Tigers and Desks

It's Deskers Wednesday! It's a wonderful day to tour the globe looking at desks and projects! (And it's my day off... supposedly.)  If this weekly blog tour is new to you just click on the WOYWW label in the sidebar to go to the Stamping Ground's explanation.  Julia, the owner of the Stamping Ground, has been hosting this fun event for over 308 weeks!  I've been joining for not quite half that.  I LOVE seeing where like-minded people work and their projects.  So hang on to your coffee and come along!

I have a card in progress at the time of this photo.  I've been in a slump the last couple of days so have been on Pinterest trying to get some mojo.  In this pic you can see my red Cricut on the far left with stamps and paper trimmers in front of it.  The pink card fronts are my FSJ convention swaps in progress.  On my scrap paper is the card I'm working on.  Far right is my ATG adhesive tool, OTT light, and misc. stuff.

Now that you've seen my cluttered desk (and house seems to be the same way) here's a project I made for my monthly Technique Junkies 1 on 1 swap this month.

This technique is a Reverse Negative.  The tiger face is by Red Rubber Designs as is the text.

I used black and white embossing powders, some scrap metallic gold paper, along with black and white card stocks.  I remembered (finally) to swipe my papers with my static buddy before stamping with the VersaMark ink so there was virtually no little flecks.

Hope you enjoyed my desk and card.  Please remember to visit the Stamping Ground and tour the world.. of desks, that is.  Bon voyage!
PS.  I've updated my FSJ Specials page with the May "Kit of the Month" picture and into.

A Golf PopUp Box Card

My dad's birthday is next Thursday but we celebrated last Saturday since he's getting married this coming Saturday.  He's been playing a lot more golf since mom died last June and his fiance is learning so she can play with him.  I made this card for his birthday.

All the images are stickers by Karen Foster Designs.  They were PERFECT!!  They are all stuck to pieces of acetate for ease of cutting without paper showing.  I cut the front tab using a Spellbinder die just for a bit more shape.

I did make the golf ball in the back to appear to have been hit by the golfer, at least that was what I was trying to do....

I think this card was the easiest and got done the fastest than any pup-up box card I ever made.  I was thinking of using my Cricut but this just was SO much better!

Preparing for FSJ Convention

I recently heard from a Senior Leader that there will be:
73 NEW stamp sets,
78 NEW die sets,
36 NEW ATS stamps,
14 NEW accessories, and
16 NEW special paper packs
in the upcoming catalog!! Oh my gosh! I'll go broke!

 Here's a little teaser of one of the 2 specialized swaps I'm in for convention in June. I'm using the new "Yummy Cupcake" paper (will be available with the new catalog in June) and the solid card stocks "Pool Play" and "Bubble Gun". I plan on using the cool gumdrop machine that you've seen in a previous post. I'm also using the "Journey Ovals" die set.  What's so cool about them is that you can use 2 dies at once and one is a paper piercer!  I am having some issues getting that one in just the right place as sometimes my repositional tape slips a bit.

I have to make 20 of these and 15 of ones that have some kind of "fold" which I'm thinking of doing a center step card.  I won't be able to show the completed cards until convention but I'll be giving you little teasers here and there. 

Don't forget to check out the FSJ Specials page!

A Tuesday Morning Sketch

Since I've joined FSJ I haven't done near as many challenges that aren't FSJ related but I seen this one on Tuesday Morning Sketches (#297) that I really like and these stamps are not FSJ but Red Rubber Designs.  The little girl is a mini version of the original stamp in the set called "Wonder & Joy".  The text is from the "Oh No She Didn't" set. The paper is from The Angel Company.

The paper is so bright and cheery. I glazed the balloon and colored the little girl with Copic markers.

I didn't try to do much shading with the markers as this image is pretty small.  Please head on over to Tuesday Morning Sketches and see all the great inspiration projects and the challenges!  They're fabulous!

A Desk, 2 Bottles, A Raincloud and An Umbrella

Boy, that is a long post title!  But I think it also grabs your attention.  Do you know what day it is??  Yep, it's DESK day!  Oh, it's also Wednesday.  But today is the day that I, and MANY others, show you our desks.  Julia, over at the Stamping Ground, is our head desker and has done an amazing job bringing so many crafters together who are willing to show you where we work, in whatever condition, mess, organized, or buried under projects.  Be sure and head over to her blog to see the links to everyone involved.   (And if you are new to this blog tour just click on the WOYWW logo in my sidebar and you'll go to the explanation about this and how it works.)

I just started making my trades for FSJ's first annual convention in Scottsdale, AZ June 4 - 6.  These are for the Traditional Card Summer theme swap and I have to make 20.  I'll eventually post the completed card but you can see some of the papers and the stamp set I'll be using.  That ATG adhesive runner is very busy!  Oh, you can see my TV remote off to the left but the movie I started watching on Amazon Prime wasn't very good and I turned it off after 15 minutes.

Over on FaceBook I'm part of a group of wonderful people who are independent "coaches" or agents of Fun Stampers Journey.  We had a challenge this week to use a layout from any "Kit of the Month" and make 2 cards using different colors or stamp sets.  I enjoyed playing with this idea!

I used a layout from the January Kit and this card uses this month's Kit's stamp set "Hello Sunshine".  I did remove the brown twine under the cloud as the more I looked at it the less I liked it. 

I used Copic markers to add the color to the text and added some blue sequins to help bling up the raindrops.  I really like how this turned out.

My 2nd card used the stamp set "Wish in a Bottle" from the March Kit and the ATS stamp "Ink Splot".  I used the twine from the first card on here and like it much better.  I also glazed the bottles and added some gold splatters with Gold Silk ink.  I think I'll send this card to our son, a C.P.A. for the hard work he had doing our taxes this year and past years.

Here you can see the glaze on the bottle and the gold splats.  It was a lot of fun doing this challenge.

I know this post is longer than usual but now you've reached the end. I hope you will click through to the Stamping Ground and take a look at the desks of those who linked.  And with all the cutting I've done on these cards I'm joining in on the challenge at Red Rubber Inspirationals "Make a Fuss" challenge.  You need to check that out, too!  There's a bunch of really fun cards linked!

One Sheet Wonder Cards

A friend from church asked me about making her some encouragement cards for her GriefShare class.  I just finished 8 cards using a "One Sheet Wonder" design for an sheet of 8" x 8" paper.  These are all feminine and I think they came out pretty good.  I used a bunch of scrap paper and stamps from Fun Stampers Journey, Red Rubber Designs, and others.

These were quite fun to make and I love the assortment!

They are fairly simple in design but each is unique in looks.  All are blank inside.  I used some Journey Glaze and glitter on some flower centers, buttons, and even scrappers floss to punch them up a bit. Now I need to do some masculine ones.

You Are My Sunshine

I took a bit of time the other day to play with the new stamp set, "Hello Sunshine", that was part of the FSJ April "Kit of the Month".  It won't be available for sale until June or July.  But it is just so cute!

I kinda followed a sketch I pinned on Pinterest for the layout.  The umbrella and floral paper are from Jillibean Soup and is just perfect!

I stamped the text then stamped the words I wanted to highlight on colored card stock, cut out, and adhered with pop dots.  I think I should have layered the white text piece on some blue but, too late now!  I love how this turned out!  I added a birthday greeting inside to finish the card.

Desks and Ice Cream

We are having such gorgeous weather here in southern Arizona!  Had about an inch of rain last Sunday and things are really starting to green!  And here in cyberland we are celebrating desks!  Yeah, desks.  Today is the weekly day you get the opportunity to view desks from many locations on the globe!  This fun tour is brought together by our head desker, Julia, of the Stamping Ground. If this is your first time visiting please click on the WOYWW logo in my sidebar for more info or how to join in!  I've been enjoying this fun event for about 1 1/2 years and believe I have made a few friends from fellow deskers.  I even met another desker in Tucson, AZ and we had a great visit!!  But now on to my desk....

Today (and yesterday) I have been working on making some encouragement cards for a friend who leads a grief group.  I have one card on the white scrap paper and a couple to the left sitting on top of some stamps I'm using.  Further left is some hot pink card stock that I'll be using and my paper trimmers.  Far right my scissors, jars of glitter and sequins.  Oh, under the cards and stamps are some pictures that I printed as I'm using a template for an 8 x 8 one sheet wonder that I found on Pinterest.  I plan on making another 8 cards that are more masculine.

And I bet you're wondering about the ice cream.  I made a birthday card last week that celebrates that fabulous concoction (which hubby thinks is a major food group by itself).  The stamps used are by Fun Stampers Journey and from a set called "Hello Scoop" which is part of the new "Yummy & Delicious" collection that will be available in June with the new catalog reveal.

I paper pieced the scoops of ice cream from a retiring paper pack by FSJ.  I was thinking of adding some sequins or other embellishments but decided in the end that the card was complete as is.

Here you can see the scoops a bit better.  I also used 3 different colors of Scrappers Floss that coordinated with the colors of the paper.  I've already taken this card to church to add to the basket of cards I donate for others to "purchase" with a donation to missions.  My basket is catching on and is keeping me making cards!!

Now please head over to the Stamping Ground and check out the other deskers.  I have noticed our group is getting smaller but you'll see lots of great projects, too!   

An Ice Cream Truck Card

I seen a card made by another Fun Stampers Journey coach using the ice cream truck from the June release of the stamp set "Hello Scoop".  She paper pieced it and I decided to give it a go.  I haven't done much paper piecing lately and it definitely showed in this card.

I used metallic silver paper on the bumpers, grey scraps on the tires, scrap blue and pink card stocks, and a piece of the new Yummy Prints paper.  But I had issues.  I usually go around the cut pieces with a black markers to hide the white edges of the paper.  Dang if I didn't get oodles on my fingers when doing the little pieces.

The red ice cream drips help hide some black smudges.  I did manage to get most off the bumpers but you can see a bit on this back one.  I used a white gel pen on the tires and my Silver Wink of Stella brush on the very centers of the tires.  I also used my black Stardust get pen on the words "Ice Cream" so it really glimmers.  I cut out the windows with a kraft knife and added some white glossy paper behind.

I had a huge smudge under the banner so it did a good job hiding that.  I think part of my problem was that I wanted to get this card made and I should have washed my hands every time I got the marker on the finger tips.  Oh well.  The card still turned out cute.  I was a bit bummed that I didn't have enough of the blue card stock to actually make an A2 size layer.

A Couple of Sweet Birthday Cards

I have been working on some birthday cards while using new sets from Fun Stampers Journey that won't be available until the new catalog comes out in June.  I managed to get these while attending the Phoenix, AZ "Yummy and Delicious Tour" in March.

This cool cake is from the set "Yummy Party".  The text is from the "Sentimental Prints" set.

I glazed and glittered the frosting, candle, and flame.  I dotted the cake using coordinating Copic markers.  The oval die cut is from the Journey Ovals die set.  A few sequins and the card just sparkles!

This was fun to make.  I used the new set "Hello Scoop" set cone and the text from the "Yummy Party" set.
The decorative paper is old and from my stash. The tag is also from the decorative paper pack.  I used 2 dies, Beaded Circles and Scalloped Circles by Spellbinders.

I glazed the cone but decided not to add any glitter. Oh, the cone is paper pieced from the same pink decorative paper. 

Now to finish the insides and get in the mail!

Tuesday Morning Sketch #295

I was checking out the many blogs I follow and found a wonderful sketch to try.  I needed to make some birthday cards for church (I donate cards for church attendees to "buy" with donations to our Coffee Shop Mission) and this sketch was perfect for a new set of stamps (not available until the new catalog comes out first of June) that I just got from Fun Stampers Journey.

I was trying to make it look like a bunch of gumballs came out of the machine yet stay with the sketch.  Not sure I accomplished that.  The paper is also new. 

These fun little dots are also new and not available yet.  I used my silver Wink of Stella brush for the machine knob and opening.  Are you wondering how I got my hands on these great new products?  I attended a "Yummy & Delicious Tour" event in Phoenix, AZ a couple weeks ago and I purchased them in special "bundles".  You, too, can attend a "Y & D Tour"!  Just check out the FSJ Specials page (tab at bottom of top banner) and find an event near you!  You don't have to be a member/coach of FSJ!

A bit of glaze and I have a glass top!  How fun!  The coloring is all with Copic markers.  Now pop on over to Tuesday Morning Sketches and check out the great inspiration projects and the fun responses!

Now off to work on my April "Kit of the Month" cards! Again, you can go to the FSJ page and see the great April kit then go to the FSJ Logo at the top of my sidebar to go to my site and order for yourself!

Deskers Wednesday and a Sketch Challenge

It's another gorgeous Wednesday in the southwest.  We've had heat, sun, clouds, and today... wind.  In fact, we've had wind of various speeds (not breezes, but WIND) for that past week!  At least it's pretty calm in the mornings.   I've started working on my denim rugs again and have one that was a UFO (unfinished object) for over a year almost finished!  I'll get a picture of it later.  And today you get the opportunity to see my work table in my craft/computer room.  Yep, along with oodles of others that I join today with the great head desker, Julia, at the Stamping Ground.

Not much happening as I just finished a couple cards yesterday and mounted a card front.  I had them sitting right on top to show hubby.  My paper trimmers are far right in front of my red Cricut along with my FSJ Ovals dies (on a magnetic strip), my Copic book of markers that I have complete the Cricut area.  Next my actual work area in the center.  To the right my bank statement waiting to be put in its place sitting on top of my ATG adhesive runner.  Lots of goodies to the back of my desk, and I mean LOTS.  No matter how many times I organize it, well, seems within minutes it's back to this mess.  Oh well.

And I got a card made this past weekend (been oh so busy) that I just LOVE!!  I used a sketch challenge by Kerry at Creative Blooms and FSJ stamps.   #FSJSC3

Isn't this just too cool!  It's not often that I really like something that I make but this, YEP!  Ok, now I'll give you some particulars on it.  I used 3 different stamp sets:   Banner Party (itty bitty heart flower centers), Wish in a Bottle (sentiment), and Special Day (flowers and stems).  I used the Heartfelt die set for the hearts with the text.  I used New Day paper (on the retirement list).

I used Journey Glaze and Sparkle Dust on the heart centers.  And I sponged some Citrus ink around the edges of the white layers.  Just fun!  Unfortunately I don't have the paper or inks to do the color challenge this time.

Ok, you've reached the end of my post.  Please head over to the Stamping Ground to see the links to all the desks.  And, if interested, click also on Creative Blooms to see other challenges to this sketch.  This is a month-long challenge so there is only 3 of us so far.  There will be a few more by the end of April.

Yummy & Delicious Cards

I finally got some more pictures uploaded from the FSJ weekend and I wanted to show you the 4 cards we made during the main event.

The cupcake and texts are all part of the new stamp set that we were given as part of the event.

The heart is supposed to look like the end is stuck in the icing.  I think it would have been better if we cut slits in the frosting.  Can you guess how we colored the frosting?   And aren't the little "candies" just too cool?

The 2 ribbon colors are new, also.

We also purchased bundles which had the new Yummy & Delicious collection along with the 2 new ribbons, the cute little "candies", the red Silk (liquid ink used to splatter as shown on frosting above), and matching dies for the stamps.  All of these things are not available for sale until the new catalog comes out first of June.  Oh, the papers are all new, too!  I did get a bundle of products that are currently in the catty but it was such a good deal.  So, now I need to get to playing!!