Monday, February 29, 2016

In Full Bloom

Here's the 3rd of the 4 cards I made from the February Bloom Box using the Glass Blooms set.


The directions had the tulips on this card but with the background stamp I wanted to use a stamp with similar shape.  I colored the flower with Copic markers.


After stamping the little flowers on the Whip Cream layer I overlayed it with Vellum to soften the look.  And I added some clear Sparkle Elements to the flower.  Had to laugh at hubby when he asked how I placed them on the flower and I said I just sprinkled them.  The look on his face was priceless!

Paper:
Bubble Gum
Whip Cream
Black Licorice
Designer Vellum Prints

Ink:
Black Licorice

Dies:
Journey Circles

Accessories:
Photo Pin Elements
Sparkle Elements clear
Black Licorice Thread
Journey Glaze

I have one more card to show you using the Butterfly.  Funny how each month the inclusive stamp set becomes my favorite!  But here's the fun cards for March!


You can order your Bloom Box with this fun flamingo set tomorrow!  It's $24.95 plus tax/shipping and you do commit to 6 months.  I'll have the flyer on my FSJ Specials page with more info.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Two Lips, I Mean Tulips!

Here's another of the great Glass Blooms cards from the February Bloom Box.   I enjoy changing up the cards from the monthly box as most do follow the directions almost exactly.


The directions show this card using the Full Bloom and Bubble Gum ribbon & card stock.


You just can't get the full effect of the tulips with the Glaze and Sparkle Dust from a picture.  It just pops right off the card in real life and I only put it on the flower, not the leaves!  I colored with Copic markers.

Paper:
Lemon Grass
Lemon Drop
Whip Cream
Black Licorice
Black/White Pattern Paper

Ink:
Black Licorice

Dies:
Journey Circles
Journey Rectangle Long

Accessories:
Sweet Pear Ribbon
Fun Day Elements (paper clip)
Sparkle Dust
Journey Glaze

Wouldn't this cheer a friend who has been ill or is down? 

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Bookmarks and Desks

Such a gorgeous day we're going to have!  Great sun, nice temps, and a light breeze.  And it's Wednesday!  You know, What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!  The day you have the opportunity to view my desk and many others through the hard work of Julia at the Stamping Ground.  And if you are new to this please click on her "What is WOYWW?" tab when you head over there.


My desk is in between projects.  Far left are some swap cards for my Pomona, CA trip next month.  I do have a post scheduled to show them on March 11.  Next is a box of glue dots and a pile of cards (from the Feb. Bloom Box - see my previous post and my FSJ Specials tab if interested) the with my most recent Easter card on top.  The right half of my picture is a notebook of directions from FSJ's monthly Bloom Boxes that I was going through for some info. 

So, not too busy at the moment.  But I did watercolor some book marks earlier this week.


I kept the paper info from the 12" sq. sheet for info.  I layered these on card stock then laminated them.  I think I'll give a couple to my secret sis at church.  I did not put my name on them so she won't know as she does know I'm a crafter.  This may be difficult keeping my identity a secret.

Please head over to the Stamping Ground to get the links to other desks.  I'll be heading over this afternoon as I have an appointment with my optometrist for new contacts this morning.   Enjoy your journey as you travel Europe and the U.S.!

Monday, February 22, 2016

Glass Dragonflies

This weekend I FINALLY made my 4 cards from the February Bloom Box.  OH MY GOSH!  I LOVE it!!  We were shown a "new" technique in the directions and my first thought was, why didn't I think of that??  Yep!


Here are all 4 cards but I want to show you the dragonfly one.  I'm just too impressed.


Here's a bit closer look....   See the circles on the Whip Cream layer?  I'm going to leave you guessing how I did it because I did NOT use a stamp. 


I sometimes have an issue getting a good close up and after 3 tries this is as good as it got.  A bit of Photo Shop work helped.  I used a variety of products, even Copic markers to color.  Since I didn't have the re-inker listed in the directions, I changed it to one I did have.

Stamps:
Glass Blooms (available June - I wonder if it will be in the new catalog....)

Papers:
Lemon Grass
Pineapple Smoothie
Whip Cream
Journey Basis Black/White paper pack

Inks:
Black Licorice
Sweet Pear Re-inker

Accessories:
Journey Glaze
Journey Sparkle Cuts
Black Licorice Thread


I love how the Bloom Box comes with the stamp set, and each card kit in its own bag with all the paper cut, die cut, and embellishments included.  You just use your own inks, adhesives, and foam dots.  I'll resume showing the other 3 cards on Friday since Wednesday I hope to be taking part in the WOYWW Blog Hop and I cannot give links or blatantly promote FSJ.  I wonder what I'll come up with....

Friday, February 19, 2016

Feathers and Twine

I recently got the Platinum machine and a steel rule die for my birthday (wonderful hubby!) and yesterday afternoon I managed to squeeze out a few minutes to play.


I used 4 card stocks, Cocoa Powder, Oatmeal Cookie, Pumpkin Bread, and Journey Basics Neutrals (pattern papers).  I also used 3 different Silks, Dark Roast, Bronze, and Citrus Cooler.  I made a double bow from the Natural Twine and added the Star Button.  A final phrase from the Sentimental Prints set and voila!


I did sponge Cocoa Powder ink around the feathers and used the same to stamp the phrase.  Can you see the Pumpkin Bread piece?  I embossed it with the Beach Towel folder. 

This would be a great card for a gentleman friend who isn't feeling well, or maybe for his birthday!  What would you use it for?

 Machine and Dies:
 Journey Platinum
Every Day Elements die

Papers:
Cocoa Powder
Oatmeal Cookie
Pumpkin Bread
Journey Basics Neutrals

Stamps and Accessories:
Sentimental Prints
Natural Twine
Hearts & Stars Wooden Buttons

 Inks & Silks:
Cocoa Powder Ink
Bronze Silk
Dark Roast Silk
Citrus Cooler Silk

 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Sneak Peek and a Desk

It has been absolutely gorgus here in southern Arizona this past week!  Temps in the 80*s, clear skies, barely a breeze.  And here I am, inside...   Well, there is a reason.  Today I'm hopping all over the country looking at desks and I'm giving you the opportunity to see mine! Yep, it's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!  This fun "blog hop" is put together by Julia at the Stamping Ground.  So, without further adieu here is my desk... and it is busy.


I'm busy working on 15 cards for a swap next month in Pomona, CA.  I'll be heading out March 10 for a mini conference through Fun Stampers Journey.  I'm getting excited!  But my desk...  Far left to right...  My paper trimmer with some paper I'm using.  Under it is the paper pack that cupcake paper is from.  Center is where I'm working.  You can see I'm doing the Sunburst technique.  Just right of that are the strips I'm using for the technique.  Far right is the base card sitting with a die and more paper.  I really should be working on something else but now that this is started I gotta finish.


Here is a close up of the card base.  I love this new die from FSJ, well, all the products that I'm working with is from FSJ for this swap.  I've got a ways to go with these cards and won't post the completed card until March 11th or so. 

Ok, you've had a look at my desk.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground to get to the links to all the other desks.  I'll be heading over after breakfast.  But I will be spending some time outside too.  Maybe even walk to the Post Office (3/4 mile 1 way) as I need to stretch my ankle.  (I'll use a walking stick to help with stability.)  Hope you have a fab day!

Sunday, February 14, 2016

The First Journey Blog Hop


 Welcome to my first ever Journey Blog Hop!  I'm so happy you're hoppin' along!  If you arrived here from Tami's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, that's ok, too!  Just continue the hop and you'll come full circle.   Thanks for hopping to my blog.  Please head over to Rachel's blog to see what he/she has to share.   The Blog roll is:
8.  Becky Lemire  
9.  Tami Weil
10.  Carol Norby  *** You are here!
12. Ruth Cooper
13. Kathy Dowbenko

Today we are sharing a Valentine card.  I'm using the new "Whale You" set that you can get FREE when you place a $50 or more order through FSJ.   I also used the ATS set "The Light" which was just released in the new Spring Mini catalog.  I'll be giving this to my hubby.  It's one card he has not seen yet as he loves to see my creations!


I used Whip Cream, Beach Ball, Pool Play, Cool Pool, and River Stone card stocks to make this fun card.


I also used Candy Apple, Black Licorice, and Pineapple Smoothie inks.  Unfortunately I didn't have any of our rhinestones so used some from my stash for the waves and eye.  Bummer.  I have rhinestones on order (and they arrived Friday night) but they are bigger than what I used..   I used the new die set, Border Basics, to make the waves. 

I hope you enjoyed my card.  Remember to head over to Rachel's  blog to continue the hop.  If you get lost the complete Blog Roll is Here.
Thanks for stopping by!

 

Friday, February 12, 2016

Happy Birthday Cake & Banner

Each week a fellow FSJ coach challenges us on her FB page.  This week it was to make a birthday card.  After seeing another card by a fellow coach I was inspired to play again with some of our mixed media products.


I'm enjoying making cards like this as it's so out of the box for me.


I started with my Whip Cream card stock layer then sprayed the corner with Green Olive Splash.  I then added some Pineapple Smoothie ink over a small area of the Bubble Bubble Stencil.  The fun cake stamp was a Birthday Gift from FSJ to me last year so it's not available for purchase. I stamped it on some Whip Cream cs, colored with Copic markers, then layered it on Lemon Drop cs.  (We do have some great cakes in the Yummy & Delicious Collection in the stamp area of the shopping cart.) I added the loops of the Whip Cream Thread then pop dotted it in place after coloring.   I die cut the banner from the Banner Party Bundle in 2 card stocks, Olive Green and Whip Cream.  I thought the little crown from the stamp set was perfect for the banner and stamped in with Watermelon Fusion ink.

Inks & Splashes:
Green Olive Splash
Pineapple Smoothie Ink
Watermelon Fusion Ink

Misc.
Bubble Bubble Stencil
Whip Cream Thread
Foam Squares small

Card Stocks:
Whip Cream
Lemon Drop
Olive Green
Watermelon Fusion

Stamps:
Banner Party Bundle

This card was relatively fast to make and WAY easier than I expected.  I think it took me longer to color the cake than to do all the rest!


And I want to let you know that I'll be participating in my first ever Fun Stampers Journey Blog Hop on Sunday, Feb. 14.  Yep, Valentine' Day!  My post will go live at 12:02 am.  And I'll still be in bed at that time.  (Thank goodness I can schedule this!)  Please come by and join the hop.  I'm a ways down the line but it starts with Susan Berg's Blog.  Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

ATCs and Desks

It's a gorgeous Wednesday!  We're having very warm temperatures (mid 80's F) here in southern Arizona.  It makes it hard to be indoors.  But indoors is where you want to be as you get the opportunity to hop around the world visiting other crafters' rooms where they create their projects through the Stamping Ground and Julia.  If you are new to this please click through to her blog at the end of my post and then check out her "What is WOYWW" button just under her blog banner.


I'm in-between projects.  On the far left are 4 more little wooden houses to play with and a kit from ADORNit called Prayer Companion Kit.  Kinda middle is a pile of paper and a stack of stamps.  My actual work pad is empty and waiting.  Far right are my ATG adhesive gun and paper trimmer.  This was taken last night and today I need to get some cards done for special purposes.

I have been stamping some but time as been short since I'm back to work cleaning our church 2 days a week.  The ankle tires quickly so I usually have to lay down when I get home and elevate the foot for a while.  But every day is better and I'm up longer and longer.  I also started working out on the bicycles at the gym to strengthen and flex the ankle without a lot of stress.  But enough of my  foot, onward!


Monday I got back the ATCs from the monthly swap I'm involved in.  All products are from FSJ.  These fun cards were made by:
Barbara Moore, Tori, and Debbie Daniel
Christine Pennington, Carol Hirsch, and Susan Clyne
Linda B, Diane Short, and LeeAnn Kelso

Ok, you've reached the end.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground to find the links to oodles of desks!  Maybe we'll meet along the way!

Monday, February 8, 2016

Be Strong Little Chickie

I managed to get one project completed and another started Saturday.  I needed a couple cards for special purposes and used a set I haven't yet used.  I love how the cards turned out.


I used the ATS set "Be Strong".  A bit of Natural Twine and some Dark Roast Silk, and I think it turned out pretty cool.


I also used Cocoa Powder ink and card stock, and Oatmeal Cookie and Butter Cream card stocks.


I'm also working on my ATCs for the February swap through a group of other coaches.  This is a new set called "Favorite Peeps".  I have a ways to go but it's coming along nicely.  I used Spring Parade paper pack and Pineapple Smoothie card stock.

Stamps:
Be Strong
Favorite Peeps Bundle (stamps & coordinating die set)

Card stocks & Paper:
Cocoa Powder
Oatmeal Cookie
Butter Cream
Pineapple Smoothie
Spring Parade

Inks & Silks:
Cocoa Powder
Black Licorice
Dark Roast Silk

Other:
Natural Twine

Now to get these 2 cards in the mail and I can start working on tax stuff this week!  What a depressing thought....  But my Bloom Box should be here today!

Friday, February 5, 2016

My 2nd Butterfly House

I finished my 2nd of 6 butterfly houses a couple days ago.  I posted my first in my last post but could not list the products used since I was in a blog hop that required no "advertising".  I used the same products as on this one.



Here's the 4 sides.  And a close up of the butterfly...


I purchased my 6 little wooden houses at a major craft store on a sale for $1 each.  I colored my gesso with Sweet Berry paint using the Spatula and painted the whole house.  I colored my modeling paste with the same paint and used the Starburst Lines stencil then painted the roof (and base) so it would be a bit darker.  I colored the sides with Cool Pool paint, added the Spring Parade paper with the Glue to the 2 sides and stamped the back text from the Faith Plan stamp set with Black Licorice ink.  I also "painted" the roof with Gel Medium before adding the vine (Border Details die set) and flowers (Spring Bloom Minis die).  The vine and grass wwere made from Lemon Grass card stock and the flowers from Bubble Gum card stock.  I die cut the smallest butterfly from the Artful Butterfly die set using a piece of card stock I colored years ago and the base from Bubble Gum card stock.  All rhinestones (on flowers and butterfly) were from my personal stash.

I enjoy making these and they do take some time as products need to dry between applications.  I hope to sell these for $10 each at a local craft fair.

Journey Media Products:
Starburst Line stencil
Spatula

Paints & Ink:
Sweet Berry
Cool Pool
Gesso
Modeling Paste
Gel Medium
Angled Brush
Black Licorice Ink

Misc.
Journey Craft Glue

Dies:
Border Details
Artful Butterfly
Spring Bloom Minis

Paper:
Spring Parade
Lemon Grass
Bubble Gum


Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Desks and a Butterfly House

It's Wednesday!  And my desk has been busy this week!  Since cleaning my craft room closet a while back I found some fun little wooden bird houses I purchased at a craft store for about $1 each and I started playing.  But before I show you what I did with the one completed I need to show you my work area.  If you've been following me you know I take part in a global blog tour of desks put together by the head desker, Julia, at the Stamping Ground


Last night my desk still has 4 more little houses to decorate, a pile of dies and some ATCs from a recent swap.  Then some scraps, glue bottle, paint brushes, and a pile of Valentine cards that I need to write in so that I can send them.  Far right are 2 pads for my Grand Calibur.

And now for the little house.  It stands about 5 1/2" tall.










I used all FSJ products and if you want to know which ones (lots of dies and mixed media stuff) please contact me.


This was great fun to make when I "was supposed to" stay off my sprained ankle.  But to make the die cuts I do have to stand, just can't turn the handle of my Grand Calibur while sitting.  I found some little pearls that I used on the butterfly.  It was die cut from a piece of background I made called Rainbow Brilliance.  And I don't remember how I did it other than some gold ink stamped on glossy then brayered with a Kaleidacolor Ink Pad.


On the roof I stenciled some modeling paste then painted before adding the die cut vine and flowers.  The flower centers are some fun little gems I purchased last summer.  (I have blue ones, too.)  I used a gel medium on the roof to add some shine after sanding just a hint to bring out the base color.  I just finished my 2nd one (pictures just uploaded to my computer last night) Monday and will be selling all these eventually or giving them as gifts.

I thought it strange that I lost about 15 followers this week but after reading another Blogger writer I think its all because of Google.  Her words: If you are already a Blogger blog writer, then changes won't, I don't think, stop you commenting. It is only commenting and following that you will be prevented from doing if you aren't a Google+ account holder.
I hope I don't have to stop this blog or go to another account like Wordpress but we'll see...  I don't remember getting any info on this but it is upsetting.  I think you can follow me through Bloglovin' or some other format if you don't have a Google account.  To me this does seem a bit petty about Google.

Now that I shown you my desk and a project please head over to the Stamping Ground to check out many other desks and projects!  Grab your favorite cuppa beverage and enjoy!  I'm heading out to take a class with friends on a form of Bible Journaling.  We won't be using a Bible but a kit by Adorn It, I think.  I'll share those next week.

Monday, February 1, 2016

A Wild Valentine and a Locket

I had to do a challenge last week on a fellow coach's FB page of either masculine or non-traditional colored Valentine.  I did both!  Not sure I like the colors but had fun making the card!



I used the new Border Basic dies from the Spring Mini catalog to do the zig zag on the side and through the middle.  I stamped the Artful Feathers ATS using 2 inks, Pumpkin Bread and Tangerine Fusion which is also the colors of the card stocks along with Whip Cream for the feathers.


The pattern paper is from the Journey Basics Neutral paper pack and the heart was made using the Heart Felt & Heart Felt Piercing Elements dies.






I have the Sparkle Round Large Locket, Locket Kit,  and long Diamond Cut Link chain from the Journey Girl collection.  (I have many of the charms, too.)  I got this gorgeous set at convention last June.  This past week I decided to decorate it for Valentine's Day.  I used the Journey Yummy Prints paper pack,  a heart from the Sparkle Love Elements (a freebie you can get with a $50 net order, #AC-0149), Script Background , Watermelon Fusion ink. Oh, the Love is from the Bezel Block ATS.  (The locket is laying on a decorative heart for photoing.) 

Stamps:
Selfie Love
Artful Feathers ATS
Bezel Block ATS

Papers:
Pumpkin Bread
Tangerine Fusion
Whip Cream
Journey Yummy Prints
Journey Basics Pastels

Inks:
Pumpkin Bread
Tangerine Fusion
Watermelon Fusion

Dies:
Heart-Felt
Heart-Felt Piercing Elements

Fashion Accessories:
Sparkle Round Large Locket
Diamond Cut Link chain
Locket Kit

Other:
Sparkle Love Elements (check out the incentives on my FSJ Specials Page)

Can you believe it, today is Feb. 1st!!!  What happened to January??