A message from Alena's husband Seth Hartman

Hello everyone,

I Alena's Husband Seth Hartman am sad to report that Alena has passed away. She lost her battle against breast cancer on 7-31-09, the day she was born into heaven, which just happened to be my birthday. I thank God for the gift of her in my life. I have been dealing with a broken heart and have found that this is the deepest kind of hurt that I have ever felt. I Loved her so dearly that I really don't know how to live alone yet. I miss her so much!

Alena was my perfect match! She completed me and was my soulmate. We were both so very happy to have found each other. This life is too short and my time with her was so very short. I struggle with the idea that she is gone. However, I know that I will see her again and the spirit of her will always have a part of my heart. She believed that Jesus was her savior and she is now with Christ in heaven and no longer hurting. She loved her friends and family so much and I know that she would want God to Bless you all. Stay true to your loved ones and never forget to love on those when ever you can. Because you never know when they will be gone.

Thanks for loving this beautiful lady the way you all did!

Seth

Blog Candy!

Howdy everyone, 

IMPRESSION-OBSESSION is offering a $25 gift certificate
as blog candy this month!

So, head on over to Shirley's Blog to enter:

http://cardartetc.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

Alena 

I met Judi from Judikins!

Hi everyone, 

I just got back from the Rubber Stamp Convention

in Sacramento CA. I was so excited to meet Judi from

Judikins. You can find her sight here:

http://www.judikins.com/. 

She is such a sweet person and her demos were amazing. I had a hard time not wanting to buy everything she was showing us. 

Hope all of the Moms out there had a fantastic Mother's Day. 

Enjoy!

Alena 

Flopsey Flowers

Hi everyone,  I just received Flopsey Flowers from My Favorite Things, and decided to experiment. This card took me 2 nights to make. LOL. My brain just wouldn't give me any ideas. I must have stamped Flopsey about 10 times before I was done. It took 7 of the flowers to cover the circle. I colored the flowers with the Stampin Up Aqua painter and Pink passion, then used the Prismacolor markers Process Red and Henna closer to the center, and then made white dots with a white Gel Pen. The circle was cut out using my Cuttlebug and a 2 1/2 inch Circle Nestabilities. The Missing You Bunches saying was stamped with Craft White and clear embossing powder, on Onyx Black CS from Gina K Designs. I love the Double Ended Tags from Spellbinders. I probably use them too much. 

I'm not sure if I like how the inside turned out, but I like the front of the card. I was trying to make it look like Flopsey was not on snow, but a grassy hill, and I couldn't figure out how to do that on black card stock. I ripped out a hill shape from a paper towel and used that as a mask, then I sponged Stampin Up's Craft White, and then sponged Green Galore on the hill, then I stamped The flowers from Trees Three with Pink passion and then Versa Mark and then embossed it with fine, clear embossing powder.  Flopsey is cut out and His ears are actually colored pink, but the photo didn't show it. I then cut out another Flopsey and taped him on top to mask him from the leaves. The leaves are stamped with Craft White and then embossed with Clear Powder. 

This is a photo of most everything that I used. Flopsey got really stained since I used the Palette Noir Black Ink, but it's just staining. Flopsey will stamp just as good for many, many years. 

The silk flowers started out white. They are from the Stampin Up Pretties Kit. Painted them with Shimmerz Blingz in Hottie Pink and Pixie Dust. Also from My Favorite Things. They dried pretty fast and I love the way they sparkle. Plus, I was surprised that I only needed one coat to get complete color saturation. I also used the Aqua Painter a little on the bigger flower. I dipped the brush into the ink from the lid of the Pink Passion Ink and ran it down the lines of the flower to make it look a little more pink, instead of just white. 

Here's all of the stuff used, if you are interested:

Stamps Used: Stampin Up "God's Beauty," My Favorite Things "Flopsey Flowers."

Paper Used: Gina K Designs (Card & Saying) "Black Onyx," & (Flopsey & Flowers ) "Pure White." Front of card is Stampin Up "Confetti White." 

Ink Used: Palette Hybrid Inkpad in "Noir Black." Versamark, Stampin Up "Pink Passion, Craft White, & Green Galore."

Accessories Used: Stampin Up Pretties Kit (Silk Flowers & Diamond Brad,)  Aqua Painter, and Antique Brads in Black. Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle and Double Ended Tags. Cuttlebug. Prismacolor Markers in Process Red, Henna (Flowers) and Brick Beige on Flopsey a little for shading. Pink Tombow Marker on Flopsey's ears. Zig 2 Way Glue to glue the flowers on the circle and to glue Flopsey to the inside. I can't forget to add my Scor-Pal. I not only use it to fold the card in half, but it does make an excellent work surface. I wasn't paid to say that either, just a happy customer. :o)

The End.

Enjoy, 

Alena

Music Expression

Hi Everyone, 

it has been forever since I have made a new card. 

I seem to be tolerating the new chemo that I'm on, it just makes me really tired, so I haven't felt like stamping much. I figured I better get my butt in there and stamp something. I just received this new set called "Music Expression," and I really like it. I got the jumbo roller too, but I haven't used it yet. 

I don't know if you all are interested in all of the colors and stuff that I used. Let me know in the comment section if you like that info. 

Here's a close up, in case you can't tell that stamped the Violin twice, then I cut one out and raised it up with Pop Dots. 

Here's all of the stats, in case you are interested. 

Stamps used: Stampin Up "Music Expression," and Thinking of you saying is from the "Birds on a Branch" set. Background is the French Script. 

Paper: Stampin up Natural Ivory, Bashful Blue, and Creamy Caramel.

Ink: Stampin Up Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, and Palette's Noir Black. 

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Colorless blender pencil, Canary Yellow on the Flower, Light Cerulean Blue and Ultra Marine, on the bird, Pale Vermillion on the butterfly, Blush Pink and Crimson Red on the roses, Light Aqua on the dragonfly, Olive Green on the Leaves, Sienna Brown Pencil and Cinnamon Toast Prismacolor Marker on the Violin. Pop Dots, Stampin UP Vintage Brads, Spellbinders Double Ended Tags, ran through my Cuttlebug. 

I hope I didn't forget anything. Let me know if you have any questions.

The End. 

Enjoy, 

Alena :o)

Hudge Magnolia Blog Candy Give Away

Have you been over to Claudia's Blog yet? She's having a huge Magnolia Blog Candy Give Away. You can check it out here:

http://www.rosaswelt.blogspot.com/.

I love Magnolia stamps. Such great detail. 

Good luck!!

Hugs, 

Alena :o)

Hi everyone, it has been forever since I have made anything to share with all of you. I apologize for that. I have been making a lot of trips down to San Francisco to see a new Oncologists at UCSF. So, I haven't had much time to stamp. I sure do miss it. They are trying to figure out a new chemo to put me that will hopefully work. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying. 

This card, was from a Valentine's Day Swap for one of the few stamping groups that I belong to. I don't know if you can see it in the photo, but I ran the edges of the Whisper White CS over the Real Red Ink pad, so it would pop out more.

Here's all of the info about it, if you are interested.

 

Stamps Used: Stampin Up "Love You Much," & "Loads of Love."

Card Stock: Stampin Up "Real Red," & "Whisper White," & "Stampin Up Love You Much Bundle Patterned Paper."

Ink: Stampin Up "Real Red." Palette Hybrid Ink in "Noir Black."

Accessories: Stampin Up Ticket Corner Punch, Prima Red Flower from Michael's, Prismacolor Markers. 

I hope that's everything. If you have any questions, just ask. I love you guys and hope you have a great week. 

Alena :o)

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here and kicking. They put me on a new chemo drug this last Monday and it has been making me really sick. So, I have decided not to take it any longer. I see the Oncologist this Monday to see what the next steps will be. All I know, is if I'm too sick to not be able to stamp, then it isn't worth it. 

I found this cute pug image while surfing. I hope it brings a smile to your face as it did mine. 

Hugs, 

Alena :o)

Welsh Corgi

Hi everyone, this is a card I made for my fiance's sister. 

She raises Welsh Corgis. One Christmas, I almost came home with one, 

but decided that I needed the $500.00 more. She normally sells them for $800.00, so I guess the 500 was a deal. Yikes!! Think of all of the stamping supplies that could be bought with that. LOL....

Any ways, my Dad informed me that the footprints on my card were Cat prints, so I guess I need to find some dog prints. I thought it was cute either way. 

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: The Stampin Place = Corgi, Paw prints are unknown. 

Inks: Stampin Up Baroque Burgundy (Retired) Paw Prints, & Corgi = Close to Cocoa.

Paper: Stampin Up Naturals Ivy, and Whisper White. 

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Dew Drops, Stampin up Baroque Burgundy Ribbon (Retired), Mini Glue Dots, Prismacolor Markers used on Corgi = Blondwood on rear, Deco Pink on tongue, and Light Tan for the Body, and then Light tan again on the highlight areas, and lightened in the ears with the Colorless blender. Sponged Baroque Burgundy on the Whisper White panel, while keeping the circle nestability in place as a mask. Scotch Double Stick tape, to put it all together. 

Enjoy,

Alena 

Hi everyone, I hope all of you had a good Christmas. 

I have to apologize for not being around much. My chemo treatments have been making me really tired, so I haven't had much energy to stamp anything new. 

Plus, I have something called Ascites, which is a build up of fluid in the Peritoneal cavity. This fluid builds up so much so that I have to go to the hospital to get it drained every 5 to 7 days. They usually get a little over 3 1/2 liters out of me. The chemo doesn't seem to be working, so they will switch the kind of chemo that I'm on, next week, or when my oncologists gets back from India. 

Any ways, I just wanted to share with you all, a photo of my parrot Merlin. He's a Senegal and about 4 years old. He's too funny, and loves to sit under the head rest cover on the recliner. He's very needy and screams when I leave the room, but I love him any ways. LOL....

I hope all of you have a Happy New Year.

Hugs, 

Alena :o)

Hi Gang, thank you for all of you that left comments about my Christmas cards. The consensus was the Snowman card being reserved for my special people that will appreciate my efforts. Then the other two and a few extras will be for everyone else. 

Any ways, here's another Christmas card I just made. I love this Owl made by Pamela at Firecracker Designs. The santa hat is a stamp from

Coronado Island Company.   Sorry, no photos along the way. But, above are the supplies that I used. If you actually want to know how I did something, then ask, and I'll be happy to let you know. 

Here's the specs: 

Stamps Used: Stampin Up = The snowflakes from Trees Three, and the Merry & Bright saying from All Yea Cheer I, Firecracker Designs by Pamela, and Coronado Island Co. 

Paper Used: Stampin Up Whisper White, & Pacific Point.

Ink Used: Stampin Up Baja Breeze, and Pacific Point, and Versamark and Palette Noir Black. 

Accessories: Prismacolor Markers, Crimson Red, Mahogany Red, Light Cerulean blue, colorless blender for the Santa Hat. Then, Cool Grey 10%, Buff, Sand, Cool Grey 30%, Black for the Owl. Hodgepodge Hardware from Stampin Up. Ranger fine detail embossing powder. Sponge, brayer, scissors, Fiskars Glue Pen, and Scotch Double stick tape.  Last but not least, my Scorpal.

Hugs to all, 

Alena :o)

Christmas Cards

Hi everyone, 

I did a test run on some Christmas cards, trying to figure out which ones I liked the best. So I thought I would ask you guys . Which card is your favorite. Then, that will be my card that I send to my friends and family. 

Sorry I don't have tutorials for these. I'll try to remember what I used though. The photo of the Markers are the ones I used on the card with the Snowman. 

Card # 1 Red & White Card. 

Stamps Used: Stampin Up = "Best Yet" Christmas Saying, "Background Basics," HamptonArt.com Acrylic Candy stamp set.

Ink Used: StazOn Jet Black, and Stampin Up Real Red.

Paper Used: Stampin Up Real Red, and Glossy White.

Accessories: Sponge, scissors, double stick tape.

Card # 2 Snowman with Critters.

Stamps Used: The Stampin Place Snowman and Critters. 

Inks Used: Palette Noir Black, Stampin Up Baja Breeze, & Pacific Point, and VersaMark. 

Paper Used: Stampin Up Whisper White, & Pacific Point. 

Accessories: Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen. Prismacolor Markers seen in photos above. Frrom Left to Right, Colorless Blender, Flagstone Red, Sand, Cool Grey 70%, Cool Grey 80%, Cool Grey 10%, Mahogany Red, Crimson Red, Sienna Brown, Dark Brown, Black, Orange, Burnt Ocre, Pale Vermillion, Sky Blue Light, True Blue.

Scotch Double Stick Tape, Ranger Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder.

Card # 3 Ornament With Owls

Stamps Used: Gina K. Designs Winter Foliage. The Stampin Place Ornament. Great Impressions   Owls stamp # F378.

Inks Used: Stampin UP Black, Always Artichoke, and Chocolate Chip.

Paper Used: Always Artichoke & Chocolate Chip. 

Accessories Used: Zig Painty Zilver pen. Prismacolor Markers = Crimson Red, SiennaBrown, Dark Brown, White Gel Pen. Scotch Double Stick tape. 

I hope all of that makes sense. 

Hugs to all, 

Alena 

Well, I didn't win the House Mouse contest. I'm totally bummed and don't feel like playing in anything ever again. How's that for a poor loser. I never win anything. Poop. :o( Does that mean that I really suck, or that there are a ton of other people entering too, and being hit with lightening is more likely than winning? hehehe.

Any ways, the winner card is above, my house mouse card is below. I still like my card better, so that's all that matters. The winner's name is Beth Scott. You can see her gallery here.

Hugs, 

Alena

Hi everyone, 

sorry about not posting a card today. I had to undergo chemo and then parencentesis which is a procedure where they stick a needle in the side of my stomach to drain the extra fluid out of the cavity. Fun stuff huh? I wish that they knew what was causing the extra fluid to build up, but they don't. They just say that it's all part of being stage 4 cancer. The chemo does slow it down, so that's good. 

I did find a JoAnn's Fabric store locally. I didn't know that we had one. The stamping section was kind of hurting, but I ended buying 2 of the $1.00 sets that were clear and for Christmas. Oh, and at Michael's I finally bought a "Stamp-in-ma-jig." That should be fun to use. Maybe my stamping will be neater now. LOL....

Until next time, 

Hugs, 

Alena :o)

Hi everyone, 

I couldn't sleep last night, so I decided to play in my stamp room. This is the biggest card that I have ever made. The finished card measures 6 4/8 x 6 7/8. I'm not big on accurate measurements. LOL.....I kind of eyeball a lot of stuff. The Polar Bear stamp from Coronado Island is huge. Probably the biggest stamp that I have. So much so, that I had to use a wood stamp to stamp with it, since I don't own an acrylic block big enough. Any ways, here's all of the specs, in case anyone was curious. 

Stamps Used: Coronado Island Design = Polar Bear & Santa Hat, Inkadinkado Flourishes, Stampin Up = Lots of Thought. 

Paper Used: Stampin Up Whisper White, Basic Black, Baja Breeze.

Inks Used: Palette Noir Black, Stampin Up Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy. 

Accessories: Prismacolor Markers in Scarlet Lake, Mahogany Red, Cool Grey 10%, Eggshell, Colorless Blender. Marvy Metallics = Silver. Scotch Double Stick Tape, and Fiskars Glue Pen. 

First stamped the Polar Bear with Palette's Noir Black on Whisper White, then stamped it again, and cut it out to use as a mask later. 

Colored the Polar Bear with Marvy Markers with the color Eggshell. I actually colored the marker first on to my acrylic block, then picked up the color with the Colorless Blender, so the color wouldn't be so dark. You probably can't see it in the photo, but it's a really light eggshell color.

Colored directly on to acrylic block. 

Cut out my Polar Bear mask and lightly taped it to the first image. I just used a piece of double stick tape under the middle of the mask, but stuck it to my jeans a few times, so it wouldn't be as sticky, and rip the paper when I take the mask off. 

Then I put a post-it note a little above the middle of the image, making sure that it was straight.

Brayered Baja Breeze on the exposed area, then sponged baja breeze around the Polar Bear's head to cover up the white part that the brayer didn't get. If you under cut your mask a little, it won't leave much white behind, when you brayer over it. Then I brayered Not Quite Navy on the top half of the card and then sponged it a little more to get rid of the brayer lines. 

Remove the Post-it note and lightly sponge baja breeze over the rest of the snow area, then you can remove the mask when you get it how you like it. The yellowish part that you see in the photo was just some extra color left on my sponge. I covered it up in the end, with the saying. 

I used a ruler to apply the silver to the edges. I first tried it free hand, but I can't ever get it straight, so I ended using the ruler. 

Then I stamped the Santa Hat with Palette's Noir Black ink. 

Colored it first with Scarlet Red, and before it dried, went in to the darker areas and shaded it with the Mahogany Red. Then I colored the white part of the hat with Cool Grey 10% on the edges and then used the colorless blender to bring it to the rest of the white part. 

Then I cut it out, and glued it to the Polar Bear's head with a Fiskar's glue pen. 

I thought it was still a little plain looking, so I stamped the Inkadinkado Flourishes around the right and top edges with Baja Breeze. 

Then I stamped the Stampin Up "Lots of Thoughts" saying, Merry Wishes on to Whisper White CS and sponged some Baja Breeze on it, and then layered over Basic Black and Baja Breeze CS. 

Then I assembled it over Basic Black and Baja Breeze. 

The End. 

I hope you enjoyed. 

Hugs, 

Alena :o)