Hallelujah! for Hallelujah!

 I say Hallelujah for Hallelujah one of the super fun January new release sets from Kindred Stamps.  The ideas were easy:  cards for a sister, a friend who is as close as a sister, an actual "nun" sister, or a sister (as described above) to a sister who is a singing sister in a choir possibly.  Oh, the sister fun, one can think of when they ink up and design with this set!  

 

I'm fairly new to shaker cards... but I immediately wanted to make mini shaker windows with a stained glass background like you might see in church

 

 

I'm sure there must be a more efficient way for me to make the shake...but this is what I did...  Awhile ago, I purchased Transparent Acetate Sheets (like 2 years ago)...and I still have a bunch.... to generously use for shaker cards...  (Instead, I find I'm using them more for a backing for storing stamps that may not have this with their original packaging, or perhaps I've "lost" it from the original... but the idea was to make more shakers with the use of these sheets.)  I since then, found a really quick way to make a shaker with a different film... a CLEAR CELO BAG...(which as a specialty food manufacturer, our inventory of clear celo bags is MASSIVE...in ALL SIZES)...

 

 

The first card, I didn't want all the "shakes" to fall to the bottom...I had to make separate windows on the transparency to hold the confetti pieces limited to that window...  I first out lined, with a sharpie pen, the shape of the die cut for a transparent piece to place directly on the backside of the die cut.  I also needed an additional one with the patterned paper.  I glued the transparent piece to the die cut (back of), then carefully applied the 3D tape along the outline (piece face down) of each window.  (Careful to not let any tape show, I used Skinny 3D Foam Strips to do so.

While the die cut with transparency was still flipped face down, I sprinkled my confetti shapes into each window.... Lastly, carefully pulling the last of the double side film of the tape off, I (face down) I lined up the stain glassed designer paper (also face down) and gently applied it to the tape.  I say gently, because IF I had put it on crooked...I wanted a clean chance to try again.  It was a nice solid piece of patterned paper, not flimsy, so application went like a breeze.  After playing with it and shaking it for a few...I felt it was time to adhere that alter piece to my card...  I used Stardream Cardstock for my card and my giant window, I even made my own cross using the Antique Gold, same color as my card, the giant window is with Bronze Metallic, both colors are constants in my designs, if you zoom around my blog, you will see...

The second card....for my transparency to hold the confetti pieces in...  I simply used a crisp, clear celo bag, slid my finished work inside, and dropped the little pieces in.  I then snugly taped the open end of the bag over the backside of the card, and adhered firmly.  My bag was a little too big for my background, so...I slid a slightly larger piece of the Stardream card stock behind it...it made a perfect mat.  I wasn't about to start over, the empty margin was bugging me, and this was late at night in my craft studio...I didn't want to get in my car and drive to the factory to rummage through other celo bag options!  That being said...the mat turned out perfect...there is ALWAYS a solution to a mishap...well, most always...

Sticking with the stain glassed theme... my next card, would be a great option to give to a close friend, one, who you may have considered a sister forever and always.  I suspect many of us have a friend like that!  I liked the idea of the gold bead type dots, sticky dots, they reminded me of the beads the nuns have on their gowns.  

Continuing with the stain glassed look....  I made a "quickie" card ... using a stencil.  I'm still learning stencils, when to hold back, how to blend my inks, how to not make a big mess...lol... I wanted this card to be quick, so, I didn't want to overthink.  That's what the charm of quick cards is all about.  I want to be able to make something fast when I need to, and it sure feels good not having to clean up much too.  That being said...I won't elaborate...it's supposed to be QUICK!  lol  I did use holographic film to get those twinkly stars...I love this stuff... I learned about it from a random post on a craft page ... I wish I knew who originally posted...I'd love to thank them for the tip.  So fun and adds so much interest to cards!

 

 My last card ...  I really have to laugh about this one... I was up very late one night, working on either one of these cards, or something else.  I had my designs all mapped out ahead of time...  I usually color my images,  and cut them out first before anything.  I always color and cut extra, because inevitably, some ink mistake happens, and I like to have that "extra".  I am able to crank out several cards by doing so, and the creative process is becoming easier and easier for me.  After starting this method of designing...some day, I'll post a blog about my process, not today...this post is getting long already.  Anyhow...that night, while cleaning my desk...after already knowing I wanted a black card (Stardream card stock again), and I knew I wanted the crimped white panel (kind of resembling the colors of a habit)... I knew I wanted the 3 nuns... my hand, by accident, swiped the card (nothing adhered)...and the nuns tilted to the side!  That's when it came to me...they were singing and dancing and whooping it up!  And the title... well, IYKYK, lol...  I cannot get that song out of my head now...every.single.time I look at it...I hear my Sister Sledge album playing on my "turn table" stereo, back in 1979...when I was a teenager.  Oh, where did the time go?

 

 I do want to point out a few other Kindred supplies I used in all of these designs:

 

Font used for my singing nuns:   Stitched Alpha Die Set

Shapes/Panels for the stain glassed window cards:  Card Basics Die

Background banner on my shaker card:  Sentiment Strip Dies

 Confetti pieces for shakers:  Shaker Packs (although I drew from my stash, I thought I'd share this link.   The shakers I used are Kindred shaker packs from the past, but I wanted to share this link since there are some fun clay ones to see, (and other)...I can see once on a shaker roll, how it would be easy to want some of each!  :)

 

Well, there you have it!  I thoroughly enjoyed designing with this set.  I have 4 sisters, who each one of them, has a special place in my heart.  I found myself choked up a bit, I won't lie, there were some tears... while reminiscing about each one throughout this creative process.  One sister, in Heaven, I'd love to reach and talk to, I've really needed my sisters this past year, and I am truly blessed to have them in my life.  So, you know where my cards may be going, I truly hope everyone has a "sister" like I do.

 

This set, along with 4 additional "must have" sets, will become available on Friday, January 30th, 8:00 am, Pacific Time.  This new release is going to be hard to resist, so you will definitely want to pop on to the Kindred Stamps website early on Friday, or through my links here, I know I see a couple more that will end up in my craft room too! 

 

 

 

Magical Unicorn Farm...

 Where butterflies are in fLIGHT, and rainbows shine in the most unique colors of the rainbow....Twinkling stars shimmer and shine in a pastel blue sky....and our inner child, with a unique shade of violet, gray and pink hair, safely tucks the cards we've been dealt, close to her heart.

Sometimes, that's what we need...

 

 Not sure my vision even remotely came close with this card.  In fact, I had no vision, I just knew I wanted to use the image I chose.  I adore the Gorjuss Girl line of Santoro, I have a fairly nice assortment of these precious inner child stamps.  I just didn't want to think...and the more I got into this card, the less I was liking what I was doing.  So...I started adhering things past the point of no return, and this is the result.  When I cleaned my desk last night, my "extra" spoke to me, and I started doing what I should have done all along.  I MIGHT one day, revisit this card, and finish it the way I should have...but...I'm in that kind of funk right now, that just wants to be that inner child, lost in a world of make believe for a bit...and I need to be gentle and kind to me right now...so, revisiting this, simply isn't in the cards....(lol, literally)

This was my 102 Craft Roulette  Contribution and it was for the episode #302.

 

1.  Card on Card Project:  There are playing cards in the image stamped on this card

2.  Unicorn Farm Colors:   In a world of pastel, glitter and twinklies

3.  Element Light(s):  Butterflies in fLIGHT, stars and rainbows are light sources

4.  Random Label:  Gorjuss is a brand label for Santoro (London)

 

I hope to do better this week.  I was so enthusiastic to approach this card, and then frustration from my real life got the best of me...I usually find paper crafting a great escape, and rather mental medicine for me, but...I guess the heaviness of life weighed a little more this week...if I have one more UPS issue, I'm going to explode!  LONG long LONG story...and I'm a veteran shipper, 40 (yep that's 40) years of it...so, I know my way around a delivery truck / semi / airplane or two...  That being said...our record is A+, and I am amazed at how UPS & FedEx are as efficient and for the most part excellent service for businesses.

 

On a brighter note...  be on the lookout for the January Kindred Stamps New Release next week!  I loved my set, the research (refreshing the fandom in my memory) and all the rest it involved!  I will be posting my set and what I did with it early next week, so come back to see what it's all about!  

 

I'm looking forward to tonight, Craft Roulette...  It might be a Papa Murphy's Pizza kind of night...clean kitchen, no dishes...sit back and enjoy, and let the creative thoughts begin!

 

 

 

 

A Tree is a Tree is a Tree

 I made a very quick Craft Roulette card last night.  What I LOVE about Craft Roulette, is figuring out what direction I plan to go.  I typically, will mull over the parameters, I'll rummage through my many MANY many stamp sets...MANY...I started this crazy collection about the year 1997ish...so, MANY...  I'll put a pile of options in front of me...like 3+, (last night I had about 6 potentials)...I stare at them for about 5 minutes...and let my mind start to "feel" which direction I want to go.  99% of the time...I will stick with my final choice and I eliminate one by one...I did NOT with my 100th contribution, I actually wasted a night of stamping on that one...(my previous post)...(originally, I had chosen a raccoon...oh how that ROYALLY changed)

Last night, I expected to use one of Lavinia Stamps, or there were some fun silhouette pooch images  from Unity Stamps I had in my pile.  But, I kept thinking of the "old product" parameter, and that kind of narrowed it down for me to use a Stamping Up set.  Once upon a time, I was a hobby demo, so you can imagine the collection I have ...  lol (7 years?  maybe 10?)  One day, you may learn why I quit...it certainly wasn't because of the quality of the products.  I really do enjoy using my SU sets, especially my backgrounds, AND...I love the card stock too.  I'm glad I branched out...now, my options are massive, and Craft Roulette night is like a crafting mega amusement park for me...  There is NO parameter that cannot be done!  lol!

I settled with a set, that had never seen ink.  I believe I purchased it around 2008ish?  I KNOW the randomly stamped little "thank yous" was acquired early 2000s...it may be one of the first SU sets ever for me.  It MIGHT be a "Sale-A-Bration" set even.  I believe it's purple rubber, I'll have to check when I get back to my craft studio.  I didn't really pay much attention to that last night when I made the card.

Anyhow...my card:

 I justify these parameters in the following ways:

1.  If you look close...you will see random "thank you's" all over the background.

2.  The fallen on the ground "yellowish" Granny Smith apples from our apple orchard lead me to using earth tones on this card.  Coincidently, I noticed them yesterday, before I watched CR.

3.  Silhouette of the "tree"...which is NOT an apple tree...but, I was thinking apple trees and my way of thinking... a tree is a tree is a tree is a tree...and this one is a silhouette!

4.  Any SU product of mine is OLD...I have not been affiliated with the company since 2008ish?  

And there you have it!!!

I absolutely LOVE my Friday nights!  Even when I'm remote, I'll pull up the parameters...this one was fun and easy....so if you are on the fence...  you should join in!

Craft Roulette Invitation

It is a TON OF FUNN!!!!!

English Rose / Candle in the Wind

 I tried to finish 2025 with my 100th Craft Roulette contribution, but just couldn't do it...even though I started one, yikes...I even finished it...yikes again...but I will post down the line some day.

My 100th...what can I say... I started out so different, but, it wasn't sitting with me.  I truly wanted something special.  I'm not sure I did it justice, but I sure traveled down memory lane with this one, and I suspect, I'll be chatting with many as we all recollect that time in our lives.

 First, the parameters are what lead me to using my Her Royal Majesty stamp set from Scrappy Boy.  It may not be available anymore, but just in case...I provided the link.  I adore this company, and it's offerings, there are so many fun stamp sets ... and if it's no longer available, there are so many other fun stamps that this company offers.  I'm not affiliated with this company, just a loyal customer, who loves the line!

 

 

 

 

So...here goes, this could be a very long post!

I'll start with the parameters first:

I chose to use this set based on the outdoor critter parameter...combined with the 1990s.  I remembered ALL the crazy "collector" Beanie Babies I purchased through one of my dear "Candy Bouquet" customers of mine...(back in the day, when we were cranking out tens of thousands of 3D solid chocolate roses for the franchise)  (That was a big gig) Of all those beanies, there are maybe 2...that I will not and would not part with, although I did find my stash of them, while I was ransacking my closest, looking for "English Rose". (The beanie that TY released after the tragic accident in honor of Princess Diana.)  If I recall, the royal bear, was very hard to come by, and my customer, with her limited supply, saved me one, and shipped it to me...all the way from Kentucky!  (FYI...the other one is the Millennium)  

From there...I created my card.  

I stamped and colored a little purse to include among the white roses, and our little critter bear (if that is too far of a stretch for "outdoor critter"...I did add a butterfly, which fits the criteria)...the colors, 90s colors, that Princess Diana loved (pink was her favorite) and wore (who can forget the famous super yacht image of her wearing blue, dangling her feet above the majestic ocean blue water)...and for the textile parameter...  I used my much used, maybe the most used stamp in my craft room....my Stamping Up! background "Linen" stamp.  It's been YEARS since I was a hobby SU person, but I still have all my stash, and since Craft Roulette, I find uses for stamps that would otherwise never see the light! (yikes)  Linen isn't one of those...I use it TONS TONS TONS TONS...in fact, one of the ladies I used to swap with, nicknamed me Linen, because I'd praise how much I used that stamp...that and "True Thyme" cardstock...another must.

Before I end this very long post....who can remember where they were the night the news hit.  My husband and I were headed home from a Labor Day weekend BBQ at a dear friend's house.  We were just starting our journey to parenthood, which ended up taking a very long time,  we didn't know it at that time what struggles were ahead of us. Our friends had recently become new parents, so there was lots to talk about.  I remember the silence, once we turned on the news and heard of the accident.  It still tugs at my heart, the images of what was to come.  It feels like yesterday, and yet it's going on 30 years.  Since then, my family has suffered huge loss, from a nationally known violent crime, all the way to the recent loss of my Dad, who I miss terribly every day, and my sister in law, just a few months ago.  We have had great joy too...college graduations, new nieces and nephews (great), and so many blessings (my son's successful surgery at such a tender age..to remove that nasty tumor).  There were moments in this card that I wasn't sure if I did it justice for Diana or not...I know sounds a bit deep for a Craft Roulette card, lol...but for me...it felt good to recollect where we have come, through hard times and good times too. I know how hard things have been at times, and I know things get brighter eventually, and perhaps going back that far, and then recollecting all the in between...maybe if I didn't do the card justice, it did for me!

I have found good ole fashioned creative therapy playing with my supplies...and although I'll put in a plug for Craft Roulette , it has turned out being my "go to"... I encourage any and all, to find "something".  I can start another long post with the advice of "something" that was once given to me...and although I forget to practice it from time to time...I'm glad I did, and I'll spare that info for another long post!

 So...tomorrow night, the wheel spins again...pop in, and then share!

Happy New Year to ALL!