Butterfly Sympathy

I've needed to send too many sympathy cards already this year. Sympathy cards are no one's favorite to create, but I find it much easier to make any card when I don't need to send one the next day.

There was a recent challenge at PTI to use sequins on a card, so while mine were still out on my desk, I added a few to this card. (Hope they don't add too much bling for this occasion.)

I used Copics for the leaves and a light gray (T1) to outline the vine of the image and was amazed to see how it made the image pop. (Thank you Nichole Heady). Even DH noticed this detail!

Products used:

PTI cardstock; (Gold Vellum - from my stash)

Stamps: With Sympathy, Out on a Limb Sentiments

Die: Love Lives Here Butterfly, Small Scallop border

Other: Copics, Flower Sequins: Impress, Pearls: Kaiser Kraft

Rosie Posie Take Two

I've been on a roll lately, using Rosie Posie again, but this time with the added dimension and detail you obtain by using Rosie Posie 2 Step. PTI has several multi-step stamp sets available now, and any one of these sets lets you feel likes true Artiste! I have been stamping for a long time now and card making has evolved into an art made so much simpler with the use of detailed images like these!

Stamps: Rosie Posie, Rosie Posie 2 Step, A Little Argyle, Tiny Tags
Card Stock: PTI; DP: PTI, Basic Grey
Ink: PTI, Memento

Polka Dot Parade for Easter

Easter weekend in Washington was a gorgeous, sunny and (almost) warm weekend. Washingtonians so appreciate sunny days, and are extremely happy during those first spring days when the thermometer hits 60 or better;  especially those of us on the wet side of the state.(Please don't tell anyone I said this, but it is true about what they say about the weather here. ;)

For Easter cards this year, I shamelessly cased Melissa Bickford and her newest series, Polka Dot Parade #1. As I was having hand surgery on Good Friday, I was pressed for time to get cards done for the grandkids Easter Baskets and these came together pretty quickly. I just love this little bunny! He fits right in with the herd of bunnies I've been collecting for several years,

All products used are from PTI except  Hero Arts Serendipity Alphabet Stamps Set 

and SU Square Lattice Embossing folder.

And my Fenton bunnies kindly agreed to line up for this photo op!

Papertrey Ink March Blog Hop

Welcome back to my blog. I have been away from blogging (though ot crafting) since my sad October post. I still grieve for my sweet Lucy, probably always will.

Today is the Papertrey March Blog Hop. This just feels like the right time to return to blogging.
(FYI: I am just learning to use Apple's iPhoto app on my new MacBook to edit my photos. These are fairly "raw" images which imo need color adjustment. Maybe later :)

Papertrey Ink March Blog Hop - Focus on Sequins 

From Nichole Heady's Blog:

Sequins are popping up everywhere on paper crafting projects and now's your chance to try out this new trend!  With the variety of colors and shapes available, the sky is the limit with the creative possibilities!  Use them to accent the centers of flowers, add them as borders, fill shakers, or create random splashes of sparkle.  We are looking forward to seeing your sequined creations!

And here is my card using a Sequin Flower Kit from Impress which I've had (unused) in my stash for a couple years.  I also could not locate my TH blending tool and had to use those little fingertip blenders, which are not nearly as effective at blending.

Stamps from PTI Out on a Limb. Cardstock and Ink also PTI.

Midori ribbon source unknown.

In Memory of Lucy

Our Sweet Lucy September 5, 2003 - October 22, 2012

Picked from a litter of purebred Aussie pups, Lucy was the only redhead in the group. From a tiny puppy she grew into the most beautiful, most intelligent and loyal companion we've ever known. 

We were blessed to have 9 wonderful years with Lucy, before she swiftly succombed to a

hemangiosarcoma in her liver and/or spleen.

Lucy at around 8 weeks

From age 4-5 months, Lucy was our devoted fishing partner on the Hoh River, which quickly became one of her favorite places to play and explore. On each sunny day we went fishing, she would run up and down those gravel river bars, chasing the shadows of the birds which taunted her from above.
Her excitement grew each time one of us hooked a steelhead, jumping into the river to try to herd the fish to shore.She quickly earned the nickname of "Hoh Dog".
Our last trip out there was just this past September.

We are so happy we had that time with her while she still seemed a healthy dog.

Lucy herding a steelhead, sporting her spring puppy-cut

I miss her so much, 

my heart aches to hear her bark, 

or her little whine when she wanted a treat, 

to feel her silky coat beneath my hand 

as she greeted me at my car when I returned home.

You are missed Sweet Lucy. I know you'll be waiting for me.

So Thankful

I made this card to send to my best friend, my sweet younger sister. She and I are leaving on a girls trip in a couple of weeks  (which she organized). We live about 1-1/2 hours from each other, but with our busy lives, we just don't get to hang out together that often. So we really value our time when we get together. This year we will be hanging in Cabo San Lucas!  I can hear the mariachi band playing from here.

All products used are from PTI, except the flower, (which is pre-made from unidentified source.)

Spooktacular Halloween!

I just love these little guys from Tremendous Treats: Halloween by PTI.  They are so simple to stamp and color, then fussy cut - just like the old days before we even dreamed of home die cutting machines. 15 years ago we would purchase card stock at the corner stamp store in Seattle and pay the store so much per sheet to use their Ellison  die cut machine - mostly small boxes and such that we decorated with stamps. Look at us now - a die cut machine in every crafter's home!

Stamps: PTI Tremendous Treats: Halloween, Ann-ticipations
Cardstock and dot paper: PTI -  Melon Berry, Stamper's Select White, New Leaf
Scallop Die: PTI
Estate Fence Die: Memory Box
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Marker
Googlie Eye: Darcie