Thinking of you

Hi, everyone!
Thank you so much for your concern about our weather disaster. We are now in a respite from the heavy rain. And yesterday was..., it was so noisy that many helicopters - mass medias' included - flied, and the sirens of ambulances or police cars resounded all day long. ('Cos, there are heliports, firehouses, and police stations are all around here.) It's easy to have clear grasps of the conditions of stricken areas in urban districts, but so difficult in up‐country areas. The problem is how we find the peoples under disconnection and support them as soon as we can... I really appreciate all your kind words. Thank you.

 Well, I made a card to use the technique from the 2Peas 'Thinking Inking Class Week 6'. And this card is for senior people who lives alone. This is one of my volunteers to carry out the intention of my deceased mother. I make 5 cards (or postcards) quarterly to hand them to the representative of the welfare section of our city hall. (I don't know who receives mine. The receiver's names and addresses are witten by the city hall staffs to protect the personal information.)

This is the card, 'Thinking of you'

I used the background fabric technique from 2Peas 'Thinking Inking class Week 6', part 3 video - distress stickles on fabric. The fabric I used is printed linen lawn, this is originally little bit distressed. 'Cos, this fabric is made to have the Durham Quilt look - Durham, England in Victorian Age.
And the butterfly coloring are Liquid Pearls, Acrylic Paint Dabbers and Perfect pearl with water as water colors.
* I don't have Dimensional Pearls yet, I tried to use several Liquid Pearls and acrylic paints with water this time. But the result was a little bit matte, so I added the mica powder, the Perfect Pearls by Ranger.
Love to do a few experiments and play. *grin*

This is a closeup photo.

  I used coiled wire of Salzburg Gebinde (Austrian craft) for butterfly's antennae.

stamp used:
HA Heart Winged Butterfly / F5158 HA Clear design Friends / CL351
paper: American Crafts CS
Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
Ranger Distress Embossing Powder / Vintage Photo
Ranger Liquid Pearls/ White Opal, Gold, Petal Pink, Baby blue
Ranger Acrylic Dabber / Willow, Stream
Ranger Pearfect Pearls / Pearfect Pearls
Ranger Stickles / Diamond, Distress Frayed Burlap, Antique linen, Scattered Straw
Accessories:
HA heart shape pearl, threads, printed linen lawn fabric (Lucien Durham Quilt Collection), coiled wire

Thanks for looking! :)

I {Heart} Hero arts blog hop

Hi, everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by! Today is Hero Arts Blog Hop day!
First of all, I want to express my appreciation to Ashley M at the Hero Arts Flickr Group and the promotor of this blog hop.
How did I start to use the Hero Arts products??? I don't know the details... I've been using rubber stamps made in US since my childhood, 'cos my mother loved them. The reason I chose the Hero Arts products since I began to buy them by myself (around 2002 - 2003) is ...in the early time, maybe the reason I bought them was by the brand name of the Hero Arts that I've already known it. And now, I recognize their products are high quality. And I love their designs. I'm so thankful to their products' qualities and their quantities of the samples, tequniques and tips to share with us. Those're absolutely valueable! And also they provide us the place to communicate with other members. It's so fun and I sure think there're a lot of things to learn from all of the members.
The Hero Arts is the greatest company I've ever known. Well, I made this card. :)

I used Liquid Pearls to color almost part of this. So this photo was a little bit glare... :( I'm so sorry!

stamp used: HA Design Blocks Clouds / S5215 HA Clear design Printed Flowers / CL290 HA Clear design Thank you Sayings / CL341 HA Clear design Artistic Borders / CL322
Thanks for visiting and looking! :) And go here to see all the cards joining this blog hop!

Adorable (baby card)

Hi, everyone!
Made this baby card for one of my co-workers living in US, I'm gonna packed it with a gift and send him in next Monday. I'm always complaining about the post offices are closed in weekends. We can post only envelopes and postcards to mailboxes...

Well, this is the card, 'Adorable (baby card)'

I used the techniques that Jennifer McGuire showed us at the the 2Peas video this week. - from Part 1 (Basics), and using perfect pearls as water colors from Part 2 -
* Actually, she mainly uses the Dimensional Pearls by Ranger, those are water-based. But I yet to have them, so I used several Liquid Pearls, these are also water-based.

So I decided to send this for joining the 2Peas 'Thinking Inking Class Week 6', and also for joining the Hero Arts 'monochromatic' challenge this week (July 20th - 26th).

And yesterday I found that the Carrdvarks challenge this time is 'baby or bridal shower card or altered item'. Also want to join it.
And one more!, I submitted this card to the July planning by a community member. Oh my! One card for four challenges!?!? LOL.

This is a closeup photo.

 The hood of baby buggy (carriage) consists of 3 layers.

stamp used:
HA Clear design Adorable Baby Girl / CL265
HA Clear design Artistic Borders / CL322

paper: Bazzill Basics & American Crafts CS

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder / Blush
Ranger Liquid Pearls/ White Opal, Gold, Silver, Petal Pink, Rubby Red
Ranger Stickles / Frosted Lace

Accessories:
HA buttons, gemstones, thread, ribbon, silk torchon lace, Quickutz Nesting dies

Thanks for looking! :)

Inspire (notebook)

Hello, there! Sorry for the late post. I was out, 'cause yesterday (July 20th) was national holiday in Japan.
I made a notebook cover on Sunday for joining the 2Peas' Thinking Inking Class Week 5 by Jennifer McGuire, and for the Hero Arts 'website' challenge(July 13th - 19th).

こんばんは。日本の皆様 - 特にお友達- は呆れているかと思いますが・・・。家事や仕事も忙しいのですが、遊んでいます、夜中に・・・（笑）。米国とは、かなりの時差がある事と、日常のするべき事が終わると午後11時をまわってしまうのですねぇ・・。
つい先日参加した２つのチャレンジですが、学ぶ事が多いと思いましたので、直ぐ下にダイレクトURLを記載しました。興味をお持ちの方は是非アクセスしてみてくださいね♪

The both had awesome entries! Check them up? I sure think there are a lot of things to learn.
Here are the direct links:
2Peas  Thinking Inking Class Week 5
HA  website challenge

Well, this is my notebook, 'Inspire'

I was so inspired from the card at the HA Techniques Article section:
Many Enhance your projects with a bit of flair! by Shari Carroll .
I've been adoring the design at the bottom most.

So I tried to make like that image to use a piece of Tim Holtz fragment using Rubs-on resisting technique that I learned from Jennifer's Thinking Inking class week5 part 3 at 2Peas.
After my image was finished, I decided to make it for my notebook cover.

This is a closeup photo around a oval fragment.

  I used the rub-ons resist technique - I used Basic Grey Periphery rub-on - in part 2 video, and tapping ink applicator on a purple color HA button and colored on paper flowers in part 3.
And I also colored a ribbon with silver and pearl alcohol inks. This was my first attempt to resisit by rub-on. It was so much fun!

stamp used:
HA SE: Artistic Windows / S5041 (The manuscript stamp on a paper flower.)
HA Clear design Friends / CL351
     (I use only the word 'inspire' from the sentiment 'You inspire me')

paper:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock, Basic Grey & DCWV glossy pp

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
Ranger Alcohol Ink / Gold, Copper, Pearl, Silver, Stonewash, Slate, Denim,
                              Lettuce
Ranger Distress Ink / Antique Linen

Accessories:
HA button, Basic Grey rub-ons, ribbon, thread, Prima paper flower, Quickutz chipboard, Spellbinders Nestability die

Thanks for looking! :)

Just because... - Alcohol ink card

Hello, there!
What I did at first when I came back from biz trip yesterday evening was..., trying to make a card to use the alcohol inks? Haha. No, no! First, I visited Frickr pool where I join. And, oh yes, made a card for joining the 2Peas' Thinking Inking Class Week 5 by Jennifer McGuire, and for the Hero Arts 'website' challenge this week (July 13th - 19th).

This is the card, 'Just because...'

I didn't use the Design Block Butterfly stamp well. But I love this stamp image. So I've been thinking try it again. I remember the appropriate sample card made by Jennifer McGuire at the HA website.
I was so inspired from the card at the Card Gallery section: Many Thanks by Jennifer. (I've been loving this Sunflower Blossom stamp. This sample page has been in my favorites.)

This is a closeup photo around the butterfly.

  I used the method of tapping alcohol ink applicator to make bubbly look (on paper) in part 1 video. On acetate and a clear button in part 2. And, on accent pearls and a paper flower in part 3.

  Tapped the several alcohol inks on DCWV glossy PP. (This time, I didn't use white glossy paper by Ranger for this card.)
The alcohol ink of copper and pearl color for the accent pearls, copper for a button.
Gold, wild plum, and stream for a paper flower. Those added to have them such a rich impression, I think.)

This is another closeup around a paper flower colored with alcohol inks.

This was my first attempt to color a paper flower with alcohol inks.
I enjoyed these creating process so much!

stamp used:
HA Design Block Butterfly / S5041
HA Clear design Everyday Sayings / CL342

paper:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock, DCWV glossy pp
WorldWin Translucent vellum / peridot

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black, StazOn / Timber Brown
Ranger Alcohol Ink / Gold, Copper, Pearl, Stream, Stonewash, Lettuce,
          Caramel, Wild Plum

Accessories:
HA small gemstones, Clear button, Accent pearls, thread

Thanks for looking! :)

Similar 2 cards

Hi, there!
Today, I introduce you my 2 cards on a calm color scheme selected them myself. The one has just finished, and the other was made at the end of the last month.

こんばんは。今日は、穏やかな色合いのカード２枚を。１枚は先程出来上がり、もう１枚は先月末に作り、Flickrでお友達になった外国の方に送ったものです。

This is the card, 'Hope your day shine'.

I was inspired by the following card design in the technique article section on the HA web site: Watercolor effects with Distress Inks By Shari Carroll.

*The coloring method is from Distressed Resist Technique by Jennifer McGuire on the HA blog video, and I add to color the white embossed part with several Liquid Pearls with water medium. (I sure remember this method, the Liquid Pearls with water medium was introduced by Jennifer on the HA blog in the past, but I couldn't find where it was.)

And sent this card to join the Hero Arts 'website' challenge this week (July 13th - 19th).

This is a closeup photo.

Used a pale pink Making Memories PP for the distressed resist part.

stamp used:
HA PF: You Sparkle / LL249
HA CardArt Happy wished/ K4883
HA SE: Artistic Windows / LP128

paper:Bazzil Basics CS, Making Memories PP

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaMark, StazOn / Timberbrown
Ranger Embossing Powder / Sea Foam
Ranger Distress Ink/ Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Spiced Marmalade, Broken China,
                          Shabby Shutters
Ranger Liquid Pearls / Petal Pink, Baby Blue, Gold

Accessories:
HA gemstones and Pale Pink pearls, Prima paper flower, ribbons,
MS butterfly punch

-----
And this is the other, 'Hello card'.

 This design is the base for a card above.
I made this card at the end of last month and I sent it to one of my foreign Frickr friend. She received this already, so I posted here.
I use a distressed light pink Basic Grey paper for the distressed resist part. Also use adobe colored paper by SEI and Washi paper to have this a Japanese traditional feel.

stamp used:
HA CardArt Happy wished/ K4883
HA Sparkle Clear Simple messages / CL173
HA SE: Artistic Windows / LP128

Let me see..., I remember I use almost the same materials which I used for the 'Hope your day shine' card except the Liquid Pearls by Ranger. ;)

Thanks for looking! :)

Thanks card with mini tag

Hi, there!
Yesterday, it was over 30C (90F) here, but windy day. So it was kind of comfortable to do everything. Because, the day before yesterday was really aweful... We had 34C (about 94F), and I could hear the ambulance sirens many times. (I'm one of the person hit by the heat and taken to the hospital in this June. Haha)
In these days, I hear about the aweful weathers all over the world from my friends. Please take care of yourself, everyone!

Well, I'll start with introducing my cards to join the Hero Arts 'website' challenge this week (July 13th - 19th). I've noticed, "Recently I'm attracted by standard card design". So I tried to make it.

By the way, the HA web site was just renewed! WooHoo~, that's wonderful!!!
Haven't go there yet? Check it out from here!

昨日は気温は30度でしたが、風強く、乾燥していたので、比較的快適に過ごせました。えっ？30度で快適？との声が聞こえて来そうですが・・・、一昨日は３４度もあり、本当に気分が悪く・・。
ここ数日、海外の友人から、猛暑（熱波）や、南半球では異常に寒いという話をよく聞くのですが、皆さん、気をつけてくださいね♪

最近、スタンダードデザインのカードに妙に惹かれている自分自身に気づき、そのラインで１枚カードを作ってみました。

そうそう！ヒーローアーツ社のウェブサイトが、数時間前にリニューアルされました。
以前よりも幅広のサイトとなり、見やすくなっていると思います。まだ見られていない方は、是非！ http://www.heroarts.com/
(ちなみに私は、個人的な好みでヒーロー製品を多く使っていますが、他にも長くファンであるメーカーさんもあり、HAのまわし者ではありませんヨ・・・笑)

This is the card, 'Thanks card with mini tag'

I was inspired by the following card: Floral Cards By Sally Traidman.
The Dots and Flowers was stamped with 2 shadow inks, and then overstamped Thank you Bold Messages stamp with Vintage Sepia.
I used 3 Prima paper flowers embossed with clear powder after sprayed with mica mist.
I'm going to pack this with the gift and ship it to one of my needlework friends in a few days.

stamp used:
HA Design Blocks Dots and Flowers / S5213
HA Clear Design Four Bold Messages / CL226
HA Clear Design Thank You Sayings / CL341

paper: Making Memories PP, HA Notecard, Watercolor paper

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black, Vintage Sepia
HA Shadow Ink / Soft Sand, Aprricot
Ranger Distress Ink/ Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Ranger Acrylic Paint / Copper
Ranger Perfect Pearls / Perfect Pearl (+ Jacquard Gum Arabic)

Accessories:
HA gemstones and pearls, Prima paper flowers, thread and ribbon

Hi! - Vacation image frame

Hello, there!
We have typical summer days in Japan. I want to move where the climate is mild!! Haha. How about in your country?

Yesterday evening, finally..., oh yes, FINALLY I got some imagination and started to create. I've just finished a clear frame (a page for my art journal) for Jennifer McGuire's 'Thinking Inking Class Week 4' at the 2Peas and for the Hero Arts 'Vacation' challenge this week (July 6th - 12th).
Oh my..., now is the time, 'Happy Monday morning!' here!

暑い日々になりましたね。既に夏バテ状態なのは、私だけでしょうか？(笑) 酷暑にならない事をひたすら祈りつつ・・・の毎日です。
さて、今週は殆どイマジネーション無しの私でしたが、昨夜、ちょっとイマジネーションが湧き、2ピースで行なわれているMs.ジェニファー・マクガイアーの'Thinking Inking Class' (直訳すると「色付けを考える」ですが　Rangerの製品を使った各種の彩色方法のクラスが開催されていて、そちらで様々な方法が紹介されています）と、ヒーローアーツのウィークリーチャレンジ（今週のテーマはバケーション）用に、クリアフレームを作りました。
これは、今年の4月に春イメージの物を作っていたのですが、その時、「四季の鳥と木」のアートジャーナルを作る!＋四半期に1点作り、1年で出来上がり～♪と、自分自身の企画を立てていたのです。今回はその夏バージョン！

This is my project, 'Hi! - Vacation image frame'

This frame is for my humble art journal 'Birds and Trees - 4 Seasons'. I made a spring image clear frame in this April, and decided to make it quarterly. So, I made a summer image frame this time.

This is a closeup photo.

I took the method of Enhancing Crackle paint with acrylic paint dabbers in part 1 of the class. (The Week 4 - part 1 video is here.)
  Stamped the palm tree stamp 3 times on the grungeboard. The one is literally for a palm tree, and two for the flowers.
  I colored with alcohol inks after painting with paint dabbers, because I don't have enough colors to express my image. Several alcohol inks compensate for lack, I think.
  And, I also use the technique of making Faux Textured Metal from the video Week 3 - part 1 for my mini grungeboard frame at the bottom right on the photo. When I saw the video, I was so surprised and glad to know this technique. The bubbles of the paint dabbers made wonderful texture by using the heat gun! So I wanted to try it!

私が使用した方法は、The Week 4 - part 1 と、Week 3 - part 1です。
ご参考のため、4つのURLを下記に記載します。（言語は英語です）
Week 3 - part 1, Week 3 - part 2
Week 4 - part 1, Week 4 - part 2
The Week 1と2は、一応見たのですが、今の時点でURLが解らないので、時間の空いた時に探して掲載しますネ。

*These techniques to use the crackle paints and the acrylic dabbers by Ranger can be seen at 'Thinking Inking Class' at the 2Peas. Another methods are also introduced there.
* For the reference, The Week 3 - part 2 video is here, and the week 4 - part 2 video is here.

stamp used:
HA Design Blocks Clouds / S5215
HA Design Blocks Modern Lines / S5218
HA Clear design Birds and Branches/ CL337
HA Clear design Mix and Match Elements / CL266

paper:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock, Basic Grey / Urban Prairie, Watercolor paper
Tim Holtz Ideaology / Grungeboard sheet, Grungeboard Mini

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
HA Shadow Ink / Soft Pool
Ranger Distress Ink/ Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Ranger Acrylic Paint / Gold, Silver, Copper, Stream, Salmon, Snow Cap,
          Cloudy Blue
Alcohol Ink / Butter Scotch, lettuce, Cranberry, Wild Plum
Ranger Distress Crackle Paint / Pine Needles, Fired Brick, Antique Linen
Ranger Stickeles / Waterfall
Crayon color pancils, Pigment Markers

Accessories:
HA gemstones, button, MS butterfly punch, thread

Thanks for stoppng by! :)

Happy event!

Wow! This card was selected as second place at 'Photo Challenge' on July 9th held by the Hero Arts.
That enrty for joining was for the first time in a few weeks, because I was sick.
So this made me very happy.

7/9にヒーローアーツのフォトチャレンジにて、２位を頂きました。（7/5の掲載分のカードです）
２～３週間ほど体調を崩し、少々間をおいての参加でしたので、とても嬉しい出来事となりました。*^^*

Happy Summer card

Hi, friends!
Yesterday, I made a card for the first time in a a few weeks for joining the Hero Art's 'photo' challenge this week (June 29th - July 5th).

I almost recovered, I think. But the summer has just begun... :(
I sincerely thank you for your kind inquiries e-mails about my health, friends! ;)


体調も復調してきたため、昨日ちょっと遊んで、再びヒーローアーツ・チャレンジ参加用のグリーティングカードを作りました。
今回は写真を使ったスタンピング・プロジェクトと言うのが、エントリー条項ですので、爽やかな夏イメージの海岸の写真をセレクトし、 あれこれと。ですが、写真セレクトに１時間ほど、制作も１時間くらいで終わったかな？と言う感じでした。やはりニードルワークや編み物に比べ、ペーパークラフトは所要時間が短くて、達成感が得られますね。（複雑なカルトナージュなどは、かなり時間が必要ですが・・・。放り出したままの物があります(笑)）

This is the card I made, 'Happy Summer card'

Made this card to select the pic of a beach. I made a similar image card in April, this year.
'Cause, I love this kinds of beach image most - the beautiful sea and sky, comfortable wind and pretty birds.

This is a closeup view around the three ferns.

I stamped Three Ferns stamp with 3 distress inks, and heat-embossing with antique linen, and then I put 2 stickles around the edges of the leaves.

stamp used:
HA Three Ferns / S5154
HA Sand Piper / D4924
HA Sparckle Clear Happy Greetings / CL180

paper:
Bazzil Basics & American craft Card Stocks,

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black, StazOn / Jet Black
Ranger Distress Ink / Peeled Paint, Broken China, Dried Marigold, Antique Linen
Ranger Distress Embossing powder / Antique Linen
Ranger Stickles / Frosted Lace, Eucalyptus
Crayon color pencils

Accessories:
HA blue gemstone, Prima paper flowers, shell buttons, linen thread, Martha Stewart border punch

Thanks for stopping by! :)

12"x12" layout with die-cutted shapes

Hello there, friends!
I've been sick since June 16th. As a matter of fact, I entered hospital twice and left hospital on June 30th.
This summer is really getting to me. Now, I almost recovered, I think. But the summer has just begun... :(
I sincerely thank you for your kind inquiries e-mails about my health, friends!

７月が始まりましたが、皆さん如何お過ごしでしょうか？
ご存知も方も多いかと思いますが、私は、早くも夏バテ（熱中症等々）で、6/16より完璧に体調を崩していましたが、ようやく復調といったところです。でも、まだ夏は始まったばかりで、かなり先が思いやられますが・・・(--;)
私の体調不調を気遣ってくださり、お見舞いのお言葉をたくさん頂きまして、ありがとうございました。


Well, I'll start with introducing my layout which was made on June 14th to join the Hero Art's 'diecuts' challenge from June 8th to 14th.
I handed this for my father with a father's day gift and a card, it was a week before Father's day though.
I didn't made 12"x12" layout at all lately, so it took 8 hours to finish it.

さて、6/14に、８時間ほどの作業で久しぶりに１２インチレイアウトを作りましたので、遅くなりましたが公開しますぅ（公開するほどの物でもないんですけれども・・・笑）
これは、ずっと整理されずに残っていた両親の旅行時のもので、下方のスナップは、何気ない日常的な様子が写っているガウディ公園を散歩中の二人で、私のお気に入りの写真です。このレイアウトを作りながら、今でも母が生きていてくれたら・・・とちょっと感傷的になってしまいましたが、
今回は、母の他界後、いまひとつ元気のない父の為に作ろうと思い立ち開始したので、涙が出る事もなく何とか完成させました。これをインデックスページにして、残りの写真を整理しようかと・・・。

This is the layout, 'Vacance en Espana'

I chose the photoes of my parents' trip to Spain in the past. The top 2 pic are the palace Alhambra (I love this palace, too!) and the bottom right is my parents taing a walk at the Gaudi park.

The Dots and Flowers stamp were stamped on the photo (on the left above), and the Screen Shadow were for a mazenda flower and two yellow flowers. I also used a bracket stamp and a flower center (this is partly use ot the flower) from the Artistic Borders set.

This is a closeup view around 2 shape put the chipboad sheet.

stamp used:
HA Screen Shadow / K5107
HA Design Blocks Dots and Flowers / S5213
HA Clear Design L Artistic Borders / CL322

Quickutz:
Alphabet (Cookie cutter die) / Magnolia Grand, MaryJane Grand
Alphabet (2"x2" die) / Biographhy Classic (discontinued)
Flower (REV-0035), Flower Arrangement (REV-0031),
Nesting Squares (CC-Square-02)
12" Cookie Cutter Border Dies / Flourish (CC-BDR-001)
A2 Embossing Folder : Diamonds and dots (EF-A2-008)

paper:
Bazzil Basics & American craft Card Stocks,
Basic Grey PP, SEI PP

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black, StazOn / Opaque Cotton White
Ranger Distress Ink / Scattered Straw, Antique Linen
HA Shadow Ink / Soft Blossom, Memories / White
Opaque White & Pigment marker

Accessories:
Basic Grey Glazed Brad & normal brad, thread

Thanks for looking! :)