Monday, June 30, 2014

Seashells and Sympathy

I had a post ready to go today but I accidentally let it go Saturday!  I must not have been awake when I checked my blog that morning.  I did have another card made, photos taken, and ready so you'll get it today.


The seashell is from an Inkadinkado set called "Down By The Seashore".  Such a nice set and I found this particular stamp quite serene.  I also used the Cuttlebug "Dotted Swiss" embossing folder and a die from the Spellbinder "Elegant Ovals" die set.


I sponged around the edge of the oval die cut with the same ink I used to stamp the shells.  And I used some jute.  I also stamped the envelope with the shells to make a complete card set.  This layout is identical to a card on one of my Saturday's posts.  That card was given to a friend whose husband's funeral was Saturday but I liked it so well I made one to sell.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

A Butterfly Sympathy Card

Debi at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ asked me to make some sympathy cards to sell.  Seems more people pass away here in the summer and there is a demand for these cards.  I hopped over to Pinterest and got some inspiration.


The stamp (and inside image) is from the "With Sympathy" set by Red Rubber Designs.  The butterfly is from a die set by Spellbinders called "Flutters".


I like the way this card turned out.  And the texture look to the designer paper came as a total surprise as it's not textured!  That's just the way to photo turned out!


I used the positive of the die cut for the inside of the card.  I left the die on the paper and sponged a coordinating ink.


I also used another positive die cut to sponge color on the envelope.  This card was inspired by a card found on this BLOG.  I didn't find the individual card but this was the blog associated with it.

Funny, I accidentally posted this today when it was to go out Monday.  Guess you get 2 posts today!

A Jar of Sympathy

While making some sympathy cards for the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ I got word that an elderly friend passed away last Tuesday.  He had been sick for quite some time with lung problems and was on oxygen for about a year.  My heart just breaks for his family as I know his wife, a couple daughters, and a granddaughter.


This pot and flower are from a really old set by The Angel Company.  I used my Copics to color.  The fancy oval is by Spellbinders and is from the "Elegant Ovals" set.  I had the cool blue ribbon and based my card around it.  I also used the Cuttlebug "Dotted Swiss" embossing folder and the Sympathy stamp from the "All Year Greetings" by Fiskars.


Here you can see the Stardust Clear Gel pen used on the flower.  I also used it on the pot to kinda make the water look a bit sparkly.  I made another sympathy card right after this one so it will be in a future post.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

A Freshly Made Christmas Card (Again)

While "playing" yesterday I did a bit of blog surfing some of my favorite blogs and seen some challenges that I wanted to try.  I combined 2, the Rudolf or reindeer challenge from 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown, a theme challenge,  and Freshly Made Sketches, sketch FMS142.


I actually had a cutsy little reindeer stamp but I like the elegance of this one retired from The Angel Company.  The text is from a Hero Arts set called "Celebrate Everyday".  Plus I've been making some sympathy cards for AZ Scrapbooking in Green Valley, AZ so here is another...


This is the card and matching envelope.  The text is from a set called "All Year Greetings" by Fiskars and the plant is from a retired set by A|Muse Studios.


The text on the inside is from a set by Red Rubber Designs called "With Sympathy".  My husband really likes this card.  It has been interesting making sympathy cards since last Saturday we held the Memorial for my mom's passing.  But then, a nice guy in their church passed Tuesday and I'm going to need some for myself.

What a Week.... and My Desk

It's been quite a week so far.  Actually last weekend was difficult and this week I'm finally getting some sleep and feeling like stamping.  So, my desk is brought to you by Julia of the Stamping Ground.  This is week 264 that this international blog tour has been going on.  Amazing! Over 5 years and still over 100 deskers link up each week!  And, without further ado here's my desk:


And what do I have here?  Other than the ever present red Cricut Expression and a stack of paper there is my container of sponges, stamps, 2 sympathy cards I've been working on for the store where I teach (they're for sale), and acrylic blocks - 2 with stamps on them. Now time to clean up and start again.

My stamped card is made using a sketch from the Sketch Challenge #230 of Operation Write Home.  It felt good to play with stamps, paper, and ink....


The paper is by Pebbles called "Let Freedom Ring" and the stamped images are by Close To My Heart.


Here you can see the pop-dotted layers.  Normally I would add bling but that's a no-no with OWH.

Last Saturday was my Mom's Memorial.  I was thrilled to see almost 100 people come to support my Dad or me or to honor Mom.  I posted the guest book last week that I made for them to sign.  Here's the table I decorated to hold the programs....


The church that my folks attend is rather small so room for decorations is at a premium.  This table was in the small entry.  I found the rectangular basket and flowers at Michaels.  Mom loved tulips.  They are out of season so I purchased a small potted plant of white Kalanchoe and framed a recent picture of her for this display.  My brother designed the program and did a fabulous job on the video of her life.

Now that you have read my post please leave a comment (if you want) and then click on through to the Stamping Ground for all the great links to other deskers.  You'll see some great organizational ideas and projects that my spark your creativity!

Monday, June 23, 2014

A Technique Junkie Card

I finally finished my card using a technique from the Technique Junkies most current newsletter.  I had to get it in the mail to my swap partner and I think I like this technique.  It's called Dimensional Punches but I used Sizzix dies (Leaf Triplits)  for the same effect (to my way of thinking).


The stamped image is from The Angel Company.  (How I miss that company, it closed in 2011.)  There is a new company very similar to TAC that is now starting up. I have many angel friends who have joined as "coaches" but I will be a customer.  The company is called Fun Stampers Journey.  I really like the stamps and hope my friends do well.  If you are interested in joining I would love to give you a couple gals who would be wonderful "uplines".  Ok, back to my card....


Here's a view looking down the card for a better look at what I did.  I added green Stickles for the bling.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Another Two Items from The Angel Reunion

I got another couple items completed from our Angel Reunion in Kansas City a couple weeks ago.  I felt the need to do some crafting to calm my heart this week.


The coaster was fun.  We cut pieces of blue painter's tape to make the lines then painted with Lumiere paints.  I stamped my text and will need to spray with a sealant if I decide to use.  The little heart magnet is cool.  We stamped the heart and text using Staz-On ink then heat set.  Next we added ink with a Fantastix brush and heat set.  I adhered the button, flowers, and magnet here at home.


As you can see I smudged (NOT on purpose) some yellow ink and the text prior to the heat setting. Bummer. Oh well.  Still cute, dontcha think?

Friday, June 20, 2014

Memorial Guest Book for Mom

Tomorrow is the memorial to celebrate the life of my mom.  Hard to believe she's been gone just over a week.  Since my brother is here I don't think it's really hit me yet as we've been so busy.  I purchased a visitor's book at O.M. (office supply store) and took it back.  I didn't like the inside so.....  I made one.


I used some K & Co. paper to decorate the chipboard (from a cracker box) covers and added the photo of my mom that we used on the Memorial program.  I had the same font from the program, too, so used it to add mom's name.


I know this isn't clear but I made the inner pages on Open Office then trimmed to fit.  I used my Zutter Bind-It-All to put it all together.  There's about 12 card stock pages.  I decided to do the address section in case we needed addresses to send Thank You cards for those who send flowers.  I did save the page file just in case I get asked to make more of these possibly for others in the church as I really like this book much better than any that can be purchased.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Wednesday Work Desk

I decided to do a quick post with my desk picture and celebrate WOYWW.  I haven't been stamping as my mom died last Thursday and my brother and his wife are here we're planning the memorial for this Saturday.  I feel the need to take a break and stamp and maybe later today as I need to get a couple cards sent out for 2 monthly swaps I'm in.  But I digress.  Here's my desk from last night.


In front of my heavily-used-this-week Cricut are 3 card kits for the class I had to cancel due to all the activities this week.  I don't have the kits finished as I still need to print out the kit covers.  So, that's all I have today. No card samples, no fun 3D cool stuff like the Ferris wheel or Christmas Gift Card holders. But hopefully next week I'll be more back on track.

Last week I was ready for the international blog tour put on by head desker Julia over at the Stamping Ground.  But she was not only on holiday but quite ill so the tour kinda fizzled.  She is home now and doing much better.   So please hop over to her blog after you leave here and tour the desks and projects.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Father's Day and Getting Boxes

I promised a couple posts ago that I had a Father's Day card to show you.


I used a TAC stamp from a set called "Wonder & Joy".  I also used a sketch I seen but right now I can't remember where it came from.  The paper is also from TAC.  The little guy was colored with Copics.


I do need to play with my Copics more but I like how this little guy turned out.


This box card was a class at our Angel Reunion.  I got a bit off with the Thank You.  This was my first time to make this and it was so easy!  Oh my!  All the flowers & butterfly were cut on a Cricut.  Just too cool!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

A Few More Angel Reunion Photos

Here's a few more pictures of trades and projects from our 1st Angel Reunion....




This is a pull card.  When you pull the piece with the arrow the graduation cap flips up!  Very clever but just a tad difficult if you've never done this before.


This card base is all digital. And it folds 3 ways...


Isn't this cool?  I'll stamp something inside when I need to use it.



This little card holder used the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  I have that on my wish list.
Have you been enjoying these projects?  The weekend was just too short and I already miss all the hugs.




Thursday, June 12, 2014

The Angel Company Angel Reunion

Last weekend I flew to Kansas City, MO to take part in an Angel Reunion.  There were 20 of us "ex-angels" attending.  Was a fabulous time of fellowship and play time!  Here's a few pics of some of our trades and projects.












 I have many more pictures and a few projects to yet finish.  Plus I have a Father's Day card to share.  Definitely busy. 

P.S. My mom passed away last night.  She is now in a better place without sickness and pain. Praise the Lord.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

My Desk and A Christmas Tree with Snowman

Another fabulous Wednesday and I'm almost ready for my Christmas In July class.  What?  Christmas!!  Yep.  And my desk!  Head desker Julia (who is currently in the hospital and unable to promote the blog tour today) over at the Stamping Ground, has the lowdown on this cool blog tour of desks and projects from all over the world!  This picture was taken last night as I was working on the snowman.


My desk is loaded with goodies.  I just got in my order from Close To My Heart and my order consisted of the Art Philosophy cartridge collection, their stamp of the month, and a replacement 2" square acrylic block.  I hope to play with this cartridge soon on my pretty red Cricut on the far left.  And I was actually using it yesterday prior to getting my order to make the arms of my snowman.


This is another gift card holder and the card goes in the back of the tree trunk.  I used the Cricut to make the snowman's hat which is an upside down flower pot.  Both of these items are on the Serenade cartridge.  The snowman himself was made using my Spellbinders scalloped circles nestabilities, the 3 smallest in the set. I used black rhinestones for the coal and just trimmed a piece of orange to make the carrot nose.

I doubt I'll be joining in next week as my mom is in the final stages of passing away.  I'm canceling all of next week's activities to be with her at her passing.