Toy's Haven

Coffee and I have a love/hate relationship.  While I enjoy my morning coffee on the patio, watching the sun come up, I secretly pray that the warm golden liquid would bring me energy.  Unfortunately, it just makes me sleepy.  Not fair.

But, let’s face it… people love coffee.  I love sending coffee gift cards.  It’s like sending a warm hug.

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I notice that this card has all the standard colors that coffee comes in.  Didn’t even try. 🙂

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Gift card slot inside…

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – A Cup of Java

Stamp Simply Steel Dies – A Cup of Java

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps/Dies (bundle)

My Mind’s Eye – Gingham Farm

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock

Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink

Spellbinders Classic circles

Simple Stories – diy Christmas

1/4″ ScorTape

Thermoweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

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Thanks for stopping by!

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Let’s talk coffee.  I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was in my late teens.  Back then there were no fancy flavored creamers.  We used either half n half or milk.  Coffee then was more of a social drink, like over a conversation with my mom.  Then my hubby came along and he was a black coffee only kind of guy.  Yuck!  When the flavored creamers arrived, drinking coffee was like having a dessert.  Then I met my friend, Mr. Keurig.  I got it as a Christmas present and we’ve been together ever since.

So, today we’re unveiling the new Java stamp set with dies.  The dies are so fun!  The sentiments are not like all the others.  They are very upbeat and so versitile!  Must have.  Must.

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The Echo Park Coffee paper pad (6 x 6) is absolutely MADE for these stamps and dies!

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – A Cup of Java

Echo Park 6 x 6 – Coffee

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth premium white cardstock

Stamp Simply Steel Dies – A Cup of Java

Spellbinders – Classic Circles

Spellbinders – Classic Hearts

Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink

Simple Stories – I Am – enamel dots

1/4″ Scortape

Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:

Crystal stickles

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Thanks for stopping by!

I sort of feeling I need to apologize or something for this week’s very simple card.

You see, yesterday morning, my youngest son and his wife and baby girls put Colorado in their rear view mirrors and headed off to a new adventure in New Mexico.  You bet that this grammy is missing my kids/grands in a big way already.  I am incredibly proud of them for chasing this dream.  They will be met at the end of their journey by my daughter in law’s grandmother.  She’s a wonderful lady and I trust she will give my grandbabies many kisses from me.  Oh, and I’m already planning our first visit to NM!

This past week, I’ve not felt much like creating.  It does occur to me that simple cards are a favorite among the paper crafting world.  It’s just not usually my style.

I do so love the colors in this Graphic 45 Garden Goddess pad

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Mercy
Graphic 45 – 8 x 8 – Garden Goddess

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock

Spellbinders – Pierced Rectangles
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink

Baker’s Twine – yellow/white
Kaisercraft – Pearls – Yellow
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

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Thanks for stopping by!

Are you ready for new stamps and dies??!!  We have two sentiment stamp sets (Mercy and Grace), with just gorgeous scripture AND a new die set of crosses.

We’re just a month out from Easter and these sets are so perfect for Easter (but also sympathy, thinking of you, etc).

I chose to work with “GRACE” first.  Grace is a concept that I struggled with as a new Christian (many moons ago).  Grace is a gift.  I could not comprehend how I had earned such a gift.  My pastor drilled it into me that no one is worthy, that’s why it’s a GIFT!  He drilled the GRACE cipher : God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

It’s not easy to see by the photo, but the crosses emboss quite well.  I ran it through my die cut machine twice with an extra shim.

I added stickles to the flowers to give them more interest.  They sparkle way more than the photos show.

I don’t normally add an inside sentiment, but this one was too perfect to pass up!

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Grace
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Crosses
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiments Banners

Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth premium white cardstock

Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Pink, Turquoise, Purple inks (used Pink, Turquoise and purple)
** Distress Inks make a good substitute
Imagine Crafts Sponge Daubers

Kaisercraft Mini Blooms (Pink, Turquoise and Purple)
Prima Leaves – 4 Seasons Velvet
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil – Concerto
Melissa Fraces – White pearls (colored with copic marker)
1/4″ ScorTape

Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

Other:
Copic marker
Turquoise cardstock
Stickles

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Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Monday!

I can say that, as I am retired.  I can spend the entire day making cards or other art projects.  I like to paint, mixed media (I alter boxes in the steampunk fashion).  Every day is a new adventure.

So… birthdays.  I have an extremely large family and I always INTEND to send cards.  So this year I have been creating more and more so that not only do I have a good stash, but my boys and their wives can have at that stash.

Butterflies have always been a favorite in creating.  Stacked, they appear to be floating off the card.

I’m so in love with this Graphic 45 collection (Flutter).  The colors are so vibrant.

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Birthday Sentiments
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners

Graphic 45 – 8 x 8 – Flutter
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock

Baker’s twine – blue/white
Kaisercraft – Rhinestones – dark blue

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

other:
Crystal Stickles
Memento Paris Dusk ink

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Thanks for stopping by!

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!