A Few Masculine Cards

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Creativity Creates Community

I had a Valentine's stamp-a-stack at the house yesterday and I am still smiling!  It's wonderful to watch a group come together and laugh and share stories and create.  What I realize is that creativity makes me feel a part of a community - whether that community is sitting in my home creating, or whether I'm connecting to people on-line/virtually.  I know I really don't know many of you who visit my blog - most of the time I don't even know you're here - other than to look at the scrolling information in the right-hand column that tells me someone has visited from Japan or London or New Jersey.  It's just amazing knowing that you are out there and that you take the time to come and connect with me - even by just stopping by or by taking the time to leave me a comment.  Thank you for being a part of a community that I cherish and am grateful for everyday!
Today's card is a card that I did for a SCS challenge last week.  I used the Bring On The Cake hand image over and over to create the background on the card and combined that with the fleur-de-lis image from Friends 24/7.  Chunky glass glitter adds a pop of dazzle, while still allowing this card to be appropriate for a guy (it actually became my brother's belated birthday card :)  Here is another, very simple, masculine birthday card that I did for a sketch challenge on SCS about a week ago.

I ran the background Soft Suede textured card stock through the crimper in one direction and then turned the paper around and ran it through in the other direction to create a grid pattern.  It adds a ton of texture!  I kept on adding texture by spraying a Riding Hood Red piece of card stock with water and then crumpling, uncrumpling and recrumpling the paper and then letting it dry.  I attached the eyelets with the crop-a-dile and then wrapped linen thread around the panel and attached it to the card using dimensionals.  The greeting, from Afterthoughts, was stamped in Elegant Eggplant.  I hope you like the cards and I hope they inspire you to try making a card that you feel would be great for a guy in your life!

Four Ways Friday #35 - 4 Ways To Say "I Love You"

For this week's Four Ways Friday I have decided to share with you 4 ways to say "I Love You!"  I'll be back next week with four ways to use a particular product :)  I hope you enjoy!

For this first card I used my letterpress plate to deboss the background.  I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.  The decorative label was also sponged and stamped with 2 of the stamps from the Artistic Etchings stamp set.  I added a small love tag using the Tiny Tags stamp set and tag punch.  Can you see the tiny pearl jewel?  It adds the perfect romantic touch!

You can use your Bingo Card stamp to make an adorable card for Valentine's Day or just to say "I love you!"  Here I stamped the image using Early Espresso ink and added some more stamped images from the Tiny Tags stamp set.  The "love" hearts are from the I Heart Hearts stamp set and are popped up with dimensionals.  Inside the card there's more fun...

Inside the card I created a holder for this adorable bookmark.  The "things i love" stamp is from the Things I Love stamp set.  I used the Two Tags die to make the bookmark and the "U" is from the Lovely Letters alphabet.  I used the dotted line jumbo wheel to make the lines on the bookmark.  Here you can write all of the things you love about the person you give the card to!

This little treat holder is a great way to say "I love you!"  I adhered two matchbox die cuts together to form this little dresser and then used the scalloped squares die for a top and bottom.  I can't wait to fill this with cinnamon hearts and those little hearts with all the sayings!  Here is a close-up of the top.  I used the Cheep Talk stamp set for the bird and the greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

 Last but not least is this simple candy cone!  Inside is a small cello bag with chocolates and a couple of lollipops!  To make this cone you only need a 6"x6" sheet of designer paper.  I think I have some more videos to make!!!

I hope you've enjoyed these 4 ways to say "I love you!"  Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!  Don't forget...it's Sale-a-bration!!!!!  For every $50 in merchandise that you purchase, you earn a FREE Sale-a-bration item!!!!!!  You can view the Sale-a-bration catalog at the top of my blog (right-hand column) or CLICK HERE to shop now!!!!

Eastern Blooms Thank You

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  A Little Exercise Can Turn Your Mood Around!
For whatever reason I was feeling a little punky yesterday.  Not really in a physical way, but in an emotional way.  I'm not sure what was behind the mood.  What I did know is that I did not want to go to the gym for my scheduled appointment with the trainer.  But, since the appointment was scheduled, I got in the car (albeit a few minutes late) and made my way to the gym.  I think I frowned the whole way through the workout, but even with my frowning, I did the workout and, being on the other side of the workout, I can honestly say my mood changed.  I just started feeling better.  Sometimes a little exercise can really turn your mood around!  I think I may even do my 40-10 tonight - I have challenged myself to do 40 crunches and 10 push ups (even if they are on my knees) everyday.  What to join the challenge?
This is a quick and easy 4x4 card that I made to accompany a gift.  I love how much texture the petals aplenty embossing folder gives to a card!   I stamped one of the flowers from Eastern Blooms repeatedly with Baja Breeze ink, both on the scallop circle I punched out of Whisper White card stock and on some scrap Whisper White card stock.  I cut out the ones on the scrap paper and then added a dash of dazzling diamonds in the center.  I popped them up on dimensionals after adding the Short & Sweet greeting to the scallop circle.  I hope you like it!  Now go and give me 40-10!!! :)

Animal Stories Baby Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Do the clothes really make the woman?

I just watched another episode of What Not To Wear...do you watch that show?  I am usually smiling by the end, watching these women come into their new style and finding their inner beauty at the same time as discovering how beautiful they can look on the outside.  And then I look down at myself.  A typical day consists of jeans, a t-shirt of some sort covered by a very large fleece overshirt or jacket.  And the hair?  Well, most of the time in some type of put-it-up-quick bun.  Not the picture of fashion or style...unless you're into "schlep" as a fashion statement! :)  I wonder why I dress this way.  Is it because when I am home I am usually not seeing anyone other than my family and the neighbors?  Is it because I find myself in the craft room and nice clothes and the craft room don't mix?  Or is it something deeper than that?  What am I really saying with the clothes that I'm wearing?  I know comfort is important and yet I wonder if comfort can also look good.  I guess I'll just need to do some pondering on this...I'll let you know if I find an answer (and yes, feel free to nominate me for What Not To Wear - I am in need of Stacey and Clinton!).  In the meantime we can both imagine that I am in a gown (not my nightgown) while typing this post, with beautiful diamond earrings and my hair coiffed by whoever does Sandra Bullock's hair :)  Got the picture?
This card was quick and easy - an accompaniment to a baby gift.  How easy to just stamp the whale from Animal Stories and add a greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  A few punches and the background Baja Breeze card stock run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  And finally, a touch of dazzling diamonds on the spots on the back of the whale.  I hope you like it!

Fun & Fast Notes Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Adopt A Niece :)
I have a lifelong friend who has a little girl who just turned 9.  She calls me Aunt Michelle :)  She sent me the cutest letter the other day...you'll learn quite quickly that she knows I love to stamp!  Her letter had a very specific request - to make her a card with a cake that had 9 candles and blue and pink icing and that said, "Happy B'day Amanda" on it!  Good thing for me the Fun & Fast Notes cake had 9 candles!!!! :)  I hope she's okay with it saying "Happy Birthday Amanda" :)  I used some stickles for the icing, although you can easily color the icing in with your markers and then use crystal effects and dazzling diamonds for a similar effect.  I'm really happy Amanda adopted this Aunt :)
Don't forget, Sale-A-Bration starts today!!!!!  For every $50 you purchase you get a Sale-A-Bration item for free!!!!!!  This is in addition to any regular hostess benefits you receive for your order.  Now is a great time to stock up on essentials and buy some new items :)  Click on the Sale-A-Bration icon in the right hand column to learn more!  Sale-A-Bration runs from today until March 31, 2011!!!!  Yeah!!!!!

Canvas Art

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Pay Tribute
I don't even know where to begin with today's post, but I'm hoping that if I just begin that the words will come.  There was a man, named Charlie, who was always at the park.  I would call him the Pied Piper of the park because he would come to the park with his 2 dogs, and sometimes his 2 young boys as well, and he always had a pocket full of treats!  Buddy, our dog, would invariably end up sitting at Charlie's feet, waiting for a special treat :)  Well, I hadn't seen Charlie in awhile and that seemed strange.  And when Buddy and I walked by his house one day we saw a "for sale" sign.  It seemed strange to me that Charlie wouldn't have mentioned the house sale to us and so I continued on my walk with a question mark in my mind.  Well, I asked other people in the park if they had seen him and his dogs and I keep getting the same response - yes people knew him, had said "hi" to him, let their dogs play with his, but no one seemed to know what had happened.  Fast forward a few months - I know, it's pretty sad that months can go by and you leave the question mark in your mind.  Well, at the end of last week I found out what I wish I hadn't.  One person spoke to another and they said that they had heard Charlie had committed suicide.  It is even difficult for me to type those words - I wonder if they will ever not feel shocking and life-changing.  I was in total disbelief so I got home and looked up the address of the house and then looked up property records and then compared that with obituaries and, I am so sorry to say, I found and read Charlie's obituary.
I still don't know how to manage the feelings and the sorrow.  I cried.  I still cry.  I wondered if there was anything I could have done differently to have helped him with his pain - pain I had no idea he even had.  I guess you really never know when people are in pain - especially when you are "park friends."  But Charlie is missed and I hope he is looking down and seeing that he has touched so many people and that we miss him.
I didn't know a better way to manage my feelings than to sit down in the craft room (it took me 3 days to actually sit down with intention) and pay tribute to Charlie.  What came out was this piece of art - it is mounted on a small canvas frame and, I believe, it was exactly what I needed to do.  If you have read this far, thank you for learning about Charlie - if you would have known him, he would have made you smile.  Please know that we never know the depth of someone's pain - all we can do is try not to add to it in our daily encounters.  Charlie, may you be at peace - Amen.

Four Ways Friday #34 - Nature Walk Stamp Set

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about the Nature Walk stamp set in the Occasions mini catalog.  I am in love with this set!!!!!  I know I shared a card with you yesterday that used this set...but I figured it couldn't hurt to show you more ways to use it!!!!

I received one of these adorable post-it note holder awhile back.  I don't know who came up with the idea originally (if you happen to know, please let me know so that I can credit that person).  I decided to use the Nature Walk designer paper along with a bee that I stamped in chocolate chip onto Very Vanilla card stock.  If you look at the "notes" label, you'll also see that I stamped the floral image from the stamp set at half strength.  Here is a look at the inside of the notes holder (I used 1/2 a pad of post-it notes).

I have a feeling I'll be posting a video next week to show you how to make these adorable note holders!

 For my second card I just used basic black ink with the stamp set to make a monochromatic background with the bird and "no. 147" stamp.  The greeting is heat embossed (I used versamark, black ink and clear embossing powder...I've never been good at keeping black embossing powder where it needs to be, so this is a great solution!  Stamp first in Versamark and then onto your black ink pad and then pour on the powder and heat).

For this third card I stepped it up a bit by using my markers to color in the stamped images.  You can use black Staz-On or the Basic Black classic ink pad with coloring.  I used the classic ink pad, let it dry and then colored and didn't have any smudging issues.

For my last project, I had an odd sized piece of Whisper White card stock on my craft table, so I decided to score it so that there was a bit of the back half showing through on the edge.  I stamped the bird and floral images in basic black and the eggs in Going Gray.  I combined coloring and leaving the images alone and I really like the combination.  The love greeting and the hearts were part of an experiment that I was doing with the Lots of Love letterpress plate.  I embossed a piece of wax paper and then ironed it against glossy card stock.  I then brayered the piece with Melon Mambo ink and cut out and punched the card stock for the pieces you see here.  When you iron the wax paper, any images on the wax paper (including creases) will act as resist areas when you layer on the ink.  I'll have to play with the technique some more - I like the distressed look of these pieces.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!!!  I'm finally feeling better (yeah!) so hopefully I'll be 100% by Monday!!!!!

Nature Walk DIY Background Paper

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Other People Are As Nutty As You Are :)

We had a small snowstorm move through late this afternoon, but that doesn't deter us from walking our dog.  I guess we're like the postal service in that way - rain, snow, sleet or hail, he's getting his walk :)  As we walked up to the park I wondered if there would be other nuts like us traipsing through the snow to get their pooches to the park.  And, sure enough, the usual suspects were there, freezing their toes off, while the dogs played and rolled in the snow.  It's nice to know I'm not the only nut out there :)
The Nature Walk stamp set lends itself beautifully to creating your own background papers (I'll be sharing a few more of the papers I created in future posts).  Here I stamped the butterfly, the leaves and the "no. 147" stamp multiple times onto Whisper White card stock.  I then used my markers to color in the images and finally sponged over everything with some Perfect Plum ink.  A bit of dazzling diamonds, applied with a 2-way glue pen, adds some interest to the wings of the butterflies.  I made a small hole in the card with my crop-a-dile and ran a piece of chantilly lace ribbon through the hole and knotted it.  The small tag, using the Tiny Tags stamp set, adds a finishing touch.  I hope you like it! :)

Springtime Vintage Fabric Bookmark

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  When Was The Last Time You Sewed Something?
I went to a local craft store looking for a particular magazine.  You know, one of those magazines that you hope holds the secret to finally organizing and uncluttering your craft room :)  Well, they didn't have the holy grail magazine, but I couldn't leave empty handed.  So, I looked at the other magazines on the rack and chose one I had never read before - Sew Somerset (Winter 2011 issue).  I am not very adept at sewing, so it seemed like quite a stretch.  But I thought that stretching can be a very healthy thing.  So, home I went with the new magazine in hand.  Well let me tell you...I started reading it in bed at night and got to p. 14 and that magazine rocked my world!!!!  On pages 14 & 15 there was a project shared by artist Joy Gabler.  She had bins of fabric and decided to figure out a use for them.  Her idea was to make bookmarks and they are beautiful!!!!!!  (You can check out some of Joy's beautiful creations on etsy - her seller name is thevintagerabbit).
So when I woke up this morning it was time to dust off the sewing machine (I was afraid I had forgotten how to use it and thread it since it has been months and months since I last played around with it).  I pulled out the gorgeous Springtime Vintage fabrics and went to town!  I also decided to breathe new life into a few retired items - the ribbon and the Rough Type stamp set.  I am so pleased with the result!!!!!  Thank you Joy for the amazing inspiration!!!!!!  Maybe it's time we all thought about sewing something...I'm also wondering what awaits me beyond p. 15...I better keep my sewing machine out...just in case :)

Lots Of Love Letterpress

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Things Come Easier With Repetition

In today's world of instant gratification and instant information, it can be easy to expect that you can do things well the first time around.  We need to be a bit more patient with ourselves.  Just as a seedling does not grow into a tree overnight, so too, we need time to grow and learn.  I've been making a lot of paper flowers in the craft room (I decided to take a break for today's post, but don't worry, more are on the way).  What I am discovering is that the first one was hard - I needed to write down what I was doing and experiment.  Now, with certain flowers, I can just sit down and do them without even thinking.  It's coming easier and easier.  Sometimes things come easier with repetition and some patience :)
For today's card I pulled out the Lots Of Love letterpress and the Big Shot.  You can use the letterpress with or without ink for different looks.  Here I used the letterpress to create a debossed look and then sponged the edges.  I also stamped on the twill tape - I love how you can customize ribbon this way!  I hope you like it!!!!

3-D Scallop Circle Punch Flowers Video!!!

Last week I posted a card with these adorable flowers and now I'd like to show you how to make them!!!!  No Big Shot required.  You just need the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch.  Enjoy!!!!

Four Ways Friday #33 - 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch!  I hope this inspires you to use your punch in some fun new ways!

For this first project I made the scallop circle into a frame!  I took a piece of Baja Breeze card stock and first punched a 1 1/4" circle and then punched around that circle with my scallop circle punch to create the frame (this is also easier to do than trying to center a circle punch after you've already punched the scallop circle).  I stamped the image from Every Little Bit and punched it out with a 1 1/2" circle punch and then used pieces of dimensionals to attach the frame to the stamped image.  Crystal effects on the scallop circle give it the appearance of a frame.

You know I've been going crazy with 3-D flowers lately and today is no different!  As a matter of fact, the next three projects use the scallop circle to create different types of flowers.  I have a feeling more videos will be coming next week to show you how to make them all :)  For this card I punched the scalloped circles from Daffodil Delight card stock.  A bit of cutting of the petals is required to make the scrunched up flower.  A large brad fills in as the center of the flower.

For this small card (finished size is 3 3/4" x 3 3/4") I scrunched the scallop circle again.  However, this time I combined scrunching and crunching and mushing with a bit of water and a spritz of champagne mist shimmer paint and some pearls :)

For the last card I created flowers inspired by my 3-D paper roses.  You can use your scallop circle punch to create these wonderful flowers in different sizes.  Yes, I do believe a video will have to made and posted next week to show you how ;)  I am sorry to not post a video today, but I'm trying to let my voice rest from this cold.  Hopefully next week I'll be able to record a video without sounding like Elmer Fudd! :)  I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday.  I hope it inspires you to look at your familiar punches in new ways!  Have a great weekend!

3-D Paper Roses Video!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes A Blessing Comes In Strange Packaging!

I'm still sick!  Can you believe it?!  I have been doing all I can to take care of myself - eating right, drinking plenty of fluids, taking it easy and getting plenty of rest...and spending a lot of time in the craft room making paper flowers :)  I guess that's the blessing in this weird package called "a cold."  If not for the cold I would probably not be eating as well, resting as much, or enjoying creating for as many hours.  So I'll enjoy the blessings and hope they serve as a reminder that once the strange packaging has been sent away, what I found inside the package can definitely remain!
Here's a video for how to make these 3-D paper roses!  I hope you enjoy making them as much as I have!  I have a feeling more videos will be on the way - showing you how to make different 3-D paper flowers with other tools you might have in your craft space.  Have fun!

3-D Flower With Rolled Fabric Center

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Keep Going!

I'm still under the weather - hopefully this cold that is inhabiting my body will leave sooner v. later.  I mean isn't 6 days long enough?!  I will say though, it has been fun spending time in the craft room and playing around with building 3-D flowers.  I've played with paper, fabric and ribbon and the more I keep going the more I like it!  I will admit that the first few flowers were a bit tedious and I was thinking to myself "there's no way I'm going to keep making these time-consuming flowers!"  However, the more I kept going, the less tedious the task and the more meditative and fun it became!  So if you find yourself dreading an activity - or if you find it a bit tedious - you may choose to keep going.  Who knows - it could turn into fun!!!!
For the first card I used the daisies #2 die to die cut the flowers.  For this second card I used the decorative accents with flowers & leaves die (a die I hadn't used in ages!).  I hope you like them...I can feel a video coming on :) (and thanks to Doris for sharing your thoughts and to Nathalie for encouraging me to get back to making videos!  I really appreciate your comments :)

Scallop Envelope Mini Book Video!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Teach Something!

I shared a picture of this mini book with you as part of last week's Four Ways Friday.  Today I decided I needed to show you how to make it!  Each of us has something we can teach someone else.  What can you teach someone today?  I hope you enjoy the video and I hope you enjoy, even more, making your own!

3-D Flowers!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's The Act Of Creation, Not The Amount, That Counts

I have been sick for a number of days now and so I have found myself sitting in the craft room - sniffling, drinking tea, and making 3-D flowers!  It's been wonderful therapy although I must admit that at the end of a day I look around at the few flowers I have created and I have thought to myself, "Really?!  You just spent an entire day here in the craft room and all you have to show for it are five 3-D flowers?!"  I knew there had to be a lesson in that thought and as I stared at those flowers today I realized that it's not the amount or the number of items I have created that determine whether my day was spent in a meaningful way - it is the enjoyment and satisfaction I feel by bringing another creation into this world - a creation that adorns the world in a beautiful way.  Have you heard that song in the show/movie "Rent?"  It is called Seasons Of Love and the question the song tries to answer is how do you measure a year in a life?  I believe one of my measures for a year in my life is how much time I spend expressing the creativity that has been given to me as a gift and sharing that love with others.  What about you?
I've been enjoying die cutting flowers using whatever Sizzix flower dies I have.  I then spray the card stock lightly with water and begin scrunching or curling the petals around a skewer.  Then comes the smooch spritz and water and ink mixtures in spray bottles.  Of course, I never have the patience to let them dry on their own - I bring out the heat tool to help them along :)  I hope you enjoy this flower...I have a feeling you'll be seeing a few more this week :)

Four Ways Friday #32 - Scallop Envelope Bigz Die

Today's Four Ways Friday is all about the Scallop Envelope Bigz Die for the Big Shot.  Hope you enjoy these four different ways to use your die.

You can use the envelope "as is."  Just create the envelope by running it through the Big Shot with some card stock and then using a bit of glue when you fold in the side flaps to construct the envelope.  Here I ran the envelope through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and then sponged it with some ink before putting it together.  I added some punched circles, brads and a bit of linen thread for the closer.  Here are views of the front and inside.

You can also use these small envelopes as layers on larger cards.  Here is a standard size card with the envelope added to the front as an element.

I used a dimensional on the bottom part of the scalloped oval - that way I was able to tuck the envelope flap under the top of the scalloped oval to act as a closure for the envelope.  You can put a special note in the little envelope and then write your letter on the inside of the card itself.

You can make adorable mini books with these envelopes too!  This is the outside - and here is the inside...

To make this mini book I just adhered the flap of one envelope to the back of another envelope.  You can make these books as large or as small as you like and you have all kinds of fun space to decorate and fill!  I cut off the flap of the top envelope and created a cover with some card stock.  I may need to put together a video on this one so you can see how fun and easy it is to make!

You can also use these great envelopes to make a gift box!!!!!  Here I adhered four of them together and added some side embellishments.  You can wrap some yummy Valentine's chocolates in some fabric or tulle and give these as adorable gifts!  Have fun with it!  I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday.  I'm hoping to be back next week with some new videos for you!  Have a great weekend!

Feeling Punky :(

It seems a cold has decided to try to inhabit my body.  I am making a valiant effort at letting it know it is not welcome.  The battle is my focus right now and is taking all my energy, so I will not be posting a project for you today.  However, I fully intend to slay this dragon and be back tomorrow with 4 Ways Friday!  Have a great day and wish me luck!!!!

Varsity Numbers New Years Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take A Step Forward And Turn Your Dreams Into Visualizations

It's easy for me to sit and dream about being (insert words here)...for example "an artist," "healthier," "financially secure," "athletically fit"...you get the idea.  What I realize is that dreaming about it isn't going to make it happen.  I need to do more than just dream - I need to accept that it is possible and then take action.  One way to believe that it is possible is to turn the dream into a visualization - actually picture myself as an artist - as financially secure - as already having achieved athletic fitness.  If we begin to create the pictures in our minds of having already arrived at our dream we are demonstrating to ourselves and the universe that we have accepted the possibility and are ready to move from dream and acceptance into reality.  Can you accept what you are dreaming about?
Don't you just love all these colors together!  I'm not sure how it happened - it began with Soft Suede and Melon Mambo and took off from there!  I then added Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive.  This just says "you're gonna have a great 2011" to me!  The Varsity Numbers stamp set is a great set for creating any year you want - for cards for birthdays, anniversaries, new years, weight goals - wherever you need numbers, this set can help!  It is also easy to cut out since all the lines are straight and not curvy.  The scalloped chipboard circle was made as an experiment.  I ran the chipboard through the Big Shot with the scallop circle die and then ran the scallop circle through again using the clear circle die.  I love how it turned out!  The Billboard decorative strip die was used to make the letters for "happy."  Finally, I added some rhinestone jewels for some sparkle!  I hope you like it!

Nature Walk Sympathy - OCCASIONS MINI MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE TODAY!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sit And Write

I sometimes wonder where creative ideas come from - especially when I find that mine are running dry and the muse had fallen asleep.  It is at these times when I find it incredibly helpful to get back to the habit of sitting down each day and writing in my journal.  If I just show up and start writing down my stream of consciousness (and yes, sometimes my stream of consciousness writes things like, "how am I going to sit here and write for another minute?  What am I going to say?") at some point the ideas seem to flow into my thoughts and onto the page.  At times, a thought that has nothing at all to do with creativity will lead to a creative idea.  What I am learning is that I just need to show up - to sit down and write - and the muse will come and sit down with me :)  One of my resolutions this year is to lighten my thinking by getting my thoughts out of my head and onto a page every single day.  In this way I will coax the muse by lightening my thoughts and clearing the way for her to enter.
Today's card is for a friend whose father recently passed away.  His dad was 93 years old!  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and the flower and butterfly from the new Nature Walk set that is in the Occasions mini catalog.  I stamped the image and heat embossed using black embossing powder.  I then took out some Copic markers and colored the flowers and butterfly.  I also added some dazzling diamonds to the butterfly.  I distressed the edges and also used the spritzer tool to add some "age" to the background.  I hope you like it!

Elizabeth Thank You with Deck the Halls Designer Fabric

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Lighten!

Happy New Year!!!!  "Lighten" is my theme for 2011!  Lighten my load (ie get organized and purge that which is weighing me down); lighten my self-talk; lighten my food; lighten my mood.  I have decided to ask myself the same question at the end of everyday, "What did I do today that helped me lighten even more?"  Hopefully I'll have an answer each and every day :)  What is your theme for 2011?
Today's card uses the Deck the Halls designer fabric.  This fabric has a great winter look and is only available if you order it from the holiday mini catalog by close of business TODAY!  (click HERE to shop now).  This card is designed as a "holder" with an insertable card.  Here is the card with the insert taken out.

I used the Elizabeth stamp on the front of the card and the insert.  The card was embellished with some pearl jewels and dazzling diamonds.  I adhered a piece of Sahara Sand card stock to line the holder and I embossed it using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (one of my absolute favorites!).  A piece of hemp twine adds an additional touch.  I hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #31 - Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric (SNEAK PEEK!)

This week's Four Ways Friday is a sneak peek of the Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric that will be available beginning January 4th in the Occasions mini catalog!  I don't know about you, but I shied away from using fabric on cards since I thought I needed a sewing machine...not to mention the ability to sew a straight line...in order to use fabric on paper projects.  But you don't!!!!  This week I've decided to show you 4 ways to use the fabric on your cards and other paper projects without needing a sewing machine!!!!

You can use fabric as a background on your cards and paper projects!!!!!  Don't you just LOVE the added texture?!!!!!!  I just tore a piece of the fabric into a square and then adhered it to the card using sticky strip (snail does not work well with the fabric - you need to use a stronger adhesive and sticky strip does the trick)!  Then you can build your card on top of the fabric.  Dimensionals work great for adding layers.  I also used a few mini glue dots - they don't seem to adhere as well, so you might just want to use small pieces of sticky strip to ensure your pieces stay put!  The buttons are from the subtles designer buttons and I added a few punched flowers using the itty bitty shapes punch pack.  I love adding the pearl jewels to the centers of these tiny flowers!  I am also forever in love with the decorative label punch!  Here I punched 2 labels, embossed one in the Big Shot and then layered it on top of a darker label that I had cut into 2 halves.

Ooh - can you see the gorgeous embossing around the edge of this card?!  That's from using the new Framed Tulips embossing folder!  Notice the torn piece of ribbon?  It's not ribbon at all - it's the fabric!!!!  Here I tore a piece of the fabric and then gathered it on the card stock using sticky strip.  So easy, and it adds such a wonderful, textured touch to the card.  The greeting is from the On Your Birthday stamp set (I used the same set for the greeting on the first card too!).

For card #3 I used the fabric in the same way I would use a piece of ribbon.  Here I tore a length of the fabric (I LOVE the frayed look) and then wrapped it around the card and knotted it.  If you turn the fabric while you are tying the knot, you can get the printed side of the fabric to show on both ends of your bow.

Don't forget that you can also die cut your fabric!!!!!  Here I used the Daisies #2 die and another pattern from the Springtime Vintage designer fabric.  I die cut 2 of the medium daisies and 2 of the small daisies.  I didn't use any glue.  I just sandwiched the fabric flowers in between a punched circle of baja breeze card stock on the bottom and then 2 smaller punched circles on the top (baja breeze and pear pizazz).  A rhinestone brad holds it all together!  I hope you've enjoyed these 4 ways to use your fabric.  Fabric adds a great new texture and feel to your cards and paper projects - give it a try!!!!  Happy New Year everyone!!!!  May the coming year be filled with creative exploration, joy, health and prosperity!!!!!

Top Note Treat Topper

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Make Your Sweet Gifts Extra Special!

Baking sweet treats is one of the special things to do this time of year.  I can't take credit for these yummy pretzel creations.  Elizabeth made them the other day...and I tasted them and they are yummy!  Some pretzels topped with Hershey hugs and then, once heated, the melted hug is topped with an M&M.  Sweet & salty...what more could you ask for?! :)  We needed a quick and cute way to decorate them and here's what we came up with.  A top note die cut of Whisper White card stock, scored and folded in half.  Then we stamped the top note with the flourish image from the Baroque Motifs stamp set using Garden Green ink.  The Thanks stamp is from the Perfect Punches stamp set - stamped once in Garden Green and once in Cherry Cobbler.  We cut around the oval greeting from the Garden Green image and popped it up in the middle of the Cherry Cobbler image using a dimensional.  The Old Olive backing was punched using the Decorative Label punch.  A piece of Night of Navy 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon and a small piece of hemp twine finish the look.  The topper is attached to the treat bag using a few mini glue dots on each side.  Taking the time to stamp a handmade topper makes your sweet gifts extra special!

Birthday Bakery Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  See The World Through Someone Else's Eyes

I went an enjoyed a play date at my friend Elizabeth's the other day!  I love getting together with her to play with new product!  It inspires me!  When I walked into her craft room and started looking at some of her latest creations I came across this adorable card and fell in love!!!!!  I can't tell you how many times I passed by p. 10 of the Idea Book & Catalog and didn't give this Birthday Bakery hostess set a second look.  I'm not sure why I wasn't interested in it - it just never caught my eye...until today!  Until I was able to see the stamp set through Elizabeth's eyes and see this adorable creation she made from it!  I think that happens quite a bit in life - that we see something in a new way because someone else is passionate about it or enjoys it so much that their passion and excitement becomes contagious!  Thank you Elizabeth for helping me see something in a totally new way! :)

Fun Foam Magnets

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Identify What You Liked About Today And Build On It Tomorrow!

What did you like about today?  Did you eat one healthy snack?  Did you spend a half hour creating?  Did you tell someone you love how much you appreciate them?  Did you talk on the phone with someone without multi-tasking?  Whatever you did today that you liked, consider how you can build on it tomorrow!  I feel the same way about my art.  The other day I made magnets out of card stock and chipboard and really enjoyed it.  Today I found myself wondering how I could build on the idea.  Specifically, as I walked the dog I wondered "how can I make the magnets more durable - especially in the kitchen?"  Fun Foam came to mind!  So today I decided to make a gift for a friend building on my experience from the other day and these fun foam magnets were the result!

I die cut the thin fun foam pieces with the Big Shot and used hot glue to adhere everything together.  I even snuck a piece of ribbon in between the layers :)  You can't see the back of the magnet, but one little tip I have for you is to cut a 3/4" circle from plain copy paper and adhere it to the back of your magnet.  This helps prevent the magnets from scratching surfaces or leaving black residue on surfaces.  Here is a picture of the full magnet set (the last name of my friend) and a close up of one of the magnets.  I hope you like them!

Heart Woven Basket

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Cleaning Can Lead To Creating!

What a disaster my craft table was this morning!!!!!  Piles of paper, ink, punches, glitter...you get the picture!  So, I decided to do a bit of straightening...and that turned into creating - once I was able to see the table top :)  Sometimes sitting down to clean can lead you straight to creating.  Just touching your supplies and sorting through what you have may inspire you to start crafting - even when you feel your creative energy has been turned off.  So go sort and clean...who knows what will happen!
(I have to admit that I am hiding what I made in the craft room today since I am thinking about submitting it for publication at some point and the publication requires that the item not be posted anywhere if you submit it...so, let me share with you an item I made awhile back that didn't get published)...I made this woven heart basket as a submission for a magazine.  Since I haven't heard anything for a few months, I'm assuming that enough time has gone by to figure they didn't want to publish it so now I can show it to you!!!!!  I wove together 2 colors of pink card stock after stamping them with the Bella Toile background stamp.  If you google "paper weaving" or "paper basket weaving," I'm sure you can find a template to weave your own basket!  I attached a braided satin ribbon handle with hot glue and linked the inside of the basket with gold waffle paper.  Some glitter around the edge, along with a greeting and antique brad finish the basket.  Some treats in a small cello bag are the perfect insert!  I hope you like it!