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!
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!
And it should definitely be celebrated... with Basic Grey!!! The paper used on this card is from the Basic Grey "Scarlet's Letter" collection. I had mixed emotions about buying that collection, but I am pretty pleased with this card...
Lordy, Lordy, between the paper packs, individual sheets, and the monthly kits, I'm experiencing paper overload... Yet, I keep on buying... It's an illness I'm sure...
Anyway, I made this simple wedding card for one of the ladies at my church...
I'm in love with the colors pink and black... As if you couldn't tell by the colors on this site.
This card was made for my coworker, Terrie. Terrie paints some of the most beautiful pictures. And every now and then, she'll randomly give out some of her hand-made cards. I thought I'd return the favor. Terrie was really pleased. Glad I could return the favor and brighten her day...
This card was made for my friend Karen. Karen is such a girly girl who enjoys receiving hand-made cards almost as much as she likes making them. Kay is always doing something "scrap-related"... Check out Karen's Blog to see her lovely creations.
Anyway, I wanted to make a really pretty girly card for her. Here it is...
Yep, seems there have been a lot of birthdays lately. I made this birthday card for my Aunt Faye. She's such a sweetie and very appreciative too. Don't you just love people who are satisfied with the simple things???
BTW, this card is totally scraplifted from my friend Karen... You can check out her fabulous cards and layouts here... Thx for the inspiration Karen...
Oh yeah, gotta love this paper by "My Mind's Eye"... Well, duty calls. Got many more cards to make. Will post some old ones really soon as well.
I've really enjoyed making cards. This year one of my goals was to make all of my birthday cards. I've done well with making the cards, but I sometimes forget to take photos. In this case I remembered.
Both cards are for two of my best girlfriends. The first one was made with beautiful Anna Griffin paper. The bottom card is Crate paper (I think...). Tags were done with the Cricut and a personal message was put on both...
My girlfriend's daughter turned 3 recently. This is the card that I made for her. The scallop and bear were cut with the Cricut Expression. Plantain Schoolbook and Doodlecharms cartridges were used.
As much as I liked making the card, I'm pretty sure JuliAna was more concerned about her gift... That's a 3 year old for ya!
