Bear’s Paw Succulent and Hugs, Thinking of You, Paw-some Friend Cards

Hello all! I’ve found another old post in my ‘drafts’ folder and have finally gotten it polished off for you… These were some sweet gift sets I made up last year when I found some ADORABLE Bear’s Paw succulents and put them in some cute cactus shot glasses from Dollar Tree and paired them with some stuffed bears and a handmade card to make some sweet and encouraging gift sets for some beary pawsome friends. First up a set for a special couple needing encouragement:

Awww! That sweet Pink & Main bouquet on the front of the card is colored with some fabulous shimmery Shuttle Art Gel Pens and a hand-drawn edge.

The inside has some cute Pink & Main stamps to match the gift, too…

I’m just head-over-paws in love with those darling bear’s paw succulents (Cotyledon tomentosa)! Aren’t they just TOO cute?!!

Of course, this post was done in March last year (I TOLD you I was backlogged!). Today I stopped by mom and dad’s and saw how much they have grown in such a short time:

This set went to a single friend, so there’s just one bear inside…

 

Supplies used:

• Pink & Main stamp sets: Fur Ever, Grandma’s Lace, Mini Faces Set 1, and Thinking of You Always
• Shuttle Art Gel Pens

And, I had this darling interlocking ‘hugs’ card for another friend:

Supplies used:

• Concord & 9th Hugs Card die
• Concord & 9th Cuddles & Hugs stamp set
• Essentials by Ellen All Inside stamp & die and Bear Hugs die
• DCWV The Butterfly Garden stack cardstock
• Hero Arts ombre ink pads: ombre dolphin ; pink to red;
• Tsukineko Memento Rich Coocoa dye ink
• Copic Markers C1 E 13, 33, 71; R20

I hope you enjoyed these Pawsitively darling little treats!

~D.Ann

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pps: UPDATE: Dad finished his radiation treatments Friday. YAY!! Doc said it’ll probably take a couple of weeks for the side effects to resolve. She’ll see him in 5 weeks and then order tests – likely a PET scan – to be done at 8-10 weeks. Meanwhile he’s to exercise, eat well, exercise and stay healthy so his body can clear out all the irradiated cells. We’re looking forward t a good report!

Hope you’re all staying healthy and sane in these crazy times.😉

 

 

 

Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Hop: Your Friendship Warms My Heart card

Hello, hello!

Due to all that’s been going on this year, I was sad to miss the Spring Coffee Lovers Hop for the first time in over 5 years. Now, the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Hop is in full swing and things are still crazy, but at least I can get to crafting once in a while.

As I was recovering from a procedure on my legs, I had to take short daily walks. Since it’s still blazing hot here in Florida, I chose to do my walking in stores… DANGEROUS!! Lol!! I came across some wonderful royal purple ultra soft and snuggly pjs, robe, blankie and shoes – all on sale – that I would have loved to have if I lived where it gets cold. The few winter things I have haven’t been used in the past few years as it doesn’t even get cold for a few days like it used to down here. (I see a bunch of you sticking your tongues out at me right now!) But I immediately thought of a dear friend up North who is very sensitive to the cold, so I decided to send them to her along with a Ghirardelli chocolates, cocoa and brownie treats and Laura Childs’ latest tea shop mystery to snuggle up and enjoy on a couple of cold winter days.

Hence the need for a darling little cocoa card and this one fit the bill perfectly. Some day I’ll tackle using Copics in creams for fur, but I didn’t have the time, so stuck with standard brown…

Supplies:

• Lil’ Inker Designs Cocoa Bear
• Spellbinders Card Creator A2 Divine Eloquence
• Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
• Copic Markers: C1, 3; E11, 33, 79; R20, 22; RV17; V04, 09
• Pebbles Inc Pearlescent Chalks Jewel Tones
• Gelly Roll Glaze pen
• Park Lane Paperie 110# cardstock for base
• Core’dinations 65# cardstock purple and white
• Scrapbooking made simple adhesives

Unfortunately, this will be my only entry in the Coffee Lovers Hop this time. Perhaps next spring I’ll be back to crafting more. Enjoy the rest of the hop!

-D.Ann

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CATchy MEWsic Card

Hello and thanks for your patience! I’ve been out sick again, but finally got back in the saddle with a really fun card I needed to make up for a friend. I used the current challenge prompts from A Blog Named Hero: Love is in the Air with a color palette:

   

Now that I’m on my computer, I see that third color is fuchsia… on my phone it looks red. I figured out it’s the phone… I took a screen shot from the pone and put it on my computer and it looks just like the one above. Crazy! Oh well, it’s close enough and still perfect for the theme. Next time I know to check the computer for truer colors!

From the minute I saw this Dancing Music Notes die, it was almost exactly what I’ve long had in mind for my Taking Note poem about the people in the symphony of our lives. I wanted the poem written across a flowing staff with pictures of people’s faces in the notes. I have tried and tried to fit it in, but it just looks too crowded…

I guess I’ll have to just print it out in a pretty font on the inside of the card… unless I can talk Hero Arts into making this into an 8×10 die and printing my poem on a stamp, too! lol! For this card I specifically wanted this lovely sentiment on the inside:

At least my other idea for this die worked… having cats playing across the music staff… so fun! My favorite is the white kitty in the lower right who’s resting with her paw linked through a musical rest symbol! To get the reverse image of the dangling kitty I stamped him off on a flat rubber stamp and stamped that onto paper. Since the impression was light, I traced over it with an ultra fine pen. I didn’t worry about the umbrella piece showing… It just looks like part of his paw. I may have gone a little overboard with the hearts, but to me they represent their fabulous musical purrs. The sentiments seemed a little lost after I added the hearts, so I outlined them with the black ultrafine marker. If I could have put my hands on a paw-print stamp, I’d’ve probably put one in each note, and then it would’ve been WAY too busy, so it’s a good thing I couldn’t find one handy.

Supplies used:

• Hero Arts Dancing Music Notes Confetti Die
• Hero Arts Raining Cats and Dogs stamps and dies
• Hero Arts MMH04-18 & Cinco de Meow stamp sets (feel the MEWsic)
• Die-Versions My Micro Font 1/4″ die (CAT-chy!)
• CAS-ual Fridays Big Treble stamp set(inside)
• Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Tuxedo Black
• Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils (cats):  Cadmium Orange, Dark Cadmium Yellow, Warm Gray 1 & 3, Ivory, Pink Carmine, Rose Carmine, Light Red Violet
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks (blended background): Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Barn Door
• Hero Arts inks: MMH 01-18 Passion Flower (sentiments) & MMH04-18 Fiesta Red (hearts)
• Sakura Microperm 01 ultrafine pen
• Core’dinations cardstock: white & purple; card base: Parisian Nights
• Simply Defined permanent adhesive runner and ‘Stay-Put’ glue

Thanks for stopping by to CATch this MEWsical little number! I hope it made you smile!!

~D.Ann

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MFT Creative Olympics Event 2 – Freestyle: Cool Friend Card

Welcome back for Event 2 of My Favorite Things Creative Olympics – Freestyle Card

  

This event is taking place at the Olympic Village (MFT Challenge and Inspiration Blog) and the only requirement is that the card be winter themed. I don’t have a lot of winter stamps because winter in Florida is everyone else’s spring. However, I DO have the gorgeous snowflakes from MFT, and Markerpop recently sent me the adorable Polar Pals, so I was able to put this card together:

Isn’t he just adorable?!! I want to show you a close-up so you can see that cool iridescent sparkle in the embossing powder:

You might also note that his pom-pom is flocked. To avoid cutting the whiskers, I used a Copic to match my blended background. We seem to be on a trend here… first lazy cats, now a sea lion lyin’ around…. can you tell I’ve been stuck in bed most of the past 3 months?! Not very Olympian. lol!

Materials used:

• My Favorite Things stamp sets: Simply Snowflakes & Polar Pals
• Tsukineko Versamark Ink
• Judikins iridescent sparkle embossing powder
• Tsukineko Memento dye ink – tuxedo black
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Stormy Sky
• Copic markers: B02;R20,22; W1,3,5
• Stampendous Fun Flock – Cantaloupe Orange
• Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue
• Core’dinations cardstock – white
• American Crafts glitter card
• Tombow Xtreme adhesive
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L square foam adhesive

I’m playing along with the following hops and challenges – click on any of them for details on how you can join the fun:

• MFT Creative Olympics Event 2 – Freestyle Card
• Cropstop February Challenge – Linky Party #37 – Anything Goes (Aleene’s, Core’dinations, My Favorite Things, Ranger, Tombow & Tsukineko)

Event 3 is coming up next – don’t miss it!

~D.Ann

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With a Friend In the Garden – Art Impressions Cat Card

Well, the Cat Lovers Hop is purring right along and today finds us reaching the half-way point already!

My first card for today happens to use the prize set that Art Impressions is offering some fortunate hopper over on HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com: With a Friend. You can see the details over on the main hop page HERE.

Isn’t that scene just DARLING?!! It goes well with the current Art Impressions challenge: Stamp a Scene!

I embossed the stamp on the sweet Spellbinders shaped card base, then, to make the scene stand out, I stamped it again onto white cardstock and watercolored the image. When done, I popped it up with a couple of foam sheets and ran a black Sharpie across the edges BEFORE taping it down to the base.

It looks really cool in real life popped up like that! The sweet words say: “In the Garden with a friend is the best Place to be.” Awww! I’m sure they would’ve said ‘snoozing with a friend’ if they’d’ve had room! : )

Materials used:

• Art Impressions: With a Friend Window stamp
• Spellbinders Decorative Labels One
• Tsukineko Versamark Ink
• Inkadinkado embossing powder – Black
• Tsukineko Memento dye ink – Tuxedo Black
• Marvy Uchida Le Plume II pens – 2,5,8,12,15,37,75,77,87,90,97
• Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops: Gloss Carnation Pink & Gloss Dandelion Yellos
• Core’dinations 110# paper: White and Ballerina pink
• Fibre Creaft Creative Hands Peel & Stick foam sheets
• Tombow Xtreme permanent adhesive
• Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

I’m playing along with the following hops and challenges – click on them for all the details.

• 2017 Cat Lovers Hop
• Art Impressions Challenge #219 – Stamp a Scene
• Simon Says Stamp Aug/Sept 2017 Work-It-Wednesday – Stamps
• CropStop October Challenge – Linky Party #33 Anything Goes
  • (Aleene’s, Art Impressions, Core’dinations, Spellbinders. Tombow…)

~D.Ann

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Heartfelt Creations Coffee and You Card – 2017 Fall Coffee Lovers Hop

Hello dear peeps!

It seems like life has come at me so fast this year that I can’t hardly get a break to craft as much as I’d like. First, an update for those of you following me on Instagram: I got back safely Friday after evacuating for hurricane Irma. Fortunately, other than some traffic lights out in the area, low stock at the grocery store and some limbs down on the property, all was well at my place. Several of my friends nearby still don’t have electric… and we’re on the East coast of FL! So, so sorry for the folks in Naples and the Keys!! Unfortunately, whenever there is a hurricane, condo rules require everything to come in off the patio so nothing becomes a flying missile. My patio is about half the size of my studio apartment, so it’s a tight fit. I’ve been working at getting it all put back so I can get to my crafting supplies… Priorities!! : ) And I just reconnected my hard drive, so I’m up and running to post now, too! (One lady at a hotel in TN saw us packing our hard drives into the car and said: ‘You can tell who’s travelling from Florida – Most folks don’t go on vacation with their electronics!’) That’s the update, now on to the good stuff:

So, here I am starting late for the Fall Coffee Lovers Hop. There are already over 400 entries already! That’s a lot of caffeine fueled crafting!!

Living in Florida, fall leaves are one of the things I miss, so I keep a few on hand to remind me of their gorgeousness.

I love the 3d look of this Heartfelt Creations Coffee Mug stamp and die! I wish you could run your finger along those beads… they really are 3d! How?…

First I added some shading on the under side of each bead to make them pop out even more. Then I used the flower shaping stylus to emboss them from the reverse side. How did I see where to press since the cardstock was too thick to see the stamped image?…

I stamped and cut another on scrap copy paper. The ink showed through enough to see the outline of the beads. The die cuts so precisely, laying it down (face down) over the back of the card is a perfect match. Since Copic markers DO bleed through, I lined the reverse of the inside and the back of the card with matching cardstock, making for a nice, sturdy card.

I added a few drops of ‘coffee’ for fun. (I’d’ve added a lipstick smooch, but didn’t have a color that would look good with this… something you don’t think about when drinking out of a mug in real life! lol!) To finish, I stamped the inside and attached them at the handle, making sure only the inside bends backward. It’s a lefty card. Next time, I think I’ll try attaching them at the top. The sweet cups at the top say: The perfect blend.

Materials used:

• Heartfelt Creations Coffee Talk Collection
  • Coffee Mug stamp & die sets
  • All Stacked Up stamp set
• Papertrey Ink cardstock: Canyon Clay, Canyon Clay Gingham, Terracotta Tile, Terracotta Tile Bitty Dot
• Papertrey Ink dye inks: Canyon Clay & Orange Zest
• Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Rich Cocoa
• Copic markers: E27, YR24
• Spectrum Noir Aqua Blend pencils: Apricot, Beeswax, Brunette, Carrot, Ginger, Hickory, Sorrel, Wheat
• Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
• Scholastic Glue Stick
• Aleene’s Super Tacky glue
• Tombow mono sand eraser
• Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit

I’m playing along with the following hops and challenges… click on any one for details on how you can join the fun:

• 2017 Fall Coffee Lovers Hop
• Simon Says Stamp Work-It-Wednesday Aug/Sept 2017: Stamps
• The Daily Marker 30 day challenge on IG
• Cropstop September Challenge Linky Party #32: (Aleene’s, Heartfelt Creations, Ranger, Spectrum Noir, Tsukineko, Tombow)

Since I’m still sick (that nasty upper respiratory infection that gave mom bronchitis) and am still unpacking (and hope not to be re-packing for Maria!! Please!!!), this may be the only card I get to post for the CLH this time. Ya’ll TRY to have fun without me, ok?! lol!

I always appreciate your kind and encouraging comments. Thanks in advance!

~D.Ann

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Stamp-a-Faire 2017 – Metallic Embossed Friendship Card

Hello and welcome back! This is my final project for Papertrey Ink’s Stamp-a-Faire 2017 event… Yana showed another faux iron technique using metallic embossed die cuts HERE. Here’s my ‘metal’ piece:

and the card:

Materials used:

• Papertrey Ink SAF 2014 Regency die
• Papertrey Ink We Go Together stamp set
• Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores cardstock and gingham cardstock
• Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores dye ink
• Papertrey Ink Hawaiian shores ribbon: Top Notch Twill & Extra Fine Polka Dot Satin
• Tsukineko Versamark ink
• Hampton Arts Metallic Silver embossing powder
• JoAnn Craft Essentials clear embossing powder
• Queen & Co Toppings: Posies (Aren’t they just too cute?!!)
• Tombow Xtreme adhesive
• Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue

I’m joining in the following challenges, click on any one to find out how you can join the fun:

• Papertrey Ink’s Stamp-a-Faire 2017: Metallic Embossed Die-Cut
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by today! I’ll look forward to seeing you again soon!

~D.Ann

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Sizzix Stephanie Barnard Flip-Its Friendship Card with Tim Holtz Crazy Cats

Hello, again! I’ve been playing just a little with some paper crafts during my recuperation. Today I have a cute little friendship Flip-Its card for you:

Of course, it’s cuter in action, so here’s a link to a quick video (HERE):

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by D Ann Comer (@d.ann.c)

And some close-ups

 

  

These Flip-It’s cards are SO FUN and so EASY to make!!

Materials used:

• Sizzix Tripple Playful Flip-Its dies by Stephanie Barnard
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Crazy Cats & Crazy Talk
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Crazy Cats Dies
• Sizzix Little Sizzles paper pack – earth tones
• Core’dinations cardstock – purple and white
• Copic Markers B21; C1,3,5,7; R20; W1,3,5; Y13; YG63; YR21,24
• Pigma Micron Archival Ink pens: 005 green & 05 Brown
• Tombow Dual Brush Pen 533
• Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
• Faber Castell Textuer Gems pearl
• iCraft Therm-o-Web sticky dot runner & sticky tape runner adhesives

I’m entering this in the Stephanie Barnard Flip-Its Sizzix Maker Challenge. Click on it for more information on how you can join the fun!

I’m also joining the fun at the CropStop July Linky Party #30 (Coredinations, Pigma, Ranger, Sizzix).

Thank you for stopping by today!

~D.Ann

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Newton’s Nook Find Your Paradise Tropical Kitty Card

Hello, and welcome back!

It’s hard to believe the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Hop is more than half over!

  

Simon Says Stamp’s Monday Challenge is Stencil It and Newton’s Nook Inky Paws Challenge #49 is a sketch challenge:

Here’s what I came up with:

Yep, when I imagine paradise, I’m definitely going to want a hammock!! Of course, I’ll want a jaguar or bobcat to cuddle with, too! >^.^< Can’t wait until they’re peaceful critters again!

I like how the embossing of the Art Deco diamond die kind of looks like sun rays! The shimmering cardstock looked more of a golden-orange-yellow on its own, but I still like the cool accent.

A couple of small details:

     

I love the shine of that BoBunny embossing paste on the fun Ocean Spray stencil! And the Flower Soft on the anthers of the Hibiscus stamens adds a little dimension. Did you notice kitty’s claws have snagged that cup, but are loosing their grip? At least it’s not going to spill on him!

Materials used:

• Newton’s Nook Designs: Aloha Newton, Newton Loves Coffee, and Paradise Palms
• Spellbinders dies: Art Deco Ritz Decorative Elements & Card Creator A2 Valiant Honor
• Die Cuts and More (DCAM): Ocean Spray stencil
• Memento dye inks: Bamboo Leaves & Tuxedo Black
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers
• Copic Markers: C3; E11,23,25,33,51,74; G24,99; R20,22,24,29,32; RV02,17; Y13,15,28; YG61,67; YR02,04,24,31; W1
• BoBunny Caribbean glitter paste
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops: Morning Dew
• Flower Soft: Daffodil
• Simply Defined 80# Heavyweight Cardstock
• Core’dinations white cardstock
• DCWV Shimmer Stack
• 3m aluminum oxide 150 grit sandpaper
• Tombow Xtreme permanent adhesive
• Simply Defined “Stay Put” All Purposed Liquid Adhesive
• Therm-o-Web Zots Medium clear adhesive dots
• Misc. ribbon

I am playing along with the following hops and challenges… click on any one of them for more information on how you can join the fun.

•  Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop
• Newton’s Nook Deisgns Inky Paws Challenge #49
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Stencil It
• Cropstop June Challenge Linky Party #29: Anything Goes (Core’dinations, Flower Soft, Ranger, Spellbinders, Tombow, Tonic Studios)

This will probably be my last post for the Coffee Lovers Hop as I’ve caught up with my pre-made cards for this hop and probably won’t be able to make up any more. Y’all TRY to have fun without me. Wink-wink, I KNOW you will! Craft til you drop is the real theme of the hop! Thanks again for stopping by and for all your sweet comments!

~D.Ann

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One last bit of humor before I go:

Color Burst & Mama Elephant Hello Friend Summer Cats Card

Hello again, sweet peeps! Thanks for stopping back by to see this card for the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

  

I pulled out my Color Bursts and, for the first time, added Liquid Metals. I was not disappointed!

Of course, one of the kitty’s ice creams is COFFEE flavored! >^.^<

Just look at that shimmer from the Liquid Metals!!

Inside:

Materials used:

• Mama Elephant: Hello Friend Wishes, Little Cat Agenda, and Sunday Sentiments stamp sets
• Spellbinders Labels 24 dies
• Tsukineko Versamark ink
• Inkadinkado black emobssing powder
• Ken Oliver Crafts Color Bursts: Tangerine & Yellow Ochre
• Ken Oliver Crafts Liquid Metals: Metallic Coral & Yellow Gold
• Aqua Blend Pencils by Spectrum Noir: Black Umber, Fossil Grey, Hyacinth, Kiwi, Sorrel
• Canson L’Aquarelle Hot Pressed Watercolor paper 140#
• Simply Defined 80# Heavyweight Cardstock
• Simply Defined “Stay Put” All Purposed Liquid Adhesive

I am playing along with the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop click on it for more information on how you can join the fun.

Thanks again for stopping by!

~D.Ann

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p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.