New Card Sets On the Way

I have a few sets of cards that I'd like to make in the next week.

Some thank you note card sets is what I have in mind.

But, some of my scrapbook stuff has just been sent to Cairo. So my mom does not know it, but I will be using some of her stuff. I'll just need a circle punch.

I think I am going to do my sentiments digitally since I need to get in the habit of doing more digital.

Anyway ... I just wanted to add some fresh content to this blog.

Thanks for being a trooper and staying in the loop.

Craft Critique: K&Company's Que Sera Sera Papers

My apology for the late post, but my Craft Critique article was originally scheduled for Friday and not Thursday.

I bought the K&Company Que Sera Sera Specialty Paper Pad and Designer Paper Pad at Michaels a few months ago. Love them. I have a complete review of them on Craft Critique. Make sure you check out the review there because I am also giving away a 4.75x6.75 paper pack Only comments submitted on Craft Critique will be eligible for the giveaway (no international shipping on the giveaway).

I made several cards to compliment the review. Check out my slide show of the cards.

"You're The Best" Card
cardsctock: craft supply and Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera designer paper
heart die cut: CuttleKids
cork: Quartet Cork Craft Sheets (at Michaels)
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: Hobby Lobby

"Take Good Care" Card
cardstock: craft supply and Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera designer paper
dry embossing: Quickutz labels embossing folders
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger

"Many, Many Thanks" Card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera specialty paper
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: May Arts
scalloped circle die cut: Quickutz
circle punches: EK Success

"Happy Everything" Card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera designer paper
circle punches: EK Success
butterfly punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
twine: Darice
buttons: unknown

"Hello" Card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera specialty paper
letter stickers: American Crafts Thickers

Tag Book
See the Que Sera Sera Tag Book short video including all the pages from the tag book

Thanks for looking.

Cards as Gifts

My friend recently asked me to make her several sets of cards so that she could give the away as holiday gifts. I am soooo honored.

I've been making cards for my friends for the past few years and she has always been on that list. Oh, and I made her some monogram cards too.

Anyway, here is one set. I really like this one. I'll get around to showing the others too, but I took pics of this set and I have not taken pics of the other sets yet.

I like the touch of embossing and stitching.

I'm hoping to get to make cards for my friends again this holiday season, but I'm in transition and that is an ambitious goal. Oh, well, won't it be nice when they get a package in the mail in, say, February ... ?
Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
card base: Halcraft
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamps: Hero Arts and Stampin Up!
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
other: sewing

Check out my Pea Profile on 2Peas

I'm being profiled on Two Peas in a Bucket today. Nice. Lots of fun making all those cute little cards too. I had a chance to use one of Making Memories newest lines - Noteworthy. Good stuff. I really like the journaling sheets.

Anyway, check it out if you get a chance:

September Pea Profiles Card Set
All of the Pea Profiles for September

Thanks for stopping by.

Color Inspiration Challenge #23

I've seen a variety of color related challenges on the web. Sometimes I just peruse and think, how cool. Rarely do I get involved. But after I checked out last week's Color Inspiration Challenge on Kristina Werner's blog I wished I could have been a part of all the fun. I really like the way she displays the Top 10/20. It all looks so yummy.

So here I am a week later and in the mix. Yea. I went the simple route for this card. I have a burgundy card base. Then I matted some cardstock after running a piece through the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. I took a strip of Basic Grey's Sugared, which seems to have many of the colors in this week's Color Inspiration Challenge: burgundy, chocolate, pumpkin, saffron and olive. So you can see, how simple.

Oh, I covered the chipboard flower w/Basic Grey patterned paper (from Lily Kate) and added a naked Bazzill button. Finally, I pulled out the heat gun and heat embossed the Hero Arts Happy Birthday stamp. Used an EK Success circle punch and adhered it to the card using some foam tape. That's it.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and button: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
chipboard flower: unknown
stamp: Hero Arts
embossing powder: Ranger
ink: VersaMark
circle punch: EK Success
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

What about the back of the cards?

It's been a bit quiet over here because I am away from my home base, my crafting haven.

I went to Chicago for a taping of the Oprah Show. I know, I know, how exciting, you say. Well, I plan to blog about that there little trip on my other blog in a day or so.

But here's a little something to tide you over for the next two days when I will post some fresh and new cards for your viewing pleasure.

For every card that I produce, I want to leave my mark meaning my contact info. I use a rubber stamp that I purchased from Vista Print. It's a freebie too w/$5 shipping. It's a nice get. It holds three lines - I've included my name along w/my email and blog addresses. The pre-inked stamps come in black. You can get other colors, but it's going to cost you. I like the fact that it is pre-inked. Is it archival ink? I don't know and I can't say that is a priority for me - actually I know that it is NOT a priority for me because FREE supercedes archival quality ... okay, not fully true, but in this instance it does. Oh and one more thing, you can also purchase additional ink pads.

So there you have it, an inexpensive way to customize your craft projects. Now go forth and leave your mark!

It is, indeed, a Happy Anniversary

I had to make some quick fast anniversary cards. I am really excited. There are two cards here and they are for two of my very favorite couples.

My one friend is a longtime college classmate. We've kept in touch and I absolutely adore his wife. I often stay w/he and his wife when I visit them. They go crazy if I get hotel room.

The second card goes to my girl, my rock and her hubby. Their wedding was the first and only wedding that I have ever been in and I almost was not in it because it was my birthday weekend. They are so awesome. I love to visit them in Portland, Oregon.

So Happy Anniversary to my very close friends.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill (card #1) and Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) (card #2)
patterned paper: ?? (will post this later; can't remember)
chipboard elements: American Crafts
ribbon: unknown
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Ink
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Textile Texture
sentiment created in Photoshop
jump ring: Making Memories
other: sewing machine

A Set of "Thanks" Cards

I love this paper. If you've checked out my blog, then you will see this paper often. I purchased it at a place in Ohio called Hollo's. They sell the cardstock by the pound. You could get 100 sheets of paper for about $2. Crazy cool, especially for a crafter. Oh, but there are limited colors and you never know what they will have in stock. The good thing for me is that it comes in a 5x8 pack of 100 sheets for $1. Then I just have to score it and get to card making.

Also, since I know what I want, I can usually call them and place an order though they do charge a handling fee in addition to shipping. Still less expensive that making a special trip to Brunswick.

Enough already ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: My Mind's Eye
ribbon: Michael's and Martha Stewart
oval and scalloped oval dies: Nestabilities
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

I'm manufacturing cards like my life depends on it! It is my therapy. So much fun.

I like the colors on this set; again using my fav cardstock. And I have adopted this design as my fav. It's really easy to use the design when mass producing. I also like the design because that is not a lot of bulkiness so it should not need additional postage when mailing.

Here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co./Amy Butler and My Mind's Eye
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
scalloped circle die: Quickutz
circle punch: EK Success
other: Fiskars Threading Water Punch

More Vacation Cards

Here are the other two cards that I made that I mentioned in my previous post.

Here's what I used for the card above:
patterned paper: SEI jolie Chocolat
cardstock: Bazzill and Archiver's
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: Michaels
circle punches: EK Success

Here's what I used for the card above:
patterned paper: SEI Jolie Chocolat
cardstock: SEI and Archiver's
ribbon: Michaels
scalloped oval and oval: Nestabilities
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
stamp: Hero Arts

It's the same thing, only different

So I've fallen in love w/my this little design. It's so simple and easy to put a card together. When I use the monogram I have the Photoshop template to work with or I can easily stamp a sentiment. I can use the Cuttlebug or not.

So here is a set of cards that I made for my girlfriends birthday. Now, if you ask "Did she get them on her birthday?" the answer is no. I will be hand delivering these babies.

Oh, but let me also say that I did not use ribbon or any foam adhesive (to give it some dimension) because I went to the post office the other day and they charged me 62 cents for postage on one of my cards. The reasoning: it's non-bendable - not because of the weight. What?
Here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply and Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)
patterned paper: My Mind's Eye
sentiment created using Adobe Photoshop CS3
scalloped circle die cut: Quickutz
scalloped edge: Fiskars Threading Water Punch

New Home Cards

Some of my friends are thrilled that it summer and I have been making cards non-stop. I have a friend who is relocating and she loves to send our note cards. So I volunteered to make some cards for her and her hubby.

I like these. They were easy enough and fun. What I like that you can't see is that I used the computer to print their new address on the inside (I just thought that maybe I should have included their cell phone numbers too - oh, well). I only made 12, but that's a start. I won't have the entire summer to make cards, ya know ...

Here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ribbon: various
stamp: Michaels $1
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger
square punch: Marvy

12 = a Dozen ... cards

I made a nice like pack of monogram note cards for my friend. She's been really busy, but has taken the time to do some kinds things for me. She loves to send out notes, this is perfect for her.

Here's what I used:
monogram: created using Adobe Photoshop CS3
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
ribbon: Michaels and others
scalloped circle: QuicKutz
circle punch: EK Success
scalloped edge: Fiskars Threading Water punch
embossing: Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder

Just Another Card

Here's a card that has somehow been neglected. I mean, I made it some time ago and mailed it off so what I hope was a happy recipient. Then I discovered the image in a folder where there were no other cards images. Now, how did it get there ... ?

So now I share it w/the world. Thanks for looking.

Craft Critique Cards

I have an article posted on Craft Critique today. It's about the Quickutz Squeeze die cutting tool. I've had my Squeeze for a few years now and I still use it w/some frequency.

Anyway, there are three cards that compliment the article, but I had no room there to post the details about the card.

So here is the scoop:

Celebrate Card (above)
patterned paper: K&Co. and ??
cardstock: craft supply
dress die cut: Quickutz
oval die cuts: Nestabilities
ribbon: Michaels
dry embossing: Cuttlebug - swiss dots
stamp: Stampin Up! - wonderful words
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger
flower punch: EK Success
bling/rhinestone: craft supply

Happy Mother's Day Card (above)
patterned paper: K& Co.
cardstock: craft supply
die cut letters: Quickutz - Star
alphabet stamps: Making Memories
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
circle punch: EK Success
butterfly punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
dry embossing: Cuttlebug - swiss dots and Quickutz Goosebumps - Daisy
ribbon: craft supply

Hello Card (above)
cardstock: craft supply
die cut letters and blossom: Quickutz
bosher (olive green item w/the ribbon): Bazzill
ribbon: Michaels

cps :: 63

I'm in the process of making lots of all occasion note cards. I want to do something simple, so when I noticed the most recent CPS (Card Positioning Systems) sketch, I thought that it would be perfect. Though for me, the cards are actually to simplistic. They were obviously easy enough.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek.

From Craft Critique: Paper Crafting with Photos

Here is my first article that was published on the Craft Critique website.

What I failed to mention was that the mag was a gift from a swap that I participated in for Valentine's Day. My thanks to Laura in Texas for the wonderful items.

Oh, and the photos in the cards below are my photos. They are not professional quality, but it's a start, for me at least. Thanks for looking.


Reported by Kim Fox

166 Ways to Use Your Photos – that’s one of the headlines you’ll find on the cover of Paper Crafting with Photos. This is the first edition of this magazine from Paper Crafts. But it’s easy to see how there could be more issues in the future much like there was a Card Creations and then variations on that theme for other editions.

The ideas in Paper Crafting with Photos are endless – and that’s what you will find here – ideas! Along with a supplies list and brief instructions on how to replicate the examples on your own.

There are cute ideas for sentiments like the card with the photo of a horse that says "why the long face?" and another card with the image of a frog with the phrase "you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince!".

Like most Paper Craft mags, there are plenty of tips sprinkled throughout the publication along with links to more information, tips and instructions online.

Oh and a perk for picking up this mag is access to images that you can download online for free.

Here's what you'll find inside:

Fun Photo Manipulation
Very basic tips for manipulating images are the focus of this section. The sample image that is used in this section is a landscape image; you'll get a general idea of some of the things that are possible with photo editing. NOTE: This section does not focus on one particular photo editing software program.

Give Cards a Photo Finish
In 27 pages this sections highlights a variety of ways to incorporate pictures on your cards. The examples of occasions were birthdays, Father’s Day, love and Valentine’s Day, retirement, welcome baby, Christmas and more. The variety of images utilized run the gamut from the obvious for the occasion to animals, landscapes and food. It’s another way to make your cards unique and memorable.

Envelope Envy
This one-pager offers ideas for including images on the envelopes. Don’t be afraid to use photos on the return address label or as an envelope sealer, just to name a few.

Picture Perfect Gift Wrap
So you’re giving someone a lovely gift, why not compliment the gift with a gift wrap that they will cherish as well. There are over 20 ideas for packaging your gift and including images. The one that stood out for me is on p. 42 and includes a photo of a stack of books; the photo was adhered to a piece of cardstock and then adhered to a bag; the gift bag also has a book mark with the same image on it. Gift bags were mainly used, but so were boxes, pails and a lunch box. Many of the examples also have a wide variety of embellishments like ribbon, flowers, stickers and more.

Play Dress up with Your Photos
This section was so cool. It offers more simple tips for jazzing up your framed photos. These are techniques that crafters often use in crafting, but you might hesitate to use to frame your photos; but why not? The finished projects included stitching, painting and stamping. The techniques make the images much more exciting and fun to look at.

Picturing Fabulous Home Décor
Here are lots and lots of creative ideas and the completed projects would be lovely gifts in your home or in the home of your family and friends. The more unique ideas are decorating a vase; a door hanger, a light plate, a clock, and coasters. My fav in this section was the refreshment holder – it is cute and colorful and has some relatively easy instructions.


Using Your Resources
There are numerous photo editing software and other photo-related tools on the market. This section highlights six products that could be helpful in editing images or making calendars or other items.

Preserving Magical Memories
When we think of photos, we sometimes think of photo albums. There are some really fun ideas for photo albums in this section. However, this section is not just about albums, but layouts too. There is a lot of diversity in this section which include both large and small albums as well as one- and two-page layouts.

Tips for Perfect Photos Every Time
The cover of the mag touts ‘Learn How to Shoot & Edit like a Pro' well, these tips are simple, yet can make an impact on any image. There’s the rule of thirds, which many know about but rarely put to use and the same goes for color contrast. You can never get enough tips for improving your picture taking skills.

Pros:

• Lot and lots of wonderful ideas
• Ideas that you can execute in a matter of minutes
• Very few advertisements
• Index section in the back of the magazine
• A lot of bang for your buck

Cons:

• Some of the pictures and themes are a little hokey
• Most Paper Crafts editions include a sentiments page with various quotes, but this edition does not include one

Bibliographic Information:
Title: Paper Crafting with Photos
Magazine: 92 pages
Publisher: CK Media/Paper Crafts Publication
Copyright: 2008
MSRP: $5.99 US/$6.00 Canada