Sunday, May 31, 2015

FSJCC4 Creative Blooms May Color Challenge...

Hello Journey Friends!

I'm cutting it to the wire with these little babies!  Here's my project for this month's Creative Blooms Color Challenge.  I created a set of Thank You cards for my guests that played along with me, Richard, Gabby and Dustin at my Make-Live-Share event a little while back.  It was fun being able to work within a color range and the perfect colors for this project.

Here's the color range for the challenge:

To color the little guy, I decided to give him some camo pants and some Army themed clothing.  The yellow balloon represents the traditional ribbon that is tied around every tree, every light post and every mile-marker leading to home...They'll be home soon!
I used the following Copic colors for this project:  E00, 35, 37, 95; G 24, 28; YG25, 45, 97; Y26, 35; YR24; W03 and Multiliner 01.
I fussy cut the little guy and as Richard would say.."If in doubt, Pop it Out!" Soooo...I popped it out with a few dimensional dots, added some Journey Twine, tied some beads on the twine and called the front DONE! 
The inside was also stamped.  I used the Thank You ATS sentiments along with the Footprint and the Tank to finish the card off!  Now I'm outta here to work on more Convention Treats!  Only a few days left....WOOOO!

Convention sweets...

Hey journey friends.

While I'm stamping and creating swap and trade projects for Convention in a few days, I'm not forgetting those who cannot attend for one reason or another.  With all the jubilation and excitement leading up to Convention, I try to think about and consider my friends who won't be there.   I've been on that end before, and it's no fun.  When you can't attend, it's really hard to not feel a bit sad or lonely about not attending.  I remember also feeling out-of-the-loop for a long while.  So here are some things I'm doing to "include" my non-convention-going friends...

1.  Sending some convention love...I'm mailing out some special cards and projects to some FSJ Coaches that I know cannot attend.

2.  I created a Pinterest board to share all our goodies and fun events.

3.  I'll be hosting some live show-and-tell events on my live stream.  I hope to include many coaches and my newest friends!

4.  I plan on tweeting, pinning, instagramming, facebooking, etc. so just you wait...Your phone will blow up!  LOL

So here's my first treat being mailed out tomorrow...For a special friend who won't be attending convention.
This is a tiny little card- about 2 1/2 x 3 1/2.  The perfect size to hold an ATC...Yep, I'm including one of my ATC trades from convention too.  Just because I think she needs one.  LOL...
 The scrappy background came about after I trimmed the edges of my 35 ATC trades.  I had lots of scraps and decided to turn them into card backgrounds/elements.  Love the effect!
Ok...Now I'm off to create some more and fill up my swap bag.  :)  I'll be back to share my ATC that I'll be trading with some of my Coach family...

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Secret Friend Convention Swap #2

Hello Journey Friends!  I'm back to share the card I created for my Second Secret Friend for Convention.

As with the previous card for my first secret friend, I created this card with some of the same scraps that were left over from my ATC Team Swap.  I loved my first "scraps" card so I went to town making another one.  This time, I stamped a bit on some acetate, used some leftover scraps from a rectangle diecut (Distressed with Silver Rub-n-Buff) and added some crinkly elements and sparkle drops.
Look at that yummy shine!  I love using Rub-n-Buff...I highly recommend it if you are looking for elegance and shine!
 I wanted to incorporate another "banner" sentiment like I did in my previous card, so I added this tiny banner with the Friend sentiment.  It works perfectly.
Did I mention how much I LOVE this color combo?  I think I'll be on a Yellow, Pool Play and Kraft kick for a long while this summer!!! LOL

PS...It's GUESS the stamp sets I used time!  What do you spy???  List your observations/guesses in the comments for a chance at a cool prize when I return from Convention.  YOU'LL definitely LOVE the yummy goodness!

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Secret Convention Friend Swap #1...

Hello Journey Friends,

I'm here today to share the second card I created for my Secret Journey Friend that I'll meet at Convention in just over a week.  WOO!  This is so exciting.  I can't wait to gather with like-minded friends who share my love of stamping.  :) :)

This card was actually inspired by the scraps that remained after cutting and trimming my 35 ATC's for my Team Swap.  I had tons of strips of lovely paper left over and piled up and thought they would make a beautiful element on a card.  I actually made several cards from these scraps! Each one is special and unique to the person I'm sharing it with.

Actually, most of the elements used to make this card are scraps from my workspace.  I have a bit of problem with saving every "straight-edged" scrap, cut out "leftover" and itty-bitty scrap that can be stamped on.  LOL...I knew it was time to minimize the pile and I just focused on using those scraps!

I wonder if you can tell which stamp sets I used on my ATC trades?  Any guesses?  I guess this is a little sneak-peek as I won't reveal those cards on my blog until I'm at Convention.  

I used some of my most favorite elements:  Photo Pin, Sparkle Drop and Clear Flowers, as well as inked up some of the natural Journey Twine with some Oatmeal Cookie ink so it would be a bit darker brown and blend well with my card.  
I just LOVE how this card turned out and am so excited to share it with my Secret Friend.  I hope she loves it as much as I do.  :)  I think these colors are my new Summer favorites!  :)
I'll be back tomorrow to share the "scraps" card I made for my Second Secret Friend.  Yep, I'm hosting TWO Secret Friend Swaps for Convention!!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Stamping and...Candles...

Hello there Journey Friends,

Well, the Retirement Party I was commissioned to make candles and goodies for is over, My Make-Live-Share event is done and now I can concentrate on projects for convention.   What an amazing family.  I was inspired by the many heartfelt speeches, the loving musical tributes and the celebratory atmosphere.  I'm honored to have been able to participate and attend.

I made 60 8 oz candles and...
60 handmade bags (Yes, I sewed all 60 of them!) and...
120 hand stamped Dog Tags...

Here's a peek at the Army themed collection:
 Here's the candle...Can you guess which FSJ set I used to stamp the label?

 Of course you can recognize those bootprints right???







Next week I'll be making a few more batches of soy candles.  I've got some scents I want to test out and am thinking of some fun names!  :) I can't wait.  My house will smell divine!

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Clean and Simple...

Hello Journey Friends,

I created this CAS card for Rose's weekly challenge.  I'm a day late and a dollar short this week as I have been overwhelmingly busy with projects for my MLS event, a Retirement party.  Those events are over and now I can spend time focusing on Convention!  WOO!

This card was pretty quick and simple to make.  I used some scraps from my work table, one of the extra coffee cups I had from another project a while back, and stamped some white cardstock with the ink splat.  Zig-zag stitched the green scrap then stamped Make all along the edge, then popped up the mug on the panel.  Poof, it was done!
Here's a closer look at the mug.  I was inked (with acrylic paint) with my Gelli plate.  Love that thing!

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Make Live Share Recap!

Hello there Journey Friends,

I'm here to share a little about my Make-Live-Share event that was held on Thursday.  It was so fun! I'm sad that not everyone was able to make it but Richard and his team left their project kits with me so I could follow up with them at a later date (How sweet, right?!)

As my group of NON STAMPER invitees (and their children) sat down and got to work, Richard quickly realized that it was going to be a LONG...But FUN...Night.  As with most beginning stampers, they need a bit of time to figure things out.  It takes a lot more patience to sit and wait and let newbies explore.  Richard was gracious and patient and funny!  He taught them a lot about the special characteristics of our Hybrid Fusion inks and enlightened them about the special tricks stampers do to create 2nd Generation images.  I know they learned a lot, and that's important to my friends!  As with most new learning, it takes a LOT of risk and a lot of confidence to just get into the trenches and STAMP and they tried their best!

The first card Richard taught them to create was designed by Joe Garay.  He wanted to incorporate the Tank and the Army Green colors.  I loved that he pulled in some Pool Play and incorporated a little "camo" effect on the tank using the INK SPLAT ATS with Green Olive and Cocoa Powder ink. I spent my time assisting new stampers so I didn't have any time to make the card along with them so I did mine at home.  You can see I added a bit of distressing to the edges of the paper DTP method and added some Lemon Grass Confetti Sparkle Elements.  Richard didn't disappoint...He incorporated a bit of what he's famous for...His loopy-loop Twine.  MMMM....
Here's the close-up of the loopy-loop twine and the fussy cutting...yes, that took those newbies quite a bit of time, but the results were worth it to them!  Thanks for taking a deep breath Richard!
Richard's second project was an adorable little windsock...and a special treat for my guests!  It was also time for Richard to share that this project tutorial was going to be filmed LIVE right then and there, and would air on Richard's blog this coming Monday...The Make-Live-Share Monday is in the HOUSE!  WOO!!!  A perfect little treat for Memorial Day!  

Right before beginning instruction, Richard and Gabby gifted all my guests with the Star Bright Set, a yummy paper pack and some sparkly elements.  MMM... My guests clapped, they cheered!  WOO HOO!  Now these newbies definitely need some acrylic blocks and some ink pads for sure!  

And then we were off...Well, kind of...The first part was stamping and they were getting the hang of it, sort-of.  Then it was on to punching holes.  They all shared one hole puncher so that took a bit more time.  I wonder if Richard wanted to go take a nap or have a snack?  Intermissions can feel like an eternity!  Anyway, when they all had their holes punched, it was onto threading the cylinder.  Oh My...Challenge!  They didn't give up!  After all the frustration of tying and stringing was done, they moved on to applying their stars.  They were SO PROUD of their accomplishments!  
Richard was so kind to have gifted me his TWO windsocks as I was not able to make mine there.  I'm excited to see the video on Richard's blog too!

When Richard was finished with his projects, it was MY turn.  I posted the projects on the previous post so if you want to see those, click HERE.

Because I have limited supplies, I used the "Station" model of instruction which is similar to an assembly-line method of stamping. This allowed all guests an opportunity to stamp a certain portion of their card or create one element of their card at one table, then move to another table to complete another portion. These advanced stampers (LOL) didn't need the final instruction from me to to do the finishing stage of the card assembly process as they used the instruction PDF available at all tables.  Using the "Station" model also allowed me to float the room and assist students one-on-one when faced with challenges.  It works quite well in smaller groups but probably not with a group of 100.  LOL

When all projects were done, Dustin took Richard and I aside so we could be filmed and I could be interviewed.  I gave Richard, Gabby and Dustin a special treat I made for them and Richard gave me a special treat too!
Hmmmm....Now I'm even more excited to pack my bags for Convention.  I better not forget my GOLDEN TICKET!

After editing some photos from my event, I'll post them here on this blog soon.  Stop back soon because you'll be able to see the five boxes we filled for our deployed service members.

Thanks to some fabulous FSJ Coaches across the US that were able to join me and my friends as we created in support of our service members deployed overseas.  As they post their creations and allow permission to display here, I'll post their card creations using the "kit" I sent out to them.

Ruby Martha didn't have the stamp sets that I used but that's OK!  Look how she used the supplies and incorporated the Star Bright set into her design!  LOVE IT!
I'm also excited to share some photo collages of student preparation of the boxes that we are mailing to deployed service members.  Students worked together to carefully (and thoughtfully) decorate the insides of all of the boxes...Such a special surprise awaits these service members!

What's inside the the boxes?  
Deoderant, soap, lotion, shampoo, Blistex, muscle cream, Athlete's Foot cream, Toothbrushes, mirrors, toothpaste, baby wipes/hand wipes, crackers, gatorade/drink mixes, beef jerkey, energy bars, blank specialty cards to send back home to loved ones, greetings from students (ATC format), Greetings from teachers and adults, and so much LOVE!

Thank you to Claudia Gates, Becky Prusse and their "Third Thursday Group" for the huge box of goodies/ handmade cards and the amazing cash donation ($54.00).  It will help so much when mailing these boxes.
Note:  The food items are separated from the toiletry items.  All toiletries are packaged in a black bag to help contain the liquids in the event that there is damage/breakage or leakage during shipping.  
Look at the lovely box of goodies/cards and the cash donation from Third Thursday!  THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Our counselor is wheeling the boxes out to my car!  There they go!!!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Make-Live-Share...TOMORROW!

WOO HOO!!!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!  I'll be hosting my Make-Live-Share event with special guests Richard and Gabby Garay, Dynomite Dustin and families of deployed service members.  It's going to be an amazing event and I am so excited!

I wanted to pop on my blog to let you know that part of the event (barring any technical difficulties) will be LIVE on Ustream from 7:30-8:30 PM and YOU can join the fun by peeking in on the action. During part of that time, I'll be guiding my guests in making my project seen below.  Some of you may have even received the materials (minus stamps) to create the project- so join in on the fun!  If not, I'm attaching a not-so-perfect jpg image of my inspiration sheets for you.

This is the card I will be teaching at my event.  It's got a fun little technique that uses FSJ stamp cleaner in a totally unexpected way.
Footprints, Footprints...I can't believe you'll be gone forever at the end of May.  If you don't already have this ATS stamp, MAKE SURE TO GET IT!  It's a must for some awesome backgrounds! Military, Hunting, Camping, Farming, Gardening,  Illness Warriors...You name it!
 Take a close look at that Gold Silk!  Notice how it appears bubbly and grainy?  That's a reaction it has with this technique.  FUN, FUN, FUN!
 This is the SECOND option I created using most of the materials in the pre-cut kit.  It also adds a coloring element...some people like coloring, some...not so much.  I try to give two options for folks to make their own decisions.
I just LOVE the cartoony sentiments in the Soldier Boy set!  They work so perfectly with this design!
Now, here are the inspiration sheets.  Free for the pickins!
If you would like the PDF versions of these inspiration pages, please comment below with your email address (I moderate all comments and will not post your comment on this page if it has your address or email information).  

Friday, May 15, 2015

Thinking of You...

Soon I'll be heading to the FSJ Convention in Phoenix and I'll be meeting up with some fabulous new and old stamping friends.  I can't wait to get together with all my stamping friends!

I'm hosting two secret friend swaps for convention and today, I'm sharing the first card I created for my secret friend in swap #2.  I hope she likes it...I made it just for her...slaved over my inks, papers, dies, stamps, glossy accents, glitter and gold embossing powder while listening to some BB King.

Thinking of The King Of BLUES and the gift of music he left behind also reminded me of some of the LIKES of my new stamping friend...So I used these two themes as my inspiration for this card. Even though it took HOURS to make, I was in my zone and I was wiggling just fine!  Thanks BB King!
Added a bit of a doodly heart...The music just inspired me...:)
Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle...Gotta love that!

And here's a little treat for you...Lucille...BB's CRAZY about her!  Don't forget to "wiggle" as you're listening.  BB told you so!  

Monday, May 11, 2015

Smells Delish!

Hello Journey Friends!

I'm sharing a little project (well, not so little!) that I've been working on for a friend's husband's retirement party coming up soon.  She wanted to make some "party favors" to pass out to the guests of her fancy, schmancy party.  Her husband is retiring from the Army and she's giving him a super-top-secret-top-of-the-line-party!  She asked me for suggestions and then loved my ideas and asked if I could make them for her...So now, I'm knee deep in candle wax, dog tags and canvas...

Six different candle flavors with extra-special names.  I think this is my favorite:

I'll be back again to share some other scents...They've got some fun names too.

Don't you just LOVE how the footprint stamp looks???

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!  An extra-special card I made for my Mom...

Visit my shop to view or purchase any of the items listed below!  

FSJ Materials:  

SS-0139 Greeting Bouquet
SS-0140 Branch Out
SS-126 Wonderful Day (sentiment)
SS-0061 Newsprint (background)
AC-0073 Bloom Tool
DI-0035 Fancy Label Dies
DI-0041 Rectangle Dies
CS-0023 Oatmeal Cookie Cardstock
IP-0011 Oatmeal Cookie Ink
IP-0031 Buttercream Ink
CS-0040 Whip Cream Cardstock
IP-0053 River Stone Ink
IP-0036 Lavender Fusion Ink
AC-0019 Silver Silk
AC-0004 Black Twine
AC-0005 Natural Twine
AD-0002 Journey Glaze
AC-0013 Sparkle Dust
AC-0022 Sparkle Drops
AC-0103 Photo Pin Elements


Non-FSJ Materials Used:  
Copic Markers
Satin edged ribbon