Under the Weather?

My youngest son has been quite sick for going on his second week.  I thought I'd make a fun card to get a little smile and give some encouragement to get well.  I've been wanting to finish off some OLD Alphabet Challenge Rounds using the letter Z for Zany, so I purposeful sought out a zany, quirky digital image to color with my Copics.  I think I found the perfect image to make a fun card and to fulfill zany all rolled into one!  Take a look below at the finished card inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Cardstock--Real Red. DSP--2012-2014 In-Color Stack (Midnight Muse Stripe, Summer Starfruit Dots). Dies: Reverse Confetti Lacy Scallop Frame; Lawn Fawn--Grassy Hillside.  Digital image: source unknown.  Copic Markers.  Journal Black Pen.  White Gel pen. 

A Sunny Hello for a Fast Recovery!

I wanted to participate in the SCS Teapot Tuesday Challenge--6/22/21 for the husband of SCS friend, Sharon Madson.  Larry broke his hip recently and is feeling rather housebound and in need of cheering up, and I have the perfect card that I started back in August last year but stopped almost immediately.  It is  from my very first Paper Pumpkin card kit, entitled A Box of Sunshine...une boîte de soleil.  I stopped because I knew I couldn't just follow the kit design...it needed more layers to satisfy me.  I didn't have the right supplies with me, because I was on a crafting trip with my Mom and sister in Oregon. 

 
I'm remembered this card that I never got back to finishing because of the challenge requirements...it is the perfect cheerful Hello card to put a smile on Larry's face. Though I remember the challenge requirements for a cheerful, thinking of you, hello, hugs, and etc. card, what I did not remember was that our challenge hostess wanted us to think French when making our cards as well.  Suggestions were to think Eiffel Tower, French flag...blue, white, and red, French wine/cheese, a French painter, a French singer or song, etc.  She even provided a French song/ video, La Tendresse by Bourvil that we might use as inspiration, but it didn't inspire a sun-themed card, and I was determined to use the sunshine/ hello card I had in mind. 

I had an idea that led me to search for a possible French song that would inspire a sun-themed card.  I found a lovely song that really enchanted me entitled, The French Song...When the Sun Says Good-day to the Mountains sung by Lucille Starr.  It a beautiful song, and I played and listened to the video/song several times while completing Larry's card.  The song has stuck with me (in the English version, but I actually prefer it in French ), and I find it replaying in my head at odd times of the day!

I've successfully added two more layers comprising a new black cardbase and a golden dot panel below the sun rays paper provided by the kit.  I really like how the black makes the sunshine and black dotted paper POP.  My only other change was to drop my horizontal band and sun a tad lower...I thought it balanced the card better.  Take a peek at Larry's card...I hope it lifts his spirits and he like it!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Kit--June 2020 Paper Pumpkin/ Box of Sunshine--Gold metallic sun ray paper, stamps (Hello), sun diecut, black/white dotted strip, fishtail banner.  Artistry in Bloom sequins.  Other:  Patterned paper layer--Pebbles Basic 12x12 Paper Pad (dots).  Colorbox Ink--Chestnut Roam (ink distressing).  EK punch--Victorian Corners.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size--4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Thinking You Much Better Real Soon!

One of my lady friends that I met at my September Girls' Get-Away has had a set back in her health.  I wanted to send her a card to let her know I've been saying some prayers and having positive thoughts to wish her much better real soon!  I had a few Splitcoaststamper challenges to get done in my on-going challenge catch-up goal, and with a few of those in mind, I set about to design and make a card for my friend.

I needed to use a shade of yellow called Xanthic in order to finish the Alphabet Challenge in Round 9, and with this in mind, I search for a dress on the Inspiration Challenge website with at least some yellow that could inspire me for the rest of my card.  I found the perfect floral dress. Now, I knew my card had to have flowers.  My layout idea and focal point were inspired by the Featured Stamper challenge, plus I had several old challenges to complete that required a stamped frame, plus an old technique.  I had some good ideas. . .my mojo getting juicy, so it was time to find some papers and get started.  Take a peek at my finished card below, I think she will enjoy the card, and I know I will enjoy crossing off some more completed challenges on my list!

Ingredients:  Papers:  SU cardstock--Basic Black, Gumball Green, Daffodil Yellow; SU Vellum; Patterned Paper--Basic Grey/ Origins.  Stamps:  SU--Serene Silhouettes (white flower stems), Lovely Wishes (frame flower); Our Daily Bread Designs--All Mother's (sentiment).  Inks: Memento--Tuxedo Black; SU White Craft Ink; Versamark.  Dies: Sizzix Labels Collection (frame).  Punches:  SU--Curvey Corner Trio (retired), Bitty Butterfly (retired).  SU Black Embossing Powder.  SU 2mm pearls.  SU Simply Clay:  Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Mold (2013-14 both retired).  Stash: Bitty flower brad.  Copic markers: coloring for clay + brad.  Chatterbox verse.  Size:  5-3/8 x 6-1/8 inches.

Feel Better Soon!

HAPPY MAIL RECEIVED!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - AUGUST 13, 2017!!

There is a challenge on Splitcoaststamper's called the Traveling Teapot, and its goal is to make cards for someone who needs a bit of cheering up due to illness or other circumstances.  One of my Favorites Teammates has a sister who is in the hospital awaiting serious eye surgery to remove an abscess behind her eye.  The Teapot challenge team has decided to shower Angie's sister with get well cards from SCS members who wish to play in this challenge, and I, of course, wish to do that.

My card for Angie's sister is one I made from a design I received in a shoebox exchange held during our crafting Girls' Getaway.  The card design and techniques used were from a dear friend and crafting cohert, Sandy Stroble.  She showed us how to do the braided ribbon technique and also the tiled window.  I had a difficult time with the braided ribbon because of my arthritic fingers, so she made several for ribbon strands for me to take home to use in the future.  My card incorporates both of her design techniques, as well as a little butterfly stamped into the tiling technique.  Take a peek below. . .I think Angie's sister will enjoy her card!

Ingredients:

                  Paper: SU cardstock:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

                  Patterned paper: Heidi Grace stripe (JoAnns)

                  Stamp:  SU-Butterfly Basics

                  Ink:  SU-Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Versamark

                  Die: Spellbinders: Rectangles, Scalloped LG (inside)

                  Punches:  SU: Word Window, Modern Label (retired), Dotted Scallop Edger (retired)

                  Embossing Powder:  Clear

                  Sentiment and Verse: Computer generated

                  Font: Daddy-O.........Size:  4-3/4" x 6"

A Brainy Get Well!

A good friend and cardmaking buddy had brain surgery for repair of the trigeminal nerves in the brain, caused by a rare condition known as Trigeminal Neuraligia.  This condition caused her chronic pain in the area supplying feelings, by the trigeminal nerve, to the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or less often the eye and forehead.  Bouts of pain can last from a few seconds, several minutes, days, weeks, months or longer (some people have periods when they have no pain at all for weeks or months).  Her surgery seems very successful, though she can not be sure of the exact results for up to several months.

I wanted to make Charlene a pretty get well card that was cute and cheerful, letting her know how much I can't wait until she can join us again at the crafting table!   After mulling around several ideas, I saw Sketch Challenge SC649 on Splitcoaststampers, issued June 14th.  I really thought I could do something with this sketch idea, using a colored image in a cute round frame.  After completing my outside design, I created a little verse and designed the inside to coordinate with the front.  Take a look at her finished card below, both inside and out:  

As it turned out, I took some liberties with the sketch elements, which we are allowed to do.  Take a look at the original sketch that I worked with:

My little girl image shouted out for a square frame instead of a round one, and its angled band called for a straight and wider band to blend with my square frame.  I also decided to add a couple of corner curves and eyelets cut-outs to spruce up my layers and a sheer ribbon and bow.  I hope Charlene will enjoys her card as much as I had fun making it!

Ingredients are listed below:

Cardstocks:  Recollections Essentials (Violet); SU Whisper White. Patterns: Recollections: Purple Ditsy Floral; K&Co.-Watercolor Bouquet-Purple. Color Digital Image: Bandaging Kitty.  Die: Spellbinders: Classic Squares SM; Lacey Squares. SU Punch: Three Corner (retired).  EK Border Punch: Patterned Circles (cut in half).  Offray 5/8" Sheer Violet Ribbon.  Bath & Body Works-Magic in the Air/ Diamond Shimmer Mist. Frame (outside): 3-1/4". Frame (inside: 2-1/4".  Card Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Getting Well After Surgery. . .

My son's girlfriend recently had surgery and spent a day in the hospital.  She's in that after-surgery rough patch where the pain becomes worse and nothing seems to be going the way you think it should.  I wanted to send some meals and a little homemade get-well card to cheer her up and to let her know that we are thinking about her and hoping she feels better real soon.

I'm still in my vintagey mood, so I put together what I call a simple vintage card, using soft-colored patterned papers, distressing, layering and embellishments to dress it up.  I love word dies and this lower-case "get well" word die that I recently purchased will be perfect for my style of card.  Take a look below at my finished card creation, showing both the front and the decorative inside with a little "get well" verse made up just for Katrina!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla.  Iralamija Music Notes digital paper.   Darice Opulent Opal Glitter paper.  Currugated paper: DCWV sask.  MFT dies: Corners (modified).  Paper Smooches die: Get Well.  Papertrey Ink die: Large Scallops.  Accu-Cut die: Bird.  Stampin' Up Pearls.   Hug Snug seam binding ribbon. Computer verse (Fonts: DaddyO 14/ Shelley 10.5).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  

Feel Better Soon!

A good friend is under the weather and needs a little card to perk her up.  I decided to pull an old, but very well liked paper collection to use: Stella Rose by My Mind's Eye.  I like the blues and yellows, which makes it just the right combination for this time of year in the Northwest.  Sometimes, its a bit gloomy and rainy and sometimes the sun is shining with a 75-degree day.  Each day tells a new weather story, and I'm sure, from past history, there's still some wintery weather left for Mother Nature to bring, but today we'll throw in a little spring to remind us of what's coming!

I decided to case a little card made several years ago by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, (My Lil' Scrap Corner), but change it up a bit by enlarging it and adding a navy mat layer for a bit more color.  Enlarging the card allowed the card elements to be spaced apart more, becoming more visible.  I also wanted to make sure my flowered paper layer presented lots of the yellow flowers to coordinate with the golden-yellow polka dot paper.  My handmade paper flower is a bit different, as I added blue-green felt as an under layer, making the blues in my hand-dyed crochet lace pop.  (The lace was colored with Copic markers).

A number of Stampin' Up demonstrators and cardmakers are going on a little Girls' Get-Away Cardmaking retreat, and my friend (and my Stampin' Up upline) is busy preparing all kinds of yummy foods and crafting ideas for us to take part in, but is also feeling a bit under the weather.  I chose a Here For You sentiment to let my friend know that if she needs any help preparing before we go, or whatever, I am ready to pitch in, as we want her to spend time recuperating and not wearing herself out.  I think she will enjoy her little card from me.

Below is the finished inside of the card, designed to coordinate with the outside, with a little feel better soon verse made from me.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up (SU) cardstocks: Very Vanilla (base), Night of Navy.  Patterned: My Mind's Eye: Stella Rose - Hattie Boy Tapestry, Hattie Happy Bouquet, Hattie Buddies Argyle Dots.  SU stamps: And Many More (sentiment).  My Favorite Things dies: Poinsettia (blue-green felt), Photo Corners (inside).  Papertrey Ink die: Delightful Dahlia (leaf).  SU die: Flower Fold BigZ (newsprint - 2 sizes), Windows Frames (modified).  SU punch: 7/8" Scallop punch (flower center).  SU ribbon: Very Vanilla seam binding.  May Arts: twine.  Stash: 3/4" Crochet lace (Copic-colored), buttons.  Computer verse.  Size: 5" square.

Still a Bit Under the Weather!

I still have not been at my crafting table this month!  I think the anesthesia from my bone graft wiped out my energy and my mojo, so I'm still missing in action.  I now have missed not only Valentine cards for my family, but several birthdays and a few get well cards as well!  

I received several cards from dear friends and family members wishing me well, and among them I received a second handmade card from another cardmaking buddy.  I'm not sure how she found time to get to her craft table with all that has been going on in her life, but she is always so thoughtful.

Sandy's card immediately made me think of that very busy cardmaking person burning the midnight oil to get my get well card finished and sent on its way.  

Thank you, Sandy, you are such a dear friend, and your card and message gave me just the right-sized smile right away.  Good thing for you that my face was finally feeling up to smiling a bit, or I might not have been so happy to get it!  LOL  

AWOL from Crafting!

I have not been at my crafting table yet during this month of February, 2015 due to numerous appointments and a bit of mouth surgery called a sinus lift and bone graft a few days ago.  Not really feeling quite up to getting out of my recliner much right now, so I apologize for the skimpy blogging, and my family has totally missed receiving their Valentine cards since I was not working ahead far enough to get them done before this little medical event.  

I received a pretty card from one of my cardmaking buddies who lives just down the street from me.  I didn't really hear the doorbell in my groggy state, but fortunately my husband found it waiting on the doorstep.  I wanted to share this "feel better" card with you because it is one that is handmade.

This card uses the three-panel technique (not sure that is the official name) that has been around several years, and one that I have admired but not tried myself yet, though I have been thinking of it.  I've seen it with stamped images divided into three panels and also embossed panels.  Probably time to "get the lead out" and try it, right???  Charlene also used her new Sizzix Ornate Labels dies, which she sound while we were out shopping one day last month.  I admired it greatly, but they only had one left :-(.

 Thank you, Charlene!  Your card bought just the right touch of cheer to my heart.

Get Well to a Long-Time Friend

Just a few years ago, we re-located some old friends from our early twenties that had been missing from our lives for over 40 years while we were busy being transferred many times by my husband's employer, only to find that they have been having some fairly serious health problems.  To cheer up Marlene, who is having some severe back problems with surgeries, infections, and the list goes on, I remodeled a card from a stash of kits I had on hand.  The original card was designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.lilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  I thank her for the inspiration and the original kit.

I composed a little verse and decorated the inside of the card before sending it on its way.  I hope Marlene enjoys the card!

We are certainly hoping her pain and infections diminish and for further good news on her recovery!

Mom is Not Feeling Well (July, 2011)

My Mom has not been feeling well for at least a week, but she thinks she might be on the mend.  She pretty sure its just a touch of the flu, but we worry about her catching anything, especially colds,  with her asthma.  I thought I would send her a little get well card and show her that I'm still working on my Copic coloring, which I learned while visiting her just this past Spring.  I had just finished this little C.C.Design digital image, which is appropriately named Heidi, my sister's name.  I had a little problem with one of the boots, but was able to make it look like they had laces.  Here is my little Heidi boots and all sitting in the flowers of her garden.  I know Mom will appreciate the card as she started to learn how to color as well.

(Heidi Gonazales: My Lil' Scrap Corner) design: enlarged and modified to add a little me).