From a Kit Series - Take 3

I started a new series on my blog in July. The idea was born from the fact that I have a lot of unused card/stamping kits just waiting to have some attention. Sheesh! Seems as though I buy them and they just sit... so it's time to take action.

My first post in this series can be seen - HERE. But let me warn you... it is NOT a pretty card. In fact, it's horrible and most of the items from that kit ended up going in my donate box and are now no longer in my stash.

This month I pulled out the Spellbinders September Super Chill Kit of the Month. I purchased it on clearance long after it was current. This kit included some fun dies (I especially like the balloon animal and will use it some time, I'm sure), a stamp set, papers, sequins, envelopes, and a variety of other items.

I put the stickers and most of the cut outs in my donate box, but kept the papers, stamp set, die set, sequins, and envelopes - so well worth the clearance price I paid for the kit.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the Spellbinders September 2019 Kit of the Month, I used CS (Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Flirty Flamingo), some dies (MFT Stitched Rectangle), and some washi tape from my stash.

2021 Travel the World - Week 38

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world, so I continued the series in 2020 and here I am in 2021, the third year of traveling the world. 

This week's country is...

Australia

Australia is the only continent-nation in the world. It means, it is a continent and an independent country as well. 

It is also the smallest, flattest, and driest inhabited continent in the world.

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world.

In the area (land); Australia is 32 times greater than that of the U.K, almost twice than that of Europe, and almost equal to that of the United States of America.

91% of the country is covered with vegetation.

Over 200 different languages and dialects are spoken in Australia.

There is a lake known as ‘Pink Lake’ in Australia. The name of this lake, which is a salt lake is named after its color. It is in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. However, the color of this lake is not always pink, and changes as a result of the change in salinity of the water and the concentration of brine prawn in the lake.

Australia has the lowest population density in the world,

90% of Australians live on the coast.

Australia's Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world.

The world’s highest steel arch bridge – the Harbor Bridge – is in Sydney, Australia. It is recorded in the Guinness for its span.

Australia was the first country to have a seatbelt law.

Australia is the only continent without an active volcano.

The kangaroo is the national animal of Australia. There were 34,303,677 kangaroos in Australia in 2011. Kangaroos are only found in their natural habitat in Australia.

There are over 60 different species of kangaroos and 1500 plus species of Spiders in Australia.

Kangaroos can survive without water for months. They can also dig wells for water, which can be 3-4 feet deep.

Australia is the only country in the world where there are more species of venomous snakes than the non-venomous snakes. 

The world’s only white whale – they call him – ‘Migaloo’ can be seen in Australia.

The longest fence in the world is in Australia and it is nearly 3,500 miles in length. It is called the ‘dingo fence’.

The first cops in the country were all criminals. They were a band of eight of the most well-behaved convicts, formed in 1789 by Governor Arthur Philip.

An Australian man tried to sell New Zealand in an auction at a starting price of 00.01 AUD on eBay. There were 22 bids in total and it went as high as 3,000 AUD. Even though everyone knew that it was just made for fun, the foreign Minister of New Zealand did not like it.

Australian’s invented a lot of things including the ultrasound, Vegemite, the tank, football, the refrigerator, the pre-paid postage, the BlackBox on airplanes, lawn mowers with engines, smoke alarms, aspirin/aspirin, the pacemaker, and penicillin.

The world’s largest espresso machine is fitted in Australia. It can brew up to 18 cups of coffee at any given time, and at least 5 people are required to handle it while operating.

Australians eat 260 million meat pies every year, around 12 per person.

If you use the word ‘BARBIE’ (a plastic doll for kids) in Australia, you might be misunderstood to be referencing BBQ, or a party that usually takes place in the afternoon.

Australia has more than 10,000 beaches. And if you decide to visit a new beach every day, it will take more than 27 years of your lifetime.

Australians have swimming pools in the ocean.

Australians love sports such as cricket, rugby, football, basketball, and golf. It has a long sporting history but does not have officially a national sport.

There is a Christmas Island in Australia. It is a rocky speck in the Indian Ocean lying south of Java, Indonesia. Christmas Island is famous for its wildlife, such as red crabs, whale sharks, seabirds, and coral reefs. The island is close to Asia than mainland Australia. It’s home to an artful of cultures and some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders.

120 million red crabs are living on Christmas Island

Australia won a Guinness World Record for most surfing Santa Claus. There were 320 Santa Claus at Sydney’s Bondi Beach who performed to set a new world record.

The Great Barrier Reef has a mailbox. You can ferry out there and send a postcard, stamped with the only Great Barrier Reef stamp.

Australia exports camels to Saudi Arabia.

As per 2011 census, there were 73 million sheep in Australia. 

There are more than 1.6 million dairy cows in Australia.

In Victoria, Australia, only a licensed electrician can change an electric bulb.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Australia was 50.7°C or 123.3°F. Its lowest temperature recoded was -23°C or -9.4°F. 

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Australia... Australia has more snow than Switzerland.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Snowball Snowman (image) and CC Designs Snowy (sentiment) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Blueberry Bushel CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: EK Success Corner Rounder Punch and Rubbernecker Rectangle with Pierce Dies

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones

Brought to You By the Letter "S"

One of my favorite challenge groups is the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS, under the capable and organized leadership of my friend Barb. The idea is we can't shop for anything when making our monthly challenge card (which we post on the 28th of each month). 

We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was my turn. Since it's September, I challenged the ladies to include something on their cards/projects that begins with the letter "S".

My "S" is Snowflakes

The snowflakes paper is actually a piece I've been hoarding for a long time. If I remember correctly I received it in a Dueling Darling kit. It was all white, but the snowflakes were shiny and the background wasn't. I kept wondering... yep, surely it would work. I decided to give my idea a try on one little corner of the paper. I blended ink onto it and it transformed the paper beautifully!

After blending blue onto it, I took a cloth and buffed it to make the snowflakes shiny again. Then I added just a bit of lavender ink into areas of the paper but not all over it (to mimic the look of the other designer paper I was using).

I hope Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: SU Beautiful Blizzard stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Orchid Opulence CS and DP from my scrap file

Ink (for blending): Lawn Fawn Fresh Lavender and Moonstone

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: Celebrate It Gingham Ribbon and Michael's Rhinestones

A Christmas Wreath

I did a HUGE purge in my Play Room last year and have several boxes/bins of stamp sets and supplies that need to find new homes where they will be appropriately loved and used. The task is overwhelming, at best. 

What's a girl to do???

I looked into some of the buy/sell FB groups thinking that might be my answer. (I've sold on eBay in the past, but the fees often eat up any money made.) These groups all have rules - obviously - and that can be overwhelming, too. 

What's a girl to do???

I noticed someone selling Mystery Boxes in one of the groups and thought... hmmmmm. Could that be my solution? So, I bought one, mostly to see what a Mystery Box is really like. It was AMAZING, filled with many items that I love and either have used or will use. One stamp/die set in the Mystery Box I received was the Stampin' UP! Wondrous Wreath set that I used to make today's card.

Oh, and about those boxes/bins of purged stamps/supplies... I'm still trying to figure out the best way to find new homes for them.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: SU Wondrous Wreath stamped with Lawn Fawn Inks (Freshly Cut Grass, Jalapeno, and Lobster

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Real Red and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangle

Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestone

Poinsettia Cornered

I discovered the Dirty Dozen Christmas (Sketch) Challenges on SCS this year and have enjoyed making a card each month. 

I really liked this month's sketch, especially how the image is placed in the corner with parts of it missing.

I thought about adding some bling (rhinestones or such) to my card but decided against it since there was no indication of that in the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Flourishes Poinsettia and Pine and Technique Tuesday Perfect Poinsettia stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Rose Red CS

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Blue Knight - Chickadee on a Fence Post

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I used the Chickadee on a Fence Post stamp set to make this week's cards. This stamp set features a beautiful fence-line scene with beautiful wildflowers as well as the chickadee on the fence post.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

I am a Copics gal. I love to color and I almost always use Copic markers for coloring. Sometimes I just want to branch out and try something different, so for my first card with this beautiful stamp set, I stamped the image on cold-press Watercolor Paper and used Karin Probrush markers and water for a watercolor look.

After the watercolors had dried thoroughly, I diecut the image using a Gina Marie Distress Rectangle die. I added a sentiment from the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Mini Greetings 1 stamp set.

I returned to my normal self and colored the image with Copics for my second card.

I used Elizabeth Crafts Stitched Indented Rectangle dies to cut out the image and also the Scripture that I'd stamped from the same stamp set. 

I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used. 

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:

Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE

and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Thanks for Everything

I've been a member of the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society for a long time now... receiving the club flower stamp set each month. I hoarded them for a while, then started a series on my blog, committing to using them. 

I thoroughly enjoy this series because flowers are my favorite thing to color. 

This month's Greenhouse Society stamp set is Gerbera Daisy.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Gerbera Daisy stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# White, Recollections Black and SU Green Galore CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: MFT Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangles Die, MFT Stitched Rectangles Die, and SU Dog Tag Punch

Embellishments: Brad and Ribbon from unknown vendors

Double Duty - Picket Fence

Barb, Kelly and I have a few different challenge/series going on each month. You're probably familiar with at least some of them - Three Musketeers, Ready Set Go!, Stamp What, Hot Mess Success... and on the 22nd of each month, the Double Duty series. This one was Barb's idea - and it is a lot of fun! A few months ago Barb invited another friend - Carol - to join us in this adventure.

Each month we each choose one stamp set from a pre-determined stamp company and make two cards using it. At least one thing has to be seen on both cards (color, embellishment, stamp, etc.). We post on a double-digit day each month, too - the 22nd. Today is the day!

This month's company is Picket Fence. I have several Picket Fence stamp sets, so i had a bit of a challenge choosing one. I finally went with the Sponsored by Coffee stamp/die set.

Card #1

Card #2

As you can see, I used the same papers on both cards (and the same ribbon), but I chose to give one of the cards a darker/richer color scheme and the other one is a lighter version.

The sentiment inside both cards:

Coffee is always better with a friend

Be sure to check out Barb's blog, Kelly's blog, and Carol's blog to see their Double Duty posts, too.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Picker Fence Sponsored by Coffee stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers 

Papers: Neenah 110# White and Recollections 110# Black CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punch: MFT Stitched Rectangle Die, Paper Roses Stitched Circle Die, and SU Circle Punch

Embellishment: American Crafts Ribbon

2021 Travel the World - Week 37

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world, so I continued the series in 2020 and here I am in 2021, the third year of traveling the world. 

This week's country is...

Libya

Located in northern Africa, Libya borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Algeria and Tunisia to the west, Egypt and Sudan to the East, and Chad and Niger to the south.

Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa (after Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan). As such, it is two and a half times as big as the U. S. state of Texas. 

Libya’s national language is Arabic but the people also speak Italian and English.

In Libya’s entire history, it only had one King. King Idris reigned from 1951 until he was overthrown by Colonel Gaddafi (also spelled Qadhafi) in 1969.

Libya’s 1099 miles of Mediterranean Sea coast is the longest of any North African country.

Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, as well as the Port of Tripoli.

Tripoli is known as the Mermaid of the Mediterranean for its turquoise waters and whitewashed buildings.

The majority of the Libyan population lives in its coastal area cities. 

Libyan people traditionally lived in extended families. Today many young couples get their own place instead of living with the husband’s family. The couples even choose their own mates, particularly those who live in the cities. In rural areas, traditional arranged marriages still occur.

The discovery of oil in Libya in the 1950s was a great turnaround for the country which had previously been ranked among the poorest in the world. Today, oil and petroleum products for the largest portion of the country’s exports and government revenue, making Libya among the 15 most thriving economies in Africa. 

The Libyan Desert is known for being the harshest, driest, and most remote region of the Sahara. Daytime temperatures reach up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.  The  region is also known for going decades without rain.

All the desert tribes collectively are known as the Bedouins. They lead nomadic lives, moving with their livestock or settling in farming villages in oases. The Tuaregs were the original desert traders who transported goods by camels across the desert. With robes dyed with indigo, they are sometimes called the Blue People.

The highest temperature ever recorded in the world was in Al Azizia in Libya with a temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit.

Libya's Red Castle was built in the 16th century on the site of a Roman military encampment. It was the seat of power for Ottoman conquerors. The fortress is now one of Libya’s finest museums.

Libya’s poor soils and climatic conditions severely limit how much food can be grown within the country, so it imports about 75 percent of its population’s food. 

Libyan tea is as thick as black syrup. Mostly prepared by women, the Libyan tea is very thick as a result of mixing a lot of tea leaves and a high sugar concentration. Once the two ingredients are mixed and an appropriate amount of water is added, the tea boils for 20 to 30 minutes. When the tea is ready, it is served in small pyrex glasses accompanied by sumak and khobza which are Libyan favorite bites.

The people drink green tea after they eat to aid digestion. Tea and coffee are favorite beverages.

Almost one third of the Libyan population does not have access to any safe drinking water.

Libyans are warm and welcoming people. When greeting another, they shake hands and maintain the handshake as long as the verbal greeting is on-going. Men shake with men, but wait for women to initiate a handshake from woman to man.

Saving face is important to Libyans, who are non-confrontational. They avoid disagreeing or saying no.

The biggest meal of the day for Libyan families is lunch and it is of great symbolic importance. Businesses, shops, and schools close for several hours so families may gather together to eat.

Good manners dictate you leave a little food on your plate in Libya to indicate that your host is a gracious and generous provider.

The Acacus Mountains are a group of mountains in the southwestern region of Libya. They are famous for the ancient rock carvings and paintings that are found all over these mountains. The paintings and carvings date back as early as 12,000BC up to 100 AD. They depict daily life situations like people dancing and making music. Other paintings include giraffes, ostriches, elephants, camels and horses.

Libya provides all its citizens with free education.

Alcohol consumption is prohibited by law in Libya.

Libyan citizens are given loans at a zero percent interest rate.

The government provides free houses or apartments to all newly-married couples.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Libya... Camel racing is one of the most popular sports in Libya.

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Inky Antics Bazooples #4 stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah Solar White 110# and SU Cinnamon Cider CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Altenew Rounded Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Fun Stampers Journey Ribbon