Well we have had quite the weather the last week or two. I am participating in a card making challenge! (Great motivator to get back in the stamp room!).
Lately, I have been busy sewing and crafting up little goodies for the students in my program. It is that time of year (the end of the school season), where it feels like I am in a perpetual storm of disorganized chaos! But hey, I must like it, I keep doing it!
Well, without further ado, here are some pictures of what I have been up to. Many of the products and stamps I am using will be retired as of May 31, 2019 -or earlier:( But, that means Stampin’UP! will be making way for new and exciting designs…which I will share with you next month!
Tea Together
On this gloomy, rainy day, why not grab a cup of tea and craft along with me?
I created this card for a shoe box swap, this past weekend. I love this idea because we actually get to MAKE the cards!!!
Instructions:
Petal Pink Card Stock : 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ (card base) (1-1/2″ punch to mat greeting)
Very Vanilla Card Stock: 3-1/2″ x 5″ (adhere with glue dots behind laser-cut paper)
Scrap piece approx: 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ to stamp and cut out tea pot, flowers and greeting
Beautifully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper (cut one of the card front designs to 3-1/2″x 5″)
Very Vanilla Polka Dot Tulle -15″ ( tie around card, near fold & trim)
- Fold card base in a half, add ribbon close to the folded edge
- Adhere laser-cut paper to Very Vanilla, adhere to card front
- Stamp teapot image, with Memento Black and cut out using coordinating die from Tea Time Framelits dies
- Stamp flower buds with Crumb Cake and cut out using coordinating die.
- Ink up greeting with Memento Black and punch out using 1-3/8″ scallop punch, attach to Petal Pink mat, adhere to card base using dimensionals
- Colour flower buds with Petal Pink and Pear Pizzazz with a blender pen, tuck in-between greeting and mat.
- Beautiful and Elegant card!!
Supply List:
Tea Together Stamp Set (148779)
Tea Time Framelit Dies (149697)
Label Me Pretty Stamp Set (143861)
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ Pad (147116)
Memento Black
Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650)
Petal Pink Cardstock (146985)
Very Vanilla Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon (147629)
1-3/8″ scallop circle punch (146139)
1-1/2″ circle punch (138299)
Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (143263)
Take time to create every day and feel free to share:)
Creatively Yours,
Roxane
Wow! I lost 52 lbs in ONE WEEK!!!
Can you believe it!!! When I stepped on the scale, I could hardly believe it myself!
I realized that I had successfully got rid of 52 lbs…of clothing! Yep! I was in shock! This week’s challenge was to purge in the bedroom. Thanks to Cas from Clutterbug, for her Hug Your Home Challenge! I followed her tips for getting up close and personal with my stuff and here I am 52 lbs lighter. This has made choosing and finding items in the closet so much easier. (Yes, I left hubby’s stuff alone).
Holding a few of these bags in my hand:
I also purged an additional 50 items that didn’t belong in the bedroom. Who else puts things in the Master Bedroom:
when company is coming?
“just for now”?
to paint/renovate another room in the house?
make space for Christmas?
any or all of the above? Let me know in the comment section.
So, I took out all the gift wrap, extra gift boxes, tape, scissors, extra notepads, books that I have already read, someone else’s clothes, knick-knacks, and dust bunnies from under the bed! (Gross!)
Here is the link to WEEK ONE- BEDROOM. This will take you to Cas’s Clutterbug blog. If you are more visual person, She is featuring the challenge on her YouTube channel. She goes through the process and I find her style of decluttering realistic and engaging! The best part, is she’s Canadian!!
I am working on WEEK TWO- KITCHEN this week and I will keep you updated on that too!
Creatively Yours,
Roxane
Welcome 2019- The Year to Clear
Hello my Crafty Friends,
It has been awhile since I posted…it seems like life and all its happenings kidnapped me from my creative desk and plunked me down into reality! In reality, I was trying to find my way out of all my clutter. I will be sharing some of my creative ideas in the coming months. Be sure to check out my FB Craft Wagon page too!
Do you set goals/resolutions at the beginning of the year? This year, well for many years, I have added: clear the clutter, get organized, throw away stuff, donate stuff, get a dump bin and just let it go! ” This year…”, yet each year end I find myself with stuff and the feeling of overwhelm.
Well my mantra for 2019 is the “The Year to Clear”… this can be all encompassing. It’s amazing when I started to think about this mantra. I can use this mantra for my health, relationships, mindset, thoughts, goals and the actual physical stuff I own. My resolutions have been based on what I see in front of me. I get overwhelmed with all the stuff I own, and I vow I will just get rid of it.
I mark the calendar and I begin, and then it happens… My decision making skills go out the window along with rational thinking. I throw out what matters, like a wedding gift and keep crazy stupid stuff, because we all know how important it is to own 13 different coloured pens and every size of Post-it notes that were ever invented! Then someone comes along and questions, “Why are you throwing out this?” and I second guess myself, wondering if I have missed it’s importance. I am unable to move forward with the goal, and like 80% of us who are unable to keep resolutions after six weeks. I ditch it! (Business Insider )
According to Lindsay Dodgson in her article: The psychology behind why we’re so bad at keeping New Year’s resolution, the internal battle inside of us between should and want causes us to not fully commit. When we are told we “should” do something, we can often become defiant and then make the decision not to continue with the goal or resolution. Seriously, I am an adult, you can’t tell me what I should do!
This made me think of myself, and the “shoulds” in my life and head. This is perhaps why I have had many attempts at this, and little success. Yes, I have been able to get rid of a ton of stuff. We have had dump bins on our driveway, several years in a row. Ask me what we put in there? NO idea! When I look around, I know I do not have as much as I used to but still I have come to the realization that:
Over the year’s I have tried just about EVERY type of craft, at least once. I have collected the supplies to create these handcrafted items and realized that perhaps it’s a form of addiction! I talk to other crafter’s and discover I am not alone, many have mass collections as well. I have often joked with my family that if I did not craft, our house would not be so cozy. (Yes, it’s insulated with fabric and yarn and other neat stuff!) All kidding aside, I have read a number of (most) organizing and cluttering books. I will leave links at the bottom of this post, of a few of my favourites. In case you need a distraction from your procrastination of clearing the clutter.
Creatively Yours,
Roxane
LINKS:
Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver
The link is to Courtney’s website, she has provided amazing content on her website and a sample chapter for preview. If you have followed me for awhile, I participated in her Project 333 for a number of years.
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
I have recently discovered her series on Netflix, I am hoping that it will kick start my year:)
12 Weeks of Christmas – Week 3 Timeless Tidings
LOVE!LOVE!LOVE! The font and sentiments featured in this stamp set! The Timeless Tidings Stamp Set
paired with the Timeless Tidings Project Kit is a great way to make beautiful, quick and easy handmade cards. The kit makes a total of 20 cards. If you would like to host a card making workshop featuring these products, be sure to contact me.
Here is a card I made using the stamp set:
12 Weeks of Christmas – Week 2 Tin Tiles
Long ago, I was a painter. I loved to create faux finish techniques. Hence, why I love all that is messy in card making. When this video featured the Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder AND Galvanized Metallic Paper, I knew I had to get my hands on these products and mess about. The video features the Country Lane Suite:
Here is my Christmas Tin Tile Twist:
Christmas Card Swap
Earlier this month, I participated in a demonstrator swap event. My Upline, organized a team meeting and a new Holiday card swap. I love participating in the swaps. I get 15 different card ideas to share with my customers. I am often inspired by these cards to recreate them as is, or change a few attributes. Please enjoy this short video…I hope you are inspired too!
Stay tuned for the 12 weeks of Christmas series, you may see one of these cards again….
Take Your Pick… Tool
Another innovative idea from Stampin’ Up!
This is the answer to sequin placement, or any other tiny embellishments, they claim it is the “Swiss Army” tool of crafting! I’m still saying, “WOW!!” after watching this video
The tool comes with one replacement putty. 144107
Take Your Pick Putty Refills are also available( pack of 2) 150006
WOW!!! Who loves paper?
I LOVE paper, pretty paper, printed paper, textured paper, shiny paper, designer series paper!
This video features all the pretty printed paper in our new 2018 Holiday Catalog.
I have three favourites in this catalog, see if you can guess which ones they are?
Winner will receive a handmade card, using one of my favourites in the mail. Contest open until October 1.
Twelve Weeks of Christmas
This series will begin the week of October 1. It my hope to inspire you with great card and gift ideas for Christmas and tempt you with some yummy Stampin’ Up! stamps, dies and delicious bling!
To kick start the series, watch this short video featuring some of this year’s fixings from the Holiday Catalog:
Be sure to leave a comment and let me know a few of your favourite things!
Stay tuned for upcoming project ideas.
Creatively Yours,
Roxane
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star…
I’m in love with this heart constellation stamp! Pun intended! The Little Twinkle Stamp Set is categorized under “Kids & Babies”. But I see this constellation being used for Valentines day and possibly Weddings or Anniversaries. Here are two colour variations on the original. Do you see what details I missed? In my excitement in taking the photo I forgot the greeting and the bling.
I was challenged to create a few ideas for the Twinkle Twinkle Suite. I am naturally drawn to the Brights collection of colors, so working with the Subtles collection was indeed a challenge.
I started with a few layout ideas and worked within a few parameters. I decided I would introduce the Picture Perfect stamp set and the Little Twinkle Stamp Set. These cards were featured at our card event in June, so I wanted to focus on our featured products used during the event.
This Soft Seafoam Twinkle card was created using all products from the suite, except for the 3/8″ Silver Metallic-Edge Ribbon.
Powder Pink Perfect Birthday
I added the Powder Pink 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon. The DSP is from the suite, and the greeting is stamped in grey from Picture Perfect Birthday. I used the Everyday Punch Label.
I pulled out Colorful Seasons Stamp set. I wanted to feature a large bold image on the front of the card, yet keep it fairly simple. I added the same 3/8″ silver Metallic-Edge Ribbon and pink Artisan pearls. I thought this could be an any occasion card…birthday maybe?
Be sure to leave a comment below to tell me which one is your favourite.
Little Twinkle Suite
Twinkle Twinkle Suite
Are you looking for a fun stamp to create cards for the little ones in your world? Be sure to check out the Little Twinkle Bundle.
I recently co-hosted an event with my dear friend and fellow demonstrator Cathy. We hosted at a local pub, had dinner and made cards, using this bundle. It was a fun event. It’s wonderful to work alongside another creative and to meet other crafty people.
A little creative inspiration for you. I created this card for our event. If you look closely you will notice the similarities with the middle pink card in the catalog. This is called CASEing. (Copy And Share Everything… be sure to give credit to where you are inspired). I turned the card to a landscape design, and switched from Petal Pink to Soft Sea Foam and lastly, I used different Designer Series Paper and Silver &Pool Party Baker’s Twine. It goes together quickly.
This is the second card I designed for the card event. This one features the Picture Perfect Photopolymer Stamp Set , The In Color 2018-2020 Designer Series 6 x 6 Paper Stack and two new in colours: Lovely Lipstick and Blueberry Bushel. I was inspired by one of my favourite card layouts. If you follow my blog, you will likely have seen this one before.
The Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper is part of July’s promo, be sure to click the photo above to check out the deals.
Creatively Yours,
Roxane
Enjoy Life
A short and sweet sentiment. It sounds simple, yet for many of us this is a mantra we work hard to achieve on a daily basis. What does it mean to Enjoy Life? We each have our personal ways of enjoying life.
Creativity, is one way of enjoying life. Taking time each day to create something. Many people associate crafts or fine arts with creativity. I often hear people say, “I’m not creative! I can’t paint, or draw or sew or knit or scrapbook.” These are all creative talents that some are inheritable born with and others learn. I believe we all have an inner creative. Some of us create beautifully decorated homes, host elegant dinner parties, tend to gorgeous gardens, write words that leave a lasting impression. In many ways we all have a way to express our uniqueness.
Stampin’ Up! has released a stamp set with this title and the sentiments are simple and inspiring. 
I created this card for a recent demonstrator card swap. I decided to go monochromatic, using the Wood Textures DSP, Neutrals Color Collection and Linen Thread, and of course a bit of sponging around the edges.
Supply List:
Enjoy Life Photopolymer Stamp Set#148190
Wood Texture Designer Series Paper Stack #144177
Very Vanilla Card Stock #101650
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ Pad #147116
Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Pad #147115
If you love paper, this is the sale for you. The Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack, featured in this card is part of this sale, click the photo to check out my online shop
Enjoy Life!
Roxane
Buy 3 Get 1 Free!
I confess, I have a love affair with paper (and fabric). I love patterned paper because they are beautiful, the colour combinations are spot on and my head spins with ideas for making the world a prettier place.
The NEW Stampin’ Up 2018-2019 Annual Catalog is a great place to start for inspiring ideas.
For the month of July, when you purchase 3 packages of paper from the selected flyer, you can choose ONE for FREE!
If this deal was not amazing on it’s own, Stampin’ Up! has a short video to showcase these beautiful papers.
Which ones will you choose?
Click below to view the flyer.
What’s Black and White and Pink All Over?
The June 2018 Broadway Star Paper Pumpkin Kit
Did you know…
- it coordinates with the Broadway Birthday stamp set?
- there is a coordinating Broadway Lights Framelits die set?
- you save 10% when you purchase the Broadway Birthday bundle?
- the Paper Pumpkin card stock coordinates with the Broadway Bound Specialty Designer Series Paper?
- and then there is the Broadway Bound Suite that features a ton of shiny bling!
- birthday cards are the #1 card that is sent by all ages!
- people love snail mail that is personalized?
I know, that is a ton of information!! I love getting my orange subscription box each month. I love the portability of this kit. I can open it, add my scissors and clear block and I am ready to craft on the go!
Would you like to join me next month? Sign up to receive your very own subscription box before July 10th and we can craft together!!
I am planning a FB live crafting session with July’s kit on July 25th!
Stay tuned for some creative inspiration for this kit…
Creatively Yours,
Roxane