Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A Cased Challenge and a Desk

I haven't done a challenge for a very long time and today, along with sharing my desk for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, I'm doing so.  A fellow "coach" with the company I'm a part of is on the design team of Can You Case It and I am playing along with Sketch #122.  But my desk is part of the weekly blog tour of desks through Julia at the Stamping Ground but for the time being the links are at Lunch Lady Jan's.

Ok, my desk:



I have my sample of our card stock colors on the far left in front of my Cricut, then to the right a stack of stamp sets, then my paper trimmer sitting on my work spot.  I'm trying to get some ideas for some trades for convention next week but am drawing a blank.

And now for my card.  All supplies used are from Fun Stampers Journey and if you desire to know more please contact me.  Ok, here it is!


I played a bit with mixed media using a stencil, sponge, modeling paste, and some acrylic paint for the background.  I paper pieced for the floatie guy and added a wiggle eye. 


We have some great stamps that are perfect to add the wiggle eyes.


This card was a hoot to make and came to me quickly.  Wished all my projects did that!  But now you've reached the end and you can go 2 places:  LLJ's for the desk hop and CYCI for the sketch challenge.  I suggest both!  Oh, and happy June!!!

Monday, May 30, 2016

May ATCs

I got back my ATC swap for this month (and where has the month gone???) and they were fabulous!


I put the artist's name under each one as they do deserve the credit for their work.  And sometimes making these are work.  I get brain burps when I start mine...  It may take up to an hour to come up with a design I like.


Aren't these just great!! 


Friday, May 27, 2016

Stars and Popsicles

I keep finding cards I haven't shared so here's a couple from a couple weeks ago.


This one was for a fellow coach's challenge for a graduation card.  Since I have no "graduation" themed stamps I made do with this fun text from the Rock Notes stamp set.  I used card stocks and a background stamp and ink that will be in the new catalog and available July 1.  But how about that arrow die!!  I used the Border Details die (also in the new catalog, I hope) and cut it 5 times!  I saved all the little pieces to use in the negative spaces!  Time consuming, yes!  But love the effect!  I also use the Star-Dom and Star Piercing Elements dies and Black Licorice Twine.


I do love how this card turned out.  I did see someone do the arrow die like this so it's not an original thought.


I wanted to play with a new set from the Summer mini catalog called the Too Cool Bundle, stamps and coordinating dies (a great deal!).   I also used Beach Ball, Whip Cream, and Lemon Drop card stocks and a retiring print card stock called Yummy Prints.


Did you notice the Lemon Drop corner piece?  I actually used a piece of a die cut from the Cupcake Liner die! I used my Copic markers to color the popsicles then added some Glaze to the center one and some Sparkle Cuts for bling.  I sponged some Beach Ball ink on the edges of the Whip Cream and Yummy Prints layers.

You only have a few days left to get your fave retiring products at 40% off.  Here's the list of gone and limited products.


Click on the pic to enlarge it to read. I do have 4 retired and retiring stamp sets that I'll be giving away in a drawing for those ordering $75 (before ship/tax) by midnight May 31.  See them on the FSJ page.

In 2 weeks I'll be in Scottsdale, AZ at our 2nd annual FSJ convention!  I will be ordering about 16 or 24 catalogs for my customers.  Reserve yours soon!  I'm charging $15 for each (includes shipping to you if needed) with $10 off your first $50 order (before ship/tax) placed by Sept. 1, 2016. Just contact me!  The actual cost of the new catalogs is $12.95 each as they are about 100 pages LARGER than our previous catalog!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

A Desk and A Mountain

I have not stamped for over a week as I've been in northwest Wyoming to see our kids.  And since today is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday I decided to share a majestic mountain along with my desk.  And today sweet Jan at Lunch Lady Jan's Fabric Frenzy is hosting today's desk tour for Julia who is on vacation and having health issues.


I do have the products of an order I got in the night before I left on my mini trip. I also am showing a new shelf to the top left that I acquired last week.  So now my desk is even more organized above my red Cricut.  On the desk from left to right, a tote with my special swap for an upcoming Fun Stampers Journey convention, my trimmer with a new package of Color Burst bottles, then stamps and dies in the center. I did get 6 new ink pads put into the ink rack top right.


Sunday my son, his wife, our grandson, and I went to Red Lodge, MT, a ski and tourist town where we used to live from 1985 - 1988.  After a nice meal we drove southwest along the Beartooth Highway to where the road was closed.  The pass is over 10,000' elevation (above timberline) and still snow packed.  But I did get this picture of the start of the highway switchbacks going up the mountain (center left) and a even higher mountain in the distance where it is snowing.  I've been over this pass quite a few times in the past 40 years and I never get tired of seeing these majestic peaks.

Hopefully next week I'll have some projects to show you but I won't be taking part in this desk tour on June 9th as I'll be gone to convention and will not be getting much computer time.  Please head over to LLJ's blog to click on lots of links to blogs of those taking part.  I'll be looking around along with trying to get some laundry done plus making some Cinnamon-Rhubarb Muffins.

I also want to say Happy Anniversary to WOYWW as this is the 7th anniversary of this great event! Thanks so much to Julia for starting this and keeping it going.  I have cyber-met many wonderful ladies and I'm looking forward to a long "relationship".  God bless you, Julia!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Two More May Bloom Box Cards

Are you waiting to see the last 2 Bloom Box cards?  Well, your wait is over!


This card was pretty much according to directions.  I love how the Circle Piercing element was used on the Whip Cream layer without cutting out a circle.  But the Circle dies were used for the Blue Lagoon layer.  We stamped the text on the blue circle before adhering it to the middle of the pierced circle.  We stamped the dragonfly on the Tag Element, sponged some Kiwi Slice ink to the tag and large Whip Cream layer, then adhered the tag with Foam Squares and splattered with Silver Silk.  We added the Bubble Gum Thread to the fun flower button.


This last card was our favorite.  We used the Ink Splat stamp and Sweet Pear ink to color the owl. We sponged Bubble Gum ink on the top Whip Cream layer edges and inside the die cut circle and splattered all layers with Bubble Gum Silk.  The fun little Bubble Gum Flowers were made with the Spring Bloom Minis die and we added some Bloom Time sequins and a bow of Bubble Gum Thread.  Oh, we also added some Wiggle Eyes for fun.

The monthly Bloom Box is a great deal when you consider you get a full size stamp set and all the pre-cut paper and embellishments along with directions to make the cards.  The box is $24.95 plus tax/shipping and you subscribe for a 6 month commitment.  You just supply the inks, coloring medium you want to use, and Glaze and adhesives/foam dots.  If you are interested just click on the Be Amazing logo at the top of the sidebar to go to my replicated site then click on SHOP.  The Bloom Box will be mailed to your address the first week of each month!  And if you're in the Green Valley, AZ area, you can join us and have fun making your cards!

Friday, May 20, 2016

May Bloom Box Cards

Last Saturday Angie and I got together to work on our 4 card kits from the May Bloom Box.  I'm hoping to get some more gals involved so we can have a bunch of us playing together.


These are the first cards we made.  After coloring we came to the conclusion we didn't want to color any more.  We used my PrismaColor pencils.  We also splattered with Silver Silk and Glazed the top layer of dragonfly.  A bit of Bubble Gum thread and a Paper Clip Element gave just the right amount of fun.  We pretty much followed the directions exactly.


The directions called for detail coloring this owl but instead we used Blue Lagoon Splash on him. We added Wiggle Eyes for fun.  The Bubble Gum thread was wrapped around the top 2 layers and a bow was added with a pink heart button.

My next post will have the other 2 cards of which the last one was our favorite!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Just A Desk

It's another Wednesday, Hump Day, Desk Day, whatever you want to call it.  And today, our head desker, Julia at the Stamping Ground, has handed the reins over to Jan at Lunch Lady Jan's.  Me, along with about 50 - 60 (usually) crafters take part in showing you our desks in whatever shape/mess/neatness they are in when we take our photos.  Mine's just starting a new project.  I took this picture yesterday afternoon as once hubby comes home I do not get back on the computer.


You will need to click on the photo to see what all is happening.  I have changed out shelves on the top left since last week and am slowly filling the levels with stuff I use a bit more frequently.  The pink tote far left holds 25 card fronts of a masculine birthday card for an upcoming convention in Scottsdale, AZ with Fun Stampers Journey.  Next to it is a pack of paper sitting atop my paper trimmer. Next right is a couple envelopes with stamps and coordinating dies.  Then my Scor-Pal with a stack of white scrap paper and the start of a card.  Far right my ATG adhesive tool and Platinum die cut machine.  Back left is my Cricut, shelves, Copic markers, Ott Light, and ink pads.

I have nothing else today as I've been preparing to fly out tomorrow after work to Wyoming to see kids, grand kids, and great grand kids.  I'll be celebrating birthdays for many since this is my only opportunity to see them near their birthdays.  I'll be back home on Monday so this is a fast trip.

Well, this is such a short post so please head over to Lunch Lady Jan's to find the links to many others taking part. I'll be busy finishing laundry (hubby's work clothes) and packing.   But I will be taking time to hop around some desks so maybe we'll cross paths!

Monday, May 16, 2016

Don't Sink

I realized that I haven't shown you the card I sent to my Technique Junkies monthly swap partner!  I have to admit, I used the Sunburst (or Starburst) technique again but I also used a great new stamp from our Summer mini catalog called Don't Sink.  All the strips were small pieces so I did use up a few scraps.


The fun paper is from a retiring pack called Yummy Prints and it's on sale at 40% off right now!  I love the fun cheery colors and prints but when it's gone, it's gone if sold out by May 31.   I also used Beach Ball, Bubble Gum, and Lemon Drop card stocks.


Isn't this little guy a hoot! I paper pieced the nose with a piece of Beach Ball c.s., added a Wiggle eye and some Blue Skies sequins.  Inside I stamped the phrase Don't Sink that comes with the ATS set.

Wouldn't this card be fun for a cheering up card, or maybe a newly retired person...

Sunday, May 15, 2016

May Flowers Blog Hop


Welcome to our Fun Stampers Journey "May Flowers & Growth" Blog Hop! I'm so happy you're hoppin' along! If you arrived here from Wilma Paynes' blog, you're on the right track. If not, that's ok too! Just continue the hop and you'll come full circle!

I've chosen to show 2 floral cards for our hop as I don't have a "green thumb".  I've used 2 different fun stamp sets, Dahlia Burst and Glass Blooms.


This card is a version of the Triple Play technique.  I love monochrome cards and I only used Beach Breeze ink and card stock, along with Whip Cream card stock, of course.  A few Blue Skies sequins and some sponging and this card is complete! I did have to do some masking to get the leaves where I wanted them.


I didn't pop up the layers but the effect is still there.

My second card is also a version of the Triple Play technique. I used the Journey Rectangles die set to make my layers.


The Glass Blooms set was from the February Bloom Box and should be available for purchase next month. I used Black Licorice ink, and Whip Cream and Watermelon Fusion card stocks.


Here you can see the layers.  I colored the flowers and butterflies with Copic markers and added some Journey Glaze and Sparkle Dust.



Both my cards were inspired by a couple I had pinned.

Thanks for hopping to my blog. Please head over to Charlene's blog to see what he/she has to share.  Here's the complete list of the FSJ coaches involved in today's hop.

1. Christine Pennington

2. Betsye Rose Cimino Erazo:

3. Kim Lamos

4. Heather Flaherty

5. Wilma Payne

6. Carol Norby  ->  that's me!

7. Charlene Lindsey Leasor
 

8. Sharon Olson Venclauskas

9. Sandra Kay Tate

10. Ruth Cooper


Again, thanks for stopping by!

Friday, May 13, 2016

March Bloom Box Cards

This past weekend a friend, Angie, and I got together to make our March Bloom Box cards.  The March box was so popular that when Angie signed up for it, it was WAY back ordered!  I held off making mine until we could get together since I have all the inks.  This fun stamp set, Tickled Pink, will be available in July, in fact, it might be in the new catalog (but products in it will be available July 1 anyway!).









We followed the directions pretty much exactly until we got to the last set.  I got out my Bubble Gum SilkStarburst Lines stencil, and sponges.  I didn't have all the inks so we had to substitute.  I'll list the actual inks in the directions.

Other products used are:

Card stocks & Papers:
Whip Cream
Watermelon Fusion
Bubble Gum
Lemon Grass
Cool Pool
Pool Play
Blue Lagoon
Sweet Pear
Pineapple Smoothie
Oatmeal Cookie
Spring Parade print paper

Inks:
Black Licorice
Kiwi Slice
Lemon Grass
Sweet Pear
Sweet Berry
Limeade Splash
Bubble Gum
Lemon Drop
Hazelnut

Dies:
Journey Circles
Border Basics (DI-0144 and hopefully in the new catalog)
Snapshot Frames

Embellishments:
Lemon Grass Ribbon
Photo Pin Elements
Pink World Sequins
Sparkle Cuts
Blue Skies Sequins
Sparkle Dust
Whip Cream Thread
Bloom Time Sequins

The Bloom Box is available for order at $24.95 plus shipping/tax.  When you order you sign up for a 6 month subscription. This is a great way to get a full sized stamp set and 4 card kits with everything you need but the Glaze, adhesives, pop dots, and inks.  The paper is all pre-cut and die cut so no using your paper trimmer!  Just click on my BE AMAZING logo at the top of the side bar to go to my web site then click on SHOP then Bloom Box!  Easy peasy!


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

A Reorganized Desk and Some ATCs

Wednesday?  Wednesday!  Oh my!  Already!  AKA Hump Day!  Yep.  It's that day you have the opportunity to view desks all over the globe (at least of those willing to share).  This fun blog hop has been put together by Julia at the Stamping Ground.   My desk pictures were taken yesterday after I reorganized my area after purchasing a Copic marker shelf from our LSS (local scrapbook store) which is closing May 31.  I've tried different ways to storing them and this is by far the best.  I took a before and after pics and I'm sure you'll much prefer the after.  And yes, my desk was calling me to play.


Right above my red Cricut is the old method of storing my Copics.  It was a PIA.   I'll repurpose that large container for something else.


Isn't this better!!!!  Unfortunately I had onions to chop and freeze yesterday so no playing.  But today!!
I also got in my April ATC swap.  There was 9 but when I took the photo 1 was very much stuck to the back of another and I didn't discover that until I was putting them in their folder.



Such fun inspiration!  Funny as I mailed my May swap a week before I got these back.  Some of the gals are not very good at getting theirs mailed out to the hostess before the deadline.  Bummer..

I hope you enjoyed my desk. Now that you've reached the end please head over to the Stamping Ground and continue on.

Monday, May 9, 2016

You Are Awesome!

This is the last card I absolutely had to have made for my upcoming trip to see kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in 1 1/2 weeks. This card is for our son's birthday.



Except for the Whip Cream card stock all the paper won't be available until July 1 when the new catalog comes out.  We will have 6 new neon colors along with new pattern paper of which this star pattern is a part of.  The text is from the  Rock Notes set but the ink and Silks are also new.


I used the new Sour Lemon yellow card stock and Silk and Cosmic Grape ink.  Isn't it wild!!


The fun stars are part of the die set Border Details which was in the Spring Mini and hope it will be in the new catalog.  I splattered it with Cosmic Grape Silk.  Yep, just about all of this card, oh but not the Star-Dom die set for the Star cut outs,  is brand new! 

I was inspired by a card on our FSJ Blog Gallery which haves oodles and oodles of great cards and other inspiration!  The projects even have "recipes" of the products used.  This card was inspired by one on the first page (or two).

Friday, May 6, 2016

Submarines and Dinosaurs

You're in for a treat today as I have 2 cards to share.  Why 2?  Because I have been making a bunch of cards for when I head to Wyoming in a couple weeks and I have 5 birthdays to celebrate.  Plus I got 4 Mother's Day cards and 1 birthday card already mailed.  Whew!  Anyway, these 2 cards are for our grandson and a great grandson.


I had fun making this card.  I did lots of paper piecing and embossing. 


I stamped the fun submarine from the An Adventure ATS stamp on 3 new neon papers available July 1.  They are Orange Rave, Sour Lemon, and Cosmic Grape.  I embossed the Beach Breeze back layer with the Above The Clouds embossing folder.  I added a couple Whip Cream clouds from the Cloud Dreams die set.    I die cut the Cool Pool layers with the Border Basics die set (hopefully in the new catalog) and embossed with the Yummy Dots embossing folder.  I added dots of Glaze to some of the raised dots to look more like bubbles.  A few elements from the Rainbow Dots (hopefully in the new catalog) and some Rhinestones and I'm almost done.  I did sponge some Pool Play ink on the cloud edges and used foam squares to raise 1 cloud and the submarine before adhering all to a Whip Cream card base.  All elements of the submarine were stamped with Black Licorice ink.


I based this on a card posted in the FSJ website gallery.  The only similarities are the background words (I used different ones and angled them), the Snapshot Frame and the dinosaur.  I used the Dino-Mite! set and Snapshot Frames die set.


I used a variety of card stocks: Pineapple Smoothie, Citrus Cooler, Pool Play, Oatmeal Cookie, and Whip Cream.  Two inks were used, Black Licorice and Citrus Cooler.  I colored with Copic markers and added some little black rhinestones from my stash.  I used foam squares to raise the frame and the dinosaur.

Both little guys getting these cards will be turning 1 so I doubt they'll enjoy these until they get older.  Hopefully their moms are saving the cards.