Happy Tails Sneak Peek

This is another card I made with the soon to be available Happy Tails bundle. A friend of mine is a vet tech in Louisiana, and a five month old puppy was brought in with severe lacerations on his chest and rib cage from a harness that he had outgrown. I won't say bad words here, but you can imagine what I think of the owners.....how could they not notice?

Anyway, they were going to have him euthanized because they couldn't afford his care and my friend, who has a heart of gold, stepped in said she'd take him until he was well enough to be adopted to a good home. Needless to say, my respect and admiration for her grew even greater.

I know the veterinary care is going to cost a bundle, so I made this card so I could tell her I think she's awesome, and enclose a donation toward his care.

Product List

Happy Tails Photopolymer Bundle

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Gold Foil-Edged Cards & Envelopes

Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper

Gold Foil Sheets

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Big Shot

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

Stitched Labels Framelits Dies

Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Bella Birthday & Challenges

The BFF and I are at it again with the challenges this weekend! This time we each picked one challenge that we would combine on our cards. I was hoping we'd pick something compatible, and not something like "CAS plus vintage Victorian." Now that would be a challenge! Luckily, our challenges mesh quite well. Barb chose the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge #215, and I chose the Just Add Ink challenge #353 "Just Add Critters."

Now that SAB is over, I'm going to focus more on the retiring In Colors. On today's card, I used Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron, and Tip Top Taupe. I've noticed that some of the colors are already back ordered, so if you have the ink pad, but not the ink refill, I suggest you get it a.s.a.p.!

Barb's take on the challenges can be seen HERE. Love the giraffe (still waiting on April's baby, LOL)!

Here's the "How To"
 Image: Watercolor Paper 2-1/4" x 4-3/4"
 Mat: Tip Top Taupe 2-1/2" x 5"
 Greeting: Watercolor Paper 1/4" x 2-3/4"
 Card base: Tip Top Taupe 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored & folded at 4-1/4"

1. Do a light watercolor wash in Mint Macaron on the watercolor paper. Don't worry if the color runs into where you will stamp the image, the other colors will cover it. Let dry thoroughly (you can speed it along with the Heat Tool on low).
2. Stamp image in Basic Black archival ink, and color using an Aqua Painter. Add a stripe of darker Mint Macaron at the bottom for the grass.
3. Adhere to mat, and then attach to card base with dimensionals.
4. Stamp greeting in black on watercolor paper strip. Cut banner ends, and attach to card with dimensionals cut in half.

Product List

Bella & Friends Clear-Mount Stamp Sets

Big On Birthdays Photopolymer Stamp Set

Tip Top Taupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Watercolor Paper

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad

Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad

Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad

Aqua Painters

Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for the Vet

Our poor dog has been having intermittent tummy troubles for the last three weeks. She saw the vet the first of the month, and we were given anti-nausea medicine for her. Well, that only works if she isn't throwing it back up. A couple times we were ready to take her back, but then she'd start acting normal again, so we didn't. Until yesterday (which happened to by my hubby's birthday). She couldn't even keep chicken broth down, so we called the vet and went in.

Our veterinarian is wonderful. We were able to get squeezed in at the last minute of a very busy day, and he and his staff stayed well past closing, doing sonograms, X-rays, and lab work. He gave her an injection for the nausea, and so far it's working! (Paws crossed it keeps working!)

Anyhoo, I wanted to express our gratitude, so this card was made and sent today. It's from May, saying she and her mommy & daddy are grateful for the care they gave her. I hope it brings a smile to them when they receive it!

Today begins the Second Release of Sale-A-Bration items, and the glimmer paper on this card it one of the items that I'm SURE is going to be very popular! It's so pretty, and shiny, and glittery! What is shown is the Sweet Sugarplum, but it also comes with Bermuda Bay and Mint Macaron!

Product List

Bella & Friends Clear-Mount Stamp Sets

[141870]

Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[101910]

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[121045]

2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack

[141408]

6" X 6" (15.2 Cm X 15.2 Cm) Glimmer Paper Assortment Pack

[143831]

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

[140931]

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

[131179]

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[126948]

Blender Pens

[102845]

Whisper White Thick Baker's Twine

[141688]

Any Hero Cards

I confess, I haven't been much of a user of digital stamps. I like the hands-on feel of inking up a rubber stamp and carefully positioning it on cardstock. :)  Plus, I'm *ahem*, somewhat addicted to Stampin' Up!

What got me to change my mind was the fundraiser for Operation Write Home going on at K 'n K Designs. ALL of the proceeds from the sales of these specially-designed stamps (minus PayPal fees) will be donated to OWH to help with shipping costs, estimated to be about $13,000 over the next few months!

Well, Operation Write Home is a cause near and very dear to my heart, and the digis were so darn cute, I just couldn't resist. This is one of the images in the bundle. (I added "OWH" to the label using Publisher.) :-) Since my Copics have been seriously neglected for a few months, I used them to color the image, then added Crystal Effects to the spilled water and the dog's nose for some shine. Tucking six of these into the box for OWH!

Notice the little "OWH" on the label? I added that using Publisher. :-D

For My Friend

Her dog died suddenly, with no apparent warning that anything was wrong. I know what a hole in the heart those little furry critters leave when they pass. And it keeps hurting for a long time, too....every time you come home and they aren't waiting by the door, tail-waggingly ecstatic to see you.

For some reason, I never can get my husband to greet me that way.

Stamps: D is for Dog, I {Heart} Hearts

Cardstock: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP

Ink: Basic Black Classic, Basic Black Craft, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker (to color white edges of ribbon)

Accessories: Houndstooth (get it?) Embossing Folder, Big Shot,  Metallic Brads, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Heat tool, bone-shaped paper clip (non-SU)

Semper Fi(do)

There were a couple of these sent to Operation Write Home, as well.  I'm sure Sandy's dog, Ciara, will like this one!  Dogs are such loyal companions that the Marine motto of Semper Fi (semper fidelis - always faithful) really applies. I hope the message has real meaning for the hero that sends this one home!

I couldn't resist putting a little Crystal Effects in the dog's eyes and nose for that shiny-eyed, wet-nosed, healthy look! Gosh, I miss having a dog.....

Stamp: Maker unknown, greeting printed by computer
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Autumn Spice Specialty DSP (retired)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Neutrals Brads, Finial Press embossing folder, Big Shot, Crystal Effects