Category: Crafts

Tomorrow, will make two weeks that I’ve had my spinning wheel.

I’ve named her Ruth, after the lady in the Bible. Hardworking, Christian, honest… she was the perfect example of a Proverbs 31 woman. Guess what? I’ve actually made yarn on Ruth!

And while my yarn leaves a lot to be desired…

I’m turning fiber into yarn! I’m fascinating that I’m starting a process that begins everything related to yarn and fabric. I’ve wanted to spin ever since I was a child. Initially, I’d planned on learning spinning when I purchased my loom in 2013; however, I thought that learning two crafts at once would be a bit overwhelming and so I held off until I had the time to really commit to learning spinning. That time is now. Later today, I’m taking a two hour private lesson spinning class. I’m looking forward to that.

This past weekend I showed my daughter how to use my Brother ScanNCut. I haven’t used it in months and even contemplated selling it at one time, but I won’t. I figured I’d get around to using it again. Well… my daughter is now using it and loves it.

I keep dairies, although the past few years I’ll admit that most of my personal notes have been digital. Some that is seen; however, there are entries that are only accessible by me. The past few years, I’ve actually thought about purchasing a Bible where it’s easy for me to take notes. I must admit, that’s a foreign concept for me, since I don’t write in any of my books; however, during my daily Bible reading I’m often inspired or want to highlight passages that really resound  with me and since I don’t take notes in my Bible, I find myself writing my thoughts down somewhere else.

It wasn’t until I discovered Sandy Allnock’s  videos that I realized that Bible journaling was something that people actually did. How awesome is that? Last evening I started researching websites and the video I included below, is the first video that I watched about Bible journaling.

I’m still getting over my reluctance of writing within my Bible. I use the New American Standard John Mac Arthur study Bible. As a child, I was raised with the King James Bible (home and church). I also have the New International version. That’s what they use at my daughter’s Lutheran school. My biggest concern is bleed-through from my Copics markers; however, Valerie Sjodin, mentioned (a little after the 7:00 mark) that she uses acrylic glazing liquid to help prevent this! The accompanying post, for this Bible journaling video is located here. Awesome, I’ll definitely purchase some of that. I’m still researching journaling Bibles; however, when I make my choice, I will be purchasing two. One for myself and the other for my twelve year old daughter. She’s a talented artist and is constantly drawing. She also reads her Bible daily and some of her drawings are inspired by her scripture readings. You can see more of Valerie Sjodin’s work by visiting her website.

Last evening, I received a wonderful surprise in the mail. Pete’s parents had sent me these wonderful row counters. Aren’t they colorful and adorable?

His mom uses them for golf. I think she called them trackers? For some of my more complicated projects, these are definitely most welcome and they arrived at the most appropriate time since I’m finally going to finish knitting my chevron scarf.

I started knitting this scarf almost two years ago and it’s laid dormant for a while, even though it’s almost finished. My dilemma? I could not decide if I wanted this scarf to be super long. I’ve finally decided I do want extra length and so I still have a ways before this scarf is complete. Thanks to the lovely row counters made by my BF’s mom, I have a wonderful way to mark the various rows of knitted stitching. Each time I use them, I’ll be reminded of her thoughtfulness.

Last evening I sent her and her husband and email letting them know I was thinking of them and also to thank her for her thoughtfulness.

and later today, I’ll be sending her the above card with the matching envelope. I made both last evening. I wrote his parents a nice note and I also told his mom that her unexpected gift made my happy day a bit more sparkly. 🙂 I’m still working on her knitted washcloths; however, I’m hoping to have those completed by some time next week.

How was the card made?

Two different stamps. I used the masking technique and the flowers were stamped on white card stock. I colored with my Copics markers. His mom loves glitter and so I used my Wink of Stella pens to add a bit of sparkle to the flower petals. After it was dried, I fussy cut the flowers with my X-ACTO knife and placed on the pink card stock. The paper used to make the envelope was embossed and then I used my Martha Steward envelope maker to create the envelope.

 

You would think with my love of owls that I would have some stamps that reflected my fascination with them. However, the only thing I have that declares my owl adoration is an owl embossing folder, that rarely gets used.

Well, last week, I put an end to that and ordered two owl stamps along with the sentiment, “owl always love you!” How cute is that?

Yesterday, the stamps arrived. Yes… the stamps arrived on Sunday. I’d ordered them from Amazon and since it was a lazy day these are the three cards that I made.

My daughter saw the cards, loved them… and wanted them all for herself; however, I told her that wasn’t possible and to choose one. She chose the one above. I’ve already added a note and mailed it this morning. She should receive her card on Wednesday.

The next card is what I made for the BF. I decided to make make these birds blue. I really like how they turned out. His card was also mailed today.

Since the expression is stuck in my head, I thought it would be nice to include the above song/video… enjoy!

Items needed

1. Hero Arts Mounted Rubber Stamps 1.5″X2″-Heart Owls Mounted Stamp
2. Penny Black 4287H Moonlight Owls Wood Mounted Rubber Stamp
3. Stampendous, E260, Stamp Owl Love You

Last evening, I made these two cards. Actually, I started on a few more; however, I did not finish them.

Guess what? Yesterday, my Copics sketch markers (36 markers were included within this set) arrived in the mail. They are alcohol based makers (perfect for shading) and are made in Japan. Copics markers are a bit pricey. My set of 36 markers cost me a little over $150. I’ve been checking out these markers for about four years; however, I never turned that want into a reality. Finally after a lot of research, I decided it was time that I made the purchase.

Why spend so much money on these Copic markers?

1. They are good quality markers.
2. They have two tips; one on each end.
3. They are alcohol based and are great for applying layers.
4. They are refillable (which means they will last years.) Don’t even get me started on the amount of markers I’ve purchased over the years for my daughter. She wears them out fast.
5. You can change the tips.
6. They can be used with the Copics airbrushings system. Sweet!
7. Most importantly, my daughter (who’s a very talented young artist) will be able to use them also!

Since my Copics markers had arrived, I was able to use them on the cards that I created below. Which gave me the perfect chance to test them out for myself.

 

I still need to play with the markers a bit before I get used to them, but thus far, I really like them a lot! The above card (with matching envelope) is what I made for my daughter. She’s going to love the card, along with the sweet note that I left for her. This morning, I sent it off via postal mail and she should receive it on Friday. I can’t wait to see her reaction when she gets the card in the mail.

 

This is the card that I made for my BF. I used white card stock for the pumpkins and then added brown ink to the card base, to compliment the patterned card stock that I placed the pumpkins on. I then made the card out of white card stock, that had been embossed, and inked the card stock with the same ink used for the pumpkin background. I’m hoping he likes it a lot. I also made a matching envelope and just like with my daughters card, I mailed his out today!

Christmas cards…

Tonight, my daughter and I will be making Christmas cards. I started making them about a week ago. We will continue to make those, along with other seasonal cards, over the next few weeks. On my radar are Halloween cards. I’ve always loved that day and would like to make some creeptacular cards for a few people.

Well… I feel like I have not been posting about much else lately besides card making. However, I do have a few foodie and furbaby posts under wraps. I’ll most likely be advance posting those over the next few days.

Here are a few of the cards I made recently.  Yes… there’s a theme going on here! All the cards, with the exception of one, feature House Mouse designs! I love that series it is so adorable. If you look at your bottom left hand corner, you’ll see a fall card that I’ve started making. I think there will be a few more additions before this one is complete.

Earlier this morning, I chose this simple card for my daughter. I’ve mailed it and so she should receive her card on Saturday. She adores cutesy things such as this and she immediately said, “Awww…!” When I made it a few days ago.  Although she lives with me, she loves receiving letters in the mail. I’m making the effort to send her at least one letter per week.

As you can see, it also has a matching envelope. I used an embossing folder to make the floral design you see on the card and then I used one of my stamp pads to ink the background. I then placed a baby chick stamp and bumble bee on the card and added the Love stamp. I have no idea what company made the stamps since they all were given to me by the young lady that turned me onto cardmaking about four years ago!

Here’s the BF’s card! Whoa… I’m really cutting it close with my weekly writing promise. He should receive this card on Saturday, which is when I’ll be seeing him.

Thanks to the above video, I now have more stamps added to my wishlist. The Greeting Farm CUDDLY THANKS Clear stamp TGF189 and The Greeting Farm WOOD FRIENDS Clear Stamps TGF188 are the stamps she used for this card. Aren’t those animals adorable? I recently discovered the Sandy Allnock, when I searched YouTube for videos about Copic markers and card making. I think she’s an amazing paper crafter! Just look what she did with the adorable stamps that’s seen in the above video! Do you see how she added her own sketch to enhance the lovely card? Yes, she’s definitely an inspiration!