The Rubber Stamp Show in Mesa AZ!

In early November I attended the Rubber Stamp Expo in Mesa Arizona. My hope in attending was to learn one new thing and discover a new stamp company to me. I spent about 2.5 hours at the show and I achieved both! Check out my review and haul!

Here are my picks for this expo: Stamplistic! and Lost Coast Designs

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Life is Short and the World is Wide

My new obsession is Ken Oliver's Colorburst for Brutus Monroe. I used it to create the backdrop for the sweet little campers and sentiment for this card. I stamped three of the five trailers from the Road trip Brutus Monroe Stamp set, colored them in with Style-file markers, and cut them out on my Brother's Scan N Cut. I layered my colorburst piece on white card stock and adhered to a black card base. I used pop dots to adhere the trailers. I stamped the sentiment with surface ink and layered it on a small colorburst strip. I finished it off with little acrylic bubbles.

You can find all of the supplies to create this card at Brutus Monroe. I am also on the blog today so pop over and say hi!

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Christmas Mug Cards

As I was helping at the Brutus Monroe booth at the Mixed Media Convention in Utah I met the sweetest lady who owns a great stamp company -- Pink and Main ! I fell in love with her stamps and beautiful pink dies. There was one set I just could not get over. I thought about it for months. I stalked her Instagram and website waiting for it to be released. Finally, in October, is was available! I bought the set, matching dies and the most adorable paper pack to match!

Christmas Mugs Stamps , the matching dies,  and Jolly Paper Pack is what I used to create these 8 cards. I also used Stylefile Markers and ink from Brutus Monroe to color the sweet little mugs in, a punch and glitter glue to make them shine!

I am still not over this stamp set. I need to create some more with it because it just is not leaving my system. Make sure you check out my layout round up at the end of the month to see the page I created with this set for the family album!

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Making Color Burst Cards

I had the privilege of meeting Ken Oliver at the Mixed Media Convention in July of 2017. I got a one on one demo and lesson on how to use Color Burst and have been addicted ever sense! I made these two cards using the new Color Burst for Brutus Monroe !

For this card I used a background stamp and applied the color burst on top of it after I embossed it.I stamped the bow pieces and sentiment. I adhered it all the a glitter card base and topped it off with a few bottle cap sequins.

 The next card I used a stencil to lay the Color Burst on making sure I stuck with colors that would not create a muddy look. I stamped the cute fist and used my Scan and Cut to cut them out. I stamped the sentiment on a circle I had die cut out. I adhered a few acrylic bubbles to finish it off.

This last background I created with this particular image in mind. I used a piece of watercolor paper to lay the Color Burst out on. I wanted the background to resemble a jungle so I used Cabbage and Zest. I sprinkled the color and misted it. At first it was to bright (yes, believe it or not it was brighter than this!), so I immediately dabbed it with a paper towel which picked up the excess color. I slowly sprayed droplets over it and was happy with it. 

Here is a video showcasing different techniques and basic color theory to keep in mind when using Color Burst: 

If you are interested in any of the products I used you can find them all here: Brutus Monroe Shop

Purple and Silver Christmas Cards and Purse

I ran across the beautiful Christmas line by Kaiser Craft in July at the Mixed Media Convention in Utah. They gave me a few pieces (stamps, dies, wood pieces and die cuts) to play with at the end of the show and once the paper became available in stores I had to have a few sheets. I created these five cards and purse (that will house a gift card perfectly!) with two sheets of the pattern paper. The Festive Deer Stamp and Sterling Embossing powder by Brutus Monroe had to take center stage!

I tend to get bored and uninspired when I made all the cards the same. I like to mix it up! I could easily give the cards as a set to a family member with a big silver bow or mail them out. This project took me about three hours and I love the elegant nontraditional vibe!

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting! 

Far East Paper Bag Junk Journal

My daughter is taking Honors History this year. One of her assignments is to do a report on an Asian country's history. Since she is in honors she gets a little bit more freedom with how to present the report. She has decided to present it in this paper bag journal I created. Her teacher gave her permission to use it knowing that I created it. My daughter is super excited to use do the report. I created a video for you on how it came together and a few tips on how to make one.

The Junk Journal kit is from Calico Collage
The paper trimmer is from Cutter Pillar . Make sure to use the coupon code: BETZ20 for 20% off your entire order.

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Simple Scallops Scriver Creek

If you have never heard of Scriver Creek  I bet you think I have lost my mind and am making up words. Believe it or not, it is a company! They specialize in beautiful leather notebooks. They gained a lot of popularity real fast and underwent some criticism from the planner community because they got backed up with orders. It was growing pains and a lot of businesses go through it. I decided to give this company a chance and provide you, my subscribers, with an honest review of the company and their scallop leather notebooks. Going into this I am giving the benefit of the doubt. I can't start of any kind of relationship in negativity and choose to see the positive. I truly believe that this is a small business that turns out great product AND supports their community. Supporting their community is what has led me to my recent purchase with them.

One of the new things Scriver Creek has started is a "Simple Scallop" line. These are notebooks that are not custom made, but are made from the leather they use or trying out in their shop. They also have hired local high schoolers to make them -- they are teaching a trade! The notebooks are only available on Fridays in limited quantities. The type and colors change depending on what they have in the shop. The cost is $40 and includes shipping. I ordered one in a gorgeous dark brown that almost has a purple undertone to it. Here is the unboxing and my review:

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting (and planning!)