Saying Good - Bye To My Card Rack 2019

After many many years (I think maybe 20+) I closed up my final booth at Cranberry Hill. The store moved to a much smaller location after the building they had been in from many years was sold.  The new location is not easy to see from the main street and the foot traffic just isn't there anymore. I just had my card rack there but with so many other card makers selling there now, I wasn't making enough to cover the rent. Since I also don't teach classes there either, my sales went way down.  It was a very tough decision to leave, as I want to support a small business but my current work schedule makes it hard to keep my card rack fresh. The store also isn't open on Sundays, my only real day off so that sealed the deal to close. Have to thank Geri (the owner of Cranberry Hill) for always being supportive of us crafters. 
Now the challenge is what I should do with all my cards (half are being donated) and how to sell the cards I make in the future. 

Drinks after work

I don't drink alcohol (never developed a taste for it) but I do find it's nice to come home and sit and unwinded with a beverage while I throw the ball for Annie. Peach Snapple has always been a favorite of mine. I add a big squeeze of lemon or lime when my trees are producing. The deer sometimes take out my trees when Annie is on vacation so I don't have them year round. 

Winter Bloom 2019

This is my first winter bloom for 2019. Of course living in Bay Area, we don't get snow or extreme weather, so blooming flowers happen all the time. This plant is by my front door and it's always a surprise when it starts blooming!

First Video - Annie's paw command

Trying something new for me, posting a video. I may live in Silicon Valley but I'm not that tech savvy. 
Annie knows several hand commands but I realized she has one for me too! She's not allowed to bark at me unless it's an emergency. So instead she does a paw up when she wants me to throw her ball, that's her signal to hurry up and throw it.  Just cracks me up that she found a way to get want she wanted without breaking the rules. 

2 Peas Holiday Card Swap

I'm so excited about the up coming 2 peas holiday card swap!  I make a lot of card and it's always fun to make cards for other card makers! There are 109 people signed up so I hope to make that many. A few are in other countries, so hopefully I'll be able to get to the post office in time to send them! I'm going to make about 25 of each design because I know I will get bored doing the same one 100+ times. 

Coffee - Pour Over Works for Me.

I'm not a big coffee drinker but I do love the smell of coffee in the morning. When my little coffee maker died several months ago I stopped buying coffee beans. Using my french press was OK but such a mess to clean up plus I never got the proportions right. So I just stopped. 
Well in my picking adventures at the thrift stores I kept seeing this pour over thingy (not sure what it's called) and decided for $2 to give it a try. I did read up on how to use it and what makes a good cup of coffee. After a few experiments I think I have it dialed in. One thing I didn't like about my coffee maker and the french press was that I never knew how my coffee would turn out. With this pour over method it comes out the same every time. Not sure why this works and the other didn't but there you are. The best part is the clean up is super fast!

2 peas Christmas Card Swap

I'm so excited for the 2Peas refugees Christmas card swap!  It always fun to see what other card makers send! Mailing Christmas cards is a dying tradition but I'm always so happy when I get snail mail not to be confused with bills. :)
So I picked up these penguin napkins at Tuesday Morning last weeks to turn into cards. I added a ton of Stickles which I have tons of.  I have so many half bottles of stickles from back in the days when I taught a lot of classes. I'm trying really hard to use only what I have in my stash, so if I can finish off some of these bottles it's a win. 

Halloween Treats 2019

I found these little pumpkins at the Helping Hands thrift store down in Carmel a few months ago. When I first saw them, I thought it was a little pricey so passed on them. I visit the thrift stores everyday when I'm there because you never know what will be put out. On my last day there, everything went 50% off. All the thrift stores in Carmel put things on sale at the end of the month but the Helping Hand did it a few days early. I work with 3 other people so 3 pumpkins was just too perfect. The candy was made by another crafter at Cottage Crafts so it was a very fast treat to put to together. I like to think it's pumpkin brains on the inside in a non creepy way. :) 

Hero Arts - Eat Cake set 2019

I finally got around to getting these done! It's been in my design book for a long long time.
I've wanted a monster die for awhile now and Hero Arts "Eat Cake" set is perfect! Has both the stamp and dies together. It's a birthday set but I used it for Halloween. 
I also used the Lawn Fawn treat box which I've be waiting to get because of the price point.  Had to have a few ideas before making the investment in the die. I added eye ball candy (can only get at Halloween time) inside the box to go with the monster eye. :)  The bats are from an old Quickkutz die that I've had for years. Not sure where the trick or treat die came from but I know I found it at a used rubber stamp sale. 
Made these boxes for my card making group and will make them for this month's PaperCrafters at FabMo

Samples for FabMo 2019

I volunteer at FabMo every month teaching a paper crafting workshop. 
FabMo gets asked to do a presentations on going green and reuse of the materials coming in everyday. I was asked to make sample of some of the projects I've done. People think FabMo only had fabric but really there are many crafting things that get donated. FabMo is on the short list of clean outs (when an estate has to be cleared out) when there's a crafter involved. Some amazing supplies have come in. I don't really sewing but I try and visit FabMo when I can to see want craft supplies have been donated. Always worth checking out. 

October Pickings. 2019

I'm a picker, always looking for the next cool item to flip for a profit. I got started wanting unique things for my own home so started hanging out at auctions.  After dragging home so many bulk lots, I started selling off the excess. Now it's more of the hunt that's fun and if I can flip it, that's the bonus. 
Many times people can't see the cool factor in something until it's cleaned up and put in the right setting. These are my treasures going into my booth at Cottage Crafts in Campbell.

Gluten Free Pizza

Since I have gluten issues, I do most all my cooking at home. There is one pizza place that makes a gluten free pizza but the timing from crispy to burned is very short. After having so many burned pizzas, I gave up ordering them to go. I've tried making my own crust but the amount of cheese you have to use to hold everything together is heart stopping. 

Trader Joe's now has 3 different types of gluten free crusts. 

Butter Nut Squash, Cauliflower and Broccoli and Kale

So far I've tried the butter nut squash one. It was just OK, more corn meal than squash. I'm going to use goat cheese on the next one to mask the corn meal taste. Wish me luck!

FabMo Papercrafters - October 19, 2019 - evening class

There is a day change to my Papercrafters group this month. Since I'm hosting the UFO night on Saturday night, I decided to combine both UFO and Papercrafters. 
My October schedule is a little hectic because there's some vacations time scheduled but I didn't know exact dates. 
I know a lot of the ladies don't like to drive at night so the class will be small, but it was the only time I could squeeze everything in. 
Simple fall cards using watercolor scraps I have stashed away. I'm also trying to get more comfortable with the splatter technique. I really do have to get a splatter box because now I have gold spots all over my work desk!

Walnut - too funny 2019

I am a big fan of all things walnuts. Cooking, baking and furniture. When I first saw this super sized walnut at the thrift store, I really wanted to get it but I was trying to get things that would fit into my booth at Cottage Crafts. I decided if it was still there on my next visit, I would bring it home. Now I to decide what to store inside as I look for the little hammer that fits into the little hole in the front. It will at some point go into my booth when a space opens up but for now it's home is with me. 

Tuesday Morning Finds.

Last year a friend gave me boxes of the letters that go into this type of bulletin board. I finally found a size that would work at Tuesday Morning. I try and stop by TM when I see something on the You Tubers videos that looks interesting. Both stores here are 25 minutes away and tons of crafting ladies like shopping there. If I can't get there when they open, it's been picked over so not worth the drive. 
Made this fox card from stamps I found last month at TM. The stamps aren't the best quality so you do have to use a stamp positioner.  This will be a card I'll be teaching at FabMo on Sunday. 

Hero Arts - Eat Cake All Day - turned Halloween.

I made the mistake of getting a wireless keyboard awhile back. It works when it feels like it which isn't all that often. I don't type that fast but it just couldn't or wouldn't keep up. Took hours to post anything. Finally went back to getting one that plugs in to my hard drive. Hopefully I will be able to post more on my blog. Not that I think many people read it. :) 
I've been wanting a monster stamp to make Halloween cards and found the Hero Arts "Eat Cake All Day" set on sale at Joann's Fabric. I changed it up to fit the theme I wanted. 

Part time picker

I don't remember when I started junking but I've been doing it for a long long time. I usually stay away from the Goodwill stores because they price things way too high and there are a lot of pickers in my area. Very hard to find anything good.  Since I was close to a Goodwill store on my way to meet friends for dinner, I decided to stop in. I only had 15 minutes to power shop through the store. 
When I picked up this piggy bank a second time, another picker said "that's the second time you've looked at it, you know you want it". :) 
The plate was an impulse buy but I thought it would add a little something to my booth at Cranberry Hill. 

Day of the Dead Card 2019

I was inspired by a card made by Michael Strong. In one of my Tuesday Morning hauls, I picked up some Jolee's skulls and gold paper. 
I also have to give a shout out to Amy R of Prairie Paper and Ink for encouraging card makers to use spatter on their cards. 
I really to have to make a spatter box because now I have gold and white spots every where. :) 

Lady Bugs 2019

When I'm home my front door is always open so Annie can come and go. I do have a magnetic screen but there's always something flying around my lights. 
Tonight I was finishing up some cards (beaded ladybugs) to send off to a friend's charity card rack when I saw I had a real one on my desk. This is the first time I've seen on here let alone in my studio! Guessing this is a good sign - right?

S.F Theme Card 2019

I really liked this  embossing folder and wanted to make a S.F. painted lady house card. Being that it's an embossing folding I couldn't get the color where I wanted it, so I reworked my original idea. I added twinkling H2O water color to the windows and ran distress black ink over the top. 
S.F. is a very dirty big city but it has a lot of character. I think this card represents that feeling. 
Embossing folder and stamp came from Tuesday Morning last week. Working on trying to use whatever I get at TM the week I get it. :) 

Tuesday Morning

I'm a big fan of Tuesday Morning's craft section. 
Since I don't have to use the newest products for my workshops, it's great to get cool stamps and supplies that don't break the bank. 
I do try and use everything I buy in the week I purchase it. I try and design a card that will work in my monthly workshop classes for FabMo or for my card rack at Cranberry Hill in Sunnyvale. I've been wanting a coffee theme stamp set to design a invitation for an upcoming bridal shower.  

Pepper for Breakfast 2019

Annie ( my German Shepherd) loves bacon so every morning we have breakfast together. Bacon, eggs and what ever veggies I have in around the kitchen. Made peppers this morning for me, not Annie and it was a nice side dish with the eggs. The fancy salt is a favorite of my daughter and I only use it on special dishes. Never realized until several years ago that the type of salt you use makes such a big difference. Guess all the food show I watch are finally kicking in. :)   

Blueberries

I just love NextDoor! I went to pick up an patio umbrella because I wanted the stand. The umbrella it's self was missing the lower half, so I'm guessing that's why everyone else passed on it. While I was there I told the owner I was going to use the umbrella to shade my garden. I go through a lot of umbrellas becasue I never know when the high winds will come ripping down the hill and through my yard. I've had many take flight down the hill and break.
She asked if I would like her blueberry plants, since she couldn't take them when she moves. 
I'm so excited to add something new to my garden! 

Another TM find. 2019

Another TM score. I've been wanting a triple opening square die. Not quite the one I wanted but for $2.99 I made it work. Still up in the air if we'll do this one for the marathon. Tons of steps to make it. The owl card inspired the cat card. I think it's need a little more color but it's the first run on the design. 

Tuesday Morning Finds

I'm a big Tuesday Morning fan, now that I don't have to use the newest products. I picked up these letter dies. Just a little big for card makers but I made it work. Yes, the lady bug bead will be part of the August marathon workshop at FabMo. Simple card but the ladybug just adds a little something. :) 

Stazon Ink on foil

This will be one of the open ended projects we will be doing at my August marathon class. Using embossing folding and tin foil. It's a messy one but very fun to do.

Panda Card with old supplies 2019

There was a challenge to use your old neglected craft supplies. Since I've been paper crafting for many, many years, I have a lot of stuff. For some reason my Quickutz shape dies survived the big purge during my divorce and massive down sizing. I did have a big selection of fonts but those didn't make the cut. :( If had the space I would have kept them. 
Always, there is a QK panda (guessing it's 15 years old) which I don't think I every used. The embossing folder has been in my stash for a long time too. The Memory Box die was picked up at a used rubber stamp sale. 
This was a card we made my FabMo card workshop this month. It has a lot of parts but most of the ladies taking the workshops now have been taking enough classes I can do cards like this. 

Marathon 2 August 25, 2019 - $50.00 donation requested.

Since FabMo may have to move the warehouse again next year due to a rent increase, I broke down and agreed to do another Marathon. The ladies who attend my workshops have been asking for another one. The current space is perfect for workshops since there's plenty of space to move around and the lighting is great to be creative. 
It does take a lot of work getting things ready but not knowing what type of space FabMo will have next year I decided to bite the bullet and plan another one. For this marathon I'm going to do cross stitching (kits will be made so the stitching can be done at home) and some beading. These cards do take time to make but I think they turn out great and a little different. Again there will be two other teachers there doing origami and dry embossing so it makes a nice mix of styles. 

Koi Fish Cross Stitch

I finally got around to stitching up this pattern I found on Pinterest. When I went back to the original post, I wasn't able to find a link to the designer. So, thank you to who ever did come up with this!
I'm working on backgrounds for the card since white is just to stark for me. The first background I did came out a little too dark and not watery enough for me. So I'm still working on coming up with a combination I like.It's a fast card to stitch up, about an hour after you do all the die cutting. 

Spicy Curry Shrimp without the Noodles.

I wasn't planning on taking a picture of this dish, which is one of my go to recipes when I don't know what to cook for dinner. It just happened to fall into the bowl this way and when I saw it, I thought wow nice shot! The reason all the shrimp are on top is because at the last minute I decided I would eat all the shrimp and leave the left over soup part for lunch. The recipe calls for rice noodles, which I didn't have so I added cabbage instead. 

Asian Cross Stitch 2019

Test card

I save a lot of cross stitch patterns on Pinterest, thinking someday I'll get around to doing them. :) July is Obon season here in the Bay Area and this card is just in time. The first card was my test pattern to see if the stitching would line up. The second card I blending ink on the background to give it a little pop of color. I used the word "hugs" becasue it was the only die cut I had that would fit in the space. The Hero Arts stamps I used are old but easy to cut out, so worked out well. I think I will make these for my card making group this month. The hardest part was threading the needle to add the beads in the center of the tree blossoms!

Quilted Card - 2019

I'm still on a Tuesday Morning roll. My local TM doesn't have a whole lot in the crafting section compared to what I see on my favorite Youtube peeps. With only one store in our area and being a big city, if good stuff comes in, it's not around for very long. 
I did score last week and got some kraft card stock, pattern paper (something I normally don't buy) and gold mirror card stock, which was a super good deal. 
So I wanted to make a quilt theme card for a good friend who makes some amazing quilts. I did borrow the quilt die cut from another crafty buddy (thanks Deb!) and spent the day making this card. It's not a quick card to make since I had to cut the paper at least 6 times to get all the pieces which flew all over my desk. Note to self, turn off the over head fan!
I was super excited to find the donut enamel pin, a favorite snack for my friend which fit great in the center of the card. So it's going out in the mail today and fingers crossed it gets to her before her birthday. 

Crazy Birds Thank You Card

I never knew Tuesday Morning had craft supplies.  I feel like I've been living under a rock!

There are Youtube haul videos on what's in the store (my  local one isn't as well stocked as the ones down south) that are very impressive. It's one of those things you just have to be there at the right time to get the good stuff. I was there (by accident) on a green tag sale day and I was shocked at the amount ladies were buying! Women had shopping carts filled with crafting supplies. I know the stuff is cheap but seriously how big is your crafty space?

I've always like Tim Holtz - Crazy Birds stamp set but never got around to getting it. Now that it's only $6.99, I picked it up and made this card for a patient at work. This person brings in a box of Sees candy every time we fix her glasses. We decided we should mail her a thank you card. The cool cat die is also a TM find. Guessing this image wasn't very popluar since it just came out but I got it for the glasses. I knew I would add them to the birds at some point. 

I used color pencils and gamsol on the bird. 

Supplies:

Tim Holtz - Crazy Birds, Cool Cat die (only)

Hero Arts ink - also a find at TM, works really well!

Kraft Card Stock - TM find, it's on the thin side so not good for base cards but the color was right. 

Diamond Glaze 

napkin cards - sea - 2019

A few weeks ago I did a binge in the Tuesday Morning's napkin aisle. A long the way I found out the best way to attach the napkins to card stock and which type of images work. 

With the current heat wave here in CA, I have all my fans going, not the best working conditions when trying to glue down paper one ply napkins.  I do prefer to iron down the napkins but when it's in triple digits outside and no AC inside, it's best to use a glue stick. 

I have a drawer full of brass charms, so decided to start using them on cards. I will add a sentiment to the cards at some point but I have to find the right ones first. 

Napkin Beach Card - 2019

Marathon Card 2019

I think using napkins for you cards is an old school technique, but it works pretty well. I watch several You Tube videos and decided I liked the plastic wrap ironing technique the best because you

can save most of the image without having to cut off the bumpy embossed edges. I also didn't like how messy I got when using a glue stick. 

One of the YT said the reason to use napkins, is the low cost to get some cool backgrounds. Never really thought of it that way but it makes sense. I went to a Tuesday Morning store this weekend and they had a whole aisle of napkins.  For around $2.00 you can get 15-20 napkins. I was told don't get the napkins at the dollar stores, as they don't hold up very well when transferring and peeling the layers apart. 

I went a little crazy buying up the images I liked buy the TM store isn't close so I knew I would be awhile before I went back again. Yes, ironing a napkin on to cardstock takes time but the end result is well worth the savings. 

Stamp is from Impression Obsession B19157

The little gold star came from my stash = know idea where it came from, I've had it that long. 

Used Copic markers to make the wood looking sign

Black embossing power

Foam tape for the office supply store. 

One of my go to cards. 2019

Hero Art Stamp 

This will be one of the cards we'll be making at the marathon next month. It's one I've done before but it's so fun to make! Most people don't have the stash of washi paper I have so it's fun they get to play with a nice variety of paper. 
It's also a good way to use up any washi paper scraps you may have.

I used full sheets of label paper (can get at any office supply store) to hold the washi squares. This was a trick I learned from Michael Strong years ago. 
Stamp - Hero Arts
Washi Paper - Hanko

One of my go to meals.

Finding recipes that fit the lifestyle of a single person is not easy. At last year's family Christmas party a cousin made these chicken wings. It's a very basic recipe and works well for me. A co-worker hates the idea of eating "chicken elbows" but then I don't think she cooks very much. :) 

Toss the chicken in olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Don't use cheap table salt (I found that out the hard way) even finishing salt works better. Go a little heavy on the seasoning. Heat oven to 425 and bake for an hour. I like my chicken crispy so that's why I cook it for so long. 
Really a very simple dish and easy to reheat. 

Last Minute Card - 2019

I had to come up with a fourth card for my workshop at FabMo last week. My creative mojo just wasn't coming up with anything! At 11:00 pm the night before class, I saw something on Pinterest that inspired this card. The great thing about the card was I could use up my huge stash of water color backgrounds. I make backgrounds when I'm in a creative slump so I always have a stash. Slapping color down on paper always helps gets things going. 
As a bonus, the cut out part was made into a second card which will be going to my friend Susan's card rack at her church. 
The die is from Penny Black, Twinkling H2O watercolor and an old SU stamp set, Love and Sympathy

Piggy Card 2019

I know non card making people think we can just sit down and whip out cards without really thinking about it. This piggy card went through several drafts before I finally got to a card I'm willing to give to my card making buddies. It took about a month to do. 
I found some cross stitch fabric (not really fabric but very stiff paper) at FabMo and really wanted to make a card. FabMo also gets a ton of thread donated, so I now have a very nice supply. 
The parts you can't see is what took the most time and only other card makers will understand that. I would love to teach this in a class but the stitch part, even as simple as it is takes about an hour to do.