Reinventing Valentines

If you know me, you know I love vintage and I love paper crafts and I love to alter anything that is not nailed down (and sometimes I'll even try that!). So, in the spirit of St. Valentine, here is my interpretation of an altered, paper craft, vintage valentine.

I have been away from my crafting supplies for far too long. 2015 was not the best year. My promise to myself for 2016 is to do something for ME, and that will involve being creative.

This Tag is based on Tim Holtz's Tags of 2016, which combines techniques from two prior years: texture on metal and "chalkboard" technique on black cardstock. Loads of fun!!

To the doctor I will go

Today's the day I find out if I can walk on my right foot for the first time since Christmas Eve.

Cards for the Troops

Some friends and I are supporting our Troops stationed overseas through a card drive. You can find the details Here.

And a friend of mine, Dawn creates awesome digi-stamps which she makes available on her blog, for FREE!

It was a perfect match to use Dawn's stamp on my cards for the Troops. These cards are being sent to the soldiers for Veterans Day, as a way to show my appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices.

Some cards for the "gals."

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And some for the "guys."

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Isn't this "boot monster" stamp just the cutest? Check out Dawn's blog for other adorable digi-stamps. She's so clever, that girl!

Cards for Soldiers

In these trying times we probably all ask ourselves just what we can do to make life easier for someone else. And maybe easier or more rewarding for ourselves. Making cards to send to the deployed troops is one very simple, inexpensive way. Those soldiers, men and women, far away from their homes and families, in a foreign land, can really use our thoughts. And our cards. It is truly amazing to hear from the units about how much receiving our cards can lift their spirits. And also hearing from the recipients here at home of our handmade works of art. The connection between us, the service men and women, and their families is almost palpable.

If you have a few minutes in which to make some cards, please do so. Visit Cards for Soldiers to find our how you can get your cards into the waiting and very grateful hands of our deployed service men and women, and they in turn can get our cards into the hands of their worried and caring friends and families. It will warm your heart. Really, it will!

Grunge paper flowers

I think I'm in love! After watching Wendy Vecchi make flowers with her stamps, Tim Holtz's Grungepaper (Idea-ology) and distress inks, I had to make some. I love the way they turned out. Did you know that you can curl the grungepaper with your fingers and it will stay curled? Awesome! These flowers are for a swap, but you know I had to make extra for myself!

How did I make them? First, I stamped the flower parts on grungepaper using Wendy's stamps and black ink. Once they were dry, I cut them out using Tim's Tonic scissors.

Then I inked them with Ranger Distress Ink. Here's a tip from Wendy: don't tap your ink applicator on the distress pad. Rub it around instead. You get more ink and it's easier on the hand than tap,tap,tap. And she's right!

After inking the flower pieces (both sides) I stamped them with background images in black (both sides, again).

I ran the small brown flowers and large green leaves through my new Epic embossing machine with a small dot embossing folder. YES, you can emboss the grungepaper. It works great!!

I used a brad in the center to hold the layers together. The little leaves are attached with Tim's Tiny Attacher.

Prism cardstock, quality and variety

Prism cardstock has to be one of my most favorites to work with. The weight is just perfect - heavy enough to support a complex layout yet light enough to layer on that layout without creating excess bulk. Crisp enough to take light or heavy embossing. Plus the texture....yummy! There are several different lines of Prism: Prismatics (the basic line), Seaside (like mulberry paper only heavier), metallics, exclusives....and the list goes on. The most recent addition, Simply Smooth, is simply to die for if you're a stamper. It takes the best image I have ever seen!

I created this birthday card using only Prism cardstock. You see, you really do not need patterned paper to create a classic and classy card. The only embellishments are a strip of ribbon, a brass finding from Vintaj and a colored cupcake stamp. Who would not like to receive this card...raise your hand. Aha, I thought so!


Products: Prism Prismatics (white, frosted teal), Seaside (Pier), Simply Smooth (white); Brass finding (Vintaj); cupcake stamp (unknown), Markers (Sakura Glaze), Glitter (Ranger, Distress Stickles, rock candy), Embossing folder (CuttleBug), Die cuts (Spellbinders nestabilities, small labels).

Thanks for stopping by!

eCraft cutting system

Everyone wants to know if there was a "WOW" or "gotta have" item at CHA and I have to say YES! The new cutting system from Craftwell really blew me away.

It will cut paper, cardstock, thin metal (like the sheets from TenSecondStudio), Tim Holtz's grungepaper, Claudine Hellmuth's sticky back canvas, thin chipboard. They are talking about adding a longer blade so that it will cut the heavier chipboard.

Unlike other electronic cutting systems (Cricut, Wishblade, Pazzles), the eCraft does NOT require a sticky mat. It can cut anything up to 12 inches wide, with unlimited length. That's right -- unlimited! If you can come up with paper 48" long, it will cut it or any other length, without limit.

The blades are easily replaced and cost only $1 each. The basic machine will operate with SD cards which will retail for under $30. However, for less than $100 you will be able to purchase software to connect the machine to your computer. Then you'll be able to create from the internet, using PNG files. Got a wealth of digital files on your computer? You'll be able to use them to create paper die cuts and alphas for your paper crafting projects.

How much is the machine, you ask? Just $199.00. Yep, you read that right. And when will it be available? It's scheduled for release at Winter CHA in January, 2010. So start saving your pennies, 'cause you're definately gonna want this! I can't decide between the magenta and the sage color. What do you think?