Rabbit Cards

This is a rabbit, not a bunny. Bunnies are cute and fuzzy. This rabbit looks like the family pet of Hattori Hanzo the 16th century samurai (and who knows, maybe a distant relative?) He's one cool rabbit. 

No doubt I bought the stamp because the image on the wood block was already painted, and I really liked it as its own little work of art. The problem with buying a stamp complete with "suggested coloring" is I let that intimidate my creative process. It's only been in the last two years that I have taken to coloring, which, I am happy to say, has brought new life to many of my older stamps. 

Image by Hero Arts from 2000 colored with Prismacolor pencils on craft cardstock;
layered over mulberry and washi paper; highlighted with gold gel ink.

Rabbit by Hero Arts from many years ago; "hello" die by Simon Says Stamp.

Hattori Hanzo had such nicknames as "Hanzo the devil" or "Hanzo the ghost". I am adding "Hanzo the rabbit"!

BLM Card

Sadly I am beginning to understand what artist have always known, that their work can be a replacement for words. The conversation that was our sermon in church yesterday challenges me to acknowledge what has happened this week, even when (or maybe especially when) I am so far removed the events. Please listen to Skin In the Game for a frank discussion about race and faith. 

It seemed like a simple and heartfelt gesture when I made my Pray for Paris card. A card for Orlando was unexpectedly another handmade prayer. How could I not make a card for Dallas, Louisiana, and Minnesota?


Card Details: Initials by Inkadinkado; sentiment by Rubbernecker Stamps. 

Penguin Cards

Do penguins and summertime really go together? Yes! Absolutely! For two reasons. First, a stamp designer put penguins in a snorkel mask and an inner tube. What else are you going to do? One day I may figure out a snow scene for them, but in the meantime, it's summer themes all the way! 

Sentiment and waves by Simon Says Stamp; embossing folder by Darice;
penguin by River City Rubber Works. 

Penguin by River City Rubber Works; sentiment by Rosie's Roadshow. 

Inner tubes and sentiment by Stampin' Up; penguin by River City Rubber Works.

The second reason is because it's HOT outside, and it is refreshing to think of the cold climate they live in – the ice, the wind, the snow. Ahhh! I can almost forget about the humidity. Nah, that never happens.

Stamp Credits: I recently discovered that River City Rubber Works is no longer in business. I was sad to learn that, because their stamps are fun and unique. Good luck to the owners on their next venture.

Rainbow Card

It is sad to know I have a small collection of cards that have been created in the wake of tragedies. I will not send this card to anyone, just as I have not mailed the others, rather they remain my handmade prayers. This card is for grieving people of Orlando, Florida. 

"...My soul is down cast within me. 

Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope: 

Because of the Lord's great faithfulness we are not consumed, 

for his compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness." 

Lamentations 3:22-23

Jesus said, 

"A new command I give you: 

love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, 

if you love one another." 

John 13:34-35

Chocolate Prayer Card

Chocolate, prayers, and love. What more can you send a friend whose heart is heavy? Though I did not leave any chocolate in the mailbox when I delivered this, the thought counts completely here – warm fuzzies for a weary friend. 

The sentiment is a mash up of words from a Hampton Arts stamp and a Hero Arts set.  

I wish I could give proper credit to the designer of this cute card, but I took a screen shot of it from someone else's repost on social media, and that was a year and a half ago. I do love how an idea can ramble around in my brain for a long time before the perfect opportunity comes along to act on it. Though sometimes that chance comes only after I own the right stamps. :-)

This is the original card. The sentiment says, "Everything goes better with chocolate!". This is the only chocolate that can sit in a mailbox on a summer day and not melt. 

19th Anniversary Card

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary. I did a little number crunching in preparation for this blog post. During these years there has been 1 husband, 2 dogs, and 3 houses. Our extended family lives in 4 states, and in the 5th year we moved to Georgia. There were 6 trips to Disney World (two were school band trips and one of those my husband chaperoned!). In the 7th year Hannah started kindergarten. Robert and I have taken 8 trips without children. (Thank you Grandparents!) The 9th year was our first trip (of ten, so far) to Palm Island Florida.

It wasn't long after our 10th anniversary following a trip to Palm Island that Robert had back surgery. In the 11th year my Mom moved from Virginia to Georgia, and the girls saw more of their Grammie. We've owned 12 vehicles, which is really hard to believe, since our mini van is almost eleven years old! Year 13 was identified by my cancer diagnosis, and during year 14 we visited Arlington National Cemetery to bury my Mom next to my Dad. 

This year our daughter Amy is 15 years old; we've tallied up 16 trips to St. Louis, MO and Apex, NC; our daughter Hannah is 17 years old; and last year, number 18, we traveled to Japan. I am excited to see what the next 19 years have in store for us. Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband!

Summertime Card

Is there a quintessential Summertime song? One immediately came to mind when I decided to include song lyrics in today's blog, but then I found this article in Rolling Stone magazine and decided there are two. 

"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry, 1970. 

When the weather's fine

We go fishin' or go swimmin' in the sea

We're always happy

Life's for livin' yeah, that's our philosophy

Sing a long with us 

Dee dee dee-dee dee

Dah dah dah-dah dah

Yeah we're hap-happy

"School's Out" by Alice Cooper, 1972

No more pencils no more books

No more teacher's dirty looks

Out for Summer

Out till fall

We might not come back at all

School's out forever

School's out for summer

Tomorrow is the last day of school here, and I'm sure it's not far behind for everyone else. So, think about this and get back to me. Let me know what I should be singing in the 21st century.