Aloha!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, Aloha is the word. I have just returned from a couple of weeks in my happy place, Kauai. We try to go there every year and it just seems to get better. Here is a photo of part of the beauty that I saw on my morning walks. Paradise!

Today's card is a reminder of our trip. I used Avery Elle's
"Stay Fresh" stamp and die set. I ink-blended a partial circle onto some wonderful woodgrain paper, using a mask. The pineapple is heat-embossed on vellum and colored from the back with Copics. Some gold card stock was used as a mat and for the greeting, which is from Lawn Fawn. Gold Gansai Tambi watercolor splatters, sequins and twine complete the embellishments. The woodgrain and gold papers are from my LSS, the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento.

Thanks for the visit and carry the aloha spirit in your hearts,

Mixing it Up with Ellen

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies:

Happy Sunday! I have been battling with a new operating system (Yosemite for my iMac) and a new photo program. Huge learning curve.

Today I am playing with the Mix it Up Challenge at Ellen Hutson's CLASSroom. This month she is having us mix up a project using her Essentials by Ellen and Avery Elle products. What a great combo!

I need a card for some realtor friends, so I decided to use Ellen's "Home and Hearth" dies designed by the amazing Julie Ebersole. The little houses are so darn cute - I especially love the wonky windows on the third one . I paired them with a beautiful "Simply Said Hello" die by Avery Elle. I used two layers of 110# cardstock and this beautiful gold paper I got at my LSS.

All of this set on a watercolor background. Sorry the photo is askew.....still fighting with the photography at the new house and the glare from the gold paper.

Thanks so much for the visit.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Just a quick post today - it is too darn beautiful outside to remain inside for too long! I don't usually do many challenges, but this Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Make Your Own Background, just pulled my strings. How much better does it get?

I used a Hero Arts background stamp (Looped Flower) with my amazing Gansai Tambi watercolors to create a colorful background for the great Avery Elle "Happy" die. Love the combo.

Hope you are having a grad weekend! Thanks for the visit!

A Twist on a System

Many of you follow the amazing Jennifer McGuire. She shares so many fantastic techniques, as well as generous give-a-ways (I still use the paper cutter I got from her years ago!) and storage ideas (plus an occasional sweet insight into her delightful family). If you somehow don't know her, you must connect with her soon.

A clear stamp storage idea that she shared went absolutely viral and I hopped on board. With my new studio space, I decided to employ Jennifer's "Fridge Binz and Avery Elle envelopes" system for stamp storage.

I basically used Jennifer's concept, but with a few twists of my own. I made my dividers out of Martha Stewart office files that were on clearance at my local office supply store. I like the designs and the weight, and I was able to trim them and get lots of "bang for my buck" (yes, I payed only $1 for a pack of six). I also decided not to use my label maker for all of the dividers and envelopes - my own printing is pretty good, and lots faster & cheaper, so I hand-printed some small labels. Plus, it makes my system uniquely ME.

But, in all honesty, after working with these bins for a few months, I find them heavy and a little awkward. I plan to keep the ones I already have, using them for lighter things (like handmade card and stencil storage).

What I like better are these perfect baskets with really strong handles that I got at Michael's. They are shorter than the Fridge Binz, but the same width, so the Avery Elle envelopes still fit in them nicely. This one (of two) holds my dies. I used 5" x 8" clear plastic zip-lock bags because they are more durable for the dies. I cut pocket inserts for the bags and, for dies with small pieces, I also used a piece of magnetic sheet.

I was reluctant to use these sheets earlier, since I stored my dies right next to my computer. Magnets and computers just don't mix! But in my new studio, my dies are at the other end of my work space, safe from the damage zone. These baskets are less expensive than the Fridge Binz and I find them much easier to grab and store. This is what works for me - now, anyway!

Have a great week! Cooler temps here, so I'm headed outside to play. Thanks for the visit,

Hello X 3

Hello, my bloggin' buddies!

Yep, I am taking baby steps back to blogging, so I thought I'd say "hello"! For these cards (no stamping!) I broke out what is my new favorite "go-to" general die - The Custom Panels Dies by Avery Elle. When you see it, you think "what on earth would I do with that?". But, oh, it is magnificent. If you have any doubts, check out Jennifer McGuire's video here, or the one by the designer, JJ Bolton. LOVE!

I also used the Simon Says Stamp "Big Hello" die with 2 layers of 120# paper plus patterned paper. Love the punch & depth! The same was done for the hearts using an old favorite Cuttlebug die - and I added some Wink of Stella.

I am usually not a pastel-kind-of-gal, but this just felt cool and summery. Good thing, as we are expecting temps over 100 degrees the next few days. I am still trying to find the perfect morning photo location here at the new digs - sorry, these are not great!

Thanks for the visit and, yes, the comment function is turned off.