Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Ray Bradbury Swap


I signed up for an unusual (to me) swap with my online crafty group.  The leader of the group is a BIG Ray Bradbury fan and after hearing of his recent passing she just had to propose a swap using him as inspiration.  I confess to being mostly unfamiliar with Mr. Bradbury's work, but I needed something to get my creative juices flowing so decided why not.  I knew that he wrote "The Martian Chronicles" and saw these little guys that looked like all the other Martian's that I know and decided to go with them (the stamps are made by Close To My Heart).  As a bonus it gave me a chance to try, once again, to get the hang of shading with Copic markers, I know I still need more practice, but hang in with me and if I live long enough I may just catch on.  I made the background paper from a list of Mr. Bradbury's work which I found on his website.  I hope my online ladies see Martian's too or I may get some raised eyebrows with this one.

JR

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Remebering Cars from my Childhood

Metoka made this great Father's Day card which took me back to my childhood.  My mom had a 1955 Buick Century convertable.  It was white with a black rag top and red leather seats.  She loved that car, drove way too fast and boy would it shimmy!  Apparently a flaw in Buick's suspension system at that time.  Eventually she gave it to my dad and he drove it for a long time before he got rid of it.  I am not really a car person, but for some reason I really remember that particular car from my childhood.  If I had the stamp I would make this card myself and send it to my dad for Father's day.  I bet he remembers it too! 

JR

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Tim Holtz Dies


Wanda Made this masculine card using a Tim Holtz die and perhaps some punches for the tags.  All of the pieces of the suitcase are included in Tim's die though.  She used an embossing folder on the suitcase and lots of distress ink to give the card that well travelled look.  I did not take a photo, but she did the back too - what a gal!  I think this would make a terrific bon voayage card personalized with the recipient's name on one of the tags.  The gals in my monthly craft group are so creative.

JR

Friday, June 1, 2012


This masculine card was made by Donna and even though it says happy birthday that could easily be changed to happy father's day or ...  I know that this photo is not so good, but Donna made the background by glueing aluminum foil to cardstock and then running it through a cuttlebug embossing folder (I think she used houndstooth).  I thought that it would made a wrinkled mess, but as it turns out even though you have wrinkles when you first glue the aluminum foil to the cardstock, putting it in the embossing folder and running it through the machine irons it out as well as embossing it so it comes out pristine - all freshly ironed and starched.

Happy June to all!
JR

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cowboys and Cricut

I know I haven't posted in ages.  My life has been very busy.  My local stamp group did a swap this month of masculine cards and we were encouraged to use some metal on the card although it was not a requirement.  Since Father's Day will be here shortly I thought I would share everyone's cards here.  All of the gals did a fine job and the cards are very different.

This first card was done by Bonnie.  She stamped the cowboy boots and cut them out the old fashioned way and used the "Old West" Cricut cartridge to cut out the wagon wheel and fence.  To get cosmic bonus points for using metal she added a bit of wire on the fence wound like rope and bent a small piece of thicker wire for the horseshoe.  I think she deserves double bonus points.  I love the little seed beeds on the wagon wheel, just a touch of masculine bling.

More masculine cards will be coming so keep an eye out.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Flower Power

 Hi everyone.  I have been working extra hours which has not left much time for stamping and crafting.  I am grateful to have a job, but I need a little more crafting time.  I hope I find a balance soon and am able to post more often.

JR

Monday, January 23, 2012

Recycling Calendars


I am back.  I apologize that I have not posted in so long.  It has been an emotional holiday for me as a dear friend passed away just before Christmas and then just after the new year a co-worker and friend passed away.  I will miss them both very much and pray for their families.

One of the online groups where I am a member has a recycle swap just after the holidays each year so the card above was made for that swap.  A Wells Fargo calendar came my way and it spoke to me because my great-grandfather was a stage coach driver based out of Montana, I believe.  I never met my great-grandfather, but I can remember stories my parents told me about him.  I must make an extra of this card and send it to my father who will celebrate his 90th birthday this March.

I hope that the New Year brings peace and joy to all.

JR