I noted the sketch below . . . and rather than one circle decoration, I did a few hearts aligned diagonally . . . my own twist on a the sketch, I guess.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Unity Stamp Kit of the Month Sketch
I used the May Stamp set to create a card using this months sketch. Using Bazzill white cardstock, Memory Box pattern paper, Stampin' Up Ribbon, and scraps of additional Bazzill. I used the sheet music stamp, which has the hearth embedded in the image with the words "my heart sings." But then I stamped the image on the pattern paper a few times and on my coordinating red card stock once and cut those images. It's nothing fancy . . . but it sends a message.
I noted the sketch below . . . and rather than one circle decoration, I did a few hearts aligned diagonally . . . my own twist on a the sketch, I guess.
I noted the sketch below . . . and rather than one circle decoration, I did a few hearts aligned diagonally . . . my own twist on a the sketch, I guess.
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Stitch in Time
Anyone who really knows my sewing abilities over the last several years knows that I am the queen of unfinished projects. I have a long list of unfinished quilts (just ask my daughter, Kelly), and a long list of projects waiting to be started and added to the unfinished list. And so I thought I was out of my mind when some friends said, let's make a wine tote/lunch bag, and I said yes. It was a class being offered locally, but that usually doesn't stop me from not finishing the project. I usually leave with unfinished items, and that's usually where the story ends.
But . . . this time I stitched in time!
I always pick out fabric with high hopes. Then when I cut, I think . . . "what was I thinking."
There was something in the air yesterday. It was a banner day. A project started on Saturday (with laminating and cutting in preparation for the class) and finished on Sunday. O.K., so it was just a little lunch bag. But it has a zipper . . . and some "holders" on the inside for a bottle/can and utensils. And in the end . . . it's transporting lunch . . . nothing more . . . nothing less.
Loved the bag . . . the lemon Chobani . . . not so much!
But . . . this time I stitched in time!
I always pick out fabric with high hopes. Then when I cut, I think . . . "what was I thinking."
This day was no different. I didn't like the direction of the fabric and was worried it was going to be a bad scene in the end. I was fretting over the fact that I had laminated the inside pieces, but left the outside pieces unlaminated (which I don't think is a word).
But putting that aside, My first pieces to make were the holders inside the bag. I was upset that the words went horizontal on the short sides, but vertical on the long sides (who made up this pattern?). Eh . . . not my fault.
But as I started piecing it together . . . the pieces that were just fabric and interfacing and laminate and zippers and thread came together in the end . . . (although sorry to say there was a bit of swearing), numerous missed stitches and scrunched up areas (that's like my signature on things I sew).
Horizontal or vertical . . . my fabrics came together quite nicely (what the heck did I do all that worrying about). And check out the end of the zipper (where it stops) and the little zipper pull!
There was something in the air yesterday. It was a banner day. A project started on Saturday (with laminating and cutting in preparation for the class) and finished on Sunday. O.K., so it was just a little lunch bag. But it has a zipper . . . and some "holders" on the inside for a bottle/can and utensils. And in the end . . . it's transporting lunch . . . nothing more . . . nothing less.
Loved the bag . . . the lemon Chobani . . . not so much!
Peachy Keen Stamps : Sketch Challenge 54
I hadn't done a challenge in quite a while, and so it was time to sit down and get a little something going. And so I realized I had a few hours before the deadline on Peachy Keen Stamps Sketch Challenge #54. I just did a bit of a quarter turn on the sketch, and there was my little card.
To my Peachy Keen Stamp I added some cardstock and pattern paper from my stash . . . some ribbon, a button and a flower . . . and my Copics . . . Done!
To my Peachy Keen Stamp I added some cardstock and pattern paper from my stash . . . some ribbon, a button and a flower . . . and my Copics . . . Done!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Meet "Buzz" Lightyear . . . the "Paws" that came with Accessories
What can be said about this little guy?
This little boy puppy came into the world as a little tiny guy. He is Samantha's brother (you met Sam, she was the first paw). His mom was a Shih Tsu; his dad was a Chihuahua. Samantha came to live with us, and he went to live with some other people (kind of how Snoopy went to live with Charlie Brown, and Spike went somewhere else). They named him Buzz Lightyear.
And so it was that a year and a half later those other people said, "Hey . . . would you watch our dog while we go on vacation?" And so we did. But we soon learned that his little guy was NOT a people person. He also was NOT a dog person. In fact, the only creatures in our house that he remotely identified with was our cats. This little guy had clearly gotten his dad's Chihuahua frame, weighing about nine pounds (his sister weighed in at 16-18 pounds, and clearly got mom's Shih Tsu frame). You couldn't touch him. You couldn't hold him. If he was sitting in his little dog bed (and he was always sitting in his little dog bed), you couldn't put your hand over the edge of the dog bed. It was as though there was an invisible wall, and if your hand penetrated it, he would lash out at you. We would tell Samantha, "That's your little brother." She was not impressed.
When the people came back from vacation and took their little dog, the saddest person in the house was the man of the house . . . the guy who didn't want anymore animals in the house. He fell in love with that dysfunctional little dog. He asked me to try and get the dog back. Everyone thought the dog was likely mistreated, as he appeared to have been abused. I did nothing. And then a few days later, the people said . . . "Hey, did you like him? Do you want him." And that's how Buzz came to be a Bonczek.
When Buzz came to stay "for keeps," he came with a bed, a collar, a blanket, lots of toys, a leash, some food and some treats. The joke was that he was the only pet we got that came with his own accessories.
Truth be told, the little guy had problems. BIG problems. He clearly thought he was a cat, and our vet insisted he showed signs of abuse. If you raised your hand, he flinched. He would yelp if you brushed past him. He didn't want to socialize, except with the cats. He didn't want to be touched. He didn't want to move (too much). He just wanted to hide under blankets in a crate until it was time to eat, take care of his business, or give a kitty a little head butt. In order to force him to socialize, we took away the one thing that he loved . . . his crate. It was like his little man cave, and if he was going to become a member of the family, it had to go! It took this dog nearly two years to move outside of the kitchen/family room area under his own power. If you held him, he would spring off of you like a flea.
At eleven years old, he can be a bossy little guy (to some of us). He does as he pleases for the most part. He enjoys an occasional car ride (loves to look out the window). He will come to you for a little ear scratching. He will climb on you to deliver a few quick licks.
Buzz loves to play with his toy, Bobo. There have been many Bobo's that Buzz has loved to death. In fact, if you look at the photo above, Buzz is sitting next to his Christmas Bobo (brand spanking new on December 25, 2009), while his former Bobo sits on top of a book titled, "Loved to Death." If you look closely, you can still make out the smiling teeth on his old pink Bobo atop the book. The book is about dog toys that have been loved to death by their owners. Hmmm . . . how appropriate.
In the photo below, you see Buzz with Christmas Bobo again . . . it's just that Christmas Bobo has become a bit of a shell of his former self. He still has his head . . . and there is a new Bobo (a larger yellow one) waiting for it's turn to be loved to death.
He's still a little odd, but we tell him all the time . . . "Buzz, your a real dog now."
And he believes it! He believes almost everything we say.
This little boy puppy came into the world as a little tiny guy. He is Samantha's brother (you met Sam, she was the first paw). His mom was a Shih Tsu; his dad was a Chihuahua. Samantha came to live with us, and he went to live with some other people (kind of how Snoopy went to live with Charlie Brown, and Spike went somewhere else). They named him Buzz Lightyear.
And so it was that a year and a half later those other people said, "Hey . . . would you watch our dog while we go on vacation?" And so we did. But we soon learned that his little guy was NOT a people person. He also was NOT a dog person. In fact, the only creatures in our house that he remotely identified with was our cats. This little guy had clearly gotten his dad's Chihuahua frame, weighing about nine pounds (his sister weighed in at 16-18 pounds, and clearly got mom's Shih Tsu frame). You couldn't touch him. You couldn't hold him. If he was sitting in his little dog bed (and he was always sitting in his little dog bed), you couldn't put your hand over the edge of the dog bed. It was as though there was an invisible wall, and if your hand penetrated it, he would lash out at you. We would tell Samantha, "That's your little brother." She was not impressed.
When the people came back from vacation and took their little dog, the saddest person in the house was the man of the house . . . the guy who didn't want anymore animals in the house. He fell in love with that dysfunctional little dog. He asked me to try and get the dog back. Everyone thought the dog was likely mistreated, as he appeared to have been abused. I did nothing. And then a few days later, the people said . . . "Hey, did you like him? Do you want him." And that's how Buzz came to be a Bonczek.
When Buzz came to stay "for keeps," he came with a bed, a collar, a blanket, lots of toys, a leash, some food and some treats. The joke was that he was the only pet we got that came with his own accessories.
Truth be told, the little guy had problems. BIG problems. He clearly thought he was a cat, and our vet insisted he showed signs of abuse. If you raised your hand, he flinched. He would yelp if you brushed past him. He didn't want to socialize, except with the cats. He didn't want to be touched. He didn't want to move (too much). He just wanted to hide under blankets in a crate until it was time to eat, take care of his business, or give a kitty a little head butt. In order to force him to socialize, we took away the one thing that he loved . . . his crate. It was like his little man cave, and if he was going to become a member of the family, it had to go! It took this dog nearly two years to move outside of the kitchen/family room area under his own power. If you held him, he would spring off of you like a flea.
At eleven years old, he can be a bossy little guy (to some of us). He does as he pleases for the most part. He enjoys an occasional car ride (loves to look out the window). He will come to you for a little ear scratching. He will climb on you to deliver a few quick licks.
Buzz loves to play with his toy, Bobo. There have been many Bobo's that Buzz has loved to death. In fact, if you look at the photo above, Buzz is sitting next to his Christmas Bobo (brand spanking new on December 25, 2009), while his former Bobo sits on top of a book titled, "Loved to Death." If you look closely, you can still make out the smiling teeth on his old pink Bobo atop the book. The book is about dog toys that have been loved to death by their owners. Hmmm . . . how appropriate.
In the photo below, you see Buzz with Christmas Bobo again . . . it's just that Christmas Bobo has become a bit of a shell of his former self. He still has his head . . . and there is a new Bobo (a larger yellow one) waiting for it's turn to be loved to death.
He's still a little odd, but we tell him all the time . . . "Buzz, your a real dog now."
And he believes it! He believes almost everything we say.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
CRUMPLE Your Stress Away!
What can relieve stress better than crumpling up some paper, and doing a little paper crafting at the same time? So here is my recipe for relieving stress (and it's short of doing anything that will have you behind bars, which is great).
So you take several different sizes of flower dies that can be layered (such as the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, and you use various pattern papers to cut them out. I used Anna Griffin's beautiful Fifi and Fido line, which is not just for your dogs and cats alone (although I think my dog can read as she is glaring at me for not creating layouts with her in mind). Seriously though, this stuff is beautiful, and still available at my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co. as is that Tattered Florals die.
So . . . after you cut those flowers, you imagine they are the person who is causing you the most angst . . . the bill collectors . . . the loser who cut you off on the highway . . . and you crush them. You totally CRUMPLE the CRAP out of them.
O.K. . . . then you uncrumple them (which I'll admit put some of the stress back into me, so you may want to grab a glass of wine for this part). Then you layer with a brad. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!
Then you get some cardstock, some ribbon and you create a little something bigger to put them on.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tooty Fruity w/Unity
Mmmmm . . . summer fruits! I haven't really had any summer fruits, but I did take the time to make myself some strawberries for a little card for the Unity Challenge, Tooty Fruity! My recipe:
Bazzill cardstock for card base (red)
Bazzill cardstock for mat (black)
Bo Bunny Dot Paper (green)
White Sketch Paper
Copic Markers
Ribbon from stash (red)
Scallop Punch
Black Pearls
Unity Stamps . . . April 2010 Kit of the Month and April 2011 Kit of the Month
Just talking about it makes me want to get me a shiny berry or two from my local market.
Bazzill cardstock for card base (red)
Bazzill cardstock for mat (black)
Bo Bunny Dot Paper (green)
White Sketch Paper
Copic Markers
Ribbon from stash (red)
Scallop Punch
Black Pearls
Unity Stamps . . . April 2010 Kit of the Month and April 2011 Kit of the Month
Just talking about it makes me want to get me a shiny berry or two from my local market.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Out of Boundaries
I'm stepping a little out of my comfort zone on this one . . . trying to put together a Sketch Class for my LSS, NESC. Everyone will get some pattern paper, some cardstock, some ribbon and sketches. We'll maybe add some die cuts from my private stash and some stamping. We will do at least two layouts, and maybe a project or card or two. One layout is done . . . another will be coming . . . and this is just a snapshot of the lower right section of a page we'll be doing . . .
Hmmm . . . I've got some more creating to do for sure!
Hmmm . . . I've got some more creating to do for sure!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Cottage Blog Challenge #1
Another day, and another challenge. The very first Cottage Blog Challenge . . . which had me so excited I think my head was spinning a bit. The challenge was to be inspired by a specific photo posted on their blog which I have linked HERE . . . it was a photo of beautiful pink flowers, with a blue background. Interesting that my eye caught the pink flowers immediately, and headed me straight to my "Sweetpea Seeds" die.
I used some Little Yellow Bicycle Paper as my background, proving that you can use a scallop cut background paper on a card for a really nice effect. I added some shimmering white ribbon to one side, and then went to work on my seed packet. I cut the packet in a light brown cardstock and inked with brown. Then I cut the Sweetpea Seeds pieces in white and used markers to color. I am truly amazed at what a great job markers do on die cuts . . . the more I practice the technique, the more I like it. While I had to keep the green in for the flowers, I pulled the blue background into the lettering on the packet.
Great inspiration! I am really looking forward to their next challenge.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Whimsical Wednesday - Back to Basics Challenge
I am still not challenged out, I am just enjoying creativity to the max! I have been super-creative this weekend working on some items for an upcoming class, designing for "The Company Kit" (my LSS's store kit), and trying my hand at some challenges I saw on the web. What's been great is that I'm actually using my stash . . . and I've been pulling out tools I've not used in quite some time . . . embossing powder, heat gun, stamps, inks . . . I feel creatively productive for a change.
And so I finally get to try my hand at one of the Whimsical Wednesday Challenge which was "Back to Basics." The challenge was to create a card/project that was "Cricutless" (not a problem because I don't use my Cricut often enough). We also needed to use some type of "old school" embellishment.
Well, you can't get much more old school then paper, ribbon, rubber stamp, ink, markers and staples. In fact . . . let's talk about the stapler. I was the kid in the family who always hogged the family stapler back in the 70's. I would make staple designs in paper . . . and get in trouble for using too many staples. I think I was in heaven when I bought not just my very own stapler for my little white desk in my bedroom, but a whole entire box of staples just for me! And I think I was in heaven the day staplers entered the world of scrapbooking . . . I was using them way back in the day!
So that's what I went for . . .
These challenges are keeping me hopping (ha . . . little frog in the card . . . hopping . . . get it?).
And so I finally get to try my hand at one of the Whimsical Wednesday Challenge which was "Back to Basics." The challenge was to create a card/project that was "Cricutless" (not a problem because I don't use my Cricut often enough). We also needed to use some type of "old school" embellishment.
Well, you can't get much more old school then paper, ribbon, rubber stamp, ink, markers and staples. In fact . . . let's talk about the stapler. I was the kid in the family who always hogged the family stapler back in the 70's. I would make staple designs in paper . . . and get in trouble for using too many staples. I think I was in heaven when I bought not just my very own stapler for my little white desk in my bedroom, but a whole entire box of staples just for me! And I think I was in heaven the day staplers entered the world of scrapbooking . . . I was using them way back in the day!
So that's what I went for . . .
These challenges are keeping me hopping (ha . . . little frog in the card . . . hopping . . . get it?).
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge
And yes . . . another challenge for the day . . . getting in under the wire on the Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge - Sketch #52 which is to create a card based on the provided sketch . . .
O.K. . . I had way to much fun with this one! I used some scrap paper I found in my stash, and matched my flower to the flower in the print of the paper (if you look close, there are little tiny daisies.
My die cuts all started white, and I colored them with markers. I am suddenly in love with cutting all white and coloring with whatever I have on hand . . . and this time it was my Copic Markers.
I have repeatedly said that I need to use those Peachy Keen stamps more often because they really do make me smile!
O.K. . . I had way to much fun with this one! I used some scrap paper I found in my stash, and matched my flower to the flower in the print of the paper (if you look close, there are little tiny daisies.
My die cuts all started white, and I colored them with markers. I am suddenly in love with cutting all white and coloring with whatever I have on hand . . . and this time it was my Copic Markers.
I have repeatedly said that I need to use those Peachy Keen stamps more often because they really do make me smile!
The Scraproom May Word Challenge . . . PARTY
Another May Challenge from The Scraproom! The challenge was to use product from their May kit and use the word "party" somewhere on the layout.
A few old photos I found of my girls hanging out together and with some friends . . .
A few old photos I found of my girls hanging out together and with some friends . . .
The Scraproom May Sketch Challenge - THE BOSS
The Scraproom has a monthly sketch challenge, and while I don't get all of their kits, I was given a series of months as a gift. I decided to participate in a few of their challenges . . . nothing like trying to get some of my photos into a scrapbook!
In November of 2009, my husband and I spent the weekend at a gorgeous hotel in New York City. We had tickets to a New York Ranger game . . . wandered the city all weekend . . . and we even took a little jaunt over to Hoboken, New Jersey . . . home of Carlo's Bakery . . . where TLC's Cake Boss is filmed. I was super excited to have the chance to meet Buddy and have my photo taken with him. What a great trip. So the papers in the May Kit, from Jillibean Soup, were perfect for a little layout of our trip.
Here is the layout . . .
And here is the sketch . . .
And I even created a second page for the additional photos that we took on that day.
What a yummy journey!
June Company Kit . . . Scrapping Summer Memories
I created a little something for the June Company Kit from my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co. They put out a new "Company Kit" each month . . . coordinating patterned papers, cardstock, ribbon, and embellishments . . . and their designers make all sorts of layouts, cards, and 3-D artsy things to inspire. They also have an add-on kit to stretch out your creativity. June will be our sixth one, which is pretty exciting . . . especially since the May Company Kit is SOLD OUT!
June's kit will be full of summer paper and embellishments. I created two layouts . . . here is just one of them . . .
And then I created a couple of cards, and here is just one of them . . .
And with even more product remaining, I made a little 4 1/2 x 6 1/2" book . . . but I forgot to take a photo of the little bugger!
Matchy, matchy product that comes in a box . . . what can be better? Check out the photo gallery at:
Monday, May 23, 2011
Rain, Rain . . . Go Away
I normally like a rainy day once in a while, but lately it's been about the rain every single day. Seems appropriate that I post my Spring Rain layout which was a Designer Series Kit that I put together for my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co. I designed it way before the rains came . . . perhaps it was a sign. I do believe in signs.
So what's the movie that talks about believing in signs? Anyone?
The main character in the movie gives a speech to her mom about how she doesn't believe in signs, and moments later goes to hug her mom and rips the wedding gown she is trying on and says . . . "It's a sign." to which her mom replies, "You don't believe in signs."
It's one of my favorite movies! It is also a movie that is plagued with much rain . . . taking place in three locations . . . Baltimore, Chicago and Seattle . . . "It rains nine months a year in Seattle."
And what woman doesn't want to get a diamond ring placed on her finger, hearing those treasured words from her future spouse . . . "It was my grandmother's. I had them size it down. She had really fat fingers."
Indeed . . . Sleepless in Seattle! One of my favorites.
What's that noise out my window . . . more rain! I will go to sleep and dream of the sunshine!
So what's the movie that talks about believing in signs? Anyone?
The main character in the movie gives a speech to her mom about how she doesn't believe in signs, and moments later goes to hug her mom and rips the wedding gown she is trying on and says . . . "It's a sign." to which her mom replies, "You don't believe in signs."
It's one of my favorite movies! It is also a movie that is plagued with much rain . . . taking place in three locations . . . Baltimore, Chicago and Seattle . . . "It rains nine months a year in Seattle."
And what woman doesn't want to get a diamond ring placed on her finger, hearing those treasured words from her future spouse . . . "It was my grandmother's. I had them size it down. She had really fat fingers."
Indeed . . . Sleepless in Seattle! One of my favorites.
What's that noise out my window . . . more rain! I will go to sleep and dream of the sunshine!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Meet Jennyanydots . . . another of the "Paws"
So here is another one of the many "paws" that I scrap . . . Jennyanydots.
Her name comes from the musical, CATS. It was the summer that my oldest daughter, Tracy, was going into 5th grade. She was spending her summer doing youth theater, playing the role of Jennyanydots in CATS. Her sister wanted a new kitten, and a friend had called to say she had a number of feral kittens, and that she had caught one for us. It was a fitting name, as the lyrics go . . .
When the day's hustle and bustle is done
Then the gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun
And when all the family's in bed and asleep
She tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep
And then there is . . .
I have a gumbie cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots
Her equal would be hard to find, she likes the warm and sunny spots
All day she sits beside the hearth or on the bed or on my hat
She sits and sits and sits and sits--and that's what makes a gumbie cat
That's what makes a gumbie cat
Of course, what other name would we choose? Although, truth be told, until we knew for sure that Jennyanydots was a Jennyanydots, a quick vet check-up could have easily made her . . . or perhaps I mean "him" a Mister Mistoffelees.
My daughter is 25 years old, which makes Jennyanydots quite the senior citizen of the household at 15 years old. She has always been an absolute sweet girl, and that has not changed. She has just a squeak of a meow now . . . still likes warm sunny spots . . . and still sits and sits and sits! On those late nights when I am working on some pages or cards, she will venture into my craft room and sit on any box or pile that she can . . . and that is precisely what she is doing in the photo above. Always under my left elbow . . . she sits and sits and sits . . .
That's apparently what makes a gumbie cat!
When the day's hustle and bustle is done
Then the gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun
And when all the family's in bed and asleep
She tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep
And then there is . . .
I have a gumbie cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots
Her equal would be hard to find, she likes the warm and sunny spots
All day she sits beside the hearth or on the bed or on my hat
She sits and sits and sits and sits--and that's what makes a gumbie cat
That's what makes a gumbie cat
Of course, what other name would we choose? Although, truth be told, until we knew for sure that Jennyanydots was a Jennyanydots, a quick vet check-up could have easily made her . . . or perhaps I mean "him" a Mister Mistoffelees.
My daughter is 25 years old, which makes Jennyanydots quite the senior citizen of the household at 15 years old. She has always been an absolute sweet girl, and that has not changed. She has just a squeak of a meow now . . . still likes warm sunny spots . . . and still sits and sits and sits! On those late nights when I am working on some pages or cards, she will venture into my craft room and sit on any box or pile that she can . . . and that is precisely what she is doing in the photo above. Always under my left elbow . . . she sits and sits and sits . . .
That's apparently what makes a gumbie cat!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Challenged by the Challenges
In my quest over the last few weeks to do more challenges, I've gotten myself a bit confused.
You see, I'm a die cut hoarder. I'm a ribbon hoarder. I'm a stamp hoarder. O.K., and then there is the paper and the embellishments. Whatever! I'm a crafter . . . it's what we do.
So here's the deal . . . I was trying to make a card for a challenge, and I seemed to have forgotten who the challenge was with, and I guess I messed up a bit and used the wrong company. And there it is . . . the girl who is about to turn 50 is surely losing her mind.
But it's a great card . . . just not challenge worthy of anything on my list of possible challenges at this moment. It was a cross between a challenge for Unity Stamp to emboss something, and then somehow I got it stuck in my head that I was doing something for Cottage Cutz (but it was merely because I was so excited that they just put out their first challenge.
So I did emboss, just used the wrong company.
Recipe . . .
- Bazzill Cardstock and Kaiser Pattern Paper from my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co.
- Sizzix Embossing Folder (leaf print) from my LSS
- American Crafts Ribbon from my LSS
- Cottage Cutz Bug Die Cut w/Peachy Keen Stamped
(I did a heat emboss on the wings . . . so shiny)
- My Creative Time "My Favorite Sayings" for the sentiment
- Ink and Markers . . . whatever you've got (I used Staz-on and Copics)
So fun!
You see, I'm a die cut hoarder. I'm a ribbon hoarder. I'm a stamp hoarder. O.K., and then there is the paper and the embellishments. Whatever! I'm a crafter . . . it's what we do.
So here's the deal . . . I was trying to make a card for a challenge, and I seemed to have forgotten who the challenge was with, and I guess I messed up a bit and used the wrong company. And there it is . . . the girl who is about to turn 50 is surely losing her mind.
But it's a great card . . . just not challenge worthy of anything on my list of possible challenges at this moment. It was a cross between a challenge for Unity Stamp to emboss something, and then somehow I got it stuck in my head that I was doing something for Cottage Cutz (but it was merely because I was so excited that they just put out their first challenge.
So I did emboss, just used the wrong company.
Recipe . . .
- Bazzill Cardstock and Kaiser Pattern Paper from my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co.
- Sizzix Embossing Folder (leaf print) from my LSS
- American Crafts Ribbon from my LSS
- Cottage Cutz Bug Die Cut w/Peachy Keen Stamped
(I did a heat emboss on the wings . . . so shiny)
- My Creative Time "My Favorite Sayings" for the sentiment
- Ink and Markers . . . whatever you've got (I used Staz-on and Copics)
So fun!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Meet One of the Paws
I have this blog called Paws to Scrap . . . because I love to scrapbook my pets. But I rarely post pictures of my pet layouts these days, and lately I rarely scrapbook my own photos. I'm in this sort of "card challenge mode."
So I decided that it is ridiculous that I never post my pets on the blog, I don't know why because they are so much a part of my life (enough so that I included the word "paws" in my blog title). I will introduce my little four-legged friends one at a time, starting with my bestie . . . Samantha.
Meet Samantha!
Samantha is a cross between a shih tsu and a chihuahua. She came to our family as my daughter's birthday present back in December of 1999, but she ended up as my bestie. That's just how it worked out. She is so smart and personable, and as my husband says, "She believes everything you say." It's true, she really does.
So hard to think of my little "baby girl" as 11 years old. Here is a layout that I created a camping trip we took a few years back. She enjoyed the trip . . . we shared a sleeping bag up in Maine! I think she would rather have been home (in fact, she was a little stressed as we started out the journey in the car).
Still need to finish my journaling on this one. She truly does color my world!
So I decided that it is ridiculous that I never post my pets on the blog, I don't know why because they are so much a part of my life (enough so that I included the word "paws" in my blog title). I will introduce my little four-legged friends one at a time, starting with my bestie . . . Samantha. Meet Samantha!
Samantha is a cross between a shih tsu and a chihuahua. She came to our family as my daughter's birthday present back in December of 1999, but she ended up as my bestie. That's just how it worked out. She is so smart and personable, and as my husband says, "She believes everything you say." It's true, she really does.
So hard to think of my little "baby girl" as 11 years old. Here is a layout that I created a camping trip we took a few years back. She enjoyed the trip . . . we shared a sleeping bag up in Maine! I think she would rather have been home (in fact, she was a little stressed as we started out the journey in the car).
Still need to finish my journaling on this one. She truly does color my world!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Unity Stamp - Kit of the Month Sketch Challenge
Oh Unity Stamp . . . how do I love thee?
All that red rubber in my mailbox each month . . . I look forward to your arrival.
And I love that you're doing a sketch challenge, because I need a good challenge to keep me motivated. And this was a great sketch! I repeat . . . this was a great sketch!
I used the newest set . . . the awesome little city, and then punched with a scallop punch and included the "rise above it all" stamp. I did some matchy, matchy work with some Bazzill Cardstock, Jillibean Soup paper, various markers and baker's twine.
Let me say it again . . . great sketch! Want to see it . . . go to the Unity Blog and check it out!
All that red rubber in my mailbox each month . . . I look forward to your arrival.
And I love that you're doing a sketch challenge, because I need a good challenge to keep me motivated. And this was a great sketch! I repeat . . . this was a great sketch!
I used the newest set . . . the awesome little city, and then punched with a scallop punch and included the "rise above it all" stamp. I did some matchy, matchy work with some Bazzill Cardstock, Jillibean Soup paper, various markers and baker's twine.
Let me say it again . . . great sketch! Want to see it . . . go to the Unity Blog and check it out!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
OWH Sketch Challenge
And so another challenge comes my way . . . a way to use up the many, many scraps that I have in my possession. Operation Write Home has a Sketch Challenge, always a great idea for using up my scraps. You can find more information on their blog. Here is a recent sketch (Sketch #67).
And so I reached for my "Box O'Manicured Scraps." Manicured, you ask? Well yes . . . it is the scraps from past projects . . . instead of keeping them in a heaping pile, I trim them down to card size. So, I do a scrapbook layout, and the extra pieces get trimmed into card parts . . . a/k/a manicured scraps. Large pieces get trimmed to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" for cards. Then we trim to 4 x 5 1/4" for card fronts, or 4 x 4" for die cuts (which I keep in a separate box), etc. Whatever works. And anything smaller goes into a Bag O'Scraps.
So from my Bag and my Box I pulled some matching colors . . . and created a little something for the challenge. I mixed a lot of companies here . . . we have bits of Bazzill cardstock, American Crafts ribbon, Stampin' Up Tag Punches (smaller and larger) and Stampin' Up Tag Stamp, Close to My Heart pattern paper from a past project (I recognize it! Isn't that a little bit CRAZY.), Close to My Heart ink to match the pattern paper, Clear and Simple stamp, and Copic Markers to color the boat. It is a smorgasbord of scrap product!
And this card will be set aside and sent to Operation Write Home at some point down the road.
I love a little challenge!
And so I reached for my "Box O'Manicured Scraps." Manicured, you ask? Well yes . . . it is the scraps from past projects . . . instead of keeping them in a heaping pile, I trim them down to card size. So, I do a scrapbook layout, and the extra pieces get trimmed into card parts . . . a/k/a manicured scraps. Large pieces get trimmed to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" for cards. Then we trim to 4 x 5 1/4" for card fronts, or 4 x 4" for die cuts (which I keep in a separate box), etc. Whatever works. And anything smaller goes into a Bag O'Scraps.
 |
| This is hoarding scraps in an organized fashion! |
And this card will be set aside and sent to Operation Write Home at some point down the road.
I love a little challenge!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tweet, Tweet
I made a little something for the Unity Stamp Monthly Challenge, which was to make a card or other stamped project incorporating a bird or birds from a Unity Stamp set.
And so, I did just that . . . Tweet, Tweet!
And so, I did just that . . . Tweet, Tweet!
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