Nimble Fingers

Art Impressions: 4964, 4867, 4703

Marvy markers: 6, 15, 18, 28, 45, 83

Unknown patterned cardstock; kraft cardstock

Strathmore 140# watercolor cardstock

Art Impressions Open Window 4608, Flower Set 4052

Marvy markers: 8, 15, 20, 45, 72, 86

Jody Poesy sentiment

Jet Black archival ink

cardstocks: white (A2), purple, watercolor

Art Impressions: EZ Project B 4272, Foliage Set 1 4051, Open Window 4608, Tree 4269

Marvy markers:  15, 28, 30, 45, 72, 86, 100

Jody Poesy sentiment

Jet Black archival ink

cardstocks: white, green/Bazzill, watercolor

Art Impressions: Rustic Container Set 4871, Southwest 4763, Garden Wagon mini set 4875, Flower Set 2 4868, Foliage Set 4051

Marvy markers:  6, 15, 17, 28, 45, 72, 101

cardstocks: white (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"), aqua/Bazzill (3 3/4" x 5 1/8"), watercolor (3 5/8" x 5")

Ranger:  Jet Black archival ink

Jody Poesy sentiment

This card, without the sentiment, can be found on the Art Impressions site in the video section.

I spent Labor Day weekend in NJ with friends and stayed with one family that is near and dear to my heart.  This was the card I left on the bureau upon my departure.

My uncle recently turned 90 and always lived on a farm.  Sadly, he lost his swine barn to a massive fire a number of years ago.  I thought this stamp would help bring back fond memories of the farm while celebrating his birthday with friends and family.

Art Impressions: Cottage by the Beach, Foliage Set, Flower Set

Marvy markers: 40, 43, 45, 55, 74, 75, 86, 90, 96

Watercolor cardstock; Bazzill turquoise cardstock; white cardstock

Ranger:  Wild Honey, Antique Linen distress oxide inks; Tumbled Glass distress ink

Sizzix: 4" circle (old red die); Waves texture fade; Shells #2 sizzlit

Watercolor cardstock; Bazzill Yam cardstock, Bazzill Piglet cardstock dipped in Picked Raspberry and Frayed Burlap distress oxide inks and Picked Raspberry distress ink

Marvy markers: 6, 15, 40, 45, 55, 72, 86, 96

Art Impressions: Southwest

it's your birthday!

When you make one sympathy card you might as well make a 2nd, or even a 3rd while you have the supplies out and ready.  This card features Art Impressions Ornate Container, Chest of Flowers, Clay Pot and Foliage set.  Marvy markers (15, 45, 86) were used to color the images on watercolor cardstock.  A dark blue layer is between the card front and the card base.  Grafix masking fluid was used to create the trellis.  Black Soot archival ink was used on the Jody Poesy sentiment stamp.

My next door neighbor lost her oldest sister to a massive stroke and an old friend/neighbor/church member passed away at 101. 

The Art Impressions images (4605 Spring Basket and 4051 Foliage Set) were stamped on watercolor paper using Marvy markers (3, 15, 45, 48, 86).  Bazzill Piglet is the pink layer atop the white card.  The sentiment was stamped in Black Soot archival ink using a Jody Poesy stamp.

A very good friend is retiring from Rutgers University.  I'm so happy for her...this has been a long time coming.

White cardstock; blue vellum cardstock

Art Impressions: 4051 Foliage Set, 4604 Chest of Flowers (colored with Marvy markers)

Sizzix:  mini stencils 006, 070; 661195-Ornate Frame 2

Distress ink:  Peeled Paint, Stormy Sky


I bet you can't tell that I've found a new line of stamps that I've come to enjoy more and more as I play with them.  Art Impressions has a line of watercolor stamps that are so much fun and lets your creative side run wild.  The sets coordinate so well with each other...the sky is the limit when it comes to making a scene.  One really does need to watch the initial youtube video that Bonnie Krebs, designer of this line, has made illustrating how she uses the stamps and markers in an easy way that makes the art look like you took hours to create, not mere minutes.

Watercolor, Blue Bazzill cardstock, white cardstock

Art Impressions: 4761 Watering Can, 4051 Foliage Set 1, 4701 Clay Pot

Marvy markers



Found a new hairdresser who made me feel totally relaxed and welcomed.  And did a fab job on my hair using the Deva cutting technique for wavy/curly hair.  Although my hair isn't sporting as many curls now the new cut is much more 'me' and easier to manage.  Hence, I just had to say 'thank you'. 

She not only sent me a computerized memo thanking me for making my initial appointment, another as a reminder of my upcoming appointment and then one thanking me and looked forward to seeing me at my next appointment.  I've never received this much attention from any stylist.  Ever.

Art Impressions 4703 Flower Cart, 4052 Flower Set, 4051 Foliage Set

Kraft, blue woodgrain cardstocks

Sizzix 661189 Stitched rectangles (on kraft cardstock)

Marvy markers

A young friend has graduated with her masters degree in library science and has moved out of the area.  This was a big move for her and I wanted to recognize both the move physically and professionally.

Best wishes, Lauren!  It's been so much fun watching you grow up and turn into such a fine young woman. 


Art Impressions:  Blooming Birdhouse 4603

Jody Poesy: best wishes

Jet Black archival ink

Marvy Markers: 8, 15, 45, 75, 86

Watercolor, Bazzill, white cardstocks

My neighbor's chocolate lab is a teenager!  I've always called her my chocolate princess...she's such a sweetheart.

Maraschino Bazzill cardstock; white cardstock; mixed media cardstock

Provocraft embossing folder

Stampers Anonymous:  Crazy Dogs CMS271

Sizzix:  Crazy Dogs 661593

Unknown crown, primitive star punches

Glossy Accents, Jet Black archival ink, distress markers, Carnation Red enamel accents

Krylon gold leafing pen

Art Impressions:  Flower Set 4052, Foliage Set 4051, Covered Bridge 4808

Marvy Markers:  15, 20, 29, 45, 86

Cardstock:  watercolor, fuschia, white

Blue, green, watercolor cardstocks

Marvy markers

Jet Black archival ink

Art Impressions: Foliage Set, 4807 Old Barn Mini Set

VAP Scrap sentiment

Blue, green, watercolor cardstocks

Art Impressions: Watercolor Structures, Foliage set

Marvy markers; Jet Black archival ink

Gold and white vellum; white cardstock; watercolor cardstock

Krylon gold webbing spray, gold leaf marker

Unknown rose die (cut 3 and layered for dimension) then covered with Glossy Accents

Distress oxide inks: Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Peeled Paint

Martha Stewart border punch

Maraschino Bazzill cardstock, watercolor cardstock

Marvy markers; Jet Black archival ink

Sizzix punches: 660168, 660172

Art Impressions: 4583 With A Friend Window

Piglet Bazzill cardstock, watercolor cardstock, green cardstock

Art Impressions: 4701 Clay Pot, 4051 Foliage Set

Misc.: border punch, Marvy markers

White, blue vellum cardstocks

Stampers Anonymous:  CMS266 Newsprint & Type, CMS288 Hipster

Ranger:  archival inks (Shadow Grey, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot); distress inks (Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Tumbled Glass, Abandoned Coral, Antique Linen); distress markers (Abandoned Coral, Faded Jeans)

Sizzix: Hipster Goat 662249, 3/4" circle punch 661852

watercolor, blue, white, purple cardstocks

Art Impressions images (Garden Wagon Mini - 4875, Flower Set 2 - 4868, Foliage Set 1 - 4051) (colored with Tombow markers and a waterbrush)

Sizzix: Lattice on the edge die

Stampers Anonymous: Leaf Prints CMS273

Stampendous: sentiment

Finnabair: text stamp (over the lattice die)

Ranger:  archival inks (Sky Blue, Leaf Green, Black Soot)

Parakeet Bazzill cardstock; watercolor, black cardstocks

Art Impressions 3323 image (colored with watercolor pencils and a waterbrush)

Hope your days are happy and life is good & all is well in your neighborhood.

Mixed media, white cardstocks

Packaging insert as brown layer; candle punch

Sizzix:  Layering stencil 072; Framelits 661593

Stampers Anonymous:  CMS 271 Crazy Dogs

Ranger:  distress inks; distress oxide inks (Vintage Photo, Broken China); Espresso, Hickory Smoke archival inks; Glossy Accents

Charlie is an uber-active chocolate lab that I know.  The layering stencil pattern fits his personality...crazy and all over the place!   lol

This month marks the 10th anniversary of being in this house and our 30th wedding anniversary.  Sadly, Walt passed away the end of March and didn't get to be a part of our gift to each other.  We figured this was the perfect year to makeover the living room. 

The carpet was oatmeal and from the previous owner.  Our furniture was from the early 90s.  All looked okay but the carpet color wouldn't have been our choice and the furniture was breaking down internally.  The carpet, sofa, chair, recliner and 2 end tables were given away. 

I wish I had been able to take before photos of the room and furniture but because of Walt's health and the need to make room for a hospital bed, etc., I didn't.  Afterwards I was too grief stricken to think of photos.  But after a few weeks I decided to continue with our plan.  It was the first time in over 30 years I had to make important decisions on my own. 

I'll start the tour outside as that was part of the plan.  New pillow and entry mat.








Hard to see the true color with the storm door closed. 

Hotel St. Francis Spirit Blue by Valspar

Front door, south end of living room, hall

Window wall: Ivory Brown by Valspar
Hallway: Stone Manor by Valspar
North end of living room

Warm Putty by Valspar
Flooring is 7" wide hickory by Bruce (Flooring Surfaces in Champaign)

Casey is checking out the new smells.

Pine bookcase.  I cut baseboard, quarter round molding and crown molding myself (seated on the floor of the garage using a dull -sheesh- saw.  From drab to...
...to fab!

Chalky Paint, Sealing Wax, Dark Antique Wax system by Valspar (tinted Stone Manor)
School desk I picked up for $15.  Had been royal blue and red.  I sanded the desk top and the rough bits on the metal frame.  Dark walnut stain and a clear sating sealer (both Minwax) for the wood top.  Red spray paint as a base coat oversprayed with orange spray paint then another misting with the red spray paint.  The red was too pinkish-red and the orange too yellow on their own. 
I sanded this down a bit; I was afraid 2 coats of the top color wouldn't cover the stenciled areas.
Chalky Paint, Sealing Wax, Dark Antique Wax system by Valspar.  The legs are the same as the shelf unit (tinted Stone Manor) while the top was tinted Fire Orange by Valspar.

The northern end of the room at night.  The lamp base is walnut and was made by my dad.

The northern end of the room at night.
The reading corner...furniture from Stahl's in Mount Pulaski.  LOVE the fun fabrics!

The relaxing station...sofa is Flexsteel and also from Stahl's.  Love the denim blue fabric with off-white nubbins on it.  I'm using a toolbox tray on top of a strip of burlap to hold the tv remote, a pair of glasses, etc.  Sheers from Lowe's and less expensive than Bed Bath & Beyond - with a coupon - (also in the size I wanted).







I am extremely happy, pleased, satisfied, etc. with the way the room has come together.  I will take my time adding wall art and putting things on the shelf unit.  Lots of sweat equity but worth every ache.