Feb 28, 2018

Birthday Love





This card is for my husband. It was so hard to photograph that I took a closeup to try and show the gold. And embossing never gets old...


1. Drew a heart in pencil on watercolor paper. Thought about tracing a heart die but decided on a free form heart. Covered with an anti-static pouch.
2. Stamped a sentiment from the Stamp Market in Versafine Onyx.
3. Embossed with clear powder.
4. Painted the heart with water and let dry partially.
5. Painted with Warm Lipstick, Abandoned Coral, and Candy Apple Distress Oxide inks. I just rubbed the ink pads on an acrylic block and picked up with a damp brush.
6. Let dry and erased the penciled in heart.
7. Added Gold Acrylic paint from Target.
8. Added speckles from Nuvo Black Crystal drops, gold, and Warm Lipstick ink.
9. Felt like it needed something. Added washi tape, removed washi tape. Pondered and eventually left it alone.

MOOD WHEN DONE = Happy!

As the years go by, I'm enjoying using fewer products on my cards. Pretty soon I'll be sending out just envelopes! I feel like I finally found my style. It may not be trendy, but I am enjoying trying out new things.

And on a personal note, my husband retired from the Federal government last week. Of course whenever anyone retires, people say nice things. The nicest thing I heard during his retirement party was that Mike is an honorable man, who always was fair and honest. So proud of him.

And on a more personal note, I learned a few weeks ago that my heart surgery was not 100% successful. Sigh. So in a burst of pity, I impulsively bought a Silhouette Cameo (I know that makes no sense!).

Since then, I've gone through anger and depression and have come out on the good side of gratitude. I'm still better than I was before surgery, and moving forward enjoying my life. I'm not letting this get me down. Now, I just have to learn to use the Cameo... .

25 comments:

None None said...

What a gorgeous card, Joan! I love the free form heart you created - so much more organic and inspired (and from the heart!). I'm sure your husband is going to adore and treasure this card. I love the gold shimmer you added and the flecks which up the masculine factor. Best wishes to him on his retirement!

So sorry to hear that your heart surgery was not 100% successful, but like you said you are better than you were before and are moving forward with enjoying life. One day at a time! Good luck withe the Cameo... I had a Silhouette Portrait and after too much frustration with it it, I gifted it to my sister-in-law who loves it. At least someone is getting good use of out of it. Leave me to my paper and ink. :)

Cat Craig said...

Joan, love this card. It is fabulous all the little touches look like they need to be there that they complete the vision. What a wonderful thing to hear about your husband - of course you already knew that but nice that others do as well. Sorry to hear your surgery wasn't 100%; glad you have worked your way through the disappointment. As far as your Cameo goes...almost any question you come up against can be found at the Silhouette School blog. Fabulous resource. Good luck.

Betty said...

your card is wonderful Joan - so many nice touches like the gold and the spatters. sorry to hear about the heart not being at 100% but think about it as being say 80%(or whatever) better - i just bought myself some polychomos pencils to reward myself for keeping up with my physical therapy - can't walk very well, but i sure can sit and color!!

merryf said...

Oh Joan. I'm so sorry to hear that the surgery wasn't 100 percent. This must have been so difficult for you to hear, especially after all that you've gone through. But it sounds like you are much improved, and that was the goal. Moving on with your life is a very good plan. This card is gorgeous and you were absolutely right to draw the heart yourself -- I love the free-form look! Also, I had no idea Target sells gold acrylic paint and now I might just have to go get some. Big big hugs from me, always

Diana K said...

Happy birthday to Mike, he’s a very lucky man. So disappointing about the surgery but think of it this way - you’ve been doing more than you had, so that’s a good thing. P.S. Is it bad that I understand the Silhouette logic, LOL?

Elaine C said...

I absolutely love your card, Joan...it's so personal and creative. I like all the specks you added and I like that you detail all your steps. I'm sorry to hear that the surgery wasn't all you'd hoped for, but your attitude in moving forward is so positive. You certainly deserve that Silhouette!

Leslie Miller said...

Well, darn, that must have been hard to hear about your surgery. I wonder what that means? I can imagine the anger and depression after all you went through. You're not one to give yourself over to the negative feelings for too long, as that's just no way to live. You got that behind you and now you're looking forward and I'm glad to hear it. A new Silhouette is a great diversion. I've seen some pretty fantastic things done with it. Congratulations to Mike on his retirement! His birthday, too? My husband retired on his birthday 5 years ago. What a great present! I would have guessed that about Mike after all these years of following you. Honest and fair.

Now, about your card -- your hand drawn heart is way better than anything you might have stamped or stenciled. Beautifully watercolored and I love the brushes of gold and the embossing. The splatters, too. No Washi tape required here. Your comment about sending out only envelopes cracked me up! You know how I admire your CAS style and I love that I can depend on seeing it here. I can't seem to settle on a style, sigh... I'm all jumbled up. Take care, Joan, and enjoy!

Lueyes said...

Dear Joan,
Love you, love Mike, love your blog! You are an inspiration to us all. I have followed you since your mother was alive and enjoyed every minute of it. Miss hearing about your son, but I expect he likes his privacy. Congratulations to Mike on his retirement. That'll be nice for you both. Sorry to hear about your heart, but hope things continue to go well. A supportive husband is always a help. Thanks for bringing such enjoyment into my life.
XO Louise
PS. I also love Mike's birthday card.

LauraJane:) said...

Great card Joan! And happy Birthday and Retirement to Mike:))... My DH retired last year and we are all enjoying having the "Principal" of our homeschool be more a part of our homeschool journey!!
Sorry to hear about your surgery not being 100% successful...keep enjoying what you DO have:) that Cameo may prove be more frustrating than the heart situation. Big hugs!

TK said...

Your card is perfect, and I'm so glad you free-formed the heart and left the washi out -- it speaks perfectly! Congrats to your husband, and what an honor to have a sentiment like that spoke about it -- pride is approved with that sentiment!
So sorry your surgery didn't work 100% but so glad you continue to live life and enjoy it to the fullest. We love seeing your creations, reading your creations and so glad you share with us!

Sabrina said...

What a lovely thing to have said about your husband, because that's not the sort of thing anyone would say unless they really meant it.

Bummer about the heart. But well done on moving through the depression and on out the other side. One of our best friends had a lung transplant two years ago, with a couple of complications along the way so it hasn't always been an easy journey and the drug regime is a daily chore. But he's still alive, and well enough to travel a bit, which beats the alternative! Have fun learning the Cameo.

Gorgeous card, BTW.

MyLittleBlueDog said...

Happy birthday Mike. Enjoy your retirement. Now you have time to do all that stuff you never had time for! Take time to relax. So sorry for your disappointment Joan, I'm not sure what they meant about your operation, I never thought anything was 100%, I hope it is no impediment to you continuing to enjoy your life. You've come so far and improved so much. I'm not familiar with the Cameo but any excuse to try some new whizz bang device, hope it is not too frustrating to learn how it works. Good luck.

vdoyle8 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
vdoyle8 said...

absolutely love not only your card, but your style! I will continue my prayers for your good health. I'm sorry the surgery wasn't 100% - that sucks.
Enjoy retirement with your husband. My husband is threatening to retire. I wonder what that stage of life will look like. I am not a fan of change. I'm very disappointed in my children for growing up so I'm not looking forward to retirement lol.
I love my Cameo. I didn't find it difficult to learn and I'm no techno genius. I originally wanted it for scrapbooking but now find it a good alternative to buying tons of dies. Admittedly, it is easier to pop a die into the big shot but they are pricey. With retirement looming (eye roll), I'm trying to find cost effective alternatives.

Joan B said...

Having my husband home is so different!!! He gets more done in 2 hours than I do all day!

Joan B said...

thank you. I am doing well enough!

Joan B said...

oh wow, a lung transplant is so serious. I hope he continues to thrive.

Joan B said...

thank you!!

Joan B said...

so far I'm done nothing with the Cameo other than try and set it up. The thing is huge!! I had no idea it would be this big. But I am looking forward to figuring it out

Joan B said...

thank you so very much!!

Joan B said...

thanks! the doc doesn't say much unless I ask and I didn't ask much. I'm at the "let's just enjoy life stage" and worry about the future tomorrow (not succeeding at that though!!)

Joan B said...

I figured my fellow crafters would understand my logic! HA

vdoyle8 said...

Hmmm ... I wonder if my husband would be like that? I worry because he doesn't have any hobbys at all - work is it. Worrying won't change anything - maybe I'll just go have a piece of chocolate and break out the watercolors!

katrynka said...

So funny about just sending envelopes! Congrats on husbands retirement. So sorry to hear about the surgery😟. I'm working on dealing with anxiety from multiple retina detachments, one in one eye, two in the other.

katrynka said...

katrynkaATgmailDOTcom if you want it😊