Shopping Our Stash #445 - Here Little Fishy

 Hello, Crafty Mates!

Welcome to another fun fortnight challenge at Shopping Our Stash!

The theme of this two-week challenge is so obvious, I feel "redundant" just typing it again.  We want to see your "Fishy" creations.  I almost purchased a mermaid stamp for this challenge and then I remembered I am supposed to be using stash.

I had really become frustrated while trying to complete this challenge.  The fish stamps in my stash were either too small or too large for this pop-up card.  In the end, I smooshed Oxide inks and Brusho onto card stock and used a set of fish dies for which I have no stamps.  It worked like a charm!

I used one of my wave dies as a stencil to create the wave pattern on the back panel.  This card was very easy to create and I love how it pops up when taken out of the envelope.

Thanks so much for visiting!  I look forward to seeing your

"Fishy" creation in our challenge!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Shopping Our Stash - #442 - Spring Holidays

 Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Welcome to our fortnight challenge at Shopping Our Stash.  For the next two weeks, we look forward to seeing your Spring holiday (Easter, Passover, etc.) creations.  

The actual theme of the challenge at Shopping Our Stash is slightly different than the title I used here.  Jewish religious holidays are strictly governed by biblical text and therefore lack association with images from popular culture.  

"Chag Sameach!"

This cute little art stamp by Loralie Designs has been in my stash for 10 years and has only been used once before this. I figured she was benign enough to be used to pass along a Happy Passover greeting.

I really think that "Shaded Lilac" may be one of the prettiest and most underutilized inks in the Distress Ink families.  Blending "Shaded Lilac" and "Tumbled Glass" created the perfect background for "Rita," my Loralie Designs art stamp.  If I had to change one thing, I probably would add more color to the wall behind Rita.  The wall she is sitting on does not have enough of the Shaded Lilac blended in.

Thanks for Stopping By,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

Loralie Art Stamp: "Rita" (No longer available)

Shopping Our Stash - Challenge #441 - The Rainbow Connection

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

"Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.

The lovers, the dreamers, and me!  

All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic!" 

Kermit, The Frog

It is time for another fortnight challenge at 

Shopping Our Stash!

RAINBOWS

I decided on a non-traditional approach to this challenge.

One Bloom

I think of my card as a deconstructed Rainbow. The background was created using a stencil and Distress Oxide Inks. The sunflower image was already cut and colored for use on an abandoned project.  The sentiment is from an old stamp set that I have had for almost 15 years.

This project came together quickly!  CAS is not my thing, but sometimes a project chooses its own direction.

My teammates have created fun projects for your inspiration.  Please join us!  Everybody loves rainbows!

Shopping Our Stash #430 - On Trend: Create A Slimline Card

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

Two weeks passed quickly!  We have a new challenge for you at

Shopping Our Stash - Create A Slimline Card!

I was never a fan of tall cards!  Their reintroduction as slimline cards has not really changed my opinion.  In my mind, there is too much real estate and they are difficult to photograph.  When I start the creation of one of these cards, all I see is a vast wasteland and all I feel is the need to remind myself that I don't have to "over embellish."  

I spent almost two hours trying to decide the best way to deal with the empty space at the top of this card.  I was happy with the placement of my image and my sentiment but very unhappy with the "vacant" space above them.  The first thing I did was to add the black linen cord in the center.  I knew this would give the eye some relief.  I must have spent twenty minutes just playing around with the placement of the banner.  This card took 2 and 1/2 days to complete and most of that time was spent in decision making around the components.  I really do envy those makers who can whip out four and five cards in a day!

I kept the inside simple!

Maybe I will do one more of these but with the landscape orientation!  At least the photography will be easier!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Shopping Our Stash- Challenge #429 - Make A Mess

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

This fortnight, at Shopping Our Stash, the challenge is to 

MAKE A MESS!

I wanted to practice the double stenciling technique and I thought this challenge presented the perfect opportunity to do so!  I used three stencils and four Distress Inks as well as stickles, wet glue, and glitter.

I invite you to join us in this challenge!  Looking forward to seeing your creations!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I used:

DecoArt-Art Nuveau Medallions

Look For The Rainbows - A Window Shaker Card

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I originally created this project for the "Lets Get Messy" challenge at Shopping Our Stash.  But I accidentally posted in on FB yesterday so now I have to create another project for next week! Getting messy means using glitter, pigment ink, acrylic paint, you know, the kind of things that require getting your hands sticky, or messy!  I plan to break out my Geli Plate at some point!

Shaker cards are generally "messy" makes for me!  I use tons of glue and in this case a mix of Distress Inks on the outside and in my windows!  I used stickles and glitter, and glue to embellish cloud windows.  I had so much fun unsticking myself from my panels. 

I added a few sequins to the card face!  I smeared glue on my balloon and then sprinkled on some glitter.  I don't like glitter so much because it gets everywhere!  I used a mixture of stickles and glitter to create a rainbow background in my cloud windows!

I am so glad that I started using craft foam instead of double-sided foam tape on my window projects!  It has made the creation of the projects easier and more efficient.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

Shopping Our Stash #417 - Under The Sun, Moon, and Stars!

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I want to say that I am thrilled to be a member of the Team at Shopping Our Stash!

This is guilt-free crafting at its best.  No one ever loses sight of the fact that for most, this is a hobby, not a second job. So, MUCHO HUGZ to my SOS sisters!

Our theme this fortnight is 

Under The Sun, Moon, and Stars!

We want you to use one of these symbols in your project!

I chose the Sun!

This was another successful stash bash project!  The "Play" stamp by Heidi Swapp has been in my stash for almost 10 years, I think!  The Washi tape is at least eight years old.  The newest element on this card is the sun die which I purchased last year.  The inks and bling have been in my studio forever.  I had to fussy cut the sentiment and that was challenging.  I enjoyed making this CAS card. 

My disease prevents me from actually playing in the sun. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight is viewed by my immune system as an attack and my body responds with a weaponized rash that is the ugliest thing you could ever hope not to see breaking out on your face, arms and chest.  For the past six years, I have had to practice social distancing pretty much just to stay alive.  So, for me, not much has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, except I am deprived of the visits from my children and grandchildren that always bring me such joy!  My eldest grandson, in whose homeschooling we participate, calls us every day.  I can hear how much he misses us and he knows how much we miss him.

STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE!

THANKS FOR DROPPING BY!

Reverse Confetti Over The Rainbow Die Set

Shopping Our Stash #414 - The Great Outdoors

Hello, Crafty Makers!

Today starts another fortnight challenge at Shopping Our Stash.

The challenge theme is "The Great Outdoors,"  

Share with us any project that has anything related to the "Outdoors" or "Nature."

I am doing a series of split cards and this challenge seemed a perfect opportunity to experiment more with the technique.

I AM ALLERGIC TO BEE STING!

Solitary Bees invade our yard each year. I really want to reclaim our lawn and get back to the beautiful street appeal we once had but, in order to do, that we would have to put down chemicals that would kill the Bees and that does not work for us. Also, the county extension office told us that it is illegal to kill Solitary Bees because they are often more efficient at pollination than Honey Bees.  And, if you add to that my compromised immune system, you can see our dilemma.  

The inside of the card is very simple!  I may stamp a birthday sentiment at the very top. I might be able to do that and still leave room for a personal note.

The most fun part of creating these split cards is figuring out how to arrange the focal grouping.  It should tell a story, I think. My honeycomb was originally totally on the outside of the card but it accidentally slipped behind my top panel and I thought, "oh, yeah, that will work!"   I used Stickles on the bee's wings and "Glossy Accents" on his body.  I also used "Wink of Stella" on the honeycomb and the sun!

As for our real bees, we could have the entire yard dug up after they leave.  Turning the yard would destroy their tunnels and we can hope that they won't return but that could be expensive and possibly futile since it is the flowers that attract them.  In the meantime, at least I honored the bees with a fun, crafty card!

You can find my Step Tutorial for Split Cards HERE

You can link to Jennifer McQuire's Video Tutorial HERE

HAPPY CRAFTING!

HUGZ,

Challenges Entered:

Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge

Stuff I Used:

Shopping Our Stash - Happy Holidays - Retro Snowman

 Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Finally finished creating Christmas Cards for my favorite 

Sister-In-Law.  This perfect timing for our final challenge of the year at Shopping Our Stash!

I don't know why I like this little snowman so much.  Maybe, just maybe, it is because he looks so retro.  

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

CHALLENGES ACCEPTED

ALWAYS FUN CHALLENGES - SNOWMAN

Stuff I Used

Shopping Our Stash #408 - Here Comes Suzy Snowflake

Hello, Crafty Folks!

Welcome to another fun challenge at Shopping Our Stash!

The theme this fortnight is Here Comes Suzy Snowflake!

I have had these snowflakes hanging around since last year and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to finally use them.  I planned an entirely different project but computer issues forced me to make something simple.  I do, however, love my embedded snowflakes!

I have not purchased crafting supplies in almost a year now, well, actually it has been nine (9) months.   From now on, every project I create will be "shopped from my stash!" I have been tempted, but I would rather have a new floor and new furniture in my studio!

My Snowflake card was created using this tutorial:  

Embedded Snowflakes - Handcrafted by Helen

Hugz!

I usually don't do Christmas challenges, but I found a new (to me) challenge "Christmas Kickstart" that I thought would be fun for my friends who do celebrate Christmas.   I did not create this card specifically for their challenge...but I think Dotty Jo will let me slide this time!  Check them out!

Challenges Entered
Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Snow 
A Perfect Time To Craft - Always Anything Goes

Classic Design Team Challenge - Always Anything Goes
The Crafting Challenge - Always Anything Goes
Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Christmas Theme
Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Christmas

Shopping Our Stash - Challenge 401 - Base it On a Book

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

The fortnight challenge at 
Shopping Our Stash is

"Base It On A Book!" 

For me, there was only one choice...

Maya Angelou's "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"

I chose to alter an Altoids tin and use it to house a fold-out booklet.

The front and back covers are an attempt to capture the theme of the book's title as well as Ms. Angelou's writing career.

Following through on the book title, I used music themed paper to cover the bottom of the tin.  I also cut smaller birds from newsprint and music papers.

The pages of the booklet were designed to capture certain moments in Ms. Angelou's book, for instance, the second panel pays homage to the fact that Maya was the first African-American Cable Car Conductor in the City of San Francisco.

I applied Gesso to my tin and then used DecoArt® Moss Pearl Metallic paint as my base coat. I used Rub n' Buff™ "Patina" and "Autumn Gold"  to finish distressing the tin.

I think I need to practice my paper tearing technique. I wanted to keep the front of the tin fairly "clean" so that the title remained the primary focus.

I cut out several small birds and placed them in the cage behind the large bird in the forefront.  I used foam tape to create some dimension.

The most difficult part of this project was trying to get my paint color to match the ribbon I chose to secure my booklet.  My success came when I mixed Ranger's Broken China Distress Ink with DecoArt's Moss Pearl Metallic Paint.  I almost removed my large bird because he is so large but he has grown on me and I really like him there!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you will join us at Shopping Our Stash!

Challenges:

  Always Fun Challenges - Anything But A Card

Shopping Our Stash #396 - Get Your Drink On

Hello, Fellow Crafters!

The fortnight challenge at
Shopping Our Stash is 

"Get Your Drink On"

We want to see your creations paying homage to your favorite beverage.  I am a tea person but I also love coffee so I tossed a coin and it came up coffee!  Here ya go!

I don't do a lot of masking and I wasn't sure that I could get the image in my brain successfully from my brain to paper.  Masking was the only way to make it work.  I had a coffee ring stencil but the detail is not as good as the stamp that came with this image.  I also believed I would have more control using the single stamp.

Stuff I used:

Distress Oxides: Squeezed Lemonade, Broken China

Distress Inks: Tea Dye, Weathered Wood

Papers: Neenah Solar White, Bazzil "Hummingbird"

Images: Java Nice Day

Misc: Copic markers, foam tape, sequins, "Wink of Stella"

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Shopping Our Stash - May Flowers

Hello, Crafty Makers!

The Shopping Our Stash challenge for this fortnight is to create a project that reflects your take on MAY FLOWERS.  The flowers can be your focal image, your papers, or text.  We look forward to seeing some creative interpretations!

I found a tutorial on YouTube for using old book pages to create pouches/pockets.  I thought combining that idea with our May Flowers challenge would be fun.

Obviously, we cannot have May Flowers without Bees so...

Bee Happy

The tutorial uses old book pages to create the entire pouch but I wanted to use make use of some pretty text weight specialty paper that was ordered for some wedding stationery I create a few years ago.  The paper has a soft velvety surface and I thought it would feel make the pouch feel like cloth.

My flowers are off a little because I forgot to stamp the flap while my stamp was still on the stamping platform.  I got pretty close, though.  

This is the first time I have used my sewing machine in almost two years.  

The pouch is so handy.  You can use them to hold a gift card, tags, Artists Trading Cards, and Coins.  The pouch can also be used on a journal page.

I wish "Wink of Stella" showed up better when photographed.  My flowers, stems, and my little bee were all brushed with "Wink of Stella". I also used Glossy Accents on the Bee.

I think the Wink of Stella shows up better on this shot!

I look forward to seeing your entries at

Shopping Our Stash!