Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Busy Desk for Halloween

It's been a very busy past week.  I had a nice sized class last Friday and got about $200 in orders toward my September quota. I attended a monthly stamp club on Saturday. Worked at the church last Thursday and Monday. And finished my 4 Halloween cards for my September class.  Whew!  And on top of all this I've been dealing with allergies.  Now I get to work on my October class cards but will start that later.

But today.....  yep, Wednesday.  Hump Day. Last Wednesday of August. And WOYWW!  Your day to view not only my desk but many others, should you decide to check out the links (please do!).  All this fun view of desks is put together by Julia at the Stamping Ground. And many times you get more than just desks!  You'll get to view projects, products, scenery, and who knows what!

Today (actually this photo was taken yesterday afternoon) my desk is just winding down as I got done taking photos of my Halloween class cards  And there's something I've never had before on my desk.  Can you guess?  It's top center.



I have a phone holder  clamped to a shelf for now as I figure out the best location to do some live FB videos for my customers and team. So what else is on my desk?  Well, far left front some stamp sets, embossing folders, and dies. Center front, the pile of 4 Halloween cards, an ink pad, bottle of sequins, roll of black twine, and odds & ends.  And far left front, my ATG adhesive roller, a package of clear rhinestones, scissors, and scrap paper.  All across the back are baskets of supplies, cleaning rag, acrylic blocks in their red container, and ink pads in their rack.

And I supposed I can share one of my Halloween cards with you.


All products used are from the company I'm with. This card is relatively simple but I like how it turned out.


Love our printed paper and these little ghosties.

Ok, now please head over to the Stamping Ground and check out more.  How knows, we might cross paths along the way!

StampinCarol

Monday, August 28, 2017

A Color Crush Challenge

I need a card for a special occasion and combined it with a fun color challenge by Fun Stampers Journey.


Yesterday a fellow coach also challenged us to use one of the 3 Color Crush Challenges for our weekly challenge project and this is what I came up with.


I started with a base of Huckleberry Fusion card stock.  I stamped a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Whip Cream card stock with our World Map background stamp using Beach Breeze and Huckleberry Fusion inks.


I stamped the plane from the Begin Adventure ATS stamp set using Lemon Drop ink on Whip Cream cs and added some gold to the propellers using our very cool Just Write Gel Pens. I layered the plane on Huckleberry Fusion cs and detail cut.



I stamped this phrase from the Begin Adventure ATS set using Beach Breeze ink on Whip Cream cs and layered it on Huckleberry Fusion cs, too.  I cut the ends in a banner shape.  I used one of the gel pens on the letters.

I added 3 little yellow dots from our Candy Dots to embellish.  I hope the recipient likes this card.

StampinCarol

Friday, August 25, 2017

Under the Sea with a Turtle

Our challenge this week from a fellow coach was to make an ATC.  Since I had all those pieces from playing with my Gel Press a while back I chose one that reminded me of the blues and greens of the ocean.  And that prompted me to use a stamp set with that theme, Turtley Awesome.


I added a bit of Cool Pool and Electric Lime Splashes (I was testing all my Splashes to see if the sprayers worked, 1 was totally plugged) after cutting it into an ATC size on it.  I then stamped the other half of the piece with the turtle and sea weed with Black Licorice ink and die cut on my Amaze machine.  I added some dots of Sparkle Silk and colored the circles on the turtle shell using my small Blending Brush.



After adhering the turtle with our Easy Glide Runner and the seaweed with Foam Squares I added the 3 Sea Stones to the corner. Though it doesn't show in the photo the Stones have a hint of green to them.

I know our Splashes say they have a no-clog tip but it is highly recommended that after using to wipe the tip with a damp rag. I soaked my sprayer for hours and used a pin but it was plugged solid.  About like my drain from the kitchen to the laundry the other day.  (Had to call a plumber to snake it open.)
This ATC was relatively fast to make since I had made up a bunch of backgrounds.

StampinCarol

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Here I am again.  Yep, Giving you the opportunity to see my desk in all its mess.  And the opportunity to see other desks and oftentimes projects all through the head desker Julia at the Stamping Ground who started this tour of desks over 8 years ago.

My desk has been busy.  I'm prepping for a class on Friday so there is lots going on.


So, from left to right....
My paper trimmer has an envelope on it with stamps for this kit I'm cutting at this time.  Then a package of blue paper. Behind these are my Cricut, some wooden embellishments and what not.
Center is some of the components of the card, film die strips, embossed blue layer, and white pieces to stamp on.  My Bloom Tool is in front. Behind is my red box of acrylic blocks and in front are 5 bottles of liquid ink.
Right is my ATG adhesive roller, some ink pads, and a plugged sprayer (I've soaked it, poked it with a pin and it's still plugged). Behind is a pile of scraps and and base to my OTT light.

This is card 3 of 4 that I'm cutting and I got about 1/2 done when allergies took over.  Between sneezing, blowing my nose, and very watery eyes I was done for the day.  Today I'm doing a bit better but need to take my allergy spray and eye drops.  Later, about 8 am I have a plumber coming to snake our kitchen drain as it's also plugged and has been for 1 1/2 days. Since we're on a private septic system we must be careful what we put down the drains.

So my post is short today.  I haven't got any projects to show as I started one when the sprayer plugged and now I have to rethink a special ATC I need to make.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground for the links to the other desks.

StampinCarol

Monday, August 21, 2017

The Blue Dancer

Our middle granddaughter's birthday is coming up fast and I hope to have the card in the mail this week.  She is a dancer, as is her younger sister, and does all forms of dance, even ballet with point shoes (tippy toes).  I had to get this stamp set to make a special card for her.


I used numerous products to make this and love how it turned out. I started with a base of Catalina Splash card stock and embossed it with our Love Letter embossing folder (a Bloom Benefit freebie for a $100 order). Next I used our cool Film Frame Die Set on Whip Cream card stock to make the piece for the Dancer.  I stamped the Dancer from our Dance Life set using Black Licorice ink and stamped another on a piece of scrap paper. I cut out just the dress from the scrap paper dancer to make a mask. After laying the mask over my image I stamped the small rose from the Embroidered Rose set using Catalina Splash ink. You can see the lines forming the rose in her dress.  I used our small Blending Brush and picked up a bit of color from the ink pad to fill in where the stamp missed on her dress and her ballet slippers. Next I used a sponge and more Catalina Splash ink to color around her.


Before adding the gorgeous Metal Accent (retired) I used our Stapler and Brushed Silver staples to add a bit of Silver Thread and silver Twinkle Trim to the corner for a touch of bling.  A Foam Square attached the Accent and since I didn't have a brad I wanted to use I added the small blue dot from our Summer Play Sparkles.


I stamped the text using Black Licorice ink from the Dance Life set on another piece of Whip Cream c.s, and sponged more Catalina Splash ink around it before using Foam Squares to adhere it to a piece of Catalina Splash c.s.

Inside I stamped our cool You Are ATS stamp.  I also used the Amaze machine and Easy Glide Runner.

I think she'll like this card, what do you think?

StampinCarol

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Journey Holiday Blog Hop


Welcome to the Journey Holidays Blog Hop! I’m so happy to have you hoppin along!

If you have arrived from Heather's blog, you’re on the right track! If Not, that’s ok too! Just continue the hop and you will  come full circle!

Christmas will be here sooner than you think and I'm making sure I have enough cards to send to family and friends.  I've made 2 cards to share, one rather easy and the other a bit more complicated. I'll start with the easy card.


This scenic card uses simple masking to make the snow-covered ground.  I started with a layer of Whip Cream card stock and a piece of scrap paper cut into curves.  I used my small Dauber Dowel and a few different PanPastels from the Confectionary Days and Party Pop collections to make the snow shadows and a bit of Northern Lights. Keeping the mask in place on the bottom curve I stamped the small tree from our Sparkle Trim Bundle (though I didn't need the coordinating dies at this time) using Fresh Forest ink (currently on sale!!!!).


What I like about the PanPastels is you can erase boo-boos (you can see I should have right under my name as the Northern Lights come down into the snow) or create highlight and more but just erasing where you need.  I stamped the text over another boo-boo using Black Licorice ink and added snowflakes from our Holiday Elements sequins.  I layered this on a folded card base of Lavender Fusion card stock.

Did you like that "easy" card?  Here's my bit more complicated card....


I used only 1 stamp set, the Welcome Wreaths.  This was a Bloom Box way back when and is still available! I made a circle using our Journey Circle dies with piercing elements then stamped the pine bough using Fresh Forest ink (see above for link).  I sponged the ink lightly so that the Whip Cream circle wasn't so white I stamped the pine cones on Oatmeal Cookie card stock using Hazelnut Blend ink and the cranberries with Cranberry Bliss ink then detail cut.  I layered the pine cones and berries over the wreath.


Oh yeah, before layering I added some Journey Glaze to the berries and I colored a bit of white pencil from our Color Burst set then carefully added some Sparkle Silk over that on the pine cones. I just put some of the Silk on a block then picked up with a Blender Brush to have more control in coloring with it.  When all was dry then I used our Foam Squares and Easy Glide Runner to start assembling my pieces.  I added some Candy Apple Twine behind the wreath and some dots of Cranberry Bliss Silk (using the Blender Brush) to the wreath.


The base of the card is Hazelnut Blend card stock and the cool wood grain looking pattern paper is from our Designers Choice pack.   I stamped the Welcome using Hazelnut Blend ink on a piece of Oatmeal Cookie card stock, cut into a banner, then layered it on Hazelnut Blend and adhered with the ends using glue dots and the center using foam squares.  All die cutting was done on the Amaze machine.

This card reminds me of a wreath on a front door.  I love how it turned out yet I really didn't know what I was going to do until I finished making the wreath!  Funny how things just come together!


From here please head over to Rose's Blog.


The complete list of FSJ coaches involved in this hop is:

Ruth Cooper
Heather
Me - you are here!
Rose Curtis
Debra Byrd


Since I gave you the list of supplies and links with my projects I will not list them here but if there is anything else you'd like to check out please head to my WEBSITE. There's so much available and our ink pads are on sale at 20% off until the end of the month.  Great deal to round out your colors!

If you leave a comment, and you know I'd LOVE to hear from you. Please remember that all comments are moderated and I will be gone until late afternoon so until then your comments will NOT show up.  I hope you get lots of inspiration!!  Happy hopping! And Merry Christmas!

StampinCarol

Friday, August 18, 2017

A Challenge Card

Each Sunday a fellow coach challenges those of us who follow her with a challenge.  This week it was to use an item from our Bloom Benefits or Host Exclusives.  Since I had just gotten these cool dies I wanted to use them.


The cool reindeer, wreath, and pad are the die set Dashing Deer and the vine is our new Mystic Vine die.  You can get either if you purchase over $150 or have a party totaling that.  I started with a base of Candy Apple card stock and layered the piece of Christmas Cheer Prints over it.   Next I used the Vine die on Kiwi Slice card stock and adhered the two as shown.  I added some Candy Apple Twine into large loops to make sure it was visible under the focal piece.


Next I used our Oval dies to cut the Summer Days card stock.  I stamped the Joy from our Holiday Script stamp set  (this set also comes as a Bundle with coordinating dies) diagonally across the oval using Summer Days ink for a subtle look and sponged (I cut mine into quarters) that ink around the edge for a bit more pop. I used our Foam Squares to adhere the oval over the Twine. Now for the reindeer.  I used Oatmeal Cookie, Kiwi Slice, and Candy Apple card stocks then adhered the blanket and wreath into place.  It also was adhered with Foam Squares.  I added the elements from our Magical Candy Drops to finish the card.  Other products used were the Amaze machine and the Easy Glide Runner.

I'm thinking of using this design for a class in November but will use Silver Sequins or the Holiday Elements instead of the dots.  I did find out my upline saved a picture of the card to her favorites file to make later.  I'm very flattered.  How are you doing on Christmas cards?  Will you have enough made for your mailing list?

And stop by tomorrow as I'm taking part in a Blog Hop of FSJ coaches celebrating the Holidays!  I have 2 projects to share.

StampinCarol

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Back to My Desk....

I have missed sharing my desk the past 2 weeks as we've been out to California to see our oldest son and his family.  It's been over 2 years.  So I will share a photo of one of the tourist highlights after I share my desk.  I'm joining in on a weekly tour of desks that's been going on for 428 weeks.  Yeah, that's over 8 years!  I've been joining in for over 4 years.  And the wonderful Julia at the Stamping Ground is the head desker.  And now, my desk...


It's mostly clean because I've been purging again.  I emptied a 6 drawer and a 4 drawer Iris cart (still have 6 full ones along with other storage units) and now can actually see out a window!  Getting rid of them and over half of what was in them made room for my Platinum machine and Tonic guillotine paper cutter on the shelf. So happy.   But there's something on my desk that I just got and love.  It's above the single white basket in the center back of my picture.  Here's a close up...


This is a 4 1/2" wide, 3 section stackable Washi Tape holder!  My company carries it and it's so nice to have my tapes at hand! Since I'm not supposed to promote a company that's all I'm going to say about it.  I don't want to get into trouble.

Ok, now for a picture of the cool touristy thing we did with our kids and family....


They took us to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon!  I gave the link to it's official web site so just click on the name.  We spent a couple hours, 1 on a tour of the Grand Rooms and 1 walking around.  I took a bunch of photos with my little Canon Point/Shoot camera and got them downloaded to my desktop (brand new!) computer.  This picture was taken as we were heading back down to the visitor center on the bus.  I highly recommend visiting if you're ever in the area.

Ok, end of all promos.  Time to get back to the business at hand.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground to check out the links to other desks.  You'll see some great projects and more!

StampinCarol

Monday, August 14, 2017

A Stitched Rose of Thanks

Since returning from vacation last week I've had no mojo!  I think it stayed in California!  I headed over to a FB page for us coaches and seen so much great inspiration and finally this card came about.


Not sure if I like it but I wanted to use the background piece that I made using our Gel Press, a stencil (Starburst Lines), and Rich Coral Liquid Color.    The background is very basic but I need to get the feel of the Press and get it seasoned as right now some inks bubble a bit.  I've been told this will quit with time. I used our Whip Cream card stock for the pattern base and the thanks die cut.

I also used our Embroidered Rose stamp set on the 2 corners and on the Rich Coral square in the center.  I used Rich Coral ink as I really like the monotone look.



The cool word die comes from our Designer Frames die set.  I pop dotted it up, added some Journey Glaze and just a sprinkle of Sparkle Dust.  A little heart from our Magical Candy Drops just adds a little surprise.  I also used our fabulous Amaze machine and Easy Glide Runner.

I hope my mojo comes home soon.  I'm planning on taking part in a FSJ coach blog hop this Saturday.  I do have 1 card done but I need a more "fancy" card.  I'm also going to Tucson on Saturday for a Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo and meeting friends.  I gotta get my cards done and fast!

And check out my Stamps for Sale page.  Most of these are retired and no longer available but a couple are current, I just didn't like them enough to keep.  And a couple are from my old stash from when I was with another company.

StampinCarol

Friday, August 11, 2017

The Eyes Have It

I'm having a hard time getting back to making cards now that I'm home.  We were in California for the past week visiting Dean's oldest son and his family.  It had been a couple years.  Anyway, we had a blast seeing them and did get to play a bit of tourist while there.  Mike, his wife Amy, and our youngest granddaughter Rowan took us to the Hearst Castle!  WOW!  I have oodles of photos on my little Canon camera and do have them downloaded to my computer but that's it.  I'll share some of them later.

But I was over on Pinterest looking at some ideas and thought I should get started on my card class for September.  Will be doing Halloween cards and did order some dies to go with a fun set of ghosts stamp set.  Should have that order in about a week.  But here's a card inspired by one I seen.


The cool tree is from a Host Benefit set (can earn it with a $600 party) called Family Forever. It has 23 stamps! I'll have to make some more cards using this cool set and it does not come up so I took a screen shot of it from our online catalog.  I have to admit, the picture is small.



I started with a base of Black Licorice card stock then layered a smaller piece of Tangerine Fusion card stock.  I stamped the tree using Black Licorice ink and made a bit of ground under it using the Black pencil from our Color Burst set.  I added some Licorice Sparkle Tape to 2 corners.  The die cut Black Licorice Bat and Boo die cuts are part of the Snapshot Frames die set.  (One of my favorite die sets!) I added some Wiggle Eyes to the tree and ta da!  Other products used are glue dots, foam squares, Easy Glide Runner, and the Amaze machine.


What a hoot! I love how this turned out!  Okay, 1 card down and 3 to go!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Stamps For Sale Updated

I have listed my stamps for sale on its page.  First come, first get.  Contact me with your email addy to work out the details.  Thank you!

StampinCarol

I'm Stuck On You

A couple weeks ago I showed you some of the sample sheets from playing with our Gel Press.  The ones I used here were not included as they looked more like something I made using our Silks, Media Tray, Color Splash Sheets, and water.


I did use our Color Splash Sheets but also some of our Liquid Colors,  Catalina Splash, Limeade Splash, and Lemon Drop.   I started with a base of Pumpkin Bread card stock then added a layer of Turbo Teal that was embossed with our Beach Towel folder. The funky watercolor piece was die cut with our Ovals die set and splattered with Bronze Silk, then adhered.


I stamped the cacti tops from our Stuck on You Bundle stamps on the rest of the background oval piece, detail cut and flicked with Turbo Teal, Sour Lemon, and Electric Lime Silks.  I stamped the pots on Pumpkin Bread card stock and detail cut.  I determined my spacing and used Foam Squares to adhere to pots.  I then determined which cacti top went where and adhered in place.  I stamped the text on another left over piece of the background oval with Black Licorice ink, cut it out, layered it on a piece of Pumpkin Bread and adhered in place.  A few Blue Skies and Holiday Elements sequins and this card is ready to use!

StampinCarol

Monday, August 7, 2017

Rich and Elegant Love You

I love the paper from our Mystic Romance Prints paper pack!  So elegant and rich!  So, after seeing a cool card made by a fellow coach I came up with this...


I used Black Licorice and Cranberry Bliss card stocks to set off the gorgeous paper. I also used our Journey Circles die set, Embroidered Greetings stamp set, and Whip Cream ink for the text piece. How do you like the branches?  They come from the Blooming Details die set.


A bit of Black Licorice Twine and some Pearls finish off the card.  I probably should have added a layer of Black Licorice under the top pattern piece as it seems to fade into the pattern base but I didn't think of it until after I finished the card.  Oh well. I think this card would be great for an anniversary card or even Mother's Day. What woman doesn't like roses?

StampinCarol

Friday, August 4, 2017

A Stitched Rose

My July 26 post showed a view of my desk of me using our Gel Press and some of the samples that came about from the "play" time.  I did make a card not long after using one of the samples.


I used the Embroidered Rose stamp set from the Bundle to decorate the Whip Cream piece that I made on the Gel Press.  I inked the Press with Rich Coral ink, stamped the clean stamp randomly to remove color then stamped with the ink to add the rose designs.  This is all new to me so I'm not sure of the proper terminology for what I did. I adhered this background to my Rich Coral base. I flicked some Cranberry Bliss Silk but kept it to a minimum.  I stamped the rose on Whip Cream using Rich Coral and Limeade Splash inks then stamped it 2 more times with the Rich Coral ink and cut apart to make different layers.


Here you can see my 3 layers. I used our Journey Circles die set to make the 2 circles, then adhered and Foam Squared the rose in the layers. I added a few loops of Whip Cream Thread before adhering the Circles for a nice effect.


I stamped the text from the Embroidered Greetings set in Rich Coral ink on Whip Cream, banner cut and adhered in place with Foam Squares.  If you look closely you can see where I "painted" Sparkle Silk on the Rose and text.  I put a bit of the Silk on an acrylic block then used a Blending Brush to carefully apply the Silk on the letters and darker areas of the Rose.

StampinCarol

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Merry & Bright

I'm so enjoying this new die from our Holiday Mini! It's called "For You" and you can order it now since our Mini is live and is good through December 31,2017.




My cards are negative/positive of the die and the background pattern papers are retired (but I have so dog-gone much of it). Our Christmas Cheer Prints would work wonderfully but I don't have that paper pack yet.  I die cut the Candy Apple and Whip Cream card stocks with the die.  I flicked Silver and Gold Silks on the Candy Apple piece and Silver and Cranberry Bliss Silks on the Whip Cream.  I also die cut the middle sized tag from the die set on Whip Cream and stamped the text from our Tag Elements ATS in Candy Apple and Kiwi Slice inks. I tied bows using Whip Cream Thread and Candy Apple Twine before using Foam Squares to adhere in place.



I adhered the pattern paper directly to my Whip Cream folded card base then used Foam Squares to adhere the card front and die cuts.

I think these turned out really cool! What do you think?

StampinCarol