Bookworm!

Hello friends!

I am finally recovered from my cruise and the 7 hour time difference! Oh! and laundry.....soooo much laundry!

I have 3 cards to share with you today using products from Whimsy Stamp's new release.  This adorable Bookworm is from the appropriately titled, Bookworm stamp set.  I did a no line coloring with Copics and a bit of colored pencil.  I stamped the sentiment from the new stamp set, Book Nerd, directly over the image in black ink.  I added the image to this cute Book Die and added the stamping to the spine of the book.  I wanted to add a bit of interest to the background without overwhelming it, so I used the Vintage Script background stamp in Tea Dy ink over a pale pink paper.  Everything was layered and I tied a bit of twine with a vintage button to finish it off.  

My second card uses the same products except instead of the script background, I used the Tweed Cover Plate die.  I also added some leaves using vintage book paper and the Hibiscus Flower die set. I added  a little posy flower. 

My 3rd card uses these gorgeous papers from the new Enchanted Mushrooms paper pack.  I cut out the portion of the paper I wanted using the Book Die and then stamped the sentiment directly over it with Versafine Ink and white embossing powder.  The purple background paper was a water colored piece I had in my stash and I sanded the edges a bit.  I ribbon was tied vertically to finish off the card. 

I will have a few more cards soon using these sets! They are so much fun and slightly addictive. ;)

Have a wonderful day!

If interested, I have a few pics from our trip down below. :)

Some Martini Bar action on the ship.  :)

Naples, Italy......couldn't NOT try the pizza there!

Rome.....who knew I was a saint? ;)

Trevi Fountain, Rome.

 

Whimsy's New Release-Mermaid Meditations

Good morning friends! I have two cards today sharing Whimsy's new stamp set, Mermaid Meditations.  Such a beautiful set!  The first one was colored with Copics and masked off. The background was done with Tim Holtz distress inks. I did a splattering of white paint and added a shadow under her with black pencil.  I used the Wavy Pierced Rectangle die to create the frame and used glossy accents and real sand to cover it. Once dry, I added another coating of glossy accents so the sand wouldn't rub off.  I added a few leaves and flowers from the Hibiscus Flower die set. I stamped the sentiment on a strip of paper and cut it into a banner shape.  

My second card was also colored with Copics and then fussy cut.  I used the flowers and leaves from the Hibiscus die set. The background was done with the Mermaid Scales stencil.   I layered everything and added a couple of hearts from the Slimline Hearts Background Die. 

I haven't shared too many personal things on my blog lately, mostly because I am not sure how many people actually pop in over here.  But I did have to share that Cortney participated in the Artist in All at the Art Institute of Chicago.  This is her 4th time doing it, and each year seems to get better and better.  This is such a bright moment for her.....and us.  She beams and is so proud of herself! Here are a few pics from last night and what her painting sold for. :)

    

 

Whimsy Stamp's New Release

Hello!

Today is Whimsy Stamp's new release day!

Back in May I had to say goodbye to my sweet boy, Skippers.  He was 18 and lived a long healthy life.  Unfortunately, he crossed that Rainbow Bridge. 

This past October we got a new pup and named him Bourbon.  He is a bundle of energy and pretty mischievous.  But he has added some life to our house and I love him to pieces!

For those of you who have lost fur babies or need to send a card to someone who just lost theirs, this set, Rainbow Angel is perfect.  I stamped her on Copic friendly paper and fussy cut her. The paper is part of the Rainbow Bridge collection.  I cut the frame using the new Rainbow Bridge Die set. 

My second card uses the same products, but instead of using only Copics, I stamped the angel on the rainbow paper and cut her out.  I love that her wings and dress are bright and colorful.  I added a touch of glossy accents and glitter to her wings.  

My lil' Bourbon guy. 

Be sure to pop by Whimsy Stamp's for their full release! 

 

I'm BACK!

Did you miss me? I know it's been a bit since I've posted regularly. Brian and I celebrated our 30th anniversary in Europe! (details and pictures below if interested). I am not getting back to "real life."  Back to school soon too! WAAAAAHHH! But it does mean I can find a bit of time to craft. :)  I used Whimsy's new set Banana Bunch.  This lil' guy is adorable! I colored him with Copics.  I added a frame from the Inverted Scallops Rectangle Die set.  The paper is patterned paper is part of the Retro Vibes paper pack.  As a final touch, I added flowers and leaves from the Hibiscus Flower die set. 

Brian and I celebrated 30 years of marriage this year! My dream was to go to Europe....and we did!

We went on a Celebrity Cruise for 10 days and I already miss being there! ;)

It's funny that even on vacation you get into a routine, and we loved visiting the martini bar before dinner.  The bartender was extremely entertaining! 

Our first stop was Ravenna, Italy.  We walked the cobblestone streets and did a wine tasting in one of the old fortresses.  

We saw Santorini, Greece.  Well known for its blue domed churches.  I could kick myself that we didn't plan our wardrobe a little better.  But it was extremely hot and we just kept thinking about comfort and staying cool.  LOL

Our favorite destination was Dubrovnik, Croatia.  We biked, tubed, kayaked, hiked, and had a fantastic lunch. 

It doesn't get much better than kayaking in the Adriatic Sea!

Then there is Mykonos, Greece.  Such a quaint cute town!

This is Little Venice.  We had a cup of coffee while looking out onto the water and people watching. 

So pretty at night!

We stopped for a day in Ephesus, Turkey.  It was the hottest day of the trip (105 degrees!) but so very interesting! We saw the final resting place of the Virgin Mary, and John's Basilica.  The town of Ephesus has so much religious history and our guide, Murat was fantastic!

It was really a dream come true for me, and I am so blessed to have had this opportunity!