Well, This Is Fun

I am sorry for the long delay. So very sorry. You see, Friday, September 19, the chair of the English department asked if I would take over a class whose teacher quit. I am now teaching three sections of Composition 1 on three different campuses. So things have been more-than-average crazy around here.

By the way, I'm loving every minute of it.

Except for missing crafting and blogging. I miss you, my readers!

So here's a card I made before the chaos worsened (or improved, depending on how you look at it). Happy Fall, Y'all!!!!!

The card features a very old Papertrey set called Fall Elegance and a newer set from Hero Arts Stamp and Cut series called Wonderful.

Isn't it interesting how a set from, say, ten years ago is "very old"? I'm 51 and feeling "very old" at the moment because I'm having a colonoscopy tomorrow and am extremely hangry because I've eaten nothing solid since last night.

I hope that's not too much information. And here's a PSA for you. The new protocol for first colonoscopy is age 45. I'm already almost seven years overdue. Are you? Overdue, that is? Get scoped!

Fact is, I'm not at all "very old" but am still a lot older than the stamp set. So I guess the point here is that we should all be celebrating that we don't age like stamp sets because in stamp set years, we'd all be dead...even the youngest among us currently active stampers.

Don't you feel better now?

I hope so.

The die cut is double-stacked to add some dimension. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the ink on the die cut is Hero Arts butter bar to orange soda ombre pad. I stamped the paper with a large shadow stamp inked with the ombre pad and then die cut the wonderful.

And now you know why posting has become even spottier than it was. Karen's Card Shop is well stocked (thanks to several of you!) and is perking along nicely. I'm teaching a bunch of college freshman how to write better and am so very, very happy. My elder son is enjoying college and my husband started a new sport (cyclocross) and is very, very happy. My younger son attended homecoming dance last weekend and had a blast. It's all good.

But I'll be even happier when I can make pretty things again. Soon. I hope. Very soon.

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and gratitude,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey Fall Elegance, Hero Arts Wonderful
ink: Hero Arts ombre, Archival potting soil
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: wonderful die (Hero Arts), rhinestones

Sparkle Berries

Stickles is one of my favorite products for adding touches of sparkle to images. Take, for instance, these festive sparkle berries on a pretty wreath.

This card uses the exact same layout as the last card I posted; the only changes are the wreath image, colors, embellishment, and sentiment. Hmmm. That's quite a lot to change. But the layout is identical. It's always fun when you find a great design and can riff off it like a cool jazz musician.

The Stickles adds lovely shine, texture, and variety to the berries, saving the card from flatness. Nobody wants to be flat. Right?

Let's switch gears.

Frann asked for a definition of comma splice. A comma splice is a flagrant abuse of the comma. You see, commas signal weak pauses in sentences while semicolons and periods signal complete stops. Commas do a lot of important work in sentences, but they simply aren't strong enough to hold together two independent clauses (complete sentences) all by their lonesomes.

Commas can't hold together sentences without the help of a conjunction, semicolons and periods can. 

That right there is a comma splice. Two sentences are stuck together improperly. (Don't they look embarrassed?) And yes, I found it difficult to type that incorrect sentence. Ugh. Comma splice.

To correct a comma splice, you may change the comma to a semicolon or period, add a conjunction after the comma, or subordinate one of the two independent clauses to the other.

While commas can't hold together sentences without the help of a conjunction, semicolons and periods can.

The corrected sentence has "while" before the first independent clause, turning it into a fragment. The comma after the newly dependent clause is perfectly appropriate and proudly does its job.

Frann, perhaps that's more explanation than you wanted, but my students got an earful today. Teaching grammar is so much fun!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey A Wreath for All Seasons, Keep It Simple Christmas
paper: Papertrey white
ink: Hero Arts charcoal, red royal
accessories: red Stickles, craft foam

More Wreath!

I dislike the "More Cowbell!" skit from Saturday Night Live and also dislike the mass ringing of cowbells at Ironman Wisconsin because, well, noise. I have cowbell on the brain right now because my husband has taken up cyclocross (an obstacle-course bike race for crazy people), and I've been told I need to buy my own cowbell to cheer racers on. Cyclocross crowds aren't as big as Ironman crowds, so there were fewer cowbells to annoy me. But should I add to the cacophony? I'm not sure I can.

I saw a meme today that said, "Some people have an inner child, but I have an inner old woman who just wants everyone to be quiet."

More Wreath! That's a rallying cry I can get behind.

Wreaths are, after all, very quiet.

And pretty. Like this one.

The wreath is from A Wreath for All Seasons (Papertrey). The sentiment is from I don't know where. I chose it because of the rounded serifs on the letters. They echo the round berries on the wreath nicely, and they add some whimsy to the card that brings energy into the design.

Note that I was careful to position the holes in the wreath image so I could put the banner across it without totally covering up any of the berries. I like how the two rhinestones peek out from under the edge of the banner.

And now I'd like to comment on the current state of English education. When I taught 20 years ago, college freshman writers mostly struggled to come up with thesis statements and sufficient paragraph development to write well-crafted essays. They also committed a horrifying number of grammar errors.

Today, however, students have a surprisingly good grasp of how to develop a thesis statement and organize an essay, but they can't write concise, clear sentences to save their lives, and they still commit a horrifying number of grammar errors (especially sentence boundary problems, which are major errors, people!). I'm revising my syllabus to take this shift in student needs into account.

This shift, however, is a huge improvement. High-school English teachers need to keep doing whatever they are doing, but for the love of little green apples, please, please, please teach also students to avoid fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences. Oy vey!

And while you're at it, promote the Oxford comma because well-placed commas win lawsuits.

Thank you for listening.

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and gratitude,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey and some other company I can't remember
ink: Versamagic tea leaves, Hero Arts red royal
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: rhinestones, craft foam

A Determined Set

Many years ago, while poking around through books on bookbinding, I read an explanation of how art supplies can be highly "determined," meaning they are already invested with a lot of specific meaning before you use them, or highly "undetermined," meaning they don't convey a lot of meaning by themselves. This explanation applies to stamp sets as well. Some sets are incredibly flexible and can be used in lots of different ways for different purposes (undetermined), and other sets are not as flexible (more determined).

A Wreath for All Seasons by Papertrey is fairly determined.

It's challenging to make fresh-looking, clean-and-simple cards with it because its images are so very strong. Where do you put a wreath on a card so it doesn't look weird? There aren't that many places, actually. Also, in real life, wreaths appear on front doors as a decoration of hospitality and welcome. They can be adapted to seasons, of course, with different sentiments, colors, and embellishments, but the message and meaning are basically the same.

So what do you do with a set that's determined and hard to adapt to CAS designs? Well, one thing I like to do (because I adore this set immoderately) is make as many different color and embellishment variations as possible of a simple design that works.

Today, I'll share two of those variations that feature sparkly, shimmery inks. First up, a Delicata ink, gold-and-silver confection that is way more gorgeous in real life than my photo can convey.

Note that the design itself is very straightforward. The wreath is one-third the way down the card, while the sentiment is two-thirds down. Both are centered, and the matting is simple white-on-white. The birds are facing each other. Peace and harmony abound!

The birds were die cut out of paper that had been stamped with a shadow stamp loaded with Delicata gold. This adds to the harmony of the card because the birdies are the same color as the berries. The golden stars (not nearly so red in real life!) are subtle and festive. They're from a sequin packet from Hero Arts. Without the stars, the card seemed to be lacking something. With them, it's so much better!

After making this card, which had me humming "Silver and Gold" from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I decided to try again with more traditional colors...Brilliance pearlescent thyme, chocolate, and poppy. Could the result feel any more different?!?!

For the traditionalists out there, I'm sure this is your favorite of the two cards. Eeeep! It's so strong and packs a wallop with those darker colors, doesn't it? Red and green are complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel), and complementary colors automatically up the energy of any card.

My original plan for this card was to add some red Smooch over some of the berries because, in my head, two-colored berries would make it more interesting. Once I stamped that fabulous thyme, however, I knew it was interesting enough as it is. After all, the berries on holiday wreaths are generally red.

Do you ever get good ideas that shouldn't see the light of day? That's what I call my idea about adding red Smooch. A good idea that shouldn't have seen the light of day.

Maybe you have a set you love that is highly determined. Maybe you wonder if you can ever do anything useful or different with it again. Maybe you should pull it out and give it a try. Change up inks, colors, and embellishments. Mess around and see what happens.

It's only paper after all. And you might just get some great cards out of it!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey A Wreath for All Season
ink: various shimmery inks from Delicata and Brilliance
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: Poppy Stamps cardinal dies, dimensionals, Hero Arts star sequins

Amazing Inspiration from Others

Today's photos are brought to you courtesy of some amazing crafters.

First up, my gift package from Brechtje in The Netherlands. She makes handmade paper cards. These are stunning, textured, almost too pretty to send. Whoever gets one of these needs to know they are special to me!

She also sent a lovely letter--a real, handwritten letter!--die cut butterflies, and a stamp set...all sent in a fun, polka-dotted and washi taped package.

Then there are cards from Kelle for Karen's Card Shop. She sent two boxes that arrived on different days!

And a card for me that celebrates my favorite season.

The second package came with another handwritten note. So sweet!

Linda sent me this patriotic stunner for Independence Day.

Eva sent me this CAS beauty. We're going to try to have coffee this week. It's good that I have stampy friends close by.

Shannon sent this encouraging and awesomely designed card to celebrate my new job. Which I'm loving, by the way.

I am blessed by so many of you, near and far. Thank you so much.

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and gratitude,
Susan

All That Glitters

Before we get to the card, I want to thank Kelle S for another package of lovely cards for Karen's Card Shop. Pictures will be coming.

Also thanks to Shannon A. and Eva R. who sent me wonderful cards for my inspiration board, and to Brechtje from The Netherlands who sent me an amazing packet of handmade paper cards, some pretty butterfly die cuts, and a birthday sentiment stamp set. Pictures will be coming for all this wonderfulness as well.

I feel so very grateful to all of you who encourage me with your art, your words, your generosity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And now for a glittery extravaganza!

Today's card was inspired by this pin by Jenny Lee. I changed up quite a bit, including the scale of everything, but without her card, mine wouldn't have happened. So thank you, Jenny!

Glitter paper rocks, by the way. And it die cuts beautifully. So yay!

Supplies
stamps: none (except on envelope...Papertrey Winterberry, Simon Says Envelope Sentiments)
ink: none (except on envelope...Hero Arts soft granite)
paper: Papertrey white; Michael's glitter paper
accessories: Papertrey die (Winterberry), Hero Arts alphabet die, rhinestones, craft foam, glue, red Smooch (for envelope)

Adjustments

It's sort of crazy how periods of transition in life wreak havoc on our time. Having a son go to college, starting a new job and a new volunteer opportunity at the same time, and life in general require adjustments in time and energy.

The only thing suffering (if you can call it that) is my stamping. And this has made me sad...when I've had two seconds to think about it. Fortunately, I'm finally adjusting enough to spare time to actually stamp, which is delightful and fun and very, very satisfying.

This past weekend, I made two cards that were inspired by pins and took me in new directions that made me feel like I was coming home.

I know that doesn't make sense and is mixing my metaphors, but so what? Those mixed metaphors created this.

This pin from Altenew was the inspiration. I took a design that filled the card and shrank it down to leave a nice mat around it. But when I went to put the bling on the snowflake, it looked weird and incomplete...until I added rhinestones off the panel. THAT made me giggle with glee.

The card also allowed me to use up a bunch of light blue bling that I rarely use. So yay!

While I won't manage five posts a week quite yet, I'm on my way back to it. Thanks for sticking with me!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: StampinUp, Papertrey
paper: Papertrey white
ink: Hero Arts Dusty Blue, Memento Paris dusk
accessories: rhinestones, dimensionals

Falling Leaves

No fall card-making blitz would be complete without an obligatory "falling leaves" card. 

So here you go. 

These stamps come from Hero Arts Color Layering Grateful Leaves. I chose not to use the vein stamps that layer over the leaves because I thought it looked busy enough without them, especially with the sentiment overlapping. But these colors are so pretty together!

I hope you all had a lovely Labor Day weekend. We enjoyed a visit home from our college kid. So glad he's actually pretty close to home. He wanted to do laundry and escape the ridiculous heat southwest Ohio is enduring at the moment. 

Tell us what you did this long weekend!

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and gratitude,

Susan

Supplies

stamps: Hero Arts Color Layering Grateful Leaves

ink: Archival monarch orange, saffron, sienna, and potting soil; Hero Arts soft apricot

paper: Papertrey white

accessories: rhinestones, Copic/Sharpie markers to color the rhinestones 

First Fruits, Continued

Today's cards, like yesterday's cards, use Papertrey's First Fruits set. This is an old set but a good one. Note that neither of today's cards has a sentiment on the outside...though both have a thanksgiving sentiment on the inside. I just couldn't figure out where to put the sentiments on either card without disrupting the balance.

First up, a kraft card base with the stamped panel die cut using a stitched rectangle die from my friend Eva.

The added detail of the stitching gives the card an extra finish, as does the Stickles that I dotted over the pineapple.

Note how symmetrical this pineapple is.

Next up, a white-on-white card with not-a-whole-lot of symmetry.

I adore this card. First of all, the white-on-white layers make my CAS-lovin' heart happy. But the asymmetry also makes me happy. The way the bow on the twine holding the shock of wheat together is on the right, but the shock is on the left...that is pleasing.

Have I mentioned I received my master's degree from Wichita State University? Well, the WSU mascot is a fighting shock of wheat.

Strikes terror in the hearts of our competitors, I'm sure.

Source

That's Kansas for you. Aggressive grains.

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and gratitude,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey First Fruits
ink: various dye inks
paper: Papertrey kraft, white
accessories: stitched rectangle die, craft foam, glue, Stickles

It's September!

Despite icky heat and humidity that feels more like Columbus, Georgia, than Dayton, Ohio, fall is here. We know this because Starbucks is selling pumpkin spice lattes again. I can't bring myself to have one yet, however, because my shirt keeps sticking to my back like it's frappuccino time.

Alas, we in the U.S. midwest who love autumn must delay our enjoyment of sweaters and pumpkin spice everything a bit longer.

We need not, however, delay making Thanksgiving cards. Long-time readers know of my crusade to save Thanksgiving. I encourage you to make Thanksgiving/autumn/gratitude cards and send them in October or November, regardless of whether (not weather) or not your country celebrates Thanksgiving.

We don't need a national holiday to express our appreciation for the people who make our lives better.

Seriously.

So I'm going to start posting some Thanksgiving Crusade cards this Labor Day weekend.

Here are two cards with (essentially) the same layout (one of my favorites, actually). Both use Papertrey' First Fruits stamp set...and oldie and a goodie.

This yellow (Archival saffron) is delightfully autumnal. A little bling is all it needs to dress it up.

Olive greens can evoke an autumnal feel when used with this two-step acorn image. I adore the phrase "autumn blessings" for Thanksgiving Crusade cards. You'll see it again.

These inks are chalk inks, rich and opaque.

Do you plan on sending Thanksgiving/gratitude cards this year? If so, how many? To whom do you send them?

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and gratitude,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey First Fruits, Hero Arts (sentiment for top card...not sure which set because I broke it up)
paper: Papertrey white
ink: first card Archival saffron, potting soil; second card Versamagic tea leaves, pesto, jumbo java
accessories: rhinestones and Copic/Sharpie markers to color them