawdust.  I wanted to send her a card to brighten her day!

I started out with Very Vanilla cardstock, stamping SU Chicken Wire in Crumb Cake.  Next I used Hero Arts Woodframes  if Soft Suede (it was slightly bigger than my card base so it was a bit tricky trying to get it evenly on my base layer.  I used My Favorite things Sunflower, Royal Leaves, and Happy Hellos.  Shaded Spruce, Crushed Curry, and Chocolate Chip card stock.  More Mustard ink on the Sunflower and Old Olive in on the Leaves.

Thank you for taking a look at my blog!

Caffeinated Thanks...

I made this for my dear friend Lisa.  She was kind enough to look around her town and find me some corn relish for a recipe that I'm craving.  You can only get it at H-E-B and I don't have one where I live.  Lisa loves her Starbucks coffee...so I made her a coffee card to thank her for the care package and got her a Starbucks gift card.

I started out with a Sahara Sand card base.  I used Echo Park Paper's Homemade paper.  
Stamping Bella's Perk Me Up Peeps stamped on Neenah, with Memento ink, colored with Copics.  I Colored the Peeps to look like me and Lisa.  The one in the dress is Lisa (she's always wearing dresses) and the other one is me.  I paper pieced the latte.  I used a copic around the late and to ground the latte, and a versamagic chalk ink in wheat around the whole image.  I had a new wheat ink pad...my ink went on darker than I liked it so I took a copic colorless blender and thinned it out.  The sentiment it from Krafting Kimmie's Kimmie's Coffee Sentiments.  

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!

Columbian Goddess...

A RAK for a dear friend of mine, Paula.  Paula is one of the kindest and sweetest people you'll ever meet.  She has a heart of gold, always willing to help you out when you need it, volunteer when there's opportunities to do so, and just an all around amazing person.  I'm so thankful to have met her and happy to have her as my friend.  When I saw this image, I knew I had to get it to make Paula's card.  She loves working out, and...well, it reminded me of her too.  Paula's favorite colors are black and white...not colors I'm use to working with but I gave it my best shot.

I used this weeks SC811 for my layout.  I had my hubs print the image for me.  I just discovered Krista Smith Stamps.  She has lots of fun stuff!  I colored her with copics, trying to make her look like Paula (our Columbian Goddess!) the best I could.  Glaze pen on the dumb bells.  I used Echo Park Happy Days Paper and My Favorite Things Happy Hellos die-namics.  Kept it CAS.

Me and Paula and an Air Force Ball.  She looked like a Greek Goddess!

Saying "see you later" is always hard, Paula and her family moved to another base.

Thank you for stopping by!

Hello Friend...

Another RAK for a friend on my facebook.  This one is for Heather.  I play bunco with her.  It's been far too long since I've seen her or played bunco since they're almost always on Friday nights now.  I get up at the crack of dawn to cycle with my teammates every Saturday morning.  Anyhow, her favorite color is purple and she loves roses.  

I started out stamping Fifth Avenue Floral (this is my favorite stamp set, I too love roses!) in Memento ink, on Neenah, then coloring with Copics and fussy cutting it out.  I ran a piece of white card stock through the cuttlebug with the pin dot folder, then again using the biggest oval die.  Next I lined up my black layer, set the next biggest die inside and taped it, then ran it through the cuttlebug and wha-la, my mats line up perfectly.  My Favorite Things die-namics for the leaves in Old Olive.  Denami Design for the sentiment.  I popped my rose up on pop dots to give it some dimension.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Swirly Hello...

I'm trying to make sure to get in my craft room for a little bit each day and work on making RAK's for my friends.  This one is for my brother's girlfriend, Holly.  She loves tie dye and the color green.

l went on pinterest searching tie dye cards.  I came across this beautiful card with a tutorial.  It was a new technique for me so I followed the tutorial step by step.  Mine didn't turn out as beautiful as hers, I definitely need so more practice, but I'm still happy with the results.  I used SU YoYo Yellow, Pink Passion, and Tempting Turquoise markers.  Water color paper, a small spray bottle, heat gun, acrylic board, and painters tape.  After my creation fully dried, I mounted it on Granny Apple Green card stock and used My Favorite Things Happy Hellos for the sentiment.

Thank you for taking a peek at my blog!

You Color my World...

I made this for my amazing hairstylist and dear friend Chelsea.  She's been doing my hair since we lived in Idaho many years ago.  I got lucky that she moved to Arizona!  I'm so proud of all that's she's accomplished!  She now has her own little Salon and is an educator for Paul Mitchel.  I wanted to send her a little card and let her know I was thinking of her on her birthday.  

I used the rainbow die-namic with Melon Mambo, Only Orange, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Pacific Point, Gorgeous Grape, and Real Red card stock.  Happy Hellos die-namic with black card stock.  Flat Bottom Clouds  with with card stock and stickles.  White base, black layer...kept it clean and simple.

Thank you for looking!

Hello Pockets...

Continuing to work on RAK'ing my friends with cards.  This one is for a fun lady, friend, and former teammate of mine, Holly.  I was an assistant for a Tri Coach and one of my duties was to Sherpa for the team during their races.  Holly was racing in the first out of town race that I sherpa'd (is that a word? lol) for.  We had such a blast that trip!  She is an amazing athlete, gives it her all and is just fun to be around.  

I used this week's MFTWSC498.  I'm so proud of myself for creating a card on sketch day and also uploading it on sketch day!  Usually I'm a bit slow at blogging/uploading.  Anyhow, I used MFT Let's Stick Together set and the sentiment from the PI Freckles set.  Sahara Sand and Wheat Varsamagic chalk ink on the bricks, circle frame I made using two circles, scallop die-namic, and some rhinestones.

Me and Holly at Saguaro National Park West.

Thank you for stopping by!

Sabrina Smiles...

I posted on my facebook yesterday that I was updating my address book and if anyone would like a card from me, please send me your address.  Since I was all caught up with my birthday cards for the month, I wanted to RAK everyone with a card who responded to the post.  My sweet friend Sabrina was the first to respond.  She such a sweet gal.  We know each other from our military spouse days.  I was the squadron's key spouse.  She invited me to her graduation, her husband invited me to his ALS Graduation, she's supported me with wearing stripes for Ehlers Danlos Awareness Day and has even brought me Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream when I was on bed rest after a tendon replacement.  I'm thankful to have been there for her and have her there for me as well.

When I was going through my stamps, I saw this Gossmere by Christy Croll from Stamping Bella that I've had for years and never used...I knew I had to ink it up for Sabrina.  I stamped her in memento ink, on Neenah, coloring with Copics.  I have no idea how to do pleats, I just kind of winged it.  I used prismacolored pencils to give a little more shading.  Added a clear star gel pen for detail on the crown.  Sahara Sand and Bermuda Bay Card Stock, sentiment from A Muse, topped it off with some rhinestones.

Me and Sabrina at ALS Graduation, 2014

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Happy Birthday to my Mom by Love...

For my mom "by love"...Cathye is my best friend, Kellye's mom.  She welcomed me into the family with open arms and started calling me her "daughter by love".  I can't tell you how much my heart swells every time I hear it.  I'm truly blessed to be apart of such a loving family.

I was searching for some inspiration on Splicoaststampers when I came across this card and recreated it.  I stared out with a Very Vanilla base.  I used the SU Canvas background stamp with Memento Rich Cocoa and hints of Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  I flipped my base on the stamp and used a brayer over it to get my ink on the card (that way I don't mess up my base because I always end up dropping that big block of wood, lol).  Next I used Denami Design Triple Line Stamp in Crumb Cake on Crumb Cake Card stock.  With a thin line of black and a scalloped piece of Real Red Card Stock using the SU Scallop Punch.  I used SU Markers to color the Rooster from SU's Rustic Rooster, stamping him on Very Vanilla, black, then a Real Red scallop border.  Sentiment is from SU Very Versailles set.  Hodgepodge hardware, linen thread, and random ribbon. 

Mom and me on the Queen Mary awaiting to board our cruise...

Which didn't happen until the next day due to a coronavirus scare.

We were the last Carnival Cruise to set sail.  

My first cruise and what a crazy adventure it was!

Thank you for looking!

Happy Birthday Linden...

I made this for my sweet dear friend, teammate, and co-ride leader, Linden.  She is always so positive, encouraging, and always, always has a smile on her face.  She is always willing to swap Rile Leader cycling duties for our GABA group rides...she loves to climb and I love to descend.  Right now we only get to "see" each other on Zwift...I sure to miss her smiling face!!!  

I saw this beautiful card on pinterest and thought I'd like to try and recreate it.  I didn't do it justice.  I tried the watercolor paper technique, it was a bit of a learning experience for me.  I used SU Beautiful Friendship.  I took watercolor paper, spritzed it with water.  When the water was almost dry, I stamped the hydrangeas in Strawberry Slush.  When it was dry, I stamped it again.  Then stamped the leaves in Granny Apple Green.  Strawberry Slush and black card stock, finished it off with a sentiment and some sequins.

  

Linden, me, and our other co-ride leader, Carolyn.

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Have a wonderful week!

Habanero Thank You...

Hubs took my car in for an oil change before our trip to Idaho to see our daughter, son-in-law, and granboys and came home with a brand new Habanero Orange Jetta for me.  If you know me, you know this is the color of car I've been wanting for 2 years now.  In the picture it looks a bit red, but it's orange with some gold shimmer to it.  I made a thank you for the finance guy, Nathaniel.  He had me pick out a shirt when I came to pick up my car after it was tinted and the ceramic coating was put on it.

  I've had this VW Symbol stamp for years from Viva Las Vegas Stamps.  If you're ever in Las Vegas and have time, I highly recommend going.  It's right off the strip, a little hard to find but it is such a fun and quirky stamp store.  You never know what you are going to find in there.  Anyhow, I stamped the VW Symbol in Smoky Slate card stock as my vision started out one way and went another...I used a clear star gel pen to highlight the symbol and a glaze pen to fill in the shadows.  Layered it on Only Orange card stock that has carrot smooch, pop dots for dimension.  Next I used the A2 Stitch and High Rise Lower Case Alphabet die-namics from My Favorite Things and ran it through the cuttlebug.  Then I took a piece of Only Orange card stock and colored it with carrot smooch and put it behind the thank you.  Mounted it on a black card stock base and wha-la...  

Most expensive oil change ever, ha!

Thank you for stopping by.
Enjoy the rest of you Sunday.

Happy 50th Hubs!!!

I told my hubs I'd take him anywhere he wanted to go to celebrate his 50th birthday...with COVID, however I told him we may have to postpone travel and have a late celebration.  A month before his birthday he finally told me where he wanted to go...to Idaho to visit our daughter and grandboys!  Talk about melting my heart!!!  We ended up celebrating the 4th of July, hubs 50th, and our youngest grandsons 4th birthday during our trip there.  We had such a great time!!!

My Favorite Things Sunny Vibes is my new favorite stamp set.  I just love that little bus and surfboard.  Hubs favorite color is blue and mine is orange so I knew I wanted that color scheme.  I used Night of Navy, Only Orange, and Crumb Cake card stock with the snow drifts die-namics and versamagic Sahara Sand chalk ink to create the sand.  The main image I used Wonky Stitches die-namic, put the palm tree behind the sand and popped the bus up on pop dots to create lots of dimension to the card.  I used All the encouragement stamp set...then cut it out because I forgot I bought the coordinating die-namic, ha!!!  I stamped Happy Birthday from the MFT Big Greeting set and used the Little Numbers die-namics for the 50 and colored it with copics.  I masked out all the letters in Happy Birthday except the th to make 50th.  

Me and my hubs on his 50th birthday.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Birthday to my Father-in-Law...

I have the most wonderful father-in-law there is.  I no longer have a father, or step father, both have passed away from cancer within a year of each other several years ago.  My father-in-law, Carl stepped up during that difficult time in my life and saw the need to be there for me.  I love the bond that we have, our chats, phone and facetime conversations (especially when he needs facebook help, ha!) but I especially love that he treats me like his daughter and calls me so.  I'm so thankful for all the love and support he has given me (and my hubs)...we are truly blessed.  And funniest thing of all...he called for facebook help while I was making his birthday card, haha...I kept giggling every time he asked what I was doing!  

I fell in love with this My Favorite Stamp set, Sunny Vibes.  I started out stamping the images on neenah, using the coordinating die-namics, then coloring them with copics.  Next I used MFT Wonky Stitch die-namic, then masked to make the sand with versamagic chalk ink in Wheat and Sahara Sand.  Then I masked to make the water in versamagic chalk ink in Seabreeze and Turquoise Gem, and SU Tempting Turquoise.  I masked again for the sun and sky using Daffodil Delight and Tempting Turquoise.  I used Copic opaque white pot for the foam on the water.  Sentiment is from the Sunny vibes set.  Crumb Cake card stock, and square punch to make the banner.

Hubs, MIL, FIL, and me on one of our visits to see them in San Diego a few years ago.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy 4th Birthday Tanner!!!

Happy 4th birthday to our youngest grandson, Tanner!  This year we were able to be in Idaho to celebrate his birthday with him.  He's been in speech therapy and is talking so much now.  Tanner's a ball of energy and has quite the personality.  We sure enjoyed our visit with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandboys.

Tanner had a "theme" of presents this year from us...fishing and camping related.  I had some Riley stamps I was trying to decide upon when I came across this card on Splitcoaststampers.  I knew I had to try to recreate the card.  Niki gives step by step instructions on how to create the card on her blog.  I tried my best, but her creation is simply beautiful.  I used Pacific Point, Poppy Parade and Soft Suede cardstock, red ribbon, hodgepodge hardware, and followed Niki's tutorial for my image panel.  

Happy 4th birthday Tanner!

Tanner and me.

Me and Tanner.

Thank you for looking!

Happy Birthday Ken...

I made this for a dear friend of mine, Ken for his birthday.  We always have a great time when we're together.  Since COVID, I haven't been able to see him and his wife Shirey and cycle with them.  I sure do miss our days of getting out on the bike together and having some laughs.

All of my stamps are from Stamp Out.  I got them from the stamp show we use to have here in town.  We no longer have one...I'm bummed, I use to volunteer at it every year.  Anyhow, I used Copics on it for my first time (usually I color it with colored pencils).  It took me a bit longer to get the shading and coloring just the way I wanted.  I used Soft Suede and Blackberry Bliss cardstock and Hodgepodge hardware.

Shirey, me, and Ken after cyling 100 miles in El Tour de Tucson.

Me, Ken, and Shirey taking a break cycling up Mt. Lemmon, Arizona.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Kamryn...

I use to be a Key Spouse when my hubs was in the military (almost retired for 2 years now).  I met a sweet lady, Charla during that time who was also a Key Spouse.  It's been awesome to see her little family grown over the years.  Her little one is turning 6 ( it doesn't seem possible!) and since all the social distancing with COVID 19 going on, she reached out and asked if her friends could send Kamryn a card since she wasn't able to have a party.  I of course said I would make her a card.  

Kamryn loves cats and teal.  I started out with Denami Design Cat, stamping in memento ink, coloring with copics then using a circle punch and scalloped circle punch.  I used pop dots for dimension.  Crumb Cake, Echo Park So Happy Together paper, Bermuda Bay and My Favorite Things Happy Birthday Circle Frame Die-Damic.  Topped it off with ribbon from Denami Design.  Happy 6th Birthday Kamryn!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Hope you have a Happy 4th of July!