Hobby Hopping

Good News and Bad News

2011-03-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

Bad News first: I had to get blood drawn today (just for a routine check-up). I have pretty severe Aichmophobia, so my elbow pit (what is that called, really?) is throbbing and I'm still pretty nauseated and I'm in an all-around whiny mood.

But the Good News is I have plenty of hamburgers to replenish my iron. Boy I love hamburgers.

Wait, there was other Good News...oh, that's right:

MY BLOG IS MOVING!!!

I bought a shiny, pretty url of my very own a few weeks ago, and I finally have things set up--thanks to a lot of help from some friends--to a point that I can start posting over there.

So head over to www.inklingsandyarns.com to see my latest card, and don't forget to change your bookmarks!

Flowers and Mists and a Layout

2011-03-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

She remembers how to scrapbook!

It's been so long since I did a decent layout, I was starting to wonder if I still knew how. My problem is that scrapbooks are so big and daunting. So I approached this one like I approach my cards: as a single project. Maybe, someday, this will be a page in a wedding album. That day might not come until sometime around my 50th anniversary.

Really, I made this as a sample to show off paper flowers and mists. I've always liked the lots of flowers and one picture layouts, so I decided to try one of my own. I used a little Adirondak Color Wash, a little Glimmer Mist, and a lot of flowers. The bookplate and buttons are from Tim Holtz. I need to add one more flower to the bottom right corner, but it was getting too dark to take pictures, so I let it go for now.

The picture is from my wedding (obviously). Since pictures of pictures never turn out, here's teh real thing.

It was taken right after my sister caught the bouquet. It makes me laugh because we have such big sister/little sister looks on our faces. Hers is all I'M SO HAPPY WE'RE HANGING OUT THIS IS SO FUN (AND I'M KINDA DRUNK), and mine is all Please excuse my baby sister (and get me one of whatever she's drinking).

The poem is one we've been kicking back and forth to each other since we were kids. It reads

Sisters we are
Sisters we'll be
Sisters forever...
You and me.

I think--don't laugh--we first read it in an American Girl doll catalog. Okay, you can laugh.

Recipe:

Paper: TPC Studio - Mr & Mrs; Bazzill - Boysenberry Delight and Pear Crush

Stamp: Impression Obsession - CAC Daffodils (stamped on green mat)

Ink: Distress Ink - Bundled Sage

Flowers: Petaloo - Color Me Crazy

Mists: Adirondack Color Wash - Purple Twilight; Glimmer Mist - Key Lime Pie (I sprayed the purple flowers with Key Lime to add sparkle).

Buttons and Brads: Tim Holtz - Fanciful Buttons; American Crafts - Pearl Brads; Creative Imaginations - Green glitter brads

Bookplate: Tim Holtz - Ornate Plates

Adhesive: Scotch ATG; Beacon's 3 in 1; Zots

Nothing in Particular

2011-03-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

I don't have any new projects to post today. Both Hambo and TSB are having big blog hops the first weekend in April, so I'm working on both of those. So mark your calendars so you can bunny (piggy?) hop along with Hambo on April 1, and TSB on April 2. It'll be a fun weekend, maybe even with prizes!

I've also been re-bitten by the scrapbooking bug, so I'm up to my ears in layouts. Those take me a lot longer to make than cards though, so they're still in progress.

If you're dying to read a longer post from me, then I'm sorry, but you're a little weird. I did write this review of Paper-Soft Color for the crop spot though, so I guess you can get your fix there.

Also, I tweeted this, but I didn't share it here. My Just Bee-Cause card got featured as one of the top 5 on the Cupcake Craft challenge blog. Out of 144 participants! I'm completely honored, so thank you, Cupcake Crafts!

And finally, as is my custom when I have nothing good to share, here is a silly picture of my dog. What is she doing?

Distressing.

2011-03-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

I had some serious fun making this card.

I was all ready to enter today's sketch challenge over at Split Coast Stampers, but the globe stamp had a different idea. I know I've mentioned before that with Hambo Stamps, the cards design themselves.

Of course, my stash is full of different travel and map-related papers, but none of them were exactly what I wanted for this card. So as is becoming my custom these days, I decided to make my own. I bought this map background stamp that I love months ago, and just never found the perfect use for it, until this.

Since I was starting with a design that had a distinct aged look, I of course had to do some distressing. I may have gone a little overboard. After stamping the background with Walnut Stain, I used my daubers and fantastix to color the map with Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Tumbled Glass, and Broken China. Then I inked up the edges with some Brushed Corduroy. Then, the fun began. Using my distressing tool I tattered up the edges, then inked them with more Walnut stain. Next I crumpled up the paper nice and tight, and inked across some of the creases with Brushed Corduroy. For the final touch, I sprayed some water on my hand with a Mini Mister and then flicked drops onto the paper. You can't see it in the pictures, but the wet, bleached look is pretty cool.

Don't you love the dimension on the crumpled paper? I made it more obvious by not putting adhesive right along the edges when I matted it. That way the edges hold a more naturally crumpled shape.

The globe stamp was also colored with Distress Inks (same colors and the background), and I was again heavy-handed with the distressing tool.

It would make a great card for a guy, and I really don't say that often.

So, see? Hambo stamps go great with each other, and great with other stamps you have in your stash. Love.

Recipe:
Paper: Green from Bazzill, White from Staples
Ink: Distress Inks (listed in post); Memento Rich Cocoa
Stamps: CAC Map from Impression Obsession; You Mean the World 2928 and Globe 2917 from Hambo Stamps
Die Cuts: Standard Circles Large and Small Nesties, Labels 14 Nesties
Other: Tsukineko fantastiks and sponge daubers; Tim Holtz blending tool and blending foam; Tim Holtz for Tonic distressing tool;

Challenges:
Ambers Crafts and Stuff: Die Cut
Crafts and Me: Anything Goes
Sisterhood of Crafters: Masculine
Ink It Up: Die Cuts
Gingerloft: Die Cuts
Crafty Cardmakers: Make Your Own DP

New Toy Tuesday: Heartfelt Creations

2011-03-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I dragged my friend Heather (of So Forking Good fame) up to Pleasanton for the Scrapbook Expo. I'd never been to an expo before. Oh my, talk about sensory overload at its best.

My primary reason for going was to scout out new addictions. I'm nearing completion on my Distress Ink collection, I have over a third of the available Copic colors, and I'm starting to worry that someday I'll run out of things to buy.

I was simultaneously pleased and disappointed to see that EVERYONE was demoing Glitter Ritz. On the one hand, it's awesome seeing products I love succeed, and the more people who love this stuff, the more people will sign up for my classes. On the other hand, I already knew what they were doing at every demo (and at half of them, I was thinking, actually, it's easier if you do it my way...).

But I did find something that got me pretty excited, and that was the booth from Heartfelt Creations. First, I just saw gorgeous stamps that I just couldn't wait to get at with Copics. Then I realized that each of their stamps coordinates with a Spellbinders die. They even have exclusive Spellbinders dies designed to go with their stamps. ohmygodheaven. It may have escaped your notice, but I am constantly looking for easier ways to cut out my stamped images, so this booth got an immediate "I need them all" from me.

I exercised some restraint though, and limited myself to one stamp set (for now). I decided on the Innoscents Flowers 2 set, which can be cut with Blossoms 2 Nesties.

The coordinating die is clearly listed on each stamp set's label, so there's no guess work.

And they're so simple to use. Emma Lou, who is just the sweetest person you'll ever meet, was demonstrating at the Expo, and after trying it I can tell you it's just as easy as it looks. All you do is cut a template by cutting the shape out of a scrap sheet of cardstock. Use the shape for whatever you want, and keep the outer portion/frame/whatever you want to call it.

Line the die back up on the frame so that the cut lines match, and tape down just one edge or corner.

Now flip the die back at the tape, and align your stamp with the opening, using a post-it to hold the template down.

Flip the die back into place...

Run it through your machine...

And WALLAH! Perfect cut, no effort. This is what crafting is meant to be, people.

This stamp set came with 4 flowers in different Nestie sizes, so they can be layered for all kinds of fun looks. I can't wait to play with them more. If I know me (and I think I do), it won't be long at all before I'm ordering way too many stamps from this place. I'm already in love with their petal collections.

(Oh, and in case you're curious...Copics used: RV000, 02, 04, 06, 09; YR 00, 04, 07, 09)

Stickers!

2011-03-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

My husband asked me to make him iPhone decals with his company's logo on them. I figured it would be a fun and interesting challenge, and it would also allow me to buy new things.

I have an old old Xyron machine. Do people still use those? I'm assuming they don't based on the cartridge selection at basically every Michael's I've ever been to. I've basically abandoned mine because the adhesive is expensive and I have so many other options for sticking pieces of paper to other pieces of paper.

But sometimes it comes in handy, which only reinforces the necessity of crafters also being hoarders. What do you mean I should sell the stuff I don't use anymore? I might need it someday.

Like today. I got a roll of laminate/adhesive so that my stickers would be nice and shiny and smooth, and I printed the high-res logo on medium weight card stock.

Note: I learned after these pictures were taken that Xyron isn't messing around when they tell you their adhesive is permanent. My phone is pretty much covered in sticky goop now (no worries, I have some Goo Gone around here somewhere). I'm going to need to locate a laminate/repositionable adhesive cartridge somewhere.

It's a little too big, but that's an easy fix. The harder fix is that my sad little printer is not up for this kind of job. Or don't you like being able to see every line of ink? It's going to be a stretch convincing my husband that I need a photo printer for this, but really I do. Really. He won't let me get an air compressor either. My life is so hard.

Go Orange!

2011-03-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I've posted this card before, but the sentiment bears repeating.

If you're not rooting for the Orange, you're wrong. Happy March Madness!

Here It Is

2011-03-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

I feel like there was a lot of buildup for a card that's not really all that exciting. I mean, I like it enough to AW it on the blog, obviously; but sorry for the extra-AWy preview post for an everyday regular card. I just really had nothing to write about yesterday.

This card is sparkle city. Glitter button, shimmery ribbon and thread, metallic shamrock. I used Spica pens all over the colored image and on the sentiment, and I also sprayed the felt flowers with Perfect Pearls Mist. I like the way all the shine contrasts with the muted colors in the paper.

This one has a long recipe:
Paper: from my stash (unknown)
Image: Horseshoe from The Stamping Boutique
Embellishments: Felt flowers and Glitter button from artsy.licious; shamrock confetti from my stash; upcycled ribbon (I think it came from a box of chocolates); thread from DMC.
Copics: N1, 3, 5, 7, 9; Y11, 13, 15, 26, 28; G12, 14, 21, 24, 28; R22, 24, 27; YR04, 07, 09; B21, 24, 28
Spicas: 05 Lemon, 07 Olive, 23 Pitch Black
Die cuts: Nestabilities Standard Circles Large and Martha Stewart circle cutter.

Challenges (there are A LOT of green challenges this week):
Charisma Cardz - To Die For
Colour Create - Greens
Moving Along With The Times - Good Luck
Rainbow Lady - St. Patrick's Day
Southern Girls - Use Flowers
Stamping Vacation - Nestabilities
Creative Card Crew - Green
Fab n Funky - Green
Sisterhood of Crafters - St. Patrick's Day
and, of course, Card Cupids - Green

I Got Nothin'

2011-03-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today I made a card that I wasn't planning to post until tomorrow. Then I remembered I had nothing to post today. And I'm heading out to teach a class tonight, so there's no time to make another.

So here's a preview of the card for tomorrow. You'll see it in all its glory first at 8am EST on the Card Cupids blog, then here whenever I get around to it tomorrow afternoon.

And here's a picture of my weird dog sleeping. I don't know how this could possibly be comfortable, but she's been like this all day.

Odds and Ends

2011-03-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

I wrote a Copic tutorial for the Card Cupids blog. Revamped is probably a better word, actually, since I originally wrote it back in December. But hey, it's never too early to start coloring Christmas stamps.

My latest Crop Spot post is a comparison of Viva Pearl Pens and Ranger Liquid Pearls. Spoiler alert: I'm a craft supply addict and can find reasons to like both of them.

My next Crop Spot post will be a comparison of Viva Paper-Soft Color and Ranger Distress Ink. I'm having a lot of fun playing with them both, but mostly I'm having fun saying "Paper-Soft Color." That should go up by tomorrow, if I can get it in gear and actually write.

This might be my favorite card I've ever made, and I'm not sure why.

I turned the Skyline stamp from Hambo into a background by doing some fancy masking. And there's that Flower Quartet again.

Challenges:
jac-inks: Masking
Scrap Creations: Anything Goes

I ran out of Diet Coke on Saturday and haven't been to the grocery store. The caffeine headache is kiiiiiiillllllllllling me, and staring at the computer screen makes it worse. So off I go.

Just Because

2011-03-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

This card was my sister's idea. She sent me a text one day at 8:02 am that said You should make a card the bees and have it say "just -beecause" or "thanks for bee-ing you." I chuckled at the pun, then rolled back over and went to sleep.

My family on the east coast has a tendency to wake me up with phone calls and texts. It's like time zones don't exist to them. Dear Family, I love you, but it's 3 hours earlier here and I don't have a job. Stop waking me up before 10. Love, Christy.

Anyway, many weeks later I was poking around the Hambo website and noticed these stamps, which brought back the vague memory of that early-morning text. And so I had to have them.

The Tiny Bee stamp is really tiny (like a half-inch), and I lub it. The whole card is only 4 inches by 3 inches. For the background, I used Wild Honey Distress Ink, and stamped onto scrap paper before stamping on the card so that the image would be lighter. The 3 man bees were stamped with Memento and colored with Copics.

Recipe:
Paper: Bazzill Linen, Xpress It blending card
Ink: Distress Ink - Wild Honey; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Stamps: Tiny Bee 3114; Just Bee-Cause1627 - Hambo
Copics: YR21, 24, Colorless Blender
Other: 3D Dots

Challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers - Make your Own DP
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Up In The Air
Karen's Doodles - Spring
Squigglefly - Spring
Woodware USA - Spring

Watercolor Pencils

2011-03-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid I had a set of watercolor pencils that I loved. Why? Because if you dipped the tips in water you could write on your skin. It was just like face painting, and it wiped right off before mom could catch you.

I bought a set awhile back, purely for nostalgic purposes. I don't know why. It's not like, at 29, I have much use for the ability to paint balloons and stars on my cheeks. But whatever. Just knowing they're there makes me happy. And that's the whole point of ~~hoarding~~ collecting craft supplies.

And they came in handy Wednesday night when I was making my card for the weekly Card Cupids challenge. I'd left my Copics in the car, and didn't feel like walking allllllll the way out to the driveway to get them. So I grabbed the colored pencils instead.

I'm more comfortable with Copics, for sure. My shoddy coloring makes that more than obvious. But I have to say, watercolor pencils are really fun. Remember those old "just add water" paint books? It's just like one of those. So hey, nostalgia strikes again.

Since this style of coloring results in a faded, worn look, I found some DP in muted tones and tattered everything up to match. Crumpling and tearing paper to put into a project is oddly satisfying. So much so that I'll certainly be using this style more often.

Since the DP came from my stash and the colored pencils I used don't have names or numbers, I don't have much of a recipe. The image is Lola from The Stamping Boutique.

A Different Kind of Card

2011-03-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

I find myself giving out my email and blog addresses a lot lately. Though my current last name isn't nearly as difficult to spell as my maiden name was, I still have found myself on many occasions wishing I had a real job so I could just hand out business cards. Of course then it dawned on me that I could just make my own.

So I randomly stamped small flowers all over a sheet of Xpress It cardstock, colored with Copics, cut to standard business card size, and wrote my information on the back. I'd considered laminating with colored cardstock for the back, but then decided that I really liked the look of the bleed-through from the markers. I wrote everything in dark green Spica, so it stands out against the color (and it glitters).

If you don't have a use for hand-made business cards, these also make great gift tags. I often include something like this when I'm giving a gift card or including a quick note with a package.

For those paying attention, I realize this is the 3rd time I've used Hambo's Flower Quartet set in a project on the blog. I have a drawer full of Hambo Stamps, and I love them all. But, as anyone who has taken my 10 Cards, 1 Stamp class can attest, I like to wring every possible use out of my stamps. And these guys are just so versatile. If you're new to stamping and want to start with just one purchase, this is the one to make. They're pretty, high quality, and can be used thousands of ways. So what I'm saying is, this will not be the last you see of these flowers.

What's This? New Toy Tuesday?

2011-03-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

It's about damn time, right? I know people were worried that I'd stopped buying craft supplies. That is not the case, at all. As evidenced by this pictures.

First--and this could be cause for concern--the infection has spread to craft luggage. Add another thing to the list of stuff I never thought I would need but actually do. As I've started teaching more I've realized that I need a better way to carry things. I feel like a hobo walking into the store with my priority mail flat rate boxes. This was on sale, and not hideous, and provides me a way to carry my inks and stuff in (relative) style. It still doesn't fit everything, though. I fear that my next step will be the rolling craft suitcase.

Probably my most exciting purchase in recent history is the large circle cutter from Martha Stewart Crafts. This is one of those items that I tried to live without, but just couldn't. Now that I've got it, it's up there with the rotary trimmer and scoring board on my list of things I can't believe I haven't had my entire life. Seriously, when I have kids, forget onesies. They need scoring boards and circle cutters.

Of course the Copic collection is continuing to expand. We're up to 124.

This, I'm reasonably sure, is a year's supply of ATG tape. I got it from FramingSupplies.com for a little over $4.00 a roll (including shipping). It may not last that long. Right now I'm only going through about a roll a month, but that could always increase.

Also pictured: I recently picked up some Grunge Paper, Tattered Angels Glimmer Chips, and Adirondack Color Wash. These are mostly for experimental purposes. I have to admit, so far the experiments aren't going well, but I haven't exhausted all my options, so I'll do real reviews of these products in the coming weeks.

Loser

2011-03-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

This is the card I entered in the TSB One Stop Blog Hop.

I did not win, but the competition was fierce. Heide's card, the winner, is adorable and so creative. And who couldn't fall in love with Collette's or Kecia's cards? So cute. All of the entries were amazing, and now you understand why I'm still a little bit awed to be a part of this team.

Recipe:
Paper: Provo Craft Slab IV
Image: TSB Carousel
Copics: G82, G85; RV93, RV95; E41; E35, E37; Y26, Y28; Colorless Blender
Die Cuts: Spellbinders Standard Circles Large and Labels Ten
Ribbon: Bohemia
Pearls: Mark Richards

The Scoop

2011-03-04T15:03:00.000-08:00

Today I made a card for Hambo, and a card for TSB. Here's the card for Hambo:

I love working with Hambo Stamps, because the cards design themselves. Each image has perfectly matched sayings and sentiments. All you have to do is add paper. The hardest part is choosing the right color.

Recipe:
Stamps: The Scoop 0522 and Ice Cream Border 1713 from Hambo Stamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa
Copics: E31, 33, 41, 57, 59; R20, 22; Colorless Blender
Paper: Sizzix Little Sizzles - Brights (pink); Bazzill (brown); Staples (white); Kraft from my stash

Challenges:
Delightful Challenges - Welcome Spring
Cute Card Thursday - Signs of Spring

As for the card for TSB, I can't show it to you. Because

(see what I did there?)

Tomorrow there is going to be a one stop blog hop over at the TSB Blog. My card will be posted there, anonymously, along with the rest of the DT's creations. Our readers will vote for their favorite cards in the comments.

Here's a fun fact about me: I'm very competitive and I want to win. So please, head over to the TSB blog tomorrow and vote for my card. You'll know it, because it will be the best one :o)

Print and Cut with Pazzles

2011-03-03T18:13:00.000-08:00

This is the card I made for the Card Cupids shape cards challenge. Super Tobie needed to be on a superman background, I thought.

Recipe:
Paper: Bazzill
Image: Some Odd Girl
Copics: E000, 00, 01, 35, 37, 59; R11, 22, 24, 27, 29; B21, 24, 41, 45; Y13, 15, 35; C1, 3, 5, 7, 9; Colorless Blender
Other: 3D Dots

I have to say it. I'm a rubber stamp person. I use digis when I really really love the image (like this one from Some Odd Girl, or anything from The Stamping Boutique), but there's just something a little extra magical about coloring in an image from a real stamp.

There is, however, one thing about digis that I love: I can cut them out with my Pazzles. No more aching hands from super fine detail cutting.

Do you know how painful this would have been?

If you have a Pazzles (or, I presume, a Cricut with Make the Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot software), this method will save you from the arthritis that was otherwise inevitable. The tutorial is long, so I'm putting in a jump for those who are just here for craft porn. If you'd like to see how I did this, click on.

I'm (obviously) using screenshots from the Pazzles software. If you use a Cricut the software will be different, but the steps should be essentially the same.

First, open a new file and import your digi onto the page. You can cut and paste, or go to file-->import-->image.

Once your image is on the page, size and position it the way you want. I usually position my images in the top right corner, just because that's where the cutting starts, but do what you like to do. The only thing you have to make sure of is to stay at least a half inch to an inch away from the margins. You don't want your image outside the printable area.

Now, you have to create your cut line. Using the "Segment from Path" tool (located on the left toolbar), click around the image until you've created a loose outline.

This is not like a pen tool. You can't click and drag around the image. Instead, you're making a series of clicks around the picture. The points will connect each time. Continue all the way around the image.

It doesn't have to be perfect, or even particularly neat, because it gets refined next. . Select the "Move Point Tool" (second from the top in the left toolbar).

With this tool, if you click on the point where two segments meet, you can move the point.

If you click on the segment, you can convert it to a curve.

You can also use the "Replace by a Segment" (located on top toolbar when Move Point is selected, or always located on left toolbar) and the "Add Midle Point" (located on top toolbar when Move Point is selected) tools to add more manipulation points to your cut line.

When you're done, your cut line should look something like this.

Now zoom out, and draw a rectangle around the whole thing.

Using the Color toolbar, make sure the rectangle and the image outline are different colors (it doesn't matter which, as long as they're different.

Now we're ready to print. You want to print the digi and the rectangle, but not the cut line. So first, click on the cut line to select it, and then click the line with the red X on the color toolbar.

Now print directly from the Pazzles software, and then manually cut out the rectangle with the image inside.

Once that's done, go back and click the solid black line under Pen Style to restore your outline cut.

Now, place a sheet of scrap paper on your cutting mat, and cut just the rectangle.

Note that when you select "Cut File," you'll get the following error message. It's just telling you that all of those lines that make up the digi stamp aren't cut lines, but you know that already (that's why you drew your own cut line around the image). Click "Continue."

To cut the rectangle only, select just the rectangle's in the Cut Control Panel window (in this case, red). You will see only the rectangle in the cut preview window. Make sure your blade and pressure settings match the scrap paper you're using.

Once the rectangle is cut, DO NOT REMOVE THE CUTTING MAT FROM THE MACHINE. Carefully remove just the rectangle from the mat, and leave the rest of the scrap paper there.

Now take the rectangle that your image is printed on and carefully place it inside the cut out rectangle on the cutting mat. This positions your image in exactly the same place that it would have been if you had continued to cut on the scrap paper.

If you remove the cutting mat or turn off the machine at this point, you have to make a new template. As you can imagine, even the tiniest variance in spacing will cause your cut to be way off.

It's finally time to cut out your image. Select the color of your image cut line on the cut control panel, make sure you see only the image cut line in the preview window, and double check that your pressure and blade settings are correct for the cardstock your image is printed on.

And cut!

I have to say, when I first heard about this technique, I didn't believe it. I just didn't think it could possibly be so accurate or so easy. But it is! I have proof:

Hand Stitching

2011-03-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

I don't think I posted this one yet. But I tweeted about it.

I made this last week. I was working off a sketch from splitcoast stampers. With the paper and the stamp I was using, I figured it would work up in a hurry.

BUT. The paper I used for the base had this pretty flourish on it, which was getting lost under all the layers. I considered cutting another piece of paper without the flourish, but then I just felt like something was missing.

So instead, I traced the flourish onto the overlapping paper, got out my paper piercer, a needle and thread, and got to work. This quick card ended up taking hours to finish (I'm a slow sewer).

But I love the results, so it was worth it.

Recipe:
Paper: Unknown
Stamp: Flower Quartet - Hambo
Thread: DMC
Copics: G82, 85; Y35, 15
Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa

Challenges:
By The Cute and Girly: Springtime
Sundays with Crissy: Stitching
Oldie But A Goodie: Spring Is In The Air
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Flowers Everywhere
The Crazy Challenge: Here Comes Spring
Lexi's Creations: Flowers

Today I'm working on various and sundry projects that will show up later this week and next. Wednesdays tend to be my catch-up days, since I spend a lot of Monday and Tuesday procrastinating.

I did have a little bit of excitement yesterday, though. My Pig-A-Boo card, which I posted last week, was featured as one of the Top Three over at the Little Red Wagon challenge blog. Can you believe it?

I can't. I'm amazed, and ridiculously honored to be chosen out of over 100 participants.

Anyway, back to mess making. Have a great day.

A Rare Sight

2011-03-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Be amazed. Be very amazed.

That's right: A CLEAN DESK. Look! Even the trash can is emptied.

Of course, there's probably a reason I cropped this picture so you can only see the desk. Probably. But we'll take small victories.

Anyway, in an effort to keep this going for a few minutes, I don't think I'm going to craft today. That will probably end up being a lie, but I definitely have some laundry to do, and this space will most likely be back to its normal state by dinner time, but we can pretend.

Black, White and Red

2011-02-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

This week, The Stamping Boutique is sponsoring a challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room. The theme is black, white and red cards.

I added a touch of yellow and green, but there were yellow flowers in the inspiration photo, so I say it's okay.

I secretly hoard black and white papers. I just can't resist them. How is this different from anything else? I'm not sure.

Card recipe:
Paper: unknown
Embossing Folder: Tim Holtz/Sizzix
Stamp: Flower Cart - The Stamping Boutique
Copics: C1, 3, 5, 7, 9; R29; Y13, 15; G12

And an FYI: I have a new tutorial up at The Crop Spot.

Belated Valentine

2011-02-25T15:57:00.000-08:00

I could lie and say I made this earlier in the month and forgot to post it, but the truth is I made it yesterday. The Valentine Cottage image sat on my desk for weeks waiting to be colored, while I made excuses. I didn't have brick red markers, I couldn't think of a fitting sentiment, I had too many other cards to do. Then suddenly I thought, "Pink!" and got to work.

Yes, I realize that this cottage has snow on the roof, and green grass and flowers in the yard. But in my fantasy world where flowers and smoke are shaped like hearts, I say that can happen.

The layout comes from CPS #206. I don't love the pink papers, but that's what I had in my stash. I must have 30 different shades of pink, but none of them were right. (So of course, I went out today and bought even more pink paper). Other than that, I love it.

My favorite is that it opens on the side instead of the bottom. I don't know why I decided to do it that way, but I'm glad I did.

Recipe:
Paper: Pinks - from stash; DP - Heidi Grace Love Blossoms Small Floral Hearts; white - xpressit blending card
Stamp: TSB - Valentine Cottage
Copics: R81, 85, 89; RV93, 95; BG0000; G82, 85; Colorless Blender
Ribbon: Straight N Narrow - White
Other: Pazzles for circles; EK Success corner punch, Scotch ATG; Fiskars paper trimmer; MSC Scoring Board Zots

Ribbons and Buttons

2011-02-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Two things I always feel are way lacking in my supply collection. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of ribbons and buttons, I just never seem to have what I want.

I know I've talked about my cheap white ribbon before. I color it with Copics so that it can match any card. But as much as I love it, I'm getting a little bored with it.

I do the same thing with white buttons, although the one on this card is colored with Alcohol Ink Mixative (gold, obviously).

Collecting craft supplies is hard, because you just want everything, and you just want it now. My life, it is so difficult.

Anyway, I made this card for the ribbons and buttons challenge over at Card Cupids. Hermione called for Gryffindor colors, I thought. The picture is dark because I was night-crafting. I never did get the stack of white paper sorted, but I did manage to clear off most of my desk (which you wouldn't know if you were to look at it now).

Card Recipe:
Paper: From my stash
Stamp: Brave One - Bugaboo
Copics: C1, 3, 5, 7, 9; E000, 00, 01, 17, 35, 37, 39, 59; BG72, 75, 78; R11, 89; Y15, 26; YR21, 24
Dies: Spellbinders Labels 10; Sizzix On The Edge Scallops by Tim Holtz

Challenges:
Card Cupids: Buttons and Ribbons
Samuel Taylor: Color with Copics
CCEE: 1108

Pigsty

2011-02-23T14:38:00.000-08:00

I made this clean and simple card to represent the opposite of my life right now.

I'm coming to the realization that my supply collection is outgrowing my craft room. There's only one solution: we have to move. Seriously, I haven't seen the surface of my desk in over a week. The same was true for my floor until I (mostly) remedied that this morning.

It's giving me palpitations, but it is a force that will not be stopped. The mess grows exponentially in relation to my to-do list, which of course is inversely proportional to the amount of time I have to spend cleaning up after myself.

Are you appropriately stressed out yet? Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to spend the next hour sorting my 4-inch high stack of white paper scraps (you read that right), then anything left on the desk is getting swept to the floor so I can color. Priorities.

Card Recipe:
Cardstock: Pink from my stash
Stamps: Hambo Egg Pig and Pig-A-Boo
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics: R11, 30, 32, C50, 51, Colorless Blender
Other: 3D Dots, EK success border punch

Challenges:
Little Red Wagon: Animals
Stars and Stamps: Any Occasion

Happy Birthday, Granny!

2011-02-22T16:43:00.000-08:00

My grandmother is 87 today. She is the best.

I wish I was back east so I could give her a great big kiss.

But this card will have to suffice.

Love you, Granny. Jesse and I miss you lots!

The Stamping Boutique Spring Fever Blog Hop

2011-02-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the TSB Blog Hop! If you've just arrived from Amanda's blog, you're in the right place. If not, get back there get started. I'm stop 2, so you're not far off track.

It seems the DT ladies are sick of snow and wanted to bring a little sunshine and flowers to the blog world. Of course, here in Northern California, sunshine and flowers are an almost-daily occurrence, and I haven't seen snow in 2 years, but they don't like it when I rub that in.

Tracey made us some adorable spring-time images, which are available through the TSB website now. But, if you participate in the hop, you could win all four images for FREE! All you have to do is comment on each blog in the hop to be eligible to win. You have between now and 6PM EST on Sunday, February 20 to complete the hop.

Our projects for the hop all use one of the four new images, as well as a sketch designed by Amanda. I used the Picket Fence image, and this is my take on the sketch:

To color the image, I printed it onto watercolor paper, then used my Distress Inks as paint. Just smear a bit of the color you want onto your craft sheet, give it a spray or two with water, and go at it with a paintbrush. It's such a fun technique, and so easy!

Card Recipe:
Paper: Kangaroo and Joey - Smile Line, Bienfang - Watercolor
Image: The Stamping Boutique - Picket Fence
Die Cuts: Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite Scalloped Ovals and Petite Ovals
Distress Inks: Bundled Sage, Pumice Stone, Old Paper, Spun Sugar, Fired Brick, Tumbled Glass, Dried Marigold, Worn Lipstick
Flowers: Do-Jiggies

I hope you like my card, and come back to visit soon, but now it's time to move on to Christy D's blog to continue the hop. Happy Spring!

I Love Teaching

2011-02-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Last week I taught my first 10 Cards/10 Techniques class at Memories Live On. It was such a success that I'll be teaching it again on Saturday, March 6, from 2-5pm. This is a seriously fun class where you'll learn things you never knew you could do with your stamps and inks.

We make a big mess, but that's part of the fun.

Don't expect to leave with clean hands.

But do expect to leave with lots of cute cards, your own stamp, and a wealth of new knowledge!

Now I'm off to write a tutorial for The Crop Spot, make 25 kits for a make-and-take, and finish up my card for tomorrow's TSB Blog Hop. Busy day!

The Creative Process

2011-02-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

Here's what happens when I make cards. I color an image, then I go through my paper stash to see what patterns and colors I have to go with that image. If the answer is none (as it often is), I make my own. We'll get to that in a second. Once I have 2-4 papers to work with, I start experimenting with layering and laying out the card. 9 times out of 10, I end up with 2-4 layers of frames in varied widths. (See here, here, here or here.) Then I get annoyed with myself because I'm terrible at doing layouts and really shouldn't be in this business in the first place. Then I decide I'm going to do Something Different. Then I hate it, but by the time all the work is done I'm too close to my deadline to start over (I'm a procrastinator, too). Then I try to salvage what I have by adding ribbon or gemstones or other little embellishments.

And I come up with this.

It's not all bad. It has just enough redeeming quality to make it to the blog.

First, there's the coloring. You know how much I love Bugaboo stamps. Since the Card Cupids challenge theme this week was Red, White and Blue, I thought it was a good time to show off Ron's red hair. It required a lot of experimentation to come up with the perfect color combination, but I found it. The secret to a good ginger is using orange instead of red. I used YR68 with E13, 15, and 17. I gave him blue robes (B20s, along with a little C3 and C5), to keep with the theme.

The other redeemer is the background paper. As I said, if I don't have anything in my stash that fits the bill, I make my own. This one was a lot of fun to do. First, I inked the male side of my embossing folder with Chipped Sapphire, and embossed a sheet of white paper. This colored the background blue and kept the swirls white. Using an ink blending tool and Fired Brick, I made the swirls red. Then I covered the entire thing in clear embossing powder to give it a nice glossy finish. I used several layers of regular embossing powder, then remembered I have an old pot of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel that would have done the job in one go. Oh well, I'll remember next time.

So sure, I thought, "oh, I'll do something interesting with my nesties," and then ended up with just another framed card, but I also got to have some fun with my supplies, so it wasn't a complete loss.

Card Recipe:
Image: Bugaboo Stamps HARPOT Sidekick
Copics: E000, 13, 15, 17, 33, 35, 55, 59; R20, 22, 89; YR000, 00, 68; Y15, 26; B21, 24, 28; C1, 3, 5, 7, 9
Distress Inks: Chipped Sapphire, Fired Brick
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls
Other: Ranger Clear Embossing Powder, Nail Heads by Mark Richards (colored with E35), Straight and Narrow Ribbon (colored with R24)

Coloring With Distress Inks: A Video

2011-02-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

Fact: Attempts to save time rarely end in actual time saved. Case in point: I have a bunch of cards to make today, so I wanted to make the one for this post quickly. So, I decided to color my image with Distress Ink rather than Copics. Then I remembered that I've been meaning to do a video tutorial on this technique, so I figured what the heck and got out my camera.

Then I shot the video, and had to edit the video. And then I got to wait for the video to upload. Now it's past 6, and I finally have a blog post.

I like the way the card came out, though.

As for the video, well...
It's my first one. Try to ignore all the 'ums.' Believe me, I know they're there. Still, I've got to start somewhere, so here you go.

Now back to the card.

I used CPS #205 for the sketch. The sentiment is another fun technique. I printed it backwards on transparency paper and applied it to the card like a rub-on. This works differently with different printer inks. With mine the ink doesn't fully transfer, so it looks more hand-stamped than it would if you'd done the technique with a laser printer. Still, I love the results.

The stamp is Farm Chick from The Stamping Boutique. This might be a good time to mention that TSB is having a Spring Fever Blog Hop this Saturday.

Have I ever mentioned how lovely and talented this design team is? You're not going to want to miss this Hop.

And back to the card, one last time.

The recipe:
Paper: My Mind's Eye
Stamp: Farm Chick from The Stamping Boutique
Distress Ink: Wild Honey, Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade
Ribbon: Straight and Narrow - White, colored with Copic YR04
Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots from Cuttlebug

Windy City

2011-02-15T17:02:00.000-08:00

For this week's Hambo project I used the Skyline stamp. I love this stamp, because the entire thing is seven and a half inches long. That makes it great for larger projects, like scrapbook layouts and 6x6 cards. And of course, you can always cut the image down to fit on a standard card, which is what I did.

The D'Vine Swirls embossing folder from Cuttlebug makes a great backdrop, doesn't it? It makes me think of gusts of wind, much like the ones beating on my windows this afternoon. I embossed a sheet of white cardstock, and inked it with Distress Inks (I want to say Broken China and Chipped Sapphire--I should have taken better notes). Inking on dry embossed paper always creates a great effect, and seriously cuts down on the number of colored and patterned papers you need to buy.

I decided to color the scene at sunset, because to me that's the most beautiful time of day. I won't say that blending orange into blue is easy, but with Copics it's certainly possible. And the results sure are pretty.

I'm entering this baby in Try It On Tuesday's The Sky's The Limit Challenge.

Card recipe:
Cardstock: Sizzix Little Sizzles Brights; Staples white Cardstock; Xpressit Blending Card
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls
Stamp: Hambo Skyline (0433)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Distress Ink: Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire, possibly Broken China too.
Copics: C5, 7; Y11, 15; B41, 45; Y35, 38; YR 31; BV0000
Other Supplies: Blending Tool and Foam, Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Martha Steward Scoring Board,

Hats

2011-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

I made a whole bunch of hats recently. My friends are having babies at an alarming rate.

The top two hats are my own design. Not that it's a difficult design, I'm just saying I didn't get a pattern from anywhere. The monkey hat is adapted from The Happy Hooker. I followed the pattern for the monkey face, but the hat is made with my pattern instead of the one in the book.

If you have--or are planning to have--a baby with a cold head, you can visit my Etsy Shop for more hats. Custom designs and colors are available, so if you don't see exactly what you want, contact me and I'll make it. I'm adding to the collection as quickly as my fingers can crochet, and I'll also be making selected cards available for sale in the near future.

Card Cupids Donor Appreciation Blog Tour

2011-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Weekend from Card Cupids! As a Thank You to all of our fabulous followers and card donors, we're hosting hosting a little blog tour.

If you've just hopped onto the tour, you'll want to go back to the Card Cupids Blog to get started. If you've just arrived from Jade's blog, then you're on the right track. Thanks for dropping by!

Card Cupids mission is to provide encouragement and joy by sending Card Cuddle Care Packages to children who are facing difficult challenges in their young lives regardless of their economic background. Card Cupids believes that every child needs to know that they are loved. A stuffed animal to hold, along with cards that share a positive message can help lift the spirits of children that are faced with difficult challenges. Card Cupids collects handmade cards to be sent to children along with new stuffed animals, coloring books, activity books, crayons and markers. Card Cupids hopes to provide numerous Card Cuddle Care Packages to children in hospitals, foster care, homeless shelters as well as children facing other difficulties.

As you know by now, everyone on the tour is sharing a Valentine's Day craft project for kids. I decided to make a heart shaped treat cone.

The basic cone is incredibly simple. All you really need is a sheet of construction paper, some Scotch tape, and a ribbon. Dress it up with whatever embellishments you have on hand, fill with candy, and voila. Sure to delight your little Valentine.

And now, of course, for the real reason you're here. My secret word is SENDING. To be eligible for the prize, just collect all the secret words (they will form a sentence or sentences) and send them to info@cardcupids.org by 11:59 EST on February 14. The subject of your email should be "Blog Tour Prize."

As always, Card Cupids is collecting hand made cards, new stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons and markers to distribute to our Cuties. We're currently collecting for Absolutely Incredible Kids Day on March 15, as well as for Kate and Christopher and their siblings. If you'd like to donate, please visit Card Cupids for more information.

Now it's time for you to head to Angela's blog to continue the tour. Have fun and good luck!

Ladybug

2011-02-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

We all know by now how much I love my clean and simple cards. I'll be teaching this one as a make-and-take at the MLO Anniversary Crop next Saturday. I feel weird saying "teaching" when the steps are stamp, color, glue. So I don't know, I'll be, providing materials and guidance, I guess?

Anyway, how much do you love this little ladybug from My Favorite Things? She is so much fun to color.

This Saturday (as in tomorrow) is my 10 Cards/10 Techniques class at MLO. There are 9 people signed up, which means I'm spending the rest of my day cutting out pieces for 90 cards. So, that'll be fun. No really, it will. I'm looking forward to this class, and there's been such high demand for it that I'll be doing it again in March. Now you all wish you lived in my neck of the woods, and not just because of the weather.

Also, tomorrow is the start of the Card Cupids Donor Appreciation Blog Hop, which means a rare weekend post from me.

Finally, here is my weekly Copic post on The Crop Spot.

Card Cupids Cards For Boys Challenge

2011-02-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

I think the secret to making good cards for boys is to keep them simple: bold colors, fun images, and few frills.

I love the Reach For the Stars digi from Fresh Brewed Designs that I used on this card. It was so easy and fun to color, and goes perfectly with the simple design of the card.

That star is so much fun to color. Y000, 11, 13 and 15 is one of my favorite Copic combos.

Card Recipe:
Paper - Red, Blue and Yellow from my stash
Image - Reach for the Stars from Fresh Brewed Designs
Border - Scallop Border from Tim Holtz for Sizzix
Copics: E000, 00, 01 35, 37, 39, B24, 41, 45; R22, 24, 29; Y000, 11, 13, 15
Distress Inks: Chipped Sapphire, Fired Brick, Wild Honey
Nailheads Metal Stickers from Mark Richards.

Once Upon A Time

2011-02-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

I made this card with the Crystal Ball image from The Stamping Boutique, and an old old stack of paper from ProvoCraft.

I love the colors. They're a little bit dark and mysterious, but still very pretty.

I know the image is called Crystal Ball, but it looks more like a snowglobe to me, so I filled it with glitter. Be Creative tape is transparent, as is Highlight Glitter Ritz, so you can stick it over a colored image for a beautiful effect.

I used pop up dots all over the place (as usual), and curled the sentiment to look like a banner.

In other news, I'm in the market for a new printer. Mine has recently decided it's too good to, you know, print. Suggestions are welcome. My only real requirements are that it be Mac compatible and allow me to print and color digis. I know some inks bleed and run and ruin marker tips. That was the only problem my POS Epson didn't have. It would also be nice if it could print legitimately photo-quality photos. I know there are a lot of printers out there that claim that ability, but so few of them actually measure up.

And in other other news, I'm teaching my first Beginner Copic class tonight at Memories Live On. I hope I know what I'm doing.

Card Recipe:
Cardstock: Provo Craft - Slab XI
Die Cut: Created on Pazzles
Digi Stamp: The Stamping Boutique - Crystal Ball
Sentiment: Printed - Edwardian Script
Copics: BG0000, 72, 75, 78; C1, 3, 5; Y15; E55, 57; Colorless Blender
Distress Inks: Broken China and Chipped Saphire
Other Materials: Glitter Ritz - Cool Highlight; Be Creative Tape; Scotch ATG; Fiskars Rotary Paper Cutter; EK Success 3D Dots

Thinking Spring

2011-02-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

Is easy to do here in NorCal. Not to brag, but the weather has been GORGEOUS. We had to turn the AC on the other day.

Sadly, I haven't had much chance to enjoy the outdoors, thanks to the fact that this kidney stone just won't go away. I will say that I'm lucky the pain hasn't been worse. Compared to what I've experienced in the past, this has been quite manageable. Still, the pain is there, and it's just exhausting to hurt all the time. Anyway, enough bitching. On the bright side, I get to wear jammie pants all day. That is a pretty big bright side.

Anyway, I made this card so I could enjoy a little bit of sunshine inside the house. I used the Flower Quartet from Hambo Stamps. Instead of coloring them with Copics, I decided to have a little bit of fun with my alcohol inks. So I stamped them on glossy paper and "colored" with the ink blending tool and blending felt. It's a less precise, blotchier look, but I like it. It's shiny.

The background paper, as usual, is from my stash. I'm really chipping away at my collection, though, which is a good thing. Soon enough, I'll have to start buying paper again, and then I'll actually know where it comes from.

Note: Polka dots are hard to work with, because they show every flaw in spacing and alignment. They're cute though, so it's worth it.

Card Recipe:
Solid Cardstock: Sizzix Little Sizzles - Brights
Patterned Paper: From my stash
Glossy Paper: Ranger
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Alcohol Inks: Meadow, Citrus, Red Pepper, Cranberry, Raisin, Eggplant, Purple Twilight, Cool Perl, Denim, Stream, Pool, Lemonade; Gold and Pearl Mixatives
Distress Ink: Tumbled Glass and Peeled Paint (on edges of solid cardstock)
Fiskars Paper Trimmer
Martha Stewart Scoring Board
Scotch ATG
EK Success 3D Dots

Super Sunday

2011-02-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my big Glitter Ritz class at Memories Live On. Everyone had a great time and learned a lot. For example, I learned to always add an extra hour to whatever you think the class time will be. Two hours just was just hopelessly optimistic.

I brought my camera, fully intending to take pictures of my crafters in action, but we were so busy having fun I forgot all about it.

I'm already working on designs for another glitter class, and I'm getting ready for next week's 10 Cards/1 Stamp technique class. Also, starting in March I'll be teaching beginning and intermediate Copic coloring on the first and second Sunday of each month. So come feed your marker obsession with me!

Today I'm wrapping up a few crochet projects that have been sitting on my desk for way too long, and I'll probably spend most of my evening designing cards. Sorry for the lack of any actual progress to show off :o)

A Few Things

2011-02-05T16:23:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to hop on quickly today to share a couple of tidbits.

- Hambo Stamps is having a Super Bowl sale. The sale lasts until midnight tomorrow (Super Sunday), and you can get 30% off all stamps. Plus, one lucky winner will get their entire order (up to $100 worth) for free.

- Today is the last day to sign up for a slot on the Card Cupids Valentine's Day Blog Tour. It's a great way to get a little bit of exposure for your blog and your work, and it's for a great cause.

- My friend Heather, formerly of Devouring DC, just launched a new food blog called So Forking Good. How awesome is that name? Almost as awesome as her blog. Go check it out.

Pretty Princess Card

2011-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

How cute is Princess Gwendolyn from The Stamping Boutique?

This stamp reminded me of an old stack of paper that's been sitting in my stash for years. Back when my grandparents celebrated their 60th anniversary, I made two huge scrapbooks for them using the Once Upon A Time stack from DCWV. The books had so many pages that I think I used two stacks to complete it. Of course, I had several pages left over, and never was sure how to use them. Now I know.

This card was also a great excuse to use my latest obsession: Nesties. Lots of Standard Circles and Scalloped Circles here, inked with Victorian Velvet.

I'll be spending the rest of the day prepping for my Glitter Ritz class on Sunday. It's going to be a fun weekend!

Card Cupids 3D Challenge

2011-02-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

The current challenge over at Card Cupids is to make a 3D or Pop-Up Card. The sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps, whose images are among my favorites.

Since the image I chose to work with was Harry Potter, I decided to make a magical card. It looks unassuming at first.

But then.

How'd it do that?

I can't really tell you, because I made it up as I went along. I found a picture of something similar somewhere on the internet, but couldn't find a tutorial, so I decided to wing it. I'll make another in the near future and actually record the steps.

My least favorite part is my handwriting. I made 6 tags before I finally decided this one was good enough. I need to take a penmanship class. I love the word penmanship.

I do have to say, I think this is the best coloring I've ever done. Harry's robes are showing up lighter in the picture than they do in real life (I swear). The scarf is my favorite part, though. The color combo on scarlet is R89, E59, and E17, with a touch of E13 to lighten up the bottom. The gold is Y15, 26 and 28.

Eeee! Isn't Harry cute, though? If you enter this challenge, you have a chance to win 7 free Bugaboo digis. That's right, seven! Just post a link to your card here and wait for your name to be picked. Good luck!

Card Recipe:
Paper: K and Company - Happy Trails collection
Image: Bugaboo Stamps - HARPOT Chosen One
Copics: Hair, Shoes, Robes - C1, 3, 5, 7, 9; Shirt - C1, 3, 5; Face - E000, 00, 01, 11, R11, BG0000; Tie, Scarf - R89, E59, 17, 13, Y15, 26, 28; Wand - E31, 35, 55; Hedwig - Y35, E31, C1, Colorless Blender; Ground - W0, 2, 4, C5, 3, 1
Ribbon: My Mind's Eye - Bohemia twill ribbon
Punches and Dies: Spellbinders Standard Circles Large and Small; Scalloped Circles Small and Large; EK Success Corner rounder; Martha Stewart border punch.
Inks: Distress Inks - Tea Dye
Other Tools and Supplies: Tim Holtz Star Charm; DMC Floss; Martha Stewart scoring board; Crop-a-dile; Fiskars paper trimmer; Scotch ATG

Hambo Hoedown "Kickoff" Challenge

2011-02-02T10:39:00.000-08:00

It's finally here! This is the inaugural week of the Hambo Stamps challenge blog, the Hambo Hoedown. That means I finally get the share the card that I gave you a peek at last Friday.

Since this is the kickoff challenge, and everyone's getting geared up for the Super Bowl, the theme of the week is football!

I laughed out loud the first time I saw this stamp, and not just because it's so cute. Both my sister and my sister-in-law are huge Steelers fans, so I just knew this image would make a great card for either one of them. So I knew from the beginning my main colors would be black and gold.

The inside of the card says "I'm bowled over." I know, punny. I must have been channeling my dad when I came up with it. With Valentine's Day coming up, this would be the perfect card for the spouse of a Steelers fan. Come to think of it, my brother and sister-in-law are newlyweds (*cough* hint, hint, Michael! *cough*).

If you'd like to participate in this challenge (and get the adorable Football Girl digi stamp for FREE), head over to the Hambo Hoedown now!

Card recipe:
Image: Football Girl - Hambo Stamps
Copics: C3, 5, 7, 9; Y11, 13, 15, YR24; E000, 00, 01; E31, 35, 37, 59
Paper: White, black and gold from stash
Sentiment: Printed
Inks: Wild Honey and Black Soot - Distress Inks
Other tools - Paper distressing tool - Tim Holtz for Tonic.

Take A Bow

2011-02-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

See what I did there?

Today I hosted the make-and-take at Memories Live On. We made gift bows using this die from Sizzix. Of course, I didn't take the sample home with me, I was out for most of the afternoon, and I've spent most of this evening working on a card that I can't post until Thursday.

So, I quickly whipped this bow together using ribbon, so I'd have something to show for myself today. It's a pretty easy process. All you need is a brad and 15 short pieces of ribbon (5 each in 2.5, 3 and 3.5 inch lengths). Then you make loops and poke the brad through the ends. It's considerably easier with the die, because it cuts all your pieces to the right size and punches holes in the ends of each strip. With the ribbon, you end up with a lot of frayed ends (and nerves).

It's pretty, though.

I know, I know. I called this one in. I'll make it up later in the week.

It's Your Day

2011-01-31T15:02:00.000-08:00

This card was in the planning stage for the better part of two months. The original idea came from my mother. She often calls me to say things like "It would be really easy to make a card with three balloons. The middle balloon will say 'It's Your Day,' and the side balloons can have spinners so you can change the date to any day of the year. Oh, and you should have a bear holding the balloons, and maybe the spinners could be electronic, and you should add some kind of pyrotechnics display."

Because of the balloon size required to the months and dates would be legible, I had to minus the bear, and the pyrotechnics. And the spinners are just simple boring manual ones. And the card is 5.5x5.5 inches, which I generally try to avoid for envelope reasons.

All that aside, I love the way it turned out. The balloons were cut with the Pazzles, and "It's Your Day" was written with the pen tool (in blue Spica!). The inside says "Let's make it the best!" printed in the same font.

The balloon spinners took a long time to figure out, but ultimately were pretty easy to make. I made the wheels in photoshop, and cut them with my circle nesties. Then I sandwiched them between two smaller circles and joined them with a flat brad. The top circle got glued to the balloon, the back circle got glued to the card, and the middle circle spins. The hardest part was lining everything up to cut the windows out of the balloons.

Since I ended up with a wide space to work with, I had a lot of fun with the details. There's a little bit of hand stitching to join the two patterned papers. I loved the alphabet paper, but thought it was too dark for the background, so I decided to use it as a mat and then curl the top corners a bit to show it off. Everything's inked with Distress Inks (Chipped Sapphire, Bundled Sage and Spiced Marmalade). The thread is from DMC, and the paper has been in my stash so long I forget where it came from.

Hambo Stamps

2011-01-28T12:19:00.000-08:00

Before I get to the good stuff, let me share the really good stuff. I hit 50 followers last night, and that means giveaway! The magic number is:

And the winner is -Melissa! Please email me via the "Contact" link at the top of the page to claim your prize.

And now, I finally get to tell a secret I've been holding in all week.

Remember this card?

And this bag?

Well I didn't mention it at the time, but both those projects were part of my application to the Hambo Stamps Design Team, and they must have liked them, because I made it!

This DT, or the Bacon Bits, as they're called, is so full of talent, and once again I'm honored--and a little bit in awe--to be counted among them.

I've already completed my first project for them, but I can't reveal it until the official launch of the Hambo Hoedown challenge blog next week.

What? You want a preview? Okay, but just a peek.

I have to say when I first received this assignment I was completely stumped. But I'm in love with the end result. Come back next Wednesday to see it in all it's glory.

Card Cupids Sketch Challenge

2011-01-27T16:29:00.000-08:00

Did you know that in addition to being an amazing charity that brings joy to children in need, Card Cupids is a great resource blog for stampers and card makers?

Every Tuesday, one of the DT members posts a Tuesday Treat featuring a fun new tip, trick or technique. This week, Angela shared a video on how you can stretch your paper stash. And every Sunday, we host a challenge with fun themes and prizes.

This weeks challenge is to make a card following this sketch by Becky Fleck at Page Maps.

Here's my interpretation:

Notice I took a few (several) liberties with the design. Sketches aren't rules, they're just suggestions.

The image is Tiny Tia Bow from Some Odd Girl stamps. Some Odd Girl is sponsoring the challenge this week, and they're providing the winner with 3 free stamps. Who doesn't want free stamps? This is why, if you haven't participated in a Card Cupids challenge yet, now is the time. It's always good to get in early with challenge blogs, because fewer participants means more chances for you to win, right?

So head over there and post your creations. I can't wait to see them!

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Some Odd Girl Stamps - Tiny Tia Bow
Copics: Y000, 11, 21; YR21, 24 (hair); E000, 00, 11; R11 (Skin); RV 02, 04, 06, 09 (Clothes); G0000, 12 (eyes); C1 (socks); BV0000, 00 (background)
Die Cuts: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Circles LG, Scalloped Circles SM, Scalloped Circles LG
Border Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug - D'vine Swirl
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Ink: Distress Ink - Spun Sugar

Playing Catch-Up

2011-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

I'm finally starting to dig myself out from under the haze I've been in for the past week. No, the kidney stone isn't gone yet, but I'm in considerably less pain and I'm generally no longer feeling like a zombie.

A large portion of today was spent doing all the housework I've neglected, and the balance has been spent fulfilling other crafty commitments. Sadly, that means I haven't been able to get anything done to post today.

But still, some business:

In case you missed it, last week's Copic tutorial is here. Check back for another one tomorrow. (UPDATE: new one's up!)
Card Cupids needs cards for Valentine's Day. Send them in before the 4th and you'll be entered to win some awesome prizes (valued at over $100!).
My Glitter Ritz class at Memories Live On is nearly full.
I've added another class, based on these cards. $32, you learn 10 techniques and you get to keep the stamp. Saturday, February 12 from 10-1 at Memories Live On.
I'll also be hosting the Tool Time Tuesday make-and-take at MLO next week. I have no idea what we'll do yet, but I promise it will be fun.
There's still a fair amount of excitement to share this week, I just can't share it yet.
I am three (3!!!) followers away from giving away something amazing. Maybe we can hit that by Friday and make this the most exciting week ever.

The Stamping Boutique

2011-01-25T17:47:00.000-08:00

Remember yesterday when I said this was going to be an exciting week? Well here's part one of the excitement.

I'm extremely pleased to announce that I've been named to The Stamping Boutique's fabulous design team! The women on this team are extremely talented--I'm just in awe of all of their work, and I'm so honored to have the opportunity to create with them.

And the stamps! If you haven't seen their images yet, you're in for a treat. I cannot wait to start coloring. I've got a ton of great ideas for cards with these babies, which you'll be seeing very soon!

Needs More Feathers

2011-01-24T16:17:00.000-08:00

Now there are three words that you can only really get away with saying if you're a crafter or an ornithologist.

I'm trying to come up with a fun make-and-take for the Memories Live On all-day anniversary crop, and I figure Mardi Gras is a pretty under-appreciated holiday in the scrapbooking and card-making world. But really, who doesn't love a sweet masquerade mask? (I know, "masquerade mask" sounds redundant and weird, but I'm in the middle of an epic battle with a kidney stone and I just don't have the brain power to figure out what to call it right now.)

It does, admittedly, need work (give me a break, I'm sick!), but at least the concept is proven. I designed and cut the mask on my Pazzles, then I just started playing with flourish stamps jewel stickers. It definitely, as I said, requires feathers (where does one buy feathers?), but it also needs something else, and I can't figure out what that is. I'm really regretting not buying this harlequin stamp from Impression Obsession when I saw it on sale the other day. I also keep looking at my stack of glossy paper, but I'm just not sure if alcohol inks are the answer.

At any rate, this thing will be going through several more versions before February 19, so stay tuned.

No really, stay tuned. This is going to be an incredibly fun week, and just as soon as I start feeling better (please, God, let that be soon!) I'll be back to making stuff that doesn't suck.

Sick Day

2011-01-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling a little under the weather, and after spending my entire morning at the doctor, I decided to take a little nap. 5 hours later, it looks like I needed a big nap.

Needless to say, no crafts today. But, since I've pretty much guaranteed that I won't be able to sleep tonight, maybe it'll be a good time to catch up on some crocheting that I've been wanting to do.

All Kinds Of Fun Stuff Today

2011-01-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

All crammed into one project:

I know it's too early for Easter stuff, but when I saw this little Spring Bunnies stamp from Hambo I couldn't resist.

And, I'm getting a little burnt out from cards, so I wanted to try something different. The pattern for the box (bag, basket, whatever you want to call it) was adapted from a cutting file I downloaded from Pazzles. The original file had little oval cutouts for a handle, and the score lines were meant to be kiss cut. I always use the embossing tool for scoring. (I don't like perforating because it makes the final product that much more fragile.) I could have also just cut the outline and scored by hand, but it's nice to let the machine do all the work.

The stamp is just so much fun. The happy sproingyness of the bunnies made me want to add dimension, so I colored a second image, cut out two of the bunnies, and attached them over the original with 3D Dots. The bunnies are colored with Copics. I used a lot of colorless blender to fade the colors to white. This is a technique that I always had trouble with, but I finally got it during the certification class. The trick is to put down the blender ink first, and then feather the color into it. Now I want to use this technique on everything (so that's exactly what I did).

But I have to say, my favorite part of this is the handle. You've seen me use this ribbon before. I buy it in white (I always have 2-3 rolls on hand) and color it with Copics. For this I cut 4 pieces, colored each a different color, and braided them together. Who knew learning to make friendship bracelets in 4th grade would turn into a useful life skill?

All the paper I used was inked lightly with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink. That and Chipped Sapphire are my new favorite colors. I find myself using them on everything.

Hope you enjoy. Now I need to go actually make some Valentines or something.

Quick Post today

2011-01-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

Every time I think I'm about to be caught up with everything I remember 3 more things that need to get done. Add to that the fact that I came dangerously close to throwing my printer down the stairs, and it hasn't been the best of days.

Still, I managed to make this card.

I had planned to get this one done last night, but the aforementioned printer problems prevented me from getting the image. So I made the entire background, and all I had to do this afternoon was color him and add the sentiment.

It's nice to have a few boy cards in the stash.

Materials
Solid Paper - blue and yellow from my stash
Patterned Paper - Kaleidoscope "Rugged" from My Mind's Eye
Stamp - Wee Henry by Hambo Stamps
Embossing Folder - snake skin from Cuttlebug
Copics - C1, 3, 5, 7, 9; E000, 00, 01, 31, 35, 51; B21, 24, 28; Y15, YR04
Distress Ink - Dried Marigold, Tea Dye, Chipped Sapphire
Lots and lots of 3D Dots (Seriously, this card is like a quarter inch thick.)

New Toy Tuesday: Pinterest

2011-01-18T15:36:00.000-08:00

The new toy I'm sharing today doesn't cost any money, and isn't even actually a thing. Still, I've been playing with it almost nonstop since last night, and I know as soon as you see it you'll be addicted to.

So what is it? It's Pinterest.

How many times have you emailed yourself a link to a knitting pattern you just had to try? Or bookmarked a tutorial? Or cut pages from catalogs for decor inspiration? And how many times have you searched through years worth of emails to try to find that pattern? Or realized your bookmark list is completely out of control? Or thrown out stacks of magazine clippings because "Hoarder" wasn't the decor you were going for?

You need Pinterest. It's basically a big online corkboard. Every time you see something you like, you pin it, and a picture and link will be saved to your Pinterest page. You can organize your pins by category, and keep track of everything in one place. Use it to keep your craft to-do list, find recipes, track the books you're reading, plan your wedding, share marketing ideas with your coworkers. The possibilities are endless.

But the best part is browsing through other people's pin boards. It's like unlimited internet eye candy. Seriously, just go take a look. You'll be hooked, I swear.

That's enough gushing. I haven't been this excited about a social medial site since--well, ever. You can find me on there at pinterest.com/hobbyhopping. I like followers!

If you need invite, email me through the "Contact" link at the top of the page. I will send invites until they won't allow me to send invites anymore.

And as long as we're talking about followers, I also like blog followers! Click the little gray "follow" button to become one. Remember, big prizes when I hit 50.

While we're at it, you might as well follow me on Twitter, too. You can find me there my clicking the little birdie that says "Follow Me." I love getting to know my readers!

Ten Cards, One Stamp

2011-01-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

I didn't feel like making a card today, I just wanted to play around with all my inks and stamps. As a result, I ended up with 10 cards.

Starting from the top left and snaking down to the front, here's how I made each one:

Pink and Green card - I clear embossed the stamp on white cardstock. Then using the ink blending tool, I applied distress ink to fill and color the flowers and leaves. Then I wiped the embossed portions lightly with a baby wipe to remove the extra ink.

Black and Blue card - Stamped in black on glossy paper. I waited several minutes for the ink to dry, a heat gun would hurry this process along. Once dry, I pounced Alcohol ink onto the entire sheet using the ink blending tool.

Music Note card - This is a deceptively simple technique. I inked my main stamp in pink, then inked up a music note background stamp with blue. I "kissed" the two stamps together to transfer the blue music notes to the main stamp, then stamped that onto white cardstock.

Black card - This doesn't show up well in the picture, but I clear embossed the stamp on patterned cardstock. Then using the ink blending tool, I applied black ink to the entire image. The embossed portion resists the ink, so the pattern shows through.

Pink and Gold card - I created a background with pink alcohol ink on glossy paper, then embossed with gold on top.

Pink and Green card 2 - I know this one looks very similar to the first, but instead of applying the ink with a blending tool after I embossed, I smeared the ink onto my craft sheet, spritzed with Glimmer Mist, and painted it on.

Green card - This is a fun technique. I created the background with green alcohol inks on glossy paper. I then coated my stamp with blending solution (technically a no-no, but I did it anyway), and stamped over it. The alcohol ink bleaches out where the blending solution hits it, leaving a really subtle effect.

Pink card - Super simple. Ink up your stamp, spritz with Glimmer Mist. Stamp. Done.

Blue card - I applied Distress Ink heavily to a piece of white cardstock. Then I spritzed my stamp with Glimmer Mist and stamped. Another subtle look, but with lots of sparkle.

Pink and Blue card - I think this one is my favorite. I applied Distress Ink heavily to white cardstock, then stamped with embossing ink and heat embossed. Since the Distress Ink stays wet, a little bit of the embossing paper clung to the in-between areas of the stamp. I applied blue with the blending tool, and got a really cool faded effect.

All together, these cards took me about 3 hours to complete. That's under 20 minutes a card, and that includes clean-up. Not bad.

Happy Friday!

2011-01-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Phoenix for Copic Certification! I'm so excited. Today has been spent mostly packing and preparing my supplies for the trip, so not much actual crafting is going on.

Actually, that's not entirely true. I did pull out the old Ireland scrapbook, and I managed to plan out another layout. I just haven't pieced it together yet. I've also been playing with a new (to me) technique for coloring with Distress Inks. I tried making a video tutorial, but my computer camera couldn't keep up with my hands. So I'll have to try that again some other time.

But now I have to get back to more pressing matters, like finding out if my hotel has a spa, and figuring out how to fit all my markers into my carry-on.

Enchanted Mini Album

2011-01-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

I made this to show off the new Enchanted line from Imaginisce for Memories live on. The papers are really cute. Perfect for an album for a little girl.

The binding is made just by accordion folding a piece of cardstock and adhering the pages between the folds. Easy, and it adds enough bulk that you can put a fair amount of stuff on your pages.

I tried to make each page interactive. The princess is stuck on the first page with Action Wobbles. Their website looks super-serious, but the product is super-fun. It's just a little plastic spring stuck between two adhesive sheets. You stick one side to your die cut and the other to your background, and the die cut wobbles around all happy-like. They add an extra bit of adorable to everything you make.

On the next page, I made the wheels on the carriage spin by cutting them out and then re-attaching them with brads.

Here, the little dinosaur moves back and forth along a little track. There's a great tutorial by Radwa on the Card Cupids blog if you'd like to try this yourself.

And I'll admit, by the last page, I'd lost my mojo. The bow was about the most creative thing I could think of to make that page more fun.

You'll also notice that nothing in this book was cut out on my Pazzles, despite the claims I made earlier this week. You see, I learned the hard way that when your test cut is a circle, it doesn't always give an accurate indication of how well more intricate shapes will cut. I had one sheet of really old paper that was just a little too temperamental, and I got tired of messing with the blade length and pressure. So I pulled out a bunch of stickers and improvised. But hey, nothing's perfect, and I've never had that kind of problem before, so I'm willing to blame the paper and my impatience and not the machine.

Don't forget that as soon as I reach 50 followers I'm giving away a prize. And speaking of prizes, Card Cupids has two challenges going on right now. Make sure you send lots of cards for chances to win!

Glitter Ritz, Peel-Off Stickers, and Copics

2011-01-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

I don't have to tell you how much I love these three products. But if you happen to be in the Bay Area on February 6, I can show you. I'll be teaching a class from 11-1 at Memories Live On, using all of these products.

For the bargain price of $25, you'll get to make these 5 cards:

The class is going to cover a lot of ground. First I'll teach the basics of working with Glitter Ritz and Peel-Offs and the awesome possibilities each provide. Then, a significant portion of the class will be dedicated to blending Copics over the glitter. I also have quite a few tips and tricks up my sleeve, including how to work with glitter without covering your entire workspace in the stuff.

It should--nay, WILL--be a lot of fun, and I hope to see you there!

New Toy Tuesday: Pazzles Accessories

2011-01-11T16:48:00.000-08:00

In addition to New Toy Tuesday, I have a few housekeeping items to mention. But let's do the fun part first:

One of the things that attracted me to the Pazzles over other electronic cutters on the market was the availability of accessories that allow it to do more than just cut. Of course, I told myself I didn't need those extras right away, and that I'd wait awhile to get them. It should come as a surprise to no one that that plan didn't work out.

I ended up with a little extra craft money after Christmas, and it didn't take me long at all to decide on the best way to spend it.

I got the embossing tool, the pen tool, and the piercing tool.

Of the three, I'm most excited about the embossing tool. I used it yesterday to re-work the design I'd made for pillow-box gift card holders. Now, instead of perforating the fold lines, I can use the embossing tool to score them, which gives the final result a much cleaner look. Don't you agree?

The pen tool is also a nifty little gadget. It will hold almost any pen or pencil, so that the machine can "draw" any design. Can you say "perfect use for Spicas"?

Finally, the piercing tool is used for, you guessed it, poking holes! This will allow me to add stitching on cards and layouts in a fraction of the time, and I don't have to buy a sewing machine (yet)!

I also got the mat that's required for use with the embossing and piercing tools, and a stamp making kit. That's right, now I can cut out my own rubber patterns to make stamps. I can't wait to try it.

Look forward to a lot of fun projects using all of these in the near future.

And now for the housekeeping:
- I'm still looking to get 50 followers, and I'm still offering a giveaway when I do. Remember, the winner gets their choice of Spicas, Copics, Glitter Ritz, or candy. Who wouldn't want one of those? Follow, Follow, Follow!

- Last week I wrote a review of various spray mists for the Crop Spot. Read it here, and remember I post over there every week. Usually on Wednesdays, but sometimes Thursdays when I'm lazy. Tomorrow's post will be coloring faces and hair with Copics. You don't want to miss it.

- Today I posted a quick embellishment tutorial on the Card Cupids Blog. While you're over there, tell us what you think of the brand new site!

- I'll be teaching a card class at Memories Live On on February 6. We'll be using Glitter Ritz and Copics to create 5 awesome cards. More details on that tomorrow.

Busy

2011-01-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

Once again, I've totally let Monday get away from me. I woke up this morning thinking I had a nice empty day ahead of me. Then just as I sat down to work I remembered Herbert had a vet appointment. So I had to rush to get us both ready to leave the house. The great thing about owning a pit bull is that they're impervious to pain. Herbs thinks the vet is some awesome place where she gets to go and get lots and lots and lots of treats. I do worse than she does, though I will say it's a lot easier to deal with needles when they're not going into me.

Anyway, she's now fully inoculated, and I'm back to work. I completely lost track of time while designing some titles on my Pazzles (it's slicing away as I write this), and now I'm realizing that I probably won't have any single project done in time to post today.

There's a lot in the works, though. I have about 14 cards in various stages of the planning/designing process. Some are for Card Cupids, some are for a class involving Glitter Ritz, Peel-Off Stickers, and Copics that I'm planning for Memories Live On, and some are for another class that I just dreamed up on inking techniques. On top of that, I'm making a mini-album out of the Enchanted line from Imaginisce. I have a love-hate relationship with this thing right now. That's what all the Pazzle-ing is for.

The plan is to get at least half of this stuff done today. Ha. I'll let you know how that goes.

Make a Wish

2011-01-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

I'm on a simple card kick lately, as you can see.

When the image you're working with is so sweet and serene, you don't want to clutter it up with a bunch of patterned papers and stuff, you know?

I love her sweet face. And her outfit is great for coloring practice, which I need plenty of. All those folds and pleats, not easy. I actually did a better job on my practice image, but since her limbs were all different color combos and her wings were basically a big scribble on that one, I couldn't use it. That happens sometimes.

I printed the sentiment and drew the dandelion seeds around it. I need to be careful with this technique, because I'm getting dangerously close to convincing myself I never need to buy another sentiment stamp.

Full of Magic

2011-01-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

Did you know that I love Harry Potter? You probably did, because it's not really a secret. I just finished re-reading all the books, for oh, probably about the 8th time now. And yes, I still cry at all the sad parts. I might fit one more read in before the final movie comes out.

When I saw this Dumbledore digi from Bugaboo Stamps, I had to have it.

The background panels were cut from the center of a 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper. I knew if I wanted to keep the circular pattern, I'd have to make a square card.

So I decided to make it open in the middle.

If I were a mean person, I'd fill the inside of this with loose glitter to fall all over the recipient. But I'm nice, so I won't.

The words were cut from my Pazzles. I don't know how I ever lived without the welding feature. Life is so much easier now.

Dumbledore was colored with Copic colors BG72, 75, and 78, as well as C1 and the colorless blender. All the paper came from my stash.

Hello, Cupcake!

2011-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Remember when I said every time I try to make a plain white card I end up thinking it's boring and adding to it?

I finally did it!

I think what finally made it work is that the cupcake is perfectly sized and bright enough on it's own that it doesn't need further embellishment.

It's colored with Copics over Glitter Ritz. The trick is to only apply a little of the color you want, then spread it with the colorless blender. I love this technique because the Copic ink moves and blends so easily over the glitter. It's slightly more difficult than coloring on paper because you have to dab with the marker tip rather than brushing, but it just takes a little practice to get it right.

Of course, this wouldn't be a post about Copics if I didn't show off my colored pearls. They match perfectly, because I used the same colors I used for the cupcake.

New Toy Tuesday: ATG

2011-01-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

I actually have a desk full of new toys today thanks to after-Christmas shopping. However, since my new year's resolution is to try spending a tiny bit less* on crafts, I'm going to save most of it for future (Kinda) New Toy Tuesdays. So today, I'll tell you all about my latest favorite.

This was a Christmas gift from my brother and sister-in-law, and it ranks up there with my Pazzles.

The Scotch ATG is the mother of all adhesive guns. Seriously, it's very big and intimidating. But it's so easy to use. And that roll of tape is 36 yards.

Before I got this, I'd been using the Glue Glider Pro. I'll be honest, I was never a huge fan of it. The cartridges held about 20 yards of adhesive each, and generally cost $2-3 more than the ATG rolls. The first few applications off each cartridge were smooth, but it was only a matter of time before it started jamming. The rubber roller was barely wider than the tape, which meant there wasn't much there to grip the paper. That made it hard to control, so half the time I found it easier to just remove the cartridge from the gun and hold it by the tip. And if the tape roll broke before you finished the cartridge, you were SOL.

The ATG, despite being 4 times the size of the Glue Glider, is infinitely better. The wide rubber roller makes it possible to apply tape much more precisely, and it dispenses very smoothly and easily. Also, in the event that I rip the tape on this, all I have to do is open the thing up and wind the end back onto the spool. Honestly, I should have made the switch ages ago.

So thanks, Mike and Joy, for this awesome, awesome gift.

*I would like to emphasize the importance of the words "tiny" and "bit" in that sentence, especially if my husband is reading.

Have a Nice Day Card

2011-01-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

A lot of my card ideas start as a plain white card with a simple little embellishment and a few words. They never end up that way. Never.

This one is no exception. I even printed my message and placed my stickers directly on the card backing, intending it to be completely plain. And I just didn't like it. Luckily, a little bit of inking solved everything. Always does.

I had to get a little creative with the double sided tape on this one, but the end result was worth it. I used Cool Highlight Glitter Ritz with Copic markers to color the birdies, and I printed the sentiment. Then I went over the letters with a clear Spica, because you can never have too much sparkle.

Materials:
Cardstock: Staples
Bird Stickers: Elizabeth Craft Designs 0414
Adhesive: Be Creative Tape, 3D Dots
Ink: Spica 00; Copics B00, 02, 05, Colorless Blender; Distress Inks Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint

Equipment:
Paper Trimmer
Scoring board
Photoshop
Ink Blending Tool and Foam
Craft Knife, Tweezers and Scissors.

My Amazing Grandparents

2010-12-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

This post is all about my heroes, Granny and Moredad, illustrated with a scrapbook that my sister-in-law, Joy and I made for them earlier this year. Joy organized everything, then we divided the pages and got to work.

Joy's layout. "When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."

All through my life, these two have been the ultimate support system and inspiration. When we were little, Moredad kept a handkerchief in his back pocket at all times, and any time a tear needed to be dried it was right there. As we grew up, Granny kept a stash of candy in her pantry, always ready for a visit from any of us.

This is the one layout Joy and I split. Her page featuring my Uncle Peter and Aunt Claudia is on the left. My page, featuring my parents, is on the right.

For many years, they lived about 5 minutes from us. Close enough for my little brother to ride his bike when he ran away, and conveniently nearby the day the car broke down while my older brother and I were on our way to school.

My layout. My older brother, Christopher, and Moredad share a love of the show MASH.

Their beach house, the "Calm C Getaway" (which stood for Christopher, Andrew, Laura, Michael and Christina--their grandchildren at the time the house was built), is the home of some of my greatest memories. The most recent of those memories was my bachelorette party, when they generously turned the house over to my cousins and best friends for a weekend of fun.

My layout. When my husband and I were married, Moredad sang our first dance song, "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You." It's my favorite memory from the entire wedding day.

Moredad served on the Maryland State House of Delegates for 12 years. Granny had a collection of gorgeous gowns that she wore to political dinners and such. My sister and I still love playing dress-up with them. My mom doesn't, because we still make as big a mess as we did when we were kids.

Joy's layout. She and my brother were married last April, and I love having another crafter in the family! I love her sentiment here: "A fuzzy photo...a clear memory forever in our hearts."

In 1999, the same year I graduated from High School, Moredad earned his college degree from the National Labor College. He continues to take classes, the most recent of which being an algebra course that he took over the summer, just for fun.

Joy's Layout. My brother Andy is the joker of the family, and also a huge Cowboy's fan. He'll also tell you (over and over and over again) that he's the favorite grandchild.

The biggest scrapbook I ever made (which ended up being 2 scrapbooks) was for their 60th wedding anniversary, 3 and a half years ago. Yeah, you read that right. They've been married for almost 64 years. And they still dance in the kitchen.

My Layout. My sister changes her hairstyles like most people change clothes. The picture of the two of us holding hands is my grandmother's favorite pose, so we take similar pictures together at all kinds of big family events.

Every five years since their 50th, they've taken the whole family on a cruise. We've been to the Mediterranean, Bermuda, and New England. They also joined our family on a trip to Scandinavia. They like to participate in the "Newlywed Game," which happens on every cruise ship ever. Their answer to the final question is a thing of legend.

Joy's layout. The quote on the left is "Life's a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. The page on the left features my Aunt Marcie and Uncle Mike.

Last August, Moredad turned 89, and they moved from the beach house to an independent living complex close to my parents, aunts and uncles. The scrapbook was part of their housewarming/birthday gift.

Joy's Layout. My cousin Michael was a really cute baby. I don't know what happened.

They seem to be having fun there. In fact, I think their social schedule is more active than mine. My grandmother is a speed demon with her new walker, but she will remind you every time she lets go of it how important it is to make sure you put the brakes on.

My Layout. My youngest cousin, Julie, graduated from high school last year. When did everyone get so old??

Christmas was the first time I've been home since they moved. I miss them terribly, but it was wonderful to see how well they're doing. Christmas was also the first time I got to see the completed scrapbook. It's beautiful, if I do say so myself. I just had to share it.

My layout. You may have noticed from the Christmas post that mine is a family who enjoys their alcoholic beverages. It seemed appropriate to end the book with a toast.

If you've never made a scrapbook with someone else, I highly recommend it. Joy and I both have our own styles, but everything came together really nicely.

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the good camera when we visited my grandparents' new place, so I apologize for the iPhone pictures, which came out even worse than I thought they would. At least you'll get a general idea, though. And this gives me a perfect excuse to visit home again--I have to get better pictures!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful 2010, and I wish you all the happiest and healthiest New Year!

The JFS Card, Revisited

2010-12-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

I had an occasion to make this card again, this time with a couple of notable improvements.

I need to start taking my pictures before nightfall.

First, the words and the poop were cut with the Pazzles. That's right, I've created my very own poop cutting file, and now I can mass-produce this beauty. I don't like the font as much as the original, but the fact that I don't have to cut and glue every individual letter anymore totally makes up for that.

I also added a gift card pocket to the inside. I ended up stamping it after I took the picture, but you get the general idea.

The recipient totally loved it, which makes it a win as far as I'm concerned. Next time I make this (because you know there will be more), I'm going to lose the dog stamp and make my own little puppy. So look forward to that.

And a quick side note; while I didn't hit my 50 followers by Christmas goal, I've decided I'll still do the giveaway, whenever I do hit 50 followers. So if you haven't followed yet, do it now!

Home Again, Home Again

2010-12-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love the lazy week between Christmas and New Year's Eve? It used to be my favorite time to get work done without interruption.

Of course, given that the deadline for basically everything I was working on was Christmas, I've been staring at my unusually clean desk, waiting for inspiration to strike. It will come, I'm not worried.

As I mentioned on Christmas Eve, we had a fantastic time back home with our families. I spent the first half of Christmas Eve furiously finishing the two Christmas stockings.

They came out quite well, if I do say so myself. Down to the last minute I was working under the assumption that I'd have to re-make Jesse's next year, because there were so many holes from all the color changes, but I was able to fix them all while weaving in the ends, which made me ridiculously happy.

After we dropped them off at my parents' house to be hung by the chimney with care, we headed out to dinner with my in laws. It's their tradition to eat every year at Mama Ayesha's, which is a fabulous Middle Eastern restaurant in Woodley Park.

Christmas morning we headed back to my parents' house.

Mrs. Claus had brought all the girls matching PJs.

Oh my gosh, they were so comfortable. None of us changed out of them until dinner.

Here's another picture of the stockings, all together. The colors aren't a perfect match, which adds to both the charm and my mother's annoyance.

Shortly after breakfast, we broke out the Genny Cream Ale (my dad and brother's favorite). You might think, based on this picture, that my husband was the ringleader in this, but really I think it was Joy.

Once we were each at least one ginormous beer in, we broke out some old gingerbread cookie decorating kit that my mom has probably had since the mid-80's (she claims it's only been a year). We don't have pictures of this incident, because the mess was so big we had to put the cameras away to protect them. Suffice it to say my mom and dad will be finding sprinkles on the floor for years to come.

When the beer dried up, we switched to the drink of the day: The Ornamentini.

My mom's recipe was 1 part vodka, 2 parts cranberry juice, 1 part Sprite. My recipe was closer to 3 parts vodka, 1 part cranberry juice, 1 part Sprite. But, you know, same thing.

I had this many:

Notice the glass (complete with reindeer swizzle stick!) still clutched in my hand.

All in all, I can pretty confidently say it was the best Christmas ever.

Merry Christmas to All!

2010-12-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

The husband and I are back in DC for Christmas. It's cold, but I have really really missed this city.

We're having a fantastic time relaxing and spending time with our wonderful families, and I hope all of you are getting to do the same.

(And in case you were curious, I finished the stockings this afternoon. I'll be sure to get a picture of them--fully stuffed, in the morning.)

Gift Card Holders

2010-12-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Late yesterday afternoon, my husband told me he'd gotten small gifts for a couple of the admins in his office, and asked if I could make cards for them. Having just packed up all my Christmas supplies for the year, I sighed loudly and tried to think of something I could make that wouldn't re-create the mess that I'd just spent the whole day cleaning.

Luckily, my Pazzles came to the rescue. A few weeks back I was looking at a gift card holder in Starbucks and thought it shouldn't be too hard to re-create.. As it turned out, without the ability to cut perfect circles and score curved lines, it was pretty difficult. But now that I have my Pazzles, my two biggest challenges were no longer problems.

It took about an hour to design the cutting file, but checking and re-checking my measurements and my math proved worth it in the end, because the whole thing came together perfectly in one try. Fully assembled, the box fits a standard-sized gift card perfectly. The little notecard was just quickly cut from standard cardstock. I stamped the Christmas tree using three colors of Distress Ink, then I colored in the ornaments with R29 and the lights and star with a yellow Spica pen. The ribbon is my standard white that I use on everything, colored with a Copic in B29. Easy as pie, and virtually no mess!

This is a cutting file I'll be using over and over again. If you have a Pazzles and want the cutting file, you can email me via the "contact" button at the top of my blog. Just send me your email address and I'll send back the file.

Also, I have another Copic tutorial up here. And don't forget to follow! Only 3 days left to hit 50. You know you want that prize.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

2010-12-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

They're sent! And 4 days before Christmas, even! I know some people (Mom) didn't think it would happen.

Of course, in my excitement to get them all out, I forgot to take pictures. Here are the last two, which hadn't been sealed yet when I remembered. At least they were two of my favorites.

(I'm submitting this one to the current Copic Creations challenge. I think it certainly fits the requirement for sparkle!)

Who am I kidding? They were all my favorites. I really had a lot of fun designing and making each one.

I still have a few more things to get done before the 25th, like finishing those stockings and wrapping gifts, but I should have no problem getting it all done by tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2010-12-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Today is my dad's birthday (in case you couldn't tell). It's very difficult to make cards for men, but this is what I came up with.

He is a kid at heart, so I guess it fits. Anyway, Dad, I hope you're having a great day, I hope you get lots of gifts that aren't combined with Christmas, and I'll hand-deliver this card to you in 3 days!

The Superhero is Star Boy Luka from Lala Land Crafts. He's colored with Copics on Beckett paper, which, if you've been reading my Copic tutorials over at The Crop Spot blog, you'll know has usurped Neenah as my favorite Copic paper. All that red and dark blue, and no bleeding into the yellow!

I cut the words out with my Pazzles and added shading with chalk. The chalk set is one of those tools that's been hanging out in my stash so long I forgot I had it. I really like the results, though. I'll be breaking them out more often. Incidentally, "you're" and "super" are two words that definitely start to look like they're spelled wrong when you've been staring at them too long.

Materials:
Paper: American Crafts Celebration Dance Floor, red and yellow from stash, Beckett for coloring
Stamp: Star Boy Luka, Lala Land Crafts
Buttons: From my stash, colored with Copics
Ovals: Nestabilities
Words: designed and cut on Pazzles Inspiration
Copics: E000, 00, 11 (face); Y11, E31, YR21 (hair); R22, 24, 27, 29 (mask, gloves, belt, boots); Y000, 11, 13, 15 (star, cape); B24, 28 (shorts, circle); C1, 3 (pin); C1, Colorless Blender (shirt)
Chalks: Inkadinkado Bold Brights.

Card Factory (Part Deux)

2010-12-17T15:32:00.000-08:00

Remember all the little trees I said were on my desk yesterday? Still there, I just added to them. I also managed to turn a few of them into actual cards.

My desk is at that blissful point of messiness where I can't find a thing if I actually look for it, but everything I need is right there when I reach for it. You can't see the mess in the picture because I cropped it out, just in case my grandmother finds her way in front of a computer someday.

As you can see, I love Christmas trees. We're not getting one this year because we're traveling for Christmas and we didn't see the point of buying one just to take it down before we left. So I'm decorating paper trees this year. At least there aren't pine needles everywhere.

My campaign for followers is off to a good start. I've decided to make the prize winner's choice. So, if I get 50 followers by Christmas, and if you are the lucky random winner, you will get either 5 Copics, 10 Spicas, a Glitter Ritz/Peel Off starter kit, a set of hand-made cards, or a big box of candy (because I know not all of my followers are crafters, but who doesn't like candy?). So click that button!

Card Factory

2010-12-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

I love the vintage look of these papers. The cards were so simple to make with a few background stamps and little embellishments.

Right now, my desk is covered in tiny Christmas Trees which will get assembled into cards tomorrow.

And, just for fun, if I hit 50 followers by Christmas I'll draw one person at random to win a prize. Not sure what it'll be yet, but it will definitely be something I love. Maybe a set of Spicas, or some glitter, or Copics. Or, if the winner isn't a crafter maybe I'll make them something. Who knows? All you've got to do is hit that follow button. And tell your friends :o)

Card Cupids' Lots of Love Giraffe

2010-12-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

Did you see the new digi that Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs created just for Card Cupids?

He is a cutie, isn't he?

I am loving the scallop border from Tim Holtz's Alterations line for Sizzix. It's one of the many reasons I don't plan to give up my Big Kick now that I have a Pazzles. Another reason is that I'm pretty much a hoarder when it comes to craft stuff. Ask my husband.

It's just $2 to get this digi, and all proceeds go to Card Cupids. As my mom would say, you can't afford not to buy it.

I'm off, furiously working on Christmas cards and knitting. I've allowed myself to slack for the last few days while I took care of other things. No more!

Pa Pa Pa Pazzles!

2010-12-14T18:34:00.000-08:00

Wow, Tuesdays have a habit of getting away from me. I don't know how two people produce so much laundry in a week.

So as you know, Santa Claus came to my house last Thursday and delivered my Pazzles Inspiration. This thing is the mother of all cutting machines. It cuts paper up to 12x24 inches, and it connects to your computer to cut any image or font you can think up.

That's right. No cartridges, no need to trim your scrapbook paper to fit. This is the best of the Cricut and the Silhouette combined, and look how pretty it is. It also cuts beautifully. I can't wait to get the extra attachments like the pen tool and the paper piercing tool.

I had this thing working and ready to go in under an hour, and haven't had a single problem figuring how to use it or the software. Everything is very intuitive, and the few problems or questions I've had have been quickly solved or answered by a quick look at the help menu or the extensive forums at pazzles.com.

If you have basic familiarity with Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, the Inspiration Studio software is cake. I haven't come across a reason yet to upgrade to Studio Pro, but then I've only been playing with the thing for five days. I'm sure I'll come up with a need for the advanced software soon enough.

The only downside to this machine is that it's not yet Mac compatible. However, until just recently there have been no Mac compatible electric die cutters and I think the capabilities of the Pazzles outweigh the small inconvenience of not having it connected to my main computer. But really, if anyone from Pazzles is reading this, MAC SOFTWARE! PLEASE!

I'd love to show you some projects I've done, but I can't. This could be because I haven't actually finished anything yet, or it could be because what I'm working on has high potential to be turned into a Christmas gift. Don't worry, though. You'll be seeing a lot of projects in the near future.

Presenting...

2010-12-13T17:03:00.000-08:00

One whole stocking!

Okay, truth be told, it's still not quite finished. I still need to weave in the ends, sew up the seam, and embroider the name on the cuff.

So the stocking really looks more like this right now.

And look at all these ends. Not really looking forward to this part, not gonna lie.

Which is why I decided to start the second stocking before this one was 100% complete. See how far I've gotten?

Really though, the knitting takes a lot more time, space and equipment than the finishing, so I figure my time is better spent on the second stocking right now. That way, even if I get down to the wire, I won't have to bring my entire knitting bag to DC to have these ready by Christmas.

I need new needles. The paint on these is starting to chip off at the tips, which makes them really rough. I bought a pair of wooden ones yesterday, but the finish on them just wasn't quite smooth enough and the yarn wasn't moving nicely, so they'll have to go back. I think I'll try bamboo next. I would like something a little flexible to help with the hand cramping. If you have any suggestions let me know.

Today I also mailed my first grad school application. It's a two-parter, so I still have to submit the online portion, but I have until Wednesday for that. I like to cut things down to the wire, don't you know? I decided to go for an MFA instead of an MBA. It's something I've been thinking about for almost five years, while the MBA was just sortof an idea that popped up two months ago. I figure if I'm going to spend the next two years in school I should be doing something I love, and business school doesn't seem like the right place for someone whose heart isn't in it. So that's my story.

Oh, also, I'm way behind on Christmas cards. My parents always sent theirs out in January, and that's definitely one area where the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. In my defense, I had a lot of cards, but I sent them all to Card Cupids. I figured my friends and family wouldn't mind late holiday greetings if it meant a few extra kids could get care packages.

I was planning for tomorrow's post to be a big huge rave about my amazing new Pazzles, but I haven't had as much time to play with it as I'd have liked. I'll do what I can, though.

Peel Off Stickers Poinsettia

2010-12-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

This first card was a labor of...I don't know what. Not love. You know when you have an idea in your head of how something should look, and no matter what you do reality doesn't match that idea?

That was me earlier this week. Eventually everything worked out, but I'm not kidding when I tell you this card took an entire day to get right.

That "Merry Christmas"? Stamped 15 times at least. I tried clear ink with black embossing powder, black ink with clear embossing powder, black ink with black embossing powder, a different black ink with clear embossing powder...you get the idea. I finally settled on plain old black ink because it would not come out any other way.

I can't say often enough how the magic of Glitter Ritz just doesn't come through in pictures. The second picture gives you a slightly better idea. I like to pump up the color just slightly by dabbing in slightly darker shades with Copics. You can see it a little bit in the leaves here. Also, those little pearls started out white. I colored them with Copics too. Have I mentioned how nice it is not to have to buy pearls and gemstones in every color imaginable?

Anyway, I think I perfected this design with my next card.

I finally got the embossing to work...by buying a new embossing pad. Whatever works, right?

I love this card. I feel like it would be perfect for a Christmas Wedding. It could also be adapted with a regular flower and used at any time of year.

Oh, and those flourishes? The skirt (and wing) of the angel that came in the same set as that Merry Christmas stamp. For the first card I used black ink, but stamped first on a sheet of scrap paper to get the lighter effect.

I'm entering this second one in CPS 196.

Card Cupids Use Your Stash Challenge

2010-12-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that we're now doing weekly challenges over at Card Cupids? This week's is to make a card using all items that you already have in your stash. This can be difficult, given how easy it is to convince yourself that your project just won't be complete until you have some different paper, or new embellishment, or other marker color. I know all you craft-aholics know what I'm talking about.

So, here's what I made.

My first bit of inspiration came while I was coloring. I've mentioned before that the V10s are my go-to color combo for girls' clothes. I even used them in last week's challenge. I sat here and stared at my Copics, wanting to do something different, but needing to limit myself to colors I already owned. My eyes landed on the Oranges. I've also probably mentioned that I'm a big fan of Orange.

Turned out, I also had a spool of orange ribbon that's been hanging out in my stash for years. Perfect. I accented with blue, and embossed the colored paper with my Sizzix.

Partly because I've been relying pretty heavily on straight, neat layouts lately, and partly because I wanted to show off the embossing on the orange paper, I decided to mix up the positioning with random diagonals. I think the end result is fun and cute and perfect for a kid who needs a little cheering up, don't you?

Two New Cards

2010-12-08T21:38:00.000-08:00

I had a pretty creative day. Every time I thought I was finished, I had a new idea and made another card. I have two to show you now. The third can't be shown off until tomorrow, and the fifth I forgot to take a picture of, and the sixth isn't quite done yet. That's a lot, huh? I also spent a good portion of my morning knitting. I love Wednesdays, because Herbert goes to doggy daycare and I get to be extremely productive. Even now I'm itching to make one--actually, two--more cards, but I think I have to give it a rest for the night.

Okay, fewer words, more pictures, I know. Here.

First I have this snowman card, made with a whole bunch of my new stuff. The background was made with Alcohol inks (Denim, Stream, Pool, and Silver Mixative) on glossy cardstock. The snowman and snow flakes are from that gorgeous set of stamps I bought last week. I heat embossed the snowman, then I stamped the snowflakes with glue and sprinkled them with silver glitter.

And here I have another tea bag fold card.

I told myself this would be a really quick card, but then of course I had to add the hand stitching.
I swear these paper patterns are breeding on my desk. No matter how many cards I make with them I still have some left over.

I'm going to have to do a video tutorial on tea bag folding at some point. But then you'll all see how easy it is. Hmm.

New Toy Tuesday: Lots of Stuff

2010-12-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

Today I went to the mall for the first time in at least six months. In fact, it's been so long I can't actually remember the last time I was there.

I used to love the mall. Of course, I used to be a teenager. One of the benefits of not having an office job is being able to do your Christmas shopping while everyone else is at work. It was blissfully uncrowded. That said, it still wasn't what you'd call a fun experience. The good news is that I did get about half of my shopping done, and the other half doesn't require me to go back. I also bought 2 new sweaters and a small pile of makeup for me. The sweaters are only the second and third articles of clothing I've bought for myself since my wedding (weird, right? My wardrobe is in serious need of an overhaul). The bad news is that Macys no longer carries my china pattern, so the few pieces I still don't have I'll have to get directly from the manufacturer.

The great news is that I got an email telling me my Pazzles has been shipped and should be here on Thursday. I already have a spot cleared out for it. Next weeks New Toy Tuesday is going to be awesome.

As far as new crafty stuff, I got a pack of full sheets of Be Creative tape, so I'm no longer limited to glittering things 2.5 inches wide. Oh, the possibilities. I've also added to my collection of alcohol inks, and a pack of Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, which is a major ingredient in most of the 12 Tags of Christmas.

I don't have any pictures of stuff because I'm a big fat bum, but as a consolation prize I'll share a couple pictures of paradise.

This is where I'd like to be right now. How about you?

Progress!: A Knitting Update

2010-12-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

I was a knitting fiend this weekend, and my efforts finally paid off. The Snow Lady has a FACE!

I should have taken a picture of the back. There are loose threads everywhere. Weaving in the ends is going to take longer than the actual knitting.

The plan is to have the rest of the leg portion of the stocking done tonight, and then I'll start shaping the heel tomorrow. This is the first time since I started this baby that I actually felt like I'd be able to get it done in time. Of course, every time I start to feel good about my efforts I remember that I still have another one to do when this one is finished.

While my wrists rest, I'm working on Christmas cards, of course. I made an adorable one with alcohol inks and my new stamps, but that's for tomorrow's post (since it involves new toys). I also started working on a super secret project that won't be posted here until after Christmas (heehee). Now I'm off to play with glitter.

Some Odd Girl Stamps and Translucent Coloring with Copics

2010-12-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you the card I made for the first ever challenge on Card Cupids. The challenge is to make any card using our selected sketch from Page Maps, and it's still going on, so you have until Sunday to submit your design. We were lucky enough to be sponsored by Some Odd Girl stamps for this challenge, so I used Balloon Kaylee in my card.

Notice how you can see the yellow and blue balloons behind the front pink one? This technique is deceptively simple. The lightest Copic colors are translucent, and they also tend to push other colors out of their way. Think of them as slightly tinted colorless blenders. All I did was color the yellow and blue balloons first, also filling the areas that were colored by the front balloon. Then I colored the entire front balloon pink.

To draw attention to the edges, which would have the darkest color, I drew an extra line of pink around the inside of the front balloon, then dabbed in a little more yellow and blue in the centers of the colored areas. Finally, I added just a bit of colorless blender to really drive home the translucent effect. So easy!

Kaylee looked to me like the type of girl who would have streaks of pink in her hair, so I used RV04 and 06 on a couple of her locks.

The dress is in V01, 12, 15 and 17, one of my favorite color combos for clothes.

All the paper came from my stash; the flower is from Sizzix dies, and the stamp is Hero Arts.

Have a great weekend!

New Toy Thursday!

2010-12-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

I'm at my husband's office today. You may remember that I'm the Director of Fun here. It's a position that's paid in business cards, occasional free lunches, and, of course, fun. They're making marketing videos for the latest release of their product, so I'm putting my film degree to use as their producer/editor.

Unfortunately, somebody (he) ended up double booked in meetings, which meant that somebody else (I) had to kill some time in the middle of the day. Conveniently enough, his office is located within about 5 minutes of a whole bunch of craft stores, so I went shopping.

I actually hit the first store before I came to the office this morning. Cranberry Hill Mercantile was offering a fun card class using Peel Off stickers and Glitter Ritz, and you know how addicted I am. I learned a new technique using transfer tape, and made 4 cards. Here's one sample:

{Please forgive the abysmal iphone photos. I'll take better ones when I get home.}

Of course I have about 12 pages of these stickers at home, so I'll be doing a lot like this in the next few days.

Then I bought 6 new pots of glitter to take advantage of the class participant discount.

I later hit two yarn shops looking for supplies for hats, but neither one had what I was looking for. Luckily, I hit pay dirt at Michael's. I got three balls of yarn, six spools of ribbon in various common colors (just because I never seem to have quite what I want), and these awesome stamps.

Oh my god I am in love with them. Look at that Angel!

As you may already know, Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas started yesterday, and I am totally going to be combining some of these stamps with his techniques.

I foresee a super-fun, super-craft filled weekend!

Card Cupids and Copics

2010-12-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

It's a beautiful day here in Northern California. The temperature is a pleasant 60 degrees (hoodie and flip flop weather-my favorite). The sun is shining, the sky is bright blue, and the mountains are just starting to turn green. But the best part is that the leaves on the trees are actually changing. Last year everything just sort of turned brown and died, but this year it actually looks like fall! Our neighborhood is full of reds and oranges and yellows. Love it.

Yesterday I bought a bottle of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. I'm having way too much fun shaking the bottle and watching the pearly water swirl around. Weird. I know. But this stuff is awesome. It adds a nice even sheen to anything you spray it on. I used it on this little guy:

I swear I did. Nice, even sheens don't show up too well in photographs.

But Glimmer Mist really isn't the point of this post. The point of this post is that precious little lion up there. This is an exclusive digi stamp made for Card Cupids by Tracy at The Stamping Boutique. It won't be for sale until February, but the Card Cupids Blog has a bunch of ways for you to win it before you can buy it, so head over there and check it out.

One way to win is to suggest a name for him. Please do it soon, because I've been calling him Merkle and I don't think he likes it.

In other news, it may just turn out to be a relatively productive day. I've already made three cards (I can't show you the others yet), and I'm in the process of psyching myself up to clean my desk. It needs it, desperately. Also, this happened. Yes, my post on the Crop Spot blog is up. I'm really enjoying writing about Copics. Who doesn't want an excuse to color all day?

Speaking of Copics, the marker list is pretty much the only thing I can give you for this card since I don't know where the paper came from and all my other materias and equipment are the same as usual. So...

Lion body - YR21, 24
Lion Mane - E31, 35, 37
Patches - R24, 27, 29
Cart - Y000, 11, 13, 15
Wheels - C1, 3, 5, 7
Background - BG0000

Oh, and Distress Ink Wild Honey for the edges, and Glimmer Mist Dazzling Diamonds for the nice even sheen.

My To Do List

2010-11-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

I just need to put this somewhere, so I'm putting it here.

No pictures today, because my desk is a mess and I don't have any projects ready to be photographed anyway. No New Toy Tuesday today because the only things I've bought recently have been additions to various collections (Copics, glitter, distress inks; things you've heard me rave about enough times already).

Christmas Cards - I have mine about halfway done. I've also been commissioned to make some additional ones, which I need to get to work on. I'm hoping to be done making all Christmas cards by December 10.

Christmas Stockings - I slacked on these during NaNoWriMo, but now it's NaKniUnYoFiBleMo (National Knit Until Your Fingers Bleed Month). I'm aiming to be done with the first one by December 12, and the second by Christmas Eve. If Jesse has a toe-less stocking on Christmas I'm sure he won't mind.

Baby Hats - I have been contacted by 3 people regarding hats. I have not forgotten you. I'll probably work on your hats when I feel like cramping up different muscles in my hands. Also, if any of you can wait until Christmas, crochet hooks are easier to get on airplanes than knitting needles these days.

NaNoWriMo - I'm done. 50,205 words, though probably only half of them are coherent. Now I get to go back to working on the story I was writing before nano, which is good because that one is almost all coherent.

Card Cupids - I want to make about 3 cards today to give myself a little lead time on our challenges. PS - Have I mentioned that Card Cupids is now doing weekly challenges? Head over there to check out our first one.

Crop Spot Blog - I mentioned before that I'll be writing all about Copics on the blog for scrapbookingsuppliesrus.com. My first post goes up tomorrow, so be on the lookout for that. I just need to type up a tutorial for next week (all the coloring is done), and I left the store today with four varieties of white cardstock, so I can show how much of a difference your paper makes.

Christmas Shopping - The only store I like going to anymore is the craft store. I hope my brothers like pretty patterned paper and stamps. I kid. But seriously, I haven't started yet.

All this is to say that I should probably stop blogging and start working, right?

Shining Star Card

2010-11-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

Before I get started, I just want to let everyone know that Card Cupids has extended their blog hop until Friday, so you still have a chance to win the awesome prizes we're giving away. If you jut came here from Steph's blog and you're looking for my blog hop post, just scroll down or click here. If you'd like to start the hop, click here.

If you just want to see the card I made today, read on.

The idea for this card came from my mother. In fact, she gave me two card ideas the last time we talked, but the other design is considerably more complicated, so I need some time to work on it.

The background cardstock came from my stash. It was part of a 4th of July collection, and it just happened to catch my eye as I was flipping past the holiday section in my massive stack of cardstock. The lesson here is to sort cardstock by color, not by holiday or event, because you might miss something.

The lettering was cut on my Sizzix, the font collection is Classic. I love the look of die cut letters, but I use them sparingly so as to avoid the inevitable headaches that come from lining up and gluing all those individual letters.

I'm not sure if it shows up in the picture, but I coated each letter with a little bit of Glossy Accents to give them some shine. Appropriate, right?

The center star is covered in--of course--Glitter Ritz. I tried using both Champagne and Silver, which I already had in my stash, but neither one looked quite right. Then my husband mentioned that he was taking his car to get fixed at a place that was right by one of my favorite craft stores, so I smiled sweetly and asked him if he'd buy me a pot of yellow. And he did! I was seriously surprised when he called me from the store to check that he was getting the right thing.

I also only baked one pie on Thanksgiving, and he took care of the rest of the meal. How lucky am I? Very, I know.

Now seriously, if you haven't done the hop, go do it! You want to win all that stuff (heck, I want to win all that stuff, so if you win and don't want it just give it to me!), and it really helps us to get the word out. Did you know that Legacy Emanuel hospital expects to have around 200 patients staying with them over Christmas? Let's help bring a little extra cheer to those kids!

Materials:
Cardstock: White - Staples; Yellow, blue, and star pattern - all from my stash.
Ink: Black Soot - Distress Ink
Glitter: Yellow - Glitter Ritz
Adhesive: High Tac - Glue Glider Pro; Be Creative Tape - Sookwang; Glossy Accents - Ranger; 3D Dots - EK Success; Sticky Dots Die Cut Adhesive - Therm O Web

Equipment:
Paper Trimmer - Fiskars
Scoring Board - Martha Stewart
Ink Blending Foam and Blending Tool - Ranger
Scissors - Fiskars

Card Cupids Christmas Cheer Blog Hop!

2010-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

We're having a blog hop! If you've just come from Steph's blog, you're on the right track. If you're just finding the hop now, you're going to want to head over to Card Cupids to get started. (Don't worry, I'll still be here when you get back!)

As you know (since I talk about it all the time), Card Cupids mission is to provide encouragement and joy by sending Card Cuddle Care Packages to children who are facing difficult challenges in their young lives regardless of their economic background. I love designing for this charity. It's so wonderful to know that the cards I'm making will be able to seriously brighten someone's day. I hope this blog hop will inspire some of you to donate. If you'd like to know how to send cards in, check the Donation Guidelines page on the Card Cupids website.

Today I'm sharing a card made with an adorable stamp from our blog hop sponsor, Sweet 'n' Sassy Stamps. Look how adorable this smiley snowman is. You want him, don't you?

Well, one lucky winner of this blog hop could have him. Sweet 'n' Sassy has donated a $10 gift certificate for us to give away. And it doesn't end there. Every member of our design team has donated a little something, so the total value of the grand prize is over $100!

So what's my contribution, you ask? Well, you've heard me sing the praises of these...

Spica pens! If you've never tried Spicas, you are about to fall in love. They look like regular colored pens, but there are little tiny specs of mica suspended in the ink, which gives your writing just the slightest sparkle in the right light. I use them to sign all of my Card Cupids cards, and they're great for journaling, too.

The grand prize winner will receive five (red, orange, yellow, green and blue), along with the gift certificate and the gifts from each of our design team members. Want to know what they are? Continue on with the hop!

But first, you might want to learn how you can win. Well, you have a total of 21 chances!

1. Become a follower of Card Cupids.
2. Leave a comment on the Blog Hop post on the Card Cupids website.
3. Follow the blogs of each of the Card Cupids design team members (that's a total of 9 additional chances).
4. Leave comments on the Blog Hop posts of each of the Card Cupids design team members' blogs (another 9 additional chances).
5. Write a post about our blog hop, and link to Card Cupids (just leave an additional comment on the Card Cupids blog stating that you did so).

We'll draw one winner to be announced next week.

So what are you waiting for? Now head over to Jade's blog and continue the hop.

And in case you get lost, here's a list of the whole blog hop order:

1. Card Cupids
2. Steph
3. Christy <-- You Are Here!
4. Jade
5. Luisa
6. Janel
7. Angela
8. Heather
9. Janet
10. Radwa

Have fun and good luck!

Not. A. Hobby.

2010-11-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Oh My God I Have Too Much To Do Before Thanksgiving Day.

The bad news: I spent the entire day cleaning my house from top to bottom.
The good news: My house is sparkling clean from top to bottom.

Right now my husband is discussing menu options with my friend Heather of soon-to-be renamed Devouring DC. I will be making pumpkin pie, apple sauce, and ice cream. He will be making everything else. Have I ever mentioned that the best decision I ever made was marrying a man who can cook? I highly recommend it.

I'm going to try to escape to make some cards and do some writing while Jesse and Heather cook tonight. We'll see if they let me get away with it.

New Toy Tuesday: Stamps!

2010-11-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

The last two days of my life have been devoted to Harry Potter. I made plans to see the 7th movie today, but had never seen the 6th (I know, what kind of fan am I?). So yesterday I walked to Target and bought The Half Blood Prince (because you can't stream it anywhere online. Thanks HBO.) and watched it. I'm glad I did, because unless you know what they skipped in the 6th movie, you won't understand what they switched around in the 7th. But I won't give any further spoilers than that.

Anyway, I spent the ride home wondering what I was going to write about, seeing as how I haven't had time to craft all week. But look what was waiting in my mailbox for me. The perfect kind of mail for a Tuesday.

Marci and Luka! This little super hero is going to find his way onto lots of cards for Card Cupids. He's so perfect for boy cards, right? And I just can't resist Marci's winter coat. I can't wait to start coloring. In fact, I think that's what I'll go do now.

PS - I also got a spare camera battery over the weekend. This means if I ever use a dead battery as an excuse not to have pictures, you'll know I'm lying.

Go Win!

2010-11-21T13:26:00.000-08:00

Angela at Angelwood's Craft Corner is having a birthday giveaway with tons of adorable stamps. Go check it out and enter to win. Her blog is a lot of fun and her cards are spectacular!

Penguins and Other Exciting Things

2010-11-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

Did you see my spotlight over on Card Cupids today? I think we're almost through introducing the design team, and then the real excitement starts. We've got a lot of great stuff in the works, so keep checking that site, and if you haven't already, donate some cards. You'll be glad you did.

In other design team news, I've been asked to write a weekly article for the blog over at www.scrapbookingsuppliesrus.com. My first post should be coming up in the next few weeks, but I'll keep you posted. I'm focusing mostly on Copics (beautiful, beautiful Copics), but will periodically do features on other supplies that catch my fancy (and you know there are many).

Most exciting of all, especially for those of you in the Northern California area, I'll be teaching my first class over at Memories Live On on December 8. It says so right here. Remember these cards that I made with Penny Black stickers? I'll be teaching you to make three of them, plus two more that I designed last week. It'll be a nice, easy, fun class, and I'm looking forward to it.

On to the good stuff.

I made this little guy yesterday while I was working on one of my tutorials for the Scrapbooking Supplies blog. I'll let you see the card now, but you'll have to wait for the tutorial. Because you know, I like to keep you in suspense. It will be worth it, though, I promise. It took a lot of tries to come up with the right combination of grays, and the ones I finally settled on ended up to be a bit of a surprise.

I love this stamp though, don't you? Happy little penguins.

You know what's fun?

2010-11-18T16:08:00.000-08:00

When your husband gets a flat at 2am in San Francisco and you spend an entire day trying to sign up for AAA and get them to come tow the car before the city does.

I'd rather be crafting.

I'm Dreaming of a White (Paper) Christmas (Card)

2010-11-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

For about the last week, I've spent the majority of my craft time experimenting with things that will become more clear over the next few weeks.

The problem with experimenting is that it rarely ends in a finished craft, as evidenced by the lack of new cards posted here.

So today, after coloring a page full of stamps, I finally ended up with one I could do something with. This is Mimi from Penny Black. How adorable is she?

The card design is based on CPS #193. I didn't feel like searching through my stash for coordinating papers, so I decided to make some of my own with a Hero Arts stamp, Distress Ink, and an embossing folder.

I adore the "Merry Everything" sentiment. So simple, but so full of joy.

Materials:
Cardstock: Staples
Ink: Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Copics: E000, 00, 01, 31, 35; R01, 24, 27, 29; G20, 21, 28; BG0000, 01, 05; C1
Stamps: Hero Arts - Traditional Snowflake; Penny Black - Mimi's Christmas
Embossing: Cuttlebug folder - Swiss Dots; Stampendous powder - Detail White
Adhesive: Glue Glider - High Tac; EK Success - 3D Dots

Equipment:
Fiskars Paper Trimmer
Martha Stewart Scoring Board
Nestabilities Big Scalloped Circles
EK Success Corner Rounder
Sizzix Big Shot

Challenges:
CPS #193
Caardvarks: Die Cuts

More Hats

2010-11-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

I love to crochet baby hats. I don't get a lot of use out of them (my head is too big), but they work up nice and fast and require very little yarn, which makes them the perfect project for sitting in front of the TV at night. Over the past several months, I've built up quite the collection, so I figured it would be fun to show them off.

It's pictures only for the rest of the post, because I haven't had a chance to do any writing today and I really want to get caught up on my wordcount.

Hope you like them.

Things

2010-11-15T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today I was thinking about all the projects I have going at once, and instead of doing anything intelligent like, oh, working on one of them, I decided to write about them. I think I'm going to start doing regularish check-ins. Not weekly, but often enough to help you (okay, me) keep track of what's happening in Hobby Hopping Land.

Nanowrimo - 20,000 out of 50,000 words as of this writing. I plan to tack at least another 2500 to that by the end of the day. This will put me 2500 words below the daily goal, which is a nice manageable gap to close.

Christmas Cards - about 12 out of about 50 completed. This is not as bad as it sounds, as all 12 of the cards completed are different designs, and I'll be duplicating most of them for the remainder of my list.

Beer - Double IPA's been in primary for oh, a month now. Need to transfer that to secondary ASAP. Maybe tomorrow.

Christmas Stockings - I'm on row 20 out of I don't know, a hundred or something on stocking 1. I frogged the whole thing 4 times this weekend, but I think I have the pattern all figured out now, so we're smooth sailing from here on out (I hope).

Ireland Scrapbook - Hahahahahahahahahaha. HAHAHAHAhahahahahahahahaha. Hold on. Hahahahahahahahaha.

Rooms in my house that are "mom could come visit" clean - none. Okay, maybe one. No, none.

Grad School applications - I don't want to talk about it.

You know, maybe this was a bad idea. Let's talk about fun stuff.

Michael's is hosting an 7 week craft challenge on Facebook. Every Monday they post 3 products, and you have to use them together in a craft of your choice. Here's my entry for last week, which featured glass ornaments, beads, and ribbon.

Sorry it's so dark. I really need to start finishing my crafts before it gets dark.

This week's products are scrapbooking paper, glue, and chargers. I'm not a big fan of gluing paper to things that don't need paper glued to them, so I'll admit I'm a little stumped.

Materials:
Ornament - Clear glass from Michael's
Ink - Pesto alcohol ink and gold alcohol ink mixative from Ranger
Ribbon - from my stash
Beads - red glass beads from my stash strung onto gold thread from DMC.

Also, today I made this really simple card using Be Good Journaling Cards from Cosmo Cricket. It's a 12x12 sheet covered in blocks that are meant to be cut out and used separately. I did a little distressing to match the worn vintage feel of the paper.

That gold thread is so versatile!

Materials:
Cardstock - Bazzil Basics Ruby Slipper, Olive from my stash, and journaling cards from Cosmo cricket
Ink - Distress Ink Fired Brick
Stamp - News Print from Impression Obsession
Thread - gold from DMC

Equipment:
Fiskars Paper Trimmer
Tim Holtz blending tool and blending foam
Scissors (to fray edges)
Adhesive: scotch tape and Glue Glider High Tac

Pet Peeve...and Herbert!

2010-11-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

I hate it when I forget to turn off my camera after uploading photos. I never realize it until I'm ready to take pictures of my work, and the battery takes hoooouuurs to charge.

So, that happened today. I went back through my iPhoto library to see if maybe I had anything old kicking around that I never got around to posting, but then I found these and got totally sidetracked.

This is from when we first got Herbert, last Christmas. Don't even try to tell me she wasn't the cutest puppy of all time.

This was her favorite toy. Her sharp little teeth would get stuck in it when she played, so she'd run around the house with it dangling from her mouth.

She had the tired puppy eyes routine down from the beginning.


"Who do you think you're lookin' at?"

Ten months and seventy pounds later, she's still the cutest puppy ever.

I did make a few things today, with varying degrees of success. I'll take pictures when the camera's charged. Right now I'm off to knit, or write, or both.

Hello

2010-11-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

I'm back. The GMAT was okay. I was right to be concerned about my ability to sit still for 3 plus hours (my back hurts), but otherwise the test went pretty much as expected. I may take it again, because I don't love my score, but I may let it go because it's certainly a decent score, and I don't know if I'm sold enough on the whole grad-school plan to warrant spending the money on another exam. We shall see.

Anyway, the other day I got a pack of Gloss paper from Ranger. I wanted to be able to use my alcohol inks on card backgrounds and the like. So when I got home today I started playing around. I honestly had no idea what I wanted to make, so I just cut a 4x5.5 piece and started playing. I ended up with a background that was mostly pink with a little green and brown, and just the slightest gold shimmer. I love the depth and dimension you get from the glossy paper. The photo doesn't do it justice.

Next, still playing around, I decided to trim the top and bottom edges with my new Scallop die from Tim Holtz. I had a little Bohemia twill ribbon in my stash, but it was too narrow for the space, so I grabbed a little more gloss paper with the green alcohol ink and made a little backing for it. I frayed the edge of that with a pair of scissors.

The sentiment was printed and then cut out with one of my new nesties, and the rhinestones were an afterthought done simply to make it look a little less off center.

I'm kindof meh on the whole thing, actually. But since I was just goofing around with my new toys I figure it's no big deal, right?

Materials:
Cardstock: Ranger Ink - Gloss Paper; ivory from stash
Ribbon: Bohemia - "Boulevard"
Rhinestones: Hero Arts - Gemstones

Equipment:
Paper trimmer - Fiskars
Sizzix Big Shot
On The Edge Die - Scallops by Tim Holtz
Adhesive - Scotch double sided tape

Day Off

2010-11-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Well, not exactly, but I'm spending ever spare moment cramming for my GMAT tomorrow, which leaves little time for crafting.

I'll definitely be needing something to wind down with tomorrow afternoon, so look for something fun and exciting from me then.

New Toy Tuesday: Dies!

2010-11-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

I've been coveting both of these for awhile, and today I finally bit the bullet (not that it was a tough decision at all).

First is the Sizzix On The Edge: Scallops die from Tim Holtz. Every time I see this die on one of Jennifer McGuire's cards (she uses it all. the. time. and her work is amazing), I remind myself how badly I need it. And now I have it! I can't wait to play.

The Nestabilities are another one of those lines of supplies that give me the "collect them all" bug. They cut and emboss, and each set gives you the same shape in a variety of sizes, so you can layer them to make frames and all kinds of cool stuff. And as you can see, I already used one of them for a tutorial I did over at the Card Cupids blog, which you should check out...now.

Hats Off

2010-11-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

I spent most of my weekend mopey and sad over the death of a friend. Of course, if that friend had seen the way I was behaving, she would not have been happy. Hers was a life to be celebrated.

At some point in my funk I reached for my crochet hook. It's been awhile since I've crocheted, as my needlecraft time has been monopolized by the stockings I'm knitting. But crocheting is so much more comforting than knitting. I didn't want to think about switching colors mid-row, or counting stitches. I didn't want to think. So I grabbed a happy purple yarn and made this.

How can you not smile when you look at that? It's a silly way to honor a friend, I know. But I like to think she'd see it and laugh, then roll her eyes and pat me on the head.

Hold the people you love a little bit closer today, and if you have a moment, send up a little prayer for heaven's newest angel.

Penny Black Stickers

2010-11-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

Last time I was in Memories Live On, they gave me a sheet of Penny Black stickers and asked me to make some sample cards with them. I don't use a lot of stickers, so the sheet sat on the corner of my desk for days, taunting me.

I finally decided, since many of the stickers were fairly large, to let the images speak for themselves and use clean, simple designs.

I love the shades of teal in the border and leaves of this sticker, and was so excited to find that Bazzill Basics Blue Oasis was a near-perfect match. I love this card, but figured it would be boring if I used all the stickers the same way.

Then I remembered some gorgeous cards I'd seen that used Glitter Ritz Highlight to add shimmer to plain images. Not sure how it would turn out, I tested the technique on a gift tag.

I hate the tag; the paper shifted in while I was cutting it, which drove the sticker off center. That said, I did like the glitter effect enough to use it on some of the other stickers.

The next couple of cards were more of a struggle. I had two sheets of TPC Studio papers, also from MLO, that I wanted to use with the stickers. I wanted to use the whimsical trees from the Holly Jolly O'Christmas sheet, but they were too big for a standard card. So, I turned the sheet into a tall card.

The ornament stickers are coated in glitter, which goes nicely with the glittery snowflakes on the paper.

Since the inside of the card was patterned, I added a panel of white cardstock, then dressed up the top with another sticker. There's plenty of room to sign below.

The next card also features TPC Papers. It actually started as the background for the small ornament stickers, but everything I tried looked way too busy. Then I realized the wreath sticker blended perfectly, and it all came together.

Finally, I wanted to do one more card with glitter. I went back to clean and simple for this design, this time with a more muted blue background, which I think is a little more elegant.

And that's how I spent my Friday. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Exciting Happenings #1

2010-11-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

I am extremely proud and excited to announce that I'm the new Co-Coordinator for the Card Cupids Design Team!

Card Cupids is growing fast; they just announced a partnership The Children's Hospital at Legacy Emmanuel in Portland OR to provide cards and toys for their patients on an ongoing basis. Obviously, any and all cards are welcomed, so if you'd like to donate check their donation guidelines and get crafting!

We've got a lot of fun stuff in the works already, including regular challenges and blog hops, so check back regularly to see how you can participate, and don't forget to check out the blogs of all the awesome designers (linked in the sidebar). I can't wait to get to work with these wonderful women!

As for Exciting Happening #2, I've got a few more details to sort out before I make a super fun announcement. Hopefully I can let the cat out of the bag next week.