Wednesday, November 29, 2017

WOYWW 443 and a Purple Dancer

Here in southern Arizona you'd never know that December is just a couple days away with the record setting temperatures we've been having.  But we're supposed to be back to upper 60's on Sunday.  Hard to get into the Christmas mood.  But I am in the mood to share a picture of my desk all because of Julia at the Stamping Ground.  I enjoy "visiting" others and their work areas and even projects!  So, I have my desk for you from yesterday afternoon and the card that is in progress on it.


You can see in my immediate work area a set of stamps, the card base, and my trimmer on top of some of the paper I'm using. And have you noticed there is an Amazon gift card between the card base and my stamp cleaning rag?  Yep, I'm working on a birthday card for our youngest granddaughter as her birthday is just over a week away!  I gotta get this in the mail!


She is a dancer like her older sister.  Both are in the Nutcracker that is put on yearly by the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, CA.  And she loves purple, well, she did when she was younger.  I used all Fun Stampers Journey products.


I masked the skirt and stamped purple roses.  I was thinking of adding tulle but couldn't find it (I guess I need to purge again).  I think she'll like the card.

So now please head over to the Stamping Ground and check out the links to more bloggers taking part in this weekly get together!

StampinCarol

Monday, November 27, 2017

A Twisted Treat and Cross!

Have you bought anything on our great November Pockets & Lockets Sale??  I've got a couple items to show you that you may like!


This little treat box is just too cute!  Yes, it's a "cracker" box but it does make a cute little gift box, too!  I started with the Treat Twisters package and chose a black one (also has Whip Cream and Oatmeal Cookie colors). I cut out pieces of the HoHoHo print from the Christmas Cheer printed paper pack and adhered.   Next I die cut a piece of Pearled Basics Black and Candy Apple card stocks using the smallest snow flake in the Snow Blooms die set.  I also die cut a piece of scrap Whip Cream card stock with the smallest die and piercing element in the Tag Elements die set then stamped the text from Tag Elements ATS set using Black Licorice ink.


Here you can see the sparkle on the Candy Apple snowflake.  I used our Sparkle Silk all over it and added a Summer Play Sparkle to its center and the end of the tag.  I tied the ends of the box using our Journey Thread Silver.  It works wonderfully since the tie area is so small.  So what did I put in it?


I redecorated my Sparkle Tower Locket using the Licorice Tower Plate (background) and the Sparkle Cross Tower Plate  and got a very dramatic look!  I added the 27.5" Diamond Cut Link chain and it's a lovely gift for that special someone!


I have to admit the necklace does not fit in the Treat Twist box but it should give you some ideas!
Don't miss out on the sale!  Head over to my FSJ page and start getting your Christmas gifts and gift boxes before the sale is over!

StampinCarol

Friday, November 24, 2017

A Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge

Wednesday I managed to get some time to play after hubby and I had a quick trip to Tucson to renew his 2 week expired CDL (commercial drivers license).  We were home by noon and I got caught up on laundry and this card.  And it is a Valentine Card as I'm needing to put some ideas together for my January class.  This is sketch 430 by Tuesday Morning Sketches.


Here is the sketch.  It is very similar to last week's sketch.  But Melissa wanted hearts and layers and I did get that done.  Here's my card...


I started with a base of Pomegranate Splash card stock then a piece from our Through the Years Prints.  Next I die cut some more Pomegranate Splash and Bubble Gum card stock with one of our Border Basics dies.


I used our Heart Film Die set to die cut another piece of Pomegranate Splash and Whip Cream card stocks. The sentiment from Ampersand Notes was stamped with Pomegranate Splash ink and I sponged more of the ink around the edges.  Bubble Gum Thread was looped between the 2 heart die cuts. A few Sweet Candy Drops were added for fun.

This card will probably be a good one for my class.  It was easy to put together and I love the look!  Now head over to Tuesday Morning Sketches for the links to more cards in this challenge!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

WOYWW 442

What is WOYWW you ask?  It's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Yep, and if you want to know more you need to head over to the Stamping Ground where Julia lives.  She puts this whole thing together and has us share what our desks look like.  And this is week 442 so it's been going on for 8 1/2 years!  I've been taking part for about 5 years.  Back then there was about 130 brave crafters but now we're down to about 35 - 40 and I've gotten to "know" some of them a bit.  Most are from England but we used to have some from Spain and central Europe.  Anyway,  I better give you the view before you get bored...


I need to clan up this left over stuff from yesterday's project post and get some other stuff done. I have a bunch of die cut flower pieces and a little bit of a flower made, right in the middle of the picture. Far left, scraps and such. At the end of my red Cricut is a pile of Christmas pockets I made for an Open House I was part of. Then to the right is my ATG adhesive roller, ribbon, scissors, and the end of my large Platinum die cut machine.  Soon this will be all cleared and another project will be on my white scrap pad.

So this post is short.  I usually try to add a project but that is in my mind at this point. I do need to make a few Christmas cards for my card rack at the store and I need to make some Valentine card samples for my January class and make some card fronts for a technique swap (need about 40). Just don't know where to start. Anyway, please head over to the Stamping Ground and check out all the desks.  And I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

StampinCarol

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

A Real Treat!

I purchased one of the cool dies available in our Pockets & Lockets sale (ends midnight Nov. 30) called the Treat Box.  It barely uses a full 8 1/2" x 11" piece of card stock and is very easy to decorate.


I know you can't see much of the box in this photo but you get a good look at the decorating!


Here's a better view of the box.  It's about 3 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide, and 1 1/2" deep.  I used our cool steel rule die, Summer Bouquet, to make the flower.  The die is quite big (8 1/2" x 11 1/2") and you need the Platinum machine to use it. This large die cuts 2 flowers and 4 leaves so I have another flower to use on something else. I used Tangerine Fusion and Rich Sorbet Prints for the box and Watermelon Fusion for the flower and belly band.  I splattered the flower with Sparkle Silk and added a little Confectionary Bloom flower as the center.  The tag was made from our Tag Elements die set, Whip Cream card stock, Watermelon Fusion ink, and a sentiment from the Sentimental Prints stamp set.

And what have I in this cute little box?


It's one of our fabulous lockets!


Here is the list of items  to make this gorgeous necklace!
27.5" Diamond Cut Link chain
Sparkle Tower Locket
White Tower Plate
and the Sparkle Bloom Tower Plate.
Isn't it just gorgeous!  And you can change out the background colors by changing to the Apple Tower Plate (a brilliant RED) or the Licorice Tower Plate (a dramatic black).  You can mix and match to coordinate with your clothing!

Don't miss out on this sale!  It ends soon but also don't forget our upcoming Black Friday Sale starting, yep, Black Friday and ends midnight, Nov. 27.  We have the Amaze machine, adhesives, and our Journey Glaze all on sale!

StampinCarol

Monday, November 20, 2017

Sketch Inspiration

First of all FSJ has a couple tremendous sales coming up. The first starts on Black Friday!  Head over to my FSJ Specials page and check them out.  They're at the top of the page.

I enjoy making cards using sketches and last week we had another challenge on a FSJ coach page.

This was the sketch and here is my card....


I had such a busy week I made a pretty simple card, not much for embellishments but I love the effect I got! I started with a base of Pool Play card stock then added a layer I made using our Gel PressPool Play ink pad, and the Winter Wonderland stencil. I used Whip Cream card stock to make the prints and snowflakes. I then added a smaller set of the same layers then splattered them with Sparkle Silk.


The larger snowflake paper was also decorated using the Gel Press and another blue ink pad but it's been way too long for me to remember which ink. I used our Flannel Life stamp to make the pattern but you can't really see it. I die cut all snowflakes using our Snow Blooms die set.  I also used Sparkle Silk and kind of painted the 3 little snowflakes.

StampinCarol

Friday, November 17, 2017

Pockets and More Pockets

You do know Fun Stampers Journey is having a fabulous sale called Pockets & Lockets. All our jewelry and many dies and boxes are on sale until the end of the month. For my Open House last week I made some pockets to tuck my business cards into for the gals who took my Make N Take classes that have never attended any of my classes.  (Whew, that was a long sentence!)


I started with the Scalloped Pocket die (on sale!!!) and 3 colors of card stock, Fresh Forest, Cranberry Bliss, and Whip Cream.  I used assorted prints from the Christmas Cheer Prints paper pack (available through Dec. 31)  All were stamped with the simpler text from Holiday Wishes stamp set and either Black Licorice or Cranberry Bliss inks.


This pocket used the Christmas elements from our Snapshot Frames die set with Candy Apple and Kiwi Slice card stocks.  I added a bit of Sparkle Silk to the berries and layered these over a strip of Licorice Sparkle Washi Tape.


I love these little red Poinsettia Bursts and layered it on some sparkle washi tape from the Candy Apple Journey Tape.


I punched this gorgeous snowflake using our Pearl Paper, Classic Elegance Journey Tape, and a  Fashion Silver dot.

I made 6 of each pocket and gave away 10 pockets.  I hope those who received these will contact me as I totally spaced having an email list for them to sign.  Oh well.

StampinCarol

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

A Desk and A Challenge

Well, it's Wednesday.  That hump day that says we're between weekends. And it's the day so many of us reveal our desks in whatever shape they're in. And this fun view of my desk and many others is put together by our head desker Julia at the Stamping Ground.  And, I was challenged by a friend to answer a challenge put on by another blogger!  So I looked around and found Tuesday Morning Sketches #429.  I used to do their sketches a year ago and I think it's about time I do it again! So, along with my desk you'll see my answer to their challenge.


This picture was taken yesterday afternoon as I just completed the challenge card.  There is some interesting things besides the card supplies I used.  In front of my red Cricut is a mug I made at a group I get together with when I can (and I did Nov. 4). It used the Envelope Punch Board.  I have seen these on Pinterest (and I do have it pinned!). In front of it is a pile of paper packages but the top one is the one I used the most, a brushed gold. (Oh, all supplies are from Fun Stampers Journey.) The little black thing is a piece of magnetic sheet for the die in the center of my white paper work space. There is also some glue dots and their box, my Bloom Tool, scissors, gold ink and ATG adhesive roller. Toward the back center are gold dots, white liner tape, 2 of our small adhesive rollers, and my OTT light. Far right are the plates to my Amaze machine.

Ok. Are you ready for my card?  First I'll share the sketch (TMS #429)...


And my card....


Does it follow the sketch? I wanted to play with gold as I usually play with silver!  I love how this turned out!  Again, all products are from Fun Stampers Journey.


And a close up of the poinsettias. I love how this turned out and today it will be in the mail to a friend as a special swap.  I'm sure she'll love it!

Ok, now you're at the end of my post.  Please check out both blogs, the Stamping Ground and Tuesday Morning Sketches, for lots more!!!

StampinCarol

Monday, November 13, 2017

Open House Photos

Last Friday was my Open House in conjunction with a friend who is a CTMH consultant.  I think I had my table display looking very nice.


This was the first time I used my cool new table cloth and it looked GREAT! I had my display for my upcoming class on Friday with flyers and a few took those.  Next at the back was my little display shelf with another card display of holiday cards and a couple left over kits from last month's class.  Finally I had my trifold display with current FSJ info including our November sale info and Bloom Box flyer, the great Join Up Starter Kit special (yep, $25 for our Designer Starter Kit designed for the Hobbyist!).   In the front of the table are assorted products, door prizes, catalogs, Snapshots, and what not.  I did give away about 5 large catalogs, 10 Snapshots, and both Holiday Minis that I still had.



I had 2 make n take classes, a fun pink/brown Christmas card and a Cool Pool elegant card.  I had 6 for the first class (2 no shows but 2 walk ins) and 8 for the 2nd card. 


This card was made for a coach challenge a while back.  I wanted to introduce this class to our wonderful Silks and they had a blast!
Silks: Bubble Gum and Sparkle


This was the 2nd card and, can you believe it, I left the Hello stamp set at home!  I did find a small stamp to use in its place.  It was "Wishing you a" from our Holiday Wishes set.  I just took an extra card kit and cut up the folded base to the size I needed!

Card stocks: Whip Cream, Cool Pool, Silver Mirror,  and Vellum
Ribbon: Cool Pool
Embossing Folder: Love Stripes
Dies: Mystic Vine (a Host Exclusive) and Blooming Details
Other: Whip Cream Thread, Fashion Silver dots, Easy Glide Runner, Amaze machine, Glue Dots, Foam Squares

I did forget to have an email sign up sheet. I'll get one designed in my PrintShop program for the next time.  I am hoping to have another Open House with Susan in February when all our snow birds are here. 

StampinCarol

Friday, November 10, 2017

Pockets & Lockets Necklace

This month we have a sale of assorted dies and our fabulous Bloom Collection of jewelry.  I have a number of pieces of jewelry and since today is my Holiday Open House I want to share my newly decorated piece.



This gorgeous necklace is  made up of a number of pieces.
The chain is the 27.5" Diamond Cut link.  I didn't take a close up of it but it is fabulous.
The locket is the large Sparkled Round Locket.  Look at the cool "jewels" around the circle!
I just got the Crystal Ring & Hoop which makes it so much easier to attach the chain.
You do need the appropriate sized Locket Kit to encase the locket as it's just a frame.
I used our Punch Handle and 1 1/4" Punch Cartridge and Candy Apple card stock for the background.
Next I used the smallest die only from the Snow Burst Bundle and Pearl Paper (and, of course, our Amaze machine) to make the snow flake.
Last a little Fashion dot for the center of the snow flake.

Though this isn't exactly a Christmas design I though winter would work.  What do you think?

StampinCarol

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

My Desk and Dean's Gift

Seems like life has been very busy lately.  And this week is no different.  But I did manage to get a picture of my desk this week for the weekly deskers blog tour put together by Julia at the Stamping Ground.  I missed joining up last week.  (And Saturday my phone went on the blitz so I'm learning about my new Samsung Galaxy S8.  It's a lot different than the S4!)  But my desk is VERY busy as I prepare for an Open House on Friday.  I have 2 make n takes and many signed up!!  Oh my!  Today I'll be cutting kits!  But I better show you my desk before I ramble too much...


I have cards on top of my Cricut and to the left.  In the center I'm working on some small projects to give away and on the right my Amaze machine and ATG runner are in heavy use.  I'll share the pockets later as they're a long way from being done.

Yesterday was my hubby's birthday and I got him some DVDs with William Powell and Myrna Loy.  He LOVES the Thin Man series and I got him 6, I missed the Nick & Nora movie.  That will be a good one maybe for Christmas.


And since we're beginning to restore our 1947 International pickup I used a set having an old truck.


I know our truck will be more of a medium blue, not this light color but it will have a metallic paint and should sparkle a lot!  And in case you wonder, all products are from Fun Stampers Journey.

I tried to keep this relatively short and sweet and now I'm done.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground for the links to lots of desks!  You'll also see lots of great projects!

StampinCarol

Monday, November 6, 2017

Golden Poinsettias

I tried a sketch challenge on our FB page for fellow coaches this week.  I enjoy the inspiration from other FSJ coaches and the challenge to come up with something different (at times).  Here's the sketch:


And here's my first attempt (because I changed it after I took pictures).



I used 2 stamps bundles, Poinsettia Burst and Holiday Script.
Papers used: Black Licorice, Cranberry Bliss, Whip Cream, and Christmas Cheer Prints.
Inks: Cranberry Bliss, Gold, and Kiwi Splash
Embellies: Berries & Holly Dots and Fashion Gold Dots



And now for the change....


I removed the 2 pine boughs on the right.  They just looked wrong.  Which version of the card do you prefer??

StampinCarol

Friday, November 3, 2017

A Sketch Challenge

I have gotten away from doing challenges at the beginning of the year and I miss doing them!  I found this one but I couldn't link due to not having SU! stamps.  And here is my card:



I think this is the most layers I've done in ages! And I used quite a few different products!





I tried to get views of all the layers.  Hopefully they show up!

Products used:
Card stocks: Christmas Cheer Prints, Cranberry Bliss, Summer Days, Kiwi Slice
Whip Cream, Vellum, and Gold Mirror
Stamps: Snow Burst
Dies: Holiday Box Window Plates, Star-Dom and Piercing Elements, and Bloom Cluster Die
Washi Tape: Candy Apple Journey Tape
Thread: Whip Cream Thread
Embellishments: Summer Play Sparkles
Ink: Cranberry Bliss
Other: Glue Dots, Foam Squares, Amaze Machine, Easy Glide Runner

This was a fun challenge and I hope to do more! Such great inspiration!

StampinCarol

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Special Card Packets for Autumn

Oh my!  I missed a post yesterday! I'm sorry but there is a reason.  Tuesday our church put on an alternative celebration to Halloween.  We call it The Blast and we had games, food, laser tag, a youth band, and Christian videos from 5 to 8 pm.  I worked all day Tuesday helping set up the laser tag maze (LOTS of PVC pipes and tarps) and working where needed.  Then I cleaned the church bathrooms and kitchen yesterday morning.  I am so very very sore and tired that when I got home yesterday I had to rest.  I'm requiring tylenol just to move!  But I did get finished with a task from last week's boot camp and want to share it now.



I made these little box envelopes using my Envelope Punch Board and Pumpkin Bread card stock.  I searched for the right pattern and found a site (The Crafty Owl) that, when given the dimensions needed, gave me the size of card stock and the 1st and 2nd score lines.  Perfect!  Inside these little packets are 3 cards, 2 with envelopes.  One card explains the packet.  Also there is a flyer for my next class, a business card, and a little candy.


This packet I die cut the Autumn Days maple leaf.  Two leaves are out of a piece of paper I designed using the Gel Press and assorted inks.  The other leaf has some PanPastels rubbed (using our large Dauber Dowel) on it and text from the Hello Fall set using Black Licorice ink.


With this packet I wrapped a piece of Pumpkin Patch ribbon around it. Next I used our Oval dies and cut a piece of Whip Cream card stock then stamped the Harvest ATS stamp with Black Licorice ink.  I colored it with our Color Burst Pencils.

Today I hope to get some more projects done and Saturday I'll be going to a crop in north Tucson. I sure hope those tylenol kick in and help me not ache so much!

StampinCarol