Dump the Slump!

 Not sure I'm in one or not (a slump), as I did dabble a little on my weekly Craft Roulette (episode #322) challenge, and truly had ideas, just felt a little lazy to see them through.  I'm just not getting a the warm fuzzies with my card, and I kept walking away from it while I attempted to finish it in a timely manner.  Each time I came back to it, I truly didn't think it was that bad, but, it definitely wasn't what I envisioned.  I think my hold up was, is I truly took each parameter too seriously, and it left me with limited options ... I then got fixated on trying to use a template that my card was too large for, but, I had already finished part of the card, and I wasn't in the time or place to go back and start over.... 

1.  The First Parameter:  POSTCARD

I decided to do a "front and back", so I started out with many extras (just in case of a mistake), I did keep making ink blobs, so down to 2...then managed to smudge one of my final two, both on the front and the back.  So, down to 1, at this time, I decided I had zero intention of making more.  Next time I make a wreath, it definitely will be using the right size of card stock and stamps that I can place in my platform along with my wreath builder template.  I  had to use a larger platform, because naturally, I went in the direction of stamping this wreath smack dab in the MIDDLE of my 4-1/4" x 6" postcard.  (The template I used needed a 4" x 4" square, so another obstacle) I took this parameter LITERALLY.  I created it with intent to actually mail it...not in an envelope, but an actual postcard.  That eliminated any dimension...no adhering anything to it, no enamel dots, no die cuts, nada nada nada....  THIS IS OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE, AND IT STILL IS....I think that's why the verdict on this card is telling me, I'm not jiving with it... But...I wanted to stretch my abilities, and learn a thing or 2, and kind of go out of my predictable style.  After 40 years of creative design, 30 in paper...I want the challenge of doing something a little out of my norm...  Well, I got that on this challenge, and I did learn a thing or 2!  

 

2.  The Second Parameter:  70's COLORS

Growing up, I recall we had a set of cannisters and tea cups similar to these mushroom ones.  I kind of had these on my mind, along with the 70s color palette for inspo.  I couldn't get those mushrooms out of my head...and kind of got stuck in a rut thinking I MUST include a mushroom, one way or another.  I've been challenging my memory/brain as to wonder where oh where did this set of cannisters/cups go?  I would LOVE to have a mug or 2 or even the entire set out of this...  CR #322 has stirred this want up now for me.  I'm sure this treasure set is somewhere in my childhood home...at least I hope it is still around, although I'm there daily and am not seeing it laying around!  I dabbled a bit with a mushroom idea on my postcard, and lost vision and sight with that too...  Maybe when I find the ceramics, I'll have mushroom brain back and can envision how I could have included it on this card (alcohol markers soaked through to the other side).  

   

3.  The Third Parameter:  WREATH

I used my Gina K Wreath Builder for my 3rd parameter....  I've just been waiting to use for the perfect time!  Over the last year, not necessarily needing it, I felt inspiration to FIND my Gina K Wreath Builder Template in my very messy/congested craft studio.  I always say, I put things in special places, hoping I can go right to it.  I wasn't even wanting to use it, I just wanted to find it.  Well, I couldn't...I just had to tell myself, I will run across it some day, and will put it in my now special place.  I was right...I found it a few months ago, and tucked it away in a safe place.  When this parameter popped up...I was happy to think I would use it.  Well...think again.  Once again, I couldn't find it.  My frustration level was off the charts...I've had personal reasons to be so dang frustrated lately, and I just wanted something to be easy, my studio is my safe place, not frustration place.  After a few not so nice words....I started madly pulling things out of my little storage thingy on my table.  After the first attempt (and sorting through stuff that had no business being stored there...)  I FOUND IT (caught up in why? oh why? stuff....  Next thing...NOW WHAT?  

I have never completed a card with the wreath builder, I wasn't even sure how to use it....and after the matter, I'm pretty sure I did use wood blocks with it in the first place way back when, but, sure can't figure out how I did.  My objective for this...was to figure it out and so instead of impulsively learning the Trudi way, I decided YouTube would be my friend.  I rarely pull up how to videos and it might be a good lesson for me, that I should do that more often.  I found a "how to" from Gina K herself, and was smitten about how effortlessly she explained the use, how easy.......EXCEPT...yep, there is an except here....  I did NOT play with the rules on this one.  I feel I need to elaborate here, because I don't want anyone to get discouraged from using the builder.  It is a GREAT template....  but challenging if:

• 1.  You attempt to use stamps mounted yet on wood blocks
• 2.  Use a piece of cardstock that is bigger than the template specs
• 3.  Decide to print the wreath smack dab in the middle of the ALL SIDES OVERLAPPING the template cardstock.  If you have this template and use it, you will 100% know what I'm talking about. 
• 4.  You choose stamps that really don't go with the flow for a wreath...for example strange shaped oversized leaves, or big ole chunky flowers... (I ended changing it up)

How I figured things out...first, I found a clear stamp that would work for my wreath leaves...and I did position my template in my Tim Holtz platform.  I used that low tack tape to redefine my template edges, as my position for each turn had to exceed the actual template edges.  This would make total sense if you tried what I did...I did NOT align things perfect, I will tell you, as one of the "turns" I eyeballed the placement with a piece of that 1" wide tape.  No need to try to understand what I'm saying here...nor no need for me to try to remember, because I will never probably do this again....Next time...I'm going with the 4"x4" size or the 3-3/4" square size or whatever size will fit perfectly inside the template...or at least 3 of the 4 sides, I'm ok with one side overhanging...just not all 4...  That.is.why.....I only stamped the leaves with my wreath builder template.  The remaining stamped images, were with my stamps, still on wood blocks, by HAND, lol...  Enough about parameter #3.  Moving forward, I am keeping the Wreath Builder template near me, and will go to town making wreaths AFTER I purchase a variety of leaf/flower type wreath building clear stamps.  I did check my Lavinia stash, and I do believe I have some good stamps in there for wreaths, PLUS, I've glanced at the Wreath Building Stamps, and will go shopping... After said and done, it was fun taking those wreath turns and creating a perfect (start of) a wreath.  I'm 100% thinking Christmas now...

4.  The Fourth Parameter:  Pre-Printed

This is where my commercial color laser printer comes in handy....  I decided to preprint my own background.  I color blended a 4-1/4" x 6" piece of card stock to my liking....then decided to scan it into a high resolution (600 dpi) jpg, and with my graphics program, I dropped the pre-printed portion of this postcard.  I now have a happy little tune playing in my head, and suddenly craving a Coca Cola....  My "world message" on the side, it took a minute to decide what to put there...I found inspo on Google, and changed the words 10 or more times...but in the end, I did like the message, because what the world really does need now, is PEACE, UNITY and HARMONY.  

So there you have it.  A very simple card for me.  So not my typical style.  I honestly was so dang tempted to put a die cut wreath on there, and add all kinds of bling and START OVER.  I even came close to putting a mock "stamp" on the address side of this postcard.  I even considered not finishing it at all.  But, by doing any of that...it would not be able to go through any mail system, and literal me...truly wanted to make a postcard that I could pop in the mail and not worry about anything catching in a machine or getting flagged out of transit.  I truly am on the fence with this card...every time I don't like it, I find something about the process, and how much I learned by doing it, that I actually do like it.  I got impatient at times with it, but, I got what I needed out of my time spent with it, now, to see if I actually do end up mailing it, lol...  

I think I'll go grab myself a Coke Zero (I'm dieting) I can't help but SMILE.

My Day Job...

 I don't share a lot of chocolate pictures here, for a couple of reasons...  Let me first start out by saying, I started my business in 1986....  I really have to laugh, as yesterday, I was talking to a client, who also started her business WAY.BEFORE.INTERNET.   There actually are quite a few of us out there, who fully know and remember the days of when proposals were written on pieces of scratch paper and handshakes sealed the deal.  What fascinates me, is that this is still how the world goes round in the big leagues...and I'm fortunate to have a business that has survived all the ups and downs to realize that.  I am so very thankful for my longtime retailers and distributors who have continued to support our business over the course of 40 years!  Today I'm sharing a little chocolate that was shipped to one of my longtime retailers in Sheraton, WY.  I'm pretty sure they were one of our very first customers, I can't remember a year we didn't supply their store with seasonal and themed chocolates and candy.  

 

Polka Dot Dairy Cows

 Blue Ribbon Sheep

 

Cute Lil Calf

 

 

 Piggies

 

 These fun novelties, along with other Western themed treats are an example of what we do on the daily.  No 2 orders are alike.  In fact, we didn't even advertise these farm friends, but was asked if we had farm animal molds and what can we do.  When we get an order like that, I'll peruse through our thousands and thousands of chocolate molds, and often find something I didn't even know we had.  (In this case, the pigs)  I knew we had the cows, as we did a big promo order awhile ago for a company exhibiting in a Farm Ag show, who specializes in the beef industry.  The sheep were new to me too, I don't recall us ever painting them up, they kind of remind me of a "blue ribbon" at the county fair kind of sheep.  

 

Anyhow, just a lil glimpse of where a big portion of my stress comes from.  These orders can be sizable...a typical trade show giveaway can be anywhere from 400 units (this week) up to 4000 (or more) units of product.  You just never know what the next phone call will be, but I do know, there will be something, as it's what has kept us going...for FORTY  YEARS!  What a wild ride it's been!

 

I decided to take a week off of paper crafting ... I needed a moment...  But, I will say, I made it back into my craft studio last night, so, we will see...  I have this crazy idea for this week's Craft Roulette.  I actually get to involve a little of my business tools to pull it off.  Who says there isn't a little perk owning a commercial grade color laser printer?  Thus, the 4th (random) parameter of Craft Roulette #322.  (I also get to utilize my stages of custom chocolate design methods too...eventually, I'll share some of those creations here too.  So many specific things we have done along the way....

 

  

So, stand by and see what I end up doing for CR #322.  I literally pulled out a supply I have NEVER figured out how to use....and am pretty convinced I can't use it with wood blocks, (I also pulled out some ancient SU stamps for this project)...  so, I either have to change my stamps of choice, or nix my tool, or figure a way to use the tool not intended for the type of stamps I'm using.  Oh, so much overthinking, but...a good diversion from thinking deadline chocolate...  I MIGHT share the other side of our daily business in the next post...  It's all so complicated, but, I wouldn't have it any other way....  So thankful for my Craft Therapy....

King of the Beach!

 My Craft Roulette for the week...

 

I played around on my desktop yesterday, and it created a little video for me, lol....like I know what I'm doing...that being said, taking a picture of a Z fold card...is HARD...so, video it is...now I'm intrigued to take a stab at a REAL video someday....  I guess in my free time!

It's only 4-5 seconds...lol...I definitely would need a different setup for a real one.

So, craft roulette this week:

A Z Fold Card is a z-shaped card.  There are TONS of ideas if you google, a good description of one is:

"First, fold it in half, then fold the "top half" back on itself to create that "z" shape."

Often, you will see a little panel adhered to the first (2-1/8" folded piece) folded part...That would be where "Chester" is on my card....I didn't want to do this, because I have a volleyball net there, although I was envisioning adhering my volleyball half on the fold, so when you opened the card, it would "move"...if that makes sense.  It still gave the illusion of moving where I placed it.  #1 parameter easy peasy to make...a little hard to photo...and a challenge to one handed do a video.

Summer Vacation:  Many a summer we have spent at the Seaside Amateur Beach Volleyball Tournament where my daughter has played.  Her "team" even won their division once, it was a BUNCH of fun prizes per player...like several hundred dollars worth, including an official "Kind of the Beach" volleyball.  HUGE tournament, I hear the largest amateur beach volleyball tournament in North America, if not the WORLD...yep...the WORLD...it's huge and you cannot see the end of beach nets all the way along the beach...that huge.  (Plus there are professional well known players there, playing for $....it's such a fun time...)  Seaside, Oregon colors for my summer vacation, #2 parameter.

Volleyball...of course....what other summer game would come to mind?  I suppose baseball could have, but...but...but... I wanted the BEACH!!!  #3 parameter...took me to the ocean....

Add a Cat, #4 parameter.  So, my FIRST idea, was to do a sport, with a Lions or Tigers jersey.  We.Are.Lions...  The MIGHTY MIGHTY Lions, so, I could have easily done that.  (Colors of jersey, orange and black...)...  I could have done other sports...but...vacation?  hmmmm...  That would be too broad of an explanation I feel...I really like to take these colors literally.  So, orange and black on my mind, the first CAT I thought of was Chester. .  I could not get that idea out of my head...the more I thought about it, how silly to be playing beach ball with Chester the Cheetah, the more I was having fun with it.  I've had a LOT of tears lately, too many... I needed a little silly this weekend.  I see several things I could have done better to perfect this card, (and my video, lol)...but... I truly don't want to overthink, overstress, over analyze a card, of all things, which is supposed to be FUNn....  After all, that's what all of this is supposed to be about, right?  FUN.

Thanks for stopping by, my days have become much more free, now that the PUSH is behind me.  I still have ick on my plate, but, it's manageable.  It was a little too much, those paperwork months, oh the joys of being self-employed.  Now, I can kick back and relax a little, and make my cards.  I need to kick around some ideas a bit, I might be adding some fun to The Trudio Studio, just giving it some thought!

I Hope Our Paths Cross Again!

 Today I'm sharing the set:  Night and Day, available in the Kindred Stamps May New Release.  Perfect for a soulmate couple, I can see this set used for anniversary cards, and even for times when you have to spend time apart for a spell.  In my family I've witnessed several who have had to live long distance for a bit, whether it be job, medical or college related, or even long travel, etc.  I know it's not fun, but it's not permanent either, and sending a special card of affirmation, sure can make things a little easier!

 

 

My first card, I've used a couple of Kindred die sets:  Card Basics and Bare Trees.  I used the smaller circle in the Cards Basics die collection to mask a daybreak sun on a colored blended background.  I used Distress Oxides to color blend my sky,  then did a repeat stamping of one of the two sentiments included in the Night and Day set.  I finished the card by adding a couple of die cut trees, and a landscape as well.  Lastly, my characters, colored up with Ohuhu Alcohol Markers,  and fussy cut by me, were added, the narrating character popped up with dimension dots.  

 

My second card, I used the same circle to mask a sunset dusk sun.  I felt I needed to "ground" my characters, as my landscape was a little deeper than I intended, and the blank space was telling my eyes to add something.  Originally, I included the second sentiment, but, after it was adhered, I had a change of plans. I decided to add a little border instead, using the same die, which then popped the strip up a bit for dimension as well.  When I don't want/need lots of dimension, I will often cut card stock to adhere to the back of my image and adhere a thicker fussy cut image that way.  I did this with the heads only, of the 2 characters, as the body was one card stock thickness, applied on the landscape, making 2 thickness applied to the colored blended background.  The heads then, needed the same 2 thickness, so I evened it out, by cutting a circle /  head shaped piece to the backs of the heads of my people.  By doing this, the image will apply all the same level and not glue down curvy.

 

 

 

  I did have a blooper on this card.  I wanted to print the sentiment directly on the background.  It did NOT stamp clear, the stamp didn't apply all the ink, so, I added the banner sentiment strip over my bloop.  It's the risk you take after applying all the elements, after carefully ink blending a background....I tend to get impatient and skip the stamp platform part.  Instead, I usually grab my clear blocks, stamp a practice one or 2 until I'm satisfied...then hold my breath and stamp my card.  Well $#*t! (bad word here) ... who says that mistakes can't be fixed.  After dedicating precious time, you bet they can be.

  

Fun New Product for Me..... 

I have been playing with some new alcohol markers, and am really liking these Ohuhu Alcohol Markers.   I have other sets of Ohuhu markers and LOVE them, but these are different than my others.  They have a brush tip and it looks like they are refillable.  I have never refilled a marker (even my Copics), I won't lie, I'm intimidated to...so, I keep buying inexpensive alcohol markers sets, lol.  I MIGHT take the plunge and try to refill one or two of these, as needed.  I LOVE the price as compared to other popular brands...I truly think they color just as nice, and I'm not too emotional if I run out of ink, or need to toss a pen or 2.  I will say, though, the colors may not be as spot on (matching the caps), but, truly, I don't care.  I'm not that precise with what color I use, I just play along and if I think it looks nice, I'm good with it.  I have marker sets everywhere, and I will say, I would gladly recommend these.

So, finishing up this post, I do have an announcement to make.  These cards, unfortunately, are my last cards representing Kindred Stamps on the design team.  My time has come to an end.  I've contributed for almost 2 years, and really have enjoyed my time contributing with this very talented team of designers.  I want to take this time to thank those of you who stopped by my blog to visit, and truly thank Audra for giving me the opportunity to represent her company and showcase my work with her wildly fun stamps.  It certainly isn't the end of me in the craft world.  I'll still be posting here, I try to weekly, with my Craft Roulette entries, plus I'll get back to the labor intense cookbook I'm making.  (It may be 5 years from now, when that puppy is finished, lol.)  Of course, I hope to pop in on the Kindred Fan Facebook page too, with new creations, I adore my Kindred stamps, and find them perfect for many of my paper projects.  I'll too, be on the lookout to perhaps dabble in design again, if a good fit with another company were to cross my path, I'm open to suggestions, referrals too, and pretty loyal to the end!  I truly enjoyed my time on the team, oh how it helped me get through some very hard life, I had card design on my mind through some pretty sad times, I was able to stay busy.  So, once again, thank you Audra, and thanks to all who liked and commented on the Kindred fan page,  or stopped by here to see my designs.  I hope you all still pop by every now and then, I will be sharing some fun ideas and such in the future!  :)

In the meantime, the new release becomes available this Friday:  Kindred Stamps 

 

 

Cawffee Tawk

 Somehow, I'm picturing this with an East Coast accent, thus the "cawffee tawk" vibe here.  I actually JUST got off the phone with a customer with this accent, so, it's kind of in my brain.  Well...here you go...a blog post about my thought process with this card.  First of all, I REALLY love doing simple.  

If you have known my style over the course of almost 30 years for card making, you will know that I am not really a CLEAN AND SIMPLE card maker...I've gone from "everything but the kitchen sink" style to "many many many dimensions" style to ink blending (trying on that) to flat cards for mailing purposes, and dabbled so very slightly in SIMPLE!  I have to admit, I have no clear favorite, I truly let my instincts lead me.

So...I'll start out with the parameters for Craft Roulette this week...it is kind of what lead me to my very simple card.....

I decided to work with the wedding colors first.  When it comes to the color parameter...I truly do take it literally.  All too often, a color parameter will pop up that really can be EVERY COLOR (justified) under the sun.  That's not as challenging for me, it makes me have to think too, so if I were to recreate this card with a different color palette...I'd probably add more soft pink/blush and maybe a vintage sage green or light blue?  I see this card so very different, now that it's finished...but, I first, didn't have very much time this week, and I am trying to NOT OVERTHINK anymore.  I'm having way more fun not agonizing over creative decisions.  So...back to color:

This weekend, I was lucky enough to spend time with my grown up daughter and a couple of her volleyball college teammates at their yearly alumni match.  We all became practically family those 4 years of her time at EOU, it was through the Covid days, the bonding is like nothing I can describe.  I am glad to still be in touch, and happy that my daughter is too, as these young women have all started navigating their lives beyond college... (Plus a big bonus to watch them play together again).  One of her teammates, shared her plans of her upcoming wedding this fall...and fully knowing that wedding colors was the color parameter...I started quizzing!  I decided whatever her colors were...was what my card would be.  :)  I LOVE her palette... Neutrals:

My choice of stamp set...  My selection process starts out by choosing 2-4 options...  I was looking for chocolate molds/patterned paper, cakes/cupcakes/sugary foods?  Nothing was screaming my name to coordinate with my neutral colors.  Nothing.  Then I ran across a blast from the past.  We are talking back in the early 2000s.  I absolutely FELL.IN.LOVE with a retired company called "Crafty Secrets".  My only regret, is that I didn't load up with MORE of their sets before they officially stopped making their fun vintage style sets.  I know I can find them on Etsy, but, way too much out there in craft land, for me to go that direction...I'm good with my supply.  That being said, I am smitten by their line...and IF they were still releasing new stamp sets, it's possible my craft style and vendor list, may be very different today, because this company was probably my favorite at the time and maybe of all time.  Anyhow, once I saw the word "Sweetie"...I knew this was the set for me.

Now to address parameters 1 & 4 ...  I never knew or even heard of a 4 Bar Card.  I was originally thinking of not going this route, but making a card with 4 actual bars on it.  I have a set with a pub, I have a slot machine, I think, bar bells, etc.  Once I learned that a 4 Bar card is an actual card size...I didn't think twice about making this cute fun size:  3-1/2" x 4-7/8", also known as an A1.  I adored making this size...  It looks like it is the smallest size accepted by USPS, with standard mail rates, I learned something new...I sure enjoy making these unique sized cards...  Thanks Craft Roulette!  :)

Last parameter:  A Touch of Gray.   It's more "charcoal gray", but...if you look close,  the watch face is gray, the starbursts are stenciled gray, and the "houndstooth" pattern includes amongst the neutrals, a charcoal dark gray...  (so much more evident in real life....)

So there you have it.  This is a super simple card...but, any time I tried to bling bling it up, as in coloring up my character on the front...I just wasn't feeling it.  I could have picked other wedding colors, but, after my "research" and start of this card...I wasn't about to change.  I got a late start with the card as it was, and it was either not participate this week at all...or move along with what I had started.  That being said... IF I were to redo...I do see maybe a splash of blush (similar to the soft blush I did put on her cheek)...and possibly a soft sage / turquoise type green.  I didn't want to lose the vintage vibe...  I am satisfied, and I guess that's the most important thing!  It's so fun to use some sets from the past, and it doesn't surprise me one bit...that I have the perfect patterned paper easily available in my insanely large stash of supplies!  So, on to next week CR.

I will be posting next week too, the latest, Kindred Stamps May Release.  I'll have a little announcement with it as well, so stay tuned early next week for all of that!  :)

Bye for now!

Trudi

Paper Dolls for Grown Ups

 I want to be sure my description sounds right.  Adult paper dolls doesn't sound right, it sounds not PG actually, so, I hope "Grown Ups" sounds like I really mean it.  I'm a grown up that likes to play with stamps/inks and paper...and I am very smitten by one of the very fun suppliers I buy from.  First of all, let me start out by saying...I am not an affiliate here, just a very adoring customer of Riley and Company  A few years ago, I discovered that Riley and Company owns the line of stamps, Mushroom Lane.  I thought these were discontinued years and years ago, when Cornish Heritage Farms left the industry.  I honestly didn't know the business deals/arrangements or proper terminology to speak on any of it, I just knew I LOVED Mushroom Lane, and was disappointed to see them end (or so I thought so).... Little did I know, Riley and Company carried on with the line, it may have been their line in the first place, like I said, I don't know the backstory, just happy to see they still exist, so fun!   (I highly encourage anyone to go take a peek...such creativity)

Back.To.Paper Dolls....

Riley and Company, has not only Mushrooms, Riley the Moose, and Funny Bone Sentiments, but an incredibly fun line called:   Dress Up Riley  With 12 character options (really 13, because Dress Up Raccoon/Fox can be made with a mask or without, so much fun and empowering to stamp that little mask on the fox face!  I know this, because I've done it!  lol  In addition to these really fun characters, (accompanying dies are available), so many options of "dress up" sets.  The clothing on each set is designed to perfectly fit ANY AND ALL of the fun characters.  I used the Dress Up Crocodile for my  character, I think the little crocs that come with it, sort of tied in with one of the parameters for this week's Craft Roulette.  

A little explanation here to my choices to fit the 4 parameters.  First of all, by having parameters, the design process actually is quite easy, compared to starting out with no limits.  I have been designing now for close to 30 years, and starting with a blank canvas, just a "I want to use this stamp set"... or "I want to scrapbook this picture"... I have found myself literally taking weeks to come up with the "perfect" result.  Since Craft Roulette, I've found that making decisions are much easier, which is exactly what I need in my fun life.  My professional life gets tired of making the decisions all the time, and it's nice to have someone helping out with that ... afterall, crafting is supposed to be fun.

Sooooooooooooooo.  My process..... With Craft Roulette, I will narrow options down considerably by typically taking whatever parameter jumps out at me and picking my choices from that.  If it's something easily adaptable, like making a square card, or A2, or even last week's A9...it really doesn't matter what stamp set I choose...back to making too many decisions, and it will deter me from even trying if I have to think too much.  So....taking the parameters that are a little more tricky, I'll try to connect at least a couple somehow.  This week, I connected the parameters "Textile" to "May Garden Colors".  Originally I thought I'd be using a burlap on my card, or ribbon, etc...but when I ran across this delicious woven blanket type material patterned May flower colors paper...I hit the creating jackpot in my mind.  The rest fell into place.  I KNEW I had a stamp set in my offerings that just screamed "use me" for a Southwest themed card featuring that really cool paper.  Dress Up Riley Southwest was retrieved out of my Riley Stamps, and I went to the desert in my mind.  (Although a totem pole is typically found in the Pacific NW versus the desert...I ran with the desert vibe / hybrid Pacific NW for the beautiful tulip fields found in the Skagit Valley)

I picked the Crocodile for no particular reason, other than that I thought the green would match nicely with the patterned paper...it wasn't until I was finishing up, that I thought about how fitting it was for a garden to be wearing crocs in it...I own crocs.  I love my crocs...  I even have one of those expensive croc "Bogg" bags, if you spend enough $ at Uline, you can get one for free, lol.

I LOVE this bag...and will probably be "earning" another one or 2 on my next few orders with Uline.

While coloring my stamped images, (which I did remote, I had to make decisions which SW accessories I was going to color and fussy cut for my square card, no going back)... I realized that a totem pole has layers.... like one spirt animal layered on top of another...so, that really is my justification of layers.  I did know, however, I could take the easy route and justify layers by all the layers of card stock there is used to put together a card.  Patterned paper + Card Stock + Character + Character Clothes + Card Base (I started making card fronts ONLY and adhering to a folded card base, it closes so much better, and makes total sense to do this....  I will probably always do this now, some of the thicker card stock simply doesn't score well, and I can use my bling bling card stock without wasting it on the actual folded card...more cost efficient too.  :)

In the end....  I started thinking about clothes... like when it's cold outside, you wear LAYERS of clothes.  And bingo...another justification of "layers".  My crocodile only has 2 layers, but, if I really wanted to...I'd find a way to get a 3rd layer on her...IF I wanted to go that route for layers.

This card came REALLY easy, once I found that paper.  I did struggle with what color background.  I'm truly sitting on the fence ... Kraft or White?  And sentiment or NO?  I chose a "dream" sentiment in my stash, because I included the dream catcher.  Am I the only one that sees that connection?  Probably...  TONS of enamel dots or NO?  I didn't feel I centered things best, a slightly bigger square would have worked better, so I was thinking fill in the blank spaces...I chose the jade color because of SW turquoise.  SO.MUCH.OVERTHINKING!!!  (By the way...an Ardyth Square is 4-1/2" x 4-1/2", named after Craft Roulette member, Ardyth...who does beautiful work, and truly inspiring!)

I LOVE to finish the insides too....  Still need to get the message side finished up...

Back to Paper Dolls ... Every.Single.Time I make a paper craft card / project with the Dress Up Rileys...I think of paper dolls.  The inner child in me comes out to play, it's fun and great childhood memories come to surface.  I was given the gift of creativity from my so very creative Mom, and sisters too.  I cherish those memories so so much... About to get teary here, so I'll wrap this post up.  I know I'm wordy, but I truly hope that if you read this far, you may learn a tip or 2 or something new along the way.  I write these posts for fun for me...I'm not in that affiliate world, it's a little rough in that world, and sometimes I see almost cut throat...so, I make these posts in mind to share about companies that I LOVE and adore to work with...  It's all about positivity here!  

The FUN Factor rating with Dress Up Riley:  5 inks here!  (AKA 5 Stars)  It's a GREAT TIME!!!

Til next week!

Yabba Yabba Dabba Dabba Do Do Do

 Craft Roulette Episode #317, my 114th contribution, it's hard to believe I have made it this far!  I have been working on a project for awhile, that I put on ice for a year, and have decided to finish it up.  It got labor intense, and my mindset wasn't in the capacity to finish it up...Well, never say never to unfinished projects, and I'm super excited to get the thing done after taking the break

So...

How fun to have these little dudes ready to go, when MESK popped up as the 4th parameter!  What's funny is, however, I had to replace what I took, so I ended up with the replacement, because after a year or better of not working with my images, I see my coloring / choice of markers, cutting, etc., has evolved to something I prefer ... could be my choice of card stock, I believe it was/is my markers...

 

So, a little note here...I color extras... every.single.time.... so making something quick is probably not going to happen, if I color 4 of each to get 1, and fussy cut on top of it...That being said, it was a Craft Roulette guest that offered the idea of having a little binder of "extras" to save for a rainy day...  I believe hers was for die cuts, but, I decided to get one, and store all my colored images.  This binder might make it's way to Paperganza this summer....  I didn't have a dinosaur, or his 2 buddies in my binder (I did have their wives though)...but...but...but...  I had an abundance of palm trees, so it made my card so complete for me, and I was able to break the urge to pull out my ink and make new ones.  It's not as if I didn't spend time already!  lol!  I have two now of each traveler in the prehistoric car for future use!  Why only 2 if I colored 4 each?  Well...yup...I adhered 1 each in my Creative Companion of course!  I have as much fun journaling my card journeys in it almost as I have making the card!

 Justification Justification:

1.  A9 = big card:  8-1/2" x 5-1/2"

2.  Florist Shop Colors = Floral Tape / Leaves / Soil and Colorful Flowers

3.  Birthdays = An obvious birthday card...maybe for someone turning 50

4.  MESK = MESSY DESK ....  If you know me, you know me...  so easy to do pull something off that!

 

Now... I MUST tell you about my stamp set used here!!!  I used a limited edition kit from Kindred Stamps. I ADORE Kindreds kits, full of value and literally hours of creating fun.  This kit released many years ago, and whenever a kit pops up...you bet I'm in line to buy.    Come back later, and I'll try to get my linking working.  Something changed on my computer over the weekend, and I'm for whatever reason, not able to get my links working here!!!  

 Well...for now, thanks for stopping by!  I'm finally getting to a place where I can take a breath.  It's been a little overwhelming for me the 1st 4 months of 2026, one more hard hurdle to get over (tomorrow) and I can hopefully get a good nights sleep, and put those worries away for awhile.  I know that's not possible, but, at least any deadlines ahead of me are fun ones!!!