Fighting w/my Card

Yes, it's true: you can have a fight w/your card. At least that was the case for me last weekend. After a crazy week, I decided to get going on a few projects. One being this week's Cuttlebug Challenge card.

I had memorized the sketch and figured out something relatively simple to do. But it looked to simple and I decided to add some sewing around the edges to add some dimension. And that is when the problem began.

I was using a thin thread and it kept snapping/breaking. I adjusted the tension, still snapping/breaking. I am not such a fan of threading the machine, so I was a bit perturbed at this point. Then I decide to use the thicker thread, which I know gets jammed in the machine, but I gave it a go anyway. Of course it jams every inch and it jams in a way that was difficult to unjam especially w/out ripping the paper. Crazy. But I was determined and finally completed the sewing portion. Whew.

So, it looks so nice and neat on the front, but the backside is a monstrosity. Just a gigantic mess. But as a crafter this is just another challenge waiting to take place. My plan now is to take the card front and place it onto another card front and no one will ever know about the crazy backside - except for you all! :-)

Great Birthday :: cps 79

My vision for this card was a bit off. When I saw the sketch, I knew what stamp I would use. I really do like the stamp, but it was not my friend for this venture. But this is better than my take on last week's Card Positioning Systems (cps) sketch, which never saw daylight and was promptly dismantled.

So here I present you w/another crafty card ... I promise to do better.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ink: Colorbox and VersaMagic
stamps: Hero Arts (birthday) and Inkadinkadoo (flower)
oval: Nestabilities
other: sewing

Workin Another Sketch CPS :: 76

I'm trying to get in the habit of submitting to several sketch blogs each week. I'll be working on a card for 2 Sketches 4 You before the week is out.

For now, I tried my hand at the Card Positioning Systems (CPS) sketch for this week. It was posted on Sunday evening. It's a rather simple sketch providing much room to improvise. As always, I wanted to do more, but sometimes simple is best.

I plan to send this to a friend who has her first chemo session last week after being diagnosed w/breast cancer. I'm going to include a set of Thank You cards that she can send out to her family and friends.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Creative Imaginations and Basic Grey
stamps: Inkadinkadoo
ink: Versa Color
bling: unknown
other: sewing machine

NOTE: I have other images, but Blogger is importing them upside down and sideways; oh well.

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

Yes, Indeed, I'm Thinking of You!

This card was way too intricate! Love it though. The stitching part was quite cumbersome. I'd stitch, then arrange the strings so that they would not get caught in the machine. I did that for nearly each line. Not to mention the thread broke a couple of times and I had to re-thread the bobbin - what a pain.

I do like the end result though. Got my inspiration from here. Each of the Cuttlebugged squares are one inch. I tried using larger squares, but I end up w/a super-sized card.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
embossing: Cuttlebug

Using Some Scraps ...

... I was trying to do something different and unique. The end result is not quite what I had in mind, but I kinda like it. The tag is chipboard. I tried to heat emboss w/platinum embossing powder. The look is okay, but not the best.

I also got the scalloped look buy using my corner rounder. Oh, and the sewing; I am just keeping at it. I still need to work on my corners.

Cuttlebug Card

I saw a card on Splitcoast Stampers a few weeks ago. I've been peeking at it and threatening to scraplift it ... well, here is the original and here is my version.

Kinda cool, eh? I think the inked embossing and the sewing make it 'pop'. I inked the embossing using a brayer. Oh, and how about those Nestabilities ...? I did not know that the Nesties were avail on Overstock.com for $19.99 + $2.95 flat rate shipping. You are now enabled!

cardstock: craft supply
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Hero Arts
ovals and scalloped oval: Nestabilities
ink: Ranger
other: sewing and brayer (to ink the embossing)

sketch this cards :: 40

I've been scouting out the sketch this cards site a lot ... good people and good stuff. So I laid out this card - and with a Valentine's Day theme, of course.

Again, my sewing is in the baby stages. My zigzag is unsteady and I need to figure out why.

cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
heart die cuts: Cuttle Kids and Quickutz
stamp: Michaels $1 stamp
ink: VersaMagic
ribbon: Joanns

sketch this cards :: 39

I took a minute to create a card (actually two) based on a sketch this design. The layout is so simple, yet lends room for lots of creativity and lots of fun too.

I'm new to sewing (which is shameful since my mom is a self-taught seamstress). There is a lot going on w/this card, so I thought a simple straight stitch would add a nice touch.

I love the look of cardboard, so there it is - taking up space.

Aren't those hearts adorable? They are dies from CuttleKids. I took a gamble and got them. They do work in the Cuttlebug, but you have to use the sandwich/directions for using a Quickutz die. It still gives a nice clean cut too. For more images of the two different cards, check out my 2Peas Gallery.

patterned paper: Basic Grey

cardstock: Archiver's

stamp: Savvy Stamps

ink: VersaMagic

other: staples, thread, sewing machine

My craft studio

I've been playing w/some of my new stuff lately. I have lots of stuff to play w/these days.

Also, I am now beginning to envision my new studio! I saw this desk (pictured here) that is incredible. I like it for its design and flexibility! Sometimes I like to stand, but sometimes I like to sit; just depends on what I am working on.

I also want lots of file space/drawers to hold all the paper and cardstock that I use so much. I have not quite decided how I want to store my ribbon. I'm thinking of a combination of spools hanging on a rod and using jars as well.

What to do w/all the tools and embellishments will be quite interesting. Of course, I could use cabinets and I like that idea best so far. I even thought of storing items in smaller storage bins in the cabinets so that if I need to pull the bin down to view the contents it will be easy enough to do that.

The really big thing that I am going to have that I do not currently have is a sewing machine! I absolutely love when I see sewing on cards and scrapbook pages. I've tried to duplicate the techinique w/stamps or a gel pen, but it's just not the same; so a sewing machine is a must have.

Enjoy this lil card that I made!

Patterned paper: American Crafts

Letter rubons, fabric Birthday sticker and flower charm: Making Memories

Ribbon: unknown

**photo borrowed from Anthro Corp. Technology Furniture