"Sweet" Birthday Card

This afternoon I made a birthday card. Because it is getting close to Easter I used one of Inka's collage images with a child sitting on an Easter egg. The background was embossed from a texture plate and then color added to highlight the design.

Both the image and the word "sweet" can be found at Inka Stamps.

Theme Thursday

I am probably a week late, but over at Theme Thursday, the theme was circus. As a child I loved the Merry Go Round so carousel horses have always been one of my favorites and even as an adult I like to climb on and have fun with the youngsters. I didn't see my first circus until we took our own children and at that time the circus that visited our area was not as resourceful or as large as some of the more well known productions.

In any event I made my card and used a circus theme incorporating a carousel horse from Inka Stamps along with the circus elephant from one of her collage sheets, Clown Cuties. The word "Circus" is also from Inka Stamps.

What you can barely see in the background is Inka's harlequin stamp but I wanted more texture so after stamping and embossing in plain EP, I ran the card through my Wizard with the diamond folder. When I mounted the verse and the elephant I used pop dots for a 3-D effect which made the card scan crooked. Sorry about that!

I'm happy with my circus card. It brings back fun memories.

Haiku Bunny Swap

We have an annual Haiku Bunny Swap over at OSA each year and it gets harder and harder to come up with a different design. All of the cards have been posted to their gallery so I can now share my design for this year.

The image was one from Hero Arts and they discontinued it a few years back but another vendor, Peddlar's Pack, has been the current source of the stamp. It is one of my favorites. I don't know if the rumor is correct, but Hero Arts felt the Haiku portion of the stamp was not legitimate. In any event, the calligraphy is for effect and I would have no way of knowing what it says literally which is often the case with my oriental themed projects. I do art for me and for the effect; however, if I am sending a card to an Asian-American I always let them know the calligraphy is for artistic effect; OR, I make certain it says something appropriate.

For the bunny, I used a Pergamano technique and the background was created with images from Inka Stamps.

Not much success growing orchids

For years I have attempted to grow orchids that actually bloom. Either I drown them with water or they lack the right light to survive.

SO . . . I found a rubber stamp and this is the easiest way to have them bloom in our home. I created the background for a mixed media group and the technique will be documented in May and shared here on my blog at that time. The main image was adhered to a very pretty orchid vellum.

Kristin has a Giveaway on her Blog

Kristin at Retro Cafe has added some new products -- laser paper cuts. In honor of the product release, she is offering a giveaway of two packs of the laser cuts and 6 sheets of collage papers of your choice from her store. (scroll down on the NEW category)

Check out her blog to get all of the details, Retro Cafe Art Gallery. These laser cuts would look terrific in an altered book or in a collage. There are keys, crowns, medicine bottles to name a few. Here is a sample of the bottles.

Friends Award Day 3-10

We are suppose to name one blog each day but the weekend is approaching and I know I'll forget so I want to name some of my favorite blogs today with links so that you can be inspired, learn something and enjoy other interpretations of the crafts we enjoy. They are in random order:

Julie K in Taiwan, Blog with the same name

Jen L in Colorado, Jen Lowe Designs

Sonia E in Waukesha, MI, Delicious Art

Maggi G also from Waukesha, From the Art Grotto

Wanda H, from Iowa, Art by Wanda

Brenda M, a California artist, Making Marks

Trish B, from the UK, Trish Bee Design

Allison from Canada, Stampin' When I Can.


I could name so many more, however, these blogs inspire me and over the years I have learned a lot of techniques and how to use products by my association with these wonderful people, some only thru their blogs.

Thanks to each of you.

Award from a friend and talented artist, Lynn Stevens

We are never too old to get excited when we are surprised by the kindness and caring of others. Lynn (Trash to Treasure Art)nominated me to receive this award and in turn I am to select 10 blogs, one each day, of my blog favorites.

Do you realize how difficult this can be?

Here is how it works:
1. The winner of the Award places the logo on her blog. (The easy part)
2. She makes a link to the person who sent the award to her. (Mastered this one, too.)
3. She nominates 10 blogs (one each day). (This is where it gets difficult so not necessarily in order of my favorites, I'll do my best.)
4. She links to these ten blogs.
5. She leaves a message on the blog of the nominees

Day 1. Heather Taylor, Allen's World. Heather creates digital spreads almost every day to capture her son's adventures. Because they currently live on the Oregon Coast, a lot of her digital art incorporates the surrounding landscapes and ocean attractions. Her digital spreads are so gorgeous she should submit them for a coffee table book of the Oregon Coast. Heather has a second blog,Oohlalaartsy, where she features her personal digital kits, cards made and also shares techniques with her readers, plus she designs rubber stamps and maintains a large web site for another group. I hope you will take the time to visit her blogs. They are fun and inspiring.

Day 2. Gayle Page Robak, A Stampers Touch. I have known Gayle through workshops and through various Yahoo groups for a very long time. She is one talented lady from jewelry to cards to book binding to name a few. I selected Gayle for Day 2 because I have admired her talent and have learned a lot from the projects she shares on a daily basis. I also wanted to honor all of the members of Inka's Design Team whose blogs are a daily inspiration. To name each one would fill up the ten slots immediately. You can read about each member at Inka Stamps and view some of their work and also click on the links to the left to view their individual blogs. Also, take the time to view Inka's blog, Inkaland, because she is also included in my list for Day 2.

Thank you, Gayle, I am thrilled to include you in honor of your artistic talents and long friendship and as a representative for Inka and all of the members of her Design Team.