Gabi with an Eye

The Same but Different

2012-01-28T04:00:00.023-05:00

Hello dear Readers - I've got a few Thank You cards to share with you today. I tried my hand at making felt flowers, one in blue and the other in red.

And here's a shot of the inside of the cards. It's pretty simple.

The other card uses the same sketch (I was in mass production mode) but has a more contemporary feel.

Thanks for stopping in today. I always enjoy your visits.

Gabriela

Sweet Valentine

2012-01-26T04:00:00.002-05:00

I love this red metallic paper. It sure makes for a bright and shiny Valentine card.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T04:00:00.002-05:00

Be Mine

2012-01-24T04:00:00.002-05:00

This is the second Valentine card in a series of Valentines I made for my little Minime to take to class. The inside was mass produced, but with different DP for the strip of hearts.

Gabriela

Martha Stewart Valentines

2012-01-23T04:00:00.006-05:00

I took major shortcuts with this Valentine card for my little Minime to hand deliver to her friends. The DP and embellishments are from Martha Stewart and the stamp sets and hearts die are from PTI. Here's a peak at the inside.

I hope to have another card to share with you tomorrow. Thanks so much for dropping in.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T04:00:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T04:00:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-04T04:00:00.002-05:00

Cerulean Blue

2011-12-30T14:20:00.000-05:00

Well hello there! Tap-tap-tap. Anybody there? No? Well I can't say I blame you, my blog posts have severely diminished lately but I'm back with a card to share with you today.

This card was a team effort between my little Minime and myself. When a dear friend lost her 20-year old Siamese a couple of days before Christmas, Minime and I decided to make her a card with which to express our sympathy in an effort to assuage the stinging and longing in our sweet friend's heart.

Minime was in charge of creating and coloring the two images (front and interior of card) and I helped with the card's base. Bailey was a beautiful Siamese with the clearest cerulean blue eyes we'd ever seen and his tail was impossibly velvety smooth and elegant. Losing a pet, a beloved pet, is never ever easy and our hearts go out to our dear friend.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-28T04:00:00.001-05:00

A Very Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T18:34:00.000-05:00

Wishing you and yours, the merriest of Christmases and all good things throughout the New Year.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-21T04:00:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T04:00:00.004-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T04:00:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T04:00:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T04:00:00.001-05:00

The Airing of Dirty Laundry

2011-11-20T04:00:00.040-05:00

So last week our electric dryer stopped heating. I told DH that it was probably the heating element that had gone bad. Oh how we miss the gas dryer we had in CA. We priced new dryers to determine if it would be more economical to buy a new dryer or to have this one repaired. Then DH called a service man who confirmed a bad heating element and gave us a repair quote of roughly 25% of the price of a new dryer including extended warranty and delivery.

In the mean time the laundry continues to multiply at what seems like an exponential rate. We thought of using a clothes line but it's been raining. Then I saw about $15 in quarters sitting on the kitchen counter but DH really did not want to have to go to the laundromat.

DH did not relish the thought of having to impose on our neighbors good will because one neighbor has 2 cats; the other neighbor has 4 kids, does laundry round the clock, and her dryer is probably coated with leaky ball point pens, melted crayons, and bubble gum.

After 9 days without a dryer, DH finally threw in the towel and asked the cat neighbor if he could use their dryer. DH was supposed to only do a single load of whites but couldn't help himself and ended up doing 3 loads. Naturally, I had to make the cat neighbor a proper thank you card, albeit a couple of days late.

Gabriela

I've Got it Bad

2011-11-17T04:00:00.024-05:00

Are you gripped with the sudden urge to clean out your scrap drawer?

To use up those last bits of DP knocking around in your box of scrap paper,

finally finish off that last bit of beautiful DP you've been hoarding for 4 years,

and at last get to using that last bit of paper you'd completely forgotten about since it went missing beneath your more recent purchases?

Well I'm on that kick right now and I've got it bad.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T04:00:00.001-05:00

Sweet Vintage Lace

2011-11-15T04:00:00.013-05:00

I added a little die cut at the top of the button card to make it look more authentic.

The DP is mostly Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl except for the bottom strip which is a sweet little remnant of Basic Grey's Stella Ruby line.

Gabriela

Nuther Button Card

2011-11-14T04:00:00.009-05:00

I have got to stop photographing my cards at night.

This one was so dark that not even Photoshop could fix it.

Gabriela

More Vintage Finds

2011-11-13T04:00:00.026-05:00

From the moment I first laid eyes on this sweet little floral posy I was smitten.

So naturally it was a must-have in my book.

It is incredibly reminiscent of the little floral appliques on many of my childhood dresses,

usually around the collars.

I think a miniature wooden spool would be the perfect embellishment for this card,

however, my poor cards are thick enough as they are and already require special packaging and extra postage that I decided to go without the wooden spool.

Gabriela

Abalone and Lace

2011-11-12T04:00:00.027-05:00

There's something very special about abalone shell,

so when I found this shell button in my stash I greedily snagged it up and layered it over the crochet lace heart on this card.

I think you'll recognize the Basic Grey DP and Cosmo Cricket I used here.

I'm not a big fan of this shade of orange but didn't have anything more appropriate.

Gabriela

Make A Wish

2011-11-11T04:00:00.013-05:00

Yes, I have more button cards coming.

This one incorporates half a paper doily and a number of paper scraps.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T04:00:00.001-05:00

Origami Shirt Card

2011-11-08T04:00:00.056-05:00

I've got something a little different for you today.

I thought you were overdue for a break on the button cards.

Well there's still buttons on this card (I just can't help myself).

I was so inspired by Anna Wight's origami shirt card that I had to try one of my very own.

I used this YouTube Origami Shirt Tutorial and this one, to make my card.

This is going to be a birthday card for my DH even though his birthday's not 'til December.

I thought I'd make it early and have it handy.

I ran out of the window pane plaid paper and didn't have enough to add a breast pocket.

As it was I had to piece the hem of the right sleeve (as you look at the card) to cover

the barcode on the perimeter of the sheet of DP.

I inserted a photo (below) of the three of us inside

and trimmed a scrap piece of Basic Grey DP for the inside top area for the sentiment.

The best part of all was when I momentarily left the card in plain view

while I went searching for the photo and forgot I'd left the card on the counter.

Naturally, my DH walked by and saw the card lying there and commented,

"Nice shirt card."

Fabulous. Just fabulous.

At least I had the presence of mind not to react about the surprise being blown.

What are the chances he'll forget having seen the card by the time his birthday rolls around?

Gabriela

Buttoned Up

2011-11-07T04:00:00.024-05:00

I won't say this is the final button card I've got for you. I'd like to tell you this is the last in the series, but I won't because I can still hear this stamp set calling my name, beckoning me to come and play.

It's been a long time since I've become so smitten with a stamp set, but this one if you haven't figured it out yet, simply mesmerized me. I wasn't expecting it to take my breath away the way it did, or to consume my every waking thought, but it has. It surely has.

Gabriela

Oops!

2011-11-05T04:00:00.001-04:00

This one didn't turn out as I'd hoped. Does that ever happen to you? You start out with the best laid plans (Of Mice and Men) and then somewhere along the line, you go astray? Well I give you Exhibit A.

I dunno, maybe I can blame it on that lame flower or maybe the polka dotted DP needs a coordinating strip of paper, or.... I don't know what this card needs. All I know is that the poor thing needs help.

Gabriela

Velvet and Silk

2011-11-04T16:00:00.050-04:00

Are you sitting down, dear ones? Do you have something with which to steady yourselves?

Alright. Now take this in:

Kraft card stock
Vintage Cream Ink
Prima flowers
Silk ribbon
Vintage buttons
Lace and velvet scraps

And then (oh, then!): Button Boutique stamps!

Ta-daaaaaa!

Yes, I have in fact just listed the six compelling reasons why this button card just had to be made. Yes, it was that important.

Gabriela

Progress

2011-11-03T04:00:00.011-04:00

Oh, how far have I come. Do you see that little strip of lace there? Right there. Yup, right at the bottom of my card, so innocent, so gentle, lying there so sweetly on that pile of paper? Just a few years ago, I would have rather chewed on a stick than put a bit of fabric, much less lace on a card and certainly not for a reason as frivolous as an embellishment. No SirreBob!

But today, bring on the lace and seam binding in all its glory! I want to strew with it! I might even twirl in circles with it flying from my finger tips for a bit.

This is what I like to call progress, people.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T04:00:00.000-04:00

Last of the Ruby Tuesday

2011-11-01T04:00:00.018-04:00

My secret's out. Yes, I've been hoarding my Basic Grey - Stella Ruby paper for years on end. I finally succumbed to it's call and best of all, I suppose, is that once you've devoured the last sheet of this exquisitely designed paper you are left with nothing but satisfaction that you've liberated sweet Stella from her prison of that dark bottom drawer and finally allowed this sheet to lie splayed over my studio work table and inspire me with her rich colors and textures. And inspire me, she has!

Although Stella begs for machine stitches on this card, I couldn't bear to lug out the sewing machine. Well, if truth be told, I simply lacked the energy to lift that heavy sewing machine I keep stowed in one of the studio's cabinets.

Gabriela

Forget Me Not

2011-10-31T04:00:00.017-04:00

My favorite element of this card is the tiny velvety yellow Forget Me Not oozing with sweetness of years gone by. When I think of the Victorian Forget Me Not flower, D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley comes to mind.

Gabriela

Vintage Style

2011-10-30T04:00:00.001-04:00

Man oh man, this card was one of the easiest to make. It seems like it came together in a matter of minutes - I hope it doesn't show that way, though.

Gabriela

Big Surprise

2011-10-29T04:00:00.002-04:00

I know - big surprise, eh? Yet another button card. Well you can't say I didn't give you fair warning.

Gabriela

'Nuther Button Card

2011-10-28T04:00:00.011-04:00

Don't look now, but here's yet ANOTHER button card. I have to confess my addiction to button cards although I'm pretty sure everyone already knew it long before I did.

I used some really yummy lace that my friend Char sent a while back along with one of her flowers (thanks, Char). I thought this card needed a little pop and this red flower proved to be just the ticket.

Gabriela

Homespun Quality

2011-10-27T04:00:00.017-04:00

Hello friends! Yes, I've got yet another button card for you today. It's pretty much the same as the previous cards but with different colors and a touch of lace and a little distress ink.

I hope yours is as glorious a Fall day as it is here in Virginia.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T04:00:00.003-04:00

Milk Cap Buttons

2011-10-25T04:00:00.011-04:00

I'll let you in on a secret: for 5 days now, I haven't been able to put down this Button Boutique stamp set sitting in my studio. And the Jenni Bowlin milk cap buttons? Well, these poor babies have practically sprouted mold since they've been in my stash so many years. They've certainly collected a little dust and seem to silently reproach me each time I open their little drawer but never use them.

So here I have another button card for you today. I must warn you, I made a little over a dozen of these babies, so if you're tired of seeing the repetitive pattern developing here on this blog, you may wish to skip it.

Nonetheless I'm thrilled you stopped in for a quick peek.

Gabriela

One of a Kind

2011-10-24T04:00:00.000-04:00

Making a card first thing in the morning, before the first cup of tea, before opening the door to get the paper, before even being entirely awake, is one of life's decadent little pleasures. One of my life's small pleasures. I love the silent, solitary work in my studio with a warm puppy at my feet, the concentration, the satisfaction at seeing a few simple ingredients come together under my hands and blossom into something else entirely.

It so happens that the best crafting recipes for this kind of early morning venture are plain and homey ones. They have to be. I'm not interested in four-layer cards at 7:00 am on a Sunday, or in fussy cutting embellishments, or fancy less known techniques. What I revel in making are cards with just one stamp set that surprise you with their ease, that come laden with history, the knowledge that they've been made a thousand times before, in thousands of craft rooms and kitchen tables, by thousands of paper crafters who don't have the luxury to worry about whether or not the card will turn out as it should.

Well lemme tell you, I went to town with this little stamp set which is really not so little. I refer to it as little only as an endearment because it has completely absconded with my heart. You see, my mojo's been missing in action for quite some time and it seems that all it took was for this Button Boutique set to come into my life and now it seems I don't ever want to stop.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Gabriela

Vintage Finds

2011-10-21T04:00:00.001-04:00

This will be a very quick dispatch indeed, frustratingly quick I'm afraid, because - people, this is big - my sweet friend Carla sent me this Button Boutique stamp set from PTI as an early birthday gift (thank you Carla) and I can't put it down not even long enough to write this post and show you ever so quickly my very first card with Button Boutique.

These vintage flavored images transport me back to the early days of my childhood, back in the old country, when my mother taught me how to sew on her Italian Necchi sewing machine and my father taught me how to sew by hand. I clearly recall the little paper cards that buttons came in and how I loved to snip off the buttons mounted on each little button card.

The hardest part about this little card was knotting the crochet thread on the back of each button as I individually adhered each one with a thick quilting needle. It's a little fussy, because you have to hand knot each button - but what I do know is that, man, I can't wait to make more button cards. I'm so happy to be here right now making button cards, that I'd like time to stop.

Thanks so much for dropping in today.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-19T04:00:00.002-04:00

An Affair to Remember

2011-10-14T08:24:00.000-04:00

The wedding was perfect in every way imaginable and the bride was a confection herself. The ceremony was held at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, but what made it unforgettable was the bride and her groom, their families, their friends and of course the love the newlyweds have for each other. It was the kind of wedding that makes you want to love your spouse, your partner even more.

The wedding was an elegant and intimate affair and add to that, the fact that the weather gods had blessed us all with glorious weather and perfect light (sun light). The wedding took place in the Rose Garden and the various rose beds struck me like a patchwork of color with the gentle dappled light from the setting sun.

Naturally, immediately after I finished adhering the last embellishment on this wedding card, I realized I should have embossed it with gold embossing powder instead of stamping it in black ink. Naturally.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T04:00:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T04:00:00.002-04:00

A Scrappy Collage

2011-10-01T04:00:00.031-04:00

Here's a quick little collage for you. I was too lazy to pull out my heavy sewing machine so I skipped the stitching altogether for this card. Will horrors never cease? You'll probably think I should have my card making license revoked.

Are you ever gripped with the urge to suddenly clean out your paper stash, your craft room button jars, that bottom drawer full of paper scraps?

Well I'm on that kick right now and I've got it bad. I made this card deftly using nothing but scraps. Even the little bird was a left over scrap from an unused pair I'd die cut well over a month ago. Even the little banner was a tiny long forgotten scrap I rescued from a pile of tiny bits and pieces. I think it's my favorite part about this card.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-04:00

Sourdough Made Simple

2011-09-25T17:55:00.000-04:00

Tell me - is there anything lovelier than a house filled with the aroma of baking bread? It's awfully reassuring and nothing beats inhaling the scent of home-baked bread, except maybe the sense of accomplishment that comes along with it.

My treasured husband started by making a sourdough starter and then combined bread flour and all-purpose flour with some yeasted warm water and some fresh tap water (lukewarm) to make a stiff dough.

This is a work horse of a bread; one you toast in bulk for breakfast or smear with a grainy mustard for utilitarian sandwiches. It provides an innocuous canvas for even the heaviest of marmalades or sliced deli meat piled high. This sourdough bread is my kind of bread.

Yes, he used the bread maker and there it was as though I'd never tasted it before, crisp at the edges, a faint chew in the middle, and just a hint of sour. This bread is my every day ideal, dense and hearty, but not heavy, and very fragrant with all that natural goodness. We sliced right into it and quickly slathered it with real Danish Creamery butter while the bread was still steamy hot. Some even drizzled a little clover honey over it.

That's how we spent a portion of our Sunday - with a bowl of flour, instant yeast and water fermenting in a warm corner of the kitchen as we anxiously waited to devour our fresh sourdough bread still hot out of the bread maker.

This, my faithful readers is living at its best.

Gabriela

Blossoming in Nature

2011-09-23T04:00:00.014-04:00

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature."

~Gerard de Nerval

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T04:00:00.000-04:00

Remnants of Summer

2011-09-17T16:58:00.000-04:00

I have a couple of bird feeders hanging from some shepherd hooks on the deck. One of them hangs over a flower box that sits one of the deck hand rails. When the birds stop by for a snack, the seeds tend to spill into the flower box below and this summer two sunflowers sprouted right from inside the shallow flower box.

Yesterday this little sunflower was still closed, and this morning it started to unfurl it's sweet petals. It's not completely open yet and you can see how its bottom petals resemble a small dainty hand demurely covering a yawn, don't you think?

The second flower bud is loosening a bit and I wonder if it will allow us a peek at its petals tomorrow.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-14T04:00:00.000-04:00

A Tale of Trail Mix

2011-09-13T04:00:00.001-04:00

I have been rendered mute by trail mix (wait, can you say mute when you still have the ability to type?). Oh, but not just any ol' trail mix. Oh, no sireebob! To be more specific, it was a giant super-meat-a-joe bag of the best trail mix I've ever had, spiked with sunflower seeds, nuts, sesame seeds, and finished with golden raisins. Mute, I tell you. All I can think to tell you is that I loved this trail mix. I loved it!

Well, apparently when I find food in the pantry, I just assume it is meant for human consumption. I mean, if it was not meant for me to eat, why would my dearest husband have put it in the pantry for me, and at eye level no less? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone care to hazard a guess?

Well, I should have had a clue when I found whole sunflower seeds in the mix, but I was so enamored with the incredibly crunchy mix that I ignored my husband's peals of laughter when he discovered, nearly two weeks later, that I'd consumed nearly the entire bag of bird food. Yes, that's right. I ate the goddam bird food that was intended to fill our many bird feeders, while our wild birds went hungry.

So let's see a show of hands here - how many of you might have confused the bag of bird food for trail mix? I think I prefer to simply blame it all on my dear sweet husband than take any responsibility for myself. I mean, what fun would that be?

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T04:00:00.003-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T04:00:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T04:00:00.001-04:00

Series in Red

2011-08-19T09:40:00.000-04:00

Gabriela

Make a Wish

2011-08-19T04:00:00.016-04:00

Well, whaddaya think? Huh? Huh? This triple scoop ice cream cone is on it's way to one of my DH's grandsons who's celebrating either his 9th or 10th birthday. I used some of that Girls Paperie paper from the Kitch line. Very retro.

So glad you popped in today. I wish I had something more to offer you. Maybe next time.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T04:00:00.002-04:00

Guess the Name of This Location

2011-08-16T04:00:00.018-04:00

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to the name of my vacation destination? (Carla, Paula, and Pauline you already know).

Gabriela

Merci

2011-08-13T04:00:00.036-04:00

Oh, how far have I come. Do you see that little aqua colored fleur de lis, so innocent, so gentle, lying up there sweet remnant of journal paper above the jeweled crown? Just a few years ago, I would have rather cut off my right hand than put make a mish-mash collage, and certainly not for a reason as frivolous as an embellishment. But today, bring on the distress ink, the vintage bits, scraps and seam binding ribbon! I want to strew with it! I might even gaze at it and admire it, for a bit, for I feel unbound from gravity and expectation.

I've learned that trying new techniques can bring newness into a life that it almost seems to sow new selves inside the original self. This is what I like to call, progress. But maybe it's just growth and learning.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-10T04:00:00.000-04:00

A Study in Watercolor

2011-08-06T04:00:00.035-04:00

Sometimes I wonder where it all started. It could have been in Sister Mary Agatha's fourth grade class, I guess, when I wrote my first story, a bound set of loose leaf pages grandly titled "The Boarding School Murders" and illustrated with a luridly dripping knife, no less. But then I think it must have been earlier than that, when my father taught me how to read on the nubby, cream-colored sofa and when he taught me to watercolor on that beautiful wooden architect's desk he'd built with his own two hands. Perhaps I was older still, sitting quietly in art class in high school, feeling the strange rush of adrenaline course through my veins when I picked up the old familiar watercolor brush and found I couldn't stop. Or maybe it was the blog, the daily, weekly discipline of showing up here writing, posting my meager little watercolors, mini oeuvres d'art in Prismacolor pencil, opening my heart and finding an audience in a handful, a dozen, a hundred, a thousand computers and possibly more, scattered throughout the world.

Other people knew it before I did, believed in me long before I'd ever make it happen. I was too scared, if I'm honest. Too anxious I'd fail. So here it it, my humble attempt at watercoloring again.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T04:00:00.001-04:00

You Had Me at Woof!

2011-07-29T04:00:00.002-04:00

Yes, dear Readers, I agree with you - this is not a very imaginative post title.

Nonetheless I've got three little cards to share with you. I suppose you can call them a variation of a theme.

...and the last one:

Thanks for stopping in today!

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-27T04:00:00.001-04:00

Upholstery

2011-07-25T04:00:00.000-04:00

Well, hello there! I'm back and I brought you a few cards. You can look at all of them right now! Go on then. I don't mind.

Oh my goodness, I've missed you so much. Yes, you, dear reader. And you, and you, and you. I missed you! Oof, I can't ever go this long without blogging again. But I have a good excuse, I do. Let me tell you, summer in VA? Not for the faint of heart. Not even for the sturdy of heart. Hot and oppressively humid summers in VA are a kick in the pants. No, a kick in the head, actually! I do not recommend them, no sirree bob, not unless you enjoy a little bit of existential torture reminiscent of the 7th circle of hell.

Even my glasses fogged right up the moment I stepped out onto the deck to photograph these cards. The thing about all this Southern humidity is that it's soooo good for the skin.

The cards? Oh you came here for the cards? Well, I guess I best get on with it, now haven't I?

Gabriela

Hot Flashes

2011-07-23T04:00:00.001-04:00

Alright, poppets, this one has to be quick. It's blazing hot here in my little corner of Virginia and I fear I may just perish with the stifling humidity. The temperature's in the triple digits and frankly, not fun at all.

I hope you are managing to stay cool, and I hope a cool breeze comes your way.

Gabriela

Verve's Diva Dare in July

2011-07-22T08:50:00.000-04:00

I made this card in answer to the Diva Dare going on over at the Verve Blog today. This month's theme is "Sentimental about Paper" and the challenge is to only use sentiments with any favorite design paper.

Here's my take on the challenge. I'm not exactly sure how I did, but it was fun regardless.

Thanks for popping in today.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-20T04:00:00.001-04:00

Birthdays are the Best!

2011-07-18T04:00:00.001-04:00

..especially if you're only 3!

Originally I had intended to make a cupcake card for my soon-to-be 3-year old friend. But then, I was suddenly and most decidedly not in the mood for a cupcake card. I tried making three "inchies" with cupcakes stamped onto each, but no, I definitely was not in the mood for cupcakes.

Then I came across this old birthday candle DP and decided it was exactly what my poor card was begging for. Here's a peek at the inside of the card.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Gabriela

Pomeranians and Such

2011-07-17T04:00:00.001-04:00

Lest you think I have been sitting around on my hands all week or have simply evaporated off this earth, I wanted to let you know that I am, in fact, still alive, and quite well, even. However, what concerns my blog posting has been an abysmal week. I made no less than three cards, only to have them all turn out rather middling to faintly embarrassing and I simply haven't had the stomach to tell you about them.

This particular card was actually commissioned (doesn't that sound impressive?) by a friend for a Pomeranian lover. I didn't have any luck locating the image I'd used on the previous Pomeranian card, so I had to go with a different one.

Here's a peak at the inside - clean and simple with lots of empty space for a heartfelt message. BTW, anyone out there recognize this Stella Ruby paper?

Gabriela

Variation on a Theme

2011-07-15T04:00:00.001-04:00

I wanted to try out these perfect little tulle and gauze Prima flowers so I made another window flower box card. I think I like this one even better than the first.

I have three minutes to write this post before I fall asleep. The allergy testing and ensuing week-long asthma attack has finally caught up with me and left me staggeringly tired.

Oh, you wanted to see those Prima flowers? Well, here they are dressed in all their finery.

Gabriela

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-13T04:00:00.002-04:00

Blooming with Love

2011-07-11T04:00:00.002-04:00

I keep staring at this photo, seeing that beautiful tangle of ivy and purple blossoms luminous in the afternoon sunlight, and rubbing my eyes. I'm used to seeing a card like this one on other blogs for sure, but there's one small difference this time. This time, I'm the one who made this card and it's tickling me pink.

Well, the digital image of Mo Manning's window was sent to my by my friend Carla, and come to think of it, she cut that spiral felt flower up there in the left hand corner so all I did was to roll it up and adhere it to the card.

Can you discern the mess of Stickles all over the flowers in that window box?

Gabriela

Indulgence

2011-07-09T04:00:00.001-04:00

Here's the thing. I wanted to use these stamped images that have been in my studio for far too long. They've been there for months - but I simply haven't been in the mood and so there they've sat, irritating me to no end, staring at me every time I open the drawer as if taunting me or something.

Anyway, I finally colored up these images and fussy-cut the image of cookie-girl. Just the ticket, I thought. Along with some organdy ribbon, a vintage button, a very old straight pin from my sewing basket, a splash of baker's twine and I suddenly couldn't imagine a better card base for these sweet images.

Yes, the card begs for a sentiment, at least a small one, and I think I know precisely which one to add.

So glad you stopped by today.

Gabriela

Carte Postale

2011-07-06T04:00:00.001-04:00

I don't know if you've noticed, but there hasn't been much balance in my cards lately. I seem to be stuck on these quirky, shabby little collage type cards. I find it unendingly ironic how this particular card was so ridiculously easy to make. I've always found this type of collages to be a bit fussy. Or maybe I'm just finally finding my groove. Almost like I've been charmed, or something.

It's too bad though, that the Glimmer Mist I sprayed over the little chipboard frame didn't photograph at all, but I hope that whomever I end up sending this to will surely see the gentle sparkle in the sunlight.

Gabriela

Celebrating the Fourth in Washington DC

2011-07-04T08:00:00.004-04:00

and boy do we celebrate!

these are from last year

overlooking some of the great American monuments

...and a very Happy 4th to my fellow Americans!

Gabriela

Merci mon Amie

2011-07-04T04:00:00.000-04:00

Tap, tap, tap. Anybody here? No? Relaxing at the lake? Preparing the BBQ grill for a weekend of grilling? Very good! As well it should be on this fine Fourth of July Weekend.

Indulge me a little, will you? I'm feeling rather spent. Probably from too much lounging in the warm Virginia sun, from lazy leisurely mornings, or maybe from the exquisite French Toast my DH prepared for me this morning with so much thought and care.

But you're not here to hear about such minutia, are you? Nope - not likely. Well, here's a little Victorian card I just finished with the help of some marvelous little chipboard frames my sweet friend Charlene sent me well over a year ago. I have no good excuse for waiting so shamelessly long to use them. They were just too special to "use up", but man, am I glad I did. Thanks, Char!

Gabriela

Annalee

2011-07-03T04:00:00.001-04:00

If there's anything that makes me feel more capable in my studio it's concocting a card with such beautiful designer paper. With all those wonderful textures, fibers and botanicals and vintage colors, crafting with this particular paper is like a glorious sort of chemistry class, in which the final outcome will make you very happy indeed.

Now, with a name like "Annalee's Collection: Avondale", could this card really go wrong? No, of course not. It's the most romantic thing I've ever heard a designer paper called, and was at least half, if not three-quarters of the reason why I chose it as the focal point for this card. And the sentiment? Well the sentiment was an after thought. It was the only one that fit that empty space in just the right way. Yes, I admit the sentiment was chosen solely for its shape and size. It also sent me on a foraging mission to Sew Special for a few more yards of lace to add to my already over-stuffed cupboards.

It was my first time using this Prima paper though and I feel like I'm about three years late to the party. Man, what a find. This DP has the brightening effect that both October Afternoon and Basic Grey have, but with a barely-there shimmer of vintage sweetness. I can't wait to use more of it.

Gabriela

Summer Holiday Weekend

2011-07-02T15:00:00.007-04:00

The first summer weekend - it feels impossibly new and yet so familiar. Empty streets, packed parks, the scent of a hundred backyard barbecues wafting through our little enclave. We did our patriotic duty and had our own barbecue today - with a dubious grill that needs a scrubbing like nobody's business, I might add. While my sweet DH took care of the steaks, ribs, dogs, chicken, grilled corn and grilled endive, I busied myself with a card. What? Did you think I was going to say dessert? If so, then you don't know me at all. It might have been insanity to skip dessert and head for my studio, but with the kind of card challenge I had in front of me, could you blame me?

You see, earlier in the day, my friend Carla and I challenged each other to make a card - any card, as long as we had it finished by 3:00 p.m. She had covered what arguably might be called the three "Schools of Card Making": Square, DP, and Ribbon. Along with the challenge came an admonition: "I'm sure that there are least five sub schools that I've missed." The glove was thrown! I had no choice than to accept.

I chose to use some old Memory Box DP and an even older stamp set, for no real reason, really. The card came together swiftly. I stumbled over one thing: the copious amount of blue and purple Stickles and the fast pouring micro beads. I did think that I'd needed to adjust the amount of micro beads that poured out at an incredibly fast rate. I didn't know how to regulate the proportion so I just let the micro beads flow out of their plastic tube container and settle directly onto the still wet Stickles.

So there you have it – the start of glorious holiday weekend here in the States. There will be sleepy afternoons in the backyard and berry-picking excursions in the overgrown fields. There will be lunches out on the redwood deck in the summer heat and wasps will buzz at the kitchen window. There will be bike rides at dusk down by the lake, soft fragrant air rushing past my ears, and there will be languid picnics on sloping hills. Oh, and there will be grand fireworks on the National mall of course, and maybe, just maybe, another card.

I hope yours is a safe and festive Independence Day weekend.

Gabriela

Haute Couture

2011-06-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

Sentiments usually pose the largest challenge for me when making a card. Unless of course I design the card around the sentiment. I didn't have the "right" sentiment for this card. I had something in mind relating to style, but nothing even remotely close in my stamp inventory. Then, as I was perusing through a rather robust set of stamps that my friend Paula had sent me a few months ago, I heard this large 3.5" x 4.5" stamp call my name. I'd originally thought of stamping it in grey ink, but a sudden change of heart made me stamp it in River Rock to coordinate with our model's dress.

Oh! and I gave our model some shoes. Sadly, I couldn't convince her to wear the stilettos.

So glad you stopped by today!

Gabriela

Charisma

2011-06-22T04:00:00.000-04:00

Lest you think I have been sitting around on my hands all week or have simply evaporated off this earth, I wanted to let you know that I am, in fact, still alive and quite well, even. However, what concerns my blog card making (and yes, I do call it that sometimes), it has been an abysmal week. I made no less than three cards only to have them all be rather middling to boring and I simply haven't had the stomach to tell you about them. So instead I'll let you peek at the most colorful one water colored with a brush and re-inkers. It's all mis-matched and well, sort of Weedy-Wadda.

This is one of my many favorite Anna Wight (yes, THE Anna Wight) images. Anna's images have such charisma and a way of bringing a smile to one and all.

Gabriela

Satisfaction

2011-06-14T09:09:00.000-04:00

I don't know about your craft room, but mine is stuffed to the gills with card stock, ink, designer papers, and a wide variety of paper crafting supplies these days. Kraft and colored card stock and buttons and ribbon, most of all, ink. And while I'm grateful for my crafting supplies, I find myself quite daunted at the sheer number of paper varieties in my paper drawers, my paper trays, and my waking hours. Coming up with ways to use them has become my summer sport.

But I don't have the stomach for complicated card recipes these days, for exotic card ingredients, or a lot of new bottles to crowd my atelier cupboards. I'm in the mood to use what I've got, to be resourceful and sparing, to purchase little that I don't truly need (cutting dies, I'm looking at you). So when I decided to create this card for which I needed to purchase no extra ingredients, I felt like it was divine providence.

And wouldn't you know, I made this card not once but twice in one day. This card is niiice. Not only nice, but cheap. Not only cheap, but fast. Not only fast, but pretty. Okay, I'll stop now. But I like it; I really, really like it. I wish satisfaction always came this easily.

Gabriela

Sumthin' Sweet

2011-06-11T04:00:00.001-04:00

No, I haven't got anything edible to show you today, just a sweet little CAS card with layers and buttons (and bad lighting). That's all.

Gabriela

Birds on a Wire

2011-06-10T12:41:00.003-04:00

I've been doing this thing lately where i try to sneak in a quick 5-minute card and since these have proven to be ridiculously easy, I've resisted posting any of them here on the ol' blog. You can thank Carla for these because it was she who ~~pushed~~ nudged me into posting them for you. These are pretty self-explanatory (I think, anyway). I used A Muse's "Birds on a Line" stamp and used Cookie's card as inspiration.

And here's my second card.

I'm so glad you stopped by today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Gabriela

On the Mend

2011-05-29T11:17:00.000-04:00

Okay, brace yourselves. This one's going to be short and sweet and to the point. Because we all have something else we should be doing. You could be wondering why, and I'll tell you. These Ready Set Chipboard pieces are likely the only way I will ever craft again.

Whoa. That's a bold statement, I know. It's even making me a little nervous, to bandy about with superlative threats like that. I mean, I like a regular old die cut image, lacquered with the barest hint of Glossy Accents, just fine and all. Who doesn't? In fact, up until last week, that was the only way I ever made my little pop-up images. (Well, except for the time when I previously tried these Cosmo Cricket chipboard images. Details, details.)

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, chipboard. Pressure sensitive adhesive chipboard -- with a theme. What more could a girl ask when she's pressed for time?

Honestly? I feel like I cheated. I feel as if I were trying to pass off scalloped potatoes that came from a box, as my own creation. Uh - uh. Doesn't count. Not even close.

But on the other hand, I think these will do quite nicely anyway thankyouverymuch.

Gabriela

Mummu

2011-05-22T04:00:00.000-04:00

There's something so utterly charming about Mo Manning's images and this image called "Mummu" is a perfect example. When I'd finished this card I felt as if I'd won the lottery.

Too bad I messed her up with that hideous yellow highlighting, though. It's actually not that bright IRL as it appears in the photo. I'm not sure what is up with that.

So tell me dear Readers, what do you do with a card after you realize you've messed it up? Do tell.

Gabriela

Floral Trio

2011-05-21T04:00:00.001-04:00

This is quite possibly the easiest card I've ever made. I've had another good run on May and June birthdays so, yup, you guessed it, this baby was mass-produced. Nineteen times. Oh, yeah!

Those little flowers are one of those miracles that spontaneously hit you when you least expect it. As I sat there in my little atelier, wondering whether to pile on the buttons (and wreak havoc with my poor DH as he treks to the post office to mail my bulky and bumpy cards) it struck me that I could actually produce a flat card that would require only standard postage. That 3-flower punch is a real work horse. It slices through the heaviest of paper as it it were softened butter and was all I needed for the 19 cards.

Three cheers for flat cards!

Gabriela

Fat Lady

2011-05-20T04:00:00.001-04:00

It felt like divine comedy when, after an entire week of stamping absolutely nothing, the one card I chose to make last week turned out to be just awful. Not even fit for posting on the ol' Blog-O. It's been a while since I wound up with a real doozy, but I made up for lost time last week.

Dejectedly, I started over and after die cutting this Mo Manning image called Fat Lady, I let it sit on my crafting table for a few more days until last night, when I decided to try again. I was totally enchanted by the idea of making a card base that would spotlight "herself" in all her Rubenesque glory. I thought it only fitting to add a touch of sparkle to her decolletage because a gal as softig as this can't be seen without her bling.

Gabriela

La Meilleure des Mamans

2011-05-08T04:00:00.013-04:00

Family is everything, isn't it? After all, I'd be nothing without my mother's love and my father's devotion. Now that the rigors of adulthood and certain geographical realities prohibit me from seeing my mother as often as I'd like, the wonder of email and cell phone towers helps keep us linked even when we cannot be together as often as I'd like.

Fortunately for me though, I'll be spending Mother's Day with my mother and my daughter. There's something very special about Mother's Day and being able to share it with the two single most important women in my life (Minime qualifies as a young woman, doesn't she?) and my DH.

I made this little creation for my mother. I know she loves anything with a vintage flavor so I put forth my best effort and used some of my favorite Melissa Frances papers I'd been hoarding for several years now.

The little image says "A la Meilleure des Mamans" (To the Best of Mothers) and is from Helga's ARTchix Studio Collage Sheets.

Tell me, how are YOU spending this glorious Mother's Day?

Gabriela

Flowers

2011-05-02T04:00:00.001-04:00

"Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?"

~Maurice Maeterlinck

Gabriela

Advice

2011-05-01T04:00:00.002-04:00

"My advice to the women of America is to raise more hell and fewer dahlias."

~William Allen White

Gabriela

Psalm 91:1

2011-04-30T04:00:00.001-04:00

Gabriela

Sympathy Card

2011-04-29T04:00:00.000-04:00

I've got another sympathy card to share with you today. It's just like the one I posted yesterday, but with different DP.

I added a little piercing to the card's interior for extra interest.

Gabriela

Our Daily Bread Designs

2011-04-28T20:00:00.001-04:00

Sympathy cards are some of the most challenging cards for me to make. I because overwhelmed with emotion and want the card to be "just right" that I get stymied and unable to come up with a design. This stamp set is from Our Daily Bread Designs and is called Scripture Collection 2. These stamps made it easy for me to come up with a design and I'm pleased with the outcome of this card. I hope the intended recipient will be too.

The card's interior features a cross by Stampendous that my friend Paula recently sent to me along with a host of other wonderful stamping goodies. This cross image really came in handy for this sympathy card. Thank you, Paula.

Thank you for stopping in today. It's always good seeing you here.

Gabriela

Ideology of a Violet

2011-04-26T04:00:00.007-04:00

"You can't be suspicious of a tree,

or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet."

~Hal Borland, Sundial of the Seasons, 1964

Gabriela

Go!

2011-04-25T04:00:00.000-04:00

"April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go."

~Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

Gabriela

Rays of Happy

2011-04-24T04:00:00.009-04:00

Hold on to your seats folks because I just made a card for my very first SCS challenge! Oh yes, I did! I found this sketch on the SplitCoastStampers (SCS) site and thought I'd give it a go.

I think this is my new favorite sketch and love the interest provided by those rays of color.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a Happy Easter.

Gabriela

Peep Pops

2011-04-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

Let's start things off with a big, happy, declarative statement, shall we? It's Saturday and despite it being Easter tomorrow, we're dealing with March-like winds and rain instead of flowers and sunshine. I need something to cheer me up, perhaps you do, too, and I'm thinking this might just do the trick:

I may have found my new favorite homemade Easter treat.

There. Things feel like they're looking up already, wouldn't you agree?

These little Peep Pops are the easiest thing in the world to make, even for folks who don't enjoy being in the kitchen. My DH melted the chocolate for us and Minime and I inserted lolly sticks into the bottom of each Peep. We dipped each Peep Pop into the melted chocolate and quickly sprinkled it with non-pareils. Easy-Peasy. But look out because you know how rabbits multiply! Don't let this happen to you:

We were doing so well until tragedy struck this yellow Peep Pop. I honestly don't know what came over me. Tragic, I know.

Note: No Peeps were harmed in the making of these Peep Pops.

Gabriela