Sympathy Card for Daniel

Needed to make a special sympathy card. These are so hard to make. I always want to make a bunch so I don't have to make one "in the moment" but I never seem to get to it. Guess it is because they are so sad to make.

I did a lot of sponging on this one. It was fairly simple.

Supplies: Cardstock-Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip (SU), Ink- Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU), Stamps- Wheat (Cornish Heritage Farms), Paper Trey (Papertrey Ink); Accessories-Twill, black brads, ticket corner punch, daubers (all SU).

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

House Mouse ATC - the distraction!

I love house mouse stamps!! And I especially love adding things to these individual stamped guys -- put a hat on them, make them hold something...what ever!! You can see a few of my other exampes HERE and HERE.

Jessica is the infamous House Mouse ATC swap leader!! She is on her 4th HMATC swap!! and I've joined every one of them!! She is just the best hostess in the world and the quality of ATCs in the swap is just amazing!!

This time I am not all that pleased with my results. You see, I got really stuck on using light modeling paste for the ice cream... then I felt I needed to add the words to clarify the story..... any way, I'm not overly pleased with the end results. I can't wait to get all the great ATCs back in the swap...these ladies are SERIOUSLY talented!!

Supplies: Cardstock - Whisper White (SU), light cardboard (unknown); Ink-Basic Black, Creamy Caramel (SU), Stamps- Mudpie Tells, What? (House Mouse), Icecream (Michael's $1.50 bin), Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Accessories - Light modeling paste, red acrylic paint, rhinstones, printer, prisma pencil colors, odorless thinner.

Thanks or visiting.

Donelda

January 29 - Design Lesson #4 - Grouping

Well, it is time for another lesson that I have learned from the book Design Basics Index by Jim Krause. This is the fourth lesson. If you are interested in the first three lessons you can read them HERE, HERE, and HERE. Today, Jim is talking about grouping. I found this section very interesting!! Jim expalins that "grouping" items on a layout helps the "viewer make useful connections between elements". So on a card or scrapbook page, I interpret this as meaning that when you put certain things together they become connected or related to each other. Below I have designed 2 cards. The sentiment on the card on the RIGHT is seperated. When I look at this card, my mind kind of says that the FLOWERS are JUST FOR YOU since that part of the sentiment is closer to the flowers making me "connect" those elements. The sentiment on the card on the LEFT is not seperated as much. There is a bit of a seperation only in that the second part is placed on the green strip of paper. However, the different pieces of the sentiment are close enough together to be connected and clearly on this card it is the BIRTHDAY WISHES that are JUST FOR YOU. What do you think?? Interstingly, I asked my "non-card making husband" which of the 2 cards he liked better and he said "I like the one on the left. The other one looks like everything is all over the place, like things are all grouped randomly"....and that was before I had filled him in on the title of the lesson! So, one last bit of information. Those flowers are actually flower transpariencies. I got the idea from Shari Carroll at Hero Arts Online. It is like making a photo transparency using packing tape. Only for this technique, you stamp on cold laminate (like a transparancy with a sticky side) with StazOn ink and then stick the cold laminate to some colorful designer paper. Then with water, you "wash off" the white side of the paper leaving a colorful transparancy look to your flowers. It is really hard to see it in these photos (even the close up I've included) how cool this looks in real life, you'll just have to trust me on this one!! Supplies: Carstock-Wisper White (SU), Color Me Silly Green and Striped (Basic Grey); Ink - StazOn Black (Tsukineko), Baisc Black (SU); Stamps-PaperTray (PaperTrey Ink), Delight In Life (SU), Accessories - Cold Laminate (I got this from a wonderfully kind person Jean in Austrailia. She kindly sent me a few sheets. I've been meaning to look for it here in Canada but I haven't found it yet. Does anyone know?? I've looked on line at Staples but could not find it.) Well, I hope you have enjoyed this lesson on grouping. I know that I certianly did. I think I am going to go and see what else I can "group" together!! Thanks for visiting.

Hey There Delilah

Man, I've been singing the song "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's since seeing this morning's Try a New Technique - Dahlia Fold. I know that a Dahlia and the name Delilah are totally different, but they get stuck in my brain .....together...

Anyway.....the challenge was to make one of these cool dahlia folds (which is like tea bag folding) and add it to a card. I actually do not like my finished card at all but I do like the actual dahlia fold part. I also like these shaped cards. I got the idea from Dina on her awesome blog.

As I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with the dahlia, I decided I should add a scallop edge...see it there at the bottom. I believe that it also meets Sharon's stamp simply challenge to use a scallop edge. Since I don't own any scallop punches nor the SU corner or slit punch, using my scallop scissors was my only option.

Now that I am looking more closely, I think I see some better options for the card...I think I might just take this apart a bit and pull it together a bit differently. If I like it a lot better, I'll post it.... we'll see.

Supplies: Paper-Whisper White, Soft Sky (SU), Making Memories designer paper; Ink- Soft Sky (SU), Stamps-Carte Postale (SU); Accessories-Scallop scissors (Provo Craft), 1 1/4" circle punch (SU), Coluzzle, rhinstone brad (unknown - gift from a friend).

I hope to see you all here tomorrow night ... Tuesday night and a new lesson. I think you will really like this one!!! There is also a new technique on the card!

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Chris and it looked like a lot of fun ... so here it goes: Five things I was doing 10 years ago: 1. We went to Vegas twice that year. 2. We had been in our house for only 6 months. 3. I was teaching. 4. I was driving the bubble ... Ford Aspire 5. We were enjoying "wing Wed." every wednesday at Earls (it was obviously pre-kid years!! Five things on my TO DO list for today (were): 1. Play with my son. (did it) 2. Get some groceries. (did it) 3. Clean the bathrooms. (actually did it, believe it or not) 4. Play some more with my son. (did it) 5. Get stuff ready for the work week. (it's 11:15 and still not done..) Five things I will do when I'm a millionaire: 1. Put some in trust for my son. 2. Share most with friends and family. 3. Travel ... leisurely 4. Buy a place somewhere warm and with a beach 5. Buy all the crafting gadgets I've always wanted Five things I'll never wear again: 1. Fancy Ass jeans 2. a wedding dress 3. a poncho (had a purple and white one as a kid) 4. Peter Pan get away boots 5. those sweat pants that have elastic at the ankles...yuck, I can't believe I actually was seen by others in them once.... Five of my favorite toys: 1. Crayola crayons 2. Lego 3. Shrinky Dinks 4. Fashion plates 5. puzzle books Five banes of my existence: 1. People who drive in the left lane!!!! 2. People who believe that their way is the only (and best) way!! 3. when my husband gets 7 letter words in Scrabble 4. untrained staff -- like at restaurants, checkouts, etc. 5. dirty bathrooms. That was harder than I thought it would be. Now, it is my time to tag some folks. Better check your comment sections...it might be YOU !!! :-) Thanks for visiting. Donelda

Wooden Valentine

Sorry I didn't post last night but I was over at a friends house (Hi Geri!!) to visit and make cards. Geri is my SU demo and has every product and card making supply....including a cuttlebug!! She was kind enough to let me use it which I did in order to make this card.

Julia was back this week for Ways to Use it Challenge (150) and this week she challenged us to use paint!! I love using paint!! I have these great wooden hearts that I bought at Kmart for about 1.00!! So I painted them with white and then I added a bit of pink here and there!!

I added them onto this beautiful white card that I cuttlebugged with the little folders. If you want more details on how to exactly get this effect, you have to check out Sharon's blog (No Time To Stamp) since I totally cased it from her!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White (SU), Ink-Basic Black (SU), Stamps-Fancy Flexible Phrases(SU), Accessories-Wooden hearts (Walmart), white and red acrylic paint, cuttlebug and folder (thanks to Geri!!), pink ribbon (SU).

Thanks for visiting!

Donelda

Hi Birdie Friend

I love this guy!!! I've had this awesome bag of feather's pulled out and thinking that I really wanted to make something with them!! I didn't have any stamp sets with birds in it big enough that would accommodate the feathers...so I needed to put on my thinking cap. But then, I was browsing Kristina's blog (kwernerdesign) I came across these fun little birdies and I knew I'd have to use this great idea!! I drew a similar bird on paper and then used it as a guide to cut the orange fabric. It is that warm fabric that you can make stuffed animals and hats and such with...I can't remember what it is called just at the moment! Anyway, after cutting out the bird, I selected just the right feathers for the tail and a wing. I glued them into the fabric using some Crystal Effects (SU). Then, as it dried, I worked on the rest of the card. I attached the strip of orange plaid and brown cardstock onto a Creamy Caramel base. I stamped the sentiement with Chocolate Chip ink. See the dots of the letter i's ... I wanted something funky so I used those double circles!! Finally, I attached the bird, drew in his eye and feet and Voila, he is ready!!! Supplies: Cardstock-Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip (SU), plaid (unknown); Ink-Chocolate Chip (SU); Stamps-Beautiful Blooms, Borders & Corners {Square 'I think'} (Papertrey Ink), Accessories-feathers, chocolate chip marker (SU), Crystal Effects (SU). Thanks for visiting!

Okay....Just One More.

Yup, that's right! Just one more post today. I gotta say, my creative MOJO is on overdrive these days!! I can't stop making cards!! What fun!!

Tonight, I dropped into Card Position Systems and found their latest sketch. I loved it. In fact I loved it so much, I made 2 cards (see what I mean about mojo!). One pink and one green (I know it looks kinda yellow in the picture but it really is green).

I pulled out my Botanical Gardens set since the panel on the sketch reminded me of the leaf design. I decided to emboss the images with black embossing powder and then color them in using my Stampin' Up water color pencils. Finished them each off with some pretty paper and a white bow or knot. Guess what...the center of the images land at PHI!! (If you want to know what I mean about PHI, you can read this post).

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White (SU); Designer Paper-K&Company (pink), Creating Keepsakes (green); Ink-StazOn Black; Accessories-black embossing powder, Water color pencils (SU), white grograin ribbon (SU), dimensionals (Making Memories).

Thanks for visiting AGAIN today!!

Grateful for Butterflies

I have so much to share, I decided to post twice today!!!!!! I had bought a few Heidi Swapp masks a few months ago but I've not gotten around to trying them out. So I pulled out these butterflies and gave it a whirl!! I put the masks onto Soft Sky cardstock and then sponged Soft Sky ink over the entire card front. When the masks peeled off a beautiful image was there!! I also like using a make-up sponge (vs. a brayer, not that I have one that works) since it creates such a soft molted kinda look, know what I mean??!! Then, I wanted to use Kraft and Black to go with my butterflies. I added the sentiment in black and one of my Maya Road velvet flowers. I find it soooo hard to actually use these since I think they are so amazingly beautiful....I just like to hoard them!! But I forced myself to add one to this card. I also have a leaf mask that I'll have to try soon!! Supplies: Cardstock-Kraft, Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU); Ink-Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU); Stamps-Small Script (SU); Accessories-Mini Mask (Heidi Swapp), makeup sponge, velvet flower (Maya Road), antique brass brad (SU) Thanks for visiting!!

January 22 - Design Basics Lesson #3

Hello and welcome to my third lesson. If you are interested in the previous 2 lessons, you can find them HERE and HERE. Today's lesson is a bit different - no pictures...just an activity for you to do!!

Today, I read about the Fibonacci Series and The Golden Section! Jim is really confusing me at this part but I do clearly remember talking about this when I was waaaaay back in High School. The Fibonacci series (which is mentioned in the Da Vinci Code) is an aesthetically pleasing division of space often used by artists. It is found frequently in nature (i.e., I remember my high school teacher telling us about conch shells and pineapples). In my book (Design Basics Index by Jim Krause) Jim shares how the divisions are obtained using math and a value known as Phi. At this point in the book, Jim offers an exercise to make a Golden Section ruler so I've done just that. Although Jim explains how to use vector-based software (whatever the heck that is...) I've just used good ole' cardstock!! In his example, he directs you to make a 13" long line and mark at 8". Well, that size of ruler is just not helpful unless you are a 12" x 12" scrapbooker (which I am not, I only work on *" x 11") so I cut is in half so my ruler is 6 1/2" with a mark at 4". I added 2 contrasting colors of designer paper on the 2 seperate sections and made 1/2" marks along the back.

What has been very interesting about this ruler is that I've taken it and layed it against some of my previously made cards and guess what.... the main images or panels usually fall at Phi!! Wow, now that is cool! Go make your own ruler and check some of your cards. I'll bet you find the same thing!

I know I haven't really expained this very well but Jim says that if you google or search for more information about Phi you will find tons.

Thanks for visiting. I have some really fun cards for the next lesson so make sure you drop back next Tuesday!!!

Dry Embossing

I love dry embossing!! In fact, I love it so much that I will not buy a Cuttlebug ... well, not right now anyway! You see, in this world of papercrafting, I love to do it all!! I love to make my own embellishments, do my own dry embossing, I even enjoy making my own backgrounds (however, I have totally fallen prey to designer paper -- love it and hoard it!!). These cards are made using a dry embossing line along the main panels. It is easy to do. I just stamped my image, cut the cardstock to the desired size, then turned it upside down on my cutter and using a stylus (or in my case, I use my handy dandy Pampered Chef scraper) emboss a line where I want it! Because I wanted these cards to be Simple (Sharon, you are totally rubbing off on me) I kept the images basic. I went back to my original favorite of coloring the image in with a watercolor brush and my ink pads. I only used a touch of color as well!! Just some subtle shading. The images and colors were picked to coordinate with these delicious taffita ribbons -- chocolate chip and pomegranate that I got from Stampin' Up when they were on sale. I bought a bunch so you will likely see it popping up on lots of cards!! Here is a close up of the embossed lines on the sandcastle card. There is on across the top and two running down the sides. It is a subtle look but really finishes off the panels!! The mouse card has only single lines on the top and sides. I chose to leave the bottom without the embossing. I just liked it that way! Also, I found a new Challenge site (I love challenges!). It is called Arty Girlz Challenge Blog. The red mouse card is going to be my entry for this weeks challenge as we were asked to use RED. Well, pomegranate is red, isn't it?? LOL Well, I hope you like them. See you all tomorrow for a new lesson. Thanks for visiting. Supplies: Paper-Whisper White, Once Upon a Time {brown} (DCWV), K&Company {pink}; Ink - Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate (SU); Stamps - mouse is Stampin' Up (not sure of the name), Princess Castle (Kaisercraft - this is an Austrailian company); Accessories - taffita ribbon in Pomegranate and Chocolate (SU), water color brush, Pampered Chef scraper (I used it to do the straight lined embossing).

The Valentine Bug

It's true...I've totally been bitten by the Valentine Bug!! I am sitting here browsing all things valentine!! I can't seem to get enough.

I do have a bunch of projects on the go, however, I am not ready to share yet (other than a few sneak peeks). So, I decided to share this Valentine Box that I made for my wonderful son last year!!

Yep, you read that right, I actually made that box, from flat vanilla cardstock and adhesive!!

It wasn't all that hard, just the time it took for the glue to set when I glued the sides to the bottom and top!! I covered the top with torn paper and ModPodged it.

I just love how it turned out. I keep it on my "display shelf" in my craft room. It reminds me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it!!

Thanks for visiting.

HIdden element card

The current challenge over at Daring Card Makers is to make a card that has a hidden element! I love that kind of thing and often include hidden tags, pulls, or sliders in my scrapbooking, however, I rarely think of doing it on a card.

I decided to hide a small card on top of a larger card. If you were to untie the hemp on this card, there is a sentiment that says "thinking of you".

Since I am always trying to make masculine cards, I decided to stick to a more masculine theme on this one and see where it went. It all started with the trees which led to the color choice and the rest of the elements.

Supplies: Cardstock - Very Vanilla, River Rock (both SU), artichoke green (unknown); Ink - Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa (all SU); Stamps - Tree Cluster sm. (Stampscapes), Take a Bough, Faux Ribbon, Borders & Corners {rectangles} [this is inside the small card on top]; Accessories - hemp (SU), daubers (SU), Pastal Chalks (SU).

Thanks for visiting my blog!! I am really enjoying this adventure!! :-)

Donelda

Sharon's Challenge and Beate's Challenge

Sharon's Challenge:

I wanted to play Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge #18 - TEAR IT UP (ssnotime18)! I love the look of torn paper on cards. It gives it an elegant feel!

So, as I continue to make valentine cards, I decided to go with the red, black and white color combo. I also used another silver metal wire heart that I made. On this heart, I added some red seed beads and a bit of black ribbon.

I hope someone will think this would make a nice card for their sweety!!

Beate's Challenge:

And Beate had a really cool sketch on her blog too that I really wanted to make!! So I did it too!!

I really love the Beautiful Blooms stamp set from Papertrey Ink. I had yet to use these cute flowers so I thought I'd use them for Beate's challenge.

I didn't have a brad that I really liked to go with the sentiment so I got to wondering if I used my Versamark pen and dabbed on little dots, could I cover them with white embossing powder?? I tried it and I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think??

Well, thanks for visiting my blog. I have a million cards and projects that I have finished and can't wait to share with you!!! Make sure you come back soon!!

Donelda

( )_() (='.'=)

(")_(") The Bunny (my son helped me create this)

Darn Snow!!

Laying in bed .... sore back ... husband has put some Japanese Oil on it....darn snow!! We got our first amount of snow today and I was the first one home so I got to shovel!! Enough whining....on to my cards.

Sharon over at No Time to Stamp? asked us to make a Tall and Thin card for her Stamp Simply Challenge #17. That is where the first card of this set came from and then I just kept going. I saw an outfit in a magazine....beige crop pants and a purple tank top... and I loved the color combo so I decided to give it a try. On my tall and thin card, I made a faux metal heart to put in the bottom right corner. It is really easy, just cover a square of cardstock with versamark, cover with embossing powder, repeat until you have a good layer, push stamp into liquid embossing powder until cooled, remove stamp and voila...faux metal heart!! This particular heart is from a Stampin' Up retired set called Sketch an Event -- very versatile!

A few special bits on the other cards. I made the heart on the left card out of silver wire. That was interesting and fun. I have a ton of wire in whole bunch of colors and I'm always trying to find new and fun things to do with it!! On the middle card I used my 2 sided glue strips to put glitter on...been meaning to try that!!

Here are some close-ups of each card.

Well, thanks for visiting!! Enjoy your stamping evening... and if your back is feeling fine...take a moment and appreciate that!!

Donelda

January 15 - Design Basics Lesson #2

Well, here is my second lesson on Design Basics. For those of you who missed the first lesson, you can read it HERE. I am using a book called Design Basics Index by Jim Krause and learning a thing or two about design so that I can feel more confident in my card and scrapbooking creations!

Today, I was continueing to read about The Principal of Unequal Spacing - dividing space. I intrepret Jim to mean that if the spacing of a design is unequal it will look pulled together and more interesting.

Here I have made 2 cards that include the same components but I've applied what I learned from Jim to the one on the left and kept spacing equal on the right. What do you think?? Cover one up with you hand and look at the other and then do the same to the other card. I've got to agree with Jim, the one on the left definately appeals to my eye more!! Especially the two different sized spaces (designer paper) on the left.

Also, while I was tying the hemp onto the bottom shapes, I realized that they fit the Principal of Unequal Spacing - point placement (lesson #1) as well. See WHERE the hemp is tied on the left card...it is off to the side. While the hemp on the right side I tied in the middle and knotted it in the middle - YUCK!! It is amazing how once you really start thinking about this principal, you realize how often you actually use it.

A few notes about making these cards. The stamp I used actually has 2 boys and a dog on it but I only wanted one cowboy. So I partially inked up the boy I wanted with my ink pad and then finished it off with my black marker (SU). I made sure to "huff" on the stamp and then put it to cardstock - Voila, one boy. He is dressed in his awesome polkadot shirt and jean shorts - did this by stamping this part onto the designer paper I wanted to use, cut it out and attached it in the correct location! It is called paper piecing and there are a ton of great samples in the SCS gallery. Finally, if you are looking for this cowboy from the supplier, you will not find him with a cowboy hat! Those stars totally screamed COWBOY to me, but I don't have any cowboy or western images but that never stops me. When a roadblock like this happens, I often turn to CLIP ART....and that is where I got that cute cowboy hat!! I printed it on vanilla cardstock, cut it out, sponged it with some more mustard and Voila, a cowboy! I love that kind of creativity!

(Supplies used: Cardstock: More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Basic Black (SU), Designer Paper: Scenic Route's Cape Town - Warren Hill and Multi Stars by Sarah Milne and jean paper (unknown), Ink: More Mustard, Basic Black (SU), Stamps: Justin and Kyle (Me&My Big Ideas) - note how I only used part of the stamp!, Accessories: hemp, clip art (the cowboy hat - I don't have any western stamps but this paper screamed Western to me!!)

I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson as much as I did. I must admit, I am looking at cards totally different than I did before I started reading Jim's book!!

Thanks for visiting.

Sweet Green Thumb

Here is another card that is inspired by Kristina and her blog kwernerdesign. She is amazing so if you don't check her blog everyday (like I do) you should go over there and check it out!! When I first became interested in Papertrey Ink stamps by Nicole Heady (also an increadible stamper whose blog I also check every day - go check it out!), I fell in love with the little grasshopper in the Green Thumb set. However, last night I realized that I've had the stamp since the middle of November and still had not even used it yet!! That is HORRIBLE so I immediately too him out and got to work! I started out with that awesome strip of green paper with vanilla polka dots. Believe it or not but I think it was the very first piece of designer paper I ever bought!! I remember because I was looking for pink and brown stripes for a certian card and that is what is on the back of this piece. Unfortunately, because I bought it so long ago, I have no idea who makes it. You can tell that I never throw out any paper no matter how small the piece is. You never know when you'll need just a tiny piece of something! Anyway, back to the card. I added some vanilla cardstock and made some black dots along the top edge. Then I stamped the grasshopper in celery ink and then added the celery colored ribbon along the left edge of the card. Finally, I added the sentiment "sweet baby". Since this is green, it would be usable for a baby boy or girl card. Supplies: Cardstock-Kraft (SU), Very Vanilla (SU), green (unknown); Ink-Certainly Celery, Basic Black (SU); Stamp-Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink), Fancy Flexible Phrases (SU); Accessories-ribbon (dollar bin at Michaels), 1" circle punch (SU), black marker. Thanks for visiting.

Making it possible to subscribe

Howdy all! I have had some requests to enable you to subscribe to my blog. So, I've spent the morning over at Feedblitz trying to figure it out!! I think I have done it. However, I would appreciate if one of you could try it out and let me know if it is working. Thanks! Donelda

What am I going to do with these?????

Oh my! I was sitting here in my craft room this morning waiting for some inspiration to hit me when I looked over and saw this

------------------------>>>>>

What ever am I going to do with them all??!! About 8 months ago, I packed up a bunch of cards and sent them all to a friend who was going to run card making classes with a group of disabled adults!! So these are only the build up since then!! Of course there are some I could just never part with... but what about all the rest!!

Sheesh.

I've got a ton of inspiration today so I might post a card later....depending on how much Wii my son talks me into playing today. :-) Have a great Sunday and happy stamping.

Some sneak peaks

Hi everyone!! I've been doing some valentines so I thought I'd give you a few sneak peaks!! I'm not ready to share ... yet!!

So..... are you interested???? I sure did have fun building it.... :-) The project will be posted closer to Valentine's day!!!

Thanks for visiting!!

Gloved Hello

I made this card for Julia's Ways to Use It challenge today at Splitcoaststampers!! She challenged us to use Leather on our cards!!

Well, coincidently enough, I just cut up an old leather purse since I got a new one for Christmas. I knew that leather would come in handy some day!!

The card is a 3x3. I am really enjoying that size these days!! The glove is colored in using Prisma Colorpencils and blended with odorless thinner (one brand name is Gamsol, hence the technique name "Gamsol Magic" over at SCS).

I sewed the strip of leather on with my sewing machine. I didn't realize it was going to be that difficult...but it was!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White and Real Red (SU); Ink-Basic Black (SU); Stamps-Toy Box (SU), Paper Tray (Papertrey Ink); Accessories-Leather (from my old purse), sewing machine and brown thread, Prisma Colorpencils, Odorless Thinner, blending stumps, black marker

Using the Principal of Unequal Spacing

Here is a good example of the difference between a card that does not use the principal of unequal spacing and one that does. (See my previous post for an explaination of this principal). The card on right is all pretty much centered. Although it looks okay (I do kinda like it), the card below incorporates the principal of unequal spacing and I think it is more pleasing to the eye. I've really been into making more simplistic cards these days!! It will probably change since I continue to try to find what style I like best-- one day I am making simple and plain cards and the next day I am making cards with multiple layers! Sheesh!! Anyway, this card (the one on the left) was originally posted for the Ways to Use It challenge 147 - where Jacksonbelle (who was filling in for Julia) asked us to USE FLOWERS!! Supplies: Cardstock-Close to Cocoa (SU), Very Vanilla (SU), Designer Paper (unknown); Ink-Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip (SU); Stamps-Borders & Corners {Oval}, Faux Ribbon (Papertrey); Accessories- Flowers (Prima), antique brad (SU), oval coluzzle. Thanks for visiting.

January 8th - Design Basics Class #1

Hello and welcome to my Design Basics Class #1. I am hoping to learn about designing effective compositions and would love you to join me. I will be posting what I've learned on TUESDAY nights. I also hopeing to post different examples of each lesson throughout the week or I might continue a lesson into a second or third week if I feel I still need to learn or practice that specific concept. The book I will be using is an excellent one by Jim Krause called Design Basics Index. I am hoping to use his concepts to apply to my card making. I haven't read the whole book yet but what I've read is awesome and I am surely hoping that Jim can teach me a thing or two!! I would really love you to join me in my own learning journey! I thought this might be a fun way to use my blog other than simply posting my creations!! Here is a general introduction: Jim says there are 3 C's of Design: Composition, Component, and Concept and a design works when these three 3's are each present and working. Well, Jim is making a lot of sense to me so far!!! Here is lesson #1: Jim says that Composition is the way in which the components of a design are visually combined and arranged. Composition takes into account placement, grouping, alignment, visual flow and the divisions of space within a layout. Wow, that is A LOT! My cards start as a blank space and when I add something to that space, I need to consider "its relationship to other elements in the design" Again, Jim is making a lot of sense to me at this point!! Placement of Elements The first thing I will be working on is effective placement and divisions of space on my cards. I interpret Jim's discussion in his book to say that the card will convey the "feel" you are looking for best when the placement and division of the space on your card is effective! That makes sense to me! In his book, he is actually using advertising as his teaching tool....but I am trying to apply this to what it would mean in card making... mmmmm. Principle of Unequal Spacing - point placement Variety in spacing adds interest and encourages the eye to look around the card. I know I've experienced that when I have looked at many of the awesome cards in the gallery at SCS. Jim explains that it is important to place an element at a point where horizontal and vertical spacing is different from each --> varied spacing. And the Principle of Unequal spacing can be applied to more than one element at a time. When you are making a card, this suggests that it is important to consider how the main items on the card relate to each other and to the edges of the card. Jim says that varied measurements around points-of-interest tend to heighten the visual interest and energy of the piece and convey a sense of creativity. Okay, my turn to apply this in the wrong and right way so I can see the difference on a card. <<----------------- Here is an example of a card where the spacing of each point (item of interest) is equal and the elements are all centered.... ------------>>>> Here is the same card, except I've tried to alter the spacing. Note how the band on this card sits at a place that adds visual interest instead of being placed dead-center like the previous card. As well, the added elements (the twine {specifically the knot} and circle sentiment) are off set on this card at unequal distances whereas the previous card had these added elements dead-center again. So, what do you think?? I really like the second card better than the first card. I'm not so sure I've gotten the whole idea as I believe the twine placement and the sentiment placement are equal distances from the edges of the card. However, I wonder if because I've place the knot near the upper part of the band and the sentiment nearer the bottom of the band if that makes it more "unequal"??!! Heheheeh, this is going to be FUN!! Off to try this Principal of Unequal Spacing on a new card attempt :-) Thanks for joining me!!

One Last Calendar

Well, here is one last callendar I made. This one I am going to keep for myself. I just had to share because I love that cute smiley paper I used. Check out that cute pink smiley on the right -- winking right at you!

Here and here are a few of the other Calendars I made and gave away as gifts. There are more instructions on those posts.

This inside is very simple, just a few images stamped on each page that match the month.

Thanks for visiting. I'm looking foward to sharing all that I am learning in my Basic Design book. I've been learning a lot!

Supplies: coasters (unknown), various papers (many are Making Memories), Bind it All (Zutter), Stamps (Year Around Fun, Stampin' Up), Ink (Basic Black, Stampin' Up), Rub Ons (dollar store).

Simple Design

I have been visiting Kristina's blog a lot lately which is called kwernerdesign. She has "Make a Card Mondays" where she videotapes herself making a card and then replays it in fast motion. It is great to see her pick and choose her way through making her card as that is exactly how I make cards too. She really has the most beautiful cards with a very specific style.

So, I replicated her style on this card. I love love love how she uses Kraft cardstock as the background to many of her cards! You see that awesome plaid designer paper. It is by Daisyd's and I have had it forever but I've never been able find the right matching cardstock to be able to use it. I grabbed it and some Old Olive cardstock and it went well with the kraft, I think.

See that background...I made it with one of the teeny tiny stamps that come with Papertrey Ink's Borders & Corners {Square} set. I used my cutting pad that has a grid and a ruler to get them placed somewhat evenly. It is done with Versamark so that it is a subtle background.

The sentiment is the stitched rectangle from Papertrey Ink's Borders & Corners {Rectangle}. I love those sets, they have so much versitility!! Inside, the sentiment is a Studio G design (one of those $1 stamps sets from Michaels). Both were stamped with Versamark and then embossed with white embossing powder. Finally, some white grosgrain ribbon tied across the plaid and voila, a finished card.

My best critic, my wonderful son, just informed me that it isn't the best card I've made but it is still a nice card. Wow, that is a great compliment!!

Supplies: Paper-Kraft cardstock (SU), Old Olive cardstock (SU), Birthday Plaid-Classic Purpla (daisyd's); Ink-Versamark (Tsukineko); Stamps-Borders & Corners {Square}, Borders & Corners {Rectangle} (Papertrey Ink), Thinking of you (Studio g); Accessories- white grosgrain ribbon (SU)

Thanks for visiting.

Kurtis' Sketch Challenge card

Hi all. I was browsing through some blogs today and saw that Kurtis had a sketch challenge going on and was giving away a little blog candy. Getting free stuff is always exciting (better than recieving only bills in the mail!) so I decided to play.

Last night I had found some fantastic Anna Griffin designer paper and realized that it matched perfectly with River Rock!! Yeah, Rock on baby!! So I decided to go with it!!

The card is pretty simple. You can't really see it in the picture but there is some Very Vanilla Craft ink swiped around the edges of the card.

Supplies: Paper-River Rock & Very Vanilla (SU), Anna Griffin designer paper; Ink- River Rock, Very Vanilla craft (SU); Stamps-Petal Prints, Everyday Flexible Phrases (SU), Build Your Own Flourish (Gel a tins), Accessories-Double stitched ribbon in River Rock (SU).

Thanks for visiting!

Spoiled Rotten

Look at that!! My cat is such a suck and always wants my attention. I would say she was trying to get me to pet her instead of typing on my blog! Hehehehe. You should have seen me trying to get my camera with my left hand, open it (I had to use my teeth for that) and actually take a picture of her! All without her moving her paw from over my arm. She is one determined little kitty!! Her name is Eli -- I know, that's a boy's name. Well, when we got her we thought she was a boy and by the time we figured it out the name was stuck!

We love her very much, even if she is spoiled rotten!

I'm heading off to my local scrapbooking store today to use up the gift certificates that I got for Christmas. I can't believe how excited I am! You'd think I was going to Disneyland or something!! Hehehe. ***Drop back in later as I will be posting a new card!! ***

Thanks for visiting.

Maya Road Red and Brown Birthday

I did this card for the Ways to Use it Challenge 147! Jacksonbelle was filling in for Julia and asked us to use FLOWERS. Well, I have the pack of Maya Road clear flowers but I tend to hoard them. So, I decided to pull them out and actually use them!!

This card was made for one of our twin neices. Although they are twins, they are actually quite different so I decided to make similar yet different cards for them. Here is one for Savanna who is a sporty gal!

I started out with the color combo of read and brown. I stamped the oval in Ruby Red and then added the sentiment inside with Chocolate Chip. Then I put this on a chocolate chip scallop oval that I punched using Robin's punch -- Robin was so sweet to share her punches with me to punch out a bunch. I then colored the Maya Road clear flower by using Ruby Red classic ink and my Stampin' Up dauber. I kinda wish I made it a bit darker now that I see how light it is when on the card. Once it was dried, I added a large brown brad.

The main part of the card is made by adding that awesome deep red piece of cardstock onto a vanilla base. Then I added a strip of Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. On the vanilla, I carried the stitching look from the oval which seemed to pull it together a bit.

Supplies: Cardstock-Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip (SU), Burgandy (unknown); Ink-Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip (SU), Stamps-Faux Ribbon, Borders & Corners {Oval} (Papertrey); Accessories-Clear Flowers (Maya Road), large brad (Dollar Store), Coluzzle oval, oval scallop punch (Marvy).

Thanks for visiting.

I've Been Tagged

It appears that I've been tagged! My friend Chris says that I need to list 7 wierd, random, or little known facts about me and then tag 7 other bloggers!! Well then, here you go: 1. I am always cold. In fact, my Father In Law claims I am really dead but just too lazy to lay down!! Hehehe 2. I used to square dance and Highland dance when I was a pre-teen! 3. I hate touching paper if I have just washed my hands or if I don't have hand cream on. This is quite difficult when you are a "paper crafter!" 4. I get "cold burps". I always know when I am about to get a cold since I start to burp. My husband thinks this is soooo weird but a friend of mine also gets them! 5. I love reading children's books!! I've been working my way through the Newberry Award list. There are some amazing books on that list!! 6. I have a BMW....well, not a real one. My son's initials are BMW...we figured it might be the only one we get!! 7. I am a "scardy pants". I can't watch scary movies or read scary books!! I get too scared at night :-) Hehehe, blame Chris...she's the one who tagged me :-) Thanks for visiting.

Valentine Card Sketch

It has been a long time since I've played at Roxie's Card Sketches so I decided I had to do today's Sketch Challenge 157. The layout looked like a lot of fun and Roxie's sample cards are always so inspiring!!

I made this card into a 3 1/2" x 5" card. I've been making a lot of cards this size and I really like it!! It is nice to try out something different than the typical size for a change.

I decided that I would take the opportunity to make a Valentine card for my wonderful husband. I'll have to ban him from my blog until then, LOL.

I started out with a vanilla card base and added some of the light brown patterned paper (Once Upon a Time Deja View) and added some of the textured pink (Classic K Cardstock Pad K&Company). I stitched around both pieces with pink thread then layered them. Then I stamped the image with Close to Cocoa ink and colored it in with my water pencil colors. I added some small scallops at the top as well. Once this was done, I added the sentiment using rub-ons.

I added the wonderfully beautiful Satin Ribbon from Stampin' Up. They had a sale on the chocolate chip and pomegrante - buy one get one free, so I ended up with 2 of each! They are both so beautiful and tie great knots and bows! Once this was done, I started working on that

cool puzzle piece. I bought it at Michaels and it is a 3 piece metal pendant and charm set called Heart and Soul from Blue Moon Beads. I got the inspiration from Gina K Design's wonderful puzzle set, of course. I used Ginger and Cranberry Alcohol Inks on the puzzle to match the browns and pinks of the card. It took a bit of playing around to get the cranberry to be more pink than red but I think it matches quite well.

Finally, I added some buttons onto the edge of the pink piece of designer paper. Other than the heart buton, the rest are not any ordinary buttons. They are buttons that I got from my husband's grandmother who passed away a few years ago. I have a whole bag of various colors, shapes, and sizes and I save them for very special family cards. He will definatly know where they came from and it will make the card even more special for him!

Supplies: Paper-Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up), Once Upon a Time (Deja View), Classic K (K&Company); Ink-Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up); Stamp-Heart (Stampin' Up); Accessories-satin ribbon (SU), puzzle charm (Blue Moon Beads), rub on letters (Chartpak), thread, buttons, watercolor pencil crayons (SU)

Well, I hope you like this card. It was certainly a lot of fun to make!!

Thanks for visiting.

Framed Flowers

Over at Daring Cardmakers, the end of year challenge is actually 4!! They have picked the 4 best challenges to try, including "buttons", "ribbons", "and cut" and "frames". Here is one that uses a frame. I recieved the coolest package of KI Memories called Funky Frames and Labels from Rhea at R&R Scrapbooking! I love all the different colors and shapes that are included on the sheet. I used a pink one on THIS card. Here, I've picked this awesome light blue oval shape....don't you just love it!! I do. If you've been following my blog at all, you will know that I am trying to use, use, use the stuff I already have! See that flower background, it has been in my "to use" box for a long while now. Do you all have one of those?? You know, a box where you put the bits and pieces of stuff, like the other half of a One Sheet Wonder, a picture you've colored with prisma pencilcrayons and didn't use, etc. My box is quite full, so I am trying to use some of it! This particular background was originally made for THIS , my very first ATC that you can see on my SCS gallery. It is done by stamping the flowers with Versamark and embossing with white then smudging on some chalks (from Stampin' Up) to give it some color. I also had some images of this bee that I got from my SU demo a very long time ago. I colored him in using my SU chalks in yellow, brown and blue. Then I added some Waterfall Stickles to make his wing all glittery!! The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Green Thumb set stamped on white with Chocolate Chip ink. I like the overall look of the card. I really do love the Carte Postale set (SU) and find I use it over and over again! Thanks for visiting!!