Wednesday, May 30, 2018

A Sophisticated Birthday Card

Our son-n-law's birthday is this week and he is a sophisticated guy. He used to manage a very nice restaurant at a country club and dressed very spiffy!  So I decided to use the set Sophisticated Animals stamp set to make his card.



This set is NOT retiring and it has not been one of my favorites as it just isn't my style. But I like how this turned out and it was kinda a challenge for me.
Products used:
Stamp Set: Sophisticated Animals and Dude Ranch (sentiment)
Card Stocks: Cocoa Powder and Butter Cream
Inks: Cocoa Powder
Dies: Lots of Dots and Journey Ovals
Coloring Medium: Color Burst PencilsColor Burst Blenders, Baby Oil to blend
Other: Platinum machine, Foam Squares, Details Pro Shears, Easy Glide Runner, Sponge


Yep, this is not my style but I believe it is Nick's style.  I hope he likes it!  What do you think??

StampinCarol

Monday, May 28, 2018

Smile. Enjoy. Celebrate.

I showed this card on my FB FSJ page last Friday and I wanted to show the finished card.  I made this for my hubby's Father's Day card.  I told about why I colored it this blue and a few stories as well.



I used a couple great products from our Spring Into Summer mini catalog that retires June 30. I have a link in the side bar to the online version if you're interested.

Products used:
Stamp sets: Happy Adventure and Celebrate Everything
Inks: Fresh Forest and Black Licorice
Card stocks: Beach Ball, Fresh Forest, Whip Cream, and Pineapple Smoothie
Print paper: Sunday Adventure Prints
Coloring Medium: Color Burst Pencils
Embellishments: Sparkle Dust
Other: Journey Glaze, Easy Glide Runner, Details Pro Shears, Paper Trimmer, The Amaze, Foam Squares Med., Foam Squares Sm.


I tried to angle my card so you could see the Glaze on the 3 big flowers, tail lights, and license plate.  I added Sparkle Dust to the flowers.

Right now we have our 1947 International 1 ton truck at the paint shop.  It's being painted a metallic medium blue with a satin cream stripe where there is a ridge down the side of the cab. We have a lot of work to do to it to get it road ready plus a new title with a new VIN as it's # was taken and used on a different vehicle by the state of WY!! I guess they figured that since it hasn't been licensed in the last 15 years that it was junked out.  Oh well.   I am anxious to get this truck back but it will get my car's parking space in the car port and my car will be out under the tree.

StampinCarol

Friday, May 25, 2018

Hello Gorgeous!

Here's another card  from our great May Bloom Box!  Again, I changed a couple things on it to suit me.



Do you like my little critter posing with the card?   I've been trying to purge some stuff and he showed up!  I think he goes well with this card, don't you? Anyway, I used a different sentiment on the Black Licorice strip and rearranged the colorful flowers.

Stamp Set: Color Me Happy
Card Stocks: Whip Cream, Black Licorice, and Watermelon Fusion
Inks: Clear Pigment, Black Licorice, Beach Breeze, Watermelon Fusion, Citrus Cooler, Electric Lime, and Candy Apple
Silk: Sparkle (this is our most popular Silk!)
Coloring: White Embossing Powder
Tools: Media Tray, Heat Tool, and Details Pro Shears
Embellishment: Spring Accent Dots
Adhesives: Foam Squares, Easy Glide Runner, Glue Dots


Here you can see where I added the Sparkle Silk as just an accent on the flowers.

I have been creating like crazy because early June we're going to go see our middle granddaughter graduate from high school!  We'll also be seeing our oldest granddaughter and her family with our 2 great grandson, our daughter and her hubby, and of course, our oldest son and his family as it's his middle daughter graduating! I will have posts prescheduled and will be checking in to make sure everything is working.

StampinCarol

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

HAPPY WOYWW ANNIVERSARY!

Happy WOYWW Anniversary!

Today we celebrate the 9th anniversary of this fun blog hop of desks!  Though I'm not making any ATCs to share with other WOYWWers, I am thrilled to be a part of this group.  I joined in on Feb. 22, 2012 and have cyber-met (is that a word?) quite a few gals and have had some nice chats! My, how my desk has changed since then, a bunch more organized and different tools and such on it.  And Julia at the Stamping Ground is our head desker, the gal who started this whole thing! Thanks, Julia!

And now for my desk....


I'm working on 7 fancy fold cards for a special event.  A month from now I'll be in Phoenix, AZ for our Fun Stampers Journey 4th annual convention and these cards are for a special swap. I do have a special post already made and scheduled for June 22 showing my cards.


Here are some of the die cuts I made for my cards.  Lots of cacti! I'm working on the base of the card on my desk. You can see my paper trimmer far left, assorted glue dots, and what not next to my ScanNCut, card bases (white) and layers (blue). Then far right my ATG adhesive roller and my Platinum die cut machine, along with my OTT light and baskets of scraps and more what nots.

Please head over to the Stamping Ground and check out all the links.  I bet there are some great projects and very busy desks!!  Catch you somewhere along the way!

StampinCarol

Monday, May 21, 2018

I Love You More Than....

Here's my 2nd card from our May Bloom Box.  I actually did a FB Live while making this card last Friday so if you want to see it please go to this link.  I do love that Fun Stampers Journey gives us 2 options on purchasing the Bloom Boxes.


On my video I gave a challenge to receive this card FREE so you'll have to check it out.

Stamps: Color Me Happy
Card Stocks: Whip Cream, Candy Apple, Citrus Cooler, and Electric Lime
Inks: Black Licorice and Beach Breeze
Dies: Journey Circles
Tools: 1/16" Circle Punch, Details Pro Scissors, The Amaze,
Embellishments: Journey Thread Beach Breeze and Be Brights Brad
Adhesives: Easy Glide Runner and Foam Squares Medium


Here's a closer look at the Thread end.  I looped it around my fingers then adhered to a piece of our Easy Glide Runner on the Candy Apple Circle before adding the sentiment with Foam Squares.

Don't forget our fabulous Retirement Party sale going on! Quite a few items are already SOLD OUT! If you have something you want don't delay!

StampinCarol

Friday, May 18, 2018

Happy Happy

I'm finally getting around to working on this month's Bloom Box after making so many cards for our FSJ Retirement Party.  No, FSJ isn't retiring but over 500 products are June 30.  Anyway, I  added a lot of stuff to this card and love how it turned out!



Yep, it's a spinner card! I added all the words on the colored sections and didn't use the double bow that was to be adhered to the tag.

Stamps: Color Me Happy and Text Happy
Card Stocks: Whip Cream, Beach Breeze, and Electric Lime
Inks: Black Licorice, Beach Breeze, Watermelon Fusion, Citrus Cooler, Electric Lime, and Candy Apple
Silks: Beach Ball and Sparkle
Tools: Tag Time Punch Cartridge, Punch Handle, 1/16" Circle Punch, Details Pro Scissors, the Amaze, pencil
Embellishments: Be Brights Brad and Journey Game Spinner (retired and sold out)
Dies: Journey Circles
Adhesives: Glue Dots, Foam Squares, Easy Glide Runner


Can you see the Sparkle Silk on the leaves? Just adds a bit of POP!

Don't forgot our great Banners & Bows Bundle deal! You get 5 die sets, a bottle of our Craft Glue and the Amaze machine for $89.70!!!  And the Amaze is FREE!!  The machine ships separately and there will be a $15 shipping charge due to the weight of the machine.  Can't beat this deal with a stick... yeah, cliche time.

I'll still be posting cards made using stamp sets that are retiring.  Remember that if you are the first to place an order purchasing a set that I made a card from I will be sending you that card as a thank you!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

A Desk and a Banner

We've been having a heat wave and so much wind lately that it's almost painful to go out midday.  Also causes allergies to go crazy!  But my relief is being in my craft room and getting some play time.  And today is no exemption! You know, if you've been following my blog, that I join up with a group of fellow crafters and give you a view of my desk, all put together and linked through our head desker, Julia at the Stamping Ground. My view was taken yesterday mid afternoon when I get some good light.


I'm in the process of prepping for a class on Friday.  I have about 4 gals coming.  Class size is shrinking due to so many going back to their summer residences where it's so much cooler than here. So, my desk. From left to right,  My company catalog under some of my printed directions and card samples plus a bag of personalize sized Glaze (like Diamond Glaze, Crystal Lacquer, or whatever it is called these days). Next a card sample with card kits being prepped.  Then my paper trimmers. Yep, 2 of them in use depending on the size of paper I need to cut. And on the right, my ATG adhesive runner and Platinum machine. In the back you can see my ScanNCut2, other tools and supplies, cleaning rag, bottles of Silks (a water-based color that one splatters on the project), my OTT light, and baskets of scraps, UFOs, and what-not.

Last week I gave a teaser of the project I was working on then.  Are you ready to see it?


It was difficult to photo this 6' banner.  I laid it out on our living room carpet in front of the window to get the best light possible. I'm not sure how large it will get if you click on it but give it a try.  I also have pics of the components.  You've seen one of the 6 tassels last week so I'll show the paper parts.


This red banner is on both ends. I used stuff purchased and cut up from a dollar store and added die cut stars.


Again I used a die cut star but added some garland also purchased at a dollar store.


And same here. I'll be mailing this to our daughter-in-law for her birthday (mid July) mid early June along with our grandson's birthday gift (mid June). I'll wrap it and leave a note to not open it until July 1. (I'm sure she'll open it sooner....).  This took about 2 - 3 days to make as I hand sewed the tassels to the ribbon and the flowers/buttons to the tassels! I guess I can add the tassel again so you don't have to look back...


Everything die cut used my company's dies. The tassels were made using a large steel rule die that required my large die cut machine. I"m planning on using the left over bandanas to make a wreath for me but I need to purchase a foam wreath!

Ok, my post today was a bit photo heavy but I was excited to share this with you.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground for the links to the other desks, fun projects, and great scenery!  And please leave me a comment before you go and let me know what you think of my banner!

StampinCarol

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Dreaming of Koi

After this post I'm going back to posting Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays but will still be showcasing (frequently) retiring stamp sets. And here is one that I have enjoyed as it's perfect for using our Create-a-Palette ink pads!  It's called Koi Dreams. I have the bundle as I'm not the best detail cutter....


Here's the 2 Palettes I made up to use. The Shades of Blue is made with reinkers and the other is made of Liquid Colors.





And here's the card....



Products used:
Card stocks: Denim Days, Whip Cream (colored with Shaving Cream & a reinker), and Mystic Romance print collection
Inks: shown above
Dies: Square Film Die
Accents: Candy Minis
Other: Amaze machine, Easy Glide Runner, Foam Squares


I do enjoy using the Create-A-Palettes but one must be careful to not contaminate the lighter color sections with ink still on the stamp.  Best bet, clean the stamp before reinking.  I learned this with pads from another company, not ours. And if you want to see/print our Retirement List in PDF, Click Here!

StampinCarol

Monday, May 14, 2018

Bold Wings

Today is the next to the last day that I'll be sharing almost daily a card made from a retiring stamp set.  I will still share but on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as before. I hope you've been enjoying my cards and if you should purchase a stamp set that I've showcased I will send you the card I made with that stamp set.

Today I'm sharing a card made with the gorgeous stamp set Bold Wings.  This stamp was part of a Bloom Box and the cards we made were fabulous!


My card is fairly simple but I wanted to use our great PanPastels. In person the butterfly shows up much better.


Products used:
Card stocks: Whip Cream
Inks: Clear Pigment and Black Licorice
PanPastels: Confectionary Days collection, Party Pop Collection, and Lemongrass
Accents: Pearls
Other: Heat Tool, White embossing powder, Foam Squares, Dauber Dowel Large, and Paper Trimmer


I used both Pool Play and Beach Ball PanPastels and worked at blending them together where they met.


Since I used the Be bold text I used the Black Licorice ink to make it bold. Maybe I should have used River Stone ink instead. The words just seem overwhelming.  What do you think?

Have you been taking advantage of our Retirement Party?? So many wonderful products at 1/2 price!!!  You can't beat that deal!! But remember, once an item is sold out, it GONE!  No back orders! And many items have sold out already! So don't delay! And to view the Retirement list in PDF, Click Here!

StampinCarol

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Remember.....

This retiring set is one that I have never used!  Yes, it was virgin until I made this card! Can you imagine that!!!  Do you have any that you haven't used?  It's called Remember Today and is part of the Project Me collection. You can get it as a bundle, too.



Anyway, I struggled to come up with a design that worked with this set and voila!  What do you think?


Products used:
Card stocks: Whip Cream, Turbo Teal, and Project Me Prints
Inks: Turbo Teal
Silks: Turbo Teal and Sparkle
Punches: This Way cartridge and Punch Handle
Accents: Sweet Candy Drops
Other: Sponge, Foam Squares, Easy Glide Runner, Paper Trimmer


I ended up using a stamp platform to line up the stamps on the Whip Cream rectangle.  I am rather a perfectionist in getting images straight in some cases.

Don't forget to check out my Specials page for all the goodies this month! And should you purchase any of the retiring items that I have been showcasing, I will send you the card that goes with the stamp set! And if you want to see the Retirement list in PDF, Click Here!

StampinCarol

Friday, May 11, 2018

Heads You Win!

Are you checking out all the products on sale?  I've put in a small order for a couple customers and me. Didn't want to lose out as the products are on a first come first get basis!  Don't wait too long! But here's another card I made using a retiring stamp set, Great Outdoors.  This set was from our August 2016 Bloom Box and I love it! I used the moose in my 2016 Christmas cards.



Isn't this a fantastic outdoorsy set!! I've seen oodles done with it!


Products used:
Card Stocks: Dark Roast, Cranberry Bliss, Green Olive, Oatmeal Cookie, and Butter Cream
Ink: Dark Roast
Silk: Dark Roast
Dies: Journey Ovals
Accents: Natural Thread, Wooden Accents (long retired)
Other:Sponge, Amaze machine (on sale!!), Easy Glide Adhesive, Details Pro Shears, Foam Squares, Glue Dots, Paper Trimmer


Remember, should you be the first to order a showcased stamp set that I made a card for I will be sending you that card!! And the Retirement List is now online as a PDF!!  Click HERE to view!

StampinCarol

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Jack Lumber

This fun little ATS stamp reminds me of Paul Bunyan.  We're just missing Babe, the Blue Ox!  Did that bring back memories?  What a hoot! This is Jack Lumber and he also has a coordinating die should you want it.


I actually shared this card on a January 2017 post. I'm amazed that I haven't used this card! Such a fun one for a birthday!!


Products used:
Card Stocks: Whip Cream and Denim Days
Other Stamps: Flannel, long retired
Inks: Bubble Gum, Candy Apple, Raspberry Berry, and Black Licorice
Silk: Dark Roast
Dies: Journey Rectangles
Coloring: Color Burst Pencils
Accents: Natural Thread and Wooden Accents (long retired)
Other: Foam Squares, Easy Glide Runner, Glue Dots, Amaze machine (on sale!), Paper Trimmer


Did you notice I did an ombre effect on my background! I did have to work with it a bit but I like how it came out!

Now remember, order soon as once a product is sold out, it's gone! And should you be the first to order this set or any set that I have been showcasing I will send you the card I made with that set!

StampinCarol

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

My Desk and Something Special!

We've been HOT!! Yes, 101 and 100*F Monday and Tuesday. At least there's been minimal wind so it doesn't feel like a convection oven!  I try to stay inside during the heat which comes on about 10 and lasts until evening. But we're supposed to cool down a bit this weekend and be in the low 90's. That's a bit better. But I have been very busy with making cards showcasing retiring stamp sets and making a special item for one of our daughters-in-law.  She requested this and  I'll share the full pic next week but can give you a teaser today.  And my desk view is part of a blog tour of desks put together by Julia at the Stamping Ground.  She's been doing this for 466 weeks!!!  YEAH! That's the longest time I've ever seen a weekly blog hop last!  I've been doing this since about 185 or so.

But my desk, you can see a lot of what I was  making.


I've had many of my dies working hard on my Platinum machine to the far right.  I took this pic yesterday afternoon when I had some good light from my east window.  I'm betting you can figure out what I'm making..


Here's a piece of my project.  I used Fun Stampers Journey dies for the fringe and flower.  Lots of hand stitching and looking in my button can!  I needed to get this done as my DIL has a birthday mid July and I want to get this in the mail mid June.

Did you like my teaser?  I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out but, by golly, I did good! But now head over to the Stamping Ground and check out  a bunch of other desks and sometimes projects, and sometimes scenery!  Grab your favorite beverage and enjoy!

StampinCarol

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Let Your Love Grow

Living in southern Arizona we have LOTS of cacti of all different kinds.  This cool set, Love Grow, has various kinds of cacti and cool pots.  It is retiring and it is from the June 2016 Bloom Box.


Did you notice that 1 of the pots can be stamped with different designs? How neat is that!


Products used:
Card Stocks: Butter Cream, Turbo Teal, Cool Pool, and Pumpkin Bread
Inks: Black Licorice and Cool Pool
Silk: Gold
Dies: Journey Squares
Coloring: Color Burst Pencils
Accents: Journey Gold Thread and Metal Buttons
Other: Amaze machine (on sale as supplies last!), Easy Glide Runner, Glue Dots, Foam Squares,
Paper Trimmer, Crease Tool


I stamped the plain pot then stamped a design before coloring. Some of the Silk did get inside but it still looks pretty cool

With our retirement sale of the Amaze machine special, the Banner & Bows Bundle, things are selling fast! Remember that product is available as supplies last! Don't delay!

StampinCarol

Monday, May 7, 2018

Take a Hike!

When this set came out 2 years ago I fell in love with it as I used to live near the Rocky Mountains in northwest Wyoming. We were 70 miles east of Yellowstone Park. I'm hoping we get to go through the Park this fall if we can swing the trip to Wyoming. We tried a couple years ago but the night before we were going the Park got 4" of snow and basically closed for a couple days. Oh well.  But, enough reminiscing. This cool set is called Climbing Mountains.  I have the Bundle.



I've had this card since we made it as I just LOVE the design!


Products used:
Card Stocks: Whip Cream, Black Licorice, and Brushed Silver
Inks: Black Licorice and Whip Cream
Silk: Silver
Dies: Journey Circles and Rectangles
Punch: Punch Handle and This Way Cartridge
Coloring: Cool Pool Pan Pastels, sponge
Accents: Journey Stapler, Brush Silver Staples, and Journey Silver Thread
Other: Amaze machine (on sale!), Details Pro ShearsFoam Squares, White Liner Tape


There's a lot of elements to this card and wouldn't it be good for a retiree or that special outdoors person?

Remember to order early as all the retiring products are on a first come first get basis!! And should you be the first person to order this set I will send you this card! Fun inspiration!

StampinCarol

Saturday, May 5, 2018

A Storybook Occasion

I think I have shared this card before but it is from a set that is retiring, Storybook Occasions.  I taught this card in a class in January.


This set was very popular when it came out in our Bloom This Way mini catalog from January through March of this year.


Products used:
Card stocks: Whip Cream, Pretty Pansy, Watermelon Fusion, and Spring Filled Prints (retired)
Ink: Black Licorice
Dies: Journey Squares
Embossing Folder: I Heart
Accents: Black Deco Strip, Natural Twine, Stapler, and Brush Silver Staples
Coloring: Color Burst Pencils
Silks: Black Licorice and Sparkle
Other: Amaze machine, Foam Squares, Details Pro Shears, and Easy Glide Rummer


I am going to miss this set as it's great for not only Valentine's Day but Easter, Birthday. St. Patrick's Day, and more!  But then, I may just keep my set for personal use!

Remember, order soon as when product runs out, it's GONE! No back orders! And should you be the first to order this set from my FSJ website I will be sending you this card! Just a little bonus!

StampinCarol

Friday, May 4, 2018

Rainbow Bubbles

This was one of my favorite stamp sets and I used it quite a bit.  I love the look of the fish and frequently made up extras for future cards.  These fish were made a long time ago and I do not remember exactly how I made them.  But the set is called "Rainbow Bubbles" and aren't they just so cute!!


These stamps make a great ocean/lake scene and that's what I made.


Products used:
Card stocks: Whip Cream, Blue Lagoon, Cool Pool, Pool Play, Limeade Splash
Other papers: Color Splash Sheets
Other Stamps: Text Happy
Inks: Black Licorice and Blue Lagoon
Silk: Sparkle
Dies: Journey Circles and Border Basics
Colorants: assorted Splashes and Silks
Accents: Blue Skies Sequins
Other: Amaze machine (on sale!!), Media Mister, White Liner Tape, Foam Squares


I vaguely remember wetting my Color Splash Sheet the dropping different Splash and Silks colors and spraying more with the Media Mister full of water. I see some Gold Silk, Turbo Teal Silk and maybe some Cool Pool Silk. As to the Splashes, maybe Cool Pool, Electric Lime, and Turbo Teal. These 2 fish were "floating" around in a box with other die cuts. I did use our Heat Tool to dry the Color Splash Sheet before stamping and cutting out with our Details Pro Shears. This technique was very mess but the end result, gorgeous!

I am finding that making all these great cards does keep me busy but it also keeps my creative juices going! But these cards are being made to give away!  All you have to do is be the FIRST to order a set that I'm showcasing! Just head over to my FSJ site and order yours before they're gone!

StampinCarol