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