Happy End of April Secret Friend!

Hello there Journey stampers,

I'm sharing a special card I created for my secret partner in a swap I'm hosting for FSJ convention/seminar in June.  There are 12 people in this swap and we answered a questionnaire about ourselves.  These questionnaires were swapped out (by me) and each person was assigned a secret partner.  We will reveal ourselves at convention and will give our secret friends a special handmade gift and two cards...One created and shared on April 30, and one created and shared online on May 30.

This kind of swap is fun because you get to learn a lot about stamping friends you just meet, you get to create cards and projects for someone you may or may not have ever met and in the months leading up to seminar/convention, you are having fun and building on the excitement of the event.

Here's the card I created for my special Secret Friend.  I used some new FSJ products I just got in the mail yesterday and I was so excited to play with them.

I almost left the background image black and white...but the poppies called to me...or at least I think they are poppies.  LOL

 I loved tucking the sentiment into the ribbon.

 Pretty little beads tied to the twine give an extra special touch...

I didn't forget about the inside!  

FSJ Materials used:  

Wonderful Day Stamp Set
Oatmeal Cookie Card Base (A2)
Black Licorice Cardstock and Ink
Whip Cream Cardstock
Treat Label Dies
Natural Journey Twine
Sparkle Drops

Non FSJ Materials Used:

Copics:  Flower:  R000, 32, 35; Inside Flower:  E08; Y38, Distressing/Shadowing:  B000; W00, W1
Black Sewing Thread
Black sheer/satin stripe ribbon
Black Versafine Onyx Ink pad for distressing

Sneak Sneak SHHH

Hello Journey Friends!

I'm here today to tease you with a little picture...The May kit of the month has been revealed and OH MY GOODNESS...I'm in love!  If you know me, you know I LOVE flowers...I love coloring flowers, I love stamping flowers, I love die cutting flowers, I love smelling flowers, I love picking flowers...

You just might want to PICK this month as the first month you sign up for the Kit of the Month Club. It's a six month commitment and you receive a stamp set a month and all the fixin's to make four fabulous cards!!!

Check it out!

Yummy eh???  Interested? Head over to my shop www.funstampersjourney.com/401 on MAY 1 to order THIS kit and sign up for the Kit of the Month Club.  I'll be having a ball with this set and will definitely be making some additional projects/inspiration pages to add to your collection!

I'll be back here on May Day to share a special treat and to post more details about this kit!  See you then.

Going, Going, Gone!

Hey Journey Friends,

Today I'm sharing a little thank you card I created using a fun background stamp that is retiring soon. Don't let the stamps name fool you!  It's not JUST for Halloween!

I love this background stamp because it has TONS of bottles to choose from.  Pick your favorite bottle to feature, stamp it, color it and fill it with...FLOWERS!  :)

I stamped the whole background image onto Oatmeal Cookie cardstock with Oatmeal Cookie ink. Then I distressed the edges a bit with a DRY Versafine Onyx pad...Yep, I use an old dried up pad to distress.  It's my favorite distressing tool!  When it gets too dry, I just tap the new pad onto the felt and it refreshens it just a tiny bit.  I set the card base aside and started working on the stamped/colored panel.  I used Butter Cream Cardstock for the "colorable images".  They were colored with my copic markers and distressed again with my dry pad.  I colored a larger panel too and will be sharing that at a later date.  The colored image was mounted on a Pretty Pansy cardstock rectangle that I cut using my Journey Rectangles.  

I wanted to feature one of the bottles in my sentiment section of my card so I selected my favorite bottle (On the TOP SHELF, of course) and colored it in, cut it out, and stamped the "Thank You" sentiment (From the Gifted Wings set) lightly on the label.  I always keep some diecut blooms available at my workstation and this was the perfect place to add one.  A little posy in the bottle, blinged up with a Sparkle Drop and tied with Black Journey Twine a little homemade tag.  :)  Adding foam squares to the bottle, Journey Circle Die and the flower (from Spring Blooms Mini) helped to give the sentimental portion just the spotlight it needed.  :)

The Potion Shelf background stamp is available while supplies last.  Once the supply is depleted, it will be gone forever!  It is discounted in the retirement sale (along with other background stamps) and you can grab yours for $8.33.  Because of the retirement sale, if you purchase THREE retiring background sets, you can get them for the combined price of $25.00.  Every Retirement order will receive an Up-Up-and-Away embellishment pack for free!  The last day to purchase these retiring items is May 31, 2015!

Convention???

Attending Convention/Seminar?

Woo Hoo!  Seminar is coming up soon and I thought I would share some tips that many might find helpful.  I can always add more tips, so if I missed something, let me know.  PS...I'll be posting more helpful Seminar/Convention ideas in the days and weeks to come, so keep your eyes peeled!

Treats! #FSJCC3

Hello Journey friends,

I'm popping in to share my Make-Live-Share project with you today.  This project was inspired by Richard Garay's treat project that can be seen HERE.  I decided to create a little treat container for the computer specialist at our school.  She's been working like crazy for the past few weeks getting all the computers set up for 3-6 grade students to practice their state testing in Reading and Math.  My third graders did quite well on their practice Reading SOL last week and tomorrow, they take their practice Math SOL.  In Virginia, students in grades 3 and beyond take yearly assessments.  It's not a fun time of year, but we know it must be done.

Do you notice I used this month's Color Challenge Colors?  This will be my fourth entry in the color challenge #FSJCC3, I think!  WOWEE!  I'm loving this unexpected combination! Why not join the fun in creating something for the challenge?!?  You'll be pleasantly surprised with the color mix!

Inside the treat container is a little baggie of Skittles.  They're my most favorite sweet treat and I especially love the orange ones!  Do you have a favorite flavor of Skittles?  Reply in the comments and I'll send YOU a special treat container made especially for you!  

Don't skimp on decorating the back!!!  I used the other half of the die on the back side of the treat container.  As this treat can be viewed "in-the-round", I wanted to make sure to add some special details there too.  

This little treat bag was quite relaxing to make.  It helped calm my nerves while focusing on making something special for someone who has worked hard to set up and prepare so many computers for our testing adventures.  It's high stress for her, so tomorrow she can sit back and wait for the error codes...and pop a few Skittles in between! I hope she enjoys the sweet treat and all the while...helps encourage us all to "Believe".

FSJ Supplies used on this project:  

DI-0035 Fancy Label Die

CS-0093 Rich Coral Cardstock

CS-0105 Pool Play Cardstock

CS-0094 River Stone Cardstock

CS-0095 Sweet Pear Cardstock

AC-0019 Silver Silk

AC-0004 Black Journey Twine

IP-0053 River Stone Ink

AT-0056 Postage Stamp ATS

AT-0107 Bezel Block (sentiment) ATS

AC-0022 Sparkle Drops

PS...The silver paper is the edge of the wrapper from a stick of gum!  The ribbon is from my massive ribbon stash.

Reach for the Stars!

Hello Journey friends,

I'm back with another fun project I created with this month's color challenge and sketch challenge in mind.

I had some tiny scraps laying around when I trimmed my paper (I used the color challenge colors of Sweet Pear, River Stone, Pool Play and Rich Coral) to size and decided to turn them into a cute little embellishment!  I curled up the strips using a large needle then added some sequins and a cute little blue bell to the bunch. I tied the bunch together with black quilting thread and some black Journey twine.  It was glued to a little flower (Spring Bloom Minis) I had left from another project.  

You probably notice that my stars (from the Star Bright set and Banner Party) are speckly.  This was achieved by mixing some opaque white embossing powder with some clear embossing powder.  I stamped the stars using Versamark ink then embossed with the powder mixture.  I think it gives the images a much more unexpected and non-traditional look...Totally FUN for this card!    I also added the pennant to follow the "strip" on the original sketch challenge.  

The sentiment was stamped in two layers onto Whip Cream cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment first with Sweet Pear ink then I bumped it up a bit with River Stone ink.  Adding some sequins was the final touch in bringing the Par-Tay to this card.  It also helped me complete Rose's weekly FSJ Coach challenge on FB to incorporate the use of sequins. MMMM!

Make-Live-Share.. Support Mission!

Hello again Journey friends, I'm back to share some details about my Make Live Share event.  This event will be an opportunity for many people in my community/school to come together in support of families of deployed service members.  Growing up as a child of a Navy officer, I know all too well how difficult it can be when a parent is on deployment.  

Some of my students are currently experiencing a deployment and I know their sense of overflowing pride, secret sadness and fears of the unknown.  I also know the significant struggle and stress the spouse endures.  I want to help support their families through my Make-Live-Share experience and let them know that we are here to support them during this difficult but very important time.  

Just inside these doors, all worries and sadness and fears will turn into laughter and FUN for Moms, Dads, children, teachers, counselors the FSJ family and...a virtual YOU!

I have arranged for families of deployed service members, teachers and counselors to come together for this event.  We will be gathering for fun, fellowship and to begin our MISSION.   A MISSION that will include YOU!  

Not only will we be creating fabulous stamped projects for ourselves, Children will be working hard preparing projects from their hearts too.  We'll also be packing special care packages (that will include cards and letters of thanks and inspiration from our school children and neighboring businesses in our community) that will be mailed to their loved ones on deployment overseas.  

We'll need YOUR help in filling these boxes.  If you would like to participate in PHASE 1 of  this Make-Live-Share event, please send a handmade card (with a note of encouragement, support, thanks or pride) and/or any of the following items in a gallon zip-loc bag.  We will include your contribution in the boxes.  

Care Package Ideas:

*Beef Jerkey

*trail mix

*Pringles (small)

*candy (no mints)

*Snack bars

*Individual Drink mix packets (GatorAde, PowerAde)

*Travel Size Sunscreen

*Travel Size Toothpaste

*Travel Size Baby Wipes

*Ear Buds

*Pens/Stationery/Notepads

*Envelopes

*Magazines

*ChapStick/Lip Balm

If you would like to participate, please leave a comment below or email me at isu.alum@excite.com. I will return in the weeks to come to reveal additional AMAZING details about this event and additonal ways YOU can be a part of my MAKE-LIVE-SHARE event!  

TANK YOU! FSJCC3

Hello Journey Friends,

Today I'm sharing a special card I created after finalizing the details of my Make-Live-Share event with my Fun Stampers Journey family in Arizona.  Tomorrow I will be back to share some of the first details about my event...so stay tuned.

I used the adorable little fellow from the April Kit of the Month set "Hello Sunshine".  I colored him decked out in Camo and added some fun military inspired elements.  

After cutting out the circle with my new Journey Circle dies, I stamped the Oatmeal Cookie base with the "TANK YOU" ATS and some Oatmeal Cookie ink.  After that I sprinkled some Gold Silk onto the paper.  I stitched black thread through the holes to finish off the front panel. 

I used Sweet Pear paper for the background layer.  Stamping the "INK SPLAT" ATS onto the paper using Sweet Pear ink just gave it additional dimension and texture.  I added a little 24/7 from Bezel Block randomly on the back with River Stone ink.  I popped the oatmeal cookie layer up onto the pear layer using pop dots.  After that, it was on to coloring the boy.  I colored him using E00, 02, 31, 35; Y26; YG97; G12.  He was fussy cut then popped to the inside of the circle to hide the saiboat image not necessary for this card.  

I decided to incorporate a star on the strip of colored papers.  This allowed me to use some Rich Coral ink, Gold Silk and some Journey Glaze to embellish the Star from the Star Bright set.  The stamped top layer was attached to a River Stone layer then I applied the whole panel to a 5x5 Rich Coral card base.  

And not to forget about the inside of the card, i stamped the TankYou tank using Oatmeal Cookie ink and the sentiment with River Stone.  So perfectly perfect!

Operation Make*Live*Share...

Hello Journey friends!

I'm excited to announce that my Make-Live-Share event date has been confirmed and the TOP SECRET location has been booked.  It's going to be an AMAZING event and I can't wait to share more details with you.  As I know this is an extra special privilege and I can't invite EVERYONE to the actual event, I want to promise you, YOU will play an important role in this event...If you so choose to take on the MISSION!

Mark your Calendars and Planners:  

Mission Event:  Operation Make-Live-Share
START Date:  05-21-2015

Additional details and assignments forthcoming...Until then, I leave you with:

Enjoying the Journey!
Kerry

Hello Sunshine!

Hello Journey Friends,

Today I'm sharing a card I created this past weekend after dreaming of making a card with pleated paper circles... The pleated circles have been on my mind a lot and I wanted to bring the vision to life on paper.  They didn't work as well as I had hoped (on My Minds Eye patterned paper) as even with pre-scoring the paper, it cracked and peeled as I folded the accordions.  Even so, I think they turned out ok and I plan on doing this technique on a card again-with solid colored paper.

I added a bit of doodling to the boys hair after adding brown hair so I could make his curls come to life.  :)  I think that's why he's smiling.  :) :) :)

 A perfectly sweet sentiment!

Inspired by a sugar cone...

Hello Journey friends,

I'm still on cloud nine about winning a Make-Live-Share visit with Richard Garay and am not sure when I'll land back on Earth, but I thought I'd head to my stamping room tonight and play around! It is FRIDAY and that means a FUN night for me!!! I have been thinking about the project I would do for Rose's Journey Coach challenge this week "Inspired By" and on the way home from school today, I had a vision...

I saw a sugar cone and some mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Maybe it was because I was hungry or maybe it was because I was happy it was FRIDAY.  I'm not sure, but all the while I was driving home, I was thinking about how I would recreate it in paper because after all, it'd be too drippy if I used the real thing.  So my mind went wandering and planning...How could I make paper look ice-creamy?

So this evening, I headed to my stamp room and started playing.  I pulled out my Spellbinders Grand Circle Dies and diecut the 5 1/2 inch circle into some Oatmeal Cookie cardstock.  After that, I cut the circle in half and started making some score lines with my score board.  When the score lines were all done, I distressed the scores with Oatmeal Cookie ink then I glued up the little cone.  When that was done, I decided my cone would have to contain some goodies.  I couldn't send an empty container of deliciousness off to someone special!  So I ran downstairs and got my container of malted milk balls. They'd be perfect to place inside!  MMMM after eating a few, I determined I could place 5 of those babies inside the cone and tie it off nicely!

I created four little "swooshy" cuts of Butter Cream cardstock then distressed those with OC ink. After that, I used my Copics (YR00, G40, BG0000) to add some swirly marks and some dots just to give it a little more whimsy.  I glued those "swooshy" parts to the inside edge of the "cone" and punched holes in the tips.  That allowed me to thread some Natural Journey Twine and add a cherry colored button on top!  Before tying it off, I dropped in some of the candy and secured the "swooshy parts" with the twine.

Next was stamping the little card panel that would rest under the cone.  I cut an A2 sized piece of Orange Creamsicle cardstock and stamped it with the Ink Splat image (with Orange Creamsicle ink). Then I selected some fun sentiments from the Little Big Greetings set to stamp along the edge using Black Licorice and Kiwi Slice ink.

Everyone seems to love sprinkles so I took some of my leftover scraps and cut a few sprinkles out.  I tossed a few of them inside the cone and let the extras just hang out on the table.  :)

Now I have a goofy little ice cream treat to mail off to someone special.  Fat Free, Calorie Free (well, maybe not the milk balls) and OH SO YUMMY!  Will it be you???

BIG news!!! BIG!!!

Teaching today and I feel a vibration in my pocket...and another vibration, and another.  All afternoon my pocket was buzzing...What the heck was going on?  I couldn't check my phone in the middle of my lesson on erosion or when my students were working on identifying angles, rays and segments.  BUT WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON?

After school was over, I had ONE MORE hour of teaching after school Math and then I would be able to look at my phone.  It was one hour of TORTURE.  LOL...

Well, I found out what all the BUZZ was about!!!  Here's what was going on while I was busy working, slaving and teaching away:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=407899619392791&set=vb.264637043719050&type=2&theater
Here's Richard's Make-Live share from this week:

Make a Wish

Richard has already visited one fellow Coach in California!  Here's her interview after her event:

Barbara's Make-Live-Share Event

My friend/upline Christine (in Minnesota) will be hosting Richard Garay in a week or so and I can't wait to see pictures of her amazing event!  

I can't WAIT to share more details about my AMAZING event!  Stay tuned!!!

a little note...

Hello stamping friends,

I decided to create some personalized stationery that I could use to include with cards I send out to friends and family.  I like to hand write personalized letters and thought it would be fun to have a "pad" of paper handy for this purpose.  It'll be a nice opportunity to work on my penmanship too!  ;)

I really like how it turned out and will be printing up quite a few "pads" to keep on hand.  I think it'll be fun to make different varieties too.

Faithbooking...

Hello stamping friends,

I was inspired to create this little Faithbook journal when I received this lovely book from one of my students before we headed off for Spring Break.  I so appreciate when my students think of me with hand-picked treasures and am blessed to know that in a crazy sensitive world we live in today, they felt comfortable and safe sending this treasure to me.  I've read several of the prayers, love the selections, and have found it comforting to read...even in the car.  The chocolates are yummy too!!!

I wanted to create a little book where I could compile my most favorite and inspirational scriptures and while I was making it, I thought of friends that might also enjoy one of these little faithbooks to fill with their heart blessings.

Here are a few of my favorites from the book.  They will be included in my faithbook:

Sooo...here is the first of my series of faithbook journals.  This was placed in the mail today and will be heading to someone special.  I hope she shares the pages she creates inside...and in the weeks to come, I hope to share my pages too...

Blessings!

I colored the stamped image with Copics (R32, 42, 81; E93; B000; G82; YG25) colored pencils and shimmer chalks.  It's a bit sparkly, but not too much.

 I took a photo to show that the pages inside are plenty...Many spaces to create fabulous and inspirational pieces.

Antique Gold Rub-N-Buff adorns the cover.  Perfect for the golden blessings that will be created from the heart.

All tied up with a pretty button bow...and the sentiment is a reminder, to keep faith in your heart...

Butterfly Dreams...

Hello journey friends.

I spent some time in my stamping room last night creating my card for the sketch challenge I'm hosting at www.creativebloomsjourney.blogspot.com.  Each month there is a sketch and a color challenge.  It takes some time to get the colors in the mail (I order the papers and the inks each month to match the color challenge) so while I wait for those, I work on projects using the sketch.  It also helps pass the time as I wait patiently for the Kit of the Month!

Speaking of the Kit of the Month, I noticed that the colors I selected for the color challenge will work perfectly for that set!  WOO!!!  I'm excited about that!!!

So let's get on with the show...Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

I love triptych cards!  The main images come from the Gifted Wings stamp set.  They were stamped onto Buttercream cardstock with a retired brown ink.  I also used the Newsprint background (stamped on Oatmeal Cookie Cardstock with Oatmeal Cookie ink) and the little stripes from the Banner Party set. To color the butterfly, I used some chalk pastels with a Q-Tip.  I finished the image off by using Copics to create dimension and added color.  

Looking closely at the edges of the panels, you'll notice I added some Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff.  I love that stuff!  A little goes a long way and when it's rubbed on the edge of the paper it creates a beautiful shine in the light. I added some sparkle too...Just because I LOVE sparkle.  :)

Here you can see the way I layered my three panels.  The middle panel was glued directly to the center of the card front panel.  The two side panels were popped up using foam dots.  I also distressed those edges with Rub-n-Buff.  

I applied taupe seam binding to the card front, then attached it to a Deep Lilac A2 card base I glued the sentiment circle to the top of the bow to complete the card.

Smile BIG!

Hello journey friends,

I'm joining the stamping community today in helping build awareness and understanding of the daily life, struggles, joys and journey of those affected with/by Autism.  Today is World Autism Awareness Day and we're having a HOP.  You can join the hop by checking it out on Tenia's blog post HERE!  To learn more about Autism, Please visit Autism Speaks.

I did a little doodling to the stamped image BRIGHT DAY, added some curls (Inspired by Theo's totally perfect curls), music notes ( :) Tenia) and some puzzle pieces on the balloon.  The sentiment is PERFECT...don't you think???

#LIUB #AutismAwareness