Finders Glee

Are you a bargain shopper? Do you like to experience the thrill of a deal? I am and I do! I wish I had more time for it. I am in a bit of a house revamping mood lately and the only way to afford it is to bargain shop, re-use, repurpose, paint and so forth. We are making very slow progress on the bathroom. Maybe this week.

In the mean time, I have been patiently looking for additional counter top and storage ideas for my stamp room. When my guys were on the scout outing Saturday, I took the opportunity to do some bargain hunting. Buffalo is about a 45 minutes away and they have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This is a great place to find furniture, doors, fixtures and various house related items. Most of the donated items are used but not always. I spent an hour carefully sifting through everything. They had some antique furniture items that would be a DIY'ers dream! At the end of the hour, I purchased 1 thing, an 8' length of counter top. It was brand new, in a blue I was sure was a close match to what I already had and there was no back splash. I was thrilled to bits and it only cost me $30.00. I was halfway to my stamp room solution.

My next stop was Hobby Lobby but on the way I passed the Buffalo City Mission Thrift Store. Several stops at local Salvation Army stores last week left me disappointed but I had the time so I ventured inside. I am so glad I did. This store was clean, bright, organized and chock full of amazing bargains. My find of the day was a cabinet that I knew would be perfect. I am guessing it is a sideboard or buffet. There are 3 middle drawers and 2 end cabinets, each with a fixed shelf. It is made by Stanley and is a quality piece in very good condition. The price of $40 seemed a steal but then I noticed orange signs everywhere that read, "Managers Special, all furniture 30% off TODAY". Quick...mental math...yep, $28. I ran to the register so fast I think I caused a draft, lol. I didn't even care if it would fit into my van. Thankfully it did, right next to the counter top.

The sun was going down so the photo stinks, but here are my finds...

The cabinet is so lovely, it may get painted and repurposed down the road but for now, it is in my stamp room. Again, a lousy photo, but here it is in the basement, all set up. For a second I thought I would wait until I cleaned it up but I know better. It will never be clean and presentable, lol. It is what it is and I like it ;).

Yesterday I stumbled onto another find that I just have to tell someone about. Lucky you, lol! I went to the Super Walmart to grab some groceries. Even though this store's craft section is LOUSY, I had to check to see if I "needed" anything. I have been looking for the Martha Stewart Loopy border punch for 2 months now. Even my LSS can't seem to get enough of them in to fill all the requests. I did a quick scan and was almost ready to walk away when down on the bottom shelf I spotted some border/corner sets. Shoot, no loopy border! Wait...there was one all the way in the back, almost like someone tucked it out of sight. I had to get down on my knees to get it. Desperate times I tell ya! I didn't even care that I already had the corner punch. The shelf tag said it was $20 and I was good with that. It was worth just to end my frustrating search. Before I leave a store, I always double check my receipts (learned that one the hard way) and lo and behold, the punch set rang up not as $20 but get this...$5! Well, like any good paper crafting addict, I immediately went back into the store to see if the other ones were on sale as well. They had 2 each of the spider web, fall leaves and scallop 3-dot. I used a price checker to verify the price and yep, all came up $5. I bought them all cause I knew my friend would want them at that price. I was so excited yet felt a little like I had stolen something.

Now, my guess it that some new employee made a mistake. I have a hard time believing they meant to sell these sets at $5. But just in case, you might want to check your Walmart out.
Ahhh, what a satisfying couple of days!

Wrinkles

Here in Upstate NY we have had a 4 day stretch of incredible weather! We have been enjoying sunshine and temps in the upper 60's. My boys have been wearing shorts again, exposing their seriously white legs, lol. It was perfect for their scout outdoor sleep over this weekend. I even hung my laundry outside on the line. Tomorrow the temps will fall 15-20 degrees so I will enjoy it while I can.
Speaking of hanging clothes, here is a card I haven't posted here yet. I used a sentiment from the "Domestic Love" set released last week. This Cosmo Cricket paper seemed a nice fit.

Aren't those mini clothes pins adorable? I didn't want to cover up too much of the paper so I stamped the iron onto the envelope.
While my guys were camping out I went exploring! I am on a tear to work on the house (design on a dime kinda stuff) so I checked out a few new thrift stores. I scored a couple big finds for my craft room which I hope to show you later. I love finding a bargain!
Thanks for stopping by!

Comin' Round the Mountain....

is another fab train set from Cornish Heritage Farms. This is the second of 4 train sets being released from the B&O line. This one is called Silhouette Train. Just like the first set, this one has so many possibilities. Here are a couple samples I made.

This first one uses the sweet silhouette image of the conductor and children. I was inspired to pair it with a verse from the Friendly Kritter's Scripture set.

Isn't the image sweet?? I used some Spellbinder dies for the frame and "curtain". The paper is from October Afternoon's Road Map pack.

This sample is more vintage in feel, lots of Distress ink added to the edges.

When I showed it to Greg he asked me where I got the old ticket from. Score!! My idea worked, lol. I stamped the ticket onto smooth vanilla, cut it out, folded it into quarters and rubbed Antique Linen Distress ink onto the folds and edges. My last step was to use my distress tool to tear up the edges a bit. The fun paper is from a 4" pack of Jenni Bowlin papers I bought at my LSS. My Dymo label maker is seeing much more love from me these days. I think I may need to go get some of those pastel colored rolls.

The design team created some fantastic samples with this set. From a primary colored boy card to a black and white masked stunner. I encourage you to check out the gallery here. There is a second release as well, a set called "You Drive Me Crazy" from the GM line. If you struggle with masculine cards you will get lots of inspiration from today's releases.

That makes 5 days in a row for me this week! I think I'll take the weekend off and hopefully create some more things to share next week.

Blessings on your weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Guest Blogger

Today I am the Guest Blogger over at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog. Their blog started out with 2 sisters challenging each other to make cards. Their challenge is unique in that each week the challenge comes in the form of a bible verse. What a great way to encourage people to meld their paper crafting with their faith! Sometimes people use the actual verse in the design, other times they use the verse more as inspiration. This week's verse is...

Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)

CHF is sponsoring their challenge this week and I am so honored to be able to share a bit on their blog. Here is a look at my card, but you'll have to check out their blog to see my "hidden" feature.

The card itself did not give me trouble, but I really wanted a greater purpose for my card this time. I wanted to use it to minister to someone. But who? I asked, God answered. It has been a bit of an emotional ride since God's answer to me was to give it to a woman who's elderly father is dying of cancer. This dear man sat in church just 5 weeks ago and now can not leave his bed. His downward turn has come so quickly. Can a card bring comfort? I think so, in some small measure. I know a well timed scripture can be powerful and comforting. In times like these I am reminded that God can use our gifts and abilities, even cardmaking, to minister to His people. This card turned out to be so much more than paper, ink and ribbon!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will check out the SSIC blog today. Even better, play along!

Spritz Away

In October, CHF sponsored the challenges over on the Gingersnap Creations blog. Each week there was a different challenge and we had to option to participate if we wanted. When the last week rolled around, I plum ran out of time and steam! I hated to miss it so I told myself it would be alright. I saw the card Joanne was submitting and it was beautiful. She used some Glimmer Mist which I had just been playing with earlier that week. "No" I told myself, I didn't have time. The day we needed to submit our projects, I walked by this stunning maple tree, in full yellow splendor, and I could resist no longer. Between the leaves and Joanne's card I was totally inspired. I picked up several leaves and raced home at the end of the day to spray away with my Glimmer Mist bottles. Here is the card I ended up with, just in time to join in the challenge (and take away the guilt I was feeling, lol).

I took a piece of natural, flecked paper and used some removable adhesive to tack down the leaves. I sprayed Forest Green and Suede Glimmer Mist over the whole paper. When I removed the leaves the white space left behind was a bit too stark and the 2 colors seemed a bit too boring. I used some red Glimmer Mist sparingly to add a touch of color. Once it was dry, I embossed the Nesting Maple Leaf from Shady Tree Studios (CHF) in gold. The edges of the paper were outlined with a Krylon Gold Leafing pen.

The challenge was to post something about what we are thankful for. I used a sentiment from the Friendly Kritters Scripture set because I am thankful for the many blessings God has showered me with...my family, my home, our church.

Tip: I am new to the whole Glimmer Mist thing, however, I found that even heavy paper will tend to curl under the wetness of the spray. At least it did for me because I was going for heavy coverage. When the paper curls, the ink runs down to the edges. Personally, I didn't like the pooled, muddy mess it left on the edges after it dried. My solution was to cut a piece larger than I needed and after it dried, trim off those unsightly edges. Now that I think about it, it might also be solved by using removeable adhesive to tack down my paper so it can't curl. I will try that next time. That may just have been a "duh' moment, lol!

Blessings on your day!

Goin' Retro!

I am so excited that I can finally share some samples of the newest set to come from CHF's ATC Collection. It is called Domestic Love and it is filled with fun retro images and sentiments. It is being released TODAY!

Don't you just love it?? The team has been cranking out samples, a sure sign of how versatile and fun these stamps are.

Here are just two of my samples...

Basic Grey's new paper line, Nook and Pantry, has some designs that are made for this set! I embossed the beaters in silver EP. I'll be using this card the next time I need to encourage someone.

This next card cracks me up! I am sure you could think of just the right person or occasion to send this one...

I used some Jenni Bowlin paper to piece the bag on the vacuum and to create a "rug" using a scallop oval Nestie die. I swear that pattern was in my grandma's house, lol.

To see the other great samples, check out the gallery here.

Well, I have to work today ;(. Thanks for visiting!

Paint & Acrylic

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Ours was jam packed from beginning to end. On Friday night I decided life is too short to live with ugly walls, lol! I finally started the process of re-doing our main bathroom by removing some mauve, rose patterned wall border. It really didn't go well with the fishing themed shower curtain my boys picked out. How is that for a mental picture?? Believe me, it is way worse in person! When I stamp, I usually have HGTV on in the background so I am going to put some lessons I learned to good use. We bought the paint, new shower curtain, glass globes to update the light fixture and some nickle spray paint to cover up the ugly brass finishes. If it is done by Christmas I will be thrilled. I am not kidding, things move slow around here when it comes to reno's. It took me 2+ years to take down the border. Actually, it took 47 minutes to take it down, the 2+ years was to get my rear in gear.

Not much stamping happened as a result of all the foolishness but I do have some cards to share. On Friday I wrote an article for CHF focusing on a new product in the store called Crystal Clear Acrylic Embellishments. Acrylic items continue to be popular in the scrapping and stamping world and there is so much you can do with them. One of the shapes in the store is buttons and on this card I simply adhered some Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper to the back of one. Voila, a custom made embellishment!

There are also tag shaped pieces, in 3 different sizes. I used the medium size on this card...

I used Stazon to stamp the B onto the front of the tag and then used a gold painty pen on the back of the crown. It turned out so well I may have squealed, lol. The whole tag is outlined with a gold Krylon leafing pen and a pink rhinestone adorns the crown as a finishing touch. In case you are wondering how I attached this one, I tucked a double layer of Jody's sticky dimensionals behind the crown. You like? Me like a lot!

I share more detail on the embellishments as well as a couple more samples in the article which you can read here. The embellishments are 20% off until Friday too!

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!