Welcome...
So glad you chose to stop by!
I hope to use this blog to share some of my handmade cards as well as some of my scrapbook pages and maybe a few pics here and there that may or may not make it to a scrapbook page.
Scrapping for me is simply a fun hobby that I don't do often enough. More often than not, I'm a collector of all things scrap... i.e. tools, paper, embellishments...
Now to become motivated... Maybe this blog is just the way to do it...
Enjoy and come back SOON!
Don’t know about any of you, but I’ve got LOADS of supplies that I’ve been stockpiling. Lately, I’ve been making an effort to buy less and use more of what I already have. So for the Card Positioning System (CPS) challenge (#62), I decided to design my card around some ribbon that I’ve had for quite some time. If you haven’t noticed, pretty much all my cards have ribbon (it’s an illness I tell you)…
To match the ribbon, I found some pink, green, and white sheets of cardstock and after a while, one of my Mother’s Day cards was born (gotta make a few more)... I used my Cuttlebug for embossing and an emery board to sand the green cardstock. An emery board you say… Well, umm, yeah, it’s what I had on hand… Not a “proper” distressing tool…, but it works (and it’s cheap).
Oh yeah, and if you haven’t noticed, I ALSO use rhinestones a LOT… That’s because I kept buying and buying but never using so I have quite a supply… Expect to see rhinestones OFTEN…
Well that’s it for now… I kept it simple; I’ve got one less Mother’s Day card to make; I’m reducing inventory AND I’m having a great time! For me, that’s a winning combination…
Challenge complete…
Enjoy…
Well, I had some scraps of paper left from a birthday card that I recently created so I put them to good use. Again, I decided to participate in the CPS Sketch weekly challenge. Their sketches are always great and I really love seeing so many different takes on the same design. There’s no right or wrong… It’s simply how you see it… Is that an ideal situation or what?
This is MY take on CPS #61… It’s a fun little thank you card… Hopefully you see a semblance of the sketch in there… :-)
Enjoy…
Ever envision how a project will turn out, but the end result isn’t quite what you planned? Well, that’s my story with the flower card below. Actually this was SUPPOSED to be simple card with a computer generated sentiment mounted on a circle scalloped backround, but ummm, it seems to have turned out to be a flower… That’s because I couldn’t decide what size I wanted to make the background… So after a few iterations of cuts, I "inadvertently" had the layers for a flower. So I distressed each scallop (translation: kept filing until I was satisfied), bent the edges and played with them until they looked extremely worn, added the card base and voila…a flower shaped card… BTW… the colors in the photo are off a bit… The rhinestones are more the color of the card and the sentiment is brown and coral. Oh well, must be my photographic skills or lack thereof…
Anyway, the second card is a simple birthday card with a personalized tag. I guess I was having another case of less is best... Nah that's not exactly true… It's more like, I needed to get this card made AND in the mail and I couldn't come up with another design at the moment... Get this... First my friends were just asking me to make the cards for them, now I’m being asked to mail it for them too…!!! Ummm, anything else while you're making demands???
Enjoy...
I love the Card Positioning System (CPS) sketches. So much so that you can always find me lurking around to see what the extremely talented folk are doing… Rarely or I should say NEVER do I join in on the fun. But today, I decided to jump right in and follow the crowd.
I had a great time with this one. I will definitely join in more often.
Digital Elements: Paper -- Damask Dream Dots & Kim Christensen Thrift Chic
Physical Elements: Ribbon & Heidi Swapp Bling…
Enjoy…
I'm such a procrastinator... Julie issued this challenge a couple of weeks ago, but it was due today... Guess when I got started...? You're 100% accurate if you guessed today... But that's not important... The important thing is that I met the deadline... There's got to be some kind of reward for being on time, right?
Anyway... Julie provided a sketch for the challenge, with an additional requirement... We had to use the clipboard from the Cricut Fabulous Finds cartridge.
This LO is of me w/ a couple of my friends. I chose to title the LO "FRIEND" and use word strips with a mnemonic for FRIEND --- Frank, Reliable, Inspiring, Emotional, Nurturing, Dependable...
My required clipboard contains my friend "to do" list: 1. Call to say "hi", 2. Share a Laugh & 3. Repeat 1 & 2 often.
Also got a chance to use some red crystal swirls... Must have bling...
Well, as for this challenge I'm present and accounted for!!! - NEXT!!!
Enjoy...
I explained in a previous post that I’m often (and happily so) a one stop card shop for some of my friends.
So this card is per my friend Kim’s request. She wanted to send a friendship card to her best friend, Angie, who is away proudly serving our country!!! Not a problem, EXCEPT for the addendum to Kim’s card request… Well, she asked that I try and incorporate a picture of Angie (in uniform) and Kim’s cutie pie little boy Joseph somewhere in or on the card…
So I said SURE I can do that… Then I panicked because... ummm… I’ve never done that…
Anyway, the finished product is below. Isn’t Joseph a cutie??? He’s no stranger to the camera. As a matter of fact he’s got his very own blog with plenty more pics and videos… You can read the Joseph Chronicles (all 7 months of them) HERE…
So Kim, this card is from me 2 u --- 2 her… Hope U (plural) like it!
Enjoy…
Well I guess I’m always adding flowers to my cards so my mood is not extremely surprising… BUT, with the arrival of Spring, I thought I’d add some really colorful flowers for a change.
The first card is for my mother. It’s very basic, but I think it’s pretty elegant too… That’s because I made the card with my mother's personality in mind… She’s definitely not one for excess... A simplistic elegance is always in order as far as my mother is concerned… So I took a little textured paper, scored it twice, embossed the top then added flowers and the "HAPPY BIRTHDAY & LOVE" sentiments... Then I was DONE!!!
As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… So I kept the flower theme going with the shaped “vase & flowers” card. It's a birthday card for a co-worker/friend.
Just FYI... I’m still loving my CDS. I was able to make the shaped card in a flash…
Enjoy…
I love the quote: “God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”
That quote encourages me and this card was made for someone who could use a little spiritual lift. I’ve been in that position a few times myself and the thing that helped me the most was knowing that someone else cared.
Now it’s YOUR turn… Take the time and encourage someone. You just may be their “strength for the day”…
This card was made for a precious little boy who’s been in the world 365 days… that’s all!!! Yep, he turned a year old and is just the cutest bright eyed little boy… Aren’t kids just precious and loveable and deserving of their very own personalized birthday card?
So for this card, I couldn’t resist trying a little more digi paper. How cool is that…? If I don’t have the right colors in stock, I can just surf until I find some that I want… Works for me…
The card was made using a few Cricut Cartridges and I had to rely on my trusted Cricut Design Studio to bring it all together (welded that is…)
Enjoy…
So, I'm always reading scrap related things (magazines, blogs etc...) looking for new things to try. Hybrid Scrapbooking has been on the the list of things to try for a long time... I held off for a while because the idea was a little intimidating... Hybrid scrapbooking is the combination of digital scrapbooking with traditional scrapbooking. Some of the elements are physical and some of the elements are virtual... It's like having the best of both worlds (thx for the title PZ...)
So my first attempt is a hybrid card... Just know this... While creating this card, I spent an awful lot of time in a state of confusion... That's because Adobe PSE is also new to me and this hybrid thing requires the use of layers... Layers in the traditional sense... No problem..., but digital layers... Uh.. OK...
After trial and error (because I hate to read manuals), I have a finished product...
Digital Elements: Black and white dotted paper (way cool...), Swirl brushes (left and right of page), and the friendship quote... (all are either .jpg or .png)... Can't wait to learn how to change the colors... I'll never run out of paper or patterns...
Traditional Elements: White and black polka dot ribbon, paper flowers, and green rhinestones.
The actual card is more vibrant... The picture is a little dull...
Well here's to discovering new techniques... There are some serious digital scrappers out there... I am AMAZED at what they do...
Enjoy...
Since I’ve been making cards, the local Hallmark store or the card section of Wal-Mart is no longer a viable option for some of my friends and relatives. Yeah, very often, I’m an "on demand" one stop card shop of sorts… Can you relate????
So this card is a result of a call from my friend Pam. The call was simple... I answered the phone and she said, “Hey, I need you to make me a thank you card. I’m going to need it by Wednesday... I’ll drop by your house and pick it up.” Of course, I responded to her request with a few sarcastic comments and then I went to work...
That's because I do as I’m asked (most of the time) AND mostly because Pam has been the recipient of more than a few of my last minute requests (especially when a seamstress or culinary whiz was needed).
Anyway, I made a quick and simple card for her coworker... Now maybe I can get back to doing something for me… That is until the next call…
Enjoy…
I know I said that I didn’t want to get into the criss cross card “thing”, but they are just so CUTE! The first time I did a criss cross card was at the suggestion of my friend Karen (via a challenge)… So I thought I’d make it for the sake of the challenge then go back to my standard cards. This Valentine’s Day card (and others on this site) prove that I “kinda sorta” got hooked. And they are SOOOO easy to do. Instructions for making criss cross cards are HERE. Go ahead give it a try. I guarantee you’ll love it…
Enjoy!
When I said that I'd do more window cards, I didn't know myself that it would be so soon. But I'd promised to make a Valentine's card for someone and I needed to get it done quickly. This one came together extremely fast. Maybe I can default to window cards when it absolutely positively has to be done NOW! Got a couple more Valentine's cards to make so duty calls...
Enjoy...
I’m rolling along w/ the 2008 birthday cards. Thought I’d give the welded frame card a try. There’s been much talk on the Cricut Message board about welding inside frames. Sounded like a fun idea to me. And it was!!! The instructions were very easy to follow. There are so many possibilities for this type of card. Stay tuned, there’s certainly more of this kind to come. You know the rest, I’ve said it enough. The card was done using CDS. Sure makes life easier.
Enjoy...
I was asked to make a card for a couple who is getting married on Valentine’s Day. I wanted something simple but elegant. Thx to Cricut Design Studio and the ability to weld from several cartridges, I was able to do exactly what I’d initially envisioned, but I needed a few cartridges to get me to the final product. This was fun to do and the asymmetrical look (which isn’t obvious in the photo) is very different from anything that I’ve done. I think I like it… There will definitely be more of these. I’m always looking for an obsession. I think I have a new one… So out w/ symmetry! Well OK, not totally… But I will try and mix it up a little in the future.
Until next time, Enjoy...
When I happened upon the "Life Is Short" quote, I simply had to use it on one of my birthday cards... Speaking of which, I've completed ALL of my January birthday cards. I really didn't have too many January birthdays, so maybe I'll get a jump start on my February cards... Nah... Too much like the right thing to do... I'll procrastinate... It's so me!!!
Enjoy...
I love this photo of my friend and her daughter! It's a wonderful visual of the love that they share... I like the photo so much that I just had to use it in my latest challenge. The challenge was to create a 12 X 12 layout utilizing at least two patterned papers, a button, flower, ribbon, and the teddy bear from the Cricut DoodleCharms cartridge. Boy, it's been a long time since I created a layout... I'm a little rusty, but I met the challenge criteria and I've contributed a page for JuliAna's scrapbook... Two birds/one stone... On to the next challenge...
Enjoy...
Coming up w/ the style for this card was easy because the recipient put in their request a long time ago... Not a problem... It was pretty cool not having to think about it... Hope it meets expectations...
Enjoy...
My goal for 2007 was to make all of my birthday cards... I accomplished my goal and I'm proud, but now what???? I certainly can't default to purchasing bday cards again... And so the cylce repeats... Here's bday card #1 for 2008...
This is a basic card w/ scallops... I love scalloped paper... And I made the scallops myself thanks to the Cricut Design Studio software... No need to purchase scalloped paper again... I can now have it on demand - in any color!
Enjoy!
Well, the challenges keep rolling in. I must admit, I'm really grateful for the challenges because they make me stretch creatively. And this one was definitely a stretch. We were to make a 5 X7 romantic or nostalgic card. That was it. Seems simple, but it was hard for me. Initially, I couldn't come up w/ anything, but thanks to my desire to play with my new Cricut Design Studio software, I was able to make a card that wasn't the regular square or rectangular shape. How awesome to be able to make a card in ANY shape!!! Not only that... I was able to use two different carts and weld shapes and fonts then cut as one piece. This could be so much fun... Anyway, to build on the romantic theme, I made a heart shaped card. The closed and open views of the card are pictured below...
Enjoy!
I needed to get a card in the mail really quick so I made this card. Used my faithful Wild Asparagus paper and threw in a large Bazzill flower to add some umph! No time for other embellishments... I simply dug out my "Thinking of You" stamp and called it DONE!
Enjoy...
My girlfriend, Carol, got the bright idea to issue a New Year's card challenge. Ummm, this one was really a challenge because I've never bought, received, or even thought about sending a New Years card... The other requirement was the card dimensions. The card had to be 4 X 9.25 or 9.25 X 4 depending on the orientation. So here's my feeble attempt. I figured a New Year's card should be festive so I cut some party hats (that strangely resemble a dress) from my Cricut Celebrations cartridge. I added some bling in the form of pink rhinestones and a bit of glitter around the Happy New Year title... That's all I got... It's gonna have to do...
Enjoy...
Here's a fun card that I did for a contest at one of the local scrapbook stores in my area. It was fun to break out the glitter, paint, and Heidi Swap bling. With all of the new Cricut cartridges, I'd forgotten all of the nice shapes that are on the Christmas Cheer cartridge! Gotta love that stocking...
Enjoy...
My friends and I are loving our personal challenges to each other. We decided to do a card based on a predefined sketch. The sketch we used is CPS #38. You can find this and many more sketches on the Card Positioning System website... Here's my take... My girlfriends Carol, Karen, and Juliet also came up with some beautiful creations.
This challenge was fun... Loved playing with my Heidi Swap Bling and my Stickles...
The CPS sketch is below...
On to the next challenge... Oh yeah got to get to the rest of those bday cards too...
Enjoy...
The chorus to one of those oldies but goodies was playing in my head, so I turned it into a birthday card...
So far I've achieved a 100% success rate on my goal to make all of my birthday cards this year. I've got a few more for November, but I'll get them done.
Here's a card that I made for my cousin. I hope she likes it... And I hope she understands that I didn't know that the teal thread would blend w/ the paisley print so much that it would barely be noticeable... *** Note to self *** - Sewing enhances... Get darker / heavier thread for future stitching jobs... *** End Note *** Oh well, she's got great eyes, the stitching will be obvious to her...
On to the next group of cards.. Enjoy...
Well, I was slow to join the Criss Cross Craze, but alas, I'm here! I didn't want to do a criss cross card, but I didn't want to pass on the challenge issued by my friend Karen. I'm sure this is the first challenge of many. Albeit, I got to this point kicking and screaming, I admit that I had a great time with this challenge. I will definitely do more cards like this...
So Karen, here it is... On to the next challenge...
Enjoy...
...and make it chartreuse... Here's a nice friendship/birthday card that I made. I love brown mixed with just about any bright color; hence my choice of the green/brown paper and the flower. The paper is from CTMH and the flower is Petaloo. I also made a matching envelope. Enjoy...
My girlfriend and her family FINALLY got all moved in to their beautiful new home. Take it from someone who's done it a couple of times..., moving is EXHAUSTING!!! So to celebrate with them (and to use some of my Wild Asparagus paper stash), I decided to make a card... I'm soooo happy for them!
