Monday, October 30, 2017

Hello Beautiful

As I work my way through the business boot camp I had to make cards for certain tasks.  I showed you a pair last Friday, here's another pair.


The background pattern paper is one of the many I made on my Gel Press a month ago.  I do remember that I used our really cool Winter Wonderland stencil on this. I did learn that this stencil has lots of tiny pieces that can easily be. I used Pool Play card stock as the base, Whip Cream for the Flower Swirls images, and Brush Silver for the die cut Circle.


Here you have a closer look at the background.  I splattered it with a bit of Sparkle Silk along with the flower & leaves.


The text is from our beautiful Bold Wings stamp set from a Bloom Box earlier this year.  I colored the flower and leaves using a few PanPastels.

I love the simplicity of this card yet it is elegant.  I'm sure my recipients will love these!

StampinCarol

Friday, October 27, 2017

Keep On Moving

I needed to make some cards for an assigned task through a business bootcamp I'm involved in. I'm falling a bit behind as I'm also very much involved in our annual church activity called The Blast.  It's a safe alternative with a gospel message for Halloween.  I'm in charge of registration.  With 3 others that will help me we have the parents of the children fill out a form with children's names and ages, address, etc. before they can enter the games & food area.  It's a big job. Hopefully I won't get booted out for not finishing all my tasks.

But I digress.  Here's a set of cards I made following a sketch from the Clean & Simple Blog.


I changed it up a bit by using a different border.  And the pattern piece started out as a design I made on our Gel Press.  Since I made the pattern a couple months ago I have no idea what products I used as I made MANY pages!


This card didn't quite come out as I envisioned but it's not bad, I guess.  I'll have to have a go at this sketch again someday.

Products used:
Card Stocks: Whip Cream, Beach Ball, Denim Days
Stamps: Hit the Road set
Dies: Border Basics
Inks: Denim Days, Beach Ball
Embellies: Summer Play Sparkles, Denim Days Sparkle Ribbon
Tools: Gel Press, Amaze machine

Also, in the last few days I lost ALL my followers!  It must be a Google problem.  I also lost almost all the blogs listed in my reader.  I sure hope everything shows back up!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Again, a Busy Desk

Seems like my days have been so busy lately.  I was trying to think of a saying but I've totally lost it.  So, I'll just say "I'm so far behind I see my butt up ahead."  And I barely remembered that today is Happy Deskers Day... Well, close enough.  And you get the opportunity to view my desk and many others. And since I've been watching the old Mission Impossible lately as I work at my desk, "Your mission, Jim, should you choose to accept it"....  Yep, head over to Julia's Stamping Ground for the links to many other desks and great projects!

And now my mission is to show you my desk....


This pic was taken yesterday afternoon.  I was in the process of making 10 card kits for the 1st of 4 cards for my class on Friday.  I hope to get a LONG ways today on the other 3 cards.

And I made a card late last week using a sketch challenge.  I turned the sketch over and went from there.





I used a folded Baby Wipe and a couple of our Liquid Colors to make the background and splatterd with a Silk (a liquid shimmer product).  I wanted it to look windy.  I stamped the large dandelion and embossed the 2 little ones and did 2nd generation stamping for the little wisps of dandelions on the page. Some fun little sparkly dots, a sentiment, some layering and the card was done.  All products by Fun Stampers Journey.

So now your mission here is over - unless you'd be so kind as to leave a comment. Please head over to Julia's Stamping Ground, check out her desk and the links to others.  And maybe we'll meet somewhere along the way!

StampinCarol

Monday, October 23, 2017

A Snowman, No, Snowlady

I've been playing around with some ideas for my November 27 Christmas Card class and kinda cased this idea from a friend.  Well, I only cased the circle layout.





This was fun to make and I did use a bunch of product...
Card stocks: Whip Cream, Huckleberry Fusion, and Christmas Cheer Prints
Stamps: Ethel Winter and Holiday Wishes
Inks: Black Licorice and Pool Play
Dies: Cloud Dreams and Circles
Embossing Folder: Yummy Dots
Blue Sparkle Tape, Sparkle Silk, Blending Brush, Color Burst Pencils, the Amaze machine, Foam Squares, White Liner Tape, Scissors
And since my gals, like me, have oodles of different colors of Stickles, Xmas Red on the buttons.

Did you notice the snowy background?  I applied my Pool Play ink pad to the embossing folder before carefully putting the piece of card stock in it and embossing.  I'm really liking this (new to me) technique!

A week ago I was challenged to write my "Me in a Minute" story.  I thought I'd share how I got to this point in time....
I have been a crafter from 1st grade and my mom was my encourager. About 20 years ago a friend introduced me to stamping and card making and I was smitten. Then in 2002 I joined a company & community under her which accelerated my love and joy of sharing with others through teaching monthly classes in my home. January 2015 I joined Fun Stampers Journey though a friend (after 6 months of internal debate) as a hobbyist after I quit teaching at a local scrapbooking store. I love the products and the family I have joined. I now have a great and growing team and teach monthly classes again to share my joy of stamping.

StampinCarol

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Make Amazing Happen Blog Hop


Welcome to the Journey Blog Hoppers Make Amazing 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!


I'm sharing a card I made based on a September 19 FSJ blog post.  I changed it up to use what I have and make it a Christmas card for a November 17 class.


I used a variety of products:
Card Stocks: Whip Cream and Rich Coral
Inks: Rich Coral and Gold
Dies: Doily and Circles
Stamps: Poinsettia Burst Bundle (available through Dec. 2017) and Holiday Script Bundle
Embellishments: Fashion Gold dots and a Gold Just Write Gel Pen
Other: Amaze machine, White Liner Tape, Foam Squares, and scotch tape (from my stash)
Just click on the product to go to it in the Shopping area of my website.


Also don't forget that our fabulous Planner products are on sale this month.  Just click on the Shop Here button, then on the Make Your Mark for

Thank you for stopping by today, be sure to head to Kim’s blog next.


Blog hop list: {Insert blog hop list}
Heather
Me > you are here!
Kim
Glenda
Deborah
Jen

StampinCarol

Friday, October 20, 2017

A Few Be Brave Cards

On looking back I realized I haven't shared these cards I'm sending in for the FSJ Be Brave Breast Cancer Card Drive.  I made these Oct. 7 and did get them uploaded to my computer and uploaded to my Google photos to share but that's as far as I got!




I'll just share these 4 for now but all of these were made using old Bloom Box card kits.  I'm not going to list the supplies as that would be a HUGE list! But I have a few more to share later.

Tomorrow I'm taking part in a Journey Coach "Make Amazing Happen" Holiday Blog Hop!  Please come back and check out the 7 of us involved.  I've seen a sneak peek of Heather's project and it was intriguing!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

A Very Busy Desk

This past few of days I have been working like crazy getting my Christmas Card Samples done for a Nov. 17 class.  Yeah, that's sooner than you realize the way the days have been flying by. So, my desk has been a wreck!  You should have seen it a couple days ago!  I did manage to get it cleaned yesterday morning then I got home and made another card.  I don't want to show it yet but I can show you my desk as I have card products stacked ready to go through when I make up the directions.  But this look is part of a global (well, somewhat) blog tour of desks put together and organized by head desker Julia at the Stamping Ground.


It's kinda organized and will be cleaned again once my directions are made and products are put away so I can begin on the 4th card.  So, left to right in front....
A pile of brochures and FSJ stuff to organized.  Then a pile of card stocks, dies, and stamps used.  Center, inks, trims, threads, and sequins.  And far right my ATG roller sitting on my Amaze machine.

Today I hope to finish the 4th card as my class is Oct. 27.  All next week I'l be making kits for the (so far) 7 gals.  That'll take a couple days and my desk may be even worse.

But now head on over to the Stamping Ground and check out the links to others willing to share where they create.  I didn't get far last week as I was grieving the passing of our cat but hope today I'll do better.

StampinCarol

Monday, October 16, 2017

Hello Fall Embossed Card

I'm currently taking a business boot camp with a bunch of others in Fun Stampers Journey (and it has NOT been easy!!) and one of our tasks last week was to make a card using a technique that we haven't tried before.  Well, I had to think about this since I've been stamping almost 20 years.  So I headed over to Pinterest to a board I have with techniques and such.  And I found one!!  Oh yeah!  I have NEVER inked an embossing folder then embossed. What, you say?  True!


I used our adorable Fall Text Folder that is a Bloom Benefit you can get FREE with a $100+ order and it's in our Journey Holidays mini catalog.   I inked my folder with Tangerine Fusion ink before carefully laying down my piece of Whip Cream card stock then running it through my Amaze machine.  Oh my goodness!!  I love this!! Why haven't I done this before??

I layered this embossed piece on a base of Tangerine Fusion card stock.  Next I used the scallop die from the Border Basics Die set and cut a piece of beautiful fall leaves paper in our Fall Fest Prints collection. I used the same die to cut a piece of Pumpkin Bread card stock and layered the 2. On a scrap piece of Whip Cream I stamped the oak leaf from the Hello Fall Bundle with Clear Pigment ink and added some colors from the Rich Sorbets PanPastel collection with a large Dauber Dowel.  Then I went over all the leaves with the Gold PanPastel to give it some shimmer.



I stamped the text from Hello Fall Bundle on a piece of Butter Cream and punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle punch and Punch Handle.  I also punched out a 1 1/2" Scallop Circle from Pumpkin Bread card stock.  I used Foam Squares and White Liner Tape to put all these elements together.

I REALLY like how this card came together. What do you think?

StampinCarol

Friday, October 13, 2017

Be Brave

I'm currently taking a "business bootcamp" and one of last week's tasks was to make a card inspired by one in our catalog.  This was to help those who struggle with creating a card.  I usually don't have any problems with that but this was a fun task.

Here's my inspiration.  It is found on page 82 in our large Inspiration Catalog.


We had to change colors used and stamps.  Ready for mine?


I started with a base of Citrus Cooler card stock and layered a smaller layer of a retired pattern card stock (I have SO much!!).   I then added a layer of Whip Cream cut with the cool Film Frame Die. The text from the Be Brave stamp set was stamped with Citrus Cooler ink.


Using more of the retired pattern paper and some Limeade Splash card stock I die cut the smallest of the 3 pairs from the Artful Butterfly die set..  I also die cut a small circle out of  Pineapple Smoothie card stock.  I added some Sweet Candy Dots to complete the look I wanted.

I also get lots of inspiration from Pinterest and from a new FB page called Journey Sketches. 

So how does my card compare to the inspiration?  And today I'm taking part in an Open House at the Earth School Wellness business in Green Valley.  This is where I have my card rack and rent the room for my classes.  If you are in this area please stop by between 3 and 7 pm and check us out!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

My Desk and Sad News

This has been a week I do NOT want to repeat but I'll share why after I share my desk.  As you know (if you've been following me) that I participate in a weekly get together of crafters who share a view of their desk. This is all brought together by our head desker, Julia, at the Stamping Ground. She keeps us on track.  If you want to know more head over to her blog and click on How to Link.....

Now for my desk:


I'm taking part in an Open House on Friday and I have a couple sets of Halloween Clips to sell. This view is a far cry from what my desk looked like last week!  But a few minutes and it would be back to looking like nothing was going on.

You can see the edge of my Cricut and the far right, some small highlighters right next to it then some cards in front of a red box holding my acrylic blocks. Center bottom, my blue cleaning rag and clips sitting on some work paper. Top is a couple desk organizers holding required tools and my spray water bottle for cleaning stamps.  Left bottom, my white basket of bottles of ink and Silks then my Ott Light. Behind that is my ink rack.  And absolutely far right, unfinished projects and the end of my ATS adhesive roller.

Now for the sad news.


Our little Miss Piggy, a 15 1/2 year old manx, was put to sleep yesterday due to advancing kidney disease.  She quit eating almost a week ago and I took her to the vet.  Blood work was so sad. So Monday morning I made the call and at 10:50 yesterday morning we sent her over the Rainbow Bridge. She had lost more weight and was uncomfortable.  She had moments of her old self but we were not willing to let her suffer. My hubby went with me and I held her as she passed.  That was so so hard and we both cried.  We had the vet make a paw plaque with her name.  We brought her home and buried her next to our beloved Arlene cat that was put to sleep in 2009 from the same disease.  I will be looking to have a memorial made with Miss Piggy's name and her life span.  She also had FIV but that was in such early stages it didn't affect her.


I baked this plaque and when taking a picture I didn't notice the little white speck of something on her name.  I'm also looking to get a nice frame for the head picture and a great photo of her before her passing.

At this time we are taking a break from having a cat.  This is the first time since we married 36 years ago we won't have a pet.  Who knows someday.

Anyway, head over to the Stamping Ground for links to other desks and crafters.  You'll see some great projects!

StampinCarol

Monday, October 9, 2017

Halloween Clips

Tomorrow I'll be mailing goodies out to our grand kids and great grand kids.  But 1 granddaughter is 17 and I was at a loss as to what to get for her.  Then, and I don't know if she'll like these, I decided to make her some Halloween Paper Clips.  I doubt she has a planner but maybe she could use these for school work or something....


I used Jack O'Lantern and You're Batty stamp sets.





I used lots of Journey Glaze and a fun black glitter that retired 2 years ago. I added Wiggle Eyes  to one bat. I also used Black Licorice ink, Whip Cream, Citrus Cooler, and Kiwi Slice card stocks, my Amaze machine, and lots of Foam squares!  I think I'll make a couple more sets of these as I'm taking part in an 2nd Anniversary Open House at the Earth School Wellness store where I have my card rack and rent my class room.  This will take place Friday (yep, the 13th) evening! What do you think I should sell a set of 4 for?

StampinCarol

Friday, October 6, 2017

A Little Racoon

I do not have health insurance through the normal channels but belong to a company called Samaritan Ministries which is a health share program.  It is ACA compliant and each month I'm told who to send a card to and how much (between $220 - 230) as my share to help them with their needs. (And when I have a need others in this program send me money to help pay my medical bills.) This month the family I sent to is expecting a baby in February and I just had to make a special card.


I searched through my stamps and could not find a Congrats small enough (what I had that is current was way too big) so unfortunately that particular stamp is retired. This card is from a Bloom Box way back and the little Oatmeal Cookie die cut label die is retired.  I started with a Whip Cream card stock base then a layer of Candy Apple and finally a layer of Electric Lime that was embossed with our Beach Towel embossing folder.  The little raccoon is from our Creature Comforts Bundle.  I did not color him at all, I liked him as black and white. I think the Whip Cream oval really sets him off and I used Natural Twine to "tie" this layout together.


I splattered some Sparkle Silk on the embossed layer for a touch of bling.  I also used my Amaze machine, Foam Squares, and Easy Glide Adhesive.

I think my recipients will like this card, what do you think?

StampinCarol

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

A Desk and Some Itty Bitties

Yeah, I know.  I missed sharing my desk for the last 2 weeks.  So much happening I had to take a break but now I'm back!  And I want to invite you to check out my desk!  And, if you like, please head over to the Stamping Ground afterwards to check out all the great links to more desks and usually great projects.


I had taken a challenge through a Business Development Boot Camp to clean and organize my desk.  Actually the only 2 spots needing help was the top right where my 12 x 12 decorative paper is kept and the baskets on the bottom right behind my Amaze machine.  I ended up with oodles of paper scraps in the trash that were really too small to do much with and I will be yard saling (is that a word?) non-FSJ paper since I'm not using it anyway.  If you click on the pic it will enlarge some and you can see what all is there.  I have ordered another Washi Tape Rack and more Washi Tape so there will be a bit of a change again.  I really need to sit and work on something and get my mojo back.  Oh, that pumpkin on the far left... It's due to be altered.  When?? Hopefully before Thanksgiving.  LOL!


I just got my Itty Bitty swap back. I showed you mine a while back and these are the ones I got in return.  On Pinterest these are called Card Candy.  I love them all but the 2nd from the right is my favorite!  Those pumpkins are actually one of our flower images!  How ingenious!

So now my post is ending and please head over to the Stamping Ground and check out Julia's blog along with all the great links.  Catch you around the web!

StampinCarol

Monday, October 2, 2017

Thankful

Our challenge last week by a fellow coach was to make a card using anything created with the Gel Press.  Since I had quite a few sheets from playing last week with my downline and another team this was a bit easier.  Just had to decide on which one to use, a layout, a theme....    well, it really wasn't all that easy after all.


I used assorted Splashes to make the background. I used Rich Coral, Limeade Splash, and Banana Cream card stocks trying to match the colors in the background.   Since the background reminded me a bit of Fall colors I used our Hello Fall stamp set (can get as a Bundle) for the leaves and text. I only used 2 inks, Cocoa Powder and Clear Pigment.  I stamped the leaves on a piece of Banana Cream with the Clear ink and used our Rich Sorbet PanPastel collection and a large Dauber Dowel to color.  After coloring I went over the leaves with Gold PanPastel.


You can see the Gold sheen on the leaves in this picture.  I also used our Circles die set, the Amaze machine, Foam Squares, and Easy Glide Adhesive.

I guess I haven't shown you the backgrounds I made! 







We had a lot of fun trying different things to make texture, mediums, and stencils.  And with 7 of us, the chatter was running!  What great fun!

StampinCarol