Rilu

This is Rilu.  Rilu is a male orange tabby about a year old (according to the vet).  We got him in December and were told he was a teenager. No one knows how old he is.  He LOVES to be held. He purrs a lot.  He's extremely soft.  His meow is like the high pitch sound of air being let out of a balloon.  LOL  He lets you give him kisses (even on his shaved belly) and he loves to plop on your chest when you are in the recliner. He's very good natured and he was sick.

In the photo he is basking in the sun and warming his shaved belly on the heat vent in the dining room.  He's been pretty good through all of this except when they had to take his temperature (twice) he cried.  I would too.  That's not a nice place to take a temperature.  You would think by now that they would have some type of thing they can take it though their ears.  But we managed to make it through that too.

Rilu had a trip to the vet and then immediately to the animal hospital.  He had ultra sound, hence the shaved belly.  They x-ray at the vet showed something in his intestines.  The ultra sound showed it was possible inflammation of the intestines.  He was fine until we had to take him in to be neutered and shots.  He started throwing up after that.  Then he started to get better and 3 weeks later he had to have a booster shot . He began to get sick again.  He couldn't keep anything down.  That's when we took him in.  So now he's being treated for inflammation of the intestines with prednisone.  It's not fun giving a cat a pill. It's not a big pill but with a cat it doesn't matter what size it is.  We put the pill in his mouth and held it shut until he swallowed.  And we let go and out comes the pill.  After several tries we managed to get it down.  The next day the pill was broken in half and wrapped in a piece of shredded deli chicken from the local Cub Foods store.  He swallowed it without chewing.  Pilling suddenly became easier!  Yay. He's on the road to recovery. He's back to jumping on the counter and the table and the entertainment center.  All the places he's not suppose to go.  I now have mixed feelings about that.  Doing it means he's healthier but doing it is gross!!

I often get asked about his name.  I tell people that Rilu is Swahili for "Get off the damn table".  But it's really a combination of two words.  Riley, because living here he will have the life of Riley (I'd like to learn more about this guy Riley and find out who he was and how he lived. Apparently he lived well) and the lu part comes from the word Lucky.  Ri and Lu for Rilu.  

So tonight I will not be posting a card as Rilu wants to be held and cuddled.  I will be spending my evening with him.  I will post tomorrow.  I do like to post daily but sometimes more important things come up.

Thank you for understanding.  

Wanda

Amazing You, 2018 Sale-a-Bration, Stampin' Up! Card

When I was looking at this card on Pinterest, I thought it would be fun to recreate it.  I did have the background paper, but I didn't want to use it because the other side has foil on it and I had plans for it. So I looked through the current papers that I have and found these large dots in the "Whole Lot of Lovely" Decorative Series Paper (DSP).  I liked the look so I ran with it.

The base of my card is a folded half-sheet of Blushing Bride card stock. It was cut on the 8-1/2" side at 4-1/4".  I did score mine at 5-1/2" to make it fold easier.  When you fold against the grain of the paper it doesn't always look as nice.  I pretty much score all of my folds, regardless of the grain.

On the front of the base I taped a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of the DSP from the "Whole Lot of Lovely" pack. 

On top of the DSP is a 3-3/8" x 5-1/2" piece of copper foil paper. And the focal piece was cut 3-1/4" x 5-1/2".  I stamped the words on using black Memento ink.  I used my grid paper and I practiced a couple of times to see where I wanted my words to start.  I used removable tape and set my focal piece down.  I inked up the first one and stamped.  Then I inked it up again and stamped and after that I just stamped without inking.  I inked up the flower with Blushing Bride ink and stamped it as you see it on the card.

The "YOU" was die cut using the copper foil paper.  I glued that in place.  Tape would have been too messy.

I tied some linen thread around the two top layers and then I taped the top layers in place.  It's a pretty simple card to make. I do like it.  This set is retiring at the end of the month and I thought I should play with it more. Click here to see the other card I made using this set.  It's one of my favorites.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Heartfelt Blooms, You're Inspiring, Birthday Card, 2018 Sale-a-Bration

For all I know, I have already made a card like this. I have played with this set a lot and don't remember what I make anymore. I found this fun card on Split Coast Stampers.  Yup, there are other places I look at other than Pinterest!!! Shocking, huh??? LOL

I just like how soft this card looked.  I also really like the Sweet Sugarplum color.  The card stock and the ink are Sweet Sugarplum.  Except for the words those I opted to do in black ink as opposed to the Sweet Sugarplum. I thought the color looked too light and the words wouldn't stand out enough.

The base of the card is a folded half-sheet of Sweet Sugarplum card stock.  On top of that is a piece of 4" x 5-1/4" of Whisper White that was textured using the "Garden Trellis" embossing folder. I taped it on top of the card base.

I stamped the flower from the "Heartfelt Blossoms" set using Sweet Sugarplum ink. I trimmed it to 2-7/8" x 3-5/8". I added a layer behind it that measured 2" x 3-3/4".  The strip behind the focal image is a strip of Sweet Sugarplum that measures 1-1/4" x 5-1/4".  I just taped that in place on top of the textured piece.  I added Dimensionals to the focal piece and set that in place on the card. 

I stamped the words from the "You're Inspiring" set using black Memento ink. I cut the strip 1/2" wide and I trimmed it to 2-1/8" and then snipped the ends to make the ribbon looking tips.  I set that piece in place using a Dimensional at the right end and snail tape at the left.  And that was it. It's a pretty simple card to make.  The stamp does the image in beautiful depth and detail.  You can't mess this one up.  Well, unless you move the paper while you are stamping. But basically, it's a super easy and beautiful stamp to use.  I will miss it after the end of this month.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Epic Celebration, Beautiful Bouquet, Swirly Bird, Sheet Music, 2018 Sale-a-Bration, Birthday Card

The "Epic Celebration" Sale-a-Bration set has been a bit of a challenge for me.  But I did find a fun card on Pinterest that I was in awe of!.  There are a few subtle differences.  The splats are larger on my card because I didn't have anything smaller and the splats that came in the set are not the same as in the original card.  And I used the words from the "Beautiful Bouquet" set instead of the ones in the set.  I do like the ones in the set but I thought I would make this a definite, no questions asked birthday card.  Though the "you're awesome" could be used for a congratulations or a graduation card.  I'm sticking with birthday.  

The base of my card is a folded half-sheet of Basic Black card stock.  On top of that is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Real Red. and the focal piece measures 3-7/8" x 5-1/8".  The Real Red piece only needs to show a sliver because the eye is drawn to read and I'd rather have people looking at the guitar and then to the words and not right away to the border.  

First I stamped the guitar and colored it with the Real Red and Smoky Slate Blends markers. I love it that you can just scribble the color on and it all blends in with very little to no demarcation. I fussy cut it out.  Not one of my favorite things to do but this is pretty easy to do on this image.  You can cut it out first and then color it. I prefer to color first in case I ruin it I didn't waste time cutting it out first. LOL  After I was done coloring, I took the black marker and I took the side of it and ran it along the edges of the guitar to hide any white card stock showing.  So now it looks like I am a pro at cutting along the lines!!!  Such a fun cheat! 

I took the second largest oval in the die and die cut one on a separate piece of card stock. I cut it exactly the same as the focal piece.  That way I could tape them together with removable tape and make sure the image is centered.  I inked up the "Sheet Music" background stamp and left it image side up on my clear block.  I set the card stock on top and rubbed with my fingers to get the ink to impress onto it.  I always make sure I keep one hand on the paper at all times, that way you have less of a chance of the paper moving and getting a double image.

Next I took the spatter from the "Swirly Bird" set and stamped it 5 times on the card.  You can stamp as many times as you like. I was just filling in some gaps so it worked out to be 5 times. I used black Memento ink for that.  

On a piece of scrap Whisper White I stamped the birthday greeting from the "Beautiful Bouquet" set. I die cut it out and I die cut a Real Red scallop. I had a scrap piece but if I hadn't, I would have cut it from the Real Red layer.

I taped the Real Red to the card base. Then I taped the focal piece in place. I added the guitar and words layer using Dimensionals. 

Such a fun card.  It makes me REALLY like this set now!! LOL  It really didn't take that long to make either.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Stylized Birthday, Amazing You, 2018 Sale-a-Bration, Birthday Card

Today's choice to play with is the "Amazing You" Sale-a-Bration set. I was looking to create a clean and simple looking card.  Though I do wish I would have made the flower a peachier or light blue color.  The yellow looks a little drab, even with the "Wink of Stella" on it.  But it was simple enough so I can make more.  Last night I inked up my black Memento pad so today it was perfect. I got a nice solid black image from my stamps!  YAY.  I try to remember to ink my pads the night before but it's difficult because I don't always know what I'm going to be making to know what colors I will need. But I do have my stamping cubes that I have saved from my Paper Pumpkin kits plus I bought empty cubes so I ink them up with colors that haven't been in my Paper Pumpkin kits. SO I can always grab one of them for smaller inkings. 

For my card today, I used a folded half-sheet of Daffodil Delight for the base of my card. On top of that is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic Black card stock.  And the Whisper White card stock was cut 3-7/8" x 5-1/8".  

I stamped the "Happy Birthday" from the "Stylized Birthday" set, using black Memento ink. Then I cut a piece of Decorative Series Paper (DSP) from the "Whole Lot of Lovely" 12" x 12" pack. I taped the DSP to the left of my focal piece. I taped the layers together and taped that onto the card base.  

On a scrap piece of Very Vanilla, I stamped the flower from the "Amazing You" Sale-a-Bration set. I colored it with Daffodil Delight and highlighted some areas using the Blushing Bride marker.  I colored over the flower using "Wink of Stella" to give it some sparkle. I also added a gold faceted gem to the center of the flower. I had die cut the flower piece with the Stitched Circle die and I set it in place using Dimensionals.  I stuck on a few rhinestones and the card was done. 

This was fun, but like I said above, I think it would be prettier in blue or peach.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Party Pandas, Children's Birthday Card, 2018 Sale-a-Bration

I ran across this card on Pinterest and thought I would make one. I did make a couple of changes to it though.  It was a fun card to make, very quick and super simple.

I didn't have the Decorative Series Paper that was used in the original card so I used the black and white dotted paper from the "Whole Lot of Lovely" pack.  

The base of the card is a folded half-sheet of Whisper White card stock that was cut on the 8-1/2" side at 4-1/4".  This card opens from the bottom.

The strip is 1-1/2" x 5-1/4".  Later I taped it in place on the left side of the card.  I stamped the bear and die cut it with the stitched circle die and I also made a scalloped circle layer using Real Red card stock.  I taped those two layers together.  I took the piece of Whisper White card stock that the bear was die cut from and I lightly traced it on the front of the card where I thought the bear layers would be going.  I then stamped the decorative images using Real Red ink. I just stamped them on and around that penciled circle.  I was going to erase it but I saw that the layers covered it, so I just left it.  I added the bear layers using Dimensionals.

I stamped the words from the same set using black Memento ink.  I had just inked my pad so it was a little bit too juicy. I should know better.  But it was dry!!!  LOL

After I got the bear layers taped in place, I colored in the hat (which I should have done before setting it in place).  The original shows the dots in the hat colored in with Real Red, but I thought the hat needed to stand out more, so I switched it up.   I colored some rhinestones using the Real Red Blends marker and I set them in place on the focal piece.  I added some Wink of Stella to the hat and around the outside of the focal piece.  It kind of smeared the red a little, hence the pinkish look to that area.  But that shows up more pink in the photo than it does in real life.  And the more you look at it, the pinker it gets!!! LOL 

This was a very fun card to make. I LOVE this layout. It lets you be creative without having to spend a lot of time on a card!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Epic Celebrations, 2018 Sale-a-Bration, Card for Teens

I think the "Epic Celebrations" Sale-a-Brations set is a lot of fun. It's such a great teen card.  There's not a lot of teen stamp sets out there.  

The base of this card is a folded half sheet of Crumb Cake. The card was cut on the 8-1/2" side at 4-1/4".  It opens from the bottom.  On top of that is a 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" piece of Tranquil Tide. And on top of that is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of the "True Gentleman" Decorative Series Paper (DSP).

I die cut the scalloped Tranquil Tide piece and the oval scalloped piece from the piece that was layered on top of the card base.

I stamped the shoes and the words using Very Vanilla card stock.  I used black Memento ink for that. I colored in the shoes using the Tranquil Tide marker.  Super quick and easy!!

I layered the shoe image on top of the round scallop and the words on top of the oval image.  Oh, I used the Stitched Oval die for the words. I set the two in place on top of the DSP using Dimensionals. 

It's a pretty basic and simple card to do.  And the "True Gentleman" DSP is a lot of fun to play with.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Party Pandas, Children's Birthday Card, 2018 Sale-a-Bration

I found this card on the internet somewhere and when I went to do a search for it, I couldn't for the life of me find it again.  SO, if you know who made this card, (something very similar) please let me know so I can give them credit.

I was drawn to this card because of the big circles on the background.  I used the "Polka Dot Basics" embossing folder on a piece of 4" x 5-1/4" Basic Black card stock.  I dragged my Whisper White ink pad across it and set it aside to dry. Craft ink takes a while to dry.

The base of my card is a folded half-sheet of Basic Black card stock.  On top of that is a 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" piece of Lemon Lime Twist card stock. I also used the Lemon Lime Twist card stock on the scalloped circle.  Die cut that before you tape the piece in place on top of the card base.  No one will know there's a hole in that layer.

I stamped the panda using black Memento ink. I die cut the circle that fit with the scallop.  I colored the dots on the hat using the Lemon Lime Twist marker and I also colored a piece of Baker's Twine using the Old Olive Light Blends marker.  It doesn't quite match but it's in the same color family so I ran with it.  

I stamped the words from the "Party Pandas" set and punched them out with the "Classic Label" punch.  I also cut two of Lemon Lime Twist and offset them on the back of the word piece.  I set the bear and the words in place using Dimensionals.  I added some glitter gems to the background and one on the pom pom of the party hat.  And that was it.  I thought it was a pretty quick card to make.  Just make sure your Memento pad is not dry or you end up having to color in the black areas with a marker. I had inked up mine last night so it was prime for today! And no coloring at all to touch up any missed spots.  This was a fun card to make. I especially liked dragging the ink pad across the dotted paper.  My pad was a bit dry so I had to drag it several times.  I was going to turn the paper and drag the pad in the opposite direction, but I liked the way it looked only having it being dragged in one direction.  Just lightly drag the pad across.  Once you do it you will get a feel of how much more pressure you will need.  The first time I did it, I pretty much let gravity work on the card stock.  Give it a try, it's fun and it gives the background a very unique look.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

True Gentleman, Truly Tailored, Masculine Card, 2018 Occasions Catalog

Okay, one more card from the "Truly Tailored" set and I'm moving on to something else  I'm not quite sure what but I'm sure it will be something fun!

This was a pretty simple card to make.  The Decorative Series Paper (DSP) from the "True Gentleman" 12" x 12" pack pretty much carries the card.  

The base of my card is a folded half-sheet of Tranquil Tide.  That's a color I don't use very often.  Thanks to the color being in the design of the DSP it made it an easy choice.  I could have gone with Chocolate Chip but I thought it would be too dark.

On top of the card base is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Very Vanilla. I scored it every 1/2".  I liked that look on the top. It needed something up there and this worked well.  

The DSP was cut 2-1/2" x 4".  I taped that on the bottom of the Very Vanilla piece.  Before I taped it to the card base, I taped some of the new Night of Navy corduroy ribbon.  See, now I do need to make more masculine cards. The spool is barely touched!!! 

I used the "Starburst" punch and punched out a Crumb Cake piece.  I stamped the "To a Classy Kind of Guy" image on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla card stock and I punched it out with the new "Tailored" punch.  I taped the word piece on top of the "Starburst" piece and I used Dimensionals to set them in place.  But make sure you don't put the Dimensionals where the ribbon is. It makes the piece lay funny. I think the ribbon is too thick.  I wasn't paying attention, mostly because I didn't think I needed to and that is how I figured out you should avoid the ribbon with the Dimensionals. So, now you know!!!

This would be a great masculine birthday or father's day card.

This was a very easy and fun card to make.  I LOVE this layout and I have used it in past cards. It's pretty universal and versatile!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Truly Tailored, Masculine Card, 2018 Occasions Catalog

I have a very easy and fun card for you today.  I used a folded half-sheet of Crumb Cake card stock.  I also cut the front flap in half (at 2-3/4"). I saved that piece because I needed it for the "Starburst" punched piece.  

I cut a piece of Very Vanilla 2-1/2" x 3-3/4".  I stamped the "Wishing You a Dapper Day" from the "Truly Tailored" set. I taped a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Night of Navy to the inside and then I taped those words on top.

I took a 2-1/2" x 4" piece of the Decorative Series Paper (DSP) from the "True Gentleman" 12" x 12" paper pack. I taped it to the front cut flap of the card.  

I took a scrap piece of Very Vanilla and I stamped the "To a Classy Kind of Guy" image and punched it out with the new "Tailored" punch. I taped it in place on top of the "Starburst" circle. I added Dimensionals to the back.  I exposed the sticky part of the Dimensionals and I closed the front of the card. I set the Starburst piece in place just barely allowing the Tailored piece to catch the front of the card.  This is what will keep the card closed. You may want to give it a dry run before you remove the protective pieces that cover the Dimensionals. It will give you an idea as to how far you will need to move the Starburst so the Tailored punched piece catches on the front.  I just winged it!

This would make a great Father's Day card too, don't you think so?

This is a fun card and a very easy layout.  I have plans for it's use again in the near future.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Lots of Lavender, Beautiful Bouquet, Birthday Card, 2018 Sale-a-Bration

Okay, today I got it right.  I wanted to use the "Lots of Lavender" set yesterday but ended up using the "Southern Serenade" set by mistake.  But today I paid attention to what I was doing!!! I may look online at some different styles using the "Southern Serenade" and see if they will work using the "Lots of Lavender" set.  I find it fun when you can do that!  I don't often do a search like that but tomorrow I may give it a try.

SO, back to my card!!  The base of my card is a folded half-sheet of Whisper White card stock. I cut it on the 8-1/2" edge at 4-1/4".  This card opens from the bottom.

I took a piece of Whisper White card stock and cut it 2" x 5-1/4". I stamped the leaves from the "Lots of Lavender" set. I used a clear block and added all the leaves and the two dot image.  I inked it up using Old Olive and I stamped it several times all over the card stock.  This would be a great Won Sheet Wonder background piece to have on hand.  Sure, now I think of it!! LOL  I set that piece in place using snail tape.  I didn't have any blue Baker's Twine, so I took the Pool Party Blends marker and colored 16" of it. I set it aside to dry while I worked on the rest of the card.  When I was ready, I just tied it around the card and made a bow.  You could get by with maybe 14" but I just wanted to make sure I had enough, I wasn't sure the size bow I was going to make.

I stamped the image on a 2-1/4" x 4-`/4" piece of Whisper White card stock.  I stamped the flower color using Sweet Sugarplum, the leaves using Old Olive, the bow using Pool Party and the stems using Old Olive.  All of those pieces are in the set!  No coloring with markers needed, though I would think it would have been quicker to color with markers. It took me a while to line up the images.  I layered it on a piece of Pool Party card stock that measured 2-3/8" x 4-3/8".  I set that panel in place using Dimensionals. I made sure there was one Dimensional across the twine in the middle. I like to make sure that twine won't slide on the card and adding a Dimensional helps to make sure it will stay put!  

The words are from the "Delightful Dozen" set. I stamped them using black Memento ink. I die cut them with the oval die and I die cut an Old Olive scalloped oval.  I set those in place using Dimensionals only on the right side and I used tape on the side that sits on top of the flower panel.  And that was it. It was a pretty easy card to make and quick!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Southern Serenade, Birthday Card

Running on only two hours of sleep I realized that my stamp sets were starting to look alike!  I wanted to play with the "Lots of Lavender" Sale-a-Braition" set but I had grabbed the "Southern Serenade" set instead.  I didn't notice it until I was ready to post my photo and verbiage. But that's okay because I like this set too.  I will make something with the "Lots of Lavender" set tomorrow.  I need to get some much needed sleep after I post this.

The base of my card is a folded half sheet of Old Olive.  My card opens from the bottom.  On top of that is a piece of Very Vanilla that was embossed using the "Garden Trellis" folder.

I stamped the image on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock and I colored it in using markers. I die cut it with the oval die and I added an Old Olive scalloped oval behind it.  I set that piece in place using Dimensionals.  The words are from the same set and I die cut them with ovals as well.  I added Dimensionals to the right side and tape on the left side.  I added a pearls to the inside of the flowers and randomly around the textured layer.  And that was it.  It's a pretty simple card to make. A little time spent at the Big Shot but it wasn't too bad. I usually cut my oval and the scalloped oval at the same time, it saves time.

Tomorrow it's back to the Sale-a-Bration sets.  There's only 28 days left and many of them will be retired.  Watch for some of them to show up in my web store. I'm going to be adding a lot of retired stamps soon. I need to make room in my workroom. It's full!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

You’re Amazing, 2018 Sale-a-Bration, Birthday Card

I found this fun card on Pinterest and it was great timing, I needed to make a birthday card for my sister.  So I did actually have all the stuff to make this card and I copied it exactly.  Sometimes I feel that I should add my own touch to cards but when I like every element of the card and when I have all the same materials to make the card, why not????

This was a fun and simple card to make.  I used the "You're Inspiring" set. I stamped the daffodils and I colored them in with the Blends markers.  Those markers make coloring super easy.  Even if you do go outside the lines, there's a lifter pen that will "erase" the marks outside the lines.  I had a few because I cut my thumb this morning and it's wrapped up and doesn't bend well, so I was holding the markers kind of funny.  But I did manage to color.  Where there's a will, there's a way!

The base of my card is a folded half sheet of Crushed Curry.  On top of that is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic Black. On top of that is a 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"piece of Whisper White and on top of that is a piece of the "Color Theory" Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I cut the DSP 3-3/4" x 5".  

I die cut the daffodils using the stitched circles die. And then I die cut a Basic Black scalloped circle. I wasn't thinking when I was making the card and I didn't cut the scalloped circle from the Basic Black layer.  Live and learn.  But I don't often learn!! LOL  I taped those two layers together and they were then taped on a paper doily.  The doily was taped onto the DSP.

The words are from the same set. I stamped them using black Memento ink.  I punched the end carefully using the Banner Triple punch. You can also use your snips and cut the end.  I stamped the words after I punched the end. I added a Glitter Gem to the left of the words. The word piece was set in place using Dimensionals.  And that was it.  Pretty simple.  The coloring took the longest and with the Blends, it didn't take that long at all.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Truly Tailored, Masculine Birthday or Father's Day Card, 2018 Occasions Catalog

I just had to make one more card using the new "Truly Tailored" set. I love playing with the masculine sets.

Today I made a birthday or it could be a Father's Day card for "dad".  

This card was super easy to make too.

The base of the card is a folded half-sheet of Night of Navy.  It was cut at 4-1/4" x 11".  This card opens on the bottom.  It could open on the side and be just as cute, fun and easy.  

I cut a piece of Whisper White 4" x 5-1/4".  I added a piece of the new "True" Gentleman" Decorative Series Paper (DSP) to the top. I cut the DSP 2-1/2" x 4".  

I stamped the words from the "Truly Tailored" set using Night of Navy ink.  I die cut them out using the stitched square die.  I cut the layer 2-7/8" x 2-7/8".  There wasn't a square die big enough, plus cutting these on the cutter was SO much quicker. I used Tranquil Tide card stock for that layer but I really should have used Night of Navy, it would have shown up better.  Now you know, so you can make it either way!  I taped those layers together and then I just set them on top of the card to see where I was going to stamp the "Dad" from the same set.  After stamping "dad", I set the square layer on using Dimensionals.  And that was it.  Super easy and quick!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda