You've Got Mail

I am taking the "You've Got Mail" Studio Calico online class. It is taught by the super-amazing Lisa Spangler. It has just started, but so far I'm loving it. The class registration includes a fantastic Studio Calico/Hero Arts stamp set and some great printables (also some cutting files, but I don't have an electronic cutter).

Let's face it, Lisa always has something fun and crafty-wonderful up her sleeve. The first lesson included lots of great instruction and tips. I made this card for the weekend challenge, using the class printables. The little star is part of the stamp set and the wood heart is from my stash.

Lisa shared how she uses wood CD boxes for stamp storage, so I decided to share the vintage wood cheese boxes that I use for some of my craft storage. They are so full of history and such a perfect size for many things.

Have a wonderful week and thanks for the peek!

Cutting Edge

In cardmaking (like everything else) there are trends. Recent trends include chevrons, burlap, hexagons, cameras, arrows and chalkboards.

I had to laugh out loud when my blogging buddy Robin said that she wanted to try the chalkboard technique before it goes out of fashion. I typically buy all the supplies for all of the current trends, but end up not using them - ever!

So, with homage and appreciation to Robin, I decided to try the chalkboard technique myself. What a better inspiration than the current Paper Smooches SPARKS Picture Perfect Challenge. You must check out the photo there - it's way too cute!

Here we go with the technique. I used lots of my Paper Smooches stamp sets, some fun patterned  paper and some free-hand doodles. I even added an arrow - super-trendy, eh?

The "chalkboard" I used is a little reflective, so I apologize for the glare in the photo.

I am also entering this into the current Simon Says Stamp challenge, "Anything Goes".

Wishing you all a super-delux weekend, wherever you are.

Remember, if you don't behave, you may have to stay after and clean the chalkboards!

We are enjoying warmer-than-average temps here, so I am headed outside.

Thanks for the visit,

Home again!

We had a great time in southern California visiting family. A highlight was going to an exhibit of vintage travel trailers - they were all decked out with cool stuff from the '40's and 50's. This was part of a Modernism Week in Palm Springs.

It was a total kick and right up my alley. We own so many of the kitschy accessories that we should get a trailer to keep and display it all, but it isn't happening. I do not camp!

And, when we returned I found that my new ProCision Fiskars paper trimmer had arrived! You may remember that I won this from the generous and super-talented Jennifer McGuire. And, is it delux! The 2-arm system prevents all wiggles and guarantees a straight cut every time. I can't say enough about this trimmer - consider it if you are having trouble with yours. I was considering the Tonic, but I am so delighted with this! Thanks so much, Jennifer!

Finally, for today's card I've used a vintage style which was inspired by the current challenge, called "If I Could Turn Back Time" at A Blog Named Hero.

I used my new favorite Hero Arts stamp set, Typewriter Notes (CL676), some trims from my stash and some Graphic 45 paper.

I hope to get caught up on all I've missed at your wonderful and inspiring blogs very soon. Thanks for the peek and have a great week!

With Sympathy

You know how difficult sympathy cards are to make. But, there is some healing in the crafting, knowing that you are making something to help soothe some wounded souls.

For this card I used an old technique that I haven't used in years. I'm not even sure what it is really called, but we'll call it "pasted stencil".

It is done using colored paste pushed into a brass stencil (do you still have any of those?) that is taped down onto your paper. Here is a tutorial I found. It creates a wonderful raised image.

The sentiment is Hero Arts CL476.

I'll wish you a happy weekend now because we are headed out of town to visit family for about a week. Thanks for the visit!

President's Day Weekend

It's a holiday weekend here in the US for President's Day. We typically don't travel on holiday weekends, so we are doing things around here, enjoying the time home.

 On Valentine's Day we went to see a wonderful local production of the musical "Promises, Promises". There is a super actress/singer/dancer who I have gotten to know who has a heart as big as her talent! Liz put on a remarkable performance, playing several roles and with several costume changes - she even rocked a solo!

Anyway, she did something very special for me and I want to acknowledge her talent and her generosity, so I made her this silly card with this "dramatic" chick.

I used the sketch from the current Paper Smooches SPARKS Designer Drafts Challenge.  I had such fun dressing up this chick just they way I know that Liz would play the part!

I used Sentiment Sampler, Boob Tube and My Peeps from Paper Smooches.The star is a Lifestyle Crafts die.

Thanks so much, Liz! I can't wait to see you in your next show.

Happy {heart} Day!

It's that day - Yay!

One last heart project to share! I wanted to try embossing some hearts with my new glitter Zing embossing powder, so I made these little candy favors for some special kids. The glitter really shines and sparkles!

I used Hero Arts H5554, CG426 and Frame Cut DI008.This will go into the current Hero Arts monthly challenge, Love & Lace.

A couple of vintage buttons and some twine and we're good to go.

Hope you all collect lots of love and hugs today! After my morning workout and my volunteer job this afternoon, we plan to share dinner and attend a production of the musical "Promises, Promises".  Fun!

XOX,

Gate-Fold with Hearts

Hearts are one of my favorite images. I have boxes of heart stamps, dies, paper and embellishments. I also have heart jewelery, heart muffin tins and cake pans, heart socks and undies, heart clothes and heart house decorations. Love 'em!

All of my Valentines were made several weeks ago, but today I decided to try using the sketch that is part of the Hero Arts monthly challenge called "Love & Lace". I even used the sketch that they provided and made a gate-fold card.

I decided on kind of a simple monochromatic scheme, using CL498, CG426, AC002, DI008 and Mid-Tone Royal Ink - all Hero Arts.

I will also put this in the current Simon Says Stamp challenge, which is "Have a Heart". Perfect!

Wishing you loads of love and hugs for Valentine's Day and EVERY day! Thanks for the visit.

Just Poka-Dotting Around!

This weeks challenge at Paper Smooches SPARKS is a trend watch with this photo as inspiration. How fun is that?

I put together these little shy-looking dotted fellows.

The pink one is my favorite, with some black wide grosgrain ribbon to set off the sentiment and some grass made with my multi-blade scissors. I paper-pieced the little guys.

The Paper Smooches stamps are Dippy Dots, Little Fella and Sentiment Sampler.

Tool Update:

• As you may know, I love my Cuttlebug and I've said that I'd never give it up. Well, I still do love it, but for several months I've been suffering with a "frozen shoulder" on my cranking (right) arm and it hurts like nobody's business. So, I got a Vagabond. I am so smitten! Love it. It is very heavy, but I recommend it with no other reservations.

• I had decided to retire my paper trimmer because the cuts are so often not square. I had starting researching new ones and guess what? I won a new Fiskars trimmer from the amazing Jennifer McGuire in a random drawing on her blog! Yay for me! I'm so excited. I'll report on that after I test it. Thanks so much, Jennifer!

Thanks for the great visit! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Our niece (from New Hampshire) and her hubby will be visiting us, so we are very excited.

Year of the Snake

Every year I try to make a Happy New Year card for my dear Chinese friend. She really appreciates them and they are a fun design stretch for me.

I dug out some of my old Hero Arts stamps (CL339, CL498) and some special gold paper I've been hoarding. For the bamboo I tried something new - double (or, shadow) stamping with Hero Arts Shadow and Mid-tone inks. I masked the banner to shorten it up for this design.

The gold paper is so reflective that it is difficult to photograph.

I believe that this is the symbol for posterity - I can only hope that, whatever it is, it is appropriate!

Wishing you a happy year, snake or no snake!

Thanks for the visit!

P.S. If you are interested, Emily Leiphart is planning a Chinese New Year Blog Hop. You may want to check it out.

Post-Modern Vibe

Today's card was inspired by a couple of challenges. First, the Picture Perfect Challenge at Paper Smooches SPARKS.

This beautiful photo inspired me to use a color I don't typically use - orange. Paired with grey (the new Hero Arts Charcoal Folded Cards) and with this cool background stamp ("Hip to be Square") I'd say it has a real 1950's look. You all know that is MY decade!

I used the bottle cap to reflect the upholstery nails in the headboard. The sentiment is from "Chit Chat".

The embossed butterfly reflects the porcelain bird on the side table in the photo.  I'm liking orange lots better now.

This is also headed for the current Simon Says Stamp Blog challenge, which is "Anything Goes". There's still plenty of time to play along, although the number of entries is always overwhelming with this particular challenge.

Have a great weekend! Thanks for the nice visit.