Get Well Card

I made this card a while ago for a challenge.  I think there were criteria like use ribbon, a circle, 3 stamps sets.  The grass, the runner, and the sun are all stamped.  I just decided to try generational stamping.  I never saw a demo, I was told to stamp the image several times without re-inking.  That was a disaster.  Thankfully I was using acrylic stamps so I just restamped in different shades of the same color.  Recently, I got to practice a different method.  Generational stamping is when you ink the image and stamp it; then ink it again and stamp it lightly on scratch paper then again on your project without reinking the stamp again...each time creating a lighter image.  I hope you try the technique.  It is fun once you get the hang of it.

Recipe:
Kraft cardstock
Ribbon from stash
stickles
CTMH Stamp set
Flourish stamp set
Border Stamp set
Gold embossing powder
White gel pen
Colorbox inks

Convention Organizer

These envelope minis are so convenient to have on a road trip.  They are great to use to hold receipts, directions,  business cards, directions, memorabilia etc.   Melissa, Diane (my scrap buddies) and myself usually make one when we go away for a scrap event.  I made this one as a favor to Diane (and a favor to me lol).  She practiced teaching on me and timing her class.  She will be teaching a class on the convention organizer at the Creating Keepsakes Conventions in the surrounding areas.  She just finished teaching at the CKC in Portland.  Melissa and I use our envelope minis more like a keepsake; adding pictures and embellishments after the event.  Diane uses hers in a more functional way; taking notes and writing right on the pages while she is at the event.  There is a space to hold business cards that you collect, a map of the facility and each envelope/page can hold things.  I plan to color and decorate this one a bit more.  I didn't stamp CKC on the front so I can use it at another event I am going to before then.  You can see more details at Diane's website:  http://www.scrappigators.com 

Recipe:

This one is made with 6 6" x 9" envelopes.

TH Clock mask

CTMH Ms Scrapbook stamp set

Recollections Alphabet Stamp set

CTMH Pacifica Ink and cardstock

Charms I  received in a swap

Fibers and ribbon from my stash

RAK for neighborhood kids

I made a bunch of these dogs for the kids in my neighborhood.  I used brown and tan cardstock.  Under the ear it says "Have a nice day!" with a smiley face sticker.  There is a tic-tac-toe game under the other ear.  The inside is filled with silly bands.  The back has a little blurb about sharing and giving.  The children have been doing really good about helping the neighbors with little things like putting away trash cans, picking up paper etc.  They have a lot to learn about community and doing the right thing just because and not only when they are prompted by someone else.  I just want to keep them encouraged.

The back says:

SHARE and GIVE

No matter what you have you can always share it

The heart that you have when you give to others

Is like the heart that God has when He gives to you

Only His heart is BIGGER!

When you give something, do not expect anything in return

Just give because you want to show someone love

Give because God says it’s the right thing to do

Miss Teen Teen

I could've been a professional doodler

Remember in school when you would zone out during a boring lecture and doodle all over your notebook?  I did that all the time.  Many of my tablets were sprinkled with pages of my mental wanderings.  I had no idea that I was actually making art.  Today these controlled doodles are cleverly called Zentangles.  I believe the phrase was coined by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.  Zentangles are so relaxing to do; hence "Zen".  I carry scraps of paper in my purse so I can doodle when I am waiting at the doctors office or anywhere really.  Then I use the back of the finished work to write a  note to include in RAK packages or as tags on gifts.  Other possibilities for using them are endless: mixed media, altered art, greeting cards, decoupage, art journals etc.  Now if only I had kept those notebooks from school...lol

I made this one last year, this was my first one.  Yeah..uhhh..my sharpie marker was way too thick.   Now I use a pigma micron pen.
                                                                          

I did this one while I was on the phone and added a splash of color.

My online buddy, Sherry inspired me to try this art form (thanks Sherry).  She creates wonderful Zentangle inspired projects. I first saw her Zentangle inspired work in another forum but I later found a few examples on her blog too:  http://gotart4u.blogspot.com/2010/08/psychedelic-girl.html  and http://gotart4u.blogspot.com/2010/01/oh-oh-new-obsession.html  It would be nice to really be good at this, like some of the projects I have seen;  but for now I just keep having fun doing such a relaxing art form.  Here are a few more:

Thanks Angie from the http://www.theblingtheory.blogspot.com/ for inspiring me to revisit this art form and I plan to try using the zig markers.

StampScrapArt Tour project 7 and 8

Project 7 was a CTMH (Close To My Heart) card.  Most people at the event did not finish this card. I am not sure if anyone from my table did either.  Only one lady at my table was able to stamp the sentiment without problems.  Unfortunately, the stamping block was too small for the acrylic stamp.  Cutting cost and not having the propper supplies can affect the project. 

My friend said this project was labor intensive lol.  She is a CTMH consultant...so I asked her to demo the card the next time we crop together.  She agreed.  I had a chance to play with their glimmer spray.  That gave me more confidence to try a different recipe for my homemade glimmer spray.  I did generational stamping on the flower.  I had tried this before, but this time I had a better result.  I will definitely try this stamping technique again.  I had every intention on finishing the card, but uhhh others things came up.  So here are the unfinished pieces...

My double stamped sentiment (lol): The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.


sorry for the blurry picture, but the card does have shimmer.  Being a rebel (LOL) I also glimmer sprayed the flower with another formula...even more shimmer!

Art Gone Wild did project 8.  A lollipop flower thingy.  All the pieces were cut and stamped ahead of time.  So, I am not sure what I learned at this table.  One layer of the flower has a sentiment on it which says: Springtime flowers fresh and new; Easter eggs of every hue; Baby chicks soft and small; Easter blessing for us all.  The tag on the ribbon says: Pick the petals to reveal my wish for you.  I did ink my edges...because I am a rebel after all. LOL

I had a lot of fun at this event.

StampScrapArt Tour project 6

I made this card at the Rubber Cottage table.  I stamped and fussy cut the butterfly. The butterfly is decorated with the gel pen we got in our goodie bags.  I really like the stamps at this vendor's booth.  I am in love with the animal stamps, especially the giraffe.
Most of the work was already done (paper cut to size, sentiment stamped, card base) Recipe: butterfly stamp and adirondak ink

StampScrapArt Tour project 5

Repeat Impressions did this step card. I had trouble with stamping and the dimensional flower needs some bling lol.  If I did this over I think brown ink would look better.   Also, I would color using more vibrant markers like bic mark its or copics.  We had the kiddie rose art markers available to us.  Believe me, I fully understand trying to keep the cost of make and take project  at a reasonable level.  I did learn more about the scor-pal from this vendor.  I already have the Maertha Stewart score board and love it.

Recipe:
sun flower stamp
sunflower border stamp
flower punch out
sentiment stamp
markers

StampScrapArt Tour project 4

This was a cute card.  The stamps were so clear and crisp, but alas...I cannot figure out who the sponsor was.  I do remember that the little girl helping to pass out the chocolate had the best service...she was so sweet and smiling.  She made me smile too.  When I returned home I was able to add some dimension to the fairy with  Souffle pens.

 

Brown card stock

Kraft cardstock

Fairy princess stamp

sentiment stamp

minature chocolate candy

markers

smooch

StampScrapArt Tour project 3

This card was the project for Just for Fun.  As usual, my card looks so different from the sample.  I cannot help myself.  My friend, Melissa, said that she was good as a kid so now she is making up for it.  I agreed, as I was the ultimate parent pleaser as a child (lol). I guess now we are both scrappin' rebels.  Her card didn't look like the sample either...hahahahaha.  I used a stipple brush to add the color on the flowers.

Four sided flower stamp
wood mounted floral stamp
adirondak inks
brads

StampScrapArt Tour project 2

This card was the project for Seaside Stamping.  They are known for their two sided stamps (word on one side, definition on other side).  I still want to color the flowers, but what can one do in 15 minutes (LOL).  I had never made a 'step' card before.

Adirondak ink
2 sided Friendship stamp
Flower Stamp
Ribbon, brads, scored card base

StampScrapArt Tour project 1

I went to this event last year and again this year with my friend Melissa.  Friday night was a dessert party make and take.  Yes, you guessed it, they had lots of decedant sweets and at the end of the long buffet table were two little containers of fruit and veggies.  So, you see I was forced to fill my plate with cheesecake. LOL   Here's the setup: each sponsor of the event had a table where you would sit and make a project.  After about 15 minutes you would rotate to the next table.  This year there were eight projects.  I met some fun ladies at my table and by the end of the night I had learned their names: Holly, Tammy, Gail and Cris (spelling doesn't count-lol).  They were all loud and rowdy, but I...I was a quiet, sweet, little ANGEL. (hahahaha) We had a great time laughing and crafting.  Saturday and Sunday are shopping days.  Each sponsor also had a vendor booth and there were a bunch of other companies selling and demonstrating their wares too. 
The first project was a card by Purple Daisy Designs.  The merchant, Melody, makes stamps the size of punches that are on the market.  All the sample cards at her booth were delightful. 

The flowers on this card are made with her 'punch sized' stamps and popped up to add dimension
Adirondak ink
fern stamp, happy birthday sentiment stamp
window card base

Not your typical sympathy card

I have a real difficult time coming up with an idea for a sympathy card.  Perhaps it is because I tend to shy away from sending things right at the time of a loss.  Although, I do visit, cook food, and attend the funeral services.  I believe that grief has no set time limit.  When all the people have gone home and no one drops in for a visit or drops off food and the world has moved on; I figure the person or family that suffered the loss should have the freedom to still be in mourning.  So, a few weeks or months later is when I send a card or stop by with dinner.  Most times it is not a traditional sympathy card, but a 'have a sunny day' kind of card.  Amazingly, people appreciate the encouragement of the whimsical and the message I write inside.  I think they realize that I am not dismissing their grief, but inviting them to receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

II Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Recipe: Making memories paper, and flower.  Skunk: create a critter cricut cartridge I got in a RAK (it was a part of a cricut image swap).   Ribbon, foam tape and card base from stash. Gel pens.

Have a special day

What a RAK!  The card said "Have a special day" and boy did I!  I was so pleased to get this in the mail.  My fellow scrapping sister sent this to me.  She admitted having gotten it for me a while ago.   Think I should tell her about the RAK's that have been in my car since Christmas?  LOL We all have good intentions and I believe that nothing is better than a good deed, but I am learning that there is also real value in the positive thoughts that one exudes when they have well meaning intentions.  I want to get better at acting timely on good ideas and intentions, but thank God for His mercy as I grow.  I am so grateful for this lovely act of kindness and truly it was right on time.  Now to decorate it...I'll let you see as soon as I have an idea.

My online friends ROCK!  Not because they give great gifts, but because they have beautiful hearts.

Note Card

Note card I included in a RAK package.  I was inspired by a "Sole Mates" sentiment made by another artist. (Thanks MJ) Recipe: $1 shoe and purse stamps;  stickles, At You Spica pens, Making Memories flowers, and pearl bling.

How Charming

These are the charms I made for a recent charm swap I hosted on Scraps of Color.  I used cowry shells, black wire, fishing hooks, and recycled beads from a bracelet and hair accessory.  The tags are embossed, glimmer sprayed and tied with some shimmery fibers.

Thank you cards from magazine cuts

Remember the old days when scrapbooking was using magazine cutouts, stickers and decorative edge scissors.  I want to hide those old scrapbooks and collages.  I remember having collages hanging im my bedroom and later in my college dorm room of all the teenage heart throbs, actors and singers.  So, when I was presented with this challenge I had a chance to revisit my memories.

The challenge was to make a card or layout only using magazine cutouts.  No scrapbooking embellishments or techniques were allowed, however we could use pop dots.  I made these sea turtle, collage, thank you cards.  Sentiment: Good to SEA you.  This was a nice trip down memory lane and a fun project. 

I was so tempted to at least ink the edges (didstress) of the torn paper card base.  I may have to add some bling before I use them...and some glossy accents on the bubbles...perhaps some eyes...and whatever other embellishments I can think of. lol  How did we manage with such arcaic supplies lol.

Bedroom accessories

Pink and purple...real girly huh? 

This was my attempt at making this kind of memo board.  Perhaps too many ribbons and a bit crooked, but overall ok...

...and the recipient loved the gifts.

I wonder why...

At a dinner gathering, I end up in the kid corner---imagine that!  My Godchildren, niece and I set out to create a village out of gingerbread.  Complete with a toy shoppe, Santa house, chalet, factory, and candy store.  I have never made a gingerbread house before.  It was fun.  These are our masterpieces.   LOL

Santa's house-->

I thought mine was absolutely wonderful and that Santa would be lucky to live in such a house.   I wonder why the kids kept saying, "...really? Aunt Teen Teen...Santa is mad at you..."

Jewelry sets

Bracelet, earrings and lapel pin made with wire wrapped beads.

Jewelry box decorated with items from my stash. Patterned paper that my gf gave me from a wedding paper pack. Glimmer sprayed flower. I have a ton of flowers from crafts I used to do some time ago. I also had this trim among my sewing items. Vellum quotes, chipboard flourish, TH walnut stain distress ink, rhinestones.