One Sheet Wonder Project- Snowflakes

 I love One Sheet Wonder projects.  Especially when I'm feeling like I need a creative boost.  Here is my lastest one using a snowflake theme.

The picture on the right shows the handmade background paper that I started with.  I used the White Outline Technique to create it.  It's so easy and the end result is so stunning.

I stamped the snowflakes in white craft ink on watercolor paper then embossed them with clear embossing powder.  Then I color washed the whole sheet with Twinkling H2O watercolors.  It doesn't show in the picture, but it has a gorgeous shimmer.

After the watercolor paint was dry, I used copy paper and a hot iron to remove the clear embossing.  Just cover the paper with the copy paper and iron it.  The embossing will soak into the copy paper and leave you a crisp white, flat image.

Once the background paper was done, I challenged myself to make as many cards as I could with it.  I got 5 out of this one.  Here they are....

I hope you enjoyed this One Sheet Wonder project.  I have another one to share this week.

Stamp Something- Winter Somethings Challenge

 This week's challenge at Stamp Something is Winter Somethings.  Perfect for my last One Sheet Wonder card.  This is the last of 5 cards that I created with one sheet of handmade background paper.

I made the snowflake background paper using the White Outline Technique (click here for instructions). It's super easy and looks so beautiful when it's done.  I used Twinking H2O watercolors to color wash my paper so it has a gorgeous shimmer that doesn't show up in the pictures.  

 I dry embossed the background paper on this one with a snowflake embossing folder to give it a little extra texture.  I also embossed the flap of the envelope to make it match nicely.  That's an easy way to add a nice touch.

And here's the inside of the card.

Stamps/Images: Snowflakes- SU, Sentiment- SU

Paper: Marco's watercolor paper, White and Teal Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Teal craft ink embossed with clear EP.

Accessories: Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, White Satin Ribbon, Swarovski Flat Back Crystals, Hardware Ribbon Slide.

Woodware USA Challenge #11- Anything Goes

This week's challenge at Woodware USA is "anything goes".  This is the fourth of five cards that I created with my One Sheet Wonder Project.  Once I've shared all five cards, I'll share the whole OSW project.

I made the background paper using the White Outline technique (click here for instructions).  

I colorwashed the paper with Twinkling H2O watercolors so it has a nice shimmer.

Stamps/Images: Snowflakes- SU, Thanks so much- $1 clear stamp

Paper: Marco's watercolor paper, White and Blue Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Teal craft ink embossed with clear EP.

Accessories: Blue and White Grosgrain Ribbon, Light Blue and White  Satin Ribbon, Swarovski Flat Back Crystals, Nestie Tag, Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder,  Brad.

The Shabby Tea Room Challenge #46

This week's "Winter Wonderland" challenge at The Shabby Tea Room was perfect for my One Sheet Wonder project.  This is the third of five cards I created with one sheet of handmade background paper.  Once I share all five cards, I will share the whole project.  

I made the background paper using the White Outline technique (click here for instructions).  I colorwashed the paper with Twinkling H2O watercolors so it has a nice shimmer.

Stamps/Images: Snowflakes- SU, Wintertime- Hero Arts Wintertime Messages

Paper: Marco's watercolor paper, White, Lilac and Teal Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Teal craft ink embossed with clear EP.

Accessories: Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Light Blue Satin Ribbon, Purple Machine Stitching, Blue Pearl Corsage Pin with Beads (capped with an earring back), Swarovski Flat Back Crystals, Snowflake Charms and Hardware Oval Frame.

Sketch n Stash Challenge 53

Here is the second card of my One Sheet Wonder project using this week's Sketch n Stash Challenge sketch. I made a total of 5 cards from this OSW and I'll post the whole project once I've shared all the cards.

Take a look at my last post if you'd like to know how I made the watercolored snowflake background paper.

I inked up the snowman stamp with teal craft ink and then I added some lilac craft ink in just a few spots before I stamped it to get that two toned look.  It's embossed with clear embossing powder.

Stamps/Images: Snowflakes- SU, Snowman- Inkadinkadoo Ornate Christmas

Paper: Marco's watercolor paper, White, Lilac and Teal Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Lilac and teal craft ink embossed with clear EP.

Accessories: Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Purple Machine Stitching, Round Nesties, Blue Pearl Corsage Pin with Beads (capped with an earring back), Swarovski Flat Back Crystals.

Mojo Monday 175

After a very long absence from my art studio, I am finally back at it and so happy about that! I started with a "One Sheet Wonder" project because that always helps me find my groove again when I am feeling less than creative.

Today I'm sharing one of the cards from the One Sheet Wonder project. I used the Mojo Monday card sketch for this one. When I get all 5 cards from this project posted, I'll do a post sharing the whole One Sheet Wonder project.

The snowflake background paper was created by stamping the snowflakes with white craft ink and embossing with clear embossing powder on watercolor paper. I then color washed over it with Twinkling H2O watercolors. Once dry, I covered it with white copy paper and ironed it with a hot iron to remove the embossing which leaves a smooth, crisp white image.

A few beads added to a plain pearl corsage pin make the pin extra special. A little glue holds the bottom bead in place nicely.

I dry embossed the flap of the envelope with the cuttlebug and a snowflake folder to add nice touch to the envelope.

Stamps/Images: Snowflakes- SU, Ornate Circle- Inkadinkadoo Round Frames, Friendship- SU

Paper: Marco's watercolor paper, White, Lilac and Teal Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Lilac, teal and black craft ink embossed with clear EP.

Accessories: Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Purple Machine Stitching, Round Nesties, Blue Pearl Corsage Pin with Beads (capped with an earring back), Swarovski Flat Back Crystals, Snowman Button.

Lyme Disease

After being MIA since October of 2009, I am finally crawling out from under a big rock called Lyme Disease. I know many of my stamping friends have been wondering where I went and what happened to me.

In October of 2009, my husband's father lost his very long, hard battle with cancer and it hit our family very hard. The very same week, a good friend was killed in a tragic situation that quickly became a national news story. She was my age (38 at the time) and was taken from this Earth way too early.

After two weeks of very difficult funerals, I started to feel very drained which was not very surprising except for the fact that I never really felt better as time passed. Time went on and I slowly started to have more and more symptoms (all subtle at first) and the depression and the fatigue worsened.

Eventually I had to admit to myself that something was desperately wrong but I didn't know what. Neither did my doctors. After months of doctors, specialists, blood work, tests and even thinking I had cancer, I was finally diagnosed with Late Stage Lyme Disease. At first, I was relieved to have a diagnosis and because I wasn't very educated on Lyme Disease, I thought "Oh, good! This is no big deal!" I quickly learned how wrong I was.

The more I learned about Lyme Disease, the more I realized that my situation was much more serious than I ever imagined. I started seeing a specialist two hours away and have been under his care for the past 9 months. I just finished up 8 months of intense antibiotic chemotherapy (11 doses a day). I stopped the meds last week because my body just can't handle anymore of it right now.

There is no cure for Late Stage Lyme Disease and I am hoping to regain my health gradually with traditional medical treatment along with alternative treatments including naturopathy, homeopathy and nutrition.

I haven't been able to work at all this year and my creative interests had to be set aside because when you feel that sick, the last thing you feel is creative. For the past year, I have spent the majority of my time in bed but lately I do feel like I'm finally improving a little bit and this week I finally had some creative energy and time in my art studio. I'm very thankful to have come to that point. I have a long road ahead of me but I am thankful for every bit of improvement I get.

I hope that I'm getting back to the point of living life again but only time will tell. With any luck, you'll be seeing me much more regularly here. That's what I am hoping for!