Toy's Haven

Greetings!

Glad to be back after a brief tech problem.  It’s only been a couple weeks, but it feels like it’s been forever.  I know, logically, that computers, phones, TVs, and assorted other electronic devices are not made to last.  Remember when you could buy things like toasters, blenders, etc., that would last a lifetime?  Yeah, that’s old school .

So, here I am sharing  a birthday for a very special lady.  This person (she knows who she is!) is my main connection to my mother’s family.  I love the colors, bright and sunny, as they remind me of her.

I think we’ve all had enough of the white stuff this season, so the golden yellow and bright green just scream spring/summer.

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Sunflower Season

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Birthday Sentiments
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Sunflower

Spellbinders – Pierced circles

Graphic 45 – 8 x 8″ – Garden Goddess
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock

Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Baker’s Twine – yellow/white
Webster’s Pages Sequin Mix – Party Time
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

Other:
Copics
Button

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Thanks for stopping by!

You know the old saying, “when it rains, it pours”?  Yeah, well that has been the story of our lives these past few weeks.

In late January, we lost our brother-in-law.  He was a Vietnam Veteran whose health has suffered for many years, but it was still sudden and shocking to the family and friends.  Just a few days later, an aunt on my side passed.  Again, failing health but still rattles your cage.  And to add insult to our injury, three family members had to put their doggy companions to sleep.  Not fair.

When I saw this sentiment in the new set, I thought it was absolutely perfect.  Yay for making a hard chore (pet sympathy) a breeze.

For the puppy paw, I cut (3) 1″ circles.  For the top pads, I drew a lazy yin-yang then cut it.  For the bottom pads, I lined the circle up to the lower portion of the inverted heart, marked with pencil then cut.  Same for both bottom pads.

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Sympathy Sentiments SET 2

Authentique 6 x 6 – Frontier

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White cardstock

    Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Farmhouse Pierced Nested Hearts

    Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners

Spellbinders – Lacy circles

   Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink

Kaisercraft Pearls – Black

    May Arts – Twine

    1/4″ ScorTape

    Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

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Thanks for stopping by!!

Needing a sympathy card is, for me, not a fun thing.  I have made dozens of them over the years and I never feel that they are uplifting.  Well, all that has changed.  Two of the three new sets this month are sympathy based.  The sentiments are just beautiful.

I also think that sympathy cards should be simple.  I’m finally getting my head around clean and simple, thanks to these type of sets.

***BLOG CANDY*** for this release will be one each of the new sets.  In order to be in the draw, you must comment on the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store’s blog.  You must comment by 2/15/2019 in order to be in the running.

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I used this frond from the Spellbinders Foliage die set as to me it looks like the frond is reaching out for a hug.

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Sympathy Sentiments SET 1(link to come)

Bazzill Mirror Cardstock –
Spellbinders Foliage
Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder – Gold
Versamark
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Gold Nuvo drops

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Make sure you hop over to the store blog (link above) and leave a comment.  You’ll really want these beautiful sets!

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Thanks for stopping by!

My first favorite phrase is “Out for Delivery”, closely followed by “Release Week”!!!

Over the next couple of weeks, the design team will share cards/projects made with the new sets that will be available on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.  These are a must have!

Unfortunately, I have been in need of several sympathy cards.  The sentiments in these sets are absolutely beautiful.  Very classy, too.  I don’t think I own near enough sentiment sayings.  I’ve always been of the school of thought that says the inside of the card should remain blank so that when I pick it out to send, I can personalize the inside.  Now, with these new sets, I may just start adding an inside sentiment.

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My impression of buttoned up shabby chic.

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Don’t you just love the font used on this sentiment?!

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Birthday Sentiments

Kaisercraft 6.5 x 6.5 – Rosabella
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth premium white cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Spellbinders – Pierced Circles
May Arts 5/8″ Crochet Lace

Prima – Charlotte Snow (flower)

Melissa Frances – pearls – white
1/4″ ScorTape

Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

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Thanks for stopping by!

Another week, another death for the McMillen family.  To top it off, another family member had to put her beloved pup to sleep.  If you know this family, you know that putting an animal to sleep is like killing one of your children.

Our weekend wasn’t all bad.  On Saturday, the Kids brought Delilah and Kaleo over for a visit.  Then later that day, we met up with the older boy and his wife and LilyAna.  These girls have very pronounced personalities.

So, for the next few weeks, it’s going to be about the Sympathy cards.

I made the mistake of using an out of stock paper pad.  I did look up some wonderful substitutions (see below).  I love the combo of black/green/touch of red.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Deepest Sympathy

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Thinking of you Rose

Kaisercraft – 6 x 6 – Chapter One (out of stock)
Suitable substitues:
Kaisercraft Rosabella
Kaisercraft Sea Breeze

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White Cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Rose

Spellbinders Nestabilities – Classic Circles

Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink

1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

Other:
Copics
White brads

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Thanks for stopping by!

I am a complicated woman.  On one hand, I love having a well stocked studio (just shy of a hoard), and on the other hand, I am very frugal.  I keep way more paper scraps than I should, but then again, I love when I’m able to use scraps on a card.

This week, I used scraps of some Christmas paper for this Valentine.  I also like to make non=traditional Valentines, but today’s is pretty darn traditional.

There was a time in my cardmaking past when I had a real problem with cards that were mostly white.  I got over that.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Farmhouse Scriptural thoughts

Authentique 6 x 6 – Colorful Christmas

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Farmhouse Pierced Nested Hearts
May Arts – baker’s twine – red/white
Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

Other:
Red Cardstock
Nuvo Drops

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Thanks for stopping by!!

You know how people get all annoyed when the Valentine craft stuffs show up on store shelves the day after Christmas?  Well, I’m upping the game and bringing you the first Easter card of the year! haha!

I just might do a remote holiday card next week!  I am a complicated woman. Teehee.  Actually, I’m on a mission to do Valentine’s for a 5 yr olds class.  I have to do a special one for a young man.  It must be pink with a star on it.  Five year olds are so interesting!

I ran with super easy this week.  I was thinking of the scene in the third Indiana Jones movie, when they were in the cave where the knight is guarding the holy grail.  Indiana Jones points out that Jesus would have a simple goblet, not the glitzy one.

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The wood dots were a no brainer.  The barbed wire paper represents the crown of thorns.

A little close up:

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Easter

Authentique – 6 x 6 – Frontier

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Vellum
Spellbinders – Victorian Crosses
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
My Mind’s Eye – Record it! – Wood dots
1/4″ ScorTape

Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Chocolate cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by!!

Anyone else sell more Valentines than any other holiday?  I don’t consider Valentine’s Day as a holiday, but those that buy my cards apparently do!

My hubby works in the trades (construction, electrical, glass, etc).  He takes a box of Valentine cards for the guys to buy for their wives or girlfriends.  It’s pretty much a sure thing that I’ll sell every one that’s made.  Oh, and the boys like them for their wives, too.

I probably do 3/4th of my Valentine’s in traditional Red/White/Black, but it’s also fun to see how other colors can bring out the love.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – All Occasion Sentiments SET 1
Kaisercraft 6.5 x 6.5 – Ooh La La

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock

Altenew Ink Cube – Cool Summer Night (Desert Night)= Spellbinders – Lace Hearts
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners
Kaisercraft Mini Blooms – Sea Breeze

Prima – Anna Marie – sugardots

2019 Color of the Year Ribbon Sampler – Living Coral

1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares
Bow Easy

other:
seafoam
Blush cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by!!

So, I’ve started putting my Christmas stash away and I thought I might just need the snowflakes still.  I mean we have quite a bit of winter still to go.  I have several family members and friends with Winter birthdays, too.

With that said, it’s been in the mid 50’s for the last few days.  Certainly frigid nights, but the sunny warm days are awesome!  I’m no fool, though, and I know that the snow WILL fly and in buckets.  Colorado is good for that.

This week I did a Thank You card in a black/white/gold color scheme.  I’ll tell you now, taking photographs of gold mirrored cardstock is really a challenge.  If you have any suggestions for me that will prevent my card reflecting the junk on my desk… tell me! Please!

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – All Occasions Sentiments SET 2
Kaisercraft 6 x 6 – First Noel

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White Cardstock
Bazill Gold Mirrored cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiments Banners

Spellbinders Create A Flake Six
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink

My Mind’s Eye Record it! Charmed enamel dots
Gold Sequin

1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

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Thanks for stopping by!

First, let me say… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

This week I have been wanting to color, so badly.  With Christmas crafting and cardmaking behind me, I am in need of some general sentiment cards, birthdays and what not.  I’m also working on my clean and simple style cards.  It’s always struggled with clean and simple, but the more I practice, the easier it gets.

Today I went for impact.  Bright colors on a large white area.

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This card was so easy that I finished it within 30 minutes.  Whaaaaat?

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Sunflower Season

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock

Memento Dye Ink Pad – Tuxedo Black

MME – Record It! – Charmed
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

Other:
Black cardstock
Copics

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Thanks for Stopping by!