Toy's Haven

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I get a kick out of people who complain about the decor for the next holiday being on shelves months ahead.  For me it’s like Christmas every other month!

Easter is by far my favorite holiday.  I love the bright colors and the bunnies and lambs.  I’m just hoping this coming Easter can be normal.

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The Craft Consortium I used here is hands down my favorite spring paper pad.  I’m gaga over polka dots, and the tiny flower pattern is perfect!

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This is the first time i’ve done any paper piecing in a long long time.  I like how it’s matchy matchy with all the other pieces.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Floral Cluster Spring Pansies

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Easter
Craft Consortium – 6×6 – Bright Blooms
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White Cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Baker’s twine – lt blue/white
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Nuvo Drops Blue Crush

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Thanks for stopping by!

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Today I challenged myself to make the elusive MALE valentine.  I do 10-15 Valentines each year and 20 kid valentine for my granddaughter’s class.  Not sure how that’s going to work this year, but we’ll get it done.

So yeah.. the MALE valentine… not too mushy, but reflects the personality of the receiver.  In this case, for my hubby, the Echo Park Lumberjack series has great patterns that are meant for Christmas but work here perfectly.

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I’m just going gaga over the buffalo plaid.  Pop a little rugged wooden on top and it’s all about HIM.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Love
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Typewritten Year Round Greetings
Echo Park – 6×6 – A Lumberjack Christmas
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Farmhouse Pierced Nested Hearts
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Daubers
Baker’s Twine –
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Black cardstock
Black Nuvo Crystal drops
Memento Rhubarb Stalk dye ink

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Thanks for stopping by!

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I am happy to say that not one person in my immediate family has been positive for COVid.  However, many friends have.  I can’t make cards fast enough.

I don’t keep too many sympathy cards in my stash.  I usually only make them when the need calls for it.  I generally think clean and simple for sympathy.  This card teeters on CAS, but not quite.

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The falling petal represents loss.

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I Used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Thank you for caring Coneflower
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Sympathy Sentiments SET 2
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Bazzill Mirrored cardstock – silver
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Spellbinders – Classic Circles
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Coneflower
Stamp/Die combo
Sponge Dauber
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
black cardstock
Nuvo Jewel Drops
Distress Ink – Salty Ocean

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Thanks for stopping by!

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This week we’re doing black and white.  I’ve probably made less than 10 b/w cards in my time.  I THOUGHT I didn’t like them.  I just needed to revisit the challenge.  I really like this.

I’ve noticed that my cards are getting simpler these days.  I’ve been making cards for the troops and there are limitations.  It really makes one think outside the proverbial box.

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Adding just a little pattern and texture takes it up a notch.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Typewritten what you mean to me
Echo Park – 6×6 – Coffee Friends
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – A Cup of Java
Spellbinders Classic Circles
Darice – Gradual Dots EF
Baker’s Twine – Black/white
Enamel Dots
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Oval Punch
Black cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by!

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I sort of feel like the holidays (and birthdays/anniversaries) are coming fast and furious.  On the other hand, I do more Valentines than Christmas cards.  And now with granddaughters, I’m in charge of making their class Valentines and treats.  Of course, this year may be a little different.

My husband works in the trades and the guys that he works with always order special cards for their significant others.

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Lots of texture and patterns here.  I thought I was out of Valentine type paper, but Craft Consortium’s Bright Blooms is just perfect!

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Typewritten What you mean to me
Craft Consortium 6×6 – Grunge Festive Tones
Craft Consortium 6×6 – Bright Blooms
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Baker’s Twine – celery
Emamel Dots
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners
Spellbinders -Classic Hearts
Sizzix – Crochet borders
Darice – Vine Pattern Embossing Folder
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Red Shimmer cardstock,

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Thanks for stopping by!

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I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas and are preparing for the new year.  I predict that 2021 will be a much better year!

This week we’re focusing on clean and simple, easily mass produced thank you cards.  I focused on using scraps from my paper pads.  With no dimensionals, these are easily mailable.

I left a great deal of white space on my samples.  This is something I have struggled with in the past, but I am pleased with the look here.

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The concept lends itself to any type genre of cards.  These can definitely be mass produced in short order.  On the first one, i used dies and then on the second I just added a strip along the bottom and a small strip above the sentiment.  Both cards took about 15 minutes together.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Typewritten Year Round Greetings
Memory Box 6×6 – Garland
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Enamel Dots
1/4″ ScorTape

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So get those scraps out and within minutes you’ll have a good supply of thank you cards!

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Five days until Christmas.  I have a great deal of things to button up, cook, host, and some rest in there, too.  Now it’s all about the kids/grandkids.

This week, we’re doing a year in review.  Each design team member is sharing their top 6 favorite Stamp Simply cards for 2020.  This was a tough choice!

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#1

First up is my Anniversary card for hubby.  The paper here just screams his name.

The original post can be seen HERE.

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#2

I think that every card I make with the Coneflower is a favorite.  I love the soft, yet drama that these papers exude.

The original post can be seen HERE.

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#3

I love fancy fold cards, but don’t get a chance to make them often.  I was especially happy when this came out!

You can see the original post HERE.

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#4

This year I have struggled with put together some clean and simple cards.  This isn’t quite CAS, but it was a bump in the road to get there!

You can find the original post HERE.

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#5

This card made itself.  The papers were just perfect for the stamps I chose.

You can find the original post HERE.dddd

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#6

A throwback technique (kickstand card) that just made me happy.  I love the plaid with the traditional red poinsettia!

You can find the original post HERE.

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Thanks for stopping by!

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We already know that Christmas is going be different than any we’ve shared in the past.  On a good note, we have a new granddaughter and another new one coming in less than three months.  That always brings more smiles.

Unfortunately, we can’t have our normal Christmas Eve with ALL the kids and grands.  We’ve come up with a rotating schedule so that we are not all in the same place at once, but we still get to spend time with each other.  I may be learning how to use Facetime or Zoom!

This week we’re challenged to make a card leaning heavily on the designer paper.  I immediately went to Graphic 45.  They make it so easy!

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The Graphic 45 Christmas Time paper pad has that antique, steampunk and dramatic feel.  I love it!

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I Used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Wonders of Christmas Sentiments
Graphic 45 – 8×8 – Christmas Time
Spellbinders Classic Circles
Memento dye ink
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermoweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Distress Ink – Scattered Straw
Crystal Drops
Black Cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by!

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Greetings!

This week, Sharon challenged us to create a card using stamps for the background and a verse as the focal point.  I am still lightyears away from being a CAS stamper, but I am having fun being challenged.  I will rule the CAS someday! 🙂

It’s December 7th.  A mere 18 days until Christmas.  In a normal year, I’d be done by now.  I’m no where near there.  I will admit that being stuck in my studio 6-8 hour a day makes me happy.

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I used the large collage stamp from the Jesus stamp set to create the background.  This card is so easy and could be duplicated easily.  There is not ONE piece of dimensional tape on this card!  A new first for me.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Jesus
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Wonder of Christmas
Echo Park – 6×6 – Silent Night
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth premium white cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Floral Clusters & Sprigs
Spellbinders – Classic Circles
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Ranger Glossy Accents
1/4″ ScorTape

other:
1/2″ punch
Liquid glue

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Thanks for stopping by!

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Christmas is hurling towards us at the speed of light.  Normally I would have most of my shopping done.  I’m nowhere near there.  Our Christmas with the kids and grandkids.  With all the Covid hoopla, we’re modifying our get together.  As long as we see the Princess Crew!

I’ll be focused on Christmas cards, projects, and gifts from here through Christmas.  It’s going to be fun!

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I’m still struggling with Clean and Simple cards. but I am determined!!!

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I used:

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store – O Christmas Tree
Memory Box – 6×6 – Garland
Memory Box – 6×6 – Christmas Plaid
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners
Baker’s Twine – Celery
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermoweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other: Memento dye ink – Bamboo Leaves

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Thanks for stopping by!

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