Thinking of You Card and Envelope

Hello! Thanks for joining me again to take a look at what's been happening on my craft desk! I wanted to join in the fun at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for Create your own background! I have been wanting to try to create my own stencils using some Inkjet Transparencies I found in my stash, but quite honestly, have been too chicken to do it. Once I saw Caryn's wonderful creation I knew this was the chance I'd been waiting for and took it...and am I glad I did! So much fun and I love the results! So, here you go... 
Like I've said, I started with some old transparency film I found.

I used two of my Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circles and die cut random circles from the transparency. I even kept the pieces that were cut from the plastic in a little baggie to use as masks on later projects.

 After I was satisfied with the pattern I started using my Tsukineko Sponge Daubers to fill in the circles using Tim Holtz Distress inks in Dusty Concord, Tumbled Glass, Tattered Rose, and Antique Linen. These are not usually colors that I reach for ( I love bright colors) but I think the combination is eye pleasing.

 I used a little washi tape to keep my stencil in place, but then ended up moving around quite a bit to cover the whole background. Here is the final background. I think it is happy and fun!

 I selected the Simon Says Clear Stamp Sending Happy Thoughts for the beautiful Thinking of You sentiment along with Versa Mark ink and Zing White embossing powder. I added a few pearls from Michael's Recollection line, and used foam adhesive to attach the sentiment.

 Lastly, I created an envelope for my card because I didn't have one big enough to fit it! The measurements were 4.5"x 6". Ooops. :) Thanks for joining me! What is something You've been wanting to try, but find yourself too 'chicken'?

Shaker Card- Anywhere with you!

Last night I wanted to try something a little different for me...so I created a shaker card with a scene! I love the end result and intend on doing another one very soon! I got so involved in the process that I forgot to take pictures as I went along...but here is what I have...

I first drew my scene by hand. I knew I wanted a mountain scene, as that is where hubby and I went for our honeymoon, and we now have a funny little story to tell about driving up the mountains!
I also got out my Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circle Dies to find which circle would fit my need the best. I traced the inside of the circle so I could place my card and trailer stamps in it to make sure they fit properly.
Next, I created a mask for the mountains and sky and with a mini sponge dauber added Tumbled Glass to the sky and Pumice Stone to the mountains.

 Here is the scene starting to come together. This is where I started getting really caught up in the process and forgot to take pictures. :( After I was satisfied with the sky and mountains I used the EK Success Writer Metallic Silver to create a guard rail, then colored my road black and added some dash lines. I finished the scene by adding more Pumice Stone Distress Ink to the bottom part of the card.

 I then ran the card through my Sizzix Big Kick with the Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circle Die. Using Tombow Mono tape runner I adhered the circle to the base of the card. I added some clear plastic (I cut from a package)behind the front layer, and put some Duck Brand Mounting Foam on the rectangle part of the card.  I stamped, colored, and fussy cut the little car and trailer from Lawn Fawn's Happy Trails, which I glued to the front part of the plastic packaging. I added my punched out hearts and silver sequins to the card and layered the outside part of the scene back onto the card base. Here is my finished happy little card. On the inside I have written, "I'd go anywhere with you."

I'm entering this shaker card into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. It's Anything Goes!

Build-A-Stash

I bought a few new stamps recently and here is one of my new favorites! I love the serene scene, the KJV scripture, the appropriate quotes. I sat down at my craft desk to create a few cards to add to my stash of 'on hand' cards, so I wanted something fairly simple. The following pictures are what I came up with:

 I first stamped the main image from The Sea set from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps in Tim Holtz Black Soot.

The Sea Clear Stamp Set

 I then took a mini dauber and pounced a single "Mustard Seed" sun. Followed by a sweeping reflection.

 After I used "Faded Jeans" to create my blue water

 I then added some "Broken China" for the sky and "Pumice Stone" to add a little gray on the water.

 I then decided I wanted to be able to use one of the saying from the set on the front as well,

so I used a circle die along with my "Big Shot" and cut each scene out.

I thought it gave the cards a little more interest to have the main 

focus be off center.

 I used "Faded Jeans" once again to add the  Psalm 89 verse.

 "Chomped" the corners and called them good!

 Here is one of the final cards.

 I love how planning ahead, lining up your projects, and doing the steps all at once helps you create cards in no time! I will be using this process again very soon! I need to get my card stash built up! Of course these cards, once they were finished, were just calling to be written in, addressed, and sent out to encourage a few folks that I know could use a little pick me up. Thanks for joining! Leave me some love-Tell me your favorite time saving tips!

Create On,
Nancy Joy

Passions & Paper

 We each have our own passions; this is one of the things that makes the world such a wonderful place! I love God, my new husband, my family, friends, and my church family. I love to take trips, camp, take pictures, make desserts, read and paper craft!
 It is ok to be passionate about multiple things. I have tried in the past to blog, but have always found myself becoming overwhelmed...or downright bored with it. I've come the the conclusion that one reason for this is that I only focused on one thing I enjoyed and typically this meant the other things I love to do got pushed by the wayside. I end up "burning myself out" on the one subject. So, I'm starting over. Create & N*Joy will be a place for me to share what I love, and not just one part of it. Here's to starting over, starting fresh and trying again!

Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,

because if you're passionate about something,

then you're more willing to take risks.

Yo-Yo Ma

Starting off I have a few cards to share with you. I recently been sending cards to family and friends when their birthday rolls around or they are sick...or have any other special occasion! (Except I missed July...but that was acceptable to me, as my husband and I got married June 28!) 

I made this first card for my boss that recently retired from the library.

Congratulations/ Retirement

A shaker card made for a friend that just got married.

Congrats/ Wedding

This last card was for a church family member who's Grandma just past away.

My Sympathy

*Hero Arts Clear Stamps *cl383 ANTIQUE ENGRAVINGS BUTTERFLIES

*Silhouette PORTRAIT Digital Cutting Machine

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