Paper Crafts Special Issues

I am so delighted to have projects in the two recent Paper Crafts Special issues--

First-- Card Creations is one of my favorite Paper Crafts issues every year and Card Creations, Vol. 11 did not disappoint. Here is one of the cards that I am fortunate to have in this issue:

 You can find the issue HERE.

Next, the Handmade Home Decor issue is fantastic--the projects in it are so inspiring! 

There are so many super creative ideas in this issue and I am still pouring over them all.  Here is my Tree Ornament (page 82):

You can find this issue HERE.
Thanks for stopping by!

WCMD Celebration, Contests and Sales

 

In honor of Paper Crafts' World Card Making Day today, there are sales, contests, celebrations all over the Internet.  Today is a major holiday in the lives of millions of card makers all over the world!   The first thing I did to celebrate---was to sleep in until 9 a.m. This day already rocks :)

I have a few cards to share and a few specials to mention--because no holiday is complete without the awesome sales :)

My first card features stickers from SRM stickers.  I used We've Got Your Border-Birthday to create the balloon designs and then punched out the circles.  I also used more borders and border remnants to frame the image.  Finally, I added the sentiment sticker along the bottom.

I used some Lemondrop baker's twine from The Twinery to make the fun balloon strings:

 Here is a fun SRM Stickers Challenge for YOU--- 

CHALLENGE

Head on over to the SRM Stickers blog.  You can choose any one of the cards on the post today (including my card above) as  inspiration to create a *new* card using SRM Stickers. Upload it into the SRM Gallery with the tag, "srmwcmd2012" and we'll choose a lucky winner to receive a HUGE SRM Prize Package that includes;

ALL Border Sticker Sets

ALL Fancy Sticker Sets

ALL Stickers by the Dozen

---and---

ALL (34!) Quick Card Stickers

Be sure to mention which border card inspired you.  We'll hook you up with stickers to create cards for months to come. Upload your challenge entry into our Gallery by the end of the weekend and we'll announce a winner on Tuesday. Good luck - we can't wait to see what YOU do with this challenge!

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Next, I have a Halloween card using a new set from Gina K Designs called Wicked!.  I love the fun silhouette images in this set.  I stamped the background with stars and then stamped a label design underneath the die cut label.  That label stamp is from Seasonal Labels:

 

In honor of Wold Card Making Day this weekend, Gina K is running a special on Saturday and Sunday: select one of the four free stamp sets above FREE with any purchase of $35 or more in the Gina K Designs store!  Best bang for your buck:  buy three stamp sets and get the Free with Three set plus one of these four sets PLUS free shipping, that is almost $40 worth of stamps for free plus free shipping to you on all the fun stuff you order!

The sets she has chosen are perfect for the fall and winter holidays coming up! There is no limit to how many free sets you can pick up, but each order of S35 or more must be placed separately to qualify for one of these 4 sets.

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And Taylored Expressions has their own World Card Making Day Challenge going on:

 

For every card you make AND send, you'll be entered into a drawing for a spiffy prize. Plus, for EVERY entry, you will be entered into a drawing for a Grand Prize package worth $100 to help you make more cards! So what are you waiting for? You can jump in anytime starting today through the end of October. All of the challenge details can be found on our WCMD Stamp 'n Send Challenge Thread. Plus, look for details on how you can earn an extra entry by displaying the challenge badge on your blog!

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Head on over to The Twinery blog to find out how you can enter to win an Autumn assortment of beautiful twine :)

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GALLERY:  Don't forget to upload your creations to the World Card Making Day gallery  (Paper Crafts Magazine) to be entered to win a great prize package that includes tons of Special Issues and to join in the fun with card makers all over the world!  If you leave a comment on the Moxie Fab World Blog, you will be entered to win a prize too so be sure to scroll on down :)

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Enjoy! Happy World Card Making Day!   :)

Holiday Cards & More

Paper Crafts Holiday Cards & More, Vol. 7 is now on sale.  Woop! This is one of my favorite issues from Paper Crafts because of the "& More" part.  I love seeing all the fabulous ornaments, packaging, decorations and tags in this issue.

Here is my favorite project in the issue (pg. 160):

Of course, it is photographed much better in the issue :)   You can find Holiday Cards & More, Vol. 7 HERE!  Have a great weekend! (Don't forget to celebrate World Cardmaking Day TOMORROW!)
:)

Card Design Handbook

..a special issue from Paper Crafts Magazine is available now!!  I couldn't wait to see how this publication would turn out and I was not disappointed.
If you've ever wondered about the "rules" of design, you'll want this first-of-its-kind special issue. We'll show you how to creatively combine colors from all segments of the color wheel and explain basic design concepts like the rule of thirds. You'll also learn elements of different styles, from fun and cute to classy and elegant with everything in between. There are hundreds of project ideas using these design lessons so you can practice your new found skill on cards, bags, tags, wraps, home décor and more.
This issue is wonderful: 

I am lucky enough to have two cards in this magazine.  Here is a peek at one of them:

Thanks for stopping by!  Back to the Olympics (Can.not.tear.myself.away!)

Card Creations, Volume 10

Paper Crafts magazine just released it's 10th Issue of Card Creations, one of my all-time favorite PC publications.  To celebrate 10 years of this magazine, editor Jennifer Schraerer walked down memory lane with with some interesting facts about this special issue.  You can see her post HERE.

Paper Crafts Card Creations, Volume 10 is on sale now in your local stores or online.

Here is a card that I have in this issue - page 141 of Card Creations, Volume 10.

 

This issue is so inspiring. So honored to be a part of it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Office Organization

Hello!  Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I have been doing lots of office organization and thought I would share some pictures.  No matter what, I always find I need to re-organize and haul out old stuff every few months or I get totally swamped in my little office.

My husband gave me my birthday present a few days early this week and so I took it as the perfect opportunity to get cleaning!  He made me a peg board similar in concept to one I saw in Paper Crafts Practical Solutions for Paper Crafters. I asked him to make one that would go with my office and here is what he made:

 Cool, ugh?  It holds a TON of stuff.  I have so many rhinestones and embellishments on this thing so now I can see what I have and USE it!

I also bought this organizer from Michael's because it was 40% off this weekend and all the craft organizing stuff was also 40% off so everything was super cheap!  The kids helped me to sort buttons for two hours on Thursday night! Ha! They didn't last long but I finally finished.  I don't think I will be using a button for awhile. Kind of hate them at the moment :)

So...this is what I have been up to.  I will have some projects to share this week, I promise!

Thanks for stopping by!

Not a winner....but feel like one!

Hello friends! Thank you so very much for your sweet words on my last post. I cannot believe how many people took the time to post here and/or on the Echo Park blog. You are so sweet and it totally made my day. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Today....I have a different story. I created this card for the World Card Making Day contest hosted by Paper Crafts magazine. I didn't win. I just wanted to share because sometimes it seems like the same people always win or get picked for things and that may be true....
But....that isn't me :) Ha!

I STILL love this card so I figured I would share it with you today. Although it is pretty simple...it is one of my favorite cards I have created lately:

Heart die is by My Favorite Things- Hearts a Plenty. Designer paper is by Echo Park :) and the sticker is by SRM stickers- Fancy Sentiments-Love.

Thanks for stopping by today!

A Fond Farewell....

It is time....

Time to say goodbye (at least for awhile).
My family is gearing up for our LAST move...we will be all packed and ready to go by the end of the month and so I need to put the craft stuff away and close down the blog for awhile. There are so many emotions right now.....

I *think* I will be back. I cannot imagine my life without making some sort of paper crafting project. But...I have no idea in what capacity that will be yet.
The next few months will give me the time to get situated, spend time with my family and get the kids settled in their new home and life. It will also give me time to reflect on where I want this to go...if anywhere.

Right now, I am excited about the lack of pressure and deadlines. I am excited to have nothing I HAVE to do. I am excited to be removed from the cattiness that has marred some of the joy I once felt to just create.

I am also excited about THIS----->
Three years ago my first card was published. I will NEVER forget the joy and sense of accomplishment I felt when getting that email while on vacation.

This month the new Card Creations Magazine goes on sale and I am DELIGHTED that one of my cards was chosen for the cover. It is the "Missing You" map card on the bottom right. I have only had one other card on a magazine cover before and it was itty bitty so this is special. I am sure I will frame it. Yep.......this is the perfect place to stop and take a breath.....

Thank you so much for all of your support and kindness over the years. I hope to be back.....if/when the time is right.

xo

Toot!

Happy Friday!!! Did you see the May/June issue of Paper Crafts Magazine??? Here is a tiny picture of the cover: This issue is wonderful---you can find it HERE or in your local craft stores! Here is a peek at my card on page 36:

Supplies and instructions are in the issue!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!

Just sharing...

Hello!!! Today I am sharing a tag from the March/April Paper Crafts Magazine, Page 60.

Instructions and supplies are in the magazine. You can find this issue HERE or at your local bookstore or craft store.

Have a great day!

PC Sketchy Hop

Hello! I am sooo very honored to have been asked by my sweet stamping friend Maren to join in on the Paper Crafts Go-To Sketches blog hop today!!! Maren and I met in person for the first time a little over year ago and I consider her one of my closest stamping buddies . I just *adore* her.

Today, you will see some fresh new cards created with some of the amazing sketches the fabulous Go-To Girls created for Go-To Sketches. In addition, you will be entered to win it by commenting on each of the participating blogs listed below!!!!!!!!! (Leave a comment on each blog to increase your chances of winning!) Three winners will be selected from all the entries!!!

The comments will close at midnight on Thursday, April 8.

Here is one of Maren's awesome sketches from the book:
Here are my takes on the sketch--

For this card, I created the card base and then cut another white mat slightly smaller than the card and embossed it with the textile embossing folder. I inked the edges with Sahara sand ink and attached it to the base.

I cut a small rectangle of designer paper and stamped the foliage stamp from Signs of Autumn (Gina K Designs) all over it in the same sand ink. I stitched the edges and attached it to the die cut designer paper shape.

Then, I stamped the sentiment with pumpkin and black ink. I added a strip of designer paper along the bottom and a piece of ruffled ribbon along the side. I adhered the sentiment on the panel with foam mounting tape.

I punched the butterfly out of the same orange designer paper and added some adhesive pearls.

Finally, I attached the panel to the card base.

Materials used: Stamps- Friends, Signs of Autumn (Gina K Designs); cardstock-white (Gina K Designs); ink- Sahara Sand, Pumpkin pie (SU!), Memento tuxedo black; Butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); Designer paper- Everafter: Something blue, Something old, Something new (Cosmo Cricket); adhesive pearls (Prima); ribbon (May Arts); Spellbinder labels four die; Cuttlebug (Provocraft); textile embossing folder (Provocraft); sewing machine.

and another...

I cut the card base from blue cardstock. I used a die to cut the curved rectangle from some October Afternoon designer paper.

I applied the rub on to the white mat. Then I die cut some felt to apply over the flower shapes for more texture. I tied a ribbon around the panel and added the sentiment sticker over the ribbon. Finally I added a button with a hemp tie and some rhinestones. Then I assembled the card, putting the section at a slight tilt for fun!

Materials used: Rub on-Farm Fresh (October Afternoon); sentiment sticker - Farm Fresh shape stickers (October Afternoon); Designer paper- Farm Fresh 8 By 8 paper pad (October Afternoon); felt (Papertrey Ink); flower blossom dies (Papertrey)Cardstock- white (Gina K Designs), Hawaiian shores (Papertrey); gemstones (The Paper Studio); ribbon-(Papertrey); button-)Papertrey); Spellbinders die-Curved Rectangle; Cuttlebug (Provocraft).

I know you want to win this beautiful issue from Paper Crafts. So don't forget to leave a comment!!!

....And then head on over to these inspiring blogs and leave a comment to increase your chance to WIN!
Amy Sheffer http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/

Carolyn King http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/ (You are here!)

Joclyn Nielson http://www.hereiswhatido.blogspot.com/

Julie Campbell http://stampedinhisimage.blogspot.com/

Lisa Johnson http://www.poppypaperie.typepad.com/

Maren Benedict http://www.zanynotcrazy.blogspot.com/
Paper Crafts Connection http://papercraftsconnection.com/

Betsy Veldman: http://www.scrapbookgirl.typepad.com/paper_scissors_and_superh/

Kim Hughes: http://paperhugs.typepad.com/

Kim Kesti: http://kimberlykesti.typepad.com/

Jessica Witty: http://jesswitty.blogspot.com/

Teri Anderson: http://terisplace.wordpress.com/

Thanks so much, Maren, for the amazing chance to play along with your sketch! Love ya!

Thanks for stopping by!

Whoot!

Paper Crafts Card Creations, Start to Finish Volume 2 issue is on newsstands NOW. You can also find it HERE!

This amazing issue features all of the major card giving occasions and shows you how to take the design to the inside of the card. It also includes some inner active designs.

I am honored to have this card in the issue (Page 30):

I am super excited about this because.......See that ambulance? That is one of my illustrations---Squeal! It is so fun to have something you designed in print....but it is even more fun to have something you designed that features one of your illustrations in print! That doesn't happen too often to me--so thanks for letting me share my excitement!

You will have to check out the issue to see the inside of the card! (heehee!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Online Project at Paper Crafts

Yipeee!!! Just popping in to share this. I have an online feature this month for Paper Crafts Magazine (Nov/Dec): You can read all about how to create this bag and card HERE!

World Card Making Day Blog Tour

Happy Monday!!! I was delighted to be asked to be part of the Paper Crafts World Card Making Blog Tour. The countdown has begun leading up to the 4th annual World Card Making Day taking place on Saturday, October 3. This holiday was founded 4 years ago by the Paper Crafts team as a way to bring people together through card making and to help kick off the busy holiday card making season.

You can see a list of participating bloggers on the Official World Card Making Day Site!
As a participating blogger, I have an exclusive coupon code that allows my blog visitors to get 25% off their total cart amount at the Paper Crafts/CK online store. Here is the code you need to receive your discount: RCVX-6GVD-DTDN. The coupon will be valid from midnight (MDT) on 09/21/09 through 23:59:59 (MDT) on 10/12/09, and is good for 25% off of the user's cart subtotal.

Be sure to check out the wonderful gallery and event ideas on the site too!!!

And....since we are talking about Cardmaking.....we were all asked to post a new card on our post today......

With permission from Gina (Gina K Designs), I wanted to give you a super sneak peek of a set that will be released on October 1. It is my new set called Warm Winter Wishes and my proceeds will be given to the Alzheimer's Association in my grandmother's memory. My grandmother passed away from complications from Alzheimer's Disease last year. (You can read that post here.)

Since most of you know my husband is getting ready to deploy to Iraq...I was torn about releasing a new set right now. But, since my grandmother's birthday and World Alzheimer's Day (September 21 --oopsie, had a typo there before!) are both this week...it is the perfect time to release this set. (I just might have less samples to share for a bit.) So I definitely wanted to jump on this opportunity to give you a little sneak peek:

Materials used: Stamps- Warm Winter Wishes (Gina K Designs - will be released October 1!)Memento black ink; stickles (ranger); designer paper- Jolly by Golly (Cosmo Cricket); ribbon (Michael's).

I hope you like it.....you will see lots more samples when we get closer to the release date.

In the meantime, go check out the World Card Making Day site, get inspired and get ready to stamp the day away on October 3! Don't forget to use the coupon code above!


Thanks for stopping by!

A Moxie Fab Christmas Challenge

In celebration of the new Holiday Cards & More issue --> Moxie Fab World blog is hosting a challenge to create a stamped Christmas card.

Since I LOVE stamping--I was all over this one. I decided to create a Christmas tree with lots of stamped features: I cut the triangle pieces from some green paper (that is actually marketed as Halloween paper!) folding a square in half and then cutting the half triangle shape so that the sides would match AND so that I could add some dimension when the tree is assembled. I used Ribbon Stripes stamp set (Gina K Designs) to stamp the fun designs on each layer.

Each triangle is sewn and then I put them aside.

The "joy" sentiment is from Seasonal Sayings set (Gina K Designs) forms the bottom of the tree. I stamped the sentiment and then replaced the o with a little heart. Then, I assembled the tree by adding each layer with dimensional stickers to give the tree a little depth.

Here is a close up of the stamped tree. What a fun challenge!

Materials used: Stamps-Ribbon Stripes, Seasonal Sayings (Gina K Designs); Memento black ink; olive ink (SU!); Designer paper-green -Halloween Green Kids Flat paper (K & Company), Mr Campy: Flannel (Cosmo Cricket); cardstock-white (Gina K Designs pure luxury), Kraft (Stampin' Up!); gelly gems (gel-a-tins); bow- Roses Bow (Hobby Lobby), sewing machine.

You can check out the full challenge rules and details HERE!!! Then scroll down and check out some peeks for the amazing projects that are in Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4. I just got this publication and it is FANTABULOUS!!!!!!! Check out page 86 and 115 for a few things I contributed to the issue!

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper Crafts Blog Hop Winners Announced today!!!

Just wanted to pop on and let you know that the winners of the PaperCrafts Blog Candy are posted HERE ! Woohoo....congrats!!! (lucky duckies!)

The good news: I am typing this on my new computer (horray!) The bad news: I still don't know how to use a lot of the software yet (sigh!)

Hope to be back tomorrow!!????

Thanks for stopping by!