Fall Weather

Fall is definitely here in Middle TN - the cooler weather has brought out lots of wildlife to our backyard. This is part of a herd of turkeys (there are about 30 in total) that roam around the neighborhood.
They are fun to watch - I didn't know how much they love to roll in the dirt, throwing it up over their back. Also, at night they nest in our tall trees. They start running in the woods, flapping their wings to get enough momentum to fly to the tree top.

Don't forget to vote: early voting began last week. The news is reporting record breaking turnouts.

Joyce's PocketFULL book

The background is painted in blue acrylic paint, on the left is anaglypta type wallpaper, covered with various colors of ink. The right is a white sticker. Image is from a current magazine.
Joyce included several "pockets" to use in her book. I used the felted yarn one since I love to knit. The gold butterflies were purchased at "the store around the corner" in New York last winter.
Keeping with the butterfly theme, this is part of an image I purchased during my Europe trip.
I placed a small glassine envelope on the back of the tag and inserted this glass "picture". I'm not sure what it's called, but it reminds me of the old slide show projectors and the round thing on top where you placed each picture.

This is the last book for this round robin. I will miss seeing everyone's art on a monthly basis.

Christmas Countdown!

Only 74 days! I started last month designing and making my Christmas cards. Here's a sneak peak.
All stamped and die cut. The tree is from the "Believe" set from Papertrey Ink.
All colored in using my Copics (the Memento ink doesn't smear or run).

Coloring with Copics

Here are some images I colored with my Copic Markers.I have to show a pear, of course!

The Bella image has gray around the outside of the image. Plus, I used the blender pen to make small dots on her dress (sorry the picture doesn't really show the detail).Another butterfly image.

One more, this one also outlined in gray.

More Retreat

This is a quick pamphlet stitch book we did at Retreat. Allison taught the class. Meg was kind enough to let me use some Basic Grey paper for the cover as well as the matching fibers. I love how it turned out!
This tin was another class at Retreat - taught by Lori S. She provided the paper and embellishments to complete it. Here's a close-up.
The tin is the perfect size to store all my Copic markers! They were a bit hit at Retreat and I spent some serious money at Brenda's store. Thanks to Becky P. and all her helpers for the great Retreat - can't wait for next year!

Retreat

I spent last weekend at Camp Garner Creek attending the Tennessee Stampers annual retreat. I hadn't attended for 2 years and it was great to see old friends and make new ones. This year, we had a Sister Sister swap. This is the first card I received - love the purple flowers - two of my favorite things!

Card 2: I'm also very fond of pear images, so this was right up my alley!

Card 3: Another purple and green card.
Card 4: This card is colored with Copic markers and has blue "water" drops falling from it - too cool!

My Secret Sister was Janet J and she did a great job. All the cards had something inside them. Here's the stash of presents I also got. I was very spoiled. Thanks, Janet - you rock!

Poppy Flowers

I love flowers. They speak to me, brighten my day, and make me feel good. So naturally, I enjoy making cards with flower images. The stamp set used here is from Papertrey Ink, the Remember set by Lisa Johnson. The ribbon and red cardstock is also from PI - their new Pure Poppy color. The look of the "doodled" flower overlay is my favorite aspect of this stamp set.
I liked this layout so much, I tried it in several different colors from PI: above is Berry Sobet ribbon and cardstock. Flower image is inked with Sweet Blush, then "kissed" with Berry Sorbet around the edges, Spring Moss for the leaves.
Above is Summer Sunrise ribbon and cardstock. Flower image is inked in Summer Sunrise, with Berry Sorbet around the edge. All images were cutout and layered using my Nestibilities dies through my Cuttlebug - so quick and easy!
The above card is for a dear friend who's going through a rough time. I hope this brightens her day!

Copic Markers

I finally took the "copic" plunge and bought some of the sketch markers that everyone on-line is talking about. I wanted to try them out and see if they really would be different than using my SU markers to color an image. The flower image above was created using B21 (Baby Blue) as the base, coloring all the image. Next, I outlined with B34 (Manganese Blue), going over all the black lines. I followed that with B32 (Pale Blue), coloring over everything again. The picture doesn't show the blending very well, but IRL you can still see all 3 colors. The flower image above is colored with SU markers: first I used Bashful Blue, then outlined in Brocade Blue, then colored all over with Ballet Blue. The colors didn't really blend, just layered on top of each other. You can't see any of the Bashful Blue that I started with.
Here's the final card that I created with the Copic Marker image. I did the leaves in 3 colors also: G02 (Spectrum Green) as the base, outlined in G24 (Willow) and then colored all over with G21 (Lime Green). I'm pleased with the results.

It's a sickness...

OK, I admit it - I'm a marker HOG! I love bold, bright colors and markers "speak to me"! I can never have too many. I've been (trying) to organize my Stamp Room (yes, this is a never ending task) and ran across a big box of Marvy Brush Markers. I use these to color in silhouette images or bold stamps. My obsession started when I couldn't get enough of the pear stamps from A Stamp in the Hand.
Then I found a big box of Sharpie Markers, both fine and extra fine tipped.
One of my on-line groups mentioned that some people store all their markers, pencils, Copics, etc by color family. I decided to give it a try. This storage unit is from Pampered Chef. I placed my Marvy's, Sharpies, and a few other markers by color family in it. (No, this is NOT all my markers, not even close!) I think it looks very cheery and inspiring! Hope it brightens your day.

Random Sunday

Kathy nominated me for the Wylde Women Award. Here are the rules:
1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number inbetween - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.
2. Link back to this blogsite (http://http://www.tammyvitale.com//) (so Tamy can go visit all these wonderful women.
Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.
Thanks, Kathy! We recently spent a very enjoyable day shopping and getting caught up. I'm still pondering on who to pass this along to.

Here is some artwork created by Kathy that she shared with me. Love the vibrant colors!This is another piece that Kathy created - a small wooden house. The numbers on top correspond to our new home address - how clever!
I participate in the "card of the month" in my TN online group. This is my card for August. Paper is Club Scrap. I love the blue/brown combo.

More Pocket-FULL's

This is Karen's cute little book (I love the small ones!). Her theme is Imagination.
This is the pocket art - a vintage postcard image from Paris.
I like this quote and included it on the back.

Our son, daughter-in-law and grandkids are staying with us this week (they're on vacation!). This is Tessa, Ryan, and Brianna playing Disney Sorry. Grandma played with them. We're having alot of fun, even though I started my new job on Monday. This picture reminds me that they're growing up so fast (oldest will be a teenager in December). Take time to enjoy your family!

Sweet Dreams

This is my artwork in the latest book for our Pocket-FULL Round Robin.

This is Kim's book and it's so small! I love the size. Her theme is "o joyful child". As I was looking through my images, pondering what to do, I came upon this darling angel image. I immediately had a vision of what I wanted to create. It turned out better than I imagined.

I included a short story on the fold-out tags. It says "She was known simply as the "Sweet Dreams" Angel. She traveled the starry night looking for little children who wer having trouble falling asleep. She would gently caress their forehead and sing them a soft melody which helped them drift off into a peaceful sleep."

After I took these pictures, I went back and drew in stars among the words. Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Worldwide Knit in Public Day

Today's the day! Did you follow through on the assignment? I did. But I forgot my camera, so can't share the 8 other people that were also at the small gazebo on the town square in Watertown. What a cute town! But, don't be caught speeding there, because they take it very seriously (our realtor got a ticket while he was showing us land in the area).

You still have time to participate - go forth and Knit!

Cards from scraps

I've been yearning for a card-making day! Plus, I've been meaning to get back to using up some of my scraps.Both these cards use acrylic stamps by Technique Tuesday. I love the floral images! I stamped the flowers onto scrap paper, cut them out, and layered them on the cards.
It was a quick and easy way to get rid of some leftover paper.

Sue's Pocketfull

Sue's pocket-full book is so cool! The pages are all arches which Sue has sewn from brown paper bags - so much fun to paint on! Her theme is Angels and Icons. Here's the artwork I made for the pocket - picture of angel, highlighted with oil pastels. It's glued to the back of a Paris postcard.

Here it is in the pocket.The back is a page from a Paris calendar, showing Napoleon's grave. An angel image is glued over the top, highlighted again with oil pastels.

Cards from friends

I celebrated my Big 5-0 birthday this last weekend and I've been receiving some wonderful handmade cards from my friends. The pink one is from Jeanine - full of bling!! This pretty butterfly is from Dean, done in twinkling H20's. This cool pear (I'm crazy about them!) is from Patty.Marilyn sent this green and purple card made from a cuttlebug embossing folder!

Sandi did this awesome technique I'd only heard about - using a tag punch to make a flower. Love it!
My friend Cindy in Ohio made this cute pastel card - so bright and perky!
Steph used a neat butterfly stamp that I hadn't seen before. Her color combo of red/black/green really looks good together.
The card from Sue is much prettier IRL - the punched flowers are all metallic and really shine.
Lori made this cute pinwheel flower card.Trisha made the pink/green card below - this color combo really pops!
Peyton made the tag card below. The tag pulls out and says "50" on the back.
Thanks for making my birthday and the whole birthday week so special! I am blessed to have good friends and family who care about me. Now I'm off to live the next 50 years of my life!