First Friday Mashup!

I participated in my first online challenge today! I was invited by the super-talented Shirley and I am super excited to show off what I made. If you'd like to check it out, visit the address above!

The colors we used are above and are beau-ti-ful together! Here's what I came up with...(don't mind my basket in the background)

Isn't it cute! I love it!  The stamp set that I used is Puns from the past stamped in Marina Mist and Early Espresso inks along with Early Expresso, So Saffron, and Cherry Cobbler papers. I distressed the edges of the EE and SS with my paper snips and sponged EE on the Very Vanilla card stock for added dimension. The buttons are from the Earth Elements buttons on top of little EE squares and twine. I also used VV seam binding with a thread pulled in the middle to sinch it up!

Hope you enjoy,  have a stamp-tastic day!!

Second Place

Hi all! So, we had our monthly club meeting on Wednesday!!!!! (I know, a few days late on my post!) My cute little green basket came in second place! So, instead of winning all the competition entries, I won a stamp set, which is the Hostess Level 3, Occasional Quotes from the current IB&C!! YAY! There were SO many amazing and creative entries! The winner, Allison, made a memo board using greenhouse gala paper. But there were cards, little purses, cd holders, and a shadow box just to name a few! I'd love to show you, but I forgot my camera. I also forgot my purse. Durr...One of those days.

But, besides all that it was recipe swap month!!! I was soo super stoked to do this project I could wee! It came out beautiful, and was easy to put together since I didn't have to make ALL of the pages! I just slid them into the page protectors and that was a wrap!

 This book was SO much fun to make! Isn't the apron just adorable?? We used the Greenhouse Gala DSP and another paper stack. (I guess I should've checked out which one it was!) But, they matched beautifully!  My favorite is the little flower accent...super easy to make! But, takes a bit to dry. Maybe I'll post a tutorial on it. I can't wait until I have my own club! (but, I don't ever know if I could come up with such beautiful creations!)

Next month (well, more like 2 weeks from now!) for our swaps we are doing monochromatic cards. That means they all that to be one range of colors. Like all purple, for instance. No ribbon, no hardware! Should be interesting!! I'll keep you posted!!


Have a scrap-tastic day!!!

I'd like to thank...

Two posts in one day! I know how you're feeling!! But this was too good to not have a post of its own! My dearest friend Belinda Keller has awarded me with a Stylish Blogger Award!!! How cool!!! I never knew how one earned such an award, but I never thought I would earn one! YAY!!!! So excited!!

When you recieve this award you are to pay it forward and follow these rules:

1) thank the person who gave this award to me and link it back to their blog (THANKS!!!)


2) share 8 things about myself


3) pass this award to 8 other individuals that I have recently discovered


4) leave a comment so that they can pass along the recognition!

So lets see 8 things about me........

.

1) I have lived in England for the last 5 years. We move to Fairbanks AK this summer.

2) I am a USAF Veteran, separated after 6 years of service to focus on my family.

3) I was born in New Orleans and raised in Wisconsin.

4) My husband and I met in England at work, but are both from WI about 1 1/2 hours away from each other.  I even went to his school for a Key Club Rally and Band competitions!

5) I've roller skated since I was around 6 or 7. I now play Roller Derby in Cambridge! My right ring finger is shorter because of an incident with my skates!

6) I joined Stampin Up! in 2010 while here in the UK as a hobby demo. I'd really like to start a club in AK.

7) We have a Lab-Rottweiler, Rocky, and he is really something else! (and need that decoder from Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs so I know what he's thinking)



8) I am a student at Oregon State University. I tried really hard to get into this school, since they are the only school that offers a completely online BS in Agriculture. I also learned that I hate taking classes online. I'll be transferring to University of Alaska-Fairbanks as soon as I get there and will major in Natural Resources.

Eight Fabulous Blogs (in no particular order) that I am passing this award on to:

Stamp with Jenn 

Angela Timms

Debbi Rippentrop

Allison Orhan

Renee Ondrajka

Heather Summers

Ribbon and Julz

Jesse Arellano


Thanks so much!! I'll wear my new badge with honor!!!!
Have a scrap-tastic day!!!

8x8 Recipe Page and Acronyms galore!

I am glad to say that I've finally finished my recipe swap pages! I love papercrafting, but something about putting a page layout together freaks me out and completely stumps my brain. Since I've started making these pages,  I tried everything in my power to finish them, but suddenly so many other things became appealing. But, last night when I eagerly tried to work on my pages, I was stumped and un-crafty. I even tried to make another card...didn't work. Ugh. I'll get to that in a minute.

Here is my page!

I used Sock Monkey, Days of gratitude, crumb cake, daffodil delight and close to cocoa inks and papers. 

I know, they aren't really anything special. I am glad they are finished. I am terrible at a CAS (Clean and simple) design. I love adding all the frills and cutsies to cards, so when I make a CAS card, it looks so plain to me. Now, I can be searching for an idea on SCS or SC and think that these CAS cards are the bees knees! When I try to CASE (copy and share everything) one of these simple beauties, my brain shuts off and suddenly can't create such simplicity. It feels nice to whip a cute simple card up, but it seems so...plain?

A CAS card for my friend Jessica, who just welcomed her second child, a new baby boy!

Then again, it is the thought and the care we put into our creating, and not everyone can afford to make highly embellished cards. There is a video on SC from either convention or leadership, where the presenter describes how to get back to simple card making. She shows examples of a CAS card, then the same card with more advanced techniques. The most important point of the video was how to take into account how much you are spending while making the card. For example, you used a top note die and them dry embossed the paper. Add up the cost of the BS (Big shot) paper, embossing folder. Then you'll obviously want to stamp in different colors (stamp set(s) ink(s) etc, etc.) Anyway, it was a shocking video and how your design might be $300 card. I started hand making my cards to save from buying them, now they are ten times the price, eek!!! (don't tell my hubby!!) 


Anywho, I forgot what the point was of my rambling. Oh yeah, the recipient, whether it is a friend or family member, will enjoy a hand crafted, hand written note no matter how detailed or simple it may be. It will brighten their day regardless and may even inspire them to pass along a kind gesture as well.

I'm setting a goal. I'm going to work very diligently on making CAS cards for my next post. I actually have my eye on a one sheet stamp a stack! I'll report back with my progress. Let me know your tricks to making CAS cards in the comment field below! I look forward to your responses!

Little Green Bickety Basket

Why hello there! Sorry I haven't updated in a few days! Its been hectic at my house! My son Evan turned 7 on Valentines day, so we were busy making his class valentines. We made one of these cutesies at the club I'm in, so it was a no-brainer that we replciated them. I made them slightly smaller, 3" x 7 1/4 I believe the measurements are. After the valentines were made, we had to gear up for his bowling birthday party on the 13th and hosting Bunco at my house on the 15th. Busy, busy! For these little lolli-holders, I used last year's valentines DSP.

So, now that we've made it past Bunco, its time to work on club swaps and our challenge project. Our swaps this month are recipe cards. I've decided to make banana bread using the Sock Monkey set! He's so cute!! Our projects are 8x8 and fairly easy to make. I'm not good at simply designed projects, so they look blank and naked to me, but I keep telling myself that I have to make 13 of these babies...simpler the better! And, although they are simple, doesn't mean they are any less adorable and less appreciated! I'll be posting these once they are finished!! Stay tuned!

Also, at our club, like I've mentioned before, we have a challenge project. This month, we are doing an "anything goes" swap, and I am determined to win! So, after countless hours looking for the "perfect" project....I've found it. I'm made a St. Patty's day basket! I've cased this from the VERY talented Laura Canale here: http://wishyouwerehere-laura.blogspot.com/2008/02/basket-tutorial.html. Forgive me as I haven't figured out how to embed them in a shorter link. But, if you copy and paste, it'll get you to the same place.

Now, before you embark on this basket weaving journey...I warn you...she takes some time. Also, 1/8" paper is tricky to cut. Also, instead of using the glue stick like Laura does, use the Tombow multi-glue. You are going to get inky from sponging teensy slices of paper and sticky, and I found that the huge jar of Planters Peanuts are quite helpful in holding the base of your basket whilst weaving. (sorry, had to throw in my proper English slang)  But it was SO fun to make!!

Helps with stability. Don't laugh at my late night snacks of choice...they are a staple! Dt. MtDew and PB M&M's

Here is a shot showing the size. It looks big and is quite strong!!

    Hope you enjoyed and have a scrap-tastic day!!!!!  :)

Super Bowl Win Excitement

It's no secret that my husband is a HUGE Green Bay Packer fan. Growing up in Wisconsin, I should be too, maybe I'll convert one of these years and do my state proud. My team is the New Orleans Saints, and as of last year, they now hold the coveted "World Champion" rank as well.  It was about time! Back to the Packers, my husband was so excited that they won, not only has he watched the game everytime it has replayed, but inspired him to roll up his sleeves and get crafty!

SUCCESS!!  A true packer fan owns a cheesehead, and now the Vince Lombardi trophy replica rests right on top!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a scrap-tastic day!

Birthday Invites & Feau-ter coloring

So, I'm getting into a routine that I can live with.  Bring Evan to school and then head to the little gym out here on Feltwell. Its nothing major, but it's quiet and has everything I need: an elliptical and TV.  I should convice the hubby to let me get an elliptical...I could just work out on that whenever I wanted to watch TV...maybe it could power my TV? It doesn't match my decor or fit in the room...but a healthy lifestyle is always in style. I need to come up with something better. Anywho. As I'm sitting here updating this, I'm munching on Ritz crackers. Not even the whole wheat kind, they were out at the commissary. So much for that workout.

Onto the cards! I made 19 of these little pirate-y cuties for Evan's birthday invites.

When making a large number of cards, its easier and less overwhelming, I like to take it in steps. Measure and cut all card stock and DSP,  then stamp, then adhere. You can put that in whichever order works best for you. But, I guaranteed it will save you tons of time, and get you in a good rhythm.

 So, super awesome technique time!! Stampin' Up! has a marvelous product called a Blender Pen... How you use it is so genius and saves TONS of money! (Who doesn't like that) I love the Many Marvelous Markers, but I have 90% of the inks...and I only write in basic black...so blender pen we go.
So, what you do is choose the ink you would like to use. In this case, I have Riding Hood Red. Squeeze (not hug) the lid of the ink so that it transfers to the lid. (See below...except it'll look like the woven ink pad)

 You then suck up the ink into the blender pen. The fluid in the pen is clear, like a mystery marker. Swirl it around a whole bunch, really get some color in there. Plus, it'll last longer. You will keep repeating this to keep your color.

 Before you apply it to your picture, you can dab off excess ink onto a scrap piece of paper, then color your image.

 When you are finished, rub your pen onto the paper until it runs clear...now you can switch colors! You can use your blender pens pretty much until the end wears down and isn't up to your standards any longer. Good news, though...There's another tip on the opposite end of the marker! YAY!!

 Here is my colored Pirate. I switched to basic black next. But, you can do this over and over and put as many colors as you'd like. Give it a watercolor effect by not staying perfectly in the lines, and outline the edges darker for a shadow! Another cool thing you can do is color directly on your stamps. Repeat the same steps as above except apply the color on the rubber! Just remember to "huff" your inks to warm them up before stamping!

 And finally, here is the Master addressing his envelopes to his classmates!

Don't mind the mess...it's been a crafty couple of days! I need my own stamping room (thats bigger than my walk in closet) This habit really impedes on the family because it feeds disaster! Now to lug it all back upstairs....maybe I'll burn off those crackers.

Hope you enjoyed today's post!!

Have a scrap-(or stamp)-tastic day!!

TU-TU-TU-TU-TU-TU-TUTORIAL TUESDAY!!

Hope you like the little song...It sounded good in my head! This Tutorial Tuesday I was quite productive.  Gym, cleaning, and best of all CREATING!

So, today we will be making these fun little cupcake boxes. Or gift boxes. Call them what you will. One thing they are absolutely....easy and cute! I made them for the guests who will be skating with us this weekend in Leicester for our bout against the Dolly Rockits (http://www.dollyrockitrollers.co.uk/)

So to start out, here is the ingredients:

1 piece of 12 x 8 3/4 card stock. (DSP is just not strong enough)
Sticky Strip (the wider the better)
Bone folder
DSP for (prettying up the outside) You will need two 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 and six 1 1/4 x 2 5/8
Snail (or adhesive of your choice)
Paper snips
Ribbon (enough to make a knot or bow, your choice!)
Score Pal or Fiskars paper trimmer (with swing attachment) with score slide installed. (Or you can use a bone folder if you lost your attachment like me)


So... Here goes. Funny how it works I couldn't find my directions, so of course, I had to deconstruct the box I made a while ago. I didn't take pics of that...it was a little too sad.

So take your CS that's cut down to 12" x 8 3/4, and lay it with the 12 inch side at the top. (Bear with me as I am not a professional photographer....)

Score at 1 1/2", 4 1/2", 7 1/2", and 10 1/2"

Flip paper so that 8 3/4" is now at the top

Score at  2 14/16 (I dont know my measurements so well.. but its 2 lines away form the 3")

Score at 5 14/16 (again, with the 2 lines before the 6")

Flip back to 12" side

Use your trimmer or snips and cut in at 2 1/2 inches ONLY to the horizontal score line!! (NO FURTHER!) And again at 9 1/2" Repeat on other side


Now, cut on the horizontal score line that you cut up to. (these will be your little flaps for your sides. Do this on all 4 sections Don't mind my goof! I was watching the Today Show instead of my measurements...it's all good though. I used clear gift wrap tape and voila! All better!

Fold all score lines! YAY folding! (The least confusing part!) Isn't this exciting how its all coming together!

Now, we are going to snail the DSP onto our base. The two big squares will go on the big squares and the six little rectangles will go on the three spaces on both outsides on the right and left. You'll see. This was a pretty complicated way to explain. (Hmm, now I know why so many use videos for projects)

See, easier said than done! :)
Now to apply sticky strip. I used two pieces on each flap for extra stability. 

The sticky strip will be applied on each of the little flaps (where you cut at 2 1/2) and on the big center flaps closest to you. (If you can see in the picture, on the center flaps I put them on the same side, they need to be opposite of eachother.) These will adhere the center square together.

Like so:

You will then adhere the small flap crease right along the edge of the squares laying flat.

Like so:

Now, fold these halves up and they become the sides. 

Use your ribbon to hold these together and thats it! You've just made a purdy little cupcake (or treat or gift) box! How a bout that? Now get on out of here and get crafty! As always, if you have a comment, or maybe a better, less confusing way, please, please fill out a comment form!! :)


Until next time....have a spect-scrapular day!! (I just came up with that!!)