My creativity is finally flowing...

A couple of weeks ago, I was conversing with Michelle of Stamp and Smile and I was telling her how my craft room is a mess which I really think was stalling my creative process. I just can't think in cluttered spaces. Well over the holiday break, I got my room organized. I can actually feel the creativity flowing in the space. It's truly a beautiful thing. My craft space is by no means the way I want it (thus not picture worthy), but at least it clean and everything has a place and everything is in its place.

As soon as I was done with my space I was ready to create. I had created a birthday card inspired by the SCS Ways to Use It Challenge (WT198 - Creative Letters), but something just didn't feel right about it. I had created my own layout and patterned paper, but something was off...I think it was the color.

Then my hubby comes along and said that he liked it, but the colors were throwing him off...it didn't say, "happy". I had to agree with him. I don't know what's got into my hubby, but he has become my crafty critic (without me asking), He always has something constructive to say. I love that man!

Anyway, after looking around SCS for some inspiration, I decided to use the layout from the most recent Sketch Challenge (SC208) as I thought it fit the inner layer I had already created.

Overall, I am happy with the results. My favorite part is the bee. You can't really tell in the photo, but I used foam tape so the bee would pop off the card. The bee looks like it is hovering right over the card. Let me know what you think.

'til I craft again or have something to say...


~Stuff Used~
Card Size: 4. 3/4"x 4 5/8"; Technique: Goo Gone (used the same way as Gamsol Magic); Stamps: Bees (Stamps Happen, Inc.); Ink: Black (Memories); Paper: DP & Yellow CS (DCWV), White CS (Georgia-Pacific), Textured Black CS (Hobby Lobby), Textured Cream paper; Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig (EK Success), Brown Chalk (Craft-T), Foam Tape, Color Pencils (Koh-i-noor), Goo Gone, Blending Stumps, Button (Hobby Lobby), Black Floss (DMC), American Craft Vinyl Thickers - Sprinkles, 3/4" Circle Punch (EK Success) (only used on the inside of the card)

Happy Holidays

I felt like getting "Krafty" today and I do mean "Krafty". Today's or rather this evening's creation was born from my desire to use Kraft paper. It's something about Kraft paper that I just love. I think it has something to do with its raw, organic appeal. I tried a new technique referred to as 3D stamping. You can see it in the stamped, "Happy Holidays". Basically, it's a multi-step stamp technique that makes a stamped image look 3 dimensionally embossed.

~Recipe~

Card Size: 5"x5"; Technique: 3D Stamping, Dry Embossing, Watercoloring; Stamps: Warm & Cold (Penny Black), Happy Holidays (Visuation Design); Ink: Black (Memories); Paper: Polka Dot DP (DCWV), White CS (Georgia-Pacific), Kraft (Hobby Lobby); Accessories: Snowflakes Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Big Kick (Sizzix), Diamond Stickles (Ranger), Stamp-a-ma-jig (EK Success), Ribbon (Offray), White Chalk (Craft-T), Small Corner Rounder (EK Success), Foam Tape, Cotton Balls, Watercolor pencils, Paint brush

'til I craft again or have something to say... Happy Holidays!

It's a good thing I didn't say what...

It's a good thing that I didn't say what I would be blogging about this week, because I would be in a heap of trouble right now. Last week, I promised to be more consistent with my blog entries and I commited to at least one blog entry a week. Well, the week stops here and here's is my one entry. I don't have a craft project to share, but I do have a recipe to share and the labeling is sorta crafty (that should count for something). Anyway...it's late. Without further ado (about nothing), here is my Pièce de résistance (sounds fancy huh?)...

little bites of Heaven
I made these for a Christmas party. Apparently simple (recipe) is sometimes better. These were a hit - I brought an empty plate home.

These were so easy to make. My hubby got the recipe from a co-worker eons ago and they have been a Christmas favorite every since.







Recipe:
½ cup sugar
½ cup corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
2 cup Rice Krispies

Directions:
1. Mix sugar and corn syrup together in a non-stick pot, bring to a boil, and then cut from heat 2. Stir in peanut butter and Rice Krispies
3. Spoon to wax paper

Optional: You can embellish the treat however you like. I melted some Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzled over the top of half the batch.

Voila! Easy Peezy!

Signage (the sorta crafty part):
I printed the recipe title in red TwizotHmk font (Microsoft) on some Georgia-Pacific White CS. I cut it out to make a flag and wrapped it around a toothpick and secured with tape. The tent was printed in the same way. The corners were rounded. I affixed a mini artificial leaf with a glue dot to the tent. The text may be a little hard to read, but it says..."little bites of heaven...from Alberta's Kitchen"

I would like to extend a special thanks to my best bud...for threatening me (in a loving way) and to my crafty bud for that gentle nudge that inspired me to get this post done (as promised). Thanks girls! If it weren't for you, I might have denied you the pleasure of this lovely recipe. LOL! Alright...I'm outta here. Nighty Nite!

'til I craft again or have something to say (I know, I know...it better be within a week)...

Thank You and I'm not just talking about the card

Alrighty. Where do I begin? OK. Last month, my one and only blog entry is titled, "It's the first of many November Birthdays..." You may have noticed that no birthdays followed. Well, let me rephrase that. The birthdays came, but the cards didn’t follow.

By now, you all know what an awful procrastinator I am. I won’t bore you with the gory details of the past month. Why? Because there are no gory details to share. I have absolutely no good reason for the lack of postings over the last month. Those of you that have stuck with me despite me being me…I’ve gotta say THANK YOU!

I would especially like to thank Michelle. She doesn't realize it yet (she will, after she see's this ), but she has been a great inspiration for me. She always has some particularly groovy creation that's a treat for the eyes. Please check out her blog. I am especially grateful to her because she added me to her blog list which provides the last time that particular blog was updated and mine hadn't been updated in 4 weeks! Ouch! That was a kick in the pants that I needed.

I create this card as part of the Verve's Holiday Release Sketch Challenge (3 weeks ago) that I never completed. The challenge called for 5 cards in 5 days and I being who I am....you guessed it...I only did ONE!

Sorry for all the rambling, I just had to bare my soul. I think the only thing that’s going to keep me on the path of consistent blogging is to make a pledge...right here and right now. I, Alberta, hereby promise to myself and to my fellow readership that I will commit to at least one blog entry a week. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but for the procrastinator-extraordinaire this is a big deal. I need some accountability. So, if you see me slipping, call me on it…I need the support.

As always, 'til I craft again or have something to say (within a week ;)...


~Recipe~
Stamps: Foilage (K&Company), Thank You (garage sale goody), Dotted Border (Hampton Arts); Ink: Pearlescent Poppy & Rust (Tsukinek); Paper: Earth Burnt Orange & Polka Dot DP (DCWV), Textured Cream CS (Hobby Lobby), Cream CS (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories: Copper Rat Tail Cord (Hobby Lobby), Clear Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (Ranger), Heat Gun, Pop Dots, Sponge; Techinique: Cracked Glass

It’s the first of many November Birthdays…

It’s my mother-in-law’s (MIL) birthday this week end. Here I go again...fashioning (where this word came from...I dunno) another card at the last minute. I will have to say that I’m improving on my response time. I'm trying to leave my procrastinator-ish ways behind me. My creative juices are rolling much faster when it comes to producing a project.

Of course, it seems I do nothing without being inspired by something. I was perusing through this year's "Paper Crafts "Holiday Cards & More Issue", volume 3 and on page 72 came across a Happy Kwanzaa card by Teri Anderson. The card has such an organic quality to it - rough and rugged, but nice and simple at the same time. Something about it, just pulled at my creative heart strings. Without further ado, here's what my heart poured our for my MIL...



As always, 'til I craft again or have something to say...


~Recipe~
Ink: Black (StazOn) [for siggy on back]; Paper: Kraft CS, Textured Black CS & shade Blue CS (Hobby Lobby), White CS (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories: You All Everybody Font (kevinandamanda.com), Oyster White Semi-Opaque Acrylic Paint (Delta Ceramcoat), Vinyl Thickers (American Craft), Hemp Cord (Darice), Stapler w/staples, Nail File (used to distress paint & edges)

Happy Birthday!
I had another birthday card to do...this time was for my friend-girl. Creatively, I hit a mental road block. I didn't know what I was going to do. I had more freedom than I did with the previous two cards I did, because my audience was female.

I still couldn't get the creative juices flowing. I even had my hubby giving me ideas and he had some pretty good ones that I'll use at a later date. His ideas were more involved & time intensive and I had little time to produce (like it was the night before and 3-4 hours before my bed time). Of course, my time limit was my own fault because I am a terrible procrastinator. I'm working on it... :) Anyway, without further ado - here's my creation for my friend-girl...

The mental anguish (I exaggerate just a tad bit for some drama) was worth the effort, because she was quite happy with the card. BTW - this card was given to her on time. It was only given to her the day after her b-day because I didn't see her yesterday. Just in case you were wondering.

'til I craft again or have something to say...












~Recipe~
Stamps: Flourishes (the Paper Studio/Stampabilities); Ink: Coffee Bean (Tsukinek); Paper: Earth Burnt Orange & Earth Dirty Brown, Blue (DCWV), Cream CS (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories: Organdy Cream Ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Clear/Transparent Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Heat Gun, Pop Dots, HavixHmk Font (Microsoft)

Happy Birthday Bro'

Here we go again...Another card for another man in just a matter of days. It's my hubby's brother's birthday. I have never created so many (I know...like 2 is a lot) cards for men in such a short period of time. Weird, hunh? Well, I just bit off my creative thinking for the Boss' Card I created a couple of days ago. I like how the colors work well together. Of course, this is not a card for a man unless my hubby give his "Dude Approval" stamp...which he did. Please excuse the photo as it's slightly askew.



‘til I craft again or having something to say…



~Recipe~
Stamps: Flourishes (the Paper Studio/Stampabilities); Ink: Pearlescent Rust (Tsukinek); Paper: Black & Sage (Hobby Lobby), Earth Burnt Orange (DCWV), White CS (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories: Metallic Mini Black Brads (Making Memories), Paper Piercer, Chipboard Thickers (Gift Box– American Crafts), Pop Dots, Cling Font (kevinandamanda.com)

Boss' Day

Yesterday evening, my friend-girl that I work with called me to say that today was Boss’ Day and could I “the procrastinator” create a card. I like my boss and I knew no one at work had remembered – so I said sure. In response, she actually questioned if I would produce a card overnight because of my previous track record as a procrastinator (see this post). Gotta love that jokester. Well...the joke is on her because I came up with this…


I really love the color combination. My husband helped me select the colors and it just happened to match the ribbon which I've been wanting to use since I bought it. The ribbon played into the All That Scraps Design Team Challenge #22. Anytime I have to do a card for a guy – I always get my husband’s “dude approval” (that’s what he calls it). I was also inspired by this card's layout to help achieve a masculine look. I impressed myself, my friend plus the really important one…my boss. He really liked it. That made it worth staying up late to complete it.

‘til I craft again or having something to say…

Recipe:Stamps: Flourishes (the Paper Studio/Stampabilities); Ink: Pearlescent Ivy (Tsukinek); Paper: Black, Sage, Navy and Gray CS (Hobby Lobby); Accessories: Ribbon (Michael's), Paper Piercer, Thickers (Root beer Float – American Crafts), Glue Dots, You All Everybody Font (kevinandamanda.com)

CASE & Stitch

Lately, I have been enthusiastic to craft more than usual. My enthusiasm is due to some Our Creative Corner (OCC) challenges from over the last week that I have been eager to participate in. I've combined two of the challenges. The “Case the OCC” challenge called for you to “case” something from one of the OCC girls. There are various definitions for “CASE”, but the most common is Copy and Share with Everyone or Copy and Share Everything. I took the liberty of and pleasure in case-ing Laurie Schmidlin. I also incorporated the OCC stitching challenge, which called for the use of colored stitching (faux or real).

Please take a gander at my creation…

I can only hope I did Laurie’s original proud. This was my first time at using stitching in a card and it was fun, especially since it’s faux but it looks real…from real, real, real far away. LOL!

Stamps: Cake (katie & co); Ink: Black (StazOn); Paper: Pink, Green, and Brown card stock (Hobby Lobby), Patterned Paper (DCWV); Accessories: Pink Satin Ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Paper Piercer, Green Marker (Zig Millennium), Color Pencils (Koh-i-noor), (Goo Gone), Foam Dots

Crafting for Awareness

Carolyn King is hosting a blog candy bonanza to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and to show kindness and appreciation to Alzheimer’s caretakers. All of the blog candy donated was from those in the crafting industry far and wide. It makes me proud that I patron many of the businesses and follow the blogs of many individuals that donated – please check out this blog. For more information about Alzheimer’s, please go to the Alzheimer’s Association website.

So here’s my contribution to the cause which I will be sending to a local Alzheimer’s caretaker in my area (Nashville).

I love Kraft paper and look for any reason to use it and I was given one with the Verve Project Parade for September - "Gettin' Krafty".

Til I craft again…

Supplies

Stamps: Swirls & Curls (Stampabilites); Paper: Kraft (Hobby Lobby), White CS (Georgia-Pacific); Ink: Embossing Stamp Pad (Top Boss); Accessories: JanieHmk Font (Microsoft), Black Embossing Powder & Heating Tool, Black Grosgrain Ribbon (Dollar Tree), Crystal Rhinestones (JoAnn’s), Circle Template (Fiskars), Retro Flower Punch (EK Success), 1" Circle Punch (Fiskars), Foam Dots

My Favorite Things

On Saturday, not long after my Saturday post where I mentioned some of my trials and tribulations, I was getting ready to meet up with a friend-girl of mine and the car didn't start. I mean can anything else happen. Of course it can and it will, but I gotta keep it movin’. But I’ve got to tell for just a minute I was going to lose it. My hubby and I remedied the situation. To make a long story short…it was the battery which we replaced and all is good now.

That night, I was TV surfing and I came across the Sound of Music. As much as I hate to admit…I absolutely love that movie. It was on the part where they were singing My Favorite Things. Then it dawned on me how fitting the lyrics were…”When the dog bites, when the bee sting, when I’m feeling bad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.” Well…another long story short…I started crafting that night and I started feeling much better. Proof positive that paper crafting is one of my favorite things. Totally corny (I know), but so true. LOL!

This is the card that lifted my spirits and that I now share for your viewing pleasure.


My inspiration for this card, other than the Sound of Music, includes the following:
Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #31 (use sketch)
Meet the VERVE Diva Challenge (use a new stamp)
SCS Ways To Use It Challenge (use color pencils)
Our Creative Corner Challenge (make birthday card)

Til I craft again or have something witty to say…

Supplies
Stamps: Bees (Stamps Happen, Inc.)
Paper: Textured Blue, Yellow CS, Clouds Paper (DCWV), Textured Black (Hobby Lobby), White CS (Georgia-Pacific)
Ink: Black (Memories) Accessories: Color Pencils (Koh-i-noor), (Goo Gone), Cranberry Ribbon (JoAnn’s), Oval Template (Fiskars), Decorating Chalks (Craf-T Products), Tiny Flowers (Sizzix Texturz Plate), Foam Dots

Just when I thought I got a handle on life, the handle broke.

Les Brown said this while I was listening to Les Brown's Radio Show. He's a powerful motivational speaker. This quote spoke to me because life was going pretty smooth and then BAM! My house is falling apart...the dishwasher overflowed, the AC unit is not cooling the house efficiently (my utility bill is outrageous), two kitchen outlets in the kitchen have no power...I could go on, but I'll stop. I'm sure you get the picture. Granted - none of these things are the end of my world but DANG!!!!. Despite it all, I'm keeping my head up because I believe it when Les Brown said (paraphrasing)...Bad times are not permanent. These things have not come to stay, these have come to pass. Life is like a roller coaster - sometimes I'm up and sometimes I'm down, but I don't have to be up to look up. Those are some powerful words.

A setback is a setup for a comeback ~William Jolley

Isn't that deep?

I hope you enjoy this long wondrous weekend, because I sure plan to. My plans are to be more productive this weekend and finish up some cards for your viewing pleasure.

Til I craft again or have something witty to say...

Happy Birthday E'beth...Again!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm behind on making E'beth's birthday cards. Well, I've made her 2ND birthday card. Granted it's late...but at least this one is in the same year as her birthday.













This card was inspired by ingenuity of two groovy paper crafting talents. The idea for the glazed cupcake comes from Laurie. I got the sketch for the layout from Jen's Sketch For You To Try. I'm not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought taking a pic of a card couldn't be that difficult. Well, I have made a liar of myself...because I can't take a pic worth a damn. If anybody has tips out there, I'm listening.
If this is your first time visiting, please don't make it your last. I'm so happy you're here.

Til I craft again...

Supplies:
Stamps: Cupcakes (Inkadinkado), Happy Birthday (Hampton Arts)
Card stock: Kraft, White, Dark Brown, Muted Yellow, Red Sparkle
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn), Watermelon (Stampabilities)
Accessories: Color Pencils (Koh-i-noor), (Goo Gone), Watercolor pencils, Water brush, Red ribbon, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Corner Rounder, Oval Template (Fiskars), Red Rhinestone (Paper Studio)

2007 Birthday in 2008

Ever since I started making handmade cards, I refuse to purchase a greeting card. Well, it's a lovely sentiment, if I could actually produce cards on time for whatever occasion. For example, my friend E'beth's birthday has come and gone (it was last Friday) and does she have a birthday card from me? NO! I'm horrible I know. I told E'beth last year that I didn't forget her birthday and I would send it. The card you're about to see is for 2007. I'm sure she thought she would get the 2007 card before her 2008 birthday. What can I say? I don't have a good excuse. Fortunately for me...she's a good friend and she's knows I'm worthless. LOL! I'm going to do better. Give me some credit...at least I keep my word (I didn't forget). In a couple of days, I'm going to make and send her one for 2008. Anyway...on to the card...

I got the layout from the Sketch For You To Try challenge and the colors came from The Cat's Pajamas challenge.

*The accrylic accent says "Happy Birthday" Please forgive the picture quality...I'm a work in progress.

Supplies:
Stamp: Fresh Bloom (Stampendous)
Paper: White CS (Georgia-Pacific), Shades of Blues Cardstock (Hobby Lobby)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Accessories: Flowers #2 (Sizzix Texturz), Copper Rat Tail Cord (Hobby Lobby), Acrylic Accent (Jo-Ann's), Decorating Chalks (Craf-T Products), Color Pencils (Koh-i-noor), (Goo Gone), Foam Dots, Ribbon (Offray)

World...Alberta; Alberta...World

Be open-minded, but not so open-minded that your brains fall out. ~Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

This is my first entry into the great wide abyss. It's so very exciting to share my passion for paper crafting with you. I know I'm a little fish in a big pond, but I'm tired of staying on the sidelines...I want to play too. So, here I am!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss

I'm going to apologize now for any goof on my part if I don't follow the paper crafting guidebook for blogging. That means I'm not always going to say the right thing - my photos may not be the clearest. I'm not much of a follower - so you'll excuse me if I throw the rule book out of the door. I'm using this platform to share my honest passion for this thing called paper and all the bells and whistles that go with it. If I inspire someone along the way, that would be like a cherry on this thing I like to call a hot fudge sundae. Yummy!

Anyway, moving on to better stuff...

I made a birthday card for the instructor of a workshop that I'm in. She's a real nice lady and I wanted to make something nice for her. So here it is...

Interesting note: I made the 3 dots after the "happy" from a friend's doodling while we were in a meeting. Just punched the paper and added glaze. Easy embellishment. When I showed my friend what happened to her doodles, she was so excited.

Supplies

Paper: Kraft, Red, Pattern (DCWV)

Accessories: Ribbon, Glossy Accents (Inkssentials), Thickers (American Crafts), Marshmallow Wacky Alpha Stickers (Colorbok), Punches, Paper piercer