Best Cards of 2013

In general, I have had an uncreative year!  Most of the cards I liked were made in January, and instead of considering this an adventure in picking my favorite - it has been an adventure in learning what I have to do to improve.  What I have learned ---- I use way too many jewel type embellishments, and I don't stamp as much as I would like to.  So here are the cards I still liked after I disliked so many!  It is all about learning - to me!

Mickey Mouse = HAPPY!

My Favorite

I LOVED coloring this image!

I had 2 months in 2013 that I made no cards.  My mojo was taken over by stress, pain, and surgery.  I LOVE my pain management device (named "Buuuuzz), and I do not miss the pain it has relieved.  I am hoping that my goal of meditation and spirituality in 2014 helps my creativity.

Happy New Year - and may 2014 bring you blessings and joy.

Valentines Cards

Yup - I am busy making Valentines Day cards!  Cupid's deadline to have cards in the shipper's hands is December 31, 2013.  So I have all of my V-Day supplies out and my busy hands are happy to be back in my craft room creating! 

Here are a few cards I have made, trying VERY hard to keep them clean, simple and flat!

What have I been up to??

This month - October - I have made a scrapbook for my now 8 year old granddaughter, and 75 magnet calendars.  Tomorrow and Saturday are our community garage sale days.  While we are selling various items (junk!) I am going to sell these.  I have never sold my craft items - or created craft items for sale.  I don't particularly like it.  However, the money I make will serve to replenish my stock!  Here are some pictures -sorry for the lack of quality - but you can get the idea!  I have saved 75 calendars - to make special magnets for the special people in my life!   I get the little calendars at vippies.com - I believe 100 ran me $30.

The fish bowl has been spoken for!
 

Things I made During This Arizona Summer

I had plenty of opportunity to make things this summer.  I didn't venture out that much, it was too hot and I am becoming more heat intolerant.  Also, I didn't post many of the items I did make.  So here are a few: 

A tissue box holders for my neighbors who were leaving in their motorhome for the summer:

I have since made another one of these - - they are so quick and easy!
Three Any Hero cards -

 

And, A box to hold cards - or a special note:

 







OWH Blog Skip Birthday Bash

WELCOME!  I am presenting 3 Any Hero cards I made to showcase Unity Stamps sentiments.  I was touched to see the sentiments I received to use.  They are perfect for Any Hero cards.  I don't do as many of these as I would like, but only because I type 100% faster than I write.  However, when I write, I spell 100% better than when I type! 

The first card idea hit my brain while I wasn't able to sleep.   I used all Authentique Celebrate collection 6X6 pad.  I just love their paper!  Now for the card:

 A funny thing happened on the way to making this card.  My star die is in a bottom drawer, and I can't bend, but discovered my toes can open drawers!  TMI!  I would be out of luck without the "As Seen On TV" Grab It's that I have in every room of my house, and in my van!  Finding the twine I used on the clear button - - not easy!

The second card is also made from the same 6X6 Authentique pad.  The 2 hot air balloons are part of the polka dot paper.  I do believe I am going through a button phase. 

 

My third card uses an old Whipper Snapper flag stamp that I got at a garage sale.  It also has a brand new doily die that I bought.  

This is probably one of my favorite sentiments, because it is so meaningful.  Especially in the trying political times we are in.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my cards.  Next on the hop is our fearless and admirable leader Sandy.  You will find her cards at  http://sandyallnock.com/  .    If you want to head back over to the start of this Blog Skip you will find that at http://operationwritehome.org/starsandstamps/  .

Enjoy the rest of your day, and always keep a pen handy - - in case you have the time and inclination to write a note to a HERO.

OH - and thanks Julie for getting this skip organized!

Taking It Easy!

While I am recovering from surgery, I hope to make lots of cards for OWH, finish a few "GED" (get er done) projects.  AND I have another scrapbook to make.  In addition to this, I have calendar holders to make for 2014, tea light holders and boxes.  Also, tissue box holders - I like those!!!!!

I don't know if I will be able to use my crank Sizzix machine - but I will have somebody crank for me if I have to.  I miss my Vagabond machine! 

I also have a few quilting projects awaiting completion.  They are being so patient. 

Off to take it easy!  I am exhausted.

Scrapbook Season At My House!

Hi - happy summer from Arizona! Not!  Well I haven't been making cards recently, because my craft room has been taken over by scrapbooking!   My baby granddaughter will be 1 on the 8th of  August, so I am making her a 0-1 scrapbook.  It is turning out really beautiful.  I have stuck with a theme of buttons, birdies, and butterflies.  The color scheme is brown, light green (certainly celery?), and a cream.  Part of the kits I bought then dissected, are 2 very pretty flowered paper.  I have also added room for the pictures, sticking with a brown layer topped with a white layer.  My project is "due" Saturday, Aug 3rd - since that is her birthday party!  Yikes - I have 4 more pages to do, pictures to print, and journaling to add - which I thought I might do as poetry..........  Time to get moving!  Pictures to follow!

OH - when I am done - I will sanitize my room of glitter - - - then in September I start another scrapbook for my granddaughter turning 8!  Eight - how did that happen!  I have made her one every year - and love looking thru them and remembering. 

I am secretly hoping any more grandchildren will be boys!!!!!!!!!!!  No scrapbooking for boys! Hehe

Summer Card Camp 2 - Online Class

Hi friends and allies! I am taking an online card making class titled "Summer Card Camp 2".  The class offers many different challenges as well as techniques and tools to make my card making more fun!!!!  I have watched each day's video's faithfully, however, I have only done 50% of the projects!  Normal for me I am afraid :(.  

Week 1 - Enrollee's were presented with a color choice which contained 4 colors and a neutral-blue, yellow, orange-ish, and red/magenta-ish!  Also, there were 3 sketches provided to choose from.

Day 1:  I chose a blue background with a white embossed layer, and I chose the third sketch.  Here it is -

Day 2:  I chose a technique that was being demonstrated.  The technique was to apply water to a stamp that was either a shape or texture.  The lecturer used Gelato's on her stamps - I don't have those- so I just used ink I have.  The finished product had interesting results.  Here it is -

 

I made this card last evening, and while reaching for the watercolor paper the point of the cabinet and my right arm had a disagreement.  The cabinet door won.  So I am protesting by not making a card for Day 3 until later!!!



Just when I thought I was done.....

I cleaned out my scraps.  You know how we save the 1" or less scraps - because -someday we are going to use them.  Well, I put them all in a Ziploc bag and sent them to school with my husband!  AND what do I have?   Manageable scrap buckets!

Pictures of workspace pending!

Summer Days (YUK!) and Organizing My Craft Space

Yesterday, I frantically cleaned out, and re-----organized my craft supplies and workspace.  I packed away fabric, since I have not felt very creative in that area.  I went through every stamp I own - it was a long day - and put each where it belongs.  I don't usually keep sets together.  I separate sentiments and put all "thinking of you,"  happy birthday", etc. together.  I left most of my clear Stampin Up sets and their sentiments together.  I don't know why!

I had cleaned out paper and embellishments last week. My ink is good the way it is, and so is my ribbon.  I have not delved into the depth of the cupboards above my workspace.   Nothing is falling on my head - currently - so I leave it alone. 

Why have I taken on this challenge now?  Well - last Saturday, June 29th, was 120 degrees, and hubby and I went to Tucson.  In protest, I decided to not go outdoors much this past week.  In addition, I am starting a 3 week long online class tomorrow.  Moving forward - I am hoping to keep up with and post "something" for each day's lesson!   Good luck me!

Ronni

On a personal note:

My husband is 62 years old today! He is a very, very, awesome man. For instance, yesterday he purged our back yard of plant eating bunnies!

He takes care of me when I am in pain, and doesn't complain (too much) when I share a stomach virus with him! 

He retired after 26 years at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, where he was an active member of their clown troop.  Now he works with emotionally disabled children.  Last week he got bitten twice in one day!  Yup, there was blood!  He also volunteers in our community as a Posse member monitoring our community and our residents safety.  His latest pursuit is being an Independent Consultant for Gold Canyon Candles (www.carlunger.mygc.com)!  I think it is his way of saying - if I am going to be burning these candles all the time- he may as well join in and save money!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Thanks Art Impressions!

 

 Welcome!  I am so very proud to be participating in this Art Impressions (AI) Blog Hop, to introduce 2 new Operation Write Home (OWH) fundraiser stamp sets - OWH Every Hat set and OWH Sending Love set.  For each set purchased, Art Impressions will donate 25% of the proceeds to OWH!  How fantastic is that?    I hope you have your credit card ready - so you can buy both!

So here we go!  I have only been using Copics for a year - - so be gentle with me!  I have practiced so frequently that most of my pens need refilling!  Once I saw the OWH Every Hat set, I knew I had to color this sassy lady!  I researched coloring animal prints with Copics - but I was not very successful.  Then I saw a commercial on TV which had a woman wearing animal print pants, and I just knew what had to be done!  As I am sure many of the participants before me have said - - I used a lot of pens to color this!  A LOT!  This was the opportunity I have been waiting for!  Somehow, coloring a sassy woman - who wears all the hats and juggles all the balls - with grace, dignity and smoking hot shoes brought out my suppressed artist!  However, and I have checked, it didn't bring out the woman who likes to list colors and supplies used! **groan**sigh**  First my cards - then I will force that woman to list supplies **groan**sigh!!!

Card #1 - Sporting the pink giraffe print pants and blue polka dot shoes, tool belt, and hat (drum roll).

 

Card #2 - Sporting blue leopard spotted pants, shoes, and hat, she is full of sparkle (covered - of course - with glossy accents) and sunshine.  Her pink tool holder and sparkle handled screwdriver are a must have for any wonder woman!

 

 







While these ladies were waiting to become the center of attention on my cards, my totally awesome 12 1/2 year old nephew visited, and took an interest in coloring his original drawings with Copics.  I gave him the 2 minute demo and set him free with my markers (ow!)  He seemed to enjoy the experience and asked his mom to buy them for him!  LOL!  I did ship him a set of Prismacolor drawing pencils - which I hope he uses and enjoys.  My granddaughter helped out by putting my Copics away,  (because his mom was in a hurry to get home and let the pool motor person into their yard - this is coming to you from sunny and HOT Arizona).  I really really really want to put them back in order!!!  A bit OCD - maybe!

Okay - The ladies had the following colors used to complete her ensemble:
YG16 and 17, C1 3 5 and 7, R0000 01 24 35 46 81 83 and 85, Y11 13 15 and 19, E00 000 0000 07 09 37 and 47, B00 000 0000 and 04, and a 0.5 Multiliner.  Whew!  Check out their hard hats!

The lady in blue also had Silver Stickles and Glossy Accents used - - NO lose glitter on OWH cards!

Paper for the cards came from one of the following (so much for my record keeping!):  Authentique Seasons: Summer, EP Note to Self, and Authentique Strong.

This has been a total blast.  Thank you AI for providing these inspiring stamps, and donating to OWH.  I have been sending cards to OWH for 2 years and I consider myself lucky to have found them.   If you are heading back to Art Impressions blog, here is the link  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/.   Also check your LSS for some of their other wonderful stamps (I love the buzzard -oops!  blue bird of happiness!) 

The next stop on this FABULOUS Blog Hop is Rhonda Harre !  Go stop by!

Thanks for visiting!!!!!!!! Here is a list of the blog hop co-conspirators!  May you enjoy all of your hats.

1. Art Impressions
2. Crafter's Home
3. Crystal Lopez
4. Dixie Cochran
5. Paula Spagnuolo
6. Karen Day
7. Kathryn Belmonte
8. Lee Mae Elkins
9. Kerry Kung
10. Nancy Keller
11. Piali Biswas
12. Kristie Marcotte
13. Reneé Matarese
14. Ronni Unger
15. Rhonda Harre
16. Sandy Allnock
17. Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps

Ronni

Took The Challenge - ROCKED The Challenge

Hello out there!  Recently I have been showing Thank You cards I have made for a challenge at Operation Write Home.  The challenge is to make 1 Any Hero thank you card for each day in May, and write a message in each one.  I took the challenge - and I ROCKED that challenge!  Here is card #31 and a few other thank you cards that are part of the challenge.

Card # 31! 

May Challenge of Thank You's

I  am participating in the Operation Write Home May challenge to write an Any Hero thank you card per day.  I am up to 24!!!!!  I hope to get to 31 this weekend and send them off to Sandy next week.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I don't usually make multiples of the same style - so I had to dress each up different!

I had 2 of these sets - so I made this one as a thanks - I enjoy coloring this image!