Fusin' Fun

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

So, have you tried the Fuse Tool yet? I thought I had no more interest in shaker cards (after they became "old news" a few years ago) until I discovered the Fuse Tool. And, it is good for other applications as well I even use it to make custom packets for odd-sized stamp sets). It allows for much flatter shakers, which is a good thing.

I haven't done a challenge in some time, so I thought I'd play along with the current one at Paper Smooches which is "Anything Goes". You know I am a sucker for their adorable critters, so I decided to pair one (Chubby Chums) up with some sparkly sequins and use my Fuse Tool for a fun shaker.

I colored this guy with Copics and added some white dots on his tummy. The balloon is an older Hero Arts "Stamp and Cut" set. The stars are from an unmarked wood-mounted set that I got at a used stamp sale.

Using the Fuse Tool to create the shaker, I was able to make it a "see through" version. Kind of fun, eh?

Hope you are having a good weekend - for those in the USA, it is a holiday one! Thanks for the visit,



SaveSave

Don't Spill the Beans!

Hello, dear Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy Monday to you all.

I have had the idea for this card - using the "Coffee & Tea" Wise Dies from Paper Smooches with my Fuse Tool to make a fun shaker card - for some time now. It was the current challenge at Paper Smooches, "Black and White with a Touch of Color" that motivated me to action. That's one thing great about challenges - they prompt us into doing.

Is "coffee" a color?! You bet it is - it's one of my favorites! Ha!

I made the background by randomly stamping with the "Cyber Cafe" set on white cardstock.

Then I made the shaker with the Fuse Tool and filled 'er up with some  stamped beans I heat embossed and fussy cut, some sequins and some tiny beads.

I can almost smell the brewing now.

I'm happy with the fun result.

So, grab a cup and get a great start to your week. Thanks ever so much for your visit!

More Inspirational Fun with Julie!

Happy Sunday, Bloggin' Buddies!

I am still on a creative high after spending a day learning great things (& being entertained) by the super-amazing Julie Ebersole. She is a designer for Essentials by Ellen and her blog is Paper Trufflez, just in case you've been living under a rock. I have been a fan for so many years!

Twice a year she comes to an adorable store called The Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento to teach classes. This is my second year - I KNEW there was a reason we moved here!

Yesterday's classes were beyond fantastic! In the morning we made 10 - count 'em, ten! - fun one-layer cards. That is what I need, as I get so tired of adding extra postage to all my thick creations.

In the afternoon we made 6 more cards. These had some more intricate techniques, some involving foil, the Fuse Tool, watercolor, etc.

I have provided photos of all but 2 of the cards. I had trouble finding some natural light this afternoon - it is a dark and rainy day here in California.

I love every single card! My hubby always laughs at me because as soon as I get home I have to head to my craft room and finish, correct mistakes, and add my own personal touches to all the cards I've made. It was a long day.

These three are my favorite ones, even though I don't consider myself a real "flower" person. Aren't they delicious and they are so "Julie". The one on the right includes a flower cut from black fun foam!

Anyway, I'm still flying high. What a spectacular day. I learned some things, met some nice ladies, had fun with my card-making friend Mary, had fun shopping in Steph's wonderful store (if you are in northern CA, visit!) and I feel so enriched by Julie's talents.

Thanks for the visit and have a great week!

Cutness Quotient

Happy Friday, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yep, I've been playing with my Fuse Tool again!

I was inspired by the February Paper Smooches Challenge, "Fun & Cute". And cute is the perfect word for so many of the paper Smooches stamps - I love 'em!

Today I colored up (Copic pens) a double dose using the "Party Pals" set. It is an older set, but a favorite and perfect to pair with my balloon die and some colorful sequins for a real party in a card.

The stars in the background are from some unmarked stamps I got at a used stamp sale. I tried adding some white dots like I have seen so many doing on various blogs - I still struggle with those darn gell pens, but I like the look. A dash of Wink of Stella adds some glimmer.

It is a beautiful sunny day (which is why I got the reflection on my acetate balloon) and I plan to get out an enjoy it!

Thanks for the visit!

Party in a Card!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I have been so excited about the new designs by Julie Ebersole in the latest Essentials by Ellen release. I received my order and have been itching to play, so earlier this week I decided to play along with Ellen's Mix It Up Challenge featuring Penny Black products.

I broke out my We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool for this totally fun shaker card. I am trying to remember to think about the color wheel when deciding on colors and I think it really helped with this card.

I love the results! The sentiments (outside and inside of the card) are from Penny Black's "Kind Words" set. My Essentials by Ellen products are the sweet envelopes, "Bitty Envelope" die set (so many possibilities!!!), and the tiny hearts on the envelopes, "Home and Hearth" dies."

I used Distress Inks (Cracked Pistachio and Squeezed Lemonade) on my back panel and drizzled it with some Perfect Pearls solution. I heat embossed the sentiment, loaded the shaker up with the heart-studded envelopes, sequins and tiny beads from my stash and there was plenty of shakin' goin' on!

It isn't easy to still photograph shaker cards!

Thanks for the visit and keep shakin' it!!!!

What's Shakin'?

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies and Happy New Year!

Today I have a fun shaker card that I made with my new Fuse tool. I've been having such fun with it.

The balloon shape was cut with Hero Arts "Stamp and Cut Balloons" - an older Archiver's Exclusive. The birdie is from Essentials by Ellen's "Wish Big" by the amazing Julie Ebersole. The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted's "Happy Birthday".

I used Prisma Colors for the birdie and some unmarked tiny star stamps that I picked up at a used stamp sale years ago.

So, I guess one could say that this is a hybrid card! Lots of companies and lots of fun. The sequins are a mix from my stash (vintage and new).

I love how the balloon cut out goes through the card front so that there is no backing on the acetate balloon "pocket".

I am always hesitant to buy new tools or to jump on any current "trends", but I am really glad to have this tool. It doesn't require much storage space and it is easy to use - kind of like the old wood-burning tool I had as a kid. Super-fun!

Have a great day and thanks for the visit. Stay happy,