Getting Back to Cards

Hope everyone had a joyous holiday! Now that the season is winding down, I am back to creating cards.  I needed a graduation card but found I didn't have any appropriate stamps.  So, I went to the computer and downloaded a free digi.  I normally do not use digis because it is my personal philosophy that all images need to be heat embossed.  If I stamp it, I heat emboss it.  And digis from the computer do not allow for embossing.  Or do they?  I remembered from years ago a neat embossing pen that I have not used in ages.  The main reasons are: 1) I don't use digis and 2) I was never happy that using the embossing pen over white or yellow or other light colors changed the color I had wanted.  That was because the Versi-mark and Zig embossing pens have a light blue ink and when used over other colors, change that color.  After a bit of research, I found Ranger embossing pens that have a clear ink and DO NOT change the color of the image or underlying colors.  So, now when I need to do spot embossing, it is easy enough.  Here is a picture of my digi:  on the left, straight off the computer.  On the right, the tassel and bow are embossed.  I decided not to emboss the whole image, but to have these two items "pop".  Not the best picture, but you can tell how shiny the tassel and bow are, right?

Here is the card I made:

Because the upper half of the card has a circular design, I chose to round the top corners to give the card some continuity.  The bottom corners I left alone to match the bottom design.  And of course, since I needed to line the inside of the card, the liner matched the outer overall design.

TIP OF THE DAY:  Embossing pens are fun and very convenient for spot embossing.  The Versi-Mark and Zig pens have a blue ink and therefore, change the color you are embossing.  The Ranger pens do not.

Hope you can see the blue under-tones on the left.  The yellow is more an off green and the white is now pale blue.  The samples on the right remain true to the original colors.  I found my Ranger pens on Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by!  

Hugs, Jill

Ugly Sweater Cookies

Happy Holidays!  Now that I have all the cards mailed out to the various hospitals and charities, I am spending a little time actually getting ready for the holidays!  One of my nieces had an Ugly Sweater Party last night, so I helped make cookies for her guests.  I do love baking....

Hope these brought a smile to your face and heart.  Have a safe holiday!  

Hugs, Jill

Holiday Cheer

Ah, something new today - nothing to do with cards.  After years of not putting up a tree, I decided to go back to my traditions and put one up.  I use an artificial "Charlie Brown" tree and this year hung my bread dough ornaments.  These are from the late 70's - yes, that is 1970 - when I was a single mom and making a few extra dollars by selling home crafted bread dough ornaments.  Remember that craft phase?  I couldn't believe how well these are holding up after all these years.  Hope you enjoy a bit of nostalgia.  I certainly did.  These ornaments brought back so many wonderful memories.  You can't help but smile when your heart is filled with joy:

 

                                                  Thanks for letting me share a few memories. 

My TIP FOR THE DAY is to de-stress your holidays so that you can enjoy the moment.  Simplify.

                                                                        Hugs, Jill

Happy Turkey Day

   To all my family, friends and followers:

Hugs,  Jill

Penny's Cards

Today I would like to share some of Penny W's cards.  She is a true artist who uses her talents to make the most interesting cards.  I know my photos will not do them justice - take my word for it, they are outstanding.

I am guessing at her techniques, but it appears she inked or painted a background and then drew the flower-like images on top of her colors.  It gives such a unique look to her card.

In this one, she definitely inked or painted her background, stamped her image and then did the zentangle technique.  Lots of work for a gorgeous card.

Here, she used stamps to create this look.  I love how Penny thinks outside the box and comes up with such fabulous creations.  These could easily be framed and enjoyed as art work.

 Last but certainly not least, I love Penny's collages.  This is a technique I love but have never quite mastered. I love her colors, her layering, everything about this card.  Such talent!

Thank you, Penny W. for allowing me to show off your creative cards.

And now for the TIP OF THE DAY:  It is amazing how much difference the weight of the cardstock used for the card base makes.  I use the 110 lb. paper from Michael's.  It is quite sturdy and the finished look and feel of the card is very professional.  Although it costs $14.99 per package, Michael's usually has a 50% coupon, sometimes even a 60% coupon.  I never buy the paper at full price.  ALWAYS use a coupon.  

SECOND TIP OF THE DAY:  Sign up for Michael's Rewards program.  You can do it as you check out and that is how I get so many 50% coupons.  About every 5-6 weeks, I also get 60% coupons.  It is free and well worth the 2 minutes it takes to sign up.  You're welcome!

Hugs, Jill

Barbara's Cards

A big thanks to Barbara R. for sending these wonderful fold-out cards for Send a Smile 4 Kids.  She puts so much hard work and love into her cards.  And patience...  I just love these examples!

TODAY'S TIP is not so much a tip as just a bit of information I'd like to share:  I make cards for other charities as well as Send a Smile 4 Kids.  Right now I am making cards for an organization that sends blank cards to deployed military units in danger zones around the world so that they can write home to loved ones.  If any of you would like to donate cards to this charity as well, please contact me so I know your cards can be used for either SAS4K or Operation Military Exchange.  Thank you one and all for donating your time and talents to others.  I love sharing smiles, don't you?

Hugs, Jill

Adorable cards from Connie M.

Connie M. is a wonderful card maker who is a repeat donor to Send A Smile 4 Kids.  Her designs are so cute that I wanted to share them.  I especially love the way she hand sews on her cards to add texture and variety.  Look how creative these are!

 And check out these boxes!  Connie put so much time and love into these, they are actually miniature works of art.  I can only image the big 'ol smile on the child's face as they open these cards.

These are just a few of the adorable cards Connie sent in.  I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.  It was a lot of fun to open her box and see all of her creations.

TIP OF THE DAY:  Did you know these cards can be sent via "Media Mail".  During the holidays, it will take a few extra days to arrive, but the cost is so much more reasonable than Priority.  So, if you can plan ahead and mail them allowing a few extra days for delivery, it will save you quite a nice piece of change.  Money that can be spent on more supplies!!!

Hugs, Jill

Activating my Blog

Nov.8, 2017

Good morning.  I have had several requests to activate my blog, so here goes.  It will be short and sweet, with sample cards and a "Creative Tip" for each post.

As some of you know, I am a volunteer card maker for Send A Smile 4 Kids, a charity that provides blank greeting cards to children in the hospital.  Today, I am working on Winter "Words of Encouragement" cards.  These can be used now until probably through March.  Here are a few I have created:

TODAY'S TIP addresses "Tucking an envelop" for a card.  There are several ways to do this, and if you are sending cards to a SAS4K volunteer, you might ask how they like their envelopes included.  Here is how I prefer my donors to help me by tucking them inside .... it allows easy access for me to make sure they are labeled on the back or to stamp them if they are not.

                                                                        My card:

The inside with a liner taped in:

The back of the card with my stamp and the Send a Smile 4 Kids logo:

The envelop sitting inside the card, flap down:

The closed card with the envelop inside, ready to be boxed:

Thank you for stopping by today.  Hugs - Jill