Here Fishy Fishy

Here's another collage I started last weekend when my friend Devon @futureperfect321 was here; I had made the background while we were together...

...then later I added the focal elements (fishies + cat) which I cut out from my friend Gina's @ginaisarty Clip Art Book.

I hope this weekend you'll get to hang out with friends, and/or make some art, and/or devour a delicious Thai takeaway! (Feel free to substitute your favorite people, activities and foodstuffs to create your own Perfect Day Scenario!)

Another Year Wiser

Ranger's new Make-It line of Stencils and Stamps, combine brilliantly with my favorite shades of Archival Ink, to totally streamline the cardmaking process. 

This card features the Bow Lattice Stencil applied in rainbow diagonals of Vibrant Fuchsia, Coastal Coral, Sun Dazed, Sea Grass, Aquamarine and Aubergine. Then the numerals from the Chic Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set were added in the same colors, between the bows, for even more color and detail.

The sentiment, candle and tiny hearts were all stamped in Emboss It Clear Ink and embossed with Ranger White E/P; then covered with a nice bold coat of Aubergine Archival that was flicked with Isopropyl Alcohol to create a fun mottled effect that's duplicated on the background mat. The rose stamp is the only element that isn't included in the Chic Birthday Set; it's from the Wild Hearts Set and is embossed in Magenta Powder on scraps of Stark White Cardstock, then cut out and scattered around the card. 

Skinny green mats and a bit of wonky machine stitching complete the design of this colorful and exuberant birthday greeting!

Mid Century Modern Inspiration

At Jingle Belles we're still making cards inspired by this wonderfully intricate Mid Century Modern Holiday Decor photo and YOU are still invited to join the fun! 

Here's my card:

This week I chose to focus on that beautiful Christmas tree with its red, green and gold baubles and oversized star; which I recreated using Simon Hurley's Classic Christmas Tree Die Set from Spellbinders. I couldn't resist breaking out the woodgrain patterned paper again, and found another piece of so-old-I-can't-believe-I-have-it Daisy D's retro-inspired paper for the background.

JB2603: Mid Century Modern Christmas runs until the evening of next Wednesday, February 11th. Link your cards on the original post. 

Valentine Bouquet

Nothing says, "Happy Valentine's Day" quite as well as a classic bouquet of red roses. Unlike a real bouquet, Eyelet Outlet Rose Brads will last forever... and are much easier to fit into an envelope! A sweet Mini Ladybug Brad has arrived to investigate.

Bloomin' Beautiful Shopping List:

Rose Brads

Mini Ladybug Brads

Roses not your vibe? Visit the Eyelet Outlet Store for lots more Flower Brad Styles!

A Random Collage

Sometimes you just have to sit and cut up or tear pretty/interesting vintage papers and stamps and things, then quite randomly glue them together. If this activity happens to take place on a snow-free weekend, in the company of a fun artist friend like @futureperfect321 and you get to eat lots of yummy Thai food before or afterwards, so much the better!

On a side note, I was hoping to participate in #februllage2026 and I'm adoring all of the amazing creations people are posting to that thread. Maybe I'll get to jump in later this month...

New Stamps and Stencils (WOOHOO!)

I'm so excited to get my hands on Ranger's new line of Make-It Stamps and Stencils. There are (so far) three high-quality photopolymer stamp sets and three nice sturdy 6x8" stencils. The stencils are: Pegboard, Bow Lattice, and Sprinkle Hearts. The stamp sets are called: Chic Birthday, Charmed and Wild Hearts. I made some ATCs to test drive them.

I decided to make one ATC for each stamp set, without mixing them, so you could see that each set has more than enough images and sentiments to make a bunch of different projects. I did add some stenciled details in the backgrounds, though.

Here are the full sets; as you can see I barely scratched the surface, there are many ways to use each of them!

I did a rainbow version of each stencil so you could really see the patterns well. I love the size of these (6x8") as I often make A6 or A7 cards; and I have a couple of biggish art journals. But as you can see, the scale is still great for smaller items like ATCs. You could even add pattern to the front and back of an A2 card.

One of my favorite things on the "Cheers" ATC is the rounded panel under the martini. I made it by stenciling the Bow Lattice, moving it slightly and changing colors over and over; until I got a pattern that reminds me of funky "space age" 1960's Formica. 

Stay tuned for more ideas coming soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out the full line of Make-It items as well as all the inspiration on the @ranger_ink Instagram Page!

Sunshine Mandala

It's a bold and beautiful SUNSHINE Mandala Monday... on a library card; thus combining a bunch of my favorite things together in a conveniently portable 3x5" format.

Hope your week is off to a sunshiney start! ♥♥♥