It’s been a long time, but I’m back!  I had thought about starting a Wordpress Blog, but I’ve had this blog for so long that I thought I’d  just come back to it, update it, and spruce it up to reflect who I am now!  A lot has changed in my life since my last post and many changes have happened!!!  First off, I  retired from teaching full time  5 years ago and now substitute teach almost anything K through 12.  I love teaching and subbing has provided me with the opportunity to continue being in the classroom and making a difference with students.  I love teaching a variety of ages and subjects.  I think I learn just as much from the kids as they do from me!!!  

Retirement has also given me the ability to assess the question, what next?  I have dived into my creative side more and have expanded from card making to mor scrapbooking, mixed media, sewing and machine embroidery.  I take sewing lessons at my local Viking Store and have purchased a Viking Ruby 90 Viking Embroidery Machine.  It threads itself, a feature totally worth having!  

I have also trained my Golden doodle, Maisee Bea, to be a Therapy Dog, and she loves to go everywhere with me!!!  She loves to put a smile on everyone’s face!  I truly believe having a dog makes life better!

I plan to share my cards, scrapbook pages, Close to my Heart creations and other mixed media projects I create in this space.  I also will share class projects from Altenew here, my class projects from Viking using my Ruby 90 and other fun sewing projects I create.  Don’t be surprised to see pics of my dog or special thoughts on topics I am passionate about!  I hope if you’re still reading this, you will enjoy my blog and decide to follow me!  Thanks for listening!

Altenew Stamps and Educational Certification Classes

Beautiful Painted Flowers

Below you will find the first card I have completed for my Layering 1 class that I’m taking in a series of courses towards an Altenew Educator Certification.  I am very excited to have been accepted by the company to take the classes and submit my work to them to receive varying levels of certifications through their programs.  I am presently in level one where I have taken at least 5 of the classes and am now working on turning in my “homework” cards to show my abilities using the techniques taught by the talented teachers in each class.   It’s been VERY interesting and informative so far.  My first card below was inspired by the Layering 1 class.  We used a three part stamping technique to get the beautiful floral look below.  I love how the card turned out.  It’s done with just the stamps and Ink, but has a water coloring look to it.  I think it looks so elegant.  I hope you like it.  The card is going to my wonderful neighbor Wendy who takes care of our animals when we travel.

Altenew Products Used:  Painted Flowers Stamp Set (flowers)

                                           Painted Rose Stamp Set (sentiment)

                                           Red Ruby Crisp Dye Ink

                                           Coral Berry Crisp Dye Ink

                                           Frosty Pink Crisp Dye Ink

                                           Forest Glades Crisp Dye Ink

                                           Frayed Leaf Crisp Dye Ink

                                           Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink

FSJ Products Used:         White Cardstock

                          

July Bloom Box Fun! Yummy Strawberries!

Check out our new Bloom Box Stamp Set.  A versatile set of strawberries that make you want to enjoy a fresh bowl of strawberries.  Mine are ripening in my garden as I write this.  I also have rhubarb in the garden.  I just love to make Strawberry and Rhubarb Cakes and Breads.  My husband loves them!!!!

There are 2 ways to get the Box.  Order a 6 month subscription and get it for $24.95 (plus tax/ship) and get the next 5 months automatically.  OR order ala carte and get it for $29.95.  You get to choose.  I do the subscription method and have never been disappointed with any of my stamp sets and kits.  Click above to get started today!!!!

Happy 1st and Welcome to the New FSJ Catalog!!!!! Start Making Your Wish List!!!!

1). Get ready to fall in love with our new catalog.  Starting today, you can take a look at all the new beautiful products that FSJ has to offer.

2). You can also see our new, fresh and updated logo.

3). Start to make your wish list.  Go to my easy online store and start your shopping experience!!!
     Got questions about any products, just ask and I will be glad to help you.

4). If you live in the Spokane/Spokane Valley, WA Area start to make plans to attend one of my
     upcoming monthly classes using FSJ products.  In these classes you will get to use the FSJ
     products for yourself and get to create beautiful projects that you can take home completed that
     day.  EXCITING!!!!!    If you love to create, but need help with ideas, these classes will be
     perfect for you.  Everything will be precut and ready to go for you! NOTE:  DATE TBA 
    SOON!!!

5.  Watch for my very first LIVE tutorial  (next week) on how to use products and make cards and
     other DIY type products.  You wo n't want to miss this because there is no telling what will happen.
     I am going to get over my fear of doing this and will look forward to your comments!!!!   (Be kind
     please!)

6.  Order a hard copy of the catalog from me from my website or contact me to send you a copy and
     you can pay me at google pay.  They are worth every penny!!!!  If you decide to book a class with 
     me or spend $50 or more,  you will get a free catalog.  WOWZA!!!!!!  What a DEAL!!!!

 FSJ CONVENTION SWAPS
MY THREE SWAP CARDS I MADE AND THE STAMP SETS I USED:

Bird Card:   (One of my new favorite stamp sets)
Bird Melody Stamp Set:  SS-0496/$19.95
Bird Melody Die Set:  DI-0356/$25.95
Bird Melody Bundle (includes stamp set and dies)
BD-0273/$41.30 (Bundle Savings $4.60)

Cross Card:  (page 156 in catalog)
Color Cross Stamp Set:  SS-0411/$18.95 (set of 6)
Color Cross Die Set:  DI-0288/$14.95 (set of 1)
Color Cross Bundle (includes stamp set and cross die):
BD -0209/$30.50 (Bundle Savings $3.40)

Cowboy Boot Card:  (page 145 in catalog)
Dude Ranch Stamp Set:  SS-0477/$20.95
Dude Ranch Die Set:  DI-0341/$19.95
Dude Ranch Bundle (includes stamp set and dies)
BD-0281/$36.80 (Bundle Savings $4.10)

For all other supplies, contact me me a list!!!!  All cards were made with FSJ products.    

BLACK AND WHITE SWAP CARDS FROM FSJ CONVENTION!!!!!!!

I was surrounded by such talented people at the FSJ convention.  I have so many more swaps to share, but these were from the black and white card swap I joined.  So cute.......many florals to
    choose from.  Can you find my card?

FSJ Retirement List is Here!!!!!

Don't let these great products pass you buy.  Now until June 30th, you can get 20% off over half of our items from the 2017-2018 Catalog.  Some of our favorite stamp sets are being retired to make room for new ones.  I for one am excited to see our new catalog when I attend convention in June.  I have never been disappointed.  In the meantime, take advantage of our stamps, dies and papers that are marked down at a great price.  Once sold out, they will be GONE!  There are already several that are SOLD OUT!  Don't let that happen to your favorites!  Go to my website link above and be sure to place your order.  The company's shipping time has been great.  You will receive your products quickly in order to be able to play with them and have fun creating cards, scrapbook pages and mixed media projects.  Thanks for taking a look.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Beth Gruenke

Here is the link to the retired product in my website!  Have fun shopping!!!!!
http://www.funstampersjourney.com/PWS/CreativeLadybug/store/AM/catalog/Retirement-Party,484.aspx

Dahlia Burst Bundle Cards

Dahlia Burst Bundle (Stamp and Die Set) BD-0063 $31.40
All papers, twine, pan pastels, embossing folders, and embellishments can be found in the current catalog.

Love making these Dahlia Burst cards.  The stamp set is versatile and fun to use.  I used the Pan Pastels to color the flowers, used some twine, and varied up the backgrounds I placed them on.  These are quick and easy to make.  Change up you greeting for any occasion!  Don’t you just love these?  You can find this bundle in the big catalog.

Inspirational Card

Color Cross Bundle (Stamp Set and Die) BD-0209. $30.50

I made this card for my Mom.  Her church has a book store and I plan to make more to sell them there.  She lives in Arlington, TX.  My cards sell for $4 each.  If you like this card, let me know.  I do make custom cards for customers.