Unfrogettable...

 My Oh My!  Craft Roulette this week...  As tempting as it was to pull out a new stamp set, or something fairly new...that "Hopping" parameter, with "Strawberry Fields" colors...was almost too easy to create with, that it made it hard for me.  I truly had a vintage strawberry patterned paper picked out, along with my Velveteen Rabbit stamp, all ready for me to color and go to town with.  BUT BUT BUT....as much as I tried to get the vibe with it...my mood was needing something a little more bright and cheerful, I've had a couple of emotionally draining weeks, and vintage was only making my mood worse.

So bring on the cheer.... 

 I knew I had lots of hopping options...that wasn't the issue.  And so many hopping creatures can be found in a strawberry field.  Nothing says I even had to have strawberries in the equation, after all, it's just the COLORS found in the strawberry field that was the requirement.  It doesn't even need to be the whole field of colors.  It could have been brown for dirt, blue for sky, green for berry baskets, etc...  That being said, once the word strawberry was mentioned, I really couldn't get it out of my mind.  I have options for the patterned paper, (I have TONS of Graphic 45, which this isn't, but...anything in nature, G45 is my go to when I'm in a creative rut...) I have strawberry stamps...(how powerful the feel to press a stamp into the ink and stamp away...)...  I just wasn't getting the bunny vibe...so, next thought was grasshopper......  My grasshopper is vintage (Creative Keepsakes)... so, I almost nixed doing this week altogether.  Lots of ideas, but nothing triggering that creative spark, and it was getting gloomy.   

Last thought...FROGS.  I knew I had a couple of options there, right?  Well....not really...as I hunted through my stamp stash...I couldn't find any frogs, although I KNEW I had a set from my Stamping Up! days...  YIKES...going through that cabinet of unorganized wood mounted mountains of stamp sets....did NOT sound fun...  I had a general idea of where to look...right?  WRONG...WRONG...WRONG...  I found all kinds of treasures in there though, (reaffirming that NO PARAMETER is undoable...I am convinced)...  hahahahaha  ...  I FINALLY found my frogs not in the cabinet, but a drawer...and my first thought...THESE LOOK SO EASY TO FUSSY CUT!!!  That's all it took, and I started coloring away....

 

 I found a bonus "Hello" stamp for my inside element...another from the SU days, never been mounted on the wood...which I still have ALL my sets on wood, or possibly someday put on wood.  It's sad how many I never used...ever....  

 

 So, this card is done and ready to go.  My goal this year, is to actually mail some of these cards out.  What's held me back, is that the insides aren't finished, and it's not my style to send out a naked card.  Nothing elaborate on the inside, but a finished look here!  And a double whammy of both the Project and Random parameters!

 Well, it's Thursday night, and it all starts again tomorrow!  This time, I have zero office (oh the joys of self employment) obligations lined up, I can let loose and let my creativity come out to play.  It's times like this, I really miss my CR bff.  (RIP Janet)... Now, off to cut up some strawberries to go with that half and half I picked up at the grocery store the other day! 

  

Inka Dinka Doo....

 Inka Dinka Doo ... whatever that means ... haha ... 

I pictured myself, in a coconut house, hidden in the jungle.  Yep, that would be a mighty fine time...eating bananas and sipping on those fun bevvies that include tropical fruits served in a coconut shell.  I remember a time that my husband and I enjoyed the warm sun bouncing off the ocean in Mazatlan...sitting on a brick fenced ledge that is nestled up against the resort area grass where the sand meets, holding one of those drinks, little umbrella included.  We were all of 30 years old, not sure how our bodies would be on that ledge now!  hahaha  I'm sure the sandy beach is still as beautiful as ever.

Happy times.  I really hope my cards give the feeling of Happy today... we all need a little Happy.

I made my coconut house using a square die.  I cut 2 squares out, cutting one into 3/4" strips.  My coconut fringe was created using a  Multi Blade Herb Scissors on each strip, and then applying to the remaining square die cut, overlapping as shown.  I purchased the scissors 20+ years ago, probably for my home made salsa, but borrowed them from the kitchen for a craft project.  I later bought a second pair for my cilantro needs, and kept my original pair in my craft studio.  Priorities here.  Being totally honest, I haven't used either much, but when I needed fringe, or finely chopped herbs, I was glad I had both close by.  One  worked great for the pinata card I made years ago, and a paper hula skirt too, plus we eat a ton of home made salsa.  (I get impatient and use a sharp knife more often)  
 

Another fun supply, that I have been asked about is my paper crimper.  This is a great little tool, especially on "x amount of folds" Craft Roulette parameter nights.  Using it adds interest to a matte background, and it's fun to run the paper through the little gadget.  It's kind of liberating.  I have to admit, I'm on my second crimper.  I bought my first one, probably yet still in the 90s (Fiskars brand).... It finally had it's last crimp, I may have crimped too fierce using a very thick piece of card stock,...so I immediately bought another.  That tells you something, how much I value my crimping, to purchase a replacement.  I can guarantee, I have a handful of tools, that IF they ever gave out, I'd never replace.  Three words:  Fastenator (&) Sew Easy (the first is the equivalent of an evil stapler and the other...well, it made it's way to the garbage...) 

 

Here's another example of crimping! 

 

My last card is a bit nostalgic and will resonate with video game enthusiasts...  I left it to where you add whatever name you want to on the inside of the card...  It could be after a famous gorilla, or it can be whoever you want!  I let the designer paper do a lot of the work here too.  The 80s vibe and popular video games....I never could master that game to the end, but oh how I tried.

 

 In summary...my take on the new  Barrels of Fun stamp set and the 80s patterned paper.  Both are available tomorrow along with a few other fun finds with the Kindred Stamps April Release.

 

So, I hope this post is a feel happy post, as it's meant to be.  I think anyone who receives a card with any of these characters, even the Cranky one, could find a smile, and hopefully trigger a feel good memory...

 

In the words of  Mayou Angelou:

 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

I hope this is a feel good moment!

Bye for now!  :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 INKA DINKA DOO!!!

 

 

 The rest is off topic sort of...if interested...read on...

 

A little added bonus today because it somewhat relates to one of the supplies I used (scissors)(topic)...

 

My specialty food business of 40 years now,  introduced and launched a line of spices to compliment our wine vinegars.  The seasonings were my personal creation, and at 23 years old...I invested in about $3000 worth of spices and supplies (I must have really felt they would be a success, that's a lot of money for a kid) ... yikes... the investment was worth it, as we went on to manufacture and distribute a line of spice blends that proved to be worth the financial risk.  Over the years, our business focus has adapted to the changes in the economy, personal tragedy and personal celebrations too, plus business growth, etc.,  we repositioned our product line and mainly do high volume corporate chocolate orders.  (I'd share the names of a few of these well known companies, but I have signed many an NDA and know better than to!)   That being said, it's possible, we might bring a few things back, including this insanely popular product, but most likely on a smaller, retail scale, rather than widespread distribution.  Anyhow, (keeping this craft related)  my multi blade scissors aren't needed when using this fun blend.  All the fine chopping is already finished...so, on the go...just one tablespoon of spices with 2 small diced tomatoes, maybe a little diced onion too...is all you need for a quick batch of salsa....

Just a lil tidbit of info about our company, which has stood the test of time since the 1960s!  

 

Stay tuned ....  If, we do bring a few of the blends back, this one for sure made the cut!  :)

Jogging Path, Jogger Pants, and Juniper Trees!

 Stretchy pants for my J element?  Could be, but truly, the path here very much could be a jogging path in a park, and on a nice June Day...our joggers might like to enJoy a sit on a tomato colored blanket.

 It's pretty easy to justify parameters when you need to!  :)

 

I chose to use a stamp with a bridge on it, although, I did want to make a "bridging" type card.  I just knew I wasn't going to have access to my craft supplies, and so I chose to stamp my image and color where I was at...(comfy in my living room chair, watching baseball...and spending time with my precious boy, our pooch, who is feeling lonely without his other human, who has been reffing big qualifying out of town volleyball tournaments!!!)  My salad colors:  I have to laugh, my kiddo used to call broccoli "trees" and asparagus "grass" (well, asparagus lingo ... it is called grass) ...but, he told someone once that his Mom fed him trees and grass...lol...anyhow, so I had to throw that in there.  But, the greenery in this card, truly is salad colors, even with some silverware, blanket tomato red, and cheese colored windows.  So J.....I see a JOGGING PATH, I see JOGGER PANTS on a couple of our people here, and the trees...well, who says they aren't JUNIPER trees.  I came oh so close to freehand drawing a tiny JET AIRPLANE...but, after all this fussy cutting (3 layers of dimension here)...I wasn't about to botch it up.  Lastly, I swiped my markers on the grass and the sky.  I LOVE this technique, I love playing with markers!  I used a very inexpensive purchase of a 100? markers or so of cheap alcohol markers.  Except for the tip being a little too fat, I actually LOVE coloring with these markers.  I went out of the lines a little on my windows, but...that's ok, the whimsical look works here, I see it often done by the professionals, so...imitation is the ultimate flattery!  hahahahaha  It's OK to color out of the lines!!!

 Well...til next week!  :)

 

 

Bee-Cuz

Bee-cuz....   Yep, I needed something bright and cheery, it's been a Monday, and I'm ready for leftover Chinese Food and some Mariners baseball.  Will regroup tomorrow.  In the meantime, this very simple and bright Craft Roulette card was oh so fun to make, so easy, and lately easy is working out better for me than intense.  In card making, I think some times, I need to step back and take a break from things that seem to complicate the process, BEE-CUZ that's when it becomes unfun.  I just needed and wanted to do something quick and easy...so....I decided to make 4 of these. (haha)   I've never really made a slimline card before, maybe twice ever, and I'm not sure either time were the right dimensions!   I did buy a new die, just for slimline cards, I know, I'm late for the party, but how coincidental, that I ordered & received it about a week ago, and the first Craft Roulette parameter turned out to be SLIMLINE!  I could have complicated this more, but after today, I just want SIMPLE...so, stopped at this.  I don't think I need or want to add more to it.  Trust me, if I could have justified a "5th" parameter, I would have!  :)

 

 Parameters:

1.  Slimline Card

2.  Insect Colors

3.  April Element

4.  In the Corner

 

Every April, we have bee houses dropped in our orchards.  Here is a spot where a few of our buzzy friends are living for the next few weeks as they pollinate our peach and cherry orchards.  Maybe a few will fly far enough to pollinate our apricots, but if you look close, you will see the white blossoms on the trees or pink...white for our cherries, and pink for the peaches.  The apricot flowers have already dropped, cross fingers Mother Nature stays kind for all the fruit over the next few months!  For now, our little workers are doing their flying magic!

 

 

National Dolphin Month is March

 Who knew, that National Dolphin Month is March!!!  The parameters for Craft Roulette Week #311 worked out perfectly for me ... except I've been doing too much lately, allergies (I think it's allergies) hit me hard and sleep was calling my name...soooo ... I kind of went simple on this card, and I although I attempted to redo the embossed background card stock, I think it might be better without the "inked" color added to it (although in real life, it is shimmery, so kind of cool)... after attempting to get a STRAIGHT sentiment stamped in a strategic place (I was too lazy to use a stamp platform, I just wanted the card DONE)...  I did have a straight stamped sentiment on my inked one...and decided to move forward as is.

 I didn't put a little rope or ribbon accent through my punched hole, because the rope was too thick, and I thought the rope was the only thing at the time that would make sense to me.  If I put a different kind, then I would have nixed the rope at the bottom of the tag...that being said...that sort of fit in for me, it definitely TWISTS...so does her hair, the embossed pattern on the card stock and the seaweed, all TWIST.  Even without ribbon/rope accent through the hole where the brad is...it's still a TAG on a CARD!  I used some fun Lavinia patterned paper...I think for me, purchasing this kind of paper is better than me trying to make it myself, lol...  I'm not opposed to purchasing digitally too...  I know this can be made with alcohol inks, etc...I just am too impatient, and I absolutely LOVE this paper...perfect for fairy and mermaid cards!  :)  Anyhoo...it's colors I would envision in an aquarium, or fish tank...  I was THRILLED to learn that March is National Dolphin Month.  I have always said, one of the extra perks of participating in Craft Roulette, is that I actually learn about topics that I wouldn't otherwise explore.  My business has worked with SeaWorld and National Geo in the past, and I know how serious it is to protect our flipper friends.  

 I think I justified my parameters this week!  I was really pleased to use this set.  I used Depth of Life from Unity Stamps.  I LOVE anything that Phyllis Harris has illustrated, I'm blessed to have a good collection of rubber stamps in my stash of her artistry available through Unity Stamps.

I hope to play along tomorrow night, Craft Roulette Episode #312, it truly is something I look forward to week after week...and I LOVE going through my supplies and finding the perfect combos to make things work.  I wouldn't otherwise do it on my own.  :)  If you find you are in a creative slump, or are looking for something creative and fun to do...you ought to check it out!!!  I'm 109 in now, and I never thought I'd make it past 5!!!  :)  Time will go on either way!

Happy Places With All Kinds of Faces!

 You will certainly be happy with the 7 faces 8 sentiments included on stamp set,  Fab Friends, one of the many fun offerings in the  Kindred Stamps March 2026 Release.  I could go on and on and on designing with this set, so many colors to play with, so many ideas, and definitely something for everyone!

 This card opens up, where you find our little pooch comfy inside!  I like to fussy cut to the line, so, I stamped doggo out first, then glued the fussy cut version, minus the tail over the stamped image, unlike our mouse friend here, where I cut the tail a bit thicker.  IF I wanted to adhere with dimension, I'd need to find another way to do the mouse tail.  It is tricky cutting little detailed things out, like tails...and then adhering them, you need to be careful not to lose intricate pieces.  I have fussy cut probably in the thousands and thousands over the course of 30ish years of paper crafting, so it comes natural to me, but...I will tell you, I am constantly learning tips and tricks...

A tip of mine...  find the right black pen to color around the cut edge.  An alcohol marker will soak into the colored image fast..so avoid those.  (same with a sharpie)...I found some acrylic markers that seemed to work, but not all dry adequately, and if you store your cut images in a pouch...you can risk getting black smudges on your cut out and colored images.  Some of these images are fairly detailed to cut in the tiny crevices, so to have colored and cut one out, only to find a black smudge on one...it can be frustrating!  I color and cut extras...but, you don't want that to happen!!!  I recently found a pen that is awesome...Ohuhu Fine Liner Pens.  I used the brush marker, which is a much smaller brush marker than you expect.  It's FAST drying and can get in those nooks and crannies without bleeding into your fussy cut image.  After I cut my characters out...I simply gently run the pen over the white cut edge, to close it off, where you don't see white lines.  I know, one extra step...but, I'm thrilled to have recently found these pens...they are great.

 So, here is an example where my characters are popped up on dimension, (partially, just their faces, positioned over the castle found in the set Midnight Couple), but the actual card stock, really doesn't stamp that perfectly.  I used a white glitter card stock, which I ink blended for my sky.... I used the same set of black liner pens, but the .1 size tip, and GENTLY, after much practice, drew a little tail.  Even with the fine tip glue, my tails were not adhering nicely, on this textured card stock, and I was scared I'd botch up my freehand...so, I practiced a little first, but actually am pleased with my little tails here!  :)  

 I adore working with patterned papers.  I remember way back when, like 2005ish, I didn't think I'd be much of a patterned paper user on my cards.  Well, the joke was on me.  I have a giant supply of all kinds of patterns...this one is from a retired Kindred pack from years ago, but perusing the site,  I'm seeing all kinds of fun options that would make a happy card for a lucky duck!

 My last card... I guarantee you, no 2 cards will ever come out the same with this one!  It's sort of like a snowflake, the ones we made with paper as kiddos in grade school!  Remember, where we folded the paper and cut little patterns out of it to make a crafty snowflake?  (I think multiple times for a snowflake, it's been forever and a day since I've made a paper snowflake, I suspect by the end of the day here, I will be trying, lol...)  Well...we did the same during Valentine's Day crafts making HEARTS!  So, I made my heart, and used the negative piece as a stencil!  ...I then doodled the lace around the heart for my outline.  I made this magical by covering my focal piece with the star holographic paper that I LOVE to use.  I never in a million years thought I'd be that smitten by the stuff...but, I gave it a whirl on one of my cards, and fell in deep with the stuff.  It's price efficient, and so sparkly!

 All of these cards trigger some fun memories for me, and I suspect anyone you make a card for with any of these characters will identify one way or another!  This definitely is a must have set!!!

Some other must have Kindred supplies.... I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

Card Basics Die Set 

I use this die set almost every time I sit down to create.  I actually made my dog house with this set using the square die in it, cutting the strips (wood planks) and strategically cutting a roof out of my square as well.  I did use a brick embossing folder to get the roof "shingles" , but...I waffled on the idea of not embossing at all.  IF anyone is interested...I can explain better on my dog house.  I layered them like you would picture house siding, even colored the little wood knots on the planks.  I was in that creative thinking and when I get to that place...I like to run with my thoughts.  

 Fab Friends will be available this coming Friday, March 27, 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time!  It's a GREAT release, so you will want to pop by the Kindred Stamps Fan Club  facebook page throughout this week, to see what other fun releases are in the March collection!  

GIU Week Winners and New Craft Roulette! :)

 I'm back!!!!  After my GIU week, I was whisked off to a week of fun in Vegas.  Not sure how much R&R I got out of it, but...it was a much needed week away for me.  I think the attitude adjustment was way overdue.  I had to skip doing Craft Roulette for a week, but, back on Friday, I was able to watch episode #308, and fit it in this week.  I am feeling a little rusty, and I ended up kind of casing my previous Craft Roulette entry, the one I did for episode #306.  

  

Both stamps used a Unity stamp, and interestingly, out of the many thousands of stamps I own, I think I have maybe only TWO that has a little chalkboard in the image, and I managed to use both of these back to back.  I think something subliminal is going on in my head here.  Episode #306 did have a "chalkboard" parameter, the parameter this week of "bookmark" kind of sealed the deal for me on what direction I was going...I immediately inked up my new Whit Kit stamp with the bookstore image, Books & Quiet Moments, found out of the February Whit Kit.  Interestingly, it too, has a chalkboard on it... and I kind of cased my own card here.  I guess I still had a little Vegas brain, I was on the struggle bus with coming up with the perfect card.  My first stab at it, is glued inside my Creative Companion...epic fail.  Not the image, I LOVE the way I managed to color the bricks here.  It did take a couple tries to get the look I was trying to achieve!  So...

 Bookmark made me think of books:  (of course?!)  The February kit features a bookstore.  I'm not in love with my book mark, but, I really needed to get closure to this card, so I went simple and fast here.  It's a tight squeeze inserted behind the front panel of this card, which is not adhered, but left open.  The two sides of the card and the bottom, are adhered with scor-tape.  I LOVE the stuff, as an adhesive junkie, this is the best permanent tape ever.  I quickly provided the link, but, do look around.  I usually buy in bulk and can pick it up very reasonably priced.  I don't use tape as much as I used to...  Since Paperganza, I've become a Zip Dry Glue junkie and any precision tip glue Bearly Art is a good one.  Each adhesive has it's place and need!  

 The parameters?  I justified this card by:

1.  Made a book mark to insert, hidden behind the front panel

2.  Circus colors, see below for inspo

3.  My girl is hugging a pile of books

4.  Little feathered birdie sits on the sidewalk

 I was kind of thinking of these colors, or something similar:

Lastly... I used several elements in the Whit Kit for my card and book mark!

The kit includes the fun stamp set, but also, a set of 4 book mark tab dies, a selection of yummy patterned library/book lover type paper, clear enamel dots, and some ephemera that coordinates with it all.  I've really enjoyed receiving my kit monthly, I'm very smitten with the March Whit Kit ...  can't wait to get it in my hot little hands!  

Oh...one more thing...  GIU Winners!  I posted this on the Growing in Unity board, thought I'd post it here too!  Congrats!  I have received confirm from Doreen, just wanted to be sure Jennz was aware too!  

Doreen Guilfoyle and Jennz Korner you need to e-mail kelli@unitystampco.com because you two, are each the random recipients of a $20 Unity Gift Credit!!! When you e-mail Kelli, you need to do the following:

In the subject line: "Winner from Trudi's GIU Week"
You must respond within 2 weeks
You have 3 months to redeem!

I truly want to thanks everyone who took the time to comment, I really enjoyed my week, and love seeing what others do too! I've met so many friends along the way, added bonus!!!

Well, that's it for now!  I have again, too much on my plate...so I HOPE to fit Craft Roulette in this week.  It starts again tomorrow night!  :)

  

Toodles!