Who's Afraid of the Big Ole Bad Wolf!

 I've been waiting for the perfect Craft Roulette parameter to land my way to quickly gather my Little Red Riding Hood stamp set from Scrappy Boy Stamps .  

The sentiment(s) would be great for someone who is starting a scary new venture!  

Parameters for Episode #251 / My 65th entry!  Craft Roulette Live

1.  Slimline Card

2.  Lumberjack Colors

3.  Hat(s) or Cap(s) Element

4.  Doily Random

Very brief post here.... been a very busy week ... I'll try harder next week!  :)  It starts all over tomorrow night!  (Craft Roulette) ..  Truly, if you get in a creative slump...you ought to give it a whirl!!!

What a Glorious Thing to be Kindred Spirits!

 Just imagine a world of gloriousness, where kindred spirits can dance in a colorful field of flowers and embrace the uniqueness of each and every one..... I imagined all of this when creating with this wonderfully absolutely outstandingly great great great new release  Kindred Spirits from Kindred Stamps

 

I'm sharing 4 cards today with this fun set.  I used a few random dies from my craft studio stash, but I chose to do a little "freehand" pieces as well, I'll elaborate on those per card!

 

My first card, I created my "hills" and layered, starting with the background hills, ink blended in  earth tone colors with a lighter shade of distress oxides (greens), next "layer" using a grass green (shades of) distress oxide with little "grass" patches stamped randomly on, following up with a meadowy hill of yummy floral patterned paper.  I used my Stitched Alpha Dies for the word "HOME"...  (House was a die from my stash, any house will do!)   I chose to freehand create the fence, no need to be even or perfect, it has that rustic vibe you would see on a countryside farm!

 

My second card,  I created my own trees, which I adhered a couple with dimension, (the front tree with major dimension), to appear the depth of a forest.  I took a brown piece of card stock, gave it some texture of a "tree" (can be achieved with an embossing folder, or inking distress on it)...  then cut various widths of the piece, lastly cut a little heart out of the middle of the largest. I adhered the trees to a distress oxide ink blended background.   I found a piece of actual wood card stock to "carve" the sentiment on and position under the heart cutout, I've had it in my supplies for probably 20 years....  This card would be PERFECT to use initials of a Valentine recipient for the wood sentiment.  I wanted to do something generic, but...you honestly could  alpha an initial of each you and your "Valentine".  

My 3rd card, I pictured two bffs, also kindred spirits for life...running in a meadow of flowers.  I die cut a center out of my patterned paper, where I adhered it over an ink blended piece that was stamped with my sentiment.  I added a wreath with little flowers all around to match, along with my 2 best friends for life characters, each popped up with dimensional tape!

My last card, was very quick and simple.  I loved the paper choice and had just enough remaining to make a simple card.  I adhered a fancy mat, my 2 characters and a sentiment... I can see sending a quick little note to someone who might need a little cheering up after feeling a slight setback, we all experience.  Those little notes can brighten a blue mood, we all need those little pick me ups every now and then!!!!  

 

I thoroughly enjoyed designing with this set.  I was honored to work with the "Kindred" aspect of this.  We are all linked one way or another, as we share this passion for paper, inks and really cool stamps!  This set and other fabulous options release this Friday, the 31st!  You will want to visit the site, there are some really fun new offerings, I know I'll be adding a few new dies to my craftroom!!

 And one final note....  If you choose to use my affiliate links found here, it is of zero extra costs to you, but sends a little my way!  Thanks for stopping by!

OH DEAR OH DEAR OH DEAR Winnie the Pooh!

 OH DEAR OH DEAR OH DEAR!!!!!

Craft Roulette, Episode #248, my 63rd entry.... and my first and second idea(s) just weren't working for me...  I usually work around my initial idea(s) until they make sense and work... but this time, seems like I threw a few things in the garbage, and saved a colored image for a later project.  Not sure I will use it, you never know.  I knew, however, I wanted to use Pooh...and I knew, once I found it in my stash that is stored on our pool table, that I needed/wanted to use my honeycomb paper...  

Let me first start by saying...  I LOVE playing with my Winnie the Pooh stamps.  So much, that even though I have several in my stamps stash... I'm kind of thinking I may want to add a few more.

I don't have my rejects to show you, but basically, I was trying to create this card by having the honeypot on the front (after my first fail)....  HUGE visual difference there.  Not even sure what I was thinking there...  I knew I needed a bigger image ... so, this is a multi-stamp set card.

  My original art included an adorable lil Pooh climbing a tree, (that set includes the special bumble bees and the honey hive/branch)...  I colored and cut it up way too impulsively, and it just wasn't fitting the color images that were strongly going around in my head... so I thought...the POT and HIVE will do instead, I hadn't planned to use those in the beginning...but after nixing Pooh in tree...I still needed a branch for parameter #4, so I colored up the hive and pot....

  I did have the pot in the spot of where current Pooh is after I decided not to use the tree Pooh....  It then looked naked and empty and tiny.  SO...I slept on it... and my next stab at it...was to first safely put my previously colored Pooh in Tree in a place for future use (I put it with the actual cleaned up set)...(It's such a cute image, I know I'll use it one day)... then gently remove the pot that I impulsively adhered to the card....and in that spot...put a big Pooh in it's place.  That's where stamp set #2 was used.

Then there were my leaves... I dug through so many dies I possess, to find something that might look like tree leaves...  What color green cardstock will work?  geesh...none, after multiple tries.   BUT...  Something I have never done, but saw one night from a guest on Craft Roulette, was to die cut in white, and color with alcohol markers...  ahhhh...the creative wheels started turning, and the rest is shown here on this post!!!  lol  IF, and probably when, I recreate this card...it is so dang simple, once I figured it out!

It's like sewing...some times, you simply need to sleep on it...

Parameters:

1.  Project:  Tag (my Pooh is on a tag)

2.  Colors:  Disney (Pooh is Disney! So Pooh colors = Disney colors)

3.  Element:  January (January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day)

4.  Random:  Branch (Honey hive is on a branch)

Supplies:  One of my favorite and "go to" stamp companies, Unity Stamp Company  and shout out to Cardstock Warehouse where I am loving the good deals Almost Perfect Cardstock Paper and what I used for my base (Stardream Bronze)

Stamps:

Winnie the Pooh: Oh, Dear

Winnie the Pooh: Honey Pooh

Card Stock:  

Stardream Pearlescent Metallic

So, busy is starting again for me, but I hope to sneak in a craft roulette tonight...I never know what company / stamp set I will choose from...it's all up to Mr. Wheel, and which parameter will be spun!

Let the Good Times Roll!

Monday starts the Carnival Season for Mardi Gras 2025.  I don't want to write like I'm an expert, because I certainly am not...just a gal from the Pacific NW, who, she and her husband, a few years ago, went to visit her Brother In Law in Mississippi.  We decided to head to Gulfport during Mardi Gras week...but quickly found out... (after attending an authentic Mardi Gras party at the home of a former "King and Queen") that this isn't limited to a week...  The Carnival Season starts on the Twelfth Night, (January 5th or the 6th, depending on which day you start counting from Christmas)... and will go on all the way up to Fat Tuesday.  Forgive me if I am not correct on my facts or editing my knowledge...I have so much to learn about this celebration that has been going on in the US since the first in Mobile, AL, 1703.  (Care to share facts or memories, I encourage you to post in the comments!!!)  My memory includes parades (one a little on the wild side, Biloxi, MS, the other very family friendly in Gulfport)  (One of us even got  hit in the forehead with some heavy beads at the first, not me)

Now... on to my card(s) ...  There is no secret how much I enjoy crafting with a handful of companies... You have seen many designs using the stamps from:  

Kindred Stamps / Scrappy Boy Stamps / Unity Stamp Company

All three of those companies are my "go to" favorites, although I have started to quickly add a few more to the mix ... you will most likely see designs from those newly found favorites in the future!

I was thrilled to use a set from Scrappy Boy Stamps:  Cute Girls Mardi Gras

I have quite the collection of the Cute Girls, they are easy to fussy cut to the line, and of all the images I've ever colored skin on, for some reason, I find these the easiest.  I'm still working on hair, not sure I'll ever find my groove with hair...although, I'm getting better.  Hair isn't easy for me, especially black, so I avoid.

This weeks Craft Roulette episode #247 parameters were:  

1. Card for a Craft Friend:  I have been corresponding with another Craft Roulette participant, every Friday night, we compare notes, and messenger each other.  I made this for her, as I have learned she is very familiar with Mardi Gras, as it's her heritage and she lives in the South!  
2. Pretty Paper Colors:   If you are familiar, you will 100% understand:  Graphic 45 ...  When I think of pretty paper, there is no company that I look first to other than Graphic 45.  That doesn't mean I don't have stacks and stacks of very pretty paper from other companies, but...my #1 is  Graphic 45 . I was disappointed when the value pack (I think it was 24ish, papers only) pads of 12x12 were discontinued, or at least I haven't found them anymore.  I still can buy the "kits", but, I loved having those extra sheets for dimension fussy cutting...so beautiful.
3. Bell(s) of Belle Element:  Look close....there are bells on the Jester/Joker Hat!
4. Something Gold Random:  I'm still on that sparkly paper kick...I have been buying it up as I go...  You can stamp on it easily, my feathers are stamped on, and I used as a border too...  Gold enamel dots reminded me of Mardi Gras beads...

2022 Mardi Gras Parades ... Night pictures, Biloxi, MS ...  Day pictures, Gulfport, MS

The night parade started out fairly tame, but ended up a little wild and crazy, as it was quite clear, the participants on the floats, many were having a very good time!

 

 

 

 

Mardi Gras Day

 

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

 

Smitten by Cute Friends

I'm totally smitten by this kitten set of stamps from Kindred Stamps!  Cute Friends is one of the new releases from Kindred Stamps launching this Friday, December 20th, 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time.  I felt sparkly sparkly and more sparkly when designing with this fun set, that I decided to include sparkle paper and that fun sticker holograph paper for my ink blended backgrounds on all of my projects.  (The sky really is the limit with that holographic paper...so fun to play with!!!)  

I decided I wanted to get an early start on Valentines, and what a great set this is for that!!!  Hearts and sparkly purrrrrfect!!!   I promised myself to do something QUICK ...  and EASY ... as I plan to do a whole bunch of these cute lil friends cards made for 2025 Valentines Day.  I can't emphasize enough how versatile I'm finding the Stitched Alpha Die Set to be when designing quick cards and scrapbook pages!  

 

An easy way to make a rainbow is to use a nesting set of circle dies, you can "nest them" together, and when you cut them out, you will get a set of "rays" ... simply cut them in half  and  there you go, perfectly lined up rays!  You will end up with lots for future use... this is where I "save for a rainy day" in my stash.

 

My next project reminded me of a set of fraternal twins...we have a girl/boy set of twins in our family, and these precious star babes reminded me of them when they were littles.   My "littles" were very close in age too, so they may as well have been twins, the boy girl combo siblings are so so sweet!  This would make a perfect baby shower card for a new mom who is having boy/girl twins, or how sweet would it be for your littles to give a card like this to a grandparent or special person!  I didn't hold back on the sparkly here!  I used a circle die here to make my moon.  I first cut a big circle out, then took that circle die again, and positioned it in my Big Shot to cut a chunk out of it!  Very easy way to get a moon, just like the rainbow! 

Last but certainly not least... my personal favorite of them all!  This was my Smitten Kitten card!  Once again, I found the Stitched Alpha Die Set to come in very handy!  

So there you have it...  one of the fabulous sets included in the last 2024 new release for Kindred Stamps  

I for one, am glad this holiday season is winding down.  After 38 years of "holidays" in our chocolate facility, I feel beaten up, physically and emotionally.  Putting an hour in here and there, during this very HARD holiday season, stamping with my Cute Friends set really gave me the happy vibe...  I KNOW you will want to pounce on!!!  :)

And a final note...I do use affiliate links here on my blog.  If you do choose to use them, it is of no extra costs to you, but it gives me a little extra incentives, which I turn around and use to keep on plugging away at my crazy paper crafting fun!

 

Cute Girls Bake for the Holidays! :)

 Tis the time of the year, where you see cookies cookies and more cookies on counter tops of kitchens everywhere!  I'm not much of a cookie baker, my sister is...she actually does those fancy sugar cookies, decorated for small and large events, her talent is off the charts!

I was drawn to the Cute Girls Stamps line by Scrappy Boy Stamps quite some time ago, I even took advantage of the ridiculously HUGE savings/sale this last week for "Better Than Black Friday", which is now the  "Black Friday" sale...both HUGE savings on such a fun stamp line from a company that is above and beyond for customer service and the "fun factor".  I'm sure if you peruse this blog of mine, you will see MANY examples of Scrappy Boy stamps ...  fun fun fun.

A couple of weeks ago, Craft Roulette parameters just fell into place using one of the Cute Girls...the timing of the holidays, the sale, and my mood... all the stars aligned to give this result!

This card was the result of the following parameters for episode #241 of Craft Roulette:

1. Z-fold card:  (This may be my very first ever z-fold...after 25ish years of card making.  So easy and so fun...there may be one or two in there from the past...may be my Hansel and Gretel card could qualify...I will make more.  The key to it:  USE DOUBLE SIDED DESIGNER PAPER!!!  I did and am now on a trend with it, based on my #242 episode Craft Roulette entry... (previous blog post)
2. Scarecrow Colors:  My inspiration for these colors was found from the Scarecrow of the Wizard of Oz.  Brownish/kraft/hunter greenish/burgundy vibe here...  Once thinking about the Wiz, I started thinking of yellow brick roads and such...out comes the glittery gold paper and glitter red embossing powder...  see how one inspiration can lead to the next?!
3. Baking Element:  Cute Girls Cute Girls Cute Girls!  I have the cooking set, and love love love it!!!  Cute Girls Cooking from Scrappy Boy...  Most of the cute girls have 5 different girl images per set...  (I say 1 for myself and each of my 4 sisters!)  Although I'm not a cookie baker...this is me.  I'm pretending the dough on the front is actually cinnamon rolls.  lol  (to know me is to know me)
4. Crinkle Inkle Random:  This technique, I have hoped wouldn't pop up.  Why oh why did I think that!?  It was fun!  You crinkle a piece of paper (or crinkle anything actually)...ink it up...and texture your paper up!  If you look close...you will see it all over my kraft paper.  fun fun fun!!!  I even Crinkle Inkled my Creative Companion page!  Creative Companion, where I journal every Craft Roulette entry!

 I added a little extras from a retired Stamping Up! (ornaments)  stamp (never inked up!!!) and I used a couple of the fun little stamps found in a previous Stamp Advent Calendar from Unity Stamps .  I didn't get one this year, I wish I had, it was fun the year that I did...with 25 cute stamps, that I have found I've used quite a bit over the years.  Very versatile and handy!  

 So, tonight is Craft Roulette night!  I'm not sure I'll participate this week or not, I have a lot on my plate for the next few weeks, and sleep might win over extra creative time.  We are in for the home stretch in my chocolate business, and I have several hundred gift baskets shipping over the course of a couple of weeks...  We will see how smooth that goes!

Hope you all had a GREAT Thanksgiving!!!!

 

Fun Farm Day

 This week's Craft Roulette took me to the 100 Acre Woods where sis and I spent an Autumn Day on the farm creating memories...  We pretended like we were running not running, like we were going to fall off a haystack (we were safe), made a zucchini scarecrow, and posed on the tractor, taking pictures all the way.  (I actually have scrapbook this memory).  I almost forgot I was working on Craft Roulette with this one, it was so fun recollecting the precious moments we spent exploring on the farm.  I knew I wanted to use this stamp when the parameter "fence" popped up!

If I think it through, I may have been able to get exactly 2 cards per piece of 12x12 double sided designer paper including enough for the 1-1/4" belly band.  I'm spent awhile doing math, and decided enough of that...so, although each 12x12 piece of paper will make 2 cards, there may only be enough "trim" for 1 belly band.  The kraft version was my original choice, but if it were my preference, I'd go with the matching citrus greenish one.  I'm overthinking this!  lol!

I used for supplies:  

• 1.  Ancient double sided designer paper from my stash of hundreds and hundreds if not thousands of pieces of precious paper.  I say USE THEM UP... there is ALWAYS more to be found around craftland if you run out....
• Ribbon:  Pretty sure I bought this from one of my ribbon suppliers I use in our chocolate biz...I've had it too, forever....it kind of looked like you'd see this on a farm
• Stamps:  Making Memories With Pooh Bear  from Unity Stamps .  Unity has to be one of my top favorite companies out there.  The quality of their stamps are above and beyond, and the artists / images are very cool.  I found them a few years ago, and find they are a "go to" for me for Craft Roulette!  I have a couple "go to's" if I had to pick 1 "go to", I'd probably pick Unity, as I have a very versatile collection of their stamps, they are easy to color and fussy cut too.  If I need something quick with a very cool image and sentiment, Unity definitely has all that!

 Craft Roulette Parameters:

• 1.  Gate fold Card
• Product Aisle Colors
• Fence Element
• Crumpled Paper Random

 I'm pretty sure I missed a Craft Roulette Entry a week or so ago, I'll add that in a day or 2...  

Trudi