Love U

Hello,

Here with a card for Freshly Made Sketches #67.  I had an idea in my head when I first saw the sketch and I worked with it for about 25 minutes but could not get the layout to look right.  So...... I gave up on that idea completely because I couldn't make it work.... and made this card in less than 10 minutes from idea to finished product.  I had just received this birch tree die in the mail a week ago and hadn't gotten to use it yet.  The idea of using a tree with heart leaves as the focal point came to me and it worked out easily.  I love it when a card comes together that quickly.  The only problem is I now have a pile of card parts on my desk left over from the first attempt that didn't work.......they will, I am sure, make it onto a card eventually or the layout will come together when I look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow. 

Here is the sketch I used:

I love when it is cold outside and the trees get all icey and frozen.  I added "Diamond" stickles to the tree to give the branches and snowy hills that glistening frozen appearance.  The sentiment "LOVE U" is from a new stamp set at Papertrey Ink called:  "With All My Heart".  I just love how it looks like it has been carved into the tree.  My sister just got engaged to a wonderful man and I may add their initials to the other tree and send it to them as an engagement card.  They got engaged on 12-12-12.  Isn't that fun!

Thanks for taking a look at my card. 

Isn't it fun to make cards all about LOVE!

:) Jill  

My Favorite Cards during 2012 - A year in review!

Hello Friends,
I thought I would take this opportunity as 2012 draws to a close to put out my very first "Year In Review" post to pick my favorite cards made this year.  

I started blogging and posting my cards here on November 4, 2010 - my very first post here at Greenwood Girl Cards.  In 2010 I posted 9 times.  In 2011 I posted 54 times.  And in 2012 - 116 times!  As I look back through my blog I have to laugh at some of the cards that I made and posted pictures of early on.  I think I have come a long way since 2010 and since entering my first card challenges in 2011.  I love that the internet and blogging has afforded me the opportunity to learn from all of YOU!  All of you wonderful card makers and crafters out there on the world wide web.  I started blogging and making a lot more cards than scrapbook pages after July 30, 2010 which is when my beloved husband Stuart was first diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer.  I had to leave my job to take care of him full time and I needed something for myself that gave me joy at a very difficult time in our lives.  Stuart needed constant care after his brain surgery but there were times when he was resting where crafting became my place to recharge my batteries and take some precious time to get inky and create.  Those times of creativity helped feed my soul with joy and peace so I could keep on keepin on.  And I turned to stamping and card making again after Stuart's death in February 2012.  It has almost been a year now since he passed away and I still find so much joy in making cards and crafty items for family, friends, and those who need them that are battling cancer or have patients that are battling cancer.  Thanks for joining me on this journey, sharing your talents and sweet comments with me, and for your words of support especially since Stuart passed away.  Tim and I appreciate your kind words, cyber hugs, and sweet friendship!  Happy New Year 2013!  I wish you all health, happiness, and many blessings now and always!

Here are my favorite cards from 2012.  NOTE:  There are quite a few so you may want to grab a cup of coffee or tea before you continue!  Also - I didn't link the original posts to the pictures but if you have questions about any of the cards drop me a comment and I can send you the link or give you the post date info.

Here we go....

January 2012:

Valentine's 2012

This masculine valentine was made for my sweet husband Stuart for Valentine's Day 2012.

June 2012 - 2nd half of the year:












August 2012:

 

This card was for the Cloud9 Blog Hop and helped me attain my first ever guest designer spot.

October 2012:








November 2012

December 2012

Thanks for taking a look at my year in review post.

Happy New Year!

:) Jill

Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge #129

Hello Friends,
Here with my last card of 2012.  I decided to play along with sketch #129 over at the Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge blog.  It sounds like some changes are coming to these challenges in 2013.  I am looking forward to seeing what the New Year will bring to Waltzing Mouse Stamps and to the stamping and paper crafting world overall.  This hobby of ours is always growing and changing and surprising me with new ideas and concepts and designs! 

Here is this week's sketch from Edna Morrisedie:

And here is my take on it:

 

The background in white was impressed with the Cheery Lynn Designs Petite Heart Impression plate.
I have started mixing white with cream on my cards for some reason...it just seems to make it POP but I don't know if it is "proper" from a color standpoint?   Does anything go?  Hmm?

I took some liberties with the sketch and still am not sure that this card isn't missing something.  I was trying to use up some items on my desk from some previous cards I had made which is how I ended up with the square card with the die cut French Flair Scalloped shape in it.  I just hate to waste anything if I can help it...it comes from growing up in a family of 9 with very little in the way of extras I guess.  I just can't throw something away if I think I can make a card with it!  LOL!

Thanks for taking a look.  And thanks to Waltzing Mouse Stamps, Claire, and her design team and everyone that participates for a year full of fun in 2012!  I enjoyed myself and was inspired each and every time I visited or participated!

Happy New Year 2013!
:) Jill
 

Happy Birthday Sister...

Hello Friends,
Here today with a card I made for my sister Beth Ann's birthday which is just a few days away.  I was inspired by a lovely stamp set from Serendipity Stamps that I first saw on my friend Marybeth's blog:  HERE.  I saw the lovely card she made with the "Three Dresses" stamp set and I had to go and purchase it.  I have 4 sisters whose birthdays are all in the first 3 months of the year and when I saw this stamp set I thought of them right away.  Marybeth's lovely card and blog post inspired not only my purchase but my card for this post.  Thanks Marybeth!!  I love visiting your blog and seeing all of the beauty you create!  You are an inspiration and a smile maker in my life!  As are ALL of YOU that share this wonderful paper crafting world with me - I can't tell you what a blessing you all are - especially over the past 10+ months since my husband passed away.  Creating helps to fill a huge hole in my heart and seeing all the beauty that people make and share with others is a joy to me.   

I was also inspired by all of the lovely creations and the color story for this week's CR84FN Color Challenge: HERE.
Here is the lovely inspiration photo from the CR84FN blog:

And here are some pics of my card:

 I created a 5" square card and embossed the background with a Petite Hearts Embossing Plate from Cheery Lynn Designs.  I also cut out a French Flair Scalloped Stacker die cut in white cardstock to stamp the dresses on.  I then paper pieced each of the dresses using Kaiser Kraft's "The Lake House" paper pad as well as a lilac colored paper from the Boho Chic line - very old Making Memories paper.  I edged the die cut with copic V12  - pale lilac and then distressed the edges of the lilac color with some Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar ink - one of my all time favorite inks!

I also added some shading and coloring to the dresses with copics: E31, E71, and V12.  The sentiments I used are both from Papertrey Ink.  I kept the overall profile of this card flat as I have to snail mail it to another state.  I finished the card with some lace and a 10lb hemp twine wrap and bow.

I am entering this card into the Serendipity Stamps challenge:  SSCB#2 - Winter Birthday.  I hope that my card will count?  I did not use a "winter" themed stamp but it is for a winter birthday.   And of course into my favorite color challenge over at CR84FN - CR84FN69: HERE.  Thanks for taking a look at my card!
Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!
Hugs,
:) Jill

Some Christmas Gifts I made....

Hello Everyone,

I thought I would share a few little gifts I made during the month of December:

 I often crochet flowers while waiting at different appointments that occur during my week.  I made these two a while back.   I decided to add some felt centers as well as sewing a felt backer on each to create a slide on pocket in the back so they would attach to and decorate some basic headbands.  The felt slide on pocket in the back means that it can be removed and placed on a different headband or used as a flower pin on a coat or sweater or hat for decoration.  These were given as a gift for a 5 year old friend of mine. 

 Below is a scarf that I crocheted for the same little girl.  She had gotten a beautiful new bright turquoise coat and this yarn matched perfectly.  I made two little felt and yarn pins to decorate the scarf or she can use them separately on her coat or a sweater etc. if she wants to. 

Thanks for taking a look at my little gift projects! 
:) Jill

A little white and cream....

Hello Friends,
I hope you all had a wonderful and joy-filled Holiday season!  I have been away from my blog for several weeks now due to a wide variety of reasons I won't go into...but I am very happy to be back in my craft room and finding some time to create again.  And I am looking forward to finding some time to come and see what everyone has been creating over the past few weeks.

I made a card for the Papertrey Ink December 2012 Blog Hop.  Here is the inspiration photo collage from Nichole's Blog:

I needed a sympathy card and was having trouble focusing on creating one so I decided to use this for the inspiration to complete one:

The sentiment is from "Sending You". 

Thanks for taking a look at my card.  I am looking forward to seeing what others came up with too!

:) Jill