Dreamy Dragonfly

A Cheerful Visitor

Have you ever seen a silver dragonfly before?  Shortly after a loved one passed, I saw something glistening on my tree.  I was in awe.  It was a shimmering pure silver dragonfly.  What a special creature!  I was told she was a gift... a cheerful visitor during a sad time.  I'll take it.

So, here is my version of a the silver dragonfly.  

Yesterday, I found my Stampin Up Shimmery White art paste.  I just love this stuff.  It just takes a card to the next level with sparkling texture.  There's nothing like a little sparkle, am I right?!

I don't know if you can see the beautiful shade of mauve on your screen, but I think that is what makes this card, dreamy... at least for me.

On top of that gritty sparkle, I added a piece of white cotton gauze.  With a 3" folded piece of cotton gauze, I loosened the strings by stretching it over the brick, then swirled... the messier the better.  

Gluing the gauze in place is a bit tricky.  But, adhering all of the layers on top, I don't think the strings are going anywhere.  I love how the cotton just softens everything.  Can't wait to try the combination of these layers again.

I used silver metallic card stock for more shine and a light patterned paper beneath, all while resting on shades of greenery.

I really enjoyed seeing this card come together.  Maybe it was the colors... the texture... the sparkle... or maybe a reminder of a cheerful visitor.

If you would like to make this card, (or, just see it again - and maybe - favorite it 😁), please take a peek at the card kit in my Etsy store.  

Thank you for visiting.

Have a joyful day!

Luci 

Postal Carrier Appreciation

I guess I was taking postal carriers for granted.  Someone shared this video with me (warning, crude humor)*, which suggests that the US Postal Service, helpful and vital for so many years in America, is in now in danger of becoming insolvent by the end of this summer:

"...it has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help from Congress and the White House. Every community in America relies on the Postal Service to deliver vital goods and services, including life-saving medications.”

A law was passed in 2006 which required the USPS to refund retiree health benefits, causing significant losses:

Although the Postal Service lost money in the early part of the decade, in 2001 and 2003, the most significant losses came after the passage of a 2006 law requiring the agency to refund retiree health benefits.

Now, I have no affiliation with the post office, nor am not making any political statement.  I just think it is a terribly unfortunate problem.  Alternatives to USPS will command much higher postage costs and cuts in the service we have come to know and appreciation in all areas from rural to suburban to city.

I, for one, would miss the postal service, if it disappeared.  We, personally, rely on our mail carriers for vital deliveries (truly, vital).  Not only that, I know not everyone has a mail carrier like ours (friendly, helpful and what you expect from the USPS).  I know I cannot solve this problem, but at the very least, I think it is time for me to show a little appreciation every now and again to my mail carrier.  Here's to our mail carriers!

So, in appreciation of my postal worker, thank you for being on the front lines, especially in this pandemic:

"Nut 'n but appreciation for our mail carrier!"

 *This is John Oliver humor, and is not for everyone's taste.  Beyond his humor, though, he does offer some staggering points.

Postal Appreciation Day is in February.  

I hope we will be celebrating it in 2021.

Happy Card on a Rainy Day

I am really going deep into my stash and re-discovering some beautiful papers.   This was one of my favorite collections, as the colors remind me of summer.  Beautiful berry colors and shades of sunshine!  (Wait... can you have shades of sunshine?!)

 Moving on.

It was a rainy day when I put these colors together and immediately, I liked the way the contrast of the lighter shaped card stands out from the more solid pattern cardstock.  

The layout was one I used a while ago with a different card.  I love the simplicity of it, yet it looks, shall we say... a bit sophisticated (said in a British accent).

The gem is placed at the point of the off-set angle, and it is, well... that little bit of sparkle which tells the recipient:  Yes!  Yes, you are worth my using a Stampin Up embellishment that costs $10,000...😜

So, if you or someone is interested in making this card, here are the pieces you will need.  And, if you don't feel like measuring, cutting,

and...

...wait for it...

... tying a bow, all of that is done for you in a kit that I am selling on Etsy.

I am getting more together as time goes on.  They do take a while to coordinate, cut and put together.  So please check back again, soon. 

Want to see something special?  Write to me - let me know what you are interested.  Maybe someone else wants the same, and I can get a nice kit together for you.


Thank you for stopping by.  Please feel free to leave a comment, and/or stop by my Etsy store to "favorite" something.

Think Summer!
Luci

Rainbow Congrats

With a rainbow of colors, this congrats card is easily assembled with layers and sparkle.  

I like this layout because it's simple and clean.  The background has the color and the focal point is the center sentiment die cut.  To make the "congrats" die cut stand out, I added a cluster of shapes behind the word. 

And, since sparkle is my favorite color, I had to add a rhinestone sticker to the top and bottom of the diamond shape.  If I wanted to step this up, I would add florals, greenery or stamped images coming up from the sentiment sentiment area.

I now have it listed as a card camp in my Etsy store, if you are interested in putting a few handmade cards together.   I will also add card kits with the same layout, but different colors.  And for a limited time, I am holding a 20% off sale, as I upload more card kits.

Photo by Leone Venter on Unsplash

Please Just Make This Stop

I was watching the news last night and they shared a video of extremely tired, suffering nurse.  Her sheer physical and mental exhaustion was completely evident.  If I could read what her eyes were saying, I would swear I could hear:

"Please just make this stop."

She made such an impression on me.

It made me pause and reconsider my experience of social distancing, and how difficult and inconvenient it may be for me.  But, I cannot forget the nurse's eyes, desperately begging for this horror to stop.

We all have our challenges in this pandemic.  But, if it can help her, or other medical heroes, I am going to do my best.

My advice to anyone who is going stir crazy at home, please consider taking up a craft for a few moments.  I promise, you will feel so good being creative, and even more so, knowing that you helped a healthcare hero.

If you are looking for paper-crafting activity, I am posting more DIY kits today in my Etsy store.  They are taking a while to put together and post, but I will continue.  I hope you will stop by.  Visit.  If you like something, and it can keep you busy, creative and happy at home, please try it.  I am trying to make them fun for you by leaving out most of the tedious prep work, and color coordination.

Whatever you do, let's all do our part to stay at home to stop the spread of the virus.  
That's all I have to say.  Thank you for reading.  

I wish you well,
Luci

Gold and Diamonds!

Missed Stamp Camp?  

I am de-stashing my studio.  This card is available as a DIY kit in Etsy. 

More DIY kits to come!

So this card is mostly a collage of trendy things I love... paper, lace, washi tape, designer paper, gold flakes, ombre letters, and of course, diamonds!

The ombre letters were created by sponging white ink over the Night of Navy word, followed by gold tipped letters.

Thank you for stopping by.

Have a great day!

Luci

Watercolor Art with Brusho Crystals

Want to step up your stampin' game?  Then, you might want to try these brusho crystals.

With just a tiny amount of crystals and some water, you can achieve a pretty blend of watercolors.  Definitely use watercolor paper and an archival/permanent black ink for your stamp, prior to using the crystals and water.  A heat tool is helpful to dry in between some colors, so that they don't get too muddy.

The tag was gold embossed on the edges and on the sentiment.  Can you also see the gold embossed dots between the flowers?

Tri-colored sequins just finish off the bouquet.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day,

Luci