Saturday, February 25, 2012

Back to Basics

I was surfing on SOC and someone (can't remember who, sorry) had posted a lovely card she made using the Storybook cartridge.  I haven't been using my Cricut that much lately but the card was inspiration enough to rev up Mr. Cricut and see what we could make.  The silver papers are from a wedding paper pack that I bought awhile ago and didn't need (like so many other things).  The blue, yellow and green patterned papers create nice flowered embellishments.  I used my iRoc tool to give the layout a little bling.  The numbers are chalked and pop-dotted off the page for some additional dimension.  I put this in my display area at JoAnn's.  Who knows, maybe I'll come across a newly wed couple this year and gift this to them.  :)  TFL!



Sunday, February 19, 2012

It's fun learning something new!

As part of my birthday celebration, I wanted to do something crafty this weekend.  I enrolled in a paper piecing class at my local scrapbook store.  I don't get to this store often because it's about 35 minutes away but I'm so glad I went.  All of the ladies were great and the store owner is so crafty!  She is a big help and her creativity is absolutely amazing!  If you ever are in the area, check out The Crop Shop in Greensburg, PA.

Here's what we made in class.  Very cute, isn't it?



Check out An'Jenic's blog candy!

My crafty SOC Sister, An'Jenic, recently just moved into her new home and got everything organized in 1 day!  Go An'Jenic!!!!  Can I borrow you for my craft room?!?!?  To celebrate, she is giving away some awesome blog candy.  Check her out at http://anjenicgibson.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-giveaway.html

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Valentine Tag Swap

Over on the SOC boards, I hosted a Valentine Tag Swaps.  Everyone contributed to making the swap successful - thank you!  I appreciate everyone's efforts!  The participants showed up and showed out when creating these tags.  I'm amazed by the varieties and creativity of absolutely everyone.
In most cases, everyone will receive one of each of the tags (see notes below).  The pictures just don't do these tags justice, but again, it's just a sneak peak!  lol

Swap participants - if you would like me to include a description as to how you created your tag, please send me a private message on SOC boards!  Thanks!
Yet another personal tag challenge - did I say I'm addicted?!?!
This is part of my "Craft It Forward" project.
I'm going to create these and give it to someone else to use.
I am targeting my Sunday School class to receive these tags.   Our class is mostly senior citizens and me.  lol
This pic is showing the tags "in production."

This are more pics of my craft it forward project.
The tags are coming close to be completed.
The mini tags are from K& Company.
Then I embellished them.  Each tag is different.
Heart charms are held on by ribbon.
The larger shape is none other than a Nestabilities cut which has been embossed.
I will mount the tags onto an embossed white card base.
Inside of the cards will have a scripture (inspiration from Edie - thanks, Edie!)
(see Edie's wonderful tag below)


If you have been remotely following me over at SOC or on FB, then you know my new crafty love is Spellbinder's Nestabilities.  I'm hooked!!!!!!!
This tag was created by Nestabilities and Creative Memories heart punches and a brad from my stash.
The personal challenge with this tag was to create a non-rectangular tag.
It's simplistic but delicate at the same time.  The picture does not show the embossing that well.
Swap participants received this tag from me as well.
So some folks got two tags from me and some got 3.  See notes below.
RJ and I partnered together to where we both made 1/2 of the tags for the swap.  This is my contribution - a non-traditional Valentine's Day Tag.
The mini tags were pre-printed and varied.  The picture below is another variation of this tag design.  I used K&Company paper which I embossed with the Cuttlebug Hearts folder (it doesn't really show up in the picture).  Nestabilities to cut the larger tag shape.  Ribbon, and bling.  I mounted the tag on a kraft base card which I embossed with the swiss dots folder. The card was given to my Sunday School teacher with a cash gift for her dedication, service and support.  Purple is her favorite color.



RJ and I partnered together to where we both made 1/2 of the tags for the swap.  This is my contribution - a non-traditional Valentine's Day Tag.
The mini tags were pre-printed and varied.  The picture above is another variation of this tag design.  I used K&Company paper which I embossed with the Cuttlebug Hearts folder (it doesn't really show up in the picture).  Nestabilities to cut the larger tag shape.  Ribbon, bling, Fiskars heart punch inked with TH ink.

This tag was a part of the swap and included a small gift for each of the swap participants.  My personal challenge on this one is to do something over and above my usual style - which is simplistic.  This tag is my "bling" tag.  It has ribbon, and all types of bling, a flower with a brad, pearls and iRock gems.  The base is TH #8 tag, the background paper is actually a shopping list.  I stamped a flourish and tied a charm with some ribbon and there you go, my over the top tag.  I tried to use what was in my stash so there are variations with different ribbons or different bling.  This is the general idea though.  :)
In the past month, I created over 100 tags!   I guess I got a little tag crazy!  lol
With each tag design, I tried a new technique or attempted to make it different than any of my other tags designs.
This tag was not shared in part of the swap but was sent for some RAK's for crafty friends and some "thinking of you's" for non-crafty friends.  It cost two stamps to mail it so I'm re-thinking "who" will get this.  Probably folks that I can hand it too!  lol  I'm thinking I need to write the cost of postage into my budget.  (jokin' well maybe!)
The base is a TH #8 tag, masked and stamped with TH ink in the background.  I used my Nestabilities and a matching stamp to crete the mini tag which is pop-dotted.  I wrote on it to say "You Make My Heart Sing".   I usually don't write on a tag but I wanted the personalization of it. Flashes of cursive writing class from 2nd grade flashed in my mind!
The hearts are CM and Fiskars punches. The heart clip is from Michaels.  TFL!






















Saturday, February 4, 2012

These cards were created for the January card swap over at SOC.  They were to simply say "hello".  I scrap-lifted from a card I did over a year ago but put a different spin on it.  Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results.  I'm loving the Nestabilities' shapes.  TFL!


Up Close & Personal
This photo showcases my Nestabilities shapes with the scalloped circle and corresponding embossing.
You see the edge of the Prima flower peeking into the shot.
Tim Holtz ink was used for the stamping and the inking around the heart created with my Fiskars punch.
In the background, we see the layers of corresponding paper.  The scallops were created with a Fiskars border punch.

It was refreshing to pull from my stash to create this card.
As I continue to organize, I find where my crafting is more streamlined.

I had a great time making these cards, creating the layers and choosing the papers.
I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out.
Thanks for looking!