PAPERSNOB

Poor Little Turtle

2010-06-10T10:01:00.002-04:00

Don't you just love the Inky Antics turtles? I had to create a get well card for a friend and I immediatly grabbed this little guy. I colored it with my Prismacolors and gamsol...love the way it turned out. Plus as an added bonus, Taylored Expressions had this layout posted on her weekly challenge...so now I can submit it for that too. Double whammy!

Cards for Fun

2010-06-06T17:02:00.002-04:00

Long time no posts!!! Just wanting to share a couple of cards I was playing with. One is a better close up of my doily card I did for Moxie Fab and the other shows a card using the Pure Innocence stamp from My Favorite Things. I really like playing with those stamps...the images are just too cute. Hope your summer is off to a great start.

Moxie Fab Challenge - Doilies

2010-03-21T13:22:00.008-04:00

Please click here to get a close-up of this picture... http://www.flickr.com/photos/44862414@N04/4450595121/

Okay, once again I am camera-less and at the mercy of my phone. Fortunately with the sun shining, I think it did my photos a world of good today. Today's card showcases the Moxie Fab Challenge of using doilies as a focal point. I love the way this doilie challenge turned out so bright and cheery and screaming for a few jelly beans. Using a Unity Stamp as the focal point to celebrate Easter, I am happy that the colors just pop here. I think this is one I will duplicate and send to my special friends to celebrate spring. Thanks for stopping by.

Learning Fun Give Away

2010-03-04T19:06:00.004-05:00

Hey y'all, just stopping by to let you know that Leah Killian's offering a special and give-away on her blog at lifeaslou.blogsome.com for Learning Wrap-ups and Learning Palette Game Discs. I use wrap-ups when I teach math skills with students of all ages and they really are unique tools to reinforcing the basic math skills. Take a look and see what you think.

March Madness

2010-03-01T19:53:00.003-05:00

Happy March everyone. I am happy to see the snow melting and would be happier if the sun would start to peek through the clouds again. In the meantime, I'll keep crafting to try and keep my spirits up. Moxie Fab offered up another challenge to use floss in an unusual or unique way. It reminded me of my quilting days and some of the redwork patterns from old quilts. I decided to to a braiding/stitching technique that I used when I was teaching sewing classes. Got my hands on the new American Crafts papers and had to play with the hanging dress stamp as a pattern. I wish my camera and the lighting were better...maybe since my birthday is this month I can talk someone into a new gift....fingers crossed. Until then, enjoy and think warm thoughts.

Gettin' Sassy

2010-02-13T19:43:00.002-05:00

Another day, another Moxie Challenge. This month's challenge is to create a card using Anne Taintor's famous sassy girls as inspiration. This card was so much fun to make from designing the layout, finding a sassy housewife and then fitting the perfect quote with 50's beauty. Moxie Fab has had so many entrants in this challenge and each one is just amazing. The quote says: Vegetables are a must on a diet, I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. Since I've been on a diet for over a year, it was only fitting. Can't wait to try this challenge more often.

It's Tuesday Triggers Again

2010-02-08T21:07:00.002-05:00

Hi All, I just peeked at Moxie Fab's entries for this week's Tuesday Triggers and they are so amazing. The number of people who give it a whirl each week continues to grow and the talent is just so great. This is the one challenge I love to work on each week. It's the one challenge I make time for just to stretch my own imagination. This week's challenge was a "patchwork heart" theme. The theme reminded me of my quilting days and how I still love to make things with my hands. I played with the apron stamp and peiced the skirt and ruffles together. Adding a few stitched hearts and a stitched border...I think it is a great card to give with a personal handmade gift. Great...one more thing I need to make.

Have a great week everyone.

A Little Gold and Teal Moxie Challenge

2010-01-23T16:34:00.003-05:00

I can't beleive that January is almost over and I'm just now posting in 2010. Happy New Year everyone. This week's Tuesday Trigger for Moxie Fab World is a beautiful picture with gold and turquoise as it's focal point. I like the patterns that are happening in the photo and took the opportunity to play with my L Letterpress machine and try it out for the first time. It's going to take a little time to get things just right...but I like the debossed images. Since I only have one color ink to use for printing, I tried to fill in the debossed areas with my prisma colors and gamsol. Using Cosmo Cricket papers and ribbon to finish off the look, I really am happy with the end result. Now I'm off to try my hand at a new challenge that Melissa Phillips has posted. Have a great week.

Two Days of Tuesday Triggers

2009-12-29T21:50:00.003-05:00

Wow, two cards in two days....what fun it is to be feeling better and feeling creative. Today's Tuesday Trigger from Moxie Fab is a beautiful beachy scene that delights the eye and has my mind wandering to some other place than this cold wintery day. I used a combination of Cosmo Cricket and Prima papers and added a clip art image from Crafty Secrets. I love the little French "Bonjour" saying stamped at the bottom...oh to be in France right now...or any time for that matter. Enjoy your day.

Tuesday Triggers

2009-12-28T15:45:00.002-05:00

Christmas Break has given me some much needed time to create this season. I decided to play along with Moxie Fab's Tuesday Triggers. The image uses black and white and green. I decided to play with black, white, green and dark blue to spice things up a bit. As I was organizing my papers from my piles of things that needed puttin' away, I came across Basic Grey's floral motif and did a little fussy cutting to add some interest. I like the way it turned out.

Let It Snow

2009-12-20T18:14:00.002-05:00

Another not-so-great picture of my recent card. I sure hope Santa brings me a new camera. Wanted to play with my newest stamp from Pink Cat Studio and try Taylor's weekly challenge one more time before the year ends. Since I've got two weeks off from school, I've been crafting up a storm on little odds and ends and trying some new techniques. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

Greetings

2009-12-07T15:18:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks, again no working camera...so I'm left to using my Droid phone to photograph my current projects. I have been anxiously waiting for October Afternoons holiday papers to make it to my local scrapbook store and finally it arrived last week. I had this fun new stamp from Pink Cat Studio and played with my Spellbinders circle and scallop punches to frame up this little cutie. I also love the little pins from Making Memories to pin on the little dangling ornament. So much fun and festive, this card is perfect to send to family and friends. Until next time.

Ho, Ho, Ho

2009-11-01T19:00:00.002-05:00

Hi all, I doubt anyone has missed my pathetic attempt at blogging. Especially since I am unable to photograph these days with the absence of my defunct digital camera. So using my trusty Blackberry, today I am happy to post my recent project. A few months ago I saw this adorable Santa that Jennifer Beason posted on her blog with Pink Paislee papers and I knew I wanted to give it a try. Then when I saw the Cosmo Cricket papers, I was sure that they would be perfect for ole St. Nick. I still need to place ribbon through the hands and I'll probably add some sort of sentiment to go with it, but for now...I love they way he turned out. Let the holiday decorating begin!!

Moxie Fab -ulous

2009-09-07T17:59:00.004-04:00

Once again the geniuses at Moxie Fab World are hosting a challenge for the holidays. I'm posting two pictures of previous projects I've created with my gingerbread collection in mind. I used a Bare Elements house and covered with craft paper and stamped the swirls with white Stazon Ink. Little bits of scrap papers provide the perfect embellishment that this project needed. It always looks so festive with my gingerbread-decorated tree. This entry showcases their cute and fun category. How can you not think this house is fun and cute???

The next entry showcases a stamped card that I used some pewter and stamped over metal. Once again, the gingerbread theme is a pretty familiar one for me...so I go with what works. This is one of my favorite cards and I hate to give it away, so I just keep it around for inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by.

And the Winner is.....ME!!!

2009-07-20T21:55:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it! The 7 Gypsies chose me as their winner of the Bindery Punch contest. I'm so excited that my Bindery punch will be shown at CHA in the very awesome 7G booth. If you've ever been to CHA, you know the the 7G booth is always buzzin with great showroom samples and such creative ideas. I love that I get to be a small part of this great show. I'm posting a picture of the loot they will be sending me...how great is that? Also posting my newest card that I posted to the Moxie Fab challenge for an eco-friendly card. Hope you enjoy!

Gypsie's Travels

2009-06-24T22:18:00.005-04:00

Well, still no luck with my camera, so I borrowed my daughter's camera for today's post. 7 Gypsies is hosting a contest to decorate a Bindery Punch and post it to their gallery for a chance at some fabulous prizes. I decided that no Gypsy is complete without her own Steamer Trunk and I fashioned this one out of a Bindery Punch. Please take a moment to visit that link and post a comment on my gallery there, it will help my chances of showing this baby at CHA! Complete with leather straps (aka:Grungepaper), buckles and lots and lots of travel stamps...this Gypsy has traveled far and wide for just the right accessories to her design studio. I used my Dymo labeler and punched letters directly into the Grungepaper and mounted the seven continent names and of course the 7 Gypsies name as well. I'm all packed and ready to go anywhere with this little beauty.

Thanks for stopping by.

Can You Say Adorable?

2009-06-07T16:15:00.002-04:00

Okay, still playing with my Prismacolors and Gamsol. Picked up the newest edition on Paper Crafts Magazine and found this fun little layout. I had purchased a Bella stamp some time ago and wanted to play with this image for a fun birthday card. Doodlebug's newest cupcake papers is so fun and the Amuse mini plaid's are so much fun. Combined together, the colors and plaid/polka dot patterns make a great combination. I can't beleive I actually posted twice in one week. Hmmm, hope the summer off will allow me more chances to post. It could happen, honest!

Happy Birthday Jan

2009-05-30T22:36:00.002-04:00

Wanted to share another Greeting Farm stamp and test out my Prismacolorsand Gamsol again. Decided to give Taylored Expression's sketch challenge a try to complete a birthday card for my sister. Used Making Memories paper and EK Success punch for the framed edge. I love the color combination and the way it all came together. I think my sister will certainly enjoy this one.

Candy Bars Anyone?

2009-05-26T21:49:00.003-04:00

Don't even ask why I haven't posted in a while. Bad camera, lazy habits, lack of projects and inspiration. The list goes on and on. However, I did manage to make these cute candy bar wrappers for the teachers I work with. Used my Greeting Farm teacher stamp and colored with Prismacolors and Gamsol. Fun, fun, fun! The teachers were thrilled and the students were jealous. Hope you enjoy.

Terri Conrad Contest

2009-04-08T22:12:00.003-04:00

Hi all! I know I haven't posted in a while and I do apologize. My camera's been a little on the fritz and I'm hoping to purchase a new one real soon. In the meantime, I'll post some one elses photo. Terri Conrad is celebrating her licenses to new manufacturers and is offering a lovely set of note cards with her gorgeous designs on them. All you have to do is visit her blog and leave a comment. She is such a talented woman. Her papers for Websters Pages are just so beautiful.

Melissa's At It Again

2009-03-07T21:23:00.003-05:00

While out stalking blog-land, I did my daily visit to Melissa Phillips' site and noticed she's at it again with a challenge. This month's give-away is an adorable apron from Jillie Willie. The challenge was to create a card with some sort of pocket, it must have buttons, ribbon, pink, and stripes. How can you go wrong with all those embellishments? I wanted to try something different and used a stamped image as my pattern for the bunny. I cut an enlarged version of this image out of mulberry paper for the bunny. Then, I cut the egg at the seam and inserted it inside the bottom of the egg as the "pocket." The picture is a little blurry (time for a new camera), but the stamped statement says "sweet thing." I didn't take a pic of the inside of the card, but I used the smaller stamped image of the bunny and egg and the striped paper at the bottom edge. I'm sure my chances are slim to win, because I've seen some of the competition. Wow, there are some truly talented entries this time around. Just the same though, I had a blast working on this one. Thanks for the challenge Melissa.

Fun with Graphic45

2009-03-03T21:50:00.003-05:00

If you haven't seen the newest Graphic45 papers, you really should go out and get it! Their blog has so many ideas and their booth at last summer's CHA was just so inspiring. Their paper doesn't look like paper, it has a quality of fine art and fine fabrics. Needless to say, I'm totally intrigued by the things they are doing with paper and die cuts. AMAZING!! I wanted to try my hand at cutting and collaging some of these fantastic images and mixing them with some of my vintage sewing notions. The beeswax collage was a perfect medium to showcase this paper. I love the way it turned out. The layout uses more of this paper and a few of my vintage pattern peices from a doll dress. I printed an image from Fairy Davis as my focal point and it seems as if these lovely ladies have been relative of mine forever. The handbag is G45 papers scanned and printed onto Sticky Back Canvas by Claudine Hellmuth. Love, love, love this stuff...so many possibilities. Hope you enjoy and take the time to make something for yourself with these fun papers.

Newest Cupcake Challenge

2009-02-22T19:03:00.002-05:00

Well, I wasn't sure I'd have time to play this week's Cupcake Challenge but I managed to avoid the housework and play in the studio. I was anxious to play with my new AMuse stamps and came up with this little card. I love the way the colors all play together with the hot pink, it reminds me of spring.

Party Gras

2009-02-19T18:29:00.002-05:00

My local scrapbook store (live.love.scrap) is having a weekend crop next weekend in honor of Mardi Gras. What better way to celebrate than to make a festive mask for the party. I decided to make the butterfly shape in hopes of an earlier spring. Although we're expecting snow in the next few days, a girl can sure hope for warmer days. I mostly used my Martha Stewart 1" circle die punch for the wings and when the wings got narrower, I used my Stampin' Up scallop punch. Lots of scrap paper in my stash, so this was a great way to cut and paste for a beautiful end result. I used Prima rhinestone swirls around the eyes and some peacock feathers for the eyelashes. A little bauble edging and some ribbon and viola...a party mask fit for a queen.

Melissa's Challenge

2009-02-05T22:20:00.003-05:00

Looky here, two posts in one day. I'm a huge fan of Melissa Phillip's Blog, Lilybean's Paperie. Her work is just so amazing and inspiring. Well she threw down a challenge to create a card that was inspired by a bag that she will give to one winner from Jillie Willyie. That darn bag is just so adorable. Besides, who wouldn't love a new bag. I decided to use some Bazzill and my Heidi Swapp masks to paint the dots on with acrylic paint. Punched a few flowers from Pink Paislee papers and cut Miss Sunshine out of mulberry paper. I punched the little tag with my Stampin Up label punch and folded it over the edge for a cute little touch on the edge. I really like the way this turned out. I might have to keep this one for myself. Enjoy!

What a Prize

2009-02-05T19:19:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I've been following the news from Papertrey Arts and they are having one amazing anniversary blow-out. Lots of new and beautiful product and lots of amazing prizes. Today, they are giving away an amazing trip to Orlando in the summer to the CHA Craft Fair that is open to consumers this year. Wouldn't that just be one terrific trip? I for one would love to be there. All you had to do was post a bag that you have altered or designed and post it on their blog. Can you beleive it? This is a bag I made recently that uses the Sassafras papers and some painters canvas as well as some leather handles from a purse I never used. It really came together pretty nicely with little problems. I used gel medium to coat the paper stock and get it to adhere to the canvas. Also used a wash of some Heidi Swapp paints to get the terra cotta color as a background. Hope you enjoy and get a chance to play.

Project 52

2009-01-29T21:00:00.003-05:00

Wow, it's amazing what you can accomplish when a little snow keeps you from running around. The past two weeks, I've been amazed with the work on the Bad Girls website. Their design team has such beautiful layouts that your mouth just drops open in awe. Wendy Rago had posted weekly challenges on Project 52 and inspires you with ideas to get your creative groove moving forward. I took the lead from her mirrored image and decided to alter a plastic hand mirror we had on hand and I decided to cut and paste and mix up some embellishments for something a little different and unique. I love the way it turned out. Hope you get a chance to take a look at the website.

Cupcake Challenge x Nine Part II

2009-01-27T20:03:00.002-05:00

Okay, now for the remaining images for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge Anniversary. Congratulations Taylor on your milestone and I hope you keep the great sketches coming. It's always so much fun playing along.

Cupcake Challenge x Nine

2009-01-27T19:56:00.004-05:00

Well, Taylor is celebrating a whole year of Cupcake Challenges and is showing nine different sketches on various sites to celebrate this milestone. I'm posting a couple of times so I can get all the photos squeezed on to the blog. I'll also post on SCS's gallery for this weeks fun challenge. Lots of different sketches and lots of thinking involved. Since I had a delightful snow day today, I had time to play. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Vintage Valentine

2009-01-19T09:52:00.003-05:00

Wow, two posts in two days. Who knew I had it in me? Today I wanted to post my latest creation of this Vintage Valentine Book. I wanted everything to look really aged and I found just the right mix of papers and images to help me accomplish the look. I used images form Fairy Davis' website, papers from My Minds Eye and a chipboard album from Maya Road. A little grungeboard, a little glitter and a lot of ink....leads to one ages looking mini album.

Cupcake Challenge #51

2009-01-18T21:32:00.003-05:00

Taylor's posted another cupcake challenge this week and since I needed to make a card for our dog breeder (for a new puppy), I thought I'd use this challenge to work on Taylor's sketch. I used some of my scraps that I had on hand. KI Memories' Love, Elsie line of papers were a nice way to work with the dog theme and my stamps from Pink Persimmon were a chance to use these new stamps I hadn't had the opportunity to use yet. I've notice some card makers starting to decorate the insides of their cards so I thought I'd try that too. This was a fun challenge to work on.

Party Hat Challenge

2009-01-01T21:47:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! If you haven't been following Pink Paislee's blog, they had a terrific challenge today since it's their one year birthday. All you had to do was create a party hat using scrapbook paper and at least one PP paper, stamp or embellishment. They also had an hourly contest to be the 99th blogger to comment and you could win a great prize. It was so much fun watching the comments mount in a matter of minutes. I didn't win any of the door prizes but it was sure fun watching the comments. This party hat uses a sample of their many fun lines. I stamped the party chick with Stazon ink and then filled it in with some yellow and red glitter and dabbed a smidge of orange Stickles for the beak. The hats that were submitted on Live Pink are all so unique. This was a fun way to spend the afternoon. Thanks Pink Paislee for the chance to play.

Another Chance to Win!!

2008-12-30T22:00:00.002-05:00

Here's another link to win BIG! Check this post: http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/ for the chance to win $150 worth of goodies from Cosmo Cricket! That Holiday Line of DP's was just so beautiful, I can't even imagine what I would do with even more of these great papers and goodies. Sure would like to find out though!

Rhonna Give-Away

2008-12-29T21:31:00.004-05:00

If you're a fan of digi-scrapping, take a look at Rhonna Farrer's blog. She is giving away 209 digi-layouts in 2009. What an amazing artist and an amazing give-away. Check it out!

Cupcake Challenge

2008-12-28T20:33:00.002-05:00

Once in a great while, I get the opportunity to create a card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. I was cleaning out my studio and trying to get a little more organized and spotted these beautiful Graphic 45 papers. I knew that these papers were the ones I wanted to use for this week's challenge. I stamped the image with an older Stampin Up image then colored it in with a combination of Copic markers, glitter gel pen, pearl-ex powders and glitter. I think it really makes the image sparkle. I used one of Ideology's fragment tags for the butterfly image then glued a second butterfly to the top of the fragment for a little dimension. I love the colors and how the card came together.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T11:28:00.002-05:00

Best wishes to all who stop by my blog for a wonderful, fun-filled holiday season.

Winter Dreams

2008-12-14T10:56:00.002-05:00

What fun it is...to celebrate the winter season with a new project. This box is a spin-off of the wonderful boxes that Linda Albrecht does. I love the new papers from Basic Grey and the folk-art look to it. Using a styrofoam head and smashing it a bit, I covered it with gesso and made indentations for the eyes and mouth. The hat is a sock top from an orphan black sock I had. A little paint, a lot of styrofoam and some embellishments and the end result is this whimsical piece.

Oh What Fun...

2008-12-02T21:07:00.002-05:00

Another quick post to show you my mini gift tags that I'll be teaching for my next class. I love the new Tonic punches that give a quick little punch to your projects. Lots of techniques from embossing to shrink plastic, this is another great way to play with papers and stamps. The other project is my first of twelve tags that Tim Holtz is showing on his blog. He is showing some great techniques and its a fun way to challenge yourself and see what you can do. Hope you enjoy the view.

Long Time No Blog

2008-11-23T23:00:00.004-05:00

Yikes!!! I can't believe it's been over two months since I posted anything. I've been a little busy trying to learn all the ins and outs of my new job. So my creative time has had to take a little rest. I hate that! I've not really had the time to photograph my work but I'm hoping now that I can catch up on my posting and show some fun new projects I've been working on.

Tonight I finished some ATC cards that I'll be teaching in December. I love this format because it gives you small little snipits of techniques that you can try and move on to the next card.

The next project is a paper mache wreath that I covered with My Mind's Eyes holiday collection. added some tiny pearls and stamped some holly leaves. I love the little tree scene in the middle and I even remembered to add a ribbon to the back so I can hang it up for the holidays.

I hope you enjoy the view.

Part 2

2008-09-06T22:59:00.003-04:00

More photos of the mini book from My Mind's Eye. By the way, if you haven't seen their new line of Christmas and Halloween papers...you must go out and and get some. If only I had enough time to design enough projects as I have papers for.

Weekend Workshop

2008-09-06T22:53:00.002-04:00

Just finished a two day workshop with the fellows at My Mind's Eye. We made five greeting cards, a two page layout and a minibook. Although, the mini book was by no means "mini" but instead very labor intensive. The new Clothesline paper collection is very beautiful and lended to some eye catching projects. It was nice to hang out with fellow scrappers and do something fun for the weekend. I hope you enjoy these beauties.

Trick or Treat

2008-08-23T18:24:00.004-04:00

Another tribute to Linda Albrecht. She posted similar boxes on her blog when she showed off the latest Pink Paislee papers. I had these great powder boxes that I had purchased at an estate sale and I thought they were perfect to showcase the Imaginesce halloween line of papers. I used crepe paper for his delicate collar and vintage sheet music for his festive hat. The beautiful ribbon is from May Arts and the crystal handle is from 7 Gypsies. Thanks again Linda for the inspiration. Now if only someone would fill them with candy.

Makes Me Hungry

2008-08-13T22:47:00.003-04:00

Don't you just love to eat cupcakes? Me too... When I saw Linda Albrecht's blog and the beautiful paper cupcakes she made for Basic Grey's CHA display, I knew I just had to try my hand at making a few myself. Linda was nice enough to send me the pattern and a few hours later...this is the result. What fun I had. The sky was the limit when you add embellishments and glitter. I think they look good enough to eat.

Dora, Diego and Bob

2008-08-03T20:42:00.003-04:00

Nice title eh??? I had a friend who requested some children's cards that focus on Dora the Explorer, Diego and Sponge Bob Square Pants. Here is what I came up with. Each card is done with my multitude of scraps. I bought some playing cards that had these great images on them and cut each out so I could make them pop off the page. I think they're adorable, hope you enjoy them.

Thank You Donna Downey

2008-07-29T22:08:00.002-04:00

I'm finally posting pics from a project that I did a few months ago. We were handed papers from My Mind's Eye with reds, browns and greens. I didn't much care for the paper so I was stumped as to what to make with this stuff for our monthy challenge at LLS. So, after combing the internet for ideas and inspiration...I came across Donna Downey's website and saw her amazing fabric scrapbook that she made. That was the answer...turn this paper into fabric and sew, sew, sew. I used printer fabric and scanned the paper to print out the designer paper images. Add a few pictures and some felt cut words and voila...a beautiful family heirloom. Hope you enjoy it.

Make and Takes at CHA

2008-07-24T23:07:00.002-04:00

Okay, as promised, I decided to photograph some of the make and takes I got to do at CHA. In no particular order I present to you...Claudine Hellmuth's adhesive-backed canvas painted with her wonderful acrylic paints and fabulous brushes making this adorable floral pin. Tim Holtz's Idea-ology findings make a great necklace; can't wait till I can purchase all these great little charms. Bind-it-All has teamed with Teresa Collins and is offering these great leather closures with seasonal fasteners. The little halloween book was a fun make and take and certainly worth doing again in another season. Then the Provo Craft booth had some great make and takes at their booth. The popular booth was the Sesame Street box...but I didn't want to wait all day so I made this adorable coloring book cover. The Elmo shape was cut on the Cricut and we made two of them donating one to a third world country as a completed coloring book. What a great idea. I made several cards but have not photographed them yet. Finally, I got in on the Pink Paislee make and take. They only offered 25 kits at the show...and I made sure to get there early enough so I could get in on the action. I finished it at home and it is such an adorable Halloween Owl book and I can't wait to do this one as a class. Thanks for visiting today.

CHA Chicago

2008-07-22T21:15:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited...I got to attend CHA this year. It was my first show and I was very pleased to see artist who I have only admired from afar...or rather by blog-stalking. I'm posting a few of my favorites. October Afternoon had adorable layouts and their new fall line is going to be so great. The monster papers, stamps and chipboard shapes are just adorable. I was excited to see Tim Holtz in person and see his work up close. Claudine Hellmuth is another collage artist whose work I have admired. Her new brush and paints are going to be so great to work with, so is her adhesive-backed canvas. I also loved the papers and projects at Melissa Frances's booth...so many beautiful works of art. Such great make and takes at Just Rite Stampers and Idea-o-logy as well as Pink Paislee. I'll be back again to share all the cool things I got to make.

Blog Candy

2008-06-30T22:38:00.004-04:00

It's time to get excited about some fabulous Blog Candy. Visit Terri Conrad's blog for Websters Pages paper designs and see the latest papers she has designed for some amazing projects. I love the beautiful artwork Terri creates and I can't wait to see her home decor line to appear in stores. Thanks Terri for your inspiration.

College Prep Anyone??

2008-06-20T19:42:00.002-04:00

Look, it's not even July and I'm posting twice in the same month. :D I've been assigned to teach a "college prep" course at Live.Love.Scrap and we are making clipboards fashioned in your favorite college. Since I am a graduate of University of Dayton, I of course had to make one with those festive colors. The store had the Wright State paper in stock so I felt compelled to show that one too. I used alcohol inks on the metal clamp. Painted the edge with Kaiser's acrylic paints...I love that paint, it's so great to work with. I sponged color ink over the dry paint to add the secondary college color. I used a sponge roller and some gel medium (Golden) to seal the paper and paint and even the metal clamp (this is a really great effect and eliminates the brush strokes of a brush.) A little ribbon and a little bit of embellishments and you're finished. The survival kit uses the left over papers and can be filled with anything you feel is appropriate to have in case of an emergency..i.e: sewing supplies, bandaids, quarters, sharpie marker, matches, candles or anything else you can think of. It's a small space though so you have to be a little choosy with what you fill it with.

Have a great weekend everyone, thanks so much for stopping by.

FOUND MY CAMERA!!!

2008-06-14T17:45:00.002-04:00

Okay, it's a little hard to post anything new to your blog when your digital camera is missing. I've been playing in my studio and coming up with new, fun projects to celebrate the summer. The first picture is of a CD case I developed to download projects onto for a job interview as an art teacher. I wanted something I could leave behind after my interview. I didn't get the job, unfortunately, but I do like how this little number turned out.

The next project is a birthday mini book I designed using he new birthday paper line from Imanginesce. I liked the tiered cake using stamps and pink embossing powder as the icing. Lots of fun using the accent stamps and all the embellishments to jazz things up a bit.

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Card Designs

2008-05-18T15:05:00.002-04:00

This weekend I had to create a make and take for the weekend crop. I ended up making a teabag folded flower and putting it on a card. As always, some croppers participated and some did not. The ones who made it, loved the card and the technique. The second card is from Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. Her sketch challenge inspired me to create this bright birthday card. The paper is from last summer and I didn't check the name before I started. The stamp is from Denami. I used stickles to color in the flames and the white icing. The green icing is over colored with a glitter pen to add just a little sparkle. I would love to get a card that is this bright and cheery. Have a great weekend.

Bright and Cheery

2008-05-16T13:39:00.002-04:00

This spring's new paper lines are so bright and cheery, I just had to make something fun. My latest class uses these butterfly papers from Imaginesce and the felt die cuts from Kaiser. The paper mache box is from Melissa Frances and it comes with an accordian book. However, I cut the accordian book apart and made tag shaped pages for this particular project. I used my Spellbinder rectangular scallops for the frame borders. I think this is a fun way to celebrate spring. I have found that the lighting my studio space is not a very good way to photograph my projects. These photos were taken at Live.Love.Scrap and the bright white background and overhead lighting really made a difference in the quality of the photos. I have been very remiss in my blogging duties. My laptop has been down and I'm at the mercy of my DH's computer. I miss not being able to catch up on my blog entries or my browsing of my favorite blogs. I'll post more this weekend and show you all my winning from the Daisy D's contest. I WON FIRST PLACE!!! My monkey chair captured their eyes and won me some great loot from Daisy D's.

Until next time....have a great day.

Envelope Challenge

2008-04-27T20:42:00.002-04:00

Hero Arts had a recent challenge to design a card with an unused envelope or envelope pieces. I decided to use my new "ticket" stamps and make some mock raffle tickets and stuff them inside a mini envelope. I had a hard time coming up with a sentiment so I decided to leave it off altogether. I used Webster Pages paper for the background paper, some velvet and satin ribbon and a little bling. The butterfly is a Hero Arts stamp as well. Hope you had a great weekend.

Dream a Little Dream

2008-04-19T22:25:00.002-04:00

Today I spent twelve hours celebrating the anniversary of Live.Love.Scrap and their two years in business. Since teaching there, I have had the opportunity to create some fun and unique projects and learn from others as well. We had a great time gabbing and scrapping and trying to get some projects done. Though, I think we did more gabbing than creating. But...I sure had fun in the process. Today I'm posting a word book that I created using the wooden book from Kaiser Crafts. I stamped and embossed some of the damask patterns and the paper on the other pages are from Paper Salon - Karen Nueburgers line. Since she designs pajamas normally, I thought it was fitting that this dream book carry her papers. I think it's got a real lyrically feel to it and I am pleased with the end results. Thanks for stopping by today.

Daisy D's Challenge

2008-04-16T19:24:00.004-04:00

A recent challenge on Daisy D's site prompted me to create with their new Bambino sock monkey line of papers. The challenge was to create a non traditional project using their newest papers. I've had the sock monkey fabric from Moda for years and I knew their was a reason I was holding on to it for so long. I visited a newly-opened IKEA recently and purchased the child's chair for $15..not bad. I played with the fun designs on the seat cutting out various circles, stars and moons. Carefully cut each monkey out and paraded them across the seat top. I used papers, brads and stamps all from Daisy D's, lots of mod podge and stazon ink for a fun project that will be around for years. I'll let you know the results of the challenge winners. Thanks for stopping by.

Hanging Collage

2008-04-13T20:21:00.002-04:00

This week has been a productive one for me. I've been able to tie up some loose ends with projects that have needed little things done here and there. Each month, I take a class at my LSS where we are given a project, papers or supplies to use for any project we choose. This month we were given four 6 x 6 squares of the latest papers from My Mind's Eye and a few little embellishments (the butterfly). Our challenge is to use these papers/embellishments and create. Here is what I created. The cotton scraps are from Crafty Secrets, the metal edges are from 7 Gypsys. A little paint, a little stamping and lots of mod podge later...this is the end result. A great way to welcome spring. Hope you all had a great weekend.

For the Birds

2008-04-11T13:00:00.002-04:00

Oh I am such a terrible blogger. It's not that I'm not working furiously at creating one of a kind projects...its just that I often fail to photograph the projects. Then, to top it off, I leave my camera back in my studio and don't have it at my side when I visit other blogs. You would think I live in this huge mansion and the camera is soooo far away...but no, just a ranch style home and the camera is merely down the hall. Okay, okay...it's really that I'm too lazy to go get it. Ouch - that hurts...the truth usually does. Anyway, here is the latest project I'm offering at Live Love Scrap as a class. I used Scenic Route papers, some acrylic paint and my fun Inkadinkado Stamps plus Inque stamps to produce this adorable bird house book from Maya Road. Hope you enjoy it.

Raspberry Truffle Blog Candy

2008-04-01T14:37:00.002-04:00

Hi Friends,

As I posted last week, Terri Conrad Designs is hosting a blog candy contest of her fabulous papers from Webster Pages. I was just awarded the beautiful Feather Your Nest papers and I can't wait to receive these beauties so that I can continue to create and embellish my world.

Blog Candy at Webster Pages

2008-03-25T17:56:00.002-04:00

A great blog and such beautiful await you here....http://terriconraddesigns.typepad.com/. Terri Conrad has such beautifully designed papers and her new Feather Your Nest line really gets you in the mood for spring.

K & Co. Paper Challenge

2008-03-21T16:58:00.003-04:00

This challenge was to take a stack of K & Co. Ancestry papers and chipboard stickers and create something with it. Since I had purchased an old hat box at an estate sale last summer, I decided to re-purpose it into something I will use. I saw the paper as fabric and decided to use my sewing skills to create the quilted pattern on the lower part of the box. After making a paper template, mod-podging the squares to the template and stitching the rows, I added the damask stamp (Heidi Swapp) across the surface for a wallpapered look. Then I embellished the lid with ephemera that I had been collecting as well as several Art Declassified stamps from my LLS. This box now houses old family photos that we cherish. The ruffled trim is some old gold crepe paper that I had in my stash as well. I'm pleased with the end result.

Cupcake Challenge

2008-03-20T14:23:00.003-04:00

I've been trying for sometime now to participate in Taylor's Cupcake Challenge and finally got around to it this past weekend. Used the Hero Arts Stamps along with my various scraps to come up with this creation. Enjoy!

Easter Cards

2008-03-20T14:18:00.002-04:00

Had my sisters over this past weekend to work on Easter cards. Took the lead from Taylor's site for layout ideas and challenges. (Thanks Taylor for the inspiration!) Thought I'd play with all my scraps and new Easter stamps to come up with these adorable cards. Hope you enjoy them.

Happy St. Paddy's Day

2008-03-17T11:04:00.002-04:00

Here are some GREEN projects I worked on recently. The card was a challenge at card club to use the stripe and polka-dot paper in a card. Unfortunately, the class was cancelled and we weren't able to swap cards...so now I have it as a sample. No special tricks to this one, except I did get to use my nestabilities on the scallop and inner circle. The next projects were ATC cards that we made for out 7 Gypsy's ATC spinner. Fun and varied techniques used and the class members are getting more and more sure of themselves and trying new things.

O So Productive Part II

2008-02-19T16:20:00.003-05:00

I had enough paper left over from the LOVE book, that I was able to design two cards. The only thing I have left are some stickers and a little ribbon. Since I'm not a big fan of stickers, I'll save those for another day.

Next, I decided to do a challenge offered on Blueprint Sketches and use the new Doodlebug papers and show off my new puppy. He's just so cute I think he would make any page layout look amazing. I'm still learning the ins and outs of page layouts so I'm not totally sure I love this page...but I've decided to keep it up until I get the hang of it.

O So Productive Part I

2008-02-19T16:14:00.002-05:00

Okay, today I've been able to finish a few projects that have been in the works. The first is from a page kit from Pebbles. We were to take the paper, stickers and ribbon and design any project we wanted. I decided to use the Bo Bunny LOVE book and design a layout and use our new Zutter to bind the edge. I love the way it turned out. I especially like my kids faces shining through the O.

Altered Clipboard

2008-02-13T16:06:00.002-05:00

It has come to my attention that I have not posted anything new lately. So, I decided to post my recent project of this altered clipboard. We received a clipboard at a recent staff meeting and we were to decorate any way we wanted. So, I used my favorite line of paper from the Love, Elsie line and played with color. I stamped the image on another paper and carefully cut it out to run down the center. I painted the edge with crackle paint for a worn look. I used embossing powder from Ranger for a distressed and rusty feel to the metal clip. Then to top it off I used some corrugated and peeled and distressed it to look like grungy flowers and buttons. I drilled holes on the edge and stitched it with embroidery floss for that home-made look. I love the way it turned out. Now I need to cover the back to hide the stitches and holes. Plus, I'll probably add another stamp or two to that side too.

Webster Pages Boxed Set

2008-01-30T21:20:00.001-05:00

I have to say how much I love Webster Pages designed paper by Terri Conrad. {Not that I'm biased since I just won blog candy from her site.} I have had this project in the works for a while. I made a similar project as a birthday gift for my sister and was pleased with the results. I decided to add the crackle paint from Ranger this time and grunge it up a little. I think the delicate nature of the lid together with the shabby painting and grungy "note" sign on the front really goes together nicely. This class will include the box and matching note cards for a great for your friend or yourself.

Blog Candy for the True Artist

2008-01-29T17:22:00.000-05:00

For all you mixed media artist out there. Check out this blog for your chance to win this fabulous new book Art from the Heart. I can't wait to take a peek and try some new techniques out.

Good luck.

Easter Pail

2008-01-27T19:56:00.000-05:00

I have a nasty habit of making projects to teach in classes and then forgetting to photograph them for my blog. Well, not this time. I am teaching this adorable Easter pail in March and was dying to put it together. I love the bright colors and all the accessories hanging off the handle. I used handmade paper for the bunny and paper pieced it rather than doing a tear-bear approach. I cut the Eggs out of a pre-printed paper and then added some glitter for a little sparkle. Used my Crop-a-dile to punch through the bucket then threaded the ribbon around the edges. Bought a new stamp set from Love Elsie and stamped my name on a tag to personalize it. I think it just screams....HURRY UP SPRING!!!

Taylor Challenge

2008-01-27T19:52:00.000-05:00

Taylor @ Taylored Expressions posted a cupcake Friday challenge and had this great sketch to use for inspiration. I don't have a cupcake stamp but does it count if you eat one while working on the design? I used Basic Grey and Moda paper plus my SU Garden Collage stamp set. I love the look of the ribbon coming out through the center of the card, it adds a little dimension. Hope you like it too.

New Cards

2008-01-18T00:13:00.000-05:00

Decided to work on SCS challenges tonight. Color Challenge was apricot, rose and green, so I used the owl image from Anna Griffin papers and embossed the edges. I think it needs a sentiment but I'm not sure what it should say or where I might put it. The other card is this week's sketch challenge. I love the layout of this card. I used distress paints from Ranger on pink cardstock then rolled my flower roller stamp through it. I heated the paint to make the crackle pop. I used distress ink to blend over the floral image to really show the cracks in the paint.

Then, I used a scallop ribbon on the curved image to make it a little frilly. The stamp is from Red Lead Paperworks, I love the vintage feel to her. These were both really fun cards to play with.

Blog Candy

2008-01-16T00:10:00.000-05:00

Check in with Terri Conrad Designs, for a bit of inspiration and blog candy. Her paper line is so elegant you can't help but feel the romance. She's got lots of links for additional give aways as well.

Taken with Tim

2008-01-15T13:13:00.000-05:00

Tim Holtz that is. His recent challenge on his blog is to teach some new techniques to all his viewers. Once you read through his tutorial, you can't help but stop what you're doing to go and give it a try. I love the way this tag and ATC turned out and I'm anxious to see what else I can do with this new technique.

Pocket Hearts

2008-01-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

Monday's challenge on SCS was to make a pocket heart card. I opted not to do the card part, but I was anxious to make the pocket heart. I used a paper doily and stuffed it full of embossed hearts. I inserted a scrap of foam core and pushed the wired through to stuff the pocket. I had some dyed cheescloth that I wanted to use in some way and I think it tops it off for a real vintage feel. I mounted it on a sheet of Creative Images paper from Red Lead. All I have to do now is prepare it to hang for the Valentine season.

Chipboard Mini Book

2008-01-14T21:37:00.000-05:00

Tonight I taught a class on Chipboard Mini Books. Students got to make all three books and had a nice early gift for their Valentine. Hope you enjoy them too.

Challenges for the Week

2008-01-10T22:26:00.001-05:00

Okay, so much for being a better blogger. I had good intentions of posting on a regular basis, but I just can't seem to make it a habit. I don't know how people do it everyday. Though, I am stalking other blogs on a daily basis...you'd think I could post something each day, but other blogs are much more interesting than working on my own.

The two cards posted tonight are from this weeks' color challenge and a kickstand charge for a sketch challenge on SCS. I'm not altogether pleased with the color challenge of yellow, blue and green but it will have to do. At least I was productive. The kickstand has a nice look to it. I can see lots of possibilities with this design. This was also my first attempt of stamping an image on patterned paper and using it as the stamps colored image. Definetely will be doing this again.

Flowers Challenge

2008-01-03T18:16:00.000-05:00

Today's challenge on SCS asks to use Flowers in a fun way. I loved playing with my SU floral rollagraph stamp and paper punches. The collage stamp from Hero Arts is one of my new ones I was just itching to use. I love the bright color and the contrast with the purple pink background. Even though the tempertures are chilly outside, these flowers sure perk things up around here.

Have a great day.

Expecting

2008-01-02T23:47:00.000-05:00

Today's SCS Sketch Challenge (SC157) involved using four layers. I wanted to use the Scotty paper my sister bought for me. We are expecting our second Scotty dog in February and this was a great opportunity to use my stamps and paper to celebrate our new puppy. I used a variety of papers and accessories and I hope to get better at writing down all the companies that I use when I design a new project. Bare with me.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T22:30:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year..I can't beleive it is time to begin a new year. Where does time go? In keeping and making New Year Resolutions, I have vowed to become a better blogger. I want to try and create new things more often and keep in touch with the world by posting and commenting on the work that surrounds us all. I hope I am up to the challenge. Today I am posting the latest color challenge from SCS (CC147) using celery, teal and red. I wanted to play with my Denami stamp image of the ice cream cone and keep it festive with a Valentine theme. I like the look and see how this stamps is going to be used in a lot of different ways. The second image is a Christmas present I made for a friend who got me interested in papercrafting a year ago. I truly appreciate her valuable input and lessons she has provided and I am thrilled to be able to succeed in so many new techiques this year.

Vintage Lacing Cards

2007-12-13T00:14:00.000-05:00

Next month, I will be teaching a class on Vintage Lacing Cards. You can see the pics here. I used a 12 x 12 piece of scrapbook paper and scanned the images into photoshop so that they could be fitted to the chipboard size. Next I mounted these new images onto the chipboard, stamped and embossed the edges, used my crop-a-dile and grommet punch to punch holes and presto...you have your lacing card. The box is painted, papered, stamped, embossed, inked and sealed for the finished look. The kit will include six brown shoe laces, six lacing cards and one beautiful box to carry it in. Takes ya back to your childhood...don't ya think?

Book Making Workshop

2007-12-12T23:53:00.000-05:00

Saturday (12/8) I had the pleasure of taking Dream Catcher's Journal Workshop at European Papers in Columbus. It was such a thrill to be among such talent and be instructed by the very creative Lisa Ohlmer. I am very pleased with this day planner that I will use throughout 2008. The journal is meant to be drawn in, collaged on, inked and stamped or whatever you want to show your creative side. I'm anxious for the new year to begin.

In the Holiday Spirit

2007-12-02T23:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Paper Bella Studios and Teresa's 12 Days of Christmas projects, I am now in the swing of things. I have completed projects for Day 1 and Day 2 and here they are. The Christmas journal is full of pages with library envelopes to insert lists, and receipts. Even the dog gets his own page...and of course, I left a page for me too!! The Winter Collage is a fun and easy project to play with some new techniques. Not having the 7Gypsies metal embellishments, I used some pewter I had and die cut the edge for a decorative border. Can't wait for Day 3's project so I can lock myself in my studio and whistle while I work.

Holiday Goodies

2007-11-27T21:07:00.000-05:00

Today was a busy day. I couldn't wait to get started on my holiday cards. (Even though I am behind so many of you.) I worked with the folder template and carry out my gingerbread theme. The paper is from Heidi Grace and the cardstock is Bazzill. Lots of fun embossing in pink and adding all the ribbon and frills.

The glass block uses the same Heidi Grace paper and I stamped the center image in a retired SU gingerbread house and then couldn't wait to try the broken glass method using the ultra thick embossing powder. I still need to add the bow to the top and light it from the inside. Can't wait to plug it in.

Blog Candy

2007-11-27T13:21:00.001-05:00

Check out the latest blog candy give away at Lynn's site.

Ginger's Bird House

2007-11-26T16:55:00.001-05:00

Okay, today's project is finally finished. Couldn't wait to get home from holiday traveling to put the finishing touches on it. I used the metal sheets from Sencie Cady to emboss the roof top and the Love Elsie paper line to paper the bird house. Really wanted a grungy look to it so I splattered it with white ink and used corrugated torn in random peices for a "bird built" look to it. This will go really well with my gingerbread collection for the holiday. Hope you like it.

***Sorry for the poor quality of the image with the picket fence. Low batteries will do that to ya.***

Advent Clipboard

2007-11-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

Okay, since I can't seem to move as fast as most of you in blog-land. I am posting my latest project. This Advent clipboard is a countdown to Christmas that I used library card envelopes to slip ideas into and prompt some holiday spirit. A fun project to do with the family.

HOW ABOUT THAT BANNER???

2007-11-12T14:56:00.001-05:00

Hello to all you girls out there in blogger land. Check out that FABULOUS banner that was created especially for me by NICOLE SEITLER. Nicole is so talented and produced such great work in a short amount of time. I would recommend you take a look at her site and see all the wonderful goods and services she offers. Thanks so much Nicole, I just love what you have done.

Card Challenge

2007-11-08T16:58:00.000-05:00

Cindy from Imagine.dreame.create had a challenge posted on her site for a Monday challenge. I can not possibly work as fast as she can so I am using her sketch to put my own spin on challenge. Taylored Expressions has a beautiful card that uses metal peices on her cards and I thought I'd incorporate that idea as well. I am happy with the outcome since I am a HUGE gingerbread fan, I just keep playing with my cookie stamps.

Holiday Fun

2007-11-08T16:31:00.000-05:00

So, here it goes, my current projects for the holidays. I am a gingerbread fanatic and you will see this theme appear on a regular basis in my holiday projects. The three trees that I completed were using some Anna Griffin paper from my stash, rubons, my Cricut and bits of lace and buttons. Lots of fun and lots of work. The gingerbread house incorporates the doodlebug house complete with stamped brown craft paper, lots of glitter and paper doily placemats cut for the awnings. You can't tell from the photo, but inside the window is a gingerbread girl, presents and a tree with rhinestone bits on it. These peices will look great with my gingerbread Christmas tree when I decorate for the season.

Official Artwork Posting

2007-10-31T20:31:00.000-04:00

Okay, here it goes. Since I last posted over a month ago, projects have taken on a life of their own. I only managed to make a few fall projects and one or two Halloween cards. Since we are looking at a quick approach of the holidays, I have been concentrating on holiday projects to teach and give as gifts. Take a look and let me know what you think.

I used a 5 x 7 canvas and an image from My Mind's Eye holiday paper to make an altered canvas for the season. Tried my hand at stamping on warmed Utee for the snowflake stamp and really like the effect.

For my card club challenge, we had to create a winter themed card. I used the same Utee stamped image for the mitten stamp and a variety of stamping techniques to give that look of falling snow. The metallic background is a holographic peel n stic paper from JoAnns that I was using for another project. All and all, I'm pleased with the outcome.

Envy

2007-09-04T23:21:00.000-04:00

I am so envious of all the great works of art I have been viewing over the last few weeks. I have spent hours pouring over ideas of projects I want to tackle next and find that there are so many to choose from. Where do I begin? Halloween seems to be the logical choice for my next move, just as soon as I finish my current project of my first jar fairy. A witch captured in a jar with a haunted house in the background would be fun to create. I attempted a paper mache pumpkin and I'm not happy with the results, so I may keep playing with that theme as well. Well ladies, as my first entry, I am happy to take the leap of designing along side of such great talent. Keep up the great work and the ideas pouring forth.