WHERE HAVE ALL THE CARD POSTS GONE???

I've taken up ANOTHER crafting hobby and unfortunately there are just not enough crafting hours in a day to accomplish all that I want to. And though this isn't the only reason I've not been posting many cards- knitting has been sucking up all that spare crafting time since I began in late July. Since I picked up my first pair of needles and some yarn, I've made a ruffled scarf



& matching headband,

2 pumpkin hats, a cupcake hat,

3 stuffed hedgehogs,

a camoflauge hat with ear flaps (no photo)

and this turquoise, green & yellow hoodie.

I've started felted slippers now - but hopefully will have time to make some cards to post over the weekend.

Thanks for being patient with me -

and until next time -

Happy Crafting - no matter what your hands are finding to do!

Jill

BREATHTAKING

Okay. I'm sorry. I know this is probably bragging - but, really - this card in real life almost takes my breath away! I think it just might be the most beautiful card I've EVER made. All the elements came together - in one single card - and honestly - that rarely happens for me. Usually there is something about every card I wish I had done differently - but not this one. I love it!!!! (And to my non-stamping nieces who are reading this - I understand that you won't understand my enthusiasm. It's okay - you can think I'm crazy. I'll still love you.) Here's the card.

Unfortunately the photo doesn't do it justice. The color cast is very yellow on my monitor and the shimmer on the cardstock doesn't show. I took a close-up detail photo so you can get the idea of what I'm seeing and what isn't showing in the photo of the entire card.

Supplies:

Four the Holidays Stamp Set
Day of Gratitude Stamp Set
Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint
Rubbing Alcohol
Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy & Real Red Markers
Dazzling Details
Ribbon from Big Lots
Antique Brads
Snail Adhesive
2-way glue pen
Dimensionals
1/8" hole punch

If you are coming to my workshop tomorrow, you'll get to see this card as well as see some ideas on how to use this stamp set (DAY OF GRATITUDE) in some less traditional ways. We will also be previewing an item coming up for sell from Stampin'Up! in October. It's a totally different product line - and I'm lovin' it.

Thanks for visiting today and until next time - Happy Stamping!

Jill

AUTUMN OFFERING

The weather has begun to change here in Central Illinois. It has been in the mid- to lower 70s all week and it has put me in the card-making mood again. The inspiration for this card came from this one by Charlene Merrick.



The photo isn't the best - I took it with my phone and the light fell off towards the bottom right corner making it appear a little blurry - but you get the idea.

All product, except the pumpkin, is Stampin'Up! The cardstocks used are Whisper White (sponged in More Mustard and Soft Suede Inks), River Rock and Cajun Craze. The stamp sets are Hugs & Wishes and Simply Soft (colored using More Mustard, Real Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Real Rust markers.)

I stamped the Simply Soft image twice on a piece of 3" x 3" Whisper White cardstock using Memento Black Ink then colored the image using the SU! markers. I cut the cardstock into 4 - 1 1/2" squares and removed the bottom, right square. I replaced it with a 1 1/2" square of whisper white cardstock and stamped and colored the pumpkin image. I used the corner rounder on two opposing corners of all squares then sponged all four squares in the inks mentioned above.

Next I cut 4 - 1 3/4" squares from Cajun Craze and used corner rounder punch on two opposing corners, then layered them under the stamped images.

The button was tied with Early Espresso Baker's Twine and colored with Pumpkin Pie and Real Red markers to match the Cajun Craze. Of course it would be much easier just to use the Cajun Craze marker - but since I don't own it, I had to make do.

The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip Ink.

Thanks for visiting again with me.
Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

THANK YOU PRECISION AUTO CLINIC

I had an oil change a couple of weeks ago at a local car dealership. While there, they checked the fluid levels, tire pressure and brakes. All was good, the back brakes would need to be changed at the next oil change and the front tires before Winter. With that information we traveled to Kentucky from Central Illinois over the Labor Day weekend for a family reunion. Just as we pulled into our motel in Russellville, KY the front brakes went out!!!!!

What to do? It was a holiday weekend - and already late on Saturday afternoon. We called the local Walmart - they don't do brakes and the woman who answered the phone wasn't from the area and didn't know where to send us. (Of course she didn't offer to see if anyone else was from the area and might have a suggestion.) The motel owner overheard the conversation and offered to make some phone calls for us while we relaxed and refreshed in our room. In less than 5 minutes he was at our door with the news that he had contacted a friend who, though he wasn't open for business, would take a look at the brakes and see what could be done. Not only did Dan of Precision Auto Clinic look at our brakes, he drove us to the family reunion, gave up his evening plans, fixed our brakes and brought our car back to us at the reunion center.

Dan - this is for you.

It's a quick, CAS (Clean and Simple) card - Whisper White cardstock with the image stamped in Memento Black Ink and colored using SU! markers, aquapainter and inkpads. The sentiment is from SU! Much Appreciated. To create the outlined border I simply cut a piece of chipboard to the size I wanted and traced around it with a black marker then added little dots at 3 of the corners. To finish, I sponged Bordering Blue Ink around the vehicle to give the appearance of a skyline.

Sometimes CAS is just as nice as the cards that take hours to assemble.

Thanks for visiting today -

and until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill