WOYWW #382--Packing Up

Hi All,

Another beautiful week has buzzed by quicker than an Army barber clipping a new recruit!  Happy WOYWW # 382.  Looking to see what the "buzz" is all about....hop on over to visit Julia's Stamping Ground where you can learn more.  Don't forget to check out all the other talented artists!

I have to say...not much crafting going on in my space this week.  Packing for a trip to Canada next week.  Just received a box of goodies from Fun Stampers Journey, can't wait to get grooving on some new toys! The card and mermaid stamp was a very unexpected surprise from my Fun Stampers upline, Carol.  She's so sweet and I am happy to be part of her team.

Speaking of teams, YIPPEE SKIPPY, I will be helping out this Saturday at the Scrapbook and Stamping Expo in Akron, Ohio at the FSJ booth!  OMG...I can't wait to meet Richard Garay, President & Co-Founder of Fun Stampers Journey.  I'm so excited that I'm liable to skip work the next couple days and camp out at the expo center!  Check out Richard in his video's on YouTube.
He has a really creative soul and showcases some beautiful projects.

With that said, I'm off to pick up, pack up and go!
Until next week....
A good laugh and lots of Sparkles are the two best cures for anything!
Hugs,
Chris



In the back is my FSJ Tote.
I just received 3 new punches they are behind the beautiful card Carol sent.  In front of the card is the mermaid stamp,hard to see.  My Envelope set die is on top of the FSJ bags.  The smaller pack of dies are Winter Hills and Holiday Box window Die set and last is my new FSJ Trim & Score cutter.

If you're interested in any of the products you see please visit me at www.funstampersjourney.com/814771

CYCI #138 --Shake Shake Shake it Up!

Hi All,

This week at Can You Case It  is a Shaker card challenge. I made this for a close friend of mine who's turning 50 in a few weeks.  The paper is from my scrap heap which I hand cut to look like a bubble gum machine.  The cup is from SU as is the sentiment stamp, it's from one of my favorite stamp sets, Age Awareness.  Really cute to use on a dino card for the older generation!  The pom poms are a freebie from Fun Stampers Journey. A little side note: for every $50 you spend with Fun Stampers Journey you get to pick a little something fun like the pom poms or an ATS stamp or a die.  Yes, I did say for each and every $50 you spend.  If your party is at least $150, you get 3 little goodies, another ATC stamp and $20 in Journey Dollars to spend.  Quite a great bargain!

Hope you like the card....

Don't forget to stop by Can You Case It and check out all the fun cards that were created.
Click the link below.

Until later
Hugs,
Chris

http://canyoucaseit.com 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                        

CYCI #138 --Shake Shake Shake it Up!

Hi All,

This week at Can You Case It  is a Shaker card challenge. I made this for a close friend of mine who's turning 50 in a few weeks.  The paper is from my scrap heap which I hand cut to look like a bubble gum machine.  The cup is from SU as is the sentiment stamp, it's from one of my favorite stamp sets, Age Awareness.  Really cute to use on a dino card for the older generation!  The pom poms are a freebie from Fun Stampers Journey. A little side note: for every $50 you spend with Fun Stampers Journey you get to pick a little something fun like the pom poms or an ATS stamp or a die.  Yes, I did say for each and every $50 you spend.  If your party is at least $150, you get 3 little goodies, another ATC stamp and $20 in Journey Dollars to spend.  Quite a great bargain!

Hope you like the card....

Don't forget to stop by Can You Case It and check out all the fun cards that were created.
Click the link below.

Until later
Hugs,
Chris

http://canyoucaseit.com 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                        

WOYWW #381--Stamp Shelf Score!

Hi All,

Welcome to my home for another WOYWW week!  All this is made possible by Julia D., so please stop and say hello at Julia's Stamping Ground.  Don't forget to visit all the other fabulously talented ladies & gents blogs.  You will be amazed!

Here's what my desk looks like this week....and this is my story and I'm sticking to it!

Sunday was spent running errands. One of the stores I needed to stop in wasn't open until 1 pm but it was only noon. Just so you know, they close at 5 pm...I say why bother!

Since I had time to dawdle, I decided to stop our local thrift store.  I no sooner had 3 toes in the door when my DH called.  I stomped outside muttering to myself about his poor timing, I mean really, I'm shopping.
I don't call him in the middle of watching football!

This time I will forgive him because, as I was impatiently listening to him, I noticed a decorated Christmas tree inside with one of the ornaments being a glass Chocolate Silk pie. After rushing the call all the whilst blowing the proverbial kisses into the phone, I ran back in to grab said ornament before it was gone, as I'm sure there were dozens of people clamoring to get their hands on it. I picked it off the tree and proceeded to walk around the store like a proud peacock! You see it just so happens that Chocolate Silk pie is one of my DH's favorite treats so the ornament was a little smile to him from me.

You know they say when you give, you get more in return. It's true I tell ya.  While browsing the aisles with my prized pie in hand, I spotted it...my "you get more in return".  Here it is, a little black video shelf that will hold all my stamp sets and Spectrum Noir markers. And for only $6.40.  I was so proud that I proceeded to the register with my head held high, chest out, stomach sucked while doing the Princess wave...LOL!

Needless to say, I haven't crafted this week as I've been too busy arranging and rearranging my craft supplies to include my new storage find.  Roma's here to supervise tonight!

Until next week....Start each day with a grateful heart and a pocket full of sparkles~
Hugs,
Chris

Here it is...yes...he loved it!

CYCI #137--What a Bubbly Life

Hi All,

Starting to feel more like fall every day here in NE Ohio.  We are on the eve of a harvest moon...it is beautiful!  It even smells like fall...or maybe skunk tonight, LOL!  I don't know where the little rascal is, but he's close enough to smell.  Yep the critters are starting to come out of the woodwork around here.

I went to climb in my car this morning and had a good laugh.  This HUGE garden spider had made an equally huge web on my car.  From the top of my antenna to the middle of my hood.  It was quite a stunning masterpiece but try as I might, I just couldn't get a good picture due to the location of it and the sun.  I did have to chuckle though as my only thought was this spider has a his pick of locations... a couple trees, several hundred feet of gutter, a deck full of railings yet he choose my car to spin his web on.  I wonder if he was packed to travel!

This week's challenge (#137) at Can You Case It is....Colors by Amber. The colors are Chartreuse, Gray and Flamingo.  A very imaginative combination that really does work quite well together.
Here's my take:

The Chartreuse photographed more yellow, the Flamingo seemed to pale out and the grey looks blue.  I used Creative Memories Boarder Punch system to make the bubble punches.  The sentiment is and ATC stamp from Fun Stampers Journey. The ribbon and paper are both from my stash.  I used some of the negative dots to fill in the punched areas on each different color.  Then I used the scraps to make a banner so to speak off the sentiment bubble.  I put some crystal clear in a few of the spaces but I do need to add more when it's dry.

Please remember to stop by Can You Case It to see the other fabulous takes on this color combo.

Click the link below.

Until later,                                                                                          

Throw your cares to the wind with some Sparkle!

Hugs,

Chris 

http://canyoucaseit.com

PS:Here's my front door....It really is Chartreuse!

WOYWW #380--What a Mess!

Hi All,

Another week has flown the coop.  That makes week # 3029 since I was born.  When I look at that way, why I don't feel so darn old after all!  Since we're talking weeks, this is week #380 of WOYWW.   Please make sure you visit Julia and the rest of the WOYWW group at Julia's Stamping Ground.  They make some of the most incredible things and are happy to share them.

My desk this week, total mayhem.  When I walked into my craft room tonight, the scream that escaped me sounded like something out of a horror flick. (Cue the spooky music!)   My desk is a shambles, leftover from the last week, the weekend and every day in between.  I spent a good 7 hours on Saturday at a local library scrapbooking with some of my favorite peeps! Between getting things ready to take with, then bringing it back,  here's what my desk looks like today.....

 There is so much stuff out I'm telling you, it's killing me!  In the background are my Fun Stampers Journey catalogs.  I'm in the middle of ordering for a crop I'm co-hosting coming up in November. Still trying to figure out what I'm going to showcase and what my make & take will be.  The crop-a-dile is out of my tool case.  I still have the box of mishmash to put away.  I haven't finished my Zoltar page yet, but pulled some other pages out to put my Cedar Point pics on.  I finally finished a SU Paper Pumpkin kit that I've had for quite some time, at least 52 weeks!  Since I'm bound and determined to use my scraps I made a two scrapbook pages out of them.

 I used a couple 1/2 of 3/4 sheets of 12 x 12, punched some borders, found some bling, some bits and bobs and there you have it...2 scrapbook pages I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do with but aren't they cute!

Here's a close up of the SU kit I worked on.  These are matching bags and cards.  I'm going to give some to my Mom & Mom-In-law.  They really appreciate getting a batch of cards and I know they will use them throughout the year.

That's it for me this week.  Thank you for stopping by to visit!
Enjoy your week....
Until then....Stay AMAZING!
Hugs,
Chris

Turn Signals...are they all broke?

Hi All,

I was driving home from work today when something odd struck me.  Mind you, my ride is only about a mile and a half, but in that short span there are 3 lights and a few stop signs.  I counted no less that 15 cars traveling in front of or next to me that didn't use turn signals.  It didn't matter what direction they were turning, left or right, no signal.

Way back in the day when I first started to drive, cars had a stick on the column that you used to operate your signals.  One had to turn them on and then off.  Kind of like wipers...no  intermittent wiping of the windows.  No siree bub, you had fast or faster. If you wanted intermittent wipers you had to do it by hand, on then off, on then off ...you get the picture!  If you didn't know how to work any of these gadgets...you didn't get your license.

Getting back to turn signals.  Most cars still have a stick right there on the steering column which operates your two turning lights. As if by magic when you turn one on, it automatically turns off once the turn is made. Yet no one seems to know what that stick thing is or how to operate it!  Keeping that in mind, can someone please explain to me why, why, why they don't have automated voice controlled turn signals!   Or better yet....if the car has automatic navigation, i.e. GPS, why doesn't the GPS turn on the signals 500 feet or so before it screams at you to "turn left in 5 feet".  

I don't think we need cars that can park themselves. What we need are TURN SIGNALS...or lessons on how to work that stick thingy underneath the new self guided steering wheels!


Just saying...

Hugs
Chris

Field of Hope--Flowers are in Bloom!

Hi All,

I'd like to share a very moving moment I had today.  I went to the the Field of Hope with a dear, dear friend of mine today.  After getting a little lost, June & I finally made it to the Field of Hope.  I must say I didn't know what to expect....breathtaking was the only word I could summon.

The field commemorates the memory of Maria McNamara who passed at the age of 7 from a terminal brain cancer.  The field started as a small planting of sunflowers in 2014 to draw attention to the lack of funding for childhood cancer.  The field is visible from one of our highways.  It has grown to over to over 50 acres of flowers and has raised hundreds of thousands for research into this overlooked field.  

This was a very special day indeed!

It was getting ready to storm but that only made the colors pop more.

They look like they are praying.

Just one little one holding it's head up so proudly.

Until later....

Hugs,

Chris

CYCI #136--Feel the Love!

Hi All,

Another hot and sticky day in NE Ohio.  Storms have been moving all afternoon bringing some much needed rain,  Just hoping the cool weather isn't too far behind!

This is week #136 at CYCI and it's a sketch challenge. Here's the sketch and my take on it.

I used a creamy white sateen sheet of Coredinations paper that I've been storing for many a day. The embossed card base is Filigree Frame by SU,  The black is plain cardstock and embossed with Birds & Swirls by Cuttlebug and the front white piece is embossed with Thistle Tile by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.  

The red bling is a gelly gem roll up from gel-a-tins and the word LOVE is a Jolees's Botique adhesive gem.
That's all for me today.  I'm going to go outside and dodge some raindrops while making burgers on the grill and picking what might be the last of the tomatoes off the vine.

Don't forget to stop by and visit the gals at CYCI.  They have made some pretty amazing cards this week!

http://canyoucaseit.com

Until later,
Always look for the Sparkles in the day!
Hugs
Chris

WOYWW #379--Down Time

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a super holiday weekend!  The weather here was tantalizing, too bad it's going to get hotter than hot again this week.  I'm ready for the days to feel like fall, not mid-July!  But hey, at least it's not snowing.  I can guarantee you that in 3 to 4 months you WILL hear me whine about the cold, bitter, snowy days.  Maybe someone can send me some cheese to go with my whine!

Don't forget to take a minute to visit Julia and the rest of the WOYWW group at Julia's Stamping Ground.  They amaze me with their talents!

I spent the better part of Saturday getting the house cleaned and food prepped for a cookout. Then spent the better part of Sunday playing hostess for my family.  I don't know why I feel it's necessary to wait on my children and siblings.  I'm so over those day with the kids.  As for my siblings, I didn't wait on them hand over foot growing up so why should I now!  Now hear this Siblings & Children....from now on you will help yourselves while at my house.  This way I can sit back to poke fun at you while you're trying to find the silverware or TP!

I spent the better part of Monday playing in my craft room.  I don't have much to show for it, my desk is pretty clean....

By the light is my box of found stuff that needs to be put away.  I have a couple Fun Stampers Journey stamps out...I need to make a scrapbook page for a crop I'm co-hosting in 8 weeks.

The blue paper is for my Zoltar photo.  There's a new embellishment from my scraps next to that. My G45 Rare Oddities papers that I ordered last week & am loving every piece!  I'm working on an alphabet book for a granddaughter, this is the B is for Butterfly page.  There's some scraps I piled up to make another embellishment with. Not to be forgotten... in the middle of the table is a bag of Brach's candy corn. Ok...alright...a 1/2 a bag!  Candy corn is one of my favorite fall treats. Love them. Hey Brach's, if you are listening, I do accept free samples..hehehe!

Below is a close up of my page embellishment from scraps as well as the card I was pondering last week.  The papers are from Fun Stampers Journey as is the stamped sentiment.  The button belongs on this card, it just works!

Thanks for stopping by my place this week.  Wishing you a creative week ahead!

Until then,
Wrap your life in Sparkles!
Hugs,
Chris

The Paper Players #311 Challenge--Circles Around!

Hi All,

What a fabulous holiday weekend here in Northeast Ohio!  Sunshine abounds with mild temps, gentle breezes flowing, flowers still in bloom.  I don't remember a Labor Day weekend so intoxicating!

Family & friends were by yesterday for some burgers and dogs.  We played a few rounds of  30 (a dice game) which guaranteed a couple belly laughs!  It was great fun to spend some quality time with everyone before the seasonal holidays fast track upon us.

With the extra time this weekend I was able to create a few things. I've been hunkered down in my craft space for most of the morning today, something I rarely get to do.  I've been keeping a notebook of blogs I've been wanting to visit.  Today I stopped by The Paper Players blog to see what sketch challenge they had going on. This week is circles, circular cards, circle elements, anything to do with circles.  Here's my take on a circular card and a card with a circle.

  This is the top section of a telescoping card I made.  I don't remember who makes the circle paper but I thought it fitting for the challenge.  The flowers and button are from my stash.

This is the middle for my card.  It's an older SU stamp set, Sassy Suzie. She's so funny!  I've colored her with my very old SU markers from almost 12 years ago.  They still work very well but will be going to a new home soon.  I've replaced them with Spectrum Noir pens which I love, love, love!


Here she is in all her snarky glory!










I have a dear friend who's going through a rough spot right now.  I'm going to send this to her in the hopes she'll get a chuckle and forget her worries even if only for a few minutes.



Make sure you stop by to visit The Paper Players to see what all the other creative ideas posted. Click on the link below.


Until later,
Be Amazing and lead the way!
Hugs,

http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

Chris






 

CYCI #135 School Days

Hi All,

I can hardly believe that tonight will make 3 nights in a row for me in my craft space.  Yippee!

It feels like my craft room is on another planet far, far away.  I wonder if I make "space" noise when I'm in here crafting. Somebody call Jodi Foster and ask her to make contact, will ya:)

Here's a card I made for the CYCI #135 Back to School challenge.  Don't forget to click the link below to stop in to see what all the other great crafters are sharing.

I've been throwing my bits and pieces of leftovers from other projects in a box in the hopes of using them.  This is a collage of words cut from a partial piece of scrapbook paper I used.  It's by Provo Craft but I don't know the design name.

  

I used my SU arrow punch with plain paper scraps.  The ribbon is from, well I don't remember.  My husband would argue that point because I remember everything he has or has not done in the last 18 years!!

That's it for me...thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to see what else I can create.  

(I'll have to sneak around because Roma's asleep!)

Until next time....
Share your Sparkle with the world!
Hugs,
Chris

                                                                                                                                                                               http://canyoucaseit.com/