Dragon Crossing

Shaving Cream Background with Lindy's Magicals

2026-06-01T11:07:22.909-07:00

I have been having a blast creating card backgrounds using shaving cream. I use Walmart’s Brand - Equate Men's Regular Shave Foam.

You can search Google for “making shaving cream backgrounds” to get an idea of where to start.

I have used watercolor card bases (smooth on one side), Generic Cardstock about 150 pound and Neenah Index Cardstock 90 lb./163 gsm. My favorite is the watercolor cardstock, but that can be hard to get a clear stamp image on it later. Most often, I have been using either one of the cardstocks. I have a stack of cardbases that I made from leftovers cardstock, that is a mixture of both cardstocks. I just grab whatever sheet is on top.

What I do is dip a card background base and then add another sheet on the top and set it aside while a dip 2 or 3 more. Next step is to pull them apart, scrape off most of the foam, then set them aside to completely dry.

Depending on how much foam is left, I may scrap the excess foam I just scraped off onto more cardbases or put it scrape it back on top of that I already have.

Staying with one color family or with colors that won’t create “mud” you can keep going until there is no more shaving cream left. You can add more colors, add more shaving cream, etc.

I keep going until I run out of room to lay them down. Next time, I will bring in a folding table so I can keep making backgrounds.

Start with a small pile of shaving making – a bit bigger than a card base and about a half inch of shaving cream. Smooth it out, add whatever you are going to use for color, swirl the color, and put a card base in it. You can pick it up right away or gently push down a tiny bit and then pick it up. You can lightly twist it before you pick it up.

Basically, just play – there are no mistakes. If you don’t like the result (decide after you let them dry), remember, it is just paper and can be thrown away. But you can stamp over the top of it, or make strips to mix with other scraps, you can even use it as a card base in your next batch of shaving cream fun.

Have a trash can nearby for the paper towels you will be using. Where something that you don’t mind colors all over. Have at least a half roll of paper towels nearby. I suggest either getting some Barrier Skin Cream (I use workman’s Friend) or wearing gloves because you WILL get messy. Remember the clean-up may be messy, but it is an easy cleanup because Shaving cream is basically soap.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 13

2026-03-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge is "Before & After".

I showed pictures of my studio a week ago, and thought that you might like to see it before I stared to completely re-do the room. These pictures ae from 2020 when I shared my studio with the crates for my three dogs. You will see Scotty, my Pitt Bull Mix in a couple of the photos

#CPC26

You can see the way my studio looked January 2026 here.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

Wall Hanging - Blossom like a Flower

2026-03-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

This piece was created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books. For this piece, I used images from the Faries in Bloom book.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 11

2026-03-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge is "Handmade".

I created an Envelope Book Journal. Since I basically started with just envelopes, I concider this a handmade piece. An envelope book is a handmade, interactive album created by binding multiple envelopes together—usually by their flaps—to form pages with built-in pockets. I didn't make the pockets in this one, but I have a second one in the planning stages with a spring theme.

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books. This piece used images from the Moss Stories Book.

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

SteamPunk Journal Pages #2

2026-03-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

Act as if what you do makes a difference

Sometimes the smallest things

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 10

2026-03-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge is "Something I wished I knew before".

I wish I knew how addicting fussy cutting images to use in my journal pages and Mixed Media pieces can be. Especially after my favorite YouTube artist started creating books of images. I happily spend evenings while "watching" TV, fussy cutting images. When I ran of of images to cut out, I was at a loss for what to do during TV time.

I started creating journal pages and mixed media pieces about 4 years ago. I would see a idea online, then took that and created a journal pages or mixed media piece using that idea or technique. But it wasn't a thing I did consistently because my muse would not cooperate in finding idea on my own.

That all changed when my favorite YouTube artist started creating books of images Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books. I bought almost every book she has created and have fussy cut all but the newest ones out.

Now I have bins of images sorted by book or theme that I can easily access. Plus, while I fussy cut the images, I have a notepad nearby where I write down any ideas that come to mind for the images. I just use a pencil to put a number on the back of the image related to the idea, so I have ideas galore even if my muse isn't cooperating.

My Storage Method for my Fussy Cuts

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 9

2026-03-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge is "Share Your Goals".

My goals for my blog is to post at picture of one of my pieces of art work, be it a Journal Page or Wall Art or a Greeting card, at least every other day

As far as spending time in my studio, my goal is to spend some time in there every day. I don't have to be creating, but I want to be there at least learning something by playing with my supplies, etc. I will even count watching a YouTube video from the Artists I follow - not a short, but a complete video

My last goal is to attend either an online class or one day of an online summit every month. I believe that will both allow me to learn new things and to find new artists that I enjoy the work they create

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

SteamPunk Journal Pages #1

2026-03-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

Awaken the senses

Replace fear of the unknown

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

Winter Journal Pages #2

2026-03-07T17:45:00.000-08:00

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

Appreciate the Beauty of the Snowflake

Winter is a Celebration

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 7

2026-03-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is "Share Your Workspace". This space has changed a lot over the last 12 years. At my old house, I had a 14x14 foot studio with a open closet that store my bigger stuff. Then I moved to my smaller house and I had a 10x10 foot room that I shared with 3 big dog crates. By 2025, I had the room to myself (my dogs passed away). It still was extrememly crowded with "stuff", so I did a major decluttering and wound up with a studio that I am proud of. Now, I can sit at my desk and the majority of my stuff is accessable by just tuerning around in my chair. The rest is just a short roll away.

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

Winter Journal Pages - #1

2026-03-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

Even the coldest winter

There's a certain magic

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 6

2026-03-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is "An Aesthetic Photo". The two photos that came to my mind immediately was a photo I took over 40 years ago of my son at Christmas. The other was a photo of my husband back in 1995 of the Merry-go-round at the San Francisco Zoo. Both hold special memories. The one of my son because of the look on his face when he saw his Grandma’s super decorated Christmas Tree . The one of my husband because he told me that it was the first time he had been a Merry-go-round.

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 5

2026-03-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is ""You Should See This". These are pieces that were inspired by quilt patterns. For the backgrounds, I used strips of leftover scraps from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 4

2026-03-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is "Favorite Things". I decided to focus on one of my favorite smaller mixed media pieces I create - Mixed Media Jumbo Cards. They are nice smaller pieces that are easy to store in 4x6 inch photo albums and easy to flip through if you are looking for ideas.

What are Mixed Media Jumbo cards you ask? They are small artworks creaded using a large playing card as a base. Jumbo Cards measure 3.5 X 5 Inches (8.89cm x 12.7cm). If you are interested you can get them on Amazon, search for jumbo+playing+cards+3.5x5 - or you can just cut watercolor of mixed media paper to the correct size.

I found out about Mixed Media Jumbo Cards from Marta Lapkowska on her YouTube channel and on her Facebook Group Cut & Collage - Art Journaling with Maremi #maremicollagebooks. I have been following Marta for years and she inspired me to start art journalling and creating Mixed Media art.

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

These are Jumbo Cards #1 through #19 from Marta's "Jumbo Card Challenge", which is still on-going. The images are from Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art

#maremijumbocards

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 3

2026-03-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

Today's Challenge is "LAYERS".

These pieces were created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books.

These images for this piece are from the Summer Stories book. I decided to add real sand to the beach, then shells and beads to the beach and the frame to create some layers.

I created another piece with layers. These images are from the Spring Stories book. I added some "grass" (generally used in creating dioramas) and some small flowers that I also use on my rubberstamped cards.

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

Journal Page - Find Joy in the Ordinary

2026-03-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

This piece was created using images from the books drawn & created by Marta Lapkowska Maremi Small Art books..For this piece, I used a fairy from the Fairy from the Spring Stories book, the other images are from various other books of hers.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge - Day 1

2026-03-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

I decided to do the CraftPrint 31-Day Content Challenge. This challenge will inspire me to create daily posts following the prompts they give. This will inspire me to create more and share more of my artwork, journal pages, rubberstamped cards & other things I create.

This challenge will also allow me to start posting photos of the things I made in the recent past.

Todays challenge is "INTRODUCE YOURSELF".

In 2006, at age 49, I had a stroke. While I was in a coma, they told my husband that IF I survive the coma, I would never be able walk, never be able to talk and never be able to take care of myself. They suggested that he find a nursing home or full-time live in caregiver. He told them "You don't know her. She is stubborn and will inspire others". How true he was.

The doctors in the rehab facility told us I would be there at least 6 to 8 weeks. I laughed at that and told them that I would walk out in 2 weeks. They shook their heads and said that they would be shocked if I did that.

I went from needing to be belted into a wheelchair because I would slide out otherwise, to walking with a cane in 2 weeks and 2 days. I still believe it was because I didn’t want to be away from my husband any longer than I needed to.

This year I celebrate the 20th anniversary of my stroke on June 19, 2026. Yes, I still don’t have complete use of my right hand and other minor issues, but I am still alive & kicking.

Those 20 years brought many changes to my life. We bought a house, dealt with the effects of 911, lost the house, bought a larger second home 6 years later, lost my husband, my mom and my oldest sister, and much more. Through all of this, I thank God every morning that I have another day ahead of me.

Now, I am 69 years old, live in a little house I bought for myself (sold that big house I bought with my husband), and try to spend some time everyday working in my studio creating art.

#CPC26

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

YouTube Videos on How to Make EASY Shaker Cards

2025-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

If you like Shakers Cards, but don't want to deal with using foam tape, here are a few ways to make shaker cards without the foam tape.

This is the method I use

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VObTkM2190s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKItWBh31Oc

Here are some using clear envelopes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aasy0efj9TA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_JEj4AiULU

This one uses pre-cut panels rather than creating your own (like the first videos I gave). I have bought and used these, but it is MUCH cheaper cut make your own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5SX4wc_Me0

Judy

My Storage Method for my Fussy Cuts

2025-10-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

I have updated the way I store my images that are already fussy cut as well as I how store the images that aren’t cut out yet. Because of the way my brain works, fussy cutting images as I need them doesn’t work for me. But I came up with a solution that does work for me and keeps everything easily accessible.

This will seem like a lot of work to some, but if you are a person that needs to see what you have easily, this might work for you too. Because I started doing this after I got a couple of books, it is not a big deal for me.

For me, after the first couple of books, flipping through all the books to find an image was frustrating because I couldn’t remember what book I seen an image in. I can’t even imagine what it would be like now by having all but 3 of her books!

When a new book arrives, I remove all the pages from the books and scan the book from cover to cover (more on that later). Then I sort them into categories – backgrounds, main images bits & bobs, words, etc. on pages that have multiple categories, I cut the pages apart. I grab some hanging file folders, label them and put the files in a rolling file cart.

I have two drawers – one of just images and the other of backgrounds. The backgrounds are sorted by size and put into ziplock bags within the main background folder for that book. In front of the drawer are folders of images that won’t fit the 8.75 x 6.25-inch bins. Behind those are folders sorted by book then by category. For instance, Autumn Stories – Faries/Kids, Autumn Stories – Bits & Bobs, Autumn Stories – Animals, etc.

Most of the time, I grab the folder that holds the people/fairies first and take it to my chair in the front room. Then as I am watching/listening to my TV shows, I fussy cut.

I have the bins sorted by category/book for the most part. Things like rocks, planets, etc that aren’t specific to book, are put in one bin. But using Moss Stories as an example, things moss covered rocks, moss covered animals, etc, they are in a bun labeled “B&B – Moss stories” – B&B meaning Bits & Bobs. Within that bin, the images are sorted into small snack sized ziplock bags.

Back to the scanning. One of the reasons I scan the books is so I can print out extra background if I am making greeting cards (to give to family/friends) if I want to use the same background again. The other is that I can’t do fine hand movements to draw lines around the images for my ScanNCut to easily see. So, I use a graphic program to put an outline around each image, then print it out and have my ScanNCut cut it out.

I think the pictures will help explain what I am talking about, but I am more than happy to explain it more if you need additional info.

Judy

Sayings & Quotes I gathered

2025-10-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

I create a lot of journal pages and art pieces for myself. I found that I hated to search the internet or books every time I started/completed a journal page or project to find the saying or quote that fit what I wanted.

So, I decided to search and gather up various quotes and sayings that "spoke" to me to have when I wanted one.

I took those quotes & sayings, but them in a database, then created word documents from them sorted my category.

Since I print out the sayings by category and I wanted them to easily fit on my pages, I put them in into tables to make it easier for me to format them.

A lot of the quotes didn't have the name of the person who made it, but since I don't sell my work, I figured that I didn't have to have their name.

Anyway, there are the word documents I created. You can download them if you would like from my Google Drive.

Quotes & Sayings

Hope this helps you in creating your journals & art pieces.

Judy

Flowers & Butterflies Multi-Media Piece

2025-02-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

This this my first true Mixed Media piece. Created the background and added the texture with modeling paste. Then painted with acrylic paints and Glimmer Mist Sprays - I didn't like the result.

So, I wiped it all off (rubbing alcohol works great for getting most of the acrylic paint off, even when dry), and started again. Took painting it 3 times before I liked it.

Then added the painted swirly leaf chipboard, the flowers, and the saying. The upper right corner looked empty, so I added the 3D butterfly.

Detailed Photos

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

Creativity Multi Media Piece

2025-02-12T18:42:00.000-08:00

This my take on "Collage in Squares" as taught by Marta at Maremi Small Art Marta at Maremi Small Art. She used squares, but I decidfed to use circles.

This was made on a Canvas panel, with circles cut from assorted scrapbook papers.

I torn apart a sheet of Stamperia Decoupage Imagine LOVE ART Rice Paper to fit in the spaces between the circles.

Lastly, I shaded everything and added some Quote chips from the Tim Holtz - Advantus Quote Chips Idea-Olo Theories set.

Detailed Photos

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

What is luck?

2025-01-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

Luck, there is all sorts of luck, good and bad. I think, for the most part, we create our own luck, good or bad, by how we approach life.

Sometimes luck that at first seems bad, in the end turned out to be good luck. That is how I look at my stroke – It was bad luck that I had the stroke, but in the end it changed my life in so many positive ways.

Mike and I quit smoking the day I had the stroke, we had talked about wanting to quit, but we kept putting it off. Life said “You will quit NOW”. Who can argue with that?

It brought my family closer together – from my brothers to the extended family, we are closer now. It brought all the kids closer to each other and I think closer to me too. Heck, even Helen has come a bit closer to me too.

I think that the biggest positive change is how it brought Mike & me closer. I mean we were close, but we were sort of plodding along with no goals ahead of us. Now we have bought a house again, we are making plans for making improvements to it, and generally looking forward.

I’ve come to know that my “email buddies” are very important to me. They are one the reasons that the first thing I wanted to be able to do is use the computer again. Granted, I not only needed to learn to use the computer again, I had to re-learn where the specific letters were – nothing like having to hunt & peck & try to spell at the same time.

I now truly realize how much my “studio” and my “crafty stuff” means to me too. I thought that I lost the ability to create scrapbooks, and that really depressed me because I had not finished my Dad’s memorial album. But again, I wanted to get back my crafts, and a year after the stroke I finished the album and presented it to my Mom & the rest of the family.

I’ve learned just how strong and stubborn I am, how determined I can be to get my life back as close to what it was. Things have changed, I have changed. Some of the things that were important to me before my stroke have become less important. I didn’t think that having a cat and being responsible for it was important, now I have a furry friend that brightens up my day.

So Luck – it is what you make it to be, what you want it to be. Good, bad or indifferent, it exists and it affects our lives.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy

Places to Donate Used Toys

2024-10-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

I will add onto this list as I find new links - UPDATED 11/09/2023

Donating Used Toys in the San Francisco Bay Area - Places to Donate in San Francisco, East Bay, the Peninsula, and Marin

23 Great Places to Donate Used Toys - This is a great list of places

Stuffed Animals For Emergencies

There are three ways to donate to Stuffed Animals For Emergencies:

Through Their SAFE Volunteers (Chapters). Donate your stuffed animals and other items to SAFE and their our volunteers clean them and find places to donate to.

Urgent Needs Locations. Here you will find a list of our partner organizations that are requesting donations where they do NOT currently have a SAFE chapter. You can donate directly to these organizations if you are willing to clean any of your gently used donations first.

Host a Stuffed Animal Drive. Organize a stuffed animal drive, birthday drive, or corporate event for SAFE. Here you will find information you need to run a drive for SAFE.

Second Chance Toys

The website states - Thank you for your interest in recirculating toys with SCT! Our donation matching is closed right now, so please check back during our next toy giving season. Toy matching takes place twice a year; during the month of April in celebration of Earth Month and again in November and December for the Holiday Season.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy
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Organizations that Pickup Donations

2024-10-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

I will add onto this list as I find new links - UPDATED 11/09/2023

Salvation Army - To schedule a Salvation Army pickup, head to satruck.org/donate/choose and enter your zip code.

St. Vincent de Paul - Choose Regular Pickup

Habitat for Humanity - To schedule a Habitat for Humanity pickup, head to and follow the appropriate link to register and schedule your pickup< /a>

The Arc - Head to Page down to what you want to donate

ClothingDonations.org (service of Vietnam Veterans of America) - ClothingDonations.org/

Furniture Bank Network - operates in 34 states - Visit furniturebanks.org/furniture-banks/ to search for availability in your area and reach out to the organizations nearby that participate. Note that while not all participating organizations offer pickups, most do.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has offices all over the country. Check out their list of locations and schedule a free donation pickup.

Patriots and Paws - Patriots and Paws serve areas from Fresno, CA, all the way down to the border of Mexico, and to the Arizona border. For pick up, they are located in Orange County. Find out how to donate items in person, and schedule an in-person donation pick up. Pick ups are usually scheduled 3 days a week.

Load Up - Donation Pickup and Delivery Services. This company does charge for their services, but when you really want to donate, and you can’t find a local charity to do a free pickup, you can use this company. Our network of local contractors can help collect your donatable items and deliver them to a charity for you.

Places to Donate Used Toys
This is a link to a places to specifically donate toys

CALIFORNIA ONLY

Disabled American Veterans Department of California - https://davpickupservice.org/

CALIFORNIA, MINNESOTA AND NEW YORK ONLY

Vietnam Veterans of America - Pick Correct State

MARYLAND, WASHINGTON DC, NORTHERN VIRGINIA, DELAWARE, TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA

AMVETS Pickup - Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Delaware, Texas and Oklahoma

Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
See you soon!
Judy
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