I finally bought a new camera

Ron and I were in COSTCO a week ago and found an inexpensive Canon Power Shot A1200.  It seems to fit my needs.  I am not a good photographer, so spending money in the 100's is silly.  So, I took a few pics of some of my recent cards and hopefully you will see a difference in the clarity compared to the scanner.

Here is the scan of one of the above:

I think that the scan might be a better picture. LOL  I guess I just have to practice taking pictures of my cards.

Every day I learn something new.  I think that's what life is all about and how to keep from aging one's mind.  

That's it for now...I'll keep experimenting.
  Lois...

 

Two Beauties

I had some fun this week and made these two cards.  The birthday card is for our friend Phil who recently turned 80 years young.  We should all look so good and be as healthy as he is.  He's active, has a part time job in a warehouse and lives with my beautiful cuzin Ellie.  They are a great couple and I only wish Phil many years of happiness with Ellie.  I know they're having a fun time together living life each day.
  Meanwhile, here's Phil's card made from plain and printed craft paper:

This stamp by Stampendous is one of my most favorite birthday stamps.  It always makes me chuckle.  Again, until i replace my broken digital camera, my scans will have to make do.

This card has been made in shifts.  I had the basic card with layers and ribbon made last weekend, but just didn't know what I wanted to do for a picture. This is a old stamp from Stamps by Judith.  The flowers are suppose to be hanging dried flowers.

So, for now, that's what I have to show.  I'm working a lot lately on artwork for the cards.  Still trying to learn how to use color and in what medium.  It's fun to learn by practing.

Stay cool everyone...it's humid and warm here on Long Island.
Lois...

Life has been busy.  But, I try to keep up with my craft.

Here are a few new things:

 I have been playing with "Stamps by Judith" and "Heartfelt Creations".  I'll post some cards next time with more of those.    The cards above did not scan well.  Still need to buy a new camera.
  Stay cool
Lois...

Just havin' fun!

Since my visit in NJ to attend the scrapbook show a few weeks ago, I have been very creative.  Sometimes you just need a jolt!! 

Here are a few worth showing:

No sentiment yet for this one...it looks so much better in my hand! LOL

I love this background paper...it's really bright and shiny and has a texture to it.

This is a long card made with patterned paper tape instead of ribbon.

This next picture will not go on a card.  I'm going to frame it and give it to my husband Ron.  He really likes it.  The coloring of the background picture within the frame (which has a neat patina like covering...) was done in water color pencils.  It is a bit subdued, but not bad for a first try.  The patina was produced by Stampendous' aged copper embossing enamel.  The scanner did not really reproduce this picture with enough clarity.  Oh, well, a camera will be my next purchase (my old one just died...;-(   )

 This heat and humidity is uncomfortable.  I wish I could share the moisture with the states in the Midwest.  Strange weather patterns these days!

Stay cool and comfy everyone!
Lois...

A photo instead of a scan

I sure wish I could take good photos ! I took a photo of Lizzy's birthday card with my iPhone.  It isn't the most balanced photo, but you can see the difference in the cards dimensions.  The photo is somehow cut off on the extremities of the surrounding area if the card, but what I wanted to point out is how the photo shows the three dimension of the flowers.  Each flower and leaf are hand colored and decorated.  The background paper still is not showing its beauty.  OY!  I need to learn to take better photos of my cards. LOL

This next card us made with stamps from Judith's Stamps.  I finally had the opportunity to see her whole line in person at the Somerset NJ scrapbook convention this past weekend. I met my friend Barbara and we had a lovely time being together, spending our money and talking cards.  
  Anyway, I made a card yesterday with several of Judith's stamps:

 I'm sure that if I could photograph this card properly you could see the details.
hmm?  I gotta start photo shooting my cards!!!!  The scanner makes them so drab and flat. 
Oh, well...enough for now...
I hope all's well out there !
Lois 

For Lizzy's b-day

I just had to post this card that I made for my niece Lizzy. I used my Copics to color the images.  I'm getting better at using my Copics.

I wish that I could take photos instead of scanning my cards.  This card is 3-d where the flowers jump out at you and there is great glitter on the leaves and flowers and special paper to make the card POP!  But, for now, this will have to do.

A very hot day in June....OY !
Lois

I saw this graphic and thought of my children in Hawaii.  Enjoy!

Flower Graphics provided by MySpaceGraphicsandAnimations.com

Beautiful June!

It's the middle of June and I have been busy since I last wrote here.
Over the Memorial Day holiday I was in Hawaii and spent a glorious week with my truly fantastic grandson Max.  At 18 months he is so much fun.  He's curious and funny and so full of joy!  He makes his Bubbie just kvell with pride.  Of course it's fun to be with my son Eric and my daughter-love Jackie.  We always enjoy being together.  My only disappointment was that my husband Ron did not travel with me, but maybe next time, hopefully.

I have been busy with my cards.  There are two pregnant young women in my office and here are two cards I made for everyone to sign to wish them well:

 
 Both cards above are 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches.  I don't like making large cards, but I need lots of space for people to write on.  


My grand-nephew Ian will be 10 years old soon so I made him a card with a picture of all the Avengers on the cover.  My niece Liz says that Ian is crazy for that movie and anything with superheros is sure to make a hit!.

 
 These are just some fun cards that I made to keep on file:

On June 29th I'm meeting my card making friend Barbara in Somerset NJ for a big scrapbooking show.  We both don't scrapbook, but there will be a big vendor market there for us to shop as well as have some time to catch up on our lives with one another.  I'm really looking for that day's excursion.

I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful Spring weather.  Enjoy because Summer is on the way!
Cya next time!
Lois

Here it is...May 2012.  Time do fly...
I have been very prolific since I posted last.  There was another dry spell there for a while, but I found some inspiration in new papers and magazines. And, I recently attended a class with Diana Kovacs that was really fun and easy.  Diana showed us how to create a a faux-patina affect to use on card elements. We used Ranger Distress ink pads, a Cuttlebug machine with embossing folders, and some sparkle.  We started with ATC size pieces of card stock.  From there we could enhance the design for a card.   Here are a few of the cards that I created from the small ATC cards:

 

 

Feeling rather creative before I made the above cards produced these cuties:

 

 

Julia's Birthday

Julia's Bat Mitzvah Card

 My grand-niece Julia became a Bat Mitzvah last weekend.  She loves the color red, so I made her a red card.  Julia is an amazing young woman with talent, beauty and brains.  I am very proud of her.


So, for now, I've showed you the good stuff. 
Happy Spring every one!
Lois...

 

Starting off April with some cards

The end of March brought a rush of birthdays, so I was busy. I had to figure out ways to make some cards quickly, but still show some creativity.

Here area a couple of cards using fun sparkly paper:

 These cards are made with pattern paper and some embellishments:

Here I played with my Cuttlebug machine to do some embossing:

Too bad you can't see the sparkly edges on each picture above.


I found these two pictures among my digital collection and printed them for these cards:

I have always loved peel-offs.  This card has lots of glitter and colors in the butterfly are metallic and shiny.  Too bad the scanner can't pic up on the glimmer of this card.

So, that's it for now.  Enjoy the early Spring with the flowers and trees in bloom.  
Lois...