Spring Fling and Easter Things

I wanted to share a couple cards I made for samples at work.  I used the our new line of Lifestyle Crafts Dies and Bella Blvd's. Spring Fling and Easter Things Papers.

They were quick and easy too.  I only needed the Big Shot for the dies and a little round punch to pop out the flowers.  I snipped out two Bunnies from the paper and layered with pop dots.

I thought they turned out so cute.  I love making Scallop Circle Cards, so I thought I'd change things up a bit and make these square.  They fit in an A-2/Invitation size envelope and SU's medium regular envelope. 

I haven't even started on Valentine Cards yet, so I think that better be next.  *smile*  Mom's better, still using her walker but much more balanced than we started out.  Her pneumonia is all clear now.  I wanted to thank everyone for your wonderful comments about Mom and the cards I posted.

Take care and be safe!!!

White Flowers

Today's card is one I made back in October.  I was trying a technique I'd never done before for the background.  I stamped and embossed an old lace stamp I've had forever, (Hero Arts, S1523 Flower Lace Pattern) embossed it and then used SU markers to color in the background.  Oh what's it called… everyone does it but me. 

I started with Bashful Blue Cardstock and embossed my image in white.  Then with SU markers in Marina Mist and Perfect Plum I laid down some color on my craft sheet, misted with a touch of water.  Then with a sponge dauber colored in the background.  I did the same thing on the cardstock behind the image and called it done.  I wasn't real impressed with how it turned out, but I like the technique and will try it again. 

This card is long gone and I forgot to take a pic of the inside.  I don't even remember what I did to the inside.

Mom's a bit better, her white count is still high.  They are going to give her more antibiotics.  But she is a lot more stable walking with her walker.  So that's good. 

We are supposed to get tons of snow today (Thursday), even though you'll be reading this tomorrow (Friday).  lol  Make sense?  48 degree's yesterday, (Wed.) and below zero wind chill expected today, Thurs. 

Thanks so much for visiting me today and I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

Butterflies

I found another minute and thought I'd post this card today.  The Butterfly stamps are from Memory Box.  The one on the lower left is Wonderland Butterfly E1713 and the top right is Cocoa Bean Butterfly C1714. 

I colored mine using Copics, but you could easily color with your favorite product. 
I don't know the Copics I used.  This card was made a while back and it just never got posted.  I'm still trying to get used to coloring with Copics.  This is one of the few images I didn't throw away after coloring.  lol 

I love the rich contrast of the colors.  I hope you do too.  Mom's doing a bit better.  Physical Therapy starts coming to the house this week.  That will do her a lot of good. 

 

 

 

• Memory Box Butterfly Stamps
  • Wonderland Butterfly E1713
  • Cocoa Bean Butterfly C1714
• Night of Navy Cardstock
• Martha Stewart Border Punch        
• Gems from my stash
• Cuddlebug Embossing Folder

Thanks for visiting today, you know how much I appreciate it!!!

Baja Breeze with Tangerine Tango

Well, today is another day at the Bazhenow household.  Busy, busy, busy.  Mom got pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital right after Christmas and got home on Jan 1.  It zapped her as she has COPD.  Doctor's say she'll be fine.  Just gonna be a slow process.  She even needed 2 units of blood.  Never did find out why at the hospital, but we go back to the doctor next week, hopefully he'll have an answer.  Its weird, cause the same thing happened when she got pneumonia a few years back.  Any idea's you knowledgeable bloggers?

I truly thought I was going to hit the new year blogging and surfing.  Not to be.  But, I'm here today and this card was created in the middle of my Christmas Cards.

I bought a new die from Memory Box, Amira Flourish.  I love the shape and the stylish flourish.  For some reason it seems to cut better in the Big Shot than the Cuddlebug.  Just do a Google search for the above and you'll find tons of places you can purchase.  I don't remember where I got mine, it was online.

My ribbon for the bow is from Michaels and the tag punch is Martha's.  I have no idea what SU DSP paper this is.  lol  Too lazy to go look, too. 

Well, I'd better keep a move on.  I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year celebration and are keeping your new years resolutions.  I'm so not. 

The rest of my Christmas Cards and Tags

Oh I just can't believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow.  Where or where did the time go?  I was going to post these next week, and then decided to get my butt in gear and get this post in for this week. 

Here's the rest of the cards I made…

Amaryllis stamp with Stencil Embossed Background

above and below… glitter and peel off stickers with my Poinsettia

Vellum Poinsettia made like I did the others this year.

Mom and Paige's Gift Tags
(We call her Paig-r, so this is the abbreviation)

I sure didn't get many made this year.  But then again, when you don't get around blogland much, you don't get much incentive or inspiration. 

My schedule will be more normal towards the middle of January, so hopefully this will get me back on track!  I'm sure hoping. 

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope your dreams and wishes all come true!!!  I love you all.

Hugs, Carla

Mailing Cards with Flowers

I had so many requests on mailing flower cards, I wanted to post this for you today. 

If I don't have any SU Padded Envelopes on hand, I use an 8 1/2 by 11 Bubble mailer.  This is how I redo the mailer to fit my envelope…

As you see in the picture above, I measure the card by laying it along the bottom of the mailer and then I cut off the layer above it along the back side.  Using the piece I just cut off, I wrap the card.

Sliding the wrapped card down into the pocket I created.  I then wrap the rest of bubble mailer around my card, seal and label.

You don't see it in the picture, but I did put a piece of clear mailing tape of over the label and the seam.  It cost me $1.71 to mail each.  Here's my receipt for mailing 5 of them all over the United States.  One went to Florida, one to Maryland, one to Texas, one to Virginia and one down the road from me. 

I hope this encourages you to create beautiful cards with flowers and not fear mailing them.  *smile* 

I'll be back with a post tomorrow with the rest of my Christmas cards.  Hope to see you then. 

Hugs, Carla

P.S.  if you look closely at the receipt, the weight isn't the same on all cards, as I used a couple SU Padded envelopes and one was a small box.  But all the same price to mail.  Very inexpensive for a pretty gift.  The very bottom one on the receipt is the envelope in the picture above.

Poinsettia Christmas Card 2

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Ours was a quiet day with a huge meal.  It was just hubby, mom, my brother and me.  We've just finishing up with all the leftovers.  They were so good!

Here's the 2nd Christmas Poinsettia card I made…

  

If you'd like more details click this link:  Christmas Poinsettia Card 1, both cards are created the same way.

Supplies…

• Happiness Shared Stamp Set
• Bells and Boughs Stamp Set
• Petite Pairs Stamp Set, my new favorite set
• Tiny 6 petal Flower Punch
• McGill Branch Punch
• Marianne Designables, cut and emboss Die
• Real Red Textured Cardstock with Cherry Cobbler Ink
• Old Olive Textured Cardstock with Old Olive Ink
• Pinecones were made using the smallest flower from Boho Blossoms Punch (click Christmas Poinsettia Card 1 link above for directions)
• Green Gems

How's your Christmas shopping coming along?  I've gotten 2 presents purchased so far… how sad. I sure don't want to wait much longer before I get out shopping.  Right now, its just cold here.  I'm hoping the snow stays away til Christmas Eve.  *smile*

I feel so bad posting to my blog and then not being able to visit all your blogs in a timely fashion.  I'm getting in a better place here and at work, time management wise anyway… mentally I've not changed a bit.  Physically… a couple more pounds.  I'm not going to be able to lie about that much longer, especially if new pants suddenly appear in my wardrobe.  Know what I mean? 

I'd hoped to post this on Monday and my program, (Windows Live Writer) has been open on my computer since Saturday.  But, finally the post is posted!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. 

Upcoming:

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are clickable and ready to print and enjoy!

Poinsettia Christmas Card #1

Today's Poinsettia is created using the leaf stamp from Happiness Shared.  I stamped the image using Cherry Cobbler onto Real Red cardstock and then snipped them out while watching "Castle".  The leaves are created the same way using Old Olive on Old Olive.

I also stamped the Holly and Bell image from Bells and Boughs Stamp Set, coloring only the holly and snipping it out and adding 3 red gems for the berries. 

Using Linda's brilliant pinecone and branch ideas I created my design.  The branch is just a perfect match for winter flowers.   To make the pinecone I punched out the smallest flower from SU's Boho Blossom punch.  Cut down between 2 petals and then snipped out the center and rolled it up on my quilling tool and glued the end. 

Creating these types of flowers is my favorite thing to do, I just wish I had more time, I'd make these for everyone.  Okay, no I wouldn't, I'd have to start in January.

But seriously I do put these in the mail.  I will either add a piece of bubble wrap to the front or layer it between chipboard.  I have even de-activated the adhesive (using baby powder and a little artist paintbrush) on one side of a piece of foam tape and attach it to the inside of the envelope and then slipped in my card.  The only problem I've had is my Dad had to pay an additional 6¢ to get his birthday card last year.  lol  I have a postage scale, so you'd think this wouldn't happen.  lol  Sometimes though I've had to mail my flower cards in one of SU's Padded Envelopes, too.

Supply List includes:

• SU Happiness Shared
• SU Bells and Boughs
• SU Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Early Espresso and Soft Suede Textured Cardstock
• Sissix Snowflake #4 with matching Embossing Folder
• SU Decorative Strip Northern Flurry Die
• McGill Branch Punch
• SU Boho Blossoms Punch for Pinecones
• Mini 7 petal Punch for Flower Center in Daffodil Delight
• Red and Green Gems

I hope I've inspired you to stamp some leaves and snip them out while enjoying an episode of Castle.  Make it a creative week! 

 

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are clickable and ready to print and enjoy!

Dreamweaver Stencils and Copics

I took a class at work with Elaine Benedict and she taught us all about Dreamweaver Stencils and I fell in love.  I've always searched for different backgrounds to try and this is my most favorite one I've found, although not the quickest.  You need to let it dry a couple hours first, but I let mine dry overnight, just in case.  I've put my finger into wet things before and of course ruined all my work.

This card is using the Petals Background Stencil and Glossy White Embossing Paste.

I colored in my downloaded digital images using Copics and snipped them out.  I truly didn't think they'd turn out or I would of wrote down the colors I used.  I'll keep track from now on for you Copic users.  Even though, you are so much more experienced in them than me.  This is the first image I've kept that I've colored using Copics.

I have started working on my Christmas Cards.  I'm doing the images first, then the layers and then the embellishments.  I want them all done at once this year.  I'm stampin and coloring some and using glitter and peel off stickers on others.   I'm sure I'll see some online to inspire me.  Plus, I have 3 new dies to use, a lamp post, a a small fence and a Christmas tree.   What's in my mind sure isn't coming out on paper.

I'm tickled you liked my Halloween mask, it was so fun to make.  If you missed it, its below this post. 

Oh,the gems on my card are from the Hero Hues line from Hero Arts the Satin Ribbon is SU's. 

Where on earth does the time go?  I don't know how most of you gals do it. 

Upcoming:  I have a flower nearly ready.  I also have a few cards to show you from classes I took at work.  Then one of the gals makes Scrapbook pages for display at work and she challenged me to make a card using her scraps, so I have that card and page coming soon, too.   So you'll be seeing me for awhile.  lol

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are clickable and ready to print and enjoy!

Happy Halloween

I wanted to share the eye mask I created for work.  We had a big crop night last Friday with pizza, soda and snacks.  Carrie came as I witch and I was going to be her broom, but this was much easier to create…

The bat is an SU punch and the rest are Martha's borders.  The tree image above is from the internet and the Spider is an old Martha Halloween stamp set.  I added my Punch Art Pumpkins (click for the tutorial) and some old Jolee's stickers and gems from my stash.

I hope you enjoyed my little creation today, the mask template is at www.freefunfings.com.  I wish you a fun and safe Halloween!!

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials and clickable and ready to print and enjoy!

Leftover Punch Art Flowers

I created this card with the left over punched flowers from my previous card.  The background image is from SU's Elements of Style and is stamped with Ranger Distress Inks. 
It's a new technique I learnt.  You take 3 different ink pad colors and pounce some ink onto different areas of a non porous surface and mist each color with water.  I use the glass from my SU Circle Cutter.  Then using a finger dauber, dab into one color and pounce randomly onto your stamp, repeating with each color.  Then lightly mist your stamp with water and then stamp onto white cardstock. 
The colors I used for the image are Broken China, Faded Jeans and Peeled Paint.    Peeled Paint is the same color as SU's Old Olive. 
After the image dried, I lightly adhered it to Old Olive and ran it thru the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
To create the border behind I used the SU background stamp, French Filigree.  I added the colors the same way as on the main image.  Then I cut it down to 2 inches.  I wish more of the stamped colors showed thru.  


The center is created using Nestibilites Lacey Ovals with the center cut out to show the background image.  I decided to add silver gems instead of colored flower centers. just to dress it up a bit more. 
I've taken a couple new classes at work and I'm so anxious to share the techniques with you.  Thanks for visiting me today, you know how much I appreciate it.
Flowers are Marina Mist, Bashful Blue and Perfect Plum with Old Olive leaves.  I don't have a tutorial for the flowers on this card.  Just glued the layers together with Crystal Effects/Glossy Accents.
Question to those of you that changed your camera settings to Museum… did it work for you as well as it did me? 


Noteworthy:  All my Tutorials are now linked to Google Docs.  So feel free to click and print away!!!  Enjoy!

My Cookbook Vol 2

I created a Cookbook awhile back, you can view it here.  I didn't leave room for any more recipes, so I created Vol 2 for the ones I forgot to include in the original.

I included a couple pockets in this one for a few additions and or journaling.  Plus, I can actually add to this one.  My cookbook is 6 X 9.

I used both, Berry Blossoms and Domestic Goddess DSP.  I've been collecting the stickers since I started the other one. 

The photo of is of Steve and I.  I thought the granddaughter's might enjoy that.  The pic is of oranges and banana's.  Have you ever combined them with a bit of sugar… delicious!

Above and to the right, I included my favorite meal combinations and my favorite quick and easy meals.

The photo along side the popcorn, above the word Gorp is of Vanilla Cookies we used to keep in the house all the time.  Now, with mom here she bakes us homemade ones every week. 

I used to follow Stacy Julian and she always stressed taking pictures of your daily life. The food, the laundry, paying the bills, watching TV… etc. and I'm so glad I did and still do. I've edited my original cookbook to include pics of my Chili, Spaghetti, and other meals. Especially my favorite meals, so the girls can see what they look like.

These two pages are Mom's recipes, even though they are throughout both cookbooks, I wanted to dedicate a page or two to her for the girls.  They call her Nana Nana.  She is Wes' Nana and his girls Nana Nana, they call me Nana. 

Below, the last two pages are "me thru the years' along with a couple recipes.  This way if I don't get the scrapbooks done, I'm still safe.  I put the pics in randomly so they could guess how old I was.  lol 

I worked and worked on this version.  I think they'll like it as long as I don't tear it up first by using it.  My recipes are so easy to find now and no longer scattered in with the others that I never use. 

Thank you for all your kind emails during my disappearance.  I really appreciate them and you just don't know how special you made me feel. 

Work is eating the middle right out of my day.  I'm used to working evenings so I could get so much more done.  I haven't figured out how to change my at home schedule to being gone during the middle of the day.

I was without the internet for nearly a week.  I ended up spending 169 bucks for them to tell me my router needed replaced.  I know, sounds real stupid doesn't it.  I ended up dropping Hughes and going with Sprint Wi-Fi for $44 bucks a month. 

Then Steve brought home a terrible head cold that settled in his lungs and of course he gave it to me.  I still have the deep cough.  Mom swears I have walking pneumonia.  God, I hope not.

I do have a couple things to post.  I have some cool name tags I made for the gals at work and another punch art flower card that I made using up the scraps I'd punched for last card I posted way back.  I'll post the card I made for work most recently, too. 

Hugs to each of you!!!  I dearly miss you and I promise to visit as soon as I can. 

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are now linked to Google Docs, so just click on any of them and they'll take you right to the tutorial.  I have a new video and a new flower I'm working on too.  I need 6 more hours in each day and I'd be good to go.  You too, right?