With Sympathy!

Hi there Stampers,

Recently one of my friends lost her mom.  I don't like making Sympathy cards but unfortunately they are necessary! But making a card for a friend is different! 

There is a process involved.  I think in some way it makes you more sensitive to the sorrow of others.  You focus on making the perfect one and a part of you goes into it.  It's not about the time involved but  more the crafting of something worthwhile that will let the friend know that you really care. 

You pick a color and then a stamp and then decide how to place the pieces to make it look good. You really want to do your best work.   I chose a rich color, Blackberry Bliss.  I decided to use watercolor paper and to use my aqua painter to add some color to the flowers.  I like to water color because it is more complicated than just coloring with a marker.  I layer several colors to get the exact look and that takes time. I also like to make it understated.   So here is what I made  -

 

I used Gorgeous Grunge and Hardwood stamped in Smoky Slate.  I then stamped my image in Tuxedo Black ink using Bloom with Hope.  I used a small amount of retired ribbon at the top of a  two layer banner.  I added the sentiment on the bottom with the same black ink.  With the addition of three pearls you make it a little more special. 

 

 

I hope you find inspiration here and sometimes the time to read my posts.  This blog is not always about business but  my business is about people!  My stampers are my friends and they mean a lot to me!

 

Sympathetic hugs!

 

 

Bloom With Hope

Hi there Everyone!

Wow we had lots of wind over the weekend!  And the rain!  But despite that I managed to visit my friend Sharon, who is home recuperating from surgery. 

I had a class on Sunday and she was unable to make the class so I brought the class to her.  We had a lovely afternoon and made three of the four cards before she got tired.  I also brought out some of my Magic Pumpkin Cake.  I found this recipe on Pintrest and it certainly lived up to it's picture.  The smell of it baking was amazing!  And more importantly it was a huge hit with the ladies.  Everyone went home with the recipe lol.


Here is the link: http://www.iwashyoudry.com/2013/10/07/pumpkin-magic-cake/

and here is a picture of the cake:

 

The next time, and there will be a next time, I will put it into a larger square dish.  It was almost too much for this one.

And now on to one of the cards we did for the class.

 

I gave my stampers a chance to try out the new Blendabilities markers.  Everyone was impressed with the coverage and how easy it was to color in the image.  And they also really liked the Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I find the image is very clear when stamped with this ink.

 

 

 

We used the "Bloom with Hope" hostess stamp set.  This set has lots of flower images that lend themselves to coloring.  We used the Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities.  Of course the Big Shot played a huge part in this card.  Seriously I have a real problem making a card that doesn't use this versatile machine.  It just seems to give the card so much texture .

 

 

Got to run but will be back with more cards from Sunday's class!

 

Hugs, Hugs and more Hugs!

 

 

 

A Money Saving Tip!

Good Day Stampers!

How is everyone today?  Looking forward to the weekend??  I am because I have a class planned for Sunday afternoon and I am excited about my projects!  But then I am always excited by the classes, it's so much fun to get together with friends and laugh and stamp!

Today I was doing something that I have been doing for years when a light bulb went off in my head and I thought - wow - this would make a great tip to share with all of you!

So here is my money saving tip!

 

How many of you use the Tombow Multi purpose glue?  Well if you're like my customers, all of you!  And how many of you don't throw away the left over bottles when you think they are empty?  I provide glue at all my classes and when they get hard to use I put them in a bucket and leave them alone.  When I get several then I go to work!  (I'm not cheap - I'm Frugal! )

 

 

It's my blog and I get to pick the adjectives lol.

 

First thing I do is take out one bottle and take the cover off the large tip.  Oh and I work on paper so I can throw it away after.  This can be messy!

 

Then I remove the rubber plug from the end and set it aside!

 

 

I then take the bottle and prop it up so it won't fall over.  I use my bucket but a small glass works well also.

 

Now for the important part - I use my heat tool to heat up another bottle of glue.  I move quickly and rotate the bottle several times.  When the plastic feels warm to the touch I bang the end on the desk to allow the glue to go to the small tip.  Because this bottle is plastic DO NOT, DO NOT leave the heat tool in one spot for too long.  Could turn nasty!

 

Now that you have the glue heated up and runny it's time to fill the selected bottle.  Continue heating and tapping or shaking vigorously until you don't get any more glue coming out of the bottle.  Am I making sense?  If you don't understand then leave a comment and I will explain further.

 

So that's how I make my supplies go farther.  I have been doing this for seven years and find it a great way to save money.

 

 

I also have a share for you today!  I will have several to share over the next week after my class is done.  But for today here is my card.

 

 

I am going to be working with Blendabilities in my class on Sunday and was practising with them.  I did this last week but this is not the card we will be doing.  This is a card I am sending my mom.  I have some pictures of Emily that I want to send her and well, can't send it empty lol.

 

Here is the side view.  I used the coastal cabana Blendabilities and my new fav card stock - Lost Lagoon.  Oh and btw I have gotten much better at blending.  This was just my first attempt.  Stay tuned next week for the class card it's gojus!

 

Long post today but hope you enjoyed the tutorial! 

 

See you Monday!

 

Frugal hugs!