6x6 papers

Here is a shot of some simple cards I made using just one 6x6 piece of decorative paper cut into strips.

I'll be heading to Kansas next weekend and I'm hoping it will give my mojo the boost it needs. I admit I've been in a horrible funk that just doesn't seem to lift.

I would like to thank all of you who have visited my blog for all the great comments you leave. I appreciate it more than I can tell you!

MIA...

So, first I had computer issues, for what seemed like "all time and eternity" then the camera goes MIA with all the photos I had ready to post.


My DH thought it would be a good idea, since MY camera is the oldest that he & Bubba get to use it as their "fishing" camera. Okay, no problem.... except I still use it for my stuff too!!


Needless to say, after weeks of complaining... and somewhat searching... the camera turned up, in DH's fishing vest.... imagine that!! Me thinks he has "permanently" confiscated the "no longer MY camera" to be THEIR "fishing" camera. Time to come up with a plan B, I suppose.





Anyway....


Here is a photo of some of the cards I created w a y back in January. We used Joseph's Dreamcoat Technique to create the colorful trees.



Upcoming classes:
Tech Tues. on March 3 at 7:00 and
Stamp Camp on Wed. March 11 at 7:00.

February class date changes!!!!

I have some schedule conflicts coming up. Life does tend to get in the way sometimes, what can I say?

Tech Tuesday: Usually first Tuesday of the month will be moved to Thursday, February 5.

Stamp Camp: Usually second Wednesday of the month will be moved to Thursday, Feb. 12.

Thanks for understanding! See you there!

Stacked Boxes in a Box

Hello my friends out in blogger-land! I know, you must think I fell off the planet by now. Sorry about the L O N G haitus... I do have several excuses....

There's been a lot going on in my personal life full of all the details I normally avoid here.

Our hard drive at home took a nose dive.

My mojo has been a no show for quite some time.

Anyway...to make it up to you I have a tutorial ready to go! I will be doing this as a class at the Scrappy Moose in Delta on Saturday.

Supplies:
12” cutter (not shown)
2 - 12” coordinating sheets of Designer Paper (DP)
1 – 12” sheet of coordinating cardstock
4 – 2¼” x 5” medium weight chipboard
1 – 1” x 5“ medium weight chipboard
Tim Holtz Screw Knob
Adhesives: Dot n’ Roller, Mounting Tape, Zip Dry glue, Ruler, Scissors, Pencil, Bone Folder, Spacer (created from 3 pieces of med. weight chipboard)

Directions:

Cut DP to required sizes.

A: Outside of box: cut selected DP to 6” x 12”
B: Inside of box & lid: From second piece of DP, cut a piece 4⅞ “ x 12” and then from the remainder, cut a 7¼” square.
(You can use the remainder of your DP for cardmaking, photo backgrounds or other crafting projects!)
Cut 12” cardstock into four 6” squares.

1. On the WRONG side of A, start with your 1” x 5” piece of chipboard and glue down to the left side of your paper with a ½” border on the left, top, and bottom. (I used ZipDry because it’s aggressive, will provide adequate coverage, won’t wrinkle, and dries quickly.)

2. Then put your spacer along the edge of your piece of chipboard and glue down a 2¼“ x 5”. Be careful and align the top and bottom with your first piece ½” from the top & bottom.

3. Repeat step 2 three more times. Your project will look like this:

4. Crease edges all the way around. (A Bone Folder is very helpful to get nice creases.)

5. Trim corners with a scissor. Be careful not to trim too closely to the chipboard!! Leave approximately ⅛” from corner of chipboard.)

6. Adhere the edges to the chipboard using the Dot n’ Roller.

7. Crease the ½” edge between the chipboard pieces and then carefully fold each section. Use your bone folder to crease the outside edges.

8. Lay the 4⅞” x 12” piece of DP (B) over your prepared piece and hold it down with a ⅛” border on the left, top, and bottom. Use your bone folder to create a crease between the pieces of chipboard all the way across. On the right side ⅛” from edge, mark your DP where you need to trim. (I cut approximately 1¼” off the end.) Optional: Ink the edges of this paper .

9. Glue down each section one at a time with ZipDry. (I used my bone folder to help smooth the paper and keep the creases in place while I glued.) This completes the box frame.

10. With your ruler and pencil, mark the center of the four 6” pieces of cardstock and the 7¼” square of DP instead of folding to find the center.

Create origami boxes from all the squares. (Box instructions here)

11. Apply mounting tape to one side of the four cardstock boxes. Adhere boxes to the inside of the box frame. The first box center side to side on the last 2¼” panel aligning the bottom along the edge of the inside DP (B). The second box center in the next panel 1¼” from the bottom.

The third box center in the next panel 2½” from the bottom. The

fourth box center in the panel and align the top edge of the box with the top edge of the inside DP (B).

12. Poke or punch a hole in the center of the DP origami box and screw in the knob.
Use your box to hold jewelry or give as a gift filled with candy!

Really? For me?

Carol in Arizona nominated me for this Award. Isn't she a sweetie? And fantastically talented too! You just have to go and peruse her blog. I "case" her stuff all the time. I think she is the encouraging one, really. But then perhaps we all encourage eachother.

Now on to the business portion of this illustrious award.

The rules for the Encouraged Blogger Award are:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog. (check.)
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award. (check.)
3. Nominate 5 blogs. (check - See below.)
4. Put links to their blogs. (check - Just click on their name.)
5. Leave a message for your nominees. (check.)

There are blogs I frequent regularly just because these gals are so FABULOUS and creative and encouraging and inspirational and ...okay...you get the idea.

1. Julie
2. Heather
3. Laurie Unger
4. Lisa
5. Angela (oops! Carol nominated her too! I didn't catch that till I left my comment. See how encouraging she is!!)
6. Seleise (this is really my number five...again!)

Now, are you hoppin' on over to their blogs? You should be!!

'08 Peek #4

Don't have any Christmas stamps? (Not that I would believe that of ANY of you!!) Well, try thinking out of the box and use something non-traditional.

We all have some regular everyday stamps. It's time to start multi purposing our supplies, especially in these days of recession where we all have to watch how we spend our crafting dollar.

This card uses the Welcome Home set. Not really a Christmas set, huh? Well, it's all in how you use it... decorate it... color it... embellish it!!

And now, for something different...

Any Monty Python fans? ...nevermind.

Julie created a really cute Get Well goodie last year, and I thought it was brilliant. ('Course, most of her ideas ARE brilliant.) Now, usually you just can not improve any of Jewel's ideas and they are totally worthy of a "direct case". For this one, I just tweeked her idea a wee bit.

I saw a couple other little gems while blurfing and had a "lightbulb moment" thought of just putting all of it together...
So...I added a bit to the "Get Well Goodie" with the throat lozenges and Emergen-C (or Airborne comes in individual packets now too!) and put it all in a cup holder designed by Lauren that was originally made as a Hot Cocoa set. And, what would be cuter than some tissues in a holder that says "Bless You," of course! Thanks to Dani for sharing the template.

Note: I had to adjust both of these templates a titch to fit the tissue packs & cups I was using, so check your measurments.

DANG!!! Now you all know my BIG secret! I just combine or tweek other fabulous ideas into something almost original.
Really though, big KUDOS to Julie, Lauren and Dani for sharing all that they share on their blogs (and myriads of others, too!). I'm really thankful that I don't have to take the time to make a tutorial or figure out how to share a PDF file for a template. And I certainly wouldn't want to do such a thing and then and pretend it was MINE!! Why re-invent the wheel? I'm ecstatically happy to "give credit where credit is due" and these fabulous truly creative ladies definitely deserve the nod! (Okay, I'm now stepping off my little soap box on blogging manners.)


Say! You know, now that I think about it...wouldn't this be really cute for a Thanksgiving (or Christmas) Hostess Gift with a quart of Apple Cider (or wine) on one side and mulling spices on the other? Yummy!!

Or, you could just give the bottle with a "hang tag pouch" with the same spices.

See...that's just how my mind works...running from one idea to the next...

Or maybe....nevermind! You can figure it out, hey?

'08 Peek #3

Really! It's tougher than it looks!
Heather originally created this card and I just had to share it.
Don't YOU wish we still could get this Merry Wishes paper? Yeah, me too!

'08 Peek #2

Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus.....

Can you hear it?

Just remember.... you gotta believe if you want to receive!!

More to come in the next few days. I still have a couple spots open, but time is running out!

Christmas S-A-S '08 - Peek #1

The invites have been sent and several have already reserved their spot for the Annual Christmas Stamp-A-Stack at my house on Nov. 22. (I still have a couple spots left, call me now to get on the list!)

Here is a sneak peek at one of the cards we will be creating!

I'm trying different angles for the "peek" photos that will be coming to you over the next several days. I didn't want to give too much away! This card uses Good Timber and Trendy Greetings. You'll find out how I flashed it up and gave it a "touch of frost." Well, if you haven't already figured it out!

Gift giving...

This year I will be focusing on making as many gifts as possible with paper or at least "junked" up and looking fabulous with paper!
I used to be the "baker extraoridinaire" for Christmas time, but, this year it's looking very cost prohibitive. Have any of you checked the price of flour lately!?! WOWZA!!

Out here in the country, we still make ice cream and snow cones out of real snow. (Now for you city folks, crushed or shaved ice works well too.) So, I thought this would be a fun gift for the neighbor kids, that is of course, if mine don't find it first!

I found the bottles at Michaels in the cake decorating section and the recipe came from the internet. (Do a search on "snow cone syrup recipe") The box and bottle are decorated with Holly Flourishes, Mini-bet, and sayings built from the Just-Rite Stamper products.

A card and a treat!

Are you wondering what to give to your office buddies this year? Of course, we can always do a card. But what if we add something else to it? I saw a card on a blog before Halloween featuring this particular layout with the hidden gum treat. (So if it's you let me know so I can add the link.) It was just too clever and cute not to duplicate!!

My rendition is made with ChaCha paper and cardstock and the Winter Tags set. Embellish with some black brads, ribbon and paper floss. The snowmen are colored with Prismacolor pencils to match with the ChaCha colors and Crystal Stickles have been dotted on the snowflakes and the snowbank, not that you can actually see that!

More Holiday items and cards will be posted soon. Sneak peaks of the Stamp-a-Stack cards will be posted too! I already have several reservations...call me to make yours now!

Making up...

...for LOTS of lost time!



The computer is still pretty much "on-the-fritz" but I've found a way to work around my temporary computer handicap. YEA!



So, here is a pic of a little treat we made at October's Stamp Camp. These are mini pizza boxes stuffed with little goodies! The larger box was perfect for holding these cute little magnets made from mounting board. The Always Remember set was perfect for these! I also added a smaller pizza box for holding some 3x3 notes. We made both of these at the Mile Hi Angel Gathering a couple weeks ago.





Here are the treat box-in-a-bags I made for the kids at school. It was a good thing I had these made early because as usual, what tends to happen to me, I ran out of time! So, I didn't really get everything done how I would have liked, but a little bit is better than none.

Don't you think the Caramel Apple Kits would have looked CUTE with bat wings behind the circle "batty for you" saying. Julie had a great idea posted today for a quick way of accomplishing bat wings. I LOVED it! Wish she had posted it sooner! Well, maybe next year, right?

Classes will continue through the end of the year:

Tech Tuesday tomorrow night, Nov 4 will continue to go on as planned....remember to get out & vote before you come to class.

Oops!! Almost forgot to add: December 2 Tech Tues will have to be held on Wed. December 3rd due to a conflict I can not move!! Thanks!!

Stamp Camp on November 12.

Stamp-a-Stack on Saturday, November 22, 5:00. I already have several reserved spots, so if you have not called me yet, pick up the phone!!! Reminder postcards will be going out today and tomorrow!!

As always, remember to let me know you will be coming!!

Don't forget!! If you hostess a party before the end of the year, you will be eligible to attend the Hostess Appreciation Party in January to "stamp out the blues" & receive a coupon book good for the next catalog!! Also, for every $10 you purchased from the current catalog your name has been entered into the Fabulous grand prize to be awarded at the Stamp-a-Stack!

Okay, enough of stamping & business and on to the shameless parent plug:

Here is a photo of my oldest, the Flag Captain for the 2008 Paonia Eagle Marching season. (Isn't she cute?) I'm very proud to announce that the Paonia Eagle Flag-its received the Colorado State 1A division Outstanding Auxiliary Award. FINALLY!!!! Although we have had an absolutely totally AWESOME flag team for 4 years, it's nice to be recognized as THE BEST IN THE STATE. The show was "The Music of Michael Jackson" and the best was part was "Thriller" at the end. (Becca would probably have preferred I used the picture of her with the "death shroud" mask.) Yes, they did do the dance, along with the band at one point, and the crowd went wild! What a great way to end your High School marching career and final season! Go, Becca!!

Would you believe...

that I'm really not dead....
or buried under piles of pretty paper...
Although I have been dealing with a creative and motivational block....
the real problem lately....for approximately the last 3 weeks...or more...
has been NO computer at home.

Yes, that's right, the computer crashed. With over 3000 pictures.
Now, that having been said...you really must commend me. Why? you may ask....

Hubby says to wife:
"Watch for anything weird on the computer. I think the video card may be going out. "
Wife says:
"Okay. Don't you think we need to get a flash drive or an external hard drive for the photos? You know...just in case it's not just the video card."
Hubby says:
"Probably..."

Dutiful wife purchases 8 GB flash drive specifially for photos.
Nicely asks hubby to copy all photo files.

Several weeks later..... after purchase of said needed video card...
Hubby says to wife:
"Hon, you won't be able to use the computer for a while..."
Wife:
"Oh, why?"
Hubby:
"It crashed. I can't retrieve anything yet."
Wife:
"Like what?"
Hubby:
".....ummmm.....well.... I think I lost all our photos."

Now at this point, I really could have said those 4 little words that wreak havoc, spread discontent, and cause numerous divorces....

"I told you so."

But, I refrained, through great effort, I assure you. So, I am happy to report, I am still married.
(Rest assured, the thought DID go through my head, it just didn't pass my lips!)

So, needless to say, once I have a computer again, I will start posting again.

Pretty paper...

I am a sucker for pretty paper. I had to share this card because of the cardstock. I bought this at an office supply store in Price, UT and then, of course, hoarded it for years. It was just TOO pretty to use. (Trust me, the photo does not do it any justice.) I have not seen this paper anywhere since I bought it, which might be why it took me so long to use it.

The JOY stamp is a retired TAC stamped on red & embossed with gold. I used a black marker & colored in the Holy Family and used my glue pen and AIG silver to fill in the star.

My biggest problem was how to show off the paper. This card is still NOT one of my favorites, I admit. It's definitely a quick card...but just not really one I find attractive.

So, I'm looking for tips...tell me what you would do with paper like this? How would you feature it in a card or page to show it at it's best without covering it up too much? Any sketches that are your favorite for this sort of thing?

(I'm definitely looking for inspiration here... My "mojo" has been a NO SHOW for about 2 months and I need some rejuvination QUICK!!)

Joy

Do you ever see a set pictured in a catalog and think to yourself, "Not much there. What would I ever do with that? Don't like it..."

Then, you see a sample of a project or two.... and suddenly the set makes your "gotta-have-it" list.

This was one of those sets for me.

This card is a case from another demonstrator (sorry I don't remeber who you are, but you posted on TAC Art Scans) Anyway, that's when I fell in love with this set. I simplified the sample as it was a card we did in the first Christmas Stamp-a-stack. Of course, this is another one of those discontinued sets. (But I'm only trying to give you some teasers to encourage you to come to THIS years Stamp-a-Stack.) The silver stickles around "JOY" don't show up very well in the photo, but take my word for it, they really make the card POP in person!

A very simple Christmas expression: JOY.

Where do you find your joy? How do you create joy for others? Is JOY the secret of keeping Christmas spirit alive?

....sorry....having one of my philosophical moments...I'm back now!

For all you locals in Delta County, CO...The Scrappy Moose is opening today!! HOORAY!!!! Go in and say "Hello" to Carol & crew and perhaps I'll even see you there!

Signs of the Season

Sometimes the simple cards are the most elegant. These 2 cards are obviously the same card, I just changed up the stamps. Both sets were used in past Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks...and both sets are now retired. The Mini-Wreath set is still one of my favorites.

I really love the look of the embossed feature over the stamped image which worked very well on both of these!

I admit the photos are not the best and I know I need to increase my photographic abilities. (A light tent is on my Christmas wish list this year.)

I'm beginning to think a lot of ...

...CHRISTMAS!
Yes, it's early yet...but still it will be here before you know it. And for a crafter, you need to have enough time to create your projects too!
The card with the tree line & holly was a card from last years annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack.
Remember to save the date: Sat. Nov. 22 (this is the Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving.
Regular classes for Technique Tuesday (7 pm first Tues of each month: Oct 7, Nov 4, and Dec 2) and Stamp Camps (7 pm 2nd Wed of each month: Oct 15, Nov 12, Dec 10) will continue as scheduled.

Close to my heart...

No, not the stamp company. The subject of Alzheimer's. As most of you know, my mother battled Alzheimer's for several years before her death last April. Our family was truly blessed in the way in which we had to deal with this terrible disease. I know, it's difficult to imagine being blessed by such a catastophe. By blessed I mean that my mother never became violent, she never wandered, she just became very introverted. When the disease finally pushed her to the point of being bed-ridden, she died within the week. She was able to be at home during the duration of this horrific illness and my dad was able to be her primary caregiver.

Since my mom was diagnosed, almost everyone I have talked with since knows someone who is affected by this disease. It touches far too many lives.

Right now I know someone who is caring for her Mom with Alzheimer's. It is a never ending and often thankless task. It's difficult and heart wrenching. This card will be going to her.

I hope it reminds her, that God is always with her. She is fortunate enough, like me, to be living in the mountains where we see the hand of God every day.

The inspiration for this highly personal post is here: Cammie's Blog. Although she is giving away the most awesome blog candy I have ever seen, I was personally inspired by her commitment to DO something in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Plans...

...hmmm...I think I will stop making plans. My plan for this past weekend was to spend Saturday in the cave. Well, amazingly enough, that just DIDN'T happen. Most of my day was eaten up by cleaning up the library. It just seems that stuff happens after I've "made my plan" and the rest of my household then takes over and my plan gets pushed so low on the list it may as well not even exist. Is this a MOM thing? or is it just a ME thing?

Okay...enough of my whining!

It't time I start planning and preparing for Christmas! ALREADY you say? Well, yes, considering what happens to my plans.... I'd better start now if I have any hope of getting anything accomplished!

For those of you who look forward to the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack every year, I thought I would show some of the cards we did last year...then I'll start on some sneak peaks for this year!

So, for those of you who like to mark you calendars.... Saturday, November 22.