Life is Beautiful

Hello Friends,  I have been trying to slow down and notice the little things in life that make me smile. 

 

One of those things is sitting on my back deck and watching the birds. My husband and I have been sitting out there most evenings and have even named one of the birds "Fred".  Fred is a plain sparrow, but he has personality!!!!  He is always the first to arrive, and actually comes to within  a foot or two of us looking for his meal.  He lives in our multi-unit bird house... he use to have the confirmed bachelor pad up top, but about a month ago we noticed he had moved down to apartment 1A and had started a family.  I guess Fred has slowed down to enjoy life also.

 

 This inspired me to create this ATC for a swap I am participating in.

 

 

I used my "Yummy Dots" embossing folder (EF-0010) to give my Pool Play cardstock some background texture.  Then I pulled out the "Sweet Home" stamp set (SS-0188).  I love the birdhouses in this set, they are super Cute!!!  I used my Copic markers to color the birdhouse.  After I fancy cut around the house, I stamped part of the flowers from the "Branch Out" stamp set (SS-0140).  All of the elements are popped up- love how things look popped up!  The sentiment is from the "Text Happy" set (SS-0188).

 

If you are interested in any of the products I used, you can find them here:

www.funstampersjourney.com/cindybristow

 

Hope everyone has a creative Day

~Cindy~

 

Color Throwdown Challenge

Happy Sunday Everyone!  Today I am sharing my entry into the  Color Throwdown Challenge Blog, http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2015/08/color-throwdown-357-countdown.html

 

Love this color choice!!! 

 

 

The base of my card is Bubble Gum CS.  I layered a Black Licorice CS die cut with Journey Squares, " DI-0038" on top of it.My background was stamped with River Stone ink with the Chevron Trail stamp, "SS-0022" onto Whip Cream CS.  Then I pulled out the Yummy Party stamp set, "SS-0152", and stamped the giant layer cake.... I want to dive right into that cake!!!!  Oh, and you can purchase the matching die, Party Cake, "DI-0054"!!! Love it!!!  My party cake is colored with Copic markers.

 

 

To finish off my entry, I stamped the Eat Cake stamp from the Little Big Greetings set, "SS-0052" onto a Banner Parade die cut, "DI-0031.  Then I added a paper clip element, candy minis, black twine, and journey glaze.

 

If you would like to purchase any of the above products, please visit:

funstampersjourney.com/cindybristow

 

Have a Creative day!

~Cindy~

 

 

Dahlia Burst

Being a Navy wife, I have had the pleasure of living all over the world.  Our last duty station was at Whidbey Island, Washington.  For those of you that have had the pleasure of living or visiting Whidbey Island, you know it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  It is green and lush, and even if you have a brown thumb, you can grow most anything there.  There are two flowers I associate with my time on Whidbey, Lavender and Dahlias.  I had tons of Lavender in my yard, but no Dahlias because I could stop at local farmers markets and pick up a bunch. I miss that, so I pulled out my Fun Stampers Journey "Dahlia Burst SS-203" set and created this card.

 

Did you know that yesterday was National Just Because Day?  That's why I chose the Just Because sentiment from FSJ's "Branch Out SS-0140" set.

 

 

If you would like to purchase any of the supplies I used today, please visit: 

www. Funstampersjourney.com/cindybristow

 

I hope you enjoyed my walk down memory lane and have a Creative day.

~Cindy~

 

 

 

Humming Bird Feeder

You guys know how much I love my Copics and House Mouse stamps, so today I am sharing an up coming class I am teaching at my house.

How stinking cute is Monica and this little humming bird?  I just recently started feeding humming birds on my deck, so I have been paying close attention to their coloring.  I just love how their colors shimmer and change in the light.

I always have problems finding a patterned paper that doesn't distract from my House Mouse images, so I pulled out my Fun Stampers Journey "Linked Dots, SS-0051) background stamp and inked it up with my FSJ "Whip Cream" ink.  I think it worked perfect for this card.

To finish my card off, I added some purple May Arts ribbon and a FSJ "Sparkle Drop".  I love the Sparkle Drops- all of the facets give off just enough bling to so look at me!, but don't give it that over the top look.

 

You can purchase all of the FSJ products listed at:

www.Funstampersjourney.com/cindybristow

 

If you would like to purchase a pre stamped card kit, they are listed in my Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CCustomCreations

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and have a Creative Day!

 

~Cindy~

 

End of Summer

I don't know about you, but up here in Maryland it is beginning to feel like summer is almost over.  There is a crisp feeling in the air and the humidity isn't as high.  Saturday I spent a little time down in my craft room before I did my chores.  I created this card as a ode to the last days of summer.

 

I knew I wanted to use the Sea Side Treasures ( SS-0071) set, but wasn't sure about the background.  I decided I wanted a ombre effect, so I pulled out a new set that is quickly becoming one of my go to favorites,  the Brush Strokes, (SS-0205) set.

 

 

I chose Banana Cream, Oatmeal Cookie, Blue Lagoon, and Pool Play ink pads to stamp the back ground with.  After looking at it for a while, I thought it needed something else.

 

 

 

So I pulled out my Hazelnut Blend Re-inker and the new Fusion Blender, dropped a few drops on a block and flicked some dots on my background.  I think it was just what the card needed to make it pop.

Hope you enjoyed today's post and if you are interested in purchasing any of the products I used,  you can find them at  www.funstampersjourney/cindybristow.

 

Have a Creative Day!

~Cindy~

 

 

 

 

Introducing Journey Media Bundles

 

We are so excited to be releasing our first-ever online classes, featuring the Journey Media collection. Watch, learn, and become inspired as Richard Garay leads you through 3 mixed media classes. Get ready to stamp outside the lines and bring your crafts to a whole new level! You may begin to pre-order the bundles on August 19th. Product bundles and free class kits will be shipped on September 3rd. It will include a special link to each online class and Richard’s Journey Media video tutorial will go live on the class date.

Contact me to place your order!

Class #1: Intro to Journey Media Make, Live, Inspire Card Set

Bundle Includes: SS-0232 Media Artist, SS-0228 Wise Owl, SS-0231 Media Pattern, SS-0229 Simply Me, SS-0233 House to Home, JM-0003 Bloom Wall Stencil, M-0012 Linked Lines Stenci, DI-0063 Hexagon Background PLUS, Free Class Kit which includes: All cardstock, die cuts, embellishments (twine, buttons, clips, etc) and finishing touches (sparkle dust, etc.)

This class goes beyond typical card making and way beyond your usual card making techniques. Perfect for the multimedia novice, you’ll be experimenting with color, 3-D embellishments, layering and adding textures. Play with our new Color Splashes, learn new layering techniques using stamps and stencils, and create with one of our most popular items, Journey Glaze, in totally new ways! You’ll be creating more than just four cards; you’ll be creating works of art.

Class #2: Intermediate Journey Media House to Home Décor Trio

 

 

Bundle Includes: JM-0013 House to Home, JM-0008 Stained Glass Stencil, JM-0007 Starburst Lines Stencil, JM-0004 Bubble Bubble Stencil, SS-0230 Bird Sketch PLUS, Free Class Kit which includes: All cardstock, die cuts, embellishments (twine, buttons, clips, etc) and finishing touches (sparkle dust, etc.)

 

Step up your mixed media game. Our House to Home Trio is the perfect décor piece to accent your home and Richard Garay will show you how to bring this blank canvas to life! Use our new modeling paste, acrylic paints, and stencils to create gorgeous textures and dimension. Add sparkle and shine with our Sparkle Cuts and watch the light dance off your piece with the new Glass Glitter. Learn dozens of mixed media techniques to create these little masterpieces!

 

Class #3: Advanced Journey Media Media Artist Journal

 

 

Bundle Includes: JM-0074 Canvas sheets, PP-0011 Media Prints Paper Pack, JM-0006 Ring Stacks Stencil,  JM-0001 Falling Petals Stencil, JM-0011 Chevron, JM-0002 Vintage Screen Stencil, JM-0005 Ball Chain Stencil, AC-0128 White Journey Thread PLUS, Free Card Kit which includes: All cardstock, die cuts, embellishments (twine, buttons, clips, etc) and finishing touches (sparkle dust, etc.)

 

This class is for the bold, the brave, the creative adventure seeker. Design your own artist journal from scratch by stitching your bound signature and create seven different spreads, each highlighting a different mixed media technique. This class allows you to play with most of the elements in our Journey Media collection from the Media Prints Paper Pack, gel medium, modeling paste, gesso, acrylic paints, stencils, and a variety of tools. This is journaling and memory keeping on a new level, this is your creative enterprise.

 

It's time to get a little messy.  Hope you will join us for this Journey Media adventure! Make sure to contact Me  if you are interested in discovering your inner artist!

 

Stay Creative,

~Cindy~ 

Full Bloom Copic Class

Most Wednesdays I host a mini class at my home here in Maryland.  This week's class features the FSJ stamp set "Full Bloom" SS-0162.

We will be using Copic Markers to color these beautiful Lilies.  The card base for the first card is River Stone and the pattered paper is from the Paris Vintage collection, "Vintage Paris Paper Pack" PP-0010.  I am falling in love with the "Bubble Gum Silk"  IP-0092,  as Richard would say, "it's so Yummy and Delicious!"

The second card has a Pretty Amethyst cardstock base and uses a patterned paper from the "Journey Basics Pastels Pack"  PP-0013. 

 

Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing a pre-stamped kit that incudes everything to create the card except for inks, copics, and adhesives.  The Copic colors I used will be listed along with instructions for completing each card.  The cost per Kit would be 5.00 plus shipping.

Have a Creative Day!

~Cindy~

Dragonfly Journeys Challege Winner

Whoo hoo!!!!! I can't believe it, I won one of the Challenges I entered last week!  Jeannie over at http://dragonflyjourneys.blogspot.com/  host weekly card challenges.  She post new challenges every Sunday, so make sure you stop by and check out her new challenge.
                                                     
                                                              Have a Creative day!
                                                                     ~Cindy~

Winter Bird

Hello Friends.  I know it is only mid August, but....remember the Winter Fred post I did a few days back?  Well, since I had the Winter Fresh pattern paper pack out, and I had cut into a piece for my Fred tag.... I decided it use the scraps up.  I guess my neat freak of a husband is rubbing off on me after 19 years of marriage?!!!!

I had bought the Christmas Melody SS because I liked LOVED the bird image included in the set.  Isn't he the cutest little guy?

I pulled up a picture of a chickadee on Pinterest (love that site) so that I could pull out my Copics and color the little dude!  Next I used my Journey Oval Die Cut and layered him onto Denim days CS.  I stamped my new favorite stamp, Striped Love SS onto Oatmeal Cookie CS using Pool Play ink, and then layered it with the scraps from my Winter Fresh PP.

Check out my embellishment- I layered a few of the Holiday Elements sequins with some Candy Apple Red confetti for a classy little sparkle.  The twine is by May Arts Ribbon.

Until next time,

Stay Creative my friends!

~Cindy~

 

Nature Trees

Hey everyone- Today I am sharing a card that was inspired by Fun Stampers Journey President and Founder Richard Garay!  Last week he posted this card on his page.

Which made me want to pull out the Nature Trees SS and play with it.  I loved the color scheme so I used almost the same colors:  Lemongrass CS, Dark Roast CS, Cool Pool CS, and Whip Cream CS, then I threw in a sliver of the Going Places PP to add just a little pop!

 I stamped the ink splat that is included with the stamp set (how cool is that??!) with Cool Pool ink, and then stamped one of the trees with Dark Roast ink.  I took a step back and said, hmmmmm, this needs something.  So I went digging in my embellishments and pulled out my jar of Lemongrass confetti.

I like how the confetti changes color with the light and gives it an early fall look.  I finished the card off with a floppy bow tied with Lemongrass Thread. 

Hope you enjoyed todays post, and

Have a Creative Day!

~Cindy~

Winter Fred

Remember yesterday when I said I was trying to participate in more challenges?  Well, today I am sharing a tag I created for Rose's Challenge over on One Journey Coach's Challenge Facebook page.  Rose post a challenge once a week and then at the end of the month, she draws a name from everyone that participates! The page is by invitation only, but if you would like me to add you, leave a comment and I will respond. Ok, enough talk...here is my tag,

This little guy's Name is "Winter Fred" and he is available in the Fun Stampers Journey Holiday Catalog.  I paper pieced his hat and scarf from the Winter Fresh Prints 6x6 pad that is also in the Holiday Catalog.  Fred has a girlfriend named "Ethel Winter", I don't have her, but I'm thinking I might have to put her on my next order because Fred is looking a little lonely!

Have a Creative Day!

~Cindy~

From All of Us

Do you ever feel like you're in a creative rut?  I find myself using the same colors and the same layouts for all of my projects, so recently I have started doing creative challenges to help me break out of my comfort zone.  A couple of my fellow Fun Stampers Journey coaches have started a challenge blog that gives a once a month color and layout challenge
http://www.creativebloomsjourney.blogspot.com/
The great thing is that you can enter as many times a month as you would like! I would love to see all of you out there stop in and take the challenge.

This is my first card for the August challenge.

I decided that I would try both the sketch and the color challenge with one card.  I broke out some virgin rubber- the  "From All of Us" ATC.  These little people where fun to color- just enough detail that they are not boring.... but small enough that you don't loose interest. 

I have a feeling that I will be participating a few more time this month's challenge over at Creative Blooms because I love the layout and colors. 

Have a Creative Day

~Cindy~

 

 

I

Hello Friend

I needed a few cards to congratulate some friends who's husbands are in the Navy and made Chief.  If you aren't familiar with the military, making it to that rank is kind of a big deal... oh who am I kidding, it is a really BIG DEAL!!!! so Congratulations to all of those military members who are going thru the process of putting on your anchors, and for all of you spouses who stand behind them and support them!

I decided to do CAS cards because I had a few to make.  I stamped the "For You" image on Whip Cream CS and cut it out.

Then I pulled out my trusty Copics and went to town coloring, I love to color!  I popped the image on a A2 card, did a little bit  of background coloring, added some Journey Glaze ,Sparkle Dots, and the sentiment from the "Birthday Girls" set.

Thanks for stopping by,

~Cindy~

Sweet you

I'm gearing up to go to the Yummy and Delicious event down in Virginia Beach https://events.funstampersjourney.com/events next weekend... so exciting!!!!!  There is still time to sign up if you would like to get in on the fun!
One of the things I am doing is getting swaps ready.  Swaps are a fun way to meet new people and exchange ideas.

The Theme for this swap was "Summer".  I always think watermelon when I think summer, so I pulled out the "Sweet Slice" SS-0212 set from the July Kit of the Month set.  Love it!!!! but it isn't available to everyone for another 3 months.... yet another reason you need to get into the KOTM club....   So you see my other new favorite stamp?- "Stripe Love" SS-0181, I'm telling you that I am in love with this  background stamp. :)

I'm also in love with my Journey Glaze- see it there on those watermelon seeds?  I just makes everything so shiny!  The final touch was the Lemon Grass Thread that I created the loopy bow with.  I "need" all of the colors in this thread... but I am waiting till after Yummy and Delicious to see what all I get in my goody bag!

Hope you have a creative day!
~Cindy~ 

Happy "Bird" day

You have to love these cute birds from the  Fun Stampers Journey set call "Chic Magnet" SS-00175.  They give me the warm and fuzzies every time I look at them.

I had the" Striped Love" SS-0181 stamp out and decided to ink it up with Summer Days ink.  Talk about a bright and cheery color!  That made me think of birthdays, which made me think of birds... so ta-da..... that is how this card came to be.  I also needed to try out FSJ's new coloring system of using re-inkers and our special Fusion Blender solution.

I used Sweet Pear , Cool Pool, and Tangerine fusion to color the birds.  I am still learning this technique, so be easy on my coloring!  The cute little hats are from FSJ "Party Time" SS-0175 set.  I see them popping up on more birthday cards....

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

~Cindy~

Create Tomorrow

Today I thought I would break out some new rubber and play.  I grabbed my brand new "Striped Love" SS-181 background stamped and inked it up with one of my favorite inks,  Cool Pool.
Can I say after just one use, I might have found my new favorite background stamp?  I love this stamp!!!  I can see it being used on tons of different cards.

Then I grabbed one of my go to sets,  "Enjoy the Journey" SS-0035 and inked it up with first with Oatmeal Cookie ink and stamped it.  After looking at it I decided it needed some bling so I brought out our  new Journey Gold inkpad.  This was the first time I had used the Journey gold pad, and WOW!!!! it is really brilliant gold- Love it!

I also used my "Graduated Dots" SS-0117 to give my sentiment circle some cool background imaging.    The sentiment is from a former Kit of the Month stamp set, "Celebrate Tomorrow" 

 SS-0151.

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

~Cindy~

Watermelon Mice

I spent some time in my craft room today to escape the heat of the summer.  I don't know about you, but watermelon always cools me down and brings back wonderful memories.  That's why I chose this stamp to color today.

These little guys look so relaxed.... and stuffed!  Remember having watermelon seed spitting contest when you were younger, back before seedless watermelons?

Something tells me that we wouldn't have a chance of winning if we were up against this foursome!  Hope Everyone has a great Sunday staying cool and relaxing!

~Cindy~