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After a bit of a break, today I am back blog hopping with the Around the World on Wednesday crew. If you are already following the blog hop, you've probably come here from Shel Anderson's, Shel's Creative Corner. Welcome!
This month our theme is "Let's Go on an Adventure" so I'm sure our leader, Angie, has initiated what will be a very interesting hop.
For my part, my adventure isn't what you might think. Last year my recently retired husband and I decided it was time to move on from our downtown, high rise condo for a home that would be a little more dog and gardener friendly. So, in the midst of the holidays we sold our condo and found a nearby temporary apartment that would become our home for 4 months while we searched for just the right place. In March we found a 1955 brick rambler in a very walk-able neighborhood, and in May we moved in and started getting settled.
Sometimes I've joked that we're living in Chris and Kelly's playhouse as it's been a whirlwind of one house and yard project after another, not the least of which was getting my new craft room set up. After almost 6 years with my 5' X 5' (very efficient) craft pantry at the condo and a few more months in a larger but poorly lit, inconvenient closet I was so excited to get set up in what had been a 12'x 13' bedroom - with windows! Here is one of the more orderly shots before we added some task lighting last week:
It even came with Moody Mauve window shades, especially important on the west windows!
Finally, this past weekend I was able to have "My Adventure" which was hosting some of my Minnesota team members for our traditional new catalog stamping session. It's a great chance to pool our resources and try some of the products that weren't on our own initial orders. This year it was my first chance to do some really serious stamping in months. Here is one of the sets I came up with when I had a chance to play with Layering Leaves and the coordinating Bough punch.
I used the Masterfully Made designer series paper for all of these, actually just a 6"x6" piece of one pattern. I always cut one sheet of a 12"x12" pack into 4 6"x6" pieces. These fit into containers on my work surface so they are always handy to pull out and play with. One of the things I learned in my tiny stamp space days is that 6x6 sheets take up so much less room on my desk than 12 x 12's. Two of the cards also make use of the beautiful Berry Burst Soft Shimmer paper. One card even features Glorious Gingham. Four of the five colors in this pack coordinate with the colors in Masterfully Made so you have great coordination between these collections .
- I used a couple of DSP borders with an embossed panel for this first card.
- The greetings in Layering Leaves cover many occasions and come in a good size and lovely font. I used a Nested Essentials die on this thank you sentiment.
- I thought that the Moody Mauve In Color Dots take on the role of Berry Burst very well. What do you think?
- The curved, stitched die from the Basic Borders Dies defines this sketch. I usually cut the layers a little wider than my card. This gives me flexibility for getting the curves just the way I want them.
- Finally, I just had fun playing with these patterns. I've always loved diagonal plaids or ginghams and I thought it would be a nice contrast to the pretty little floral print I had been using.
- Once again, I used the Nested Essential Dies for the greeting. I also used one of my all time favorite die sets, Scalloped Contours, for the Soft Shimmer Berry Burst scallops.
Now it is time to continue on to the next blog, Tricia's Stamping Creations.
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I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.
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If you place a minimum $50 (US) order using the June host code, TFV4U2QKX , I will send you a package of the 2023-2024 In Color Dots with a make and take project. US customers only. Customers placing an order smaller than $50 will still receive my thank you card.
If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.
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