FMS #167 - My Anchor, My Friend

Today's project was inspired by the great layout posted on Freshly Made Sketches. 

I always find that making masculine cards is difficult for me.  I recently discovered that my husband has kept every card I've given him in our time together.  How sweet is that?  :)  When I look through those cards, it seems that I determine a masculine card based on the absence of bling and ribbon.  But that doesn't have to be the case and today's card reinforces that!

This layout helped me to use my more masculine supplies from my Occasions catalog pre-order to what I think is a great result and to change the bow/bling component!  I think these products are going to be very fun to play with!

To "man" up the bling, I colored the rhinestone with the Smoky Slate Blendabilities.  It's in the top of the anchor to look like a bolt.  I like that it deepens the gray color - it's actually quite beautiful.  The anchor is also colored with these markers and the rope.  I then took my chalk marker and colored on top of the Smoky Slate on the every other rope strip to give it a contrasting look.  I LOVE IT!

Instead of ribbon, I used our ever versatile Baker's twine.  The designer paper is from the Adventure Bounds DSP stack - I know that the "rope" piece is actually more like a sweater but I think it still works.  The other piece has water on the back but it was a little too bright for the subdued tones of this card.

 

Supplies:

• Cardstock/DSP: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Adventure Bound DSP Stack, Basic Gray
• Stamp Sets: Guy Greetings, Gorgeous Grunge
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Smoky Slate
• Accessories: Basic Black Baker's Twine, Big Shot and Cutting Mats, Starburst Framelits, 2" Circle Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Smoky Slate Blendabilities, Dauber, Chalk Marker, Dimensionals, Scissors, and Adhesive

While my husband is my anchor and brightens my world, it is winter outside and I find that grays are working their way into all my work as of late.  Good thing I have to make some baby cards this week and will be posting those tomorrow!

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

All Shook Up Over Paper Pumpkin

In 2014, I did my best to post a week's worth of samples using product lines or a single stamp set.  This year, to keep with my resolution of balance, I've decided to just post as things are ready!  And, if there are five projects, you get to see five projects at one time.  In this case, I actually have 9!

Today's samples are all made using the December 2014 Paper Pumpkin Kit called All Shook Up.  The kit came with supplies to make 9 cards - 3 Happy Birthday, 3 Thank You, and 3 Hello cards with Pistachio Pudding envelopes.  The Stampin' Spot was Smoky Slate.  It also came with a very versatile 6 piece exclusive stamp set containing sentiments that set you up for the new year so you can make those people in your life feel special.  Since my friends and family give me balance, it's going to be important for me to send more cards in 2015 and let those anchors know that they are important to me.  This kit set me up!

All I added were a few pieces of Whisper White cardstock, a Dollar Store 4 x 6 frame, scissors, and multi-purpose glue.

In this sample, I took the star sheets and cut off the Smoky Slate column and resized for the front of the card!

For this card, I used the strip of Smoky Slate I cut off and made it a stencil.  Then I used the stamp spot and a dauber to color stars all over the Smoky Slate card.  A few sequins and stars attached with glue dots and we are set with a very mailable card.

For this card, I used a post it and covered up all but 1 row on the Hello Hello Hello square stamp.  Then I inked it and stamped it once vertically and horizontally to hug the corner of the shaker frame.  I think it turned out cool.

Frustrated by lining up the square stamp four times behind the shaker window and getting it uneven?  Why not just stamp it once in the center.  Still provides a great detail but straightness is no longer a concern!

This card is done like the instructions.  Even if the stamps aren't even, you don't really notice once all the shakers stars and words are layered on. 

For this card, I scored the card in half and folded up the sides.  I added a piece of Strawberry Slush to the inside and added the stars with multi-purpose glue.

I was getting a little tired by this point so I just made the shaker card and didn't stamp behind it at all for this sample.  I like it at an off angle like this.

For this one, I turned the card inside-out so the Smoky Slate is on the inside.  Then I stamped the saying which REALLY stands out on the white.  I put the happy on the bottom and used the post it note again to cover the Happy on the 2nd stamp, leaving me with just "birthday to you." I could have inked it better for a more solid image but I still like it.

Finally, I wanted to try a décor item.  So I took a strip of the star paper from the punched out stars and cut off the Strawberry Slush.  I put it in a 4 x 6 frame where it fit perfectly.    Then I added the hello to the bottom and a few sequins.  When the clip was glued on the frame, I added my favorite family photo of Conlyn and Michael (taken by the talented Heidi Hagman).

I had a few pieces left over.  I put the birthday that I didn't use above on a leftover shaker frame and am making a layout for Callie's birthday all out of Strawberry Slush.  She loves pink as much as Pinkalicious, her new book fascination.

YOU CAN DO THIS TOO!
 To sign up for Paper Pumpkin, visit https://mypaperpumpkin.com/en/?demoid=80380 before midnight on January 10th!

    

Perks for signing up under me:

1. I have committed to having additional samples created using the kit by the first week of the month.  That way those that are cardmakers have options just like those that scrapbook or like decor.
2. I will post frequent updates to the Pinterest board I have dedicated to Paper Pumpkin projects - again providing you inspiration to use with your kit if you need something different from the instructions included!
3. I will host a Paper Pumpkin party that is free for the recipients of Paper Pumpkin with me.  Those crafting friends can come for free and enjoy good company and a pumpkin snack while putting together your kits.  These events will usually be the first Wednesday of the month!  There will also be a door prize given each month to the attendees and if you want to make any of the samples I show using the kit (that doesn't require hardware like frames), I will provide that for attendees as well. 

Want to come to my next free event?  Utilize the pre-paid subscriptions during Sale-a-Bration (1/6-3/31) to get Paper Pumpkin AND free merchandise if you spend $50.  They are commissionable and count towards your workshop orders.  You can also use your hostess benefits to buy subscriptions or you can use your 50% off item (if your workshop qualifies) to get the pre-paid subscription at half price! 

•1-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription - 137858 - Price: $19.95

•3-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription - 137859 - Price: $59.85 

•6-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription - 137860 - Price: $113.70 (save $1 per month!)

•12-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription - 137861 - Price: $215.40 (save $2 per month!)

See details here: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=1444&dwbs=80380

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

 

New Year, New Focus

I always fall for the New Year's Resolution game - where you say for six months that you'll do something in the new year and then spend the first 2 weeks of the year deciding you were wrong and liked things the way they were or were just comfortable with the laziness that comes from resisting change.

This year is a bit different.  Instead of a grandeous weight loss scheme or being more organized at home and life, I'm going to focus on BALANCE this year.  When faced with decisions, I will ask myself how to keep my balance in check.  Going on 10 months with no sleep, it's hard sometimes to grasp that there is always a choice to be made in how I approach a situation.  If I focus on balance, I can hopefully internalize the irrational, express the mandatory, and have a little more fun in the moment than I have in 2014.

There will always be things that I want to work on but those things won't define the success or failure of my daily life.  I'd like to finish my husband's geneology - it's fun and it would help me get the pile of family stuff out of the corner.  I'd like to get my kids to have an early bedtime so I can have time to watch an adult tv show like Grimm without having to tuck the kids away.  I'd love to get my class schedule set up for the next six months or year so I can have it compliment my home life instead of take me away from it.  I'd love to FINALLY get those home repairs done like the ceiling fan and bathroom fans, the ducts cleaned, the carpets cleansed, etc.

But at the end of the day, I really just want to look at the world around me that I've built through my relationships and my career and be able to say "This isn't overwhelming - this is magical and I'm luckier than a kid living in Toon Town with Mickey Mouse."

So goodbye 2014 with all your sickness, your self-doubt, your sleepless nights where my mind is my enemy, your loss.  And to 2015, please come sit by me and be like an old friend - consistent, reliable, and funny.

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy