You are the World

I played with my current Club Scrap kit this weekend.  That is totally shocking for me I know, but roll with it.  It has so many fun stamps and embellishments.  Here are a couple of cards I made.

And by saying you are the world, I'm not saying you are fat.  Oh no!  In fact, you are looking a little peaked.  You'd better go eat some jelly beans or something.

The Fine Print: I'm not too wordy because my back hurts and I've used up all my words today telling the cats that my back hurts.  They are appropriately sympathetic.  I think.  All the good stuff in the cards by Club Scrap "Bookshelves" the March 2013 kit.  Hey, do you think my back hurts because I shampooed carpets today?!  Dang that housework anyway.  That stuff can maim!

Birthday Party

This month was my stamp club's birthday and we decided to have a special celebration for it.  We had several different tables of activities for our members to do.  Half the tables would be make and takes where they could participate in making something.  The other half of the tables would be for demos so they could learn things to do on their own.

I agreed to man one of the tables and I think one thing this club needs is more actual stamping or creating.  That meant my table was going to be a hands-on make and take  One problem with this stamp club is that it has too many members so if you agree to do a make and take for everybody you need to plan for about 50.

That got me thinking, what can I put together for 50 people?  I had been pondering that on and off for awhile when I came across this post by Crooked Stamper.  I thought her solution to using up the ends of paper packs would be ideal for my class. 

That worked out great as I had plenty of papers that coordinated that could be used for this class.  I had a nice variety of colored twine and greeting stamps.  So while everyone made the same project, no two were alike because folks could pick different papers, different twine, and different greetings.  It was widely received, so much so that now people want to do a Christmas card version of this class in the fall.

The Fine Print: While this workshop shows a great use for those scrap strips of patterned paper one has left over, the reality is for the class I cut up entire sheets of paper for it.  I have plenty of left overs so perhaps this will become my signature card.  Papers by various companies, greeting stamps by DeNami, Hero Arts, and A Muse Artstamps, twine (bottom cards) by May Arts, twine (top card) from PaperMart.com (however, I don't recommend them).

Ergonomic Toilet Seats

I went to a card workshop last night.  I signed up for it earlier in the month before my life got really crazy, but I decided to still go because sometimes it is nice to do a workshop where there are no obligations.  I didn't have to teach or prepare for it, I didn't have to buy anything afterwards either, all I had to do was be there and enjoy.  I was up to doing that.

There is a newer police substation that is mid-town and it has a lovely community room.  It is a nice size with big open spaces, lots of windows, and tables and chairs that roll easily for rearranging the room.  I've been to this room before.  Across the lobby is the restroom.  I've been there before too.  When I went previously I just perched on the edge of the toilet seat as one is want to do in a public restroom.  However, this time I was too tired and the place was immaculate so I just plunked my big butt right down square and center on the seat.

What an odd sensation my butt encountered.  The toilet seat was molded to fit my bottom just like it was made for it. I've never sat on an ergonomic toilet seat before.  I've sat on a many uncomfortable one though, that is for sure, so this was different.  Anyway, it was rather comforting if not disconcerting all at the same time.  I'm telling ya, you gotta swing by there some time and check it out.  Bring a book, sit back, and relax!

The Fine Print:  All the stuff is by Stampin' Up because why not?!

Clean and Simple

CAS is big in stamping these days.  CAS stands for Clean and Simple, which means wide open spaces and simple designs.  The exact opposite of CAS with a ton of layers, complicated images, and more bling than you can shake a glitter wand at is also big in stamping.

However, the next A Muse Studio challenge is not about cluttering it up but about cleaning it up.  One aspect of clean and simple is having a quantity of white space on your card.  White space does not have to be white, but it often is.

Here is my CAS card with lots of white white space.  I have to admit that this card did not have the impact I envisioned.  The line where one color turns into the next is jagged and I think that detracts from the design and makes it less than clean. 

I am much happier with this CAS card.  It is crisp and wide open.  It makes an impact. It doesn't even make me twitchy which I thought would happen once this challenge topic was announced.  It turns out I'm okay with clean and simple.  Who knew?

The Fine Print: Both cards made with A Muse Studio product, as us design team members are supposed to do; however those joining in the challenge don't have that requirement so why don't you stop by and join in today?  Stamp sets used: polka dot patterns, say it with style, and handscripted.  Cardstock used: sugar, grapefruit, and grapefruit petite polka day.  Other items used: heart trio die, markers, and Memento black ink.

Mystery Unveiled

Every month at my stamp club meeting those who are feeling adventurous agree to participate in a mystery item challenge.  The mystery is that you are going to be given something that you won't know what it is in advance. The challenge is then you have to make a card with it.  All those who make a card with the mystery item then put it on a display board at the next meeting and we swap the cards out amongst each other. We have a lot of fun with this swap.

Here is the card I brought to our March meeting.  The mystery item is the green bauble.  Luckily it had a flat back.  I really wanted to make a turtle with it, but as my husband pointed out that it would only work if it looked like you were looking down on the turtle and did I have a stamp like that?  The answer was no, but I will say that someone else had one and made that card!

Above is the card I received in return.  I like the oriental flare to this card and how the decorative edged scissors look like bamboo.  I also like the different and random layers and patterns.  I think it is neat when people do that.  When I do it, it tends to look like a hot mess.

The Fine Print: Top card stamp by Hero Arts.  Bottom card by Judy M.  The mystery item we have for next month is a lock of curly doll hair.  I so hope someone has a topless man stamp and they turn it into chest hair.  I may have to find such a stamp myself just to be sure someone does it.

Orange you glad you stopped by?

I love the concept of fruit stamps.  They are fresh, fun, flirty and great for spring and summer cards.  The reality is I buy a set and then have the hardest time using it.  I love fruit.  I love to eat it.  I love that it exists. I love cards with fruit on them.  Just don't expect me to make 'em.  I don't know why.  So I was intrigued when A Muse Studio came out with a fruit set (and matching dies!) this year. Of course I bought it so it could join my other rarely used fruit stamps.  I am hoping I can come up with some fabulous ideas of what to do with it so I can get over my fruit hump. You can bet that I am keeping my eye on our consultant gallery for ideas.  Meanwhile, here's quick and fruity card.

The Fine Print: Stamps used "Squeeze the Day" set, cardstock used orange and orange petite pinstripes, ink used-Memento black, other supplies-onyx chevron ribbon, and Copic marker. By the way, I really wanted the chevron ribbon to to in a stripe across the panel but that stuff tricks your eyes so it looks like one side is smaller than the other and it is so distracting when it is straight across.  Or anyway, that is what I think.

O.M.G.

Hobby Lobby opened today in my town.

My town!

So where am I?

At work.  

The Fine Print: They listed March 22 as their opening so I have that day off, so all is not lost as I'll be there for the festivities.  I had a card to share with you but I don't have it with me.  I knew you'd be sad if I didn't post something so now you can be sad that I'm not at Hobby Lobby instead.