Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello! This has been a crazy week. I spent two + days getting my card kits ready for my class, all 20 of them. Wed. I taught. Thursday, I recruited Donna to help me with the make it take its for today's event at The Crafty Scrapper. We were thrilled when we completed 70 kits! Each little kit had 19 pieces + twine, brads, and a rhinestone. So, lots of stamping, cutting, and die cutting, just not new stuff that you haven't seen. But today changes that as I have this week's sketch share between Debbie, Donna, and I. This is a week that we had a choice between round or square. So, I will show you my card, Debbie's card, Donna's card and the sketches. Enjoy! 

My Card

Debbie's Card

Donna's Card

The Sketches

Wow, I love how all three came out!  I totally forgot to take an inside picture of mine ... so, silly, since I had a small honeycomb egg shape to the middle and added a sentiment with alphabet letter stamps ..."Got Eggs?"  Oh well!  All 3 are adorable, don't you think?

Have a great weekend.  See you next week.
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

I have two posts today, so if you missed the last one, be sure to scoll down to see it.  Let's get right to today's share.  I will show you my card, Debbie's card and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

My Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

Did you see on my card I did that technique called Black Magic with a White Twist.  Go here to see the original post.  In fact, on today's card I used the same Penny Black stamp as I used on the original post, but this time in yellow.  So, my card today is black and white with a little color.  How about Debbie's owl with those googly eyes, too cute, huh? 

Sorry my posts were a little late today.  I wasn't able to finish them before I left for the women's tea.  It all went wonderful, food and all.  Each person was supposed to bring a tea cup and saucer to exchange.  As they came in we gave each teacup a number and put the same number in a basket to be drawn by each person.  All the teacups were set out on two tables and they looked so pretty together, I just had to take a picture.  Here is my pic ...



That's all I have for now.  Next week, I am prepping my class kits for my March card class on Wed. and Sat. and prepping for the Make it Take it event next Saturday, so I will be busy.  So, if you don't see me here, you will know why. 

See you soon!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Easy Peasy Basket!

Hello! I know it is Saturday and time for the share. It will be in the post following this one! I wanted to do a quick post first to show you the basket that I made to hold the cards I am donating to the Women's Tea today to be given away. I can't believe how simple it was to make. First, let me show you the basket. Enjoy!

Side Detail

Note I added to basket

Stamped Sentiments

So to make the box, all I did was score 3 inches for all 4 sides of a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock.  And then on each corner they are scored on the diagonal.  Here is a visual ...

All lines are scored.  And then you just fold the diagonals in and adhere sides of box.  I wasn't originally thinking I would add an handle.  But, I like with it.  You could also of course, make a lid the same way, but in my case, I wanted to be open so the cards could be seen.  Above, I also showed you the little card I made with the details and the stamped sentiments that I added.  Good idea, I think.

Now, one last pic for you.  Yesterday, I helped with the decorating for today's tea, and this pic is one of the table centerpieces.  So cute ...


I can't take credit for the idea, but I did help.

On to the Saturday share post ...
Happy Stamping!
Tina

To The World ...!

Hello!  The card I will be showing you today is a perfect example of a great "case"!  Fortunately, I was able to go back and find the original card, so that I can give credit where credit is due.  The card was originally created by Niki Estes and you can see it on her blog here.  Before pinterest, I would save cards to my computer that I liked and thought I could recreate.  On this one, it's pretty much the same, except I used different papers with different colors.  However, it doesn't keep me from loving how it turned out any less.  Let me show you.  Enjoy!

I want to add a Tina tip here ... make sure if you go to add something with ink after the card is all but done, make sure to try it on something else first, to make sure it will work on the card you have just finished!  I don't even think it is all that noticeable, since I added the pearls to the middle of the flowers, but I was thinking I had a "clear" glaze pen in hand to add a little dimension in the flower centers ... no, it was a "white" glaze pen ... totally different results and NOT what I had in mind!  I also scribbled a little around the centers, but I don't think that little bit totally ruins them, thank goodness.  If you click on the photo, I think you will see what I am referring to.  Still pretty, right?

Paper - My Minds Eye Miss Caroline 6 x 6: Howdy Doody, Cardstock White, Dark Brown
Stamps - Verve One Person set
Ink - Versafine Vintage Sepia, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Classic Squares
Other - Grosgrain ribbon, Pearls

See you soon!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

You're Bloomin' Fabulous!

Hello!  I am back with another card creation to put in my auction box.  Sitting on my desk, waiting, was Jen's sketch challenge that I haven't done yet this month.  So, I decided to combine the card I need to do with the sketch. When I knew I would be making cards for the auction, I was originally thinking I would leave out my favorite Pure Innocence girl stamps, because sometimes I think people think they are for children, but in the end, I couldn't resist.  Who knows, maybe they will love them as much as I do.  Let me show you my card.  And, then the sketch.  Enjoy!

I love how this one turned out.  It is a pretty simple sketch.  But I still like it.  How about you? 

Recipe:
Paper - My Minds Eye Six by Six: Vanity Fair, Cardstock White, Aqua
Stamps - My Favorite Things Bunch of Blooms, Sentiment by Our Craft Lounge Say It With Flowers
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Circle
Other - Prima flower, Baubles by Stamping Bella

I am back to "good creating", as I had no problem out in the shack yesterday making this card and one other.  And that other, will be in a separate post, later today.  So, now I have three new cards to put with six cards that I had in my stash.  The six came from my box of cards that I wouldn't mind selling or giving away.  I have another box of cards that are favorites and would like to keep.  But, that is just silly, why not share any and all of my cards?!  So, now I am thinking I should pick three more good cards out of the "favorites" box, and be done with this part of the project.  I still want to make a box to hold them all, and I have decided to stamp out inside sentiments so they can pick what they would like the inside to be.  When I get this part done, I will show that too! 

See you later today!
Happy Stamping!
Tina   

A Cup of Tea!

Hello!  As you know, I am working on cards for the auction portion of the women's tea at my church.  I really wanted to recreate a card I made for one of the Saturday sketch shares.  As a reminder, you can see it here.  Yes, I know I could just make it the exact same, but, so I would have more new cards to show you, I really wanted to change it up.  But, boy did I have trouble.  It's funny how sometimes cards just go together so easily and sometimes they don't!  After looking for different papers, I decided to go with the same papers as I did on the previous card, thinking that would help ... and I still had trouble.  I finally got it done and I am satisfied with the result.  I think it came out very pretty.  Let me show you.  Enjoy!

After I got it all together, I fretted a little about the twine bow with the button, but when I tried to pull the button off and realized that I had attached the button with score-tape and it was going to be a fight to get it off ... so, I left it!  What do you think?  Pretty?

Recipe:
Paper - Kaiser Craft Miss Nelly 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White, Rose Pink
Stamps - none ... shhh!  (sentiment was printed from computer)
Tools - My Favorite Things Time for Tea Die-namics, Fancy Flourish Die-Namics, Tab Die-namics, Flower die from Papertrey Inc., We R Memory Keepers Corner Rounder punch
Other - Button, Twine by The Twinery, Pearls

I have been thinking about what sentiments to put on the inside of these cards.  I am thinking of not adding sentiments and just putting a note in the box that I left the cards blank so they could use them for many occasions.  Good idea?

I will be back when I get the next card finished.  I sure hope the creative process goes faster than this first one! 

See you soon!  Happy Stamping!
Tina 

4 Cards and a Plea for Help!

Hello!  I have four new cards to show you today! Yes, four!   I made all four for Donna, who you know from the Saturday sketch shares, as she participates every other week!  Well, I didn't actually make them for Donna, but for her son, who is also my Godson.  You see he is a Marine and has recently been shipped off to Afghanistan.  I made these four cards for him so he would have some cards to write in and send back to whoever he chooses, maybe his girlfriend, or mom, or a friend?  All four are a little simpler layouts than my usual, but I still think they came out great!  I went with a couple of new stamp sets all with the new Benton bear from Inky Antics. I thought they would be a good fit for this, and not a lot of intricate coloring as a bear is brown!  Hee Hee!  I had plans to actually do at least 2 more, but they will have to wait for another time!  Donna has started a care package campaign to get help with sending packages of what her son and other Marines are in need of.  This is where the plea for help comes in.  First, I am going to show you my 4 cards and then at the end of my post, I am copying the letter Donna sent to friends and family asking for help.  She follows many Marine message boards and has a lot of info on the conditions and the needs of our soldiers.  Even if you can't help, read her letter, as it is very informative.  Now, let's get to my cards!  Enjoy!

The sentiment was in two lines horizontal, so I cut them apart and curved them on my acrylic block to fit along the side of the oval.  The problem is I think there was something wrong with the polymer letters because they really bled when I stamped them.  But, as this was the last card, I decided to just let it go! This will be a good one for Ryan to send back to his girlfriend, don't you think?

Recipe:
Paper - Basic Grey Kissing Booth 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White, Red
Stamps - Inky Antics Heart Benton
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Oval, Classic Heart


Next ...


Since I wanted to leave the inside blank so that Ryan could write a note to the person he will send this card to, I put both sentiments on the front.  I did paper piece the little heart and cut out his arms a second time, to make it appear he is holding the heart.  Cute, huh?  This one I think could be sent to a guy or a girl.

Recipe:
Paper - My Minds Eye Lime Twist: Out of the Blue 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White
Stamps - Inky Antics Heart Benton set
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Circles, Lacey Circles
Other - Pearls by Queen & Co.


Next:

I love this one.  And that bear holding the flowers?  Oh my, I didn't realize how much I liked him until I stamped him!  I started this card casing another card, but in the end, it is totally different, as I changed on the layout the placement of the circle and the number of layers.  So, this one is a sketch by me now!  Oh, and do you see I did the out of the box technique?  I am getting good at this.  I guess I need to do a post with a review of this technique soon!  This card I thought would be good for his girlfriend, but would be also great for mom or grandma! 

Recipe:
Paper - My Minds Eye Lime Twist: Life of the Party 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White, Brown
Stamps - Inky Antics Delivery Benton
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol 
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Circles
Other - Brown Pearls, Pink Rhinestones, Twine by The Twinery

And last but not least:

Another chance for me to paper piece ... woo hoo!  Super simple, but super cute.  A great one that could be sent to a guy or a girl.  What do you think ... do you like how all four cards came out?

Recipe:
Paper - My Minds Eye Lime Twist: Out of the Blue 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White, Aqua
Stamps - Inky Antics Delivery Benton

Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Circle, My Favorite Things Open Scallop Border & Ticket Tab Die-namics
Other - Twine by The Twinery, Green Rhinestones

Now, before I end with Donna's letter, I want to say that this week I am working on five or six new cards to donate for the women's tea that my church ladies are hosting this coming Saturday, so as I finish a card, I will post them here for you to see.  So see you soon!  Happy Stamping!
Tina

Donna's letter:

Dear Family and Friends.....

As you may/or may not know our son Ryan is now on the front lines in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. (No....the war is not over) Therefore, I've started a care package campaign for Ryan and his fellow Marines in Fox Company 2^nd Battalion 5^th Marine Regiment. Some of these guys literally have no support from home. So I am asking for your help in this project. Many of us have sat by for over 10 years while this horrible war continues wondering what can I do to help. Well now... here's your chance to support these fine young men who NEED our support.

Because of Operational Security Rules, I cannot tell you exactly where Ryan is. Let's just say he is in one of the most remote outposts in Afghanistan FAR from any “real” military base. There are NO frills where he is stationed for at least the next 6 months. All they could take is what they could carry. Chow for the most part will be MRE's (yuck). Showers...maybe one or two a month. They use tons of baby wipes for hygiene. Laundry facilities....a 5 gallon bucket and cold water. A supply truck (that the Marines can buy from) comes about once a month and by the time it gets to their post it's pretty picked over by the other stops along the way. They're lucky to get a new tube of toothpaste or a bar of soap once it gets to them. These Marines are constantly tired and HUNGRY. Plus right now it's very cold going below zero at night. These guys are sleeping on the ground, in the dirt, in a sleeping bag. In a few months it will be HOT....around 120 degrees at times. I've read and heard from other military mom's about the socks rotting right off their feet as they don't have new ones to use. It's pretty sad. I just recently received a request for warm clothing for the closest military hospital. You would think that our Government could supply these wounded soldiers with some warm clothing. It's NOT happening.

Now many of you might think sure I'll do a care package. That would be fine if you would actually follow thru, I can send you an address to ship it to. However, our day to day life tends to get in the way of our good intentions. Not to mention going to the post office to pick up a flat rate box (ships for $13.45) and filling out a customs form, etc... It's kind of a hassle to say the least. So....I would prefer that you “sponsor” a care package thru me. Here are the following ways you can help:

1.Send me gift cards (in any amount) to the following stores: Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Family Dollar Store. I will purchase items for these care packages and mail them with a note enclosed stating who the care package sponsor/sponsors are.

2.Send me a check in any amount (made out to me) to help with postage.
3.Send letters and cards of encouragement and support to my address. I will include these in Ryan's care packages. If you want to write or send cards to other members of Fox Co. please send those as well, and they will go into care packages for the Marines that don't usually get any mail. This is VERY important to these Marines. They like to know that we are thinking of them back here in the U.S.

Please do what you can for these young men who are sacrificing so much for us. I hope I can count on your continued support over these next months. If I could do it all on my own.....I certainly would, but each care package runs approximately $40 to $50 including the postage and that adds up quickly when you're trying to support several Marines at one time. Ideally I would like to send at least two care packages every month. The flat rate boxes are quite small, about the size of a large shoe box. It takes over 3 weeks for these packages to reach these guys.

The care packages that I will be sending in YOUR name will include, food, toiletries, socks, t-shirts, underwear, foot care products, batteries, vitamins, magazines, books, games, postage stamps, envelopes, writing paper and other items as well. If you have any questions, please email me at fozzy078@yahoo.com or Facebook message me. Here's my mailing address:

Donna Fosner

(Note from Tina: I removed Donna's address here. Email her for her address if you want to help.  Thanks!)

Thank you for your help!

Love,

Donna

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  First, I guess I should say ... Happy St. Patty's Day to you!  Now for this week's share!  This is a week that Donna is participating, so I have three cards to show you.  I will show my card, Donna's card, Debbie's card and the sketch we all used.  Enjoy!

My Card

Donna's Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

I want to say that I liked the sketch this week.  I think it was kinda of a fun one to do!  But, I do want to mention, in case you have noticed, everything you have been seeing from me lately is GREEN!  I think my last three Saturday cards have been mostly green and then I did that post this week for the things I made for my hubby, and they were green.  It was not planned, it just worked out that way.  Maybe I could say I was gearing up for St. Patty's Day?  Well, probably not.  I promise my next cards will be other colors besides green! 

I have some major creating to do in this next week, so I hope to have several posts for you coming up.  I have been working on some more simple cards for my Godson to be put in care packages, as he is now in Afghanistan.  And, also I have promised the church ladies that I will have a dozen cards to be raffled off during the women's tea next Saturday.  I think I might use a few cards that are in my stash, but I want to do some new ones too.  I love the tea pot card that I did a few weeks ago for one of the Saturday shares, so I know I want to recreate that one.  And of course, I need to do some Easter cards too!  As I get them done, I will try to post them here for you.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Pinterest Inspiration Projects!

Hello!  I am back today to show you a couple of items I made for my hubby, one for our anniversary and one for a belated Valentine's gift.  Both were ideas I found on my new addiction Pinterest!  I also have a  home organization idea to show you too.  First up, is the creative book I made for Gary and gave to him on the ship on our anniversary.   Let me say though, it was not creative in the usual way, like using stamps, coloring, or anything like that, but it was creative in the thinking process.  You see the idea I saw, that I will show you after mine, used the A-B-C's on each page to give compliments to their recipient.  I decided since it was our anniversary, and it being about our marriage together, I would use the letters to either give compliments or talk about something that he and I have in common.  I took pics of a few of the pages, so you can get the idea.  I can say it took a while to think up sentences for every letter of the alphabet, but it was a lot of fun, too!  My hubby loves green, so I went thru my scrapbook papers and found papers that kinda of went together and made them the base pages and added a white panel to write on.  The letters were stickers from Echo Park.  Once I finished all the pages, I just used my Bind It All to bind it together.  Easy Peasy!  Here it is ... enjoy!

And now for the Pinterest one where the inspiration came from:

Go here to see the details for this one.

Next, I have the gift I made for my hubby around Valentine's Day.  It is a write on, write off board made from a glass frame where I can write notes to my hubby.  If it had not been for Pinterest, I don't think I would have ever known that any glass surface would work like just like these boards that you buy.  Such a cool idea.  Here is what I made followed by the Pinterest one and the link to the original.  Enjoy!


And here is the Pinterest one ...
And the link here to this original one.

You can see in both cases, that what I came up with is a totally different look, but I got the original idea from what I saw on Pinterest.  Now, I have one more for you, even though this one is not craft related.  But, I just have to share it anyway!  Where do you keep your toothbrush?  Does it sit in a cup or lay on the counter?  I have a real "thing" about this, as I hate the cup thing, it just gets gross with all the moisture and stuff.  So, I saw an idea on Pinterest where they hung up their toothbrushes inside a cabinet.  Now the one they showed was linked to a product they were selling.  But, I went one step further and repurposed a Cord Organizer by 3M.  It works!  And no more yukky stuff on my toothbrush.  I would like to show you the original idea, but it seems I didn't pin it ... I know this was something I saw when I first started doing Pinterest, long before I thought that I would share ideas on my blog.   This should be a reminder to me or anyone that is doing Pinterest, if you like it, pin it!  Here is what I did anyway ...


Thanks for letting me share all these fun ideas.  If you are interested in seeing what I pin, you can click on the icon on the right side of my blog to go to my Pinterest boards.  And I would like to ask a favor.  If you see a card that I do that you really like, could you pin it for me?  I think it would be a fun way to get some of my cards out there and maybe get some more traffic to my blog, but I don't really want to be the one to pin my own cards.   That just seems arrogant.  Anyway, I love my new little addiction.  And it is all thanks to Anne Harada (http://everlastingink.blogspot.com).  She is the one that got me started!  Thanks Anne!

See you soon!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Just Checking In ... And With a Little Treat!

Hello!  I just wanted to let you know that my hubby and I got back yesterday from our cruise and trip to New Orleans.  We had a really nice time.  As you know, before I left town I was working on several projects including the two Saturday sketch shares and my class samples, all which have posted so that you could see.  But there was one project that I finished that I did not show you and that is because I had to wait until The Crafty Scrapper made the official announcement about a special event they are having.  The word is out now, so I can show you my sample.  They are having a really cool event with make it take its with all their teachers and designers and I am one of them!  Woo Hoo!  First, let me show you what my make it take it will be and then I will give you the event details.  Enjoy!

My first thought was to make a tag using the tag die-namics from My Favorite Things.  Well, actually I did do a tag ... can you see that the two sides is made with this tag die, but that adding a strip of paper in between, my simple tag evolved into a box?!   I love how it came out, but will it be super quick to make?  Maybe, maybe not.  But, I will have everything ready, just as I do for my regular class kits.  Carolyn, the owner, wanted us to do a make it take it that reflects each of our styles.  I think I did that.  That's me ... dies and paper piecing!  I think it came out pretty darn cute, what do you think?
Here are the event details: 

Now that is a deal!  If you are local, maybe I will see you there! 

I hope to get back out to my stamp shack tomorrow.  Will be back soon with another creation to show you.  Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  Debbie and I both got our sketch cards for this week's share done early and exchanged them with each other before I left on my vacation and I am writing this post so that it pops up exactly on the right day!  Let's get to it.  I will show you my card, and Debbie's, and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

My Card

Debbie's Card



The Sketch

 I really love this sketch.  I need to remember this one!  Now, I did have a little trouble getting the sentiment to fit, as in the sketch, it is more of a square.  But, I think it still worked for me.  What do you think?

I will be back in town next Monday, so look for me with a couple of new things for you next week!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  Every four weeks, the sketch is a choice between a circle and a square with the same layout.  So, let me show you which choice the three of us went with!  I will show you my card, Donna's Card, Debbie's card, and the sketch.  Enjoy!


My Card



Donna's Card



Debbie's Card



The Sketch choices



So, there you have it ... two circles and one square!  I talked to Donna about her square card and she told me how much she likes having more space to make it all come together.  Now, I am just the opposite, as I feel intimidated by so much space to work with!  Thank goodness for choices!  Also, looking at the sketch, do you see the stars on the sketch?  Now, go back and look at what each of us used in place of the stars.  Wow, how fun is that?  What do you think about our cards this week?

By the time you see this post, my hubby and I will be off to New Orleans for the cruise.  So, no posts from me until next Saturday, as I am doing it right now, so it will post for you on time! 

Happy Stamping!
Tina

March Class Share!

Hello!  I have been out in my shack a lot this week trying to get my card samples made for my class at the end of March.  Plus, a little surprise project for an event at the store (The Crafty Scrapper)  that I can't talk about until the store advertises it.  If you remember, my hubby and I are leaving on Saturday for New Orleans and then we are off on a 7 day cruise!  I knew it was imperative for me to get my card samples and surprise project done and sent to the store before we leave.  I also completed two weeks of Saturday sketch shares so that I can do posts ahead of time, so there will be no interruption in the Saturday posts.  The only thing I have left is to do a project for my hubby, as our 5th anniversary is on the last day of our cruise.  I thought I was set on one idea, but now I have changed my mind.  I am running out of time, but hopefully, I can get it done.  I will show you what I came up with when I get back.  So, let's get to what I want to show you today.  My class for March is all about Easter!  Here are the three cards we will be doing in class.  Enjoy!

First up, is another Honeycomb pop-up card using the Chick set from Inky Antics! ...

And the inside ... a double pop-up! ...

The second card is using a Pure Innocence girl from My Favorite Things and the card is what they call a Double Dutch Fold.  Fun, and so easy! ...

And the inside of the double dutch fold card looks like this...

And last but not least, the third card is a religious Easter creation using Heartfelt Creations, which is a stamp line new to The Crafty Scrapper! ...

And the inside ...

If you are interested in the class details here they are:

It's All About Easter! Wed. March 28th 11:00 a.m. and Friday March 30th 7:00 p.m. $25

Come make three cards with an Easter theme. You will be making a honeycomb double pop up card with some very cute chicks, a unique card called a double dutch fold card with an adorable Pure Innocence Girl, and a very elegant religious card with new stamps from Heartfelt Creations. Please bring adhesive, small pop-up dots, an X by Xyron (if you have one), a glue stick, detailed scissors, an exacto knife and small mat, and your preferred coloring medium (Copics, colored pencils, etc.) All other supplies provided.

I hope you enjoyed these three cards as much as I enjoyed making them.  I love how they all turned out, don't you?
 
Stop back by on Saturday for the Sketch share!
Happy Stamping!
Tina