February 14

It turns out that I still have some Valentine's cards to share with you all. I know this day gets some folks' undies in a wad, but I think my husband summed it up this morning, "This day, just like other holidays, is what you make of it."

Least you think my hubby says that because he has me, a single friend of mine also said today that everyone should do something they love with someone they love, even if it is just Netflix and chill with yourself.

The Fine Print: Designer papers, stamps, and dies by Stampin' Up and card bases by A Muse Studio.

More VD Cards

These are the other cards I made at my friend's house the other day. We talked about doing it again for St. Patrick's Day or Easter and I hope we do because it is a lot of fun to craft with other people. Plus, your friends always have the better stash, have you noticed?

And thanks for asking about my plague. It's slowly meandering its way away from me. I've brought in the big guns now (hardcore asthma meds). Other people are now catching it for the 2nd or 3rd time. I think I'll take a pass.

The Fine Print: Vintage card toppers from K and Co, hedgehogs by Penny Black, love die by Stampin' Up, papers, doilies, tape 'n such from someone's stash.

Play Date

A few weeks ago, before I caught the plague, my friend invited me over to her house to play. Of course I said yes, because once you become an adult you don't get invited over to play much anymore. It's a really sad thing.

Anyway, she had invited several ladies to come over and play. The purpose of our gathering was to make Valentine's cards. I had a ridiculous amount of Valentine embellishments lying around so I brought them and we had a grand old time playing. These are a couple of the cards I made.

The Fine Print: Big heart die cut from friend, loves from Stampin' Up and A Muse Stuido, heart DP by DCWV, dotted DP by Theresa Collins, ribbon and paper flowers from my stash. 

I {Heart} Hearts

With Valentine's Day fast approaching I thought I should make a few more cards. At first I was stumped for ideas but then I decided to copy myself.  That decision was made easy because I found an identical card blank and the same snippet I used before.  You'll see I did change up little girls though.

Then I decided to use up some other random pieces I had lurking around in my Valentine pile to make this happy heart dog. Much like the Christmas pile that thing isn't going to get used up in my lifetime either, but I keep plodding away at it.

I used glossy accents on the pup's nose and eye for a little touch. I thought about glittering the heart but I needed a VD card for a guy so I left that frilly touch off.

Well, that's me using some bits and pieces so it's off to the Snippets Playground. That's twice in one week. It's like it is becoming a habit or something.

The Fine Print; Valentine stamps by Stampin' Up (two different sets), LOVE greeting by Copper Leaf Creations, foam heart from Joann's crafts, and everything else from my stash 'o stuff.

Bling it on!

This week at the In The Pink Challenge we are tasked with using gems, sparkles and any other sort of bling that tickles our fancy.  Of course I had to pull out the embossing folder that I bought specifically to bling the heck out of. I suppose I could have added a little more sparkle by cutting my heart out of glitter paper, but I am quite pleased with how my pink creation came out.

The Fine Print: Embossing folder by Ecstasy Crafts, heart die by Simon Says Stamp, flowers, ribbon, and bling from my stash. 

3, 2, 1...

This week Shopping Our Stash asked us to do a countdown. We were to use three of one thing, two of another, and one of a third. Interestingly enough that sounds easier than it is. In the end I persevered and got two Valentine's Cards out of the deal. And better yet I used up random stuff from my stash, some of which has been around for quite awhile.

This card has three square brads (came in package with red and green so probably supposed to be a Christmas thing), two different patterned papers, and one glitter on acetate heart (made more than a decade ago).

This second card has three punched hearts (from a little used punch), two strips of ribbon (from my extensive stash of green ribbon) and one glitter sticker embellishment (still more in that pack).

The Fine Print: Swirly heart stamp by Hero Arts, glitter sticker by Pooch & Sweetheart, scallop heart square die by Spellbinders, heart punch by Stampin' Up, all other bit unknown.

Use Your Stuff--Patterned Papers

Challenge number #207 from the Use Your Stuff gals is to use 3 or more patterned papers on your creation this week.  Well, true confession time: My name is Princess Judy and I'm a paper addict. In the early days of my blog I often referenced "my 8-foot stack of paper" which is shown below in two 4-foot stacks.

And that my friends was but only a portion of my paper stash. I've since paired it down but I could probably still open my own paper store.  Anyway, all that to say this challenge really spoke to my inner hoarder.  However, just to make it hard on myself I wanted to make a Valentine's card and only wanted to use the stuff that was already in little pieces and not cut into a pristine sheet of 12x12. That really limited me because most of those bits and pieces didn't go well together.

Then I found this cool card base that came pre-printed with two different patterns on it and matched this strip of pink polka dots I have. I used a found bow and cardstock scraps to make this card. I'm really pleased with how it came out. Since I used snippets I'm also joining Pixie's Snippet Playground along with the Use Your Stuff challenge.

The Fine Print: Girl stamp by Stampin' Up, patterned card base by CTMH, pink polka dots by DCWV, scraps and bow from my stash.

Destination: Inspiration Lane

I've been keeping my eye out for challenges that inspire me to use my stuff and do something different or at least something I haven't thought about in a long time.  So when I came across a blog called Inspiration Destination I knew I had to check it out.

Their weekly challenges are always Anything Goes and while that paints a pretty broad stroke and didn't really channel me in any one direction or the other, the sheer number of participants from all over doing whatever they wanted was very inspiring.

I decided to jump out of the card making box and make a tag for Valentine's Day. I'm rather proud of this as I don't usually do anything remotely artsy and I think this came out rather well. I enjoyed finding different bits of this and that to add to my tag including all those scrumptious fibers (remember when they were all the rage?).  There is another punched heart tied into the fibers like a secondary tag.

The Fine Print: Cat stamp by Taylored Expressions "Tag-a-Long Valentine," greeting by A Muse Artstamps, both heart die by Simon Says Stamp, arrow die by Taylored Expressions, border punch by Fiskars, doily, and Love You washi by A Muse Studio, fibers from my fiber stash (which is embarrassingly extensive).

In the Pink

Over the Christmas holiday I pulled out all my pink and girly stash in anticipation of Valentine's Day. Like pretty much everything else I own I discovered I had a ridiculous amount of it (5 cats, anyone?!), so I was tickled to discovered a challenge blog called In the Pink.  That ought to motivate me to use up some of this stuff especially since their current challenge is Anything Goes. Heck, I can make an 'anything'!

Before I fell into everything pink I found out that the Shopping Our Stash blog is doing a monochromatic color challenge and you can use pink as a tribute to their fallen member, The Crooked Stamper. That was such a scream, that of course I had to play along (who are we kidding, I need to pay attention to SOS more often).

So I made two cards using lots of pink and lots of odds and ends from my stash. It feels good to be using up some of this stuff and playing with pink.  I hope you enjoyed my cards!

The Fine Print: Bear stamp "Tokens of Love" by Penny Black, XOXO by DeNami Designs, heart embossing folder by Sizzix, heart card toppers by K&Co. (I think, I've had them for a loooong time), glittery pink card base by DCWV, and papers from my stash.

Sweetie Kitty

This little kitty wants to know if you'll be his sweetie.  How can you say no to a cute little teacup (coffee mug) kitty? He promises just to shed on you a little bit and never leave hairballs on the floor where you'll step on them in the middle of the night with bare feet.  Now that's true love.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Penny Black, stitched die by MFT, greeting sticker by K&Company, and the rest of the stuff from my stash.

Slider Card: Blast from the Past

Over the holidays I tidied up my notebook of techniques, which had morphed into two notebooks, several file folders, and random piles.  While I was sorting them I came across an oldie but goodie: the slider card.

You pull the tab and the front middle section slides upward.  The focal image pops out at you and two spaces for secret messages are revealed.  One is on the tab itself and the other is below.

I made this card just like I learned back in the dark ages, where you slather the back of the patterned piece with adhesive so all parts stick and continue to do so once you slice it all up.  That makes the slicing and the scoring a bit more difficult because you are dealing with two layers.  Since that is how I learned to do it; that's how I made it.  Back in those days patterned paper was always text weight, never cardstock weight.  Well, nowadays that's not always so.  That means when I make another one I'll be sure to use patterned cardstock for the front!

The Fine Print: Hedgehog by Penny Black, Hearts and Heart Greeting by DeNami Designs, Pull by Hero Arts alapabet set, dies by Spellbinders and MFT.  Thank you Laura Zak for teaching me this!

Bugging Me

This is a scheduled post because it is the first day of school so I have to be on the front lines listening to all those stupid questions that people who don't work in customer service insist don't exist.  I have the mantra at the ready: this may be the one thousandth time you've been asked this question but it is the first time asking it for the person speaking.  What the heck, it's a living.  And it is fun... in slow down to look at the car wreck kind of way.

Meanwhile, in preparation I got all crazy with dots and made this love bug notecard.  Pink and black together always make me smile.

The Fine Print:  All products by A Muse Studio, My Punny Valentine stamps and matching dies, stitched tag die, Valentine and tuxedo washi tape, blush, grapefruit and onyx polka dot cardstock, and onyx and white baker's twine.  You know what Mister Garrison in South Park says. Feel free to put what he says in the comments.  There is a prize involved if you know it.

Frilly Scrollwork Heart

I pulled out my drawer of hearts and Valentine's stamps today.  I decided it was time to get serious about making Valentine's cards.  Right after that I realized that it was a beautiful day so I ran outside to play.

Afterwards I came in and made this card.  I've always thought bright green and pink looked fun together so this card made me very happy.  The stamp is an oldie and I admire it every year, but do I actually use it?  Honestly I'm not sure if I've used it before now, but here it is.

I've commented to several people lately that I discovered a huge stash of vellum in the closet and that vellum needs to make a comeback so I can use it up. I guess it is up to me to start the trend, so look!  Vellum!  Now run to your stash and gets yours out so you can be on the cutting edge of this return trend.

The Fine Print: Rosebud Heart stamp by Hero Arts, Liquid Pearl dots by Ranger, designer paper, vellum, and ribbon from my stash.  I was worried about the scrollwork ribbon over the patterned paper but embraced my inner Janeen and went with it. She combines patterns and elements so well!

Hoppin' Bananas

I got to play a little last night.  I used a cute stamp set that was waiting for me on my desk when I got home. I made this first card because I love bananas. Currently bananas are one of the few foods I can eat that don't make my tummy bananas.

Then I moved on to this cute little bunny because he is so sweet and went so well with the heart paper I had out.  I love those stitched circles. I need more stitched dies in my life.  Maybe the VD Fairy will bring me some.

The Fine Print: VD is Valentine's Day in case you couldn't figure that out. And of course the VD Fairy is real, don't listen to your mother.  I'll bet she told you Santa wasn't real either.  Stamps by Lawn Fawn, heart paper by A Muse Studio, and stitched die by MFT.

The Knocking of the Socks

I'm still having fun playing with this silly Valentine's Day set.  I really like the socks and the socks saying, but I don't much care of the concept of sock removal.  It is much to much too cold to be sockless right now.

In fact, double socks may be called for! Cindy cat helped me with this second card.  She put a little dot under the greeting so I helped her turn it into a heart.  She says it is okay to not have socks if you have dad's electric blanket.

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio.  Stamps and dies--"My Punny Valentine;" cardstock--sugar and cherry; other products--cherry stitched ribbon, sweetheart sequin assortment; cherry crepe paper, and white gel pen.

New Year Sneak Peek!

Hello My Readers!  Sorry I didn't get to wish you happy new year yesterday but I was having technological difficulties, as in no phone, no internet and no cable.  It was and continues to be terribly primitive.  But luckily I have my trusty smoke signals and carrier pigeon available to get this post out to the world.

A Muse Studio is doing something new this year to bring newness to us every new month.  Every month they are going to have a selection of stamps and products that we just cannot live one more second without!  It's true; they are evil like that.

January's selection is all about love and Valentine's.  It has stamps, matching dies, stitched tag dies, stickers, cardstock assortment packs, new twine, heart shaped doilies, candy wrapper dies, and sequins.  One of the sets featured above has this fun tree with an open area that I chose to cut out to peek-a-boo my cute owl.  You can carve your initials in the tree if you wish to instead.

My favorite set features cute little silly things with silly sayings, like this knock your socks off notecard or the bombastic one below.  Check out that nifty stitched tag die!  You'll be seeing a lot of that in future I'm sure.

I'm going to have lots of fun playing with these stamps, dies and supplies. I love Valentine's and always have.  Forget love and romance; for me it is all about the cards!!!!!!

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio. Top Card--Stamps "You Me" and "Fall in the Forest" (now retired; I warned you all that I'd drag those animals out for spring too); cardstock--lemon whip, cherry, and sugar; other supplies--heart trio die.  Middle Card--Stamps "My Punny Valentine;" cardstock--sugar, bubblegum and sweetheart bubblegum; other supplies-"My Punny Valentine" matching dies and small scallop border die.  Bottom Card--Stamps "My Punny Valentine;" cardstock--sugar, cherry, and heartbreaker cherry; dies--"Fishtail Tag Large" and "My Punny Valentine;" other supplies--cherry and white baker's cording.

Happy Valentine Day!

Why yes, those are Fahrenheit numbers, why do you ask?  This is what Valentine's Day in Southern Arizona should be about--melted chocolates, wilted flowers and lots of tan happy people.

Here's a Valentine notecard I whipped up for the occasion.  I had to laugh at my bandit in hot pink pants, not exactly stealth clothing! 

And here are the giant flowers my hubby got me for VD. Aren't they awesome?!  Charles the cat thinks they are for him, so we won't tell him otherwise.  He was sitting on the carpeted stool there admiring them until I got out the camera--then he had to chase its strap around.

The Fine Print: Stamps used--"Quick and Cute Valentines" by AMuse Studio; cardstock used-grapefruit petite polka dot, grapefruit, sugar and onyx by A Muse Studio; Spellbinders heart and scalloped heart dies.

You're So Special

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge is to make a card for someone special.  I made this card for someone special....  Now is this the point where I should confess that I didn't know who that someone special was?  I know it sounds crazy, but I had to make a Valentine themed card for a swap at an on-line group.  I know the ladies on this group gravitate toward the cutesy stamps and all love Penny Black, so I specially made this card for whoever my partner would be.

I was quite tickled with it (as was the lady I ended up sending it to) as I thought it made a sweet, friendly Valentine card.  It's been awhile since I broke out any border punches and gosh knows I have quite a collection of them.

The Fine Print: Penny Black stamp "Sending Love," love greeting from the dollar bin (part of a bigger greeting), border punch by Martha Stewart, designer paper and bling from my stash.

Hearts & Flowers

Recently, in my blog travels I came across an iris folded card and immediately realized that was what my life was missing.  Strangely enough, before then I didn't even know that something was missing.

Now that I've made this hearts and flowers themed iris folded card, I guess I can say that my life is complete.  Hmmm... somehow I thought feeling complete would have a different feeling than this.  This feels vaguely like allergies. 

And welcome to my new followers who have come out of the woodwork in droves.  That's so cool to see you here in JudyLandia, where things are vaguely odd and oddly vague.

The Fine Print: The card was made from stuff that came from places.  That's about all I can tell you about that except the red flowers are Prima and the XOXO is by DeNami Designs.  Oh, I can also tell you that those are the worst silver brads on the planet.  The two prongs don't come together so they are very hard to thread through a hole and the metal they are made out of is so stiff you can hardly fold them down.  Terrible things.  Don't buy that kind... if I only knew what kind it was.

So Stinkin' Cute

It is Sunday again and that means it is time to take our snippets to the playground for a go at the swings and teeter totters.  Since we're closing in on Valentine's Day all my snippets are out of the Valentine's box.  Even though I've made quite a number of cards, that box doesn't seem any less full from when I first pulled it out, especially the snippet pile.

 

I made this little black, white and red sweetie with a newish Simon Says Stamp set.  I thought he would be lots of fun to play with.  He is stamped on the linen textured paper that I have a lot of.  That paper reacts interestingly to Copic markers which kept my black (really dark grey) from being too dark.

However for this card he is stamped on regular cardstock and the color came out too dark.  So for the next card I moved down a color on the grey scale, or actually two colors since I don't own ones right in a row.

That one was too light.  Then I tried to darken him up except around the face and he came out sort of awkward looking.

I tried another piece of the linen textured paper and it didn't work as well as it did on the first try.  Again, my skunk looks awkward around the face.

So I just threw the last card together and called it good.  Now that I've had a go at this stamp set I don't think I like it so much after all since I can't get good coloring on the skunk. It is too bad as it has the cutest sayings in a nifty font to go with it.

The Fine Print: Skunk and tiny hearts from Simon Says Stamps "Stinkin' Cute," plain heart punch by EK Success, hearts on a wire die by Simon Says Stamps (snippet of an entire background die), fat curvy heat die by A Muse Studio, small lace heart (last two cards) by Simon Says Stamps, huge greeting by Copper Leaf Creations and of course, all the bits of paper from my snippet pile.