It Was a Card Making Party Weekend!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you are looking for the Creative Blog Tour,
visit my earlier post HERE.  (Then come back here, okay??)

This weekend, I participated in as many challenges as possible in the Operation Write Home Virtual Card Making Party.  My Priority Box of cards is almost filled and ready to send on to OWH!

Here are the cards I completed for some of the challenges!

Make a masculine card and a feminine card duo: 

Add "fireworks" to the card (like splatters and sprays):

 Make a red, white and blue card:

Add paper piecing:

(I have to say that I am quite happy with this one! Usually I do not have the patience for fussy cutting, but I was determined to do this challenge.  I even found apple brads in my stash to add to the tree!)

Use scraps (at least 5 different papers) for a card:

(This card has layering on black, which I know Sandy loves!) 

A card with at least one circle and two banners:

(The monochromatic look just happened.)

And lastly, a card including "wings":

Off to do my links and add these to the OWH box!  What did you accomplish this weekend??

Monthly Wrap-Up: Scrapbook and Card Layout Share with the "Chairs" Color Kit!

This bright and summery kit from The Memory Nest was a delight to work with this month!  In order to show you everything, please watch the YouTube video below.  I wrap-up the month by showing the layouts completed and highlighted on The Memory Nest blog as a Design Team Member (most layouts have their own process videos on YouTube) in addition to some Graduation cards!

Visit The Memory Nest to get this kit for your summer layouts -- it's only $9.99 -- while supplies last! 

Throwback Thursday - Using Authentique "Renew"

Time for another Throwback Thursday!

This week I used up a 6 x 6" paper pad by Authentique called "Renew" along with it's accompanying 12 x 12" sticker sheet.  This collection is probably over a year old, but I remember liking it so well because of the combination of the aqua and yellow:

This post is a little photo heavy, so if you want a quicker version, you can watch it here on YouTube.  Otherwise, keep on scrollin'! 

First, I'll show you the three layouts that I was able to complete. In my stash I had matching aqua cardstock, which I layered on black cardstock.  The only other items I used  from my stash were some old Prima flowers I needed to use up, brads and buttons:

With so much paper and stickers, I finished five cards as well!  Two "Get Well", two "Miss You" (those are going into the Operation Write Home box!) and one other encouragement card.  From my stash I added more Prima flowers, buttons, twine, brads and bling:

 

Time for you to "Dream Big" by digging out a 6 x 6" paper pad this week that you haven't used!  See what you can accomplish this week?

Card Making Process: Cute and Simple Card using RSVP!

Happy Saturday!  Today I just wanted to share another birthday themed projects that I completed with the Basic Grey "RSVP" collection:

Inspiration Series: Scavenger Scrapbooking!

Welcome to my a new blog series to kick off 2014!

January is always my month to set goals and to rethink ways in which I can save money in the family budget. To help with this, I select two months of the year in which I do a total "scrap fast."  A "scrap fast" is my name for going the entire month without spending any money towards scrapbooking or cardmaking supplies. Gulp. It is definitely one of the hardest things to do (besides working out!) but it also forces encourages me to use what I have in my stash. (Kinda like a self-inflicted challenge!)

This month is one of my chosen "scrap fast" months. Because December is usually such a great time to find spectacular crafting deals, I too indulge in a little Merry-Christmas-to-Me shopping.  Scheduling a "scrap fast" in January is not only helpful for the wallet, but it is a little easier when I already have some new things in my stash to use.

If you are in the same type of situation, or want to use this month to hold back on the craft spending, this series will be a unique way to have some fun while spending no money.  Ready for the challenge?

Each day during this series, I will challenge you find items in specific rooms in your home that you will use toward a scrapbook page layout.  Think of it as a new way to rejuvenate your scrapbooking mojo and get some layouts finished.

Once you have finished any of this series challenges, you are welcome to link your project below using Mr. Linky for future readers to get inspiration!  

LINK UP YOUR WEEK'S PROJECT HERE:

Card Making Process: Sending Texas-Size Wishes!

For today's post, I'm sending you "Texas-Size" Christmas Wishes with this adorable armadillo stamp from Texana Designs.  This stamp was a good excuse to break out of the traditional Christmas colors and try something a little more "Texan."

I am not sure that this stamp is offered anymore, but you can find all the other adorable holiday stamps at their Etsy shop HERE.

The stamping for this card was with Memento Tuxedo Black ink so I could complete some simple coloring with Bic Mark-It alcohol pens on watercolor paper. For the holly berries, I added Glossy Accents for some shine, and used a Sakura glitter pen to color over the star and the stocking fur.  The sentiment was designed on my computer, so I could make up the phrase I wanted to use.

TRIVIA:  I have yet to see a live armadillo here in Texas, although there have been some spotted in my neighborhood.  Even so, I am very partial to them. Sometimes I think they just get a bad rap.

Do you make untraditional holiday cards?  What have you tried?  Share in the comments below!

Card Making Process: Joy of a Challenge

This past week I have been finishing up my Christmas cards to send out, and to keep me going, I completed the latest Make It Monday Challenge over at The Memory Nest for fun!

This challenge really required me to think outside the box, especially since I wanted to twist it and use this opportunity to make another Christmas card.  Here is the challenge:

Since I'm playing for fun, I "cheated" just a little by taking one word as my title.  The second sketch is what I used to make my card:

The paper was from a BoBunny collection from a couple years ago; I just love the bright, happy colors!  As for using an item from my office supplies, I used a coordinating circle paper clip that is hooked on the inside of the card (not seen here).  

Do you have all your Christmas cards mailed yet?  How many do you send each year?

There is still time to link up to Leslie's "Make it Monday" challenge!  Your participation gives you eligibility in the monthly giveaway!

Card Making Process: Use Sketch; Repeat!

Okay, Card Makers -- did you have a productive Saturday for World Card Making Day?  I feel as though I did, even though the day afternoon was broken up by having to drive to an away game for my youngest son's soccer league. However, I didn't mind because it was a beautiful weekend here in Texas!  We are finally cooling off so it can feel like fall.

Although I was productive with card making on Saturday, the day didn't start out with much creativity.  My goal was to make several cards to keep in my stash that was depleted, but the ideas just weren't coming, despite the fact that I pulled out several different 6"x 6" pads and other printed paper that I wanted to use.

After some time of fussing, I looked at Pagemaps.com.  Becky's sketches always seem to create a spark, and I hoped it would this time too.  This is a sketch from the September 2013 Cardmaps:  

Because I had so much pattern paper I wanted to use, this sketch offered ideas for layering different paper.  

The first card with this sketch turned out well.

After this card, I was stuck again.  Instead of looking for another sketch and starting over, I decided to reuse the sketch since I was pleased how the first card evolved.

Now I was on a roll, so I completed a couple more:  

And finally, one more with a twist:  

Even though I used the same sketch, with a variety of paper and stamps, I was still able to complete five different cards.

Do you use the same sketch more than once? Leave your comments below!

Card Making Process: Cards from World Card Making Day 2013!

It's another World Card Making Day, and in celebration, I am sharing five different fall themed cards that I  made from the "Feels Like Home" collection from Little Yellow Bicycle:

The last three cards were made with the Bazzill card stock color "quicksand."  I used left over printed paper, stickers and chipboard pieces from the Feels Like Home collection that I got from The Memory Nest store. 

Are you planning to make cards today?  As I finish any other cards and/or challenges, I will be sure to share them here.  I have been digging in my paper to find collections that I want to use up and build up my card stash again.  What card themes will you make today?

Throwback Thursday: Fact or Fiction by Basic Grey

More cards for this week's Throwback Thursday!

Basic Grey always seems to be my "go to" when I want inspiration for cards.  I loved the versatility of the Fact or Fiction collections!  Here are a couple cards that have color schemes appropriate for autumn occasions:

Again, I love the versatility of this paper! This first card is elegant, even though the entire paper selection of this collection may seem to have a more "fun-loving style."  

Finally, this second card is a little mixture of both, a more classic style but with some fun, modern embellishments with the "Smile" stamp and others from this Basic Grey collection.

What "throwback" collection are you using this week?  

Throwback Thursday: What's Up Collection by Basic Grey

Have you ever taken the time to go through your stash and get inspired by something that you forgot that you had?  That happens to me a lot, which is why I always tend to "play" in my supplies when I am in a creative slump. The latest result was finding a paper pad from Basic Grey, perfect for cards!

These two cards use a kraft cardstock for the base, printed patterns for the card fronts, punches and a couple gems and ribbon for the other embellishments.  The insides of the cards are also decorated with some patterned paper.  

I love how these two cards turned out!  I have so many of these vellum sayings in my stash, and I can never find a good way to use them.  Two of the sentiments were perfect for this themed paper, so I decided to go with  3-1/2" x 6-1/4" cards, layering the vellum for a special effect.  With this patterned paper, there really isn't any need for additional embellishment!  

Again, I used matching paper from the paper pad to decorate the inside of the cards to give them that extra-finished look.  These cards will fit in the #6-3/4 (3-5/8" x 6-1/2") business envelopes, which you can find in most any office supply store.  My local OfficeMax is where I purchased a box of 100, which will last me quite a long time.  Maybe I should make this size more often!

What card size do you use the most when making cards?  What size would you like to try? 

Scrapbooking Process Video: 6 x 6 Paper for 12 x 12 Layouts

After organizing all our family's digital photos in one place, you can imagine that I found some real treasures.  The below layout is now one of my new favorites.  My hubby was trying out a new lens back when Josh was three years old, and these are a couple of the photos that came from that little mini photo session.

For this layout, I used three 6 x 6" sheets from an old Sassafrass pad. This pad had so many bold and crazy prints, but I was determined to challenge myself!  I chose a striped pattern and pieced them together on black cardstock, leaving a "hole" for two photos and embellished around them.

The video this week shares some of my tips on how to use 6x6 papers for your full page layouts:




Bonus projects:

With this same paper pad, I finished a card using a Tim Holtz Sizzix die for the card edge and some flower stickers from my stash.  A great card for one of my cool, hippy-type friends:

Finally, a "junk" layout -- using wilder patterns and a variety of miscellaneous diecuts and handmade embellishments from my stash that I wanted to use up.  I suppose you could call this one "eclectic":

I am sharing my creations this week at:

http://thememorynest.blogspot.com/2013/06/whimsical-wednesday-6-share-layouts-and.html

How can you challenge yourself today with 6x6 paper?

Card Making Process: Embellishments with Punch

TIP:  Get your money's worth by using small punches to make embellishments for your cards!

A special friend has a birthday tomorrow, and hubby and I are taking her out to lunch today.  Even though she is a card maker herself, I know that she will surely appreciate a handmade card from a friend!

Here is the one that she will get today:

This card was actually made using all scrap papers.  After adding the flowers and ribbon, I knew that it needed a little extra something.  To stay with the feminine theme of the card, I used my butterfly and heart punches to make embellishments.  It's simple, sweet, and easy to do with matching paper scraps.  

TIP:  While supplies are out, make another card right away to keep in your stash and use up the scraps.

After the first card, I realized I had enough to make another card, which I did right away to keep in my stash.  

I also entered this in the Whimsical Wednesday post over at The Memory Nest.  

Question for today:  Do you make birthday cards as you need them?  Or do you keep several in your "stash"?  

Pin-Made Creations: Card Share!

Pinterest is great, but if you are just "pinning" crafts and not "doing" them, you are really missing out!  This weekend I completed four cards where the inspiration came from pins.  Below are photos of my cards, with links to the pins.  Please check out the original cards too!  Their work is awesome (which, of course, is why I pinned it!)

Card #1:

Pin:  http://pinterest.com/pin/37576978113373326/ from
www.stamp-n-paradise.blogspot.com

This card has lots of purple, but the white embossed background on the original card just didn't look quite right on my card, so I went with this one, with a lighter bow.  The Bluebonnet stamp is from Texana Designs.

Card #2:

Pin:  http://pinterest.com/pin/37576978113446835/  from
www.workinprogress-am.blogspot.com

So simple and classic -- and I needed a baby card for next week!

Card #3:

Pin:  http://pinterest.com/pin/37576978113446990/ 

from www.splitcoaststampers.com

The original card had a lovely blue with the yellow, and this is the only paper I could find to simulate it.

Not sure if I like it or not.  Please look at the original and let me know what you think I should change!

Card #4:

Pin:  http://pinterest.com/pin/37576978112081023/

from www.pinkbuckaroodesigns.blogspot.com

This is probably my favorite of the four; loved how it turned out,
and the original was so darn cute, I had to give this one a try.  

Have you remade a card from Pinterest yet?  If so, link up in the comments below so we can see!