Hellooooooo!!!! I'm baaaaaaccckkkk!!!

Wow! Happy Valentine's Day everyone... or to all 2 people who might actually see this! Ha! Life has been unbearably nuts and busy and so NOT crafty for me for months now. I don't know where all my time goes, or why I never get to my table anymore. I did manage to knock out 60 handmade Christmas cards in December and actually send them out! I'll post a picture at the bottom of this post.

Today I woke up and realized it was Valentine's Day! (oops!) and I had no cards for the three men in my life. So I decided it was time to reacquaint myself with a trimmer, paper, and adhesive. I had an idea in my head from one of Kristina Werner's Make A Card Monday videos from last year and decided to get at it. Since I haven't had much mojo of my own, thank goodness for Kristina's videos. Besides the fact that I just LOVE her style, I bought the punch I used because of her and I think it's about time it punched out some pretty paper!

So... here are the Valentine's Day cards I made today... Yes... some people will be receiving this a tad bit late, but hey... I'm a busy working mommy! What can ya' do, right? :)

These cards were so much fun to make, and SOOOOOOOO easy! Make a standard card with craft cardstock from Papertrey Ink, use the scallop border punch from Fiskars, and punch patterned paper with the EK Success punch Heart to Heart. (I think this punch is only sold through Stampin' Up! because I can't find it at Two Peas.) A little detail with my Uniball Signo white ink pen and voila! I made 10 in all in about an hour. I just love that We R Memory Keepers Heart Attack pattern paper. I had so many options with the hearts, since the pattern paper is double sided. Yum! Nothing better than beautiful double sided paper!

Anyway.... A huge thanks, as always, to Kritina Werner! I love, love, LOVE her blog and videos. Never miss a one!

Oh yeah... here's the card I made for Christmas. Had to be pretty simple because I was making a bunch and it was a busy, busy, busy time of the year!

This was a fun little card to make. I think that's BoBunny paper and then I used stamps from Papertrey Ink's Holiday Button Bits collection. So much fun and so creative! Of course I just love to use buttons on everything, so these Button Bits collections incorporate all those fun buttons into stamping as well! Whoopee!!!

Quick story about the picture... it was the weekend after Thanksgiving and my mom was visiting. We decided to make a quick trip up to North Pole, Alaska to see the "real" Santa Claus. I figured this might be the last year that the boys still believe. What a road trip! Snowed like crazy on our way up and on our way home. I hope that one day they'll remember what their parents went through to make sure they have great experiences! He really was a fantastic Santa and there were reindeer and everything outside.

Since this is my first post since almost November, I'm going to throw a question out there into the blogosphere... What do you do when you just feel you've lost your mojo? How do you get it back? I do know that one of my problems in clutter. When my table is a total mess, I don't feel like I can get started on anything. But if I don't want to clean up the table, then I get nothing accomplished! Anyway... what do you do to kick start your mojo??? Let me know!

Happy Valentine's Day blog peeps!

Christmas Gift Card Holders

My friend Nancy participates in a huge holiday craft bazaar every year after Thanksgiving and has been trying to get me to make some things for her table. This year I found a pretty simple project that I'll be able do and may sell well! Once again, I was inspired by Jen del Muro at i{heart}2stamp. Check out the awesome gift card holders she made for her local coffee shop. Here are my first attempts at a much simplified version. The heat embossing takes a while, but I really enjoy doing it! If you'd like a photo tutorial on how to make this, check out this link.

Supplies:
CTMH Stamps, Ink, Embossing Powder, and white cardstock
Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock
Fiskars punches
Zutter Corner Rounder
Stickles

Eek! My blog has not died!!!

I know it's been forever, but this doesn't seem like a year where I'm going to get much time at my table. I did take a day a few weeks ago and assembly lined a bunch of Halloween cards for my friends at work. I got the idea from one of the blogs I regularly visit, Jen del Muro's i {heart}2 stamp. It was one of her SFYTT sketches and I did what I could with the supplies that I had! They were fun to make and fairly easy to make 10 once I got my original prototype made! Hope you like it!

Supplies:
CTMH stamps
Kraft cardstock from Papertrey Ink, colored cardstock from my stash
Nestabilities oval dies
Cricut Expression and Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge for spider
Stickles

Just Because ~ AMC07

I saved my absolute favorite for last! I picked up the Kokeshi doll stamp at Stamp Attic in Anchorage a few weeks ago. I'm actually taking a class on campus this summer, as opposed to online. (My very last class in my master's program happens to be my very first class on campus!) I just love her! I also picked up the Sakura flower to go with her. She's so dainty and girly (hard to come by in my house) and I had to have her!

Wow! 5 posts in one day! That's certainly a record for this blogger! Hope you'll leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Goodies I used:
A Muse stamps: Kokeshi doll and Sakura flower and just because sentiment
CTMH ink: Bubblegum
Papertrey Ink: Kraft cardstock
Random cardstock from my stash
Offray ribbon
Silver Stickles from Ranger
Copic markers

Sweet Baby ~ AMCo7

Here's the girl version of the baby card! I used a different sentiment and different papers, of course. I'm just crazy for that kraft cardstock from Papertrey Ink... I have a feeling more of their products will be creeping into my stash any day now...

Goodies I used:
Kraft cardstock from Papertrey Ink and random paper from my stash
Offray ribbon
A Muse stamps: Baby Line and Tiny Yawns sentiment
Copic markers

Welcome Little One ~ AMC07

Well, this sweet little card I pretty much CASEd right out of the A Muse gallery. I think it's one of Julie's designs. I adore her work and am on her blog all the time! I love the red and blue and the stitching on the paper. Who knew I would be using a sewing machine while making cards.

Goodies I used:
Random paper from my stash
A Muse stamps: Baby line and Welcome, little one sentiment
A Muse Ribbon
PTI Kraft cardstock
Copic markers

Groovy! AMC07

Here's another card for Challenge #7 at the A Muse Lounge. The challenge is to ink up stamps you have never used before. That's not hard for me, since I'm new to A Muse stamps, but totally addicted and picking them up on a weekly basis. Shhhhhh.... don't tell my husband!

I just love this little bus and the "Have a groovy day" sentiment. I immediately thought of my Lime Rickey paper for some really groovy colors and patterns. So here's another cute little submission from me!

Goodies I used:
Papertrey Ink Kraft cardstock
Basic Grey Lime Rickey pattern paper
Nestabilities Labels One die
A Muse stamps
Copic Markers

Thinking of You ~ AMC07

I had quite the amusing day with my friend Nancy. I spent several hours playing at my table! I used a whole bunch of my A Muse stamps that have never seen ink, so isn't it perfect that the challenge in the A Muse Lounge is to ink it up! I've got five cards coming that will fit that challenge just perfectly and here is the first:

I just love what sweet and simple cards you can make with A Muse stamps. I've done a lot of really layered up cards, but I think this might be more my style.

Goodies I used:
Green note card from JoAnne's
Offray ribbon
Close to my Heart ink in Sweet Leaf and Tulip and CTMH sentiment
A Muse stamps: Long Grass and Mini Flower

I'm Seeing Spots! A-Muse-A-Palooza #4

I think I'm totally A Muse obsessed lately. I just love their cute little stamps! And their sentiments are so adorable. So, the challenge for A-Muse-A-Palooza #4 this week to use the word SPOT as your inspiration. And you have to use at least one A Muse stamp of course.

Well, I have had this margarita stamp for a long time and it was way past time to ink it up! I searched the internet for phrases with the word "spot" and I knew "hit the spot" was where I'd be going with this card. I have a friend who makes wicked, drop you on your butt, margaritas, so this card will be for her at some point during the school year. I hope you like it and leave a little love in the form of a comment. And come on back, because I've already to another idea for another "spot" inspired card!

Goodies used for this card...
Stamp: A Muse margarita, computer generated sentiment
Paper: random cardstock from my stash
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels One die, Ranger Glossy Accents, Ranger Stickles in Lime Green, Copic Markers

Happy Anniversary ~ Mojo Monday 94

Hey...not bad! I'm getting a Mojo Monday card done in the wee hours of a very early Tuesday morning! I found this absolutely yummy American Crafts a la Carte paper at Big Lots in San Diego. It was only $8 for a pack of 60 sheets (score!!!) and has some really bold patterns and colors. I really like the weight too.

This is going to be an anniversary card for some special friends of mine who are celebrating their 2nd anniversary today. I'm pretty sure neither of them check my blog (they're not crafty...), so it's safe to post. If you're having a hard time making out the sentiment, it says... "All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. - Helen Keller" Does that sound appropriate for an anniversary? I think so...

Anyway, thanks for stopping by and please leave a little note so I know you were here!

Goodies I used...
Paper: American Crafts a la Carte collection, black and white cardstock from my stash
Ribbon: American Crafts
Stamp: CTMH - I don't know the name... it's not on the package! Eek!
Ink: Distress Ink - tattered rose (just a bit around the sentiment), Versamark embossing ink
Accessories: Prima flower, American Crafts button, DMC embroidery thread, CTMH black embossing powder

Inchie Fun!

I went to bed last night reading the July issue of Card Makers magazine. They had a large section of the magazine devoted to inchies. I must have had inchies floating through my brain all night, because I woke up with an idea for a card.

One of the things that I really love is that I actually whipped out two cards from the same idea. I could not decide if I wanted the card to be horizontal or vertical, so I made one of each! As I look at them, I can tell how much time I've been spending studying Kristina Werner's work. Notice the rounded corners, the kraft cardstock, and the scalloped edge. I'm sure that's all swimming around in my brain because off Kristina. I read her blog religiously!

I just love this little snail from A Muse stamps. This is the first time he's seen ink, even though I've had him since early May. I think this would make a cute gift set, but I'm wondering which version is better. Do you think the vertical, or horizontal version works better? Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like better!

Here are the Copics I used t0 color him up. When I was coloring the shadow, my five year old said, "Ooooh! You're making the slime!" I was hoping it looked like an actual shadow, but I'll take slime too! Have a fabulous day!

Recipe:
Paper: Kraft and cardstock from my stash, PP DCWV Green Stack
Stamp: Snail and sentiment from A Muse Artstamps
Accessories: hemp twine from my stash, Copic markers, CM square punch

Mojo Monday Week 92

Yeah, yeah... it's Friday! Oh well... here's my submission for this weeks Mojo Monday sketch. I've spent most of the week cleaning up my crafting area, and now that I can find things, I can create again.

I got this stamp at Stampin' Moose here in Wasilla and it's my first of the Hanna Stamps! He's quite cute and it's so appropriate for me to be making cards with a moose, dontcha' think?

I had a lot of fun creating this card. I got to play with my Copics and do paper piecing with super fun Basic Grey paper. BG is so yummy!

Here are the Copics I used to color Riley up!

Recipe:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps and A Muse sentiment
Paper: Basic Grey Urban Prairie
Ribbon: American Crafts
Cardstock: random from my stash
Accessories: sewing machine, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

Stitching on Cards

Who knew I'd ever pull out that crazy sewing machine that Rocky bought to sew on paper??? Well, I did and I'm loving it! I think stitching on cards or layouts is a fantastic way to add interest and that extra something that makes your work just pop.

While trolling the internet for new videos, ideas, and tutorials, I found a blog with a great tutorial about using your machine to sew on paper. So if you're interested in learning more about this, I suggest you hop over to Julia Stainton's blog ~ Belle Papier ~ and check out her tutorial. Off to make a card now... have a great day!

Playing with New Toys! CAS#4 at SCS

Boy oh boy, did I go on a shopping palooza while in San Diego! I had so much fun visiting the local scrapbook and stamping stores and stimulating the economy along the way! I have two new favorite stores in San Diego~ Paper Tales and Scrapbook Your Life. If you are ever in San Diego, hit these stores and have fun! Great place to shop and spend your money... I sure did!

At Paper Tales, I had an A Muse party! I bought rubber and clear acrylic stamps. I've been wanting to get my hands on more of these stamps, so I went to town. I also bought a whole bunch of Cosmo Cricket paper, which I can't wait to dig into and do something fun with.

I also got to visit Blick Art Materials down in Little Italy, which I'm guessing is one of the Dick Blick stores I've been hearing so much about on the many blogs and websites I spend too much time reading. Did I have a blast buying up Copic markers that I've become completely obsessed with! Oh man... If my husband is smart, he will start chaperoning me to these stores. I am dangerous when I go by myself! I picked up 10 new Copics and am so happy to be home to play with them...

Not only did I have fun shoping in real life, but when I got home, I had an order from Our Craft Lounge waiting for me, as well as my CTMH hostess club order. I am in new supply HEAVEN and don't know what to play with first!

Tonight, I decided it would be my Copic markers and a great Our Craft Lounge set called Swinging By. I just loved inking up and coloring these images in a very simple card for a friend. Coloring with Copics is such an addiction and I wish I could find a local class. For now, I'm going to just have to explore on my own and watch tutorials on You Tube. Let me know what you think of the card... Honest, constructive feedback is always appreciated!

An overall view of the finished card. This is the most clean and simple card I've ever made! There are usually lots of layers and ribbon and bling on my cards. Tonight, I really just wanted to focus on the coloring of the image. I did add some paper piercing to give a little more interest to the card, which also happens to fit the CAS#4 challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. Boy am I nervous to put my work up in their galleries! They're such an amazing group of artists, but if I want to improve, I figure who else to ask for feedback?

This is a bit of a closer view of the main image and my coloring job... what do you think?

And these are the Copics I used! Wow! Such fun to play with these amazing markers. Truly the best investment I've made for my craft room.

Supplies Used:
Card base: Strathmore card for stamping
Stamps: Swinging By from Our Craft Lounge and Journaling Boxes from Hero Arts
Ink: Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic markers - see above photo for colors, Zutter Corner Rounder, Tim Holtz Design Ruler, Making Memories paper piercer