Graduation Gift Ideas!

Hey there!! I've been uber busy with ending the school year & creating gifts for graduation, along with supporting a dear friend this past weekend as she got married! I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like, because any free time I have has been going to designing cards.

I interviewed this week at a local scrapbook store so that I could earn some moolah to fund my addiction, and I am nervously awaiting result for the Paper Crafts Idol Challenge designers to be announced tomorrow morning. I submitted about 11 designs, but there were so many BEAUTIFUL cards, that it's going to be a tough decisions.

This past week I have been working on matching graduation cards and frames for two young adults that I nannied for many years. The male design goes to my Victor who is graduating from Cate School in Carpanteria, California and the female design is going to my Sparky who is graduating Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Santa Margarita, California. Victor is heading to NYU next year, and Sparky is studying Pre-med at Rice. I am SO proud of them.

All frames and cards we made from simple embellishments (fibers, buttongs, pop-up dots and rhinestones). Victor's frame and card was designed from the "Boyfriend Collection" by Cosmo Cricket, while Sparky's frame and card were designed from Basic Grey's "June Bug" collection. Next week I will add a frame and card collection for Cosmo Cricket's "Delovely" line for an 8th grade graduation! Hope you enjoy the ideas!

I'd love to make one for you for any event such as a wedding, brithday, retirement, graduation!

What I've been creating the last week....Part 2

Hey there!!! Here's a second helping of the fun cards that I've been designing. I am sooo in love with Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry collection! I paired it with Kraft and a doily placemat that I trimmed up, and loved the result. In one card I used it with a Cosmo Cricket birdy! The other designs are more abstract and contemporary and use stamps from Papertrey Ink.

SUPPLIES

“ 'thank you’ stamped blue/brown card”

Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (White) Michaels

Stamps: (Dots. Squares, square border and sentiment from Shapes by Design set) Papertrey Ink

Ink: (Neptune) Clearsnap. (Rich Cocoa) Tsukineko

Color Medium: (Brown marker) Tria

"thanks so much!" Dots Card

Cardstock: (Whisper White) Stampin Up

Clear Stamps: (Circle border, circles from Shapes by Design, Sentiment and frame from Mod Squad set) Papertrey Ink

Ink: (Neptune) Clearsnap. (Cantaloupe, Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko. (Blush) Superior Stewart

Accents: (Pink Rhinestones) Recollections

"thanks so much!" Buttons Card

Cardstock: (Whisper White) Stampin Up

Clear Stamps: (Circle border, circles from Shapes by Design, Sentiment and frame from Mod Squad set) Papertrey Ink

Ink: (Neptune) Clearsnap. (Cantaloupe, Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko. (Blush) Superior Stewart

Accents: (Pink Rhinestones) Recollections. (Assorted pink, yellow and turquoise buttons)

“Nook & Pantry Doily ‘Thanks’”

Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (“Cookbook” from Nook & Pantry collection) Basic Grey

Accents: (Buttons) Jenni Bowlin. (‘Thanks’ rub-on) Making Memories. (Pearls) Recollections.

Fibers: (Brown lace) (Jute twine) Papertrey Ink.

Other: (Doily). (Decorative edge trimmer) Fiskars

“Chipboard Bird ‘thanks so much’”

Cardstock: (Yellow) Chatterbox. (Whisper White) Stampin Up. (Pink)

Patterned Paper: (“Cookbook” from Nook & Pantry collection) Basic Grey.

Accents: (Chipboard bird sticker from “Nutmeg” Collection) Cosmo Cricket.

(Green flower button)

Stamp: (Sentiment from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink

Chalk Ink: (Tea Leaves) Tsukineko.

Fibers: (Green dotted twill) (Jute twine) Papertrey Ink

Other: (Doily). (Decorative edge trimmer) Fiskars

What I've been creating the last week....Part 1

Hello Hello!! It's been over a week since last posting my designs. I have been sooo busy finishing up my California induction program in teaching known as BTSA. It is incredibly time-consuming, exhausting and redundant. However, to teach in California one must jump through hoops. However, to balance the stress of BTSA, I have also been working on publication calls and design challenges. The cards posted here are submissions that I made for Paper Crafts Gallery challenge! I sure hope that my designs can help me move on to the next level. I am a loyal fan of American Idol, and Paper Crafts magazine since 2004.

Most of the cards here feature product from Cosmo Cricket, with a stamped card thrown in! I love Cosmo Cricket, and the warm fall colors mixed with kraft. I have also been incorporating stitching with floss into my cards, and making floral embellishments. I hope you enjoy, and I will make another post after this with some more cards that I submitted.

“Butterfly THANKS”

Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Brown, white) Michaels

Patterned Paper: (Floral from “Autumn Splendor”) Making Memories

Clear Stamp: (Flourish, butterflies) 7gypsies

Ink: (Desert Sand, Rich Coca) Tsukineko

Accents: (Pearls) Recollections.

Fibers: (Crocheted trim)

“Stitched Flowers ‘thanks so much”

Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Green) Die Cuts with a View

Patterned Paper: (Clove, Autumn & paper from the Nutmeg Mini Deck) Cosmo Cricket

Accents: (Chipboard buttons from Nutmeg colleciton) Cosmo Cricket

Fibers: (Green floss) DMC. (Jute twine) Papertrey Ink.

Clear Stamp: (Sentiment from Mod Squad) Papertrey Ink

Ink: (Desert Sand, Rich Coca) Tsukineko

Other: (Corner rounder punch, circle punches) Fiskars

“‘thanks!’ card with critter”

Cardstock: (Pink) Die Cuts with a View. (Yellow) Chatterbox. (Kraft) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (from the Nutmeg Mini Deck) Cosmo Cricket

Accents: (Cardstock sticker critter, button, cloud, acorn and tree) Cosmo Cricket

Fibers: (Green stitched twill) Lush. (Jute twine) Papertrey Ink

Other: (black gel pen) Uniball. (Circle punches) Fiskars

“Circle ‘thanks’”

Cardstock: (Pink) Die Cuts with a View. (Yellow) Chatterbox. (Kraft) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Clove, Autumn & paper from the Nutmeg Mini Deck) Cosmo Cricket

Accents: (Chipboard button & leaf from Nutmeg colleciton) Cosmo Cricket. (Brown Cardstock edges) Bazzill Paper

Fibers: (Jute twine) Papertrey Ink.

Other: (Doily). (Decorative Edge scissors, circle punches, scallop circle punch) Fiskars

Designs to be posted soon!

Good morning all!! Do not fret, I have not forgotten about my blog. I have been very busy designing for Halloween and Thanksgiving publications calls. My fun little designs will be going up shortly, so stay tuned!

Fancy little Magnets are a delighful little gift!!

Hello Hello Hello!!
So, deciding on gifts to make can be a little difficult, especially since you never want to repeat a creation. However, when you finally decide on a little handmade creation that you love to make, it's so fantabulous.
So, for Mother's Day, in addition to handmade cards, I designed magnets using the Guidelines Stamps set from Papertry Ink. They look difficult to make, but are very easy and quick to create. The set comes with a guideline grid stamp, and 1"x 1" motif designs that you can arrange in any way you want on the grid! I am addicted, and being the perfectionist that I am, these are the perfect stamps for me!!

Supplies:

Pink & Brown Magnet:
Clear Stamp: (Grid, Motifs from Guidelines set, sentiments from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink.
Ink: (Rich Cocoa, Angel Pink) Tsukineko.
Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Pink) Bazzill Basics. (Brown) Michaels stores.
Fibers: (Pink satin ribbon). (Jute) May Arts
Accents: (Pink buttons) Jo Ann's Fabrics, (white pearls) Recollections


Lavender & Brown Magnet
Clear Stamp: (Grid, Motifs from Guidelines set) Papertrey Ink.
Ink: (Rich Cocoa, Lulu Lavender) Tsukineko.
Cardstock: (White, Brown) Michaels stores.
Fibers: (Lavender sheer ribbon) Offray.
Accents: (White pearls) Recollections.
Tools: (Corner Rounder punch) Fiskars

Turquoise & Brown Magnet
Clear Stamp: (Grid, Motifs from Guidelines set, sentiments from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink.
Ink: (Rich Cocoa) Tsukineko. (Neptune) Clearsnap
Cardstock: (White, Brown) Michaels stores.
Fibers: (Turquoise satin ribbon) Michaels stores
Accents: (White pearls) Recollections
Tools: (Corner Rounder punch) Fiskars

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #111

Hello Everyone!!
My Papertrey ink stamps came on Monday, and I have spent the week creating with them!!! For Mother's Day, and the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #111. I absolutely love the designs of Papertrey Ink stamps and I find it easy to stamp with clear acrylics because you can ensure perfect placement!
This card was made with the Mod Squad set, and dye ink from Memento and Memories. I find that Memento works incredibly well with Papertrey Ink stamps, while water-based inks such as Stampin-Up absorb very quickly!
I had a blast designing these, and was almost late to work finishing it up! There are so many combination's possible with this set.

Here's a list of supplies:

Clear Stamps: (flowers, background, Mod designs, & sentiment from Mod Squad set) Papertrey Ink.
Ink: (Desert Brown, Angel Pink, Tea Leaves, Pixie Dust)) Tsukineko. (Blush) Stewart Superior.
Watermark Ink: (Versa Mark) Tsukineko.
Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Pink) Bazzill Basics Paper
Patterned Paper: (Guidelines) Papertrey Ink
Accents: (Pink, Tan, Green buttons) Jo Ann's Fabrics
Fibers: (Pink Satin Ribbon), (White twine)
Tools: (Corner Rounder, Scallop -edged scissors) Fiskars

Winning Design for Go-To Gals Design Challenge!

I am sooo thrilled and excited! I had the worst day ever!! I missed a VERY important phone call, and then found out that the shoes I needed for a wedding I am in for a dear friend have become completely unavailable.

In a sad and dejected mess of crying, tears and utter frustration, my precious husband goes to find perfect replacement heels, and while doing so locates the EXACT heel at a store in a nearby city to ours, and places them on hold.

Later tonight I check my blog (as I haven't posted my most recent creations in a few days--don't worry, I have designs to show!) and I find out that I have won the first "Go-To Gals" design challenge with my favorite designer from my favorite magazine, "Paper Crafts." I cannot begin to tell you how totally excited I was!! I ran downstairs breathless with joy that I had won!!! I have been submitting my work for publication to this magazine, and won with my favorite designer!!!

Here is a link to the winning announcement! The beautiful Mother's Day card was part of the Go-To Gals Design Challenge!!!

http://scrapbookgirl.typepad.com/paper_scissors_and_superh/2010/05/sketch-challenge-winner.html

Get Sketchy GS #36

Hello again! Two posts in one evening is very unusual, but I do have a second Mother's Day card that I will be sharing here. This one will be submitted for Get Sketchy's card challenge. This card is titled "Mother's Day," and I used layering, buttons and faux-stiching to create it.

Speaking of stitching, last week I purchased my very first miniature sewing machine so that I can add real stitching to my cards. I have desperately wanted to add stitching to my cards for the longest time, but I don't sew, nor do I have a machine. However, I decided to bite the bullet and take the plunge. So, one night last week while my husband was away on business I researched miniature sewing machines and the Jenome model had terrific reviews. But, even better--I found an online tutorial that shows me how to thread it, and sew cardstock with my exact machine!! I am sooooo excited.

Additional excitement occurred today when my long awaited Papertrey Ink stamps came. I have been drooling over these stamps from the minute I saw them in Paper Crafts and Stamp it! Cards magazine. Today I received Mod Squad, Guide Lines, Shapes by Design and Mixed Messages!! I already began using Mod Squad the minute I came home from work!! The stamps soak the Ink up perfectly, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE clear stamps!! I am sooooo stoked to play with these sets,a and showcase all the possibilities here!

And, now for the supplies for this card:

Supplies:

"Mothers Day"

Cardstock: (Whisper White) Stampin Up! (Green, yellow) Die Cuts with a View

Patterned Paper: (Remember, Borders from Earth Love collection) Cosmo Cricket

Stamp: (Mother's Day) Creative Cafe

Chalk Ink: (Pixie Pink) Versa Magic

Accents: (Pink, green, & tan buttons)

Fibers: Green stiched ribbon) Lush

Other: (Rotary trimmer) Cutterbee. Black pen.

Paper, Scissors and Superheroes Go-to Girls Challenge #1

Happy Monday evening everyone. This weekend was busy for me, and I never was able to get to my crafting, but I did make two beautiful Mother's Day Cards, and I'm curently working on a third. I am giving one to my own wonderful mother, my terrific mother-in-law, and my sister. However I can't specify who is getting each card, as two of the recipients read this blog.

I am posting this card as an example of what you can do with Cosmo Cricket's Earth Love line, but also as submissions for Paper, Scissors and Superheroes Go-t0 Gal Challenge #1. I am sooo in love with this collection of Earth Love, and I love how kraft cardstock sets off the patterned paper! I enjoy embellishing with ribbons, buttons and dimensions of paper. But, I am looking forward to the miniature sewing machine that I ordered coming, so I can finally take on the world of sewing my cards!!

I really enjoyed making this card with the simple background of kraft, and letting the embellishments and paper take center stage! I hope you enjoy! More Mother's Day cards to follow!

And now for the the supplies.

Supplies:

"Happy Mother's Day"

Cardstock: Kraft (Michaels)

Patterned Paper: (Remember, Borders from Earth Love collection) Cosmo Cricket

Stamp: (Mother's Day) Creative Cafe

Pigment Ink: (Brown) Color Box

Embossing Powder: (Clear) Judkins

Accents: (Pink & tan buttons)

Fibers: (Jute twine). (Yellow fibers) EK Success

Other: circle punch (Fiskars) black pen. Chipboard flower, eyelets.