Our two four-legged house guests are leaving today, and although they have really been no problem, the extra legs, the wagging tails, and the internal clocks that tell them when it’s meal time – and then the whines and barking to let YOU know it as well – means it is time to go home. And I know they also feel the same way when Shelby visits them. We like our personal, normal space and our normal, everyday routines, don’t we?
Last night our Stamp ‘n Sip group met for dinner and then craft time. Our good friend Pam was unable to join us due to her injury, and I guarantee she’d give anything for her normal, everyday routine! After an accident in her kitchen over the weekend – and I STILL need to get the story how it happened! – she is down and out with a severe hamstring injury that is going to require surgery. Just goes to show – kitchens are dangerous places that we should stay out of!
Even though we are past July 4th and Independence Day here in the US, I still wanted a patriotic insert for our 6×12 frame. I love a good frame that allows me to change out the inserts by month and holiday. This little jewel was found on Amazon and it was less than $10. Someone asked last night if I had extra frames so I need to order a couple extra to have on hand – it makes a great gift idea.
I turned to a couple of oldie but goodies for designing – the Stitched Stars dies and a stamp set called It’s A Celebration. Basic shape dies are excellent to hold on to, and I’ve used this stamp set so many times for patriotic cards and Americana themes yet I’ve no plans to retire it from my supply arsenal.
But I also turned to current product as well! First, I love using the 12×12 two tone card stock for home decor pieces. I love having the color variation between the two sides, as well as having a 12×12 background that is a perfect match to our regular card stock colors. The extra large embossing folders such as the Swirls Of Magic embossing folder makes it a breeze to add the texture and design to the flat background, and the white core of the two tone card stock gives it a rustic look with parts of the embossed areas. If you really want the embossed area to pop simply take a sanding block and gently sand the raised area!
And you can never go wrong with using our Party Alphabet dies. We have used these so much I have two sets of the dies! And you can see touches of silver foil with the swirly delicate dies in a couple of the corners as well. My first thought was using Night Of Navy and Real Red for the color combination but I’m glad I veered towards Blueberry Bushel instead. It’s not a color I use often – back to that normal, everyday routine even with color choices – but it really popped against the black frame.
So, there are lessons to be learned from this post:
- Everyday routines are not boring – they are good for our peace of mind.
- We don’t have to ONLY use current product – oldies but goodies are a good thing!
- Changing up our normal color combination adds spice to our creativity!!!
- It’s fine to be relieved to see family go home – especially the 4 legged variety!
- And walking around the kitchen is a dangerous thing! Remember Pam!
After everything from last night’s class is back in it’s place I’m pulling out the new hot foil products to play with. Chris Howe is stepping in tonight to help me with our group FB LIVE so she will have some great cards to share with us using the machine. Can’t wait to see them! Hope you can join us, and until next time, have a great day doing whatever you enjoy, and God Bless!
SUBSCRIBE
Leave a Reply