My New Favorite

EEEP!!!!

This card, which evolved slowly from the ombre panel of blues I didn’t know how to use, is now my favorite. 

The boldness of the blue practically glows off the white background. The ink is Hero Arts ombre blues, and the butterfly dies are from Poppy Stamps. The crisp clean style of this card warms the cockles of my heart. 

Then, I made another card using the scraps of the blue panel. It doesn’t make me quite as happy because it’s a little busy, I like the way the leaves hug the sentiment about hugs. That’s pretty cool. 

A fun day overall crafting!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,

Susan

Variations

One of my favorite crafty self-challenges is “variations on a theme.” It makes me feel better about having so many products because, let’s face it, I have a problem addiction passion for products. 

I keep a bin under my desk for products I’ve used to death or can’t quite like anymore. A few months ago, all my Hero Arts ombre inks went into that bin. I already have over a dozen Kaleidacolor ink pads, and they seem to work better anyway. 

Yesterday, I pulled one of those Hero pads out of the Bin of Doom and applied the ink direct to paper. It looked stunning! So I made this card.

The thinking of you die and sentiment stamp are from Hero Arts, and the butterfly dies are from Poppy Stamps. I liked the effect so much that I pulled all the ink pads out and made samples with them. Some looked better than others…the darker color combos went back into the Bin of Doom. 

Then, I applied the same concept to a very different color scheme. 

The black card stock is speckled with iridescent watercolor in gold and pink. It reminds me a bit of the 1980s. 

For a third variation, I tried something other than butterflies with the tide pool ombre ink. It looks a little cramped but fun, nevertheless.

Stamps and dies from Hero Arts. It’s been a Hero-Arts-intensive variation. 

___________________

On a completely different note, my hair grows fast, and the chemo curl is completely gone (yay), leaving me with very straight, coarse locks. My hairdresser, Tracey, had an accident, was hospitalized for 5 days, had three surgeries, and still has broken ribs. I’d intended to get my hair cut two months ago, but she was (obviously) unavailable. Several people, including my husband who does NOT like long hair, suggested I try a different hairdresser. 

Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels that would be cheating on Tracey. No way! 

So Tracey is now back at work, limited in that she cannot comfortably wash hair right now, but she can cut it. She took about three inches off mine. 

The curls didn’t last long, despite the fact Tracey used half a bottle of setting spray. Like I said, my hair is naturally straight, sort of like the rest of me, LOL! But this length suits me better anyway. George still thinks it’s too long, but he’s wrong. 

Men.

Mercy, grace, peace, and love, 

Susan 

Thanks to Eddie and Donna!

Eddie and Donna sent boxes of cards for Karen’s Card Shop. Many, many thanks! Even with their generous donations, we are still in need of sympathy and get well cards, if anyone has some of those to contribute. Otherwise, we should be good for a while.

I am blown over by the generosity of so many of you. I take every opportunity to sing your praises when I get positive feedback about the shop…which is just about every time I’m at church!

Today’s cards showcase some of the embossing folders I bought from Simon Says Stamp during their recent sale. Love these folders so much because they add just the right amount of interest for the white-on-white designs I favor. 

White on white benefits from texture! 

Mercy, grace, peace, and love, 

Susan