Friday, March 30, 2018

Around the World Card Carrier & April SpecialsI

Last week I did a FB Live video on using our Card Carrier die set.  I messed up on the directions (if you want to find the video go to my Stampin Hot With Carol page, Videos, and the March 21 video) which is weird  as I just taught some of my team how this die works. But on that video I asked about where to place a certain phrase.  I didn't get any response but this is how the little "bag" turned out...


 I used a variety of products and love how this turned out.
Card stocks: Cranberry Bliss and Whip Cream
Stamp set: A Better Place (hostess set you can get FREE with a $600 or more party order)
Inks: Black Licorice and Blue Lagoon
Other Dies:  Banner Parade set
Embellishments: Deco Strips Red, Black Licorice Thread,  Paper Clip Elements, and Sparkle Silk
Adhesives: White Liner Tape and Foam Squares Medium
Other: the Platinum machine, paper brads from my ancient stash, Details Pro Shears


This die does require a larger die cut machine so our wonderful Amaze won't work.  Also you will use 2 sheets of card stock, 1 for the front and 1 for the back of the bag.The bag is 4 1/2" wide by almost 6" tall (not including handles).

Here are the April specials. 


First of all, should you want to join with this great company (excellent benefits!) you get this great addition to your starter kit for FREE!! And we have 4 different starter kits available for any level stamper!



All our wonderful Silks and Splashes are on sale in April! I have a couple I need to replace as I use them so much!  In fact, on my card bag above I used our cool Sparkle Silk! I think this is our most popular Silk.


And last but not least, our April Bloom Box! This gorgeous Box's stamp set, Love Life, has stamps of flowers one can find in Arizona (and elsewhere)! You have 2 ways to get the Bloom Box, either subscribe for 6 months or ala carte, whichever works best for you!

I hope you join me on my FB page as next week (actually I'll be starting today) I will be sharing projects using products from our new mini catalog. I'll be doing my FB Friday Live video making a graduation card this afternoon (about 2 Arizona time - we don't have daylight savings so we're the same time as California).

StampinCarol

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

A Bushel and a Peck

Next Sunday our new mini catalog, Spring Into Summer, will be going live! Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday FSJ will be sharing cards and such using products from the new mini for inspiration! But I'll share a card I made as part of a team challenge I gave out over a week ago.


I used a minimum of card stocks (for me anyway), Black Licorice, Sweet Pear, Whip Cream, and our new Sunday Adventure Prints.  The new stamp set is Bushel & a Peck.  I also purchased the coordinating dies so you can get it as a bundle. I stamped the words using Black Licorice ink on the Sweet Pear piece and splatted with some Black Licorice Silk.  I stamped the basket on Whip Cream using Oatmeal Cookie ink and die cut.


I cut a slit in the basket then added some stamped apples using Candy Apple and Limeade Splash (stamped off once on an acrylic block) inks.  To adhere everything I used our Easy Glide Runner and Foam Squares.  Also used was our Amaze machine and Details Pro Shears.

I usually take part in the WOYWW desk hop but today I'm going to visit my best friend in a hospital.  She had a stroke Monday afternoon (she's only 54) and we didn't know until yesterday morning.  She was getting MRIs and stuff yesterday so I'm heading up today.  Please say a prayer for Angie. Her husband said yesterday she was responsive and could take but was easily confused.

StampinCarol

Monday, March 26, 2018

Follow Your Heart

This is the last of the 4 cards I made from our March Bloom Box and my favorite. I think it's the colors that really catches my eye as they are really different!


It does have unusual colors for trees and the mountains!  They were stamped on a piece of Whip Cream card stock with Rich Coral (2nd generation stamped - stamped off once on a piece of scrap paper), Cool Pool, and Sweet Pear inks.  Now, isn't that just cool!  I then splattered some Silver Silk over this piece.  I layered it on a piece of Cool Pool card stock then on a base of Sweet Pear using our Medium Foam Squares to pop it up.


Next I stamped the log on a piece of Cool Pool using Black Licorice ink then cut the end as shown. I stamped the phrase on a piece of Whip Cream also using Black Licorice but then I stamped it again on a piece of scrap using Rich Coral ink to get just the heart.  I carefully cut it out with our Details Pro Shears and used a small Foam square to adhere it in place. I wrapped a small strip of Bubble Gum card stock with a length of Journey Thread Lemongrass, made and knot then added some Brush Silver staples with our Journey Stapler.  I popped up the strip with Foam Squares and popped the Cool Pool piece over it.  Finally I popped the sentiment. 

There may be a few March Bloom Boxes still available if you want one but you need to order before Saturday midnight! Just click on the link at the top of this post and it will take you right to the Bloom Box in my website.  There you can add either ala carte (just 1 month) or subscribe for 6 months and get it for less.  You have a choice!

Friday I hope to update my FSJ Specials page with the new April Bloom Box and other info as I get it so you gotta come back!

StampinCarol

Friday, March 23, 2018

Good Friends

I already have the info for our April Bloom Box but I still have 2 more cards from this month's box that I haven't shared yet.  So I guess I better share one today and the last one on Monday to get caught up!

This card is pretty cool but not quite my favorite (I'll share it Monday). 


I would never have thought of this background design with this set of stamps, Go Wild.  (Remember, this cool set is ONLY available this month.)  I stamped the mountains on the Black Licorice card stock layer using Whip Cream ink.  Looks pretty cool in real life.  I then splattered it with Gold Silk then layered it on a Cool Pool card base.  I used the Badge Label die set with Sweet Pear card stock to make the base for the top piece and the Oval dies with Whip Cream card stock for the sentiment.


I stamped the sentiment on the White oval using Black Licorice ink then splattered with more Gold Silk. I then stamped it again on a piece of scrap using Sweet Berry ink and again on another piece using Cool Pool ink.  I cut out the 2 word pieces and used our small Foam Squares to mount them over the words on the base. I set this piece aside for now.  Next I took strips of our Corrugated Stock, Project Me Prints, and Bubble Gum card stock, tor or banner cut an end of each and stapled them to the Sweet Pear Badge using our Journey Stapler and Brush Gold Staples.  I then used Medium Foam Squares to attach the sentiment piece over the top.

I do need to remind you here that all card stocks come pre-cut and pre-die cut so you don't have to worry if you don't have the dies.  I do not yet have the Badge die set so I love that this is done for me.  You do need inks, Silks (optional), and adhesives. You can even change the card design if you so desire.

Definitely a different look and I think this card would be great for a graduation card or even a retirement card!  What do you think?

StampinCarol

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

My Desk and Easter Goodies

We are definitely in spring with our weather so sunny and warm. I have been working on Easter projects to send to our kids and their families.  And since today is the day I, and many others, share views of our desks I will share my desk and some of what I have done. Also, this fun weekly view of desks and many great projects is put together by Julia of the Stamping Ground.  This is week 459! I've been involved since about week 185 or so.


My desk is pretty tidy at the moment.  I had to clean it up before I start on my next project.  It was an absolute disaster last Friday. What you see here is some treats and a card game on the far left.  The little green thing is a cupcake holder with a little thing of cupcake sprinkles in it. Behind that are 3 card bags I recently made.  Kinda off center to the left are my Easter cards.  Most just need a little message in them.  The striped bags have Dum Dum suckers with fun toppers and behind them are 2 baskets with their handles removed to mail.  To the top right of my blue desk liner are some of my stamping tools.  In front of my lamp is my next project waiting to be started.  And far right my ATG adhesive runner and the corner of my Amaze die cut machine.  But last week.....


Oh yeah, I  ran out of room to work! You can see the baskets with their handles ready to attach with brads. There's a card on the far left for our stamp club meeting Saturday and behind it a small bucket with all the suckers. Whew!

What to see what I have almost ready to mail?


The 2 baskets are for our kids that have little ones. You can see some of the suckers I topped. Finding boxes for those have been tough but I may have a couple.  In front are the bags have the suckers.  Part of the Easter Party in a Box that I purchased through the company I'm with had little tags in the shape of Bread Tags (which was easy for me to cut since I have the die needed).

Well, that's it! I have been very busy.  After cleaning our church Monday I planted oodles of flowers and a shrub and was so sore I could barely move! Definitely had my steps in that day! Yesterday after Bible Study I worked on the stuff above.  These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon..  Today I will be packaging and shipping these goodies.  I will also be finishing up our tax stuff to send out which means making sure I have copies of everything and get them in the envelope to our son. So I will be popping in and out all day checking desks.  Remember to head over to the Stamping Ground and check the links!

StampinCarol

Monday, March 19, 2018

Replace Fear

This beautiful card is another from our March Bloom Box.  To me it's very striking in color and design.  What do you think?


The Black Licorice top piece with the Rich Coral Tag just pops over the Cool Pool base.  I stamped the base using River Stone ink with the log from the stamp set Go Wild.  (This set is only available this month in the Bloom Box.)  The Black Licorice piece was die cut with one of our Circle dies then splattered with some Silver Silk.  A piece of Vellum was then adhered to the back and raised up on the base with Foam Squares.  The Cloud of Whip Cream card stock was also flicked with Silver Silk  but it was adhered with a piece of White Liner tape to the top layer.  I stamped the mountain on Whip Cream card stock with Black Licorice ink, cut it out with our Details Pro Scissors, and used Foam Squares to adhere it.


I stamped the Tag with Black Licorice ink and added a double bow of Natural Twine (adhered with a Glue Dot).  The tag was adhered with Foam Squares, too. A few Fashion Gold dots was added for a final touch. Also used was the Amaze machine for the die cutting.

The cards in the Bloom Box all came pre-cut with all the die cutting done. Most of the embellishments come in the box, too.  You supply the adhesives, inks, and Silks. 

This card and the others from this Box would be great for the young man graduating soon! Great sentiments and outdoorsy designs!

And don't forget our great Over The Rainbow Sale going on this month! Many great products are available at 25% off!  The cool Cloud dies and many other dies are available at such a great price!

StampinCarol

Friday, March 16, 2018

A Hello in Eclipse Style

I was playing with some new product from our upcoming Spring Into Summer Mini catalog that releases April 1 and I remembered a couple cards I seen on blogs that I visit.  I never really knew the name of the technique but a couple fellow coaches from FSJ told me and I want to share this with you.


The cool green print paper is part of our new Sunday Adventure Prints and the Huge Hello die is also new.  I layered the print on Black Licorice card stock and used our small Foam Squares to pop the die. I did have to cut the squares in half and quarters to fit without being seen.


Here you can see the die a bit better. 


I also cut a jar of peaches and a salt & pepper out of a left over scrap of the print and popped them on the upper left and lower right of the card where they were. I colored the peaches with our Color Burst Pencils and added some Sparkle Silk using a small Blending Brush. To do this I placed a drop of Sparkle Silk on one of our acrylic blocks then picked it up with the brush and "painted" the peach.

When I showed this card to my hubby he was in awe trying to figure out what I did.  What a hoot! I think he's easily impressed.

Did you enjoy the sneak peak of a couple new products?  They will be available to purchase April 1! And I do have the flyer of the retiring list from our current Bloom This Way mini on my FSJ Specials page.  They are still available but you must act fast!

Today I'm teaching an Inspirational Easter Card class and hope to make an FB Live Video so check out my Face Book page, Stampin Hot with Carol, between 10 and noon Mountain Standard Time (we don't do Daylight Savings time so we're now the same time as the west coast).

StampinCarol

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

WOYWW 458 and Let's Go Wild

We have definitely arrived at spring this week.  I planted more flowers and a cherry tomato last Sunday.  Our local Wal-Mart did not have a good selection so I'm thinking of heading into Tucson on Saturday to check out the plants at our Lower's store.  I have also noticed a hummingbird or maybe 2 so I need to start making food for them.

But today.... yes, today. You have the opportunity to view my desk and a card!  This is our weekly day to get together through our head desker, Julia at the Stamping Ground.  There are crafters from all over England, the U.S., and sometimes even France and Spain, that share their work desks and a project or two today.  Mine is busy as I'm prepping for a Easter card class on Friday.  I have 6 gals coming.


There is a pile on my Cricut of cards and stamps for customers.  In front, a die cut little bag, an empty paper towel roll (why it's not in the trash I don't know), stamps and as you work to the right, my sheet of card supplies and directions, then scraps, my Platinum machine, my ATG runner. Toward the center back are a bunch of Dum Dum suckers with Easter toppers.  I need to get some small boxes to mail these out next week. My little green guy at top right is my team mascot.  One of these days that Cricut will be gone as I hope to purchase a Scan n Cut.  I seen one in operation Saturday and it was most impressive! But it will take me a few months to save as so far they are about $300 on Amazon.  Ouch!


This is a card I made from our March Bloom Box.  It is a monthly thing with a stamp set and/or coordinating dies (if purchased), 4 card kits, and the directions. The cool stamp set with trees, mountains, and such spoke to me since I'm from an area not far from Yellowstone Park in northwest Wyoming.


Here's a closer look at the focal area. Lots of fun elements on here.

I hope you head over to the Stamping Ground and continue on looking at other desks. Some days I get quite a ways and other times it takes me a day or two but I'll be looking around in between getting my card kits made!

StampinCarol

Monday, March 12, 2018

Bee-utiful!

Well, spring has sprung in southern Arizona and yesterday I started planting some purchased flowers and a cherry tomato plant. I even cleaned off our porch and hosed it off, getting rid of weeds and dirt that accumulated over the winter. Needless to say I'm a bit stiff but I'm sure my job today (I help clean our church) will loosen my muscles.  But Friday I had a class (you can see the Live video on my FB page, Stampin Hot With Carol, last Friday morning. (I actually have 3 videos, 2 on Friday and 1 on Saturday.) During my class I put together the card I was teaching and finished it to give my gals ideas, and there are some pictures of the cards a few of them made also on my FB page.


I taught the Double Diamond with a Twist card.  I can't remember where I found it as I had to submit this class a year ago!   But the colors of my base card, Pumpkin Bread, Summer Days, and Banana Cream reminded me of sunflowers! I used Whip Cream card stock for the stamped images. So I pulled out 2 stamp sets, Hello Lovely and Honeycomb ATS. I absolutely LOVE how this turned out!!  I used 2 inks, Black Licorice and Pineapple Smoothie.  The Smoothie ink did wonderfully on the backgrounds!


All my coloring was done with our Color Burst Pencils.  I managed to get some pretty good blending done on the flower just using the pencils!  I used Medium and Small Foam Squares, White Liner Tape, and Sweet Candy Drops.  Nope, I didn't use the Amaze as there were no dies for any of the images, all were detail cut with our Details Pro Shears.  (And they are amazing as they are self sharpening and VERY sharp!) I think I should have added Journey Glaze to the bees or at least to their wings, I may yet.

So what do you think of my card? It does fit and A2 envelope though it may need some padding or something to protect it and the envelope.  That would increase the postage.  Now I need to start doing research for my classes in Jan., Feb., and March next year!

StampinCarol

Friday, March 9, 2018

Do Small Things

About 3 times a year Fun Stampers Journey does what they call FSJ Live.  It's a 4 hour live YouTube video party to celebrate the upcoming new mini catalog.  We had our first for this year last Saturday. Those who ordered the "Bundle", a box of stamps, 4 card kits, dies (some cost extra), and a booklet of directions, got an email link to the Live plus a pre-recorded video of how to make the cards.  We also got the chance to purchase a few more bundles (some stamps and goodies) of products from the upcoming Mini. I did make 1 card this week but will be doing the other 3 tomorrow with some fellow coaches (2 are my downline) as we again watch the 2 videos. We will have a potluck lunch and lots of laughs.  Here's the 1 card I made...



This new set, Small Things, is beautiful! It's a set of 8 stamps, 3 butterflies and 5 sentiments.  I also purchased the coordinating die set.  Can you figure out how I made the background?  I haven't done this in 11 years!  In fact, just a few months before moving here to southern AZ I taught a class of about 8 gals in eastern WY how to do this.  It's very messy but look at those results!!  Ok, I used cheap shaving cream and some of our Liquid Colors!


Can you see the sparkle on the butterfly?  I added some Glaze and Sparkle Cuts (not glitter but bigger chunks) to the larger black spots.

Stamp Set: Small Things (SS-0572) - available April 1
Dies: Small Things (DI-0432 - available April 1) and Decorative Hearts Set (DI-0218)
Card stocks: Whip Cream and Pool Play
Ink: Black Licorice
Coloring & Mediums: Catalina Splash Liquid Color, Lovely Blue Liquid Color, and Silver Silk
Embellishments: Blue Skies Sequins, Sparkle Cuts, & Whip Cream Thread
Tools: Details Pro Shears, Crease Tool, Media Tray, and the Amaze
Adhesives: Easy Glide Runner, Glaze, Foam Squares Medium, and Craft Glue
Other: paper towels, shaving cream (not gel!),

Did you enjoy your sneak peak of one of our upcoming stamp sets?  I'll be sharing the other 3 cards in the coming weeks!  And I'll be sharing the link to the new mini about the 30th.  Just watch for the change of mini catalogs on the left sidebar! And if you're one of my customers please reserve your catalog as I have 24 coming and some are already reserved!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

My Desk and a Card Carrier

We are having spring!  The temps have been in the low 70s F. and the sun has been shining!  Last week I planted a bunch of onions and have put out the plants I brought in for the winter.  I need to get outside more! But today I'm prepping for a class on Friday and getting ready to get together with friends to craft on Saturday. Busy busy!  Today, also, I'll be checking out some desks all over Europe and the U.S. as part of What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday put together by head desker Julia at the Stamping Ground.


This was my desk yesterday.  I had just finished a card and took it to my photo cube to get pictures.  I'll be sharing that later.  But you can see a magnetic sheet with dies on the far left,  the direction book and a die in its envelope just off the center to the left.  My work spot is clear but my tools are to the right.  And far right is a card kit sitting on my paper trimmer then my Amaze machine way to the right.  If you enlarge my picture you can see some assorted decorated Dum Dum suckers just to the right of my Cricut. I need about 6 more to send out for Easter.

I got a new die from my company a couple months ago had finally, yes finally, played with it! I will be teaching this to my team on Saturday.


I used some retired card stock since I didn't want to screw up my current stuff.  This is pretty cool! It's big enough to hold a few A2 cards.


The top is serrated and I used mini brads to attach the handles.


These are my stamped images. I added Glaze and Sparkle Dust (a prisma glitter).  I think it turned out pretty nice.  Today and tomorrow I'll be kitting some for the gals I'm meeting with. We're also working on some other projects.

I hope you head over to the Stamping Ground and check out the other desks!  There's usually some really great projects shared!

StampinCarol

Monday, March 5, 2018

Easter Dum Dum Sucker Toppers

I like to send little goodies to the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and whenever I feel like it so, since Easter is coming, I got inspired!  I looked for flat suckers but could only find the round Dum Dums so here's what I came up with.


Only the cute little bunnies are current and they're made from our little Hop Cuts die that you can get free with a $100 order.  But these are SO popular they're temporarily out of stock and should be back in mid month.  I have 2 more coming.  Also they're only available until the end of March as they're in our Bloom This Way mini which expires midnight march 31.

The little chickie, guy, and gal images retired last year but I liked them so well I kept them.  I am debating selling the stamp set with the chickie.  And I used yellow flock from my stock to make him fuzzy.  Just so cute!


I did a bunch of coloring on the gal and guy using our Color Burst pencils.  I also used some Sparkle Silk on the glasses, lips, monocle, and eye.


The guy background was also made of retired product along with coordinating dies. But they are just perfect for these!


After I die cut the bunnies I stamped them with either the Flannel Life Background or Deco Dots ATS. I used various card stocks and inks. This bunny I added a little tie using our Whip Cream Thread. My Amaze machine got quite the workout! I used only our Craft Glue as it was strong enough to hold permanently.

I also did a FaceBook Live video last Friday showing how I made the bunnies.  I got it saved to YouTube and I have to admit, I have a blast doing these!  I really should be more professional but I just can't.  Maybe someday I'll figure out how to record and edit before publishing.


So, anyway, here is my video.  Enjoy and have a good laugh.

StampinCarol

Friday, March 2, 2018

Sweet Friend Pull Up Card & an Easter Party in a Box

I know it's now March but I have one last card from our February Bloom Box I want to share with you. I will be ordering the March Bloom Box later today but this card uses a die that has become very popular. I don't know if the fun stamp bundle, Spread Happiness, will be in the big catalog July 1.  Guess we'll have to wait and see but for now it has retired.  Our Bloom Box stamps are only available the month they're a part of the Bloom Box. (But this month's box is really cool!)


I don't think you can see the special use of the die in this photo but this card is just so cute! It used 3 card stocks: Whip Cream, Lemon Drop, and Lavender Fusion.  I used just 1 ink, Black Licorice, and I colored with our Color Splash Watercolor Pencils and a small Blending Brush.


So here's how we used our fun Window Pop die.  I used to do this with my Paper Trimmer but this is so much faster and easier! This die is currently in our Bloom This Way mini catalog and is only available through the end of this month.  Hopefully it will be in our big catalog or even carried over like so many of our great Holiday products were!


I also used our Ovals dies (I'm on my 3rd set as they get SO much used I wear them out), Lavender Fusion Satin Ribbon, Journey Glaze, Sparkle Dust, Amaze machine, Easy Glide Runner, and Foam Squares.  I think the hardest part of making this card was getting the sentiment on the oval exactly where I wanted it so that the flowers framed it nicely.

Today I will be doing my FB Friday Live Video at about 2 pm Mountain Standard Time.  Pop by my page at Stampin Hot With Carol if you're available.  I'm making a fun little Easter treat!  I will be sharing it on Monday, too, and hopefully get that video made into a YouTube to embed.

And do you like to celebrate Easter?  We have teamed up with Brittany Young, Certified Celebrator on FB to bring you a fun Bundle called Easter Party in a Box! Check out the flyer!


This will be available to order starting March 6 so don't try (like I just did) until then! And if you looked at the flyer did you notice you get a pair of our fun Fringe Shears as part of the package!  These are great but there is a trick to using them, don't try cutting at the end of the shears but at the base to middle!

StampinCarol