My #ShareHandmadeKindess

Hello Again!

Twice in a week!? What is going on here? :)  I just wanted to post a picture of my handmade kindness. I made air plants with handmade mugs and tags -- and a pretty lil butterfly for a few of my friends! I made a few others a week or so back but I really have to take their mugs back and work on them because they are just plain.  Here is a shot of the front and the back of the mugs. 

See the blog post below for all of the information on Jennifer McGuire Ink...

#sharehandmadekindness -- A Jennifer McGuire Ink Challenge :)

I know it has been awhile. Things have been so very busy since the move and I have not even finished unpacking, believe it or not. I'm waiting for the winter to do that -- when I'm stuck in the house because it's way too cold for me out there. Brrr.

For now, I did want to post something that I think is a very kind and awesome idea... Jennifer McGuire is doing a #sharehandmadekindess challenge on her blog for the entire month in November. Each week there will be a new challenge. You don't have to be an avid crafter -- you can make a small treat with a touch of personalization... have some leftover halloween candy that you don't want to continue staring at while it taunts you? - Go ahead and gift it with a personal note....

Here is the challenge if  you want details!  http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2015/11/share-handmade-kindness-challenge-week-1-friends-family.html

Hope to catch up in the next few months -- Until then, Happy Fall and have fun sharing kindess :)

I survived my move!!!

Hello World!

I'm typing this message from my new ...... CRAFT ROOM!!!!! So, I have not yet unpacked one box but I did get a desk in it last night and set up my laptop to work from home today. I wish I could get a good pic with the entire room but it doesnt look like that is possible but I will be having some before and after photos. I plan to work on this room a bit during the week and at least one weekend day until it's done. Here is my big before picture!

Behind all of this mess, there is a rather large closet. I am so so thrilled to finally have a craft room and not create in my dining room. A lot of people don't understand but crafting is more than a hobby for me.. It's my sanity, my creativity, my peace, and my fun! So this is a monumental and very exciting step! I'm incredibly lucky to have this new space :)

Bella doesnt have a 'spot' in my craft room yet and seems a bit distraught about it. She will survive. I will find a nice place for her. :) 

Be on the lookout for my after pics. I dont think I will be crafting until it's all together so until then..... thanks for reading!

Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

Hello All!

So, my book club is currently reading Dark Places (click title to purchase Kindle version!) Actually, we start a new one today! But, I have to say once this one got good, It.GOT.GOOD. I have been very excited to read it every single day but almost reading it slowly so it doesn't end although I am really just dyin to see how it turns out. So, while I can't say anything about the ending, seeing as I have not finished it yet, thus far, I highly recommend it! A fast paced entertaining but dark novel.

Stampin Up! Lotus Flower Experimenting!

Hello there!

This past weekend, we got almost 10 inches of snow in Germantown, MD - more than they were expecting so while I thought I would use Saturday to craft, I actually ended up using it as a lazy day! It was much needed. I laid around and read a book that I'm loving very much (details to come in next blog post), had three home cooked meals, napped, watched TV, pinned, shoveled a lot, and caught up on all of the YouTubers I subscribe to! -- Which I have to admit, is my FAVORITE thing to do on the weekends and weeknights.  Sunday, I cured my cabin fever with lunch outside the house with my stepdad -- and then got to work making cards!

I have been wanting to play with the new Lotus Flower stamp set (you can get this free when you order $50 of SU! Products by March 31, 2015) but had not yet had a chance so after making a few things that I can't yet share until a certain someone's birthday has passed, I had some fun with this stamp set!

First, I would like to say that it was so much more fun that I had ever imagined! You can truly pick ANY ink colors and play with them and using the MISTI made it so much easier!!! I highly recommend it. I find it so much easier to use than any other placement product. I have posted some pictures below and also listed the materials I used. Amazon products link directly to Amazon.

This picture is all of the purple-y combos I created. Specific info will be below each picture.

These are the pink-y cards I made. More info below each specific pic.

For this card, I used the following Stampin Up Products: Irresistably Yours specialty paper that is available for free through Sale-A-Bration if you order $50 worth of SU! Product, Primrose Petals card stock (retired), Whisper White Card stock, Blushing Bride ink, Primrose Petals ink ( retired - I used this ink twice but for the darker color, I inked it normally and for the second layer, I stamped off once to get two shades with one ink pad). For the stem, I used Old Olive and Pear Pizazz Inks. When I colored the Irresistably Yours paper, I also used these two inks.  I also used the DCVW Glitter Cardstock (I used it in the 6 x 6 pad, but the 12 x 12 is only available on Amazon right now!) For the sentiment, I used the Simon Says Stamp Banner Sayings stamp set . :)

Everything is pretty much the same for these two cards. The sentiments are different. On the left, I used Watts Up by Simon Says Stamp and for the one on the right, I used Hero Arts: It's Your Day. Also, I used twine for the card on the right. I used one from www.queenandcompany.com but it looks like it's no longer available.

For this card, I used the following Stampin Up Products: Irresistably Yours specialty paper that is available for free through Sale-A-Bration if you order $50 worth of SU! Product, Smoky Slate card stock, Whisper White Card stock, For the ink on this one (a little different than my other purple toned cards, I used Concord Crush Ink (retired), Blackberry Bliss Ink, and Wysteria Wonder. The Blackberry Bliss is very dark. I love it but I switched it up for the other two cards. For the stem, I used Old Olive and Pear Pizazz Inks.  When I colored the Irresistably Yours paper, I used Smoky Slate ink only.   I also used the DCVW Glitter Cardstock (I used it in the 6 x 6 pad, but the 12 x 12 is only available on Amazon right now!) For the sentiment, I used Simon Says Stamp's Handwritten Sentiments . :)

The only difference between the supplies used in the two above is that when I used the Blackberry Bliss Ink this time, I stamped off first so it was not as dark. Also, for the one on the left, I used Blackberry Bliss Ink to put on the Irresistably Yours paper and on the right, I used Wysteria Wonder. Links above. On the left, for the sentiment, I used the Handwritten Sentiments again. And for the one on the right, I used an oldie, but goodie from Hero Arts: It's Your Day

I highly recommend getting this stamp set. It is just so much fun to play with. I can't even imagine the endless ink color combinations you could use. And they are so very easy to use! They have a little tag that you line up on top each time and it looks perfect every time. I really didnt think it would be that easy!

Til next time, I hope you get some craftiness in this week, and thanks for reading! :)

Simon Says Stamp -- January Card Kit Club (www.simonsaysstamp.com)

Hello Again,

I'm clearly adamant about updating my blog. I'm a busy bee tonight. Sitting on my couch with Bella, my laptop, a blanket, my space heater and thinking about how good life is, despite all of its craziness. It really is the most simple things in life. I have a roof over my head, a job that pays my bills, allbeit tough sometimes, and am surrounded by wonderful things and people. How lucky am I!?

Ok, on to my cards...  I made the following cards below using the Simon Says Stamp January card kit. I just loved how unique and different these colors were for me. The paper was so different too. I really like how all of these turned out. I used YouTube videos and the paper that comes along with the kit for inspiration. Enjoy

This card was inspired by Kristina Werner! I made it for my Aunt Mary's birthday!!

I think this is my favorite of the bunch, although the quality of the picture is not so great. This one says Winter thanks. It was inspired by Nichol Magourik.

This one was inspired by Stephanie Klauck - I love this one too!

This card was inspired by Shari Carrol.

Simple but elegant and much more colorful in person!! I got this idea from Yana!

This card was quite different from the sample they sent in the card kit b/c I didn't have the tag or snowflake die they used but I still was inspired by the sample by Lucy Adams.

This one was interesting. I cut it along the stamps I used on the bottom and top of the purple. I saw this on the sample card too. It was by: Kathy Rac!

Thanks again for reading. I can't wait to post my Valentines Day cards and see what I can make using the February Simon Says Stamp Card Kit!!

www.simonsaysstamp.com

Sleep tight world!

Christmas Cards 2014

Here are pictures of the cards I made and sent this past Christmas:

This card was inspired by Jennifer McGuire. I think these actually turned out much better than expected. Jennifer's cards always look good but when I try them, they don't always look as nice! But, I was very pleased with the results. This technique was probably the most unique technique I've ever done. Lots of steps and possibilities for mishaps but it all worked out. :)

These were my favorite cards this year. I got the idea from Darlene Devries. I didn't have the same supplies so I had to change it up a bit. But, I loved these. Unfortunately, I didn't send any of these out. I made them for two auctions instead. The first time I made them, they took me 5 hours but it always takes me longer than I imagine. And everything was white paper and it was transformed into these beauties. Proud of this set.

This was a onesie I made because I wanted to try out the new stand up card and Snowman to Build set from Stamps of Life :) Inspired by ME!

I want to give credit for this one but I just saw it as an image on Pinterest and used my supplies and tried to make it as similar as possible. Unfortunately since pinterest is like the game 'telephone', I have no idea who originally created the card.

I also saw this one on Pinterest so I'm not exactly sure who to give credit to but this thanks to my Aunt Barbara for sharing this new Stampin Up! set with me. these were embossed and the detail is just stunning!!

These were not inspired by anyone in particular either. I just really wanted to use the little birds and the stamp, "Seasons Tweetings". My dad loves birds and I actually made this with him in mind but ended up sending him and Chantal a different card. I think these were just so-so. Not too impressed with my results.

I wanted to show my Aunt Barbara the Flip It cards by Stamps of Life so I made these during our craft day. I used an adorable moose and the greeting is, "Merry Kissmoose"!! I colored them with copic markers. I have been working very hard on practicing copic coloring.

This card was for those that do not celebrate Christmas. I always make a seasonal card for those people and I loved this one. I LOVE non-traditional colors. I embossed the gold snowflakes but otherwise, it's a total one dimensional card. -- I got the idea from Pinterest.

This card was inspired by Kristina Werner in an online card class for Holiday cards -- They have so so many classes going all of the time! Check it out here: Onlinecardclasses.com I didn't have the same products so I had to fudge this one quite a bit but I like the way it turned out!

I got this idea from Pinterest, as well. I just love the little elves. I tried to send these to those who I know had kids in the family. I thought they would get a kick out of it. I had to use a different punch for the ears. I still think they look cute. I was told that upside down they look like little pigs!!! :0

This is the card I made for my honey, Mike. He always gets a one time original. I got this idea from Jennifer McGuire. How cool it was to learn about partial die cutting!! And there is nothing I love more than doing an entire background using distress inks and sponging on the ink!!!

And last... but definitely  not least.. and my very favorite....

This one was my favorite to make. I only made 6. I made it for my family members and I sent one to my friends Erin and Bob. Erin is a fellow scrapbooker :)  I also got this idea from the holiday card class. It's a shaker card which is all the rave these days - and it's the very first one I made. I used copic markers to color everything and was happy with the shadowing I did for once. Practice makes perfect. It's a work in progress but I'm trying :) 

If you have any questions about materials or products used, please let me know. I will try to add that information in the future. 

Thanks for reading and talk to ya soon! :)

I'm back... No, really I am :)

Hello Friends!!

I remember writing my last post like it was yesterday and it's been 1 year and 9 months. How crazy!!

I'm going to try really hard to upload pictures of all of my crafting projects from now on. It may not be as often as I would like because the next few months of my life may be be busier than normal (and that sure is saying a lot) but it does still mean I'm sharing all of my projects and that is the point of the blog :)

I'm still new to the blogging world so hopefully I can learn as I go. Ultimately, I would like to be able to link products for purchase at the bottom of each entry. I will also always give credit where credit is due when I am inspired by others.

My favorite blogs are the following in case you are interested in following some crazy talented and crafty ladies!

http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/
http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/
http://www.clips-n-cuts.com/
http://livelovecards.com/

And... I have purchased 'Lawn Fawn' products before but as of late, I am obsessed with their blog. Their design team is incredibly talented. Every card is so so darling! So here is that blog too:

http://lawnfawn.blogspot.com/

And lastly, my other less new obsession, The Stamps of Life. Also, amazing card examples; especially at the booth at shows. They have such wonderful quality stamps and other products. Check out Stephanie Bernard's awesome company -- and, she is such a sweet person to boot! Sounds like a win win!

http://www.stephaniebarnardstamps.com/index.htm

That is my update for now. Shortly, I will post the Christmas Cards I made this year, as well as, the most recent cards I made using Simon Says Stamp's January card kit. I had way too much fun making these! The kit was so unique from materials I ever use. I'm loving these card kits.

Now, I just need to find a way to afford this ridiculously expensive hobby!!

If anyone has tips on taking better pictures of cards or hints for making a blog more aesthetic and user friendly - please share!

Thank you for reading... See you next time :)