Packing

As things move toward the day when I move to a new house, I'm busy packing.

Empty paper storage shelves

Paper & Ink pads in boxes

These things came off my work table.  Yes, the margarita salt is a craft item.  I brayer dye ink onto cardstock, then sprinkle the salt and it causes a fun pattern on the card.

My plants have been as confused as I have been this past few months.  My Christmas cactus has decided to bloom now.  I have 3 others that are getting buds, but this one is blooming.

Deepest Sympathy

I regret having to make this card for my dear niece, who lost her husband this week.  It is so hard to lose someone you've loved for many years.

This card was partially many a couple of years ago, but I finished it up today.  The sentiment is computer generated, then embossed with 2 Cuttlebug embossing folders.



Desert Rain

We are having a rainy day in the desert.  These photos show rain on the window.  The gray background is bare tree branches and the brown background is a wooden fence.  I take these photos on macro setting and focus on the glass, not the background.

Later, I will print these photos on cardstock and use them for backgrounds for my cards.

I'm getting the urge to make some cards, but my cardmaking supplies are packed for moving.  I will begin moving into my new home in mid-February.  Once I get my craft room set up, I hope to begin making cards for Operation Write Home.  Our deployed troops in Afghanistan really enjoy having handmade cards to send home to their loved ones.  It's been far too long since I'm made cards for them.

See through glittered rose

I finally made a card.  My inspiration nearly always is the recipient of the card.  I must be honest.  I made this card partially a couple of years ago.  The image is actually acetate that has the image stamped on it with Memories black ink.  On the back of the acetate, I used glue and glitter to color the image.  The glittered back of image is then covered with laminate and the image is placed between two layers of cardstock with an opening cut out of them.  This allows the light to shine through the card.  The photo does not do it justice.  I wrote a tutorial on this method several years ago.  You can see it HERE. 

I made a lot of these cards a few years ago.  I actually made the images and inserted them into cards.  I have a whole stack of these with no sentiments.  This way, I can personalize them as I need them.  I sold all my glitter a couple years ago when I started making cards for Operation Write Home.  I didn't want to endanger our deployed heroes by getting glitter on their uniforms.

I added the sentiment on the front and inside the card for a special friend.  I will hold this message and post it after she has received her card.

Just got the message that was received.  Happy Birthday, Patricia!

Improving

I'm recovering well from my surgery on December 23.  I passed my tests yesterday and have a little more freedom.  I will gradually increase my activities and hope to be back to 'normal' in a month or two.  Thanks for all the support during the last 6 months.