WORKING IN CHOCOLATE!

 Been a little crazy town in the factory this week...

 Old Fashioned "Rustic" Santa....

 

Hopefully, I'll get an hour or 2 to play along with Craft Roulette tonight...it's not looking hopeful...

 

Toodles! 

Tag a Book Worm

 One of the BEST gifts my Mom instilled in me was the LOVE of reading.  Growing up in the country, I remember as a little, my sister and I would patiently wait on our front porch step to hear the sound of the mega speaker announcing:  "The Book Mobile Is Here".  It would park across the street, sis and I would jaunt (often barefoot, lol...on the gravel at that!) down our long driveway to get into that super fun mobile library where we would select a pile of books to read.  For me, the bigger the book, the better....

 

It didn't stop with summer,  I'd spend hours in the public library, while waiting after weekly piano lessons for my Dad to get off of work.  His office was across the street.  I belonged to book clubs, and managed to lead "read the most books" challenges all throughout my grade school and beyond years.   

Then life happened...  I grew up, started a business, one that at times can suck the free time right out of your life (like right now)... next having kidlets of my own (we spent many a time at the library, checking out a big pile of books to fill their hand made library bags, so I wasn't out of it yet).  That once upon a time passion of curling up, reading a big book for me, got put on the back burner, it was more reading with and to my kiddos colorful children's books (oh how valuable that was)(NO regrets) ... I probably went 20ish years without reading a single book  that didn't have cartoony or text book pictures in it...

 So...here I am.  Kids are adults now, I'm still crazy busy in my chocolate life, but something really cool happened...I recently I hit Barnes and Nobles to buy a book to read while taking a long flight to keep me company in those layover airports.   That long miserable flight across the country was a much different scenario for me flying back.  (It was because of the horrible departure flight, that I felt I needed something to occupy my time on the return.)  As I slowly turned the first few pages, I started living characters and envisioning scenes of my new book.   My passion for reading, came out of hibernation.  I can even say I almost enjoy picking out my "next" book as much as buying craft supplies, lol.. maybe even more.

 Three very different books, all kept me wanting to "read just one more chapter" 

Craft Roulette, episode #343 was PERFECT for me.  I have been wanting for quite awhile to make myself a bookmark.  I have the perfect stamps and designer paper to make a quick, simple bookmark, I was just waiting for the time.  Mr. Wheel did not disappoint!

Project/Tag:  Bookmark is a tag

Colors/Library:  Library patterned paper used... the paper decided the colors!

Element/New:  New is in the sentiment strip.

Random pencil:  I struggled where to put this...so I added it to the sentiment.  I was going to hide it inside the bookcase, like an Eye Spy with my Little Eye... A PENCIL THAT LOOKS LIKE A BOOK

Maybe next time.  This needed to be QUICK...and it definitely is.  Not sure about my little gold embellishments...in the "real world" these will probably fall off, as I tuck my book in side a backpack/lunchbox/purse/yada yada yada....  That's ok, I don't want this to be unloved.  I can always make another.

Stamps used:  Not the End of Your Story & On Company Time 

Patterned paper:  Every Good Story 

Supplies were all from Unity Stamps , which is having a HUGE sale, starting TODAY.  

I'm sharing because I am a big fan of this company.  I am not an affiliate (although that would be a dream)  When I share a supplier link, it's coming from truly loving the supplier, no commissions are headed my way.  Just a happy customer!

My new bookmark made it's way to my current read.  Although my time is very limited, I'm getting a couple chapters in a day.  This is a VERY DISTURBING true story about radium poisoning (watch dial company) that afflicted the working staff of very young women who innocently exposed themselves which cost their lives.  It's true and a shocking read.

 

Well, ready to start my day...

Thanks for "reading" my blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once Upon a Time.....

 Once in a while,

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of

an ORDINARY life,

LOVE gives us a FAIRYTALE.

 

 

 

This card....if I had only had more time, it would have turned out a little more embellished, possibly a few more characters, and this post would have oodles of explanations of my thought process with it.  Unfortunately, my work days are playing a toll on my well being, and as much as I insist on getting an hour here and there in my card making each week...when I start to SHAKE waking up, due to lack of sleep...I know I need to take care of my physical needs, so...simple this one is.  I do have a few tips and tricks though, that I hope to address in this post.

 

 Before I get into the parameters...  

It's 5:30AM right now, and I have tons of chocolate work on my plate, so if my pictures aren't the best...it is what it is.  I am not a professional photographer, lol...and for some reason, I manage to sell not hundreds, not thousands, not even tens of thousands of chocolate units every year  - - add a few more digits to that...and bingo!  I'm the link between the chocolate and our customers.  I.AM.THE.PHOTOGRAPHER...  haha  It's a funny digital world, and it seems to work for us....As much as I want to get rid of the glare, the shadows, the yada yada yada...I.DON'T.HAVE.TIME to keep retaking pictures, nor do I have a little photo lab...we work in a very fast world here.

 

K...nuff said about that...

 

Now, for a TIP TIP TIP TIP TIP that I learned probably well over a year, maybe 2 years, on Craft Roulette.  I don't know about most people, but when I create cards....I always color/fussy cut EXTRA images.  You never know what will happen...an unwanted INK SPOT...a blooper here, a blooper there...  I have spent endless hours on these extras, and sometimes I wonder why.  I have finally trained myself to "move on" and making "one card" of a design is plenty....(I get to play with more of my supplies if I don't linger on one design...)  BUT...extra images?  Well, one of the guest designers offered the tip of  filing them away in a pocket sleeve binder, kind of to "save for a rainy day"....  Well, my rainy day arrived.  I already had my precious Cinderella colored and cut, ready to go...  In fact, I had CHOICES... and as much as I attempted to add other images, I didn't have the space for this fun little 4 Bar size card.

 

Next tip...  actually, PRODUCT REVIEW....  Ink blending, has been a work in progress for me... my tip...  I truly think having quality brushes and the kind of ink you use is the key for success...  I used a Trinity Shading Sidekick Blending Brush along with Catherine Pooler Mini Dye Ink to shade a pretty blue sky behind my pumpkin carriage.  I probably won't go wild buying up a ton of the brushes, but, probably select the few colors that I tend to use over and over again and dedicate a brush to those few colors, maybe a dozen or so.  I have TONS of the amazon makeup looking brushes that I use with my distress oxides.  It's an inky mess to store those, and my blending tends to BLOTCH.  I'm sure it's the "oxide" of it all, the pigment ink part of oxides are harder to work with, and the brushes aren't soft and easy...  It's best to not mix the brushes between types of inks...like I said, it's an INKY MESS ...  I probably should have leaned into they distress inks more than the distress oxides, oh well...  LAST NOTE:  I am not an affiliate of either of these companies...just feel I needed to share my experience with the products.

 

 

DEETS:

 

 Project:  4 Bar:  (Basically, a 3-1/2" x 5" size)  (actually slightly less than, I made it easy)

 

Colors:  Fairy Tale:  I chose Cinderella, and used Scrappy Boy Stamps Cinderella  6x8 stamp set for my Cinderella option.  I linked the bundle here, as I see there are some other fun Cinderella products. I kind of wish I had a pumpkin carriage for me to use easily.  Mine was a process, lol...  I do think Scrappy Boy is one of the best for fandom stamp sets.  I have quite an inventory from this company...and once again, I am not an affiliate, just a happy customer.

 

Element:  Kid's Book:  Who doesn't know Cinderella?  It would be practically impossible to find someone who doesn't know of this Fairy Tale.  

 

Random:  Paper Clip.  I went round and round on this one.  Not because I didn't jive with the parameter.  I really like it, just didn't know where or more WHY to put one on this small card.  I decided, to create a little blank banner, with 2 sided adhesive adhered to it already (just need to remove the second strip)... perfect to add a name or date for any fairy tale wedding or couples event.  I had a chunky heart shaped paper clip, but it was too much for this little card.  I had already plastered bling bling to the front of the card, probably a little too heavy...so...I ended it as is.  The insides definitely looks NAKED to me, but, I can go back and add a heart or 2 on the inside, and it leaves room for writing something inside.

 

Last tip before I go...  Need a pumpkin carriage and you don't have one?  NO PROBLEM...  I google  searched FREE CLIP ART and went from there.   Be careful of copyright here, if you are reselling, etc.  If it's free, it's free (if there is an angel policy, best to review) (I don't sell my cards, all for personal use for me)...  if it's not free, you can purchase too, which I have, just read the rules and go from there...  I wanted something simple, there are tons to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 Well, another week went by, and it might be that I skip a week here and there...I already am up to 300 or so major gift basket/packs lined up on the books to get assembled and ready to ship before Thanksgiving, all in addition to our regular orders.  I just like to get out of the kitchen here and there, and try to play along...but, it's about now, I might have to miss a week or 2!  yikes!  Oh, what the elves do to make the holidays joyous for all!

 

Trudi 

 

Pure Imagination is a BEAUTIFUL thing!

 Suddenly, I have a certain song playing in my head...and I suspect one or two who may read this post will have that same tune too, as who doesn't know Willy Wonka!  I think I'd put Willy Wonka in the same category as The Wizard of Oz... it's almost impossible to not know this iconic movie.  

 

I'm limited on time this week, so, I am not sad that I made a fairly simple card for this week's challenge:

 

I'll jump into the parameters and my justifications of them:

•  Project Card With 2 Folds:  Mine actually has 3 folds.  My 4"x4" card with 1 traditional fold, this from the top.  I added the 2 extra folds with my little "doors" leading into the chocolate factory...  You might feel a little wonky vibe with the spiral design...lol                                                                 
  

• Colors Planets:  I am going to copy and paste here...found in google land:  " For those of you who love the color pink, you might enjoy a recent discovery in the world of astronomy. NASA scientists have discovered a gas giant planet around four times the size of Jupiter, 57 light years away from Earth. The large exoplanet, which orbits the Sun-like star; 59 Virginis (GJ 504), is making scientists question prior theories about planetary formation. Also, did I mention it was pink?"  Link to where I learned about GJ504 b (I believe everything I read on the internet, haha)  That being said, I don't think this one is something to dispute.  I believe a pink planet does exist....      

• Element Beautiful:  In a Willy Wonka Voice:  "Pure Imagination is a BEAUTIFUL THING"!  I can actually hear him saying that...and for grins and giggles, if he didn't say it...  I'M SAYING IT!  Pure imagination IS a beautiful thing!  I'm so thankful I was given the gift to love reading and creative writing.  I dream in colors, and I used to be able to write a story in my head while I did my 3 mile jog in the country.  If my interpretation of the element beautiful isn't enough, look at that rainbow...  I used it on last week's card, but I cut some beautiful part off of it, the flowers.  I had not put my stamp away from last week, and my impulse was to use it again, this time, showing the image with the beautiful flowers.  I could see this in the land of candy, maybe over a chocolate river?
• Random Wonky:  Willy is Wonky (literally, I put him on a little crooked by accident YIKES) and our little Oompa Loompas are Wonky too...  In fact one is hanging upside down, one is halfway in the card...lots of WONKY things going on on this card!                                                                        
  
  
  Well, back to reality here.  I'd much rather be in a chocolate factory...wait a minute...I AM IN A CHOCOLATE FACTORY!  I had to come in to work today and get CAUGHT UP.  That is so not going to happen...way too much to do!  I can, however get a good start on a busy week.
   
  I have a fun thing I'm doing this week...I'm going to the concert:  "Brit Floyd".  I'm a HUGE Pink Floyd fan...  (another connection of rainbows and planets, if you know you know...)  I "heard" it was a great substitution for the real deal, I wouldn't know, because I never have seen the "real deal".  That being said, I'm a big Pink Floyd fan from my early days, and my kiddo is too...so, we are headed in that direction...  I'm sure it will be fun!
   
  

  
   

  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Hula Hula

 I can feel the ocean breeze and smell hints of floral in the air.  That first fragrant whiff you take in the minute you get off the plane to Hawaii.  It's a sense that I'll never forget, as in my youth, we'd travel to the islands yearly, it's a recollection that stays with your soul.  It's been a minute or two since I've been to Maui, and good times are ahead of us, as my grown up kiddos (and their others), hubby and I, have planned a trip to paradise in the future.  I didn't lose that unwanted weight, I still have time to chisel off a few, but that's ok, I'm not a teenager anymore, and sporting a bikini isn't my objective with this trip.  It's so much more, I'm looking forward to the fresh pineapple, beautiful sunrise and sunsets over the aqua blue ocean, all what I need to soothe my inner well being.

I REALLY enjoyed making this card.  One of my Craft Roulette goals is to crank out a card in less than 2 hours, from start to finish.  Well, this isn't one of those...that's just ONE of my goals....  Another, is to USE supplies that I wouldn't think otherwise to use.  Along my craft purchasing journey, I felt compelled to buy so much that is left untouched.  My 2nd goal, I achieve almost weekly, as I never know what the parameters are going to be until Friday night comes around.  I am NOT going to go out and purchase supplies specific for a parameter.  That is not the objective of Craft Roulette.  After Mr. Wheel gives it a spin, I'm perusing through my many bins of stamps, paper and such...and then the craft madness begins!

 

This week, I KNEW I was going to Hawaii with the "Elements" parameter:

 

If you have ever been to Hawaii, it's pretty much a given you will see rainbow colors, and more than likely, you will see an actual rainbow.  It didn't matter whether I added a rainbow or not to this card, the blue waters, greenery of the volcano & hula skirts, bright flowers and fire, all colors found in a rainbow.  I decided to take this card literally, and added a rainbow. Unfortunately, I took my sweet time deciding which rainbow stamp (I have at least 2) or die (same)  to use...that I wasted an entire evening on that dang rainbow.  NOTE.TO.SELF...  just make a decision and go with it.  I definitely OVERTHOUGHT the rainbow, and had I just stuck with my first find, I could have finished this card on Tuesday night instead of Thursday.  I had great plans for other things with this card, but I wanted to be done, I needed to get to bed.  I've been working 5:30 a.m. days already, and not loving it.  (dreaming of Hawaii though)

 

I do think the remaining parameters are equally evident here.... 

 

1.   A7 card, is simply a 5"x7" card, which this is.   

2.  Rainbow Colors (yeppers)

3.  As I mentioned, we are Maui bound in the future...tickets/condo already booked.

4.  Three in a row...  At this Maui luau, we see three hula girls, all in a row..... 

 

I used a combo of Unity Stamps, Hero Arts and Spellbinders supplies for this card.

 

Stamps Used:  Olivia Girl , Let Your Soul Wander, This Way To Rainbows, Floral Rainbow and Clouds  Side Notes:  On my rainbow, I simply cut part of it off, and hid parts that I didn't want to show.  It's a beautiful image as is, but I didn't want the pretty flowers and leaves on it, and out of the multiple rainbow options that I spent hours fiddling...this is the one that I liked the best.   Holographic Clear Sticker was adhered to my alcohol markers colored rainbow, giving it that sparkly look.  I LOVE working with that stuff, it's not pricey, and a little goes a long way.  I don't hoard it, I use it quite often.

 

Dies Used:  Tiki Torch included in the June  Spellbinders Club Crate Subscription, which is an exclusive to those who purchased that crate....  Because of that June crate, I have now become a "crater". The exclusive dies are so dang cute, and if you blink, you can easily miss out...  this month... check out the geese...  I also used This Way To Rainbows for my inside "sign".  I didn't stamp a sentiment on the inside, I decided to keep it blank, I already had so much going on, and this will leave the card more generic.

 

Paper Used:  Seaside Summer  NOTE:  At first, I planned on ink blending.  I knew I was going to be limited for time...and as a result, I decided to peruse through my patterned paper packs before clearing away a space to ink blend on my messy messy desk.  The 6"x6" summer beach scene  paper exceeded my 5" size and my eyes kept saying where oh where am I going to put that rainbow.  I decided I needed a volcano or two!  Once I figured out my volcano issue (which set to use, how to make one)..I knew I needed to "tuck it under" my ocean....so, problem solved...I CUT my designer paper along the water line.  I brushed a little white (brush tip) ink pen over the edge for a slight "wave cap" look...adhered my volcanoes to the sky, where I felt they should go, and then overlapped the cut water paper to the sky half.  I was hesitant to cut through that paper.  I should trust myself more, it turned out perfect for my needs.

 

Embossing Folder:   One of the great inclusions in that June Spellbinders crate:  Island Style embossing folder.  I LOVE this folder.  I see MANY uses for this folder!!!  (who remembers the Tiki Lounge at Disneyland with the talking birds?!) (Oh how I would love to travel back in time!)  I used it for my inside, I like to decorate the insides of my cards too, but, truly try not to make it a marathon of card making and simplicity is the goal.  Not sure I achieved simplicity on this inside, but, I really wanted to use the fun die with the little signs on it, and like I mentioned, I adore that embossing folder!   I did ink blend with a brown dye ink on my tikis to give an aged look, it looks splotchy, maybe next time, I'd skip that part.  

  

 

  

Oh what a fun card this was to make.  I would never have thought to put 3 hula girls and a rainbow on a card, plus make my own volcanoes, and yet it all pulled together.  It really has become effortless to come up with the ideas when 4 unique parameters are determined.   I'll say it again, it doesn't have to be Craft Roulette...any challenge truly helps when you are stuck in a rut, creatively.  I know for me, 132 challenges later, I see things and approach things differently, and am really enjoying my paper crafting time!

 

And to think...it starts all over TONIGHT!  You should join!!!  It's fun!

 

Craft Roulette  

 

Lastly... I provide the links exclusively to share knowledge.  I am not on any design team currently, and am not receiving affiliate benefits from any company that I shared links of on this post.  I am non biased, and you truly know, my intent is pure.  If I can help another small business, or craft enthusiast, I'm all in!

 

 

 

 

 

Happy World Card Making Day!

 Well, Happy WCMD!  It's fun seeing what great deals are going on in the paper crafting world right now.  I have been watching the Craft Roulette event today, I believe there are 13 guests representing today, I've watched a couple so far, and plan to finish up later on.  I seem to always walk away with some fun new tips and ideas, plus learn about some terrific offers going on today~!

 The parameters this week are the same for the WCMD Craft Roulette demos, so far, it's been fun watching the different interpretations of the parameters:

 My interpretations:

1. Card On A Card Project:  I actually have TWO cards on my card!  lol
2. Celebration Colors:  I had the Lunar New Year or Red Carpet vibe going on here....
3. Water(S)(Ing) Element:  You 100% cannot see that I spritzed my ink blended red background with a bit of water before adhering my  holographic laminate.  I love this stuff, I've ordered now 4? times over the last 3 or so years.  It was another crafter who recommended it, and I couldn't say more how wonderful it is!  Great value, and goes a LONG way!  I will throw caution, however to using glues on the backside of whatever you used it on.  There will be "puckers" and streaks, for all kinds of glues, it's probably best to adhere anything you apply this to with TAPE.  TRUST ME...I used glue last night with this and REGRET that decision.... (I edited a streak or 2 out of this picture, plus...I covered up with elements....trust me on this!!!!  
4. Confetti Random:  Little confetti shapes as accents!!!

So now for the fun facts with this card!!!  I dug out of the archives, aka as the gajillions of stamp sets that I've never used from my hobby demo days...... I knew I needed the playing cards stamps back then, who knew it would be 20 years later, that I'd finally ink them up!  I was tempted to not adhere to the wood blocks these came with, but...I might be in the minority here, I LOVE the feel of stamping with wood blocks.  As much as I love my stamp platforms and clear blocks, etc....I love wood blocking it...so, it was a bit nostalic for me to finally dig this set out and ink it up.  I was confused how to color...so, I heat embossed, another vintage technique...(I love the look, not the effort)...and did so effortlessly, then colored over the hearts and diamonds with a red alcohol marker...

I mentioned #3 in justifications my failed use of "water".  While I had been hunting for a sentiment to accompany this card of cards...I found one of the very first clear stamps I ever acquired.  And there I saw the sentiment "Hail to your Highness" jump out.  HAIL!  I waffled back and forth on using this sentiment.  I decided against it, I thought the water really did show enough through that film.  I wanted this card to make sense for someone to eventually give to someone...  (I have ideas who this would be good for)...  So, I used a sentiment that is included in my Scrappy Boy Cleopatra set.  I was satisfied and FINISHED on a Friday night, which is RARE....  I usually coast along for a few days.

Well...overnight it started bugging me....that dang water parameter was not to my liking...so...today, I went ahead and added the "Hail" sentiment to my card.  I honestly cant' tell you if it makes any sense coupled with the inside sentiment.  But...I achieved all 4 parameters, and just submitted my card.

Who could this go to?  Well...  I know several couple who love to drop in a time or 2 to a casino here or there.  We have traveled with other couples to Vegas, I have sisters who love to go with their hubbies, and friend couples who I know love to try out their luck with either slots or cards too.  It's an "in moderation" thing, and I know if I lived in Vegas, I'd probably never step foot into a casino, but when we go for a little getaway, it certainly is fun for us to take in the lights, shows, people watch, eat good food, and try a little luck too, whether it be with slots or cards.  Like I said, in moderation....this card could easily be an anniversary or "couples" card of some sort.  Just not sure about the "Hail" part as a "couples" thing, I was tempted to not adhere it to the card...and just take a picture with it sitting there, but...I am so literal here!

So, there you have it!  I'll be back next week, or next time, I never know from week to week, if I'm going to get a card in...but....if I start something, I certainly will intend to finish!!! 

Create Your Path

 Let me first start by reciting one of my favorite quotes:

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - -

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference."

~Robert Frost 

 

I've been wanting to play with the Woodland Wonders - August 25 Whit Kit for awhile now.   I was smitten by the looks of it last year at this time, as for so long, I had considered becoming a Whit Kitter.  I decided to take the plunge with this first kit.  The funny thing is, I got crazy busy with 2025 holiday orders in my chocolate life, that I never had the chance to stamp away.  Many kits later, pretty much all, I have had the chance to design with, for some reason, I was afraid I couldn't do justice with this one.  My clear vision, or maybe need wasn't guiding me, as I didn't have one.  (Well, you always have a need, as I thought finishing this card...I'll suggest at the end of this post, where this card could find a home.)

 

Pretty much lately, I'm only working on Craft Roulette projects, dabbling a TINY bit on a massive gift project that may never get done, I'm thinking 2028?  2029?  It's massive...  I did join a small Halloween card swap, it's the first real swap, besides Paperganza that I've joined in about 20 years...  I like this kind, a small group, of which I suspect I might develop a couple good friendships out of, the host and I have become craft buddies, I'm excited to get to know the others as well.

 

What triggered me to use this kit was the designer papers that were included.  If I recall, they were all subtle, "dusty hues" kind of designs and colors, so...I instinctively went to it.  I did peruse a tiny bit through my giant collection of other stamps, seeing if any "K" word jumped out.  I could have literally gone any direction, but...I speed perused, so I have a hunch my mind was made up before I started.  I was ready for the challenge of a style that I'm not that savvy with, although, it's super easy, so not sure why I was intimidated from the get go.  I think it's those silhouette trees that were spooking me.

 

This week's parameters: 

 

1. Joyfold Card Project:  These are fun, but to be honest, not easy to get photos of for me.  I see shadows, I can't size adequately, yada yada yada....that being said, they are fun to make, (they do take a little longer, as I have the urge to cover every space possible, I still can't get that editing vibe down...)  
2. Dusty Hues Colors:  I did mention my soft hues in the designer paper and ephemera accents.  I also knew, using my distress oxide inks for blending, I'd get that "chalky" dusty appearance as well, so if it doesn't jump out at you one way (like my photo editing here might make my atmosphere on this card a little more vibrant than it actually is...) you should see the "dusty, soft hue" of my grass.
3. Starts with "K".  I love it when this kind of parameter pops up.  I googled "K" woodland animals...and guess what I found:  Kodiak Bear, Kit Fox, Kloss's Porcupine, Kabyle Rabbit, and a Kirtland's Warbler.  I'm pretty sure I covered that parameter, although I'm not sure they are all habitat in same kind of "woodland"...or my Warbler is the right color.  Oh well, we will pretend here.
4. Torn Paper Random:  I do not feel it's stretchy pants one iota on this.  I take these parameters almost too literal at times, so when I do a "generalization" of one, like colors... some parameters can be justified with every color under the sun...it's almost a free parameter...and if that's all that's in me at the time, then so be it...but, I TRY to be very specific...  I used a piece of torn paper to make a template for my grass stenciling...you also can see the "dusty hue" of the sage and shabby shutter greens that I used for my base grass...kind of 2 parameters getting knocked out here at the same time!  lol!  It also dawned on me, my die used for my panel, is a torn looking edge.  I like my torn paper stencil for my justification, however...I didn't intend to use the torn edge die cut, it was left over sitting on my table and it was my "practice" piece.  I didn't feel the urge to redo another, since I was satisfied with the results from the get go...
   
   So, who would I send this card to?  As I was adhering my many ephemera strips to the inside fold out panel....... I felt this card would be perfect for someone like my daughter, who recently took a HUGE career opportunity, moved to a new state, new experiences, rather independently.  It would be great for a college kid, leaving home for the first time.  It would be good for a graduate, or really anyone starting a new venture.  My only regret using all these strips is that I used my one and onlies of each of these sentiments.  I've never been a ephemera person, but, am kind of loving that vibe lately.  
    
   

   
    So, there you have it!  The kit included a stencil, paper clips, and cute little clothespins, plus designer paper, sentiment ephemera, and a stamp set (13 unique stamps).  I used a paperclip out of my stash, it was a dusty color that matched, lol...  I preferred not to use one, but...my card wouldn't close.  I don't think it would have from the getgo, but, it certainly couldn't after I kept adding a new inside sentiment panel...first one was crooked to the eye, second got a smudge, 3rd showed a bend in it...yikes...
    
   So, super fun card to make.  This.is.the.original.  I most definitely would have edited BUNCHES had it been a regular week for me.  I should not have impulsively glued things on, cut things up, etc...but after I had...I just kind of kept going where the arrows pointed.  
    
   I feel somewhat caught up in the factory this week....I'm going to sit back and enjoy card making day on Saturday I think...and probably be up late Friday night with my 131st Craft Roulette in the making!  
    
   By the way...that Robert Frost saying?  It is one of the many stamps in a set I purchased from a company called "Cornish Heritage Farms", way back in the early 2000s.  They sold their art library sometime around 2008ish?   (I see one of their lines prominently in craft land)... I'm pretty sure, at the time, I felt they had the best quality and selection of stamps on the market.  I still believe the quality is one of the best, I feel Unity Stamps is in similar superior quality...(I prefer rubber stamps every day, all day)...  My only regret is, I didn't purchase a few more things before they were 100% unavailable.  I use this sentiment actually quite a bit, it might be my most used sentiment set...  I felt it was worth a mention here!