Your Mission: Choose to Accept It

I've been home for almost two weeks. I had a very kind friend take care of my beastly kitty while I was away and I've been planning on getting her a gift or even better making something. Handmade is always a good thing. The problem is...I won't get off my keister and do it. It's a pretty simple thing really. Right? BTW: I'm horrible at this kind of thing. I haven't even called to check-in. It's terrible.

So this morning, I collected a large group of stamps. I was thinking more about being creative, having fun, and coming out with a bundle of mixed media cards for my friend wrapped in twine with a bow. Simple. Yes. Unfortunately, simple and I don't seem to be acquainted...at all. Did you notice how many stamps I pulled out? Many of these images are stamps I've never touched OR I've "simply" thrown in the towel after a particularly dastardly craft session. Many of these images have never seen the light of day on any kind of project. It's a shame. To be fair, five of these sets are relatively new - did I just say five? Sheesh! Moving on...

So this is what I'm working with...some might say there are far too many choices. I think it's plenty. I won't be getting up to get more stamps and I have a very loose framework in mind. Make them messy, imperfect, and pretty. I've never done this style before...which makes this mission precarious at best. I'm not sure if it's even my friend's style now that I think about it - but I hope it works out. I plan to use a bunch of my coloring mediums; distress inks, paints, stains, markers etc; inktense pencils; spray mist; watercolor crayons and so on.

I plan to start today by my very efficient visitor (I call him Dad) already has a list of errands to run. He has promised a day spent at home tomorrow. We'll see. So this is my plan or mission. Make 15 cards. Print out a variety of sentiments in pretty fonts, cut them into strips, bag them and put them with the card bundle. I don't usually put sentiments on my cards unless they are part of the set. So I want to give my friend choices. It's the first time I'll be doing it this way. Bundle the cards in teal twine and put in a cute box with a glue stick. Present to friend with apologies for being a gigantic ass and not calling immediately. My mission deadline is Sunday...I'm choosing to accept it. I might make a few changes to stamp images or color mediums but for now I'm pretty happy. Hope you're still having a great day (two posts in one day). Until then...

P.S. I just counted and there are 25 sets of stamps on that table - I've lost my mind.

Challenge Love: Sunday Sketch

Now that I'm part of the Studio Calico club - I decided to go on over to the Sunday Sketch challenge and see if anything there piqued my interest.  When I found this sketch I was initially a little befuddled.

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First, I don't do double page layouts.  Next, I've never been good at rocking the grid - although I might give it a try the next time I have 3X3's in the house.  Third, for some reason the left side of the sketch read like a card to me.  This is most likely due to my inherent need to layer things.  Finally, the example layout superimposed both sketches and I just couldn't wrap my head around it - despite the fact it was friggin' cool.  Then I scrapped four layouts and posted them on the blog.  A few hours later, my mind was still going and I was ready.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye; Ink: Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Washi Tape: Target

I decided to stay with the basic foundation I used all day on Sunday.  I sprayed the Heidi Swapp Mint Green Color Shine Mist and really liked the results - finally a positive departure from the splatters (that I love by the way).  Then I went to work.  I decided to do the left side of the layout combined with the bottom third of the right-hand side of the sketch.  I thought I'd just set down the pieces and move on to something else - but the crafty bug had hit me...and I didn't stop until I was finished.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye; Washi Tape: Target; Stickers: American Crafts, October Afternoon; Chipboard: Heidi Swapp; Ink: Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Pen: Sharpie; Other: Buttons

A few notes - the top line of journaling was added last - which should explain the weirdo spacing.  I just had to have that sentence there.  I know odd numbers rule the world of design, however, there are 8 buttons to represent the months this boy has been in our lives.  I used three stickers from the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Line.  There are three hearts - counting the one in the middle of the square sticker. That first sentence is driving me crazy.  I digress.

So that's it for this week (for now).  I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday.  Until then...

NSD '13: Lucky Number Seven!

This layout is big.  It's overworked.  It's a little crooked.   It's something!  It's the final layout in a long day of crafting ending in my seventh layout!  I met my goal - even if it wasn't a layout a day!  It also marks a pretty big milestone for this little guy.  He's cutting teeth like a champ - FIVE AT ONE TIME - and still smiling.  Love him so much.

The end of my NSD '13 celebrations is marked with this challenge by Shimelle.  I've had a great week and I can feel my bones starting to say 'what the hell is this girl thinking?'  It's about that time.  I hope everyone has a great Sunday.  Happy Mother's Day to all of you momma's out there.  Until then...

NSD '13: Use American Crafts Papers

Supplies: Pattered Paper: American Crafts, Elle's Studio; Chipboard: Heidi Swap; Stickers: American Crafts, Basic Grey; My Mind's Eye; Ink: Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Other: Sequins

I'm absolutely in love with both of these papers from American Crafts and Elle's Studio.  I'm in love with this little baby too.  This was actually the first layout today and it gave me a lot of steam.  I think I wouldn't have been so productive if the mixed-media layout would have been first.  I really loved the finished product.  I could go on and on - I don't know if it's the layout or the boy - either way- I'm happy.

BTW: Another layout for a Shimelle challenge!

NSD '13: Scrapbooking Smaller Photos

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, Crate Paper; Stickers: American Crafts, Basic Grey; Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts; Ink; Studio Calico, October Afternoon, Heidi Swapp; Other: Buttons

Hi All!  I completed this page for Shimelle's challenge: Scrapbook Smaller Photos.  I really love the finished layout.  Not much to say here.  One more challenge down.

NSD '13: Give Mixed Media a Try

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Embellishments: My Mind's Eye, Ormolu; Stickers: American Crafts: Stencils: Crafter's Workshop; Ink: Ranger: Colored Pencil; Prisma; Pen: Pilot Precise; Washi Tape: Target

This layout belongs in my total friggin' nightmare file.  I cannot get the hang of those 6X6 stencils.  The mixed media part of this layout seems to be the pox on the entire thing.  However - life goes on.  It is okay.  Deep breaths.  One more layout down and isn't my baby so cute?  Life is good.

BTW: Completed this layout for the Studio Calico challenge, Give Mixed Media a Try!

NSD' 13: When Life Happens

I think we can all agree that I had some lofty plans for this last week.  Unfortunately life had different plans, as it often does.  I had neither the will or ability to take on any crafty projects at the end of my work days.  I actually spent one day at home trying to get ahead of the pain that comes along with my chronic condition.  I was disappointed with myself - until I spoke to my sister.  She told me it was okay - sound familiar?  She reminded me that seven layouts was MY goal and it was okay not to feel well.  It was okay to take care of myself in other ways.  And I accepted it and waited until I could rest up and tackle another story.  So without further ado...my third layout for NSD '13.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, American Crafts; Stickers: Basic Grey, American Crafts; Stamps: Cocoa Daisy, Jillibean Soup; Embellishments: My Mind's Eye, Basic Grey, Studio Calico, SEI; Other: Buttons, Labels; Ink: Ranger, October Afternoon

I'm entering this into two challenges; Challenge #6: Scrap This List at Two Peas in a Bucket and Shimelle's: The Power of Three.  I had a near freak out about the journaling and I might have used too much patterned paper - if there is such a thing.  The balance feels off and I'm not sure why. But you know what....being 36 has put me a little off balance.  Makes complete sense, right?  So there you have it, my third layout.  I hope to do 1-2 more tomorrow.  Maybe seven was a little ambitious considering I scrapped NINE layouts total in 2012.  Man, I need to be more gentle with myself.  One more thing finally hitting home at the tender age of thirty-effing-six.  I digress.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday.  I hope you're taking the time to rest, heal, and take care of yourself in whatever way you need.  I hope you're putting that self-critical voice in your head in it's place.  I hope you're taking the time to be gentle with yourself and remember "it is okay."  I hope...  Until then...

NSD '13: Scrapbooking Square Photos

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, American Crafts, Basic Grey; Flower: Prima Marketing; Stickers: American Crafts; Twine: My Mind's Eye; Ink: October Afternoon, Ranger Industries

The next scrappy layout challenge comes to us from Shimelle Laine.  I finished this layout in less than a hour.  It's amazing what limited time, a pretty good nap, and uneaten dinner will do to scrappy mojo.  Not much to say here.  I'm not sure if the flower fits perfectly, but I love it.  It weighs a ton!  I hope everyone has had a great Monday.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Until then...

NSD '13: Sew and Mist

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, American Crafts; Stickers: American Crafts; Embellishments: Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, American Crafts, Wilton, Crate Paper; Template: American Crafts; Pen: Sharpie; Mist: Studio Calico, Ranger, October Afternoon; Other: Cardstock

My first NSD layout for this week.  This layout has been sitting on my table for a week in different stages of completion.  I finished it today and am pretty happy with the results.  I'm still having a problem with journaling on my nephew's pages.  I have the words - I've said them in my head a thousand times - and I still can't find the place to write.  I have a couple of options - I could add a 6X6 page protector on the side to write the words or attach the journaling to the back of each layout.  Not sure what to do - still trying to navigate this new crafty mindset/style.

BTW: This layout is for American Craft's mist and sew challenge.  I really liked how the flower came out although it's a little high.  It could have been lowered about an inch.  It's done now - I like the layout.  And I guess technically the title could move up but that's just a huge pain in the ass.  So...deep breath...it is okay.  So that's it for now.  I hope this Sunday has been a good one.  Until then...

Challenge Love: Sketch #10

My next challenge comes from the creative mind of Shimelle Laine - now that I think about it, so did my previous challenge.  I love her sketches and starting points and am constantly amazed at her fearlessness when it comes to mixing patterns.  I'm in awe.  When I'm lucky enough to have my crafty mojo and a sketch available to me - I try not to spend a lot of time looking at the layouts that go with that specific sketch.  At least that's what I'm doing now - which helps with the (wait for it, friend) intrusive thoughts that tell me how much I suck at this whole scrapbook thing. BTW: there's an inside joke in that sentence for someone special.  So let's stop all of my effing gabbing and move on to the sketch shall we...

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I have not been part of the triangles band wagon.  I find this trend a little exhausting.  Who the hell has time to cut all those triangles perfectly?  Not me.  So I went the simple route.  I got out my square punch and cut those puppies in half.  Did I say puppies?  I meant squares.  They're not perfect triangles, but they work in a pinch.  So without further ado - my interpretation (which is pretty close to the original sketch I might add)...

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, Echo Park Paper; Stickers: American Crafts, Simple Stories, Tag: American Crafts; Stamp: Hero Arts: Ink: Prima; Pencils: Derwent Inktense

One super cute little boy + one finished layout = one happy, proud auntie.  I love this boy.  Before you say anything...yes I know the top row of triangles is crooked.  Yes it bothers me a little or a lot depending on the moment - but I'm taking a deep breath and saying eff it.  Why?  Because that was my second effing attempt at making a straight line and at some point you have to just laugh at your limitations.  He's cute.  The story's told.  I had fun.  That's all that matters.  Right?  Right!  Here are a few detail shots...which is just an excuse to show you the boy a little more.

You can see here that the triangles are not that "perfect" angle - but they work and that's all that matters.  The sentiment from Dear Lizzy's Lucky Charm line seemed to work perfectly with this page.  I was so happy.

If you look really closely at this picture, you can see little tiny splatters.  The color is very subtle.  I made these with my Derwent Inktense pencils.  I used the brush to pencil technique and then started splattering with both the brush and pencil.  I'll working on perfecting this more in the future.

One quick note...I'm taking Shimelle's advice in another small way.  I'm trying to add this piece of paper from Amy Tangerine's Ready, Set, Go line from American Crafts on each layout of the boy.  I'm running out of my one sheet pretty quickly.  I'm also trying to put an elephant in some form - his mother's favorite image.  I think it will unite the layouts for his first year.  It's a small thing - but I really love it.  I didn't start doing this until the third or fourth layout - but I'm happy that I finally did.  It brings unity to the visual part of the story.

So that's it for today.  I hope everyone has a lovely Wednesday.  Until then...

Mother of...!!!!!!

I decided to do a challenge this week to really get back into the swing of things blogging wise...and I almost lost it.  I almost lost the will to craft.  I almost lost my breezy attitude.  I almost lost my mind.  I started with a really beautiful sketch by Shimelle.

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I watched the video.  Looked at both variations of the sketch and decided my nephew was a prime candidate for this layout.  His perfect little face seemed destined to be part of a super cute, totally out of my comfort zone, banner-inspired layout.  It seemed fortuitous - meant to be.  I even sat thinking about how it was okay if it didn't turn out okay - I could always start over.  Digital photos could be reprinted.  It was not the end of the world.  It was okay - as my mentor Ali Edwards has so eloquently said.  Famous last words...

This was my first go at the layout.  I had to think long and hard about how to make this layout without eyelets.  I settled on brads and was really happy with how things worked out - until I did the journaling.  The layout is okay.  The journaling is relatively straight thanks to a straight edge and pencil line.  It's very close to the sketch...and I hate it.  The journaling is awful and honestly - looking at it now - I hate the title too.  It looked so great when Shimelle did it.  My first attempt at making this better was adding a journaling block...

I temporarily adhered the journaling block and immediately knew this was some form of scrapbooking hell.  No way was this going to be okay.  So I trimmed the paper to include the top 1/3 excluding the banner and put it on a white piece of paper.  Thank God I didn't take a picture of that...I ended up cutting out the banner - which was quite the bitch, frankly - and starting over on a new piece of patterned paper.  My favorite pattern in fact...ledger.  Fortunately, I came up with this...

I tried journaling on the final layout above and ended up making my very small journaling cluster (see previous monstrosities) into a large cluster.  It's out of balance.  It's a hot mess but I love the banner and the title so I'm calling it a day.  I find this boy is just too cute for words.  Journaling seems unnecessary.  Quite strange, I think.

So that's it for this Saturday evening.  I'm done.  This is the best it's going to get.  I would give a list of products - but I just don't want to at this point.  Maybe I'll update it later.  It's been a hard crafty day and I want to leave it happy.  I hope this day has been a happy one for you filled with smiles and leg kicks and overall general goodness.  Until then...

LOAD - Alternative Scrapbooking

Another day, another layout - and I'm loving it.  To be perfectly honest - I'm loving my life right now which is unbelievable in a way that words cannot express.  I'm happy in this moment - and that's huge for me after the last few years I've had.  I think it's partially because I'm being creative - telling my story.  I'm not getting hung up on the "big" things like not being married or having kids.  I'm not questioning whether my life is "worth" scrapbooking or my audience.  I know who it is - me.  I am worth it and that is enough- what a phenomenal shift.

So what the hay does this have to do with LOAD?  I'm happy to be creating each day and I really credit this class and other new circumstances in my life.  So - on to today's challenge.  Mondays are titled "Mother May I" by my scrap happy teacher Lain Ehmann.  This Monday's assignment - scrap an alternative page.  Do the thing you normally wouldn't do.  Now let's be clear - you don't have to follow the assignment.  You can do whatever you want - but Lain is an evil genius.  At the end of each assignment she suggests trying the assignment if you're feeling any "resistance."  So let's just say - I was feeling a little resistance and I decided to take Lain at her word and give it a try.  I started with something new I found on Shimelle Laine's blog - it's a starting points "challenge" for each week.  This week's starting point was really a lesson in layering (even for a girl that loves to pile it on like me).  Shimelle has started to post the starting point on Saturdays and her finished layout on Sundays.  Have I mentioned how much I love her blog!

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I knew from the beginning I would not be doing a 12 x 12 page - which broke my heart a little.  I decided to go with a standard 8 1/2 x 11 page and put it in a horizontal orientation - something I did when I first started scrapbooking.  I have to say - I like rocking the square much better than the rectangle.  I wish I would have thought about it and taken a picture at the starting point stage - but I didn't so here's the finished project.

It's been a long time since I've done a page on the boys.  I love these dogs so much and they are too far away from me.  I haven't seen them in almost 20 months - not that I'm counting or anything.  It just sucks.  I miss seeing them - even if it was only once or twice a year.  I really am happy with the finished product despite it being outside my comfort zone.  However, it was nice to go back to a somewhat familiar place.  I don't have any grids in this size paper so I was "forced" to go with a solid gray background.  I think it worked out okay.  Let me give a quick product run down.  Papers are from Archivers (gray), My Mind's Eye (Stella Rose) and Authentique.  The embellishments/brads/stickers are from My Mind's Eye and American Crafts.  The journaling card and letter stickers (Thickers) are from American Crafts too.  I have no idea where the flowers are from - sorry.

So that's it for today.  I tried something new.  I layered like nobody's business.  I participated in a challenge.  I knocked out Layout #5 for the Mother LOAD.  I took a trip to Borders (my third) and don't intend to go back.  I wish I would have thought about that more when I was there today.  It's just a little hard.  I know it sounds lame - to be broken up about a store closing - but I am and that's just it.  So - I hope everyone has had a nice Monday.  I'm looking forward to work tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to crafting tomorrow.  I'm looking forward - I can barely believe it.  It's so great.  Anyhoo - Until then..

A Metaphorical Smack to the Head

I have very little updates on the past almost - good golly - three months in terms of crafts.  My mojo left me and is still struggling to find it's way back. Although, I am happy to report there have been glimpses here and there sort of like a magical creature flitting near your eye or a pesky garden gnome.  So...luckily I do have some card making to report.  However - before I get onto the crafty goodness - I must relay my latest obsession - none other than the talented crew from NCIS on CBS.  Just look at the loveliness...

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My father got me hooked on the show and all it's crazy, quirky goodness.  I would give a list of all the characters I love - but it would be ridiculously long.  The only one that drives me crazy is Director Vance so there you go - the short list.  Sadly - two characters are no longer on the show due to two separate, tragic shootings.  Watch the show to find out!  On a happier note - Mark Harmon has the greatest smile in the world which almost makes me forgive him for being a starting quarterback for the UCLA Bruins.  I'm a USC Trojan for life and frankly just writing those blasted words (UCLA Bruins) makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.  Remember the smile...remember the smile.  I digress...I also love that nut Tony.  Many minutes were spent with my dad asking what in the world is wrong with that guy.  My dad would like to give him a good kicking in the gentles if you know what I mean.  Good times.  I love the show so much I've started watching it's Los Angeles spin-off.  Let's face it - LL is not to bad to look at and it's really a good time - although not as good as the original - at least not yet.  

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On a crafty note - I actually participated in a challenge today in honor of what used to be Humpday Challenge day on this little blog.  The sketch comes from Taylored Expressions and can be found here.  This is my humble interpretation of the sketchy goodness including the most hysterical sentiment in the world.  Let me just warn you that the lighting absolutely blows in these pictures - wish I took better photos - must work on that.

Here's hoping everyone had a rocking Wednesday!  Believe it or not I have a few more cards to present later in the week so look for those.  I hope the rest of the week treats you well.  I for one need to get my butt in gear and whip my bedroom into shape or I need to find Gibbs to give me a good smack on the back of the head.  Here's hoping I get my butt in gear because frankly if Gibbs shows up it means I'm hallucinating and I'm in far more trouble than I've ever realized. :)  Until then...

Inspiration Station

Happy Tuesday!  Yesterday I got a chance to make two cards or I should say - I actually felt like making two cards.  I was really inspired by Agata's blog, Under Construction, and this card on her Flickr gallery.  I wasn't sure how to approach the card without a better idea of how it was made - so I called my friend (soon to have her own blog with a very cool theme) and she helped me figure it out.  Truth be known - she figured it out.  I finally came up with this little gem.  I feel like it's missing something.  It lacks balance.  Not sure how to fix it though.

After completing this card, I was inspired by a sketch in my Go To Sketches magazine by Paper Crafts.  It was a perfect opportunity to use my cat stamps.  I got them for a birthday present from a dear friend.  In the end - I came up with this card.  I love the sentiment from Lost Coast Designs.

Today: I really want to play around with this idea - again from Agata's blog.  I like the use of orange but might try a new color story - coal and ice blue.  We'll see.  I also need to get going on this week's Tuesday Trigger at the Moxie Fab blog.

My goal is to have it done by Wednesday night.  We'll see.  My agenda is pretty full with cleaning, crafting, and meeting people this evening.  Hope you have a nice day!  Until then...

It's Complicated

Isn't this picture beautiful?  I love the distressed wall and table.  I love the pink of the roses and the teal color of the vase.  I also love the teacup and saucer.  So it shouldn't come as any surprise that making cards based on this photo were a joy.  I did have some complications - but they were all insignificant in the end.  I started out with a stained glass image which I colored with two different mediums before moving on to something completely different. 

The color story for this card is very similar to the picture.  I chose to use orange in a very small amount on this card.  I chose this sweet image from Stamping Bella because it referenced the flowers from the photo.  I stamped this image five times and colored it twice before it was all over.  But that's okay because I ended up with something I really love.  After completing the card, I wasn't completely satisfied so I moved on to another image.

I absolutely love this image from My Favorite Things and felt it would be perfect.  I immediately wanted to paper piece the image using the new Olivia paper line from Basic Grey.  I completely discarded the orange and concentrated on the vase and flowers.  I have to be honest - piecing this card together was not easy.  I just don't think you can beat the effect.  It's far better than any coloring I could have done.  I finished very happy with my image.

I'm immensely happy with the trigger this week on the Moxie Fab blog.  I'm happy it got me to push into a new color story without too much resistance on my part.  I think I will start combining teal with pink in my regular work.  Just another way this hobby opens me up.  I encourage anyone to participate in challenges.  It's really a great way to expand your creativity.  Love it so much.  So that's it for today.  Hope everyone is continuing to have a nice Friday.  Until then...

BTW: It's no longer possible to embed the video of Alex and Twitch performing from last Tuesday's So You Think You Can Dance.  If you are interested in seeing the most fantastic thing ever, just click here.

You've Got to be Kidding Me!

Just when you thought you were adult enough to take the plastic off the dining room chairs (that you bought three years ago), you spill grape juice on them and your beige carpet. What am I three? It's like when you finally own your car and it breaks down. It sucks. Guess I can kiss that deposit goodbye. But...I'm not gonna let it get me down. I'm clumsy and accident prone and I own that. So off to better things!

I did a card today for the Etsy Inspired Challenge #94. The inspirational Etsy shop for the challenge is Sand Box Studio. I was really inspired by the sunflowers on this tote.

When I saw the sunflowers, I knew I wanted to use one of my new Hero Arts cling stamps. The flower image seemed to be a perfect fit. I took the direct route in terms of color inspiration. However, I did use a little yellow-orange to break up the yellow. I used both Copic markers and Sharpies to color the image. The sentiment is also from Hero Arts. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket and totally outside the norm for me. I was really drawn in by the yellow. Have I mentioned how much I love yellow?


I also got a chance to make something else today. I guess I should say cover something today. In one of the first few episodes of Paperclipping Roundtable, Nancy Nally talked about Moleskine notebooks with kraft paper covers. She likes to decorate the cover using stamps and keeps them in her purse or uses them as gifts. The inside pages come in different styles. It seemed like such a cool idea - so I went out and bought a 3-pack for 7.95. Today I finished the third notebook. It will be the first that I'm keeping for myself.

If you can't guess - I'll be using it to write ideas for this blog. I really liked the finished cover. Again, I used a Hero Arts cling stamp. I love this flower image. I paper-pieced the flower which was quite a bitch to be honest (please excuse my language). The paper is from Basic Grey. I believe the letter stamps are from Pink Paislee - but I'm not totally sure.

Now - let's go full circle - back to the beginning. You know - the beginning where I make mistakes like a child. Both of these projects were a comedy of errors. I tried three different covers before settling on the paper-pieced image for my journal. I kept on making mistakes and stayed positive through the process. On the card - I had colored the flower and mounted it on the card and somehow black ink got in the petals. Luckily - I had started the card wanting to make it dimensional and had stamped it three times. I was able to use one of the extra images to clean it up. After moving the cards to the other table - I decided to clean up and promptly spilled grape juice everywhere. I'm so thankful the projects had been moved to safety or I would be crying even now. I think I've learned one thing - when mistakes keep on happening at the craft table, it's probably best to walk away. At least that's what I've learned at this point. I hope everyone has had a good Thursday. Until then ...

Tuesday Trigger & Roo

Happy Monday!  I know - it's easy to say that when summer break is part of your work life.  I will say a few things. I know how hard Mondays are - it's like looking down the barrel of a gun some weeks.  I have the kind of job that if you didn't get a summer break, I don't think many people could do it without having a nervous breakdown.  Finally, with my health the way it is - summer break is a necessity.  I think summer breaks are literally adding more years to my working life - which is huge for me.  Still - my heart goes out to all of my friends that work full-time, year-round.  Feel free to shake your fists or call me names - I  totally understand.   I'm not sure if that diatribe was necessary but there it is.  On to happier things...

The Moxie Fab World blog (sponsored by Paper Crafts magazine) has a weekly challenge called Tuesday Trigger.  For months - I've wanted to participate in one of the weekly triggers but things just haven't worked out.  When I went on the blog last week, I immediately knew I wanted to participate in this trigger.  So - what got me so inspired?  Beyond the fact the top is absolutely brilliant and fun, I was really taken by the color scheme and the floral print.  My original plan was to use one of my large Hero Arts cling flowers on the page.  However - as time went on - I new I wanted to take another stab at doing a card like this one.

This card is completely out of my comfort zone.  I never had done a card like this before.  If you would have asked me before making it - I would have said - 'never in a million years will I make a card like that.'  Thank God for my change of mind or brave streak or whatever.  I love it now.  I haven't tried anything like it since.  Something about the trigger photo made me think of it - and then I was off and running.  I decided to go with a Hero Arts image - just not a floral one.

I'm a big fan of cityscapes.  I have several stamps of this sort - but rarely bring them out for stamping.  This stamp is part of Hero Arts summer release and was on top of my wanted list the moment I saw it.  I'm very satisfied with the result.  Originally - I had a yellow button in the upper right corner.  I didn't really think I had a sentiment that worked.  Then I remembered the sentiment from Amuse and knew it was perfect.  Love it.  I stamped three images and did some fussy cutting to create a dimensional look.

Anyhoo - I went to the Moxie Fab blog this morning and imagine my surprise when I found out the project was due last night - the night I finally got off my rear to do something.  I assumed the deadline would be today.  I need to read the fine print more.  Despite my screw up - I'm really happy with the card.

I thought I'd end this post with a pic of my Roo Girl.  This is her new spot when I post.  It's where my Xyron and paper are stored.  I don't think it could possibly be comfortable - but she loves it.  The picture is at a weird angle (I was trying to do something funky).  I hope everyone has a nice Monday.  I think I might be getting paybacks from my earlier comments  on Monday.  My computer crashed three times in the writing of this post.  Not so good.  I'm happy it's finally done.  Blessings all around.  Until then...

So Tired

I really wish I had a card to share today - but I'm so flippin' tired from my medicine I take every six weeks.  So no card for today, just a cute picture from morguefile.com and a link to something close to my heart.  I'm always interested in finding ways to make my crafts help others.  There is a cool article in Cardmaker each month on helping others through cards.  Recently I found another site where you can use this hobby to help others called Cards for a Cause.  It's on the Splitcoast website here.  For the most part - I just look and think it would be cool to participate.  But no more!  I'm going to participate in this month's cause at Splitcoast Stampers.  Can't wait to post the cards here before I send.  On my agenda today...sleep and eat - that's it!  I hope everyone has a nice Thursday.  Until then...

Do A Little Dance

I love this song.  You know...do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight.  It reminds me of my days at USC and hearing the marching band play that little diddy while the boys tried to smash their opponents.  It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  So - when I saw this dancing cupcake in the My Zoetrope store on Etsy - I was immediately inspired.  I decided to make a card as close to the original as possible for the Etsy Inspired Challenge blog (love this site - full of inspirational goodness).    The final card looked like this:

It's a mini card (3X3).  Truth be know - I'm not a fan of it.  I had to freehand the arms, legs, eyes, mouth and sentiment.  It's not perfect - but I didn't really expect it to be.  It's my first time out and I just can't expect to hit it out of the park.  The important thing is...I did something new.  I stretched myself just a little.  I have a little image I love - because really who can resist a dancing cupcake?  It brings a smile to my face and that's all I really needed - a chance to flex those creative muscles in the cutest way imaginable.  Not to mention - it totally makes me think of Chandler from "Friends."  Does anyone remember that line - "They're gonna do a little dance, make a little love, pretty much get down tonight?"  Love it!  So there you go - a return to challenge after a very long hiatus.  Can't wait to do more.  Hope this Wednesday finds you well.  I'm going to get out of the house - take a trip to my second home and relax.  Until then...

BTW: Sorry for the poor picture quality.  My flash kept on skewing the image.  I guess it was the colored pencils.  Not nearly as dark in person.  :)

Weekend Sketch Challenge

I have a card to share today for the weekend sketch challenge on Beate John's blog.  She is another blogger with a mass of tutorials on her blog.  They're all technique driven.  In fact, I used a tutorial from her blog to make this joy fold card.  I highly recommend popping on over to her blog and trying a tutorial.  So without further ado...here is my card:

 So I really want to emphasize that everything about this card is out of my comfort zone.  I used my cat inchies from Inkadinkado.  I used patterned paper with bold, primary colors - not my style at all.  I absolutely love the ribbon.  Not sure how I feel about the finished product - but it's good to try new things.  That's all for now.  Have a great Thursday!  Until then...Happy Crafting!