Beautiful Day

Stopping in today with a CARDS April '12 pub and another wee tidbit, but first, I just wanted to say thank you for all the sweet comments you left me - I am really terrible at returning the favor, but it is so encouraging that you don't mind. ;)
I still don't know what I need to do with this card. But I got tired of it, and wanted to get it off my super messy desk, so I just stuck it all together.

I was trying a different dying medium on this ribbon, going for a softer yet slightly crinkly look. The crinkles definitely didn't work, and though I like the softness, it's not quite what I was looking for.

I still love my Websters Pages Bloomers, but I haven't used them a whole lot since this card....

Anyways, for that wee tidbit - while I don't know how often I'll be posting on this blog, I've created another blog. Why, you ask?
For two reasons; one, I've had this blog for at least three years, and I kinda feel I've outgrown it. Like, I feel that there are unseen boundaries here that fit pre-college me, but now, just make me feel a little bit contained. This new blog will be a bit more me-ish, a bit more...real life I guess you could say.
Which brings me to reason two (which is more like an extension on reason one); I want to be able to blog a bit about college and cardmaking, which would just feel...strange to me, doing it on this blog. Also, since I'm going to be working a bit in graphic design this semester, I feel that it would fit perfectly into the new blog - kinda combining my school and hobby, as it were.
So officially, this will still be my 'cardmaking' blog, but I will (probably - no promises) be posting more on the second blog. That second blog is Commuter Crafter, because, well, I commute to school and I craft. ;)

Thanks for stopping in today and God bless!
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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate Paper "Emma's Shoppe"
Stamps: MFT
Ink: Ranger "Walnut Stain" and "Worn Lipstick"
Other: ribbon (Bearydo Shoppe), button (Joann Fabrics), trim (Websters Pages), pearls (Recollection), doily (stash)

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Cuttlebug, MFT die, MS punch

Throwback Tuesday #3

We're starting off April's Throwback Tuesday's off with a bang, people!

The deets: every Tuesday, I will post a card that has been sitting in the draft closet too long. At the end of each month, I will randomly select a winner from all the valid challenge entries!

The challenge: link up an old papercraft related blog post, card photo, or post one of your old drafts/pictures! An additional entry will be given to those who comment on the Throwback Tuesday posts for that month.
The prize: a big ol' box stuffed with scrapbooking goodies! 
Sorry, but due to crazy shipping costs, this challenge is open to the US only!

The card today is just...ugh. And now for my thoughts on it from approximately two years ago. ;)

That ugly bow thing was made with scraps...I didn't mind it before, but looking at the pic, I am so....ewwwww. I accidentally got some brown dye in my blue ribbon, which explains the yucky color.
So, to make up for the yucky ribbon, I added some lovely Websters Pages bloomers. {Sigh} Love. That. Stuff.

The fix: first off, that bow/blob has GOT to go. I cringe just looking at it! The stitching here is also pretty pathetic - I can tell now that I obviously didn't have the tension tight enough. Also, that big button is clashing with those fluffy bloomers. I think I also might want to round the corners of the base, to soften the look up a bit. I'm not crazy now about using huge sentiments on shabby cards - I usually like the focus to be on some pretty mass of things, and then sneak the sentiment in some corner. ;)



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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: K&Co "Wild Saffron", October Afternoon "Thrift Shop"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse "Fancy Phrases" and "Very Vintage Labels 1"
Ink: Ink It Up!, Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Walnut Stain"
Ribbon: Websters Pages
Pearls: Prima
Button: Websters Pages

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, sewing machine, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities,

On the seventh day...

...a CARDS June 2012 pub that sums up this year!
Old, yummy, Websters Pages. Fond memories of WP, as I made my first card with Hero Arts stamps using my brand new "Postcards from Paris" 6x6 pad. To this day, that is my favorite WP collection. :)

This card kinda mixed my styles, even if it was made around two or three years ago - has layers and yet, is a bit CAS at the same time. Plus it has my favorite cardmaking colors - pink and blue. ;)

If you'd like to win a large flat rate box stocked full of papercrafting goodies, you can participate in the my twelve days of Christmas challenge by checking out THIS post, or linking up your card on the sidebar!

Bonjour 2012!!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS, SU!
Patterned paper: Websters Pages "Postcards from Paris"
Stamp: Waltzingmouse "Fancy Phrases"
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Walnut Stain"
Other: gems (Hero Arts)

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, sewing machine

On the fourth day...

....I went cuckoo for the Hero Arts 'Cuckoo' stamp set. :)

However, the "I'm cuckoo for you!" sentiment didn't fit nicely on a small tag, so I went with 'hello'
My first time stamping on felt...

Love that little flower. You know the Websters Pages bloomers? Well, sometimes I only use one rosette, and then there's the little pieces in between. So I saved those little pieces, and made another mini rosette with one. :)
And then, to finish it up, some deeeelicious Girls Paperie...I only was able to get my hands on four sheets, and now there are only bits and pieces left. :( I seriously need to get some more. Wish they came in a 6x6 pad Crate Paper style.

If you'd like to win a large flat rate box stocked full of papercrafting goodies, you can participate in the my twelve days of Christmas challenge by checking out THIS post, or linking up your card on the sidebar!

Thanks for popping in today!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS, Bazzil
Patterned paper: Girls Paperie
Stamps: Hero Arts "Cuckoo" and "Just saying hi"
Ink: Staz-on, Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Walnut Stain" and "Worn Lipstick"
Trim: Websters Pages
Pearl: Kaisercraft
Other: doily HERE, twine HERE

Tools: trimmer, scissors, adhesive

Joy to the World

Sorry, my brain is fried so I can't think of original, interesting post titles. ;) Let's cut to the chase and get right to the card...

I didn't have any Christmas sentiment stamps small enough for the tag when I made this, but since I recently got some new Hero Arts goodies (yay!), I might switch this tag out - not clear enough for me. Tied up with Ivy ribbon.

A lovely Santa image along with some metal snowflake knick-knacks and pearls.

Used an old rub-on here in the corner, along with some stitching and ink distressing.

Card made for these challenges:
Little Red Wagon (Vintage Christmas), PTT (Holiday Greetings), My Time to Craft (Vintage Christmas), Creative Card Crew (Tis the Season), Pollycraft (Christmas Fun), Kaboodle Doodles (Colors of Christmas), Simon Says Stamp (Christmas Photomontage), The Paper Variety (Christmas song - mine is Joy to the World), Auld Sentiments (Winter holiday sentiments) and CIC (Christmas)

Thanks so much for stopping in and have a blessed weekend!

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Cardstock: LSS, Bazzil
Patterned paper: Websters Pages
Stamp: Hero Arts 'Ledger'
Ink: Colorbox
Die cuts: K&Company
Other: ribbon and metal snowflakes (Bearydo Shoppe), pearls (Core-dinations), metal pin (stash), lace (May Arts), doily (stash), rub-on (stash)

Tools: scissors, trimmer, adhesive, sewing machine, pinking shears, Glossy Accents

So grateful

...for all the blessings I've received - you might want to think of this post as a belated Thanksgiving post with giveaway. ;)

Here's a card I had published in the 365 Cards mag by Papercrafts - my first pub with them, so it's pretty exciting. :)

 Here's the mag pic...

I love my ribbons and flowers. :) 

So to celebrate the publication, but more to thank you wonderful peeps for supporting me along the way, I'm giving away a little bundle of flowery, ribbony, doily goodness. No pics, as I want it to be a surprise (it's definitely not because I'm too lazy to take a pic ;)), but I will let you know that some of my ribbon will be in it. ;) Just leave a comment (leave an additional comment if you are a follower), and I will pick a winner next Sunday.

Have a blessed day and thanks so much for stopping in!

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate "Restoration"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse "Very Vintage Labels 4", MFT "Framed Greetings"
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain" and "Tea Dye"
Flowers: green rose (Websters Pages), yellow rose (Recollection)
Pearls: Recollection
Other: doily, ribbon

Tools: scissors, adhesive, trimmer, MS punch, Spellbinders die, Cuttlebug

a beautiful day

Here's a card I made wayyy back using MFT Stamps first sketch challenge. Just a littttttle late, but still, here it is. ;)

The butterflies...

Wow, am I tired tonight. Yawwwnnn. lol
Well, thanks for stopping in and have a blessed day! :)

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: October Afternoon "Thrift Shop", Basic Grey
Stamps: MFT Stamps
Ink: Staz-on
Pearls: Kaisercraft
Trim: Websters Pages

Tools: trimmer, scissors, MFT Stamps die, Martha Stewart punch, adhesive

Butterfly birthday

I'm determined to start posting all the super old posts here in the blog, so here's one of them; a card published in the April '11 CARDS magazine...

This was in the days before I had my trusty Martha Stewart butterfly punch - I had to handcut these butterflies from a Martha Stewart stamp set instead. I still think they're pretty...I kinda wish MS had some punches to coordinate with that stamp set. :)

Anyways, thanks so much for stopping in and have a blessed day!

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate Paper "Lillian"
Stapm: Sugarloaf, Martha Stewart
Ink: Colorbox
Ribbon: Websters Pages
Half pearls: Remembrance

Tools: trimmer, stylus, adhesive, Spellbinders Labels Four, Cuttlebug

Why I make cards....

I make cards because I like to. I like releasing some energy and relaxing at the same time. I like getting sweet comments and words. I like making crafty buddies.

But mostly just because....
I like putting together pretty things.

That's really about it.

So with this in mind, after a couple days of struggling to make a card that satisfied me, I made this.

I don't really mind if no else likes it.
Or even if someone thinks it's a mess.
I like it.
 And I liked making it.

So I'm smiling. :)

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you have a blessed day!

PS: this is for the Moxie Fab World Celebrating Hobbies challenge - this has a bit of book (October Afternoon paper with excerpt from 'Jo's Boys' {didja ever notice?}), sewing (border), and of course, photography (camera)
PPS: I redid my shoppe, added some new colors, and some new trinkets - I'd love to know what you think. :)

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: October Afternoon "Fly a Kite", Websters Pages "Postcards from Paris", Making Memories "Chloes Closet"
Stamp: Hero Arts "Made with Love"
Ink: Staz-on
Pearl: Prima
Flowers: Websters Pages

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, sewing machine

scattering

....bits of loveliness all over this card....maybe it's overwhelming, but I don't care. It's World Card Making Day, and darn it, I wanted to share a card that makes me happy, even if it's too much for others. ;)
So anyways, a very happy WCMD to you!!

Heat embossed sentiment...I stamped this sentiment SO many times, in so many different ink color combos, that when I finally decided on the combo I wanted, I was too lazy to heat emboss it right. Yeah, even for a big hop-a-roo such as this. ;)

A yummy flower from Vio, and some little gem droplets from Theresa - a thing I love about papercrafters - so sweet and generous! I have many papercrafting buddies and companies to thank for a very large portion of my crafty stash, supporting me through their kind words and actual product. :)

I mainly made this card with this bloomer in mind....I love these things, and I have a nice little stash of them, but I don't use them often enough...

So that's my little post for today! I'm actually typing this up the night before (typical procrastination), but I wanted to have a little something ready. I was also planning on doing a giveaway, and taking a very delicious photo to tempt you all in to entering, but alas, I do not have such a photo lol. However, I'm still going to have a little giveaway - it'll include bits and pieces of the things I love to craft with best (which will probably include some of those neglected bloomers ;)) in honor of WCMD. Just leave a comment - if you follow me, leave another comment for another chance.

Thanks SO much for stopping in today and have a blessed (and very crafty!) weekend!

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Card supplies
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper and die cut element: Crate Paper 'Emma's Shoppe'
Stamps: PTI, Waltzingmouse 'Very Vintage Labels 1'
Ink: Martha Stewart, Ranger 'Walnut Stain', Versamark
Pearls: Zva Creative
Flowers: bloomer (Websters Pages), paper flower (Viola Mahr)
Ribbons: hemp cord and Blush ribbon (coming soon from Bearydo Shoppe)
Other: gem droplets, doily

Tools: sewing machine, scissors, adhesive, trimmer, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders die, Glossy Accents

You're a genius

Hey there! I'm blogging over at the GCD Studios blog today, where I'm sharing some fun girl cards, and a video!

So we'll start off with the video, in which I show you a super easy way to round paper corners without using a corner rounding punch.

So here's that card I showed at the end of the video...

And those nicely rounded corners...

I then decided to go on the other end of the spectrum after this pastel card and make a super bright card - I think of how perfect this one is for my younger sister - she loves color (like me!) and she loves to say she's a genius! ;)

 
Those rounded corners were made with the medium sized scallop scissors. Oh, and see that scallop border there? It's from the Melody Ross "Homespun Chic" die cut borders package - goooorgeous!

 

Fun, right? Thanks so much for sitting with me today - catch you another time!  

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hello! card
Butterfly Border
Garden Mix
Metal Rimmed Glass Brads - Girl Collection
S'mores
Die Cut borders

Genius! card
Homespun Garden
Vintage Birdie
Inspiration Cards
Chip Art Chipboard Shapes: Basic Shapes - Small
Die Cut borders

A silly card

...because I felt like it. ;) When I get stuck in a creative rut, I sometimes just make a card not caring if the design has been used a million times, or if the card is too busy - I just make a mish mash of things, which always helps. And though the card may not be very appealing to other people, just looking at it makes me smile and feel good inside. :)

This is one of those silly cards, made for this weeks Simply Scrapping Crafts challenge - glitter! Please try this one out - even if you're not a big fan of glitter, it's super fun and makes things look so, well, sparkly! We also have a new sponsor this month - check out all the deets HERE.

 

Had to hand cut this tag to get it right...really wishing I would've bought the PTI tag die when I ordered from them a couple months ago. :(

And some glitter! I'm totally loving glitter right now - love sticking it in random places! As I slowly start dusting off these 90+ drafts, you'll see me using more and more glitter on my latest cards. :)

Thanks for stopping in today - have a great one! :)

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS, Bazzil
Patterned paper: Crate Paper "Emma's Shoppe"
Stamp: PTI
Ink: Ranger 'Walnut Stain'
Other: die cut (Bearydo Shoppe), twine (Bearydo Shoppe), trim (Websters Pages), glitter (Martha Stewart), pearls (Recollection)

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors

Best Wishes

...for the new year. - lol! I wrote this post in December and was planning on posting it for New Years! Obviously got a little off schedule. ;)

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos - I like to take my pictures outdoors, which doesn't really work in the winter (when I took these). Indoor photos always come out a lot duller than the outdoor ones, and the details are harder to see.

How 'bout that paper though? Gorgeous, isn't it? Websters Pages "Postcards to Paris", my absolute FAVE collection from them. Got the 6x6 pad about two years, and now there are only bits and pieces left, something that can't be said for any other 6x6 paper pad I've ever had. Yum! :)


Oh, and the ribbon is from my shoppe - it's called Chocolate Milk. Don't you think it looks like chocolate milk? I do, and I should know, since I had some today. ;)

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

PS: the latest SSC challenge is up! Check it out HERE!

PPS:

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Card recipe
Cardstock: Bazzil
Patterned paper: Websters Pages "Postcards from Paris"
Stamp: Sugarloaf
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain", Colorbox
Ribbon: Chocolate milk seam binding
Other: Doily

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, fabric

Birds of a feather

So sorry for not getting around and checking out your latest creations - a little over one week left before my sisters weddings, and now she tells me she needs help making sixty program fans! It's kinda funny - it seems all the girls in the house, except for the bride, are getting a little stressed! It's even funnier considering that the bride is the one of us who usually gets the more stressed over little things! lol

Anyways,  sweet little card I made for this weeks Simply Scrapping Crafts challenge; embossing! How easy it that?! If you've never participated in a SSC challenge before, I really encourage you to do so now - it's never been easier! You don't have to sign up to the site, join a group, add tags, etc - all you have to do is post your blog link at the bottom of the page and mention SSC in your post. Supppperrr easy!

Anyways, getting a little off track here...;) Here's that card I mentioned....

 (sorry if the photo's dark - I'm not adding as much exposure to my pics now in hopes that my pics won't blind people anymore! Hopefully this isn't too dark though....)

Using a lovely Crafts Meow stamps - the  frame, which is clear embossed, making it hard to see on the computer...

The Crafts Meow is our sponsor this month and they're offering up a great prize, so head on over to the blog for the deets on how to win!

Thanks for stopping in - I really do appreciate your sweet words! :)

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Websters Pages
Stamps: The Crafts Meow "Timeless Tags", Waltzingmouse "Fancy Phrases"
Ink: Staz-on, Essential Glue Pad
Other: clear embossing powder (MS), pearls (Kaisercraft)

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, embossing tool

Forever

Another April CARDS pub to share today - I've got a lot of new things to show you, but still haven't got around to editing the pics, soooo, they'll have to wait. :)

I'm obsessed with taking a single Websters Pages bloomer and nestling a small rose up with it...looks so yummy. :)

Lately, I've been trying my hand at graphic designing (or what my idea of it is, anyways), since I'm going to try majoring in it. So I got some pretties from Pugly Pixel (Lisa convinced me to go over there with all the lovely things she used from their blog), and played a bit with them.
My poor attempt at a blog banner...(because I am in desperate need of a cheap blog makeover)

...ah well, guess it'll have to wait until I have more time, a faster computer, and a better understanding of how to work these editing programs (couldn't figure out for the life of me why some of the images came out with gray stuff around them and some didn't!)
Anywho, hope you're having a great day and thanks so much for stopping in! :)

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Card recipe
Cardstock: Unknown
Patterned paper: October Afternoon "Fly a Kite" and "Thrift Shop"
Ink: Colorbox
Flowers: Prima, Websters Pages
Image: Making Memories
Half pearls: Kaisercraft
Other: twine, embroidery floss, doily

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, scissors

I care

Been busy with some dt assignments this week, thus the absence.
Now I'm just popping in here quickly to share a card that was published in the April CARDS.
A sweet story behind this card -

I had been wanting the Crate 'Restoration' line so badly, but my wholesaler wasn't able to get it for a long time as it was sold out (in October!). Then one day I got a surprise package in the mail from sweet Theresa, filled with lovely trimmings, bobbles, and, a 6x6 'Restoration' pad!! I was so excited and so grateful! :)

Instructions: Go shabby.

Haha, how about these instructions lately? Shabby cards, to me, are always just putting a lot of lovely bits together and somehow making it not look too overwhelmed.

Anywho, thanks for stopping in today, and have an beautiful Sunday! (hopefully it's sunny where you are - we've got rain and cloudy skies, after a gorgeous yesterday)

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate "Restoration"
Stamp: Hero Arts "Thinking of You messages"
Ink: Distress Ink
Ribbon: Seam binding 'Aqua' HERE
Flowers: bloomer by Websters Pages, mulberry flower by Michaels (Remembrance)
Half pearls: Michaels (Remembrance)
Other: Doily available HERE, thread

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors

Thank you

...so much for all the super sweet comments! They make me smile BIG! :)

Quickly popping in to share a card made for this weeks Simply Scrapping Crafts card challenge. It's a sketch challenge, and you can check it out HERE. If you're trying out for the design team (info HERE), than participating in this challenge would be a great way to get noticed!

Look, no ribbon! (gasp!)

 

See that beautiful rose die cut? I have added that die cut, along with many others, in my little paperie shop on the side. Packages of 25 beautiful double sided die cuts are $1.50. More info and pics HERE.

Thanks for stopping in today, and I hope you have a great day!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: Hero Arts
Patterned paper: Websters Pages
Stamp: Hero Arts "Dolls"
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain", "Shabby Shutters"
Die cut: Available HERE
Gems/half pearls: Gems by Prima, half pearls unknown
Other: doily, colored pencil

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors

Hugs and kisses

Finally showing you that card I've been promising! ;)

Isn't that a perfectly sweet Valentine image? It's part of the vintage die cut kits I have in my shoppe HERE.

This is for this weeks Simply Scrapping Crafts card challenge, which you can find HERE. If you're trying out for the design team call, joining the challenge would be a great way to get noticed! ;) hint hint!

Anyways, thanks for popping in and have an awesome day!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Unknown
Stamp: Unknown
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain"
Image, seam biding, twine, doily: Available HERE
Pearl: Prima
Pom pom trim: Websters Pages

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors

Just Saying Hello

I am so in love with THIS Hero Arts set. I kinda doubted my decision to get it at first because I wouldn't really need to give cards out using houses, but I've warmed up to the adorable images and sweet sentiments. :) And how about THIS beautiful background? Love it, love it.

Instructions: Cut and score card base, and distress edges with ink. Cut patterned paper out, adhere to base and distress. Adhere colored doily to base, then tie bow around base; embellish bow with bloomer. Sew bottom edge of card. Adhere pearl swirl to base. Cut out die, stamp, distress, and embellish. Adhere to base.

Oh, and if you want to know how to make the stamped frame, there is a tutorial for it HERE.

Made this card for this weeks SSC Card challenge (frame technique) and Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping in!


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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate "Restoration"
Stamps: Hero Arts "Mi Casa" and "Musical Background"
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain", Martha Stewart
Ribbon: Offray
Flower: Websters Pages
Half pearls: Prima, unknown
Other: Faber-Castelle coloring pencil

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities (Labels Four), sewing machine

Just saying hello

Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
I had lots of fun making food, wrapping presents, surprising people, and just being with my family. :)
Ooo, and I got some new things too (like twinkling H2O's) that I'm figuring out right now - I'm kinda stepping out of my patterned paper comfort zone, and messing around more with stamps. It's actually really fun, experimenting with this and that - it makes me really feel creative. :)

So, speaking of creative, thought from now until the first of January, I'd share with you a card that uses/utilizes something (a product, technique, etc.) that at the beginning of 2010, I never thought I'd do/try.

First off, a card I made for my Hero Arts WAD...

I hadn't done anything aside from plain stamping or paper piecing on my projects until I got this beautiful stamp, so this watercolor stamping was really new.

Well, just a quick post as I have a lot of catching up to do - thing to organize, rooms to clean, blogs to visit, etc. ;)

Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day!


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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS, Hero Arts, SU!
Image: Hero Arts "Wild Bouquet"
Ink: Distress Inks
Colored pencils: Prisma
Trim: Websters Pages bloomers

Tools: trimmer, scissors, watercolor paper, adhesive, paintbrush, water