Loss of Pet Sympathy Card

Hi everybody,

Today I would like to share a sympathy card I made for a friend who recently lost her dog.  These type of cards are so difficult for me to make.  If you know me well, you know I'm a major dog lover and I can feel your pain.  My two 14 year old chocolate labs, Pebbles and Bambam were put to sleep about a year ago.  I was blessed to have them both for 14 years I know but it's never long enough is it?  Barney is my half pointer, half English Springer Spaniel and he is my baby.  He is 9 years old and I treasure everyday with him.

I used an embossing folder by Darice on Gina K Design's heavy base weight white card stock, which I love.  I also used her In The Navy as a layer.  It is so hard to find a nice color Navy Blue and this is it.  I cut out the heart with dog paw image out of red vinyl.  I bought this from the Silhouette Store.  I embossed the sentiment in clear to make it shiny.  This is a set by Sizzix, stamps and Framelits dies together in a set by Stephanie Bernard.  I can see myself using this set a lot.  I wrote the text in the inside of the card with Silhouette Sketch Pens in black glitter.

I think it is hard to make a sympathy card for loss of pet so I think this embossing folder makes it a little easier.

Thanks for stopping by!

Regina

New Blades for Silhouette and More

Hi everybody!

Today I want to share the card I made for my Dad's birthday.  I usually put motorcycles on his cards because he has a Harley but I wanted to do something different so I made a quick outdoor scene, added a few enamel dots and hung a gun charm on the inside.  I think he'll like it.

This is the card I made him for Father's Day.  This is an I Brake For Stamps image called Biker Bob.  I colored the motorcycle teal since that is the color of his bike.  I used aluminum foil in the background and embossed it with a Tim Holtz embossing folder.  The sentiment stamps are from Close To My Heart and of course he is colored with copics.

This is his birthday card.  This was a very simple card and I think what made it simple but still look good is the background stamp.  I love this stamp!  This is Impression Obsession called Canvas.  I think it adds so much.  I think the enamel dots finish it off fabulously and can still be masculine.  Do you know how to make your own enamel dots?  Do you want to know how?  It is SO easy.  Comment below if you want to know.

The sentiment stamp on the outside is by Close To My Heart and the inside one is by Gina K Designs.  I think he'll like the charm, don't you?  My Dad isn't one to rave and ooh and ah over my cards (like I wish he would lol) but I know he likes them. 

I told you I would let you know what blade I am using in my Silhouette now... It is the CB09.  I am attaching links from Amazon for the blade holder and the blades I bought.  Link for blade holder and blades.  You can buy them on Ebay and other places as well.  I just love Amazon so I chose them.  There are different blades that you can buy, I bought the 45 degree blades.  All I know is once you play with the blade and figure out how far down it needs to be, you're done.  It cuts beautifully!  That's all I care about.  From what I understand these blades last a long time.  That's why I bought them.  My Silhouette blades were not lasting more than about 2 weeks on average.  I wrote the company and you can see on my previous post what they're response was.  So I just thought I would share my good experience with these blades with you.

Thank you for stopping by!!

Regina

Etched Glass and a New Blade

Hi everybody!

I wanted to share a couple of things that I etched for someone.  I am still taking orders but now I am learning to manage them so that I'm not saying yes to every single thing and working 12 hours a day. 

I etched a glass cutting board 12"x15" with a design from the Silhouette Store.  I LOVE this design.  It actually comes with 2 different ones to choose from.  Also etched this set of salt and pepper shakers.  I think these would make great gifts or even just nice personalized set for yourself.  I want to etch things like this for me but do I etch a 'C' for Cooper or a 'B' for the last name of my boyfriend.  :)  I don't know if you have taken pictures of glass but it is SO hard to get good ones because of the reflection.  Isn't this cutting board so pretty?  She just recently got married and wanted things with 'S' on it. 

I use my Silhouette to cut the vinyl stencil and etch from that.  I have a sandblaster that I use to etch.  I started with the cream and messed up everything I did.  I like using the sandblaster so much better!

I also have started using a different kind of blade in the Silhouette.  I have bought countless Silhouette blades from Amazon and they don't last!  I even use one blade for each type of material such as one for smooth vinyl, one for glitter vinyl, one for HTV vinyl, one for cardstock, etc., so I wrote Silhouette and told them the cut settings I was using and that I use one blade for each type of material and do you know what their response was?????  Try checking your cut settings again and they gave me a link to buy more blades.  Seriously??  I am all about being loyal to the manufacturer of the products I buy but needless to say that response wasn't what I was expecting.  I'm not sure if I got defective blades or what but on average they were lasting me about 2 weeks, which is why I wrote to them. 

Tomorrow I will recommend another blade that I think you will love!  I wanted to use it first to make sure before I promoted it.  A good friend of mine has been using it and loves it so I tried it and I have to say that I do as well. 

Thanks for stopping by...until tomorrow.... :)

Regina

Tim Holtz Crazy Birds and Sympathy Card

Hi everybody!

Do you know what I love about making cards?  I don't think about ANYTHING else except what I'm working on... no bills, no personal issues, that I need to lose weight HA!  ETC.  So therapeutic! 

I made a couple of cards I would like to share with you.  I made an easy sympathy card that I hope doesn't look easy to the person but it was.  I used this butterfly embossing folder, embossed a Close To My Heart sentiment in silver and added some silver nail heads.  I like nail heads because they are flat and can easily be mailed.  I know this person loves purple so that is why I made it this color.  I thought the nail heads kind of coordinated with the little circles on the embossing folder as well.  Just an idea if you need an easy card of any kind, use an embossing folder that takes up almost the whole card and stamp sentiment.

On the flip side, do you love Tim Holtz Crazy Bird stamps like I do??  They had to grow on me but I discovered that these are perfect for funny cards or for masculine cards.  I have also ordered the coordinating dies and there are two other stamp sets that coordinate as well that I ordered, Crazy Thoughts and Crazy Things.  Crazy Things are little stamps that you use with the birds such as hats, ties, presents, flag, Halloween and Christmas things so you can dress them up for different holidays. 

I used some shimmer watercolor paints to color this one.  I used stamps for the sentiments inside and out from Stamping Bella and I stamped the wine glass inside on the left side as a watermark. The wine glass stamp is from Gina K Designs.  This is for a male and he loves wine.  I think it is perfect.  What do you think? 

If you would like for me to link the stamps or supplies I use please let me know and I will be glad to do so. 

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Have a great day!


Regina

Some of the things I have been working on....

Hi everybody!

A few people have asked to see some of the things I have been working on the past few months such as glass etched items, glittered wine glasses, etc., so let me know what you think.  The money is definitely in vinyl, glass etching, glittered wine glasses, etc., for me anyway, not so much in cards.

So glass cutting boards etched, wine glasses, beer glasses, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, casserole dishes, all have been very popular along with glittered wine glasses either with vinyl or etching on the glass.  It is so hard to take good pictures of glass I have discovered. I have done all of this using the Silhouette by the way.  Also, I bought some new blades and a holder called CB09 for the Silhouette because I think Silhouette blades are crap, sorry.  I'll let you know what I think.  A friend of mine that uses these say hers has lasted a year.  What???  A Year?  Sold!  :)

This is what has been keeping me busy the last few months.  I'll still take orders but won't do this full time at least for awhile.  I am going to work on cards again.  I am also working on myself.  I started the 21 Day Fix program.  Have you heard of it?  It is a diet plan that helps with portion, eating better for life and workouts.  It's going really good so far.  I haven't had sugar in about 2 weeks.  I think I had sugar withdrawals because I was foggy, couldn't concentrate, so tired and I would crash after working out and eating.  My clothes are already fitting better.  I'll let you know my progress with this.  I need to lose about 40-50 pounds.  I am 45 years old so I figure if not NOW, WHEN??  So I at least have the mindset now to do it.

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Sympathy Cards

O M G! Has it really been 6 months since I last posted?  Wow!  I cannot believe I let this go that long.  In January, I basically started a new business.  I got a sandblaster and started etching glass, doing vinyl lettering on glasses, etc, glittered wine glasses and have been swamped with orders, that is until about 2 weeks ago.  I decided I needed a break.  I asked myself what I really loved to do and my passion is really to make cards.  I have hardly made any cards because to be honest, I wasn't making much money on card orders.  I had gotten a divorce so I needed to figure out a way to make money again.  Some things have happened in my personal life to make me step back and question what really makes me happy.  I still want to take some orders and make some money but cards are what make me the happiest so at least for now I am going to concentrate on them.  I have been buying new supplies and learning new techniques.  I am probably behind the eight ball when it comes to learning and showing the techniques I have been using but please bear with me, I will catch up soon. :)

I have a whole list unfortunately of sympathy cards to make.  It seems like I have none or a list.  Here are a few I have made in the last couple of days.  I have been enjoying using Tim Holtz stencils and either Tim Holtz Distress Ink with them or the ink mixed with Embossing Paste.  I really love the look of the paste.

I used the Tim Holtz Distress Ink and sponged over the Lace stencil on this one.  

 I mixed Tim Holtz distress ink with translucent embossing paste and used the blossom stencil.

 I used gelatos and colored the stamp and spritzed with water and stamped on watercolor paper to get the watercolor effect. 

I stamped Tim Holtz distress ink on an acrylic block and spritz with water and used a brush to watercolor with the ink on this stencil. 

Thank you for stopping by and I will post regularly again I promise.


Regina

Personalized Glittered Wine Glass

Hi everybody,

I've been working on this glittered wine glass.  I think it is really pretty.  You can even leave the stem not glittered and glitter part of the top of the glass.  I like that look in silver and gold for the holidays, like on a champagne type glass.  This was just fun.  I was playing with this while waiting on my.... wait for it....
sand.... sandblast box.  LOL!  I am going to do glass etching by sandblast technique.  We already have an air compressor so I had to buy the Air Eraser Kit and then need sandblast box and sand.  I can still etch with cream until everything gets here.  But in the meantime, I think these glasses are fun.

I used gloss Mod Podge on the stem and then added glitter.  I let dry about 10 hours.  I did it in the morning so I did a second layer in the evening and let that dry overnight.  The second layer looked really good, covered great.  You can then seal it.  I used painters tape and taped starting at the stem and went up about halfway because I used a spray sealant.  I used Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss Acrylic Spray.  I actually sent Krylon an email and asked if this spray would seal glitter on glass and they said yes it would but not for dishwasher, which I'm cool with.  You can also use Triple Thick Gloss Glaze to seal if you don't like the spray.  If you use that, use very thin coats and you'll have to do it 2 or 3 times and wait about a day in between each coat.

As I get into these projects more and more I'll be glad to share what I learn about products and such.  If you would like me to do tutorials let me know and I can do those too.  Picture tutorials right now but we do have a tripod so wouldn't it be hilarious if I actually made real live videos and you could hear my Southern twang.  LOL!!

I love skyping with my crafty friends and hearing their voice for the first time.  We had been chatting online you know for years so it's fun to see and hear each other.

Anyway, here's my glass.  What do you think?  I did get this idea from Crystal Shipley on YouTube.  Check out her videos.  She also was awesome and answered me on FB when I had questions, really nice.  I think hers had her initial for her first name and then her name on it like I did.  I hope you like it!

It looks much better in person too.  Glitter does not get on my hands when I slide my fingers over it I promise.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 

Sympathy Cards and Glass Etching in the Future

Hi everybody,

Well, it's been a sad week.  I had to make two sympathy cards.  I made one for my Dad because my Grandmother passed away.  She was 90 so she had a good life.  The only thing is she had been in a nursing home for the past four years and got Alzheimers.  She didn't know who we were.  If you have never gone through this with a relative or a friend, words can't describe how heartbreaking it is. 

The other card is for a school friend. I've known her since we were about 8 years old.  Her Dad passed away last week.  Now that I'm in my 40's, I'm seeing a lot of my friends parent's pass and it is so sad.  I still have mine so I'm trying to appreciate everyday they are here.  So glad I moved back to Mississippi where they live. 

Anyway, enough of my rambling lol.  Seems like I always turn to Gina K Designs stamps for sympathy cards.  The outside images, background script and sentiment is from Gina K.  The inside stamps are from Close To My Heart.  Here is the one for my Dad.

This is the one I made for my friend.  I feel like depending on who it is it doesn't have to be made with dark colors, do you agree?  I know she loves yellow and flowers so that's what I made for her.

I thought this was a cute border embossing folder from Darice.  I colored the stamps with Tombo waterbased markers and used the Sakura Clear Pen on inside of flowers and just kept it simple. 


I just want to add one more thing..... I have decided to add some different product selections to my offerings currently to customers, which is mostly cards.  I am starting glass etching and even decided to get the sandblast tools and box.  Already have an air compressor.  I'll show pictures of what I make.  I'm also going to start working with vinyl.  Anyway, just wanted to share that with you.  Stay tuned.  :)

Thanks for stopping by! 

LOVE Block Letters Valentine

Hi everybody!

I'm crankin' out the Valentine cards already.  I cut these block letters out with the Silhouette. Just trying some different things for people that say 'do whatever you want... I trust you.' lol okay

I have GOT to find a new photo editing software.  Please make some recommendations for me.  What works well for you?  The ones I have tried have all been free and I can't do what I want to do so I guess it's time to stop being cheap and spend some money so my cards photograph well.  I want the background to be lighter/white without lightening the card itself.  Help!


I've got lots more ideas so stay tuned.  Thanks for stopping by! 

 

Piece of my Heart Valentine Card

Hi everybody,

I just made my first Valentine card for 2015.  I'm trying to be on the same schedule as the stores lol, since I sell my cards I need to get them out early too.

I am going to start using my Silhouette a lot more.  If I run across something cool I'll share it with you.  I cut out the puzzle pieces with the Silhouette and the sentiment was written with the Silhouette pens.  I love being able to put anything I want on the card now. 

I hope you like it! 

I've been editing my pictures with Picasa and for some reason today I couldn't get into it so I tried PicMonkey for the first time.  I guess it did okay.  I still can't get a program to lighten the background to my satisfaction without lightening the card itself.  Can someone help me with this? 

This next week I'll be getting the glass etching starter kit and vinyl so please watch for some new things to come from me this year.  I'm excited about expanding my product offerings to my client base.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

1st Xmas As A Pair Card Using Silhouette Pens

The Silhouette is so much fun to use.  I love being able to import logos, photos, etc, and being able to use them how I want to.  Another new thing that I've been using are the Silhouette pens.  Have you used these?  OMG!  I think I have every color now.  I can write anything I want in cards or as a greeting and cut it out.  You can download fonts free from the internet or from the Silhouette Store.  I would wait until the fonts are on sale if you're going to get from the store obviously because they are $2.99 each.  I have a lot of luck with free fonts from Fonts 101.

This is the Christmas card I made for my boyfriend.  I cut the mittens out with the Silhouette and used White Sharpie Paint Pen to write on them. I couldn't find a stamp that fit what I wanted to say so I used the Silhouette pens to write what I wanted. Gotta love that! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!