So in order to keep my mind a little busy I took the online class called Stretch Your Dies. This is the first time I've ever took an online class before and I am enjoying it. Of course I'm behind in all my homework. Some days it is just hard to get my mood up for getting crafty. But I did do day 1's homework. My first card is using your dies to do an inlaid design. The second card is done using craft foam to die cut out your word dies and images, then you heat the foam with your heat gun to shrink the foam. I never knew you could shrink craft foam! This fascinated me. I used the original size of the die in white to make my background look like it was embossed. Then I cut my flowers, leaves and word die again out of white craft foam. I used my Spectrum Noir markers to color the flowers, leaves and word die. Then I took my heat gun to it shrinking them. The heat make the flowers curl some, so they have some great dimension to them. And look at how much the "thanks" shrunk, amazing to me! And my last card I tried the smooshing watercolor technique by placing distress ink on my stamping block and spritzing it with water, then stamping it on the paper. I dried it with my heat gun and then took my word die and cut it out of the paper with part of it on the watercolor and part off the watercolor. Then I popped it up using more foam so that it stand up from the base layer, but still matches perfectly to the space. Hopefully I will get to day 2's class homework soon. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my simple cards today. As always want to thank you for your sweet comments. I also want to thank everyone for keep us in your prayers. Your support is amazing and even though I won't be here as much as I have been, I will be back from time to time. Thanks for not forgetting about me. And thank you for all your support and prayers, it is amazing how tight knit of a community it is in the crafty world and what amazing friends you all have been to me!! Thank you doesn't seem like it pays the bill....but please know I so appreciate you all! Crafty hugs, Brenda
My sweet Brenda, my email is being naughty, but know that even when a note is slow in coming, I'm always sending hugs, prayers and positive thoughts your way! Keep exploring the options; I believe something will appear! How wonderful that you're taking the online card class; aren't they wonderful! I've taken 3-4 in the past, and come away feeling quite inspired. Your cards here: A++++++ (bunny tail makes me laugh!). You've showcased some amazing ways to use word dies; I didn't know fun foam could be heated. With my luck, I'd melt them entirely! Good on your for stretching your creativity (and your dies!). Keep going with the 'homework'...crafting is marvelous 'therapy'! Hugs and much love,
ReplyDelete~c
Hello my friend!! I pray that the other options you explore for you hubby work. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteAll three of your cards are so gorgeous!! I love the designs!! I so wish I had taken this course...it looks like so much fun!!
Happy first day of spring - ugh about the snow. We don't have snow but it's overcast and chilly. Yuck. Have a wonderful weekend!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Oh WOW Brenda!! You have really rocked Day 1! All three of your cards are simply FAB-YOU-LOUS!! Terrific job my friend! Hazel xx
ReplyDeleteYour cards are awesome. I really like the second one.
ReplyDeleteYour in my prayers. Hugs my friend and if you need to vent remember what I said to you yesterday or you can call.
I'm glad you're taking the online classes, because it's a good distraction and keeps you grounded! Your cards are all so lovely and a breath of spring air! (I'm ignoring the white stuff that fell today - all 5" of it) I just love that little bunny card and the beautiful way of adding and coloring that sentiment!
ReplyDeleteStay focused, and stay positive and know that lots of us are holding you and your husband in our prayers and hoping for a miracle cure.
Your cards all look so lovely! Looks like you are learning a lot with your class.
ReplyDeleteOur first day of spring is full of snow too. snowed most of the day, but I think it's finally done for now.
AWE-SOME! I'm loving each of these cards, and these fascinating techniques. I debated on taking that class, as I've yet to do the homework in any of them. I do enjoy the videos. I'm so proud of you for taking the class, AND doing the homework. Sure paid off in the fab cards you've turned out. I didn't know that about the foam either. Have never even tried to die cut it, let alone all these other nifty tricks. You rock! Hope your wkend will be good. Hugs & TFS. MM
ReplyDeleteBrenda,
ReplyDeleteWoW did you do an amazing job on your homework! These techniques are awesome and your cards are beautiful! I hope you enjoy the class so much so that you learn everything in it! :)
Hugs,
Jo
xoxo.....
P.S. continuing to keep you both in my prayers.
Double wow from me Brenda - all three of these cards are fabulous! So fresh and clean and also making the most of your dies in ways I've never thought about.
ReplyDeleteStill holding you and Dwayne close in my heart and hoping there's a treatment on the near horizon for him
Love and hugs
Di xxe
I'm impressed, Brenda. You are keeping your mind occupied and learning new things. These cards are so special. Great techniques. I didn't know foam would shrink either.
ReplyDeleteYou and hubby have been on my mind a lot. I hope you find something that works well for him. I'm still praying for all of you. We all need hope and a good outlook so that's what I'm sending you today. Many blessings, Steph.
Gorgeous cards Brenda you rocked Day 1 I'm fascinated with what you did with the craft foam and will need to investigate that a bit the flowers look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYep what a 1st day to spring we got about 3" here (guessing)right now it's snowing a bit too, but they are saying it's to be in the 40's today so guess it shouldn't be around to long.
Prayers my friend, Tina
Dear friend Brenda, be assured you are always in my thoughts and your hubby too. I hope you will find another treatment that can help him and that will work. As for your cards they are all 3 of them gorgeous. Well done my friend. They are so lovely. Take care sending you love and hugs. Veerle xXx
ReplyDeleteWow, Brenda, these cards are not simple. They're amazing! Love the thanks card and I had no idea you could shrink foam. I'll have to get some more of that and give it a try. Love the white on white background with the pretty flowers and black "shrunken" thanks! Love that smooshed card too! Amazing mix of colors! So happy and springlike! Glad you got time to get crafty and hope you find the perfect treatment for your DH.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda. So wonderful to see that you've taken some time to get crafty. It is good therapy.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having a lot of fun with your first on-line class. Three wonderful cards you've made with new techniques. Who knew you could heat fun foam and it would shrink??!! :)
Take care. Thinking of you. Loll xx
Fabulous cards Brenda!! LOVE the thanks one!! The embossing with the black thanks is fabulous! And I LOVE those flowers!! Such pretty colors. Hope your search for an alternative treatment for your husband goes well!! xo
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking of doing this class. I love these classes having done a few. You have done some great cards. Love em.😉
ReplyDeleteHugs
Xx
Oh my, Brenda ... these are fabulous ... you've completely nailed these techniques and your homework! The first is so crisp and bold, the last with that sweet fluffy tailed bunny among the rainbow watercolours is adorable ... and the middle one ... sooooo pretty ... love it!
ReplyDeleteKnow that you, DH and your family are in my prayers daily ... the Lord keep you all in His loving care, my friend. Hugs, Anita :)
I'm so glad you were able to take this class to occupy your mind in a positive way. I pray for you and hubby often and hope that a new treatment option will come along that will be more helpful and tolerable. I love all your cards. You did a fabulous job on all of them, but I must say I love that little white pompom tail on the sweet bunny. Good for you being brave and getting that watercoloring done. I don't have much success and need lots more practice with using my inks for techniques like that.
ReplyDeleteStay strong,, my friend!
Hugs, Jeri
You are doing a fantastic job with these cards, Brenda. Each is so dynamic. My favorite is the second - the flowers are gorgeous and I love the embossing. You and your husband are in my prayers. I'm glad you've found some time to craft.
ReplyDeleteOMGoddness these are cute cards. Thanks for sharing and for the great technique ideas.
ReplyDeleteCrafty hugs,
Dawn
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