WOYWW #422

Happy Wednesday and happy WOYWW!  Click on over to Julia's blog, Stamping Ground, to read more about this eight year linkage.  I loved reading her post today as she shared a great story and picture of another desker who doesn't join the linkage.  I love that all our areas are unique; some are lucky and have full rooms, some are literally a corner of a table and so many in between.

Here's my desk this morning:

I just completed a couple of card for the Design Teams that I'm on so I can't show the fronts, but what I really wanted to show you guys is the new stamp that I just received.

Isn't it awesome!  This is my logo!  My nephew who is a graphic artist created it for me and I made a stamp out of it. This stamp is only 1x1 and it is so detailed.  I bought a deal on Groupon and it only cost $5 + $2.99 shipping/handling from Rubberstamps.com.  Their customer service was so great since I had some trouble loading my image.

Click on over to Stamping Ground and have fun visiting desks/rooms/areas from all over the world!

The Secret to a Happy Life?

In the mist of everything going on in my life right now, I got to play in my Art Journal.  This is a piece for Bloom Art Stamps.

I started as usual picking my three main colors.  Purple, orange and yellow.  I gesso'd the page, applied acrylic paints in the three colors above.  Then I started the fun stuff!  First I used white acrylic paint to a doily stencil.  I decided I didn't like the intensity of the three color combo, so I added drops of Daffodil Delight reinker and spritzed water to cover the page.  I then added some drips of purple distress ink spray.

Stamped some marks using Eggplant Envy (purple) and black archival ink pads and Bloom Art Stamps Elements stamp sets.  I also added some marks using white acrylic paint but the yellow background kept turning the white a yellow tinge.

I printed the Daisy digi images from Bloom Arts and adhered them into the lower right corner.  Then colored them using a combination of acrylic paint and markers.

I set it overnight to dry.  Woke up the next morning and decided I did not like it!  So instead of starting a new canvas, I covered it up with white gesso.  (I'm mad at myself for not taking a photo). Then added some texture paste with a stencil and that brought up more yellow.  LOVE. Then I spritzed with the same purple distress ink...LOVE.

Then went a completely different direction by stamping the pedestal and cupcake from another Bloom Arts stamp set.  Paper pieces them and adhered.  I added stamped script in black, washi tape to ground the pedestal and stamped and embossed a sentiment and adhered.

YUP...LOVE!

So the answer, continuous small treats!

WOYWW #421

Happy Wednesday and WOYWW #421 (I feel like I skipped a Wednesday)!
I've been busy making items for an upcoming "Shopping at The Ranch" event in my town. I wasn't going to participate this year since I'm so busy right now, but the person who hosts this event, contacted me & personally invited me.  Since I was flattered, I said yes.


Luckily, I have plenty in stock items.  She asked if I had any planner items and don't.  But...now I do!


Here are some labels that I made by copying my original art pieces onto different size labels. The top left labels are approx. 1x2.5, the top right are approx. 2x3 and the lower 3 are approx. 3/4x1.5.  Those are my favorites.

Sample of what's in each pack.

Assortment Packs

I also made some washi tape cards.  Each of these "cards" has five 20" strips of different washi tapes.

These are just samples.  I made plenty more.

If I have time, I will also make some decorated paper clips.  Besides these, I'll have cards, mini scrapbooks, layouts, journals, bookmarks, etc.on my table.  It's supposed to be over 100 degrees this weekend so that'll be fun...it's an outdoor event but luckily in the evening so it'll cool down a little.

I'm so glad she requested planner items, because I love how they look in my planner.  I don't go all out and decorate it but these labels add some "pretty" on those all white pages.

Now click on over to the Stamping Ground to visit Julia and all the other deskers.  

Bridal Shower

Photo of the finished wristlets for the Wine Tasting Bridal Shower.

This is what they look like on the wrist.  Each of the party guests wore one of these.  We got lots of inquiries regarding them and compliments.

These were handed out at the beginning of the party to each guest.  Contents: The wristlet, wine glass label, a couple of mints and some Tylenol for later. 

The party was so fun!  We went to four different wineries, played games, had delicious cupcakes and even sang! 

Here are a few photos:



Can you tell she didn't like this one?  LOL

WOYWW #419; Gold Glitter!

Happy WOYWW!  Can you believe another Wednesday has rolled around so quickly!?!  Click on over to the Stamping Ground to find out more about WOYWW.  Can you believe she's been hosting this linkage for EIGHT years?!  I love it.  I've only started about a year and I already feel like I NEED to visit the other deskers each week.
Here's my desk:

Photo of the sliced corks after I spritzed with Distress Spray & Pearl (I plan to write the date & occasion on the back of the corks).  The bottom right is with all the hardware. They will be tied to the tulle wristlets.

I've had a lot going on this past week and a half.  The Wine Tasting Bridal Shower is this Saturday.  I planned on making a few more things, but realized that since it's a surprise, I really can't justify bringing a photo frame to a brunch (that's where her mom told her we're going).  I'm actually ok with it because although I love to make things, I was getting a little stressed.  The crown, sash and games will be disguised in a gift bag.  LOL

Here are close ups of the crown:

Back View

Close up of handmade flowers

Front View (still not sure about the hearts...)

Side View

Only 23 more days until the wedding!


I'm also entering this crown in the Happy Little Stampers challenge site.  This month's Mixed Media Challenge is GLITTER.  Yes, I definitely used glitter for this crown! 

The details:

The crown started off as a Burger King crown.  After decoupaging doilies all over the crown, I covered it in white acrylic paint.  I used a gold ink pad to highlight some areas.  Then I went through my stash for all things gold.  I handmade the sparkly roses and the gold vellum puffy flowers.  The larger roses were made the same way I made those really huge flowers (you see them on my craft room wall) for their engagement party backdrop.  They are so easy to make - actually the larger ones are easier because of the size.  Added some rhinestones and glitter here and there to add some sparkle & shine.  The ruffle on the bottom is made out of crepe paper.  After stacking six long pieces of crepe (from party decorations), I sewed down the center and used fringe scissors to cut the slits.  I made and attached a couple rosette medallions in the front with a gold edged banner for the word "BRIDE".  The tulle was the last addition in the back. 
I think that's everything.  I love upcycling these crowns - they are always so much fun!


UPDATE:  I WON AS ONE OF THE FAVORITES FOR THIS CHALLENGE!

FCCB Challenge #303; Masculine/Father's Day

 Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday challenge at FCCB!

Challenge #303-Masculine Cards
Create a project that features cards suitable for boys or men

This Weeks Sponsor

Bugaboo Stamps

The prize is 4 digital stamps!

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least one Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used. If you use a Cricut Explore machine, at least one cut must be from the Cricut catalog of images.

Link your project at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog for your chance to win.

Here is my project-

Hubby loves three things...sports, beer and chocolate!  LOL Even though I didn't include beer with his Father's Day gift, I know two out of the three will make him happy.

The card:
Cut card and mat using the Just Because cartridge Thank Ewe button; cut basketball player image from the Sports Mania cartridge.  Adhere layers and embellishments.  I hand doodled lines around the mat, added hearts some white marks and still wasn't happy with the final result.  Then I used the Tim Holtz words pad and added those.  Yup, that's what it needed.

The upcycled jar:
Soak the jar to remove the label.  After cleaning with alcohol, apply the vinyl image (this image was imported and cut in Cricut Design Space).  Paint the jar lid & wooden bead with acrylic paint; attach wooden bead; fill with candy - done!

Cricut cartridges used:  Sports Mania and Just Because Cards

Tip:  Just Because Cards cartridge is a hard one to use since the buttons on the keypad are the shapes of the card (yes a bunch of rectangles!).  So what I did is number each card so instead of trying to figure out which rectangle is the one I want to cut, I count the keys on the keypad.  By the way, there are 10 images on each row on the keypad.

I'm also joining the Bitten by the Bug BBTB2 challenge site for their masculine/father's day challenge.  

WOYWW #418

I have lots going on as I'm making fun stuff for my future daughter-in-law's bridal shower.  Her mom & sister are hosting, but I had to offer my creative services.  They have arranged for a limo/bus to shuttle us from winery to winery.
Although I'm not much of a wine drinker, I've never done this before and am really excited.
So I'm in charge of games and decorations - yup...the fun stuff!
Here's my desk:

On my desk is an upcycled Burger King crown that she'll wear.  I still need to add some tulle to give her a little veil in the back.  The other items...pearls, ribbons are for the photo frame and banners that I'm making too.  The turquoise earrings on the right I had to reattach one of the stones since it popped out.  I was so happy to find it!
I'll post photos of all the bridal shower stuff once I'm done.


Happy WOYWW!  Click on over to Julia's site to join the link or just to peek around the other work desks.

Journaling By 5s

As I mentioned before, I challenged myself to Shannon Green's Journaling By 5s project.  Read my earlier post HERE.

So much fun!
The idea is to time yourself so you don't think too hard - just do!  I grabbed my supplies before each step to save some time.  Fifteen minutes goes by very quickly!



Original Scrapbook Inside



Original Scrapbook Covers

A Peek Inside



More Peeks



Love all the colors!



Back Covers

Top View

View From the Top Front

Creative With Stamps; June Fruit Challenge

This month's challenge at the Creative With Stamps site is FRUIT.  I decided to use grapes in honor of the upcoming Wine Tasting Bridal Shower for my soon to be daughter-in-law.  I was gifted this stamp from Rubber Paws (read more about her HERE and HERE or click on the Rubber Paws label to the right) and decided to use it as the background of this card.

Close Up:

Pile of products used (I forgot to include the pencil I used for squiggles):

Water coloring, inking, paint drops, embossing, doodling - I just love mixed media cards!


Now it's your turn...click on over to the Creative With Stamps site and link up your card.  I am always so amazed at the level of artwork being linked on this challenge site.  If you don't join the link, click on over for inspiration.  Leave comments - everyone loves comments - and have fun!