BLUE BLOOD MOON ECLIPSE

By the time the eclipse started, the moon

had set too close to the horizon for us to see with all

the trees in the way. 

At least we got a shot of the blue moon

(second full moon in the month)

which was extremely bright due to its closeness

to the earth.  As it was setting in the west, 

the sun was rising in the east and would have washed

out the contrast of moon to dark sky anyway.

At least I got to participate by getting up early and using my new camera!

PAPER PLAYERS #377

In designing this card, I wanted something that feels like Spring.  Are you as tired of winter as those of us up here in the Northeast?

This card was simple to do, as you can probably tell.  The only "tricky" part was coloring the wooden heart with Purple Distress Ink without getting ink all over the card from my fingers.  The heart, appropriately, is the only embellishment since I didn't want to distract from the airy flowers in the dsp.

One good thing about Winters is that it gives us a lot of free time to stamp!

THREE OF A KIND--Love

All three cards were done using the Love Stamp Set from Papertrey Ink, and the corresponding die.

For the first card, I inked up the stamp in Versafine Warm Gray and stamped off to make the image as light as possible.  Then I colored the flowers with yellow and accented them with a gold WOS brush.  The image is popped up on a yellow oval with pearls for embellishment.

The second card was started with Brusho powder and lots of water on a stitched rectangle.  After allowing the cs to dry overnight, I stamped the image and colored with a marker that best matched the dsp.  Then I coated it with clear WOS, stamped the greeting with dark gray in the space provided and popped it up with dimensionals.

For embellishment, I added a few sequins and assembled the card as shown.  It's still a little warped from all the water I had to use, and I'm hoping it will flatten out more in the mail.

The third card, which I like best because of the unusual color combo, started with choosing some coordinating dsp and gluing it to the card front.  I separated the two dsp designs by adding a sliver of the same blue cs used for the word "love."

Next, I gold embossed the image and die cut it.  After gluing the word to the image, I added some tiny gems and a wooden heart to finish the card front.



All three cards use an appropriate Bible verse from the stamp set for the inside.  These cards will go to three of my close friends.

BACK IN TIME (Part 1 of 2)

While searching for my StampinUp catalog the other day, I came across a bunch of older ones and started browsing through them.  It was quite interesting as I noticed that some of the supplies we've become accustomed to were not invented yet...(talk about feeling old...)

Cards were made with tearing, fussy cutting, Rollagraphs and markers.  Remember brass stencils and light boxes?  How about Coluzzles for circle and oval cutting before dies came along? and punches with stiff knobs that had to be pressed down with both hands on a table?  My, how we have persevered all those hardships!

(More to come in my next post!)

BACK IN STAMPIN' UP TIME (Part 2 of 2)

The 2008-2009 catalog featured a beautiful cover with a scalloped edge.  By then, punches featured a handle that made punching so much easier.  Rollagraph wheels were still available, both large and small.  Die cuts were available only in precut sheets, and rub-ons were offered for embellishments.  Sample cards featured less tearing and more punched shapes and scalloped edges.

A whole new world opened up in the 2009-10 catalog with the introduction of the Sizzix Big Shot and all the wonderful dies!  The card samples were even more amazing than ever, but we had no idea of what would be coming in the next catalog.  One big improvement was the streamlining of punches into a folded, stackable design which takes up a lot less room.  Page after page of beautiful cards used the new dies and embossing folders.


Oh, but the 2012/13 catalog brought us the choice of wood or clear stamps which saves even more space in our stamping areas.  The stamp cases went from an inch and a half thick to just .6" inches--that's 20 sets per foot!  And with clear stamps, you could line up images for 2-step stampin' on more creative cards, as reflected in the card sample pages.

Here's my own example of 2-step stamping where the flowers are separate from the leaves and stems.  This enabled us to use two different colors for the same image.  For these flowers, I added some gold Wink of Stella to give the blossoms a bit more depth.  Newer 2- and 3-step stamping would provide another stamp to use for the darker shade of yellow.

Just when you think they couldn't come up with anything new, they do!  I wonder what Stampin'Up will introduce next...

DE-CLUTTERING TIME AGAIN!

Now that we're cooped up in the house again because of the cold and nasty weather, it's another opportunity to declutter.  Here are some guidelines that may be a help:

JUST START!  ANYWHERE!    I've discovered over the years that one reason I procrastinate getting started is that I look at some rooms as overwhelming.  Instead, I now make my goals smaller with a list of small tasks such as one drawer or cabinet in one room.

Clearing off surfaces is a good starting challenge.  Make your rooms look bigger one countertop or tabletop at a time.  A cleared off coffee table, if you have one, can set the stage with one decorative item, a magazine or photo album, and some coasters.  End tables can hold a lamp, cell phone and a note pad and pen.  I limit myself to 3 items per surface for a balanced look, easy to remove when it's time to dust the top.  The more clean surfaces, the bigger the room looks.

STAY FOCUSED!  Don't get sidetracked.  Concentrate on one room until you're happy with the improvement, even if it takes a few days or more, a little at a time.  Vacuum and dust or wash AFTER you've decluttered, then take the time to enjoy the new look.  Move outdated papers or magazines to the trash.  Items to be donated can be stored in the trunk of your car until you drop them off at a Salvation Army bin or a second hand shop nearby. 

REWARD YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!  Take pictures of your finished areas, have a glass of champagne or treat yourself to something special.  Then decide which area to tackle next!
 
 

MASCULINE BIRTHDAY CARD

The image on this card has some subtle coloring with a marker:

 light green in the grass,  pale grayish blue on the bird,

and a touch of tan on the beak.  The torn paper

gives it some texture and the simple twine embellishment

keeps it from looking feminine.

Masculine cards are always a challenge for me.

How 'bout you?

GREENHOUSE SOCIETY STAMP

I still love to go back to some of these little stamp sets
 from the Greenhouse Society collection I have up here in the Tower.
  Their Technique Tuesday monthly sets each feature a botanical

image made available to those who've signed up 

for automatic delivery each month.  I stayed in for 14 months and

loved every set they issued.   This one is labeled 

"Berries" and was issued in 2013.

DETAIL GATE CARD

When I saw this thinlit in the SU catalog, I

knew it would make a nice non-Halloween gate card.  

In fact, this first card is already in the mail!

Inside reads "May your day bloom with

wonderful surprises" and features flowers from my

peg stamp collection for a Springtime look.  

Spring won't be coming to New Jersey for a couple

of months yet.  Meanwhile, it's sunny and warm in my

stamping tower as we await the warmer weather.  Even our
two cats have cabin fever but shrink back from the
cold when we open the door.

SHADOW BOX CARD

I haven't made a shadow box card in quite awhile, so

 I decided to use this one for one of the classes in my card

making elective at Bible study this Spring.  (Great way to 

use up some of the pink papers in my stash...lol)

Although there are a lot of steps to this card,

it's fun to make, and their

recipients will love it! 

 

SIMPLE SATURDAY