verdigris hall*

Twin Birthday

2012-02-10T16:16:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I thought I would share with you some of my favorite cards I made for my very favorite twin cousins for their 4th birthday last summer.

Some while ago I bought the Monkey Around stamp set from Basic Grey's Oliver collection because I *love* the stamps and this collection plus its sister collection, Olivia. There is an adorable rooster (Oliver), monkey, raccoon and tiger in the set. For these cards I chose the monkey and tiger. I just noticed that coincidentally the name of one of the twins and their father's name appear as the names on a couple of the papers in the collection. I suppose it was just meant to be.

In addition to the Basic Grey Monkey Around stamp set, I also used a woodgrain background stamp and cloud stamps from Studio Calico for the sky (another two favorites there) and the cute plane with the woodgrain wing (how perfect!) is from an older Martha Stewart stamp set. The patterned papers come from Basic Grey's Oliver collection with the exception of the bright pop of orange which is from their Lime Rickey collection. On the airplanes and animals I did a little watercoloring to fill in the color which gave it an interesting distressed look. I edged the airplane with markers.

Monkey birthday card:

Tiger birthday card:

The 4 is the negative of a die cut with a Papertrey Ink die backed by a rectangle of white cardstock. I used the positive of the die along with Papertrey Ink's Big Birthday Wishes stamps inside the cards as shown here:

Thanks for stopping by and have a delightful day!

Happy creating,

Shay.

monkey & tiger birthday cards

stamps: monkey and tiger from monkey around set: Basic Grey; clouds and woodgrain background, Studio Calico; airplane, Martha Stewart Crafts (inside: big birthday wishes, Papertrey Ink)

ink: soap powder, spice tin and seed packet: Jenni Bowlin for Ranger; chipped sapphire, Tim Holtz Distress Ink for Ranger

markers: Memory Markers by American Crafts

cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific; Welsh blue, Neenah Papers

patterned paper: Oliver 6x6 paper pad and Lime Rickey 6x6 paper pad, Basic Grey

punch: cloud large and extra large, Fiskars

die: 4 from By the Numbers, Papertrey Ink

other: dimensional adhesive

February's ATC Trade

2012-02-08T11:37:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Yesterday was another Artist Trading Card trade. February's themes were dangle or undergarments (I know sort of a provocative grouping). I chose to sign up for the undergarments theme...I thought I would go the corset route. Monday when I seriously contemplated my design another idea came to me. I carved out a few simple shapes: boxers, bra and panties (otherwise if I owned it I would have used swimsuit season by Lawn Fawn which would have been perfect!) for a cheery clothesline look.

The background stamp is one of my all-time favorites by Hero Arts (S5215) as I love clouds (it must be a little of the 80's rubbing off on me).

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy creating,
Shay.

airing the dirty laundry ATCs
stamps: clouds (S5215), Hero Arts; remainder, handcarved
ink: tuxedo black, Memento Tsukineko; speckled egg, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger
marker: soft black, Memory Marker by American Crafts
cardstock: solar white (110 lb), Neenah Papers
patterned paper: love me 6x6 paper pad, My Mind's Eye
die: double-ended banners, Papertrey Ink
embossing folder: retro circles (from rays & retro circles 2-pack), Tim Holtz Alterations Texture Fades for Sizzix
other: baker's twine, Martha Stewarts Crafts; cuttlebug, Provo Craft; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; staples and stapler, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Attacher by Advantus; gems; dimensional adhesive

Connecting and Tearin it Up

2012-02-03T10:46:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

My mom urged (this is a mild word for what was a very heartfelt pleading as a woman my mom met in jury duty and really connected with a few months ago just had a stroke) my sister and I this weekend to keep ourselves open to others. Coincidentally, I am venturing further and further into social media. I finally folded and signed up for Facebook recently. One of the great things is I am reconnecting with friends. It has me wondering, should I friend my friend from elementary school that I lost contact with way back in the dark ages? Perhaps that is a bit of a stretch and yet curiosity has me wondering how this or that person is doing and maybe there are untold possibilities in finding those lost connections. I know there are a whole slew of people that touched my life that for whatever reason I am no longer in touch with (okay if I am honest a significant reason is I simply am bad at keeping in touch with people). For my birthday I am gifting myself the opportunity to remember the friends I have had and be open to new friendships in the future.

Today, I have a card I made for a family friend of ours to share with you. My mom befriended his wife and we have all been the richer for knowing them. As our friend is a lover of motorcycles (several are), I pulled out my handy Unity Stamp motorcycle set I bought a while back (it has been retired for quite some time now).

Dimension shot:

I *love* this border stamp set by Studio Calico. I think it is one of the coolest things since sliced bread (having cut myself whilst trying to cut a bagel I can attest to this). The grays are in fact from one ink pad, the lighter gray is simply a second generation stamped impression:

Inside:

Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you.

Happy creating,
Shay.

tearin it up birthday card
Stamps: motorcycle, outline flame, bold frame and tearin it up, Unity Stamp Company; graphic border happy and birthday, Studio Calico
Ink: weather vane, malted milk, Jennie Bowlin for Ranger; tuxedo black, Momento by Tsukineko
Cardstock: Neenah Papers and Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: 6x6 oxford paper pad, Basic Grey
Punches: EK Success
Sprays/Mists: robot blue, October Afternoon; bronze, Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels and denim, Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash by Ranger
Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

On the Horizon

2012-01-26T18:50:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Something exciting is happening around these parts. For the next couple months or so, I will be very busy. For a peek, please check out this:

http://www.facebook.com/paperswingsprod

I will keep you posted.

Shay.

Shimmer: Clean & Simple Card Making Class Days 3 & 5

2012-01-19T15:47:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

It has been too long since I was creating in my studio (a week). In fact there was a mess of stamps to clean from my last session before I could create in my square foot space among the clutter of supplies. I have found that even though I am a mess, I can use my mess to my advantage at times. I often will use what is about me--leftover paper, stamps, inks and even packaging at times.

Having said that my studio isn't entirely a den of chaos. There is order underlying the seeming disaster. I have categorized and placed my products and tools in certain zones, but my tables always seem to be covered with stamps, papers and the like. I like having my main tools at hand. As my tables dominate the room, I have to keep apologizing for how it looks to family and friends. My mom is especially critical of my studio as her sewing room is an example of organized crafting. I do love the look of an extremely organized art space, I just don't create well within it.

What about you? Does order constrain or free you to create? Do you like a balance of both?

Anyway, back to last night's creating. I wanted to create some more cards for the Clean & Simple Card Making class. This time I made a card using Jennifer McGuire's lessons from Day 3 and Day 5.

For Day 3 I chose to go with a simple die cut shape from Papertrey Ink called Friendly Flower. I cut out numerous flowers from white cardstock to be used as layering under the top flower (I used four under each blue flower). I had an idea of embossing the top dies to give them texture and further interest. The blue paper I used was actually paper I had created using some shimmery blue acrylic paint several years ago and was just sitting in my stash waiting to be used. I thought the shimmer along with brush strokes would add interest to this simple card. The sentiment is a favorite of mine from Hero Arts' Friends are Treasures set. I simply embossed that with white embossing powder and added a few pearls to set it off.

Another view with a pretty good representation of the color:

I think you can see some of the shimmer here and the dimension (you can also see the subtle zig zag impression under the script embossing):

For Day 5 I did a loose interpretation of Jennifer McGuire's watercolor blocking technique as I was inspired by heart ornaments we have hanging off our chandelier that we bought from Victorian Trading Company. They have an ombred background with white glittered silhouettes over it.

Here is the inspiration (picture from Victorian Trading Company):

The card:

I stamped the silhouette (Silhouette Women by Hero Arts) with Versamark ink onto watercolor paper. I thought I would try using a sparkly embossing powder with a touch of white to get a glitter effect, but I am not thrilled with the coverage. I later added some glitter over the women. In the future I would probably just emboss in white and add the glitter by using a glue pad over the embossed image. After embossing, I painted bands of color from lightest to darkest (spun sugar, tattered rose, worn lipstick and fired brick) using Tim Holtz Distress Ink. I smudged the ink directly onto my craft sheet, sprayed a little water and then one spritz of Studio Calico Mister Huey's Calico Shine onto the ink and painted it on. I edged the watercolor paper panel and matted it on a little black and added the pearl corners.

This picture is closer to the colors on the actual card, but still a bit off:

Showing some of the shimmer and glitter:

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy creating,
Shay.

{best wishes birthday card}
stamp: Friends are Treasures (CG277), Hero Arts
ink: Versamark, Tsukineko
embossing powder: opaque white, Judi Kins
cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific
die: friendly flower, Papertrey Ink
embossing folders/plates: script, cuttlebug by Provo Craft; Halloween letterpress printing plate, Lifestyle Crafts
other: denim pearls, Kaisercraft; acrylic paint; cuttlebug, Provo Craft

{ombre women card}
stamp: silhouette women (CG278), Hero Arts
ink: fired brick, worn lipstick, tattered rose and spun sugar, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger; Versamark, Tsukineko
embossing powder: polysparkle, Ranger; opaque white, Judi Kins
watercolor paper: cold press, Strathmore
cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific; black from stash
spray: calico shine, Mister Huey's Color Mist by Studio Calico
other: crystal fine glitter, Martha Stewart Crafts; pearls, The Paper Studio

Bohemian Flower

2012-01-18T15:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

For a college friend of mine I wanted to make a card with a gypsy or bohemian feel for her birthday. I was also taken with coloring and playing around with Hero Arts' Stencil Flower (CG194). I love this stamp and I keep on buying flowers similar to it so I can do paper piecing + coloring with them like I did for this card.

I usually cut up the flower into two parts for added interest and dimension. The top part of the flower I chose a more muted part of the paper and then I stamped over this section with the Old Letter (CG197) stamp using a mix of inks for variegated coloration. I edged the entire flower with marker to make it really pop and colored in parts with my Copic markers. The top layer of the card is then attached to the bottom using dimensional adhesive. The leaves are actually digital images of felt feathers from Kitschy Digitals (all of her designs can be found at http://www.jessicasprague.com/) that I printed out and cut out.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy creating,
Shay.

{bohemian birthday card}
stamps: stencil flower (CG194), old letter (CG197), Hero Arts; fillable frames #9, Papertrey Ink
ink: tuxedo black, Momento by Tsukineko; lemon drops, chicken feed and chili powder, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger
patterned paper: purple from Green at Heart, Basic Grey; yellow paper, Glitz Design (I believe)
markers: Copic; soft black, Memory Markers by American Crafts
die: tiny tags, Papertrey Ink
punch: Martha Stewart
leaves: pretty felt feathers, Kitschy Digitals

other: ribbon from stash; embroidery floss, DMC; dimensional foam tape; crop-a-dile corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers; cuttlebug, Provo Craft

Big Bright 18th Birthday

2012-01-17T10:41:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

A while back I took Basic Grey card classes from a local scrapbook store that is now sadly closed. I would rarely finish the cards, but they were a way for me to have a jump start for future cards. One such card I started became a 18th birthday card for a cousin of mine (I have a few). The Basic Grey line is the very bright, punchy Green at Heart released some time back.

I paired the bright colors with the equally happy white. I am a great lover of white either as a cheerful neutral or even as an excellent juxtaposition to bold color like I did with this card. I added the die cut 1 and 8 from Papertrey Ink's By the Numbers Collection which is perfect for celebrating milestone birthdays and I will have a couple more examples of cards made with those dies in the future. The flower stamp is from Hello, Friend and I die cut it with its matching Friendly Flower die. I wanted just a little more interest so I die cut a button using Buttoned Up #1 and then stamped a coordinating button from Button Boutique which I sewed onto the flower using my old friend, embroidery floss. For some more white around the edges of the card I sanded the edges of the paper to reveal the white core. The sentiment from Big Birthday Wishes was designed to work well with the By the Numbers Collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy creating,

Shay.

{bright 18 birthday card}
stamps: big birthday wishes, button boutique and hello, friend, Papertrey Ink
ink: bubble gum, lemon drops and chicken feed, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger; purely pomegranate, Stampin' Up!
cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific
patterned paper: Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey
die: buttoned up #1 and friendly flower, Papertrey Ink
stickers: Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey
other: embroidery floss, DMC; cuttlebug, Provo Craft; crop-a-dile corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers; foam dimensional tape

Cleaning Up the Blog

2012-01-16T12:16:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Sometimes a blog needs a little facelift and I decided my blog needed to feel clean and fresh right now as though it is ready for anything. I streamlined the header and changed the colors. My blog will probably be going through another overhaul in the next few months, but for the meantime this is it.

I also wanted to express my gratitude to you for coming here. Whether you stop by to peruse and move on or you stay and chat a little, I appreciate you!

If you want to share what you think of the change, I would love to hear from you.

Have a brilliantly creative day,

Shay.

Ladies with Sass

2012-01-12T14:07:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I have a card to share with you today. It is a snappy little number with a matching envelope. I made this birthday card for my college aged cousin so I wanted something fun, a bit funky, but with a fashion theme. I went with the Make Your Own stamp by Hero Arts and used up a lot of strips of scraps I had on hand of bright and fresh patterned paper to create a background and also to paper piece the ladies' dresses. The button image is a stamp from Button Boutique by Papertrey Ink.

Norma Desmond time (every time I think close up I see that scene: "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."):

Inside:

Last year, when time permitted I would try to create matching envelopes for my cards as I love that something extra a decorated envelope gives.

Do you have a stack of paper (as in a giant pad of patterned paper) that you bought several years ago and at a loss as to what to do with it as the paper is pretty light weight and the designs are so last decade? I have several pads of paper that I wanted to figure out how to use (if I were sane I would have passed these papers on to a new home some time ago, but in my delusions I believe I can turn lemons into lemonade) and this is what I do: make the papers into custom envelopes using templates my mom bought me from QVC many years ago. I place the pattern inside the envelope and decorate the white outside as I like (usually with Label Basics and Postmarks stamp sets by Papertrey Ink).

Matching Envelope:

Inside envelope:

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy creating,

Shay.

{ladies with sass birthday card}

stamps: make your own (CG175), Hero Arts; button boutique and fillable frames #1 (inside card), Papertrey Ink
ink: fountain pen, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger; broken china and black soot, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific
patterned paper: all scraps from an old Scarlet Lime kit
die: buttoned up #1, Papertrey Ink
other: scallop black border, Carolee's Creations Adornit; crop-a-dile corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers; embroidery floss, DMC; cuttlebug, Provo Craft

{matching envelope}
stamps: label basics and postmarks, Papertrey Ink; simply handmade (CL429), Hero Arts
ink: chili powder and fountain pen, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger; broken china and black soot, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
patterned paper: DCWV
envelope template: Kreate-a-lope by Green Sneakers Incorporated

Clean & Simple Card Making: Lessons 1 & 2

2012-01-11T16:47:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I am currently enrolled in the Clean & Simple Card Making class at Online Card Classes. Last night when I should have been going to sleep (in fact I put the dogs to bed and they happily slept without me), I went into the studio to catch up on the videos for the class and try my hand at the lessons. I was really inspired by Julie Ebersole's (I really loved her video and I hope she does more videos in which she talks as she has such great energy and an infectious laugh) one layer cards so I tried my hand at that first.

This card should have been a breeze and once I figured out exactly what I wanted to do, it was. With full disclosure, I ended up making it 3 times. The first time I used too heavy of a hand with the background and hearts. The second time it turned out well with a simpler background and only one heart, but I didn't like the size of the card. The last time was the charm.

I wanted to create a Valentine's card with the cute plane from Bon Voyage by Lawn Fawn and have a banner sign being pulled by it with a customized sentiment. I love all of the abcs by Lawn Fawn as they are designed to make it easy to stamp any word or sentiment you desire. I wanted to stamp "sending" so I used my Smitty's ABCs and paired that with the sweet "love" from Sophie's Sentiments (suggestion: if you are new to Lawn Fawn start with Sophie's Sentiments along with whatever other stamp sets catch your fancy) and then added a little heart from Cruising Through Life in red for a little interest and drama (in the future I may fill in the heart with stickles or just a marker or emboss it, but I wanted this card to be a simple stamp and ink card). The banner is a two sided ribbon banner from Bannerific, but I wanted one side to be plain so I simply removed the ink from one edge of the inked up stamp and once stamped filled in the area with a marker as I wanted it and added the attachment to the plane. I stamped the banner and plane first, then masked them off before stamping the cloud background. Lastly, I rounded the bottom right corner.

The second card I made uses one of the simple sketches by Kristina Werner. I needed a masculine birthday card so I grabbed my Oxford 6x6 patterned paper pad by Basic Grey. Stuck in there was a strip of the claret colored paper I had left over from a previous card so that was my jumping off point. I began with a white card and stamped the Dash Pattern background stamp by Basic Grey/Hero Arts, but after adding the plaid strip of paper over the claret the white wasn't right so I colored all the white cardstock using my Antique Linen Distress Ink. As my card is for a relative that has an interest in cars I used the vintage car from the Going stamp set by Hero Arts on a circle cut using a Spellbinders' die and also decided to also use the "to arrow" image in the set for further interest and to begin a sentiment. I embossed the "to arrow" stamp and filled in the unembossed section with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink with white embossing powder, but since I changed the color scheme away from bright white I colored over the white embossed image with some Copic markers. Usually I would have used some dimensional adhesive on a card, but I wanted to go away from my usual modus operandi (can you tell I have been reading some mystery novels?) on this card. I added a "u" sticker from Studio Calico and rounded the bottom corners of the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy creating,
Shay.

{sending love card}

stamps: (sending)smitty's abcs, (plane&cloud)bon voyage, (heart)cruising through life, (love)sophie's sentiments; banner(bannerific), Lawn Fawn

ink: tuxedo black, Memento; soap powder & cough syrup, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger

cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific

marker: soft black memory marker, American Crafts

other: crop-a-dile corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers

{to u card}

stamps: (to arrow&car)going, Hero Arts; dash pattern, Basic Grey/Hero Arts

ink: tuxedo black, Memento; shabby shutter, antique linen & black soot, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger; weather vane, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger; versamark, Tsukineko

embossing powder: opaque white, Judi Kins

cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific

patterned paper: oxford 6x6 paper pad, Basic Grey

markers: Copic
die: from nesties classic & standard circles nestabilities set, Spellbinders

stickers: u from documentary collection alphabet stickers, Studio Calico

other: crop-a-dile corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers; cuttlebug, Provo Craft

For Some Boys

2012-01-09T19:53:00.001-06:00

Dear Reader,

I am amazed by the bevy of sensational cards found on the Lawn Fawn CHA Challenge. I hadn't a prayer of winning, but it was such a great experience and well worth it to see all the talent out there. If you want to see some awesome Lawn Fawn stamping in action check in out. For the winners check them out HERE.

I thought I would share a couple of older cards with you. One was a get well for a little cousin who got his tonsils out a while back using Admit One (and Sophie's Sentiments inside). I used some older paper from the Get Happy collection by Cosmo Cricket that is great for boys and men. I made the ticket paper (look familiar?) that was right behind the Ferris wheel.

Get Well Soon:

Inside:

The Congrats card was for yet another cousin who had a Bar Mitzvah in August. The background was paper I created using stamps from the Daily Junque collection by House of 3 produced by Pink Paislee that I then watercolored over using Caran d'Ache watercolor crayons that my friend Liz Allen introduced to me and bought me for my birthday a couple years back. They are extremely fun to play with.

Congrats:

Inside:

The "CONGRATS" letters for the Bar Mitzvah card are Signature Alpha by Kitty Designs, but they remind me a little of Quinn's ABCs which I love yet haven't bought yet. I spelled out the word using the letters in Microsoft Word and then printed it out on Neenah cardstock so I could color them in later with Copic markers (inside I used an old, but still good alphabet stamp set from Fontwerks...I wonder whatever became of that company?). The Star of David is by DeNami Designs from way back when and it is still one I use...good design never goes out of style, right?

Thanks for stopping by and have a joy-filled evening.

Happy creating,
Shay.

{Get Well Soon card}
Stamps: Admit One and Sophie's Sentiments, Lawn Fawn
Ink: tuxedo black, Memento; shabby shutters and peeled paint, Tim Holtz Distress Inks for Ranger
Cardstock: Neenah Papers
Patterned Paper; Take Five from Get Happy collection, Cosmo Cricket
Markers: Copic
Other: baker's twine, Divine Twine

{Congrats card}
Digital: signature alpha, Kitty Designs
Stamps: Daily Junque, House of 3/Pink Paislee; Star of David, DeNami Designs; George alphabet, Fontwerks
Ink: tuxedo black, Memento; seed packet, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger; chipped sapphire, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
Cardstock: Neenah Papers; either Belgium blue or ocean blue, DoubleMates by WorldWin Papers
Markers: Copic
Water Color crayons: Caran d'Ache
Other: baker's twin, Divine Twine; crop-a-dile corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Lawn Fawn CHA Challenge: Admit One

2012-01-05T11:35:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I hope you are enjoying the best year yet! I am optimistic that 2012 will be a great year full of new beginnings and adventures.

Over at Lawn Fawn they issued a challenge that I could not pass up HERE. Since I only own one of the stamp sets they wish to showcase I spent last night coming up with several cards using Admit One. There was one little caveat that no patterned paper could be used. No problem! I went ahead and did something I love and created patterned paper with the stamps. I used Admit One almost exclusively on these cards with two exceptions: the clouds are from Bon Voyage and the little heart is from Cruising Through Life. I think I only left a single image untouched, but had I had a little more time I would have worked that in too. I hope you enjoy the cards and see how fun and versatile this stamp set is.

You're Sweet (I think I am partial to this card because of how bright and happy it is):

The close up (on my table, which is admittedly a mess, was the backing paper the glue dots come on--aka trash. I used this strip before on a card and thought it would be just right to make the You're Sweet Award Ribbon sentiment pop off the vibrant background. I edged the strip with black embroidery floss.):

Admit One (this is a dreamy little number. How sweet is the carousel image?):

The close up (my second attempt of the carousel as the first I edged with a black Copic marker and it bled a lot...too bad as this was the most time consuming part of the whole lot of cards!):

You Make My World Go Round (adorable love sentiment! Put me right in the mood for Valentine's and I had to add the pretty little heart from Crusing Through Life.):

The close up (perhaps you can see the shimmer a bit here on the ticket paper I made):

Enjoy The Ride (I really wanted to showcase the balloons and I love the clouds from Bon Voyage so I thought it would be a great backdrop to the balloon cluster. The clouds are embossed with white embossing powder. I stamped the balloons before I embossed the clouds for placement of the ticket balloons later.)

The close up (notice the pattern on the balloons? Yes, I used some of my ticket paper here too):

Happy and bright creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 31

2011-12-31T21:25:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I hope the last day of 2011 is the best yet for you and that the first day of 2012 marks the beginning of a year full of good health, success, love, laughter and bursting with creativity.

1. Gennifer Bursett's The Everything Planner
Beginning in September 2011 and running until January 2013, this fun and colorful planner also includes checklists, contact lists, a gift giving record and party planning worksheet among several types of calendars that you can print of a whim.

2. Tangie Baxter's 2012 Art Journaling Workshop
Ever wanted to venture into art journaling? This is a year long workshop that guides you week by week. Also an excellent way to try digital elements or hybrid creating.

I wish you the very best!

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 30

2011-12-30T11:56:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

The end of year is coming on us so quickly. I am trying not to forget to savor the last moments of 2011 in my preparations for 2012, but it is hard. How are you celebrating the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012?

Here are some more links of products to record the memories of 2012:

1. Ormolu
They have lovely journalers along with other physical and digital products. They are currently on a holiday hiatus until January 9th, but be sure to check them out when they return.

2. Elle's Studio
They have darling scrapbooking products that work for any purpose including Project Life, Project 365 and the like. You can find their journaling tags HERE. Calendar and date tags are HERE. One of my favorite series is the Handmade Layers which you can find HERE. All their digital products are found at jessicasprague.com HERE.

3. The Project Girl - Weekly Planner 2012 by Jen Allyson
Another cool digital planner product that you can print out at your whim with meal planners, lists, chore charts and the like.

4. Crystal's 2012 Planner by Crystal Wilkerson
A colorful and comprehensive planner which you can print out at your whim with inspirational quotes and excellent tools to keep you balanced and organized in 2012. Crystal Wilkerson will be posting a video with a tutorial on December 31, 2011 (tomorrow) on her blog.

Bonus: it is 50% off until December 31st using the coupon code: ENDOFYEAR50 and a portion is donated to benefit a young family who is suffering health problems.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 29

2011-12-29T12:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I am back again with some more products for capturing 2012. All of these products mentioned today are digital and for a reasonable price you download files that you can use digitally and/or print out to use in any application you can dream up: scrapbooking, art journaling, cards, mixed media, invitations, home decor, etc. as many times as you decide. No more worries about running out of these products. I love that!

1. Robyn Meierotto Designs
Today Robyn Meierotto came out with a few really awesome products to help with documenting the coming year including:

a. Dated - 2012 Date Stamps
b. Everyday - Journaling Card Printables v1
c. Everyday - Banner Stamps v1
d. Everyday - Letter Rubons Days & Months

Bonus: Today, December 29, 2011, the items above are 30% off.

2. Gennifer Bursett Designs

Another designer who released some great new digital products today that will help with chronicling 2012 is Gennifer Bursett. Here some:

a. 366 Days Template Album
b. 366 Days Quickpage Album
c. Favorite Things Journaling Cards
d. Favorite Things 2 Journaling Cards

Bonus: Today, December 29, 2011, the items above are 30% off.

3. Marcy Penner

A scrapbooker on the Project Life design team, Marcy Penner has designed journaling cards from experience and they can be used no matter your style. Here are some of her download offerings available right now:

a. Take Note Journaling Cards | Simple Series One
b. Scheduled Journaling Cards | 2012 Calendars
c. Take Note Journaling Cards | Brackets Series One
d. Take Note Journaling Cards | Arrows Series One

4. It's Time Kits Bundle by Rhonna Designs
Fun time-centric kits to bring in the new year and celebrate 2012.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 28

2011-12-28T18:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I am on the hunt for printable journaling cards all over the place as I love the ease of them (you can print them endlessly and in the middle of night if necessary) and they can be used in so many ways. I am thinking one of these days I will need to challenge myself with how they can be used. Do you love journaling cards? How do you use them? As always, I would love to hear your point of view and your sources for physical or printable journaling cards.

Anyway, here are some offerings for you today (mostly journaling cards):

1. Creativity Prompt's Make Your Own Planner Workshop 2012
I check out Creativity Prompt's blog every week for her great freebies which include delightful journaling cards that would work great for Project Life among other uses. She now has a workshop with a video, pdf instructions and printables to enable you to make and customize your own planner in 2012 all for a bargin price. You could use this to help with your memory keeping as well as keeping on track throughout the year. This is a self-paced class.

2. Project Life Journaling Cards found at jessicasprague.com
All of the digital elements from Project Life are found at HERE. If you run out of journaling cards any time day or night and need some to match the core kits, you can purchase them and print them when you want them. They also have the papers, elements, templates along with other goodies for reasonable prices (the journaling cards are $3.99 and you can print them innumerable times). They also have all the editions including the original so you have as much flexibility as you like.

3. Paislee Press's Press Cards No. 1 -3
A brand new series of digital journaling cards perfect for Project Life or for any application when you need something with a design that will work with nearly any aesthetic that are extremely easy to print when needed. She also has a tutorial on how to print on the journaling cards HERE along with a free downloadable print guide HERE. Of course she has more designs you will want to look out for too.

4. Robyn Meierotto's Cool Kid Journaling Cards
With fun arrows in cool hues, these are fun journaling cards that work for any occasion or gender. I am going to keep on checking her store for more cards in the future.

5. The Queen of Quirk's Printable Journaling Cards Kit
This looks fabulous and until December 31, 2011 is 35% off!

I'll be back tomorrow with more beautiful journaling cards.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 27

2011-12-27T14:18:00.001-06:00

Dear Reader,

It was excellent to have a day off work yesterday. Our office takes few days off so I treasure each of them. Today was a happy day as it is the reveal day at Studio Calico.

Today I wanted to showcase a few classes online to help with documenting 2012:

1. Studio Calico's Photo-A-Day with Nicole Samuels
Speaking of Studio Calico, they have a new very modestly priced class that would tie in with Project Life or any sort of day to day chronicling.

2. Twelve with Stacy Julian
A 12 week online workshop that looks jammed packed with great resources, tips, information and inspiration for scrapping in 2012 and into the future.

3. Ella Publishing Co.'s Take Twelve
This online "guided inspiration kit" is all themed around the number 12 with lists, prompts, sketches and other tools.

4. Aja Abney's Real Life, Captured
This is a 8 week long online workshop that includes a vibrant digital kit designed by Aja Abney to help you to capture your everyday.

5. Creative Jump Start Summit 2012
A *free* event meant to help you keep creative in 2012. Sign up for the newsletter HERE.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 26

2011-12-26T16:33:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

As 2011 draws to a close, attention is drawn to the upcoming 2012. Online are numerous projects to help chronicle the year. For instance here are a couple:

1. One Little Word 2012 with Ali Edwards
For the past few years Ali Edwards has been choosing one word for the new year to act as a focus, wish and/or goal. She also offers a year long class at Big Picture Classes to direct you each month in 2012. Find the class HERE.

2. Project Life with Becky Higgins
A simplified system to document the year whether you decide to do so daily, weekly, monthly or any sort of way. For a brief introduction try watching Becky Higgins' videos HERE. I am wrangling the family to do this project in 2012. I bought the Clementine Edition core kit and some of the page protectors in Design A and Design F to begin with. I plan on supplementing this with my own stash along with digital journaling cards and other products by various designers. In the next week I will list some of them. Also, I will try to give you some inspiration on others doing Project Life.

Have a joyous day!

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Papertrey Ink December 2011 Blog Hop

2011-12-26T16:09:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

It has been too long since I participated in a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop, but I thought what better time to jump right in than on a day I have off?

This month's challenge was to use the holiday leftovers such as ribbon, gift wrap and the like to create something new with Papertrey Ink products. Since I need a few thank you cards from gifts received during this holiday season I thought what better way to use some leftovers.

Inspiration for my card designs, I am sure you could see, came from Maile Belles. My use of tissue paper was inspired by the work of Marcy Penner and Rahel Menig. I just love how they layers of tissue paper and twine along with other elements for a feminine and delicate appeal. I am also finding pure white to be very attractive right now.

These were the leftovers I used on the couple of cards I created this afternoon:

I glued the wrapping paper to scraps of cardstock before I die cut the pinked edge circle.

Here are close ups of the two thank you cards:

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

{thank you card}
stamp: Botanical Silhouettes (limited edition), Papertrey Ink
ink: weather vane, jenni bowlin by ranger
die: 1.75" Limitless Layers Dies, Papertrey Ink
ribbon: aqua mist classic grosgrain, Papertrey Ink
punch: scallop, Fiskars
cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific

{a note of thanks card}
stamp: Happy Trails, Papertrey Ink
ink : weather vane, jenni bowlin by ranger
die: 1.75" Limitless Layers Dies, Papertrey Ink
cardstock: white, Georgia Pacific
other: button, Papertrey Ink; star from Holiday Style Flower Sack, October Afternoon; white embroidery floss, DMC

Delightful December Day 25

2011-12-25T20:36:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I hope this has been the best Christmas ever for you and your loved ones. I certainly had a wonderful one. I know tomorrow will come too soon and I will be thinking of the days ahead...the last of 2011, but just for tonight I will rejoice in the now.

I wish you a night blessed with love, warmth and laughter.

Happy and merry Christmas,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 24

2011-12-24T17:50:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I am enjoying a quiet day at home helping with the cooking of dinner of two choices of roasted meat: prime rib and pork belly (what bacon comes from) and watching an old favorite, "Pollyanna" right now--it is such a happy, feel good movie.

I hope you have a delightful Christmas Eve!

Need something special to dress up your presents tonight? Try these free printables:

Gift Tags by Eat Drink Chic
Adorable plaid reindeer tags.

Holiday Knit Tags by Eat Drink Chic
Another winner.

Illustrated Gift Tags by Helen Dardik
Delightful illustrated tags for all your gifting needs.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 23

2011-12-23T10:59:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Last night a friend came over and showed us how to tie big puffy ribbon bows on presents. I unfortunately can barely tie a bow on a card so the art is lost on me. Regardless, I appreciate a beautifully wrapped gift and perhaps no one does more than my mom who rather have the prettily wrapped present than the gift in it.

I hope this day is a joyous one for you. To help here are some links with lovely projects:

1. December Daily Photos by Paislee Press
Liz Tamanaha is the designer behind Paislee Press which are some of the most beautiful digital products around. You can get a bit of her aesthetic sensibility just from this blog post. Simple and beautiful. Plus her daughters are adorable.

2. Sale at Market Street Stamps
This is a new stamp company with some great looking stamps. I especially love all the backgrounds they have and I am thinking their sale is just the push I need to try them out.

3. Betsy Veldman's Peppermint Packaging
Betsy Veldman never disappoints...she always creates lovely projects and she has some sweet red and white peppermint packaging for your viewing pleasure.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 22

2011-12-22T22:18:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Let me get down to business:

1. Janet Hopkins' December Daily
Tres elegant and very chic, Janet Hopkins's December Daily was created using some of her own digital designs that you can purchase through her blog...they can be found at the end of the blog post.

2. Kirsty Wiseman's array of wreath images
On this blog post are a slew of beautiful wreaths that will make you rejoice.

3. An Artful Christmas givaway by Red Lead
Goodies abound with this giveawy. Enter soon as the winner will be announced in the newsletter on December 24th.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 21

2011-12-21T15:29:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Happy Hanukkah to anyone out there celebrating the Festival of Lights this year.

Here are today's links:

1. A Branch of Christmas by Stephanie Dagan
A tree branch decorated with beautiful hand-stamped tags and banners.

2. Creative Mint
Just some lovely eye candy for all of you out there.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 20

2011-12-20T11:50:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Lots of late nights getting things done and I have had the chance to watch a couple of Christmas movies which were pretty good "Desperately Seeking Santa" and "12 Dates of Christmas". I happened to really enjoy "12 Dates of Christmas" as it is based on the repeating day formula like that in "Groundhog Day". Both movies are available to watch online for free for a limited time.

Here are some inspiring links for you today:

1. December Journal by Eve Johnson aka evalicious (Part One)
She sells her journals and embellishments through her store and is her best advertiser with her fun and eclectic style.
Part Two: HERE

2. Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday: Any Die into a Folded Tag with Erin Lincoln
You can watch this video on how to use dies we all (or is it just me?) ~~collect~~ purchase to make folded gift tags.

3. Handmade Gifts by Michelle Wooderson
Some sweet packaging that isn't your traditional Christmas fare.

4. Baby Gifts by Kate Whelan
These onsies and little fabric backpacks would be adorable gifts. The same technique can be used for gifts for older children and adults too.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 19

2011-12-19T12:25:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

The baking for gifts (with the important exception of the biscotti I promised to bake my sister) is officially over (imagine how "over" is dramatically said in the dubbed version of "Iron Chef")! The majority of the delivery is being done today. I hope everyone enjoys the goodies.

Here are some fun links for today:

1. Documenting December with SMASH
SMASH are cool books you can use to capture memories, ideas, pictures, etc.

2. Darcie Heater Designs' Pennant Tutorial and Freebies
A pretty pennant with instructions for you to use and decorate as you please.

3. Flickr Fans of Lawn Fawn Holiday Cards
Some really adorable and creative cards to get you going on those last minute cards.

4. Countdown to Christmas with Chari Moss (Day One)
Speaking of Lawn Fawn, go to Lawn Fawn design team member, Chari Moss' blog for a project every day until Christmas...they are a real treat.
Day Two HERE
Day Three HERE
Day Four HERE
Day Five HERE
Day Six HERE

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 18

2011-12-18T20:35:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Never underestimate the power of Santa Claus. Last night my dogs did indeed sleep through the night.

Here are today's links all courtesy of One Pretty Thing:

1. Christmas Roundup
2. Ornament Roundup

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 17

2011-12-17T09:56:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Do you have those nights when you can't get a break when you and sleep are parted way too many times? My dogs decided to wake me up from my blissful slumber several times during the night. Can I use the threat of Santa Claus putting them on the naughty list to get them to sleep through the night? Of course that will work.

Now on to something that is a great deal more fun, today's links:

1. Secret Elf Gift Tag Freebie by Celeste Rockwood-Jones
She's the terrific graphic designer behind some of Basic Grey's lines like Eskimo Kisses and she has a secret elf tag freebie for everyone (and on the right-hand bar are a few more fantastic freebies. You will also want to search through her blog as there are more freebies not listed there. I used the Halloween labels at last year's Halloween party found HERE). HERE are some lovely Christmas tags.

2. Christmas Card Mini Book by Dawn McVey
Do you collect all those wonderful Christmas cards you receive year after year and don't know what to do with your favorites? Dawn McVey has a great idea to showcase them in a mini book.

3. Marcy Penner's December Daily
I can't believe I haven't shared her December Daily with you yet because I have become quite a fan of her work and follow her blog pretty regularly now. Her work has a lovely use of white space while feeling handmade and ethereal.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 16

2011-12-16T14:20:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Tonight and the rest of the weekend looks like we will be working many hours in the kitchen finishing up all the food gifts on our the list. Also, I have another project I need to wrap up this weekend. I think I will be drinking copious amounts of coffee to get it all done! I wish you ease in getting everything done that needs to be done this holiday season!

On to today's links:

JBS Inspiration Blog
Jenni Bowlin Studio's creative team are fabulous and on the blog this month are cards, cards, cards (which I still need, need, need).

While I am on the subject of Jenni Bowlin Studios, check out this design team member's blog:
Ranjini Malhotra
Outrageously pretty and elegant offerings plus she has freebies too!

Emma's Paperie
I have mentioned them before, but it is worth looking at their blog again for their Color of the Month challenge HERE and their Spotlight on Basic Grey HERE.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 15

2011-12-15T14:45:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Let's get right to today's offerings:
Generous Blogger

my life in lowercase {Celeste Smith}
I love this blog because she culls the web for awesome free printables, projects and cool happenings regularly and shares what she has found.

Pretty Projects

12 Days with Basic Grey
For the next 12 days (beginning yesterday, December 14, 2011), find a new project with instructions on Basic Grey's blog (love that they finally have one!).

Wrap It!

DIY Christmas with Rhonna Designs
I think Rhonna Farrer is amazing. There I said it. I keep track of whatever she designs (her designs are sold through her site Rhonna Designs) and her projects. Here she has some ideas for using doilies in gift wrapping or decorating. And I think I would remiss if I did not point you to her new Chevron Tool Kit found HERE. The rest of her designs are also pretty outrageous.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 14

2011-12-14T10:12:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Have you had to brave the post office to send out packages yet? We are packing up the boxes with treats right now for those friends and family members out of town and the post office will have to be visited Friday. Wish us luck and a short line!

Today's offerings:
Documenting December/December Documented

Latonia Grant
A beautiful red, black and white December Daily.

Generous Bloggers

The Graphics Fairy
If you have never stumbled upon this site you are in for a wonderful treat--thousands of incredible clip art to use in your art and projects.

Cathe Holder of Just Something I Made
I am going to let you in on to a great resourse for lovely free printables here. For instance these awesome gift card holders found HERE.

The Vintage Workshop
A new vintage image every day.

Party with Prizes

Seven Days of Giveaways
Two extremely talented ladies with an excellent blog full of gorgeous projects are having a giveaway every day for the next week. Also each day concentrates on a different theme--Day 1 Traditions, Day 2 Peace on Earth.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 13

2011-12-13T12:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

What sites do you visit without fail when you need inspiration? I would love to hear what has your mind buzzing with possibilities.
Now on to some fun links:

Documenting December/December Documented

Journal Your December
A blog dedicated to helping you journal about your December through prompts and lots of examples--a very cool resource. The blog is in a couple of languages so just scroll down and there is usually English in italics.

Quirky Heart
Here is a very fun and cute hybrid December Daily/Journal Your Christmas using various kits from the designers of The Lilypad.

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas with Silhouette
A free shape every day for your Silhouette or if you are like me your future Silhouette.

My Chic' n Scratch 12 Days of Christmas
With downloadable instructions and some videos this should be a great way to get some ideas.

12 Days of Christmas with Little Dreamer Designs
A digital subscription site for $5.00 a month, $25.00 for 6 months or $50.00 for a whole year plus all of the content from 2011 you also receive monthly freebies and starting today Christmas freebies for the next 12 days.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 12

2011-12-12T14:37:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

How crazy is it that for a short time we had 3 televisions on yesterday running 3 different Christmas movies? I am not the only one watching Christmas movies...I am merely the one who enjoys them most of all and who gets a little chocked up by them no matter how cheesy they are.

Let's get back to the good stuff:

Documenting December/December Documented

Nicole Harper
This is a lovely December mini album.

Margie Romney-Aslett
A pretty December Daily with traditional Christmas touches.

It's a Wrap

Cosmo Cricket
These are cute paper bags that can be customized however you wish.

October Afternoon
Cute ideas using bags.

Cards, Cards, Cards

Create blog
Maybe you are like me and still have to make a few Christmas cards and want to see the possibilities out there. Here are many with various styles for your viewing pleasure. Also if there is a particular card that catches your fancy click on the cardmaker's name and check out their blog as you may discover a new source of inspiration and information.

Party with Prizes

Graphic 45 and May Arts Blog Hop
Two companies, two blogs, double the inspiration and giveaways.

Paper Crafts Presents: 12 Days of Christmas
Every day a new giveaway.

Merry and happy creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 11

2011-12-11T17:43:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

It is a wonder that weekends seem to slip by so quickly! Anyway, I am going to be brief today because this one link is full of other links:

One Pretty Thing's Christmas Roundup
One place with tons of ideas and inspiration.

See you tomorrow and have a relaxing and blessed Sunday.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 10

2011-12-10T15:33:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Do you enjoy listening to holiday music during this time of year? What is your favorite song? Mine may be "Silent Night" as it is beautiful and I imagine light twinkling with snow fluttering down in the background.

Here are today's offerings:

Parties with Prizes

Countdown to Christmas Blog Event with Simple Stories & Maya Road
Simple Stories and Maya Road has banned together to offer a blog event.

My Mind's Eye's 2011 Holiday Hoopla
A new tutorial each day and a chance to win some prizes from My Mind's Eye.

Live Webshow

Hybrid Holiday with Heidi Swapp
A free webshow tonight, December 10, 2011, at 10:00 p.m. Eastern with Heidi Swapp which includes a tutorial, tips and freebies! Don't worry if you miss the live show, it will be available for viewing later. A tip: listen with headphones.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 9

2011-12-09T11:38:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

How is your holiday preparations going? Do you bake for the holidays? Growing up we used to bake dozens and dozens of cookies to give out. I remember one year my mom being on a stool so she could stir the dough that was in a huge container (that now houses 30-40 pounds of dog food) with a massive spoon.

On to the fun:

December Documented/Documenting December (I can't seem to make up my mind)

Vee Jennings
Colorful and full of layers this is a lovely December Daily.

Karen Grunberg
Eclectic goodness meets December Daily.

Delightful Decorations

Dear Lizzy's Kids' Crafts: Ornaments
Liz Kartchner shows how to make adorable ornaments with kids. A fun activity for the family.

Clear Ornaments with Hambly Screen Prints
These are beautiful and fun ornaments to make with little mess.

Napkin Rings with Hambly Screen Prints
Another great idea using the ever fantastic Hambly Screen Prints.

More projects with Hambly Screen Prints
Some fabulous archived projects.

Video Series

12 Videos of Christmas with Becky Higgins
Different videos that are meant to inspire, educate and entertain. So far they are all very different.

On the ___ Day of Christmas Projects by The Paper Trail
Each day a new Christmas Project with a tutorial and video by The Paper Trail. I am particularly taken with the wonderful message board HERE.

Gift Guide

Great Crafty Gift Ideas by Nichol Magouirk
I like the things on her list and am seriously considering a Silhouette Cameo in my future and should you need anyone to push you in that direction then Nichol Magouirk is it. She is excels with her use of the Silhouette.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 8

2011-12-08T10:39:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I love having sappy Christmas movies when I am creating during the season. I often watch Hallmark Channel (my other favorites are Lifetime and ABC Family) all season as they play Christmas throughout the night which is wonderful for when you need to stay up baking, making cards, decorate, wrapping presents or just when sleep escapes you. Do you watch them too? Which are your favorites?

Now on to the good stuff:

Documenting December

Ashley Cannon Newell
Her December Mini Album is a great take on documenting your December in a do-able way and her work is always elegant.

Laura O'Donnell
I love this tag version of December Daily and I am always a sucker for seeing all the pretty supplies used in a basket or special container.

A very Crate Christmas (Crate Paper)

Peppermint Projects
Crate Paper is having a a very Crate Christmas this year including a way for readers' to submit their own projects using their Peppermint collection. For guidelines check out this post. Up for grabs are their brand new Paper Heart collection kits.

Merry Makings
Holly, jolly tutorials by the creative team of Crate Paper. Well worth checking out.

Party with Prizes

The Hero Arts 2012 Catalog Blog Hop
Tomorrow kicks off this big blog hop with prizes from Hero Arts' brand new catalog. Don't miss out on seeing all the samples from people like Tim Holtz, Ali Edwards, Basic Grey and so many more.

Wrap It!

7Gypsies
This post has some lovely inspiration for creative wrapping ideas. If you look at other enteries on 7Gypsies blog you will also find ways to store Christmas cards along with a giveaway HERE.

Enabler Alert

12 Days Preview by scrapbook.com

Sign up for scrapbook.com's newsletter and receive a new deal each day. There are only a few days left, but a deal is a deal.

Happy and merry creating,

Shay

Delightful December Day 7

2011-12-07T11:18:00.000-06:00

"Lasso the Moon" ATC made using Fiddlette Designs digital kits (found at http://www.catscrap.com/)

Dear Reader,

How does this Wednesday find you? Last night I had the last ATC Trade of 2011. Monthly we get together and trade ATCs we made according to the assigned themes. If you have an opportunity to be part of a communal art project, it is a wonderful way to challenge yourself and share art with others.

Today's inspiration:

December Documented

Tara Anderson
Her December Journal is light, airy, artistic and as pretty as Christmas ribbon candy.

Liz Kartchner
Happy, bright and playful, Liz Kartchner's December Daily is sure to give you ideas.

Wrap It!

Gift Wrap Week by Big Picture Classes
Good things are wrapped in pretty packages. Learn some new tips on how.

Class

12 Days of Christmas at Big Picture Classes
12 teachers giving you instruction for 12 layouts.

Enabler Alert

12 Days of Cheer by oh, hello friend
Cool gifts at a great price.

Eye Candy

55 Days of Vintage Christmas with Danielle Thompson
Wish you could give your Christmas a bit of a retro feel? Then this is for you! Full of images that are fun and bold, they will inspire you to look back to create something new today.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 6

2011-12-06T10:18:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

It has gotten cold here much to my delight. I love how much better coffee or tea (and during the weekends a mug of homemade hot chocolate or spiced cider) tastes when it is cold outside. I think it even better when able to create in a warm house during the holiday season.

Today's offerings for inspiration:
The Softer Side of 12 Tags of Christmas

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist
Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas is nearly an institution, but there is another version for those who want a feminine version. Ellen Hutson and her teachers create pretty tags that are sure to inspire and there are giveaways as well.

December Daily/Journal Your Christmas

Geralyn Sy
This is one classy, bright and inspiring December Daily. I love whatever Geralyn Sy does.

Generous Blogger

Roadside Designs' 25 Days of Christmas 2011
Each day a free template to be used in your December Daily, Journal Your Christmas or any December memories. If you miss some days, you have the option of buying the templates later.

Class

Holiday Memories Free Holiday Class with Jessica Sprague
Want some ideas for handmade gifts and decorating ideas using your computer for *free*? Learn Photoshop tips along the way with Jessica Sprague.

Party with Prizes

Last-Minute Gifts Blog Party with Lori Whitlock & Kerri Bradford
Gift ideas, prizes, sales and free designs from some incredible designers...don't miss out.

A Colorful Christmas with 2 Peas in a Bucket's Garden Girls
Each day a different color combination and projects to break out the color during Christmas.

Lawn Fawn's December Inspiration Week
Lawn Fawn is releasing a new stamp set and during this week they are going to have a video introduction, creative team inspiration and giving away some of their adorable stamps.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 5

2011-12-05T10:40:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,
I hope you are keeping warm and the joy of the season is alive and well in your home. What activities do you do to make this season special? What are your traditions?

Here today's offering of inspiration to keep you in the holiday mood:

December Daily/Journal Your Christmas

Ella Publishing
A cool take on the December Daily is to include some of the lists in List It! Christmas Edition e-book available through Ella Publishing Co.

Jamaica Makes
Clean, graphic, and full of character, I am looking forward to seeing more of this book.

Robyn Meierotto
She's designed some of the best kraft products around (My Mind's Eye Kraft FunDays and ) and now she has a kraft December Daily. Winner!

Free Journaling Cards from Robyn Meierotto
These are awesome! Thank you rock designer, Robyn Meierotto.

Wrap It!

Focus on Wrap by Emma's Paperie
On their blog the talented design team have been Focusing on Wrap with beautiful and creative ideas to add style and flair to your gift wrapping.

Whimsical Wonders

Sugar Lump Studio's 12 Days of Whimsy

Want to make some handmade projects that will add that gorgeous vintage touch? Each day using Paper Whimsy's downloadable vintage images, Nancy Maxwell James is showcasing lovely projects that you could use to decorate with or give as thoughtful gifts. There are also giveaways.

Crepe Paper Christmas Tree Tutorial at Creative Chaos
Want to make trees that are whimsical, pretty and inexpensive? Here is a tutorial to make your own using crepe paper.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 4

2011-12-04T10:02:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Sunday. What better day to view all the handmade beauty out in the world? To feel more hopeful? To be uplifted?

Advent Calendar

Sarah Jane
Christmas Book Advent Calender is my personal absolute favorite. Any gift including dozens of wrapped books is superb in my opinion. Holiday book wrapped and numbered as an advent calendar for a family is perfect. Story time...spending time together reading about the wonder of the season, what could be better than that? The same idea was done by Susan Weinroth this year. Simple and magical, these will be something that your kids (and you) will cherish. I think this would also be the perfect holiday gift for a beloved bibliophile in your life...merely change the books to suit their tastes.

Maya Road Design Team Blog
A new twist (ha ha!) on an advent calender using bottle caps.

ScrapGoo
Here is a wonderful cheerful advent banner. She also has a Christmas Planner tutorial in a later post as well as chalkboard gift tags.

Party with Prizes

Holly Jolly Holidays with Echo Park Paper Co.
Every day another new project, sale, giveaway, journaling prompt or surprise.

Lily Bee Design's 24 Days of Holiday Inspiration
Cute projects with tutorials and prizes too.

12 Tilda's of Christmas with Simon Says Stamp
Tilda of Magnolia stamps is the focus of this blog celebration. Each day a new Tilda, a giveaway and a sale on Magnolia stamps through Simon Says Stamp.

Gift Guide

Jennifer McGuire's Holiday Gift Guide
Over 50 gift items to help those needing something crafty for their friends or family.

Class

Online Card Classes' 2011 Holiday Card Boot Camp
It may no longer be live, but should you need an extra boost to get those Christmas cards out right now, you may want to try this online class by Kristina Werner and Jennifer McGuire.

Holiday Enabling

October Afternoon's Santa Sack
I am a sucker for grab bags. It is a mixture of finding a good deal and an intriguing mystery. If you love October Afternoon and have a bit of extra money to splurge on yourself or someone you love (or if you want to buy one and keep some and give some away who is know, right?) then I recommend purchasing one of their Santa Sacks as you won't be disappointed.

Happy and merry crafting,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 3

2011-12-03T09:18:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

The first Saturday of December, already. I hope today finds you with plenty of time to play and get crafty. Perhaps you need a little inspiration? Or a giveaway to dream about? I hope these links will help.

December Daily and Journal Your Christmas

Michelle Wooderson
I have been following her due to her work with Papertrey Ink and am really inspired by her Project Life work and now she has a wonderful December Daily to follow.

reverb 2011 / Hope Wallace Karney
Hope Wallace Karney of Besottment by Paper Relics is taking on reverb this year and using the daily prompts to fill up her delightful December Daily. Plus she also has free downloads. Cool lady (by lady I mean a woman of refinement and grace).

Nancy Wyatt
I love that Nancy Wyatt's December Daily is made from Rhonna Designs digital products and that she customized everything to fit with her needs and vision. As someone who loves hybrid projects, Nancy's blog is so much fun to follow and she's a sweet lady (see above definition).

Baers Garten Designs
A fabulous designer of digital products and scrapbooker, Iara Baer of Baers Garten Designs never disappoints. She shows her off her beautiful December Daily and I can't wait to see more.

Video Series

Kristina Werner's Holiday Card Series 2011
An annual event, Kristina Werner creates 25 different holiday cards on video. Not to be missed for anyone who loves graphic and clean card design along with stamping.

Quick and Easy Holiday Cards by Britta Swiderski
She has a video series running of Quick and Easy Holiday Cards. You can subscribe to her Youtube channel where she has great video tutorials for beginning cardmaking, stamp techniques and the like.

Generous Blogger

Creativity Prompt
Every Friday there is a Friday Freebie including lots of cool journaling cards to use in your December Daily, Journal Your Christmas, Project Life, mini books or any other project you fancy. She should receive a reward. Thank you (not much of a reward, but heartfelt).

Creativity Countdown

December Countdown with Scrapbook & Cards Today
"Join SCT for 24 days of inspiration from some of our favourite designers..."

December Daily with kesi'art blog
It may be en Francais, but isn't inspiration universal? Or a picture worth a thousand words? Whatever the cliche, their are some good tutorials. If you don't read French and wish to read the blog I recommend subscribing through something like Google Reader and using its "translate into my language" option.

Classes

The Gifted Stamper with Julie Ebersole
Ellen Hutson now has the HOWNow School of Creative Arts and The Gifted Stamper is their inaugural class. Looks like a wonderful opportunity to make some handmade gifts for those on your list.

Party with Prizes

anthropologie's 20 Days A'Gifting
Who doesn't love anthropologie? A giveaway of anthropologie goodness...brilliant. When I was straightening up my studio Thursday night I found 3 catalogs from 2009. Did I toss them? No way! They withstand the test of time and are little marvels.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Party by Rahel Menig
A party with recipes, decorations and a giveaway. Rahel Menig's style is really lovely and her bunny is adorable.

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 2

2011-12-02T14:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

Are you capturing your December in the December Daily with Ali Edwards or Journaling Your Christmas along with Shimelle Laine? I have intentions of doing the project myself, but in the end I often fawn over images of others' December projects. You like to do the same as well? Love other gorgeous projects celebrating the season? Or perhaps some digital goodies? Then here are some links.

Inspiration for December Daily or Journaling Your Christmas

Nichol Magouirk
For a December Daily that has a traditional Christmas feel (love the reds and browns) and plenty of panache look at Nichol Magouirk's album. Beautiful and full of her masterful use of the Silhouette, there is plenty to inspire.

Lisa Truesdell
I love how fun her December Daily album looks and the non-traditional colors are lovely and festive. I am really charmed by her use of confetti and the chalkboard bits on her cover.

Kelly Purkey
I love Kelly Purkey's simplified, straight-forward take on the December Daily which makes me feel even I could do one!

Amy Tan
Fun, graphic, bright and sassy, Amy Tan's December Daily is another project that is accessible and still has a lot of style.

Susan Weinroth
Susan Weinroth's December Daily is elegant, cool and classy with a color combination that is one of my favorites any month of the year.

Doris Sander
Using a piano lesson book as a base, Doris Sander's Journal Your Christmas book is handmade, vintage goodness!

Alissa Fast
Another lovely and creative Journal Your Christmas book taking shape.

Advent Calendars

Liz Kartchner
Beautiful, rustic and chic her 25 boxes are well worth the viewing.

Jamie Pate
Get over to this blog and check out these gorgeous advent tags! I am now a devoted follower of Jamie Pate's blog ever since she was named one of the ladies on Rhonna Designs Creative Team. Everything she does is pure loveliness.

Add to Your Digital Collection

The Lilypad's December Deals
Each day another category is 25% off. One of my favorite shops full of awesome designers.

Catscrap's Advent Calender
A different lovely digital freebie every day by very gifted designers.

I hope you have found these links as inspiring as I have! If you have more holiday eye candy or deals, please comment away!!

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

Delightful December Day 1

2011-12-01T11:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I have been batting around ideas of how I want to celebrate this holiday season in a meaningful and personal way. Have you? One of my favorite activities is to see how the talented people out in the world celebrate. I love observing so much beauty and creativity!

I thought I would do something a little different to celebrate the holiday season and all of the crafting goodness awaiting us online. Why not list what is available right here? I hope I can add something every day to the list. Please comment with more suggestions! I love visiting new blogs and sites.

No admission fee:

2011 First Tag by Tim Holtz

1. The 5th year of Tim Holtz's 12 Days of Tags.
Chock full of inspiration, techniques and a daily giveaway. This is today's tag bu
http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

2011 December Daily Album Cover By Ali Edwards

2. Ali Edwards' December Daily.
Chronicle your December in anyway you want with ideas from Ali Edwards blog. A wonderful way to celebrate and savor the season.
http://aliedwards.com/

3. Basic Grey's 25 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar.
Each day another goodie. Today is a favorite recipe. Tomorrow?...a surprise!
http://www.basicgrey.com/pages/advent

4. Pink Paislee's Winter Wonderland Blog Event.
Giveaways, free printables, pretty projects...what is there not to like?
http://www.pinkpaislee.com/pink-paislee-blog/

5. Oscraps' 12 Days of O Christmas.
"Check daily for challenges, freebies, tutorials, some fun Christmas trivia and even a sale or two." What a treat!
http://ozone.oscraps.com/blog/

6. 20 Days of Christmas Crafts on Design House Digital Blog.
Tutorials of beautiful digital designs used to create lovely physical crafts. I am there.
http://www.designhousedigital.com/content/category/blog/

Small admission fee:

1. Designer Digitals' Days of Christmas.
Each day a new $0.99 digital product and 285 items 30% off.

Online Classes:

1. Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas.
Awesome class with daily prompts for journaling and photography to capture the wonder of the season. This can be used in conjunction with December Daily.
http://www.shimelle.com/paper/1284/journal-your-christmas-2011-online-scrapbooking-class/

2. 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas.
Looks like a fun class with 12 different projects from 12 great teachers like Christy Tomlinson of Scarlet Lime, Donna Downey and Margie Romney-Aslett.
http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/christytomlinson/2011/11/sneak-peeks-holiday-cheer.html

Spark your Christmas garland by Margie Romney-Aslett

3. Spark your Christmas with Margie Romney-Aslett.
Looks like a class full of ways to add handmade holiday sparkle and decoration to your house.
http://margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/im_just_a_girl/2011/11/spark-your-christmas.html

Hope this either reminds you of something you had wanted to see today or introduces you to something new!

Happy and merry creating,
Shay.

The Saga of the Halloween Invitations

2011-10-31T15:42:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

Around this time each year I become consumed with our annual Halloween party. For some reason I spend an inordinate amount of time on the invitations...they become the bane of my existence for a while until I finally, finally send them out. This year was no exception. I began trying to come up with a concept for them this summer (I was hoping to be ahead of the curve for once!). I thought I knew what I was going to do, but no I of course had to change my mind.

Finally, Rhonna Designs came to the rescue (and some older frames from Rhonna through House of 3). I bought the lovely Spooky Junque Banner Kit and it was finally the answer to my invitation design woes. Back in August I drew up some characters for my invitations and I finally figured out how to use them with the banners. Also, I bought some products from Martha Stewart, stamps from Lawn Fawn and some other digital products from Jen Allyson (Vintage Findings Halloween Collection and Vintage Findings Halloween Apothecary Labels)and they became the basis of the invitations. Another fun addition was a frame by One Little Bird Designs.

Here is a little sneak of the invitations, courtesy of my cell phone:

Wishing everyone a very spooky and splendid Halloween!

Happy {haunting} and creating,
Shay.

Lawn Fawn Love

2011-09-20T11:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

Do you remember my mentioning a couple weeks ago two birthday cards I made for friends back in July using Lawn Fawn stamps? No? I understand. I barely remember what happened 5 minutes ago.

I bought Admit One and Cruising Through Life stamp sets specifically for these cards. I sketched the cards before I bought the stamp sets in fact. Now, don't mind the awful pictures that follow. I have been experimenting with places to take pictures and have yet to find a good one. The cards are actually quite a bit cuter than they appear and it's all due to Lawn Fawn.

I pulled out my Copic markers for both of these cards. At the time I only had a handful of Copic markers (especially greens) to pull off the coloring of the bicycle on Card No. 1. In fact the majority of the bike is actually a pale blue-green (BG10 Cool Shadow) in order to obtain a minty green with the few colors I had (I believe it was G17 Forest Green & G28 Ocean Green). The grass is a shimmery green patterned paper I cut with Martha Stewart Crafts trim scissors that I then cut at different lengths. Paper piecing the flags and pinwheels is an excellent way to use up scraps of paper without losing its impact.

Card No. 1:

Detail of the flags and pinwheels along with the grass:

Detail of the bike, although it is quite a bit bluer than in real life:

Better picture of the matching envelope (I had a lot of fun with sprays):

One of my favorite things to do ever is make background paper and the ticket from Admit One is a blast to use as not only can you stamp the tickets in lines easily, but in the stamp set are words and a star you can add to the ticket. For Card No. 2, on the ticket paper I also sprayed it with some shimmery spray as my friend loves sparkle. I also like to alter items if necessary to fit a given project. The aqua flower was actually a pretty powder blue from sassafras which I colored in with a Copic marker to match the aqua found in this card. And the middle of the flower was a bit too busy so I placed a circle of vellum over it so that some of the pattern is visible without taking away from the carousel in front of it. As to cutting out that carousel, just take your time, but it is well worth it and you can always use a dark marker to cover up the raw edges from cutting.

Card No. 2:

Card No. 2 with the matching envelope (See the texture on the envelope? That's from paper towels when I was dabbing up the excess...I happen to really like the pattern):

Close up:

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!

Happy creating,

Shay.

Bicycle Birthday Card

Stamps: cruising through life and sophie's sentiments, Lawn Fawn

Ink: tuxedo black, Momento

Cardstock: stamper's select white, Papertrey Ink; Welsh blue, Neenah Papers

Patterned Paper: GCD Studios; Scarlet Lime and Crate Paper

Markers: Copic

Sprays: Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels

Other: fringe scissors, Martha Stewart Crafts; jewels

Carousel Birthday Card

Stamps: admit one and sophie's sentiments, Lawn Fawn

Ink: tuxedo black, Memento; chili pepper, Jenni Bowlin Ink by Ranger; black soot, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger

Cardstock: white, Georgia-Pacific; aqua mist, Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: K&Company

Punch: postal border punch, EK Success

Markers: Copic

Sprays: Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels and Lindy's Stamp Gang

Other: paper whimsies (flower), sassafras; jewels from Michael's; vellum

Envelopes

Stamp: Label Basics, Papertrey Ink

Sprays: Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels; Lindy's Stamp Gang; Mister Huey's Color Mists by Studio Calico

Streamlined: Male Hybrid Birthday Cards

2011-09-06T07:25:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader,
I find myself often needing birthday cards for male relatives and being at a loss of what to make the night before I need to send one out. Sound familiar?

Perhaps you are much better than I and are a planner. I aspire to be you.

So, I followed your example and made all the male relative birthday cards up until April in January. I felt proud of myself and then promptly forgot to send the first 2 January birthday cards out in time for my uncle and cousin to receive them on (or before) their birthday.

Lesson learned: make the cards AND send them out on time.

I decided on doing a graphic streamlined design with a few alterations to personalize the card. Personalization: the birth date of the birthday guy + the stamp used.

I have been enthralled with dates lately. Studio Calico had some awesome month and date of the week stamp sets which I foolishly missed out on and ever since I have been collecting date items to compensate. I call it stamp envy.

So, I found a very cool digital kit by Ali Edwards at Designer Digitals with days of the week and also used some awesome digital elements I bought from Roben-Marie Smith before she retired from digital designing (big loss! Good news: she still has her stamp company, Paperbag Studios).

I tried to use a border/background stamp that either symbolized an interest of the birthday guy or had a design aesthetic I thought they would appreciate. I really love the look of a line of graphics that border stamps (or sometimes background stamps like those by Papertrey Ink or Glitz Designs) give you.

Another moment to praise Studio Calico: their stamps are wonderful (admittedly, the reason I subscribed many moons ago) and when possible I used some of the border stamps I had in my collection. Like the books. I have a cousin who reads voraciously so that stamp was perfect for him.

Here are the rest of the cards for your viewing pleasure:

Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

Happy creating,
Shay.

Date Birthday Cards
Supplies:
Digital:
{days of the week}Today Textured Word Art by Ali Edwards at Designer Digitals;
{month}{circled numbers} Dirty Vellum Daters by Roben-Marie Designs, retired
Physical:
Stamps: {books} {harper's ruler} {herringbone} {stars} Studio Calico
{newsprint} Glitz Designs
{hieroglyphics} Judi-Kins
{2 0 1 1} Martha Stewart
Ink: pumice stone, Tim Holtz's Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: white, Georgia-Pacific
Other: black & white baker's twine, Divine Twine by Whisker Graphics; Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Where Did All the White Space Go?

2011-09-05T22:57:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader,

After playing around with some white paint in a card class my gifted friend, Liz Allen, taught a few weekends ago I knew I had to add some to a birthday card I was working on to highlight the embossed flourish the made up the base of the card. Originally this card was going to be a lovely pure white with pops of color coming from the die cut butterflies and a little stamping in the corners, but this is me making a card and white space although beautiful withers in the face of my need for more. So out came the Papertrey Ink background stamps and glimmer mist. Then came the white paint to tone it down just a little bit. How far I strayed from my dream of an elegantly subdued white embossed card! I think my card may be the eccentric, arty cousin of the white card.

The happy birthday is from the sophie's sentiments set from Lawn Fawn. I am sure I mentioned this...I began my Lawn Fawn experience by buying 3 stamp sets and I have been putting them to good use. I made a couple of cards for friends in July and I hope to share those with you in the next few days. In fact I designed their cards with these stamps in mind before I had even bought them. Lawn Fawn = adorable! I can't wait to buy more...now to choose which ones to buy next!?!

Anyway, here's the card:

And with the matching envelope:

Thank you for visiting the Hall!

Call again soon,
Shay.

Butterflies in Flight birthday card
Supplies:
Stamps: happy birthday from sophie's sentiments, Lawn Fawn
Background Basics: Newsprint, Background Basics: Woodgrain, Background Basics: Diamonds Background Basics: Sheet Music and Background Basics: Text Style, Papertrey Ink
corner damask from Parisian Anthology set, House of 3 by Pink Paislee
border from Butterfly Garden set, Pink Paislee
Inks: tuxedo black, Memento by Tsukineko
broken china and peeled paint, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
Cardstock: white, Georgia-Pacific; blue from scraps
Patterned Paper: weather vane from Urban Prairie collection, Basic Grey
Mists: patina, jasper, meadow green and apple, Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels
Dies: large butterfly from Butterflies combo set, Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
mini butterflies set, Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix
Embossing Folder: flourish from Love is in the Air set, Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Embellishment: rose die border, Sassafras
Other: gesso, Claudine Hellmuth Studio by Ranger

Last Minute

2011-07-14T20:07:00.003-05:00

Dear Reader,

You thought you were done with me today. After all, I posted a card today, but just in the last half hour or so I made another card for this week's color challenge.

I have a slew of border stamps from Studio Calico which I adore (I have a slew of Studio Calico stamps period). Actually to say I adore them is too pallid of a statement. They are simply glorious because they are simple, clean, graphic and usually work for any number of applications. I decided to make a background using them along with one border stamp that I also adore from Hero Arts: international skyline. Additionally, I happen to be a nut for travel themes. I can't get enough of them for whatever reason and it is nearly compulsive. It's something similar to when there is a song that I really like and I listen to it over and over again. When I love something it sticks with me.

Back to the point, I thought all of these disparate images could come together under the sentiment from Papertrey Ink, "adventure awaits". I love this sentiment because it is so full of promise and I recently used it on graduation cards I made because of this. Add a airplane punch and I am happy.

Now to the card:

By the way, did you hear the sensational news that Hero Arts is now working with Studio Calico to produce stamps? Check out either Hero Arts' blog or Studio Calico's blog for more information, sneak peaks and a blog hop with chances to win said stamps and also paper from upcoming releases from Studio Calico.

Thank you for visiting the Hall again!

I hope adventure awaits you,
Shay.

Adventure Awaits Card
Supplies:
Stamps: all border stamps except international skyline and overlapping circles (which is Studio Calico + Hero Arts), Studio Calico; international skyline (H5470), Hero Arts; adventure awaits from Road Trip set, Papertrey Ink
Ink: vintage photo, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
Cardstock: sand, Neenah Papers; white, Georgia-Pacific; red from stash
Patterned Paper: Jenni Bowlin
Punches: airplane, EK Success; circle, Martha Stewart Crafts
Pen: memory markers in chestnut, American Crafts
Other: dimensional adhesive by American Crafts and Scotch

On the Town

2011-07-14T18:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

I return with a card for Week 3 of the Summer Card Camp 2011 online class. This one is completely out of character meaning it is clean and simple. I admire cardmakers like Maile Belles who pull these cards off over and over with panache. I am not one of them, but a girl can try can't she?

I had a concept in mind using some lovely Hero Arts stamps I had bought, but sadly not used yet. I broke them out and liberated them. Hopefully they will enjoy much more inky happiness in their future. I thought the lovely ladies from Three Silhouettes along with the Cityscape were perfect for a Girls' Night Out card. I am not a girls' night out type of person...I am a true homebody, but I like the idea of ladies that party until they drop in killer dresses and more lethal heels. I am happy the option is out there and some partake.

Here's the card:

Thank you so much for visiting the Hall!

Hoping some of you have lethal heels,
Shay.

Girls' Night Out Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Three Silhouettes (LP195) and Cityscape (K5325), Hero Arts
Ink: malted milk and brown sugar, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger
Cardstock: earthstone, Neenah Papers; white, Georgia-Pacific
Pen: memory marker in chestnut, American Crafts
Other: red emboidery floss, DMC and Crop A Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Ticket to Fly

2011-07-08T14:46:00.002-05:00

Dear Reader,

Do you love the little art known as Artist Trading Cards (ATC) as much as I do? I have been participating in a monthly local trade for nearly 8 years now. Each month we have two themes to choose from (or for the ambitious they can do both themes). In January the theme I chose to sign up for was Make-Your-Own-Background. I *love* making backgrounds. I find it very therapeutic and calming as the mind wanders and the fingers do their magic. I had no real idea of what I was doing for my background although I thought I could use a copy of two masterboards I made using some Hero Arts stamps, crayons and Adirondack Color Washes a while back.

Here are the masterboards (it is a fun crayon resist):

That was when things got a bit crazy.

I sprayed some of my Studio Calico Mister Huey's on the copy to mute the vibrant greens, oranges and yellows a bit (and to just play with them because they are fun!). I added a strip of orange electrical tape bought at Home Depot last fall (with Halloween in mind). Then I thought why not pull out one of my old Scarlet Lime kits and play with some of the cool elements I had in it? So then I placed some alphabet stickers from Prima randomly all over each of the backgrounds. Then I added a glittery lacy sticker border in the middle over the electrical tape. Add some Glimmer Misted and stamped tickets (love, love my House of 3/Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology stamp set. My recommendation: if you find this stamp set, snap it up!) attached with Tim Holtz's Tiny Attacher, misted bird punch mixed in with patterned paper punched pieces, a bling eye from Prima and there's the card.

Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

Happy creating,
Shay.

Alphabet Soup ATCs
Supplies:
Stamps: tree, bird & flourish in masterboards from Tree, Birds & Messages set (CL182), Hero Arts and damask and postal cancellation from Parisian Anthology set, House of Three/Pink Paislee;
Ink: chipped sapphire, Tim Holtz's Distress Inks by Ranger
Cardstock: white, Georgia-Pacific; golden orange scraps
Patterned Paper: GCD Studios
Punch: bird & twig, Stampin' Up!
Sprays: Mister Huey's Calico White, Studio Calico; denium blue glimmer mist, Tattered Angels; lettuce, Tim Holtz's Adriondack Color Wash by Ranger
Other: yellow alphabet stickers, Prima; green glitter paper lace; orange electrical tape; tiny attacher, Tim Holtz; clear jewel, Prima; tickets; crayons, Crayola; Crop A Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Week 2: Summer Card Camp 2011

2011-07-07T19:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

It has been far too long and I have missed writing to you during my period of inactivity. Today I have a card for you that I made for an online class I am participating in: Summer Card Camp with Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner. Like my blog writing, I am truant with Week 1's card assignment. Despite that I am going to forge ahead with Week 2. I am a bit overwhelmed with the talent and copious amounts of cards in the student gallery. I always find myself hesitant to participate when I feel myself at a severe disadvantage, but I am trying to be less of a wimp. I am using my friend, Julie, as an inspiration to post. Check out her cards (3 of them which makes her an overachiever in my book) on her blog--awesome!

I recently bought some Lawn Fawn stamps that I had been ogling for a while. Lawn Fawn have impossibly adorable images that were calling to me to play with especially after watching countless charming videos by sunny and bright Kelly Marie Alvarez. My card doesn't do the stamps justice...I simply adore the Ferris wheel and ticket especially when you fill it in with one of the phrases designed to fit perfectly in it. For better examples go to Kelly Marie Alvarez's blog.

So here's my card without further ado:

Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

You are welcome to visit any time,

Shay.

Admit One Birthday Card
Supplies:
Stamps: ticket, admit one & Ferris wheel from Admit One and happy birthday from Sophie's Sentiments, Lawn Fawn
Inks: Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Spiced Marmalade, Barn Door, Wild Honey, Black Soot: Tim Holtz Distress Inks for Ranger
Cardstock: white, Georgia-Pacific
Patterned Paper: yellow sunshine and orange, Cosmo Cricket and red stripe, DCWV (old!)
Copics: R20 Blush & R27 Cadmium Red
Border Punch: postage stamp, EK Success
Other: white gen pen, Uniball Signo; paper star circle, sassafras; Crop A Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; orange jewels, Michael's

Hybrid Happiness

2011-02-22T16:58:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

In the past few months I have been investing in a lot of digital kits and products. There is so much out there to buy that it can be overwhelming in every way (overwhelming for the budget for sure). I have used these products on my halloween party invitations and increasingly in cards and ATCs. I simply love the endless possibilities and customization that using digital designs lend physical projects. In fact I am taking a new hybrid class with Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp (of House of 3) called Mouse, Paper, Scissors which should prove to be awesome and will undoubtedly improve my skills (we all can see that this is needed!).

During my blogging hiatus I made a few simple birthday hybrid cards that I thought I would share with you.

Card No. 1

Digital supplies used: all digital supplies from the Every Day's an Adventure collaboration kit between Leora Sanford and Aja Abney. If you like it you should buy it now as it may be retired as of March 15th (and it is 50% off right now at Little Dreamer Designs).
Physical supplies: happy birthday stamp; Neenah Paper Welsh Blue cardstock; chipped sapphire, Tim Holtz's Distress Ink by Ranger Industries; twine; shipping tag; Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels; Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers; dimensional adhesive
Card No. 2

Digital supplies used: yellow paper from Winter Garden kit collaboration between Michelle Coleman and Wish Bliss Studio; grey and red paper by Paislee Press from Nostalgia kit collaboration between Paislee Press and creashens; red paper by Queen of Quirk from the Soar High kit at the sadly defunct Songbird Avenue; circle label by Paislee Press from At Home kit
Physical supplies: happy birthday stamp, Georgia-Pacific white cardstock; fired brick, Tim Holtz's Distress Ink by Ranger Industries; scallop border punch by Martha Stewart; dimensional adhesive
Card No. 3

Digital supplies used: Card template is Pixels 2 Paper ~ Volume 2 by Paper Crush Studio; all other digital elements by Kasia Designs from Handle With Care kit
Physical supplies: happy birthday stamp; Georgia-Pacific white cardstock; red cardstock; dimensional adhesive

Card No. 4

Digital supplies used: Card template is Pixels 2 Paper ~ Volume 2 by Paper Crush Studio; red damask paper by Amy Wolff from Soar High kit at Songbird Avenue by white and red damask paper from So Grateful kit collaboration by Sugarplum Paperie and Sahlin Studio; butterflies by Amy Wolff from Soar High kit at Songbird Avenue; label by Designs by Morjike from Beauty Fall kit
Physical supplies: Happy Birthday stamp; Georgia-Pacific white cardstock and Neenah Paper Recycled 100 Natural White cardstock; fired brick, Tim Holtz's Distress Ink by Ranger Industries; Stickles by Ranger Industries

Card No. 5

Digital supplies all from Beauty Fall kit and Beauty Fall Add-On kit by Designs by Morjike.
Physical supplies: Happy Birthday stamp; Georgia-Pacific white cardstock; Neenah Paper Recycled 100 Natural White cardstock; emboidery floss by DMC; basic gray ink by Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

Happy creating,
Shay.

Flashback: Mother's Day

2011-02-17T11:45:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader,

I hope this past Valentine's Day brought you a lot of time spent with your loved ones and perhaps some chocolate or other sweet goodies. I enjoyed dark chocolate covered strawberries...some with real gold dust. I really should have taken a picture of them because they were beauties...rather I relished the taste of them and forgot about all else.

Today we are going to do a little step back in time as this post is about the card I made my mom for Mother's Day last year. One thing I have realized is I need to get a stamp set which has sentiments regarding Mother's Day. Being someone who doesn't use sentiments as much as others I have a lot of voids in my stamp collection where sentiments should be (we all have to have priorities if we are ever to wade through all the products we want).

Back to the card...my mom loves blue. Anyone who knows her knows this or should because it is a very defining part of who she is. I can't describe the depth of her love for blue. I know there are green families out there in which everyone has a deep and abiding love for green, but most of my family are advocates of blue to the point that my dad is thrilled that the night lighting of the electronics in his new car is blue (and the car is blue to ease your mind). This feeling my dad has for blue (and neither really like green) helps cement my belief that my parents were destined to be together. After blue, pink is my mom's favorite color...in fact her sewing room is pink with accents in black and white. With this in mind I kept with a blue, pink and white color scheme. As I mentioned she has a sewing room and therefore whenever I see sewing related images I know they are going to be perfect for my mom. When I saw these Hero Arts stamps I knew they were just right for my mom.

This is a fussy (busy) card, but my mom can be even more fussy than I am so it really suits her. I chose to highlight the dresses (and introduce the pink onto the main image) by stamping them onto pink cardstock and adding them to the neutral main image. Since I couldn't find a ribbon I wanted to use with the card I went with navy tulle that my friend very generously bought me a while back and I am happy with the result. I hope you enjoy looking at the card.

Card Pose No. 2

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

Mother's Day Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Make Your Own (CG175) and Roses from Two Birds (CG152), Hero Arts
Inks: Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky and Spun Sugar (inside), Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Stampin' Up!, White, Georgia Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Papers; Pink, scrap pile
Button: From Spring Mix, Paperrtrey Ink
Punches: Martha Stewart
Other: Navy Tulle; Pink Emboidery Floss, DMC

Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday No. 1

2011-02-07T22:21:00.001-06:00

Hello there, dear reader. It is amazing how one little blog post about a simple card can take ages to complete. Am I especially slow or do others experience the black hole that is blogging? Hours pass in which I photograph, edit, wait for my camera battery to recharge, reshot, write, edit, add links, upload pictures, hunt for the names of this stamp set, that tool, etc. It is a production and I am not even a good blogger. I have *so* much respect and admiration for high class bloggers like Ali Edwards. How does she do it?

Okay, now that I have digressed let us get on to the main point of this post: Papertrey Ink. The 4th anniversary celebration continues and I am so happy that I can participate. Today marked the first Make It Monday. To learn all about it visit Nichole Heady's blog: here.

The card wasn't hard to make, but the photographing of it has been a real chore. The lighting is horrible and my studio is a complete mess so I can barely find anywhere to place the care without clutter or something else in the way. This studio really needs a complete overhaul, but that is another story or rather saga. Please don't laugh too hard at the photos.

I really enjoyed the challenge of a Go-To Sentiment card (using the same sentiment from several stamp sets over and over) and challenged myself even further by making a clean, mostly monochromatic card. I was inspired by the very clever and talented Maile Belles, but in no way did I pull off what she can do with such grace and panache. I used a large amount of stamp sets (11 I think) for this and I really like how this challenge utilized so many stamp sets in a fun and unique way. I also decided I wanted the main "thank you" to be spelled out with my Trajan alphabet set. Luckily "thank you" has no repeat letters which makes it a breeze to spell out.

And more beautiful shots of the card. Every model needs to be seen in different poses.

Hope you enjoyed the card. Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

Thank You Go-To Sentiments Card
All Papertrey Ink products unless otherwise mentioned
Stamps: Fillable Frames #1; Borders and Corners-Squares; Out on a Limb Sentiments; Giga Guide Lines; Year of the Flowers: Violet; Mat Stack 1 Collection; Mat Stack 2 Collection; Everyday Classics; Round & Round; Simply Stationary; and Trajan Monogram Edition
Ink: Dusty Concord and Pumice Stone, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Die: Banner Borders
Other: Emboidery Floss, DMC; Dimenstional adhesive, Stampin' Up!; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Papertrey Ink Anniversary Celebration Begins

2011-02-05T19:36:00.001-06:00

February is one of my favorite months because of many reasons including that it is the birthday month of Papertrey Ink. Today marks the official kickoff of the 4th birthday celebration--please go to Nichole Heady's blog to find out more as you won't want to miss a thing. The design team who are some of the most creative and imaginative stampers around each chose their favorite card in 2010 and we, the fans and customers of Papertrey Ink, were likewise challenged to choose our favorite card of 2010 using Papertrey Ink stamps and products.

Due to my love of Papertrey Ink's background stamps and because it was the last card I made for my dad's dad as he died a few days after I sent the card these cards are sentimental favorites. You can find the original post here.

Happy birthday, Papertrey Ink! I hope we can all celebrate many more years of your continued brilliance and success!

Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

Time Warp: May Hero Arts Club

2011-02-03T12:42:00.001-06:00

February 3, 2011 note: I found this post sitting within my draft posts. It merely needed a picture added to be complete. So I am posting it now.

From summer 2010:

I have been sucked into some sort of strange time warp. Before I knew it several weeks had passed since I posted on this blog. Whilst away I did make a couple offerings for May's Hero Arts Club challenge. We were supposed to use the upper left hand image of this set to make something (one lady made wonderful labels using the frame for the delicious food she and her friend provided for the meeting..I wish I had thought to take a picture of it because the table was lovely!):

I decided to go with cards (huge surprise). I began with my March 2009 Scarlet Lime kit for color inspiration and the idea of using the shape of the frame as a mask much like I did with the Daisy from April's Hero Arts Club Challenge. This time I used some of my Glimmer Mist instead of ink to color the card base. I also wanted to use the Friends cling set to fit into those masked frames (and they fit nearly perfectly). At first I thought my colors would primarily be green and blue with a punch of orange and I colored in the frame with orange accordingly, but after my sister's rather unfavorable reaction to the colors I decided the orange frame must be the beginning of another card entirely. This often happens to me as if even my creativity gets distracted and must work on more than one thing. So I remained with green, blue and touches of a sandy grey (for the mask card and did another card with black and white and punches of orange and green that I decided would work for my aunt's graduation from medical school.

One last note, I realized I may be the world's worst bow maker (if possible it is worse than my photography). I think I spent almost the same amount of time tieing the bow on the card as all the rest of the card...may be the reason I don't use ribbon as much as many other people. This is probably explained by the fact that the only way I was able to learn to tie a bow when I was little was the the double loop system and it is only in the last couple of years that I have been able to tie a bow in the more common way. I also learned how to jump rope by flipping the rope behind me then jumping rather than in front of me as it was the only way that I could physically do it at the time. Go figure.

Here are the results:

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

Happy Birthday Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Three Floral Frames (CL384), Friends (CG106), Starburst (F5318) and Happy Birthday, Hero Arts
Inks: Pumice Stone, Shabby Shutters and Tumbled Glass (I think, but it could be Broken China), Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries
Mist/Spray: Green Meadows, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist
Cardstock: Sand, Neenah Papers
Patterned Paper: Beach Caribe and Cantando (from Canta Collection), GCD Studios
Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Ribbon, Offray; Colored Pencils

For You Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Three Floral Frames (CL384), For You from Dolls (CL289), Hero Arts
Inks: Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries
Patterned Paper: Beach Caribe and Cantando (from Canta Collection), GCD Studios
Other: Colored Pencils

Catching Up (or its been too, too long)

2011-02-03T11:48:00.000-06:00

Since this is the first anniversary of my blog I thought it would be about time I returned to the blogging world! A lot has happened in the time I have been gone (in order of occurrence, not necessarily importance):

1. We added this little cutie to our family. Due to an emergency call from a colleague on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, we took in two stray dogs temporarily. We found a home for the older, sweet boy which we called Buddy and has since been named Ty by his family. The 2 month old puppy--a black lab mix--we tried to place in the same home with Ty as they were so cute together (Ty looked after the puppy), but that didn't work out and the longer she stayed with us the more we fell in love. She isn't going anywhere. We named her Wednesday (the day we took her in and also since it was around Halloween she was named after the wonderfully woeful Wednesday Addams although our Wednesday is actually a very happy girl).
2. My mom was diagnosed with lymphoma. My mom went into the hospital on Thursday, October 21, 2010 with dangerously low platelet levels and we are so grateful her doctor noticed this because she could have died within a week without transfusions and proper treatment. Currently she is going through chemotherapy and is sporting different hair and hats nearly every day. We also found out her head is quite lovely. With this hurdle and both of my grandparents dying this summer it kind of threw us all.
3. We had our 4th Annual Halloween party. We ate sinfully delicious food with wonderful friends.
4. My sister and I went to Disney World the weekend of November 12th -November 16th. We went to all four (4) of the main Disney parks in that time and came home exhausted, but happy. I have never loved Disney more...sometimes amusement parks are *better* as an adult. We also had the opportunity to visit with my uncle and meet his lady love. We all went to brunch at the House of Blues for their Gospel Brunch. My uncle and his lady love danced on stage...so sweet. Good times.
5. My Dad's Birthday. Prime rib dinner for my dad. My mom made him a cute dog card for his birthday and I helped (shake n' bake commercials always runs in my mind because funnily enough I did help my mom make shake n'bake chicken when I was little).
5. Thanksgiving. The week after we returned from Orlando was Thanksgiving. We decided to simplify. We had two types of turkey breasts (one our favorite southwestern turkey breast and the other a new boudin sausage stuffed-turkey breast which was pretty darn delicious).
6. Hanukkah. What with my mom's health and all we decided to skip our holiday party this year and have a *very* laid back holiday season. This year's Hanukkah was so early and we were not that prepared for it that we even skipped a couple nights. We decided to have a catch up at Christmas.
7. Making changes at work. We moved around offices at work for the first time in over 10 years. We all like the "new" conference room.
8. Christmas Eve and Christmas. We all went out to eat at the Egg and I for breakfast on Christmas Eve. I have decided I quite enjoy late morning breakfast out. My sister then made dinner as we did some work. We had lacquered prime rib (my dad's favorite and a must during the holidays for him) *and* really delicious applewood smoked ham. We also had roasted vegetables and a mushroom-rice casserole. It sounds like we are devoted carnivores, but you would be surprised to know that for several months my sister was a vegan and we all ate a lot of vegan and vegetarian meals during those months. For Christmas we had our brunch.
9. New Year's Eve and New Year's. Low key, but delicious foods including Hoppin' John Soup and a Blackeye Pea Chili (yum!) and homemade Cheese Beer Bread. We ate lots of blackeye peas for good luck and kale for prosperity.

So now you are pretty much caught up. I will be returning to this blog with pictures of some cards, ATCs and the like (and some dog pictures) and I am also tweeting under @verdigris1700.

Thanks for stopping by the Hall and come back soon!

Blog Love For Susie's scrapativities and freebies

2010-08-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

I wanted to let everyone know of this lovely blog I stumbled upon a couple weeks ago or so: Susie's scrapactivities and freebies. Susie is generous, thoughtful and kind. The blog is a treasure trove of free digital goodness! All she asks in return is some love in the form of comments. Please go over and comment on this post. Every comment means she will provide another freebie (and who doesn't appreciate nice comments?). Also, anyone interested in ATC's should be thrilled with all the ATC items she has created.

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

The Importance of a Card

2010-08-03T15:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think I forget the power of a handmade card. When I lost my grandpa a month ago, the last communication I had with him was the father's day card I sent. Honestly, I had to push myself to make cards this year, but even as I was writing a message to him I was aware this might just be the last card I would make for him. I am really not sure what impact it had on him, but I know it gave me a small measure of comfort to know he received a card I made to honor him and express my love for him. I am so glad I realized I needed to make this card.

These are the cards I made for my grandpas this year (the purple was for my dad's father who just passed away as purple was his favorite):

My grandma (my dad's mom and wife to my purple loving grandpa) this year mentioned how much she liked the card I made her for mother's day (you can see a picture of it here). It was also the last mother's day card I will ever make for her as she passed away Friday. I am so very glad she thought it was pretty.

Send a little love today--you and the lucky recipient will glad you did.

Thanks for dropping by the Hall!

Happy Father's Day
{Supplies}
Stamps: Truck and Car, Tim Holtz by Stampers' Anonymous; Happy Father's Day (from Father Knows Best set), Diamond Background (from Backgrounds Basics: Diamonds set), Text Background (from Background Basics: Text Style II set), Papertrey Ink
Inks: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky and Pumice Stone (my favorite), Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: White, Georgia Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Other: Foam Dimensional Adhesive, American Crafts

Absolutely Fabulous Spray Paint

2010-08-02T23:24:00.000-05:00

I am presently taking a class with the super talented Debee Campos. If you have ever happened upon her blog you will see some fantastic eye-candy. We are working on mini-albums, but since I had an ATC trade coming up with the theme of Altered Playing Cards I thought I would use the first day's art lesson to create my cards. I had an incredible amount of fun playing with spray paint and I think black and white shall soon be joined by chartreuse, aqua, yellow, orange, grey and purple (some of the colors for Halloween).

I really love how they turned out--both grungy and clean which is something I have never really accomplished before.

Here are my ATC's (and please forgive the quality of the photos):

Absolutely Fabulous ATC's
{Supplies}
Stamps: Absolutely Fabulous, Papertrey Ink; Label, Kenner Road
Mist/Spray: Sweet Pea, Glimmer Mist
Die Cut: Bird, Tim Holtz by Sizzix
Punch: Starburst, Martha Stewart Crafts
Watercolors: Crayola
Other: Matte Black & Glossy White Spray Paint; Dimensional Foam Adhesives, American Crafts

Bad Blogger: A Very Necessary Apology

2010-07-28T12:57:00.001-05:00

I have been a very bad blogger in more ways than one.

I just recently enrolled in Shimelle Laine's Blogging for Scrapbookers class and I found out I was doing a big no-no...this no-no is actually somewhat counter to my thoughts on what is proper etiquette in the real world, but makes complete sense in the digital world. What I did a few times was use an image by using a link to the original image along with including a source link. I thought I was making certain that I was not taking any sort of credit for the image, but this meant I was stealing bandwidth. Big no-no. I apologize for my extremely inconsiderate behavior and will be taking out all such images.

Additionally, I apologize for also including images from others without their permission. I realize now I have allowed my (mistaken) belief in the internet being somewhat of a Wild West to cloud my ethics. I need to receive permission from the creator/artist before posting any image here or only post images of my own. Otherwise, I am being extremely rude and far worse poaching (stealing) others' hard work, creativity, talent, skill and energy.

This reminds me of receiving the guidelines to proper crediting of sources in college. Having read it I became profounding afraid of improperly crediting a source or somehow accidentially tredding on another's creative and/or intellectual property. Because of this (among other reasons), papers became an exercise in anxiety-ridden torture for me to write. I should have thought of that handbook whilst I blogged!

My apologies to one and all for being a very bad blogger and member of the creative community.

Another lesson learned.

Shop Talk: A Strenuous Recommendation

2010-06-29T15:01:00.002-05:00

I can't believe June is nearly over and I haven't posted since early May. I have some half written posts that are at various stages, but they aren't complete obviously. I feel I must rectify this by at least posting once.

Where have I been you may (or probably not) ask. I have been sucked into technology actually. I recently have been keeping up with all those digital scrapbook sites, looking into online classes and listening to the ever amusing and interesting Paperclipping podcasts. Anyone listen to these? What do you think? I find them to be wonderful and I am listening to them all the time right now...as I brush my teeth (seriously), go to sleep, etc. I love shop talk. I have a couple of friends that I talk with about art and all things related and we can talk until the end of days and still have more to chat about. We discuss stamps, paper, paint, companies, artists, digital design, classes, new products, old products, how evil Martha Stewart is (she is I swear to always find ways to make me covet her products), Tim Holtz, scrapbooking, websites, blogs, time, organization, projects here and there, kit companies, and on and on. So listening to the Paperclipping Roundtable and Paperclipping Digi Show is like ambrosia (as in food of the art and crafting gods) to me.

The all important links:
Paperclipping Roundtable (available on iTunes FREE)
Paperclipping Digi Show (available on iTunes FREE)

They also offer a membership for their copious amount of video tutorials (very well done from the clips I have seen). I plan on joining at some point because Noell and Izzy Hyman (the couple behind Paperclipping) deserve the support.

If you haven't already discovered these shows, GO. It is catnip for scrapbookers, memory artists or anyone interested in listening to various subjects regarding creating, organization, process, design, the industry, photography, digital scrapbooking, etc.

Mother's Day

2010-05-07T15:41:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day is just around the corner and I luckily still have both of my grandmothers to make cards for. During the Hero Arts Club meeting in March we played around with alcohol inks (fun!). I happened to make a card in which I covered both front and back with alcohol ink and stamped on with flowers. Because the colors ended up being purplish and the stamps were flowers I knew I could cut up the card into two panels for my grandmothers (one of them loves purple and the other loves flowers). I would usually make two different takes on the cards, but after it took me an hour to find this card (I have reorganized which basically means I have to figure out the new places I put things) I decided it would make more sense to make the same card (there are very slight variations like size). I chose a very simple layout and application (I am shocked at myself!) and let the alcohol ink panel really be the star.

I wish all the mothers, grandmothers and caregivers out there a very wonderful Mother's Day. May your day be filled with love and care.

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

Flower Power Mother's Day Cards
Supplies
Stamps: Silhouette Burst (H5312), Flower Blossoms (F4489) and Flower (not sure what stamp this is even after an extensive web search), Hero Arts
Inks: Jet Black, Archival Ink by Ranger Industries
Alcohol Inks: Cranberry, Pool, Stream and Gold (if I remember correctly), Tim Holtz Adirondack by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Stampin' Up!; Lavender Moon, Papertrey Ink; Gold Metallic
Border Punch: Dot Scallop, Martha Stewart Crafts
Other: Black Ribbon, Ofray; This-to-That Dimensional Foam Adhesive, American Crafts (my new favorite for chunky dimension!)

Seeing Double

2010-05-06T17:09:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to any new readers! How is everyone doing this fine week? Can you believe it is May already (I say this every month though)?!? Time seems to be in fast forward. Anyone else experiencing that sensation? I imagine parents must experience it accutely with how quickly children grow up. One minute you are anxiously awaiting their arrival and the next you are anxiously awaiting their first words, first steps, first day of school and so on.

I recently needed to make a card to go with a gift for a friend expecting twins--identical boys actually--and what could be more adorable than identical multiples? Well, unless there are too many, they act as a singular unit, have strange menacing powers and look too eerily alike as in "Village of the Damned" and then it becomes scary. Back to reality, I decided since there are two boys there should be two similar cards, but not identical (the kids may be identical, but they will not be of one mind unlike...see comment regarding "Village of the Damned" above).

I decided to go monochromatic and play more with pattern. I chose the baby animals from the Little One Just Born set from L'il Davis Designs that I've had for a while because they are just so adorable. I did stamp Dot Spot on the elephant to add interest and tie it in with the pattern already on the giraffe. I am pretty happy with the results. And I am loving Papertrey Ink's background stamps.

I hope you enjoy the cards too:

Inside the cards:

Thank you for calling at the Hall!

Verdant Baby Giraffe Card

Supplies

Stamps: Baby Giraffe (from Little One Just Born set), Li'l Davis Designs; Dot Spot, Background Basics: Diamonds, Background Basics: Text Style and Bitty Baby Blessings (inside card); Papertrey Ink

Inks: Shabby Shutters & Peeled Paint, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Papers

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Golden Baby Elephant Card

Supplies

Stamps: Baby Elephant (from Little One Just Born set), Li'l Davis Designs; Dot Spot, Background Basics: Diamonds, Background Basics: Text Style and Bitty Baby Blessings (inside card); Papertrey Ink
Inks: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge (inside card), Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Paper

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Purple Haze

2010-04-27T11:49:00.004-05:00

Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone who has commented recently due to the Papertrey Ink blog hop. I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and visiting your blogs and marvelling at the talent and cleverness!

Last Thursday night (April 22nd) found me needing to make a card for a college friend of mine. I have been really remiss in sending out cards for ages now, but I have been trying hard to get out cards for birthdays this year. So far I believe I am pretty much on target (with a few belated cards like this one). My college friends have been sadly neglected and they really shouldn't be as they are special ladies.

I had two directions when I began constructing this card: using my Kenner Road stamps again and incorporating purple. Upon showing this card separately to my mom and sister they both asked if purple was my friend's favorite color and that is not the reason why I chose purple. I think my college days have a purple haze around them...purple reminds me of my college friends and it just felt right. I searched through my Scarlet Lime kits (and some of my other kits) and came to the conclusion that purple isn't all that popular (having said that just yesterday I received my April kit from Kenner Road and it has a wonderful purple punch). Still I found that the paper (Deep Black Patch from the Nancy Jane Collection by ADORNit - Carolee's Creations) I used from the April 2009 Scarlet Lime kit to make the Gypsy Bird Card has a touch of purple...I really am digging this paper (perhaps because it has black, white, aqua and limey green...colors that I go to over and over again). Maybe it is a year old, but I have never been one to live completely in the moment as I always have a foot in the past (and a thought or two in the future). And like the Gypsy Bird Card I again did the pleat using the strip of the paper I had punched because I dig that too.

Here is the purple card I made with pictures of the front, inside and back (as always please forgive my shameful photography):

And for those interested in seeing a picture of the paper:

Deep Black Patch from the Nancy Jane Collection by ADORNit - Carolee's Creations

I hope you have a joyous day and thanks for calling at the Hall!

Black & Purple Timely Birthday Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Cuckoo Clock, Home Sweet Home Frame, Vintage Seal, Yesterday Today Tomorrow and Embroidery Hoop, Kenner Road; Wishing You a Happy Birthday (from Everyday Classics set), Papertrey Ink

Inks: Black Soot, Dusty Concord and Milled Lavender, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries; Jet Black, Archival Ink, Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia Pacific; Black, Stampin' Up!

Patterned Paper: Deep Black Patch (from Nancy Jane Collection), Adornit Carolee's Creations

Punches: Loop Border Punch, Martha Stewart Crafts; Modern Label, Stampin' Up!

Other: Transparency; Copic Marker; Black Ribbon, Offray; Foam Dimensional Adhesive

Hero Arts Club: Engraved Daisies

2010-04-26T22:09:00.000-05:00

I was going to go to sleep early Thursday night before last (April 15th)...honestly I was, but then I began casually flipping through some issues of Somerset Studio I hadn't read yet and it struck me that I needed to make something. The following evening (Friday, April 16th) I had a Hero Arts Club meeting (a monthly occurance) and Jane, our organizer, leader and teacher (she does it all and is terrific!) sends us off after each meeting with stamped images to create with to bring back for show and tell the following month. {A little plug now. If you are in the San Antonio area, are interested in anyway in Hero Arts or stamping this monthly club is wonderful. You'll want to contact Stamp Antonio for more information.} I did make something our first month, but March no such luck which made me think I should do something for April's meeting. As I always need cards I decided to make one (I was contemplating other projects like an Artist Trading Card).

I began with coloring in the Engraved Daisy image Jane stamped for us with some colored pencils. I cut it out and then decided I wanted to try using the reverse side as a mask and applied ink using my ink blending tool. In that way I had the beginnings of two different cards. The reverse image I made into a bright, more graphic card and the card I created for the flower image I made softer with a bit of a vintage vibe.

Without further ado the cards:

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

Sending Love Your Way Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Engraved Daisy (as mask), Starburst and Sending Love Your Way (from Tree, Birds and Messages set), Hero Arts
Inks: Black Soot, Spicy Marmalade and Worn Lipstick, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: Melon Mambo and Black, Stampin' Up!; White, Georgia-Pacific
Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Stiched Ribbon; Foam Dimensional Adhesives

Birthday Wishes Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Engraved Daisy, Heart Flourish and Friends Definition, Hero Arts; Birthday Wishes (from Giga Guide Lines set), Papertrey Ink
Inks: Pumice Stone (wonderful new color!), Worn Lipstick, Spun Sugar, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: Lemon Tart: Papertrey Ink; Earthstone and Sand, Neenah Papers; Pink
Other: Colored Pencils; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Foam Dimensional Adhesives

April's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

2010-04-25T18:55:00.001-05:00

Hello and welcome fellow Papertrey Ink fans! I am so glad to be participating in this month's blog hop (my second). April's Blog Hop is all about using tissue paper. I decided to use it in a similar way as Nichole Heady did with the faux silk technique. I stamped a background using the Background Basics: Diamonds with Dark Chocolate ink and I stamped some white tissue paper using the Background Basics: Text Style with Spring Rain ink. I crumpled up the tissue paper and then adhered it to the Dark Chocolate stamped background. I thought it came out pretty cool. Using this piece I decided to make a couple of cards--one masculine (honestly I couldn't resist!) and the other feminine. I also decided to keep with the same colors and most of the same stamps (a good way to challenge myself to use stamp sets more creatively). I am happy with how I decided to use Dot Spot on the feminine card and mean to do so more in the future.

Enough writing though (I can almost hear the sighs of relief), here are the cards:

For the masculine card I did some subtle paper piercing and watercolored with the Spring Rain ink to create some interest in the center of the large Dot Spot image and also embossed the other side of the center so it popped out a bit. Lastly I added random brads for a little more dimension:

For the feminine card I stamped the violet over the large Dot Spot image and added a brown edge and center by using the Dark Chocolate ink with some water to paint it on.

I hope you enjoyed the cards! I can't wait to see all the wonderful projects you all made. Thanks for calling at the Hall.

Supplies:

Spotty Birthday Card

Stamps: Dot Spot, Basic Backgrounds: Text Style, Basic Backgrounds: Diamonds and Happy Birthday (from Father Knows Best set), Papertrey Ink

Inks: Dark Chocolate and Spring Rain, Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Dark Chocolate and Spring Rain, Papertrey Ink; White, Georgia-Pacific

Other: White Tissue Paper, Papertrey Ink packaging; Copper Mini Brads; Foam Dimensional Adhesive

Dotty Violet Card

Stamps: Dot Spot, Basic Backgrounds: Text Style, Basic Backgrounds: Diamonds and Year of Flowers: Violets, Papertrey Ink

Inks: Dark Chocolate and Spring Rain, Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Kraft and Dark Chocolate, Papertrey Ink; White, Georgia-Pacific
Border Punch: Scallop Dot, Martha Stewart Crafts
Pearls: Denim, Kaisercraft
Other: White Tissue Paper, Papertrey Ink packaging; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Foam Dimensional Adhesive

Standouts

2010-04-23T01:37:00.001-05:00

I recall mentioning using my Cricut and then setting a challenge for myself to use up all the shapes I had cut out to make cards last March (as in March 2009). I really should do such a challenge again because I enjoyed making the cards quite a bit and felt a thrill of accomplishment (I may have a low threshold).

Here is another such card this one I used a stamp I love from Stampington & Company designed by Carin Andersson. I believe at the time I was inspired by Heather Nichols to use kraft and white paint (I didn't have a good white ink at the time). Of course my cards don't have her rustic elegance, but they didn't turn out too shabbily.

What came from the Cricut were the scallops and the tab thing. I have no idea what the tab is really (maybe there is someone out there to enlighten me), but I used it as an embellishment.

Another card I made the same time with the same stamp with slightly different colors:

Notice I used the rest of the Aqua Mist ladies from the first card to add to this one. I was trying to be very thrifty and clever with my scraps.

The hardest part of blogging about older cards is trying to figure out what supplies I used. It is a bit of a crafting mystery I need to solve and I have to riffle around in the studio to find this stamp, this paint or that ink. Anyone else as mired in crafting puzzles?

Thank you for calling at the Hall!

The Standout Card
Supplies:
Stamp: Trio of Smiles, Stampington & Company
Inks: Amaretto Truffle Chalk Ink, Fresco by Stampa Rosa; Turquoise, Memories
Cardstock: Aqua Mist and Kraft, Papertrey Ink; Terrific Teal, DoubleMates by WorldWin Papers
Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots, Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Craft Acrylic Paint: Warm White, Americana
Gems and Pearl: The Paper Company
Other: Cricut, Provo Craft; Tim Holtz Paper Distresser; Tonic Studios; Cuttlebug, Provo Craft; Dimensional Foam Adhesive

The Reverse Standout Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Trio of Smiles, Stampington & Company; Polka Dot heart (from little things set), urban lily;Motif on Long Heart (from Guide Lines set), Papertrey Ink; Border, Impress
Inks: Amaretto Truffle Chalk Ink, Fresco by Stampa Rosa; Turquoise, Memories; Aqua Mist, Papertrey Ink; Purely Pomegranate, Stampin' Up!; Bubblegum Pink, Marvy Matchables
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Papertrey Ink; Purely Pomegranate, Stampin' Up!; White, Georgia-Pacific
Patterned Paper: 5th Avenue (from Tinsel Town collection), Pink Paislee; Vellum
Border Punch: Scallop Dot, Martha Stewart Crafts
Gems: The Paper Company
Other: Cricut, Provo Craft; corner punch;Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Tonic Studios

The 14th of the Month

2010-04-15T21:02:00.001-05:00

I love the 14th of the month for three reasons:

Papertrey Ink Release
Kenner Road Release
Sneak Peek of the upcoming Studio Calico kit

Last night also happened to be the live webshow of House of 3 too so I had my fingers in a lot of pies. After watching the webshow I decided to chat with the ladies over at Kenner Road. If you are intimidated by chats I can tell you that the monthly chat at Kenner Road (on the 14th of the month at 8 p.m. Pacific) is the place to introduce yourself to chat rooms. The people are as sweet as a hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Everyone is happy, helpful and friendly. Plus kl, the woman behind Kenner Road, is just one of those people who creates joy whether it is in her own art, with her kits or in how she treats her customers.

After I chatted, did a little (too little for my liking, but there is such a concept as a budget--ugly, nasty word!) shopping and pined for a whole lot more, I made another card. It came out a bit dark and full of grunge because it is yet another masculine card. I am coming to believe I make more masculine cards than feminine which is odd when I come to think of it...no wonder I am trying to build up my Tim Holtz stamps and products and other stamps and products that work for guys/boys. Thankfully, Papertrey Ink just addressed males in this month's release although unfortunately I can't buy any of it yet (budget rears its ugly, nasty head again).

Anyway, there was a typewriter with a typewriter font alphabet block stamp set from Studio Calico I wished to use and I decided to keep with the whole Basic Grey Origins kick I have had all year (Heck, why break with the trend when I had made cards for this cousin's brothers and father with the Origins line already. Surely he would wonder if his card didn't match--well, if he noticed such a thing). I may have gone a little overboard with the distressing and the card is a bit busy, oh and the concept I had has to be explained for anyone to get it (Hint: notice which letters I highlighted on the "typwritten page" coming out of the typewriter as it actually spells out something even if the letters aren't in order for the word), but it's the thought that counts, right?

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

Typed Birthday Card
Supplies:

Stamps: Typewriter Duo and Vintage Map, Studio Calico; Happy (from Simply Stated set), Fancy Pants Designs

Inks: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed and Crushed Olive, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Papers

Patterned Papers: all from Origins collection, Basic Grey

Acrylic Craft Paint: Warm White, Americana

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Dimensional Foam Adhesives

Using the Stockpile

2010-04-14T18:49:00.008-05:00

This past week I created two cards I am pretty happy about. I had a concept in my head for each and I was able to actualize it which isn't always how it works for me (I wish it was the norm!). I set myself another challenge as well. I have all these lovely kits I have stockpiled because I am a hoarding nut. It is embarrassing to admit my problem, but isn't that the first step? Hello my name is Shay and I am a hoarder of all craft supplies. I decided enough is enough (plus I am running out of room), so I thought I would break into my Scarlet Lime kits and use those to create my cards.

After looking through them I decided on a kit with lovely limes and turquoises for the wedding card and then I chose another with bright vibrant colors with a touch of black for my friend's birthday card. I began on the wedding card on Sunday evening with a great idea to use my vintage boy and girl and the ampersand stamps from Studio Calico (sadly they are all retired now). I was happily adding patterned paper and rub-ons from my Scarlet Lime kit (horrible hoarding admission time: that was the first time I had used a rub-on although I have bought more than a few over the years) when I decided my card-base was all wrong. So Monday night I went with a more basic card-base and set the other aside for future use. I think all turned out well with the card although it may be cleaner than my natural inclination.

Last night I knew I had to make a card for a friend's birthday which is this upcoming weekend and needed to get in the mail pronto. I knew I wanted to use some of my Kenner Road stamps for a vintage look (and they are gorgeous!). I remembered seeing some wonderful projects that Katie Watson created whilst on the Kenner Road design team back in October 2009 and they proved to be an inspiration for the card I made. The other inspiration for me is one of my favorite, favorite cardmakers of all time: Betsy Veldman.

Now I didn't look at either of my inspirations when I was actually making the cards, but I know these were the visual references flashing in my head:

Katie Watson (birdhouse with stamped scallop--genius!)
Betsy Veldman (strip of background behind focal image which I began with and then because an empty card felt well empty I went for more and more!)

Here is the card I created (front and then lastly the inside):

A lucky choice of adding the buttons around the that adorable bird stamp makes it took a bit like a nest to me. Another lucky choice was "ruffling" up a strip of punched patterned paper which just wasn't working before. I learned the basic technique in a Basic Grey card class I took locally (you place a strip of adhesive on the backside of a long strip of paper and then pleat--fold--the paper onto itself which remains in place because of the adhesive. The smaller the pleat, the longer the paper needs to be) and I thought why not try it with the patterned paper I had punched? It worked out just right--adding interest, flair and some texture and I even like that a bit of the white from the back peeks through.

Thank you for calling at the Hall! I hope you enjoyed today's cards.

Boy & Girl Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Vintage Boy, Vintage Girl and Ampersand, Studio Calico; Banner (from Narrative Elements set), Inque Boutique; Congratulations (from Darcy collection), Anna Griffin

Inks: Walnut Stain, Peeling Paint and Broken China, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: Sand and Earthstone, Neenah Papers

Patterned Papers: Beach Caribe and Cantando (from Canta Collection), GCD Studios

Embossing Folder: Allegro, Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; 1/4" Ribbon, Offray; Dimensional Foam Adhesives; Cuttlebug, Provo Craft

Gypsy Bird Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Collage Bird, Vintage Seal, Today Circle and Button Card Trio, Kenner Road; Background Basics: Diamonds and Background Basics: Text Style, Papertrey Ink; Happy Birthday (from Greetings Peg Stamp Set), Inkadinkado

Inks: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Broken China, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade and Worn Lipstick, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific; Recycled 100 Natural White, Neenah Papers

Patterned Paper: Deep Black Patch (from Nancy Jane Collection), Adornit Carolee's Creations

Punch: Loop Border Punch, Martha Stewart

Other: Embroidery Floss, DMC; Buttons, from Scarlet Lime kits; Dimensional Foam Adhesives

Marriage a la TV

2010-04-12T18:18:00.000-05:00

Does anyone else watch "The Marriage Ref"? I watch already aired shows on demand and find it both fascinating and funny. I don't watch all the much reality television with the exception of cooking shows, decorating shows, craft shows (when I can find them--they have gotten scarce) and marathons of "Project Runway" (I guess I watch more than I thought!). I suppose I like the absurdity of this show. Three disparate celebrities (as we all know celebrities are well known for their solid and healthy relationships) discussing and judging quirky issues married couples have (like a wife keeping the prosthetic leg of her deceased husband in the closet she shares with her current husband or a husband stuffing his beloved dog and placing him in a shrine built in their house to his wife's horror) whilst sparks fly between the couples, celebrities and ref. Good wholesome fun!

Now onto something completely unrelated! Here is a birthday card I made for a cousin of mine. The butterfly by Unity Stamp Company (from one of the kit of the months--great deal) I had left over from ATC's I made that month and was the beginning piece of the card.

Bright Butterfly Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly (from KOM-9: Friendship. Love. Miracles set), Unity Stamp Company and Flower (from Botanical Blooms set), Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific; Crushed Curry, Stampin' Up!
Ink: Black, Marvy Matchables; Walnut Stain, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Sprays/Color Washes; Mango Lemonade, Memory Mists; Terra Cotta, Tim Holtz Color Wash by Ranger Industries
Border Punch: Postage Stamp, EK Success
Paint: Metallic Pearl White, Folk Art by Plaid

Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Ranger Industries; Notch Decorative Scissor, Fiskars; Ribbon; Manilla Tag; Seguin Remnant

Blog Makeover A

2010-04-04T22:51:00.001-05:00

I will not admit to the exact amount of time I spent fiddling around with my new header and tweeking the design of the blog because upon seeing the changes you will not understand how it took as long as it did. Then again it took me 2 hours to make a salad for dinner tonight so perhaps that will give a glimpse into my world (to redeem myself a little I did make a carnivore and vegan version of the salad and it was met with approval by both camps).

I do wish to mention where I got all of the gorgeous brushes I used for the header (although truthfully my header is a poor example of the beauty of these designs that Rhonna Farrer designed. I will probably be continuing to make new headers until I love my header). I have written of House of 3 before, but I don't think I can heap enough praises upon the ladies of House of 3. I could happily buy every product at House of 3 and they also have a great live webshow every Wednesday. Okay, enough pitching. Go and find out on your own if you like and start playing around with brushes (very addicting).

Have a brilliant night and thanks for calling at the Hall.

Christmas in April?

2010-04-02T14:22:00.000-05:00

Hello there everyone. An annoying cold has taken up residence at my household for the last week and more. I hope everyone else is in fine health because this cold is obnoxious! This means I have done no creating whatsoever this past week although I did get into my studio last Saturday and did some much, much needed cleaning up. Anyone else make a huge mess in their studio...perhaps to the point it may be condemnable? That is me. I will pull out this and that until I have to make a little patch of workspace on my tables (yes, tables as in two nice sized work surfaces and I still clutter it all up). Anyway, I am trying to reform. No, really I am. This also means buying less. This is harder than keeping my studio clean because I LOVE buying new stamps, papers, buttons, tools, punches, embossing folders, dies and the like. It pretty nearly kills me to limit myself like that. Anyone else have this problem? Well, space limitations and budget don't seem to like my buying compulsions one little bit so there you have it. A positive outcome of less buying is that I will have to rediscover what I already have. I am sure like me many of you have a lot too. It is time I use what I have and become more creative. If anyone has been facing this dilemma, please share what you have done and how it has effected your creating.

Anyway, I thought I would share a Christmas card (the only Christmas card I made in 2009 actually) I made with you. All the elements were leftovers from my Holiday Cookie Books. Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey was the first inspiration for the Cookie Books and inspired the colors and products used. Don’t you love that gingerbread man? That was what sold me on the Holiday Button Bits by Papertrey Ink although there are many adorable images. I wonder if they have a Holiday Button Bits II if they will include a gingerbread house? Wouldn’t that be irresistible?

The details:

Not My Gumdrop Buttons! Card

Supplies:
Stamps: All from Holiday Button Bits, Papertrey Ink
Inks: Dark Chocolate, Papertrey Ink; VersaMark, Tsukineko; Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Cardstock: Kraft, Papertrey Ink; Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Patterned Paper: Eskimo Kisses (6x6 size), Basic Grey
Border Punches: Gingerbread Man, Martha Stewart; Petals, EK Sucess
Buttons: Holiday Mix, Papertrey Ink
Twine: Martha Stewart

Thanks for calling at the Hall. Have a joyous day!

Trying Out a Different Style

2010-03-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

I have an oldie for you today. This was me highly inspired by Kristina Werner's (note the white faux stitching, rounded corners and Kraft cardstock) and Dawn McVey's (note the border on the focal layer) clean styles. I love how their cards turn out, but am not sure how much I like my interpretation of their styles. Am I really a clean and graphic girl? No, I don't think so. So it is a bit off.

I think this was also a "quick" card for me. I believe I have mentioned before I am a s-l-o-w crafter. I rarely finish anything in a class (I tend to leave things unfinished to complete later), I can spend hours on a single card (people would be mystified if they knew how long it can take) or even do parts of a card over time if there is not a specific occassion (one of the reasons I like having someone in mind when I make a card). Seriously, if a card takes under an hour to create (including fumbling around with ideas and products) I am thrilled. I am feeling like a crafty speed demon.

Without further ado here is the card:

Thanks for stopping by the Hall!

"Quick" Inspired Birthday Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin' Up!

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin' Up!; Fresh Snow, Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin' Up!; Kraft, Papertrey Ink; White, Georgia-Pacific

Border Punch: Apron Lace, Fiskars

Other: Signo White Gel Pen Broad Point, Uni-Ball; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Copper Mini Brad

Leaping Lords!

2010-03-23T16:32:00.001-05:00

I have been sucked into the land of pretty nosegays, silken slippers, dashing lords, coy misses, noble gentlemen, wicked rakes, dazzling balls, careful courtships, dastardly villians, dangerous duels and simpering mamas...I have been reading Regency romances. Sadly, the Regency romance has become a bygone chronicle of a bygone era--both the era it focused upon and also the era when the Regency romance sub-genre flourished. It may be the fact that I used to read through these little gems when I was young and impressionable or that my favorite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice (and the 1995 adaption starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth is pretty near the most perfect miniseries ever, although I think my sister would now say that the recent adaptation of Emma starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller gives it a run), but I have a deep affection for them no matter if they are fluffy or not. Of late, I have found myself reaching for a Regency rather than my stamps.

The picture at left is of one of the books I recently read and it was pretty good. What I most like about Regencies is a sense of innocence, hope and faith that is a common thread in them all. There is a happy ending. The heroine no matter how poor, plain or silly finds true love. The villian is bested. And all in a setting which I can't help but be drawn to. Of course there are Regencies that are excellent by any standards with superb writing, deft character development and depth and those I especially treasure. Off hand, I recommend authors like Mary Balogh, Carla Kelly, Mary Jo Putney, Susan Carroll, Jo Beverley and Loretta Chase (all of which still write books--Carla Kelly writes for Harlequin which still produces Regencies, Susan Carroll writes historical fiction with a lot of romance and the rest write historical romances). You can purchase out-of-print Regencies either used online, at used bookstores, or some of the authors mentioned are now having their classic Regencies reissued.

Anyone else have periods where reading captures their fancy? If so, what do you enjoy reading?

Trio of Cards

2010-03-12T21:53:00.003-06:00

I have been quite remiss with my blog this week. So to make up for it I am going to post three cards in this post. You will notice a theme as they all use Basic Grey's Origins line. Yes, that line of paper once again. As someone who hoards patterned paper (and nearly everything else) I can stretch the use of it like no one's business. Think of me as the Ebenezer Scrooge (only that I like to make my money stretch not that I say "bah humbug!" a lot or that I have a nasty demeanor) of crafting--I reuse, recycle and repurpose. I have a feeling that one reason I love stamps so much is I don't feel I am losing anything by using them. They are reusable over and over again unlike paper, ribbon, stickers, rub-ons, buttons and the like. I use those sparingly. In fact I rarely use patterned paper (and stickers even more rarely) so all these Basic Grey Origin cards are a lark for me. I truly am trying to reform.

First up is a little card made of scraps from kraft cardstock from my Christmas Cookie Recipe Book project. These pieces of cardstock (measuring 6 inches by 5 inches) make the most interesting small sized cards (3 inches by 5 inches) which I would have never used had I not had a stack of them to use up in whatever way I wanted. Yes, it is another masculine card. This one showcasing a bicycle stamp by Studio Calico. Isn't it a great stamp? The other element I wanted to specifically mention is the square the main bicycle is upon. That square is from a digital kit I bought and downloaded from House of 3. If you have never been to House of 3's website go, go, go, now, now, now! They have sensationally wonderful digital (and physical) products. Often the products have printable elements that take no fuss if you don't want to mess with the elements digitally. I found a whole sheet of these printable "blank" squares in my Magnet Board Project Kit and they are fabulous!! I plan on using them many, many times in the future.

The next card is using the Basic Grey Origins line to make a feminine card (I know you are saying, "At last! Does she every do feminine cards?). I can't claim any part in the card design as I started the card in that Basic Grey card class so it is all Basic Grey, but I did pop up the floral cardstock sticker and I added the butterflies all on my own (wow, am I original!). Wednesday night, I thought the card was sort of shoddy and I felt I had really "cheated", but I felt better about the card in the light of day.

Lastly, is another masculine card using the Basic Grey Origins line and another amazing printable by House of 3, this time from the Monogram Printable Kit. Each letter is different and can be used to personalize a card or gift or spell out words or names to make banners, scrapbook titles and any other thing your mind can dream up. Of course you can print the Monograms onto whatever paper you want, but I went with a natural white cardstock which I then distressed and also watercolored with some truly cool water-soluable wax pastels by Caran d'Ache which Donna Downey introduced to my friend in a class she took with her who then introduced them to me in a class I took with my friend (talk about confusing!). In fact in my draft posts I started writing about the class my friend taught, my awesome friend and these water-soluable wax pastels so one of these days hopefully I will post it.

I hope you have enjoyed these cards and thanks so much for visting the Hall!

I Want to Ride My Bicycle Birthday Card
Supplies:
Stamps: Bicycle, Studio Calico; Happy Birthday, not sure as any label has been destroyed (If anyone knows, please tell me)
Inks: Vintage Photo, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries; Jet Black, Archival Ink by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: Kraft, Papertrey Ink; White, Georgia-Pacific

Patterned Papers: Origins line, Basic Grey
Digital Element: Decorative Square (from Magnet Board Project Kit), House of 3
Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; stampin' dimensionals, Stampin' Up!

Madame Butterfly Birthday Card
Supplies:
Stamp: Happy Birthday, not sure (see note above)
Ink: Black, Archival Ink by Ranger Industries
Patterned Paper: Origins line, Basic Grey
Cardstock Sticker: Origins line, Basic Grey
Punch: Royal Butterfly, Martha Stewart
Die: Combo Butterfly, Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Brads: Eerie line, Basic Grey
Other: Cuttlebug, Provocraft; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; stampin' dimensionals, Stampin' Up!

Fits You to a "T" Birthday Card
Supplies:
Stamp: Happy Birthday, not sure (see note above)
Inks: Vintage Photo, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries; Jet Black, Archival Ink by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: Recycled 100 Natural White, Neenah Paper
Patterned Papers: Origins line, Basic Grey
Cardstock Sticker: Origins line, Basic Grey
Digital Element: T Monogram (from Monogram Printable Kit), House of 3
Other: Burnt Siena and Golden Cadmium Yellow, Neocolor II Water-Soluable Wax Pastels by Caran d'Ache; stampin' dimensionals, Stampin' Up!

Round and Round

2010-03-05T14:56:00.003-06:00

Firstly, Thank you to all who stopped by and/or commented on my last card! It is always a delight to have vistors at the Hall.

A year ago, when I received my Cricut from my uncle as a present I was a bit overwhelmed both by his generosity and also with learning how to use the Cricut (afterall I had just bought myself a Cuttlebug and was just starting to see all that could do). I cut out a lot of shapes from the two cartridges that came with the machine to play around. A few months later I still had all these shapes sitting around my table getting in the way and as I am someone who loathes throwing things away I decided to challenge myself by using as many of the shapes in cards I was making for the group of March birthdays (in 2009). I was quite pleased with the results which I will share with you once I find the images, but even so I still had some shapes left over so last October I made a very geometric card for a male relative (yes, another one of those). Not only did I use them as was, but i also used them as stencils with my Adirondack Color Wash. I thought the card came out fun and funky myself.

Thanks for visiting!

Circle-tastic
Supplies:
Stamp: Happy Birthday, Catslife Press
Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Luscious Lime, Double Mates by WorldWin Papers; White, Georgia-Pacific
Patterned Paper: Sultry line, Basic Grey
Color Wash: Wild Plum, Tim Holtz Adirondack by Ranger
Border Punch: Upper Crust, Fiskars
Cartridge: Accent Essentials, Cricut by Provo Craft
Other: Cricut Expression, Provo Craft; Copper Mini Brads

First Poppy Seed Challenge

2010-03-03T21:39:00.001-06:00

Last minute I thought I would do an entry for this brand new challenge by the incomparable Lisa Johnson. The challenge was to use three seeds: crystals; flower stamp and light yellow.

My card is pretty dark which was unintentional. I had a lovely swatch of glossy cardstock I had played around on a couple Friday nights ago at a monthly Hero Arts Club meeting (such a fun event each month by the way) that I felt was too pretty to pass up and would work with light yellow. So I stamped a bold daisy stamp by Stampin' Up! in black and played around with a Lemon Tart card base. It was cute, but the black felt heavy and cumbersome until I thought why not really highlight the yellow and pretty alcohol ink background with a black base. I added a scalloped edge stamped with Polka Dot Basics in Scattered Straw for a slightly distressed look and I really like how that turned out. The scallop punch I used had a small hole punched out in regular intervals that I decided would be perfect to place the crystals onto. I realize the picture is poor as you can't see the flecks of metallic gold alcohol ink, but trust me that in person it is pretty.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Daisy
Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Stampin' Up!; Polka Dots (from Polka Dot Basics II set), Papertrey Ink
Inks: Jet Black, Archival Ink by Ranger Industries; Scattered Straw, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Alcohol Inks: Lettuce, Watermelon, Ginger and Gold, Tim Holtz by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: True Black and Lemon Tart, Papertrey Ink; neutral, Neenah Papers; Glossy
Border Punch: Martha Stewart
Other: Gemstones, The Paper Studio

A Nice Chap

2010-03-03T15:51:00.000-06:00

As I posted about one of the Basic Grey Origins cards I had made yesterday, I thought I would share another today which I made back in January (it is already March?!?). I compulsively buy masculine stamps I feel I can use as through the year I make a fair amount of cards for guys. The main image here is one I love from a fantastic stamp company, B Line Designs, and it made me realize that the patterns from Origins are reminiscent to those a Victorian fellow might live among everyday of his life. This bloke (isn't he obviously British?) would most likely have discreet floral patterns in his home whether he was a bachelor or married. Our man Ross (so the stamp is named) would have a bit of money and culture so he would travel occasionally. That was the vignette running around my head when I made the card.

For my Halloween party invitations last year I coffee-stained a slew of tags. I used one of them for this card and stamped it randomly with an older travel stamp by Hero Arts (although the Golden Gate Bridge is just a bit after the Victorian era). Looking at this card I realize the tag may have looked better if it were vertically placed, but it isn't awful as is.

Hope you enjoyed seeing Ross and thank you for stopping by!

Ross
Supplies:
Stamps: Ross, B Line Designs; Travel Postage Stamp, Hero Arts
Ink: Aged Mahogany (I think) and Black Soot, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Patterned Paper: Origins line, Basic Grey
Border Sticker: Origins line, Basic Grey
Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Oval Nestabilities Die, Spellbinders; Coffee-Stained Shipping Tag; Hemp Twine

Lace for Men? Why Not.

2010-03-02T23:05:00.001-06:00

I created a birthday card last night for another male relative of mine. In January I took a Basic Grey card class at a local scrapbooking store using the Origins line. To be honest at first I was skeptical about the line, but within a few minutes I was sold...really sold on the glorious yellows, greens, browns and black. This was a set which was gender neutral I suddenly realized with giddiness. For all those doubters saying: "But there is floral and lace" not to worry! I used one of the cards I made in the class as a base for this particular card (I haven't used any of the cards exactly as they were designed by Basic Grey as I feel I need to customize them, but they make an excellent jumping off point) which used the black lace patterned paper and it works for a man (hetrosexual no less!).

It is all about the images and accessories. I went with a lovely tree by Papertrey Ink and the tickets are from Tim Holtz. Add a little Distress Ink, some text background stamping and mini brads and what man can claim it is girlie?

Close up of the text background. The card was flexing his [admittedly small] muscles for the camera:

I hope you enjoyed this card. My thanks for checking out this lacy bad-boy.

Lacy Birthday
Supplies
Stamps: Tree and Sentiment (from the Father Knows Best set) and Text (from Background Basics: Text Style), Papertrey Ink; Tickets, Tim Holtz by Stampers' Anonymous
Inks: Scattered Straw, Shabby Shutters and Vintage Photo, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Patterned Paper: Origins line, Basic Grey
Punch: Modern Label, Stampin' Up!
Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; stampin' dimensionals, Stampin' Up!; mini brads