November 30, 2011

Floral Snapshot



Hi! Just a quick card share today. I am forever forgetting to send birthday cards on time, so I thought I'd get prepared by making a birthday card for sending a day late :) I love putting that polaroid stamp to good use! Later!

November 29, 2011

The Wonder Of You

Hey there. Took a little break for Thanksgiving and am feeling so refreshed. In fact I spent all morning rearranging our bedroom. It drives the hubby crazy cause about every six months exactly, I have to change things up. When I was younger, I usually ended up moving to a new apartment every six months but now I just rearrange. Do you do this too?

Anyway.....the new issue went up Sunday at Paper Issues so if you have any Christmas related crafts that you want to share, be sure to stop by and link up. I hear American Crafts is doing a giveaway or 2 this month :) :) Annnnd the PI store is still honoring 20% off all purchases with the coupon code CHAP20 cause Cassie is so awesome like that!


Here is a layout I worked on last weekend. Just a random bunch of instagram pics of my little lady. This page is just about how amazing I think everything she does is and how her dad rolls his eyes everytime I start with, "Oh my gosh, guess what Rora just did?!" But I just can't help it - I adore everything about her (well maybe not that iron will but it'll serve her well some day so I at least appreciate it).


After several failed attempts to make my own transperancies by embossing on acrylic, I finally found the magic formula - chalk ink. It's the only ink (other than super spendy Versamark) that stamps on glossy/coated surfaces and dries without smudging. Hooray! It's still a bit slippery to stamp on but it works.



I think that's all for now. hugs!

November 24, 2011

A Thanksgiving Poem



Honestly I haven't written a poem since high school English but I was feeling inspired the other day and came up with a few verses to include on our Thanksgiving invitations. May you all have a wonderful day with family and friends!
-


In this life we're grateful for,
Jewels and clothes and things galore.
All these treasures, truth be told,
Are just distractions, new or old.

What's really wonderful I find
Is children's laughter; peace of mind;
The knowledge that there's so much love
And time to gaze at stars above.

Yes these are truths we'll always keep,
To take from us, no one could reap.
May we always feel this way,
Long beyond Thanksgiving Day.

November 23, 2011

Celebrate the Season - CPS #245

Hi! Clearsnap is sponsoring the CPS blog this week and a few of us created cards using the sketch #245. Here is my Christmas-y take using several of the new Rollagraph designs that will be released at CHA-W:



I love that so many of the designs might appear seasonal at first glance but can be used all year round. The background here for instance could work so well for spring just by stamping onto pastel cardstock. And the wreath garland is actually a flower border that was pieced together and colored in with Smooch to give the appearance of holly.

Have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow! We have everything prepped and ready to go so maybe I can sleep in a little :)

November 22, 2011

Leaf Banner


If you haven't put up any decor for the company tomorrow, here is a quick and simple leaf banner made from die cut leaves and paper scraps. Stitch the leaves together with your sewing machine to create one long banner. I cut all the leaves while sitting in front of the TV and the entire thing took about an hour to create.


Wow did this season ever sneak by fast. Have a magical day tomorrow!

November 21, 2011

Gift Packaging with the Rollagraph


Hello! Today I wanted to share a project and video that I created for the Clearsnap blog a few weeks back.

Now that November has begun, the season of gift giving is already upon us and what better way to show your loved ones you care than by translating the gratitude and appreciation you feel for them not only in the gifts you give but also in the way you present them. Have your scrap supplies moonlight as gift wrap so you can take a little time off.


I created this autumn themed gift box to hold homemade treats for some of the people we appreciate having in our lives - the mailman, bus driver, etc - that we are not necessarily on gift-giving terms with but are definetly grateful for the services the provide. Not to detract from the sentiment, but it also means less to do at Christmas time.


This concept can easily translate to a Christmas or birthday theme - and for the smile you'll put on the recipient's face, it is worth every bit of effort.


Click on the video link below to see the complete tutorial.



Clearsnap Supplies-
Jumbo Rollagraph Stamp Wheel - Simple Dots
Standard Rollagraph Stamp Wheel - Blocks of Nature, Film Strip
Rollagraph Self-Inking Handle - Standard, Jumbo
Rollagraph Pad-Inking Handle
Rollagraph Ancient Page Ink Cartridge - Chocolate (Jumbo), Pine (Standard)
Colorbox Pigment Ink - Black
Colorbox Decades Ink for Graphic 45 - Dark Cashmere, Venetian Lace (available through Hampton Arts)
Design Adhesives - Orchard Spray
Designer Foils - Lucky Penny
Top Boss Embossing Powder - Black
Clearsnap Glitter - Peridot
Glue Gloss

Other Supplies -
Stamps - Hero Arts (wreath), Basic Grey (sentiment), PTI (leaves)
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper - Bella Blvd (plaid), Crate Paper (orange)
Score Board - Scor-Pal
Dies - Spellbinders (scallop circle, flower) PTI (leaves)
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug
Die-Cutting System - Sizzix
Jewels - Making Memories
Ribbon - Joann's
Twine - The Twinery
Adhesive - Therm-o-Web, Scor-Pal
Other  - stapler, scissors

November 19, 2011

Fall Friends - MME Challenge #29


Just a quick share today. This fall themed card was created for the My Mind's Eye Blog Challenge #29. I just love using lots of neutrals together!


I slathered the flower button in glue and dunked it in glitter to accompany the pretty glittered paper from Lost & Found 2 Sunshine collection. The leaves are distressed using Colorbox Decades Inks and spritzed in Gold Glow for a little extra shimmer.


There is plenty of room inside for writing a letter to an old friend.


Here's the sketch. I followed it pretty closely, other than making the card a tri-fold.

Getting ready to see Breaking Dawn tonight - have a great one!

November 18, 2011

Craft Room Tour

Happy Friday! Care to take a tour of my little craft space today? I recently did a bit of rearranging and reorganizing and it was actually clean for about 48 hours so I just had to take photos :)


This is the entire right side of the room, minus a little under-the-stairs closet that houses our off season clothes just out of view. The room is about 8x8 feet and is the perfect little space.


I find it super handy for the creative process to have everything out in plain sight and within arm's reach. It can be a little busy this way so I keep it organized by storing different types of product in seperate containers. The more colorful the better.


The desk top where I actually very seldom scrap. Usually there are supplies strewn throughout the entire house and on the floor. My hubby jokes that this is just the room where I store things. I just can't help but spread out.


This wire shelf is probably my favorite and most handy find. I dug it out of a barn on our property from like 12 feet in the air. It was a feat for sure. Now it houses all my punches, inks and sprays mists sorted out by color. The shelf below holds some more inky goodness as well. All in reach - I love it!!


Across from the scrap table is my sewing table. I usually keep this table clear for cutting fabric and storing in-progress projects. Lots more fabric goodness down below.


And for keeping little hands busy when I'm working, an easel for painting, coloring and our favorite - cutting paper into the teeniest, tiniest little bits. Sometimes they glue them to the paper too. I'm sure they'll be scrapping before I know it. :)

Are you going to see Breaking Dawn this weekend?! Can't wait!!