PIN CASE #1; cQc #194; NBUS #7; WOYWW #211

Hello to All!

 

It's Wednesday, or close to it, which means it's time for the weekly desk hop conducted by the fabtastic Julia Dunnit at What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday (WOYWW).  I've been having a crafty good time this week which is a parent on my desk.  I hope you get a chance to join in the fun!

 

For those of you who only pop in on Wednesdays, you should know that I've started to get serious about using my virginal stamps and paper and dies and so forth and so as not to have to say that on every post, especially the word "virginal" since I don't want pervs visiting this space, I've coined a term for it:  NBUS which means "never-before-used-schtuff."  Some of my crafty friends have picked up the gaunt let (poor dear, so thin), so you may see that acrononymim on other blogs.  Feel free to use the term and use up your NBUS!

 

Here's my desk:

 No, wait, that's my embarrassingly dirty window.  Here's my desk:

 Taking center stage is this beauty:

 It's not an antique.  It's some cheesy foe fone that one of the twinks found at a yard sale.  The wire cradle was broken so Papa brought it home to sodder it.  (I'm sorry, I know it's spelled solder, but seriously, it shouldn't be.)  The twinks are coming over on Saturday for a sleep-over and Henry will want his phone back, so I had to grab this picture of it with this NBUS (stamp) I knew I had lurking about.

I mean, what are the chances?  Is that cool or what?  I wish I knew who the manufacturer of the stamp was, but I don't because the set was cut apart before I knew I should be making note of manufacturerers for you guys.  And when I say, "what are the chances," I mean what are the chances that I remembered that I had this tiny little NBUS in my Playhouse at the same time I had the phone in my possession and not two days after the phone had gone back home to Henry.  You see what I'm saying?  It's a miracle.

Naturally, I couldn't just take that picture and not make a card!  So I made this:

I not only used NBUS, I actually CASEd an inspiration card that is pinned on my Pinterest board.  THAT is a first!  The inspiration card comes form the uber-amazing-CASly-creative hands of Laurie Willison of Soapbox Creations:

~~~

 

I'm also entering my card in this week's ColourQ challenge.  Here are the delicious colours:

~~~

 

And glory beans, I cleaned my windows and about darn time.

 ~~~

 

Thank you all for hopping by for a visit!  As always, please leave me a comment so I know you came by; I will return the flavor! 

 

 

[For WOYWWers:  On previous posts, I've mentioned that I'm compiling data regarding printers and I will share the results sometime next week.  If you are interested in the results, please participate by letting me know in your comment what brand/model you use, and whether you like it or don't like it.  Thank you so much!  Mwah!!]

 

 

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*!  Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower!

 

*Life Is Too Short!   

 

CASE=copy and share everything

CAS=clean and simple

NBUS=never-before-used-schtuff

 

Paper:  Neenah solar white;

  SU! colors listed in challenge

Stamp:  unknown

Ink:  Versafine onyx black

Washi tape:  Freckled Fawn

Die:  Parker Lower Alphabet Set MB

LIM #124; NBUS #6 ~ "Hex" a Gons

And we're back around to Mo ... wha' happened to yesterday?

 

Happy Tuesday!!

 

Oy with the hexagons already.  I don't mean world-wide, I just mean here in the Playhouse.  I took a tiny break from my endeavor to choose a NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) first and then choose a challenge.  That's because I like to play in the weekly challenges at Less Is More.  Our lovely hostesses, Chrissie and Jen, are giving us a "theme" week this week and the theme is "HEXAGONS."

 

So I started with the challenge. 

 

And started again.

 

And started again.

 

It was like a hex had been placed on me.

 

I'll be honest.  I usually just go with whatever pops up first to the top of my Eight Ball brain of ideas.  This time, I really had to work with it.  I don't have a hexagon die.  Okay, first of all, how did that happened?  I do have a couple of hexagon stamps.  Some of them are those after-thought-unrelated stamps you sometimes find in your package of clear stamps.  The one I used is small, with three hexes on the gon.

 

I always think of honeycombs when I see hexagons and so a bee took center stage:

  

A gold-embossed bee:

It's the second card I made. 

 

That's because my first card got a little out-of-hand in the "less is more" department:

I started CASly enough by running the hexagon stamp down the middle.  Then this cute bee just fits so nicely in the open-ended hexies.  Three of them fit, but then they looked like they should be about to dip their cute faces in a flower bag full of pollen.  And that's when all help broke loose and my card turned into More Is More.  I thought I'd share it anyway.

 

And now you see why some people say "cute as a bee," instead of "cute as a button!"

~~~

 

I'm tickled today to welcome another new friend!  I'd love for you to meet Siara of Siara's Sweet Sensations.  Siara is a busy mom who blogs when she can and when she can, her cards are definitely inspiring and worthy of a visit.  Welcome, Siara, and thank you for joining our goofy journey!

 

~~~

 

I spent the entire day yesterday planting new plants in our backyard and lemme tell ya, I am one lump of creaky and achey.  It is SO going to be worth it, once the rock is delivered.  I will share before and afters when it is finished.  I've about 12 more plants to get potted or planted, but I think day after today will be soon enough for that.

 

I do have to share one of our two oleander trees that are bursting with flowers!  In this picture you can see part of the area I am working on.  It stretches the entire length of the backyard.

Here is a close-up of the tree:

 

Isn't that magnificent?

 ~~~

Printer Survey

 

Before you go, please scroll down to read about my little printer survey.  Thank you to those of you who have responded already!  I am keeping the question out there the rest of this week and will tally the results next week.  So far the answers are all over the place, so I'm hoping to get more data.  I know most of you are anxiously awaiting the results, so please ask your friends to participate as well.  Thank you!!

 

~~~

 

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower! 

*Life Is Too Short!   

 

I'm just listing below the LIM supplies; if you

want info on the other card, please email.

 

Paper:  SU! more mustard

Stamp:  Paper Smooches hexagon (NBUS);

  bee, Hero Arts E1597; sediment unknown

Ink:  Versa Fine onyx black

EP:  Personal Stamp Exchange gold

Corner Chomper Angle

 

============================================================================================================================

PRINTER SURVEY

My laser printer is running low on expensive cartridges again and it doesn't like printing on vellum or on heavy card stock, so I think it's time for a change.  So many of you print out digis, sentiments, and even colored patterned paper that look so crisp and I'm wondering what you use for your printer needs (manufacturer and model, please).  Ink jet printers included.  I already have one recommendation from a trusted friend, but Mister and I are old-school and he'd like it if I get more than the one. 

Please tell me if you don't like your printer, too, so I can factor that into the results.   

Thank you for your input!  I will publish the results.  Mwah!! 

DD #57; NBUS #5 ~ Morning Dew

Happy Father's Day!

We had lunch yesterday with DS to celebrate, Mister is off on a ride today, so I'm stopping in to share a quick card for the current challenge at Dynamic Duos which is "green and black, with a plant dessert."

 

 

I've been craving the Water Droplets stamp from Designs by Ryn for ages.  Just when I was set to order it, I received one from a sweet friend as a surprise!  The serendipity doesn't stop there because this morning, while it was still on my desk from it's first-time use making two thank you cards, there was the perfect DD challenge!  Hallah!

Here tis:

So the NBUS product on today's card is the image and I've also used snippets (the paper and ribbon) so I'll be joining in the playground fun once the gates open today over at Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground!  I love how the dew drops work perfectly with the leaf pattern on the DSP.  I sponged the greenery to give it some added deeption.

 

Speaking of NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff), I've heard that this idea of using the stamps and schtuff which you've not previously used is now spreading through the blogosphere.  Someone told me there are a couple of sites that are turning the process into challenges.

 

Of course, while my idea of systematically using my NBUS is new to me, it's not original, nor are challenges.  There are wonderful long-time sites that encourage us to use our schtuff, especially our scraps or "snippets" as my British friends say.  You've often seen me join in at Pixie's, which champions this idea.  There is also Shopping Our Stash, which is a another wonderful site, and there are prolly many more that I am not aware of.

However you choose to use your NBUS, or your snippets, I'm so happy you're joining this movement.  This definitely feels like a "Year of The Use It" and I have a feeling it will continue beyond December.  So far I'm really enjoying reversing my product/challenge process and giving my NBUS the love and attention it deserves!  I'd love to see your NBUS cards, too!

~~~

 

Having said that, please step away from the craft table long enough to join me in a warm welcome to our newest friends!  They are Anja of Scrappie, Too and Silvi of Silvi's Place.  Between them, these ladies have years and years of wonderful posts and cards and inspirational ideas for your viewing pleasure!!  Thank you, Anja and Silvi, and welcome to the party!!

 

~~~

 

Here a little giggle for you I found under my water droplet stamp:

 

 

~~~

 

We picked out our landscape rocks, so now I'm off to the nursery to pick up some plants. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year!  It's full-on summer the end of this week, although in some places Mom Nature has still not gotten the memo!  Waaake up, mother dear!

 

~~~

 

Printer Survey

 

Before you go, please scroll down to read about my little printer survey.  If you haven't already commented, I would appreciate it if you would take a minute to respond.  In order to really get a consensus and worthwhile results to share, I need you data, my friends.  Thank you!!

 

~~~

 

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower! 

 

 

 

 

 

*Life Is Too Short!

 

Paper:  PTI white, SU! pear pizzaz,

  unknown DSP (DCWV?)

Stamps:  Designs by Ryn, "Water Droplets"

  CM-T3; SU! sediment unknown set

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; DI for sponging

Ribbon from stash 

====================================================================================

PRINTER SURVEY

My laser printer is running low on expensive cartridges again and it doesn't like printing on vellum or on heavy card stock, so I think it's time for a change.  So many of you print out digis, sentiments, and even colored patterned paper that look so crisp and I'm wondering what you use for your printer needs.  Ink jet printers included.  I already have one recommendation from a trusted friend, but Mister and I are old-school and he'd like it if I get more than the one. 

Please tell me if you don't like your printer, too, so I can factor that into the results.   

Thank you for your input!  I will publish the results.  Mwah!! 

MIM #120, NBUS #4 ~ An Ombré Thank You Card; Printer Survey

Happy Weekend Hello to All!

One of the prettiest trends on the market today is ombré.  Technically, ombré means:

"A trick-taking card game for three people using a pack of forty cards, popular in Europe in the 17th–18th centuries."

Wait.  What are you saying, Mr. Webster?  Let's take a look in the Crafter's Dictionary:

"Ombré noun —  Having colors or tones that shade into each other — used especially on fabrics in which the color is graduated from light to dark."

That's more like it.

There is a wonderful video by Nichole Heady over on her blog {capture the moment}.  Nichole has a "Make It Monday" challenge every, um, Monday and this past Monday the challenge was "Overlapping Ombré."  It sounds redundant, but it's clever really because it nicely melds the meaning with the word.

I struggled with the challenge.  In the end, Dee Tritus sat on my desk.

 

I tried blues and then decided I liked greens better and I finally got a card that was pretty well lined up.

 

 

My NBUS on today's card is the pinefeather dotted ribbon from PTI.  And I'm 99% sure I have never used the "thank you" sediment before.  I also tried to make a couple of NBUS embossing folders work, but it made the card too busy with the ribbon, so this time the ribbon won.

~~~

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!

 Pinterest

In case I don't post again until Monday, I wish your family a Happy Father's Day!  If it's bittersweet ~  big hugs to you!
 

 

 

*Life Is Too Short!  

 

Paper:  PTI white

Stamps:  PTI "Framed Out #1" and "Cupcake Collection"

Ink:  PTI spring moss, new leaf, and pinefeather

Ribbon:  PTI new leaf and pinefeather

SU! punch; brad from stash

====================================================================================

PRINTER SURVEY

My laser printer is running low on expensive cartridges again and it doesn't like printing on vellum or on heavy card stock, so I think it's time for a change.  So many of you print out digis, sentiments, and even colored patterned paper that look so crisp and I'm wondering what you use for your printer needs.  Ink jet printers included.  I already have one recommendation from a trusted friend, but Mister and I are old-school and he'd like it if I get more than the one. 

Please tell me if you don't like your printer, too, so I can factor that into the results.   

Thank you for your input!  I will publish the results.  Mwah!! 

 

Jackpot! Mellow Yellow Santa

Hey there!

I have been rolling ideas around in my head the last few days, intrigued by the challenge this week at Less Is More. 

 

The fantabulous hostesses Chrissie and Jen want us to make a one-layer card with the theme:  "Need for Speed!"  Well, that brings to mind cars and buses and trains and jets and motorcycles and race cars and action figures.

 

Most of which would line up perfectly with this week's Simon Says Stamp challenge where there is always a great prize and the theme is "transport." 

 

Hmmm. 

 

In the car this morning I was listening to my usual CD which you know is in my player all year long every day.  It is Anne Murray's Christmas album.  I'm singing out " ... hoping I might, see one little reindeer fly through the sky ..."  Wait.  What? 

 

On Christmas Eve who has a greater "need for speed" than Rudolf?  And what better "transport" is there in the world than the sleigh that carries Santa and his endless bags of gifts?  Oh, yay, baby.

 

When I went to my computer, there was the latest CAS(E) This Sketch sketch by the marvelous N@Ali:

 

 

So that became the launching pad for my design idea and here is my card:

 

I used yellow because I wanted Santa and Rudolph to be backlit by the yellow moon.  The never-before-used-schtuff (which I think we can all agree I can now start calling NBUS) on today's card is the candy-cane stripe and sediment from the "Jingle All The Way" Technique Tuesday set by Ali Edwards; and (look closely) a Sizzix "Small Dots" impression plate.

 

The candy-cane stripe is only about an inch and a half long and perfect evidence of why you should have a stampamajig in your tools.  As per my usual dum-dum process, I did the stripe after the other images, so it was terrific to line it up all the way down the card on the first try.  Of all the things I'm grateful for, deodorant is high on the list.  And stampamajigs. Phew.

 

I used PTI soft stone gray cardstock, so if the card looks a little gray on your monitor, that's because it is. 

 

~~~

 

It wasn't until I was writing my post that I realized I could also enter my card in this week's CASology challenge where the cue card word is "Yellow!"  The awesome sponsor is Uniko Studio.

 

 

Shazambam!

 

I was also going to enter it in a fifth challenge because the "black, white, plus one" challenge is still going on at CAS on Sunday, but I went to double-check the rules of each challenge to make curtain what the limit was for how many other challenges you can enter and I immediately discovered that CAS on Sunday only lets you enter one card per challenge, so scratch that one.

 

Still.  Four challenges is a thrill!

 

But Christmas in June?  Yellow, no less?  I agree it looks sort of silly to have a summery color on a Santa Baby card, but it's sorta growing on me.  I have a feeling the trend of using non-traditional colors for Christmas cards is still going to be happening for the upcoming Christmas card season.  Well, I'm starting that rumor anyway.  You with me?

 

~~~

 

I am delighted to introduce you today to our newest friend, Nancy!  Nancy's website is Scrapper @ Heart.  She has been a scrapper since forever and a card artist since 2009.  There is a ton of inspiration waiting for you when you visit her site, including space inspiration on her "My Creative Space" tab!  Thank you for joining us, Nancy, and welcome!!

 

~~~

 

Okay, Mister and I are going off to look at landscape rocks.  He's a geologist so I may have to go wait in the car.  It's only fair when I think of all the hours he has spent waiting in the car while I was in a stamping store!

 

~~~

 

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!

 

*Life Is Too Short!  

 

Paper:  PTI soft stone

Stamps:  Technique Tuesday "Jingle All The Way";

  unmarked Santa; SU! circle

Ink:  Ancient Page coal black, Su! daffodil delight;

  Primacolor pencils

Sizzix impression plate "Small Dots"

Scor-Pal

My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots

Glossy Accents

COS #10; JUGS #192; WOYWW #210 ~ On Your Special Day and Make Your Own Patterned Vellum

Happy Hump D. Doody Day!

It's time once again for a Snoop Hop, where we all link up our work areas for virtual viewing over at What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday, hosted by the wonderful Julia!  If you click on the link, Julia has all the details for you.  It's fun and addicting and I hope you join in!

 

My desk appears thus:

I won a fun cupcake-and-candle die from my friend Jeanne of A Kept Life and I used it for the first time on the card you see.  A close-up is in Card Talk below.  Other than scraps and tools, you can also see my binder of embossing folders.  Ah, yupper.  That's a lot of 'em, hence my quest to use my schtuff of which I have an indecent amount.  But, OGG (oh, golly gee), after more than a decade, I'm still having the time of my life with this hobby!

 

That's all I got this week, so I took a picture out my other window.  I haven't shared that in a while.  The first buds just popped open on those crepe myrtles so I'll post another piccie when they are in full bloom.

I see I need to have Mister unroll that umbrella.  We had some gusts recently and had to close it down.  I just realized that if you put an "e" in "gusts," you get "guests."  I'm guessing, then, that the word "guests" came from folks saying they had "some guests blow into town for the weekend."  Someone (Earl) thought his friend said "gusts" and there you have it.

 

So to keep this short for you WOYWWers, that is the end of my WOYWW.  Enjoy the rest of your hop and do let me know you stopped by so I can be sure and return the flavor!  I visited pretty darn near everyone last week and it was fun to meet some new folks and visit others I haven't seen in a while!  I hope you all have a tremendous week!!

~~~~~~

Card Talk

If you're staying, the card I made is going to be entered in the current challenge at CAS on Sunday, which is "black, white, plus one."  The awesome sponsor is The Alley Way Stamps.

Here's is my card:

I just realized that I didn't use stamps nor ink on this card!  That's pretty darn CAS!  It's also a lot prettier in real life, where the words are much easier to read, the score lines are visible, and the texture and sheen pop.

 

Since I'm making note, the previously unused products from the Playhouse are the cupcake-and-candle die and the "On Your Special Day" embossing folder.  The embossed shiny white paper came emb, er, I think that's called "de" bossed and I have had it for ages.  It's heavy and beautiful card stock IRL and I just have a few pieces left.   So that means my card is both debossed and embossed.  Now I just sound bossy.

 Here is a close-up of the cupcakes and below, a close-up of the candle:

That pretty aqua patterned paper is actually Washi tape!  Doesn't it look like a beautiful vellum?

I made several cupcakes and candles, just messing around with various patterned papers.  Then I thought it would be interesting to die-cut some of my patterned Washi tapes.  In order to get that vellum look, I laid out upside down pieces of regular clear tape (maybe Scottish, maybe not) and then I covered those pieces with pieces of Washi tape.  Here, I'll go take some pictures for a picture tute.

 

I laid out one single piece of clear tape for the candle die, which is slim.

Then I covered the clear tape with a piece of Washi tape, turned that over and applied another piece of Washi tape, which I then die-cut.

 

If you want to make a bigger die cut, like I did with the cupcake die, you lay the clear tape upside down in rows.  You can make it as wide as you want.  (IRL, you do need to overlap the clear tape a smidge to make the rows stick together.)

Pretty fun, huh?  If the instructions don't make sense, just let me know in the comments.  I'll report it to management immediately.

 

Edited:  I've just learned that Just Us Girls is having a technique challenge to use Washi tape.  How perfect!!  It's my first time joining this fun challenge!

 

~~~

 

I'd love for you to meet our newest friend!  Her name is Nelia and her blog is Stempel Spass (fun-stamping!).  She has oodles of tremendous CAS cards for your inspiration!  Welcome, Nelia, and thank you so much for joining our crafty journey!!

~~~

I also wanted to share with you that I had a fun lunch with another stamper who lives in the Bay Area!  I'm sure a lot of you are quite familiar with the sweet Kim Heggins and her fantastic cards on her Cupcakes, Cards, and Kim website.  Kim and I gifted each other with die-cuttings that the other didn't have: roller-coasters came to me and feathers went to Kim.  I hope to get to see her craft space on our next outing this month!

 

Here we are:

Kim is the cutie in pink.  I'm the one whose bangs got swept back from my forehead in all the excitement!  I keep reaching my hand out to the monitor to fix them.  Do you ever do that with photos on the computer?

Be nice.  I'm heavily medicated.
 

~~~

 

Well, I'm sure I've worn you plum out by now.  Enjoy whatever is left of your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!

 

*Life Is Too Short!  

Paper:  PTI true black; SU! pool party;
  unknown white
Dies:  Serendipity Stamps 1278
EF:  Darice
Washi tape from Freckled Fawn
Corner Chomper

CFC #104; Merry Monday #66 ~ Peace Joy Love

Hi Dearlings,

 

I'm back with a quick second post today.  I have a long list of things I should be doing, but just curious, I real quick opened Always Playing With Paper, the extraordinary site hosted by the super-talented Lesley, to see what the "Merry Monday" sketch is this week and shazambam and oh, snap, a card instantly formed in zee weddle gray cells. 

 

But, first, the fantastic sketch for your carding enjoyment:

And walla, my take:

The new product for this card is the sediment.  It is from a Technique Tuesday stamp set.  Some of the images in the set I've used before, but not this one.  This card was EZPZ, QACAS fun!!  And bonus, it's nice and flat for mailing, too. 

 

I'm delighted to finally be playing on a regular basis with these Merry Monday sketches, which are amazing for launching ideas for you to start your Christmas card stash!  I hope you join in!!  For me, this is my third Christmas card done and the third product used from my never-before-used-schtuff lurking in the Playhouse.  Check and check.

 

~~~

 

As in my earlier post today, I'm also entering this card in the "Banners and Flags" challenge at CAS-ual Fridays, where the generous sponsor this week is ellenhutson.com. 

 

 

~~~

 

Enjoy your day!   No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!

 

*Life Is Too Short!  

 

Paper:  PTI pine feather, white

Stamp:  Large tree, SU!; small tree unmarked;

  sediment, Technique Tuesday

Ink:  PTI pine feather; SU! handsome hunter,

  cherry cobbler; marker:  SU! cherry cobbler

Dies:  Simon Says "Folded Banner";

  DieNamics, Fishtail Flags

Sequins from stash