Happy Everything!

Since I had the Whimsical Flower Borders set still on my desk from yesterday's card I decided to use it again today. It's a miracle I could find it on my desk among all the other "stuff"! LOL!

I stamped it on a white panel, then colored with Tombow markers in colors to coordinate with the background paper I had chosen. The paper is from a mat stack called The Spring Matstack. I layered the stamped image a couple of times in shades of pink and green. I do like layers!

The butterfly stamp is called Multi-Pattern Butterfly . I colored on the rubber with my Tombow markers, then stamped it twice on a scrap of white cardstock. I cut out the butterflies, trimming the images closely and cutting off the antenna. Then I inked only the antenna of the butterfly and stamped on the decorative paper. I adhered the cut out butterflies over the stamped image. Then I used little jewels for their antenna. Isn't that cute?

The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set called Happy Everything Greetings . There are six stamps in that set, and they are a nice assortment and size which will fit most anywhere.

I really like this card, and I'm pleased with the end result. That doesn't always happen!

Thanks for stopping by.

Joy is where you find it....

Now that I have this little Janome Sew Mini, I had to do something to try it out! And this is my first card with sewing. I know I need some serious practice, but it's a start!

I stamped one of the borders from Hero Arts Whimsical Flower Borders on a large white panel. The image was colored with Tombow markers to coordinate with the background paper.

The butterfly stamp is called Spiral Butterfly . I stamped it on the patterned paper, then cut out all of the image except the antenna. I stamped it again on the white panel then adhered the cut out butterfly over the stamped image on the white panel.

The sentiment is one I really love...and it's suitable for so many occasions. It's called Find Joy . The Tiny Daisy was also stamped on the decorative paper, then cut out and adhered to the sentiment panel.

So....I know this was long. I guess I had a lot to say, huh?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great evening and a happy Monday!

Had to have it!

It's not entirely my fault. I mean....there were just too many enablers out there. And they just wouldn't stop!

It started months ago when I found Julia, and began to stalk (I mean frequent) her blog. I so admired all the stitching she does on her cards. Not long after that I found Trudee and she does beautiful work with a sewing machine. Then, on Friday I was blog hopping and Ellen Hutson had an enabler alert about this cute little sewing machine. I knew it was a sign. So I went to the Hancock's website to order mine for 39.99 with free shipping. I was finally just gonna go for it. After much waiting on the website, getting locked up and and starting over twice, my frustration got the best of me and I decided that it wasn't the sign I was looking for after all.

THEN....yesterday while I was running a few errands I realized that I was within a couple of blocks from the local Hancock Fabric store in Shreveport. I was completely unable to control the steering wheel....it just magically turned and took me there! Much to my surprise, they had this little jewel in stock, on sale, and it was tax free shopping day! So you see....it was just meant to be!

Thanks to all my blogging friends for the enabling, I think?

Roses, Tulips and Mailbox

I tend to like to watercolor to unwind. After a pretty stressful week, that's just what I needed tonight!

I think this Northwoods rubber stamp is just too pretty. Aren't those birds sweet? The stamp is called Roses, Tulips and Mailbox . To me there is just something very serene about it.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. It's my very favorite...and I use it for all things black. It makes a very fine and crisp image every single time.

The stamped imaged was colored using Tombow markers and a Tombow blender pen. I color with my lightest colors first to form a base, then layer over them with medium and darker colors. Everyone has their own technique...but that's mine.

The Prayers sentiment is from Hero Arts, and it's just a must have sentiment for those times when there is nothing else to say.

It can't go without saying how much I appreciate those of you who take the time and effort to leave sweet comments of support. It means a lot to me.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a safe and fabulous weekend!

You'll never guess.....

Who is the Featured Artist today at Distinctive Touches ? Really, you'll never guess this one, so I'm just going to have to tell you. It's meeeeee! When Colleen emailed me earlier this week to ask if she could feature me as an artist on her blog, the answer was a resounding YES! Honestly, how could anyone say no to that? What an honor! I’m still pinching myself!

For those of you who don’t know Colleen, she is a reporter at Craft Critique and a designer for several stamp companies. And she really does a fabulous job of writing. In her article I sound a lot more interesting than I really AM! LOL!

Thanks so much, Colleen! I am humbled…and so very appreciative for your recognition.

Be sure to check out her blog and the article HERE .

I'm so thankful....

Just a quick and easy card for tonight. I am still working on new orders for the store....so time is short.

BUT...this stamp really lends itself to quick and easy. It's from Stampendous and it's called Tall Blossoms .

I know this is a bit of a funky color combination, but I liked working out of my comfort zone (for a change), and just went with the colors of the background paper.

First, I colored on the rubber with my Tombow markers using green for the stems and leaves, and an orangy-red color for the flowers. I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo, but the cardstock I stamped on is a very pale blue. After stamping, I colored the flowers with a blender pen, then used Crystal Stickles Glitter Glue to accent the flowers, as well as the flower centers on the background paper.

The main image was framed with two shades of complimentary Bazzill cardstock, and the corners were punched with an EK Success Concave punch. I used Scotch Foam Mounting Tape to pop up each layer for dimension.

The sentiment was stamped, then punched with my oval punch. I ran the ribbon through a hole in each end to adhere it to the stamped image.

So.......that really sounds like a lot, but it truly was quick and easy.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to leave a comment on a blog...

My friends and customers have often asked how they can comment on my blog. This is for you! And since I will have Dreamy Treats (blog candy) around 20,000 hits, you need to learn how to do this!

1. Below each and every post you will see where it says Posted by Michelle, then the date. Just to the right of the date you will see COMMENTS. If it says 0 comments, then no one has commented. :-( If it says 15 comments, a lot of people had something to say! LOL! Click on comments.

2. A screen will pop up after you click on comments. The top portion is where you write your comment. Below that, it says: Choose an identity. If you already have an account set up, it will show up. If you don’t have an account, you will see OTHER and ANONYMOUS. Choose OTHER. If you choose Anonymous I won’t know who you are when you leave a comment.

3. In the OTHER field there is a place to write your name and the address of your web page or blog, if you have one.

4. Of course, if you want to create an account you can go to Google Accounts and follow the simple instructions. It only takes a minute, and it’s super easy!

So, now you know how to comment. No more excuses! LOL!