Toy's Haven

This has been one crazy up and down week.  I started out last Monday evening in the ER.  Vertigo.  Not the worst thing to have, but boy was I dizzy!  I have a secret I’m keeping and it’s making me a little nuts.  It’s that “it’s so good, I have to tell someone!!!”.  Later this week…. 🙂

To top it off, we are challenged to make a clean and simple Christmas card.  Something easy for mass production.  I always fall a bit short on the CAS challenges.  It’s seriously my kryptonite … CAS.

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I do like the crispness of the white on white.  Also this is one of my favorite stamps.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Jesus
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Bazzill Gold Mirrored cardstock
Versamark
Ranger fine detail gold embossing powder
1/2″ Gold glitter ribbon
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Tonic Nuvo Drops

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Thanks for stopping by!

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Busy, busy, busy….. So many little fires to put out.  Pretty much chasing my tail.  That’s what this last week has been like.  I like being busy, I do.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed and just shut down, though.

This week we were challenged to make a farmhouse signage card/project that would make Joanna Gaines proud.  I struggled at first.  This city girl needs to learn “farm language”.  So I started thinking about an old barn.  Distressed!  So, I went old school.  What do you think, Joanna?!

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I like the monochromatic on this.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Farmhouse Signage
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Farmhouse Simple Sentiments
Echo Park 6×6 – Little Lumber Jack
Versafine Onyx Black dye ink
Dauber
Enamel Dots
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermoweb 3D 1/4″ foam Squares

other:
Memento Desert Sand
Crumb Cake cardstock
Chocolate cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by!

Well, after 6 weeks into Summer… I give.  I need a chill in the air.  I need evening thunderstorms with a decent downpour.  I am so over this year’s scorching heat and humidity.  We haven’t had humidity in ages.  And of course, we are sheltering in place more often than not.

So I’m bringing the fall today.  The deal is.. I couldn’t tell you what flowers are spring, summer or fall.  So, I colored this gorgeous coneflower in warm fall colors.

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This is a rather simple card for me.  I sat down and played with some sketch ideas and this one felt right for this display.

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Pretty flat for mailing, but plenty of interest.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Thank You for Caring Coneflower
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Coneflower
Bundle
Kaisercraft 6 x 6 – Paisley Days
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Momento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Enamel Dots
Darice Embossing Folder – Vine Pattern
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Black c/s
Copics

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Thanks for stopping by!

We’ve been in the upper 80s and 90s for the last couple of weeks.  I’m over you, Summer.  Parks and recreation areas have been closed.  I’ve had issues with heat all my life.  I think it’s just getting worse as I get older.

Enough whining.  I have lots to be thankful for right now.  In just days we’ll be welcoming the 4th granddaughter.  She doesn’t have a name yet, but this grammy has assigned her  a Princess name.  She will be Princess Sunflower!

So my card this week leans heavily on the Autumn side.  The papers I used remind me of a quilt.  Quilts are for cool or cold weather… see where I’m going here?

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The sunflower makes me feel warm and cool at the same time.  The deep yellow/orange leaves and the browns are warm and the crisp greens are cool.  The perfect flower.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Sunflower Season
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Sunflower
Bundle
Authentique – 6 x 6 – Pleasant
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Spellbinders – Classic Ovals
Enamel Dots
Baker’s Twine – Black and white
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Copics
Vanilla cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by!

If you know me, you know I love a challenge.  Back several years ago, I would spend every morning doing the challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  I slept worse then than I do now, which is horrible.  And quite honestly, back then I thrived on comments.  My self-esteem is not nearly as fragile now. 🙂

This week, the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store design team has been challenged to make a slimline card.  These tall/skinny/long cards are meant to fit in a #9 envelope.  My card is 8.5″ x 3.5″.

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My first thought was that it was a lot of ‘landscape’ to cover.  I went back and looked at the only other slimline card I made (June 2007).  I actually inspired myself! Ha!

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I did a lot of cutting on this.  It was worth it, though!

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Fruit
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Fruit of the Spirit
Prima 6×6 – Fruit Paradise
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Enamel Dots
Baker’s Twine – pink/white
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3d 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Pink cardstock

8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

(Fits in a #9 envelope)

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I finished off the inside with a verse.  Lots of room for a personal message.

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Thanks for stopping by!

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I stepped way back in time for this fun fold card.  I may have made 1 or 2 years ago, but I truly don’t remember.  The layout on these type of cards makes for a broader array of elements.  This one has a little bit of a hang over on the left side, but I tried it in an invitation envelope and it fit just fine.

You can find the tutorial on YouTube >>HERE<<

I took a bit of poetic license and colored my leaves blue.  The colors in the patterned paper are blush and several hues of blue.

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In hindsight, I wish I had made the heart pink/blush.

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The rhinestones glammed it up a bit, don’t you think?

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Hope
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Floral Cluster – Summer Roses
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Floral Cluster & Sprigs
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Fishtail Sentiment Banners
Stamp Simply Steel Dies -Farmhouse Pierced Nested Hearts
Spellbinders – Pierced Rectangles
Spellbinders – Scalloped rectangles
Prima – 6 x 6 – Capri
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Blue Rhinestones
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Copics
Memento Blue Danube

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Thanks for stopping by!

What do I do when I have an overloaded to-do list?  Well, try a new fold, of course!

This week I’m trying my hand at a tri-fold card.  The instructions came straight from YouTube!  It’s really a pretty straightforward design and it has lots of room to add your own flare.

I’m going to be MIA for the next few days as we finish prepping for our big family event.  After that we’re on baby watch.  My heart is swelling over the thought of a brand spankin’ new granddaughter’s arrival.

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I was challenged to use scripture on my card this week.  Well, I think I did that in spades!

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I used 3 of the new release sets (FAITH, HOPE and LOVE).

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps
– Faith
– Hope
– Love
Graphic 45 8 x 8 – Fruits and Flora
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Spellbinders –
– Classic Ovals
– Pierced Rectangles
– Pierced Circles
Kaisercraft rhinestones – purple
1/4″ ScorTape

Thermoweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Memento dye ink
(Dandelion, Toffee, lavendar)

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  >>>>You can find a tutorial on YouTube here.  Enjoy!<<<<

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Thanks for stopping by~

I’m knee deep in party preparations, at present.  We will have our 4th picnic combined with my daughter-in-law’s baby shower.  She’s just a few weeks away from having baby girl #3.  I tend to put way too much in to events like this.  I’ve always been a detail person and I’m especially stressing over this event.

Honestly, I rarely make 4th of July cards, but this year I can’t stop.  The Stick Family stamp set is way more versatile than I first imagined.  Now, I can’t say too much for my drawing skills!

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The America paper is just so festive and has a little bit of the Americana feel, too.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Old Glory
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Stick Family
Echo Park 6×6 – America
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White cardstock
Spellbinders – Classic Circles
Enamel Dots
Baker’s Twine
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

Other:
Memento Danube Blue
Copics

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Thanks for stopping by!

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I have spent the last 10+ years in search of my clean and simple style.  The search goes on.  I see so many amazing CAS cards, but when I try to even copy them, I fail.  Layers happen.  I love layers.  It’s been my style since I first inked up a stamp.

Still, this is what I get.  A card that wanted to be clean and simple, but got all layered up instead!  In the meantime, I’ll keep trying and if it happens, then you all will be the first to know!

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Mirrored cardstock is always difficult to photograph.  What appears as black cardstock is actually a very dark Amethyst.

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I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Wedding & Anniversary Wishes
Bazzill Gold Mirrored cardstock
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities – Classic Ovals
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Amethyst cardstock
Nuvo drops
Copics

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Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ready for another new release?!  The Faith, Hope, and Love scripture is one of my favorites.  So many options here!

I’m knee deep in planning a family 4th of July party combined with a small baby shower for my daughter in law.  I’m a detail person who makes lists and lists and lists of my lists.  Some are on paper; others on my computer.  I keep forgetting it’s nearly a month away, but I can’t seem to take a breath.

As long as it doesn’t get in the way of my crafting time!

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I don’t usually stamp on the inside, but this one was meant to be….

I used:

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Faith
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Hope
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Love

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps – Faith Hope Love Bundled TRIO
Prima 6 x 6 – Darcelle
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium white cardstock
Stamp Simply Steel Dies – Farmhouse Pierced Nested Hearts
Enamel Dots
Prima Laraine flowers
Prima Leaves – 4 Seasons Velvet
Baker’s twine – purple/white
1/4″ ScorTape
Thermaweb 3D 1/4″ foam squares

other:
Cardstock/Ink
(Razzleberry)

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Thanks for stopping by!