EEK!

This is one Halloween spider I could do without! After I picked up the grill cover and placed it on the barbecue (in preparation for the coming storm) I noticed this scary Halloween monster! I'm grateful it was not on my clothing, since I hadn't noticed it until after I placed the cover on the grill...and yes, it was alive. Since it wasn't in the house, I brushed it off into the grass below where I hope to never see it again.

MORE RECYCLING!

 This really is fun!  Most of the actual stamping is on the inside, with sayings that are appropriate to the images used.

The top card is on a fancy fold card.  The second one was just cut with my personal trimmer to fit the card front.  The top was hand cut around the circle.  The bottom card was cut with a label die, taped to a piece of red cardstock and then cut by hand to give it a thin border of red.  The "merry" tag was added with a glue dot and embellished with a tiny red gem.

For the final card, I punched out the wreath, added a tag and metallic cord bow over the bow in the image and mounted it to the plaid dsp with dimensionals.

I can't believe how fast if was to reuse all these card fronts!
Why not ask your non-stamping friends for some of their old cards and see what you can do with them.

RECYCLING CAN BE FUN!

 Here's what I've been working on lately.  Ruth gave me a stack of  cards that she had received for Christmas in 2009, so I took them apart and made new ones.  The Moms class did the same with others in the package and just loved recycling them!

Most of them were very easy to do by taking off the card front and discarding the rest.  After cutting them down further, I mounted them on contrasting cardstock and attached them to new card bases.

The angel card now features metallic cardstock and coordinating gems on Very Vanilla cs.  The blue card is a Z-fold card with the image attached to the left side only.  The manger scene was cut down, mounted on green cs and attached to a white card base.
Christmas Joy was cut down from a much larger card and mounted to a piece of red cs for contrast.  After wrapping the red and white bakers twine around it, I mounted it to the white card with dimensionals.

Once I gathered all the materials together that I thought I'd need, these cards went very quickly.  It was just a matter of  cutting them down, matching up the best color cs for the contrast and mounting them to a new card base.  Since most of them were on shiny paper, very few embellishments were needed.

(Click on the images for a closer look.)

Grateful for Leftovers

This leaf was left over from a previous card, so I used it after seeing this card HERE.

The notches at the bottom of the card front were done with my square punch (as were the strips above) and an additional strip of dsp was attached to the inside of the card so it would show through.  Just thought it would add of touch of continuity...

This will make a nice Thanksgiving card for someone who feels as I do that we have many blessings to thank God for!

FOLDED CHRISTMAS TREE

Here's a simple card starting with a solid card base, a dsp oval and a semi-circle of double-sided dsp.

First I attached the oval to the card.  Next, I folded the tree and attached it to the oval with double-stick tape.  Then I cut a piece of brown cs for the tree base, added a glittered star and "merry" tag for embellishments, and that was it--done!

Christmas Deer

I designed this card for my Dad who gave me the evergreen stamp used inside.

After using the die to cut out the deer silhouette, I then cut out an oval on the front of the card.  Then I inked the pine tree with black India Ink, stamped off on scrap paper once and stamped it on the inside left.

Using dark green and chestnut roan inks, I picked up the colors with a watercolor brush and gently painted over the tree image.  The inside is stamped with "Merry Christmas" at the bottom right, leaving just enough room to sign it where it won't show through the opening.  A knotted piece of jute adds the finishing touch.

This masculine Christmas card is just right for my Dad!

Here's the simplified version I came up with for Moms Club this week.  I added a silver star so the deer will look like they're focused on something other than the trees.


Note:  Die set from Memory Box.

HALLOWEEN CARD

Here's the design I came up with for the next Moms Club class.  Since I abhor Halloween for its emphasis on things of the occult, (anybody else with me on this?) I placed the fence and the eyes to strategically cover up references to witches and ghouls.

The rest of the stamping projects that I've planned for Halloween will focus on candy corn and pumpkins!


(How appropriate that a shadow from the window was cast across this card!)

BACK TO ORIGINAL DESIGN

The previous design I tried for my blog was not working well from a viewing and commenting standpoint, so I'm back to the original layout.  However, I do hope you like the Autumn background I chose!  (At least that's another way to give the blog a new look.)

I just love this time of year when the air is clear and crisp, with warm afternoons and cool nights.  Of course, that final burst of color before the bleakness of winter is the highlight of October, my favorite month!

LET IT SNOW--NOT!

...not yet, anyway...


This Penny Black stamp set came the other day, and I finally got a chance to play with it.  I first stamped the snowflakes in Versamark on white cs and clear embossed them.  Then I sponged Broken China Distress ink over them.  After cutting down the image, I mounted it on a darker blue cs, tied the silver cord around it and popped it up on a white card with dimensional tape.

The tag was stamped and hand cut to fit the lettering.  I wanted one that was narrow so as not to cover too much of the design.  I added pearls and gems for embellishment.

Someone in Florida may appreciate this as a Christmas card!


TIP:  To adhere a panel that tends to curl after using a lot of inks or watercoloring, I use my Xyron machine to hold it down flat.

WORLD CARD-MAKING DAY--FUN!

We celebrated our day with a small, intimate gathering at the Tower.  After stamping images on plain white cs for future use, we made this one acetate card.  We thought of making up our own greeting inside of "Have you been naughty or nice?" but decided to use "Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season"  or "Ho! Ho! Ho!" instead.

The image was stamped in gold ink on white cs and mounted on the front of the card with the green cs behind it on the inside of the front.  The kraft piece was mounted on the outside of the back panel with the greeting attached on the inside of the card.

When we finished the card, we cleaned up the table and had lunch.  Joan received the door prize of a clear Christmas stamp set.

TIP:  If a stamp doesn't stamp evenly, check out the ink coverage on it before you stamp.  I find that "working" the stamp does a better job of  eliminating lighter spots than pressing harder on the paper.  Simply rub firmly with your thumb or two fingers on the back of the stamp before releasing it from the paper.  This usually does the trick!

Also, as you can see in the second photo, acetate static "attracts" dust and fingerprints, so be sure to clean off your card before slipping it into an envelope for mailing.

WORLD CARD-MAKING DAY

Festivities have been planned here at the Tower for tomorrow, Oct. 6th, in celebration of World Card-Making Day.  Imagine that!

Stamping friends are invited to bring their favorite holiday stamp sets, a stack of white cardstock and a sandwich to cut into quarters and share.  I'm supplying beverages for the sandwiches and black dye ink for the stamping.  We'll be spreading the stamps out on the table and sharing them to take home a bunch of images for use on later cards.  For the "finale" we'll make a card from whatever is on the table.

Check back tomorrow night for photos.  (If I remember to use my camera...)

  This is going to be FUN!

MARTHA STEWART INSPIRATION

 (Don't forget to click on this post first so you see both photos.)


 From this turkey place card on the table setting (which didn't photograph well off the iPad) to the turkey card below, this was a fun project.





Instead of using the tail feathers to list trivia facts about Thanksgiving, I thought it might be more appropriate to count our blessings.  The "feathers" on the bird were done using Versamark ink and the pointed leaf from the "French Foliage" SU set.  This is another good way to use up some scraps.

Inside reads "Count your many blessings, name them one by one."  We certainly do have much to give thanks for!

KICKSTART INSPIRATION #3

Here's another card inspired by the napkin/plate setting from Martha Stewart Living.

While she used a bright white for her table decor, I chose an off white cardstock.   Instead of a feather, I used a leaf with a similar shape.  Her border is brown on white, mine uses some other Fall colors.  Her ribbon is black, mine is gingham.  Her napkin is plain white linen, my cardfront is embossed.  In addition, since mine is a card rather than a place setting, I also included a greeting.

Unfortunately, since the photo was taken after sundown, my card looks much darker here than IRL.  It's definitely white, just not as bright as the iPad picture.

Check back tomorrow for one more card inspired by Martha Stewart Living!

ANOTHER KICKSTART INSPIRATION

One of the ways suggested in the Hero Arts Kickstart classes to get inspiration for cards is to look through non-stamping sites.

The Thanksgiving card on the right was inspired by the plate shown on the Martha Stewart Living magazine that was "delivered" to my email today.  I loved the browns on the wheat-colored background, so I started with my Hero Arts "Wreath of Leaves" as the base for my leaves.  I stamped the wreath (barely seen here) with an Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor pad onto a piece of plain dsp, then stamped the brown leaves over it using Chestnut Roan Colorbox chalk ink.  For each leaf, I first stamped off on a paper towel, then onto the dsp to keep a more muted look.

Next, after adding strips of brown textured cs on each side, I mounted the wreath on the card.  A little bit of jute, a sponged greeting, and the card was done--all under 15 minutes!

MOMS CLUB UPDATE

 Well, the card on top was made in class and was a disaster!  Because I tried to do it by memory, I forgot the part in the instructions about not putting tape too close to the slider mechanism.  Everyone had a beautiful card with a slider that kept getting hung up.   Very embarassing...

As soon as I got home, I remade the card the right way, and the slider works perfectly.  Of course, I had to discard the original top piece; but I think I like the plainer one better anyway.

So the moral of this story is:   FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!    (HERE)

Here's what I came up with for tomorrow's Moms Club.  It's quite easy to make and a lot of fun for the person who receives it.

Check back tomorrow night for details and photos from the class!  (Gotta run...)

KICKSTART INSPIRATION

After spending this past week with Hero Arts "Kickstart" classes, I was challenged to look for new avenues of inspiration.  Since I often CASE cards I find online, this gave me the opportunity to start coming up with my own ideas instead of borrowing from other sources.

Today when I walked into my "tower" the first thing I thought of was this die I hadn't tried using yet. Instead of coloring in the trees, I cut a strip of green dsp along with the white and glued the green trees over the white ones.  I then added a chimney and red door on one of the houses by attaching a tiny piece of red underneath so that a corner of it would stick up beyond the roof.  I added the smoke with a black marker.  It didn't take long, either.

If you haven't signed up for one of the online classes at Hero Arts, it's not to late to try one.  I can tell you it definitely is worth the cost!

BEGINNER BASICS--Christmas Card

 Here's a card made with one sheet of white cs,  a fancy fold, and a minimum of other supplies.

First, I stamped the poinsettia in India Ink Black on a scrap of white cs, colored with two markers and cut in a square.  After running the edges across the inkpad, I added yellow Stickles and set it aside to dry.

Next, I folded the card as shown and added the background paper from 2 sheets in a 4.5" x 6.5" pad of Christmas prints.

For the inside, I chose a stamp that would fit underneath the square on the front, stamped it in black and taped it to the inside.  You'll notice that it's slightly off-center so it doesn't show when the card is closed.

Yes, cards can be made with just a few supplies.  Add a fancy fold and some interesting background paper, and you have a really simple card.

BTW, ten years ago (before I moved into the "tower") ALL my supplies fit into a pencil box!

Supplies used:  white cs, poinsettia stamp, sentiment stamp, black India Ink, background paper, yellow Stickles, red and green markers, double-stick tape.

A MONTH LATER...

Well, here we are a month later and my stamping room is still in good shape!  In fact, if you'll notice and compare, I even recovered the desk chair cushion with fabric that coordinates perfectly with the carpet.

This time of year is the busiest stamping season for me.  I've got Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all going at once, with preparations galore for various classes and workshops.  Not to mention the usual Autumn birthday cards to keep up with.  They call it "multi-tasking" but I call it "mayhem"  in a fun way.  If I ever get to feeling overwhelmed with it all, I'll just cut back.  So far, I'm keeping organized and able to get the things done that I really want to get done.

One of the ways I stay organized is to give away a lot of stamps and supplies that I no longer plan to use.  It was hard at first, but I've learned not to get sentimental about my stamps and view them as tools instead.  If I hadn't learned to do that, I'd have filled three rooms by now!


TIP: To keep things separated, I have a container for Christmas stamps in use, another for Autumn and later on I'll have another for Halloween, all sitting on my table in reach.  Just the stamps in use at the time.  Then they get put away before I pull out more.  These are mostly inside sayings.  Sets get used one at a time and returned to their storage spot.

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK...

...AND NEW JERSEY!

I just love the French Foliage set.  If I had to choose just one set for Fall, that would be it.

The main image was clear embossed on Very Vanilla cs and washed with Twinkling H2Os.  After drying, I mounted it on dark brown cs and laid it aside.

I used the french words as a random background and covered it partially with a piece of vellum to soften the look.  Then I mounted the painted piece with dimensionals, added a jute bow and some shiny stickers at the bottom for embellishment.

This was easy to make, but time consuming because of the drying process.  I like the soft look I ended up with, so it was worth the effort.  Enjoy!

CASEing the iPad

Jackie and I worked on this card at her house as we followed the tutorial on this BLOG.

Although the card shown on the iPad is for Christmas, we decided to do Fall leaves.  It was a little tricky getting the folds right at first, but they turned out great in the end!  Sponging the folds helped to define them, and adding the dsp underneath highlighted the design even more.

These will make beautiful Thanksgiving cards!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #26

Penny Black Mini

Here is my entry for the Penny Black mini card challenge HERE.

First I stamped the SU City of David in Denim Blue ink.  Then I sponged the sky with the same ink and the sand dunes with TAC Tumble Weed ink.  After adding a clear gem in the center of the star, I mounted the image onto a scrap piece of dark blue cs with dimensionals.  Before attaching it to the card front, I stamped "joy" at the bottom.

The inside reads "Wishing you the joy and wonder of the first Christmas" from the same SU set.  The finished card measures 3 3/4" x 4 1/4".

Christmas Ice Skates

Since I enjoyed making other cards with this layout (see previous post) I used it again for these skates.  This is a fun image to use because it requires so little coloring.  All I used was a silver pen for the blades, red and green markers for the Holly and a black Spica pen for the heel.  The Martha Stewart punch added some interest on the edge of the red dsp.

The bottom looked a bit plain to me, so I got out my Scor-pal and added three scored lines across the bottom.  It's just enough to add interest and texture without detracting from such a small, delicate image.

I'm too old for ice skating now, but I can remember the sheer  joy of lacing up my white skates and getting out on the frozen river for an afternoon of fun!

CASEing the Ipad #6

For World Card-Making Day on October 6th, I decided to hold a workshop.  When I saw this card on Simply Stamped HERE (July 12 post,) I thought it would make the perfect Christmas card.  Thank you, Maile Belles!

For the workshop, we'll do 3 of these poinsettia cards and three Autumn cards with a leaf.  To make the poinsettia, I used the main part of  a stamp from Our Daily Bread Designs and stamped it twice:  once on white for the leaves and once on red for the rest.   After coloring in the leaves and assembling the blossom, I mounted it on the corner of the white overlay with a dimensional.  Instead of a button, I used three tiny red gems on the side to make it more postage friendly.

This design lives up to Maile's beautiful work on her "Simply Stamped" blog.

GATEFOLD CHRISTMAS CARD

Here's another beginner card using only a few supplies.  After scoring the sides to make the folds, I stamped the holly from the SU "Christmas Blessings" set in green on the panels.  (If you have only black, you could color the leaves and berries.)

Next, I stamped the greeting in black on green cs and used a square scallop punch.  Any large punch would do, or you could just cut a square.  Since I had the brad and light green tab, I used it to hold the gate closed.  I could have cut a holly leaf and mounted it with a dimensional in the same place instead.  Inside is "Merry Christmas" stamped in black.

Materials used:  white cs, one scrap of green cs, double stick tape, scallop punch, red gem brad with green tab, green and black inks, and 3 stamps.

TIP:  Make sure you put tape on just the left side of the square so you don't seal the card shut!

CHRISTMAS TREE CARD

Here's the first card under the new label of "Beginner Basics."  (See previous post.)   The tree was stamped on a large scrap of white cs with India Ink Black.  Green, red and gold gelly roll glitterpens were used to highlight some of the swirls, ornaments and the star.  One small clear gem was added to the star center.

To start, I used white cs from Walmart as the base.  Using colored  cs on top saves money since you only need 1/4 of a sheet per card instead of the usual half.  Using the edge of the tree for a border, I stamped the edge of the green with Versamark and attached the panel with ds tape.

After coloring the tree and cutting down the white panel, I attached it to the card with SU dimensionals.

The materials used were:  white cs  and a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of green SU cs, two stamps (one for inside,) three Gelly Roll pens,  black india ink, Versamark, one gem, ds tape, and 5 dimensionals.

With a minimum of supplies, this card was easy to do without looking like a "beginner" card!

COMING SOON!

I've decided to start a new category just for beginners. I'll be posting cards using a minimum of materials.

If you've been a stamper for awhile, think back with me to our starting days. What supplies did you have? Remember the first time you saw gold embossing being demonstrated? Did your eyes pop like mine did? ...and didn't we all cut out images by hand before our CB days? Ten years ago when I started, ALL my supplies fit into a set of 3 plastic drawers from Kmart! Now, I have a "tower" full that I have to keep re-organizing (not that I'm complaining.)

One thing I miss is: the local stamp store. It's been replaced by the big chains further away with nobody to let you try things or show you new techniques as they evolve. However, now I make use of the internet for purchasing new stamp sets and supplies that are delivered right to my door--who would have thought... And now there's Utube demos and Splitcoast Stampers for ideas. WOW! What a world!

As I think of the new stamper, though, I realize that all the products and techniques we now take for granted must be overwhelming. So I came up with the idea of showing how to make beautiful cards with minimal supplies (or expense!). Look for something later today under Beginner Basics.

Meanwhile, leave a comment naming something in your stash you couldn't live without or the latest innovation you find most helpful. For me, it would be the clear stamps and acrylic mounts that enable you to see exactly where you're placing things, as well as how much less room they need for storage!

CHRISTMAS CHICKADEE

Now that summer is winding down, it's time to start adding to the Christmas cards for this year.  Since I send out 100, I like to get an early start.  This card is from last year's set from SU, "Beautiful Season."  It was very easy to make, starting with Crumb Cake cardstock and a woodgrain Versamark background.

After stamping the image and greeting, I colored the leaves with a green marker and the berries with a red Gelly Roll glitter pen.  I stamped the bird again on white, colored it with a gray marker, added a little "blush" on its tummy and mounted it over the one beneath with dimensionals.  Then I stamped the inside greeting and rounded the top right corner--done!

FROM THE SCRAP DRAWER #13

Hexagons--what a great way to use up some scraps!





For the birthday greeting, I stamped it on a scrap of matching green cs and cut it larger than the opening.  To line it up with the word window, I  covered the back of it with SNAIL and held it in place behind the ivory panel as I pressed it onto the card base.  Then I removed the panel, added dimensionals and attached that to the card front over the greeting.
(I hope this makes sense.)

State Fair Results

Blue ribbons for the birthday, pergamano and Christmas card divisions, and a second place for the other Christmas card.  Since my cards were the only ones entered in the Professional category (because I teach, sell cards and have been published) it was really no contest.  In fact, there were only about 20 cards overall.

Sadly, this will be my last year to enter.

TOWER REDO COMPLETE!

Nothing like before and after photos to tell the story! As you can see by the first photo, I had very little clean work space. I wasted more time looking for things than I did for stamping. How frustrating is that!






To achieve this dramatic improvement, I followed my own advice of three piles: one to give away, one to throw away and one to put away (the hardest of all!) The throw-away pile went into a few plastic garbage bags, the give-away pile is in the hallway to bring downstairs and actually give to fellow stampers and, for the rest of the story, I did a marathon rearranging of everything left. In fact, it took all week.

First, the overstuffed closet. Notice that now you can actually see the floor! There are no longer any obstacles to reaching things. The white cubicle holds odd items that have nothing to do directly with stamping but are out of the way. On top is a stack of stamping books and magazines I will go through later today with the same 3 piles in mind. The 5 containers are clearly labeled, 2 with Christmas stamps, 1 for Halloween and Easter/Spring and the bottom 2 for travel memorabilia. I still have 1 more empty one to use later, probably for Mothers Class items. To the right is a metal duct (looks gray here) that I placed all my magnets on from the fridge, which also looks neater now, too. Can you tell I was on a roll???

Meanwhile, back at the table, I moved my Cuttlebug station over to a more accessible spot next to my desk blotter. It used to sit on top of the file drawers which now fits underneath the table. The top drawer holds all my embossing folders and dies. The second drawer is for specialty 12 x 12 paper and the bottom drawer...well that's another whole story.

The biggest change is how I store my cardstock. A few years ago I bought a huge paper rack for $25 from a craft store that went out of business. I set it up in the closet, arranged my cs in color families on 36 slots and kept it behind closed doors away from the sunlight. Unfortunately, I had a hard time seeing the variety of shades in such a dark area. That rack is now in the hallway to be given away and the cs is in file folders in the bottom drawer under the CB. It's still protected from fading sunlight, but now I can see what I have. In fact, I discovered whole unopened packs of delicious SU cardstock that had been hidden. I won't need to buy any more cs for years!

Several of the items that were taking up space on the table have been moved to the second cubicle that I took out of the closet. It now holds a basket of Stickles; a basket of distress inks, pads and sponges; and a box of embellishments--all easily reached from my chair. Notice the absence of clutter on the floor!

Finally, a view of my table and desk from the door. It took hours of sorting, purging and rearranging to get things back under control; but it was all worth it!

STATE FAIR BLUES

...RIBBONS, that is! Three blue and one red--more details later...

FROM THE SU HOLIDAY CATALOG

The Holiday Frame embossing folder on P. 7 is soooo versatile.  Here it is with another butterfly (imagine that!) and an appropriate Bible verse.

Using a scrap of double-sided dsp, I die cut the solid butterfly, cut it in half and overlapped one over the other for a side view.  For the black overlay, I brushed some Galaxy Gloss on it and set it aside to dry.

Then I used the embossing folder on the front of a white card and brushed a Versamark Dazzle ink pad over the raised portions for a little glimmer.  I then stamped the verse on some dsp and rounded the corners plus the lower right corner of the card.  To assure that it wouldn't come loose during mailing, I attached it to the card with two large glue dots.  The gold bow was added with a smaller glue dot.

Once the butterfly was dry, I assembled it and attached it with a dimensional. It is positioned to cover the tiny Christmas tree underneath, making the oval useable for any season!

BUTTERFLIES GALORE!

 In case you haven't noticed, I just love butterflies; both on cards and IRL!

The blue card started out as a card that I received from Dawn, a Silver Stamper friend.  It was so pretty, I decided to make use of the front by removing a flower image in the center and attaching it to the blue cs as a background.  Already scalloped, embossed and embellished  with the two smaller butterflies, I added the large butterfly and the scalloped greeting.

Using a piece of scrap blue dsp, I die cut the solid butterfly and sponged some Wild Honey Distress Ink in the center and edges.  Then I die cut another piece of shiny black dsp for the overlay.

The second card was trimmed with a wavy edger and sponged around the edges with Distress Ink.  I added a piece of striped dsp from my scrap drawer on the inside for contrast.  The golden poppy was stamped and die cut, then mounted with dimensionals.  The greeting (a little crooked, unfortunately) was stamped in black.

For the side view butterfly, I used the SU "Beautiful Wings" embosslit, cut the wings in half, flipped one over on top of the other and taped them together with the bottom one extending out past the top one.  The black was punched with a Martha Stewart punch, cut in half and glued on top.  The body and antennae were added from another die cut shown in the previous card and glued in place.  To coordinate the wings to the scalloped edging, I added dots along the edge with a brown marker.

I resisted the temptation to re-stamp the greeting and mount it over the crooked one.  Here's a quote from the Carol Duvall Show which I have posted on my bulletin board:  "All things are literally better, lovelier and more beloved for the imperfections that reflect the human effort that went into their making."   Well said!

READY FOR THE STATE FAIR

Here is just one of the 4 cards I plan to submit to the New Jersey State Fair this year.

Though fairly easy,  there were were many steps to the making of this card.  First I chose a double-sided dsp and matching cardstock.  Using a Martha Stewart edger, I punched the scalloped edges on the card base and top layer of dsp.  I then added another strip of dsp underneath the top layer and rounded the right side corners.  Before attaching the top layer, I added the ribbon and taped it to the back; then I placed the birthday greeting on top with dimensionals.

For the butterfly, I used two dies from Memory Box (Vivienne and Darla butterflies.)  For the solid, I chose a coordinating dsp from the same pad by My Mind's Eye.  For the black, I used a scrap of Martha Stewart Neutrals with a shiny black pattern.  I colored the body with a black Spica pen for a little bit of sparkle and used a tiny black gem for the head.

These butterfly dies are definitely my favorite!

SPONGED BACKGROUND

This card sort of "evolved" as I went along, not knowing how it would turn out.  It all started with a piece of white cs* with a butterfly already punched out, so I decided to try using my new sponge applicators for the Tim Holtz wooden handle I already had.  Using Distress Inks, I started with Tea Dye on the right, then Wild Honey and finally, Broken China, swirling as I went.  The sponge applicators seem to work more smoothly than the thinner cotton ones.

Next, I taped a piece of scrap dsp behind the opening (not seen here) and mounted the vellum butterfly over it.  I then sponged over a circle template in the lower right corner with Wild Honey and stamped in black over it.

After stamping the fern (SU!) in green, I added a small piece of black swirls from a 12x12 piece I purchased at Michael's.  Then I attached the vellum butterfly over the opening, added the black dots and mounted the piece onto a barely banana card with dimensionals.

*Though I love SU colored cs, I almost always use white cardstock purchased from Walmart in packages of 150.  It seems to be just fine, and is especially good for any type of overlay (and a LOT cheaper!)

HOPE Gate Card

This is a gatefold card I just finished making for someone who is seriously ill in the hospital.  I wanted the Bible verse to be the focal point, so I kept it simple.  The black swirls are cut out from a 12x12 sheet I found at Michael's the other day, and the butterfly is from the SU Beautiful Wings embosslit.


After stamping the verse from Jeremiah (one of my favorites!) I outlined the word Hope with a turquoise marker and sponged the edges of the Nestabilities label with a matching color.

The inside left panel is decorated with the remaining butterflies over a coordinating piece of dsp from my scrap drawer.  The rest of the inside is left blank for a few words of encouragement in my own handwriting.

On the subject of handwriting, it really is a lost art.  I think the age of texting and emailing has taken over.  For those who do take the time to write personal notes, however, it seems to be truly appreciated by the recipients.  Maybe we could bring it back!


 NOTE:  This thought came to mind as I read the verse:  He endured far worse than we could ever experience in order to give us a future far greater than we could ever imagine.

STAMP SHOW REVIEW

I haven't been back to the tower since the stamp show, so this is the first opportunity I've had to report on how the show was.

PROS:  There were lots of interesting booths to explore, show sale items and demos.  The very first booth we came to had packets of self-stick gems for a dollar each and 6x6 pads by My Mind's Eye for only $3 each!  I also picked up a gray marker for shading at another booth.

 Most of my purchases zeroed in on various supplies, except for the peg stamps I bought at the Stamps by Judith booth.  One was a plastic box to store sponge daubers, another was a bottle of glaze similar to Crystal Lacquer but with a brush applicator.  Another booth had a special on emb. powders.  I also bought some Gelatos after seeing a demo on how to use them--can't wait to play with them!  Crafters Workshop had a plastic template with 3 mini designs:  circles, stars and hexagons.

CONS:  The show floor was much smaller than the Allentown show, so it tended to be more crowded.  There were also areas inside where the air conditioning didn't cool well in the 90+ heat.  It was also a very long walk in from the parking lot in that heat!

All in all, it was worth attending.  However, Jackie and I left early due to tiring out and sensory overload!