Tuesday, March 31, 2015

FSJ Information and Weekend

This past Friday and Saturday I was in Phoenix, AZ for the Fun Stampers Journey "Yummy and Delicious Tour".  It was open to anyone, not just FSJ coaches except for the Friday night class.  We got lots of information on building our teams, etc. and was great fun.  Saturday was just amazing!  We made 4 cards (I'll be posting them later when I take photos) and had lots of demos on oodles of cards!


This is me with Richard Garay, the owner and co-founder of the company.  He was a lot of fun and such a sweet person!  His wife was just the same!  And they're both so talented in card making and designing!  I hope to get some more photos uploaded soon.  I do have the April "Kit Of The Month" info available and am waiting for my kit!  We got a preview of the stamps and seen the cards in person Friday night.


Aren't these just too fun!


Here's the flyer for the Kit.  Click on it for a larger picture.  I also just got the retiring products list and specials.  WOW!





Great deals here!

I'm still unpacking stuff and sorting all the stamps, dies, and goodies I purchased in a new line FSJ will be carrying.  We got to purchase the line prior to it going live with the catalog reveal at convention first week of June.

I have started a page so that the specials are available without needing to search for them.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

A Fun Class

Last Wednesday I taught a class to 5 ladies, all organized by Sandi from church.  What a fun time we had!  They did so good making Pop Up Box cards and used pretty much all the Cricut die cuts I put together.  (Click on the link to see all the goodies I made.)


Here they are, hard at work but Kay was taking advantage to show off her creation!


I took 2 pics of them all holding their boxes as you can see their boxes better in one or the other.


Standing is Lorraine, Sandi, and Kay.  Seated is Sylvia and Verna.  I think we'll be doing something like this again next winter as Sandi and Kay will be heading back to their summer homes soon.

Friday, March 27, 2015

A Yummy & Delicious Cupcake

I'm not home today.  I'm in Phoenix, AZ for the Fun Stampers Journey "Yummy & Delicious Tour".  I will be in meetings tonight for a couple hours and in fun classes tomorrow making cards!  But I did make some cards for a swap.  The theme was Birthday cards.  We had to use all FSJ products.  The cards had to be a minimum of 2 layers, use a die, and include embellishments.  I'm still working on my supplies but I managed to meet the requirements.


I only used 1 stamp set, the "Birthday Sketch" set which came in my starter kid.  I also used the "Journey Ovals" dies, "Pink World" sequins,  Raspberry Berry, Candy Apple, and Whip Cream papers, Journey Glaze (similar to Diamond Glaze or Crystal Lacquer) and Journey Sparkle Dust (fine glitter).


I glazed the cherry and added some streaks of glaze to the frosting.  Not bad.  I think this design was my 3rd try before I liked what it looked like. I will take pics and post the other 15 cards in the swap and some pics of friends and classes.

I thought I'd also share 2 flowers from my pots on my steps.






I have a couple pots of Geraniums and a couple of Daisys.  They have started blooming early this week.  My rose bush is putting on buds right now so hope to have some blooms when I get home Sunday.  Just hope hubby doesn't forget to water everything while I'm gone...


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Workdesk Wednesday and a Merry Monday Christmas Card

I've been busy preparing for a class today of 8 ladies!  We'll be making the Pop Up Box card and I've had my Cricut very busy making southwest items and lots of flowers and leaves (see HERE).  But I did take some time yesterday to make a Christmas card for the Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #151 (Tree) and used a stamp I haven't used in ages!  It's one of the first wood mounted stamps I purchased MANY years ago.  But also, today is Wednesday.  Do you know what many of us do on Wednesdays?  Yep, we take pictures of our desks and show them to you!  Our head desker, Julia, over at the Stamping Ground, brought this fun desk tour together 303 weeks ago!  (If you want more information on this fun tour click on the WOYWW logo in the sidebar.)


I'm in the process of finishing my card.  I've got my eyelets and brads out and am picking out 6 little red ones for the card on my desk.  These pics were taken last night.  I've used a ruler and a paper piercer to place my brads nice and even.  Yep,  I'm rather symmetrical in many of my cards.  I like balance.  Are you ready to see my card??


The main image stamp was made by Embossing Arts.  I've had it for about 20 years and it's still on it's wood block.  The text is by Stampendous.  The card challenge was to have a tree on your card.  Actually, if you count those on the mountain, I have LOTS!  LOL!


I colored with Shimmer, Basic, and Earth Tones chalks by Pebbles.  I was really hoping the shimmer of the sky and snow would show but, nope.  It is very subtle in real life.  I thought I had a stamp that said "all hearts come home for Christmas" but I may have been imagining it as I searched through my bookcase of stamps.  Darn.

I do have an update about last week's appointment with the breast doctor.  It was just a cyst!  Praise the Lord!  I did have it aspirated and had another (3rd in 3 months) mammogram.  Though I haven't heard from the doctor I did NOT see the cyst in the mammo as I did see it very obviously in the 2nd mammogram image.  Appears all gone!  Thanks for all you who have been praying.  And please keep praying for Soshi, another WOYWWer who will be having a cancer surgery on Friday.  She has been postponed a couple of times and I'm sure the wait is horribly difficult.

Now please head over to the Stamping Ground for the desk tour and Merry Monday Christmas for the card challenges.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Preparing for a Pop Up Box Card Class

I held a Pop Up Box card class a couple weeks ago and only had 1 lady.  But a friend of mine (and we attend church together) really wanted to take the class so she arranged to hold one at her house this coming Wednesday.  As of last night there were 7 so far coming!  I still am charging for the class as I have my handouts and oodles of die cuts!  I even made some labels and stamped the white ones with assorted phrases such as "Happy Easter", "Happy Birthday", etc.  Sandi is providing the base card stock and layers.


All the flowers and leaves were cut on my beautiful red Cricut using "Serenade" and "Home Decor" cartridges.  The labels were all done on my Big Shot using a Spellbinder die set.  And there is more...


Sandi wanted some southwest stuff so I got out the "Southwest" cartridge and now I have these, 6 of each item.  I think it took me about 5 hours to do all the die cutting!  Yep, $10 may not be enough but I did us up a lot of scraps.  I think my Cricut is looking for a bit of a rest....  I had to re-stick the mat in the middle of all of this cutting!  I may need a new mat pretty soon.   I'll share some pics of the class as it ought to be hilarious.  I need to buy some more glue dots, too.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

A FaceBook Page

I started a FaceBook page for my Fun Stampers Journey venture.  Please check it out at "Stampin Hot with Carol".  I will be doing a bit more advertising there and sharing pics but not close ups, challenges unless they are using only FSJ products, or other companies stamps that I still love.

Friday, March 20, 2015

I'm Out of the Box

Actually my post title has to do with a technique I learned through Technique Junkies.  This was in a 2004 newsletter and I used it for trades at a The Angel Company annual convention.  This time I made my card for a T.J. 1 on 1 swap.


Stamps are by Red Rubber Designs who bought out TAC products after it closed in 2011.  I colored the image with Copics.


Here you can see the technique a bit better. I love sunflowers and have numerous stamp sets from assorted companies.  One of my other favorite companies is Heartfelt Creations.  We are getting some wildflowers growning here in southern AZ.  The wild poppies are all over!  And my rose, geraniums, and daisies are going crazy in their pots.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

A Flower Bouquet on my Desk

We are in spring mode here in southern Arizona.  The weather has been gorgeous but we do need some rain.  But today is also the day you get the opportunity to view desks from all around the world.  It's What's On You Workdesk Wednesday!  Our wonderful head desker, Julia, from the Stamping Ground, has done an amazing job bringing crafters together to share their desks with you!  You'll see tidy and busy desks and even some great projects!  If you are new to this blog tour and want more info you may click on the WOYWW logo in the sidebard. Now, without further adieu here's mine...(photo taken last night)


I'm in the process of making 16 Birthday cards for a specific swap I'm in while at the Yummy & Delicious Tour next week in Phoenix, AZ.  This 1 1/2 day "tour" is for Fun Stampers Journey coaches and guests.  I have my paper trimmers and stamps being used on the far left (in front of my red Cricut), some cupcakes and red ovals kinda in the middle, and, on the scrap paper, 2 cupcakes getting foam mounting tape applied (just to left of scissors).  At the top of the scrap paper are a bunch of cupcakes mounted on the ovals and just to the left is a beginning card. I'll be heading to Phoenix a week from tomorrow so gotta get these done.

Last Wednesday I had a class of 1 (don't know what happened to the 2nd gal) and I taught the Pop-Up Box card.  That class was to last 2 hours but we were done in 30 minutes!  And Sue wanted it to go fast as she was really wanting to go to a huge garage/yard sale that started at 1 (and the class started at 1!).  I hope she got the general idea but she did get a sheet of instructions.


I used all Fun Stamper Journey stamps, dies, inks, paper, and sequins.  I finished it when I got home after the class.


I absolutely LOVE my card!  It turned out better than I envisioned!


I think the only change I would make is to add another flower on the strip behind the front blue flower.  Looks kinda empty.  I will be teaching this card again with a group of ladies from church on March 25th.  As of last week I have 6 and they are going to pay me $10 per person!  Should be a wonderful time! I do need to do some die cutting of these flowers and get the Cricut busy cutting some southwest images.

Ok, you've reached the end of my post.  If you'd be so kind let me know what you think of my desk and/or card.  Then PLEASE click on the Stamping Ground and check out oodles of desks.  I won't be visiting until tomorrow as today I have an appointment with a Breast Cancer Specialist to decide if the cyst is truly benign.  If it is I hope to have it aspirated to get rid of it.  If not, well, God is in control.

And please pray for fellow WOYWWer Soshi.  She was to have cancer surgery today but it's been postponed again.  I'm sure her emotions are on a horrible roller coaster.



Monday, March 16, 2015

Hot Air Balloon in a Sunburst

I've been working on what classes I want to teach next January, February, and March at Green Valley Recreation in Green Valley, AZ.  I have to have my class names, descriptions, supplies, and dates in before April 30 and I don't want to wait until the last minute.  This Sunbust technique will be one of them and I'll work on getting a half-card sample also.  All paper, stamp, and dies used are by Fun Stampers Journey.


The black/white paper is from the cool 12" square "Black and White" double sided paper pack.  It is paper, not card stock.   This is my very first attempt at this technique and I think it turned out pretty good.


The cute balloon is actually from a set of 2 connected.  I cut them apart.  I do have a tendency to do that when I need to.  One does need to be careful not to destroy a stamp.  I was trying to decide if I need to do more to this card but decided it's plenty "busy" with all the designs. 

Friday, March 13, 2015

More Eggs and a Horse

I made a couple more Easter Egg cards the other day.  Using the Cricut sure speeds things up!


I'm enjoying the Art Philosophy cartridge more and more!


Add some Stickles for that special touch...


And some text and voila!  The "He Lives" is quite old and is by Inkadinkado and the "Happy Easter" is by Red Rubber Designs from the "Trendy Greetings" set.


As I was looking though some of my stamps I came across one of my favorite horse stamps.  I don't know who made it but I REALLY like it.  I sponged the oval, colored some white scrappers floss, and added the button for a great masculine card.


This card will have to be hand delivered or mailed in a bubble envy.  Funny but the ink sponged and the ink for the horse is the same.  In this close up you'd not think that.

I taught a class (the last for the winter) last Wednesday and had only 1 gal.  Since she was a repeat I still had it rather then cancel.  She arrived for class and was so happy to be the only one as she just wanted the basics so she could attend a large yard sale that started the same time as the class!  We were done in 25 minutes!  I taught the Pop-Up Box card and will post my card that I finished after I got home.  You'll have to come back...

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

My First Christmas Card of the Year

Since I signed with Fun Stampers Journey I have been pretty busy making cards using their products but now that I have a nice little stash I'm branching out again.  I need to start on my Christmas cards and 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown has a great challenge this week.  The sketch challenge is 52CCT10-15.


I've been wanting to use my new deer dies by I.O. and this sketch seemed perfect!  I also added the Pine Tree nestie and label by Spellbinders and stamp by Red Rubber Designs.


I just love these deer!  And I think the tree really sets them off.  Head on over to 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and check out the great inspiration cards and the challengers!

Desk 301 and Kit of the Month Cards

I've had such a productive past week when it came to making cards!  And today is that special day when you get the opportunity to snoop into mine and others work areas.  Last week was week 300 for this auspicious occasion and I looked back to see when I joined it.  It was Feb. 22, 2012.  I have to admit it was fun looking through my WOYWW posts to find my first.  But I digress....  We all have Julia at the Stamping Ground to thank for bringing us together.  I believe I have made a few friends from all over the globe in joining this blog tour of desks.  So now are you ready to see my work area?


I'm in the process of making a few more Easter egg-shaped cards.  My Cricut is working as I cut layers for a couple orange based cards.  If you want to see the basic card you can check my previous post but I did a couple changes.  I'll be posting these cards later.  I'm using the Art Philosophy cartridge.


I couldn't wait to make my Fun Stampers Journey "Kit of the Month" cards last Friday and did post my favorite that day taking part in a challenge.  Here's the other 3....


This card didn't have sequins with it but I seem to be on a sequin kick lately.  I glazed the bottle so it is very shiny!  This card would be great for an anniversary or birthday card. I'm thinking I should have wadded the brown paper a few times to make it look more like sand before adhering it.  Oh well, too late now.  And I like the bottle going the opposite direction than the directions showed. Nothing wrong with it going to the right but this way just appealed to me better.

I had to laugh as I stamped the bottle on the wrong piece of card stock but it came out good in the end.  I added streaks of glaze to the sand in the bottom of the bottle.


Can you see it?  Sometimes it's difficult to get a good photo.


And last but not least...  

This stamp set should be available for purchase in 3 months. But I'm betting it will be in the new catalog that comes out in June!

Monday, March 9, 2015

More Eggs and Bunnies

Last week I posted a fun Easter pop-up card and since I've been on a card-making kick lately I thought I'd post a bit more frequently for a bit.


For these today I again used my Cricut and I think this is from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I used scrap paper from my bucket.  Yep, I have so much it is in a bucket.


I added dots of blue Stickles to the flower and some green Stickles leaf veins. The green did kinda clump at the stem area but I managed to "pull" it out to where I wanted it.


And the inside. The bunny here comes from a mistake when making another card but it's perfect here! This little guy is from the Artiste cartridge, I think.  I'm not going to did out my case of cartridges right now but I can get the info to you if you want. The text is from a set called "Trendy Greetings" by Red Rubber Designs.  This set is a favorite "go-to" for special occasions.