Bark

 

I made this folio and I'm totally in love with it! I started it late Saturday and finished it Monday evening. It was such a quick project and I love that! Even as poky as I am, I would've been able to finish it on Sunday but I had a few other things to do. I followed a tutorial from Ginger over at My Sister's Scrapper. I've been following her for years and I love her projects. I'd love to go to one of the retreats that she teaches at sometime. 

This is the first time I've made a folio. I've thought about making one for quite a while and finally took the plunge. After creating this folio there are a few thinks I know I will do differently next time.  

I'm not sure about the stickers I added to the right of the cover. I may have added a few too many.  I don't normally use a lot of stickers, but since I have them I decided to go with it. 

 

I loved this sticker I added to the back cover!

 

Tons of room inside for photos!

 

Lots of photo mats that the pocket holds!

 

I love that the waterfall lifts off the page.

 

The photo above and below are the two outside spines. 

For such a small book you are able to get a lot of photos inside. 

I want to make another one with this paper collection by October Afternoon called Bark. I found another collection online so I snapped it up. I'll decorate it a little different. I also found the Meow collection that matches this one so of course I picked that up too. I have a feeling I'll be making more of these folios because they are just so adorable!

Thanks for stopping by!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #233

 

This is my card for the design team for The Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge this week. We'd love it if you'd join us with your interpretation of the sketch shown below. 

 

I added distress ink to a background stamp from Rubbernecker, spritzed water on it and then added my cardstock on top. After smoothing the paper out, I peeled the paper off the stamp and ended up with this watercolor print. 

 

For my wreath I used some jute I have in my stash. I wrapped it around a Dylusions paint jar to get the shape. I tied a knot on one side to keep it together. I watercolored some cardstock and diecut a banner and then stamped my sentiment. The sentiment is an older one from October Afternoon. All supplies are listed below. 

I found some leaves in my stash. I picked these up a few years ago at Michaels. 

Supplies:
Rubbernecker Stamp: Branch Shadow
Taylored Expressions: Stitched Banner Stacklets Die
Distress Oxide Inks: spiced marmalade, abandoned coral, fossilized amber, lucky clover
Jute
October Afternoon: Fall Fun Stamp Set

Thanks for stopping by!

March Swap Cards

These are my cards for the March card swap I belong to called Card Swap Pals.

They are basically all the same except for the patterned paper and the die cut. I used some older patterned paper from October Afternoon that I had in my stash. The die cuts are by Sizzix. They are from Tim Holtz Alterations called wildflowers. I absolutely love them! I also have the stencil and the rubber stamp set. 

Another one of my favorite stamps sets is from Simon Says Stamp called handwritten borders. I've used this set a lot and will continue to. It's such a versatile set. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: Sketch #101

Every day I get the newsletter from Paper Playful with all the daily listings of challenges. It's one the the emails I love to get and peruse to see if there are any challenges that catch my eye. The other day the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge looked interesting so I thought I'd give it a try. This is my first time playing along with them.

For my card I used Tim Holtz watercolor paper and inked it up with these distress inks: crushed olive, worn lipstick, scattered straw, tumbled glass and dusty concord. I found some thinner Bazzill cardstock in my stash and used two different Fiskars flower punches to create three flowers. I dusted the edges with versamark and then finished them off with white embossing powder. the sentiment is from a Tim Holtz clear set called Phrases 2. Base cardstock is from PaperTrey Ink. I used bling from various manufacturers: Recollections, Doodlebug Design and October Afternoon.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: Sketch #1

Be sure to click the link about to go check out the submissions for this challenge! Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Morning Cards

Sharing a couple cards I made earlier today while listening to the wind howl and the rain hit the windows. 

For both of these cards I picked out some random patterned paper from my stash. Lord knows I have plenty of it! I love being able to use it with stencils. The red paper is from October Afternoon and the teal paper is from Core'dinations. I used Hero Arts Petals Stencil Pair with Ranger Texture Paste on both of these cards. The flowers on the teal card are some leftovers sitting on my craft table that I used on another card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Blooms

 

No challenge for this card.  I was just playing around with a older Woodland Park background stamp from October Afternoon and several colors of Tim Holtz distress ink. I also wanted to use a flower die from Heartfelt Creations that I picked up awhile ago and haven't had a chance to work with. It's called Arianna Blooms and I love it!

For the background I stamped the Woodland Park image with versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I then inked the watercolor paper the six colors below below.

Here's a close up of the background and the flowers. I used Graphic 45's Bohemian Bazaar patterned paper for the flowers. This Arianna Blooms die is so versatile and can make so many different variations of flowers. I can't wait to play around with it some more. 

The sentiment is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps called Bloom & Grow. 

I've been using my new MISTI and I love it! I think this will be very helpful for me because with my Rheumatoid Arthritis sometimes I have a difficult time stamping a good image. Just from trying it out with various stamps I think the purchase of this product was well worth it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Deconstructed Sketch Challenge No. 182

This is my first time playing along with The Deconstructed Sketch. I know I will again because I like their sketches!

I'm trying try cardstock from Simon Says Stamp! for the first time. I wanted to see if I like it as much as the cardstock from PaperTrey Ink. I think it's a good match and I'll be buying more. I only picked up a few colors to try. My base for this card is made using their Island Blue color. 

I love the Graphic 45 Bohemian Bazaar collection! I know that some don't care for it and that's okay. Everyone has their own taste. I just adore the bright, loud patterns! It's one of my favorite collections from Graphic 45. 

I used three different dies for this card. One from Taylored Expressions and one from Elizabeth Craft Designs. I don't know what the manufacturer is for the die that I used to cut the orange patterned paper. The bling is from My Mind's Eye, Doodlebug Design and October Afternoon. 

Deconstructed Sketch No. 182

Thanks for stopping by!

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #167

One of my goals for 2015 is to participate in more challenges. I really enjoy doing them. I got away from doing a lot of the things I love the last few years because of other happenings that have gone on in my life. I think I'm off to a pretty good start so far and it's not even the new year yet :)

This card is for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #167. Super easy, fun sketch to work with! I used a mixed trio of patterned paper from October Afternoon that I picked up at this years warehouse sale. I love plaid! To be honest.....I really didn't need any more paper. I have so much that I will more than likely never use it all in my lifetime. I could probably also say that about all my other scrapbook related products. Unfortunately that doesn't stop me from buying more!

I used a die from Elizabeth Craft Designs for my sentiment and for the small label shape I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Labels die. The enamel dots and stickers are from My Mind's Eye and October Afternoon. Base cardstock is from PaperTrey Ink. 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #167

Stop by and check out all the other beautiful cards. Thanks for stopping by!

Holly Jolly Christmas - Anything Goes Christmas Challenge

What it difference it makes when I can take a photo by natural light....and not even with any sun out! I've had the worst time lately trying to get decent photos of the cards I'm creating. It's been so gray and depressing out. I have to get the photos on the weekend since it's dark before I leave for work and almost dark when I get home. I do try to take some in a couple of different areas in the house at night but they definitely don't turn out as good as this one. Being off work today made it a great day to take photos!

Today's card is being linked up to the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge. This challenge is an "Anything goes Christmas challenge". Those are my favorites. I do like sketch and/or color combination challenges, but I also like challenges where you have a theme and can just do whatever works for you. I do tend to stay away from challenges that require the use of a certain brand of stamp or having to use digital images. 

For this card I used a stamp that I've had for quite awhile. It's called Dad's Truck and is made by Printworks. A few years back my late husband and I stopped in a store called The Stamp Shoppe in Schofield, WI which is where I found it. I remember loving the large selection of ribbon that this store carried. I used Tim Holtz distress ink in black soot on the stamp, spritzed it with water and then stamped onto watercolor cardstock. For the greenery I diecut one of the Tim Holtz dies from the Holiday Greens set, cut it apart and adhered it to the back of the truck with glossy accents. The bow is something I had in my stash. Base cardstock is from PaperTrey Ink. The watercolor cardstock is matted with paper from Colorbok and the patterned paper is Silent Night by October Afternoon. The headlights are glitter dots by Dress It up. For my sentiment I used a stamp set from Hero Arts called A Very Merry Christmas. 

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge

Take time to stop by and check out all the beautiful cards that everyone has created.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Glory of Christmas Challenge #49

Today my card is for the challenge The Glory of Christmas Challenge #49. Anything goes as long as it's Christmas. Christmas cards are my favorite cards to create. Thank you and sympathy cards come in second and third. 

I've been checking around to find challenges that do Christmas all year round. I think I've found a few so don't be surprised if you see more Christmas cards on my blog in 2015.

The patterned paper I used is Silent Night by October Afternoon. This paper is just so cute, I love it! I bought a couple of these pads when I went to the their warehouse sale. For my ornament I die cut the image using a set of dies called Ornament Dies by Sweet 'n Sassy. They have two different stamp sets that also coordinate with this die set. I then ran the die cut through my Big Shot using an embossing folder from Darice. I don't have the name of it. I had some snowflake buttons in my stash so I cut the shank off the back and adhered it to the die cut with a glue dot. My little bow is made out of jute. The sentiment is by Inkadinkado. I've used this sentiment a lot through the years. 

Believe it or not, I've made all these Christmas cards and haven't even sent out one yet and it's December 23rd! Anyone on my card list will be getting their cards late this year!

Be sure to stop by The Glory of Christmas and check out all the cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Christmas Pocket Mini Book

I've made another mini book! I'm really getting addicted to these. My head is swimming with ideas for new ones. What I really need to do is finish some of the projects I have left from Scrapfest. I still have three at home to work on. I also have one that will be coming in the mail from TPC Studios. I think I mentioned in a earlier post that TPC was unable to attend Scrapfest because of Hurricane Irene.

Something else on my "to-do" list is to start my Christmas cards earlier than I ususally do. I'm trying to stay focused, but I get side-tracked easily. I've seen some sketches I'd like to try for cards, so I might start there.

This mini is probably one of the easiest I've ever created. I made five pocket pages from cardstock and added five photo mats. For the covers I used cardboard which I love. It's nice to reuse items that would otherwise be tossed. I have an endless supply of cardboard because my Humira shots for my Rheumatoid Arthritis are delivered by FedEx every other week. I had accumulated so much that I had to get rid of some. It was taking up too much space in my craft closet.

There is so much room in this book for photos and journaling. This book is so customizable for birthdays and other events. It would make a very easy gift to make for someone since it only uses three sheets of 12x12 cardstock, cardboard for the covers and cardstock for the photo mats. You can embellish it alot or just leave it simple. I may do some more embellshing to mine when I decide what I'm going to do with my books. I made a second one and inserted a solid green pocket page. That wasn't what I was going to do, but I ruined the paper and couldn't use it. I did a video of that mini and you can see it here.

This post is linked to these parties: Made By You Monday, Homemaker Monday, A Marvelous Mess

Thanks for stopping by!

Thank You For Your Friendship

I love mixing patterns. This paper from October Afternoon is so fun!

I'm definitely getting mileage out of this butterfly punch from Martha Stewart. I thought this card need a little "pop" of black. This sheer dotted ribbon does the trick.

Products used:
Card base: PTI yellow
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon
Stamp: Thank You For Being My Friend - Hero Arts - CL487
Other: Nestabilities Labels One, Butterfly Punch from Martha Stewart, Ribbon, Stampendous! Dot Sparklers.

Have a fantastic weekend, I know I'm going to!

Sending Lots of Happy Thoughts.....

I fell in love with this Modern Homemaker collection from October Afternoon when I first laid eyes on it at Archiver's this past March. The patterns are so fun and colorful!

In my opinion, I think it looks great with this black card base! I used nestabilities to create my flower and I couldn't resist finishing the card off using the black & white checked ribbon.

Products used: PTI cardstock base, Patterned paper: October Afternoon, Ribbon, Nestabilities, Hero Arts Clear Stamps: Live Life - CL498.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sending Caring Thoughts

The card I'm sharing today incorporates three of my favorite things: black, kraft and red. The polka dots aren't bad either!

I also used one of my new favorite edge punches. I always have a "new" favorite of one thing or another. I haven't tired of this one yet.

Products used for this card:
Kraft PTI card base
Patterned paper from October Afternoon - Modern Homemaker - Cherry Pie
EK Success Binding Edge Punch
May Arts Jute
Stampendous Dot Sparklers
Hero Arts Clear Stamps - Special Note of Thanks - CL499

This is my original design. All cards were recreated for The Sayner Stampede using different patterned papers, embellishments and ribbons so they may or may not be an exact replica.

Minnesota Mini Book

I wish I could scrap my photos as soon as an event or vacation was finished. I know people like that. I'm always in awe that they get them done so efficiently. I'm years behind and probably always will be.

That's why I'm so thrilled that I just finished a mini book of the few photos I have from my March visit to Minnesota!

This patterned paper from BoBunny is gorgeous!

I took my 4 x 6 cardstock and adhered my paper and then cut my edges with Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge Dies. I then used my Cinch to do the binding.

If you pull the flowers throughout the book, there is a hidden tag for journaling. 

I used Hero Arts, Teresa Collins and TPC Studio stamps throughout the book.

I used a few of the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adage Tickets on a couple of pages. 

I loved being able to see family and friends. My only regret is that I missed getting a photo with a few people!

Here's a list of the products I used:

Patterned paper from BoBunny - Gabrielle Collection
Kraft from PTI
The Cinch from We R Memory Keepers
Teresa Collins - Noel Clear Stamps
Hero Arts Clear Stamps - CL351 - Friends
TPC Clear Stamps - Playful Expressions
Paper Lace
Miscellaneous Buttons
Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
October Afternoon Mini Market Stickers
Nestabilities Standard Circles Small
Hero Arts Medium & Small Accent Pearls
Hero Arts Art Flowers Meadow
Tim Holtz Products:
Tattered Florals Die
Tiny Tabs & Tags Die
Idea-ology Adage Tickets
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Alterations On The Edge Dies - File Tabs, Brackets, Plaque & Postage, Scallops

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Happy Thoughts Mini Book

I created this mini book from some cardboard circles that were going to be tossed in the trash. Much to my husband's dismay, I've become a hoarder of anything that I think has a possibility of being altered into a creative project.

I used my new Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die to create the flower.

I love quotes, so I gathered up some "Happy Thoughts" and decided they would be perfect in a mini book to reference on days when you just aren't feeling very chipper. With all this nasty weather we've been having and not seeing much sunshine, I don't know about you, but it really gets to me.

I used a Sizzix die and Nestabilities to cut my tags. Not liking the hole in the tag, I used my new Tim Holtz Tiny Tabs & Tags Sizzix Bigz die to cut a tab that I secured on the top. I then stapled ribbon to it.

I really wanted to make this a simple little book. I love the bright, dots on this paper as I think it looks "happy". I used six sheets of 12x12 paper, eight cardboard circles, two rings, tags I diecut, miscellaneous ribbon and embellishments from my stash.

My husband thought the book need photos. I had to remind him that you can make books without pictures!

Products used for this book: Classic Scalloped Circles Small & Standard Circles Small Nestabilities, Basic Glitter Patterned Paper by Best Creation Inc, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot, Tiny Tabs & Tags Sizzix Bigz Die & Mini Paper Rosettes Die, Mini Market Stickers from October Afternoon, Miscellaneous Ribbon, Cloud 9 Design Rain Dots, Miscellaneous Flowers, Hero Arts Metallic Decor, and Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch.

Thanks for stopping by!