Manly Man Cards

"Life is a succession of moments."

"To live each one is to succeed." ~Corita Kent

I've been working on some greeting cards for my monthly card exchange. When I first saw these images from Moonlight Journey, I just knew I had to try making something using these destinguished gentlemen!

I am also back and running with my repaired computer. It started acting up right at the beginning of the One World One Heart Giveaway, and was in the shop three times in the past two weeks. Hopefully, everything will be fine. You just don't realize how your life changes without your computer!

CREDITS: BRAND NEW "DASHING MEN" IMAGES FROM MOONLIGHT JOURNEY, "IMAGINED" RUBBERSTAMP FROM PAPER BAG STUDIOS. QUOTE FROM CREATIVE MEMORIES, "DELIGHT DIGITAL POWER PALETTE" USING STORYBOOK CREATOR 3.0.

Country Music Cards

"Music

washes away

from the soul

the dust

of everyday

life."

Sometimes finding the time to create art becomes a little more difficult. I have so many ideas, and just not enough time in the day. With the holidays now past, I can once again focus on all my unfinished projects and all the new stuff I need and want to begin!

These cards are a work in progress for my art group. Every month I need to muster up 15 cards using a rubberstamp that all of us are required to use.

For the month of January, our stamp was this chair image from Paperbag Studios. I thought it might be fun to try something a little bit "country."

The stamp image was scanned and digitally enhanced in Creative Memories Storybook 3.0. Then I added a background, a banjo and a cowboy boot image from Deviant Scraps. The card itself was cut from a Martha Stewart paper pad called "Bandana," which I distressed with a Tim Holtz distress ink pad called "Rusty Hinge."

CREDITS: PAPERBAG STUDIOS, MARTHA STEWART, TIM HOLTZ, DEVIANT SCRAPS, & CM STORYBOOK 3.0.

Father Christmas Greeting Card

"My Beard"

by Shel Silverstein

My beard grows down to my toes,

I never wear no clothes.

I wraps my hair around my bare,

And down the road I goes.

Here is the first in a series of Christmas cards I am making using this extravagantly bearded fellow. This vintage bearded man image was a freebie from Tumblefish Studios. I have been loving the creations that have magically formed.

CREDITS: "SIR BEARDSFELLOW" COURTESY OF TUMBLEFISH STUDIOS, RUBBERSTAMP IMAGES FROM STAMPINGTON, HANDWRITTEN MERRY CHRISTMAS RUBBERSTAMPS FROM PAPER INSPIRATIONS, MISCELLANEOUS FABRICS FROM JOANN'S, AND BLANK CARDS AND ENVELOPES BY RECOLLECTIONS. BACKGROUND "CALISTO CHRISTMAS' BY ANNA GRIFFIN.

Mini Christmas Card Banner

Making this miniature Christmas pennant banner is not very complicated, when you use these adorable digital collage sheets designed by Becky Loyall of Moonlight Journey. I printed each tiny banner approximately 3" in height. They have recently added "craft projects" to their line of beautiful art. As soon as I saw this digital pack, I just knew I had to do something cute with it.

I think it just might turn out to be a very special Christmas card!

"Go ahead--it's Christmas--

decorate every little thing in the house."

~ Mary Engelbreit

CREDITS: "BELIEVE" pennant craft project from Moonlight Journey, "Vintage Market Alphabet" from Tim Holtz Alterations die cuts, "Christmas Cheer" Grand Adhesions from K & Company, Ranger "Stickles" in turquoise, and sari ribbon.

Mysterious Halloween Cards

My candle was nearly burnt out,

When, by the glimmer of the half-

extinguished light, I saw the dull

yellow eye of the creature open...

~ Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

When the latest collage sheet was posted from Moonlight Journey, I just knew I had to make something special with these. The miniature digital designs are just so detailed, that a person can become mesmerized by their beauty.

Here are a few of my favorite Halloween greeting cards using these beautiful images. They truly can be easily created in an evening. I have included some of my favorite eerie quotes in the inside of each card.

Have fun making these!

Mermaids in the Mist

I have quite a few projects to get done again! These mermaid cards were created with the inspiration of having a dose of The Fishnet House while visiting my mom and sister on vacation about a week ago. I am especially fond of the ocean, sea breezes, and creatures along the shore. These cards came easy for me and were just plain fun to make!

The Fishnet House is located in a small weather-beaten home off McMillan Street in downtown Grand Marais, Michigan. As soon as I walked in, it called to me. I didn't know where to start, because everywhere I turned one more fabulous thing was beckoning me to look closer and touch.

The store is best known for Kim's (the owner) mermaid paintings, furniture, and signs all with somewhat of a vintage beach style. Even though I mostly observed, I became somewhat "mermaid frenzied." The shop is an eclectic mix of art, jewelry, paintings, and locally made items with a mermaid theme. Unfortunately, she does not host a blog or web-site.

I wish I could have seen how she creates her art and how she painted some of her furniture. She sure inspired my ocean sense!

CREDITS: Seashore Elements Collage Sheet from Moonlight Journey, PHOTOS: Taken August, 2010 in Grand Marais, MI "The Fishnet House"