Lucky find at Marshalls!

Hello,
I am enjoying my summer. I love the three days weekends. (yes, I am teaching summer school again...uuggh) BUT! I am determined to get some crafting done! I decided that I was getting a bit disorganized, and I needed to cut white card panels and have them on hand ready to go. I needed a container of course? What do I store them in?

Jennifer McGuire recommended more clear storage bins. Why not run to Marshalls, and take a look around!  I may just find the perfect thing?! Well, I did! Take a look!

I found what I think was a storage container for the cupboard for gravy packets. It fits perfectly for card bases....three different sizes too! I used red cardstock to separate my watercolor paper from my Neenah Solar white cardstock. Then I cut thick craft dividers a bit taller so I can label each size. 

In my head, the back section is the card base size. The middle section is the dark mat size. and the front section is the light panel size. A majority of the cards I create are A2 size. I do other sizes once in a while, square mostly, but I try to stick with A2.

I am switching my storage from this way. Man, that was 2014?! Time flies in the craft room!

I may have to run back and purchase another one for my birthday and sentiment panels for the inside of the card. hmmmm. It was only $5.99!

Thanks for stopping by, I would love a comment! It would make my day!

Hummingbirds are beautiful...

Hello again,

I fell in love with a card I made a long time again, and decided to duplicate it before giving it to a friend. I had so much fun, I made several!

First, I masked each card off with low tack masking tape, and left a narrow strip showing. I used my blending tool to blend two distress inks together. These two were created with Bundled Sage blended with Salty Ocean. Used water to create waterspots.

Then I removed the masking tape, and stamped the hummingbird with versamark ink and used a glittery black embossing powder. Then used my MISTI to stamp my sentiment straight.

These two were created by blending Picked Raspberry and lots of Salty Ocean.

On this bottom card, I tried a new twist on matting it in black. I tried to show just a sliver on top and on the bottom. I am not sure I like it. What do you think? I know you can not see it in the photos, but the hummingbird is very glittery. I wish the pictures did it justice! 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Allegro - Penny Black, Free flight - Penny Black, Mindscapes - Inkadinkado

Inks: Distress inks: Salty Ocean, Picked Raspberry, Bundled Sage. 

Paper: Neenah Solar White, black cardstock and Stampin' Up! colored cardstock

Thanks for dropping by! More to come.

Cindy

Pre-Cut Card Layers & Original Storage Boxes

Hello Everyone!

I was in the mood tonight, not to make cards, but to make card-making faster, and more efficient. I searched on google for one question:  "if pre-cutting white and black cardstock was smart, and if it was a good idea, to what size?" I don't have TONS of high quality cardstock to cut and store, but I have a little bit I can use to see if it will make my creative process a bit faster.

I went online onto Splitcoaststampers.com and in a forum. I found a discussion thread about whether most stampers indeed pre-cut their layers. in general, more stampers said "no" than "yes".  phooey. That did not discourage me. I am used to not finding what I am looking for right away. I make my own path sometimes.  :)

After that, I decided I was going to pre-cut a dark mat size that was quarter inch smaller than the card base size on each side, and then the next layer would be a quarter inch smaller than the mat. This layer would be my Neenah Solar white cardstock.

The next question became: "How do I store small amounts of pre-cut cardstock of different sizes, without having the paper warp or bend?" and "I have to have them labeled so not to get them mixed up" Again, google offered no information on this topic that I was impressed with.

So.....I created my own to share. (I am very good at making my own...lol) Take a look below:

 I created two to begin with with the sizes posted on the front. I was afraid with the small box full, the container might topple over, so I glued it to a base. The finished box is 5.5" by 1.25" by 2.5".

 This is a side view of the box with the base to keep it from toppling over.  :) I wanted to create one more to hold the preprinted sentiments that I run through my laser printer for the inside of my birthday cards. I decided I would so you step-by-step how I created it.

 The finished box is small. I cut a piece of thicker cardboard (like cereal box thickness) and I cut it to 10.5 inches by 6.25 inches.

 I scored this cardboard at 2.5 inches on all four sides using my Martha Steward scoring board.

 I cut up on the short sides and folded all the score lines

 I used my ATG tape gun on all four corners. This will ensure that it does not fall apart.

 Bring up the four corners and glue the box together

 Don't forget the piece of cardboard to keep it from toppling over!

 I took some pretty pink flower patterned paper and printed labels for the front of the storage box.

 The label fits perfectly on the front of the storage container.

 Here is a picture of all three containers. The first box on the left is the traditional 1/4 inch smaller layers. Numbered 1,2, and 3.The second box skips a layer (hence the gap) the next layer is 1/2 inch smaller layer. Numbered 1,3, and 4.

 The third box holds regular 20# copy paper pieces that have birthday sentiments in it (in the back) the front ones are the small message size that are blank.

Here are all three pictured together. I am so impressed with my little creations. Now-  I need to decide if I want to pre-cut other color cardstock in addition to black and white. (decisions, decisions). I already have a container FULL of card bases in ALL sorts of colors. I only make A2 sized cards. I rarely make other sizes. I will let you know if I am pleased with my pre-cut layers and if it made me a bit more efficient! :)

Featured Technique: Distressing

Hello,
I got the chance to go to "Just for Fun's" Trunk Show on Saturday. I almost go run over by women twice my age! I walked away with a handful of great deals.
     One item I am enjoying is a thick stack of pre-cut textured colored cardstock. I got about 100 pieces for $1 cut 5 1/2 by 4 1/4. I also grabbed a brand new package of shimmery black cardstock normally priced for $11.95, was priced $5. It is beautiful cardstock. I always have trouble finding thick black cardstock for my cardbases. I grabbed a few stamps and some used templates.
     One item I purchased was a used set of the Sew-Easy handle and multiple heads. I need to play around with them. Unfortunately, it didn't come with the pink mat that you need, but maybe my other mat will work just as well. Maybe you will see some sewing on a few cards in the near future! Anyway, on to my card for tonight:

      I know you can't see the details really well, but all the parts to this card are distressed. I had fun using a rough piece of sandpaper and sanding the card stock to smithereens! I had paper powder everywhere. I even distressed the floss at the bottom of the butterfly panel, it is looking ragged to suit the look. The photo did a nice job of picking up the colors, I just love distress inks. I just purchased a set of the mini color distress inks. I love them!

Paper: Stampin' up and Neenah Solar White Card Stock Inks: Distress inks Stamps: Butterfly and flower - unknown (Indadinkado, I think), Sentiment - A stamp in the Hand Embossing Powder - White Distressed with sandpaper and distress tool

 Thanks for dropping by!

Welcome to Summer Break!

     I am so excited to be done with teaching for the 2012-2013 school year. I honestly thought that I would dive right into my cardmaking obsession the minute my break started. (Tuesday).....Well, it is Thursday, and I'm having trouble getting inspired. (happen to you?) I have been cleaning my craft room, re-arranging, and even using my Cricut....but not card making.

     I sat down in front of my computer and said "What ever card pops up first, I am going to use as inspiration and create SOMETHING, and get out of this funk!" So I clicked on one of my favorite blogs and this card popped up: BITS AND PIECES.

     So, here is my take on it:

     I am not sure if I am officially out of my funk. The desire to be creative is strong, I just can't produce anything I am pleased with. I seem to "try too hard" or "make it more sophisticated than it needs to be" I am sure if you are a crafty person, you understand what I am saying.

     I kept going, and tried a few more attempts, I cannot say they are my best, but I am happy enough with them to place them on my blog!  :)

     I have to mention though, to my defense, I spent a hunk of time creating a die cut on my SCAL for this butterfly. This Butterfly is one of my first purchases over 10 years ago. I stamped its image, scanned it into my desktop, traced it with SCAL and resized it to cut on my cricut. Then I use my stamp-a-majig to line up my wooden stamp and PRESTO! It is a die-cut! I am very pleased with my efforts. Like I said, it IS my favorite go-to butterfly.

I forgot how much fun vellum is! I have to play with it more often. I have a whole pack of it!:) Enjoy!

Featured Set: Watercolor Petals by Hero Arts

Hello again,
I absolutely love the stamp sets I purchased from JoAnn's! I have only had time to play with one or two sets so far. I did run out of WHITE cardstock and had to place an order for Neenah Solar White Cardstock. Love that stuff. I bit the bullet and purchased a WHOLE ream from Ellen Hutson. Great site! I will be purchasing from her again. I even saved 10% by using a coupon code. (yahoo!)

Anyway, lets get to the cards, take a look!

Feel free to double click on the pictures to get a better look. I love my low-tack masking tape. I used all distress inks with the exception of the brown/orange one. I used a cat's eye pigment ink set I had. I don't own a brown/orange distress pad...yet. (keyword: YET...lol) I took thread and tied a bow on each card, with exception of the green one.