Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Year's Eve Desk and Stuff

Today is the last day of 2014.  But of course you know that.  But it's also Wednesday, the day I take part in an international blog hop of desks put together by head desker, Julia, at the Stamping Ground.  My desk is getting busy as I try to finish (and have just started) to make a snowman from I class I couldn't get to so I have the kit.  I have the video ready to watch and all the pieces set out as I start.


I've never tried to make something like this before so hopefully it will turn out.  I'll post a pic of it when it's completed.

A couple posts ago I posted a link to a YouTube video about a No Plug Glue Topper.  I've tried it and so far it's working great!


I get so tired of having a bottle of pricey glue dry out when I've only used about half.  I've heard from friends who also have tried this and they're pretty happy too.

This post is very short and, hopefully, sweet.  Please leave a comment if you desire and click through to the Stamping Ground and check out the other desks.  And, if someone would tell me, I'd like to know how they got the "I'm Not A Robot" box on their pop-up comment page.  Thanks!!

Also, did you know you can find out what's been pinned from your blog??  I tried it and found it interesting! 
Type in the following, putting in your URL (without the http:// but with the .com in place of the xxxx

http://pinterest.com/source/xxxxx

Give it a try!  I was surprised!

And a Happy New Year to all!!  See you next year!Oh wait.... that's tomorrow!   :-)

Sunday, December 28, 2014

A Sketch Challenge at Operation Write Home

I've been reading lots of blogs and all over Pinterest trying to get some mojo.  Then I see this sketch challenge 245 on Operation Write Home and I got a brain burp.  Not a belch but a little burp and a card was born.  I decided to make Valentine cards as I send them to our kids, grand kids, and great grand son and this sketch challenge was great for such a card!


I used an old stamp set and paper pack from the closed The Angel Company (of which I still have oodles of stamp sets but have pulled a LOT to prep for sale).  I cut the text phrase into 3 separate words to fit the tag.  The blue middle piece I embossed with a fold by Darice.


I colored the kitty with my Copic markers trying to coordinate with my papers. I used a black gel pen on the eyes and whiskers for a bit more definition.  I really need to practice more with my Copics....

 Have you tried these challenges?  They're great fun and can give that needed boost to the mojo. Head on over to OWH and check out the other projects!

Saturday, December 27, 2014

No Plug Glue Toppers for Paper Crafting

I seen this video over on FaceBook and just had to share!

Check it out!

Click HERE.

I just purchased a couple of these to try.  Will let you know!

A Valentine's Day Card

I hope you all had a wonderful and most blessed Christmas!  We spent the afternoon with friends and had a great visit.  I think they're coming over for New Year's Day so I'll be cooking up a ham with the fixings.  I'm still getting in Christmas cards so this card will be going out to those I'm still needing to send to.


I originally made this card for the store where I was teaching but I have recently quit to pursue some other things.  I have been there for over 5 years. I plan on making cards to give out at church and maybe even sell here on my blog as an outlet for my cards along with giving them to the kids to use.   I'll let you know later what direction I'm thinking of going to keep up my love of card making and paper crafting.


I did a lot of layering to get to the heart of this card.  A 3" circle, a 2 3/4" scalloped circle, a 2" circle (the chevron paper) and a 2 1/2" white circle.  Then I added the 3 red sticker circles here and above the text for some bling.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas



Luke 2: 6 - 7, NKJV

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.


Luke 2: 10 -14 NKJV

Then the angle said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
 "For there is born to you this day, in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
"And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest.  And on earth, peace, goodwill toward men."

May you have a most blessed celebration of the birth of our LORD, Jesus Christ.  Remember, He is the reason for the season.





Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Watching the Clock and My Desk

Can you believe it??  Tomorrow is Christmas Day!  The day the Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ who came to Earth to be born to die for our salvation!  Though no one knows the exact day, and it's not that important, the day has been adopted by the early church to represent that historical day. And I am so thankful for His sacrifice for us.  Glory to God in the Highest!

Today, Wednesday (Christmas Eve), is the 290th week that Julia, head desker and owner of the Stamping Ground, celebrates an international blog tour of desks and has brought many in the blogging world together.  Today we show, whether tidy or messy, our desks and possibly projects in the works to the world.  And if you would like more info on this tour please click on the WOYWW badge in my sidebar.


Virtually nothing is going on.  I have mailed all my Christmas cards and ended up short a couple again.  I have some Valentine cards made so will send those out since the people won't get them until after Christmas  anyway.  There is a card on the left, blue and grey in color, that I have finished but I will post it later.  I want to show you what our youngest son made for his grandfather.


Our youngest is a diesel mechanic for an irrigation district (a company that supplies irrigating water to farmers in the district) in WY.  This rod and piston are from an old truck he worked on many years ago and saved thinking he could someday make something from them.


This is the piston.  He welded the rod to it in such a way that it stands upright.


And the rod.  He really cleaned these so there is none of the grease, oil, and scum that is usually on them.


This end of the rod is usually attached to the crank that causes it to go up and down in the  cylinder thus making the engine work.  He found the clock on Amazon.

His grandpa was most impressed as were we when we seen it.  That boy (actually man) is so creative.  I've shown you the table he made us about 3 weeks ago.  Plus, he and his girlfriend are expecting their first child in June!!!  Happy soon-to-be grandparents here!

Now you've reached the end of my post.  Sorry it was a bit longer than usual but I just had to show you this clock!  Please leave a comment if you're so inclined then click on over to the Stamping Ground and check out all the desks today.  Not sure how many will be taking part but I'm going to be checking out those that do!  And I hope you have a very MERRY CHRISTmas!


Monday, December 22, 2014

Black and White Hearts

Here's another card I made for a sample of a proposed class in January.  I've done some like this before and I think it's the paper I used that really sets off this one.


The only thing I think I would have done different is to stamp the text in black ink.


I used my Sizzix Triplits Hearts die set  to cut the offset heart in the top layer.  A bit of red twine for a bit of embellishment and this card is ready to give to my Valentine.

This morning is my husband's company Christmas party....  at 7 a.m.!!!  I am going and they are serving lunch so maybe I'll have breakfast at noon.  Should be fun.  This is our last Christmas party this year.  Now to start concentrating on making a dessert for Christmas dinner with friends...

Friday, December 19, 2014

Red Heart

I made this card as part of a set for a January class.  And, yes, I'm done ( I think) making Christmas cards. I had to use some of the cards I had for sale in order to have enough (so far).


I love this tree die by Penny Black!  It's called "Branching Out".  (I have quite a few ideas for this die!) And the new double-sided adhesive, "Stick It" is perfect on this intricate die to "stick it" to my paper! (If you "google" it you can find it for sale at many locations.)  I also used a .375 heart punch by Knock Outs (made by American Crafts, I think) for that lone red heart.  I also used Spellbinder Labels 28 as this tree fit it so nicely.


"Stick It" adhesive is so cool as there are no little goobers!  The tree stuck cleanly but one has to be very careful as it is said to be temporarily repositionable but with the itty bitty tree limbs I was a bit concerned about breaking off a twig.

Tomorrow we will be going to my aunt's annual Christmas party.  My mom looked forward to this party so it will be bitter sweet to attend now that she's gone. I'm sure there will be some tears in memory of her.  Are you still attending parties?  





Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Money Grows on Trees on my Desk

I'm busy finishing up getting Christmas cards finished and mailed, gifts wrapped, and other stuff that needs to be done THIS WEEK.  Not that I'm yelling but it's more of a shock that Christmas is NEXT week!  And so, as I get this card done for our niece I do have my picture of my desk to show you as part of the international blog tour put together by Julia at the Stamping Ground.  Please click on the banner in the left sidebar for more info.


On the left in front of my beautiful red Cricut Expression is a pile of Christmas cards all ready to sign, put in addressed envies, and mailed.   There's also a bunch of stamps in CD and DVD cases along with a set from CTMH under the right corner of Big Red.  My actual work spot, my Scor-Pal, is relatively empty as I just finished this card....


The trees are from Red Rubber Designs from the "Ornamental Christmas Tree" set.  The stars and Rejoice are retired from The Angel Co.


After I gold embossed the Rejoice I added some streaks of Icicle Stickles to represent snow.


I found the directions for the folded money and the design for the card at Hero Arts.  After I took pictures of my card and put this post together I added some Red Stickle dots to the tree on the right.  It was just screaming for some bling.

You've made it to the end of my blog post! If you're so inclined please leave a comment on my post then pop over to the Stamping Ground and check out many other deskers blogs!  You'll find a bunch of inspiration and even some great organizational ideas!



Monday, December 15, 2014

Deer in the Moonlight

You've heard of "deer in the headlights" whether literally or an  expression of a vacant look.  My card today is a "Deer in the Moonlight".  I seen something over on Pinterest that inspired me but the only real similarities are the moon, a deer, and snow.  Guess that's more similar than I thought but her card was all stamped and mine mostly punches, die cuts, and torn paper.


I purchased a cool set of dies that consist of 3 deer made by Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps.  The moon is a 2" circle and I tore paper to make the snow.  A bit of Icicle Stickles on the snow and for stars and a card is made!


The 2 deer are die cut from the same scrap of paper, it's just the angle of the photo that makes this little guy appear so much darker!  But the photo was to show the snow, not the doe.....   Oh, bad pun!


The blue sky paper does have a bit of shimmer to it but I added some dots of Stickles to make stars.  Hmmm..... since I still need Christmas cards I'll stamp something appropriate inside the card. 

Are you ready to celebrate the day set aside to honor the birth of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ?  We'll be joining some friends over in Sierra Vista, AZ since they're so far from home (they're snowbirds from MN).  Just need to find a place serving dinner as they live in a small RV.

Friday, December 12, 2014

A Vintage Blouse

 I have been so busy finishing up the huge pile of Christmas cards (see last post) to send out and wrapping Christmas gifts that my desk isn't getting anything new accomplished.  And the other day I helped dad clean out a book shelf and closet of mom's things (she past in June) when I found this blouse I made for her back in the late 1970's.  She never wore it to my knowledge and the fabric is just like new. 


Back then I made almost ALL the Christmas gifts I gave and I should get back to that except that gift cards are so much cheaper to mail and it is getting difficult to give gifts people want or like.


Here's a closer look at all the embroidery.  I even added her initial into the pattern.  This shirt was very much in style back then.

I hope you are having a great week!



Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Another Wednesday, Another Snowflake

It's a gorgeous Wednesday morning here in southern Arizona, USA.  Yesterday we got up to almost 80*F with a light breeze and oodles of sunshine.  Hard to believe it's December.  And today is the day we share what our desk looks like whether tidy or in use.  Well, mine's in use as I'm getting my Christmas cards completed (the insides) to start mailing out to family and friends.  And this peek into our work areas is brought together by head desker, Julia at the Stamping Ground.  She started this weekly blog tour over 5 years ago as this is week 288.


There's about 30 cards piled here.  Some are completely finished but many need the insides done.  I know what I'll be doing this week....


This is a card I made because of one I pinned on Pinterest.  I used a large swirl background stamp and a Brilliance pearlescent sky blue ink pad.  The Rejoice is embossed with silver embossing powder and the silver paper is a metallic that I've had for ages.


I cut the snowflakes with my Cricut and the Winter Woodland cartridge.  The blue pearl is actually white but colored with a Copic marker.  It's hard to tell the the middle layer of the snowflake is from the same silver metallic paper I used for layering.  This card will have to be hand delivered or in a bubble envy for mailing.

Now that you've reached the end of my post please pop over to the Stamping Ground and have a gander at more desks.  I'm heading there now....

Sorry about the word verification.  I DID NOT do it.  Blogger did NOT ask me about it and I DO NOT approve of it.  I have yet to figure out how to stop it.  Hopefully you won't have any issues when leaving a comment.



Monday, December 8, 2014

A Snowman and Steel Table

While we were in Wyoming for Thanksgiving we took many Christmas gifts with us and got one in return.  Sure saves on shipping!  Our youngest son is very handy with a plasma cutter (a cutting torch for steel) and welder.  He made us, his sister, his in-laws, and his girlfriend these cool steel tables!


This stands about 2 1/2' high.  The support and feet are made from some 100 year old rebar (used to reinforce concrete).





I'm so loving this table and his great workmanship!  He's SO clever (of course I'm biased!)!


I'm already using the table.  It had to be brought home sitting upside down on the back seat of the car.  I used the seat belt to be sure it didn't move around in case of sharp turns or fast stops.


This is a card from a friend, Shirley Hotop, in the Technique Junkies swap group.  I was so impressed that I just had to share it with you!  Lots of bling!


The trees are stamped, colored, then Stickled!  The blue snowflakes on the base are very glittery, too!  I love this card!!  Click on the photos and get a larger look.  She colored with Copic markers.
 

Friday, December 5, 2014

A Tuesday Morning Sketch

I will be teaching a card class at our church ladies' Christmas party Dec. 12.  I had already chosen my papers and just needed a sketch to prompt me.  I found it at Tuesday Morning Sketches, # 278.  Perfect!!


Most of the (up to) 10 gals have never stamped or made a card so it had to be super easy yet I wanted it elegant.  I chose non-traditional colors for a change of pace.  I think they will like this!


I used a snowflake embossing folder on the burgundy panel to keep with the theme and punched 2 snowflakes.  A bit of bling with a couple itty bitty rhinestones and the outside is complete!  I was thinking of sponging the text panel but decided it would be a bit much and didn't want my "students" to get inky fingers.  The text is from a Red Rubber Designs stamp set called "Christmas Blessings".

Now pop over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and check out the fun inspirational pieces and the ones who are participating in this challenge.