How To: Lego Stamp Postioner

I decided that I needed a stamp positioner.  On my travels to thrift shops recently I purchased a small bag of block.  They are not the brand name but they worked well enough.
Place them 2 block high and create a 90 degree angle.  Cut a piece of clear acetate from packaging (good re use). Cut it to a good 90 degree angle.  Then you can follow the instructions to put that stamp exactly where you need it. 

Mosaic Monday - Blues and Greens

Here's a few photos from my recent walks.  The gazebo in the park at the end of the street with blue posts.  The flag at the top of the government buildings against a beautiful Alberta sky.  I thought this blue iron work on a fence was a great color.  The fresh green leaves of the spring bulbs showing up and it is great to see. They were on the public boulevard so someone near must be minding them.  A large hare with the light eyes.  The pink house is painted on the back of a building in the other park.  Pussy willows looking a different kind of fuzzy.

Submitting this to Mosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage hosted by Judith. 

R2G Christmas Stack Kit - Winter Green

Here's another Ready 2 Go Christmas Stack Kit made with the 6x6 One Sheet Wonder cutting plan and card layouts. 
This time I used a retired Stampin Up DSP called Winter Green.
I chose the stripes as well as this bold floral pattern. I pulled 4 sheets of 12 x 12 which I cut into 6 x 6 pieces.  I decided to not use the set with the Stampin Up credit in the corner and besides I needed a some paper to make my card samples so it was a win win.

I picked Always Artichoke, Soft Sky and Certainly Celery for the card bases.
I chose the Owl Occasions Stamp Set.  The greetings are put on white card stock and cut to 2.75" square.  The greetings are mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape.
I chose Sage Shadow for layers on 2 of the kits and Certainly Celery for the other kit as I did not have enough of the Sage Shadow.  Good to have options.  The layers are 3.00" square.  The card stock strips are .5 inch by 5.5 or 4.25 inches.

The cards can be oriented in either wide or tall orientation.  The inserts provided allow the maker to choose.

This kit puts me in good shape for my June Christmas Stack Class.

R2G Christmas Stack Kit - Winter Frost

Here's the next Ready 2 Go Stack Kit designed with the 6x6 inch One Sheet Wonder cutting plan.
For this kit I used the Winter Frost 6x6 DSP pack. the designs I selected are this small snowflake and the other is bolder chain looking design. I choose Pool Party for the cards for this set.  I chose Basic Gray for the greeting, the square and the strip for the snowflake paper and Island Indigo for the bold chain design.  I ran out of Pool Party so I made 1 card in each design with the colors reversed (Basic Gray card with Pool Party layers) for the ornament.

The DSP and the strip were aligned with the fold and then trimmed on the open side as needed. The greeting layer is mounted over the strip with 3D foam tape.
The stamp sets I selected are: Calm Christmas, Keepsake Ornaments with Owl Occasions greeting and Come to Bethlehem. 
You can check out the Season of Style red and green kit here.

One Sheet Wonder - 6 x 6 inch DSP - 3 Cards

I did research a while ago for One Sheet Wonder plans.  For me I had hoped to find the cutting plan and the card layouts to go with it.  There were a few who included both pieces.  I was working on Christmas cards so repetition was okay with me.  My kits are 12 cards so I wanted a cutting plan that produced 3 cards per 6 x 6 sheet. Here's my inspiration posted by Sharon.

I believe the card layouts are very versatile because the cards can be assembled wide or tall.  The designer paper is double sided so you may be able to turn the paper around and get another look.  With the layers all being the same color, it cuts down on the complexity when cutting and stamping.  I suppose if one color would do across DSP designs that would be better.  Maybe black, grey, and some of the neutrals may work for several DSP designs.  I will put that in my thinking cap. 

I'm really happy with how my kits turned out.  I am posting another in the next post.

The greetings are cut to 2.75" with an accent layer of 3 inches. 

R2G Cmas Stack Kit - Season of Style

I've been working on card kits for my Christmas Stack class on June 8, 2015.  I designed these cards on a One Sheet Wonder of designer paper.  I will post the details in the next post.

On this set of cards I used the Stampin Up Season of Style 4x6 DSP Pack. I used the Cherry Cobbler stripe and the large white dots on Crumb Cake.
I chose 3 different images and greetings. The greeting, the square behind the Window Frame die cut and the images on the Window Frame are all the same color.  On the red I put Always Artichoke layers and on the Crumb Cake I used Basic Black layers. The strips of card stock are half an inch wide.












I chose Cherry Cobbler/Bravo Burgundy, Night of Navy/Not Quite Navy, and Early Espresso/True Thyme for the cards.

The stamp sets I selected are: Calm Christmas, Keepsake Ornaments with Owl Occasions greeting and Come to Bethlehem.  I'm really happy with the set and the concept.  I will use it again.  I've used another set of DSP so check the next couple posts.

Cards - Christmas Trio

This set of cards was my first sample for a technique I am working on for Ready 2 Go card kits.  More about that in a later post.

The greetings are from Stampin Up - Come to Bethlehem, Calm Christmas, Snowflake Soiree and Owl Occasions.  I used a light blue card with a star designer paper.  I added a .75 inch strip across the centre. Diecut with Deco Label and Window Frame framelits.

Card - HB - Zinnia

Here's a card for my sister who celebrates her birthday this month.  I selected a photo of a zinnia I took a while ago.  I applied a couple of filters to it and printed it 3x4 inches.  I created a frame which I printed then adhered the print inside.  I found a dark green card which worked well.  I added a green layer of designer paper which I had stamped a texture in dark green.  That picked up some of the colors in the photo.  Once the background layer and the print layer were attached I went through my stack of greetings and found one that would work. Some Stampin Up Modern Label and Word Window punchies.
I need to get in out in the mail right away.

Mosaic Monday - Tablescape

I've been inspired by tea related blogs I have visited through this challenge.

As a result, I changed up the colors in the cookie jar.  I replaced the red with the yellow freesias which I save and dried.  This color fits in better with the turquoise and golden yellow in the other items on the table. The napkins were a great buy at Superstore.  I purchased a new glass cream, sugar and bowl set which works well with all the other pieces.  Even the tea sachets are in the same color scheme.
I could not resist a macro shot of the round glass ball on the cookie jar.  Should have taken pics in natural light but worked on card ideas all day.

Submitting this to Mosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage hosted by Judith.

Card - HB - On the Lake

This is a birthday card for my b-in-l who is celebrating a milestone birthday this month.
I started with a photo I took a couple years ago at Pine Lake Camp.  I applied some filters to it in PSE and printed it 3x4 inches.  I created a simple black frame and printed it.  I glued the print inside.  I found some old wood board designer paper by My Mind's Eye "Sawyer".  I just love this paper so I saved it for a special card.  I cut to leave just a tiny border on a black card.  I added the greeting with a color printed greeting punched with the Stampin Up Modern Label and then offset a green/grey one behind it.  It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

How To: DIY Phone Charging Holder

I decided to make a holder into which I could place my cell phone while charging it.  Yes, it has been sitting on the floor in the wall up until today.  I had done some research a while ago and when I emptied a shampoo bottle I decided to do it.  Unfortunately, it was not tall enough so when the cord was placed in the phone the connector interfered with the plug and there was not enough depth in the bottle so everything was just too tight and did not work.  It was a black bottle which would have looked great.  Moving on.
I had an empty dish soap bottle.  Upon checking it was tall enough to allow connector with the the plug above. I used a marker to layout my plan and an exacto knife to cut the bottle.  It took a while to make all the edges smooth.  I did apply a bit of sandpaper to the edges.
When not in use it holds the parts until I need them again.
I used washi tape to decorate it and away we go!!

Challenge - 1 Layer Splatters

I started with a white card.  I created spatters with a toothbrush brushed against a craft knife for the small ones and a wetter toothbrush slapped against the knife for the larger ones.  The colors I used are: Vivid Teal dye ink and Nick Bantock Rose Madder.  I then stamped the large Joy to the World by InkaDinkado in Versafine Black Onyx which I quickly added embossing powder and heat embossed.  I added a star in the left hand corner by hand with a black marker.

I'm submitting this card to this challenge.
Less is More - One Layer Splatters.

Card - Deer in Neutrals

I took a sheet from a Spanish dictionary and applied Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Antique Linen and Gathered Twigs.  I dried it with the heat tool and then used TH Distress Stain in Walnut Stain with a brush to paint the landscape and the trees.  I ripped all the edges.  I stamped the greeting in the top right hand corner with Versafine Vintage Sepia with a clear stamp. I chose a Bazzill Pinecone card stock for the card. This layer was adhered to the card front with glue stick which helped to smooth out the wrinkled paper. I punched a 1" circle from Champagne pearl card stock for the moon and adhered it with 3D foam tape.  The chipboard deer is left over from this card project. I applied a bit of bronze shimmer on them with a dry brush but it does not show up in the photo.

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges.
52 Christmas Card Throw Down - Coffee and Cream
Hazels Christmas Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Mosaic Monday - The Canada Geese

I took some shots the other on my walk.  The signs of spring are here. 
The Canada Geese have arrived.  I took the shot without knowing if I had got them in the picture. When I took a look there they were in a great V formation! 
The birch trees were shining bright in the morning sun.  You can see their structure without the leaves.
There are green buds on some trees which is a welcome sign. 
There is very little ice on the river.  I love that I got the reflection of the buildings in the water.
The pine cones are looking a little rough having hung in there all winter! 

R2G Card Kit - SU For You Scallop

Another couple of kits for tomorrow.
I started with a Stampin Up Night of Navy card.  I cut a piece of Prints Designer Paper in the same color to 3"T x 4" W.  I cut a piece of white card stock to 2.25"T x 4" W.  I embossed this piece with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  I then tape these together and trimmed as needed to create a layer which leaves a small border.  I created a strip of olive paper .75"T x 4"W, which I adhered over the join of the embossed/DSP layer. I then assembled my greeting by adhering the greeting to the olive circle then that to the scallop circle.  I cut a piece of 3D foam tape in half lengthwise and placed behind the scallop.  Removing the release paper I attached the greeting over the olive strip on the left hand side as shown. 
The other color in the kit is Rose Red.

R2G Card Kit - SU HB Square Trio

Another Ready 2 Go Card kit for my class tomorrow.
I started with the Stampin Up Prestwick Designer Paper which features Night of Navy, Basic Grey and Garden Green.  I chose NofN and BG cards and 2 of the sheets from the DSP set. I chose the HB greeting from the Four Square Stamp Set stamped in NofN ink in WW.  I currently do not have a 1.25" punch so I had to carefully cut them with the paper cutter.  I layered it on a 1 3/8 inch punchie of Garden Green. 
I placed the striped paper on the portrait of NofN and the plaid on the BG landscape card.  I added a .5 inch strip of Whisper White then added the trio of squares.  I swapped the DSP for the additional squares so the plaid on the stripes and the other way around.  All squares got a GG layer.  The HB square is adhered with 3D foam tape to emphasize it. 

Cards - Exchange Group

These are the cards I'm mailing out to my exchange partners this month.  These are the cards which served as inspiration for this card.

I started by designing the greeting, see the details here.  After color printing it, I trimmed the greeting close to the border. I chose ribbon scraps in navy and yellow. I created a layout which I liked with 1.5" lengths. I applied double sided tape and applied them to it keep the order I had laid out.  Once stuck I trimmed them at an angle.  The whole greeting element was then attached to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Class - Great Time!

We had a great time at class last night in the north end.  There were 7 ladies who participated. Sandy provided a hot cup of tea and most everyone got the cards done in the 2 hours.  We had some creativity happening as ladies interpreted the design in their own way.  That is so great!
Here are the cards I made from the Ready 2 Go Stack Card kit.
This yellow card is a wonderful color.

This sample of the ribbon threader puts the ribbon at the top which provides still another layout for this versatile layout. 

On this pink card I just cut the bottom of the back layers on at an angle then shifted the grey one up and voila another look!

R2G Occasion Card Stack Kit - Vellum HB Banner

Here's the last card in the Ready 2 Go Occasion Stack kit.  The main element is a vellum birthday greeting.  I color printed them and embossed with clear powder.  Works great.  I cut them to .75" tall and 5.5 inches wide.  I cut the designer paper square to 3.75" and the neutral card stock behind to 4" square.  These are layered then adhered to the card front on the left leaving a small border.  The vellum greeting is tacked with a bit of adhesive on the left where it will be covered by the button.  The button has fiber threaded through the holes and knotted and trimmed.  It is adhered to the card front over the vellum with a Zot. The right hand end of the greeting was flagged with scissors.  Great card and easy to put together.




Again depending on the designer paper and the style of greeting can be for a guy or a gal. I used a scripty font and a all caps font.  Again, recipients will get a variety of colors, designer paper and greetings.

R2G Occasion Card Stack Kit - Ribbon Threader

This is the next card in the  Ready 2 Go Stack kit.  This card has no greeting and could be used for any occasion.  I started with a brown card with a top fold.  It could also be used wide with the fold on the left as in the sample below.  I cut the Spellbinder A2 Ribbon Threader layer from a neutral solid card stock. I ran a piece of ribbon through the threader and flagged both ends with scissors.  I taped the back to ensure the ribbon stayed in place.  The layer was then adhered to the card front. I then layered a piece of designer paper cut 3.25 by 3.00 inches.  I added 3 leaf punchies in coordinating colors.

The designer paper and card have been coordinated as well as the ribbons and punchies.  This turned out to be very time consuming. Lesson learned.






I'm glad that the card is very versatile in orientation and based on the colors can be used for a guy or a gal.

R2G Occasion Card Stack Kit - Polka Dot Greeting

I've been working on card kits for my all occasion class tonight.  This is part of the Ready 2 Go Stack kit.

I wanted a large central greeting so after a bit of research on the web I designed a greeting of my own which included words and frames. With the large polka dot greeting where the dots are colored the rest of the elements are grey.  I trimmed the greeting close to the outside solid border.  I then lined up the bottoms of the white and grey card stock strips.  I ripped both at the same time so they would match exactly.  They could have been trimmed with scissors too.  I then shifted the grey one up until the white border matched the sides.  These were adhere to each other.  Then this layer was added to the card front.  You will see from the examples it can be offset or centered.  Then I cut the 3D foam tape in half crosswise and which gave me 4 pieces. I placed a piece in each corner of the greeting and adhered it to the card front over the grey strip. 

In this kit the card matches the colors of the polka dots and there are 4 different colors in the kit.  You will notice that there are 2 different greetings as well.

Mosaic Monday #35 - Spring

I have flowers to share!  The freesias arrived with a friend who came over for dinner on Wednesday and I really appreciated the flowers. The tulips I brought to my Mom for Easter. This is a tradition I have held for many years. Mom deserves flowers. This year, red tulips.
The pussy willows in the bottom left hand corner were picked by my sister by a lake near her house. They were huge and they made the 4 hour trip. We had a great girls get together on the weekend with my Mom, my sisters, niece and her daughter. 


I'm submitting this to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Happy Easter

May you have a great Easter and long weekend if you have the time off work.  Enjoy time with family, friends, and/or co-workers.  May the sun shine!!

Card - HB Buttons

A birthday card for a beautiful little girl who is celebrating later this month.  I will see her this weekend so I got the card ready.
I printed the greeting and colored it with pencil crayons.  I chose primary colors - red, blue, pink, green, and yellow.  I added 5 large buttons held in place with large Zots.  I added the stitching around the buttons with a black marker.

Card - HB Turquoise

I made this card for a dear friend celebrating a milestone birthday this weekend.
I started with a piece of card stock colored during this process. It was one of the first ones I did so it did not have the classic bubble look I wanted for my first project.  I wanted it to be warmer so I spritzed it with turquoise water that I used to dye the ribbon. That was slightly successful.  Once I had ironed the paper dry and as flat as I could I cut it with the Spellbinder A2 Ribbon Thread die. I ran the slightly blue seam binding through the slots and tied it in a knot at the top.  I adhered it to the warm blue card front.  I used a dot background stamp with Tempting Turquoise ink and added some more texture to the die cut.  I chose handmade paper flowers in turquoise to accent the card. I stamped the greeting in the same color on vellum with a small clear stamp then ripped the strip top and bottom. I placed it on the card front and held it in place with 2 turquoise handmade paper flowers, white sequins and tiny white brads.  I added several more flowers.  I added some white sequins held in place with Zots for Bling.

Christmas Card Challenge - April - Peace Coloring Large Greeting

Here's my card for April. I worked on the coloring by making my own background with the bubble technique.  You can check out the details on this post.  I printed the "on Earth" and a few bubbles onto the layer with the color printer. I chose to cut the greeting with the Cricut and the Winter Woodland cartridge.  It was cut at 1.75".  I chose a pale yellow card stock.  I chose a warm blue card which matched very well with the bubble paper. The background layer was adhered to the card front then the greeting was glued on next.  I punched a star from silver glitter paper with the Creative Memories Sparkle punch. It was adhered just above the greeting. Super happy with these cards.

On this second set of cards I used the blue bubble paper.  I selected a deep warm blue card. Trimmed the background paper leaving a small border.  I cut the greeting from silver glitter paper which worked great! The star is punched from the same card stock as the card. This added a good number of cards to my stash.