Margo's Garden

Photo Tent Help -- FINALLY

2011-10-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

I love pinterest. I really love pinterest. I don't just pin, I actually make the recipes I pin, use the free printables, and study the beautiful cards I see! The talent on the web is fantastic and I can never remember how to get "back" to the items I see that I love. But now, thanks to Pinterest, not a problem! My most recent find was an actual tutorial using the very light tent that I just received. I really am one that needs to be shown how to do something the first time, then I'm pretty well set.

So, where did I get my answers? Right here at Paper In Bloom. The "artist" Carly Robertson does amazing work. I just found her today and thought I'd share her with you! I asked the Universe for photo help, and this where I landed! I hope you enjoy her work as much as I did! After you get all caught up with her wonderful work, you'll see the post that says she's hanging up her paper crafting hat for now. I'm so sad I found her this late, but...all of her previous work is recorded for history!

Now, I can begin taking some more pictures of the cards I have just waiting for their photo op. But first, light bulbs.

How do you take your photos...

2011-10-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm SO excited! I finally ordered a light tent for taking photos of my cards. OH NO! I just realized that if my photos are still bad after this tool gets here...then it's ME! LOL

I would love for you to share how you take your pictures! Do you use a light cube/tent/box? How do you get good lighting for your photos?

Please leave me a note telling me how you take your photos. Why not leave your blog address, too! I'd love to make a visit to your blog and see your talent! And, since I don't have a decent photo to share today, I leave you with this thought, an item I found on Pinterest! (Don't get me started on that subject!)

Every Moment in Time

2011-09-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

The stamp set is called Key Moments, and surprise! It's a Close To My Heart set. The clock face was stamped separately and cut out, placed with foam tape. All materials in this card are from CTMH!

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I was so excited to finally find inspiration to use this stamp set! Loved it when I first saw it, but then drew a blank. I went back to look for the original card that inspired this one, and never found it again. Most of these ideas are coming from surfing the web or Pinterest, and I often lose my place. If you recognize this "pattern" using a clock face, please feel free to let me know where you saw it. I will edit my post to give credit! Thanks for stopping by!

Life is Good!

2011-09-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

This was fun to create. I was inspired by so many cards I see on Pinterest. Yes, I am a Pinterest addict, and I'm not ready to begin therapy, thank you! I used the Roxie paper set from Close To My Heart. The flower, leaves, and the scallop are all from the Cricut cartridge Art Philosophy. I'm completely hooked on that cartridge. Before this, I rarely used my Cricut. Being a card maker, primarily, I just haven't incorporated cut-outs much, until now! If you're interested in one of these cartridges, let me know! I'm sure we can work out a deal!!!

This is a workshop card, and I can't wait to share it with the participants! Enjoy, and as always, I appreciate you taking the time to stop by! Happy Monday!

Still Alive - No excuses

2011-09-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

Been working on several workshops and making lots of cards. That's about it. No excuses. This blog has been neglected! My apologies for the quality of the picture. I swore I wouldn't post another until I got a light cube. No cube yet...but here's a recent card using the Cricut Cartridge - Art Philosophy from Close To My Heart.

The colors, which are really hard to tell here, are Close To My Heart, Pear and Black. The paper is one that is no longer available. Thanks for looking!

You've Got To See This at Scrappin' Becky B's!

2011-01-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

Scrappin' Becky B, one of the ladies who does work that I LOVE, posted a project that I just HAVE to share...you really need to see her wonderful tutorial on these Stamped Tile Coasters. While you're there...spend a few minutes looking at her other work, and you can decide what you're cooking for dinner while you're there (she shares recipes, too)!

You can get to Becky's page HERE.

Hope you enjoy her tutorial as much as I did! If you do, please leave her a comment! Then, I'd love to hear from you to know if you enjoyed the link! Thanks for stopping by!

--Margo

A quick card using stickers!

2011-01-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

This card was very easy thanks to the beautiful Close To My Heart Paper. I only used one sheet the full size of the card, placed a matching sticker across making it look like two different papers, then added the flower sticker and tag. Done in a couple of minutes! The paper is retired stock I'm trying to use up. But, so many papers can be used this way. Love the matching stickers (My Stickease) from Close To My Heart.
Thanks for looking!

So many cards, so few postings...and a prayer request.

2011-01-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hi! I've been a very poor blogger -- but, I have been making cards like crazy. That's the good news. The reason for so many cards is, well, not so good. My friend was brutally attacked on her way to work on Dec. 27th. She is at home dealing with the physical and emotional healing that needs to take place. I could have posted the pictures without any story behind them, but I thought I'd ask you a favor while you're here. Would you please keep Lisa in your thoughts and prayers? She's an extremely strong woman, obvious by the fact that she survived! Extra prayers will only help her on her long road to recovery.

This card is going out today. I'll post some others over the next week. My photography isn't getting better, my excuse this time is that I almost forgot to photgraph her cards before mailing them out!

All products are "vintage" Close To My Heart, with the exception of the dragonfly charm.

It's been a very busy week...

2010-12-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

My craft room is clean! And this is why:

I spent the last full week in the kitchen, and the first-ever family Christmas brunch turned out great! Now, back to the craft room...and hopefully, more faithful blog posts in the coming year! Were you playing with paper, or flour this past week?
I would love to hear what you've been up to...and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Birthday near the holidays? What does that card look like?

2010-12-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

A birthday near the holidays means the card looks NOTHING like Christmas! Well, at least in my world. I always feel badly for the person who has a birthday near Christmas. I make every effort to stay away from anything resembling Christmas colors! So, this was the card for someone in my office that just celebrated her birthday.

I used the Magnifique paper and added some "feather-like" stamping on the large piece with the Lagoon color from the coordinating paper under the sentiment. Another quick and easy card, and she loved it! So gratifying to see someone enjoy a card you made with them in mind.

Ok, that's the little break from Christmas cards...now, back to the red and green of the season!

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Gift Card for the Baked Goodies

2010-12-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Made this little gingerbread house for my cookie plates for the neighbors. I rarely use my heat gun and embossing powders. I forgot how easy it is!

I embossed the house on brown bag cardstock from Close To My Heart, then layered it on a card made from cranberry cardstock, and cut it out the shape of the house. The stamp is Around the Block. The November 2009 stamp of the month, also from Close To My Heart. I'm loving the holiday prep this year! Hope you are too! As always, thanks for stopping by.
--Margo

Let the season begin!

2010-11-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

I've been so excited for the holidays this year...not sure why this one feels any different than the rest. Here's another card that is super simple for mass production! Do you send handmade cards each year? How many cards do you send out each Christmas?

Have fun getting ready for the holidays! And as always, thanks for stopping by!

Father Christmas - Not So Traditional

2010-11-19T19:42:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of fun making this card. Used brown Staz-On on glossy cardstock. Painted the picture, then glittered him all up! Just had to switch things up to see what would happen...well, this is what happened.
Enjoy, and as always...thanks for stopping by!

I really want that vintage look!

2010-11-14T08:01:00.000-08:00

It was last Easter when I stumbled across a bunch of vintage'y Easter decorations. You know, the kind with crepe paper, tinsel and glitter? I was surfing Etsy at the time, and was absolutely mesmerized by all of it. I knew I would have to try to make something and never got around to it. What better time to try than for Christmas cards! Go figure...when I want to see it again for inspiration, I couldn't find any. So, I played around a bit and came up with this one. Still feel like it's missing something though. What do you think? I'd love to hear what you would add/change. Do you know of any blogs or Etsy sellers who have this "sort" of stuff -- I'd love for you to share those with me too!

I'll play with this concept some more. I found silver tinsel ribbon at Michael's yesterday. I'm sure that will add more dimension. Have a great day and as always, thanks for stopping by! --Margo

Noel - sing it with me?

2010-11-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a card inspired by the A Card A Day book by PaperCrafts. The music paper I used is from the Misteltoe collection by Close To My Heart. The stamp was taken from their Father Christmas set. I used my Cricut to cut out the NOEL letters (Plantin), then used the sheet they were cut out from...so that it is set "stencil style". My little music notes are from the Cricut cartridge Joys of the Season. I had a great time making this card. My bff Kate and I went through every step together deciding just how to mimic the sample card (which was actually a school days sample). I distressed the edges on this one and shaded around the inside of the letters. Not sure if you can tell the cardstock I used for the stamp was worked over quite a lot to make it very plyable, trying to get a really distressed look. Hope you enjoy this one, and as always, thanks for stopping by! --Margo

O Christmas Tree!

2010-11-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Whew! Just spent the last 3 days in the craft room with my bff, making cards. We had SO much fun trying new things. The polka dot ribbon is copy paper, stamped and folded. I saw this on a live-stream tutorial by Tresa Black. You can find the link here. I wonder if there is anyone who doesn't follow Tresa's fabulous work!?

This "Evergreen" stamp set is from Close To My Heart, along with the cardstock. Cardstock was embossed with dotted swiss and then sanded down to the white core. I layered my trees. Far right is a single, far left is a double, and the middle tree is three layers total. The star was a pain to get three layered, I need to come up with something dimensional for this, but cardstock was all I had at hand. Yes it's true! There are things that I NEED in my craft room still! A dimensional star the right color of yellow is one!

I have several more cards to post over the next few days. These last few days were SO inspiring! I hope to keep working even those my dear friend is on her way home! I hope you have a great weekend doing something fun.

As always, thanks for stopping by!
--Margo

Christmas card using my Cricut and Mistletoe paper

2010-10-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Had fun with friends this weekend -- I designed two cards and here's the favorite of the group. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and wishing you a fabulous week ahead of you!

(Sorry about the quality -- it's from my iPhone in really poor lighting!)

My how time flies...

2010-10-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

Holy smokes...can it be almost 9 months since I added something here? YIKES...good thing I don't have a paycheck riding on this! I've made SO many cards since my last post I don't know where to begin. I'm going to post a couple of pictures, and try to take time at least once a week to add more. Now, after this much time, I may actually be "typing" to myself...as you may have just given up on me - LOL! Wish I had a dollar for every hour I've spent on other blogs since the last time I posted on my own. Hope you're doing well. Leave me a note and tell me what you've been working on...include a link!
This first one uses the Magnifique paper. I used Chocolate cardstock in the Cuttlebug and sanded off the color for a dotted swiss look. The brown polka dot pattern in the center is actually a stamp set and the other 3 squares are added to the 2x2 cardstock. Easy, but a nice way to use several papers from the paper set.

This next card was a pattern from the Wishes book. It's the Collage pattern. This book always saves me when I need to complete a card and have no creative juices. I just look at the pattern, grap a pack of paper (with all the coordinating patterns) and voila! A card is born. Just love this little bird!

Let me know if you have any questions. As always, I want to thank you for stopping by for a visit!

Happy Autumn!

Springtime Cards

2010-03-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a quick and easy card I used recently at a workshop. I saw this done by a Close To My Heart consultant, and when I looked for her again to give credit, I couldn't find her...so, if you know who the orignator of this design is...PLEASE leave a comment. Everyone loved making these -- it was a really fun day! Hope you like them!

These cards were done using the Cuttlebug and three different embossing folders, Smiles, a few sentiment stamps, and cardstock all from Close To My Heart.

Thanks for stopping by...

Notepad Holder for a Quick Gift

2010-03-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

I made this notepad holder as a thank you gift. You know how sometimes you see something and then everything else stops until you make it? Well, this was one of those projects. I totally "lifted" the idea and the details follow the pictures.

I saw this on Srappin' Becky B. and loved it! She does great work and there is a very easy to follow tutorial. I especially like how she keeps it quick and simple.
Thanks again for stopping by!

Happy Birthday to my sister...

2010-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

There's a birthday happening tomorrow. I'm hoping the birthday girl has received this card already, or is TOO busy to peek at this blog. I have a few minutes to post so I'm taking the risk! =)
This was a fun card to make. That's always the way when you know just who you're making it for, don't you think?
I used the Close To My Heart Veranda paper. I can't remember what stamp set this is...and I'm still all packed from my last girls weekend so I can't even check. I "painted" the bird and flower with markers and then used a glitter pen to add some bling. As always, thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to!
--Margo

(Happy Birthday Kristi -- I love and miss you!)

Another Birthday Card -- Topstitch Perfect Day

2010-03-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

Here's another really easy card that shows off the adorable Topstitch paper pack from Close To My Heart. I love the blue/pink/brown combination! This is one of the "birthday bunch" I'm doing for all the ladies in the office. Nice thing about this plan, I have to come up with 10 different cards...no two can look alike! Helps me keep the creative juices flowing! Thanks for stopping by! --Margo

My photography REALLY needs to improve. I suppose one has to stop typing about it and DO something! =)

Sparkly Happy Birthday for Madeline!

2010-03-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

I spent time with Madeline recently. She had just come from reading time at the library and the theme was pigs. Although she'll only be 2 in April, she tells stories like a big girl! And, I heard all about her love of pigs. You know I couldn't resist the idea of pigs on her birthday card...so here it is. In her favorite pink, with lots of sparkles.

I added sparkle to just about every detail on the front of the card using a sparkle gel pen, even went over the polka dots on the pink ribbon. Same on the inside, and the Happy Birthday is filled in with sparkle. The 2 was cut out of paper, glued over the original 2 and then outlined in sparkle. Not sure there's enough sparkle on this card =).
Happy crafting and thanks for stopping by!

State of Mind Thank You + another SSSC57 sampling

2010-03-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

I played all weekend -- last weekend, so it's time to post some of the work! This first card is a very simple thank you using Boom-Di-Ada paper and State of Mind stamps from Close To My Heart.

I loved the Super Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC57) card so much I made another using the Veranda paper kit from also from Close To My Heart. This is now my FAVORITE paper!

Thanks for stopping by!

Animal Cookies - Sweet Sunday Challenge

2010-02-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Loved this Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC57)and thought I'd give it a try. I used Animal Cookies paper and stamped it with It's a Zoo, Solo's 2, and a limited edition Celebration set, all from Close To My Heart.

It's a Two-Card Day!

2010-02-21T16:31:00.000-08:00

Whew! Where does the time go? I don't get to play as much as I'd like these days. I did manage to finish another baby card for the Women's Club. This one was so simple and I was able to use some of the vintage Close To My Heart papers I've been hoarding! As always...thanks for stopping by!

Here's the other card I put together for my birthday stash. I have vowed to have a handmade card for each of my 12 employees on their birthday this year. You would think that would be a no-brainer...but honestly, I give cards away more than I use them myself! =)

By the way...I received my Card Creations I mentioned in my last post. If you don't have it...GET IT! It's wonderful. I had such a nice surprise in my package...Cammie included the she had published in the book. I'm not sure if I was more excited about the book...or the card! The link to her blog is in my last post!

Loving the randomness of it all!

2010-02-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
Just a quick note to say WAHOOOOO! I was the lucky winner of the new Card Creations: Start to Finish!

I entered at My Blog by Cammie ...this is one of my most favorite blogs and I check in almost daily! I hope you'll take a minute to go visit, and if you're not a subscriber...you might think about it. My winning entry, selected at random, was my "extra" entry for subscribers! This just made my day!

Hope to share some great inspiration with you from this publication very soon!
Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Memory Keeper - Felicity Papers from CTMH

2010-01-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

Love, love, love this paper! Too bad availability is over tomorrow! I made this at the request of some friends who plan on doing the same! I had fun trying to figure this one out...wrote down all the measurements for my peeps! =)

Now I can finally take all my cards out of the drawer they are STUFFED in!
Thanks for taking a look -- happy crafting!
--Margo
PS -- I must have missed the notice that the formatting for posting blogs changed...no idea how this will look when I'm done! :o)

More cards from the crop

2010-01-21T20:19:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more pictures from the 29-hour party!
This one is with the new Love Birds stamp from Close To My Heart (CTMH). I used the Cricut Accent Essentials for the card base, Nestabilities scallops and circles for the layers. The birds were stamped in black, then stamped again on patterned paper, and I cut the body out for color.

This next card is super easy. I used the Cricut again, with the Wild Card cartridge. The stamp is also a CTMH stamp, In The Month Of February. All paper/cardstock is from CTMH.

And here is a picture of the goodie bags I made for everyone, and a close up of the little flower monogram tag. Again, all Cricut...got it for Christmas, and just learned how to use it! (In case that wasn't obvious!) *grin*

I apologize for such poor photos. I actually have a really nice camera, but no way to get good lighting. I'm researching photo/light cubes. Think I'll try making one and see how that works! My last post, with a birthday card didn't show any of the "glitter pen" detail...and that was the final straw! LOL
As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

29-hours of total paper heaven!

2010-01-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

I do believe I have completely recovered from the birthday-crop-till-you-drop weekend! We had so much fun. More than a dozen ladies converged on my house (10 actually stayed over) and played with paper from 10 AM on Saturday until 3 PM on Sunday! Two of them stayed an extra night...thank Heaven! They helped me get everything back to "normal", before their 4+ hour drive home!

There is one tiny little thing I would change...I would TAKE MORE PICTURES! They all got away without showing off what they accomplished. We had card making, scrapping, digital scrapping, quilling, and who knows what else they created...I missed half of it!

Here is a card I completed between eating, drawing names for "presents", and just relaxing! It was a wonderful way to spend a birthday weekend!

Piece of cake...

2010-01-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Yep, piece of cake...this is my new "favorite stamp set"...at least until I play with another new set!

I did play in the craft room over the holidays, just no blogging time. I miss surfing all the wonderful blogs I follow. Just want to say thank you to you, for coming here and for sharing your work through your blog!

Here's a little invite I put together for a "birthday party weekend sleep-over" I have coming up. Yep, 29 hours of cropping! As I've been telling everyone...the same number as my age! *wink*

I can't wait to spend the weekend with all my paper-addict friends! Happy New Year to everyone and again, thanks for stopping by!

The stamp is done in black Stazon and then I used CTMH markers and a water brush. Colored for hours...aahhh such therapy!

18 pages from one paper pack

2009-11-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

Whew! I'm almost all the way back from foot surgery! Spent some time scrapping and it felt WONDERFUL! Here's a set of pages for a workshop I'll be doing. These pages were done with Moon Doggie Level 2 paper, from Close To My Heart. You need to add cardstock but these work up SO fast. Warning, these are the base pages only. I cannot embellish them yet or I might confuse the class participants. It's my goal to do another set with all of the fun "fluff" -- my favorite part! Each page was designed using "Cherish" by Jeanette Lynton. Hope you enjoy looking! (I'm heading back to the couch, gotta get that foot up!)

Holiday Hoopla -- Jingle, A Christmas Card

2009-10-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

Several sources of inspiration on this one...went to the bookstore yesterday and purchased A Card A Day...now I'm overloaded with ideas. How wonderful to have all these artists willing to share their work! I'm very grateful.

I used CTMH Jingle paper, and the Holiday Hoopla stamp set, a little glitter pen, white gel pen,and some 3d tape. Hard to see, but the star has glitter pen added, along with some glitter here and there throughout the pink polka dot paper. Enjoy!

Tri-Shutter Card - Twitterpated Paper

2009-10-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by a card I saw on the CTMH consultant board. Here's what I came up with, and will use this next weekend at my workshop. This paper is one of those that looks SO much better spread out on the table, rather than in the book! This particular fold is perfect for the paper pkgs that have all the coordinating papers. Love that!!! Now, I've got to make a bunch of sample Christmas gift tags -- that's the other project the group will be doing. As always, thanks for stopping by!

If you're not already familiar with this fold, you can access directions at:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/trishuttercard/ (make sure you double ck the cutting instructions!)

Closed:

Standing - open:

Completely opened, laying flat:

View from the top:

Another 9x9 Accordian Album - Daydream

2009-10-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Created this one for a baby girl -- baby shower is today. This time I made a matching card, too. I used the Close To My Heart Daydream paper...LOVE this paper! Each white piece is intended to be removed and replaced with a picture.
Hope you enjoy looking!

Cover:

Pg 1:

Pg 2:

Pg 3:

Pg 4:

Pg 5:

Pg 6:

Back Cover: (Thanks to Vicki @ wizardshangout.blogspot.com for letting me know I missed it!)

Inside view:

Back view:

And the card:

9x9 Scrapbook - Animal Cookies

2009-10-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Funny that on World Card Making Day, I'm posting a scrapbook. Especially since those of you who know me...know I prefer card making! Well, my daughter and I worked on this project yesterday for a baby shower today. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. This is an accordian 9x9 scrapbook. Almost all of the supplies are from Close To My Heart. Not sure if I should be embarrassed that I had everything we needed on hand! =) I did photograph each individual page -- if you want to see anything close up, just drop me a note. Hope you enjoy looking!

Halloween is on it's way...

2009-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Using the Spellbound stamp set from Close To My Heart and a glitter pen, I made this Halloween card. We'll be doing this and the Christmas card at a workshop next weekend! Can't wait!

Front View

Side View

There is no greater gift at Christmas...

2009-09-05T12:10:00.001-07:00

Too early to think about Christmas? Not if you're going to make cards! Here's a sample using some new papers I just received.
The inside sentiment says:
than to have everything you want before you open the gifts.

20 Cards for $20 Workshop

2009-07-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures of the cards from the workshop held yesterday. We made two of each card. Each participant was encouraged to change it up and create their own version...and they sure did! Their cards were wonderful. I chose to stick to the pattern and instructions for the samples. There was one exception to this -- I cut a small 2x2 colonial white cardstock to add to Card #8. Otherwise, it was out of the book! In this workshop, we used Close To My Heart products. First, the workshop came from the book Wishes. I precut the Emporium Level 2 Paper Packets (one per person with lots of 12 x 12 paper left over!) and put a little bag of embellishments together for each person. Everyone was provided 20 card bases and 20 envelopes. I hope you enjoy looking. Let me know if you have any questions. Comments are always welcome. Enjoy!

Happy Furlough Friday!

2009-07-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone...hope you're enjoying your Friday. Since I am furloughed, three Friday's a month, I've decided to make them productive. Also, I've decided to make them "Zero Spending Friday's". Luckily, my craft room is loaded with supplies I've hoarded and I can play 'til my hearts content.

I mentioned in another post that I'm donating cards to a women's service group soon. The project provides a "baby shower by mail" to women whose husbands are deployed in the military. I will have more details later when the club starts up again in September. I'm looking forward to becoming a member and contributing to some very worthy programs!

Here's the latest card for the donation pile. Not sure I'll post any more baby cards because frankly, I'm tired of them already (and I imagine you've seen enough as well)! LOL So, I'll probably just whip up a bunch and then spend some time on other cards.
Thanks for stopping by. Now I'm off to be productive in the pool! (grin)

Card Creations Vol 7

2009-07-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'm a WINNER! I can't believe this, but I won a copy of the Card Creations Vol 7 magazine! I left a comment on www.allistamps.blogspot.com and was the lucky winner! Funny, I leave comments (with or without the promise of a prize)and never check back to see if I won. Let that be a lesson to us all...GO BACK AND CHECK. I simply cannot wait to receive my copy and I'm ecstatic that I won something. Now go check out Alli's blog...and you'll see why I left a comment!

More Baby Cards

2009-06-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be donating cards to a women's service club in September and I want a good stash of them to hand over. This is a start!

My sister challenged me!

2009-06-27T08:04:00.001-07:00

My sister and I talk on the phone, all the time and for hours, while we each play in our craft rooms. She lives on the "other coast" and this is the way we "hang out" together. I was ready to start another project and said "tell me which paper pack to use". If you know the CTMH product, you'll enjoy this...she couldn't remember the name so she said the "Zippity-do-dah, or whatever paper". She meant Boom-di-ada! LOL Not my favorite paper...I am not a fan of burnt orange so I used the pink and greens:

I happened to be surfing blogs at the time. A favorite is TayloredExpression.blogspot.com. Taylor has a list of challenges and this one is from the TECC #71. The top rectangle is on raised with foam glue squares. As always, thanks for stopping by!

Vintage D.O.T.S Baby Card

2009-06-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to make a blue and brown card for a baby shower I'm going to this weekend. I didn't find the right color blue until I remembered that GIANT Rubbermaid tub full of vintage D.O.T.S paper! How could I have forgotten that??

There was a pretty/bright blue called Robin Egg Blue (of course!). I loved the little checkered paper in that pack and well, here's what resulted.

Here's what I did to the inside:

I will probably do this again using Heavenly Blue now that I found a whole package of that too!

The brown/blue scallop is raised, then the white scallop is raised again. I embossed the blue background, and tried a technique I saw on a blog this morning. You run the embossed paper through again, and basically flatten the first embossing. Gives a wonderful texture, but softens the original embossing! I really liked the effect. The two brown strips of cardstock were embossed with dotted swiss.

Thanks for looking!

Scrap-Asylum Retreat Inspiration Card

2009-06-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

This card was inspired by the Scrap-Asylum Retreat blog. Click on the link below to see retreat details -- including the early bird special. Registration is open and details are being added regularly!

Like the card says, "You're Invited!" I hope to see you there!
Scrap-Asylum Retreat

Wow -- A blog award...me?

2009-06-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I received these acknowledgements for a blog award. I'm absolutely honored that these wonderfully crafty ladies thought of my blog for this award.

Thank you Iona, Brenda, and Emma! I realize you already have your honors, but I have to add you three to my list -- as I've visited your blogs many times!

The rules for this blog award are:

Accept the award, post it on your blog with the name of the person who gave you the award. Be sure to link their blog so people can visit them!!
Pass the award to 15 other blogs you've newly discovered. Remember to post to their blog to let them know they've received the award!

1.Iona
2.Brenda
3.Emma
4.Kristi
5.Erin
6.Krista
7.Denice
8. Christina
9. Mandy
10. Erica
11. Carla
12. Melissa
13. Barbara
14. Paige
15. Miss Molly

Scallop Circle Card -- Moon Doggie

2009-06-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

Whoa! Someone needs to tell me where the time goes! I still have two baby shower cards to make and the weekend is essentially over. This one is for a card workshop/gathering I have next week. Hope you enjoy it!

I wanted to use a brad next to the Y in "You're Special" -- but it's for a gathering and I didn't have 15 of the right color! {sigh}
Thanks for looking. Have a great week!

Another Card from Wishes

2009-06-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

I had fun putting this card together, the pattern is right out of the new card-making idea resource, Wishes. I am really lovin' this book! It helps me reach outside of my normal "style", whatever that is...

Here are a few of my observations.
I'm not a fan of too much distressing. I prefer not to have a lot of "streaks" or "scuff marks" around the edges of my layers. I went much heavier than usual on this card. I used the ColorBox Chalk (cat-eye) in Chestnut Roan. I absolutely love this little tool, it's almost dry and I haven't been able to find another! {shriek}

I used Close To My Heart Boom-Di-Ada paper package. This was never one of my favorite papers, but I really like the results here.

The other thing I rarely do, and yet I see so many other people do it with wonderful results, is leave a lot of white or plain background. In this card, I left some of the off-white background showing. I think it works in this case. So much color in the other papers, it gives your eyes a rest!

This pattern can be found on page 53 in Wishes. It's called Delightful Dots. You can find more information on this wonderful resource on page 12 of the Summer 2009 Idea Book.
As always, thanks for taking a stroll in my garden. Let me know what you think of my plantings!

Two Cards Today!

2009-06-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Boy am I running behind. I'm doing a workshop next Sunday and all I've done is play in my craft room and blog hop! Yes. I know. It's addicting.

Well, I found something that I fell in love with while I was looking around. The following card is a complete scraplift from a CTMH consultant by the name of Caron Barnard. She doesn't list a blog, so unfortunatley I cannot link you there. However, she does have a CTMH site. Please take a moment and go see her wonderful artwork! You'll recognize this card:

We are going to make this card next week, so I did actually accomplish something towards the "card party" at Glenda's next week. (I was getting nervous!)

I created this card using the Moon Doggie paper from the most recent line of CTMH My Reflections papers. The flower was a challenge. While I was "coloring" it, I thought to myself, maybe this is why I need to have Copic markers.

The flower was done with ink and chalk. (It really isn't photographing well. Ok, wait...I admit it...I'm no photographer!) I also used the blending pen to "smooth" the colors. If only I had Copics! Now where is that wish list of mine........

Thanks for taking the time to stop by...now get back to whatever it is you are creatively avoiding! **wink**

Bella Level 1 Paper - 12 cards quick and easy!

2009-06-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to try some of the templates for cutting one paper pack and ending up with LOTS of cards in a short amount of time. I finally got around to it and here's how they turned out.

Confession -- I used the MyStickease for embellishing. I had some left over from another project so these cards have stickers from both the Level 1 paper package and the set that is sold separately in the Summer 2009 Idea Book.

Otherwise, it's all from the Level 1 kit. Total project time is about an hour...unless you second guess everything you do...then it's about two hours! **wink**

Here's the cards, let me know what you think. I love suggestions and welcome your feedback!

Thanks for looking!

Credit:
I was inspired by several people for these cards. Although these cards are my original work, I'd like to acknowledge two people who posted their artwork, and in doing so helped to inspire me.

First: Brenda Rose
Second: Nanci Hatcher

It's Nolan's 3rd Birthday

2009-05-29T20:04:00.001-07:00

I'll be going to my favorite "almost 3 year old's" birthday party in a couple of weeks. So, I used the Mojo Monday sketch to make his birthday card. I'm still not comfortable sharing my work, but I'm going to post it here anyway...I'm seriously hoping this blog-thing forces me to stretch my comfort zone in SO many ways.

I used the Close To My Heart Tinkerin' paper and the only stamp used was Solo's 3. Still working on the inside...I think I'll wait until tomorrow for that! Nothing worse than being tired and ruining your work because you didn't know when to quit!

I also made this one...not crazy about it...but what the heck...I'll share this one too.

Girls Weekend at the Cabin

2009-05-26T21:18:00.001-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to spend three days with my BFF and her sister-in-law at a wonderful cabin in Twain Harte, CA. We went with only two agenda items -- have fun, and make cards. And boy, did we make cards. Here are some pictures of our work. Most everything is Close To My Heart, as I was doing the leading, but there is a little of this and a little of that thrown in as well.

We stayed up until all hours of the morning, and only slept for a very short time before we were up and at it again! I can't wait to do this again!

Hope you enjoy seeing what the three of us made!

A little neighborhood goldfinch!

2009-05-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

This little guy was hanging outside my window a few weeks ago.
I thought it would be ok to use him to practice posting pictures!

I've finally caved!

2009-05-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

I had no idea how much work you all put into your blogs! I've hopped from this one to that one, enjoying everything I've come across. Now, I'm creating my own blog...after much effort to NOT have one and OHMYGAWD...this is HARD. So many decisions and now I have to re-learn HTML -- it's been way too many years since I managed a website...I'm completely out of date. So, until I get comfortable with this process please excuse the "out of the box" style.