YAY! I finished them in the nick of time! I didn't get to bed until 5 am this morning. I am so riding the high of sleep deprivation, which is good because it's distracting me from the fact that my little brother is recovering from colon surgery. It was this or pace the floors, so I'm glad my girl asked me to make something for each of the teachers in her life. She's so sweet and kind hearted, she didn't want to exclude anyone. Of course that means more work for me, but I was happy to do it, and she helped a bit. She made bookmarks for all the male teachers. She's a cool kid. I also purchased a new cartridge for the Cricut that I've wanted for a very long time. Tags, Bags, Boxes & More. I can't wait to play with it, but I can barely think straight. I hope to play with it more this weekend. I'm going to go lay down.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wedding Card
This is the first time I've made a card without a sketch in a very very long time. I'm very pleased with the outcome. I am not very pleased with the outcome of the picture on the other hand. I really need to make a white box for photographing things like this but where on earth would I put it? There is absolutely no space anymore, I barely have enough room to maneuver (that word is waaaay too close to manure) myself to my desk, never mind having a huge box and lights hanging around. I really need to clean this place out. Thank God the neighborhood yard sale is in a few months. I need to start getting ready for that ASAP. Before I can do that though, perhaps I should finish writing about this card yes?
So this is the first time I've used the Cricut (yes folks, I am now the proud owner of a Cricut Expression machine in case I haven't said so about 15 hundred times already) to make a card/envelope set. I also had it bang out that nifty little certificate. I'm telling you, I could get used to not having to cut things out by hand real quick. It's so super handy for lettering too. I haven't even flexed all of the Cricut muscle yet and I'm a little intimidated, but it's fun. I still cut out way more stuff than I need to because I'm so enamored with the features. I can't just put in a piece of paper to cut one thing out, I have to start punching in things to fill the whole paper. I'm going to be overrun very soon. I don't care. I'm sure I can always use the stuff for swaps and other projects.
So I started this card sometime yesterday (shhhh the wedding was Saturday, can you say procrastinate? I can, in fact I just did). Actually I'm fibbing a bit. I started the concept of the card on Friday only to find out that our babysitter backed out last minute and we weren't going to be able to make it to the wedding. Once I realized I had more time I stopped rushing, decided that my original concept was too dark and gloomy for a celebration of such magnitude so I scrapped it and waited for someone to post pictures of the wedding on Facebook. Once I saw the color scheme and style I restarted the process and all of this flowed together relatively effortlessly. I woke up sometime at 2:30am today, worked a bit on the card, did the dishes, made cinnamon rolls, went back to bed, woke up again at 8:30 am (thank you Marshall for letting me sleep late, you really do love me). Once I got back to making the card it was just a matter of stamping, embossing and sticking it all together. Now it's safely in an envelope that needs to make it into my husband's laptop bag. I'm positive it will be completely destroyed, but it's the thought that counts and I can always send them a link of the picture, right?
So this is the first time I've used the Cricut (yes folks, I am now the proud owner of a Cricut Expression machine in case I haven't said so about 15 hundred times already) to make a card/envelope set. I also had it bang out that nifty little certificate. I'm telling you, I could get used to not having to cut things out by hand real quick. It's so super handy for lettering too. I haven't even flexed all of the Cricut muscle yet and I'm a little intimidated, but it's fun. I still cut out way more stuff than I need to because I'm so enamored with the features. I can't just put in a piece of paper to cut one thing out, I have to start punching in things to fill the whole paper. I'm going to be overrun very soon. I don't care. I'm sure I can always use the stuff for swaps and other projects.
So I started this card sometime yesterday (shhhh the wedding was Saturday, can you say procrastinate? I can, in fact I just did). Actually I'm fibbing a bit. I started the concept of the card on Friday only to find out that our babysitter backed out last minute and we weren't going to be able to make it to the wedding. Once I realized I had more time I stopped rushing, decided that my original concept was too dark and gloomy for a celebration of such magnitude so I scrapped it and waited for someone to post pictures of the wedding on Facebook. Once I saw the color scheme and style I restarted the process and all of this flowed together relatively effortlessly. I woke up sometime at 2:30am today, worked a bit on the card, did the dishes, made cinnamon rolls, went back to bed, woke up again at 8:30 am (thank you Marshall for letting me sleep late, you really do love me). Once I got back to making the card it was just a matter of stamping, embossing and sticking it all together. Now it's safely in an envelope that needs to make it into my husband's laptop bag. I'm positive it will be completely destroyed, but it's the thought that counts and I can always send them a link of the picture, right?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Another Card Challenge Day with Jess
This is SC225. It's a pretty little number in my current favorite color scheme of blue, white and red. It's very similar to the first card I ever made with Jess so I guess I just like the same kind of papers in different colors and I rather like the Lexicon of Love stamps and Prima flowers. So be it. I can live with that.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Organizing my stamps...
Have you ever submitted a card or scrapbook page or other arty crafty item only to realize that you can't remember the names of the stuff you've used? It happens to me all the stinking time. Ok, well maybe I don't submit stuff all the time, but when I do I'm sometimes stumped by who made what I've used. Sometimes I'm lucky and the product information is on the product, most of the time it isn't and I wasn't smart enough to write it down. Those days are over.
Right now I'm making a catalog of all of my stamps, clear and rubber. I've cut scraps of white cardstock into 4"x5" rectangles and I'm stamping the images onto them. Then I write down the product info on the bottom of the card and indicate what kind of stamp (rubber or clear) in the upper right hand corner with an R or C. Then I punch a hole in the upper left hand corner and put them on one of those binder rings. Now, not only can I flip through to find a particular image when I'm looking for one, but I can also flip through and find who made it. I'd like to do this with some of my unmarked papers as well. Some of them have the info on the back, some don't. For the ones that don't, I think I'll do something similar. Yay for organization! It was about time.
Right now I'm making a catalog of all of my stamps, clear and rubber. I've cut scraps of white cardstock into 4"x5" rectangles and I'm stamping the images onto them. Then I write down the product info on the bottom of the card and indicate what kind of stamp (rubber or clear) in the upper right hand corner with an R or C. Then I punch a hole in the upper left hand corner and put them on one of those binder rings. Now, not only can I flip through to find a particular image when I'm looking for one, but I can also flip through and find who made it. I'd like to do this with some of my unmarked papers as well. Some of them have the info on the back, some don't. For the ones that don't, I think I'll do something similar. Yay for organization! It was about time.
Sandra's Cards
This is a batch I made using the Split Coast Stampers challenge forums. I made them for my mommy in-law and gave them to her for Easter. She really liked them.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Recipe Book WIP
Thanks to Jess of Sassy Ink Designs, I've been inspired to tidy up my recipe binder. I'd like it to have a vintagy 1940's-'50's feel. We'll see how that goes. So far I have the recipes sorted by category and type and put in page protectors. It looks like this is going to take more than one binder though. These are all recipes I started collecting when I first got married. I haven't tried them all but I would like to. Maybe I'll do that this year, introducing a new recipe every week. I can't predict how that will go. My husband and daughter both are very picky eaters. At least I know that I'll eat it, no matter what. So will my BFF G. She likes my cooking.
Quickie Cards
I whipped these up while watching Steven Colbert. They're for E to use in order to thank those who gave her gifts for her birthday. I'm totally in love with my corner rounder.
Supplies:
8.5"x11" White Cardstock (for card base)
DCWV floral pattern paper from the summer stack of 2006
Pink Bazzil textured paper
Dark Perfect Plum ColorMates cardstock
EK Success corner rounder
Memory Maker's square punch double set in 11/4" and 1 1/2"
American Craft's Rub Ons Accessories Book Three in white
Adhesive.
These cards are made by cutting the white cardstock in half either lengthwise or widthwise, depending on how you want them to stand. The tall card is lengthwise. I cut the floral strips exactly one inch wide and as long as the width of the card. Then I took the Square punch and, using the larger square, punched out the pink Bazzil paper. Using the smaller square I punched out the plum colored card stock. Then I took the corner rounders to the corners of the squares. I individually cut out the funky, handwritten thank you's from the AC's Accessory Book and rubbed them onto the plum colored rounded squares, then glued the plum squares to the pink squares. Next I glued the floral strip to the card and glued the sandwiched squares over the strip and onto the card. Ta da! All those words for a card that took me less time to make than describe.
Supplies:
8.5"x11" White Cardstock (for card base)
DCWV floral pattern paper from the summer stack of 2006
Pink Bazzil textured paper
Dark Perfect Plum ColorMates cardstock
EK Success corner rounder
Memory Maker's square punch double set in 11/4" and 1 1/2"
American Craft's Rub Ons Accessories Book Three in white
Adhesive.
These cards are made by cutting the white cardstock in half either lengthwise or widthwise, depending on how you want them to stand. The tall card is lengthwise. I cut the floral strips exactly one inch wide and as long as the width of the card. Then I took the Square punch and, using the larger square, punched out the pink Bazzil paper. Using the smaller square I punched out the plum colored card stock. Then I took the corner rounders to the corners of the squares. I individually cut out the funky, handwritten thank you's from the AC's Accessory Book and rubbed them onto the plum colored rounded squares, then glued the plum squares to the pink squares. Next I glued the floral strip to the card and glued the sandwiched squares over the strip and onto the card. Ta da! All those words for a card that took me less time to make than describe.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Playing Catch Up...again
Jess Lundahl of Sassy Ink. Designs held a class last Saturday and taught us how to make these lovely little containers. I used the template for the tiny little container to make goodies for E's 7th birthday party. They were perfect! Jess truly is an inspiration to me and keeps me interested in making things for fun and not because I have to. I'm looking forward to her next class.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Testing flowers for a centerpiece
So I'm swamped. I'm swamped for the next month. It's good, but it's also crazy. This past week I volunteered for not one but three things. Why? Because I'm a moron. That's why.
I have to say though, I'm enjoying it. I just don't enjoy running around like a lunatic. The good news is that one of those volunteer activities is done. I volunteered to answer phones for a local station's (WNRN) fund drive. I did that for two mornings in a row and really had fun. After that I'd scoot over to a warehouse to help a friend sort through old merchandise for the sale at a yardsale to benefit a music resource center for da youts. There's supposed to be a big VIP dinner to benefit the same charity and I'm making the centerpieces for the tables.
That's where the paper flowers come in. I've got to make quite a few. I guess I'd better get started.
I have to say though, I'm enjoying it. I just don't enjoy running around like a lunatic. The good news is that one of those volunteer activities is done. I volunteered to answer phones for a local station's (WNRN) fund drive. I did that for two mornings in a row and really had fun. After that I'd scoot over to a warehouse to help a friend sort through old merchandise for the sale at a yardsale to benefit a music resource center for da youts. There's supposed to be a big VIP dinner to benefit the same charity and I'm making the centerpieces for the tables.
That's where the paper flowers come in. I've got to make quite a few. I guess I'd better get started.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Wooooooooooo Inchies!
My first evar group of Inchies. I turned them into a collage on vintage ledger paper. I know it's not archival but I'm sure I can spray the heck out of it with archiving spray. I think I'm going to find a frame for it in a couple weeks. I definitely need to go frame shopping soon. I've got all these little bits of things I've made and not framed. It's kind of embarrassing. When people find out that I have a studio and make things they always seem surprised. Mostly because I have very little on display in my home. I shall remedy this! This year! There WILL be my art on my walls and shelves, count on it!
-S
-S
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
First page finished
Oooooooo, I think I might like it. I just need to figure out the 20 other pages now.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
These are for me!
I'm working on my wedding album/scrapbook. Finally. Only 9.5 years later. No biggie. I am SO addicted to making these paper flowers. I'm nervous about making this album. It's such an important day in my life! That one act almost defines my entire adult life. I've known my husband since I was 16 years old. We were married when I was 21. I've not spent a day of my adult life without some contact with him and you know what? I don't regret it for one second.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
Shopping
I've been rotten today. I went shopping and picked up more than I intended. I'm trying really hard not to buy any more supplies than I need but when I go to the stores I see all these wonderful things! It's really difficult to say no to myself when the inspiration is practically throwing itself at me. It doesn't help that Micheal's is giving away a 50% cupon with every purchase. Those rat finks! They're out to get me.
My only consolation is that when I do purchase stuff I do my best to make sure it's something I'll use over and over instead of a finite number of times. I'm stocking up on stamps and punches. I also picked up this stuff called "Perfect Ink Refresher". According to the packaging it "Rehydrates and Conditions Ink Pads and Water Base Markers". I really hope so. I've got a few older ink pads that I really love but they're fading. I can't find the re-inker stuff for them anywhere.
I have been super productive recently. Check it out.
There's also a stack of 9 Valentine's day cards. You can check them out on my flickr photostream by clicking here
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Caturday update.
So yesterday we went on the hunt for our soon to be kitty. M decided he was not overly fond of Lil B, which made me sad, but it's better to make sure all family members can agree to the cat, even if ultimately the cat is mine. Of course I would prefer that the cat love only me, but that's just selfish. None of the cats at the local SPCA seemed to be the right fit for us, so we went out of our way a bit and went to a Petsmart about 45 minutes away from our home. Why not the local one you ask? Because we had already tried to adopt from the local one and the woman who runs the adoption agency adopted the cat we wanted right out from under us and tried to offer us a cat we'd not met instead. She was REALLY pushing this cat, which made me wonder what was wrong with it. So...yeah. It was heart breaking and difficult and frustrating to deal with her so we decided to go with another agency.
As we walked into the Petsmart, the kitties were in cages with hammocks (yes folks, kitteh hammocks) and were totally chill. E and I walked around, inspecting the kitties while the people in charge were talking to an adoptee family. There were all kinds of sweet furbabies, but one in particular caught my eye. He was dangling in his hammock like he was in some kind of kitty spa retreat without a worry in the world...and he was missing an eye. I am a sucker for the down, dejected underdogs (or undercats as the case may be) of the world. I asked about him and it turns out that he'd lost his eye to a virus much like hepititus that causes glaucoma in cat eyes. His poor eye got infected and they couldn't save it. *Sniiiiiiiifle*
That was it for me, I so totally wanted to meet this cat and get to know him better, so they brought us to a visiting room and we bonded for a while. He was all kinds of chatty and playful but not at all spastic. He kept showing us his belly to be rubbed and that about killed me. I wish I had brought my camera that day but I wasn't really in my right mind or something because I had decided to leave it home.
I have officially filled out paper work for him and am waiting to hear back from the agency ( Cat's Cradle for those of you interested). I could hardly sleep last night. I'm so excited! I'm wondering if it's excessive to send out adoption announcements to all my friends and family. Something that says "It's a boy!" or perhaps "Welcome our newest addition to the family!". What about balloons? I'm in full nesting mode. I feel the need to clean the house from top to bottom and remove all possibly, potentially dangerous things. I want to move delicate collections from high places where they can get knocked off, not for their protection but for his. Heaven forbid he cut his sweet little paws. His name is Daniel by the way. He has an adorable, loveable face.
At some point I want to jot down a few notes on the other cats we interviewed for the position because they were all funny and special in their own ways, but right now I need to go distract myself with paper goodies or I'll positively burst.
As we walked into the Petsmart, the kitties were in cages with hammocks (yes folks, kitteh hammocks) and were totally chill. E and I walked around, inspecting the kitties while the people in charge were talking to an adoptee family. There were all kinds of sweet furbabies, but one in particular caught my eye. He was dangling in his hammock like he was in some kind of kitty spa retreat without a worry in the world...and he was missing an eye. I am a sucker for the down, dejected underdogs (or undercats as the case may be) of the world. I asked about him and it turns out that he'd lost his eye to a virus much like hepititus that causes glaucoma in cat eyes. His poor eye got infected and they couldn't save it. *Sniiiiiiiifle*
That was it for me, I so totally wanted to meet this cat and get to know him better, so they brought us to a visiting room and we bonded for a while. He was all kinds of chatty and playful but not at all spastic. He kept showing us his belly to be rubbed and that about killed me. I wish I had brought my camera that day but I wasn't really in my right mind or something because I had decided to leave it home.
I have officially filled out paper work for him and am waiting to hear back from the agency ( Cat's Cradle for those of you interested). I could hardly sleep last night. I'm so excited! I'm wondering if it's excessive to send out adoption announcements to all my friends and family. Something that says "It's a boy!" or perhaps "Welcome our newest addition to the family!". What about balloons? I'm in full nesting mode. I feel the need to clean the house from top to bottom and remove all possibly, potentially dangerous things. I want to move delicate collections from high places where they can get knocked off, not for their protection but for his. Heaven forbid he cut his sweet little paws. His name is Daniel by the way. He has an adorable, loveable face.
At some point I want to jot down a few notes on the other cats we interviewed for the position because they were all funny and special in their own ways, but right now I need to go distract myself with paper goodies or I'll positively burst.
Friday, January 30, 2009
My bit of inspiration for the day
I'm trying to find easy templates and inspiration for my Valentines this year. I don't want to go crazy like I do every year because then I wind up not getting anything finished. So maybe I'll make a few templates, choose the best of the samples and make a bunch of those. We'll see.
-S
-S
Friday, January 16, 2009
Paper!
It's good! I've been making this paper garland thing for the InaugYouRock party and I have to say, I'm loving paper. Sometimes, when I get side tracked by different mediums (for almost two years it was mostly makeup on face) I really forget or at least repress my love for paper. It's so easy! I imagine something...and then it happens. Well, it happens after some time and fiddling with tools and paper...but it happens. Sometimes better than I imagined. This would be one of those times. These flowers...I love them. I want to plant them and see if they'll grow and bloom many more like them. Is that too much? Am I over exaggerating? I don't think so. I'm going to experiment with curling the edges of the petals to see what happens. Flat is pretty but dimension would be lovely.
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