It's Starting.....

....to look like a Christmas mess in my scrapbook room. I have a six-foot table right in the middle where I have about 12 inches to work. I'm not quite sure what's happened to me lately. If anyone who knew me for a long time were to look at my mess, they wouldn't believe it's mine. I've always had the reputation of being very neat and particular. Of course, the hubby wouldn't agree with that anymore. I guess he's long forgotten about that Patty. I've become quite the unorganized person. Oh well.....life is too short to worry about being neat all the time.

This is just a sampling of what I've been working on lately. I'm trying to get several different cards together so I can decide how many of each to make. Once I get some other designs made, I'll change them up by using different paper patterns and embellishments. I've also been working on some cards for my sister-in-law, and I'm almost done with them.

I'm pretty happy with the way this wreath card turned out. When you see the card in person, the sparkle on the leaves really stands out.

I just love this Bazzill paper called Holly Flourish Ivy. I also used some Hero Arts stamps and gemstones, ribbon, quickie glue pen and sparkling ice glitter.

On the card below, I used cardboard for the tree trunk. I also used a tree stamp (not sure who the company is as the packaging is long gone) and paper pieced the tree together. Flower Soft was used to add snow. I never really thought of using cardboard on my cards until I visited with a customer who shops at Paper Studio. I came away with a lot of inspiration for cardmaking after my visit with Kate.

I'm kind of partial to the card below because 1) it's black and 2) I love plaid.

Other supplies used for this card include paper from Graphic 45's Communique Collection and diecuts from Making Memories Slice. I love the black sparkle embossing powder!

Crayon Resist Technique

I've read about some techniques that I want to try on some new projects. My first attempt was crayon resist. I didn't have glossy cardstock, which is the type of paper called for. I used glossy photo paper instead. The second card below was the glossy photo paper and the first card is using glossy cardstock. Big difference! I picked up glossy cardstock at Paper Studio , and not wanting to waste the paper that I had experimented on, I went ahead and made two cards. As you can see the first one turned out much better.

Supplies used for the card below: Glossy Cardstock, Kraft, Orange & Black Cardstock, Paper Crimper, Provo Craft Simply Chic Stamps, Orange, Black & Yellow inks, Crayon Resist Technique.

Supplies used for the card above: Glossy Photo Paper, Yellow, Black, & White Cardstock, ColorCore Cardstock by Core'dinations in VC Starry Night, Hero Arts Clear Design Stamps "Thinking of You", Crayon Resist Technique.

New Designs

Wow, was the wind ever cold today! It was a good thing I stayed indoors and made cards. When I did go out to walk the dog I was thinking that it seemed like a good day to make chili. Now it looks like it's improving outside and warmer weather is on the way.

I haven't had a chance to sit down and make anything for the last few days, so today I made up for it and created three cards. I've never used a sketch before and the first card below is one that I designed using a sketch from the Hero Arts blog. I think I like working from a sketch and will probably try using them for more cards and layouts.

Supplies used for this card: Bo Bunny's Back To Basics "Alissa So Cute" cardstock, Hero Arts Stamps "Friends", May Arts Pom Pom Ribbon, buttons, Shari's Sketch #2.

I love this paper on the card above! The colors are so rich and worked perfectly with the Bazzill cardstock in the color chili. I'm not sure where I picked up this paper or the ribbon.


Supplies used for this card: Bazzill cardstock in Chili, Spring Fever cardstock from the Spring Fling Collection from Paperloft, ribbon (not sure of the manufacturer), small flower and brad, machine stitching.

The card below is one that I designed at Paper Studio. When I looked at the Graphic 45 Fashionista Tags, I thought this one would make a good everyday card. The women look like they are gossiping and the "Support The Girls" Clear Art Stamps by Crafty Secrets seemed a perfect fit.

Supplies used for this card: "Support The Girls" Clear Art Stamps by Crafty Secrets, Graphic 45 Buttons A La Mode and Fashionista Tags from the Fashionista Collection, May Arts Crochet Ivory and Gold Sheer ribbon and miscellaneous buttons.

Happy Thursday!

I don't know about you, but I'm happy that the week is almost over! My day off is on Saturday this week and I'm looking forward to it. As I was wandering through Paper Studio the other day looking for paper to create a card, I happened upon some paper that I never would have thought of using. I like the way the card below turned out. I love the black with the kraft. Anyone out there reading this that knows me is probably laughing because I can always find something to create when it has to do with the color black! Black is one of my favorite colors. I always seem to gravitate toward darker colors when I make a card. I've been really trying to expand my horizons and use lighter colors.

Products used for this card: "Card Sentiments" Clear Art Stamps by Crafty Secrets, Bazzill Kraft Cardstock, Hero Arts Art Flowers in white and cream, Creative Imaginations Script Noir, Black Polka & Double Cream Floral from the Narratives Collection by Karen Russell, Creative Imaginations Black Plush Brads and May Arts Black Velvet Ribbon.

Busy Few Days

I haven't updated for almost a week, but I've been busy! First off, my two daughter's came to Minocqua for a visit over the weekend. I hadn't seen them since October 2008 when I moved here. We had fun time checking out the stores in the downtown area and went to lunch. I had gone into some of the stores last summer when I was here for a weekend, but haven't ventured out to any of them since I've been here. I do have to say that most of the area stores only cater to the tourists and not the locals. I did have a business owner comment to me while we were going through her store that the locals don't support the downtown businesses. Well, I can see why! The prices for the most part are outrageous. Because of the pay scale in the area I would imagine that most locals can't afford to shop these businesses.

I did find something that I just had to have while in the Antique Store in Gaslight Square. I love buttons and this jar (shown below) is perfect for my cards and page layouts. This is one store that I will go back to when I have more time to just wander around aimlessly.

I'm pretty pleased with myself that I am finally getting some scrapbooking done. I just finished this layout (shown above) of my mother and her siblings. It's going to take awhile, but someday I will get all my pictures scrapbooked.

The products used for this layout are: Graphic 45 papers Botanical News from the Botanicabella Collection, Vintage Cherries from the Fashionista Collection, Child's Play from the Playtimes Past Collection, Bazzill French Vanilla 3" Paper Flower and Pomegranate brad, Sizzix Flourish Die, Flowers from Irene's Garden, paper lace, Creative Imaginations brad, Creating Keepsakes Postcard Font, assorted buttons.

Marlene Allen, a very nice customer of Paper Studio came in last week and brought some of the items (shown above) that her husband Don creates. These were all made using pinecones and clothespins. These are very cool and I was so happy that she came in and shared these with us at the store. She also brought in a layout that she had done in which she had created a medic kit. It was amazing! If you click on the above link to Paper Studio you can view the page there.

On a final note, above is a card I made last week using some of my Graphic 45 paper scraps. The paper is Dollie's Teaparty from the Playtimes Past Collection and Sizzix Flowers and Vines Die. The stamp used is from Hero Arts. Now I need to finish a couple of other projects I am currently working on.....

New Cards

Below are some cards I designed last week at Paper Studio. I've been busy working on some other projects lately and keep forgetting to post them. Supplies used are listed under each card.

Magenta cardstock, Lasting Impressions paper - Limeade Dots & Lemon Tart Checks, Hero Arts Stamps & Vintage Arts Collection Flowers, scallop circle punch & buttons.

White & Hopscack cardstock, Lotus Foil paper from Marah Johnson's Asian Fusion Collection by Creative Imaginations, "Card Sentiments" Clear Arts Stamps by Crafty Secrets, Nestabilities, Hero Arts gems & May Arts Ribbon.

White cardstock, Bazzill cardstock in Haley & Starmist color, Summer Fun paper from the Helen Dardik Collection by Creative Imaginations, Lasting Impressions white buttons, May Arts Ribbon & Hero Arts stamps & gemstones, Versamark Watermark and White Embossing Powder.

Two New Cards

Another 4th of July has come and gone, and I think our dog is very relieved. We like to believe that he loves America, but he really hates fireworks! Right now, he's pretty sure that he doesn't need to go outside ever again in his lifetime.

In the past few days I created a couple new cards. The first one (shown below) uses products from Bazzill cardstock, Anna Griffin paper from Georgette Wedding Collection, May Arts ribbon, Hero Arts gemstones and "Card Sentiment" Stamp from Clear Arts Stamps by Crafty Secrets. I really think it turned out just beautifully. I do want to extend a big thank you to Vicky Meier, a great friend of Paper Studio for showing me a very cool trick to make bows!

The Thank You card (shown above) turned out really cute. The supplies I used to make this card are Bazzill cardstock, May Arts ric rack and black sheer dots ribbon , Hero Arts gemstones and small accent pearls, small black and white flowers.

New Cards

Below is a card I made on Friday at Paper Studio. The paper used is from Creative Imaginations All American Collection by Samantha Walker and Bazzill Pomegranate. Memories Port Wine ink was used, along with stamps from Hero Arts. The white pompom border is from Bazzill.
I've been wanting to work with Flower Soft for awhile and just had a chance to experiment with it today. I purchased two jars of it when I went to the Sayner Stampede. The colors I bought are lemon and spring. On the card below, I used the Flower Soft to create a border. I really like working with Flower Soft, but need more colors. Other products used were brown, green, orange and yellow cardstock. The stamp used is from Inkadinkado "Kids Quotes".

This next card is one that I have been thinking about for awhile. Have you ever thought about how you want to create a card, know the paper that you want to use, then when you go to make it nothing turns out like you expected? Well, that's what happened with this one! It didn't turn out anything like I thought it would. In fact one of the papers I used was the wrong one and I had planned on using different stamps and ribbon. Once I knew that this card wasn't going where I wanted it to, I just improvised because I didn't want to waste the supplies. For this card I used Clear Arts Stamps "Coffee & Tea", olive, blue, and white cardstock, Creative Imaginations paper called Renae's House, Graphic 45 paper from the Fashionista Collection called "Potpourri", ribbon from May Arts and Hero Arts pearls.

Friendship and Sympathy Cards

Everyone should have a selection of cards for every occasion. I'm in the process of building mine up, so I have them when I need them. Below is sympathy card I made on Monday at Paper Studio. Further down is a friendship card I've been working on for a few days at home and finally finished late last night. I'm working on additional projects and I'll post pictures soon.

The supplies I used for the sympathy card above are:
-Olive and Light Blue cardstock
-Bazzill Diamond Bling cardstock
-Marks Paper Company August Collection "Icc Cream Cone/Board Shorts" paper
-Silver Sheer Ribbon and Brown Burlap Fiber from May Arts
-Barely Blue matte buttons from Lasting Impressions from their "All Sorts of Things" line
-Stamps by Hero Arts
-Artprint Brown ink
-Corner rounder, Pop Dots & Zots Adhesive Dots

I used my favorite Clear Arts Stamps "Coffee & Tea" again by Crafty Secrets for the card above. I've got many more projects to make with these stamps! I also used my favorite paper which is Graphic 45! The paper card is called "Bee's Knees" from the Times Nouveu Collection. Other products used were black and red cardstock, black mesh ribbon, black and white gingham ribbon and Hero Arts small accent pearls. My inspiration for this card came from Vicky Meier, a customer of Paper Studio. I just loved the ATC card she gave me at the Saynor Stampede. Search my blog for the Stampede and you can see a picture of her card.

Sunshine and Good Cheer Card

Here's a card I whipped up at Paper Studio today. It's not fancy, but I think the red makes it look cheery. With the gloomy weather we've been having, we need all of the cheering up we can get!

Supplies used for this card:

-White and Red cardstock
-Snapdragon/Sunkissed paper from the Marks Paper Company August Collection
-May Arts Red Velvet Ric Rac and Brown Faux Suede Ribbon
-Memories Artprint Brown ink
-Small red brad
-Fiskars Scallop Rotary blade
-Hero Arts Spring 2009 "Cherish" stamps
-Zips ultra thin clear adhesive lines and Super Stix glue stick by Therm O Web

Marks Paper Company

Yesterday I created both of the cards shown above and below while at Paper Studio. These are the supplies I used for the card above: brown and red cardstock, Bazzill cardstock in Lima Bean color, the Paper Cut cardstock in Espresso color, Marks Paper Company Old Fashioned Courtship Collection "County Fair/Porch Swing" paper, red burlap fiber, Happy Anniversary stamp from Hero Arts "Hip & Stylish" clear stamps, Making Memories edge distressor tool and pop dots. Nestabilities were used to cut both the oval and the oval scallop shapes. Also used for both cards was Memories Art Print Brown ink.

This card was made using light blue and white cardstock, Bazzill cardstock in Lizard color, Marks Paper Company August Collection "Clear Sky/Cotton Sundress" paper, Hero Arts light blue gemstones and clear stamp from Hero Arts "Hip & Stylish" clear stamps, pop dots and the Making Memories edge distressor tool. I love how the Marks Paper looks like fabric. Jen Davis has made some gorgeous layouts and projects with paper from Marks Paper Company. Check out her blog, you won't be disappointed!

Father's Day Card

Here's a Father's Day card I created at Paper Studio before I went on vacation. I was rushing my last day at work and didn't get to post it. Products used are Clear Arts Stamps "Favorite Fellas", Creative Imaginations Paper "Sports Xtreme Collection Sk8er Stripe", orange and dark blue cardstock, velvet ribbon and buttons. I just love the Clear Arts Stamps!

Yorktown Sights & Shops

We had originally planned on combining Yorktown with a tour of James River Plantations, but Yorktown was so beautiful we stayed the day. Time has gone so quickly and we'll never be able to see and do all the things that we had hoped to on this trip. Tomorrow we'll shoot for the James River Plantations again!

At Yorktown, combined American and French forces laid siege to the British army. The cannon battery shown above were part of the American fortifications.

Revolutionary War soldiers pose for us at their encampment in Yorktown.

On October 18th, 1781 officers from both sides met at this house to negotiate the surrender of 8,000 British soldiers to George Washington. This was the last major battle of the American Revolution, and secured independence for the United States.

I like history, but I LOVE American Express!! This afternoon we spent time in many of the very cool shops in the area. Below are my finds.

I found some exciting paper at a scrapbook store in Yorktown. Plus I am always out of red buttons and have a hard time finding them. I hit the jackpot and found tons. Even though this was a nice store, I am biased toward Paper Studio for a broader range of products. Pictured are papers from Reminisce, Bo-Bunny, My Mind's Eye and Graphic 45.

Adding to my extensive collection of cookbooks from all over the United States (that my husband says I never use), here are my latest purchases from Virginia. Soon I'll need a new wing on my home just for cookbooks. Steve says my goal should be making a new recipe every week from my collection. I'll never live long enough!

Last but not least, I found this sweatshirt jacket at an incredible store called Stars & Stripes Forever on the waterfront in Yorktown. It's not black, but red is the next best color. The phrase has "Pattitude"!

Northwoods Moments

Today as I was driving between Minocqua and Rhinelander, I think I finally realized why so many people love it up here. Even though it was a rainy day, as you drive through the forest it was absolutely gorgeous! I'm beginning to think I am fortunate to live in such a beautiful area (but I sure could use a SuperTarget!).

Finally, I finished some cards and miscellaneous items that I am going to be giving as gifts. The card below is going to be given to my Aunt in Kentucky.

I will be giving the treat pull below to my second cousin who's three.

I just can't seem to get enough of the Graphic 45 paper, I love it! It was used for the notepad holder (below) and another card further down. That card is similar to another card I had made with the Graphic 45 paper, I just changed it a little. Both patterns for the treat pull (above) and the notepad holder below I got from Paper Studio.

I think my Aunt is going to love the two cards and notepad holder I made for her.

Today's Cards

Below are two cards I designed at Paper Studio today. One is a birthday card and the other is a graduation card.

I used Kraft cardstock for the card, Making Memories Varnish Large Dot paper from the Flower Patch Collection, yellow cardstock and a teal green ribbon with yellow on the sides. Nestabilities were used to do the cut out window on the front of the card, the oval on the inside and the scallop around the window edge.

Below: A view of the inside of the birthday card. I used pop dots to make the oval dimensional on the card.

Above: Blue, olive, light blue and red cardstock was used. I also used Hopscotch from the Playtimes Past Collection from Graphic 45. The stamps are from Hero Arts. Black embossing powder was used on the graduation hat and a deckle blade for cutting.

Thank You Cards

Here are two cards that I designed today at Paper Studio. How lucky am I to go to work and have fun!

Above card uses Hero Arts stamps, dotted swiss butter paper, olive and brown cardstock, Creative Imaginations Summer Fun collection by Helen Dardik, gold brad and small gold flower.

Card above uses Hero Arts stamps, dotted swiss surfs up paper, olive and light blue cardstock and Creative Imaginations Summer Fun collection by Helen Dardik. Also used on this card were the Classic Square and Classic Scalloped Square Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders. Fiskars Threading Water border punch also was used.

Cards

I thought I'd add some cards that I designed at the Paper Studio for some of my friends that can't see them on my Facebook page. The card below I made at home using paper I bought awhile ago. I just love the way the patterns and colors go together.

I love the way the card below looks like a quilt. This card also designed using Graphic 45 paper and Hero Arts All Occasion Messages stamps.

Card below also designed using Graphic 45 paper. Hero Arts All Occasion Messages stamps were used.

The card below was designed for Sayner Stampede. Paper used is from the Teresa Collins Haute Cuisine Scrapbook Collection. Stamps are called What's Cooking from Hero Arts.

The card below was designed using Graphic 45 paper. Hero Arts All Occasion Messages are the stamps that were used. This card was also used at the Sayner Stampede. I have to say this card is one of my favorites. I just love how all the colors look so warm!

Yesterday at Paper Studio we made a TV commercial. That was a fun experience! You can hop over to the Paper Studio blog and see some behind the scenes pictures if you want.

Sayner Stampede

Finally, I am posting pictures from the Sayner Stampede! I was lazy yesterday as I was recovering from a long weekend. I had so much fun! This was truly a wonderful experience and I hope I get the chance to attend more shows.

Pictured above with me is Micaela Inman, owner of Paper Studio and Jen, my co-worker.

Here is a view of the showroom floor.

Micaela is teaching make-n-takers how to make her raspberry card.

Jen is helping make-n-takers with one of her card projects.

Make-n-takers having fun making my flower card.

A very happy make-n-taker making my kitchen card.

This little girl belonged to the vendor in the booth next to us. She came over and made our cards. She was adorable and for her age of 7 very talented.

Vicky Meier, a customer of Paper Studio came to our booth and gave each one of us one of her ATC cards (Artist Trading Cards). I was so thrilled to receive my very first one! Now I have to get to work and make some of my own to trade.

There are more pictures to see on Jen's Blog and on Paper Studio's blog.