Good Times!

Another card done. I made this card for SCS challenge 217. This card is done on an A2 base which is unusual for me. This size is a challenge for me.

The card is made with the Close To My Heart "Good Times" Anniversary Stamp Set. It's a cute stamp set great for Parties and Birthdays. It is available through February 28th. Check it out on my CTMH website.

I used DP from CTMH - Boom Di-Ada Creative Basics Paper Collection. These sets include DP from the line and solid colors that match. These sets also include some sort of emblishment that also matches the kit. The kits are great because you don't have to fumble around for matching supplies. The B-Day card from my post a few days ago was made with the Emporium Creative Basics Set.

I've got a really busy day today. I have another item to make for my Open House on Saturday and I promised to work the Front of the House for a friend who is hosting a program for the public on issues concerning the elderly. I have to grocery shop, cook and organize my supplies for the Open House. Always, lots to do. For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Nice Treat to Come Home To!

I got a goodie in the mail today! I entered a challenge on Paper Therapy in the "Bug Creations" group. For those that haven't heard heard yet, Paper Therapy is a site dedicated to paper crafts. There are groups just like the "other" sites. A delightful lady by the name of Lisa hosts the group called "Bug Creations." She has tutorials and challenges and I have learned a great deal. Check it out... http://papertherapy.ning.com/group/bugcreations.


Here are my reward goodies from the last challenge.





I was tickled pink to come home to my goodie package and I can't wait to play. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Spring Is On The Way...

I walked out my front door this morning after hearing that snow was expected this afternoon and saw these adorable Snow Drops in my flower bed. Yes...spring can't be far behind.




I returned from my errand and finished this Easter Card! It is much better in person. I don't know why I couldn't get a good picture.

It was completed with a SCS Blog Challenge in mind. The challenge was to select a piece of art work that reflected our favorite color combo. The card is made with CTMH Indian Corn Blue and Garden Green. And, what card do I make that doesn't have Colonial White somewhere? :o) I heat embossed the Easter Eggs with transparent powder, used an inked Cuttlebug embossing folder (doesn't show in the picture) for the top and colored "Mrs. Bunny" with my Prisma Markers.

Paper
CTMH – Garden Green, Indian Corn Blue, Colonial White
Stamps
CTMH – Wonderful Charms, Egg Hunt, February STOM – Easter Eggs
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Garden Green, Black
Accessories
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, buttons, ribbon, Prisma Markers

Time to go attend to Dinner. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Crocheting...What's Next?

I just realized that I mentioned that I was also crocheting in addition to working on the JuneBug project. I actually got 2 count 'um 2 scarves done AND a page for JuneBug's Album. I'll post the Album page when I get more done and here is one of the scarves.


Back to the Easter Card. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Birthday Card

I made this Birthday Card for a good friend. Her B-Day is Monday, the card is in the mail and she is away for the weekend. I'm hoping she doesn't get a chance to check the computer while she is gone. And, if you do Teresa, it should be waiting for you in the mail on Monday. :o)

Paper
CTMH – Emporium, Vineyard Berry, Garden Green and Colonial White CS
Stamps
Unknown from my stash and Happy Birthday is CTMH
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Garden Green, Vineyard Berry
Accessories
CTMH – Vineyard Berry Ribbon, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug
Techniques
Prisma Markers

Back to my Easter Card before the bunny (AKA Carly the Cat) walks on it...it is spread out all over my rec room floor. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Busy Busy Busy

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I have actually been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post. I completed a birthday card for a friend, but can't post it until after her big day. I completed a scrapbook page, finished a crocheted scarf and actually am about 1/2 through another scarf. Whew, see I was busy.

I have been doing research into Heritage Scrapbooking. I am lucky to have so many old photos but I don't believe that Heritage Scrapbooking has to be just old pictures. It reflects a special combination of colors and embellishments that draws the eye to the photographs. I will share more of what I learn as time goes on.

For this layout, I chose my favorite blue and green combination. I used my cricut and cuttlebug for the die cuts. The flower vases were stamped using a set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. These are small peg stamps that are each an individual flower, vine, butterfly etc. You create the arrangement and consequently no two are alike. They are fun to play with and the results are wonderful.

And here is the whole Layout...

Tomorrow's project is back to the JuneBug Album. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Scrapbook Monday

The other day I realized that I was not working on my scrapbooking. I actually started my venture with papercrafting several years ago doing scrapbooks so I can't forget it. I am also teaching a basic scrapbooking class at local craft store, so two birds with one stone. Get back into scrapbooking and figure out what the heck I am going to teach.

For those that are jaded and experienced, it is not easy to remember how to do a basic page that has a little "wow." There are so many techniques that we take for granted. As I designed the project, I had to keep reminding myself that these were beginners. What supplies did they have, what would they understand and most important, what equipment was I willing to drag to the store were just a few of the questions I asked myself. I decided to design a page using my Cuttlebug. It is easy and impressive. Here is the layout we will be making in class...

It is a basic 12x12 layout. The base is a solid color CS and there are 2 coordinating DP's. The DP on the sides (DP 1) measure 3x12 inches. The 4x6 picture is matted with a 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 paper (DP 2) and 5x7 sheet cut from DP 1. Yes, that is a doily that the matted picture is placed on. I used my cuttlebug and a sizzix die to cut the flourish from DP 1 in the upper left corner. The flourish on the right is cut in the same color as the base CS using a 12 inch Cuttlebug die. The circles at the bottom punched using 3 inch and 2 1/2 inch punches. DP 2 was used for the matting and Colonial White CS was used for the smaller circle. The bookplate was cut in Colonial White CS and a Sizzix die. Before I attached the Colonial White CS to the project, I ran it through CB with a chalked ink embossing folder. I attached the bookplate with brads and the buttons with Liquid Glass. I ink distressed the center of the bookplate with the same chalk ink and hand wrote the names. By the way, the individuals in the picture are my Aunt and Uncle and I believe that the picture was taken around 1910.

I hope I achieved my goal of designing a project that would be easy for a beginner and one that they would be proud to show as a first effort!

In the midst of all this today, I also started a crocheted scarf. I will let you all know how that project is going! I think I start to many things at once! :o) For Now, Happy Crafting!

My Travels With JuneBug

I was very lucky. Before my Mom (known to her family and friends as JuneBug) got ill, we took several trips together. We would leave the "boys" at home and head off across the country. What wonderful times we had and what wonderful memories. Standing next to her as she fulfilled her lifelong dream of seeing the Grand Canyon, her dare that I wouldn't "taste" the "bad water" in Death Valley and getting her tipsy in Las Vegas. Oops...what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

She has been gone for years now. The memories were stored in magnetic albums. A few years ago, I removed, scanned and catalogued all of the photos. I collected up stickers and purchased all the supplies to complete an 8x8 album. I managed to get a few pages done but became frustrated because the size of the pages did not allow more than one photo per page (unless you crop.) I didn't want to do that because the scenery is to pretty. So the project sat as a UFO.

While thumbing through the recent CTMH Spring Idea Book, I realized that their "small" album is 9x9. Hum.... I really love the CTMH products. The quality and patterns of the paper are wonderful. In my opinion, the clear stamps are so much easier to work with than the traditional stamps, but I am not a close minded individual. If a product works for you, use it. If you have something in your stash, use it. But I have to say, the 9x9 album is the best I have ever seen! That extra inch makes the difference. I would stand on my scissors to get you to use the 9x9 over the smaller versions. There is plenty of room for 2 pictures and journaling plus embellishments! The "JuneBug" project has now become a priority. I will not waste. I have matted the few pages completed to fit the 9x9 album. I know that a great number of people are working on the 365 Project. Well, here is my contribution. My pledge (a tad late) is to complete this album in the 9x9 format. Here is a slide show of the beginnings of the project. As time goes by, I will move it to the sidebar. Check back often to see how the project grows. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Sweet Treat Valentine Challenge Winner!

The time has come...our Valentine wishes have come true! This was not an easy challenge and the entries were so creative and wonderful. Check out all of these great cards...listed in no particular order.

Gramrussell

Suzanne

Roxie

Melissa

Mary

Sarah

Sarah

As promised, there would be a Valentine Treat for all those who joined in the fun. The winner was randomly chosen by DH. Today is his Birthday and I let him draw the name from the hat. Don't worry, Carly the Cat was overseeing the whole process! And the winner is....

Roxie
Please email me at paperspadsandpictures@gmail.com with your snail mail addy so that I may get your Valentine Treat to you. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting the next "treat" challenge.

Thanks to everyone who joined in. I have said many times and will say it again, I am so impressed with everyone's talent and creativity. It is truly an inspiration to me and helps me raise the bar on my work! I can't tell you all how much fun this has been. There will be more challenges coming! For Now, Happy Crafting!

Tips and Techniques for Open House

In a couple weeks, I am having a crafting open house. The goal is to showcase a number of the new CTMH products. Bouncing ideas off of a friend, this idea was born. Using one stamp set, how many different ways can the stamp be used. I wanted to make sure that the techniques were quick and easy but also appeared "sophisticated." I spent the day making 9 different samples of the Aspiration set. The samples are done as follows:

2. water color pencils and aqua brush

3. pearl paint with reinker and Liquid Glass

4. background sponging and blender pen

5. misting, overstamping and Liquid Glass

6. Saran Wrap and glossy paper and stamp using StazOn and Liquid Glass

7. blender pen and heat embossing

8. Saran Wrap on CS and blender pen

9. chalk and blender pen

You're probably wondering why I started with "2"...not a typo nor a "blonde" thing. No, that is not the case. I have been so fascinated by all the creative techniques people are developing. I have been wandering aimlessly through my house looking for something to use. I tried a cheese grater for paper piercing...didn't work. I tried an empty spray bottle for misting...didn't work. I was running an errand at the hardware store and got the idea to try a screen repair kit for texture and piercing. I told "the man with the helpful hardware plan" what I wanted and why I wanted it. He stared at me blankly and then said "hold on." He disappeared to the basement and returned a few minutes later with a sheet of plastic screening. Proudly he said, "this is the end of the roll, please take it...I hope it works for you."

I used a very stiff brush and loaded it with ink. Putting the paper under the screen, I tapped the brush on the screen. Here is #1.

The ink and screen worked perfectly. This is a very simple card that I thought would work well for a group teaching project. The DP is CTMH "Unforgetable." The stamp set "Aspiriation" matches the paper. I uses Colonial White and Desert Sand CS and a sorbet colored ink pad. The ribbon is also CTMH sorbet. I scored and sanded the CS for texture.

Now that this project is done, I must do a few scrapbook pages. For now, Happy Crafting!

Life gets in the way...

I have determined that there just aren't enough hours in the day nor days in a week. Between my other business and assorted unrelated tasks, I have been non-stop since my last post. I will be teaching a class at a local craft store in a few weeks and those plans must get done. I am also having a CTMH Open House and I am working on demonstrations for that event. And, I have another business that needs my attention. I am expecting a big CTMH order today (Yippie). The supplies in that delivery are for my Open House so I will have samples made for the Open House soon. Anyway, I did manage to get a card done!

This card was done for the Cinema Saturday Challenge. The movie this week was "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Participants were charged with creating a card inspired by the movie that contained a "splash" of red. I used my Prisma Markers to color the cherry blossoms and heat embossed the symbol and "dream." This card was really hard to photograph and I don't know why. I think I took 15 pictures (thank goodness for digital cameras) before I even managed to get this one.

I'm off to get ready to meet with a client (my other business) and to await my new order. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Saturday Afternoon Project

In between running to grocery and cooking (notice I didn't mention cleaning,) I finished this card. It was made for a challenge on Paper Therapy. http://papertherapy.ning.com/
This is a new site for paper crafters. Check it out. The challenge was to ink an embossing folder, and use your cuddlebug to transfer the ink to the embossed paper. A gal by the name of Lisa, has a great tutorial on the technique and how to expand it for use on scrapbook pages on Paper Therapy.


To make this card, I used my cuttlebug to ink emboss the square that mats the circle with the flower. I also used my cuttlebug to emboss the other mats. I stamped the flower and colored it with my Prisma Markers. I added a few flourishes and Swarovski Crystals for bling and it was done!

Paper
CTMH – Colonial White, Spring Iris, Garden Green, Sorbet
Stamps
CTMH – Aspiration, Playful Flourishes
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Garden Green, Spring Iris
Accessories
Cuttlebug, Swarovski Crystals

As mentioned earlier, I didn't list cleaning as one of my tasks for the day. Time to go pick up some craft "debris" from my rec room floor. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Sweet Treat Valentine Challenge

The day has come to make all of your wishes come true! Here is the key to the Sweet Treat Valentine Challenge.
http://paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/2009/02/sweet-treat-valentine-challenge.html

Heart Shaped Box of Chocolates.....Brads or Eyelets
Diamonds.....Matted Circle or Matted Oval
Pearls.....Matted Square or Matted Rectangle
Rubies.....Flower Embellishment
Perfume.....Chip Board
Romantic Dinner for 2.....Pattern Paper
Cruise.....Glitter or Bling
Day at the Spa.....Paper Distressing
Latest and Greatest Camera.....Dry or Heat Embossing
Emeralds..... Paint, Markers or Pencils
New Craft Workspace.....Stitching either hand or machine
Bottle of Dom Perignon.....2nd Stamp
Shopping Spree.....Paper Piercing
Luxury Car.....Extra Color of Card Stock
Sapphires.....Die Cut

Your task is to now take your wish list and make a project. Except for your freebies (white and 1 piece of color CS, black ink and 1 stamp) you can not use any other supply except those on your wish list. The twist is you MUST use a piece of ribbon.

Post a comment with a link to your blog or post it on PaperCraft Planet by Friday February 13th. I will do the random drawing for the goodies bag on Valentine's Day. Have fun. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge

This is my third card for this challenge. It is a great weekly challenge that highlights a movie and participants are to create a card inspired by the movie. Each week there is a also a twist thrown in. I have had fun each week and the ladies do a great job coordinating the challenge.

http://cinemasaturdaycreativechallenge.blogspot.com/

The card is done on a 5 X 7 inch base. I used water color crayons and a water brush to complete the castle and I heat embossed the flourishes.

Paper
CTMH – Olive and Colonial White CS, 140# water color paper and background paper from my stash
Stamps
CTMH – Playful Flourishes and By the Sea
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Garden Green, Versamark, StazOn – Stone Gray
Accessories
CTMH – Olive Ribbon, Gold Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug Embossing Powder, Punches

It's time to head off to work on another challenge. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Mickey's Valentine

I FINALLY got Julie's challenge done! http://splashofcolor-juliestamps.blogspot.com/ I actually started it on Saturday and every time I sat down to finish it, I got interrupted. The challenge was to complete a Valentine Card that had no hearts or used red or pink. Sorry, I HAD to make Mickey's pants red or it wouldn't have been Mickey. This was a cute challenge and actually harder than it sounded. For those of you who are taking part in my "Sweet Treat" challenge, the card is also my example card. :o)



All of the supplies were from my stash and the makers are unknown. I colored Mickey and Minnie with Prisma Pencils and used a blending pencil to "roll" the color. I also used a corner rounder punch, Fiskars Threading Water for the scalloped edges and my cuttlebug, a sizzlet die and embossing folder for the balloons.


For now, Happy Crafting!

Sweet Treat Valentine Challenge

I am hosting my first challenge...Yippie! It is originally posted on the Papercraft Planet CTMH website. http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/closetomyheart/forum/topics/join-in-on-a-special-valentine.

Here is an explanation and the rules:
In honor of Valentine's Day, I am putting together this "Sweet Treat" Challenge. Everyone has a Valentine's wish list. For this challenge we will for once and for all get those items we have been wishing for all these years. Here is my wish list:

Heart Shaped Box of Chocolates
Diamonds
Pearls
Rubies
Perfume
Romantic Dinner with that Special Someone
Cruise
Day at a Spa
Latest and Greatest Camera
Emeralds
New Craft Workspace
Bottle of Dom Perignon
Shopping Spree
Luxury Car
Sapphires

Here are the rules for the challenge:
1. Players should pick at least 3 items from the above list and post it to PCP or leave a comment here with you selected wish list no later than 11:00pm EST Friday February 6th. You may "wish" for as many items as you like!
2. On Saturday February 7th, I will post what the "wish list" items equal in supplies.
3. Your challenge will be to craft a card or scrapbook page using EACH item from your wish list and ONLY those items. There are a few freebies listed below.
4. Post your completed project on the PCP site or a comment here with link to your blog with the item no later than 11:00pm EST on Friday February 13th.
5. On Saturday February 14th there will be a random drawing from all the entries for a "Sweet Treat" goodie bag! My cat, Carlie, has promised to help me with the drawing to make sure it is kept fair. :o) I will post the winner both here and on PCP that day.
6. The following items are freebies for the project
a. white CS and 1 additional color of CS
b. black ink and/or black marker
c. 1 stamp
7. A special twist to the challenge...everyone MUST use a piece of ribbon somewhere on the project.

You may use any theme you wish for your completed project. I am not limiting supplies to only CTMH...use whatever supplies you have on hand. The PCP group has chosen to keep the prize around $5 or a handmade gift. After the challenge is over, the winner has the option to be the new host. We can decide that after the challenge is over.

It's time that all our "wishes" come true! Have some fun AND complete a project you need to get done at the same time. I'm looking forward to everyone playing along!


I'm off to work on more cards and get yet another cup of coffee. For Now, Happy Crafting!