Card-Blanc by Kathy Martin

Black Licorice IP-0041

Whip Cream IP-0009

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Reach for the Stars

2016-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hi! Today I have a card to share with you created with one of the brand new Fun Stampers Journey lines that debuted at the 2016 convention just last week. It's called Celebrate You which was also the theme for this year's convention.

Did you attend? I was supposed to but got sick at the last minute, as I mentioned in Monday's post. So...like many of you, I've had to rely on social media for all the highlights and what a party they had!!! And how about the new catalog?

It was an honor helping to create some of the artwork for it and just knew all of you would go crazy for all the new product! Amazing, isn't it?!?! It was so hard to keep it all a secret!

I made this card for you using some new goodies...blended with some of last year's Journey Media paints. I simply dabbed a bit of paint on a finger and wiped it across some card stock before stamping it with the sentiment.

Stay tuned for lots more projects created with FSJ supplies...a lot I've haven't even got a hold of yet!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Celebrate You Stamps & Patterned Paper (available July 1st)

Star-Dom DI-0052

Pineapple Smoothie Paint JM-0023

Cool Pool Paint JM-0020

River Stone IP-0053

Rock Candy IP-0028

Whip Cream IP-0009

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Journey Silver Splash IP-0082

Journey Sequins Special Celebration AC-0115

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

River Stone CS-0094

Live in the Moment

2016-06-14T11:00:00.001-04:00

Hello! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here in North Carolina making it perfect for getting outdoors for a little exercise, vitamin D and N (nature)!

I've been going on a walk almost everyday and plan to go hiking this weekend. How about you...any plans to get outside and to enjoy some sunshine and a little fresh air?

All my outdoors walks inspire projects like this card with lots leaves and earth tones.

I used the variety of foliage stamps included in the Lead Me and Bird Sketch stamp sets and one tiny little log stamp from a brand new set that just debuted at the Fun Stampers Journey 2016 convention. Do you know which set it's from? Do you have a catalog yet?

I just got to see the entire thing and it's something special! Hope you enjoy it, crafting and the great outdoors!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Lead Me SS-0207

Bird Sketch SS-0230

Howdy Notes

Journey Ovals DI-0042

Limeade Splash IP-0019

Lemongrass IP-0022

Kiwi Slice IP-0024

Oatmeal Cookie IP-0011

Hazelnut Blend IP-0012

Mini Wooden Clothespins AC-0029

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Kiwi Slice CS-0016

Green Olive CS-0113

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Pinspired

2016-06-13T12:22:00.001-04:00

Hello! I had one of those mornings where I couldn't find my creative mojo. That happens sometimes when I've been away from my studio for too many days which has been the case. I was supposed to be in Arizona this past week for the Fun Stampers Journey (FSJ) 2016 convention, but I came down with the flu instead! Ack!

Well, I'm thrilled to be feeling better and back to crafting up some fun things to share with you...except that I didn't quite know where to start after a week long break! Thank goodness for Pinterest because I found the following card.

(source)

Isn't it gorgeous?!?! Swoon! I thought trying to recreate it with FSJ supplies would be a fun exercise to help me get back into my groove.

I used the Bird and Circle Sketch stamp sets and the Summer Branch die.

The background was created with inks, ink pads, Silk, and a stencil. I've listed all the supplies I used below.

What do you think? I think I like the softness of the inspiration piece better. And I really enjoyed just playing around with our inks and sponges to see what I could come up with! It's good to be back getting my fingers all inked up again!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Bird Sketch SS-0230

Thread Sketch SS-0169

Chevron JM-0011

Sweet Berry RI-0010

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Limeade Splash RI-0025

Pool Play RI-0050

Rock Candy IP-0028

Whip Cream IP-0009

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Lemon Grass Thread AC-0132

River Stone CS-0094

Whip Cream CS-0040

Patterned Paper

2016-06-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Today I have a card to share with you using patterned paper as a focal point. It's clean and simple and the perfect way to use up left over scraps of your favorite patterned papers.

I used the Fun Stampers Journey Fun Filled Prints for my card and the smallest of the Journey Square dies.

I love the combination of colorful patterns on one side and lovely black and white prints on the reverse.

For the sentiment I used my go-to stamp set called Text Happy.

Here's to doing more of what makes us happy! Like making cards!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Journey Rectangles Long DI-0040

Journey Squares DI-0038

Black Licorice IP-0041

Journey Sequins Special Celebration AC-0115

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Fun Filled Prints PP-0024

Whip Cream CS-0040

Hello

2016-05-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

Today I have a card for those of you who adore flowers and butterflies. It's a clean and simple creation using a negative die cut butterfly as the focal point.

The Fun Stampers Journey die set I used is from Butterfly Prints and the patterned paper is from the summer catalog and it's called Fun Filled Prints.

To make these layers really stand out I used foam squares to adhere them to my card base. I love the dimension it creates and that you can see some of the gingham print through the butterfly 'window.'

A few drops of silk, some thread and a trio of assorted gems finish the card. It's the perfect for an all occasion greeting!

Enjoy!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Howdy Notes SS-0170

Butterfly Prints DI-0015

Black Licorice IP-0041

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Spring Accent Dots - AC-0179

Cut Rhinestones AC-0023

Pearls AC-0024

Fun Filled Prints PP-0024

Pool Play CS-0092

Brave America

2016-05-30T10:10:00.003-04:00

Happy Memorial Day to all of you in the United States! In honor of this special day I have a patriotic card to share with you.

I created this greeting with the Fun Stampers Journey Brave America stamp set.

Techniques include embossing, ink sponging and layering. Notice I was able to add a bit of white ink to the Metal Accents, toning the shine down, giving them a grungy look like the rest of the card.

After I sponged and embossed my card background I also spritzed it with some Journey Silver Splash which gives it lovely sparkles that I really like.

Hope you all enjoy this Memorial Day and thanks to all of you that serve and have served this beautiful country of ours.

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Brave America SS-0215

Star-Dom DI-0052

Star-Dom Piercing Elements DI-0099

Catalina Splash IP-0073

Whip Cream IP-0009

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Journey Silver Splash IP-0082

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Metal Accents AC-0176

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Cranberry Bliss CS-0090

Denim Days CS-0082

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Happy Hello

2016-05-27T09:41:00.000-04:00

It's another glorious spring day! And I have a another outdoorsy kind of card to share with you. This one was created with a new Fun Stampers Journey summer stamp set called Anchor Me.

Do I have any sailing fans out there? I love to watch boats from the shore, but I'd rather not be on one! lol Unfortunately, I get rather sea sick!

You know...this card reminds me of a vacation Dan and I had at the Outer Banks a few years back. We got to visit some of the east coasts most infamous lighthouses. What beautiful memories!

To create this stripy background I used some patterned paper from the Nautical Adventure Prints, cut into stripes, folded in half lengthwise and added the card base by applying glue just along the fold. I love the texture it creates along with the twine and wood accent. Hope you enjoy!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Anchor Me SS-0256

Tag Elements AT-0130

Denim Days IP-0010

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Summer Fun Chips AC-0214

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Nautical Adventure Prints PP-0025

Buttercream CS-0006

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Smile

2016-05-26T09:31:00.000-04:00

Today I'm posting another nature inspired bee-utiful card created with the Fun Stampers Journey Summer Garden Stamp set.

I love bees! We wouldn't have the amazing variety of produce without them, would we?

And I think they're quite fascinating to watch swarming busily around the garden!

For this bee background I used the Vintage Screen stencil, a sponge and Summer Days ink. Keeping my design clean and simple I added just a little Silk, Twine and a mini paperclip for accents.

Enjoy and have a fa-bee-lous day!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Vintage Screen JM-0002

Black Licorice IP-0041

Summer Days IP-0042

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Paper Clip Elements AC-0102

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Whip Cream CS-0040

Life is Beautiful

2016-05-25T09:37:00.000-04:00

I love this planet of ours, full of amazing creatures and exotic places. And I love how one doesn't have to search far and wide to find nature's beauty. If you look, it's right under your nose. Or at the front door!

For a second time this spring we have a pair of house finches nesting right outside our front door in the light fixtures. And it's wonderful to take a few moments throughout the day to watch this new mama coming and going with food for her little ones!

Today's card is inspired by nature and all it's amazing creatures, like seahorses. Aren't they magnificent?

This particular seahorse is from the Fun Stampers Journey Beach Soiree stamp set. Such an easy card to create...just color and die cut the seahorse and add it to a card base that's been sponged with some Whip Cream ink, splattered with a bit of Silk and stamped with a sentiment. Finally, add a few sequins and a bit of Thread and you're done! Now time for a little vitamin - Nature!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Beach Soiree SS-0277

Beach Soiree DI-0168

Black Licorice IP-0041

Whip Cream IP-0009

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Cool Pool RI-0073

Grape Fusion RI-0033

Journey Sequins Blue Skies AC-0113

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Journey Basics Black & White Paper Pack PP-0012

Black Licorice CS-0003

Whip Cream CS-0040

Sweet You

2016-05-24T09:02:00.000-04:00

Hello! I have a clean and simple card to share with you today that combines two of my favorite new stamp sets from Fun Stampers Journey summer catalog...Too Cool and Summer Fun.

These work perfectly together, the pineapple with a pineapple pop. Yum! And the sentiment is from a gorgeous blooms stamp set called Sweet You.

To create this fun and colorful background, I combined a few strips of card stock and die cut them with Journey Circles and added a portion of the Summer Branch die.

Accents include a little twine and sweet pink sequins. I love it! How about you?

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Fun SS-0252

Too Cool SS-0255

Journey Rectangles DI-0041

Summer Fun DI-0156

Too Cool DI-0157

Black Licorice IP-0041

Cool Pool Silk IP-0105

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Pumpkin Bread RI-0056

Limeade Splash RI-0025

Kiwi Slice RI-0020

Oatmeal Cookie RI-0041

Hazelnut Blend RI-0034

Black Licorice Journey Thread AC-0004

Journey Sequins Pink World AC-0112

Bubble Gum CS-0099

Sweet Berry CS-0034

Pineapple Smoothie CS-0026

Limeade Splash CS-0020

Whip Cream CS-0040

Missing in Action

2016-05-23T10:02:00.002-04:00

Hi! You may have noticed that I haven't been posting on my blog as regularly as usual which could only mean one thing...myself and the gang at Fun Stampers Journey have been knee deep in preparations for this year's convention! Woot! How many of you will be attending?

Are you excited? Do you have your dress picked out for Friday night's awards dinner? I just got my dress this weekend and I feel kind of like a princess getting ready for the ball! lol

Well...you are going to LOVE all the new Fun Stampers Journey products, demos and shenanigans all happening at convention in just two short weeks! They'll be all kinds of awesome new stamp sets...just like those in the summer mini catalog, like these images from the Summer Fun set.

Ack! I have wanderlust for convention, Dan and my summer vacation in Asheville and our annual family beach trip! Lots of fun in the sun coming up. And it's sure to be a gorgeous FSJ convention in Arizona! Can't wait to see you there!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Fun SS-0252

Summer Fun DI-0156

Lovely Blue IP-0075

Black Licorice IP-0041

Cool Pool Silk IP-0105

Blending Solution IP-0088

Various Re-inkers

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Whip Cream CS-0040

Nature Inspired

2016-05-18T09:56:00.003-04:00

Hello! I have a nature inspired card to share with you today created with one of the new foliage dies from Fun Stampers Journey.

Inspiration comes from countless places and for me, nature is the most awe inspiring!

The above photo was taken from one of my studio windows. Every day when I look outside any one of the windows at our house I see tress! Lots of them with branches hanging in all directions with so many leaf shapes in an array of greens. It's so lovely and I feel so fortunate to call this place home.

To recreate this scene I used Journey Rectangles for my window frame and the Summer Branch die for the foliage.

Now I can share this splendid view of nature with a friend!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Howdy Notes SS-0170

Banner Parade DI-0031

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Mini Wooden Clothespins AC-0029

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Limeade Splash CS-0020

Kiwi Slice CS-0016

Black Licorice CS-0003

Whip Cream CS-0040

Bee Amazing

2016-05-17T09:35:00.003-04:00

Hi! I'm buzzing by today to share another outdoorsy card with you using the bee stamps from the Fun Stampers Journey Summer Garden stamp set.

For my sentiment I thought it would be fun to combine a letter die from the Marquee Alphabet set with a word from the Today Is set. Makes for a unique greeting, don't you think?

If you look carefully at these bees you will notice that the wings have been colored in the lightest gray and then outlined in a very pale blue. To create these subtle colors I simple used several drops of Fusion Blender, bringing in just a touch of color.

Final touches include a pierced circle around the bees and a little Black Licorice Journey Twine.

Ahhhh....what a bee-utiful card! Wink!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Today Is SS-0264

Marquee Type DI-0104

Black Licorice IP-0041

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Lemon Drop IP-0026

Lovely Blue RI-0074

River Stone RI-0052

Black Licorice Journey Thread AC-0004

Lemon Drop CS-0018

Whip Cream CS-0040

Happy Day

2016-05-16T09:27:00.003-04:00

Hey peeps! I hope you're enjoying spring and looking forward to vacations and beach trips coming up this summer!

Today I have a quick summery card to share with you that I created with the Fun Stampers Journey new Summer Fun stamp set.

I love the beach ball and pinwheel images in this set...perfect for so many crafty projects! For this card I kept things clean and simple by coloring in the two images, layering them on a bright white cloud and sponging on a little Lovely blue on the card base to make the cloud pop. Final steps include the sentiment, a little Thread and a strip of patterned paper down the side and ta-da!

Just thinking...I wonder if I could combine my love of the outdoors and crafting by turning my screened in patio into a temporary craft room during these beautiful spring days? Imagine how lovely that would be!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Fun SS-0252

Cloud Dreams DI-0032

Summer Fun DI-0156

Black Licorice IP-0041

Lovely Blue IP-0075

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Candy Apple RI-0001

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Limeade Splash RI-0025

Beach Breeze RI-0027

Grape Fusion RI-0033

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Fun Filled Prints PP-0024

Whip Cream CS-0040

Live in the Moment

2016-05-12T09:40:00.001-04:00

Hello there! I have a clean and simple, black and white card to share with you today.

I used the new Beach Soiree stamp set from Fun Stampers Journey's summer mini catalog to create this seaside card.

What is it about black and white that's just so striking?

Please enjoy and live in the moment!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Beach Soiree SS-0277

Howdy Notes SS-0170

Journey Circles DI-0039

Black Licorice IP-0041

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Journey Sequins Special Celebration AC-0115

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Black Licorice CS-0003

Whip Cream CS-0040

Thank You

2016-05-11T09:20:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! I have a quick and easy card to share with you today created with patterned paper and basic shapes.

Simply pick one of your favorite Fun Stampers Journey shapes and patterned paper set and use them multiple times on a card or scrapbook page!

Keeping the accents and sentiment simple is best when using this technique so that you don't cover up too much of your fun and colorful background. And using vellum helps with this too since you can see through it.

The Journey Circles set is probably the most used die set in my collection! How about you? Do you have a go to die or die set?

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey Black Embossing Powder IP-0099

Mini Wooden Clothespins AC-0029

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Spring Accent Dots AC-0179

Deluxe Vellum Prints PP-0008

Fun Filled Prints PP-0024

Sweet Berry CS-0034

Whip Cream CS-0040

Beautiful Day

2016-05-10T09:36:00.002-04:00

It's a beautiful day to have a beautiful day! This time of year I can't get enough of the great outdoors!

This card is an example of making time to craft and spend outside. It took only about 15 minutes to create using some a few simple shortcut tricks.

First you'll need a design or sketch. You can find endless ideas on Pinterest, Instagram or your favorite blog sites.

Once you have a design in mind, using patterned paper gives you a ready-made color palette. Another big time saver is to sponge stamped images with a bit of color instead of carefully coloring them in.

A couple basic go to accents are all you need to finish a project. For this card a little Whip Cream Journey Twine and a few sequins was all that was needed to add texture and interest.

If you have a time saving tip to share, I'd love to hear about it.

Here's to many beautiful days!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Beach Soiree SS-0277

Sweet Pear IP-0054

Cool Pool IP-0074

Lavender Fusion IP-0036

Black Licorice IP-0041

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Journey Sequins Special Celebration AC-0115

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Summer Romance Printed Paper PP-0026

Black Licorice CS-0003

Whip Cream CS-0040

I Love You

2016-05-09T09:29:00.001-04:00

Hi! Hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day! My favorite mother to celebrate with is Mother Nature so my boys and I went for a hike at Durrant Park and lake on Saturday. It was a glorious day and memorable time with a wonderfully delicious and healthy picnic lunch!

Also, in honor of Mother's Day and Mother Nature, I created this card with lots of beautiful leaves and flowers from Fun Stampers Journey Lead Me stamp set.

To add color, I used one of the Brush Strokes stamps and five of FSJ's vibrant stamp colors.

So that I didn't cover up any of these beautiful stamped images, I used a tiny sentiment from the Text Happy set along with the Tag This tiny tag to add my greeting.

Hope you enjoy this card and I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day!

Sun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Lead Me SS-0207

Brush Strokes SS-0205

Punch Handle TO-0031

Tag This TO-0004

Watermelon Fusion IP-0027

Lemon Drop IP-0043

Electric Lime IP-0112

Beach Ball IP-0047

Black Licorice IP-0041

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Whip Cream CS-0040

Summer Fun

2016-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

As summer approaches I'm longing for this year's family beach trip!

And just in time for creating my scrapbook memories of our vacation, Fun Stampers Journey came out with the Summer Fun stamp set with lots of cool beach images! Which is also perfect for making playful summertime cards like this one.

I love this little sand castle that I used to create the background and focal point for my card. I don't think we've ever been to the beach and not made a castle or two!

How many of you ordered this set? What will you create with it? I hope you share. I've been seeing a lot of FSJ projects on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram! Keep 'em coming! Love them all!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Fun SS-0252

Lead Me SS-0207

Journey Circles DI-0039

Tag Set SR-0014

Summer Fun DI-0156

Kiwi Slice IP-0024

Oatmeal Cookie IP-0011

Black Licorice IP-0041

Dark Roast Silk IP-0095

Cool Pool Silk IP-0105

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Pumpkin Pie RI-0056

Pool Play RI-0050

Oatmeal Cookie RI-0041

Mini Wooden Clothespins AC-0029

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Nautical Adventure Prints PP-0025

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Whip Cream CS-0040

Cinco De Mayo

2016-05-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Fun Stampers Journey has the cutest Cinco De Mayo stamp set! Just look at all these fabulous images included in a single set! Ack! Fun! And so awesome to color and craft with!

I used all the images to create this colorful card...except the little streamers stamp. Darn! I should have included that too because it would have added more fun to this little fiesta greeting!

How do you like the flower on the cactus? Reminds me of all the cactus I saw in Arizona last week...all about to bloom. So beautiful! And just in time for Cinco De Mayo!

Hope you enjoyed my card share today and have a wonderful Cinco De Mayo!

I'm making some vegan quesadillas with fresh guacamole for my boys tonight. Mmmm...

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Cinco De Mayo SS-0024

Ink Splat AT-0108

Cinco De Mayo DI-0064

Lemon Drop IP-0043

Black Licorice IP-0041

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Candy Apple RI-0001

Cranberry Bliss RI-0048

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Summer Days RI-0042

Pumpkin Bread RI-0056

Limeade Splash RI-0013

Kiwi Slice RI-0020

Hazelnut Blend RI-0034

Black Licorice Twine AC-0004

Whip Cream CS-0040

Have a Treat

2016-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's exciting to see so many Fun Stampers Journey projects on Facebook and Pinterest using the new stamps and goodies from the new summer mini catalog!

Want to know what my favorite stamp set in the catalog is? Too Cool! I love these juicy pops! They're so much fun to color and create with!

To make my pops appear a little more juicy, I stamped the background with the Ink Splat stamp...just enough to show a few drops.

The sentiment was stamped on vellum and embossed. I love using the Doily die with any food item because it reminds me of sweet treats at a fancy restaurants or bakery.

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies: