I made this card based on my desire to try stamping on designer series paper. I started small since I hadn't done it before and didn't want to mess up a big piece of paper if I didn't like how it turned out :) I tried it and I really like the effect you get stamping on designer paper - I plan to do a lot more of this! After making this card I realized that I could have made it with an image of a boy with the same sentiment and given it to Michael. He has taken such great care of me since I returned home from my crazy travels and I am a firm believer that nice truly does matter!

I'm having fun in the craft room today! These two quick birthday cards are for my sister-in-law and niece. I have gotten too far behind in sending out birthday greetings and gifts so I'm happy to be making progress today.

The brown and sage shadow card was stamped with the baroque background stamp using chocolate chip ink. The pixie pink and white card was stamped with an image from Kindred Spirits in pixie pink. The greeting was stamped with Whisper White craft ink.

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Positive or Negative? It's A Choice.

In art we sometimes notice the positive space and sometimes the negative space. In life it seems that for so many it is much easier to notice the negative space. I have been thinking about making some changes in my life lately. I mentioned this to my neighbor today and I heard in response a list of reasons why that would be the most insane thing to do right now...everything negative.

Where is the neighbor who will bombard me with all of the amazing reasons why now is the perfect time to pursue my dreams and follow the path that is beckoning me? Maybe that's what sites like SCS and this blog are like when it comes to creativity. A place where we can support and encourage one another to do that which we love. Thank you for providing this sense of community!

Today's inspiration challenge on SCS was to make a card inspired by lovely packaging at www.lovelypackage.com. This card was inspired by this packaging: http://lovelypackage.com/kanella-gift-chocolates/. I love the simplicity and elegance of the design. Of course, I had to add a little "glitz!' The card size is 3x3. The Branch Out images (tree and butterflies) were stamped in Going Gray ink and the greeting (Short & Sweet) was stamped using my Stamp-a-ma-jig in Basic Black. I added a bit of 2-way Glue to hold down some Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Hope you like it!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Look Up!

It seems I walk around with my head down a lot. I realize that by doing this, I'm missing at least 1/2 of the world! So today, when I was sitting down for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, I looked up...and there, on the wall, were some pizza boxes that had been painted by artists. One of them had a lot of eggplants on it and I loved what the artist had done. The artist had left the eggplant images on the box black and white, except for the center section where the artist used color - it was as if the picture came to life in the middle. This is what inspired this card.

So if you find yourself walking around with your head down, look up...you never know what you might see!

These pictures show you how I made the card. I first stamped the image multiple times in basic gray on the front of the card. Then I took a 3"x3" piece of chipboard and adhered it to the inside of the front of the card using removable adhesive. I turned the card back over so that I was looking at the front and I used my embossing stylus to emboss around the square (which was directly underneath the front of the card). I removed the chipboard square from the inside of the card and then began coloring the leaves that were inside the embossed square with watercolor pencils. I used the aqua painter to blend the colors. The gold button is a faux button - I punched a 1/2" circle out of gold card stock and then used another punch to punch the 2 small holes. Hope you like it!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Creating Cures Jet Lag Blues!!!!!

I knew it! Creating does cure jet lag blues...at least that's my theory and I'm sticking to it! It has been waaaaaay too long since I created. I was on an around-the-world work trip and while I saw so many things, I missed creating a lot! Today was my first day back in the craft room and these distressed flowers are HAPPY!!!! :)

I have a feeling creating can cure a lot more than just jet lag blues - I'm wondering if it can cure almost any type of blues... :)

I sprayed the card stock and paper with a little bit of water and then crumpled them up. I sanded the designer paper. I used pastels to shade the yellow flowers and cut some fringe "petals" with scissors. Hope you enjoy it!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: There's No Place Like Home!!!!!

I finally arrived back home late last night after a very long trip. 2 weeks around-the-world...it is still hard to believe. This picture was taken at the Great Wall in China. It seems fitting to me for this entry - a wall, built to try and protect that which is important - our "home." There is nothing like the feeling of coming back home - hugging Michael, petting Willow, loving on Buddy, seeing how much each of the plants in the garden had grown. I did not make my way into the craft room today - I think my body is trying to rest from all work - whether that work be the work of my day-to-day job or the work of creation. Today was a true day of rest. And tomorrow I depart again - this time for a quick trip to Houston, Texas and I am already anticipating my return and time to sit and create in the craft room. Maybe there's a chance I'll make it in there first thing tomorrow morning before I leave, but I don't want to pressure myself - I need all the relaxing I can get right now!

So tonight, enjoy your home - the place where your heart is - the place where those you love are - the place where you are. It really is the most special place in the world.