Super Simple

Hey!  

It's the end of July but if feels like September and I'm not complaining! 
Lovely, cool day!

Here is a very simple card using Fancypants Time for Spring 6 by 6 paper and a Paper Smooches die.  I cut the sentiment three times and glued them together to add a bit of bulk and dimension, threw on some enamel dots and called it a day.

Can't get any easier than that!

Have a great day!

Happy LIttle Memories

I was going through my piles of patterned paper trying to decide if I wanted to purge some of the papers I've been hoarding and the answer was no.  I can't help it. I love paper!  But I also hate wastefulness.  All those wonderful stacks and 12 X 12 sheets are just sitting there in boxes doing no one any good whatsoever.  So, if I can't bear to part with my piles, I better find a way to use them, right?

I found a pin on my Pinterest "mini books" board and was inspired to try creating a smashbook type album.  Here is the link to the designer's video:  LisaEDesign Travel Mini Journal

And here is a pic of the front of my finished journal:

The paper is October Afternoon's Woodland Park.  It was fun to make and a great use of a paper collection since most come complete with stickers and label sheets.  I added very few supplemental embellishments, only a few stamps, and voila!

Here is a quick video to show you the pages ready for journaling and photos: 

Please excuse my non-existent editing skills!  I just thought it would be easier than posting a photo of each page.

Anyway, I kept it pretty simple.  The washi tape was a quick fix for some paper tearing that happened when I stitched the pages together.  It's the only washi I own!  Luckily, it fit in with the colors and vintage-y vibe of the paper.  I just continued it a bit here and there throughout the rest of the album so that it looked cohesive.  

I'll post some pics at the end of the summer of the completed album (and by end of summer I mean some time before Christmas...hopefully).

Have a great day!
 

Neon Fun

Happy Friday!

I finally broke out my Hero Arts mini neon stamp set and the SU chevron background stamp.  Both have been sitting around wondering when they were going to be called into service.  I stalked Pinterest for some inspiration and went to work.

All three cards started with a rainbow of blue, green, orange, and pink on SU Whisper White cardstock.  This card also uses SU's Gorgeous Grunge and an MFT sentiment.

Next....

I'm learning to not point out my mistakes when posting cards since we're always our own worst critics and most people don't even notice them, and I have to say that I am basically happy with the way this one turned out, but there are things I'd do differently. The vellum banner is deliberately askew, but the stitching went wonky.  I tried to fix it with an 'I meant to do that' second row of stitching, but it didn't quite do the trick. Oh well. I do like the gray and vellum with the neon.  It softens the effect and is more unexpected than black.  The die cut is from Paper Smooches. First time for that one as well, come to think of it!
See the inspiration card here.

Last, but not least...

I copied this pic of my niece, Jill and her little family from a Facebook post.  The photo is popped up and backed with gray.  I embossed the sentiment and little hearts with silver embossing powder.  Little Nicholas happens to be wrapped in a chevron baby blanket, by the way!

I like using photos on cards. Why not?  They become little keepsakes, not just cards.

Have a good night!

Hi, There!

It's a beautiful morning!!  I'm anticipating a day of gardening, card-making and reading by the pool.  LOVE summer!!

Still working on my coloring skills. This time it's another CC Designs figure. Her name is Sunflower Lula.

Instead of alcohol markers, though, I used watercolor markers.  I have to say water-coloring is much more forgiving, in my opinion, than markers.  These are Distress Markers.  The background paper is American Crafts and the sentiment is Purple Onion Designs.

I want to include a picture my daughter water-colored last night.  She sat at our kitchen table with a two dollar set of watercolor paints and created this amazing portrait.  Now you know where the real talent lies in our family!!

Hope you are able to relax and enjoy this day where you are!