Grungy Monday done by Tuesday!

Did you notice the title? That's right! It's Tuesday as in the day after Monday when Linda at StudioL3 issued the latest Grungy Monday challenge and I am posting a project!  Woo Hoo!  Guess my mojo from last week is still with me!

The instructions for Challenge 7 were to go to the Ranger Ink website for a demo on Distress Ink Color Blocking Technique from the master himself, Tim Holtz!

I guess I've been living under a rock or something because this is another "Tim" technique that I had never tried before.  It was fun, quick and easy!  And it looks great!    The bear was stamped, cut out and adhered with foam tape.  His hat was cut free-hand.

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(After I took the picture, I decided to add strings with a black glaze pen to the inside balloons!)

I am so glad Linda is hosting Grungy Monday, it's getting me out and about! If you haven't tried Grungy Monday Challenge yet, drop by Linda's and give it a try!

Hope your week is fabulous!

Linda

In the comments Plume wondered how I did it.
Assuming that was not a rhetorical question, here's what I did for the bear:
Since I really struggle with blending the "traditional ways" (i.e., markers or pencils), I cheated.  I stamped the image on manilla cardstock, then with a blending tool lightly colored the entire bear (including the bow) with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, next I lightly went over most of it with Vintage Photo, then Walnut Stain around the outer edges and "recessed" areas.  After I cut him out, I went over the edges with Walnut Stain DI too.  I stamped a partial image of the bear just making sure I had the entire bow .  Using the blending tool I covered everything in Broken China DI.  After I cut the bow out, I went around the edges with Faded Jeans DI before gluing it on the bear. I went over his eyes and nose with a black Sakura Glaze pen.  I added a tiny white (Sakura Glaze) dots to each eye too. Quick and easy!


Stuff I used: 
PAPER: Inkssential Manilla cardstock (have I mentioned I LOVE this stuff?), card base unknown 
INK: Ranger Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire, Rusty Hinge, Victorian Velvet, Tumbled Glass, Pine Needles, Dusty Concord, Crushed Olive, Broken China, Frayed Burlap, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain), Stazon Ink (Ultra Marine)
STAMPS: JudiKins Stamp (Bear), Studio G Alphabet Stamps (#VS4191), Hero Arts "Sunny Birthday" Stamp 
ADHESIVES:  Micracle tape, Ace double side mounting tape, Zig 2-way glue, Studio Mat Medium
MISC: Blending Tool, Craft Mat, Sizzix Balloon die, small bit of yarn, Sukura Glaze pen

Details, details, details

With the wedding less than 3 weeks away, my life is ruled by details!  Details also happened to be the LAST challenge from A Compendium of Curiosities hosted by Linda at Studio L3.  For our final challenge we were instructed to turn to page 67 for Design Details.

Design details come in all shapes and sizes.  Here is a project I created in a Tim class in June 2009 using the techniques in the book.

Other design details are not quite so obvious as the stitching, unless you have something to compare it to.  Do you ever play the "can you name the differences between the pictures" game?  Well here's your chance! There are differences or design details added to the 2nd photo!  

Don't worry, I will give the answers!  The card on the right are the ones I made for my daughter to use as "thank yous" for her shower.  (Her shower was a tea party with everyone getting dressed up including hats!  It was great fun!)

I did it!  I made all 35 challenges and posted for each week!  My journal is not completely up to date, but there is a project for each week waiting to be added!

When Linda at StudioL3 announces the winner of the 35th CCC she is going to announce something else too! Make sure you take a look at her blog (she has hints on her week 35 project!).

Have a fabulous week!

Linda

The answers to the differences -
1) the tea cup on the right has a gold added around the rim of the cup and saucer as well as the cup handle
2) the edges of the white square are inked with Tumbled Glass distress ink
3) the edges of the light blue mat (under the white square) are inked with Faded Jeans distress ink
4) the "thank you" strip is placed higher on the card
5) lace under the thank you strip
6) the edges of the "thank you" strip are inked with Tumbled Glass distress ink
7) the edges of the mat under the "thank you" strip are inked with Faded Jeans distress ink

Another 2 for 1

This time it's a tag for the Let's Ink It Up and the combined Simon Says Stamp and Show and Simon Says Stamp "Stamp-tember Hop" challenges!   Both challenges have some terrific prizes!  Hurry on over and check them out!  Then create and post your project (on the above sites) for a chance to win!


Let's Ink It Up's theme is Tags and/or Bookmark with a TWIST!  The twist is it must have a Vintage feel!  The Simon Says combined theme is Holiday Fun (any format!)

I used Tim Holtz tree stamp on a #8 tag, Distress Ink, Distress Embossing powder (in Pineneedles and Vintage Photo - front tree only), Sno-cap dabber, Hero Arts "dot pattern" stamp, Alteration ticket die, Christmas ticket stamp from Tim's 100th stamp collection, a mini paper clip (idea-ology) and red organza ribbon from my stash.

Take care and have an awesome week!

Linda

My first Grandbabies picture! And 1 ATC - 2 challenges

As I mentioned in my last post I was waiting for my daughter, Kristine, and her fiance, Randy.  They FINALLY made it  here about 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon!  We had a fabulous, but busy weekend.  Friday we checked out a couple wedding venues and got ready for the party on Saturday afternoon.   I think there were 36 of us (including kids) to celebrate their engagement!   

My grandbabies are THE cutest sweethearts you could imagine!  I had a blast spoiling them this weekend!   On Saturday morning, Izzy & my oldest daughter, Erinn, were playing, as I was walked past Izzy looks at me and says "Grandma Linda, I love you!"  Of course, she has Grandma Linda (that is still a little weird to me, but in a good way! lol) wrapped around her little finger! lol.  On Sunday morning there was a quiet little knock on our bedroom door, when I said "who is it?" Brandon answered "me, can I please come in?"  How is one resist the sweet little guy, so he got to come in and snuggle with Grandma! (He might have Grandma Linda wrapped around his little finger too! lol) I could go on and on about Brandon & Izzy, but I will spare you, at least for now! lol 

Pictured is Brandon, Randy, Kristine & Izzy!

A couple of weeks ago, when the CC challenge was inking grunge I created this ATC with the Gingersnap Creation Color challenge - Yellow, Orange & Red (GC #64)  in mind.  I did not even think about challenge #63 - Sunshine until I looked at the ATC this evening and compared it to my list of challenges!

Here's my 1-fer-2 ATC! It's made on grungeboard with Distress Ink, an Idea-ology corner, some miscellaneous beads and I believe the sun is from a package of Colorbok chipboard dies with added ink on the rays!

Hope your weekend was FABULOUS!

Take care!

Linda

Inspiration from Paula's "disappearing" post

I think it was a week or two ago that Paula posted an ATC she had created.  I really liked her "Under the Sea" ATC.  In fact, I liked it so much I was inspired to create an ATC of my own!  

Today I saw she had an update so I went to check it out her art work.  There was no art work, just a message saying the "Under the Sea" post had disappeared.  Oh NO!!  Actually it isn't bad at all, she had to remove the post because she received word it is being published in Scrapbook News and Review!!!  Congratulations Paula, I am SUPER excited and proud of you!  Way to go!

Here is my version of "Under the Sea" (other than both are "ocean" ATCs, mine and Paula's look nothing alike!)

The background on mine is made from paper towels I had used to wipe up excess Distress Ink after "smooshing"!  I used Claudine Hellmuth's multi-medium to adhere the paper towel to the ATC backing.  The sand is some "Cabana" MuddPuddles I won at Scrapbook Update a couple of months ago.  The seaweed was made out of some leftover  paper (glossy cardstock with alcohol ink) from Charlene's book. I used  Distress Ink (not sure which green) on the seaweed stamp and then cut it out.  The fish is a rubon (don't remember the brand and she was the last one so I threw the package out)  The shells and "inspire" are more things from my stash.

One of these days, I am going to have to suck it up,  be brave and submit projects for publications. 

Take care,

Linda

Trip Planner

If you read the comments on this post, Charlene was right.  She knows the secret and it's all hers! 

It all started with a simple plan based on some light harassment.   The "light harassment" came from me, not that I make it a habit to harass or tease you understand.  It was just an odd moment for me, really.  The recipient was Charlene!

Charlene & I were talking about the cruise and things that we needed to do, plan, prepare, etc.  She said something about making lists and having everything planned out so she knows what she is doing and when she is supposed to do it. As she says, she is not the spontaneous sort. Me on the other hand, I can go either way, plan it or wing it. . . once the  vacation is planned and I know the general plan, I usually switch to wing it mode.  One thing lead to another (this was over a couple of weeks) and I told her to hold off on a planner.  This was probably sometime in June.

Luckily for me, Charlene had a trip to ComicCon a couple of weeks ago, so that was distracting her (at least I hope it was) from the fact I hadn't come through with the planner.  Since she got back, I reminder her not to get a planner.  I have worked on it steadily, but it just kept growing, and Growing and GROWING!!!   Even as I was putting finishing touches on it Sunday, I thought of and added 2 more elements!

I am happy to say on Sunday, August 1, she finally got her planner!  The original idea was to buy a binder, alter it a bit and hand it over.  That lasted as long as it took me to go to a couple of stores, looked at what was available, and decide that I  could use my bind-it-all and make something much better.  Simple, but better.

I started with a composition book and tore it apart - literally.  I wanted the covers for the journal.  I covered the front with grungepaper AFTER I applied the CCC Week 4 technique to it.  I also ran the (horizontal) center through my  Sizzix "Burlap" Texture Fade, added the label, dusted off my Fastenator, applied some alcohol ink to the fastener and came up with this. 

Not all the tabs are visible, but there are 16, one for each day we are gone plus one to get "ready", "set", and "go".  Don't worry, I am not showing  you everything, just my favorites. . . I will leave some for Charlene to show on her blog too!   Like I said, the planner kept growing, and there are not bind-it-all wires that are big enough, so then the plan was to use Tim's "D-rings".  Guess what? They weren't big enough either.  I ended up using  "giant" (3" binder) rings!

In addition to each tab, I included a pocket on the back of each tab, at least 4 pages for notes and journaling, confirmations we have already received (i.e., ship's itinerary) and a page for photos.  One other feature, since this is a rather "lumpy" book and writing in would be difficult, I made a portable "writing table" that can be slipped under the page she is writing on!

Even though it took me forever to complete, it was a fun project!  I used lots of techniques, some tried and true like "smooshing" (distress ink & water or alcohol inks on the craft mat then smoosh the paper into it)  and some new techniques like the page above with the ship.  For that page I lightly painted the paper in a couple of colors, wiped it off,  then stamped, then added a couple of collage elements. 

The "real" reason I made it for Charlene is so she will have all the details and I won't have to remember anything except to have fun!

So now you know what the "secret" project that kept me MIA!  If I am mostly MIA for the next couple of weeks, I will be getting ready for my youngest daughter's engagement party!   Hope you have a fabulous week.

Linda

PS - Watch Charlene's blog for more of the journal, but she may wait until we are back from the cruise as she said she'd show it a page at a time after she filled it up.

With hours to spare

With hours to spare I completed an entry for the 2nd week of CCC at Studio L3!   Nothin' like working under a deadline!

I started a project earlier in the week, it just wouldn't come together.   In an effort to create something for the challenge this week, I created this ATC.  The background is a Kleenex box, the flower is out of grungepaper/board "leftover" from Tim's birdcage die. For the flower I misted Mustard Seed re-inker mixed with Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls. For the stem and leaves I used Forest Moss  Distress Ink directly on the paper then misted with Peeled Paint mixed with Blue Smoke Perfect Pearls.  The sentiment (Great Impressions) was stamped in Staz-on Jet Black Ink.   The lady bug is from my stash.  Everything was attached  with Glossy Accents.

Hope you all a great weekend!  Have a fabulous week!

Where does time go?

It seems like just a week or two ago I mentioned I was working on a new type of card (at least a new one for me).  It was actually over a month & half ago that I mentioned the new type of card.  Where does time go?

My first ever easel card was inspired by Tim Holtz' cards he created for the Hero Arts Blog Hop back in December 2009!   I created the background using the "smoosh" method (distress ink on the craft mat misted with water).   I used Hero Arts' "Dandelion Frame" with water misted distress ink.  Not sure who made the "happy birthday" stamps, no labels.  The metal butterfly is inked with alcohol ink. . . it was on clearance and intended for stepping stones and is  from JoAnn's, (the label is gone).

The second card was created using Hanko Designs quilting pattern, papers and charms!  The card base is core'dination paper.  It was really a fun card to make.  I love the quilting!   The sentiment stamp is Hero Arts' "Birthday and Always".

What new technique or style have you tried lately?

Have fun and play!

Linda

Dreams!

The other night I had a dream, which according to experts is not unusual. It something that everyone does,  but usually once I wake up, if I a m lucky, I vaguely remember fragments of a dream but not much else.  Remembering the outcome of a dream several hours later is unheard of for me, but that's what happened.   

Before I show you the results of my dream, let me back-up a bit and give some background.  I bought Tim's "Caged Bird" die when it was first available and sent some die cuts to a couple of ladies who live overseas.  I did not send them all the "leftover" pieces (the pieces from between the bars of the cage).  I used a variety of paper, including grungeboard and grungepaper.  I had lots of them and I couldn't throw them away, I just knew I would use them "someday".

Then I had my dream.  I didn't even remember the dream until after I was up for a bit and went into my studio.  As soon as I sat down, it came back to me. . .well the end results came back to me at least.   This is what I was compelled to create:

The first is a card front using the "leftovers"  from the top cage as are the leaves, the stem is leftover from the bottom of the cage.  I am not sure if is completed yet, time will tell.  The second project is an ATC using leftovers from the bottom of the cage as a background.  All the leftovers are grungeboard, except for the stem which is grungepaper. All the ink is Distress Ink, except for the stamp which is Archival Jet Black. The stamp is from the "Visual Artistry - Flights of Fancy" set.  The spinners, washers, brads, jump rings and foliage are all from Tim's Idea-ology line.  The clock face is leftover from a project we did on the cruise; I think it is Heidi Swapp.   The gems and the heart lock are from my stash.

Sweet Dreams!

Linda

A few weeks ago Charlene told me about a project she was working on.   Her church is having a beach party today (June 6) and she was in charge of the favors.  She wanted the favors to be picture frames.  She had a good idea of what she wanted and could even "see" them, but wasn't quite sure how to get there.  To keep with the theme of the party she wanted something "beachy" but not tropical.  She wanted to use dominos with alcohol inks. She wanted to know if I would help.   Are you kiddin' me?  Of course I want to PLAY!  All that ink PLUS spending time with Charlene - that has the makings of a fantastic day!

Last Saturday (May 29)  morning Charlene brought over stacks of glossy finish photo frames (75 to be precise),  some dominos, some Perfect Pearls,and some distress ink ! She wanted a little sparkle on the frames.  We tried perfect pearls, straight - not enough color.  We tried perfect pearls with water and painted it on - more color, but still not enough.  We tried adding Distress ink with a blending tool, we tried alcohol ink, we tried lots of combinations.  (The backs of the frames also had the same glossy finish, so the experiments continued on the back.) 

We ended up using one of my favorite techniques. . .applying Distress Ink to a craft mat, spritzing with water (and perfect pearls) and smooshing!  (That's Charlene getting ready to smoosh!)  We ended up with 2 color combinations - one pastel, one bright.

For the dominos, we lined 78 (more or less)  dominos on two craft mats, inked up the inking tool - one with bright colors and the other with light colors.  We were done in about 5 minutes.  Then we inked up the lighthouse stamps (I think they are Stampin' Up) and stamped half the dominos with each stamp.  (That took us a little longer than 5 minutes, lol!)

A fantastic day it was, but  it was time for Charlene to go home and take all the pieces with her. We did more that just play  -  we took a field trip to Stampers' Corner, picked  up a birthday cake for her daughter, dropped off the cake at her house and went out to lunch.

Charlene assembled all the pieces by herself  (and with her permission) here they are, well two of them anyway:

Didn't she do a fabulous job?  I love the "light" in the light houses!

Have you heard?

Ranger Ink started a blog!  And they are on Facebook and Twitter too!  You can check out their blog here!  This is so exciting!  I found the link from Tim's site where he hinted they may have some random prizes, so while you are there, be sure to leave a comment.

It's a rare project of mine that does not have a Ranger product on it.  The product I use most often is definitely Distress Ink, but I think my absolute favorite is Alcohol Ink. I LOVE the AI colors, especially the brights!  Sail Boat Blue AI is my kind of blue! What's your favorite Ranger product?

For Aunt Mary

My Aunt Mary's 90th birthday is coming up later in the month and my cousin, Eileen, is having a small party for her.  Eileen asked the guests to create an 8 x 8 pages for a memory book. Here's my contribution. . .

The barn, silo and tractor are some old PSX stickers I had.  The background is Distress Ink.  The tree trunk is stamped with Hero Art's "Designer Wood Grain" stamp using Distress Ink. 

The lower left is lacking something and I was going to ask you for ideas, but as I type this, I realized I did not really leave any room on the tree to sign it.  I think I will "scratch" Happy Birthday and sign our names in the area on the left.  Whaddya think?

A little silliness

As many of you know Tim (Holtz) has had a "how do you distress" week on his blog, where you could leave a daily comment for a chance to win a coveted distress ink case.  You could also create a project using distress ink and send him ONE photo with a "brief" description of your technique.

I had thought about creating a card based on the journaling block that I used in one my fair layouts.  I was planning on using the card for Tuesday's Taggers challenge too.    I sat down to work on it this morning, but couldn't find my brown blending tool, so I started to clean my work table.   The table got mostly cleaned, then I got side-tracked and one thing lead to another and the card did not get made. (As I type this, I also realized I never did find my brown blending tool.  Guess I better clean the rest of the studio too! lol)  

Time is ticking down, the photos has/had to be mailed before 5:00 p.m. PDT TODAY, Friday, May 28!  Oh what, am I going to do?  With less than two hours before the deadline inspiration struck!!!!!  And I didn't even need my brown blending tool! 

I got all 36 inks plus my embossing ink out and made this:

I call it "tower of ink" 

(and yes I really did send this pic to Tim! Although I did not give a description of my technique, rofl) 

and then I made this:

I call this one "oops!"

Hope my silliness has made you smile!  

Have a weekend filled with lots of smiles. Be safe!

On a roll! GC52: Color Challenge - Kraft completed

I completed a simple birthday card for the Gingersnaps Creations #52: Color Challenge - Kraft! 

I crumpled up a brown (kraft) paper bag, added some vintage photo distress ink, crumpled it up again and added some pumice stone distress ink.  I gave it a quick spritz of water then ironed the paper smooth.  I used Staz-on jet black ink on the Tim Holtz stamp.  I added a compass from Tim's "salvaged stickers" and a small spinner.  The "Happy Birthday" was computer generated at some point. . .it fell out of my stash of scraps when I was looking for some background paper.  The background was a leftover of "road trip" by Reminisce, it's hard to tell in the picture, but there is a map.  The card is a kraft cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you take a few minutes to leave a comment.

Linda

Going away. . .

no, not me (sorry you are stuck with me) but Bob at work received a promotion and is going to another department.  I made him this going away card.

When making cards for the office, I learned long ago not to make "just" a card because I would have to argue with people to sign it.  It wasn't that they didn't like the card (or the person for that matter) but they were afraid of "ruining" the card.  So now when I make cards for the office, I make cards with "tags".  People are happy to write a message and sign a tag.

                     

Since  Bob LOVES coupons (he loves "free" even more) I came up with the "savings" book.  It is made out of grungepaper inked with LOTS of Distress Ink - I think I used all the blues - both old and new. For the "savings" on the front I used the "drunken Aleene's" technique on grungeboard letters, the "memories and "book" are both rub-ons.  I made pockets on both the front and back covers for the "coupons".  The coupons were created by SUPER Kate - my student assistance. (She is awesome and very talented!)  She designed 4 different coupons!

You can't see it in these two photos but I even used a sewing machine!  (Frist time ever using a sewing on a  paper project!)  I used it to bind the card (there are actually 2 sheets/4 pages in the card) and I used it to sew the tab on too!  Not sure that I like using the sewing machine. I have a layout design rolling around in my head that will need to be sewn.  So, I thought I would practice a bit in case I decide to create the layout.

Thanks for sending me the photos Bob.  (I seem to always forgot to take pictures after I finish cards and before they are given to the recipients.)  Good luck with your new job - you will be awesome!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Linda

A completed challenge

I was surfing blogland today trying to get some inspiration or maybe just passing some time while my studio was occupied with a sleeping daughter.  A couple  of the blogs I frequent are Lynn Steven's Trash to Treasure Art and Hels Sheridan's Ink on My Fingers.   Both are on the Design Team for Gingersnap Creations both always have awesome projects and of course links to the Gingersnap Creations challenges.  Today I decided I was going to attempt one of the challenges, I had 5 to choose from!

Before I could decide which one I was going to try, my husband and I decided to go for a drive up to Jackson and wander around old town.  We wandered around town, looking here and there.  It was a beautiful day for a drive in the country and walking around.  By the time we left though, I was getting a headache.  We stopped for gas and I got some Excedrin.  When we were on the road again I put my hat on, pulled low over my eyes, closed my eyes, and contemplated which challenge I would do.  By the time we got home I knew exactly what I was going to do. 

It turns out the challenge I chose was GC 47: Color Challenge - Copper, Ginger or Rust - which ends on April 18.  Made it, just in time!

For the Eiffel Tower I used the Sizzix Bigz Eiffel Tower on Grungeboard which I inked with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink,  I wrapped copper wire around it, added some mini brads then smashed everything down with a hammer.  All the background paper is from my scrap box. Even thoug it is hard to see here, the card has little flecks of rust and ginger on an off-white background.  

So there you have it - my first Gingersnap Creations challenge!    I have quite a few more challenges I want to try, so stay tuned!

Linda

Friends!

We had a beautiful spring day today!  Hunter came by to see if Max could play.  Since we had nothing pressing, I let Max go out to play!   They ran up and down the street chasing each other (we have very little traffic on our street), retrieiving the ball and playing in the sprinkler!  (Max is our Golden Retriever and Hunter is the neighbor's Black Lab.)

I stopped by Stampers' Corner earlier in the day, I needed some "special" paper for some cards I am designing and spent some time wandering around the store.  I had my camera with me and took some pictures!  I have not been published, but I have some roses on display!  It's a great feeling to one's work displayed!

And as long as I was there, I took a picture of Tim's corner too. . . well most of his corner, I couldn't quite get everything in one shot. lol

As I took the picture, I was standing next to the display unit with the Alteration dies. You can see some of the re-inkers on the left, further to the left are all the Distress Ink Pads and Crackle Paints as well as more Dabbers.  On the shelves above the products are some of the things Carol and Mike (the store owners) have made at various classes and workshop they have taken with Tim.  Definitely LOTS of eye candy and inspiration!  If you are ever driving up or down Highway 99 in Elk Grove, it's well worth the short side trip (just over a mile).  If you are on I-5 it's about 9 miles to the store. . .still well worth it!

Haven't had much time in the studio. (I was sick the week of Aprl 5 and still trying to get up to par this past week, think I am OK now!)   I plan on having some quality studio time this weekend!  Hope you get time to play too!

Linda

Lucky me!!!

I have been very fortunate for the last week or so as I have had one of Tim's new Sizzix dies in my hot little hands!  Well, it has not been in my hands (or in my Big Shot) as much as I would like, but I have gotten to spend a little time playing!

Without further ado, here are the flowers using the "Tattered Floral" Alteration die with Grungepaper:

On this first flower I used 3 of the large 6 petal flowers inked with Barn Door distress ink.

On the 2nd flower I used 4 of the large 6 petal flowers inked with Wild Honey distress ink spritz with Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls mixed with water.

On the next two I used the medium daisy looking flower. The lily on the left I used Rusty Hinge and Spiced Marmalade distress inks and the lily on the right I used Victorian Velvet distress ink.  I used alcohol ink on the stamens of both lilies and I think I spritzed both with some perfect gold perfect pearls and water.. 

I am working on a couple more designs, hopefully I will have something to show you soon!

If you live in the Elk Grove area and you want to see the Wild Honey rose I post here it is on display (or at least it was last time I was in) at Stampers' Corner (and like the flowers above, it's nicer in person)!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Take care,

Linda

Email

I returned to work today, first time in 2 weeks.  I had 204 e-mails waiting for me.  I got through about a good portion of them.   When I got home I had 10 e-mails waiting for me including one with the subject line of "ATTENTION ALL TIM HOLTZ FANS", I knew it was going to be the best e-mail I looked at today!

It was from Carol at Stampers' Corner!  They expect Tim's new book, Compendium of Curiosities in this week and are having an introductory special.  They are offering the book for 19.99 (plus CA sale tax) instead of the retail price of $25.00. So I am sure you can figure out what I ordered today when I stopped by the store!  I am really looking forward to getting it!   If you want one and you don't live nearby, they will ship it for $5.00 via priority mail!  Stampers' Corner, phone number is 916-686-0651.  Tell 'em Linda sent you! lol

They also have an introductory special going on for the new Distress Inks - buy 11 and get the 12th one free!  I've had mine for a couple of weeks, not that I've had much of a chance to play with them yet.  I will tell you all the colors are AWESOME!   I managed to play with them a bit tonight. . .I'm in the process of making a lily and some roses.  I will show them just as soon as I can!

Take care,

Linda

New ink, new roses!

Got a call from my LSS on Friday that my order of Tim Holtz' Distress Inks came in!!!! YIPPEE!!!!! I stopped by after leaving my mom's and picked it up.  Then it sat on the studio table being admired and thinking of ALL the possibilities!

Aren't they fabulous?

After much pondering I decided to make some roses!  (Surprise!) I inked them on Friday evening, Saturday morning I started forming the layers. Then life happened.  My mom had not been feeling good on Friday (she's 92, almost 93 and lives independently.).  I called to check on her but she did not answer the phone.  NOT a good thing.  I call my brother to meet us at her place.  My husband and I jumped in the truck and took off to her place. She lives about 20 minutes away.  When we got there, we found her laying on the bathroom floor.  She had fallen and could not get up.  To make a long story short, she has NO broken bones (Thank you God!) but is stiff and sore.  She is in a rehab facilites for a week or two.

In between being at the hospital, driving down to her apartment a couple of times and getting her settled in rehab, I did manage to get 3 roses completed.

The top one is "wild honey", I think I had some "Victorian velvet" on my finger tips and that is why 2 petals look a little different.  The rose on the left is "crushed olive" and the one on the right is "barn red" - my new favorite color for roses!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!