TAWS Be Inspired #18

It's time for The Alley Way Stamps Be Inspired Challenge.  Here's the inspiration photo:

And here's my card using TAWS set Jibber Jabber.  It's a V-Day card since that's the holiday OWH is currently collecting cards for.  Of course the deadline is this week, so I probably won't mail it in time. (I rarely manage to mail holiday cards by the deadline-oops!)

Sweet and simple.  It took me approximately 5 minutes to make.  I need to get used to this CAS card style-it's so easy!

Linking Up:

The Alley Way Stamps-Be Inspired #18

CAS-usal Fridays-10 min dash

Make It Monday-Anything Goes

Milk Coffee Stamps-Winter Holidays (Valentine's Day)

ICP Cards

With the holidays and my work catching up to me, I'm a bit behind on making cards for OWH. A few weeks ago, Operation Write Home announced an Interactive Card Party. It is full of You-Tube videos that takes you through various choices on cards giving you tutorials along the way. I got some stamps from The Alley Way Stamps and couldn't wait to try them out. This challenge was perfect for it. 

 My first card is based on choices BBBBA. If you want the tutorial, go to the link above and choose those same letter options. 

Supplies:  Stamps-TAWS, Paper-Target, K&Co, Basic Gray

This card is so punny!  I just love the bright colors.

 My second card came from choosing CBBAB.

Supplies:  Stamps-TAWS, Embellishments-Making Memories, Paper-Colorbok

I wanted to make a boy's birthday card, so I didn't follow the "Love" theme from the tutorial.  I made the bear an adorable party hat, but it didn't quite fit.

You really should try the Interactive Cardmaking Party.  It's a blast!

Linking Up:

Operation Write Home-ICP Cards

Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes

Make It Monday-Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday-Anything Goes

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas crafty friends.  May your holidays and upcoming year be joyful and full of fun.

Day 24 of My Papercrafting World's 25 Days of Christmas

It's Christmas Eve!  I still can't figure out how the holidays came so quickly.  Must be all the crafting.  We are on Day 24 of My Papercrafting World's 25 Days of Christmas.  This is my final design team post for it.  I'm sad to see it end.  The ladies I worked with are so fabulous!

Today's theme is Wise Men.  You can find all the designers' projects and freebies HERE.

I made a magnetic nativity set for my project.

This was so fun to make and it only used scraps which was even better.  I laminated them and attached magnets on the back.  I then attached the background to a cookie sheet.  I teach the 12-14 yr olds in my church, so I used this set as part of my lesson.  I put each character in an envelope with a slip of paper that had a scripture, story, or quote on it relating to Christ's birth and let the kids pick an envelope and share what they got.  They loved it.  It seemed a little childish, but something I've learned about jr. high students is they like to be little kids again every once in a while.

Here's a closer look at the 3 kings from the East.  My husband thinks the one with brown hair looks like Wyatt Earp.

Day 22 of The 25 Days of Christmas

It's Day 22 of My Paper Crafting World's 25 Days of Christmas.  Wow!  We're almost done.  What a fun month this has been.  Go HERE to see all the awesome holiday ideas and to snag today's freebies.  Today's theme is Last Minute Gifts.

I'm pretty good about getting gifts for my family early.  I'm not so good at coworker and neighbor gifts.  This idea is for those little gifts.

These are decorated mason jars with "handmade" gifts inside.  Even the simplest gift can look super classy if given the right presentation.

Inside the jar with the bow is hot chocolate mix and marshmallows.  The sentiment on the tag comes from the Cricut cartridge Winter Woodland.  The hot cocoa image comes from Christmas Cheer.

I used Cursive 101 to make the sugar scrub label.  Sugar scrub is so nice and super cheap and easy to make.

Sugar Scrub Recipe:

1 part olive oil (you can use coconut or Joomla oil if you prefer)

2 parts white granulated sugar

2-4 drops essential oil (I love to use peppermint)

Wisk the ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.

Transfer into mason jar

Enjoy awesomely easy gift

To use:  Stir before use

Scrub body with sugar scrub; avoid sensitive areas

Rinse with warm water

Enjoy super soft skin

Scrub can be stored in the fridge to lengthen shelf life.

See?  Super easy and I love it.  I'm making some for myself.  I'm going to try using some Vitamin E oil in it to see how that makes my skin feel.

You can use these jars for all sorts of gifts:  candy, cookie mix, craft supplies, jam, honey, ect.  I tried to make my husband some all natural shaving cream (the tag was so cute-it had a shaved Santa), but that turned out awful.  It smelled rancid and made a horrible shave.  So sorry, I don't have a recipe for the men in your life.  If you have one, I'd love to try it.  Please share any handmade gifts you love to give or receive.

Have fun gift making!

Day 20 of My Paper Crafting World's 25 Days of Christmas

Welcome to day 20 of My Paper Crafting World's 25 Days of Christmas.  You can find all the days HERE. Today's theme is stockings, stuffers, and silliness. I have some silly stockings for you today:

I used the today's free stocking image and the free image from day 12 (Have you been collecting the freebies daily?  If not, Paper Crafting World has some great Santa images you can purchase HERE).

I fussy-cut the stockings and St. Nick.  I then trimmed Nick's arms and cut his feet off so he'd fit in the fireplace.  Does anyone else feel insanely guilty when they have to mutilate edit a super-cute image to make it fit?  I felt like cutting Santa's feet off would put me on the naughty list for sure!

Hard to believe there's only 5 days til Christmas!  I still have to wrap everything...

Day 18 of My Papercrafting World's 25 Days of Christmas

Welcome to Day 18 of My Papercrafting World's 25 Days of Christmas.  Follow the link HERE to join in all the fun and enter to win some awesome prizes.

Today's theme is Thanksgiving.

This is a gratitude journal that uses today's free digital image.  Follow the link above to get it today only!  I drew lines using PrismaColor pencils in various browns (one light, one med, and one dark-I used light the most) and then followed over with straight lines using odorless mineral spirits to make the wood grain texture.    The more odorless mineral spirits you add, the more blended it becomes, so use sparingly and make sure to streak in a straight(ish) line.  Let me know if you'd like a tutorial.

It's been nice to have a journal to reflect in.  It's helped me stay positive this holiday season.  Thanks for dropping in.  I'd love to see how you use this sweet digi.

Day 11 of My Paper Crafting World's 25 Days of Christmas

Welcome to Day 11 of My Paper Crafting World's 25 Days of Christmas.  Can you believe we are only 2 weeks away from Christmas?!  Time is just flying by.

Today's theme is 4th of July.  I was so excited for this one.  If you're a regular follower, then you know what a patriotic person I am.

Supplies:  Paper-Rusty Pickle, Images-My Paper Crafting World, Ribbon-Offay, Brads-Making Memories

You can get that fun image for free today HERE.  There's also lots more patriotic projects to see as well as other freebies today, so follow the link and join the 25 fun filled Days of Christmas.

Hot Cocoa and Coffee

The Saturated Canary has a new challenge:  inspired by hot chocolate.  My hubby and I have been hooked on Stephen's mint truffle hot chocolate right now, so I decided to make a brown and mint green card:

Supplies:  Image-Saturated Canary, Stickers-American Crafts and K&Co, punch-Martha Stewart Crafts

And then I thought of something funny that would make a great sentiment on a coffee card:

Image-Saturated Canary, Ribbon-Offay, Stickers-K&Co

Here's a better look at the sentiment:

Ha ha, enjoy!

Linking Up:

Saturated Canary-hot chocolate inspiration

Craft Your Passion-snow

and now some chemical humor

I love chemistry.  Does that make me a nerd?  Probably, but that's okay.  I hope there's some nerdy soldiers out there that will appreciate these OWH cards:

Supplies:  Image-There She Goes, Paper-K&Co

I wish that I could take credit for that joke, but I got it from Chemistry Cat.

Did you get that one?  My husband just rolled his eyes when he read it.

And of  course I couldn't let the boys have all the fun:

 

Supplies:  Image-There She Goes, Paper-Provo Craft

Linking up:

Retro Sketches-sketch challenge

Penny's Challenges-anything goes

Crafts and Me-anything goes

Day 5 of My PaperCrafting.com's 25 Days of Christmas

Hi crafters!  It's Day 5 at My PaperCrafting.com's 25 Days of Christmas.  If you aren't familiar with the 25 Days, go HERE for awesome freebies and holiday project ideas.  Today's theme is gingerbread.

When in doubt, there's no going wrong with simple cardstock and adhesive.  I used the Cricut cartridges Gingerbread, Everyday Paper Dolls, and Opposites Attract.  The soldier and snowman cookies are cut at 2", the train at 3", the baker at 5" (though I think I made her hat and accessories slightly bigger), and the title is cut at 1.5".  My goal with the title was to make it look like cookies and frosting.  I think the fonts pulled it off.

I cut everything out of cardstock and assembled, but the cookies looked a bit bland.  Gingerbread sparkles a little, so out came the glitter.  It adds just the right amount of pizazz.

To dress up the girl, I gave her lips and hair ties using colored pencil and cheeks using actual blush.  I just use a Q-tip to add blush to the paper in small circles to get that effect.

How do you dress up Cricut paper dolls?

Operation: Christmas

Every year I try to find a cause to donate to at Christmas time.  It helps put things in perspective during the busy holiday season.  This year, my hubby and I signed up for Operation: Christmas.  It's a program to give Christmas to soldiers overseas.  We did not plan on being assigned to give Christmas to a platoon leader who desperately wants to give Christmas to his entire platoon (50 soldiers).  EEK!

Thankfully, we know some wonderfully generous people who donated food, games, supplies, and even shipping money.  We were able to get nearly everything on their Christmas list!

That's an 18"x18"x18" box filled to the brim.  Thanks friends!

I also had my students write Anyhero letters to include in the package.  Naturally, I had to make one too:

Supplies: Paper-Provo Craft, Stamps-The Alley Way Stamps  Twine-The Twinery

I love that little bird from TAWS Jolly Holiday.  I thought he was perfect for this package since he's one tiny birdie giving a mighty big Christmas.  The card is also perfect for TAWS Be Inspired Challenge:

Linking up to:

The Alley Way Stamps-Be Inspired #16

There She Goes-Photo Inspiration

Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday-Anything Goes

TAWS Be Inspired #15

I got some new stamps a couple weeks ago, and couldn't resist playing with them right away.  I'm enjoying the crisp autumn weather, but am missing summer flowers, so I used Awesome Blossom by The Alley Way Stamps to make a fun fall-ish card.

Supplies:  Paper-Bazzil, Stamps-TAWS, Punch-EK Success

I was inspired by the colors, theme, and texture in this photo:

Linking up:

The Alley Way Stamps-Be Inspired #15

Craft Your Passion-CAS cards

Bonus Card!  Here's the second stamp set I bought-Jolly Holiday.

Supplies-Stamps-TAWS, Paper-Bo Bunny and DCWV

Linking Up:

Crafts and Me-nontraditional Christmas colors

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like...

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!  (And winter, but that's because we had our first winter storm here in UT and the heater in our apartment is broken-BRRRR)

Here's a cheery holiday card:

Paper-DCWV, Stitching-Provo Craft, Images-There She Goes Stamps

I love how this turned out.  Ever since I got this stamp set from There She Goes, I kept picturing a card with all the reindeer (and with Rudolf's nose in a place of prominence).  I typed their names in Microsoft Word for a little bit more embellishment.

How's your holiday cards coming along?

Linking up:

There She Goes-winter challenge

Penny's Challenges-lots of layers

Mema's Crafts-anything goes

Make It Monday-anything goes

Big News!

Guess what?!  I'm one of the designers for Paper Craft World's 25 Days of Christmas.  (Squeal!)  I'm so excited to be a part of such a fabulous team.  I've seen some of their projects and, believe me, you are in for a treat.

The 25 Days of Christmas begins on Dec. 1, with a new theme, projects, and freebies every day until Dec. 25.  Don't miss it!  You can catch me on Dec. 5, 11, 18, 20, 22, and 24 (but I wouldn't miss a day of the fabulous-ness).

Hop Art Design Cards

**disclaimer-I am in no way endorsed by Hambo Stamps.  All opinions are strictly my own.**

Never fear blogger friends.  I made some cards along with my scrapbook pages.  If you haven't heard yet, Hambo Stamps are having an awesome sale-get the info HERE.  At the same time, they are retiring the Hop Art Designs collection. :-(  All sales of Hop Art Designs digis benefit OWH.  (Plus they are stinking cute.)  You have until Oct. 31 to buy these images.

If you follow my blog, you know that I love the Hambo Hoedown.  You also know that my go-to stamp for any Hoedown project is "Clare and Danny" from Hop Art Designs.  (I just realized that I'm going to need a new go-to stamp for the Hoedown.  Sad day!)  As soon as I heard that Hop Art Designs was retiring, I went straight to Hambo's site to order two other images that I just love-"Bella Ballerina" and "Josephine's Puppy."

The Hoedown theme this week is hexagons.  I couldn't choose, so I used both new images.  The hexagon border is a free digi from Julie Makes Cards.

First up, "Bella Ballerina":

I tried out the Prismacolor + odorless Mineral Spirits technique.  This is my 2nd time trying this technique out.  (No, you can not see my 1st try...)  What do you think?  This technique gives the coloring a watercolor look to it.  I haven't been able to get any good highlights blended in yet.  Any suggestions?

Just for curiosity, I chose not to use the technique on the second card.  I still used Prismas and blended with blending sticks, but no Odorless Mineral Spirits.  This card uses the image "Josephine's Puppy."

Which one do you prefer?  I like Josephine's hair, but Bella's dress.

Linking up:

Hambo Hoedown-Hexagons

OWH-Hop Art Designs cards

Hunting Widow

Well, hi there.  Sorry to disappear for a little bit.  My husband's been off hunting with my dad and brother.  They go every year.  And every year my mom, sister, and me spend the time eating out and catching up on our scrapbooking.  (I think that it's easy to see who gets the better end of this arrangement.)  The boys got nothing, but I got 7 scrapbook pages done.

Here's a 2 page spread that I made during girls' night(s).

Supplies Used:  paper-Chatterbox and K&Co, embellishments-Making Memories, title-Cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge

The empty purple box is for journaling.  I'm going to type up the journaling and paste it there.  It'll be printed on white paper with the same mat pattern as the pictures.  Here's a closer look at that fun title:

I added twine and buttons because the layout felt really bare.  I really wanted a CAS look to the pages, so I only added just a few buttons to help join the two pages together.  The pictures are adhered with PopDots so that the twine could fit underneath them.

I work with 8 1/2" X 11" scrapbook pages.  I like to leave "white space" on my pages, and when I work with 12" X 12", I find that there's too much.  Plus, I print my pictures at 4" X 6" because it's a lot cheaper (I'm poor) and they are a bit small for the larger scrapbook pages.

The Pink Elephant is having a DT call.  This is my entry.

Until next time, Ciao!

Prismacolor Tutorials

I just love coloring with Prismacolor pencils.  It is so relaxing and fun, plus the colors are so vibrant and smooth.

Side-track story:  So I got my Prismacolors for free when I worked at Roberts Crafts.  A not so honest customer returned his set of 120 pencils, but when we examined it after the refund, we saw that the pencils were used, broken, and some missing.  Obviously we couldn't re-sell the set so it ended up in the trash.  After my shift, I did a little dumpster diving and ended up with a free set of pencils.  Considering we sold the set for about $120, I think it was worth the dumpster dive.  So crafters, if you're on a budget, keep your ears open, have no shame, and get creative-who know what you'll end up with.  I found a color swatch guide online HERE and got on Blick to order the missing pencils.

I've been checking out lots of tutorials on blending Prismacolors using Odorless Mineral Spirits.  Here's some of my favorites.  I've linked each tutorial back to the creator, so you can go to their sites for more info.  (Don't feel obligated to watch them all, that's a lot of tutorials to see.  I just wanted you to have a place to start.  Plus I wanted to keep track of my favs for future reference.)

Shari Carroll, from the Hero Arts Blog, gives a very basic tutorial perfect for getting started with Prismas and OMS

I love this skin and hair tutorial from The Greeting Farm

Finally, Dana from Dana's Inspirations gives two wonderful tutorials on highlighting.  Her blog also has some great color guides for skin and hair tones.

Happy coloring!  Let me know what you make-I'd love to see it.

Happy Today

I'm happy today.  Things have been going really well for me lately, and I've been feeling a lot more positive.  I think that a lot of credit for my mood is due to this blog and making cards for soldiers.  Thank you for helping me stay on track with my goal of 2 cards a week.  I started this blog as a way to stay focused as I battle depression, but now OWH has become a major passion for me.  It's amazing how creating and serving can change your outlook on life.

Okay, sorry for the personal detour there.  I made two other cards today, and both are purple-my favorite color!

Paper: Cloud 9 Design, Stamp-Hambo Hoedown, Image-Rick St. Dennis

This cheerful jester can't be sent to soldiers since he's on glitter paper.  I think I'm going to send this to a dear friend who is in England.  Sometimes, I love to send cards for no reason other than I'm thinking about someone.

Linking Up:

Rick St. Dennis-Shimmer and Sparkle

Crafts and Me Challenges-Anything Goes

Crafting for All Seasons-Costumes/Dress Up

Here's my second card:

Paper-Penny Lane, Ribbon-Offay, Image-MilkCoffee Stamps

My husband laughed when he saw this one.  I use this image all the time.  It's one of my favorites; I just love Tiffany, she's so stylish.

Linking Up:

Milk Coffee Stamps-Sweet Treats (Does coffee count as a treat?)

Deep Ocean Challenges-Anything Goes

Hambo Hoedown

It's time for this week's Hambo Hoedown.  The hoedown projects this week are a little wet.  That's because the theme this week is watercolor.

Paper:  American Crafts and Provo Craft, Sentiment and Image: Hambo Stamps

The Hambo image I used is called Walrus, and you can get it HERE.  I painted the walrus image and then paper pieced his hat and tusks on after.  I love his funny expression and the hilarious sentiment he came with.

Linking Up:

Hambo Hoedown-watercolor

Deep Ocean Challenges-Anything Goes

Crafts and Me-Anything Goes

Hambo Hoedown

One last card for today-my Hambo Hoedown card.  I made a hoedown card last week, but never uploaded it, so I didn't get this week's image.  That's okay, it gave me an excuse to use my favorite Hambo image-Clare and Danny.  You can get the image HERE.

This week's theme is sparkle.  My card is a bit more shine than sparkle, but I needed to make it hero safe for   OWH.  No glitter, but I did use foil paper and shimmery trim.

Linking Up:

Hambo Hoedown-sparkle

Simon Says Stamp-sparkle and shimmer

Thinking Pink

Here's two pink cards in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Breast cancer is so treatable if caught early on.  Get checked regularly ladies (and check yourself about once a month)!

Paper-Provo Craft, Stamp-Hero Arts, Ribbon-Offay, Image-Sassy Studio

I think I need to work on my photography skills.  These look so much better in person.  The colors are a bit off in the photo.

Paper-My Mind's Eye and Paper Studio, Stamp-Hero Arts and Kraftin Kimmie

Forget white.  Nothing says stardom like the flowy pink dress.  Marilyn rocks!  Gotta love a gal with confidence.

Linking Up:

Kraftin Kimmie-pink cards

Sassy Studio Designs-Freebie Friday

Dare to be Sassy-think pink

Craft your Passions-think pink

MIA

I've been MIA for a little while now.  After being sick, there was so much to do at school.  But I still craft every weekend.  Everyone needs that unwind time; my unwind time is crafting.

Paper-My Mind's Eye, Stamp-Autumn Leaves and Kraftin Kimmie Stamps

I love that button.  Glad to finally use it.

Linking Up:

Kraftin Kimmie-Skulls (Do the little skull on the pocket and on her bow count?)

Kraftin Kimmie-Anything Goes

Penny's Challenges-Die Cuts (trimmed on the bottom)

Uggg...

***If you are Broadway blog hoppin' with Hambo, click HERE.

Sick day today.  Uggg...  I've spent the whole day in a hazy snot filled fog.  Thank you C and J for coughing all over the classroom and not covering your mouths.  I should start teaching every class with a sterile mask on.

Well, I don't know if it's the cranky mood or too much cough syrup, but all my projects this weekend have turned out a bit on the odd side.  They're cute; they're just not quite my style.  Most aren't making it onto the blog.  (Actually, most will probably get redone when I feel better, before they are sent to OWH.  So maybe I'll post them then.)

I am proud to say that my coloring with Prisma colored pencils is still top notch though.  See:

Image-Saturated Canary, Embellishments-Making Memories

I should've used my coloring skills in my argument with my husband about me driving this morning.  He didn't think I could drive with all the cough syrup I drank.  Actually, now that I think about it, he's probably right.

Linking Up:

The Saturated Canary-Use something that has to do with the letter B (Brads, Bow, Burgundy, and Black)

Ziggity Zaggity

What do you get when you cross a peacock and a canary?  Probably this guy:

He's got a little bit of a Harry Potter thing going for him.  I think so anyways.  It's time for the Hambo Hoedown and this quirky bird is called Bird Balloon.  When I saw him, I thought, "Awww, he's a peacock.  But where's his tail?"  He's not a peacock after all, but this week's theme is zig zags so I made him a big zig zaggy tail.  Now he's ready to strut his stuff.

Linking Up:

Hambo Hoedown-Zig Zags

Whoopsi Daisy-Things with Wings