Paper Storage

Last week when I was cleaning up my craft area, Laurie asked what I did with my paper scraps. I thought that I'd just show how I store my paper, my paper "scraps" and my little cardstock color sampler I take when I go shopping. The pictures are pretty self-explanatory, but I like to explain things, so here I go. I love the desk I have for stamping / scrapbooking. It can fit hanging file folders in it and that is definitely one of my favorite functions. Also, it has one of those bars ( I have no idea what it's called) you can put in the drawer, so my folders are technically in there sideways. So that view is what I get when I'm setting in my chair. I like the paper turned sideways so that I can see all of the colors at once. And it's much easier for me to get paper out this way. I have a funny thing about alphabetizing, so that is how I ordered my paper, rather than by color families or some other method. And in the front of each file folder, is the sheet protector with any 8 1/2 x 11 sheet that has been cut into. So rather than grab a full paper, each time I grab the sheet protector to see what is in there first. Lastly, is my cardstock color sampler. I cut a 2 inch square piece of every color cardstock that I have, punched a hole in it, and added some twine to tie them all together. When I first started I added an eyelet, but this made the sampler too thick. This color sampler stays in my wallet so anytime I am shopping I can slip it out and find patterned papers, brads, etc. to match my cardstock collection. This way I don't get home with accessories that end up not matching anything I have. And, no, I didn't alphabetize the color sampler. I did want it grouped by colors so that it's easier to compare to any accessory I might be looking at.

Teacher Appreciation

I found a great blog listed at the Daily Dare called the Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog. A sketch is given and you are supposed to use some of your latest stash on the card. Well, I got this ribbon that I absolutely love the other day. The Joann's closest to us is not really a stamping friendly store. It has tons and tons of material. I don't sew, so that is of no use to me. They have no stamps, and a limited supply of paper. But they do have a decent ribbon section. So I got this ribbon there that I think looks great with PTI's Spring Moss.
Our school is having their teacher appreciation week next week. I decided to get started early on my son's teacher's card. That gives me time to decide if it's teacher-worthy or not. I really wanted to get PTI's Teacher's Apple set, but I am not allowing myself to order anything else from them until their next release. So I will probably get that for her end of the year card. My son has had the best teacher again this year. He wants to make his own card for his teacher that is from him, so this one will just be from me.
Speaking of my son, he wanted me to post a picture he drew for a friend's birthday the other day. He was looking at a card on my blog the other day, and he said, "Mom, those cards look cool when they're on the screen like that. Will you please put my picture on there?" So here is Luke's creation, too. He absolutely loves Star Wars and clone troopers, and all that goes with it.
Stamps: Rubber Stampede Cherry Blossom, SU Small Script
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Copics: E43, R35, Y11, YG67
Cardstock: PTI Spring Moss, ColorMates Deep Graceful Geranium
DP: Scrapworks
Accessories: Offray Ribbon

The Never-Ending Card

Here is my never-ending card. I had a color scheme and a sketch I was going to be following. Dawn McVey has started issuing color challenges and so I got my color scheme from her blog posting here. I knew this would be a challenging color combo for me so I thought that I should have a sketch to follow. The Viva La Verve Sketch for this week seemed conducive to meshing all these colors and using one of my fun sentiment stamps. So with this plan in place, the card should go together quickly, right!?!? Well, everything that could possibly go wrong did. My almost brand new circle punch won't punch. It's like the part that should punch it out has shifted about 2 hairs to the side, and hits on the edge of the punch, and won't finish punching through the paper. No problem, I can draw around the bottom of a nail polish bottle, and cut out the circle perfectly (ha)! Okay, I jumped that hurdle. I went to add the stamped flowers. I usually stamp on a piece of scratch paper first, but for whatever reason I didn't, and my stamp hadn't been cleaned so instead of being green, it was a weird reddish green color. ugh. So I got a new piece of paper, cleaned the stamp properly, and got stamping. Finally finished it and I was pretty happy with it. I really like how this flower from Big Pieces looks with this patterned paper. Then I remembered that the twist with the Verve Sketch this week was to only use a sentiment stamp. No other stamps. So, now it works for the color combo but not the sketch challenge. Oh, well! And that is my never-ending card story.

Stamps: Heidi Grace Quotes, SU Big Pieces
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Ripe Avocado
Cardstock: PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Spring Moss, SU Taken With Teal
DP: SU
Accessories: American Crafts Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch

A Day To Remember

I used last Saturday's "Sketch For You To Try" as the layout for this card. If you look at the original sketch, you'll see I left off an additional embellishment. I tried and tried to get something to work there, but it just wasn't happening. But I'm happy with the overall look of the card anyway, so I'm just going to keep it like it is. I love having sketches to work with for inspiration. It really helps to get me going.

Stamps: I Brake For Stamps, Cloud 9 Design
Ink: Colorbox Chestnut, Colorbox Cocoa, Colorbox Royal Blue, PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Hibiscus Burst, Copics
Cardstock: PTI Hibiscus Burst, SU Old Olive
DP: Debbie Mumm
Accessories: PTI Hibiscus Burst Buttons, embroidery thread

Resistant to Change

Well, I have to make a post during the "middle of the night" while hopefully no one is looking at my blog. Let me start by saying: I am always resistant to change. I don't really like change. Ever. So after a lot of hesitation and over-analyzing, I decided to change the format of my blog. I wanted to try 3 columns. I might have done this before now but my blog background didn't come in a 3-column format. And I really liked my background. It was nice, but not too distracting (in my opinion, anyway). I know it's just a blog, but I do want it to be my style, and I want those of you who actually check my blog out, to not leave because the format is too busy or distracting. So, please, I'd love to hear any feedback you might have. Especially what you think of 2 columns on the side. I felt like some days I was scrolling down forever to see what I wanted to, as far as links to other blogs. So I thought that I'd see if I liked this approach better or not. That's all for now!

Using life again

I had a friend request that I make a card for her. She needs a "thinking of you" type card. I do have two thinking of you stamps, but neither style was what I wanted to use on this card. So I switched the sentiment to "just because." Kind of the same thing, right?! I used my new Life set again. (Here's where my post might start getting wordy, so skip over anything that you want) When I saw this set being previewed by all of the wonderful Papertrey Ink crew, I knew I wanted it. They were making some stunning projects using this. For example, check out the blog here if you want (scroll down some to see her Life projects). Granted, that's the designer who made the stamp set, but still, her projects are phenomenal! Or look at this post, or this one. It's such a lovely stamp set. But this morning I tried 7 times to get what I wanted, and 7 times I really messed it all up. It just was not working the way I wanted. And I started feeling really overwhelmed. I'm sure part of it is that I signed up for a PTI swap on Split Coast Stampers, and this is the stamp set I'm planning on using. And when I'm in a swap, I just want everything to turn out exactly how I want. So this morning I was just wishing that the creative fairy would fly over me and make it all better. While it took me a few tries, I will admit on try 8, when it worked out, I was once again glad I have this stamp set. And it's fantastic that there are some amazing projects out there to look at, to keep me motivated to use this gorgeous set.
And the layout I got from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog again. You can look at the card that inspired me here.

Stamps: PTI Life, TAC Just Because
Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Ripe Avocado
Cardstock: PTI Berry Sorbet, PTI Spring Moss, PTI Sweet Blush
DP: Debbie Mumm
Accessories: Offray Ribbon

Pink Comparisons

When PTI comes out with new colors each month, a lot of people like to know how they compare to Stampin' Up colors. Well, I don't have a lot of Stampin' Up colors, but I have Rose Red and Regal Rose. Now, I also have PTI's Raspberry Fizz and Hibiscus Burst. I like all 4 a lot. Pink is my favorite color by far, though, so I'm sure I will keep a stash of all these colors. I just thought I'd put a color comparison up here in case anyone is interested.

Clean and Simple with Papertrey Ink

When I first saw this new set being released by Papertrey Ink, I knew I wanted it. I just love the overall style of it. Since my new goodies arrived yesterday afternoon, this morning I wanted to make a card with it. I looked at the sketch challenge on Split Coast Stampers and decided I'd probably spend all day trying to make it. Susan has posted some cards that she made following a sketch from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog, so I thought that I'd go and take a look. I found a layout from January that I really liked. So that's my layout, and this card went together quickly! I think a little paper piercing on the bottom would complete the whole layout, but I tend to squish my paper all up and not do the rows straight. So for now I'm leaving it as is.

Stamps: PTI Life
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, PTI Lavender Moon, PTI Plum Pudding
Cardstock: PTI Lavender Moon, PTI Plum Pudding

Time to clean up!

Well, my whole crafting arae is just a mess. I started making a card this morning, stuff is everywhere, and it's really driving me crazy. So I'm taking some time to clean it up this morning. Plus, my new PTI order should be here this afternoon, so I want things to be put away so that I can start fresh with new goodies. I might have something new by tonight, but if not I'll have something tomorrow!

Mojo Monday #79

Happy Monday! This is the card I made using Julee's Mojo Monday sketch for this week. Last week we had spring-like weather, finally, and I was so excited. Then last night it started to rain, and this morning it was snowing. So I decided to use one of my favorite all-time stamps and use some cheerful colors to make me forget about this never-ending winter!

Stamps: SU Artfully Asian
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Ripe Avocado, Copics: R20, RV13, YG95
Cardstock: PTI Ripe Avocado, PTI Sweet Blush, SU Rose Red
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Stylized Flowers Embossing Folder, Offray Ribbon, Martha Stewart Doily Lacy Punch

CPS Sketch 108

Are you sick of baby cards yet? Well, I've got to keep making them, so I will just keep sharing them. When I saw the Card Positioning Systems Sketch last night, I just kept thinking there was something familiar about the sponsor's name. Then it hit me (I was up way too late, so my brain wasn't working at full capacity)! When The Angel Company had a huge sale in January, I wanted to order some stamps from them. So I found a demo on Split Coast and got in touch with her. She was so easy to work with! That is who the sponsor is this week. Small world, sometimes!
So I decided to use some of my stamps from TAC. I love this little stamp. I like how just by changing the color of the diaper and blanket, it can be used for little boys or girls. I distressed the edges of the main image and some of the layers, but that's not showing up too well in the picture.

Stamps: TAC Hello Baby
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Copics: B21, E43, Y11, YG67
Cardstock: PTI Spring Rain
DP: Cutie-pie Flip Flop Papers
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Just My Type Embossing Borders

Another Verve Sketch

I finished the Verve sketch challenges for this month! I love that there is a sketch provided, and you are given an additional twist to fulfill as a requirement. If you're looking for a fun sketch challenge, come check it out here. I got a few Verve sets back before the holidays. Last week's challenge was the birthday twist, and I sure wished that I had their cupcake set to use. While it's not required to use Verve stamps, I've had my eye on that cupcake set for a while, and just knew it would have been fun to use on the birthday twist sketch. Anyway, the twist this week was to only use one kind of embellishment; not ribbons and brads and flowers, like sometimes ends up happening. I went with these fun little brads, because I thought that the color went really well. I made my card 4 1/4" square, and really was wishing I had some circle nesties so I could have made a fun mat for my circle paper. See, the wish list again!!! Have a great Saturday, we are off to celebrate my husband's grandmother's 95th birthday.

Stamps: Verve Petals And Stems
Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado, SU Rose Red
Cardstock: PTI Ripe Avocado, SU Regal Rose
DP: Me & My Big Ideas
Accessories: American Crafts Taffy Mini Brads

Viva La Verve....week 3

I am having a lot of fun using the Viva La Verve sketches posted each week on Split Coast Stampers. Here is a link to this sketch (which is actually from last week, there's a new one posted today). Each week a sketch is posted, along with a twist you must include. Last week the requirement was to include a twist of birthday! So here is what I came up with. I am letting my little birthday girl release her balloon into the air. Up, up and away! And I still amaze myself how even with clear stamps, I have a tendency to get the sentiments on crooked ;)

Stamps: Cloud 9 Sentiment (I think), Paper Pretties, Quuen & Co. Balloon
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, SU Rose Red, VersaMagic Pink Petunia, Copics (I usually keep them out so I can list the colors, but I was leaving to go to Parent Teacher Conferences, so had to put them away so my little 5-year old artist wouldn't grab them while I was gone)
Cardstock: PTI Spring Moss, SU Regal Rose
DP: SU

Card Sketch Gone Bad

I started yesterday making a card based on the sketch challenge at Split Coast Stampers. I decided to use the little truck and make an Easter card for my niece and nephew. Well, it's not going to them now! It's just not what I wanted it to look like. The truck looks like a military truck shoved full of Easter eggs. Which at first wasn't too bad, because my son is really into "army stuff" as he calls it. So I thought that I'd give it to him with his Easter goodies. But he really won't love the floral background. So, here is my card sketch gone bad. But I worked on it, and finished it, and glued it down, so I had to post it! And maybe give someone a chuckle in the process.

Stamps: SU Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Copics
Cardstock: SU Old Olive
DP: SU
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Cuttlebug Sketch Challenge

This week at the Cuttlebug Spot, the challenge is to follow their sketch. I really liked the sketch, so I thought I'd play along. I am happy with how this card turned out, but I had a totally different card envisioned when I started. So I plan to try this sketch again, and see what else I can come up with. As I've mentioned before, there are so many people around me expecting babies, so I am trying to build up a stash of baby cards to use when the time is right!

Stamp: River City Rubber Works
Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado
Cardstock: PTI Lavender Moon, PTI Ripe Avocado, SU Rose Red
DP: Kelly Panacci Stitched Floral
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Just My Type Embossing Folders