I made this card last night to send to a friend.  I started with a handmade paper base that has flower petals in the paper.  I stamped the main image by Hero Arts with imperial purple versafine ink.  The sentiment by Stampin Up is stamped with shabby shutters distress ink.  I used the same shabby shutters to stamp the Hero Arts butterfly on a scrap of basic grey and cut it out.  I then added in more shabby shutters and milled lavender around the edges with cut and dry foam.  

In other news: I'm sorry I haven't shared an update about Kyle.  He went back to school last week for partial days and is in school for full days this week.  He's still tired and dizzy occasionally, so I'm driving him both ways. He's working hard to make up for lost time in his classes.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.

faux art glass embellishment tutorial

Here's a new one for you. Some of my videos are basic techniques that have been around for a while. As far as I know, this one is all my own. I took a stroll through the cake decorating section and was inspired by the tiny cookie cutters. I had to laugh at myself working with this hot stuff right in the middle of summer. I'd love to know if you try this one and how you use the embellishment.

back to basics

Sometimes it all gets overwhelming and a girl has to get back to basics. Lately, I've been spending the majority of my creative time working on classes, challenges, and magazine work. I'm tired of trying to be innovative and creative all the time. Of course it's the end of the school year and teachers are tired, so I'm spending lots of time subbing in classrooms with kids who are tired of school. I'm tired of school. I'm tired of this grey June gloom weather. I'm just tired.

So, I decided to get back to basics today. Create something just because it's fun. I love black and white and polkadots and florals. I love glossy cardstock and a little bling. So, I pulled out this small Magenta stamp to make my own background by turning the stamp every which way and stamping repeatedly with StazOn ink. I stamped it one more time and punched out the focal piece. Both of the punches are StampinUp. Hero Arts makes the best little self adhesive gems and pearls, so I added in some of that. I love the elegant simplicity of this design and use it when I'm not sure how to lay out my card.

I'd love to hear about your go to products or designs or style. Is there something that always works well for you when you aren't sure what to make. I relied on most of mine for this one. I feel better. Thanks for stopping by today.