More time...

I had so many ideas for this project but I think it is done now. I changed up the envelope a little more and then finished the note for the swap. I used a simple saying for the note. "Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will." The design is not as victorian as I was thinking but it was fun to create all the layers. I ran out of time this weekend, wish had more... But I am thankful for what I have and the top 5

1. Projects completed
2. Beautiful sunny days
3. Remembering what is important and taking the time to follow through
4. Friends
5. Simple days

Another Swap

Here is a project that is almost complete. This is the front view of the love envelope I am making for a swap at Paper Traders Yahoo Group. I used a mask to create the cupid. Then layered the Dollie lace, paper trim lace, and some hearts from a punch. I hope to complete the inside note and the other 4 copies. I need to send out next week. Slowly working on my 50 by 50 list and now will have 3 swaps completed of the 50.. One day at a time.

Almost TGIF

I am so ready for the weekend. I am working on a few projects and need to get some in the mail. Hope this weekend is productive. One thing I did have to try this week was this little flower.. It is made from folded circles. It is easy and has a cool design look when double sided paper is used. I will use this on a card soon, it is just too cute. So TGIF tomorrow and wishing all a good weekend.

Here is a card I created for a friend to use. The background is velum with the swirl design. The coffee mug is from my cricut. The label is one of my favorite word stamps and I backed it with ribbon and punched label. Added hearts to the bottom and top for added flare. Inside is a stamped label with her favorite proverbs.

Another card swap

Here is my January swap card for my demonstrator meeting. I love this little bird. I am also playing with the dry embossing. The background is a new letter press that I just got. The theme for the cards this month is Spring so thought would work.

First try

Every month at my demonstrator's meeting, we have a swap. For December, it was a St. Patrick's Day theme. This is what I created. It was my first try at inches... UGH.  I need to find a way to align them better. Any suggestions??  The inches are fun to create. I used paper I had dry embossed and various olive color pattern paper. I also used Early Espresso paper and ink. To create my shamrocks, I used a flower die cut. Well I guess I am OK with this but for sure I will try again...

Little books

 

Here is a little scrapbook I made for my daughter's birthday. It is a Big Word book spelling CAT. I added the sign on the C to put in her kitty's name.

Here is the A page. She loves cheetah print so could not help but use some of that for the background papers. I added stickers, jewels, and ribbons for the embellishing. I also used the Cricut to make a kitty and the dragonflies. (A special bug that the kitty loves to chase, she fits her name).

The T page had the most room so added some extra pictures and lots more ribbons and jewels.

The back page is just more of the items used throughout. I did have fun using a rolling paw stamp. And I had gotten a tiny punch at Halloween that was a kitty so just had to add those in. Then tied the ribbons on the book rings that holds all the pages together. This was a simple fun project that I hope she likes. My younger daughter has seen it and now wants one for her kitty. Better find another book.. Haha  I am thankful for the fun and my top 5 this week are

1. Making scrapbooks, always my first love
2. That my daughter is a part of my life
3. Sharing a wonderful dinner with my family
4. Keeping balance in my life
5. Staying true to who I am and looking for opportunities to improve

Birthday fun

My daughter's birthday is today and she loves piggys, so how could I resist making this cute little guy. He is made using a punch that is supposed to be an owl. However, some very creative people (not me) figured out a lot of different creations. She has a whole variety of creations over at Southerninkerbelles. I did add one personal touch, the googly eyes!! Haha..

Friendship Friday

 

There is a cool blog post over at Create With Joy. It is a fun place to learn and view beautiful artwork. The inspiration is wonderful and the support is great. TGIF and have a wonderful weekend.

 

Flower layers

Having fun with punches and die cuts. I like the layers that can be created. For the flowers on the bottom of the photo, I used glitter paper and get this.. tin foil. My sister gave the link to the site at http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/ I Gotta Create!. Just look on her sidebar, it is Tinfoil rickrack tutorial. SO COOL. The flowers were created with a flower die cut for the Big Shot.

These beauties were created with a fun punch. One punch creates all three layers. I could not help but add in these cut little butterflies; another punch. Used the butterflies on a card for my sister, but forgot to take a picture.. UGH... 

But here is a card I made for a friend at work using the flowers. I really like the layers; it adds color and dimension. Next project is to create a spring card. Now just have to choose which one to use! Fun ideas.. 

Winter blue

Another swap item. This is my take on a "WINTER" banner. I love the font for this it reminded me of snowballs. I added glitter paper snowflakes and edged the circles with the micro fine glass beads.

Then on the top of each letter is a row of flower edge with gesso, topped with ribbon and jewels. Each letter is tied together with more ribbon. The W and the R have added ribbon, snowflakes, and snowballs on the bottom edge. I had shown the backs of the letters on this post here  All done and ready to send.

Still January

Here is another ATC that I finished. I had fun with the New Year's concept of 2012. The midnight clock fits for the year too. This will be my WTA January swap at Paper Traders. Also, I really like a new cricut cartridge I got this weekend. It is a calendar cartridge with fonts, numbers and images. I used the word "Mardi Gras" and the masks on my other ATC and the 20 and new years for this one. A friend gave me some great advice about cartridges... don't go by the title or the picture on the box, look on the back for the features! I would not have looked at this if I had not gotten such great advice. Thanks Raquel!!

Mardi Gras fun

I had a creative vibe going last night and did not want to quit. The outcome is that I completed my Mardi Gras ATCs. It is fun when ideas and reality mold together and the results are what you were hoping for. I am really having fun with ATCs.

Busy January

January is a busy month. Not only trying to work on resolutions and 50 by 50 list but lots of birthdays. And silly me I keep forgetting to take pictures of my cards. But now I am working on another swap project at Paper Traders It is an ATC swap with a Mardi Gras theme. So I decided to create my background using alcohol inks, blending solution and some gold acrylic paint. Fun to be creating and thankful for so much. The top 5:

1. A wonderful Saturday with my sister for her birthday

2. Ink and paint on my fingers

3. Working on list items.

4. Keeping better track of food

5. New art toys to play with

Wishing all a great week.

More of my list

Ok here is another 10 items from my list. These focus on My Art.

1. Make another hand-binded book/journal (with at least 3 signatures)
2. Sell cards at a "real" store or shop
3. Participate in 50 swaps or challenges
4. Make cards for a "cause"
5. Create a drawing or painting once a month
6. Get published in "Take Ten" Magazine
7. Create a new Book of Art for 2012
8. Take a watercolor class
9. Take a drawing class
10. Collage a family history tree

So working on number 3, I got my ATC ready to swap and the piece in the photo is the backside of my banner. The swap is to create a banner with "WINTER". I really liked the swap when we created AUTUMN. I enjoy creating items for swaps, it is fun to see what everyone comes up with.

Working on it

Working on my list of 50 by 50. On the section for My Self my items are:

MY SELF

1.          Lose 50 pounds (49 weeks)

2.          Take a 15 to 30 walk everyday

3.          Go on a longer hike trip once a month

4.          Take a yoga class

5.          Take a zumba class

6.          Go camping this summer

7.          Donate blood every 8 weeks

8.          Count points for 30 days

9.          Stay within points for 30 days

10.       NO CANDY for 30 days UGH...

There are some real challenges here but one day at a time, right. For item number 2, taking a walk every day will be a true test to keep a good balance. Since it was a holiday, hubby and I went to Old Sac, downtown and walked the river walk. It was a beautiful day. The Tower Bridge was so pretty and there was an old train along the walk too. One day we will have to go back and check out the Railroad Museum. A fun day and off to a good start!

Happy New Year

This is a big year for me, turning the big Five O. While blog hoping, I read a 40 by 40 post. This person is turning 40 this year and she made a list of things to do before she does. Well that seemed like a great idea, so I have made a list of 50 things I will accomplish by the time I turn 50. I have posted this list in my art room and near my bed. I will share the list items in the next few days. Some of the items are very challenging for me. My big one is to lose 50 pounds. I have struggled with this issue but I am committed to it! I can do it. My birthday is in the last week of November, so I have 48 weeks to accomplish these tasks, wish me luck.

I have many things to be thankful for and the top 5 are:

1. Walking
2. Knowing that I am in control of my list
3. Another day to try to track points!! UGH
4. Three swap items that I am working on
5. Stamps and punches!

Have a good week.