Super (Tired) Mom!

I made this card for my daughter. We found out in the summer of 2019 that her one and only child is autistic. 

I found out my middle child was autistic after he turned 18. Back then, calling autism was not an easy task. First, my son did not have some of the tell tale signs. He did not rock or flutter his fingers. He did not walk on tip toes. He was very affectionate. He struggled with the written word. Both, reading it and writing it... and math... forget about it! So as an adult, once he turned 18, we were told he had Asperger's Syndrome and we were given pamphlets. My daughter read them first. Son's counselor came to see me while I was at the office and gave my daughter the information. Once I arrived home, he came back to see me, but by then, daughter and I had already discussed the pamphlets. We saw it all so clearly then! Counselor just wanted to speak to me to give me the official diagnosis and to answer any questions I might have. Son is very high functioning. He has held down a full-time job since he was 18. He has lived on his own since 2015. What a struggle it was to get him out of the house! LoL He liked living with mom! Mom wanted to live on her own! So, he got his own place. He did drive when he was 16 and when we lived in New Hampshire, he had a driver's license. When we moved to Texas, son did not tell me his license had expired and by the time I remembered, it was too late. He had to take the written part again and he refused to do that. But mostly, because he said that driving in Derry, which was a small town, was not scary. He was scared to drive in Lubbock's traffic. He felt it was too much. So, he lives close to work and rides a bicycle back and forth. He has made friends but he's unable to master the social skills required to snare himself a girlfriend. He's slowly starting to accept that. Makes me sad for him. I did not want him growing old alone. It is what it is. 

So my daughter instinctively compared her son to her brother back in 2019 when we first got the news. Grandson is very affectionate. However, he does walk on tiptoes, but so does his father and daughter thought he was mimicing his dad. He does flutter his hands but my daughter insisted it was his way of saying he liked something. I went along with her thoughts. But this past summer, he was admitted into an after school program especially for autistic children. During the intake, she was asked about the level of severity. She replied she did not know, but the intake specialist replied that he was at the lowest level. Grandson is nonverbal. He's five now and still not potty trained. He is an incredibly picky eater. I mean it is a nightmare trying to get him to eat anything. He does not sleep well. He has awful meltdowns. So, I did suspect something. I was surprised at my daughter's reaction. She was quite devastated. The first thing she said to me was that her son would not be able to achieve the things her brother had. She's really been struggling with this. But I've seen her with him. She's handling the situation as best as she can. Her ex-husband and she share custody. She has him one week and the ex has him the other week. I help when I can. Ex's mother helps when she can. So daughter has a support group. She is still struggling with it but she continues to put one foot in front of the other. I think she's doing an outstanding job with grandson's needs.

I was a single mom. Lived alone in Austin with no family. Father was an absentee parent so I did it all alone. I know how hard it is. I know how awful it can be to not have any support. So I want to tell my daughter, that she's doing great with what she has going on and remind her that she's not alone. I made this card hoping to bring a smile to her face.

All products are from Whimsy Stamps and all images are colored with Copic markers. I used Comics paper pad, Slimline Film Strip die, Mombie clear stamp set and Staz-on ink in black with the sentiments. 

If you did read all this, thanks for doing so. I would be stunned to learn anyone is reading my musings. :)

Hay There!

A quick make for a dear friend. I am sending her some cutouts and felt naked not sending a card! LoL How I envy her! She's been married to her best friend for over 30 years who takes care of her and they live out in the country! I'm a country girl at heart!

This is an Art Impressions stamp and die cut set called Barnyard Animal Cubbies. I've colored the images with Copic markers and a silver gel pen. I also inked the edges of the frame in TH oxide inks in Mowed Lawn, Stormy Sky and Walnut Stain. Banner diecut is from Amazon.

Scarecrows and More

Here's a fall card that I got kinda carried away with! I started layering and didn't know where to stop! Blah!

This is from Art Impressions called Harvest Together. It's a stamp and die cut set and comes with sentiments. Isn't that so convenient!?! LoL The fence and grass die cut is from Amazon. I've colored the images with Copic markers. Twine, button and tag are from my stash. I used TH oxide inks in Stormy Sky, Mowed Lawn and Walnet Stain to color the edges of papers and the tag.

I Love Fall Most of All!

Couple more of fall cards. I am not a CAS kinda gal but I am liking how quickly these are coming together! I only started yesterday and I am already up to five. The fifth one is kinda busy so it is taking FOREVER to put it together. Ssooo... I kinda like this quick CAS style. I am just not sure I can keep it up. I'm not even sure this is CAS. I added some enamel dots only because I thought the cards looked bottom heavy so I wanted to even out the design a little... if that makes sense!

This is Mochi Fall Girl from Stamping Bella and the sentiment is from Harvest Together at Art Impressions. Enamel dots are from Your Next Stamp and the image is colored with Copic markers.

I actually colored this sweater to look like my favorite sweater! LoL It's the first sweater I wear once it's sweater weather and the last one I wear once sweater weather ends. As soon as it must be washed, I wash it and put it right back on. LoL I bet I must wear it like once a week! I absolutely love it! My sisters always say I look like spring when I wear it but I purchased it from the fall line-up! It is kinda of thin so during the winter, I layer it with a long sleeved undershirt. But it is just as fuzzy as this sweater and I just LOVE it!

Leaves are falling...

Starting on my fall cards. I am not a CAS kinda gal but I saw something like this on Pinterest and thought I would give it a try. 

To be honest, I cannot remember where the stamp set with the girls are from. I want to say Stampin' Up but I am not 100% positive. The trees are from Raisin Boat and long discontinued. Sentiment is from Harvest Together set at Art Impressions that I always insist on calling Artistic Impressions and yet, everyone always knows what I am talking about! LoL No one ever corrects me either! The banners are from Amazon. Images are colored with Copic markers.

2022 Summer Solstice Favorites

My favorite summer solstice cards! This is it. I seem to have lost the bug. But I will be forcing my way into the craft room soon. I have fall solstice cards to create! I will make more of an effort to keep up with them on here. Not that I think anyone is following me closely... or at all... to see what I am making. But for myself. Long story about that but it is just something I need to do to acknowledge my own work. 

This is a digital image from Roberto Rodriguez at CC Designs that has been discontinued. I colored the image with Copic markers and a gold gel pen. Paper is from Carta Bella Let's Celebrate collection, and as of this writing, still available at Amazon. Sentiment is from a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp set. The wooden drink embellies were purchased from Oriental Trading Company about 15 years ago! These are the last of them. Not because there were massive amounts. But because I went through dry spells where I could not or would not go into my craftroom or, as often as is the case, just forgot I had them. So... speaking of forgetting, I cannot remember where I got that sole enamel dot. The die cut is from Amazon.

This is a Mo Manning digital stamp called Baby Fairy Bee colored with Copic markers, Stickles glitter glue in Stardust and black and yellow gel pens. Honeycomb die cut and small wooden bees are from Amazon. Fence die cut is from La-La Land Crafts April 2016 monthly kit. Ribbon and flower charm are from my hoarded stash. Pattern papers are from PhotoPlay - Tulla and Norbert's Sweet As Honey Collection.

Love this image from Mitzi Sato-Wiuff of Aurora Wings called Mermaid with Pearls in Kelp. I have had the image since 2013. Colored, I mean. I colored the image with intentions of turning it into an altered canvas to hang in my bathroom but I did not ever get around to it. I decided to turn it into a large card for my cousin down south. My computer crashed back a few years and I lost a bunch of digital stamps and this was one of them! I am heart broken about that every time I remember that. I've actually considered repurchasing the image! But I have to think about that really hard first. LoL The card measures 5X6. I colored the image with Copic markers, Stickles glitter glue in Frosted Lace and Stardust and a silver gel pen. I have had the sea shell stamps since 2006 and can no longer remember where I picked them up! The stone remnant I picked up on a Connecticut beach when we lived up north in the late 1990s. Just a few years back! LoL The glitter enamel dots are from Your Next Stamp. I used a Viva Decor Paper Pen in Opal to create air bubbles. These did not photograph well so I hope you can make them out a little bit. I inked the edges of the paper with Tim Holtz oxide ink pad in Brushed Corduroy.

I used a KennyK digital image called Farmer's Daughter, now discontinued, and colored the image with Copic markers. Most pattern cardstock is from Recollections Farm Fresh with the exception of the straw pattern paper and pattern cardstock used on the banners. Straw pattern paper is a single sheet from unknown sources because I have had it so long I cannot remember where I got it from! My bad! Pattern cardstock used on the banners is from Carta Bella Homemade with Love paper collection, and probably discontinued cause I have had it forever. Fence and banner die cuts are from La-La Land Crafts April 2016 monthly kit and alphabet dies are from Amazon. Ribbon is from my stash. I inked all paper edges with Tim Holtz oxide ink pad in Brushed Corduroy.

 

This is a digital image by the artist, #TeriSherman called Sunshine Gal. I colored the image with Copic markers:

Necklace: BG07, BG05, R21, R12, R11, silver gel pen

Ice cream cone: E39, E37, E34

Lenses: C8, C7, C6, white gel pen

Skin: E04, E13, E11, E00, R20

Lips: R08, R05

Hair: E49, E47, E44

All the shimmer comes from Stickles glitter glue in Star Dust.

All flower stamens are Liquid Pearls in Buttercup.

Reds: R08, R05

Yellows: YG05, YG03, Y18

Eyes: C8, C7, C6

Papers are from Carta Bella Summer Splash, and as of this writing, still available at Amazon. Embroidery floss, red brad and enamel dots are from my stash. The sun stencil and alphabet letter die cuts are from Amazon. I used Tim Holtz distress ink pads in Dried Marigold and Squeezed Lemonade with the sun stencil.

I like this image so much, I actually made four cards with this image and supplies but I am only sharing my two favorites.

Necklace: BG07, BG05, R21, R12, R11, silver gel pen

Ice cream cone: E39, E37, E34

Lenses: C8, C7, C6, white gel pen

Skin: E04, E13, E11, E00, R20

Lips: R08, R05

Hair: E49, E47, E44

All the shimmer comes from Stickles glitter glue in Star Dust.

All flower stamens are Liquid Pearls in Buttercup.

Pinks: RV09, RV06, RV04

Turquoise: BG 07, BG05

Peach: R21, R12, R11

Eyes: BG07, BG05, BG02

Papers are from Carta Bella Summer Splash, embroidery floss is from my stash, enamel dots are from Your Next Stamp. The sun stencil and alphabet letter die cuts are from Amazon. I used Tim Holtz distress ink pads in Dried Marigold and Squeezed Lemonade with the sun stencil.

2022 Favorites Up to Now

 These are some cards I have made in between holidays and seasons that are my favorites and I would like to share!

This is a stamp from Whims of Joy called Forever Friends that is probably discontinued since I have had it forever and I cannot find Whims of Joy now. I colored the image with Copic markers and silver and white gel pens. I inked the edges of the blue papers with TH Stormy Sky, the burgundy papers with Picked Raspberry, the green papers with Peeled Paint and the cream colored paper you can barely see with Antique Linen oxide ink pads. The diecuts are from La-La Land Crafts April 2016 kit. Sentiment is from an old stamp set that I cannot remember where it came from! Doh! LoL The papers are probably discontinued and I no longer remember the designer name because I have had that since 2006 as well. Oops! I think I have mentioned, I am on a mission to utilize all my old crafting things and all my digital stamps this year. I could probably make a really good dent into it if I would QUIT buying more stuff!

This is a digital stamp from Morgan Fitzsimons colored with Copic markers (she was not the artist, it was an image I picked up when I was on the DT there). The sentiment is from Kraftin' Kimmie stamp set called Happy Thoughts! 

I found out a FB friend had a heart attack last year and was scheduled to get a defibrillator on the 3rd of March. I left social media back in September 2019 so it has been hard to keep up with online friends. Anyway, my heart went out to her! Thought I would make her a little something something.

I once bought a beautiful yarn scarf from her that she had made with her own two little hands! Not being familiar with how that works, I could not figure out if it was crocheting or knitting... LoL... I only know paper! So I did double duty with this one! 

This is a rubber stamp from La-La Land Crafts called Knitting Marci. It was the December 2020 kit. I missed buying it as a club plan so I had to fork over bigger bucks to have the set because I. Had. To. Have. It. I purchased the Yarn Basket and Knit and Crochet dies that go with it. I used mulberry paper for the basket to give it some texture and look like one of those awesome fabric baskets Amazon has tons of. I also purchased the knitted panel that is part of the set but I could not get it to cooperate so I went with this awesome Hero Arts Knitting Pattern rubber stamp for the BG that I found on Amazon. I used Tim Holtz distress ink pad in Picked Raspberry to stamp the image and ink the edges for a bit of a distressed look. I then colored in the stamp with a Copic marker to match the pink yarn she is knitting with! LoL YES! I put too much thought into this! The paper is from PhotoPlay called Crafting with My Gnomies. I colored Marci with Copic markers. She is sitting on a table (retro desk) that I made into a sofa from the La-La Land Crafts September 2020 kit . I also used the lamp from that set to make cushions for her to rest her back against and to act as the hanging fixture for the lamp I made from the yarn basket die by turning it up side down, cutting off the handles and using one of the knitting needles as a pull chain for her lighting needs! LoL I already said... I spent way too much time thinking this through! I emphasized the knitting of it all on the front and went with crochet for the inside. Sentiment is from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Get Wool Soon digital stamp set.

This is a digital stamp from MazyArt, I believe was the name of her shop. She's long gone. I cannot find anything recent for her. Other than blogs who have featured her images. I really liked her images. I thought they were super cute! So this is Han and Leia. I thought I had number die cuts and planned to die cut the number four in black and gray and layer it to the side of Han but I guess I only dreamt of buying a number set! I colored the image with Copic markers and a silver gel pen. I believe this is what is called a CAS card... but not sure. In any event, for me... it is a CAS.

2022 Cinco de Mayo

First time I made Cinco de Mayo cards and I had so much fun with these stamps and die cuts!

 I used the La-La Land Crafts June 2019 (Fiesta Marci, Fiesta word die cut, taco die cut, chips and guacamole die cut and Ay Chihuahua stamp set) and December 2015 (ric rac die cut) monthly kits, now sold separately. I colored Marci with Copic markers and inked all the edges of the die cuts with TH oxide inks in Peeled Paint, Fired Brick, Wild Honey and Twisted Citron. 

The following Images are from Delumba Coloring Page Tuesdays (reads it is not a secure website so please visit at your own risk) and colored with Copic markers. Used the same die cuts and the Ay Chihuahua stamp set from La-La Land crafts as above. I used TH oxide pads to ink the edges of the die cuts and image in Peeled Paint, Stormy Sky, Twisted Citron, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo and Brushed Corduroy. 

2022 Easter

 So for my Easter cards, I used the same supplies for all eight cards. I made four of the pink and two of the greens with this image. They are all a little different, but pretty much the same papers and images. Just flipped the image for interest and swapped some of the designs. That is one of the things I like about digital stamps. The ability of flipping the image to get a different look. I know you can do the same with the stamps but I think it is A. Lot. Of. Work! 

This card is using a digital image called Easter Bunny by Jade Dragonne at DeviantArt. I have not visited the website in like forever, but I also know she gives freebies on Facebook or she used to the last time I was there back in September 2019. I have not been back to FB since then so I cannot be sure. In any event, I've colored the image with Copic markers, white, silver, yellow, pink, purple, blue and green gel pens and Stickles in Frosted Lace. All the diecuts are from Amazon. The brad in the center of the bow is from my hoarded stash. All papers are from Carta Bella Spring Market, and as of this writing, still available at Amazon. I absolutely LOVE Carta Bella cardstock. I love the texture and weight of the papers. The enamel dots are from Your Next Stamp. I inked the edges of the papers with Tim Holtz Peeled Paint and Stormy Sky oxide inks. Sentiment is from a company closed long ago called Raisin Boat and I cannot remember the name of the stamp set. 

This digital image is from The Paper Shelter called Funny Easter Bunny. I made two of the greens with this image. I've colored the image with Copic markers. The diecut is from Amazon. All papers are from Carta Bella Spring Market. The enamel dots are from Your Next Stamp. I inked the edges of the papers with Tim Holtz Peeled Paint oxide ink. Sentiment is from a company closed long ago called Raisin Boat.

2022 Happy Birthday!

 Three of my favorite birthday cards for this year so far.

This is an image from Zuri Crafts and I think she no longer has a store. I tried finding her and all I found were old DT blogs. I colored the image with Copic markers and a white gel pen. All papers are from PhotoPlay Crafting with My Gnomies collection, and as of this writing, still available at Amazon. Twine is from 2006 and a company that is no longer around. I have made 2022 about using all my old stash! I am making a pretty good dent! LoL The paint brush die cuts are from the May 2021 La-La Land Crafts monthly kit. I colored these with Copic markers and a silver gel pen. The stamps on the easel are from another stamp company no longer around. Follow my trend? LoL It was Raisin Boat and I have a heap of these stamps. Well, really, I have too much of everything and I often think it is just down right sinful! But I am praying about it and trying to use up all that I can. I inked the edges of the papers with TH distress ink in Black Soot. The images on the easel were also stamped with TH distress inks in Candied Apple, Worn Lipstick, Twisted Citron and Wild Honey. I painted a brick wall behind the images. LoL I just thought it needed something.

This is a digital stamp from Some Odd Girl called Painter Mae and appears to be discontinued. I colored her with Copic markers and white and silver gel pens. All papers and sticker is from PhotoPlay Crafting with My Gnomies collection. I cannot remember where the "happy birthday" die cut is from. The paint brush die cuts are from the May 2021 La-La Land Crafts monthly kit and I also colored these with Copic markers. I inked the edges of the cut papers with Tim Holtz distress ink in Black Soot. The splats on the easel are from a stamp but I cannot remember where it came from either! Sucks getting old! LoL I used several TH distress inks for the colors. Twine is from a company no longer around. I used chipboard to make the layers pop since the image came out so big. I created the scene in Word and I used a 5X5 text box to start it. I meant to down size it after I added the images and forgot! LoL So after I colored it and trimmed the edges, I realized I would have to be super creative with the papers!

This is a digital stamp from Zuri Crafts. I colored the image with Copic markers and Stickles glitter glue in Stardust. The birthday wishes die cut is from Queen and Company. The banner die cut and bow die cut are from Amazon. Printed card stock is from Graphic 45 Ephemera Queen and it also appears to be discontinued. I used Tim Holtz distress ink in Broken China to edge the papers. The glitter paper is from CTMH. I wish the camera had picked up the glitter glue. It's very shimmery IRL.

2022 Winter Solstice

 I made a slew of winter solstice cards but I did not want to overwhelm this post. I narrowed it down to my favorite three.

When I first saw this stamp, that is exactly what I thought! Wheeeee! Great find in a sentiment stamp, too! I got this rubber stamp at a yard sale a few years back. I. Lucked. Out! It was an estate sale and there was a HUGE basket of rubber stamps. A slew of Mo Manning. I'm a huge fan of Mo Manning. There were also quite a few of the House Mouse. I mean, this sale had ssooo many stamps! I just could not buy all of them but it was the only sale I went to that day. It wiped me out! So any way, this is In the Snow rubber stamp by Mo Manning. I've colored the image with Copic markers and Liquid Applique in white. I dabbed the dots with some Zig Memory System 2 way glue and sprinkled some Stampendous fine Crystal Snow. Sentiment is from Kraftin' Kimmie Cold Noses stamp set and seems to be discontinued. Polka dot cardstock is from Echo Park I Love Winter, and as of this writing, still available at Amazon, and the remaining patterned cardstock are from Carta Bella Snow Much Fun, discontinued. The die cuts are from the La-La Land Crafts September 2016 Kit but they do not appear to be available at the website. I've inked the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink in Faded Jeans. Snowflake buttons and twine are from my stash.

This is a digital stamp called Winter Mocha Latte and can be found here. I've colored the image with Copic markers and Stickles glitter glue in Stardust. Mug die and heart die are from La-La Land Crafts July 2019 kit and snowflake on the mug is from Paper Smooches Snowflakes. Sentiment is from a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp set called Cocoa Cozy and it appears to have been discontinued. Patterned cardstock are from Carta Bella (BG) Snow Much Fun, discontinued, and Echo Park (mugs) I Love Winter, and as of this writing, still available at Amazon.

2022 A Cut Above

 So, now I can go back to 2022 makes! LoL As I wrote in the post about cameras, my original plan was to use all digital stamps and old paper pads and I started the year out with themes. I did cameras and then I moved on to this awesome, discontinued Salon paper pad from Echo Park. So all these cards are hairdresser themed and papers are from this specific pad. Also, while looking through my stamps, I found this ever so much fun stamp that was PERFECT for my daughter! I couldn't help myself!

Ssooo... when DD was fifteen, she got a round hair brush wrapped around her bangs. I'll never forget it. I cannot. I scrapbooked about it! It was a Friday. The last day of spring break. She'd been home all week with a cold. She was so excited to go out and hang with some of her friends. She calls me in tears at the office about mid-morning. She wanted me to be a hero! Sadly, my thought was to follow through with the brush and just made the whole thing worse! She then calls back to complain about my advice! Can you believe that!?! She proceeds to tell me that the mom of one of her friends was a hair stylist and she'd agreed to fix her hair. So I thought the catastrophe had been taken care of and went back to work. I get home at five and what do I encounter? My daughter sitting in her bedroom with the hair brush still wrapped around her bangs. Or her bangs wrapped around the brush. However you'd like to picture that! The friend's mother meant when she got home after six or seven. However late her last appointment ran. I called our hairdresser and explained what had happened. She told me she was booked solid but to bring her in and she'd work her between appointments. My answer to the whole thing was to cut off the hair and style the remaining hair around the bald spot. Yes, I am an evil mother. My daughter reminds me everytime we are shopping and I hand her a round brush and ask if she'd like me to buy it for her. Long story short... it took the hair dresser till eight that evening to work the brush out of daughter's hair. Hairdresser would have huge chunks of hair come off in her hand and she'd tuck them into her pocket so daughter wouldn't see the hair and lose it. I. Took. Pictures... of the WHOLE thing. It's why it is scrapbooked! So when I saw this image, I knew exactly what it called for! Because I am an evil mother! It's a cross I have to bear!
This is a digital stamp and I've colored the image with Copic markers. I inked all the papers with Tim Holtz distress ink in Black Soot. 

This digital image from Fairy Ink was also a perfect match for this paper! I think Fairy Ink is long gone because I could not find anything for her. I colored the image with Copic markers, silver gel pen and Stickles in Star Dust. 

This digital image from MazyArt was also a perfect match! MazyArt went out of business long ago. I colored the image with Copic markers, silver gel pen and Stickles in Star Dust.

This super cute digital stamp is from The Paper Shelter called Barber Shop. Who would have ever guessed that?!? I've colored the image with Copic markers and a silver gel pen. 

2021 Merry Christmas!!

 These are eight of my favorite Christmas cards!

It appears Mrs. Claus let a white undershirt slip in with the reds! LoL This is Selfie Santa digital stamp from Doctor Digi's House of Stamps and I've colored the image with Copic markers and Stickles in Star Dust on his beard. Patterned cardstock is retired from Fancy Pants. All diecuts are from Selfie die cut set at Whimsy Stamps. The little elf in the poloraid is from Kraftin' Kimmie Treat Yours-ELF stamp set. Enamel dots are from Your Next Stamp. I can't help but think, who knew Santa sported a comb-over under his hat! LoL

Image is Santa's Tipple from just Inklined (now closed). I've colored the image with Copic markers and Glossy Accents on his eyeglasses. All patterend cardstock is discontinued from Echo Park I Love Christmas. I've inked all the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink in Brushed Corduroy. Brads are from my stash. 

 I used three stamp sets and four images from one of the stamp sets. The mountains are from a long retired stamp set at Raisin Boat. I was actually thinking of giving the set to a niece who also crafts but the mountains made me think some day... just maybe... some day... and here we are! The little cabin is from Reindeer Games, and seems to be discontinued, and sentiment is from Shake It Up! at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. The entire Santa group is from Family Photo at Hello Bluebird. The large stamp starts at the reindeer on the left and ends with the snowman. I then added a separate reindeer on the right, the little penguin holding the star and the little bird flying in. This is the smallest I could get the group. So the size of the card is 4 1/4 X 6. I felt so naked not using any DP! LoL I love using layers of paper! I hope I can gift the card! It took a long time in coming about. The entire image is colored in Copic markers, white gel pen, Glossy Accents, silver Neon Gel Pen and Stickles in Stardust. I drew in the trees in the background on the left. I looked high and low for a stamp set with tiny trees to no avail! So I took a deep breath, pulled up my big girl panties and gave it a go. 

I've used die cuts from La-La Land Crafts November 2016 monthly kit for the BG and now available as winter hill die cut. The lamp post and fence are from Your Next Stamp. Cobblestone walk is from Got Snow? at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps but seems to be no longer available. The remaining images and sentiment are from a long retired stamp set at Raisin Boat and everything is colored with Copic markers. I inked images and edges of card with Tim Holtz Black Soot distress ink and used TH oxide inks in Wild Honey, Twisted Citron, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Peacock Feathers and Black Soot to create the night sky. Dotted the stars with a white gel pen. I used yellow vellum behind the house and lamp post to mimic night lights. 

Fell in love with this ever so classic Jolly Santa stamp from Your Next Stamp. I've colored the image with Copic markers and added Stickles in Star Dust on the 'fur' and 'beard' and Glossy Accents on his bottom lip and the berries. Enamel dots are also from YNS and papers are discontinued Echo Park I Love Christmas pad. I did ink all the edges of the cut cardstock with Tim Holtz distress inks in Peeled Paint and Fired Brick to keep the white edges from showing but it took everything in my soul to not distress all the papers with ink. 

This little cutie is Miss Claus from CC Designs and discontinued. I've colored the image with Copic markers and added Stickles in Star Dust on the 'fur' on her outfit and Glossy Accents on her eyes and ribbon on the wrapped gift. I also stamped some candy canes from Hello Bluebird Family Photo stamp set. I used discontinued cardstock from Echo Park I Love Christmas and papers from Queen & Company Christmas Cheer. I inked the edges of all cardstock and papers in Tim Holtz Fired Brick so the white edges would not show. Twine and wooden 'Merry Christmas' sentiment are from my stash.

All papers are from discontinued Echo Park Deck the Halls. Stamps are from Art Impressions Nutty and Nice and seems to be discontinued as well. All other embellishments are from my stash. I used Tim Holtz distress inks in Peeled Paint and Fired Brick for the edging.

2021 Happy Halloween!!

 Six of my favorite Halloween cards!

This is a digital stamp at CC Designs from Roberto's digital stamp line which has been discontinued. I've colored the image with Copic markers. All other products are from my hoarded stash.

All the papers, with the exception of the black doily, are from Graphic 45 Midnight Tales paper pad. I inked all the white edges of the stickers and paper with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot. I've used Marci from the La-La Land Crafts September 2016 kit and she is now available as a digital stamp. I've colored her with Copic markers. The remaining supplies used are from my stash.

This is a discontinued stamp at CC Designs from Roberto's digital stamp line. I've colored the image with Copic markers. The stitched pennants die cuts are from La-La Land Crafts. All other products are from my hoarded stash.

I've used a discontinued Stampin' Up stamp set called Home is Where the Haunt is. Interesting story on how I obtained that if you don't mind me carrying on. I have a niece who went to Goodwill and purchased a pallet. When she went through the pallet, she found something like 20 Stampin' Up stamp sets! Some of them were still unmounted and never used! Coincidentally, it was my birthday so she brought them over to me. I thought I hit jackpot! Along with this stamp set, there were about four more I actually did want but could only find them on E-bay and I don't do E-bay. The rest, I passed along to a different niece who also crafts. Awesome, right? I created the background sky after watching a YouTube video by Taffleberry Lane for Lawn Fawn. I think. I'm not 100% positive it's for Lawn Fawn but I watched a couple of videos and she used Lawn Fawn sets and her videos are named like that so I thought she was a designer for them. Anyway, getting off topic. I also used a die cut from La-La Land Crafts October 2020 kit. It has trees but I only wanted the fence and curve of the landscape so I cut off the trees. After creating the night sky, I stamped a couple of trees and the witch in the sky. I then added the die cut. I stamped a fence directly onto the die cut. I wet embossed the moon with Honey embossing powder and stopped short of having it go smooth because I wanted the rough look because the moon is not smooth! LoL I colored in the windows on the house in yellow for lights and fussy cut the house. I had a mishap with the chimney so I decided to cut that off along with some wrought iron trimming on top. I did not think I could fussy cut around the wrought iron trimming so that was going to go anyway. I then popped it up with foam tape. I used a white gel pen to dot stars onto the night sky and got a little carried away! Then I went to town edging the entire thing with Tim Holtz distress ink in Black Soot. I love to do that anyway but I went heavy to create more shadows around the edges. For the sky, I used Tim Holtz oxide inks in Wild Honey, Twisted Citron and Black Soot. I also used Tim Holtz distress inks in Barn Door, Faded Jeans and Dusty Concord. I misted the paper with a fine mist and I am always in awe with the change! On the video I watched, she used all oxide inks in different colors and did the same but I don't have many oxide inks and did not have all the colors she had. I improvised. After I colored the background and since I knew not all the inks were oxide, I ran the Black Soot over the entire sky to darken the colors and happy accident! It allowed for the entire sky to develop the water spots!

This is a discontinued digital stamp at CC Designs from Roberto's digital stamp line. I've colored the images with Copic markers and Stickles glitter glue in Star Dust. All other products are from my hoarded stash. Sentiment is from Art Impressions Ghoul Friend stamp set.

Sorry about the weird angle, but this is the only way I did not get a reflection from my phone. I have a massive problem with house spiders. I have two evergreens right next to the house in the front and they are a haven for spiders, ssooo... I have spiders galore in the house as well. I'm always swatting at things cause I think they are spiders and sometimes... it's just lint! LoL But I had a bad reaction to a spider bite a couple of years back and my doctor told me that the oral chemotherapy drug I take for my CML would make me more sensitive to bug bites so I don't want to get bitten again! But these here spiders are harmless! LoL I have this fantastic web die from Queen and Company but I think it has been discontinued because I could not find it on their website. It was a little bit of a nightmare as I didn't plan it out in advance. I was flying by the seat of my pants again! I put the die UNDER the window and so the sequins are stuck in the openings. Lesson learned! The BG cardstock is from Storytellers and I think they've probably closed their doors by now. I wet embossed some spiders randomly on the paper. The stamp is from Raisin Boat and they have also gone by the wayside. The sequins and beads are from the Queen and Company kit that included the web die. Pattern paper is from my stash and I inked the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink in Black Soot. I like to do that! I also really wanted to use this printed paper. I only had one 8X8 sheet left and I love the color and pattern so it was do or die! The spider ribbon is from Michael's. First time I have ever been able to make such a pretty bow! One of my sisters recently asked me to make a bow for her cause I'm crafty and so therefore talented according to my family. LoL I am not sure she believed me when I said I did not know how to tie a bow! I fussed with this one a good 15 minutes, at least, before I got it to look like this. I'm super happy by its appearance! Spider punches are from a discontinued Martha Stewart paper punch.