Time for a bit of Inspiration!

Just a quick little post to provide some inspiration.

I've seen lots and lots of monthly scrapbooking kits on the web. Although some look really good in terms of content, I have not been tempted enough to make a purchase. That is until today.

Somehow I came across the Label Tulip webbie. Oh, what wonderful kits they have. They look so yummy. I was checking out their design team too - Tulip Girls - and I discovered that I link to one of them as a source of inspiration. That would be Sasha Farina of Collection of Memories. Love her work.

So although I did not sign up for order kits, I will be on the look out to see how they look. But I'm feeling like I might end up w/one in the next few months. I usually am uninterested because I think that there is too much stuff that I will not use. But that is the point too - to get you out of your comfort zone and doing something different.

Are there any kits that you have been checking out? Do share.

Looking for a Challenge?

And not just any challenge, but a Cuttlebug Challenge? Well, Trudi is on it. She's crazy about the Cuttlebug and she realizes that she is not alone.

She recently put out a call for a design team and I responded. Lucky me, I'm one of eight, not including Trudi, who's on the Cuttlebug Challenge Design Team.

We'll be using the Cuttlebug in all sorts of ways. I typically just make cards, but this could get me out of my comfort zone every now and then.

Challenges will be posted weekly on Wednesday's.

This is good stuff. I am trying to contain my excitement, but why ...? Let the fun run wild, right?

September Blog Hop

I'm way too excited about this month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. I have missed the last two. One because I was out of town and the other because I had absolutely no creative juice for what to do w/a cd case other than its initial use. Shame on me, eh? But I'm back, yes indeed!

So, here I am w/an actual idea and participation. My idea is not unique, as a matter of fact, I saw it on the Hero Arts Blog. I just love the idea of handmade book marks. I do a lot of reading, but you would not believe what I use as book marks: receipts, paper scraps, post it notes, torn pieces of newspapers, old bills or junk mail ... I could go on. How nice, to actually have a book mark for the purpose of marking my place in a book? So I've decided to give these to my reading group as an early holiday gift. There are only seven of us, so it's not a lofty project and of course, one for me as well.

The tree and the sentiment on the book mark are both $1 stamps from Michaels. For the stamped background, I used three different $1 stamps from Michaels that all say "Happy Holidays". Love that VersaMark look. And my seldom used colored pencils came in handy here.

As for the card, well, I've had that stamp- the trees - for some time. One of those wonderful $1 stamps from Michaels too. It looked so cute, like they usually do, but I've never used it. I got out my colored pencils here as well. Love that. I think I've used the Holiday Cheer stamp before. Maybe not. It's from Anna Griffin. Oh, and do you see the hint of Papertrey Ink Holiday Vintage paper? Yep, thanks Nichole for the free sample.

Enough gabbing, gotta hop around, right? Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Papertrey Ink
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamps: Michaels $1 = Katie & Co., Studio G and Oogaloo; Anna Griffin
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
colored pencils: EK Success and Loew-Cornell
circle punch: EK Success
other: sewing

Check out my Pea Profile on 2Peas

I'm being profiled on Two Peas in a Bucket today. Nice. Lots of fun making all those cute little cards too. I had a chance to use one of Making Memories newest lines - Noteworthy. Good stuff. I really like the journaling sheets.

Anyway, check it out if you get a chance:

September Pea Profiles Card Set
All of the Pea Profiles for September

Thanks for stopping by.

cps 83 :: Blog Hop Preview

Well, w/so much on my plate, I had to double dip at some point. I did have some fun w/this one. I had to go and pull out my trough of holiday patterned paper (made me decide right away that I can never purchase any more patterned paper - holiday or otherwise).

I do like this week's cps sketch so much. Thanks to Tami for hookin it up. Good stuff. Oh, and the Blog Hop Preview is that I used some of Papertrey Ink's most recent line of patterned paper - Holiday Vintage. Make sure you click the link to get the pdf and print it out for yourself.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Papertrey Ink and Creative Imaginations
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
circle punch: EK Success
stamp: Michaels $1 stamps/Studio G
embossing powder: Ranger
other: sewing

Thanks :: 2 Sketches 4 You

Another week, another 2 Sketches 4 You sketch. Love these. So many inspirational participants. I've tried to view all of the entries. I think I got through all of them once. Almost all of them twice, then I just lost count because I have to actually craft, right?

And craft, craft, craft is what's on the menu for this week. I have this week's CPS (Card Positioning Systems) sketch, then the Two Peas Profile on Thursday as well as PaperTrey Ink's Blog Hop. I also have little entry for a contest on the Hero Arts Blog. I actually have all those projects done. So I hope to work on some personal projects and calls for publication.

As for this week's 2S4Y card, I do like this baby. I managed to marry two different lines of patterned paper - Making Memories and Creative Imaginations. Nice.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and sticker sentiment: Bazzill
patterned paper: Making Memories and Creative Imaginations
chipboard (under the sticker sentiment): Making Memories
ribbon: Michaels and Offray
other: sewing

Did Someone Say "Holiday Cards"?

Yeah, I know that it's a bit soon to even think about the holidays. But no one told that to the folks over @ 2Peas. And I'm okay w/that. They've been presenting some holiday card making classes. Lots of goodies and tons of ideas. All in the name of getting you prepared well in advance. That theory could work too - you nip away at the card making week by week and the next thing you know, you are all done, your cards are in the mail and you are actually enjoying the holiday season ... it is indeed a theory.

Here are some of the other cards that I made.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
felt tree: Hobby Lobby
stamp: Oogaloo/Michaels/$1
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger
star: Darice

cps 82 cards

This week's CPS (Card Positioning Systems) sketch is/was quite simple. I don't have a sketch preference meaning lots of details or very little. I just interpret the way that I want to.

So the interpretation this week could not be contained to just one card; not for me at least. I just got overly excited and the next thing I knew I'd made two different cards. Way too much fun. I did make a concerted effort to keep things simple.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
Thanks x 3 Card
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
ink: VersaMark and Tim Holtz/Ranger
circle punches: EK Success
other: sewing
Sending Love Card
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
heart die cuts: Quickutz
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Oogaloo/$1 Michaels
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger

Color Inspiration Challenge #23

I've seen a variety of color related challenges on the web. Sometimes I just peruse and think, how cool. Rarely do I get involved. But after I checked out last week's Color Inspiration Challenge on Kristina Werner's blog I wished I could have been a part of all the fun. I really like the way she displays the Top 10/20. It all looks so yummy.

So here I am a week later and in the mix. Yea. I went the simple route for this card. I have a burgundy card base. Then I matted some cardstock after running a piece through the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. I took a strip of Basic Grey's Sugared, which seems to have many of the colors in this week's Color Inspiration Challenge: burgundy, chocolate, pumpkin, saffron and olive. So you can see, how simple.

Oh, I covered the chipboard flower w/Basic Grey patterned paper (from Lily Kate) and added a naked Bazzill button. Finally, I pulled out the heat gun and heat embossed the Hero Arts Happy Birthday stamp. Used an EK Success circle punch and adhered it to the card using some foam tape. That's it.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and button: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
chipboard flower: unknown
stamp: Hero Arts
embossing powder: Ranger
ink: VersaMark
circle punch: EK Success
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

So Much Laughter :: 2 Sketches 4 You

My lack of access to free wifi, won't stop me from blogging. Actually, now I have more time to actually craft. Imagine that.

I've figured out a way to use my cell phone as a modem to get wireless Internet, only, of course, you can't use the phone for anything else if you are using it as a modem. My phone is quite high tech too. I can already get Internet on the celly, but that is just for temporary use and what not. Additionally, I can always travel to the nearest Panera or Get-Go (a convenient store/gas station w/a wifi cafe) for my Internet fix and they are actually very close and Get-Go is open 24 hours ... we'll see how this works out, right?

Oh, and I had to download the Facebook mobile app so that I could update my profile w/a text message. Same for Twitter - for all of my psuedo stalkers.

Back to the task at hand ... my card for this week's 2 Sketches 4 You sketch by Kazan has a lot going on. For example, I have some sewing, heat embossing, and inked edges. I fully embrace this card. I wanted to use ribbon, but alas, no room for it on this one.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock flower: Bazzill
patterned paper and fabric word (laughter): K&Co.
buttons: Foof a la
charm: Making Memories
stamps: (swirls) $1 Michaels and (alphabet) ???
embossing powder: Ranger
ink: VersaMark
other: sewing

A Cutie Christmas Card

Not much to say about this one ... it speaks for itself. I almost added more bling, but sometimes simple is best.
But the good news here is that the tree is/was a Christmas ornament. It was in the $1 bin @ Michaels - there were some other shapes too like a star and I think a reindeer. I immediately thought that I could use some acrylic paint and go to town. Love that.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
paint: Making Memories
stamp: oogaloo/$1 Michaels
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
bling/star: Darice

Vid: My Fav Things Mini Book

I used the latest version of Picasa to create this vid - Picasa 3. Very nice program. Lots of cool features including tagging images, adding text to images for watermarking, easily creating collages and making vids like this.

How cool is that?

Oh and I also created this collage.

From Collages

You're Fab :: Triple the Sketch

I've gone sketch crazy. You'd think I have a personal goal to do a sketch a day; not the case, but it easily could be, huh?

I picked up this paper pack from K&Co. w/40% off coupon from Michaels. Blue Awning is the name of the line and I love it. Reminds me on denim in a way.

So I grabbed the Triple the Sketch sketch and crafted these cards. I went a bit more simple than the sketch, just trying to tone it down a bitl. I guess it works.

I used a stamp from See-D's (sophisticated friends set) as well as some blue shimmery embossing powder from Joann.

I don't know which card I like the best; they're not really that different, right?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamp: See-D's
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Joann
ribbon: Michaels
oval and scalloped oval die cuts: Nestabilities
other: sewing

Thank You :: 2 Sketches 4 You Bonus Sketch

I've somehow managed to carve out plenty of crafting time this week. Possibly to make up for not crafting at all last week.

This week on the 2 Sketches 4 You blog, they have a bonus sketch. I like that circle; I'm just attracted to it. So I quickly jumped to make a card. That little tag is cute too. I put some bling on the flower on the tag, but I don't know if it will stay that way. I wanted something flat that would slide in and out.

I used Basic Grey's Periphery. It's a bit bland and dreary, but I'm really smitten w/it. I found it on sale at Pat Catan's for .25 cents a sheet. Nice get, so I got it, and lots of it.

Well, enough chatter ... thanks for looking, here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ink: VersaMark, VersaMagic and Tim Holtz/Ranger
stamps: Hero Arts (many many thanks) and ??? (thank you)
ribbon: Michaels and Offray
tag die cut: Sizzix
heart die cut: Cuttlekids
flower punch: EK Success
bling: Darice
other: sewing

Super Simple "Hello" Card :: cps

I've been working diligently on my craft projects. Good stuff too.

• I finished up all three sets of my ATCs: super hero; reduce, reuse, recycle and fav t-shirt slogan
• I finished cards for the cps sketch as well as the 2 Sketches 4 You bonus sketch
• I finished up some Christmas projects to submit to Scrapbook and Cards Today
• I submitted several cards for the Feb '09 issue of CARDS mag
• I finished cards to submit to Papercrafts Stamp It Cards; deadline is Monday

So there you have it ... a little bit about what's been going on in my world this week.

Here's my take on this week's Card Positioning Systems (cps) sketch. As stated, it is super simple. I think I will send this one out as a RAK. I do like the embossing powder; it's just a little sparkly. And how about stamping on the button? Generally speaking, I like it, I just don't know that it fully works on this card. Oh, well.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and flower: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamp: Rubber Stampede
embossing powder: Joann
ink: VersaMark, VersaMagic and StazOn
button: Dress It Up
ribbon: Morex/Pat Catan's

Another Thanks :: 2 Sketches 4 You

I'm back in action on the crafting front. I was planning to travel again this weekend, but it takes such effort for me to pack and prepare for traveling that I am 80% certain that I will not go anywhere this weekend.. Thus giving me more time to craft.

Oh, if you get a chance, check out my recent article on Craft Critique about card sketch sites.

I was going to wait to work on the 2 Sketches 4 You (2S4Y) sketch, but I managed to get my ATCs done. I'm in three different ATC swaps on the SIS TV Swap Board. Fun stuff too. I have them all done and two sets will be postal sometime tomorrow. Point is, I got that done since the deadline is Monday and I was still feelin crafty, so wah-lah (sp).

Nice sketch Laura ... just simple enough yet leaving ample room to improvise. How about that bow? I am not good at tying bows. For this one, I tied the bow before I cut the ribbon from the spool. I tied the bow just like I tie my shoe laces. It worked to this, but sometimes not - get it, (k)not. ;-) Oh, and this card is a mini: 5x3.5.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Co.
ribbon: Martha Stewart
pearls: Mark Richards
stamp: Stampabilities
ink: VersaMark and VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
other: sewing