Mama Elephant - Whale details

A few people have asked about my Mama Elephant whale card so here's a photo of all the parts that went into making the card. You really can't see the stamp of the whale but it's has a wood block design, which I think makes the whale look scary. When I first stamped it, I didn't like it at all. I decided to color it in with a black copic marker and give it a googly eye. I got the stamp set at Joann Fabrics when it was on sale, an impulse buy. The stamp set doesn't stamp too well so you will have to plan to use either a stamp tool (Misti) or plan to color in the uneven area. Used my Misti to stamp the sentiment, which I had to stamp a few times. 
I sponged the background using an old sponge. I just to heavy handed to use the Tim Holtz blending tool. I have a box full of old sponges I've used for years in the classes I teach. They have held up really well and work for me. Think they came from the dollar store several years ago. 
I added some Wink of Stella to the waves and  whale spout. which you really can't see in the photo. 

FabMo Paper Crafters Workshop - 2018

FabMo Paper Crafters Workshop 9/16/18

Sunday is my normal day to get all my creative projects done. I do a workshop for FabMo once a month as a mini fundraiser. I donate my time and all the supplies. 
Since I never know the level of the craftiness of people coming to the workshop, it takes a lot of time to come up with projects that can get done in a few hours, look good and won't mess up my tools or supplies. 
I'm now on the hunt for 2mm googly eyes for the snail. That would be the icing on the cake!

Amazing Cutting Plate Hacking 2018

There are some crafting hacks that aren't worth doing but then there is that rare one that is totally amazing!
Several videos started popping yesterday show how to use a rubber cutting mat in place of the hard plastic mat that goes with most die cutting machine. It works so well, I was wondering why no one thought of it before or if they had, why didn't they market it for all die cut machines out there! 
I had a new rubber mat that I forgot in my car  (very bad when it's hot out) and once it gets hot, it buckles so won't ever lay flat again. I hated to throw it out, so I stuck in under one of Annie's rugs hoping it would magically go flat.  I had nothing to lose by trying this hack out so I cut it up. I was so impressed I made a few for some crafty friends. This is the best crafting hack in a long long time!

Itatani Beach Party 2018

Every year my family has a beach party at a friend's private beach. It so nice to have a beach that Annie can run around all day and I don't have to worry about other people being scared of her. 
It was a perfect beach day, warm and sunny. I just love the birthday photo of my Auntie Mich, who turned 95. She's still drives and has a very full social calendar. Annie got in the picture wanting to put her stick on the table so the kids could throw it for her. She wasn't trying to eat the cake. As usual it was an Itatani food fest with everyone bring something to share. We are hoping that next year we can spend the night, giving the city kids the whole camping experience. 

Felt - ing 2018

Years ago I gave felt-ing a try. I guess I didn't really like it, so I gave all the tools away to a friend. Well fast forward to now and I wondered if I could felt pre cut wool (using my die cuts) and felt it on a background. So far the first test rounds look pretty good. Now just have to think of a way to turn them into cards or something cool. 

String card - 2018

Friends of mine weave some amazing things (Stonewater Arts) and I asked for the end cuts of thread. I was using them in my cross stitch and decided (after seeing something on Pinterest) to do this very simple card. I like to think of it as up recycling. 

Plant Nursery - 2018

I started another round of aloe vera plants after I did a swap with my neighbors are few weeks ago. Need to stock up for the next swap in a few more month. 
Living in ranger rick land (deer, gophers, rabbits, rats, coyotes and various birds) it's hard to grow anything. Succulents happens to be on of the few things no one wants to eat. :)