#56: Happy Mother's Day, 2012

Three years.

I would have never believed it's been three years since I last updated my blog.

In 2010, I lost my Mom after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer's and lung cancer.  I think I miss her more now than I did immediately after her death, because I have less of a sense of relief and more of a sense of loss.  She was suffering so much, that it was a deep blessing to have her pain-free, at long last.  Now, the suffering is a more distant memory, and the reality of the fact that she has gone is more poignant.

But, I'm still making cards and creating other things, so I hope to be back, remembering to smile both at what I had and what is yet to come.

I love you, Mom.  Always have and always will.
XXX OOO
Mary

#55: Mother's Day, 2009

As my Mom's Alzheimer's disease progresses, she has less ability to understand anything abstract in nature. So, no puns or poetry for her Mother's Day cards, but I do try to incorporate as much texture as possible into them. Patients with Alzheimer's are very tactile-- they enjoy touch and the differences in how things feel. Mom's card this year included as much as I could to make it a happy card for her-- lots of textures and depth--but boy, did that same intent make it a tough card to scan or photograph!

The base is a sheet of heavy, white, linen textured acrylic painting paper, and the layer is a beautiful shade of textured metallic cardstock from DCWV called "Nightlife," which is actually a silvery lavender color.

The intricate flowery square is from a pack of four felt coasters I bought from Michael's "10 for 10 Dollars" section. I added a few small silver brads to the center and some huge, jeweled brads to the corners.

In all my years of stamping (almost 20), can you believe I've never had a "Happy Mother's Day" stamp? When I found this Inkadinkado beauty in the SALE bin, I knew it had to come home with me.

This is my third year of posting Mom's Mother's Day cards; the first post I ever put up for my blog was one of them. I love you, Mom.

#54: Talking Cards

Now that they're being discontinued and just about impossible to find, I've discovered "Bubble Stickers" from Martha Stewart. I purchased several packages on sale at Michael's.... well, because they were on sale. No other reason.

Now I find that they're really tickling my fancy and I've had a lot of fun with them. Since they're hard to find, I did the next best thing and bought a h*u*g*e punch at Hobby Lobby that's a rectangular "Cartoon Bubble," as they call it. This is going to be fun!

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Bunny Stamp:Studio G ($1.00 at Michael's)
Thank You: Pre-inked JustRite Double Stamp (What a timesaver!)
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#53: And now for something completely different...(Finally!)

It's a card made with a napkin, and every time I look at the cartoon, it makes me laugh... Poor St. Patrick! Just look at those big circles under his eyes. Every Mom and Dad in the world can relate!

#52: I love snowflakes!

I have an awful lot of snowflake and snowflake-themed stamps, but since I don't make my own Christmas cards, they don't see as much use as they should. I love to incorporate them into other types of cards, like this get-well card for a co-worker.
Here's the cover: .... and then a small scan of the inside:


The card is 6"x6" and I think all the stamps are from various $1.00 bins.

The round snowflake punch is an old one from All Night Media, and the snowflake border punch on either side of the "Get Well Soon" is Martha Stewart's embossing border punch. (Note to self: The embossing shows on the underside of the cardstock, so put the cardstock into the punch upside down....)

The wonderful sparkly chipboard letters are from the Dollar Spot at Target-- some of the prettiest I've ever seen! I only got two packages, so I'll definitely need to make a return trip for more, now that I've seen what a nice touch they add.

Hope all your holiday plans are coming together. Try not to stress, OK?

#51: Why is it...?

The more stuff I have, the less stuff I create? Sheesh, I don't think my hobby is stamping/card-making anymore....I think it's collecting stamping/cardmaking stuff.

Do I love all my stuff? Yep, unreservedly! Do I use my stuff? Er....not so much. I should be ashamed. Should be, mind you, but I'm not. Every once in a while, I go into a flurry of creating and then I'm so happy with myself, I remember why I started all this!

I've also realized that my favorite creations never make it to the blog because I am a card-carrying crappy photographer. If it doesn't scan, it doesn't appear here. And even if it does appear here, it's a little pathetic. But pathetic can be kinda cute, too! (example follows...)

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Penguin & Happy Birthday stamps from various dollar bins. My expensive stamps are carefully stored and I have a hard time remembering where... which is why I use my dollar stamps, mostly.

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#50: Impulsive Bunnies

I love this teeny, little stamp (1"x¾"). I've had it for years and have no idea where I bought it. However, the information from the side of the wood mount says "Noteworthy™, Chatsworth, CA." When I put Google to work on that, it turns out it isn't a stamp company, but a "...company highly focused on providing front end, value oriented, impulse merchandise programs..." (The bold underline is mine.)

Yup, the word impulse describes my shopping habits perfectly!

These bunnies have graced lots of birthday, thank you, get well and thinking-of-you cards-- and every single time I add them to something, I have to laugh!

#49: I'm baaa-aack!

Oh, boy. Has it been a busy/nuts/frustrating couple of months! No gory details, but besides not keeping up my blog, I don't even think I've posted on GW in weeks. That's like saying "I don't even think I've eaten any chocolate in weeks." Unbelievable.

That's the problem with inertia-- you know, the old "Body at rest tends to remain at rest" thing? I found each day away from stamping, blogging, and crafting made it harder and harder to resume. Throughout the time, dear becky-with-a-little-"b" commiserated and sent several lovely, uplifting messages of support and empathy which touched my very soul and for that I can never thank her enough.

Quick post and a quick card, but now that the body is moving, I'll be back soon!

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Stamp: Sandra Boyton "Keep Smiling" (#915) by Kidstamps

Background paper is actually a glossy file folder; design by Mary Engelbreit

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#48: Faith & Emily Dickinson

I really enjoy some of Emily Dickinson's poetry, so when I found these beautiful stickers on close-out at Serendipity Stamps, I knew I had to have them. They work so well for a variety of occasions, such as get well, encouragement, or congratulations, especially when I need a card quickly.

The passage reads:
"We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise
And then, if we are true to plan
Our statures touch the skies."

#47: Thank You Cards

I've had a lot to be thankful for in the past few weeks, which meant I went on a card-making frenzy this weekend. My dear friends at work had a lovely, impromptu birthday party for me last Friday that I thoroughly enjoyed: take out Chinese food and an elegant Chocolate Mousse Cake that almost put the entire place into a coma-- Yum!

Here's just one of the many cards I worked on over the weekend, and its sentiment is meant with all my heart!

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~Thanks embossed with a Sizzix Simple Impressions Folder and lightly highlighted with a Color Box Cat's Eye Chalk Pad in Alabaster.

~Martha Stewart's Border Punches: Doily Lace and Small Ribbon Threader

~The gold embossed card edge is actually the trimmed front of a Christmas Photo Card (adhesive strips already attached!) from a box purchased in an after-Christmas sale. Included gold-foil lined envelopes, too!

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#46: Thank you, Cherylynn & Second Childhood Creations!

Addendum added April 21, 2009
I remain grateful for the gift certificate that I was awarded, but feel compelled to add, at this later date, that there have been some recent concerns about the quality of customer service through Second Childhood. Please consider this before you order. I am anxious to clarify that although the experience I had in this instance was positive, I would not want anyone to feel that I have unfairly represented this particular online store. Thank you for understanding.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Now, how cool is this? And how generous is this???

Cherylynn of the online store Second Childhood Creations has a blog, as well. Before going to CHA last week, she asked for input regarding what her fans and customers would like her to look for at the show. Imagine that! Someone who wants to know what we'd like to spend our money on!

Cherylynn asked our opinions and also offered a generous $15.00 gift certificate to a randomly chosen response posted in reply to her question-- and bless her heart, I won! I had lots to say, of course (no surprise there) but I was surprised and honored to have that wonderful Random Integer Generator choose me.

Thank you to yet another Gingerwood cyber friend!

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Edited 2/1/2009

#45: Rubber Stamp Tapestry

Although I've long admired them, I've only recently begun purchasing and using sets by Rubber Stamp Tapestry. I'm still working on perfecting the technique, but find that you can achieve impressive results with less effort than you'd think possible!

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Stamp Set: Auntie's Strawberry Garden by Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Happy Birthday Stamp by Leisure Arts
Circle Filigree Punch by Fiskars
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#44: Another Angelina Fiber Creation

Here's another Angelina Fiber creation that more clearly shows the halo of fibers around the stamped image. This was inside a tri-fold "New Baby" card. The color name of this fiber is "Calypso Blue" and has a definite iridescent sheen to it, as do all of the various fibers.

I have mostly done solid color images, but at the convention, Class Act did some wonderful things with mixed colors. For example, they used a large dragonfly stamp and added bits of pink, yellow, and orange to several shades of green for a beautiful creation that looked as if it came straight from a sunny day at the pond. It was stunning! By adding a stick-on pin back, they provided many attendees with a small work of art that took only moments to create. I'm thinking that in the future, rather than adhere the image directly to the card with adhesive, I should add a pin back. It could then be a little gift within the card, especially for birthdays and Christmas.

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Stamps:
-Onesie from a 10-pack set of wood-mounted stamps by "Studio g" (A great deal for only $10.00 then used a 40% off coupon at AC Moore! Contains images of a baby bottle, onesie, rattle, diaper pin, baby carriage, umbrella with raining gifts, and four sentiments: "Bundle of Love," "Just Arrived," "Baby Shower," and "Welcome Baby."
-"Congratulations" $1.00 clear stamp by DMD, purchased at JoAnn's

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#43: Angelina Fibers

I seem to be making way too many sympathy cards these days. It also seems, however, that of all the cards I make, sympathy cards are the most appreciated.

The heart was created using Angelina Fibers-- something I'd never heard of until I saw a demonstration by Class Act of Canada at a convention this spring. The quick instructions are:

1. Preheat a dry iron to medium.


2. Ink a rubber stamp with dye-based ink (must be rubber, not acrylic).


3. Place the stamp, inked side up, on a firm surface.


4. Place shreds of Angelina Fibers on top of inked stamp. You can use a single color (I used "Sugar Plum" for the heart above) or mix several colors.


5. Place a piece of parchment paper over the fibers.


6. Press with the pre-heated iron until you are able to faintly see the stamp design through the parchment.


7. Allow paper and fused fibers to cool slightly and remove from stamp.


8. May leave the loose fibers around the image for a halo-type of effect, or you may trim the outline of the stamped/fused image.

I bought a number of packets of fibers at the convention. Since then, I've purchased a sampler pack of 19 colors from a vendor on eBay, and have noticed that AC Moore has the fibers available online. I haven't found any bricks-and-mortar stores, however, that carry the product.

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Lace Heart Stamp: Rubber Stampede
"God gave us memories..." Sticker: Seredipity Stamps
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Textile

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#42: Transparencies

We've been "talking" about transparencies on GW a lot recently and I've been asked about a type I described as a little "cloudy." The type I mean is for highly detailed copies and therefore it has a special coating to help the copier toner adhere better to the transparency. I'm not sure if "cloudy" is the correct term to use. The coating results in a very slight rough feel and perhaps just a touch of dullness, as opposed to a super shiny/slick surface. I kind of like this type, as my inked up stamp is less likely to slide because there's a faint texture from the coating. But that's definitely a personal preference.

Some types of transparencies also have a white strip running the length of them. It's called a "sensing strip" and is there so that certain types of copiers can recognize a clear sheet coming through and can sort of grab onto it. The strip removes cleanly, without residue. Sometimes I pull the strip off and other times I leave it on, incorporating it into my card design.

This is a card I made for the DH. It isn't a great image because I scanned it, but trying to get a photo of a transparency is waaaaay beyond my limited photography skills. The deer is a sticker Mike had admired and looks much better than anything I could color; the zig-zag design is a gold metallic sticker over the sensing strip.

FRONT:

INSIDE/OPEN:

I am absolutely not any kind of an expert on using transparencies in card making-- I know more about using transparencies from the days of overhead projectors and pre-PowerPoint. Now that's showing my age, isn't it??!

#41: The winner-- and more!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment or send an e-mail regarding the Heat Gun Holder Tutorial. It was delightful to know that I'm not the only one who thinks the Holder is a must-have-- or that my DH, Mike, is a sweetheart!

However, it just gets better: Mike was very pleased with how appreciative everyone was and decided to put together "kits" for three runners-up. The winner will receive a fully put-together/complete Heat Gun Holder, as shown in the tutorial. Additionally, though, three more Holders will be shipped, unassembled, to the runners-up. These "kit" Holders have already been put together, but then unassembled to make shipping a little easier. All that needs to be done is to insert the screws and cup hook (all included) into the correct holes.

So, here's the list:
THE WINNER!!: sandie994

RUNNER-UP #1: Cathy in AZ

RUNNER-UP #2: Renée K.

RUNNER-UP #3: SilverDragoness

I have sent e-mails out to Sandie, Cathy and Renée; SilverDragoness, I need contact information for you, please.

I do wish I could send out a Heat Gun Holder to every single one of you. However, you just never know what the DH might come up with in the future, when he's fiddling around in the basement...

Many thanks and best wishes to each of you!
~Mary (and Mike)

#40: Heat Gun Holder Tutorial & Giveaway

More than any other post on my blog, the wonderful heat gun holder my DH made for me has generated many lovely comments and e-mails (see post #29 HERE).

I've e-mailed quickie instructions to those who have asked, but finally decided to do a step-by-step photo tutorial of Mike in action, creating one. As a result, I have an extra heat gun holder, and will be giving it away to a lucky random poster. Details at the end of the tutorial!

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STEP #1:

Measurements of the wood pieces are approximate. Mike uses scraps of pine that he has in the basement, so no two holders are exactly the same. Don't be afraid to experiment.

(1) BASE: 5" wide x 6" long x ¾" thick

(1) TOP: 3½" wide x 5½" long x ¾" thick

(1) UPRIGHT STAND: 3" wide x 10½" long x ½" thick

(6) Wood Screws, 1½" long

(1) Ceramic Tile, 4¼" x 4¼"

(1) Cup Hook [not shown]

2" hole saw for cutting hole in TOP

Polyurethane Spray [not shown--optional]

Silicone Glue [not shown]

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STEP #2:
Lightly sand rough edges of wood, if desired.

Center UPRIGHT STAND piece onto edges of BASE and TOP.

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STEP #3:
Drill 3 evenly spaced holes along ends of UPRIGHT STAND into TOP and into BASE pieces (total of 6 holes).

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STEP #4:

Use hole saw to cut 2" opening into TOP. Center the hole side-to-side, but place it more to front edge of the TOP.





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STEP #5:

Re-align TOP and BASE pieces with UPRIGHT STAND piece and insert screws. An electric screwdriver or a drill bit for screws speeds things up!

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STEP #6:

Almost done!

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STEP #7:

OPTIONAL: Sand the entire holder lightly with fine sandpaper and spray with one coat of fast-drying polyurethane. DH uses Minwax Clear Gloss or Matte Finish. Do not paint the wood as it may not withstand the heat from the heat gun.

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STEP #8:
Use Silicone Glue to adhere the Ceramic Tile to the base.

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STEP #9:

Center Ceramic Tile on BASE and press down firmly.

Screw a cup hook into the back of the UPRIGHT STAND to help control the cord on the heat gun (see original photo at top of page).

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Is this guy great or what??!

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Now, for the Giveaway:

Since creating this tutorial meant that a new heat gun holder was created, too, Mike and I thought we'd share the extra. If you could use this handy tool, here's your chance to win it!

Just leave a comment with your e-mail address, or send me a brief message [handsandheart (at) live (dot) com]. I'll have the DH choose a random number on Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 noon EST and will be in touch with the winner.

#39: Fiskars Border and Corner Punch

I love-love-LOVE punches of all kinds, but I'm really impressed with one of the new Fiskars Border and Corner punches. I haven't seen them in stores, yet, but did purchase one at a recent Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking show in Syracuse, NY.

The names of the punches are truly, truly awful (one that's a woven-type of style is called "Lattice Entertain You".....), but I just adore the beautiful intricacy of the one I purchased, called "Comin' Up Roses."

You must start with a square or rectangle that's measured in full inch increments. There are actually two punches, side-by-side: the corner punch and the border. You begin by pressing both simultaneously, then move your paper/cardstock along the very clearly marked base, pressing only the border punch, to make your design. When there's one inch remaining, turn the paper 90 degrees and repeat. One of the easiest punch systems I've ever used, with spectacularly intricate results. It almost appears laser-cut.

On this sample, I used a heavy cream paper matted on black cardstock, resulting in a simple, but elegant, sympathy card. With the right stamp and by substituting a pretty pink or green mat, and it could be a wonderfully feminine birthday card.

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Stamp: My Sentiments Exactly! Clear Stamps "Sympathy Sentiments" (Set #M123)
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#38: A tradition, of sorts...

The first card I posted on this blog last year was the card I made for my Mom for Mother's Day, 2007, so I guess I should keep up with the tradition. (Is something a tradition when it's only been done twice? Close enough, I guess!)

My Mom is one of my biggest fans when it comes to the cards I create. She has been battling Alzheimer's for several years, so I find that she enjoys cards that are kind of bold and obvious-- she can't really appreciate things like subtle stamping or shading. So I get a kick out of using some of the offbeat Sizzix dies I have and she always enjoys receiving them, too.

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*Sizzix Originals Die: "Toaster"

-Toaster made with Crayola Brand "Stardust" Inkjet Sticker Paper

*Sizzix Originals Die: "Toast, Butter & Jam"

-Toast made with PSX Paper Designs 12x12 "Antique Wallpaper" and edge colored with a gold/brown Sharpie marker

*Pink background paper by Frances Meyer, Inc. (unknown pattern name)

*Sentiment is computer generated

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#37: Maybe I'm on a roll....

Lots of birthdays in May and June. Here's a quick card made for a friend. The little squares are tiny (2¼") notecards from Michael's, available in a variety of colors. They come with coordinating colored envelopes, so all you need to do is seal the envelope and stick the card to it to have an instant mat.

I love the delicate little gingham and tiny watercolor style hearts and flowers. The best part? I got a TON of different colors on sale for 50¢ per package of 12!

The ribbon is also from Michael's. It was labeled as an Easter ribbon, but I purchased it on sale after the holiday.