Updating the website

I have been given the task of updating the website. I am in the process of reorganizing the Tools section of the website, adding a new project or two. Rose-Marie has brought in the latest Big Shotz bundle. The cost has gone up slightly to $175 but this includes the items shown below. This is a great bundle of assorted folders and dies.




The updates to the website are going to take a me a few days to get done. Please bear with us. I think the changes are going to make it easier to find the products you want.

Donna created this card based on the cards I did here and on the August 30 post. (blogger is not co-operating will fix link later). She and I have been looking for this diecut for quite a while and finally took the plunge and each bought one. Yes we should share but we live about 1/2 hour apart and when the urge to create grabs us, we don't want to wait. She stamped the Penny Black image and added a bit of colour with Gellyroll Metallics. Donna had to create a shim of sorts to allow for the shape of the diecut but it turned out beautifully. I absolutely love this card layout.

Getting back to the routine

The girls have started school again and I am back working in the store. The same routines as in years past but with a twist this year, our oldest is in first year college locally. Her classes are varied through the week and I haven't figured out yet when she will be going or coming. The younger 2 are same old, same old on the bus about 8 and home about 4. Heading back to work for me is always a bit of a learning curve. Things always change at the store over the summer and it usually takes me a few days to familiarize myself again. The first week back is always tiring for all of us but next week will be better.

Back to stamping! One of Frog's Whiskers Ink retail store owners sent us this stunning card made with Rosewood Father Christmas.

This photo does absolutely no justice to how rich the colour is in this card. The image was stamped twice, once embossed in gold. I don't know precisely what she used to colour this card but I am guessing Tombow markers. The tree has been adorned with Flower Soft. She cut out the legs and centre chest from the embossed image and then popped the embossed image over the bottom coloured image. Glitter was added and then the layered image was matted onto the olive green base card. Mimi a la carte is a store in Montreal, QC. If you have a few minutes visit her website here to view more of her work. Just remember to translate as she is French Canadian.

Happy Birthday to my DH

My hubby celebrated his birthday a few days ago. Our girls have always made cards for him, usually that day but it's the thought that counts right? Anyway here are the cards Jess and Nikki made for him this year.

Jess made this card using a clear letter set I think was from Hero Arts. She used a direct to paper method on designer paper to create an interesting background. The die cut is from Tim Holtz and it is one I should really used more.



Nikki's card is a study in interesting paper. I've had that sheet of scrapbook paper for awhile and was never sure what to do with it. She too used a direct to paper technique to create the base card. She cut the sentiment out of the paper and layered it onto an on point mat. I would never have thought of settting the mat on point but it looks great.

My girls aren't little anymore, Nikki is 16 and Jess is 14 but the cards they create are always so very different from what I make. Sometimes I wonder, at what point do adults lose the creative abilities that all children seem to possess.

Time's are Changing

As I mentioned a few post ago, our summer student Cassie is leaving to go to college. Rose-Marie made her this cute card for her. The bird house is a set of stamps which include a fairly large circular stamp that has little birds on it. Although hard to see in the photo there is a little "tab" that allows the recipient to rotate the little birds to reveal different images. She stamped the base card with Rosewood Frenchscript and on the mat stamped Rosewood Thank You. On the roof of the birdhouse, Rose-Marie added a bit of dimension with with Puff Paint and a bit of glitter.

Cassie will be missed around the store. She has learned a lot in her time here and we wish her well in her post secondary studies.

My DH and I were invited to an anniversary party this weekend, so I decided to make cards based on this design. I started with the card but instead of using designer paper I got out my Big Shotz and a Sizzix embossing folder. I think I may have cut the base card the wrong dimension since it ended up being a 6" square card instead of the A2 I made last time but it worked out great and I really liked the card. The sentiment on the outside is from a Hero Arts clear set and the interior sentiment "Congratulations" is a old wood mount Hero Arts set. A rather elegant card, if I do say so myself but somehow it just wasn't the card for Tom & Jen.

So I started again with a Penny Black animal stamp. Tom & Jen are such a fun couple. He has an incredible sense of humour and Jen is just so sweet. Elegant just didn't quite suit them. These cute little ducks look to me a like a fun loving couple. I coloured them with copics and once again realized how important the right paper is. I ended up stamping the ducks again and using Bic Mark-its instead of getting the right paper. The embellishment isn't on this card yet. The attachment it isn't necessary but I really like how it anchors the flap.

I absolutely love this card design. It is a great way to use up bits of designer paper or add texture with embossing folders. I can also see how diecut shapes could be added on the left panel f0r dramatic effect.

Summer Ending

Our part time student employee had what we think will be her last day at Frog's Whiskers. Cassie has enrolled in Loyalist College this fall and although she plans to continue to live at home, she is trying to get a job closer to Belleville. Cassie has been a part of the Frog's Whiskers family for 3 years, so we had a little going away party for her yesterday and yes there was cake.

Good luck Cassie and thank you for all you have done to help make Frog's Whiskers a great place.