Where does the time go?

I can't believe it has been since September that I posted!  I have been really busy, but don't ask for a list of what I was doing!  lol

I wanted to post a sweet picture of my li'l Gracie.  She is nearly 2 now, and is just the sweetest little girl.

She loves to snuggle in between me and the back of the couch in the evenings.  Happy times!

Happy Birthday - Masculine



My husband's birthday is tomorrow, so I just finished this card this evening, of course.  Why plan ahead?  lol  Anyway, the card was inspired by this card at split coast stampers http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2046542?&cat=500&ppuser=289521
The original is a halloween card, but I thought it would be great as a birthday card.  I made my stamped circle and shadow larger than the scale of the original to accommodate the stamp I was going to use.  Both circles were cut with my Cricut Expression.  The card base is kraft paper, and the two layers of printed paper are from last year's Indian Summer mat stack from DCWV.  The stamped cardstock is ivory.  The deer scene stamp is by Penny Black.  I also used a bit of ribbon, which is brown with a blue thread running through it.  It is a little hard to see the colors, which are much more vivid in real life.

Another Triple Layer card

This card will be used for the September card swap at stamp club.  I really love it.  I used gradient colors for the stamped images and the matting.  I am sure I will be making this type of triple card again, as I love playing with the gradient colors.

I do not have the info on the stamps.  I do know that none of them are Stampin Up.

Triple Layer Card - Snowman

We learned to make the triple layer cards last month at Stamp club.  I thought the layout would be perfect for my little snowman stamp.  He called "Snowman Skates" and is made by Whipper Snapper Designs .

The paper is white confetti purchased at Office Max.  The blue is Pacific Point from Stampin Up.  I also used Pacific Point ink for the stamped images.  Snowflake embellishments were done with a border punch for the sides, and a Cuttlebug die for the full snowflake that is layered and glittered.

Butterfly series card #7

Last one in this series.  This one looks much prettier in person.

Butterfly series card #6

Number six is also quite pretty.  I need to make another set of these.  They would be a wonderful gift set.

Butterfly series card #5

This one is my favorite.  I love the rich red against the black background.  Another triple layered butterfly for the embellishment.

Butterfly series card #4

Card number 4.  I layered 3 of the butterflies to make the embellishment.

Butterfly series card #3

Card number three in the butterfly series.  These cards were given away at our card swap.  Luckily, I have more of the mat stack so I can make more of them.  The inside was also cut with the top note die and stamped "Thinking of You" for the swap theme.

Butterfly series card #2

Butterfly card #2.  Same paper stack and embellishments as the last card.  I also used a small flat backed pearl on the butterfly center.

Butterfly card series

I recently purchased the Stampin Up top note die.  I love it!  I used it for a series of butterfly cards.  The paper is the DCWV Mariposa mat stack.  I could not decide how to use this paper, but once I received the top note die, I tried it with the paper and love the way the series turned out!  The card background is black, so that is why it is so hard to see.  I tied a bow with black ribbon for interest.  The butterflies are a Stampin Up embosslit (cuts and embosses in one step).  Super simple, but it looks really nice IRL.

Graduation card

It has been too long since I have posted.  I made this card for the daughter of a dear friend that graduated high school this year.  I scraplifted the idea from pinterest.  I wish I could give credit to the original pinner, but I do not have the reference now.  I used the congratulations embossing folder with my Cuttlebug for the background.  I welded and cut the monogram letters with my Cricut (using my gypsy to weld).  I cut an extra "S" and glued it on top of the monogram, using the school colors.  The cap was also a Cricut cut, but it has been too long and I cannot remember which cartridge was used.  I believe the letters were cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Good news...bad news

The good news is that I started to make some cards again.  The craft area is reasonably organized, and I can find my supplies so much easier.  I even have taken some pics of my recent cards.  The bad news.....I have not connected the camera to the computer and prepared the photos for publishing yet.  I also have some other card ideas that I know will have to be created before I will be posting.  Honestly, I didn't realize I would be taking the summer off from crafting, but I think it was good for my creativity.  Time will tell though, won't it?  Hope everyone had a fantastic summer!

July 21, 2012

Wow!  It has been a busy, HOT summer!  I finally won the battle with the new computer, I think.  I had to get some new software since most of my old software was not compatible with Windows 7.  Still need a photo editor, but that will have to wait.

I have managed to completely reorganize my papercrafting area.  Just needs a bit of fine tuning, but at least it is useable again!  Yay!  I have several projects in progress and hope to get them finished and posted soon.

So many delays getting time for the blog posts, but hey, life happens, right?  Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

Technical difficulties

We had to replace our computer and I just realized that I do not have photo editing software that is compatible with the new one!  It's always something, isn't it?  Meanwhile, I am getting my house in order (literally) and even starting to get some card design ideas to form!  Hopefully, I will have something creative to post soon!  Have a happy summer everyone!

Still sidetracked...

Reorganizing the craft area has led to a whole house reorganization.  While I have made an occasional card, I am still busy with organizing and storage options.  Also, it is past time for a major sort and toss of things that are no longer used.  Hoping to get a pic of my latest card swap posted this week.  Stay tuned!

Still busy, how about you?

My life has still been excessively busy lately.  I did get a lot of reorganizing done in my craft area today, and I am hoping this will help me be able to craft more.  Once everything has a place and is in its place, that is.  I need to finish getting my newest Cricut cartridges put into the new storage system, and also get them registered.  Then I really need to figure out how exactly I want to store my unmounted stamps.  I have tried several methods and am unhappy with everything so far.

Today was a beautiful day, and I spent so much of it in the basement!  LOL  Totally missed it.  I hope tomorrow is nice.  I need to get out and enjoy some sunshine!

Have a blessed Easter weekend everyone!

Thinking of You/Sympathy Card

I found this general card idea on pinterest.  I used the SU! Hello Doily stamp with soft suede for the background, and a floral on the bottom using cherry cobbler.  The sentiment stamp is also from an SU! set.  The card base is A2 size.  A few matching dew drops complete the card.

February card swap

February's card theme was baby shower.  Using the Cricut Wrap It Up cartridge, I cut a 5.25" baby bottle card and matching ring.  I used EK Success 1.75" circle punch and 2" scalloped circle punch for the stamped image and frame.  These were very easy to make, and turned out very cute.

This blog has been temporarily interrupted...

...by life!  The holidays were a very busy time, but it was wonderful to spend the time with our families.  There has been a change in my work schedule, and I am working more hours every week.  I am also in the midst of reorganizing my crafting area.  Once I have things put away and in their new homes, I will be getting back to my crafting as usual.