Monday, November 30, 2015

December Kit of the Mont

Just got the info on December's "Kit of the Month".  Another winner in my book!


Here's a close up of the cards in the kit.  I love how you can make this image into a gift card holder for a special coffee gift!


And here's the flyer with all the particulars about the KOTM.  This fun stamp set will not be available for general purchase until March 2016, I think.

I need to make some coffee themed gift card holders and I'm waiting for this to arrive!  Should grace my Post Office Box about Friday.

And did you know that when you join FSJ and my team you can customize your starter kit?



What a great way to get more product into your hands!  Check it out!

Ho Ho Ho Ugly Sweater

I'm finally starting on my Christmas cards and made 4 of this card.  I again used the Ugly Sweater stamp set.


I stamped the sweater and made the strips from the Winter Fresh Prints paper.  I got another pack of it when I placed a $100+ order a couple weeks ago (along with the Treat Timd Prints and Harvest Days Prints).


I also used River Stone, Candy Apple, and Whip Cream card stocks.  And for the sweater layer, I used the Journey Circles dies.  How do you like the little sparkly elements?  Those are from the Holiday Elements Sequins.  I splattered a bit of Cranberry Bliss Silk on the circle before I added the sweater.  I colored the little guy with my Copic markers and used Black Licorice ink for all stamping.

This past week I got in a special order so that I can show off my cards at craft fairs, etc.


 I ordered this 16 slot revolving card rack from Amazon.  I'm impressed as to how many cards it can hold! The slots are big enough for 5" x 7" cards.  I'm thinking after the first of the year to get a booth at the local Wednesday Farmers Market and sell cards and a few other things.  Or maybe I can use this rack at church for the cards I donate for people to use.

How's your  Christmas cards coming along?  I will be working on more this week.  Got some other projects completed this weekend.  My next post I'll be showing you the coffee cups I worked on.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Sparkle and Smile

I've been quite busy and I really need to get more Christmas cards made but that's not happening.  And I'm running out of time!  I did find a Kit card that I haven't posted.  I think it's my favorite of the 4.


I followed the directions on this card except for 1 ink color.  Stamping black stars was a bit out of my box but I love the effect!  I used the following inks: Citrus Cooler, Sweet Berry, and Black Licorice.  Card stocks used were Citrus Cooler, Black Licorice, and Whip Cream


A bit of Black Licorice Twine, Journey Sparkle Cuts, and Glaze, some Citrus Cooler and Silver Silks and the effect is quite stunning in person.  The stamp set,  Be Happy, is great!  So much one can do with it.  A fellow coach used the star in her Christmas cards!

Here's another card I made as a sample for my Feb. 17th class for GVR (Green Valley Recreation).  It's a center step card.


The pattern paper and gold card stock is from elsewhere.  I'm just using up some scraps.  The nice buck is the Deer Pose ATC and the Smile! comes from the Greet & Shout set.  I used Wooden Accents buttons and Star Frames (a free incentive item for a $50 + order).  I did use Cocoa Powder card stock and Cocoa Powder ink along with some white embossing powder. FSJ does carry a really nice White embossing powder but I have a HUGE tub of white that I purchased years ago and I've got to use it. The large oval was cut with the Journey Ovals dies.  The little one was cut using the oval from the Greet & Shout set.

I need to make just 1 more card for my poster of my classes so hope to get that done this weekend.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Desks and ATCs

Wednesday... Oh yeah!  Desk day!  Can't forgot that!  Today is the day YOU get to view my work space and the desks of many others who take part in this fun blog hop across the globe!  And Julie, our head desker from the Stamping Ground, brings this weekly fun time together.  If you are new to seeing this please click on her blog then on the What is WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday) page when you're done here.


I just started working on my Advent Boxes for our youngest son and his family.  Cass wanted to do an Advent for our grandson and FSJ had (and still has) a Bundle with which to do this.  Here I'm die cutting the "Bread Tag" labels.  My Grand is busy!


And just a bit later I'm stamping snowflakes on the 25 boxes with Whip Cream pigment ink.  Needless to say, my fingers are getting a bit inky.  I need to get these done to ship.  Cass will have to assemble the boxes but the stamping and tags with all the decorations will be done for her.  I have some special oil for our grandson to send, too.

So much for my desk.  I did get my monthly ATC swap in on Monday and I got back 9 of the 10.  I let the swap host keep mine.







All supplies from FSJ.

Ok, you've reached the end.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground and enjoy the tour!  I'll also be playing with oodles of new stuff that came in on Monday.

Monday, November 23, 2015

A Bagillion Reasons for Hello.

Here's another KOTM card I finished last week. I like this new stamp set, Be Happy, a LOT.


This card uses a Whip Cream base and layer.  I took the 4 colored card stock strips, Sweet Berry, Green Olive, Sweet Pear, and Black Licorice and adhered them to a square of Whip Cream card stock then cut to make the strip.  After adhering the strip to the Whip Cream layer I splattered some Silver and Citrus Cooler Silks.  Next I stamped the text with Black Licorice ink. I added the Black Licorice Twine on the strip.  I stamped the flower 5 times using Citrus Cooler ink, cut them out and adhered the flowers as shown.  Last I glazed the top flowers and sprinkled with Sparkle Cuts.  I see on the directions that I was to add some Special Celebration Sequins.... I still can as a bunch came with the Kit.


What a fun card!  Wouldn't this be fab using the heart stamp and giving this as an Anniversary card?


 Here's a card I made this weekend for my Feb. 17th class for Green Valley Recreation.  The pattern paper is a left over scrap from somewhere that worked perfectly with this Hello Sunshine stamp set from a former Kit of the Month.  Strange but I couldn't find it in the online shopping. 

Friday, November 20, 2015

A Couple KOTM Cards

I finally got my 4 "Kit of the Month" cards made and I'll share 2 of them now.


The Kit came with Citrus Cooler ribbon for this card but I much preferred my Black Licorice for this.  The Citrus just seemed to blend in too much with the banner under it.  This new stamp set,  Be Happy, is wonderful and I'm sure it'll be getting lots of use! The fun black/white paper is from the Black & White Paper Pack but I used this side instead of the thin diagonal lines that the directions said to use.  The card stocks are: Black Licorice, Whip Cream, Sweet Berry, and Orange Creamsicle.  I used Black Licorice and Sweet Berry inks.  I did forget to use the Silks on this card. Oh well.  I think I forgot the Journey Glaze on the heart, too, but I can still do that. I love the sequins, they add that touch of bling!




I changed an ink color on this card since I didn't have what was used on the inspiration picture and directions.  That's ok.  I'm good at changing things a bit.  The Citrus Cooler and Silver Silks are fabulous for adding a bit of surprise to the cards.  The Silks look like fingernail polish bottles with the brush and the inks are very liquidy.... is that a word?  Just a bit of flicking and you've got splatters! (But be careful, the splatters can go where you don't want them, like on clothing.)   Card stocks used are: Green Olive, Whip Cream, and Sweet Pear.  Inks are: Sweet Berry, Citrus Cooler, Sweet Pear, and Black Licorice.  Also used are Black Licorice Twine  and Special Celebration Sequins.   Turned out the directions said to use Journey Glaze on the flower.  I just don't do real good at reading the directions!

I'll show the other 2 cards next week.  They're very sparkley!  And just a reminder, the kits come with a stamp set, all the paper, and most embellishments.  You supply the inks, Silks, adhesives, glaze, and pop dots.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

A Desk and A Sunburst Thanksgiving Card

Did you miss me??  I was gone the last 2 Wednesdays to Wyoming to see family and friends.  And a fast trip it was!  We were gone 10 days of which only 2 were not travel days.  Um, about 3100 miles.  We had good weather, rain, wind, and snow (light) but the roads were pretty good.  We had a couple changes of route due to snow or road closures.  But enough of my missing in action.  I'm back to take part in the WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday) with oodles of other crafters to show our desks and whatever condition they're in.  This blog tour is put together by head desker Julia at the Stamping Ground.  If you've don't know what this is about click on her blog then click on "What is WOYWW?"   Ok, are you ready???



Let's see. Far left the red coffee cup is still there waiting for me to do something with it.  It's almost hidden in front of my red Cricut.  Then a 6" x 6" paper pad, some scraps, a stamp, and an ink pad.  On my work spot is the card in progress.  I'll be teaching this technique in Feb. at the local Recreation center (if people sign up).  Far right are my scissors, a sanding block, and more scraps.


All stamps, papers, etc. are from the Fun Stampers Journey.  If you want more info on particular products please contact me.  This was a fun card to make but I have a tendency to make it harder by trying to keep the dark brown paper border.  There is a die cut pumpkin-colored cut circle in the bottom under the leaf.  My points of the sun rays usually look a bit wonky and ragged.


Here you can see the leaf and label better.  I added some twine for a bit more embellishment.

Ok, you've reached the end of my post and I hope you enjoyed viewing my desk and card.  I made this for my monthly swap in the Technique Junkies group so it'll be mailed out tomorrow or Thursday.  Now please head over to the Stamping Ground and enjoy the other wonderful gals who take part in this fun tour of desks!  And they almost all have fun projects to show also!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Giving Thanks for Autumn Leaves

We had a FABULOUS time with the kids, grand kids, great grandson, and friend this past 2 weeks but now it's time to get it into gear and make some cards for some special purposes.


I seen a card somewhat similar on Pinterest and this is kind of my rendition but greatly simplified.  I used just 1 stamp set, Autumn Time, and it's coordinating die set which I purchased as a BUNDLE for a better price.  I love it that so many of our stamps sets have dies sets, too!  Helps cut down fussy cutting time!



I stamped the leaves in Pumpkin Bread and Pineapple Smoothie inks and die cut the top one.  I splattered Gold, Dark Roast, and Citrus Cooler Silks on the leaves (mostly) then stamped the text with Cocoa Powder ink. I used Pumpkin Bread and Whip Cream card stocks and Natural Thread.  I really should have used Butter Cream card stock for the top layer but my brain isn't quite in gear yet from our trip.

Funny how once I finish a card I can think of about 3 or 4 ways I could have changed it to make it more appealing... to me, anyway.  Do you do that?

Friday, November 13, 2015

A Joyful Hello

I was looking though some of my stash drawers and seen oodles of embossing folders that I used to love.  Well,  I was feeling sorry for them so decided to make a non-FSJ card for this post.


I used 3 embossing folders.  The base folder is "Brick", a Tim Holtz by Sizzix.  The small layer is a wood grain by The Paper Studio, and the cattails is by Darice.  The stamped text is from Red Rubber Designs.



I wrapped a bit of twine from The Twinery around the cattail layer.  I love how this turned out!  With the embossing folders I used this is pretty much a masculine card.  Would be great for a birthday, get well, or retirement.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

It's An Ugly Sweater!

Well, Ugly Sweater is a new stamp set that came out in our Holiday Mini catalog.


When I seen this set in the Mini I just had to have it.  There is no coordinating die but that's ok.  The card base and sweater used Kiwi Slice card stock.  I wanted it to coordinate with the banner pattern paper,  Winter Fresh Prints.  I used Candy Apple card stock for layering.


I used a wide strip of Whip Cream card stock to set off the sweater and side pieces.  The snowflake design was stamped with Whip Cream ink, a slow drying pigment ink. And I added some sequins from the Holiday Elements sequins for a bit of fun.  Also used was Black Licorice ink.  This is a fun stamp set and I think my customers, family, and friends will be getting some Christmas cards using this set!


Monday, November 9, 2015

A Hodge Podge Card

Last week we were challenged to make a collage card by a fellow coach on a FB private page.  I love what others have made but struggle making these!  But, if you look closely enough you will see bits and pieces from some projects posted recently.



Again, I made an autumn themed card as I will be sending these to our kids for Thanksgiving.  I used the Autumn Time Bundle for the large leaf and text.  The small stamped leaves and die cuts are from the Give Thanks Bundle.  I used an assortment of inks.  I also used the Honeycomb ATC stamp.  I used a bit of Citrus Cooler Color Splash, too.



The bottom half of the stamped piece was embossed with the Petals Wall folder and I added a bit of Natural Thread.

Have you figured out what pieces came from previous projects?  Let's see,  the honeycomb pieces came from my Thanks ATCs and the little brown flowers came from the Giving Thanks card last week.  I didn't realize until after the card was made that the flowers on both sides of the word Autumn where so even.

This card was fun to make and I hope to try something like this again someday.  What do you think about it??

Friday, November 6, 2015

A Fall ATC

I'm in a monthly ATC swap and I'm beginning to enjoy making these.  It's hard, or I should say a challenge, for me to make these.


I started with a base of Pumpkin Bread card stock then stamped with Pumpkin Bread ink the Honeycomb ATS stamp on a layer of Whip Cream card stock.  I used the Autumn Time dies to cut out the leaf.  (I bought this die set as a Bundle with the coordinating stamps for a better deal.) 



I wrapped a bit of Black Licorice Twine around the edge of the top lay before using foam dots to attach to the base.  Lastly I stamped the Thanks from the Autumn Time stamp set with Black Licorice ink.  I cut the phrase apart to have 2 stamps.  I have a tendency to cut images apart for more versatility if I can do so without ruining the stamp.

These are now in the mail to the hostess.  I'm excited to see what I get this month.  There will be no swap in December.  Rats, I already had some ideas running through my mind....

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Last of the Halloween Cards

I know Halloween is over but I forgot to share this last card with you before now.  Yeah, I know it's November and Thanksgiving is coming up soon.  But this card was my October swap for the Technique Junkies 1 on 1 swap.


I used the "Triangular Zig Zag" technique on the background.  All the stamped images and die cuts are from the Ghostly Haunts Bundle (stamp set with coordinating dies).  I used Tangerine Fusion and Whip Cream card stocks and the fun pattern paper is from the Treat Time Prints paper pad.


I added some Journey Glaze to the eyes and word for a bit of pop. All stamping was done using Black Licorice ink.

Ok, now I'm working on my Thanksgiving and Christmas cards.  No more ghosts or pumpkins until next year.