Get Well Tilda

I can hear all of you now: Susan has another blog post in one week? What's up with that? What's up is actually a multitude of reasons, but more on those later. The main reason is that I want to post the things that I've made but have neglected to post, so you'll be seeing lots more posting going on over here.


My sweet stampin' sister Tanja shared some of her Magnolia images with me and I used one of the Tildas on this get-well card for Catherine, who I'm happy to say, is feeling much, much better and looking just peachy! We went to an all-day crop at Archivers on Sunday, where WE GOT SO MUCH DONE that now we're both LOOKING for things to do! (yeah, right)

Tilda is colored up with Copics, and the more I use them, the more I love them! They're actually quite user friendly, and although I have quite a way to go as far as creating beautiful depth with them, I am beginning to understand the whole layering thing.

I added some shimmer to her wings with a sweep of PearlEx over VersaMarker, and embellished with some ribbon, dewdrops, and a frosted green heart. Finally, in the style of the amazingly creative Carolyn, I did finish the inside with some layers of DP and cardstock. It's nowhere near the masterpieces that Carolyn creates, but at least the inside isn't as naked as a jaybird!



So back to my reasons for more frequent blog posting:

• I want to use the stash of papers, ribbons, and embellies I've been hoarding.

• I want to alter all the stuff I have in the plastic tote under my table.

• I want to use my Copics so that I can get the hang of them.

• I want to use the 70+ card kits in my possession (with more on their way soon!).

• I want to play in some sketch challenges and color challenges and stamp company challenges because they look like fun!

• I want to make and send cards to people just because.

• I want to quit my day job and just play in my craft room!!!

Okay, fine, so that last one is not going to happen unless I or someone who likes me hits the MegaUberGinormousPowerGigaballLottery and shares with me. But I think the other items on my list are realistic with a little planning and dedication on my part. And surely, The Man or The Girl will do the laundry, shop for groceries, cook, feed The Furry Ones, dust & vacuum, and pay the utilities. (Look, the incomparable Kadie may be able to rock the stampin' world by candlelight, but I can't.)

I hope you'll visit again to see what else I've been doing in my spare time while avoiding housework!

Happy Creating!
Susan

A Tilda for Paula

I made this Tilda card for my oldest sister, Paula, whose birthday is on Saturday. I have another older sister, Mary, but her birthday isn't until December. Ahhh, to always be the youngest, although I can't believe we are as old as we are. *sigh*




Paula likes turquoise-y colors, so I used this pretty plaid ribbon for the color inspiration for her card. The ribbon actually has an orange-y stripe through it, but I still think it looks good with the SU Real Red and Turquoise mats. The white embossed card base is from a dollar pack I found at Mike's, complete with envies! (I *knew* I should have bought more--of course, they're all gone now.) The DP is from a SU 6x6 prints pack that my demo found for me. (I've asked her to keep her eyes peeled for any retired or extra 6x6 packs she might come across!)



After coloring and cutting out Tilda, I popped her up on the teal Nestie oval, then layered that on the scalloped oval. I love adding contrasting dots (ala Markie's Mom) or punching holes in the scallops; I just think it adds something. And of course, I had to add a flower; the red & white I picked up at my LSS and the turquoise was from Kadie.

I decided to jazz up the inside, so I layered Whisper White on Real Red, then added a little tab of ribbon, and stamped "happy joyful birthday" from an SU set that I can't remember the name of. (it's not crooked; it just looks that way in the pic).

I know she will love this because she appreciates the work and thought that goes into handmade items. I've been trying to get her to come over to make cards with me. But she lives 3 hours away, and when she's in to visit, she usually has a full schedule of running around and shopping and such. She lives in the beautiful mountains of Central PA, but there are no malls there, and I live in a sort of shopping Mecca, so she likes to shop when she's here! Maybe we'll be able to set aside a couple hours of card making when she's here for my Dad's birthday in a few weeks.

Oh, don't forget to go to this post to tell me what you "need" and what you'd like to receive from me if you're chosen. You have until March 6 midnight to enter, and I'll draw 5 winners on Saturday morning.

Happy Creating!

Susan

My First Tilda!

As much as I'm lovin' Bella, I think I'm lovin' Tilda just as much!! Bella is sexy and Tilda is adorable! I don't own any, but I received some images through a swap and the kindness of some of my STC sisters.

I don't know which Tilda this is, but I love how she is catching the falling stars. Most would probably use her for Christmas, but I used her for another birthday card. I used my Prismacolors and blended with baby oil. My coloring is still rusty; I think the problem is that I'm afraid to apply *too* much color? And I'm not sure I colored her *the way she should be colored* but I like it.

This card went together fast, I think because I love the colors in the Addison DP by K&Company. It made it easy to choose the soft yellow DCWV textured stock for the base and the square of soft shimmery gold vellum for some contrast for the Nestie scalloped DP circle.

I'm also into using flowers a lot more lately, I think because they fill a void that I sometimes have trouble, well, filling. These were gifts from my STC sisters Karen & Kadie, and I added some dew drops for the centers. For a little more sparkle, I went over the stars and stardust trails with a Sakura teal pen. Finally, I used the SU corner punch for the plaid photo corners. What do you think?

I was going to add something else, but couldn't decide what, so I thought I should leave well enough alone. Ooo, I am *craving* ideas of what some of YOU would have added! Please include some ideas in your comment!

I'm working on another Tilda card for my sister, Paula, whose birthday is Saturday, and hope to have that finished tonight. I found gorgeous ribbon at Big Lots (7 yards for a buck!) that was my color inspiration. I have *so* many people in my life with February and March birthdays -- then a dry spell -- but I'm going to keep cranking them out so I can get ahead!

I also wanted to say thanks for commenting on my creations here. I really do enjoy this craft and have learned SO much from SO many of you! Your talents motivate and inspire me, and your kind words give me the warm fuzzies! And everyone could use more warm fuzzies, don't you think?

Hope you have a sunny, happy day creating!

Happy Creating!
Susan