Me and You

Whew. Just got back from a five day work trip in Texas. I had a couple projects ready to be posted, but just didn't have the time to do it!

So, here's a scrapbook page I made last week.
The retro look of the photo made me think of this line from Sassafras Lass (which was in that pile I just bought). One down, many to go!

Stamps: none
Paper: Sassafras Lass
Ink: none
Accessories: Close to Cocoa marker, green button, hemp twine (SU), chipboard stickers (Sassafras Lass), off-white lace ribbon (Tie One On Ribbon Club), blue ric rac, buttons (unknown)

Flower Trio

Here's that card trio I mentioned a few days ago. I started with the yellow one, and meant to use it for the Mellow Yellow Cuttlebug Challenge (with Swiss Dots) but just didn't want to do it. So I decided to make two more, and call it a set.
I rock 'n rolled the stamp in two colours, and used a marker to "thump" the flower centre. I also re-stamped the image without reinking, to create some depth. A simple sentiment, and some Stickles finish them off.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Best Yet (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Summer Sun, So Saffron, Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Mellow Moss, Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa markers (SU), Stickles (Ranger)

Dotty Bright Birthday

Alrighty, you'll want to put on your sunglasses for this one. Are you ready?

This card covers three challenges:

- Mellow Yellow Monday Cuttlebug Challenge
- Mojo Monday #74
- TCPTUES46: Cupcakes

I told ya!

Okay, so I started with the Mellow Yellow challenge, and I just got this yellow glitter paper as a free bonus with an order. I never thought I'd use it, but there I was, looking at it. I wasn't sure how it would emboss, but Swiss Dots worked perfectly. I knew I had to stick with the bright colours, so I dove into some paper I bought years ago. The green/pink/orange dots. Finally, a use for it!

I paper pieced the cupcake, added lots of Stickles, used a white Glaze pen for the sprinkles, and dug out a yellow Glitter Dot. One of those neat little bows finishes it off.

Stamps: Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Whisper White (SU), DSP (Michael's), Sugar Coated paper (Doodlebug Design)
Ink: Green Galore, Only Orange (SU), Noir Black (Palette)
Accessories: Photo Corner punch, markers (SU), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), glitter dot (Dress It Up), ribbon (Michael's), Stickles (Ranger), white Glaze pen (Sakura), pink glitter gel pen (American Crafts)

So, I went on a bit of a scrapbooking supply spree. Paper, mainly, but with lots of matching embellishments. Here's the stack:

It's hard to tell, but trust me, there's a LOT there. So, if you don't see some scrapbook pages posted here in the next couple weeks, please send me a threatening email...pretend to be from Visa ;)

ps. Check out mudmaven's blog for some candy!

No time to post!

I actually have a trio of cards made, I just don't have time to photograph and post about them!

You'll note that it's 2:28 am and I'm still awake. I worked fourteen hours today. And I'm still about a week behind, with two days to catch up.

Anyhoo, I promise to try to get the cards up tomorrow!

ps. I'm almost at 9500 hits! Gah. Now I have to come up with some blog candy! Actually, I already have some planned ;)

Yummy blog candy over at Bunny-Zoe's blog

Nikki is celebrating a year of blogging and over 51,000 hits with some awesome blog candy. Check out her blog for a chance at one of five awesome giveaways!

The Craft Critique Carnival has started!

Check out these two posts on Craft Critique to see all the fun Valentine's Day projects:

Post One & Post Two -- see a familiar name on this list? ;)

Monogram Set and more!

This week's Stamp Simply (ssnotime74) is to make monogrammed items. I needed to make some more monogrammed cards for my aunt, so I came up with these:

These are also for Cuttlebug Challenge Be Inspired #18 - shaped cards. And I loved how Dawn embossed kraft cardstock, so I tried that too! Here's a close-up of each card:


It's late, and I need to get up early, so I'll add the recipe for each card tomorrow. I'll also share a quick tutorial on how to make that ribbon flower!

ETA: Here's the recipe!

Stamps: Simply Said (SU), Curlz Monogram set (JustRite)
Paper: Whisper White, Kraft, Blush Blossom, Lovely Lilac (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom, Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow, Lovely Lilac (SU), VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: circle punch, brads (SU), Classic Circles, Labels II, Scalloped Cricles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots, D'Vine Swirls, Birds and Swirls embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), paper piercer (Making Memories), design ruler, Stickles, clear embossing powder (Ranger), dew drops (Robin's Nest), purple ribbon (American Crafts), pearls (Kaiser), yellow ribbon (unknown)

And of course, it's almost Valentine's Day. Chloe and I made cards for her daycare/preschool class and teachers. I helped her with the names on the front:
And she wrote her name on the inside.
Finally, I just had to redo the base of this card (don't laugh Carrie!). I think this looks much better!

Butterfly Award!

The awesome Jill, from inkgenious, gave me a Butterfly Award! It means a lot to me. Jill's was the first craft blog I ever followed, and I think she's super sweet and talented! Thanks Jill :)
I wanted to pass on the love, so here's my nominees:
- Leanne (Crafty Auntie)
- Carrie (Scrapster)
- Chelle (Tales from the Craft Cave)
- Jodi (The Craft Den)
- Carley (Craft Spice)
- Emily Kate (Emily Kate Crafts)
- Lexy (Lexy's Card Blog)

RULES
1) Post the award’s logo on your blog
2) Add the link to the person who nominated you
3) Nominate at least 6 others & post their links.

Hey Chickie

You know when you make a card, and you think it's going great, and then you take a photo and upload it, and realize that it just doesn't look how you thought?

Yeah, this is one of those cards.
I think it's the Cuttlebug smoosh technique that's throwing it off. The ink is a bit uneven. Darn brayer!

Anyway, this is for another challenge from the Papertrey Ink blog: make a card for your best friend. I'm lucky to have several close friends, but I've known my bestest friend for 21 years. We've been through a LOT together. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read this blog, so it should be a surprise (her birthday is in March). The best part is that her nickname is Chickie (or Bird) so this card is perfect!

Aside from the CB smoosh, I tapped the bird stamps with different colours to make the birds pretty. I thought the eyes needed some glittery eyeshadow, and then the feathers of course. A load of bling finishes it off.

Stamps: Bird Assortment (Inkadinkado)
Paper: Whisper White, Gable Green (SU)
Ink: Dark Peony, Lime Pastel, Creamy Brown, Blue Lagoon (ColorBox)
Accessories: scalloped edge punch, rhinestone brads (SU), Birds & Swirls embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), brayer (Speedball), rhinestones (Kaiser), Stickles (Ranger), ribbon (Michael's)

More blog candy!

You could win a stamp set from my Stamp Box! Check out Ally's blog for more details.

Wanna win some ribbon?

Amy Rysavy is giving away a load of ribbon on her blog, Prairie Paper & Ink. Check it out!

I should be in the crafts room, but instead I'm catching up on my blogs. I was up to 300+ unread posts. Oops!

Be Happy

There's a HUGE countdown going on over at Papertrey Ink, complete with loads of prizes, of course. Day six features a colour challenge. If you don't have PTI colours, you can substitute with whatever you do have.

I don't yet have any PTI colours (or stamps!) but I will soon - I can't wait to place my order!
This card also fits with the SCS Limited Supplies challenge #LSC205, Clean and Simple. Yes, I had to do it again!

Sorry the lighting is off, I was trying to capture the embossed lines above and below the sentiment (click on the photo for a better look).

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Everyday Flexible Phrases, So Many Sayings (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip marker (SU), scoring blade (Fiskars)

ps. It's carnival time over at Craft Critique. Check it out!

Nestabilities storage!

Now that I have a few sets of Nestabilities, I needed a way to store them. After browsing SCS for a bit, I decided CD cases were the easiest way.
A couple strips of magnet (bought years ago at Michael's - it comes in a large roll) and each case holds two sets. I made labels for the spines of the cases.

I store the CD cases in my Cuttlebug box, which slides neatly underneath that little hutch on my desk.

You can see the box also houses my embossing folders, dies, plates, and rubber gaskets (from Home Hardware - for embossing with Nesties).

Thinking of You - Clean and Simple

This is for the SCS Limited Supplies challenge #LSC205, Clean and Simple.
Notice anything different?

There is NO stamping on this card! It took literally minutes to make (maybe two?). Check out the ingredients:

Stamps: none
Paper: none
Ink: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: rub-ons (SU), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Crazy, right? I actually debated the rhinestones, but decided it needed just a little something to add some glitz.

Modifying stamp sets

If you're a Stampin' Up customer, you probably have this set, So Many Sayings. It's three groups of sayings, all piled up, with three large blocks.

As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to separate the sayings, to make them much easier to use. I'd heard of people mounting them on dominoes, but I decided to just mount them with EZMount. I've had this set sitting (unmounted) on my shelf for many months, just waiting to be used. I want to make some Valentine's Day cards for Chloe, and there are some great sentiments in this set. So I decided it was time to do it!
I decided to use the thin EZMount, and cut out each saying. By the end, my cuts weren't so straight, but I can live with that ;)

Now when I need a sentiment, I just grab one of my acrylic blocks and stamp away!

I'm now thinking of unmounting my wheeled stamps...of course, that will probably take another year!

Birthday Cake Cheers

It's only been three days, yet it feels like I haven't crafted in weeks!

I just bought a Martha Stewart butterfly punch, so I knew I wanted to use it on a card. This weeks' Mojo Monday sketch #71 was the perfect opportunity. I combined it with this week's Color Throwdown combination #27, which is Real Red, Basic Black, and Brocade Blue.
The only Brocade Blue I have is the grosgrain ribbon (I have almost no supplies in the Rich Regals family - just Taken with Teal and So Saffron!), so I cheated and used the Bashful Blue side of the Summer Picnic DSP.

The frilly border from Smells Like Cake reminds me of a lace curtain, so I imagined the main image as a window display at a cake store. I briefly thought about covering it with a sheet of transparent paper, but didn't think it would work.

I added lots of Stickles (on the cakes and the frilly border), some Crystal Effects (on the cake toppers), and coloured the top of each cake with my white Glaze pen from Sakura. Both are hard to see in the photo. And there's the butterfly, fluttering by the store window ;)

Stamps: Lots of Thoughts (SU), Smells Like Cake (The Cats Pajamas)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black cardstock, Summer Picnic DSP (SU)
Ink: Real Red (SU), Noir Black (Palette)
Accessories: Black journalling marker, Pure Color pencils, Crystal Effects, Blue Brocade grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" square punch (SU), 1 1/2" scalloped square punch (EK Success), Stickles (Ranger), rhinestones (Hero Arts), butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), white Glaze pen (Sakura), pencil crayons (Media)

Cherry Blossoms

Another card for the latest OCC sketch. I had this idea before I made the other one, but wanted to use my JustRite stamps first. Anyway, I'm glad I let it sit for a day, I had the idea to use DSP instead of just cardstock. Again, this is made with all scraps!

I used my Nesties to cut out the circles, then cut a strip out on each side. I inked the cherry blossoms in Purely Pomegrante, then used a wet Q-Tip to clean the branches, before I colored them with the Chocolate Chip marker. I've done a similar technique with this stamp before, but instead used my Blender Pen to clean the branches. I'd rather use the Q-Tip, as I hate wasting the Blender Pens! I saw the Q-Tip idea on Jennifer's blog.

I made another PolyShrink charm. This time I cut out the scalloped circle with my Nesties, stamped the flower, punched the small hole, and shrank it with my heat gun. I attached it with a jump ring.

I added some Dew Drops for shine, as well as Crystal Effects on each flower.

I'm trying to do something on the inside of each card. For this one, I simply stamped the cherry blossoms on the inside.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms (SU)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock, Purely Pomegrante textured, Bali Breeze DSP (SU)
Ink: Purely Pomegrante (SU), Timber Brown Staz-On (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip marker (SU), CB (Provocraft), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), white Glaze pen (Sakura), white ribbon (Offray), PolyShrink (Lucky Squirrel), jump ring (unknown)

Thank you, friend

This is for the latest OCC sketch. I knew right away that I wanted to use my new JustRite stamps, and decided to make a monogrammed card for my aunt. I also challenged myself to use only scraps, as my scraps drawer is getting quite full!
I realize it ended up simple, but I'm trying to choose something I can replicate, as I want to make her a little gift set.

I am in LOVE with the Small Letter set from JustRite. Here I made the "Thank you, friend * I appreciate it*" sentiment. Can you imagine all the possiblities?

Stamps: Curlz Monogram, Small Letter (JustRite)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Blue Bayou, Whisper White cardstock, Soft Sky textured (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky (SU)
Accessories: 1 1/4, 1 3/8 circle punch (SU), Perfect Paisley, Swiss Dots embossing folders, CB (Provocraft), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), flowers (Prima), pearls (Kaiser)

Organizing ribbon

Remember this? I have a fair bit of ribbon, but lots of short pieces and really long rolls (like the SU grosgrain!).

I've finally come up with a way to organize my ribbon that works:(click on the photos to see a larger view)

The black "hook" things (there's two of them there) and the wood shelves are from Ikea. I bought those hooks a good 10 years ago (yowza!) and the wood shelves at least four years ago. So it pays to be a packrat!

For my shorter bits of ribbon, I used office binder clips. Of course they're in Roy G Biv (aka. rainbow) order. The last two are "misc" themes, and the very last one is all Christmas/Winter. I've also got my twine hooked on, still in the bag (it's just easier to leave it that way).
For my spools of ribbon, I was happy to discover that most fit in these shelves. The larger ones sit on top, which is good enough! I started unrolling my SU ribbon onto the smaller Michael's ribbon spools, but there's just way too much SU ribbon on a roll! So I just leave them there. (again, Roy G Biv order - I can't help it!)
I guess my advice is to look at what you have, and use it, rather than jumping right into a purchased item. We all know that I love a good reason to shop, but I'd rather spend my money on pretty paper and fun stamps, not expensive craft storage pieces. Ikea is your friend! ;)

And the winner is...

The winner of the blog candy is:

Chelle said...

Wheee! I'm #1 - errr, the first to comment :D

I've posted on my blog and I've already sent a card to DBU, so I guess count me in x4 please!

January 15, 2009 4:24 AM

Congrats Chelle! I guess there is something to being #1 ;) Send me your address, and I'll mail off the package this weekend.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Can you believe I'm already over 8000 hits?!! I've already started thinking about the 10,000 hits blog candy...