Cool Cat

I said I needed to fill my card rack and I took myself seriously!  I have been on a card making roll!  I have some customers who will buy multiple cards at a time and plus the convenience of having cards already made when occasions come up is a huge advantage.

I'm leaning towards making card sets to see if anyone is interested in them.  This particular card is from one of those sets.  It's a retro theme with images from my Nifty Fifties Cricut cartridge.  These cuts are so cute and the font is pretty great too.  It's one of my favorite Cricut cartridges.

I'm linking this card on the Bitten by the Bug 2 Cricut challenge site.  The theme is retro and this card fits the theme.  Click here to get there.  Although I believe I use my Cricut often, I hope to follow lots of challenges from this site to push myself to use cuts I wouldn't normally use.

I'm normally not a cat person, but this is one cool cat!

Scraps No More...Cards Galore! (WOYWW 382)

Like most scrapbookers/cardmakers, I keep all my paper scraps.  I keep my scraps separate by color in large ziplock baggies.  After awhile those baggies were getting too full so I actually had to toss some of the smaller pieces out.  Now I try to be realistic on what size scraps to keep.  BUT as you can imagine, the baggies still get pretty full.

When I'm at a scrapbook retreat or crop, I try really hard not to keep my scraps. So what do I do with them?  I make cards!

Here are four cards I started at the Katie's World Weekend Crop.  I only did the bases but added the "pretties" this past weekend.

I love how these turned out!  I purchased the bride stamp about three years ago from the Scrapbook Expo but this is the first time I used it.  LOVE IT!!!  Since the image is very simple, I just put touches of watercolor on it and a lot of white and clear Wink of Stella for sparkle.

The flowers were colored two different ways.  One with Real Red re-inker and a waterbrush and the other with alcohol markers.  I did not like the way they looked so I randomly put little black dots and some highlights.  Now I do.  I like the "watercolored" flowers best.  One card I embellished with a variety of washi tapes and the other with some gold metallic thread.  Pretty, pretty!

After making the cards, I will toss the remaining scraps if any.  Gasp!  I know!  For some reason it's easier to toss the scraps when I'm at a crop than when I'm home.  But it gets pretty ridiculous to keep all scraps...right?!?

I received this gorgeous Thank You card from Lynne who I "met" via WOYWW.  I love this card and it is hanging proudly in the Command Center.  Go to Lynne's blog HERE.  She sent a Thank  You card for sending her some hollyhock seeds.

Click on over to the Stamping Ground to join up with the other WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday) linkers.  We are a group of artists/crafters that show off our desks every Wednesday.  

Aloha! DTC #20

No, I'm not in Hawaii or anywhere tropical but I recently made this cute little tote bag to hold a raffle prize for work.

Every so often I'll do a raffle with my coworkers and of course I have to decorate the package. Most times it's a cute tag, but this time, I made this cute little tote:

Something like this is just perfect for small gifts and even treat bags for a party.  It was so easy to create.  Easy directions are below.  I used old, old, old patterned paper from Flair that I had in my stash to decorate the tote.  I cut out two of these tropical panels from the paper and adhered them to the inked up tote; added a premade tag and viola!  Easy Peasy!

Click on over to Decorate to Celebrate challenge site and link your project.  If you don't have a project of your own, take a look at what the DT came up with and the linkers.  I am always inspired by them whether its a color choice, technique or just the humor we crafters share.

How to make this easy tote?  Start with an 8 1/2 x 10 piece of cardstock; On the 8 1/2" side, score at 1 1/2" and 7"; flip and score on the 10" side at 4" and 6"; Cut slits at those score lines (on the 10" side) but stop where they intersect to create the flaps (two slits on each site); Add ribbon handles, decorate, fold and adhere. (NOTE:  I wrapped the ribbon around the tote, but you can also use brads and just attach them to the front & back)
Pretty simple!


Don't forget to share your project on the Decorate to Celebrate site!

My VIDA Designs - A Fashion Show

I'm loving the clothing line with my designs.  Just the fact that the labels have my signature and hometown are enough to make it super cool!  I did a little selfie fashion show and actually liked the photos.  Some of the blouses are my mom's so they are not my size, but I hope you can see how amazing they are!

Click on the VIDA button to the right or HERE to get to my collection.  There are some great designs and styles for everyone!

FUN!!

Katie's World 12 Year Anniversary Crop

We did it!  We Cropped 'til We Dropped!

We met a lot of really, really nice ladies.  I learned how to use the Cricut Explore Air, finished a lot of layouts and even started a cute mini Disney scrapbook.

Unfortunately, photos of our "while you were in the hospital" adventure were not printed correctly so I need to return them to Walgreens.  I was so surprised since I always get my pictures printed there and they always do a great job. 

Here's a quick video flip through of the pages I completed:

Definitely a crop worth going to.  Katie has many crops so we'll try to go to more in the future.  She's a great young host and store owner.  We enjoyed our time and felt very welcome by all.

Katie has a lot of cute Disney layouts and amazing mini scrapbooks.  Wow!  I mean, WOW!  If you live near Stockton, CA, they are worth checking out.  She also has a Facebook page; Katie's World.


Fall is here and I am so excited!  It rained yesterday with temperatures in the 70's but today it's supposed to shoot back up to the 90's.  That's ok...as long as it cools down in the evenings.  :)

WOYWW #381

Hello Wednesday!
Last weekend, we went to a 3-day crop so now the Command Center is a huge mess as I try to put things back and unpack my rolling tote.  At the crop, we received two goodie bags so I also need to go through and put these things away.

Oh, the struggle!  LOL  I act like this is a chore when you know we just love going through our stashes and imagine all the cool things we're going to create. 

Photos of my messy room (what else is new):

Click on over to the Stamping Ground site and visit other linkers around the world.  We all do an Open House to our work areas, desks, rooms.  Find some inspiration or what the heck, just be nosey!


Have an amazing week!

Read All About It; Stamp Prints

Happy Friday!  Carly and I are on our way to a 3-Day Crop at Katie's World in Stockton, CA.  Even though I have the Command Center to scrapbook anytime I want, I just haven't found the time!  So, we packed up our rolling totes and are dragging ourselves a few towns over to JUST DO IT! 
I'm so excited!  I'll post photos next week of the finished layouts. 
GOAL = crank 'em out!!
Last week I was notified by Lilian from Stamp Prints that I am featured on her blog this week.  I just recently became a Guest Designer for her.  This came by way of the Design Team assignment at Decorate to Celebrate.  Stamp Prints is a regular sponsor there and once a month, I get to play with a digi stamp of my choice from her collection.

Read all about the Guest Designer post here: Stamp Prints

And then check out her blog.  She has a variety of digi stamps for all of your projects.  I know I'm having fun with them!
It's funny, I never really liked digi stamps, but they are slowly finding a place on my craft table.

Have a crafty weekend!!

Cards in the Sea

I am in love with these cards!! I made the background (coloring pages) using digi stamps from Stamp Prints.  This is the Under the Sea set.

I created these cards for the Decorate to Celebrate challenge site - Challenge #19.  This challenge is sponsored by Stamp Prints.  I didn't want to make a regular card so I stepped out the box making the digis into a "coloring page" and even made some charms using Shrinky Dinks.  Took these cards up to the WOW Factor!

I have been holding out on the whole coloring book for adults frenzy.  I just can't wrap my head around coloring...I mean, who has the time?  If I'm coloring, it's going to be for a specific project.  BUT...some of these pages are so amazing!  LOL. I still haven't bought any, but the idea behind these cards is similar.  I made the digis very small and covered an entire page with them.  I colored the images in using water-color pencils.  Then I used blue watercolor paint to fill in between.

I sprayed some white acrylic paint and pearl glimmer mist all over; cut in four pieces.  I used a combination of Wink of Stella, gold metallic thread, silver & gold washi tapes, and doilies.

Be sure to head over to the Decorate to Celebrate challenge site to join the fun!

September 11

I overhead my brother-in-law speaking to my niece about September 11 and what happened on that day back in 2001 and I thought to myself, oh my, there are people who don't know about that tragic event.  Of course she didn't, she was way too young.  It's crazy that something so powerful could be something that future generations are going to read about and learn just like we all do on other historical events.

What were you doing on that day?  I remember getting ready to go to work and I never watch tv in the morning.  For some reason, I decided to turn on the morning news.  And they had a stream of photos of the first airplane crash.  Then as I was watching they had a live feed of the second one.  At that time, everyone was speculating on it and still unsure if it was intensional or accident.  On the way to work, I continued to listen to the news and by the time I reached work, everyone was in tears, sick to our stomachs and in shock.  I don't think there was much work going on that day.  What a crazy time as we listened to the president speak, watched Ground Zero and viewed all those photos and horrifying videos.  Unbelievable.  Shocking.  Sad and Scary!  Our lives and way of living was going to change.  Thankfully, I did not lose family or friends, but we still shed many tears.

I do remember the amazing feeling of patriotism all over.  The need to think of your fellow man versus ourselves.  Lots of flags being shown, flown and visible everywhere.  It was pretty cool!  Everyone was proud to be an American.

Things have changed a lot - some good, some bad, but change for sure.  Hugs and prayers for those who lost someone and mourn on this Day of Rememberance.

WOYWW #379

WOYWW:
My work area is a mess!  Well, let me re-phrase...it's a wonderful assortment of crafting supplies and tools showcasing my love of all things artsy!  Better?!?

How I find a space to work always surprises me.  But I always do.  I'm sure most of you can relate.

On my desk this week is an assortment of card making supplies.  I'm on a roll with my mop up sheets and gelli plate prints. I'm still perfecting the process of gelli printing - if there's such a thing, but I am definitely having fun!

Photos of some of the prints:

Thanks to Lisa of Bloom Arts for sending me an 8x10 plate.  It was such a nice and greatly appreciated surprise.  I love it!!

Settle into your favorite comfy chair, grab something to eat/drink then head over to Stamping Ground to visit other work desks on the WOYWW challenge site.  Check out what others around the world are working on and leave a comment or two.  You will be inspired!

Remember those little chipboard squares I had on my desk a few weeks back?  Here are a couple of cards using them.  The jelly fish are a digi stamp from Stamp Prints.

Close ups:

 This one was one of the gelli prints for the background.

 This one is a mop up sheet and a solid stamp (Bloom Art Stamps) and sentiment (CTMH)

 Another mop up sheet and layers of washi tape.

I purposely stamped the background stamp and just layered the elements.

Here they are all matted and attached to card bases.  Love!

Products Used:  cardstock; background stamp with metallic ink; chipboard square; washi tapes, assorted sprays/paint for background; watercolor pencils; Wink of Stella pen; thread; stamp; dimensional tape.

ICADS Completed! Now What?!?

Whew!  There were times I didn't think I'd get through it and other times I couldn't get enough, but I'm so glad I fell upon this challenge site and so glad I saw it through.

Oh what fun it is to do a little something creative each day!  It was pretty cool pushing myself to just go for it.  Rubber Paws' stamps sure did save me a lot on these prompts.  I used stamps I haven't used since they have been gifted to me. Read more about Rubber Paws by clicking on her label to the right.

I used the MISTI a lot during this time as well.  WOW!  Is it the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented?  Yes, I'll vote yes.  Especially when stamping on a warped surface.  I loved being able to multi-stamp an image knowing the placement is perfect each time.

Photos of all 61 index cards:

Now what?!?

Some are making their way onto card fronts, others are being put on my VIDA collections clothing line (see below) and others will be matted and framed.


Crystal Prompt # 36 before the giraffe's were added

Longitude/Latitude Prompt #41

Sunflower Prompt#35

I know most will be in a container in the Command Center, but that's ok too.  I think it'll be pretty cool to look back at them from time to time.  

ICADS Week 8 & 9

Prompt #54 Aquarium

Prompt #55 Olympics - geez...did I draw the circles right? 

Prompt #56 Texture or Text (first photo is my first take.  I kept thinking, I don't really like this...so I drew these diamond shapes and then painted the rest with white acrylic paint.  I just started adding some gelatos until I liked what I ended up with.

What a big difference.  But I definitely like version two better.

Week 9:
Prompt #57 Stickers - love Suzy's Zoo!

Prompt #58 Graffiti

Prompt #59 Tic Tac Toe - gettin' a little loony

Prompt #60 Sorbet

Prompt #61 Path

DAISY YELLOW comes up with the prompts during the months of June and July.  There are 61 prompts to get you through the summer.  It's not a hard rule that you must do these during the summer months, as you can tell since I started in July.  It's meant to be fun and inspiring.  I do have to say there were times where I thought, I'm done, but glad I completed all 61 prompts.  Click on the ICAD label to the right to see all my contributions.  Look for another post soon with my final thoughts and projects using the completed cards.