Sunday, September 14, 2008

A New Design Unfolds

While vacationing in Chicago last month with my mom (www.studiobeecreations.blogspot.com/), we stopped in the first ever Paper Source location. They were having a fantastic sale on lots of goodies including some summery paper colors. Included in the sale were sets of matchbook cards (A2 size). I bought a set of 25 just to get the measurements.

When I attempted to score the card in the correct dimensions, I was off by about 3/4". And not just the first time! By the time I figured it out, I had four cards with an extra score near the bottom fold. So, I covered the score mark on the inside of the card with a piece of ribbon which I also used to tie through as a bow on the top of the card.

Then, I needed to cover the score mark from the outside. I decided to incorporate a stamping element on the card. And I love heat embossing. So, starting with the "happy" cards, I pulled out the Stampin Up "Happy Everything" stamp set (pg. 143 of the 2008 catalog). These are posted for sale on etsy.


The "smile be happy" card uses the Quickutz Sophisticate set. I cut out the large letters using the Quick Stamps foam to stamp and emboss in copper the "smile". Then I used the smaller gel stamps from the set for the "be happy" pop up piece. On another card, I stamped out "time to smile".

"Best" is also cut from QK dies - can't remember now which font. But it looks like Biography. I stamped using craft ink and then heat embossed using clear. Once I get it posted, you'll be able to see the detail. For "Best Dad" I used the QK Silhouette to cut out the grill. But since I found the white core of the paper I used too distracting, I used a coordinating Stampin Up ink marker to color the edges. I did the same with a graduation cap for the matching "Best Grad" card.

It has been about 2 weeks since my last blog entry OR my last etsy post. I have been working on a creative project for work. Hopefully I will be able to share that story by this weekend.

Thank you for visiting. On your way out, check out my sister's blog at http://joy-full-ness.blogspot.com/.

Monday, September 8, 2008

From the Road: Lesson Learned

Keep all ribbon scraps!! These two cards both demonstrate this important lesson I've learned in my efforts at creating on the road. Especially this "just for you" card. The row of little knots was the perfect accent.


The negative image (from the In Any Event Stampin Up set) is stamped on vellum using classic ink from Stampin Up. The watercolor effect was unintended, but I will use it again. Unfortunately, the "thanks" sentiment did not come out clearly enough to be read. So, I covered it with a lovely piece of textured cardstock edged in brown ink and stamped using the Quickutz Sophisticate set. Finally, the vellum is attached to the same creamy cardstock with large brushed gold eyelets.



With this card I was going for understated. The paper itself is busy enough without accenting it too much. I began with the brown center - a scrap!! I knew I wanted to use the marigold yellow to tie it the paper's color theme (the back side of this double-sided paper is marigold yellow, too). But I also like to layer my paper pieces with ribbon. So I took a length each of gold and thinner brown-stitched ribbon and layered these in between the paper. The sentiment to "wish big" (from the Wish Big Stampin Up set) is stamped in pink. The white card stock is edged in the same. And, even though I was going for simple, I couldn't resist one more embellishment... the white cupcake (same set) heat embossed in the brown paper.


Check back in a couple of days to find out what the "flip flap" is all about.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Back home and listing again!

Even though I have found myself on the road a lot this summer, I have managed to be creative on occassion. Today I list on etsy two of my summertime creations.

First, I begin with one of six cards I made on the road while staying in New Rochelle, NY, stopping over between Poughkeepsie, NY, and Hartford, CT.

While shopping in scrap stores, it's not like I seek out Heidi Grace, but I just seem drawn to her. But after all these months of accumulating her product, this is the first time I've used her rub on designs on a card. For shame for shame, especially since I think they go great with this Chatterbox paper. The white pieces, I believe, are textured Bazzil. The ribbon I felt fortunate to have packed enough of for my trip as I think it perfectly finished the card.



After making this next card on my most recent work visit to Poughkeepsie, I've decided to pull out my QK Silhouette and play with some designs before attempting another similar design. Cutting the petals one by one with the QK squeeze - my die cut tool of choice for the road - was devastating to my hand! But isn't it precious anyway?

Looking at my previous blog entry where I discuss more about how I made this card, I notice I forgot to mention the QK font. It's Maggie.


Still more cards to come, so check back soon. I'm also excited to sneak in a few scrap pages. Until then, go to my sister's blog and etsy site to see what she's rolling out for the fall.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

On the road but back in Blogger city!

This has been one busy summer for me! While the previous post has a date of June 23, that's the day I created it. What took me so long to post it? The site locked up on me that night and I lost the post - or so I thought.

So, in June Bill and I went to Florida. Early July we were in Aruba - took lots of cool pics to fill a vacation scrap book. Then this month I visited with family in SC and spent time with my mom in Chicago - more pics for another vacation book!

I have actually made about a dozen cards and completed several scrapbook pages in the last few months, but with all the traveling I kept coming up with the same excuse not to post... just not enough time.

Well, tonight is my third and last night (this week anyway) on the road for work. Staying in Poughkeepsie - woo hoo! (Imagine sarcasm here.) As usual, I packed up card making paraphernalia (sp?) and managed to piece together a couple of interesting designs. What a mess I've made!


Here I am showing you just one. The others are to be part of a set I hope to blog about later this week - crossing fingers.

The base of the card is - I believe - American Crafts. Fantastic double-sided paper perfect for a not-bland card. Love the rounded corners! The flower is pieced together from various QuicKutz die cuts. I used up the small square of vellum I had left over that I've used in other projects. I like the dimension it adds to the petals. The stem and leaves are a portion of a 12" Revolution border die I cut from a rich velvety green paper. It's like the whole page is flocked.

I sure do miss my Revolution on the road, though. I had to use my QK squeeze and cut each die cut image one at a time! Talk about hand cramp!


While I wasn't watching, several of my card listings on etsy expired. I plan to relist and post the new cards I've made in the last few weeks over the next few days.

Check back regularly as I unpack and blog my crafting adventures.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Visit to the Happiest Place

The first weekend in June I accompanied Bill to the Panasonic Academic Challenge (PAC) held in Orlando each year. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort with a view of the Magic Kingdom from our room. We could also see the fireworks every night. How cool is that!







Since we were staying a few days, I went for a snack supply run. On my way back, I saw this momma duck and four ducklings crossing a drive way in front of the hotel. I immediately thought of Make Way for Ducklings. In case you've never heard of the story, it is set in Boston. There is even a statue set in the Boston Public Garden commemorating the story.





Having spent 11 years in Tampa, I had to try to visit with old friends. I was able to meet with my friend Chris Holcom and his wife, Jaime, (sorry - he has that pic) for lunch in a NY-style deli. (Note: Even with all my time spent in NY, I honestly can't say how authentic it was. But it was good. Thanks guys!) His Jobsite theatre group is in its 10th season. I love how he and his wife describe each other as "disgustingly talented." They are great together.



We really miss this guy since our move to Boston. We just finished watching the 1st season of the USA Network show called Burn Notice. Excellent show! But, Bruce Campbell reminds us so much of Chris. Chris could play a young Bruce Campbell. Won't know if Jaime will be happy with this imagery or not.







In honor of Bill's last trip to the PAC, I wanted to make a card with his most identifiable Disney character as the theme. Don't you just love the bow?!






Later this week, I will post scrapbook pages from a marathon creative run from Sunday. It felt good to do some catching up.


See you soon.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Special Order Delivery

Here it is. A special request realized. This was my first special request on etsy.

This card was made for someone looking for "graduation cards for an 8th grade girl... She really likes VW buses if that's of any help." The "Congrats" is cut from a Silhouette design. The VW bus front was drawn by the hubby using the draw function in Word.

We'll be in Florida this weekend. So, I probably won't post again for a couple of weeks.

Jenny

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Hello, again!!

I have been away way too long from this blog. I had fantastic plans for last weekend - remember? - Memorial Day? - 3-day weekend? - Sure, I was home. But with a soar throat that led to sniffles! I even got a box of goodies I had ordered from Mom, and I couldn't play. :(
Well, I had overnight travel this week - 1st time in almost three months. Wow!! Checking my email, I noticed I had a sale on etsy! Cute card with an elephant. So exciting!
So, finally feeling better this weekend, I had to finish a card-making project I began a few weeks ago. I made this set of one dozen cards for a friend from work. This is an original design I created using ribbon, Quickutz, and Stampin Up products.


I bought the envelopes for the cards at Paper Source in Brookline, MA. While there, I saw an awesome chocolate brown color, so bought a set of those envelopes, too. That brown color inspired these two sets of six cards showing two different color-coordinating approaches. These are now posted on etsy.



I hope to post again soon with the result from a special request for a graduation card.

Stay well.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Music and Scrapbook Pages - 1-hour Page

It had been awhile since I made a scrapbook page. I had focused on a card making project and just let time get away from me. At this point, we are seven pages behind. That is, we've attended seven events in the last few months for which we still have to create a page commemorating said event. Not to mention there are two mini-vacations/albums. Perhaps we've taken on too much? Only one more week, though, and Bill will be done with class work for this last semester at BU.

Anyhow, I decided to finally make a page - and challenge myself to get it done in an hour.

Tickets (for instant embellishment) - Check!
Programs (for embellishment cut outs) - Check!
Perfect Paper - Check!

The 2007-2008 pamphlets for the Handel and Haydn society include these great timelines that we knew were going to be incorporated into the pages for this season.



Since we ordered season tickets, we got these calendar stickers - definitely had to use them on THIS page. They color-coordinate!

Okay - seriously! - this is a great brad embellishment, right?



The final page - probably took longer to write this blog - especially since I've been distracted by Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy. I'm also sure I've missed plot points since I was writing this blog entry.

I am hoping to get some creating done this weekend - can't wait to share it with you!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Taking the Bee Line to Sweet

If you are looking at this blog entry, you may very well have buzzed over here from my mom's blog at http://studiobeecreations.blogspot.com. Her name is Debbie, and frankly I'm surprised she hasn't had it legally changed to Deb-bee.

I found this sweet polka dot bee paper at a scrapbook store I found after taking a wrong turn near Mahopac, NY - http://www.lastingmemoriesscrapbook.com/. I bought a few sheets for mom - which I still need to send to her.

Green is my favorite color - something I should probably be careful about or everything I make will be green. The base of the card is this great pale green generic, textured card stock. The white paper is textured Bazzil rounded off and distressed in green ink. I had used a Coluzzle to cut out the center and ink the inside edge. But, I didn't like the color I had chosen. On Saturday, I cut out the part I did not like - using the Coluzzle again. But then the hole was too big!

My mom had sent me months and months ago some awesome fabric and fiber paper. The yellowish, flowered center piece is cut (again, Coluzzle) from one of those pages to tie in the yellow from the bee with the rest of the card.

The sweet polka dot bee paper I cut to frame the center of the card and distressed the outside edge in brown. The green, stitched ribbon I tied into a bow before using a glue dot to keep it down. The Prima flowers are centered with color-coordinating Stickles.

I used a Stampin Up brass stencil to dry emboss the "Hello!", but didn't like the effect - too subtle. So, I used the same stencil on the front to stencil watermark ink and winter white Stampin Up embossing powder (two passes) to really make it pop from the page.


The bee is a QK double-die 2x2 image where the yellow paper is textured Bazzil. You can just detect the faint striping effect.

Tomorrow's post will show a one-hour scrapbook page I started and finished this weekend. And, oh, it's green. Oh well!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Bug me anytime

I was creative this weekend - woo hoo. I had made some cards months ago while traveling for work, but wasn't thrilled with the results. I fixed them up yesterday.

This first one I had used a wonderful paperclip in the shape of a speech bubble. It was too bulky, though, so I dipped into Bill's toolbox for his needlenose pliers to clip off the inside part of the embellishment. The phrase piece I recreated onto a new piece oh-so-carefully cutting it out using the Coluzzle blade.

The base of the card is Bazzil paper with an awesome textured pattern. I have used the same Bazzil paper in beige to look like pages in a book from a Quickutz die. The second layer is rounded off using Creative Memories corner rounder. (I have a new Stampin Up corner rounder on order with my mom. Can't wait to get it.) For flair, I included one final gold, swirly, vellum layer to the card before embellishing - rounding the corners again.


The "Bug me anytime" stamp is one in the same with the ladybug. The Prima flowers are centered with Candy Cane stickles. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig for proper placement. The ladybug I colored in with the Stampin Up watercolor pencils and blender pens.

This ribbon was just too sweet to let it go, even as a remnant. I've used it in other projects, including the balloon card you can see in my first blog entry and available on etsy.

Check back tomorrow for the other fixer upper.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Spring in Boston

Springtime has officially sprung in Boston. Bill and I were walking away from South Station last week and saw this half building facade. Just odd. You can see the outside through the building to the - er - outside.

Walking up Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue this week, we saw the first trees in bloom. The fragrance was intoxicating. Personally, I think these would make fabulous scrapbook page backgrounds!





We took a walk, too, along the river and stopped to sit on a bench on the way. The boats were too much in the spring mood NOT to take a picture.



I know this blog entry is not about scrapping, but I just wanted to share some of the Boston experience.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

My first... and second convention

I really do love scrapbooking. But, for Bill and me, it's more than scrapbooking. It's about preserving - or even recreating - memories. One year ago, my mom and I planned to go to the CKC in Nashville, TN, just south of where she lives. Even though I made this page for myself, I thought of my mom when I picked the paper. She loves polka dots.


After having gone to the convention with Mom in Nashville, I just had to go to the convention north of Boston in Manchester, NH. When I was in TN, I bought a "scraplete" shirt for Bill as a souvenir. He wore it when he went with me to Manchester. Never has a fully clothed man ever gotten so many looks, I think, as Bill that day.

Anyhow, I didn't have room for the booklets from both conventions, so I cut out the Manchester label from that booklet and pasted it onto the Nashville booklet. Cool, huh?

This large sticker had been sitting in my stash for months. Had to go on the page. I also used the same scissor and ribbon motif on a card (posted on Etsy - wink wink) you can see on an earlier post.


The narrative I created in a text box in Word and printed it on sticker paper. (Notice my correction? I've lived in Boston 5 years now after a lifetime in Florida. Still figuring out where all the states are.) Used a brad to attach the wrist bands on the page. Used the same kind of brad to hold together the tickets then tied the same ribbon (above) through the brad.



Here you can see the photo corner holding the booklet. And, the envelope holding the tickets had the list of classes we took. Cut out that section, distressed it, framed it with a color-coordinating card stock, and pasted here.

Happy scrapping 'til next time.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Lost and Found - in Meriden

Someone left a comment on the ewe card (see blog entry below Have Travel Bag...) wanting to know where I found the ewe paper. I know I have several different animals, but this was what I found for this pic...

The company is The Paper Lady - and all the animals are just awesome!! I just looked at the site myself - never did before tonight. I am going to HAVE to buy some - shouldn't have any trouble meeting the minimum order requirement.

I put together a lobster-themed page together using this brand of paper (see company link below) for a Boston Globe cartoon caption contest Bill won awhile ago. Ooh! Another idea for a post!

Now, for the last card made in Meriden, CT...


This is a 6" x 6" card made from this great double-sided paper. The inside is green on slightly lighter green polka dots. I got lucky with my card stock scrap pieces that I had just the right colors to make the embellishments using the Quickutz squeeze - SO glad I did not sell or get rid of that tool - it's perfect for travelling! The letters I have from one small stamp set. The "I" is the only embossed letter - had to do it to get the white to pop from the paper.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope to see you around the blog-o-sphere soon. I look forward to visiting everyone's blog and getting to know your creative sides. If you visited from my mom's blog (http://studiobeecreations.blogspot.com), good luck with the Blog Candy!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind...

Well, according to this card, they are drifting. This is card #2 from my over night stay in Milford last month. My mom loves these little vellum sayings - I can understand why. They are great for me when I am on the road since I don't have access to my printer for making my own on the spot.



I went a little corner-rounder crazy on this one. It's just such a fun tool! Kind of difficult to work with tiny strips of paper, but I made it work somehow - after three tries!!

Sadly, though, the mouse and leaves is not from Stampin Up. Just something I found in a bargain bin somewhere in scrapbook store land. But it is cute, isn't it?! I stamped and embossed the leaves on a piece of brown cardstock - same paper used in the "ewe" card shown in the previous entry - and cut them out so they could float on pop dots for that drifting effect.

Thanks to everyone for leaving such wonderful comments on my blog. So very encouraging. Check back tomorrow for one more Milton, CT, card.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Have Travel Bag - Will Scrap!!

Well not exactly scrap... but make cards. I have not had an overnight stay in some weeks!! So what took me so long to get these posted? I am a major procrastinator - don't try this at home!!


Every year, ever since I started filing my own taxes, I have filed as soon as I have all my paperwork in the first week of February. This year - April 12. Fortunately, we don't owe any money! Phew!!


Wait a minute... what was I talking about... I was distracted by Bones on Fox - love that David Boreanaz. Plus, it's a great show!


Anyhow, back to the cards... I was in Meriden, CT, this time - mid March - after driving from Boston to the Palisades in NY halfway back to Boston to stay in Meriden two nights. The 1st night I stayed, I came across the HBO miniseries about John Adams. Now I wish we had cable so I could see the whole thing... I'll just have to wait until it comes out on DVD.


So, I will let you decide if the life of John Adams was inspiration or hindrance to the creative card making process.

I bought this paper with the sheep/ewe months and months ago! While I was sifting through the paper, I knew I would make this card one day. Used my Stampin Up scissors to get the close details. Love those things.

I brought this skinni mini Quickutz font along because - well - it's skinni mini! Wrapped the ribbon around the brown card stock. Glad I had it in my bag.

Finally, I added the prima flowers in the lower left corner. Unfortunately, I had brought only gold stickles in my bag o' scrappin goodies. I added the stickles after I got home.

I made two other cards this trip. Come back tomorrow to see them.

If you visited from my mom's blog - http://studiobeecreations.blogspot.com - Thank you!Remember, too, to visit my sister's blog - http://joy-full-ness.blogspot.com.

I will be posting this card and the others on Etsy throughout the week... http://kittykards6473.etsy.com.

See you soon!

Jenny

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Music and Scrapbook Pages - Part 15 - Arlo Guthrie

Another of Bill's awesome creations... He could not find paper that he wanted to use, so he took a blank sheet and stamps and made his own. He found the album covers for 3 records online and created frames for them in Word - his specialty.


Another Bill touch... creating a marquis sign for the venue over an actual picture of the venue found online. Of course, we had to use the signed tickets - how cool!!


We still have so much to show - and it took almost a whole month for me to get this page posted. I have my fingers crossed for another post within the week.
Oh - and my sister Joy has a blog started and just opened her own etsy store... Check it out!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Reefilling those Creative Urges

It's not a misspelling. I meant to put that extra "e" in the "reefilling" both in the blog and on the card. A friend from work took me to an art supply store a couple of months ago knowing I am always looking for cool paper to craft with. The silver fiber paper I knew would be used as the basis for an underwater-themed creation. Of course, when we scrap our dive vacation to Aruba this summer, I will be using this paper again.

Talk about recycling/repurposing - I used the grey ribbon from an Ann Taylor bag - just about my favorite place to shop for clothes EVER - to give the card the chance to hang as art work in someone's home or office/cubicle.


I used the Stampin Up classy brass template to dry emboss the circles on the SU Blue Bayou card stock.

Quickutz Sophisticate clear stamp font was used for the phrase with SU Sterling Silver embossing powder.


The crab and fish were cut from QK dies and the scallop was cut from a QK Silhouette image.


The back half of the fish were heat embossed in two layers of color - purple and blue.



I decided to list this item on eBay instead of etsy to test the waters - so to speak! ;)

I am travelling again this week, but I still hope to do some on the road creating. I love Marriott Residence Inn for being able to spread out - just like at home!

Happy St. Patty's Day!