Monday, February 01, 2016

Celebrating Five Years!


Hi everyone.  Today I'm celebrating five years of blogging. :)  And I'm launching a brand new look for my blog.

I decided to change completely, going from a black background to white.  There's a new Tab at the top with a link to Photo Galleries of my cards by category.  I thought this would be a better search feature than my previous labels.  I hope you'll find it useful.  And I've done some streamlining to create a CAS (clean and simple) look.

The best part of blogging is all the wonderful friends I have made.  Card makers are the most caring and generous group of people I know.  To show my appreciation, I'm having a give-away for my loyal friends and followers.  Please leave a comment on this post before Feb. 7 to be eligible to win.  Five comments will be chosen and each will receive a free stamp set.

For today's card I created a splattered background by flicking my watercolour paper into some diluted distress inks.  Once dry, the tulip stamp was inked with orange and pink distress markers, spritzed with water and stamped onto the background.  I moved the ink around a little with a brush while it was still wet.  Once dry, the leaves on the stamp were inked with distress markers, spritzed with water and stamped.  A small amount of diluted orange and pink inks were splattered over top. The Misti provided a good stamping of the sentiment onto the textured watercolour paper.

Thank you for joining me on my journey into card making.  It's been so much fun and I know there's lots more fun to come! :)

As always, I appreciate you coming by for a visit!







Stamps:  Promise Me (Penny Black); Heartfelt (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, brush, Misti

87 comments:

Hussena said...

Congrats on completing 5 years in blogland .I love the new look of your blog :)... I am not a regular commenter on your blog but your work is really inspiring and I do enjoy dropping by your blog to check out the new techniques which you always share :)Wishing you many more happy years of blogging ahead !!

Bonnie said...

I'm so glad you started blogging, Loll! I hope you'll be blogging for many, many more years! Love these tulips and the splatters! Looks like Spring!

Bonnie said...

Love your new look too!

Mac Mable said...

Firstly congratulations on the 5 years of blogging, I love the inspiration you kindly share with us all x Secondly love the new look CAS style blog. What a beautiful card you've made today, loving the water-colour effect and the splatters. Here's to many more years of blogging. Thank you as always for your inspiration x

Ksenija @Sweet Kobylkin said...

Congrats on your five-year journey into blogland! You are yourself one of the most supportive and gifted persons I have met :) Love your new design, it is much more trendy. Thank you for all inspiration and kind thoughtful comments ;)

Hannelie said...

Congratulation with 5 fabulous years ! I LOVE!!!! the new look! Perfect! Thanks for always inspiring!

Julie B said...

Loving this new look Loll. You were one of the first bloggers to influence and inspire my card making, so thanks for sharing your words of wisdom with us all.
This card is a great example of your cardmaking. :)

Craft-E-Place said...

I love your new blog design. I struggle to read white on black so I'm super excited that you've flipped the background! Stunning header.
Love the card too ... Spring is on the way!
Elaine

Betty said...

congrats on 5 years of blogging and fabulous cards - and love your new look - did you do that yourself? or if not who you used to design it.

Loll said...

Hi Betty. I designed my blog myself. Have always done that. It's so much fun, almost as much fun as making a card. :) xx

Laura said...

I'm not into blogging, but have commented to you just by emailing. I'm not computer-literate at all, so I'm pretty proud that I know how to do that! Your emails are soooo inspiring - one of the first I open every day.

Darlene G said...

Love your new blog, it's so bright and sunny. Thanks for the chance to win. Is there a way to pin your cards from your website? I follow you on pinterest but it's not always easy to find a specific card. Thank you.

Patty said...

Yours was the first blog I started following--I have always loved your cards. Not sure how I found your site but so glad I did.

Unknown said...

Loll,
Congrats on 5 years! I started following your blog a little while back after a friend told me about you and your works of art. I really do enjoy seeing what you come up with.

Anonymous said...

Loll, Congrats to you.. I have been following you for about 3 years. I really appreciate how you find time to answer any questions I have.
My favorites are the C&S cards you make. And I like the tip section on your blog..

Lee-Anne said...

Congrats on five fabulous years my friend! I've learned so many things from you! And oh boy...your new blog design is amazing...love it! Hugs!!!

Cathy said...

Congrats on your 5 years of blogging Loll, looking forward to many more. You've been a huge inspiration to me with you tutorials and willingness to share how you create your amazing cards. I've been enabled many many times! Love your new look too, the white bg does feel more CAS and it's easier for me to read too, Cathy x

Vicki Dutcher said...

LOVE the bold header with the white on your blog! So much easier to read and see your gorgeous cards! :)

Gerry said...

Five years...wow! Congratulations! Love your style. This watercolor card is so pretty. I have got to try watercoloring soon.

Bonnie from Virginia said...

Congrats on 5 years, love the new look and your card!!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

LOVE this card Loll, it has a soft, painterly feel to it! I am also loving this new, fresh look blog! Many congratulations on five years of blogging ... here's to the next five years! Have a lovely evening! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

shirley-bee said...

Congratulations on 5 years of fabulous blogging, Loll! I love the fresh new look (I'm soooooo glad the black has gone, I found it really harsh). Beautiful card (as always!) - I love the soft colours and the splattery background. I may have to invest in a MISTI...

BożenA said...

So I got used to the black frame of your blog that now I feel strange. But it is just as beautiful! I like the new version. Loll, all the best with the fifth anniversary of blogging. I love your blog, and you even more. All the best.
hugs,
BozenA

Donna said...

Congratulations, Loll :)
It's my first blogaversary in a few weeks time...
Love the new layout... and I do mean LOVE.
As for your card... Very pretty. I recognised the stamp straight away and like how you've used it. The softer edge you've given the image makes for a beautiful twist and is so effective.
You rock :)

Kylie said...

Congratulations on 5 years! Great new blog look. Your card is beautiful xx

RitaR said...

Congratulations on your 5 year "blogaversary". I truly love the fresh new look of your blog, Loll! I'm lovin your water color creations, too!

Linda said...

Congratulations on 5 years of blogging ..... here's to many more!!!
Loving the new look .... so bright and cheery. Your card is gorgeous too ... makes me think of spring!! xx

Gramma Sarah said...

Congratulations, Loll on 5 years...has it been that long? I have always loved your inspiration and the watercolor cards are without exception. Also, love the new blog layout. And, lastly, YES on the MISTI. Have had mine for a few months and don't know how I lived without it.

Unknown said...

Many congratulations on your 5th year anniversary and your lovely new layout.....so effective and love your banner heading. Your card is gorgeous - lovr the colours you've used. Please keep on providing us with inspiration......wish I lived near enough to come to your get together!

Hugs.

Karen xxx

bbgeltz said...

Congrats on 5 years. Your new look on your blog is great ... for me it is much easier to read. Thanks!

marilync said...

Your new site looks amazing. I have really enjoyed reading your posts and drooling over your artistic work. Thank you and I hope that you have many more blogging years.

Shirl said...

Hi Loll, Congratulations of blogging for 5 years. Love your style and of course I would love to win something. Thanks for the chance! I do like the new look too.

Shirl

stampindede said...

Good afternoon Loll, I love your cards and use them as inspiration for my own. I look forward to the e-mail showing up in my in-box! Congrats on 5 years of blogging. Thank you for the chance to win a prize too!

Gloria said...

Hello Loll!
Congratulations your five years blogging. Your blog looks so great!
Your tulip card is so beautiful!
I love this watrecolor!
I hope you always happy crafting!

Jeanne H said...

Happy Congratulations on five years of blogging! Good for you. I always love your cards even if I could never do as well. Cuz, you are always inspiring me (and everyone else) to do their best. Thanks ever so much for the videos too!

Ellie Lee said...

Wow! Your new look is certainly dramatically different. Seems more cheerful to me. I've not followed you for long, though I've come to truly be inspired by your creativity. You are one talented artist who is unafraid to try things that are new and different. Thanks for sharing your journey, and for continuing to create beautiful art.

OH Babs said...

Happy five years of blogging Loll. I like the new look but thought the black was sophisticated. Did you do away with your recipes? This is my type of card playing with the watercolor look. The flowers are so soft and then the stark black - a great combo.

nancy littrell said...

I am So impressed with your new header Loll and love the clean look of your white background. Really makes your card pop! I thought you had watercolored your beautiful tulip images, so was surprised that you used the PB stamp, which I have too :-) Your own Smooshed and splattered background and additional splattering over your image made your beauty your own:-)

How amazing that it has been 5 years since you began your wonderfully creative blog, which means we have been the best of friends for 5 1/2 glorious treasured years :-) Congratulations my friend!

With much Love, Nancy

TK said...

Congrats on 5 years! Your card is just beautiful! I love what you've done in your re-arranging.

Mona H said...

Congratulations on 5 yrs of blogging. I love the blog's new look, but I especially love your photo gallery. Thank you for sharing your inspirations, ideas and techniques with us. I love your work and look forward to many more cards.

Janet M said...

Wow, 5 years congrats. I do like the white background better, the black was a little hard to read for me. I like this card because I love orange and pink together.

Karen M said...

Congrats Loll on your five year blog-anniversary and I love the new look to your blog! We are so lucky to have you and your wonderful talent in our lives:) I also love your beautiful card today - hugs xx

Kathi K said...

Loll - you were the first blog I followed when I started 3 years ago, and I still love to see your cards with your CAS style - you just have the right touch! Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary - looking forward to many more cards to come :)

Christine Alexander said...

Loll, I absolutely love your new banner, congrats on your five year anniversary and Keep On Blogging.
Christine

Janet L. said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Love the new look of the blog. Thank you for sharing your techniques and gorgeous cards! Here's to many more years!!

Nandini said...

Congrats on completing 5 years. Love the new look, especially the colourful heading. I have been a follower for a long time and love your style of card making. I also love your tutorials and refer to them often. So, congrats again and looking forward to many more years of gorgeous inspiration!

Carol said...

Congrats on your five years Loll...I'm five next week! Love your card, the splattering looks great behind the stamp. Carol xs

maria f. said...

Oh yeah! Clean. And simple. Me likey lots. Congrats on five years, Loll. We're all the better for it!

Bobbie Bluegill said...

Congrats. I discovered your website about a year ago. It has inspired me, and made my cardmaking much more enjoyable. Love your CAS style and your clear, informative videos.

Toni said...

Love the card and the blog's new look!

Loll said...

Hi Darlene. Sorry I don't have your email so I'm hoping you check back here. I have created photo gallery links (one of the tabs at the top of my blog). They are links to my pinterest boards for each of the card categories. Hopefully you'll find it easier to find specific cards. Loll :)

sandie said...

Fab new look. The header is perfect for you. Congrats on being 5! And your card is a joy. I prefer the white background, it is easier to read. Plus I had a look through your photo section, love this idea, it must have taken ages x

Canonbury creations said...

Another stunning watercolour card Loll, I love tulips! Stunning new look to your blog and many congratulations on your anniversary!
Val x

baileyrosy.com said...

Happy anniversary Loll ! Love the makeover really fresh and bright and here's to many more ! The card is fabulous as always love your watercoloring you are a master at it.

Marie

Karen Dunbrook said...

Big Congrats Loll!! Such a great time to celebrate. Love your new blog...wow, you really did awesome!!!!!
Love your work mf...you inspire.
hugs,
Karen

My Paper Epiphany said...

Congrats on such a wonderful milestone! Such a beautiful card to mark the occasion! hugs

Kirk and Melanie said...

Yaaaayyyy you!! Congrats! I KNOW it is a lot of work to regularly blog! I really appreciate that you take the time to share your lovely work! And I LOVE your refresh! Much happier! Thank you for all you do!

New Creations said...

Congrats on your 5 years of blogging!!! Love the whole fresh new look of your header!
Beautiful distressed BG with pretty stamping! Your creations are always inspirational!
Hugs!

Ingrid said...

Such a beautiful card for a truly wonderful crafter! Congratulations on five years - I love the new look! I'm so thrilled we've had the chance to get to know each other! Here's to many, many more colorful years to come. :)

diana said...

Congrats on 5 years!! I follow your blog using Bloglovin'. I always learn something new, but I tend to lurk rather than comment. I need to change that. ;-)

Marcia Hill said...

What a beautiful card Loll, and congrats on 5 years of blogging! I love your new CAS look on your blog...I just re-did mine too. Change is good...sometimes! But I really do like the new look, and most of all, your CAS cards...you always inspire me and I love following your blog!! :0)

Anonymous said...

Oh my Sweet Friend. Five Years!! Wish I could stick to a diet that long, never mind a blog!! I love my time with you. It's ironic that my first question on seeing the card was: How did you do the background! And your first line was: I did the background,.,.,.,.almost like you knew I would ask!! Congratulations and you know I love "hearing from you" every day including about the family and the grand!! Hugs from the USA and blessings for another wonderful 5 years!!

Margaret said...

Congratulations on your 5th anniversary! Love the new look blog - very easy to navigate around.

gail said...

Congratulations on your 5th year of blogging. I love to visit your blog, you create such wonderful cards and you are always happy to share techniques with others. I love the water colouring on this card xx

Pat said...

Congrats on five years. You are very talented and gracious to share your techniques with us. I always look forward to your new shares. Keep up the great work...love the new look, too.

MaryH said...

Congratulations on your big FIVE Blogaversary! I'm so glad that I found you (thanks to Miss Bonnie) and got to love your awesome work. This is one fab card, looks so free, easy & beautifully done. Also loving your new blog look. The background seems easier on the eyes (well, my eyes anyway), and YAY on the way you've done the tabs. Awesome look, to celebrate a big event. TFS & Many hugs too.

Darnell said...

Whoop! I love it, Lolly! Love, love, love it! And I love your beautifully spritzed card, too! Congratulations on five years of blogging ~ I have learned so much from you and been treated to such gorgeous creations! I hope you have decades more to share with us!! Love and hugs, Dolly (Please don't include me in the draw for your generous prize.)

A Place for Kia said...

Congratulations Loll on 5 years of blogging - and thank you for all you do for bloggers and crafters. I have learned so much thanks to you.

aplaceforkia.blogspot.ca

Nellie said...

Another beautiful card. Congratulations on your 5th blogging anniversary. Here's to another 5. Hugs, Nellie.

Nstiz said...

Love the new design, Loll! Beautifully done and easy to navigate! Your card if fantastic! It can be a gamble when doing this type of stamping and yours turned out wonderful! Love the design of your new blog!

Bobby said...

Congratulations on five wonderful years, Loll. Your new blog banner is so colorful and I like the streamlined design. I also love your lovely tulips with the splatters.

JosieD said...

A big CONGRATS on your 5-year milestone! What a wonderful accomplishment. I follow your blog and have gotten many ideas and inspirations. You are so good and generous at giving specific how-to info. I learn a lot. Please keep up the wonderful contribution you make to this great hobby.
JosieD

JosieD said...

Loll -- Just spent time going through your new blog. The home page is clean and bright. The Photo Gallery Links is super easy to navigate. Must have taken much thought and time but the result is worth it. Thank you!
JosieD

Inkyfingers said...

What a perfect Loll card to share with us on your 5th anniversary! I love it. I've had a good mooch around on the new look blog and think it's fabulous Loll. Your award winning cards section is awesome.
Congratulations my friend and here's to many more more years of enjoyment for you and delight for us.
Hugs
Carol x

Pam Sparks said...

Congrats on 5 years Loll! Love your card and the white blog! :D

Julia Aston said...

Love your new look Loll - at first I thought I was at the wrong blog!! ;) what a wonderful water color card! congrats on your 5 years of blogging creativity! Julia xx

colleen said...

your Clean and sIMPLE STYLE IS LOADS OF FUN.

Rufus said...

Wow, 5 years! Congratulations! Love the new header for your blog. As I've said before, since I subscribe via email I don't come over to the blog as often as I should to tell you how much I enjoy your creations. But had to congratulate you on 5 years of blogging!

Anita in France said...

Wow ... five years ... congratulations, Loll ... love the new look ... so fresh and CAS! Beautiful card ... the soft stamping over the delicate background is just dreamy! Here's to many more wonderful blogging years! Hugs, Anita :)

Susan said...

Wonderful new look for the blog, Loll! And perfect timing as spring is coming soon and your new look is, like spring, very fresh and new (and a great fit with your CAS style).

I really like the Photo Gallery and the way it links to your Pinterest boards so that I can easily see all of your Christmas or Mixed Media cards in one go.

Perfect spring card for the launch of the new look - love the tulips against the splatters.

cm said...

First: Hello wonderful, amazing Loll! Hanging my head in shame at being so behind in commenting; as I mentioned in my recent "poor me" post, life’s been supremely hectic, what with work, travel (which involved work…crazy amounts!), DT commitments (which I’ve fallen behind in, too) and a plethora of other stuff! I hope that my ‘thought bubbles of love’ for all your cards have reached you, because I send them frequently! Starting with a fresh slate with a goal to staying caught up.
Second: the 'make-over' of your blog is fabulous (although your previous version was mighty fine, too). Isn't it nice to have that 'breath of fresh air' feeling when an update happens?
Third: congratulations on 5 years of blogging...and oh, how glad I am that our paths have crossed during this time! Visits here are always a source of inspiration and joy!
And, finally, your tulip card is gorgeous! A welcome sign that Spring is arriving soon...
Hugs~c

Jeri said...

Huge congrats on your 5 years of blogging and your beautiful, beautiful cards. I love the new look of your blog. Perhaps some day our paths will cross in real life. Hope so.

Kris in Alaska said...

Congrats on five years! I'm fairly new to following your blog... only about a year now... and I love the new clean and simple look of your blog! I'm fairly new to blogging myself (and am having a giveaway like you... http://www.alaskaforgetmenotdesigns.blogspot.com/) and know the work it takes to keep one going, although I don't post near as much as you do! Thanks for the inspiration!

Kathy Mc said...

Love your clean, easy-to-read blog and your fabulous creations. You make such beautiful watercolored backdrops for your focal images. This card is fabulous. Congrats on 5 years of blogging, Loll, and looking forward to much more inspiration from you!

Barb Ghig said...

Congrats on your 5 year Blogging Anniversary, Loll! I really love your makeover, and how you've streamlined everything...so bright and fresh! I'm also glad to see so many people stopped by to wish you well...you are such an amazing artist, and an inspiration to us all, my friend!

Case in point ~ This is such a gorgeous card! I sometimes forget to dilute my DI's to create a background until I'm reminded by this beauty! Your flowers are so soft and lovely, and work perfectly with your background! Fabulous, as always!

Brenda said...

Happy 5th year Anniversary Loll!! I love the new look and noticed it right away. I almost thought I was on another blog at first. lol Your blog is always a great place to come for inspiration and to see such fabulous and unique cards. I love this card, your background looks like stone! The flowers look so beautiful on top of the background. Your sentiment is nice and bold and just finishes off this card perfectly. Hugs, Brenda

Susan Joyce said...

Love the new look, Happy 5th Blog Anniversary Loll.