Challenge: Fusion #11!

Hello,
     I had some time today to participate in a challenge. I am still new at these sketches, so I take them pretty literally. I am pretty happy with my outcome. I seem to bounce to a different beat than many other card makers, but that is what it is all about, right? I think I am going to take all my pictures outside in the sunshine, I love the pavers in the background.

Supplies: SU! Designer papers, basic black paper, Cheery Lynn Designs 

butterfly DL113 and DL113a die cuts, Stampabilities sentiment.

Enjoy!

Let the heat come!

Hello all,

     It is a toasty 85 degrees outside, but it feels like 90. I was sweating just grabbing the mail at the end of the driveway!

     I created two totally different cards today. I had intended to participate in a few challenges, but I couldn't get the creative juices flowing with the sketches that were offered this week, so I made my own.

You can't see the embossed lines that jut out from each corner of the the background. They sort of interrupt the butterfly, but I like the overall look.

Supplies: Stamps: (Background stamp) Happiness: Local King Rubber Stamps, (Butterfly) simple friendship SU!, (Dream) Dreams comes true CTMH. Inks: Distress inks, Wild Honey, Crushed Olive, Tuxedo Black Paper:  Neenah Cardstock. Others: Low Tack masking tape.

     This card was fun. I like the black base, and the pop of the purples. I used left over watercolor paper I had from a different project. I colored the background with perfect plum yesterday and gave it a day to dry. The Think paper never warps. (LOVE that!) 

      I learned how to get the reflection on the bottom of the card. I used a pack of paper wrapped in a clear bag. The bag provides the refection. (cool,huh?) So easy, but it looks great in the photo. I still need to learn how to watermark my photos. Enjoy!

Supplies: Stamps:(flowers) Wildflower Garden - Hero Arts, Believe - Inkadinkado, Ink/Paper - Perfect Plum - SU! Tuxedo Black. Paper:  Neenah Cardstock.

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: Craft Room Highlights from Cindy II

Welcome to Part 2,
 As I mentioned in part one, (you can click here to take a look) I am showing highlights of my craft space. Much of my craft space is not that exciting, but I believe I have a few highlights that may get you thinking.

I had a terrible time trying to store all my punches. I am a very frugal crafter, but I bought out another crafter and gained all of her punches at a great price. But how to store them?

I found my solution at Ross. Take a look.

These are actually hanging shoe storage, (left) and jewelery (right). I placed the stampin' up punches in the left one (front and back) Man, is it heavy! and the smaller other company punches in the right one. The back is empty.  Room for more punches to come, right? :)

Card Swap: Splitcoaststamper's Flower Swap!

Good Evening!
     I am so excited to try a new aspect of the cardmaking community of SCS (Splitcoaststampers). I just became an approved member of the swap forum. I joined my first swap yesterday, and I have finished my first set to mail out tomorrow. I don't know if this is a bad idea, but I am giving you a glimpse of my cards. If you are also a member of the same swap, you maybe blessed with receiving one of my cards!  :) Take a look:

      Ironically, I have just watched Connie Stewart's flash cards videos. I LOVED the concept of her pieces. However, the size of her 2.0 literally comes off the ends of the card. So I cut them down a bit, and came up with my own sizes. This greatly sped up my process for repeating this card six times. Yes, you heard me, SIX times. You must create the same card 5 plus 1 for the hostess.

     Regardless, I will be mailing them out tomorrow. It will be interested to see how much it costs to mail out these cards. I have to include the same amount of postage to my SASE inside the envelope. Wish me luck. Anyone else really enjoy these swaps? I would love to hear your thoughts on swaps. This particular one has close to 100 members signed up. (some dropped out), but still! It must be worthwhile for so many members to participate. I cannot wait to see what comes back!