More Twinkle Toes

There’s this absolutely precious lady we know who will get this card.  She has endured some rough times, but, hopefully, this last surgery will do what she is looking forward to – she wants to be able to hold her head up.  It has become increasingly more difficult to walk with her walker.  And she never complains, just wants to be able to look up all the the people who greet her on Sunday mornings.  Her body seems so frail, but her spirit and smile are the strongest!

I stamped this adorable image from the Fun Stampers Journey “Twinkle Toes” set on a scrap of patterned paper by My Minds Eye with Pomegranate Splash ink.  I added Journey Sparkle Dust and some rhinestones to the tutu and a Copics marker to the shoes.  All basic layering.  The sentiment panel is on pop dots.

I added a simple double punch (SU) of photo corners to enhance the inside.  I’m still not much for dressing up the inside of my cards, but I’m working on it.

This is such a fun stamp set – I want to go make another card!

Children at the Wedding

I used a sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers for this page.  I rotated it so I could use these portrait shots of the ring bearer and flower girl.  The piece of tulle was saved from the bride’s underskirt when it was hemmed.  I gathered a strip, then sewed it down to the black card stock.  The roses was heat embossed on gray card stock using the Fun Stampers Journey Sentiments Prints stamp set.  I used one of the FSJ heart dies under the corner rounded strips.  Although I did not add a title, I think the pages speaks for itself.

It is a fairly clean and simple page and the embossed roses are a nice embellishment

Stars for my Twinkle Toes

I have used the new sketch from a new site.  Here is my card from the sketch.  I was excited to see this stamp set come in – Kit of the Month – it is just too cute!  Had to make a card for Tiny Tot.

Here is the recipe for putting this card together.  Card base is Sweet Pea, next layer is Bubble Gum.  I stamped the image from the set “Twinkle Toes” on white. The sentiment is stamped with Pomegranate Splash ink onto the Sweet Pea card stock, which I then used the “badge Label die” to cut out.  I edged it with a Micron pen because it just needed something and to completely mat it didn’t seem right.  I didn’t want to sponge the edge either because then I’d need all the edges sponged and it would take away from the clean look I was thinking of keeping with.  The elements added are Bubble Gum Satin Ribbon, Cool Pool Star-Dom die cut, Clear Blooms Accent, and Journey Color Buttons.  Oh, and I used some Strawberry twine in the buttons too.  The star got Glaze and Sparkle Dust.

Tiny Tot gets so excited when she gets a card in the mail.  Her mom tells us how much she anticipates and looks forward to her own mail when the post is checked.  I have vowed to make sure she gets more mail.  I am caught up on the Card Ministry cards so there is no excuse not to make a point of preparing some for her now.

What is up with all this cold!?  It was 40 degrees here at 8 am.  I know it’s colder elsewhere, but this is Florida, after all.  And, I just got over a runny nose – had the post nasal cough to contend with too.  Stayed clear and no infection, thankfully.  I’m told something in the air is triggering this allergy.  I thought allergies came from something blooming.  With all the ice and 18 degree weather Tiny Tot has been exposed to, she too got this allergy thing.  Hopefully better now.

Hope you enjoy this card and my details about it.  Try this sketch too!  Comments are so delightful.  Happy stamping my friends.

4 with Sentimental Prints FSJ

I put together a collection of 4 thinking of you cards.  Each different and pretty much individually inspired by a piece of patterned paper from my scrap bin.  I used each of the 4 images with a different color of heat embossing powder.  The Fun Stampers Journey set is “Sentimental Prints SS0072”.

This is the first one I made.  The white embossing powder looked so soft and sweet on the blue background I decided it would work nicely as a white on white style card.  I mounted the main image on white, cut and dry embossed a panel slightly smaller than the card. Each panel is on Stampin’ Up! pop dots, allowing some elevation but staying relatively flat for mailing. The sentiment is embossed before running through the folder.  I actually had to mix the blue powder.  The one blue I had was a tad bit too pale so I sprinkled some on my paper, added a smidge of a darker blue and voila! perfect shade.

My black, white, and red sort of developed as I went along.  This wasn’t the idea I started with.  I really didn’t start with a completed idea except for the red embossing powder on white card stock.  Looking in my stack of red/black scraps I came up with this combo of pattern papers.  It needed the thick border of black, on which I used a Fiskars border punch.  Then came the beautiful FSJ black satin ribbon, topped with a thin SU grosgrain knotted ribbon.  The sentiment is an already stamped and punched one with a SU set.  I backed it with the striped and solid paper punches to match the card.

This piece of green and yellow patterned paper with circles seemed right for this next image, that I used with yellow embossing powder on white.  The sentiment is stamped on the same white strip.  The piece of green polka dot scrap was just right for a mat.  Yellow embroidery floss finishes the soft, whimsical feel to this cheery card.  The card base is SU’s Gumball Green.

Totally different, sized almost square, it is inspired by the pattern of the paper.  I used green embossing powder to stamp 4 images to form a square.  When cut, it fit perfectly within the design.  I used a corner punch on the panels before mounting to the card base.  The embossed sentiment is cut like a flag and stapled to the top panel before pasting.   This card is especially nice as a masculine card since it lacks any flourish or girly touches.

Now that this stamp is broken in, I am sure to gets lots more use from it!  Love it!

Two Tagged Cards

While rummaging through my scrap bin searching for patterns to make this sketch from the Retro Sketches Blog, I couldn’t decide which of the two sets of papers, so I made 2.

I kept with the same layout, changing up very little.  Mostly I changed how I did the floss and what bling I added.  I swear I spend most of my time looking for product when I should be working on the card.  I couldn’t find my bag of sequins, then I couldn’t find the orange.

The embossing folder is by Paper Studio, which I distressed with a light sanding to bring out the pattern.  The tag die cut is Tim Holtz, the bird and flower punches are Stampin’ Up!, and the sentiment is a Spellbinders Nestabilities.

The two stamp sets are from SU: Language of Friendship and Whimsical Words.

Here, I have used a Stampin’ Up! embossing folder and the jewels are from Queen & Co.

In addition to the sketch challenge I am submitting these cards in two more challenges:

1. Cut it up – use a die and embossing.

2. Tues. Throwdown – use facets.

3 Layouts from Lea France Templates

Here are 3 scrapbook pages I have finished this month using the Lea France Templates.  The first two are Rosette, the 3rd is Iris.

It still amazes me how one can create such diverse looks from a template.

Nice and Simple Card Explained

As promised, I have a simple card, or two, to show for my virtual Fun Stampers Journey show.

The pretty stamp set this was created with is from Fun Stampers Journey #SS-0033 called Elegant Flowers.  Here is how I put it together.

From a pad of My Mind’s Eye patterned paper I cut a strip measuring 2” by 5”.  Deciding to make two cards at once, I cut a strip from the other side of the 6”x6” page.  On a 2 1/2” by 4” piece of FSJ’s Butter Cream [luscious] card stock I stamped with Black Licorice ink.  Now, I must take a moment to tell you what an excellent surface this card stock is for stamped images – it’s superior!

I matted the sentiment paned with a panel of Oatmeal Cookie card stock.  Since the second panel of patterned paper had the word going as it does, I switched the alignment of the second card.  They are pretty much alike, but it doesn’t matter.  It is to be part of the collection at church anyway.

These are simple and flat for mailing.  If you choose to make something from this pattern for yourself, feel free to dress it up any way you like to suit your taste.  I do hope hope you will share them here with a link in comments for all to enjoy.

If you are coming here without knowing about my virtual party, please let me explain.  Below is a copy of the details as published on Facebook. – – –

Fun Stampers Journey is having a special this month. The company is giving away a “mystery box” full of goodies to the hostess with a qualifying order of $150.
I will host a fundraiser for the Card Ministry at my church so I can donate much needed supplies, and I need your help.
You may place your order (for all the fun stuff YOU have been wanting) through me and it will be mailed directly to your location in the USA. It’s a virtual party! Come to the computer dressed as you like, no weather to fight, no gas to use.
If you came to my home I would share some fun stamping and scrapbooking ideas with you. Since we are not (unless you live close), I will periodically post some fun projects for you to see and try.
If you happen to be one of those people who shouldn’t play with scissors or must eat the paste instead of creating something, you can make a donation to my church with something you would like to see us use. Suggestions are available.
This party must come to an end before the end of January of this year (To qualify for the Mystery Box.) You have 2 weeks to decide. Please have your order to me no later than 5:00 pm, your time, on Thursday, January 29th.
You can e-mail me your order at: VBJoyce@gmail.com or you can send me a PM here.
Please go to this site to shop the catalog!
http://www.funstampersjourney.com/96
Click on catalog at the top bar, then scroll down and click on catalog; and enjoy the Journey – while helping my Card Ministry earn some much needed and awesome supplies.
– – – Hope you will join in!

Hugs.

Until next time,

Stay crafty!

Tiny Tot with a Braid

Her mommy did a sweet job of putting her hair up in a braid.  So tender and sweetly, she accommodated me with some photos.

I used a Splitcoast Stampers challenge to create this page.  The challenge is to go back to last January’s gallery and pick a page to scrap-lift.  I chose one by Lela. Hopefully it is easy enough to see the resemblance, as the differences are obvious.  I have the three small photos vertical but overall placement is still fairly close.

Since Lela used lots of washi tape I jumped on that and used some.  Back when that stuff became the current crafting rage I had to have it too.  I probably have over 20 rolls and tried my best to add some that would sort of go with this page.  Granted that rooster doesn’t, but it is sweet and reminiscent of a gentle romantic time.  All papers are from old stash.  An interesting note about that solid pink base: it is the flip side of a patterned paper, and I had cut a 2 x 4 inch piece off the end of it.  After evening it up, I cut into the paper about two inches.  Then I took a 2 and a half strip of the pink hearts pattern and taped it on the two sides of the solid, making a complete 12 by 12 inch base.  The diagonal stripe strip is the reverse of the hearts print.  I struggled with finding enough pinks, as pink isn’t popular among my collection of papers.  So many of the layouts that I have scrapped of Tiny Tot have not been pink.  Here, I wanted to go with the accent of the pink in her shirt.  Instead of my usual blues or greens, and the yellows just didn’t work this time, I managed to come up with enough pinks.

The day was overcast but still enough light to have a shoot.  The bottom right photo is shot indoors.  My new camera is so nice because  of the ability to allow enough light in and work the shutter fast enough for a moving child.

Yes, January 3rd and wearing shorts and a tank top!

Lantern Treats on Scrapbook Layout

My challenge was to follow a sketch from Splitcoast Stampers.

My choice of photos are these from last year’s JCPenney photo shoot.

My embellishments came from the Lantern Treats Fun Stampers Journey stamp set and the Cricut cartridge Art Nouveau.

I love how this stamp set was perfect in gold embossing for the Asian feel of the photos, even made a nifty little journaling block for the date.

This page didn’t need much of a title, so I cut out the one word.  The koi is a nice touch, simple and just a little something.

What is Under Your Sink?

From bad situations, good can come.

Saturday night I tried the sliced potato recipe from a recent Facebook post.  I knew better, but that didn’t stop me from allowing the potato shavings in the sink.  I would just give the disposal a good workout.  Instead, I had the workout.  When the disposal side of the sink wouldn’t go down, even though the grinder was working, I had to let it sit over night as I anticipated what options I had: new disposal? service call?.

There is good news with the conclusion of the problem of the drain not being a septic back up – thankfully.  Once I had checked Youtube and gathered my tools, I pulled out all the containers and “stuff” from under the sink.  The task of removing the pipes wasn’t too hard, but I did have to get Kara to turn one of the seals for me, my wrench wasn’t the right size and for the most part I was able to twist the rings.  I don’t really know what those plastic rings are called that tighten around the connection of the two pipes.  It’s awkward for an old lady with vertigo to get under the disposal, but I didn’t want the expense of a service call if this was something I could accomplish myself.  I had to lie on my back, with my head looking up to reach one of the disposal screws; just had to wait until the dizziness subsided.

Sure enough, when I pulled the piece of pipe off, there was the batch of potato peels stuck in there.  Very little water to contend with since I had let it drain, so it was caught in the towel without a problem.

Now, with all the supplies from under the sink out, I could see what we had stored under there.  A few items were immediately pitched, like spray cans with rusted bottoms, and of no use anymore.  I relocated a small collection of fish bowl cleaning supplies since I haven’t had a fish for a year or two.  With a new plastic tray to hold the smaller bottles and the larger ones in order, it will be easier to see and reach my supplies.

This is the good that came – an organized space under the sink!