Monday, June 29, 2015

A Couple Projects from Convention

I do have a drawing for 2 new, never opened stamp sets  on THIS POST.  Please check it out!

I never did show you the great Make 'N Takes we did at convention!  We made 4 projects: 3 cards and a gift box.  I'll show you a card and the box today.


Isn't this just too cute?  We used a variety of new products on this very cool card.  We started with a base using Hazelnut Blend card stock.  It is also the layer just under the stamped image. The gold layer is a fabulous new shimmery card stock, Pearled Celebrations.  We also used some of the new vellum paper from the Vellum Designer Prints which is backed with some Whip Cream card stock so the gold dots can show up better.  The Hazelnut Blend small layer has been sprinkled with Gold Silk.  We stamped for fun Share Life image twice, once in Hazelnut Blend in then with Oatmeal Cookie offset a fraction.  The words were stamped in the Hazelnut Blend.    We also edged this panel with the Oatmeal Cookie ink.


The cool gold puff heart is one of the free incentive products that you can get with a $50 net order.  And the string... Natural Journey Thread!   Fun embellishments!

Now the Box...


There's a LOT of items used in this project!  We started with the corrugated Treat Box.  There is 10 to a pack. We started layering with all kinds of fun items.  First is a circle die cut piece of plain vellum  Then a piece of Black Licorice card stock die cut doily (not available until 8/15).  Next we added the 2 die cut feathers (Everyday Elements steel rule die set) made from the Pearl Basics paper and we added some River Stone ink with a sponge (available 7/15) and spattered just a bit of Silver Silk before adhering to the side of the die cut doily.  Using the Punch Handle and the 2" Scallop Circle punch cartridge we punched the Cool Pool piece.  We also punched the tag using the Tag Time cartridge and Whip Cream card stock.  We stamped the text from the Howdy Notes set in Black Licorice ink, adhered as shown on the scalloped circle then spattered a bit of Silver Silk before adhering  over the doily die cut.  We kinda made a pom pom from Black Journey Thread but I didn't make enough wraps on my acryllic block to really give it substance.


After adhering the deformed pom pom I added the Cut Rhinestones to finish the box.  I used 3 different sizes.  There are just so fun and the ideas are limitless!  How about a Christmas theme or a birthday box? 

You know it's almost July!  We have a new Kit of the Month available in a couple days! 

Friday, June 26, 2015

Birds on a Wire and a Give Away!

As I have been purging so much unloved stuff from my craft room (and it's very difficult to see any difference unless you know what was where before) I came across 2 great stamp sets that are brand new and never opened.  I'd love to bless someone with these so will be giving them away to some lucky comment giver.  I will do the drawing on July 9th.  To get your name in the drawing, and I'm relying on honesty, you get a chance for leaving a comment, becoming a follower (you must not already be one and you must tell me in your comment that you started following my blog), and sharing this post (you must tell me where you shared this post).  These are the 2 stamp sets I'll be giving away.  You don't have to become a follower or share for a chance to win.  These are just ways you get your name in the "bucket" for more chances to win.


I still have my own set of the A|Muse Studio set on the left.  It is still loved but this set was purchased for a special purpose a couple years ago and I still have it.  The set on the right by My Mind's Eye came from when I was with Memory Works which closed a year or so ago.  So, follow the directions listed above and you might be a winner.

This card below was made using the new "Above the Clouds" embossing folder by FSJ and the set "Sweet Home" (in the Inspiration category).


After embossing the Whip Cream card stock I added some Pool Play ink with a sponge.  Then I stamped the birds (and I did cut the stamp into 2) with Black Licorice ink and layered it on Pool Play card stock.


Here's a closer view of the birds on the wire.  I added the "wire" by using Black Twine.  There was a card made at convention similar that I just loved so I just had to make my own.

Now don't forget about the drawing.  You have up to 3 chances to win!  I will need a way to contact you so if you don't have a google account  I need your email addy.  If you leave your email  with your comment please add some spaces to it so it won't make a direct link.  And please check back here as I'll list the winner in my Friday, July 10th post.   If I'm unable to contact the winner or the winner doesn't contact me in a timely fashion (by Friday, July 17) I will draw again for a new winner.  Have fun!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Desks and Selfies

Selfies?  Yep, with my new (now 2 months old) smartypants phone I actually have taken a few - but for special occasions.  And desks?  Yep, it's Wednesday!!  And can you believe next Wednesday is the last one for July??  Where is the year going?  Anyway, today is weekly deskers day.  Wonderful Julia over at the Stamping Ground has been bringing crafters together for over 6 years on a weekly basis!  If you don't have any idea what this is about just click on the WOYWW logo in my sidebar to go to Julia's explanation and directions if you want to join in.  When I started way back when there was over 120 taking part.  Life has whittled us down to under 80 or so.  I believe I have made a few friends here and love visiting their desks.  Ok, now on to my desk:


I have just cleaned off my area and actually have Pinterest on my 'puter checking out some ideas to play with.  But from left to right....  That green & white thing FAR left is the side of a new little trash bin from Fun Stampers Journey.  The paper trimmer almost center has given up as the orange arm is worthless but I have a new Tonic paper trimmer coming.  Then center you can see my blue craft mat with my Scor-Pal and scrap paper ready to go.  To the right are my scissors, ATG gun, scraps of paper, and whatever.  Definitely boring.

Recently I got my June "Kit of the Month" from FSJ and was challenged to make a selfie card.  I have a tendency to have unfocused selfies and have to try many times to get a good one.  This one actually wasn't too bad on the first try and was taken at our FSJ 1st annual convention June 4 - 6 in Scottsdale, AZ.


I took this pic just before convention started with the stage in the background.  I had on sunglasses and a Hawaiian lei as part of my team "uniform".  I think I'll be sending this card to my upline as she's been pretty encouraging.  The stamped text is from the new stamp set "Selfie Love".  Yeah, that name fits.  I think I'll be using it more for scrapbooking, though.


I'm like the embellishments on this card.  Can't say I liked the fussy cutting but I got it done.  I printed my photo on mat paper.

Now you've reached the end of my post.  Please click on over to the Stamping Ground to keep going on the tour of desks.  And if you want to leave a comment, I'd appreciate it!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

A Couple More Father's Day Cards

Here's a couple more Father's Day cards I gave out.


I used just 1 stamp set on this card,  My Champ (in the Dude category).  But I also used one of our new punches, This Way,  and the handle.  I am amazed how easily this system punches!!  I hold my punches upside down to see where my paper is in the punch and, even with the size, it is easy to punch.


I layered the punches and used the same card stocks (from my scrap bucket).  I also used Kiwi Slice ink.  I tried stamping off when making the background but this new formulation, True Fusion, doesn't give a great image when doing that.  I have been informed that stamping off on an acrylic block instead of scrap paper does a much better job.


While I was purging unloved items (over 200 stamps and sets, 2 boxes of punches, and 2 boxes of embellishments & more and still going)  from my craft room I came across some polished store bits and pieces.  This gorgeous blue had silver in its background so I stamped one of the stars from the Star Bright set (Inspiration category) with our new Silver ink (unfortunately the picture doesn't come up but I think it comes with a reinker).


The text is also from the same stamp set.  I used Pool Play card stock to layer and added some Blue Skies sequins.

I came across more than just this blue polished stone piece.  I also found a red with gold highlights so I stamped the heart from the Special Day stamp set.


It's really hard to photograph this piece as it's so glossy. In real life the red is almost a burgundy, very rich in color.


I used the new Gold ink.  I do recommend to heat set these 2 new inks especially on glossy as they will take a LONG time to dry.  Now to figure out what kind of card to make from this....   Any suggestions?

Monday, June 22, 2015

Journey On

I sure have been having fun playing with all the goodies I purchased at the FSJ convention the first of the month.  And this week Kerry posted the June sketch and color combo challenges.  I still don't have all the colors for the color challenge unless I use Copic markers but did make a card using the sketch challenge.


I like the sketch but I think I made it more difficult than it should have been but I really wanted to use the pattern paper in the center panel.  But I do like the results!


I used just 1 stamp set, Capture the Moment.  I seen a card Kerry made on our FSJ FB page using the bike stamp from this set that was just amazing!!  Pattern paper is from the Going Places collection.  (I couldn't get the link to work but I will add the pic of it here:


You can click on the pic to see the prints better.


How do you like this little wooden embellishment?  It comes from the Going Places - Wooden Words package.  I just swiped my Fresh Forest ink pad over it then used my personal Stardust Clear Gel pen on the heart before adding the Journey Glaze.  I love how this turned out! Oh, the card stocks I used were Fresh Forest, Kiwi Slice, and Whip Cream.  There is better colored card stocks to use but this is what I had.  I also used Whip Cream thread around the card, too.   Did you notice the finger prints?  I had ink all over after I colored the wood word and accidentally touched the card before I got my hands washed.  There was only one thing I could do, add more!  Have you done that?

One of the challenges on an FSJ dedicated FB page is to send a card to the Journey crew in Phoenix.  This card will be heading that direction this week.  The crew dis a fabulous job with convention and made it both fun and memorable! 

Hope on over to Creative Blooms and check out those who are taking part in the challenges!

Friday, June 19, 2015

Beeautiful

I've been working on my June Kit of the Month and changed this one quite a bit.  Instead of using a photo I used a new stamp set as the focal point.


I used this fabulous sunflower stamp set called Hello Lovely.  My favorite flower is the sunflower so this set really speaks to me.  Papers used were: River Stone, Cool Pool, Whip Cream, and the pink pattern is from the Yummy Prints collection (the link works but the picture didn't show up for me...).  I used Journey Glaze (for some reason the picture doesn't come through) and Sparkle Dust on the bees wings after coloring with Copic markers. The cool frame is made with a die from the Snapshot Frames set.








I've been enjoying "playing" with all the new products I purchased at the FSJ convention and have many new cards to show you.  Hope you're enjoying seeing new product from our catalog!


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Boots and Desks

Do you realize that Father's Day is THIS Sunday???  I really spaced it so have been working like crazy getting cards made for our kids and in-laws.  Plus today is Desker Wednesday #315!!  Seems my brain is having trouble keeping up with all that's going on!  Anyway, I'm not working today so I get to visit desks all over the world (well, mostly Europe and U.S.).  I sure enjoy seeing other crafters work areas and their fun projects.  And this is all put together by Julia, the queen desker at the Stamping Ground.  If you haven't been following this fun blog tour for the last 6 years just click the WOYWW logo in my sidebar.  Now to my desk....


I have an absolute mess!  I've been purging card stock, Sizzix dies, embellies, etc. that haven't been used in the past few years.  Yes, years.  I have my 5 shelf case that is totally reorganized yet it still is full!  But it now has my Big Shot and Wizard, 2 cases of dies, some old card stock that I do use, and more.  This stuff on the desk will be weeded down, put into boxes to get rid of or to sell, whatever.  Hopefully later today I'll be a bit more organized. Through the purging I found another 1" x 3' of floor space. Yep, lots of stuff off the floor and on the shelves. That helped a lot!

Here's 2 of the cards I made to send to family members.  One of them might see these but he doesn't know if it's one of these or the others that he's getting.  I do have links to my shopping cart listed, just letting you know.


I used 2 stamp sets to make this card, Scenic View and Rock Notes.  I used 2 different card stocks, Oatmeal Cookie (a great kraft paper!) and Cocoa Powder and also Cocoa Powder ink.  How do you like the Chevrons on the banner?  Those were made with our new punch system!  I LOVE it!  The cool handle is so easy to use!!  And the punches (I used the Chevron Trends) slide into the handle so easily. Ok, enough advertising but I'll be posting pics of the handle and punches later.

Now my 2nd card.  I used the same paper and one of the same stamp sets.


I used the Scenic View set for the boot tracks but the text is from the My Chanp set.  This one has a lot of sports items in it.  The same card stocks and ink was used, too.

So please remember to head over to the Stamping Ground and check out more desks!  And if you want to leave a comment I'd appreciate it!  And does anyone get slammed with hundreds of blog hits in a single day?  I had 150 hits yesterday in just minutes!  Any idea what's going on?

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Love You

Here's the 2nd card of the 4 I made from this month's Kit of the Month.  I followed the directions exactly and love how it looks.


I gave this card to our Pastor and his wife for their anniversary.  They are such fabulous people and I do love them lots!  This fun Kit uses an exclusive stamp set that won't be available until about Sept. or Oct.  It's called "Selfie Love" and is perfect for scrapbooking!  Also used was  2 different die sets, Journey Circles and Heart-felt.  Also used was some new gorgeous ribbon called Lemon Grass,  it's a 7/8" wide satin that coordinates with so many of FJS products.  Can you see the embossed background?  It's a new embossing folder called Beach Towel. I may have to get that one.  And the gorgeous Journey Glass Glitter in the center of the heart... WOW!  There is no link for it yet as it's not available until 8/1/15.


Here you can see the glass glitter better.  It's fairly chunky.  I used my Journey Glaze as an adhesive for this. And, in case you're wondering, I used 4 different card stocks: Lemon Grass, Bubble Gum, Cool Pool, and Whip Cream.  The ink used is River Stone.  I fussy cut the sentiment and popped it up so there is a lot of layers to this card.

I have been trying to check all my links as I make them so if you find one that's broken, please let me know.  Now I'm off to get some Father's Day cards made!  That day is way too soon!

Monday, June 15, 2015

Oh Snap!

I'm finally working on my June "Kit of the Month" and got 2 of the 4 cards completed.  This card uses a new product called "Lemon Grass" Journey Thread which is pretty cool along with a new color of Journey Silk called "Cool Pool".  I also used "Bubble Gum" Silk.  Theses are great when carefully splattered!


Also used were just the piercing circles and not the circle dies themselves.  Very cool look!  There were 3 different papers used, "Cool Pool", "River Stone", and "Whip Cream".   I usually purchase the 8 1/2" x 11" but there are 12" x 12" available.


Here you can see the Silk splatters better. And how about those little Candy Minis?  These little dots of color are just fabulous! The text was stamped with "River Stone" ink.

As you've probably noticed I now have links to the specific products working (I hope).    What is really cool now is that if you purchase $50 or more (before tax and shipping) you qualify for FREE incentive products!
The link doesn't work so if you want to see the 3 stamps click on "promotional" when you're in the "stamps" menu.  There are also some fun embellishments that you can get free, click on "promotional" in the Accessories menu to view.  I would love to hear if my links work and what you think of the new web site!

Saturday, June 13, 2015

You Lift Me Up

Wednesday afternoon our son and his girlfriend birthed our beautiful grandson, Archer.  We've been on pins and needles for a week as Cass's due date was the 4th!  This grand event gave my heart a real boost as this  Thursday was the 1 year anniversary of my mom's death.  This card has the perfect sentiment for my heart.


I used a brand new embossing folder by FSJ called "Above the Clouds" (page 188 in the online catty) which the "Cloud Dreams" dies (page 183 online) perfectly match (but I don't have yet).  The stamped images are the "Lift Me" ATC set (page 87 online) which I cut apart the balloons.  I used "Denim Days" and "Pool Play" card stocks (page 201online) along with "Black Licorice" and "Beach Ball" inks (same pages as card stocks).  And I just love the "Blue Skies" sequins (page 210 online)!


Here you can see the cloud embossing better.  Please forgive the little shadow between the balloons and the cloud on the top right.  There is a scratch on my camera lens.  I may have to start using my phone but my camera is so easy to download.


And the sequins.  I found some 1/8" glue dots that are perfect to adhere them!  To get the online catalog please click on the FSJ logo at the top of the sidebar to go to my replicated site then click Catalog and download.  It has 218 pages (the actual catty has 221).  There are oodles of dies that match stamp sets.  But some of the product has different release dates so you will need to see that info in my FSJ Specials page. 

Upon the great text from our son.... "It's a BOY!" I did dance around and let out some whoops!  This is our 4th grandchild but first boy!  We also have 2 great grandsons and I danced and whooped for all when we were notified of their births. I can't wait until I can get to WY to see the babies!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Playing with Christmas Stamps

While at the FSJ convention last week we got the opportunity to purchase some items from the Holiday Mini Supplement that will be released in a month or so.  Of course, I grabbed that opportunity.  And I came across 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown's current sketch challenge so I had to play.


I also used a new embossing folder by FSJ called "Happy Holidays" (page 189 in the online catty) and sequins from the "Holiday Elements" (page 210 online) collection.  I used "Kiwi Slice" (page 200 online) and "Candy Apple" (page 200 online) cardstocks along with some white from my stock.


Aren't the sequins just fab!!!  I colored this little guy with watercolor pencils and my aquaflow brush.


I used 3 different inks, "Black Licorice", Kiwi Slice", and "Candy Apple" (pages 210 & 211 online).  I  really need to get more cards made as I am so far behind with getting my Christmas cards made.  Head on over to 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and check out the cards!

PS Soon I will be able to give direct links to FSJ products but the new website is still working out the glitches. The catalog is on my site, just click on the FSJ logo at the top of my sidebar then click on catalog.  You can download it to your computer.  There are some new products that have different availability dates so, if you want to order, please check my FSJ Specials page for that info.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Reorganizing, Sorting, and Selling at my WorkDesk

What a glorious Wednesday!  We got some rain and cooler temps but next week, ugh, back up to 105*F.  But last weekend I spent 4 wonderful days with friends at the 1st annual Fun Stampers Journey convention.  Many "coaches" are ex-angels (from The Angel Company which closed in 2011) as I am.  Needless to say, I purchased a LOT of goodies and have to purge much from my stash to make room.  So, today, rather than see my desk since this is deskers Wednesday, I am showing you my partially reorganized book shelf of goodies and a huge box of purged (and now not so loved) stamp sets.  This post is part of a large blog tour of desks brought together by Julia at the Stamping Ground.  I did post last week but didn't link up since I felt kinda guilty for not being able to be online for a few days.  But now...


This shows the top 3 of 5 shelves where I keep my stamps.  There is another shelf of stamps below the bottom one shown here .  I still need to purge but just can't bring myself to get rid of any more at this time.  I need another box to hold more envelopes of stamps and dies.  I will be purging some paper soon, too.


This is a large box and hose about 125 - 150 stamp sets from various companies and about 20 individual stamps that I hope to sell.  I've actually added a bunch more since taking this picture.  I'm hoping to get $200 plus shipping (U.S. only) for the box.  That's about $1.00 per set. That's a tremendous value!!!

Ok, that's my little sales spiel but it's not for any particular company,  just my stash.  So now please click on over to the Stamping Ground and see all the fun desks from all over the world!  I'll be heading there as soon as I grab another cup of coffee!  And after that, I'm gonna stamp!!

And we just got the news about 5:30 am our time... our son and his girlfriend were heading to the hospital to have their baby!!!!  We'll be grandparents again sometime today!!!!