Guesting at CropStop!

So sorry for the lack of content and cricket sounds emanating from this space as of late.  A wicked virus grabbed hold of me and shook me hard and didn't want to leave.  :(  I'm finally on the upswing, although seasonal allergies have arrived with the lovely weather we have had this last week.  Its always something, right?  I'm not complaining, just explaining.  :)  Life is good, as always. 

 

 

I have had the good fortune to be asked to be a Guest Designer at Crop Stop! What an amazing online store!  If you have a minute and might need some crafting goodies head over and take a look!

 

 

I went outside my normal comfort zone for this project.  I made a canvas.  I know, right? But don't worry, it is still simple in style and technique.  I was given this beautiful bird stencil from The Crafters Workshop to play with. 

 

 

Whenever I see stencil I think embossing paste.  I was worried that the birds had to much little detail that might get lost, but it worked better than I'd hoped!  Here is the completed canvas.

 

 

To see how I completed it, please visit the Crop Stop blog.  :) 

 

 

The embossing paste dries shiny so it is a nice contrast to the matte base of the canvas.

 

I found this nest at JoAnns last fall.  To adhere it to the canvas I cut it in half and liberally applied Crafters Pick The Ultimate glue and waited patiently for it to dry. 

 

 

 

And what project of mine would be complete without some SRM sticker sentiments?  They blend seamlessly onto the somewhat bumpy background!


Happy Friday friends!  Its great to be back.  :)



 



{april card} MSW

Ive been a part of the My Sketch World community for almost 3 years now and I just love it there.  :)  Lucy not only creates wonderful sketches for us to play with, but has created a warm friendly crafting environment for the MSW members.  If you have ever wondered about a message board or are looking to join like minded crafters, come check us out!

 

Here is this month's Card Sketch.  It's a beauty!

 

Lucy encourages us to make the sketch our own.

Here's my card.

 

Celebrate Today

 

 

Love these Teresa Collins papers so much.  :)

 

MSW has monthly card and layout challenges and we would love to see you come round and visit. 

 

Happy Tuesday, friends!



{srm-pencil frame}

SRM is now carrying pencils for special occasions! Currently Pencil Sentiments for Graduation, Birthdays and July 4th are available!  My project is up on the blog today!  I got to play with the Graduation pencils.  Lucky me, because I have a 2013 Grad in the house! 

 

I picked up an unfinished wood frame at Michaels.  I bought a couple boxes of #2 pencils at the dollar store.  I used Crafter's Pick The Ultimate glue to adhere them and not one pencil came off when my neighbor used his fancy saw to trim it for me! That stuff is awesome!  :)  I should have taken a before picture-it looked very hap-hazard!

 

 

*photo credit: Julie Laakso of JCL Portraits

 

I added a grosgrain ribbon around the outer edge of the frame and added the sentiments from the Graduation Stickers by the Dozen onto it.

 

 

A couple dollars and an hour and you have a great table topper for your grad!

 

Happy Monday, friends!

 



{round & round we go}

It's my turn on the Just Imagine Crafts blog today.  :)  All 3 boys are home from school this week for spring break and we have 2 birthdays in the next 3 days so I kept things very simple.  I found a terrific sketch and put my Circle Cutter to work!

 

(sketch by Becky Fleck of Pagemaps)

 

We love our cat, Lucky.  He is our first pet, he owns us. :)  He loves having his picture taken.  He loves to play fetch.  He might be part dog.  This is one of my favorite photos of him.

 

It took me longer to figure out which papers to use than it did to cut those 7 circles out with the Just Imagine Crafts Circle Cutter!  So easy.  So small.  Change the size up in a matter of seconds.  You can see it in use on this demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyKtfA9PMWY

 

 

It's Brian's birthday today! 

 



 

 Pizza, cake and cousins. Doesn't get much better than that! :) 

 



{strips}

Happy Easter. friends.  :)  The bunny hopped through our house and left some chocolate covered peeps that I couldn't get enough of.  :)

 

At the last minute I remembered Card in Envy had a challenge ending tonight!  The challenge was to use paper strips instead of ribbon.  I remembered a flower I had made out of ribbon and decided to make it out of paper for this challenge.  I made it somewhat on the fly and might have considered changing the wood grain paper if I had allowed myself more time.  Procrastination, anyone?  Yes please. ;)

 

Thank You

 

 

Can you believe it is April 1st tomorrow?  I cant.  My boys are home for spring break, let the tomfoolery begin!  :)



{punch happy}

It is feeling a lot more like spring here in Michigan!  Warmer temps and sun make me a happy gal!  The flip flops are already out.  :)  It's Friday and that means I'm up on the Just Imagine Crafts blog today.

 

I have for you a pretty spring thank you card.  Simple, as always.  I used the amazing and easy to use Circle Cutter and the Kreaxions 4in 1 Punch #916 to make it.

 

Additional product: McGill Mini Heart Punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, MME papers, SRM Sticker sentiments, DMC floss, brad.

 

The "grass" is from the throwaway piece of the Kreaxions punch. I couldn't find a place for the sentiment to make me happy so I used the smallest sentiments I could find from the SRM We've got Your Borders Thank You set and added them to the leaves. 

 

 



 

I'm playing along with the Moxie Fab World blog Chevron Challenge.  Hope you get a chance to play along too!

Happy Friday, friends and happy punching!



{happy spring} and a winner!

**the winner for the MSW Card Blog Hop is:

toniMarch 15, 2013 at 9:56 AM

Your card is unique, as you are :) Beautifully done with your added creative twist. BTW, I'm lovin' your little definition of yourself...too cute.

Congrats Toni!



While I'm waiting for spring to arrive in Michigan (we have had snow every day since the official start of spring) I thought I would try to coax it along with a spring project!  :)

 

 

It is my day on the Just Imagine Crafts blog today.  I got to play with a beautiful butterfly die and got my Big Shot out for the first time ever.  :)

 

I used the Kreaxions 4 in1 punch #903 (flowers) to make an eyelet effect on my butterfly.

 

 

After die cutting the butterfly I folded it in half at the body wing to wing without making a severe crease.  I then punched as much as I could to get the lace effect.  I then unfolded it and folded it carefully at each wing and punched as much as I could.  When I was done I moved the punch around and got any un-punched areas. 

 

 

I then used that same punch for a border on a piece of card stock.  I sewed this to a piece of pattern paper to form the insert for my SRM tube. 

 

 

The finishing touches are the bling on both the butterfly middle and top, the SRM spring sentiment and the little flower on the top.

 

 

 



Happy Spring

 

Happy Friday, friends!





{happy st. paddy's day}

MSW Card Hop is here. Last day to leave a comment for a chance to win!  :)

 

 

Today it is the DT Reveal over at Just Imagine Crafts blog! If you get a chance pop over and see all of the projects from the DT.  Our theme was St. Patrick's Day/Green.  I had the whole rainbow and gold thing stuck in my head and after a couple failed attempts at a card, finally came up with this.

 

 

You Are the Gold at the End of My Rainbow

 

Using Kreaxions 4 in 1 Punch #903 (flowers) with insert A I punched a rainbow of colored carstock (remember ROY G. BIV?).  I cut them into 3/4" strips and backed them all on one sheet of white paper (this makes adhering it to the tube much easier!) I ran the whole thing through my Xyron and then wrapped it around the SRM tube.

 

 

An SRM sticker sentiment and clover finish off the top.  I added some Twinery Twine between each color for some texture. I used a roll of Rolos candy to provide the "gold" at the end of the rainbow.  :)

 

Here is the punched detail up close-isn't it beautiful?

 

Whatever you do to celebrate today, I hope you get more kisses than pinches!

 





{msw card blog hop} with Just Imagine Crafts

Welcome to the My Sketch World Card Hop!

 

I have loved Lucy's sketches for a very long time!  I'm happy to be part of a wonderful drama free board filled with creative woman from all over the world!  I love being a Card Designer at My Sketch World! 

 

 

Here is the terrific sketch Lucy gave us to work with:

 

 

Here is my card, Be Unique

 

 

As you can see I rotated the sketch to the left 1 turn.  I used the Just Imagine Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch # 310 without any inserts for the border (I cut off the top punched part as I only wanted the border).  I love that the X pattern in the paper repeats on the punched border!

 

So, about that hop.  :)  Start at the My Sketch World blog and visit each of the designer's blogs.  Leave a comment at each blog and you will be in the running for a $20 GC to your choice of online store!  I will be drawing for a RAK from the comments I receive.  All comments must be made by midnight PST, March 17th.

 

Here is the line-up: (be sure to leave 2 comments on the MSW blog!)

 



My Sketch World Blog http://mysketchworld.blogspot.com/
Scarlett Salamone (Inspiration Blog Designer) http://scarlettsscrapoirs.blogspot.com/
Debbie Lacy http://scrapenabler.blogspot.com/
Karen Zabuska http://www.calmcreations.blogspot.com/
Lisa Moen http://www.lisasscrappyhideaway.blogspot.com/
Majo Wybranietz http://majos-art.blogspot.com/
Jan Tatomir http://www.jantatomir.blogspot.com/   ->  you are here
My Sketch World Blog http://mysketchworld.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks so very much for joining the My Sketch World Card Designers on this hop! 

Have a wonderful weekend!





{loves me a challenge}

In my spare time (?) this week I managed to make a couple cards for challenges.  The first is for my friend Majo's challenge at My Sketch World.  Her challenge this month was to make an Easter card.  Here is what I came up with.

 

Chocolate Bunny

 

 

Complete with a mini pom tail made out of Twinery Twine.

 

 

The second card I made is for a fairly new challenge site called, Cards in Envy. My friend, Karen is a DT member there.  The challenge is to use this sketch.

 

 

The rules for every challenge is to make a card that wont require any extra postage.  So it can't have any bulky elements on it.  Here is my take.

 

 

I couldn't get the sentiment to look right spread across the entire card so I offset it at the bottom with a doily and SRM label sticker. 

 

The upper corner are SRM border stickers.

 

 

The Card Envy challenge ends on the 17th and the MSW challenges go to the end of the month if you would like to join in on the fun!

 

Happy Saturday, friends!

 



{punched invites}

I'm up on the Just Imagine Crafts blog today.  I made a very simple wedding invitation with the help of this punch.

 

It is the Kreaxions Cross Punch #919. Such a beautiful design!

 

 

I printed the wedding information onto a piece of pattern paper and used insert C to punch the bottom corners.  I layered this onto a piece of vellum. 

 

 

I used insert A to punch a border with a piece of coordinating paper.  I only wanted the scallop at the bottom so I cut it away and added it to another piece of the same paper and placed it at the top of the invitation. 

 

 

I placed the invitation into an SRM glassine envelope and resisted the urge to over do the embellishing.  I simply crossed a pretty piece of grosgrain ribbon across the front.

 

 

Happy Friday, friends!  Be happy.  :)

 



 

 



{pebbles love}

I just adore the Family Ties line from Pebbles.  It has the blues and yellow color combination that I love with some pretty green thrown in.  I love the patterns, especially the scaled down patterns in the 6x6 pad- a card makers delight!  :)

 

It just so happens that my LSS, Scrappy Chic, has a monthly challenge and for this month it is to create a project using Pebbles.  How could I resist? 

 

I made this card:  Thanks

Paper: Pebbles, Bird Embellishments: Doodle Bug, Stickers: SRM

 

I really love those SRM stitches stickers!  The letters are from a big sentiment which I cut up into individual letters - so easy!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by- I'm hoping you have found your happy today!



Happy Brr-thday!

I'm very excited to be joining the Design Team from Just Imagine Crafts!  If you have visited my blog before you might already know this; I love punches.  :)  Technology and I have a tenuous relationship so I appreciate the simple hard working punch- Ive had a Slice and just never fell in love with it and am toying with the idea of a Silhouette now but will never give up my punches!  :) 

 

Just Imagines Kreaxions 4 in 1 punches are fabulous! One punch, 3 inserts- so many possibilities! Be sure to visit the blog for daily inspiration and occasional tutorials!

 

 

Here is the card I made for my first DT posting. 

 

I used the Snowflake 4 in 1 punch (#312) with insert A for the snowflakes on the woven mat and C for the double snowflake corners.  So easy!

 

 

 

 

I used the super easy circle cutter to trim the mat I made for behind the mini embroidery hoop.  A "punny" SRM sentiment sticker completes my card.  :)  Im happy to link this card to The Paper Girls Challenge blog, challenge #27 Snowflakes!

 

Happy Tuesday, friends!

 

 



 



{happy}

I am so thrilled to be in the top 16 in the card contest at Practical Scrappers!  This week we had this photo to inspire us to make a card for a boy/man.

 

I was inspired by the patterns in the beautiful quilt.

 

Here is my card.  You Make Me Happy

 



 

I made this for my DH, it was our 20th anniversary yesterday.  :)  I have to say that I just adore the "moustache" trend!  I love this Pebbles paper too!

 

If you have a minute, please go over to Practical Scrappers and vote for your favorite card!

 

Happy Friday, friends!



(cards)

Nothing like a card contest to get the previously flat-lined mojo going again!  :)  Practical Scrappers is hosting a month long contest and I have made it through 2 cuts!  To enter the contest we had to submit a Valentine/Love card. 

 

Love this cute monster.

 

Our second card was a birthday card using polka dots.

 

This is one of my favorite color combinations ever.  I adore that floral Pebbles paper.  I found the felt flowers on clearance at Michael's.  I sprayed the large doily with Tattered Angels Chalkboard Glimmer Mist and then layered a large SRM Fancy Birthday Sentiment sticker on a small white doily.  I have to say, in real life the colors are more muted, I just couldn't get it to show on the photograph.  I used a Page Maps card sketch. 

 

If you get a chance, check out all 20 cards and vote your favorites!

 

It is a snow day here for us, the boys are very happy about it!  :)  Thinking about my friends on the east coast-stay safe!

 

Happy Friday, friends!



{silver, stitches & srm}

I {heart} SRM. 

 

SRM sticker sentiments changed the way I crafted. They made making cards so much easier for me.  I'm not a stamper.  I used a lot of rub ons and a lot of Thickers, but

that was very limiting. My friend, Val used a sentiment on one of her projects and I was hooked.  I found them at my LSS along with a tube and made my first project. 

 

Fast forward a year later and I'm on their Design Team - crazy.  And in the blink of an eye my term has ended.  :(  Who knew a year could go by so fast.  I worked with an amazing and talented team of ladies.  Susan has some fabulous things planned for SRM this year - I'm thrilled for her!  She is a wonderful sticker ambassador. 

 

Here is my final DT project.  I altered a picture frame for a Silver Anniversary gift.  I used stickers from the new wedding sets of Stickers By The Dozen, Labels By The Dozen and We've Got Your Border along with the black Sticker Stitches. 

 

 

Thanks for sharing my SRM journey with me this year! 

 

Happy Friday, friends!