A Little Paper Therapy

After a long break from creating, I finally made some time for card making. My sister and I attended a local crop and had a wonderful time surrounded by so many wonderful and creative people! This was just the push I needed to plan my card making class for the library and a fun afternoon at home. 

These cards were made at the crop and are going to the sunshine ministry for our ladies group at church. They will be sent to various people in our church family to let them know we're thinking about them!

The card below was made at the crop as well. I bought some really cute and fun monster dies from our LSS and had a lot of fun making these guys! My glue use needs a bit more work, but overall I'm happy with them!

Inside of monster card

This hydrangea stamp is an old favorite that I pulled out of the cabinet. Poor thing needed to be dusted off! 😉

The next three cards were the designs I used for the library class. Not too complicated, but used different techniques which is one of my goals for each class.

A little punching, die cutting, and freehand drawing-of course there was a bit of bling too!

More punching, dry embossing, and stamping

I loved showing them a different way to use simple circles!

Multi-step stamping and coloring for this one

I hope you enjoyed my cards and found some inspiration for your own creations. Thanks for visiting!

 

A Quick Post

 It's been a while since I last posted, and it makes me a little sad. Life has a way of keeping one busy and forgetting to take time for a little fun. 

My job keeps me creating on a regular basis, but it's not the same as just having fun. I have been doing some fun creative things, but I usually forget to take pictures and post on my blog. So today I'm sharing some cards I created for a class at the library. Fairly simple, but still fun to play!!

Since I used mostly library supplies, I'm not sure of brands or product names, but the pumpkin and tree are from an old Stampin' Up set.

I'd love to say I'll be posting more regularly,  but let's be honest here! Maybe I'll remember to share my Christmas cards!!

A Little Copic Practice

 Hello! I have several different cards to share today! On my recent LSS trip, I bought a matching stamp and die set and it was just begging to be used!

I've also recently attended a beginner level Copic class and wanted to practice some of the techniques I learned.  Don't look too closely and please be kind! 😉

It was a lot of fun and quite therapeutic to color and listen to music. The sun shining in the French doors didn't hurt either!

I used a lot of different items and brands on these, but I'll try to identify them as best I can!

*butterfly,  dragonfly,  and bee are all Pink & Main's Floral Wings

*daffodils are SU's Daffodil Daydream

*greenery/leaves are from various Spellbinders dies and the frames are from Gina Marie Designs

*sentiments are SU Forever Fern and Hello Harvest

*DSP is very old SU brights collection

I have no clue what numbers of copics I used-sorry!

I am really enjoying how my One Word for the year is working! There's been a lot more crafting this year, and I've created time in my schedule to just play at whatever is calling me. Lots of reading, lunches with friends,  card making, crocheting,  and even a little early spring cleaning!

Thanks so much for visiting and have a fabulous day!

Vintage Birthday

 Hello! It's been an absolutely gorgeous Sunday in Indiana! Still a bit chilly, so it was the perfect day to work on some cards while enjoying the view from my dining room.

I went to our local scrapbooking store (yes, we're fortunate enough to still have one!) a few weeks ago and found a fabulous pack of Graphic 45 paper. Today I decided to play with it a little and make DD2 a birthday card. The papers ate so gorgeous that I really didn't need to add much.

That fabulous lace is from my mom's sewing stash! It had such a beautiful,  vintage feel and I knew it would be a great addition to her card. I added a narrow strip of very vanilla cardstock to really make the ribbon stand out.

*Graphic 45- Little Things, SU- very vanilla

Well, I've been creating most of the day and I'm sure my girls are going to ask about dinner plans soon, so I'm going to wrap this up. Thanks so much for visiting!

Out of the Box

We've had several cloudy, gloomy, winter days lately. Seemed like the perfect time to make a bright, sunny card!

Today's card was a lot of cutting, piecing, and gluing! I don't do a lot of cards like this because they are quite time consuming,  but it is relaxing to just play around with paper scraps.

If you are a fan of Elizabeth Craft Designs, you may recognize the hen from one of the farm sets. The girl, however, is completely out of the box, creativity! I don't have a lot of ECD dies, so I had to borrow from a few different sets. Most of the girl is from the Mrs. Claus set (crazy what a change in colors can do!), the bowl is from the baking set, and her farm boots? Well, Mrs. Claus just swiped Santa's boots and made them her own!

I'm not thrilled with my sky... it's been way too long since I've played with pastels, and the lines are way too harsh. I've covered most of it with the last minute tree addition and the sentiment. Hopefully, my skills will come back with a bit more practice.

DD#1 loves chickens (and trees) so I think she'll appreciate the effort- bad sky and all!

Time for a quick lunch before heading off to work. I'll have to make a post about my recent career change. The hours are a lot different,  but so much less stress! Thanks for visiting. Now go be creative!

 

Birthday Greetings

Hello, again! I've been enjoying my newly scheduled play time, and I'm slowly rebuilding my supply of birthday cards. I've always enjoyed sending cards, and it's great to hear positive feedback from the ones who receive them. I've heard from so many people that it brightens their day to receive happy mail. I know that this is quickly becoming a thing of the past, and while I love the immediate response of texting and social media, there's something more personal about an actual letter or card for occasions. 

I'm sharing two more designs today, and am going to be working on something a little more detailed for DD#1's upcoming birthday. Here's a quick breakdown...

Simple use of matting and a stamped sentiment on this one. Love the purple and green combo!

I managed to use some scrap strips on this one!

My plan is to get some much needed scrapbooking done after my daughter's card is finished. I seem to be swimming in pictures... I haven't begun to sort through the pictures from my parents and in-laws. That will be an undertaking for another time.

The word 'Create' is beginning to permeate my daily life already. Not only am I scheduling time to be artistically creative,  but I'm also creating some space by cleaning out closets, cabinets, and the garage. I'm hoping a trip to the hardware store will yield some storage racks to better organize my holiday decorations and create a parking space in the garage. If we haven't unpacked it in 5 years, we probably don't need it,  right?! Wish me luck!

 

Create In The New Year

It's been a few years since I've posted. I was a bit concerned that my blog may have withered away in that time,  but after knocking the cobwebs aside and blowing the dust away, here it is!

A lot has happened in those two years. DD #1 graduated college, DD #2 is well into her third year of college, I've changed careers, and both my mom and mother-in-law have passed away. There's a lot of good, bad, and ugly that's occurred,  but I'm still here more or less standing.

My One Word for this year is CREATE and what a great time to resume blogging along with paper crafting. I'll leave you with some cards I quickly put together over the weekend. 

Christmas Blessings to you

Today I am sharing the last of the Christmas cards and enjoying the fact that Christmas has arrived.  I've always enjoyed this time of year, but it's especially true this year.  Nothing like a pandemic to make one appreciate the small everyday things that are really such a big part of our lives.

I have made a conscious effort to find the blessing and gratitude in every day and it is a wonderful habit to form.  Every small kindness is magnified and appreciated.  Something as simple as holding the door or saying hello can make an impact if we're only opening our eyes and our hearts to recognize these things.  Will it end poverty or create world peace? Maybe not, but I think it goes a long way in making us more aware and appreciative.  And those things CAN change the world!  So regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not, my wish and prayer for you this season is that kindness, health, happiness, and love find their way to your door; and that you find yourself able to share these gifts with others too!

To my fellow Christians, may this Christmas season find you focused on the true purpose of this holiday and may you be moved to share God's love with all you meet!  Wishing you a Christmas blessed with health and happiness! 

 

Simple cards and Simple Stories

So I may have an addiction to those tag and 3x4 image sheets of paper because I've made another set of cards using a new sheet of Simple Stories paper...and I may have bought a Christmas pack of DCWV paper that also has some in it...yeah...it's becoming a thing...

Today's cards also have vintage Christmas images, but this time the colors are a bit brighter.  Most of the images were simply placed on an embossed base and were quickly done!  I did add a little strip of green to one and a mat to another.  There were also a few blocks that I didn't make into cards because they seemed perfect for journaling blocks for scrapbooking.  So maybe they'll make an appearance during the Christmas break!

My DD#1 made a comment about how perfect my embossing went with the images. I readily agreed without mentioning that having a huge collection of folders makes that pretty easy.  Let her think that I'm just that creative!!

I think this is pretty close to the last of my cards unless I just decide that I really want to make more.  I actually had all of my cards finished before Thanksgiving this year!  That hasn't happened in a very long time!  Feels good to be able to spread a little love and cheer in what has been a less that perfect year.  

 

Tags: Not just for gifts anymore!

I'm making an effort to space out my card posts so they're not bombarding my blog all at once.  Today's cards were actually made about a week ago, but who wants to look at a post with a ton of cards all at once?!  :)  

Once again, I'm using paper that practically makes the cards themselves!  This time it was a sheet of tags that begged to be purchased!  I was thinking in the store how cute they would look with little twine bows, popped at an angle on a solid background-just like a present in the mailbox!!  These took a little fussy cutting and punching to make them just right, but still a super easy card!

I also pulled out the embossing folders again for a little fun and texture!

Can I just say how much I love these cute plaid designs with the twine?!

Going a little nontraditional with the embossing! I 

love how these patterns coordinate with the tags!

I'm feeling a bit like an innovator with these cards!  Tags: not just for gifts anymore!  Oh, how I've missed creating and posting on my blog...

Who knows? Maybe I'm inspiring others to think outside of the box (pun intended-where else would you put a tag?) and be a little creative with their supplies too!

 

Give a girl the right paper...

Another day of Christmas card making and once again finding super easy ways to get those cards finished in time to mail them out!  I'm well on my way now!

As I was thinking of a title for this post, I thought about how perfect certain papers are.  Sometimes I can see a paper and immediately know what to do with it.  They can make scrapbook pages as easy as matting a photo and adding it to a gorgeous background.  Some can be the inspiration for a perfect 3D or repurposing project.  And others just scream "Buy me and I'll make really cute cards really fast!"  I love it when paper talks to me!!

Over the summer, I was in our LSS and came across just this kind of paper.  There were fun, vintage images already in 3x4 rectangles just waiting to be cut apart.  I also found some coordinating red and green paper to finish them off perfectly.  Then I promptly brought them home and forgot about them.  My recent cleaning reminded me of them and I got busy.  Some of the images were so great, I didn't even mat them.  I just grabbed some embossing folders to add a little texture and tada! Instant cards!!

I felt just like Cinderella with the right pair of shoes...or maybe Dorothy with her ruby slippers... either way-it just proves that if you give a girl the right item, she can get things done!

Aren't those images just the best?!  I'm almost positive these were Simple Stories, but since I tossed the end strips I can't be 100% sure.  

Well, I'm back to work this week and going to do my best to carve out some creative time, so hopefully I'll have a few scrapbook pages in the future.  I do have more cards to share, but they'll have to wait for another day!

 

You just never know what you'll find!

Hello!  My recent post about getting back into my creative space became a reality yesterday.  After spending a lot of the day cleaning (yikes!!), I finally cleared my table enough to start making some Christmas cards.  I also rediscovered a package of card bases that had the cutest holiday patterns on them.  I really didn't want to cover the base, and honestly was looking for a quick way to make some cards, so I dug out a Hero Arts Merry Christmas stamp and Wacky Wishes by SU, pulled some inks to match and got busy.  Super simple cards that still look cute.

Added a little linen thread bow to dress this up!

A little layering on these to make

the sentiment stand out!

I have to confess that I don't actually remember buying these bases... Yeah... Have I mentioned recently that I have a craft supply hoarding problem?!  I'm wondering if these weren't a prize from a crop or a gift from someone because this isn't something I would ordinarily buy.  I guess this is just another reminder that I don't really need to shop for new items; I just need to go through my stash and discover treasures that are already here!!  You really never know what you'll find if you dig deep enough!

I am so happy to be  posting again and look forward to sharing more creation and inspiration soon!

 

A Breath of Fresh Air

 I love airing out my house.  There is something so pleasing about opening the windows on the first breezy spring or fall day and enjoying the air flowing through my home.  The savings on the utility bill are an added bonus, but really it's more about airing out a stuffy house.

Sometimes my brain and mindset gets stuffy too.  I have been struggling with some career decisions, grieving the loss of my dad, and honestly grieving the loss of my girls always being home.  I don't mind the empty nest most days, but sometimes this house is just too quiet.  While I am still facing all of these challenges, I am really trying to 'air out' my soul and let some fresh thoughts flow.

I started my month off with a daily Gratitude statement on my Facebook page.  I couldn't believe how difficult it was at first!  I mean, I have a job, a cozy home, a wonderful husband, two fabulous girls who are turning into amazingly strong women, and all the necessities...  But about half way through the month, something began to change.  I would have a moment of pure gratitude over the simplest things-a student who made me laugh, a kind grocery store clerk, and suddenly I couldn't wait to record that days blessing!  I started seeing all of the wonderful things that were happening around me instead of the less than perfect.

This morning I woke up at 5:30 (on a Saturday...) and instead of trying to force myself to sleep more, I got up, made coffee, stripped the sheets off the bed to be laundered, lit some candles, and enjoyed my first cup of coffee in the silence of the candlelight.  It was perfect!  Lots of time for reflecting, sorting out thoughts and priorities, and thinking big things.  I wish I could say everything is sorted out now, but that's probably never going to be the case.  I did however come back to the ever present belief that creating makes me pretty darn happy-even if I'm the only one enjoying it.  So I'm going to get my butt in gear, brush the dust and cobwebs from my craft room, and make some Christmas cards to share with loved ones.  I'm also going to carve out time (not intentionally a Thanksgiving pun, but it works!) each week to play.  I have pinned several ornament ideas on Pinterest that really need to be a part of my holiday prep this year.  I also have a few new baking recipes to try out.  Who knows? I may even find more time to post on this dusty ol' blog of mine.  Even if I'm the only one who sees it, it's still a breath of fresh air for this stuffy soul!

Wishing you the happiest of Saturdays and hoping that you will find some gratitude today too!

Throwback Thursday- So Very Thankful

Hello!  Today is another project in the effort to use up my older materials and I've successfully made two pages to share with you!  

The papers for the second page appeared as I was rearranging and reorganizing my crafty space.  I found a  12x12 pocket filled with Christmas papers... Just when I thought I was going to be finished with old Christmas stuff by next year...

Both pages are pretty simple which allows us to focus on the photos and the pretty paper at the same time!  Maybe next month I'll try being a bit 'fancier' with my pages!  Could be a new challenge for the month!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!

Page 1 Recipe:  SU Orchard Harvest DSP, very vanilla, old sticker for title

Page 2 Recipe: pattern papers unknown from stash, whisper white, Accessories-Colorbok Alpha Stax Holiday letters

Scrapbook Saturday-One is so fun!

Hello!  Popping in quickly with a new scrapbook page and this one is nice and bright!! Perfect for this cutie's 1st birthday!

I could actually have used this as a throwback since everything but the photos are pretty old!

Nothing too fancy on this page.  The super cute cupcakes have been in my stash for a very long time and this seemed like the perfect page for them!

Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Page Recipe: K & Co 'Super Bright' paper pack, whisper white (letters), Accessories-cupcakes from stash, cricut for alphas

Throwback Thursday-Fall Formal

It's Thursday and that means another Throwback day using my older stash.  And today is truly a throwback because everything on these pages are old! Well, not the adhesive or photos... but everything else practically had to have the dust blown off!

I pulled out Autumn Traditions, which is almost completely gone now, and made the first two layouts.  The third called for something a bit more sparkly and I used some VERY old glitter paper.  I can't tell you how much glue and adhesive I had to use to get anything to work on that paper.  Now I know why it hasn't been used!

My pages feature DD2's last high school formal. Years ago, it was in January and called the Snowball Formal, but between bad weather and busy sports scheduling, they moved it to the end of November.  Hence the name change to Fall Formal. The photos on the first page were taken at my home where we still had our fall decor on display.  The second page's photos were at a friends, who decided to decorate for Christmas for the occasion.  The last page is my favorite and truly captures the spirits of both girls.

nothing fancy, used the cricut for the letters

added a thin red ribbon and a hidden journal tag on this page

the dreaded glitter paper...it really was a pain to get 

anything to stick to it!  Good thing it's pretty!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  I hope you are inspired to blow the dust off some of your older supplies and create!  Have a wonderful day!

Page Recipes: SU Autumn Traditions DSP, Colorbok glitter paper, soft suede, very vanilla, night of navy, DCWV navy photo mat Accessories-red ribbon from stash, scallop tag topper, Cricut for alphas