Monday, April 29, 2013

With Sympathy

I was asked to make some sympathy cards to sell at the store where I teach card making and, with my mojo taking a nap (I'm envious) I turned to Pinterest for some inspiration.  I found a wonderful simply card from a blog called Fresh and Few that caught my attention.  I pulled out some paper from my stash that's ancient, my A\Muse Studios stamps called Beautiful Botanicals 2, and a Red Rubber Designs set called Contemporary Greetings.  Ready???


I made 4 of these but still need to stamp the insides and stamp some matching envelopes before packaging to sell.


I got out my Scor-Buddy ( you know, the baby Scor-Pal) and added some design to the cards.  The double lines go all the way around.  I like how theses turned out and I love Pinterest for the great inspiration!  Ok, mojo, you can wake up now.... 

Friday, April 26, 2013

A Tub of Stamps

A couple weeks ago a new Ace Hardware opened in Sahaurita, AZ (just north of Green Valley) and we decided to check it out.  I got to visiting with Lori, a gal that works there.  One thing led to another and the following is what she gave me....


This tub is about 1' deep and 3/4 full of stamps from Stampin' Up!, DOTS, Rubber Stampede, Stampscapes, and many many more!!!  Oh my gosh!!!  I was definitely in the right place at the right time!  And I think I used to have a couple of these back when I started stamping almost 20 years ago!!


Here's just a SMALL sample of some of the stamps.  Quite a few of the SU! sets were not even mounted!!!   I will be sorting out what I don't want to consign at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ. A gal from the church we attend gave me a large baggie of stamps a few months ago so I'll have to find them to add to these to sell.  But I did get a card made for my dad's birthday this weekend....


I did a bit of color blocking to use up some scraps.  No, it didn't even make a dent in my scrap pile.  The stamps are all by The Angel Company.  My dad likes baseball and golf but I've given him so many golf themed cards over the years I just had to do something different....  We'll be going out to dinner at the Silver Saddle Steak House Saturday night along with friends to celebrate his day.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

WOYWW 203 And More Chicken Wire

Ah..... Wednesday.  A great day to hop around viewing great desks on crafters' desks and get fun ideas and inspiration.  This tour is courtesy of Julia D on the Stamping Ground blog.  I don't get a lot of looking done but I do enjoy having my coffee or water and taking a little look when I can.  Do you remember my horrible closet last week?  That picture helped me get it cleaned up and a little organized.  But just a little.  I did have a couple bags to toss into the trash and recycle bin.  I really need to go through the 7 totes and do more sorting and tossing but at least when I'm ready I can get to them!


I have so many craft things to play with that I could open a store!!!  Maybe I'll do some blog candy one of these days....  Anyway, top right there is about 7 The Angel Company bags from annual conventions when I was an independent consultant with them.  I'm missing 2 bags but I think I know where they are.  The red one you see was made by a former angel to hold our catalogs with one in the "cover".  Top left are 2 aprons and my Scor-Pal bag. I have 2 shelves loaded with  magazines and other craft stuff.  Maybe now that I can get to stuff I might play more! But, with all this cleaning my desk got nailed.  Need to get it cleaned...


More scraps of paper, punches to be put away, new stamps to play with. Maybe tomorrow it'll look better.
And are you ready to see my last Inside Out card for my May 8 class??


I have the Cheery Lynn Designs chicken wire die and, by golly, I got it to work with the Big Shot!  Yahoo!  Again I used the Cowlik Birthday stamp set from Hero Arts and Copic markes.


I tried to get close enough that you can see the designs on the wire.  If you look close you can.


And it's a birthday card!  The text is from a Lawn Fawn set called Happy Everything.  I wonder if this class will be a go.  I've had 4 classes cancelled but most my "students" have gone back north to their homes.  Sure is discouraging to come up with classes but I have to be prepared for 2 a month.  Any suggestions for my 2nd May class?  And please don't forgot to click on Julia's blog at the top of this post to get to all the links for other desks!  It's pretty easy to spend an hour or two looking!

Monday, April 22, 2013

Chicken Wire and Veggies

How's that for a post title??  Kinda weird but catchy.  Ready to see why I titled this post that way?  I've been working on my last 2 samples for my May 8 class and here's the 2nd of 3.


Yep, the background is again using the Cuttlebug Chicken Wire embossing folder.  I swiped the raised design with blue ink that mostly matches my blue card base.  The veggies are from the Cowlik Birthday set by Stampendous and I also used the Nesties Labels 3 and a 2" circle punch.


Here's a closer look, well, a little closer anyway.  I colored the veggies with my Copic markers and used a technique I learned from Technique Junkies (can't think of the name right now....).


And the inside of the Inside Out design.  The text is from the Say It All set by Hero Arts.  You can't really tell that the center yellow part is raised or popped up and I don't have a side view. This design is from the Move It CD from Technique Junkies.  I still need to come up with a 2nd May class but I also need to finish a mess of birthday cards and I got a new stamp set in from A|Muse Studios that I want to play with.  Guess I'll be getting some of these things done later today.

I am thankful that the spam and porn comments have greatly dropped off but so has my daily hits. I'll accept the trade off gratefully!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Hay There! It's Inside Out!!

This morning after getting home from working out at Curves I got busy on a card.  Actually I need to complete 2 more for my Inside Out class at the AZ Scrapbooking store scheduled for May 8.  I have a stamp set called Cowlik Birthday made by Stampendous that I just love (wished it was rubber and not clear).


I embossed with the Chicken Wire folder by Cuttlebug and used a Spellbinder Nestibilities  Labels 11 die and my Corner Chomper for the cover elements.


Here's the inside.  The red center is raised up but this view isn't really showing that as clear as I'd like.  I learned this design from the Move It CD by Technique Junkies.  And Pat H, the owner of T.J. recently emailed me that she's "pinned" some of my projects!!  I'm so honored to be pinned!!!  Oh my!  Anyway, I also just got my George Strait 22 More Hits CD.  His smooth mellow voice does make it a bit difficult to concentrate. (sigh....)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

My Favorite F Word and My Closet

F Word!!!  Yes, you read that right!!  And my closet... oh my!  Today is Wednesday and I took a picture of my closet that is absolutely terrifying!  I thought it'd be "perfect" to use as a bad example and maybe give me incentive to clean it up.  This picture is in honor of Julia's Stamping Ground weekly blog hop that I have not been participating in much lately.  After reading my post I HIGHLY recommend you click on the link at the bottom of this post and take a look at other crafters' desks for some great projects, organizing tips, and more!  But here's my closet just to the right of my desk....


Isn't this just frightful!!!  I REALLY need to organize!  But every time I look at it I shudder and look away!  And my desk isn't much better. LOL! I can easily find something else to do... like get some samples made for my May classes or cards ready to sell, or just play!  And here's what I've been playing with lately...


This card is made using stamps (Fabulous You) from Red Rubber Designs.  I used some paper from
RRD called Miss Moxie... I love the bright colors.  And inside you'll find my F word....


Did I have you worried?  But I bet you were wondering just where I was going! And this card design is one of the many on the Move It CD by Technique Junkies!!!


I did add some itty bitty rhinestones to the earrings and to the ring on her finger. I colored with Copics and, I know, I really need to get some practice time in! Now, please head over to the Stamping Ground after leaving me a comment (which are moderated) and view some more work areas!  Lately that the vast majority of pornographic/sexual comments have diminished (much to my relief!) so no word verification at this time for those of you who comment.

I just noticed that I have a lot of links on this post.  But I do want you to be able to check out the items I'm playing with when I can.  Hopefully I have this set up so that a new window opens when you click on a link.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Feathers on my card

I picked up some feathers the other day at the AZ Scrapbooking to use on a card for their FaceBook page. I used a stamp by Copper Leaf Creations and some scrap paper that had a southwest theme (at least to me).  I even used my Big Shot for the FIRST time!  I had a bit of a problem embossing but used a very thin acrylic sheet from my Wizard and it worked perfectly!


The feathers are just gorgeous... a bit expensive but rather worth it.  I colored with Copics but did not try to shade or get fancy.


Here you can see some of the iridescence in the feathers.  The top one didn't anchor very good with the scotch tape I used behind the vase so will have to possibly add a glue dot to keep it in.


We have quite a few hummingbirds visit us and they come in such a variety of colors.  My favorites are the grey with red throats. In real life this little guy looks almost blue on the card.  I don't think I'll take this card in to the store as I purchased all but the stamp - which I borrowed as I needed to use store stamps and paper. I do think she's out of this particular pattern but I did purchase it there.

I do have a pack of really cheap feathers somewhere in a drawer.  I may need to play with them again.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Roses and Big Shots

You know,  I really need to get better at post titles.  I just get to simple and uninspired when I do my titles.  But anyway....   The AZ Scrapbooking store owner, Debi, asked me to make some samples using a paper pack by Pebbles called Basics.  It has 18 designs, 36 pages of 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" card stocks that are prescored to make the standard A2 sized card.  I used a stamp set by Inky Antics called Rose and another set by Hero Arts called Say It All....





It's hard to see the rose in the second card.... I embossed it with white embossing powder then used sponges and inks to color.  I should have taken a close up but it's already in the store to promote the paper.  I did use a tissue to get some of the ink color off the embossing but the color was just too vivid.

And recently I purchased some intricate dies by Cheery Lynn Designs.  I have had a horrible time getting the French Lattice die to work in my Wizard.  I've been in contact with Dave Dywann of DieCutsCentral who made the dies for Cheery Lynn (he's the guy in the video on C.L.'s website) and he couldn't get the dies to work in his Wizard either.  Needless to say... I had to purchase a new tool...


I love my 2nd generation purple Wizard but now I have to learn this brute.  I got it yesterday but have yet to play with it.  Guess I need to go to their website to get the correct "sandwiches" for my dies.  I still have some of the original little red Sizzix dies that I just love!  They do work in the Wizard so I doubt that I'll try to sell it at this time.   I purchased my Wizard back in 2006 when my favorite stamping store in Casper, WY closed.  I got a good deal on it and had a buyer for my little red Sizzix machine.  The Big Shot was just getting popular about then, to my knowledge anyway, but the Wizard was then in my price range.

This weekend I need to complete a bunch of cards as I have about 6 birthdays between now and May 15 to prepare for.  I have many cards done but without any sentiments inside of them.  And the store needs some more cards to sell.  Guess I better get it in gear!  I didn't get anything done yesterday but my 2 hour job as I had a horrible case of insomnia Wednesday night and my brain was in such a fog all day.  Gotta make up for that now!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

4 Squares 4 Looks

I had to rush on some cards for my proposed April 24 class.  Even though most all of my "students" are now returning to their homes in the northeast I still have to prepare classes.  I got some inspiration on Pinterest but not all.


You seen a very similar card in Monday's post.  But I had to use the store's paper and products that it carries. The only difference.... the green background paper and the green twine.  The store has the ribbon I used on the previous card but it is a bit expensive...


Here's the 2nd card.  It's a popular layout.  There are clear rhinestones in the centers of the flowers.


I used my Corner Chomper 1/4" corner to round the opposing corners on the squares.  I used the Stardust Clear Gel pen to add bling to all flowers and Bo Bunny Jewels around the text.


This was a design that was playing in my mind.  Not too sure what I think of it. Kinda tells me I really need to use sketches instead of my imagination....

Each card has 4 squares as the common denominator.  Yet definitely 4 different looks.  I kinda doubt the class will be a go but..... cross your fingers!

And I didn't take a picture of my desk for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Plumb spaced it.  Maybe next week!

(Now if only I wouldn't get so dang many horrible porno comments.... You are blessed that you don't have to read them.)

Monday, April 8, 2013

Colored Bands and 4 Squares

I'm so bummed.  That's 3 classes I've prepped for at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ and all canceled for lack of interest.  Yet I STILL have to come up with 2 classes a month!  That's a lot of research and prep time for basically.... nothing.  Well.  I've decided my April 24th class will be called 4 Squares - 4 Different Looks.  I've seen some really cool cards on Pinterest that started the mojo going! You will see one today.  But first, here's a card using a technique from the April/May 2013 Technique Junkies newsletter.  It is not quite as easy as it seems but my 2nd attempt turned out pretty good to my way of thinking....


My husband even figured out my colors!! I was impressed, I must say!  Sky colors up, grass colors down. All stamps are from A|Muse Studio.  I will have to do this technique again!


This is one of my 4 Squares cards.  I used a Bo Bunny stamp set and a Lawn Fawn set (text).  The cards I will make for the actual class samples will be made with Bo Bunny and Bazzill card stocks.  This is just a prototype for the layout.

Today I received my 2 CDs I've ordered from the Technique Junkies called Move It and Shape It.  I've gotta take a look at them before I do anything more!!!  And with the high winds we are having, inside is a good place to be when one has allergies! 

Friday, April 5, 2013

It's a Fake Gate...

I was playing around on the internet trying to find another version of a gate fold card and came across one (this was a month ago so I have NO idea where I was when I seen this) called a Faux Gate Fold card.  Cool!  It does remind me a lot of some other cards I made that have a similar style.


Yep, looks like a regular gate fold card, doesn't it?  (Please excuse the paper clip holding the card closed.)


But it doesn't open like a regular gate fold.... to me this is more of a flap fold card, but it suits the purpose.


And the inside.  The pattern paper is from The Angel Company as I have SO much!  The sunflowers, bird, and butterfly is from a set called Sunflowers that you can purchase at Red Rubber Designs.  The inside text is from a set by Nina B Designs.  All images colored with Copic markers.  This is one of the styles that I hope to be teaching next week at the LSS in Green Valley, AZ.  This is the last of all the cards I made while at the scrapping retreat last month.  Guess I better get it in gear and start stamping!!



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Workdesk Wednesday... Oh my!

I decided to take part in this international blog hop today.  My desk is rather busy...


Let's see....  Tonic paper trimmer in the middle,  card kits to the left, sheets of green card stock to the right, flamingo tape dispenser to the far right.  Yep that's the mess! My class today got canceled so I'm needing to make kits for those who requested them plus an extra to sell.  The green paper is to use to die cut some Cheery Lynn flourish dies as what I planned on using was too thick and wasn't cutting through.  I even talked to Mike at DiecutCentral (made the Cheery Lynn dies) and he couldn't get them to work in his Wizard either so I now have a Big Shot on order.  I'm looking forward to it coming in as I just purchased a French Lattice and Chicken Wire dies along with some little corner dies and my poor Wizard just WON'T work on the intricate dies.  Bummer.


Here's another gate fold card.  It's a traditional style.  I had to use the paper clip to hold it closed for the photo.  The stamped image is by Nina Brackett. (In fact, she is using a stamp from this set on her first card on her blog today!) I purchased this set through Layers of Color which has closed this past year.  Paper is from a pack I got through Memory Works.  I colored with Copics.


Here's a closer look at the flower.  I need to practice a bit more with my coloring....


And the opening.  You can see a bit of the inside.

So, now that you've seen my desk and a card please leave me a comment and go on to Julia's blog, the Stamping Ground.  She has over 100 bloggers showing their desks today.  I did remove the Word Verification but I'm getting about 20 pornographic and spam messages daily.  So disgusting.  I am moderating all comments as I don't want you to read these disgusting messages. (In fact, I hate reading them but must as some of my comments are legitimate from Anonymous.)