Black and White and one other color

Happy New Year to my dear blogging buddies! I hope 2022 is especially good to each and every one of you, and your families, too. Allsorts Challenge  has a theme of Black and White and one other color theme this time. From my unfinished box, I've finally completed two partially-made items  - both using Red Tones as the 3rd color.

Both cards contain designer papers adhered on red cardstock in a triangle format, given by a friend during a stamping get together (years ago). Two unique images were selected - both utilize heat embossing on all images. It was fun using old border punches and old dies - neglected but loved all the same. Because I have trouble making traditional A2 cards, I used the A2 backings, and embellished with shapes and borders.

The Paula's Best Dress is an old, old, old, never-before-been-used (at least 15 years?) stamp, embossed in white detail powder, and enhanced a bit with a quickie glue pen and sparkling red glitter:

One of my all time favorite stamps, and one I never tire of using, is the Inkadinkadoo carousel horse:

Stamped with Nocturne Versafine Clair (my favorite stamping ink), and heat embossed with clear detail EP, the horse was colored with distress inks and colored pencils blended with gamsol.

Thanks for visiting! And thanks to Allsorts Challenge  for the inspiration!

Products: Black-White-Red Carousel Horse Copics, SB Labels 5, SW Double Pierced Bkgrnd Rectangle, MS Star Edge Punch, Inkadinkadoo Greetings & Horse,  Black-White-RedArt Deco Dress Paula's Best Dress, Beccy Muir sentiment (Doris & Daphne), SB Labels Ten, LifeStyle-Quickutz Nesting Lace Ovals, MS Chevron edge punch

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Allsorts Challenge #657 Black and White and One Color 1/8
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2201 AG 1/8
3. Critter Crazy Challenges #58 AG with Carousel Horse 1/31
4. Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 1/31
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #173 AG 1/16

Stamping Hugs, 

Treasures at Inspiration Station and a freebie

 Hello, Blogging Friends! Today we have a new Challenge happening at:

Inspiration Station

NOT just "another" inspiration board. 

It's entirely YOUR take as to what inspires you - 

it could be emotional, thematic, color, texture. 

What ignites your imagination today?

My memories wandered back to childhood days of warm sand, foaming ocean waves, and treasured shell hunts:

Stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne and heat set with clear detail EP, this shell collection was from a NBUS Inkadinkadoo wood mount Stamp from our local stamp store that went out of business in 2005. Using a blender pen and daubers, Pumice Stone, Black Soot, and Old Paper DIs were used.

Love all the shine in the embossing powder, making the shells and sand look wet.

Please join us this fortnight with your inspiration piece - remember, it's not just an "inspiration board". It's a board that inspires you in any way - emotionally, colors, themes, textures - whatever moves you!

Products:

Inkadinkadoo Sea Shells, Digital Sentiment, Clear EP, Nocturne Versafine Clair, Old Paper-Black Soot-Pumice Stone DI, Blender Pen, brads, vellum, white, black and kraft paper.

Dies: Sue Wilson Noble Ornate Pierced Design Dies.

My gift to you:

Please do not sell the Sentiment, but please Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google made, your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope it serves you well!

Enjoy!

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. NBUS #28 Never Before Used Schtuff - my Inkadinkadoo stamp and the printed vellum 8/1 (comment on 3)
2. World Wide Open DT Challenge #6 (June 15) AG DT 7/15 (sep post)

3. Dies R Us #172 "AG with dies DRU sells" (Sue Wilson Noble Ornate Pierced Design Dies)

4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2127 "AG" 7/12

5. Crafty Calendar Challenge (July 3) "AG" 8/7

6. My Time to Craft Challenge #460 "All Things Beachy" 7/8

Stamping Hugs,

On A Musical Note - Inspiration Station Challenge

Welcome, Friends! It's time for a new Inspiration Station Challenge! What fun to "interpret" this challenge's inspiration piece. 

The inspiration board this time: PSST! Remember! It's entirely YOUR take as to what inspires you - it could be emotional, thematic, color, texture. What ignites your imagination today?

I was inspired by the colors, the music theme, and the fun melodies always heard on the carousel. Remember that reaching for the brass ring was only part of the fun - it was seeing the joy on the faces of fellow passengers and the whiz-by smiles of watchers standing nearby!

So much fun because I was able to hold ink pads AND stamps! (giggle)

This delightful card is 5.25" x 6.5". The black background was stamped with VersaFine Clair Charming Pink (just in case the color showed through the white detail embossing powder after the EP was heat set). The carousel horse was colored with Zig Watercolor pens and Distress Inks. The distressing around the image was done with both pink and black inks:

To tear the mulberry paper, a paint brush with lots of water was used. Let the mulberry paper absorb the water, and it is very easy to tear. Then I "rolled" the edges inward while they were still wet to give a little dimension to the layer:

Hope you will drop by and play in the Inspiration Station Challenge!

Products - STAMPS: Hero Arts C2916 Wishing You a Happy Day, JudiKins 2104J Music Notes, Inkadinkado Carousel 6-00716 - DIES: Memory Box Meridian Border, IO DIE062-F Flourish, Taylored Exp Banner Stacklets #1,  SB Edgeabilities Classic Petal E8-006, SB Labels 22 S4-346,  - INKS: VF Charming Pink, VF Nocturne, Distress Black Soot, Distress Kitsch Flamingo, Distress Tattered Rose, - PAPER: Black, White, Pink, Mulberry - OTHER: Zig Watercolor Pens, White Detail EP, Clear Glitter, Pink Glitter

One of my huge pots of Coleus Plants. In about a month, they will grow long spikes of purple flowers, attracting all kinds of pollinators. Hummingbirds especially love their flowers! The cascading "smiles" of salmon flowers are Angel Wing Begonias, with a few dregs of jade plants and snapdragon flowers (whispering their last breath due to the heat).

I would like to play in the following Challenges please:

1. Allsorts Challenge #624 Anything Goes 5/22 (sep post 5/21)
2. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #5 AG for DT (sep post 6/12)
3. 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #50 Have A Critter 6/1 (sep post)
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2120 AG 5/24 (sep post)
5. Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge (5/10 - 5/23) Use Dies (6/1) (used 5 dies)
6. Here Is A Place to Start #5 Anything Goes (6-7 check tabs)
7. AAA Birthday Challenges #25 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AAA! (5-30) sep post (6-7)

Stamping Hugs,

Turner Syndrome Awareness Blog Hop - It's a Girl Thing

 Hello Blogging Friends!

Welcome to the Third Annual 

"It's A Girl Thing: Turner Syndrome Awareness Blog Hop". 

This  year we have added a Card Challenge so that crafters can help spread the word, and enjoy opportunities of winning more prizes!

Visit each of the 12 Designer Blog Posts and leave a comment to become eligible to win prizes from each blog. 

TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD AND BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR 23 SPONSOR PRIZES:

PLAY with any products, create a card using our Inspiration Board theme, describing briefly how your card was made, and share one thing you learned about Turner Syndrome that others might find interesting. Be sure to add your card to the challenge link-up no later than February 28. 

For more information, please see Lori's TS home page.  Thank you for learning about Turner Syndrome.

Our Sponsors:

Turner Syndrome is a genetic disorder where a female is born missing part or all of her second X chromosome leaving her with life-long medical issues and learning disabilities.  This condition occurs one in every 2,000 female births worldwide, but is more common among pregnancies that do not survive to full term.  That is why Turner Syndrome Females are considered MIRACLES!

For details on how you might win any of these fabulous prizes, please see Lori's TS home page.  Thank you for learning about Turner Syndrome.

I am offering two prizes - each valued at $22.00 from Beccy Muir's Store.

The pretty Fantail Goldfish clear stamp set

and

her lovely Cherry Blossom clear stamp set

Our inspiration board:

Products: Inkadinkadoo Image by Nancy Cole #9082, assorted inks, PrismaColor Pencils, Gamsol, die cut, edger punch, punches, Anna Griffin "sentimental statements" stamp set, clear embossing powder.

My gift to each of you today:

Two arrangements of the same sentiment for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell the sentiment. Use it on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger in June 2020, your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems.

Enjoy!

Happy Hugs,

Sweet Purple Bunnies for Spring

Waving Hello!
I hope you are doing well.

Today I have some bunny cards to share from an old, old, virginal Inkadinkadoo image, stamped with Monarch VersaFine Clair and colored with Tombow #133 marker. The leaves are very sparkly with glitter. I've used a different glue to adhere the glitter, so hope to hear back from recipients if it did not work well.

A great feat! They are A2 size.

Thanks to my friend Ana for helping 

to choose colors on these cards before our quarantine!

Clear glitter was applied to the greenery.

Shaded Lilac Distress ink highlights the background.

• Image: Inkadinkadoo Bunny Retreat (this is the stamp)
• Dies: Assorted Sue Wilson and Spellbinders dies
• MS border punch
• assorted embossing folders
• assorted Brilliance inks, VersaFine Clair, Distress

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Crafty Friends #133 AG 4/25
2. Crafty Cardmakers #254 Easter 4/19
3. Shopping our Stash #418 Happy Spring 4/28
4. Unicorn Challenge #53 Furry Friends 4/30
5. Use your Stuff #395 Easter 4/18
6. All Fun Challenges #6 AG Easter 4/25 (Mon aft)
7. Classic Design Challenge HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY! #4 AG 5/1
8. Sparkles Challenge #127 Spring is in the Air 5/15

Wishing you love and wellness,

Black and White and one more Color!

Hello, friends! It's a great time to share that I've become part of a fabulous Challenge Blog Team - Moving Along With The Times.

(For those who have been kindly asking about me,
there is an explanation at the bottom of my post.)

Challenge 72's theme has been chosen by team member JESSIE -
Anything Goes using the colors Black, White and one other color. 

My stamp is at least 10 years old, but probably older. It was a gift from Paula, handmade in the USA by Inkadinkadoo, and purchased in a Chicago Hobby Lobby.
I found one today on e-Bay here.


Both the inside and outside use a variety of dies from the Twisting Verenda Layering Die set. It's a wonderful shape with lots of options.

After die cutting the frame, I coated it with Black Diamonds MicroFine Velvet Glitter.   

Monochromatic themes are always a pleasure. Here I used Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to distress the aqua paper edge and to color the image.

For visual interest and a little sparkle, I used two stamps and two embossing powders.

They provided even more detail around the microfine glittered frame:

The interior uses both positive and negative pieces from the same die cut set with more Poolside Glittery embossing powder:



Finished card:

There is something so magical about hummingbirds. I cherish when they visit my container gardens in search of color and nectar, and I am always mesmerized when I stand holding my watering can, and they watch me from a yard or two away, eye-to-eye. Their little wings create the most beautiful "humming" music. Pure magic!

Products:

• Images: Inkadinkadoo Hummingbird 97077Q, Inkadinkadoo Flourish 97242K, Stampin' Up Bitty Dots, 
• Sentiments: SNS Happiness Greetings #886 (also available digitally with more options), and Pretty Blooms
• Tonic Twisting Verenda Layering Die Set 1113E
• Spellbinders Detailed Scallops die set (tag)
• Black Diamonds MicroFine Velvet Glitter GM2046 (black frame)
• Nuvo Glue Pen Large (black frame)
• Embossing Powders: Winter White Cosmic embossing powder, Poolside Glittery embossing powder
• Inks: Versamark Ink, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Onyx Black VersaFine Ink
• Blender Pen, Black, White, Aqua paper

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. As you Like It Challenge (May 24) Favorite Flora or Fauna and Why (as I wrote above - There is something so magical about hummingbirds. I cherish when they visit my container gardens in search of color and nectar, and I am always mesmerized when I stand holding my watering can, and they watch me from a yard or two away, eye-to-eye. Their little wings create the most beautiful "humming" music. Pure magic! ) 6/7
2. Crafters Cafe Blog Challenge #194 "All Creatures Great and Small" 6/1
3. Crafty Calendar Challenge (May) "Things With Wings" 6/4
4. Creatalicious Challenges #139 Anything Goes + "all that glitters" - the frame is covered with microfine glitter, and both embossing powders contain glitter for the background) 5/31 (sep - sev wks)
5. Daisy Chain Challenge #19 Animals 6/5
6. Monochrome Magic #11 Monochrome Theme + no pattern papers (mine is hand stamped and heat set with embossing powders) 6/12
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1820 AG 5/28
8. Scrapy Land #90 AG using die brand SL sells (Tonic Studios and Spellbinders) 6/6 sep post
9. Stamping Sensations (May) Close To Nature - 6/4 sep post
10. Unicorn Challenge #32 Monochrome 6/3 sep post
11. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #5 AG for DT (6/15)

On a Personal Note:

After wrestling these past 6 months about whether to share such a personal matter, I decided yes. To my friends, it will explain a little about me. BUT MOSTLY, I share because many of you may be suffering from the same disease, or may know someone with it who has not been properly diagnosed.

Frequently, a diagnosis can be overlooked because of previous diagnoses. Because so little is known about many syndromes, a disease may improperly be diagnosed as something else. As medical advances take place, and genome therapies are created, diseases will become more accurately diagnosed.

In the meantime, many doctors lump Myofascial Pain Syndrome in with Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Tendonitis and Bursitis, but it is decidedly different, and has unique symptoms. Myofascial Pain Syndrome affects the entire body.

What is fascial tissue? Our organs and muscles are all protected and lined in myofascial tissues which allow them to move and keep lubricated. They connect our muscles to each other, to bones, ligaments, and cartilage. While sufferers contend with pain, fatigue, depression, low-grade temperatures, nausea, flu-symptoms, neuropathy and loss of sleep, the myofascial tissues are found in our mouths, ears, organs, all muscles, and can cause spasms, and inexplicable "strange" occurrences. Momentary loss of ability can occur. Sometimes impairments last hours, but can go on for weeks, months, years, and even, permanently. It progressively worsens with each "exacerbation". A sense of humor is needed because it's quite disheartening to suddenly lose lose control over body parts - especially in front of others.

No one knows what causes the MPS yet, but it is likely genetic (not necessarily inherited). If you hear of someone struggling and trying to figure out why Fibromyalgia drugs are not working for them, or why they are experiencing strange, transient, often neurologic symptoms uncommon in FMS, they may also have Myofascial Pain Syndrome. For me, the use of my hands is iffy at best. My speech is affected, and I choke for no reason. Sometimes I have violent coughing attacks or inappropriate gagging reflexes, due to the constriction of the of throat or esophagus. As you can guess, it affects the "unmentionable" organs and vital organs. Consider how your muscles change "shape" as they stretch and contract. It is the myofascial sheath that moves with those muscles, connecting them to ligaments and such, to permit a smooth movement. If it suddenly "freezes", and the person is already in mid-stride, it means the muscle cannot change shape for the movement, and extreme pain or impairment results.

While I also have FMS and some other problems, I find it helpful to know which disease is causing which symptoms in order to determine the best course of treatment for that moment. Many people are diagnosed with multiple conditions which are actually the results of MPS. 

I'm sorry this is so long. 

Here is a video about MPS. 

Here is a video how MPS affects organs, 

in particular THE HEART, to give you an idea how how it may affect organs.

Hopefully you don't know anyone with these issues, but it is often misdiagnosed as FMS, or overlooked as a possibility entirely.  Thanks for listening.

hugs,

de

Tweetingly Pretty in Pink {Cardz4Galz}

I'm so glad you're here!

Wishing you a happy day, and hoping you are doing well!

It's time for the 43rd Cardz 4 Galz challenge!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #43 is chosen by teamie Helen -and the theme is:  Pretty in Pink.

Show us your cards using lots of pink in any way! 
Challenge ends on March 29.

My "flat" 6"x6" card is flat, suitable for less expensive mailing. 

I wanted to pile on the flowers, layers and pearls, but restrained myself! (giggle)

This adorable bird image has lain virginal for years.
3 years?
5 years?
more?

It's been a long time coming to use this pretty.

HOW LONG?
Much, MUCH MORE than (one year) to play in the Retro Rubber Challenge.

It's even extinct at Overstock.com.  (hanging head in shame)

Can you believe how neglectful a mom I am? I just had to have this darling image,
only to bring it home, display it, and leave it unused.
So many of my stamps remain uninked, crying out for attention.

The IO bird cage is cut from sage card stock,
heat embossed with Silver Pearl embossing powder,
to give it a lustrous,
metallic,
pearly
appearance.

The Powder is semi-transparent
to allow the green tones of the cardstock
to show through the luster.

Silver Pearl embossing powder
can be used much like clear embossing powders
because it is nearly transparent,
but has a
pearly,
metallic
finish.

A little stitching for the pearly vellum semi-circle on the left side of the card can be seen through the bird cage.

Some pretty pearl daisies for the top and bottom of the tags on the card, gift from sweet friend Paula:

Finally, everyone deserves a little wine, right?

In this case, how about
Sangria Star embossing powder?

I personally like the entire SNS Tuscany line because they are detail powders that provide great coverage.

The glitteriness of these EPs is fantastic, and you would think it is straight glitter without any EP.

I wanted a little variance in the hues of the SW leaves, and the EP provides a little sparkle and darkness, keeping the color the same.

Below is my little story about

THIS

PINK

BIRD.

On A Personal Note:

and for the March Path of Positivity Challenge

The Story Goes...

 Once upon a time, there was an extremely talented song bird! Her music lulled all the forest creatures to sleep at night, and awakened them with happy, melodious, cheering tunes in the morning, so everyone could rise in good spirits, and go about their daily duties in gratitude.

Alas,

our little bird was not completely fulfilled at heart. 

Instead of being grateful for the love she gave and received, 

she suffered from a long-held disappointment. 

She has always wanted to be pink!

Imagine wanting to be pink, molting your feathers time and again, only to be found some OTHER seemingly drab color, without fully embracing and accepting her life as it was.

Nevertheless, our heroine persisted, and visited her local hair salon. She had the color works, including a body wave for her wings! Gotta love the stamina of this little lady.

She submitted to many unpleasant procedures trying to realize her dream. In the end, she was delighted with her appearance, which caused her to sing all the more beautifully, much to her friends' delight.

Our moral to the story is slightly different than usual. 

In this case, her friends helped her "keep her PINK ON!" They had always wanted to give a gift to her in return for what she had lavished upon her community, but she had never been completely honest and forthcoming about her true self.

In this case, everyone lived happily ever after, and learned to share openly their needs, desires and happinesses - all in the spirit of love, friendship and gratitude. The newly-pink bird and her friends learned that when we appreciate ourselves and one another, and become aware of who we truly are, that we can be fulfilled and follow our dreams more completely.

Speaking completely from a self-centered point of view:

Without going into any personal details, that is TRULY the way I feel about my internet friends. 

You are my strongest encouragers, sincerest cheerleaders, dearest heart-to-heart buddies and understanding comrades.

Without knowing it, you help me over many a hurdle, and appreciate me for who I am, despite my "disabilities" and flaws. Since I am a home-bound individual, your unexpected kindnesses have been a source of great awakening, and much of my personal growth! 

Thank you for helping me keep my pink on!

(I hope I do the same in return, singing a pretty song!)

Fellow Blogger Lis had more surgery on her injured leg. This has been an ongoing battle for her, and I admire her stamina and persistence in seeking healing and remaining active.

So here is a photo of my little Pink Bird of Cheer to Lis:

The sentiments are stamped in two colors of ink (gray and black).

But they are from the pansies same Pansies Set:

It is always a pleasure seeing your artful treasures,

so please come play with us at
Cardz 4 Galz

Products Used:

• Sparkle N Sprinkle: Sangria Star Embossing Powder (leaves), Silver Pearl embossing powder (bird cage)
• tag: Sparkle N Sprinkle: sentiments from Pansies Set 1 (you can also get these sentiments on a fabulous digital bundle, or on a mini digital set
• card: Inkadinkadoo bird on branch stamp, SU sentiment
• Dies:
• Impression Obsession DIE020 bird cage
• Sue Wilson - Pierced Circles (on left), Faux Quilled Leaves
• Wild Rose Studios - Gilded Tag
• Poppy Stamps - Main Street Tags
• Poppy Stamps - Festival Tags

Challenges I'd like to support:

1. 613 Avenue Create - March "Anything Goes with Option: Use Rubber Stamp (used 4 rubber stamps) 4/8
2. A Bit More Time to Craft - #40 Anything Goes 4/1
3. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #3 Anything Goes 4/1
4. Come and Get It Challenge - (March 12) Things With Wings 3/19
5. Get Creative Challenges #56 Use Favorite Color Combo (pink and green) 4/3
6. Love to Scrap #95 Anything Goes 4/1
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #1711 Anything Goes 3/20
8. Path of Positivity March - Inspirational Post / Optional theme: Birth of New Beginnings (my little bird story explains how "new beginnings" can be an awareness of who we already are, and following our dreams to become everything we want to be) 4/2
9. Retro Rubber Challenges - "Anything Goes with Old Rubber" (blurb written above) 3/26
10. Stamping Sensations (March) "Close To Nature" 4/2

Thanks for stopping by today!

hugs,