Card Night! with Basic Grey

Here is a card to leave you with for the weekend. I made several of these for a friend who was expecting a girl to use as her very special birth announcements. 

I will probably not be back until Monday because I seriously need to clean up (and out) my scrapbook area.  Another goal for the weekend is to also make a couple of batches of cards to send off to Cards for Heroes. I've already got all of the paper pulled, now all I have to do is get crafty:) 

Have a restful and peaceful weekend!

Windy

30 Minutes or Less...

I really needed to clean off my desk and I have some new goodies that I want to put to good use, so tonight my goal was to hammer out 3+ scrapbook pages. Well... my mom always taught me to reach for the stars...ha ha. Here is the one page that I did finish using Sketch #8 from 52 Sketches 52 Weeks. Thanks to Julie's sketch, I did finish this layout in about 25 minutes... if only I hadn't read all of those blogs on my blogroll:)...

Other time savers: 

1. print all of your pictures on one sheet and don't cut them apart. Usually when I have 2+ photos, I spend most of my time switching them around, trying to figure out the best arrangement... order... etc. So this saved me a good 30 minutes. 

2. Sometimes I add the journaling to empty space in the photo too... this is also a good time saver. BTW- I hear you can download free photo editing software at gimp.org. I haven't tried it, but if anyone has, please tell me how it suits you. 

3. Use a journaling box to quickly jot down the essentials for your page. Rather than messing with the computer tonight (sometimes it can take me an hour just to pick out my font:), I went for the quick and dirty (not a big fan of my own handwriting, but I still use it).

Here is to efficient scrapping!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (Crate Paper/green & cream & Basic Grey/brown), letters (Making Memories), journaling box (Paper Loft), lace (Webster's Pages), ric rac (American Crafts), trim (vintage), pink grosgrain (scrap gift wrap), flowers (Prima), ink (Distress Ink, Ranger).

Wednesday Wisdom- What do you learn from your kid's movies?

Do you like watching movies on rainy days? It is one of my favorite things to do and even more so now that I mostly watch the old classics with my kiddos. So many old movies are just so smart... recently we watched one of my all time favorites-- I didn't realize how jam packed it was with some great quotes. Do you know who said the following?

"Don't judge things by their appearances..."

"That's a piecrust promise. Easily made, easily broken."

"In every job that needs to be done... there is an element of fun... You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game! 

"A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down... in the most delightful way."

The answer is: Mary Poppins... of course we all know that last one, but I never knew she was so wise and witty. In just 10 minutes of song, she taught my girls a few things that I have been working on for the past few years... Don't you wish you had the magic of Mary Poppins? (A snap of your fingers and the whole house would be tidied up;)

Here is a little card I put together that reminds me of the scene in Mary Poppins where the Robin comes in the nursery to visit with her and the children. I think the tree here is just waiting for a visit by a little Robin like that. I used Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #7 as my color inspiration. (The stamped image is hard to see here, if I can get another picture in the daylight, I will swap it out;).

Happy Wednesday!

Windy

Products: shadow ink (Hero Arts), ribbon (scraps), cardstock (ColorMates), stamp (Tattered Angels/tree and Studio G/sentiment)

Tuesday Tips - Color Challenge Anyone?

We get used to a certain kind of color of form or format, and it's acceptable. And to puncture that is sticking your neck out a bit. And then pretty soon, that's very acceptable. -Lee Krasner

Color challenges are so hot right now... I just love participating in them. It is great fun to try your hand at new color combos, you know... ones that might take you out of your comfort zone or that you may not think of yourself. 

Here is my take on Kwernerdesign.com's Color Inspiration #53.

The best part about these challenges is that you can also see what other crafters do with the same challenge... and because there is no sketch, the are all wildly unique. 

Inspired? If not, here are two others that you can try your hand at...

Raspberry Suite's Color Challenge 7

Moxie Fab World's Trendy Color Challenge

Here's to a colorful and productive week!

Windy

Products used: cardstock (Archiver's/white), mylar overlay (Anna Griffin/Darcey Collection), ribbon (unknown), letter stickers (American Crafts/thickers), flowers (Prima), rhinestones (Hero Arts).

Memorial Day Bloghop!

Hello! Welcome to the CardsforHeroes.org Bloghop! If you'd like to start at the beginning, click HERE.  There are some great and talented card makers participating-- I encourage you to visit as many as you can!

Here are a few of my creations... once I got started, I couldn't stop:) I really do appreciate all of the sacrifices that our soldiers are making for my children and our country. I feel like it is a honor to be able to make cards for these men and women. 

If you don't have the time to join the blog hop today, at least click here to learn a bit about Cards for Heroes and their current challenge for card makers! I hope that you too will be inspired to contribute some of your talents! 

Now on to Erin's Blog, "Welcome to My World" the next stop on this awesome bloghop.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Memorial Day!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (My Mind's Eye), stamps (Anna Griffin); sketches: Clean & Simple (top) & got sketch? (bottom)

Pretty in Pink: Card and Page Post

Here is a quick card and page post for the week (since I was busy with the bedroom paint last Monday & I'll have my C4H Bloghop post up through Monday).  This layout is for Valerie's Got Sketch? Sketch 82. The card was made simply because I love pink, flowery, sparkly, glitter papers... so this satisfies any pink girly cravings I may have for a while.

See you all in a few hours-- I'm really looking forward to my first bloghop... but first I need a few ZZZZzzZzZs!

Sweet Dreams!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (My Mind's Eye), stamps (K&Co. & Making Memories), punch (Martha Stewart), stickers (American Crafts), ribbon (May Arts).

2 Sketches 4 Your-Laura's Sketch 26

Here is my card for Laura's sketch this week. I actually used Laura's sample card more for inspiration than the sketch. I loved the flowers, pearls and vellum on her card... I had the same flowers in my stash... so I created a card similar to hers. Love the look of the vellum... never tried that on a card before but I might just have to use it again. It may become one of my new favorite things. Thanks Laura!

This card will be heading off to Cards for Heros. If you like to make cards for others, check this site out!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (My Mind's Eye), pearls (Kay & Co.), flower (Prima), ribbon & vellum (just scraps), stamps (Anna Griffin).

Card Patterns Sketch 15

This card will be heading off to Cards for Heros. If you like to make cards for others, check this site out!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (My Mind's Eye), pearls (Kay & Co.), flower (Prima), ribbon & vellum (just scraps), stamps (Anna Griffin), buttons (Basic Grey).

Raspberry Suite's Color Challenge- Week 6

Here is my take on this week's color challenge! These are so much fun-- thanks Dawn!

To create this card:

1 Cut card from cardstock & use a corner rounder to round bottom 2 edges

2 Mat a smaller rectangle with white paper (rounding corners for 4 edges), layer and adhere

3 Adhere ribbon and pearl strips to card just below center

4 Stamp sentiment--hand cut into small squares and adhere

5 Stamp and emboss foliage

6 Hand cut flower from patterned paper. Use pop dots to adhere. Add pearl in center

Products: cardstock (Bazzill Basics & Archivers); stamps (Studio G & Autumn Leaves); patterned paper (My Mind's Eye); pearls (Hero Arts), embossing powder (Ultra Detail Clear); ribbon (unknown & American Crafts).

Tuesday Tips: Blog Hop for a Good Cause

Hi everyone-- I'll be participating in my first blog hop this weekend and I encourage all of you American card makers to join me at this one (or at least take some time to check out this site:).

Happy Tuesday!

Windy

Blogging Break

I'm taking a break to repaint my bedroom and the girl's play set. I hope you all have a beautiful and restful weekend.

Windy

A Little Wisdom, A Little Sparkling Lime Rickey, A Little CPS

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star on our hand - and melting like a snowflake... -Francis Bacon, Sr.

Here is my attempt for CPS 115. Using up some scraps from a pack of Basic Grey's new Lime Rickey, I added a little glitter and bling to make my card sparkle. After about 15 minutes of crafting I have a birthday card that I can use for a fun loving adult:) Thanks CPS! 

Sweet dreams!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (Basic Grey/Lime Rickey), rhinestones (Hero Arts), glitter (DoodleBug), stamp (Technique Tuesday), heart sticker (Colorbok)

Tuesday Tips: Using Up Your Scraps

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.  -Martin Luther King Jr.

Here are a couple of sketches that I'm going to tackle to use up some scraps-- I've got some beautiful leftovers that I'd like to put to good use;)

CPS Card Sketch 115

Use a few left over strips and embellishments or a piece of chipboard and you've got a quick but attractive card.

Pencil Lines Sketch 134

I think this page layout is awesome because you could use as much or as little paper as you'd like.  You could easily cut the scallop edge using an old strip and the smaller rectangles could be photos matted with scrap paper or just colorful scraps that add to you design. 

Happy scrapping!

Windy

My Little Shoe Box Card and Page Monday

Hi everyone! Here is my card and page(s) for the week. 

I used products from My Little Shoebox's: Who's There and My Neighborhood.  These papers are just adorable (and if you shop at Scrap, Paper, Scissors in Cincy Lori will be getting them in at the store:) I cant wait to go back and get more-- just love the black and cream in the neighborhood line and the colorful animals of "Who's There"are irresistible (I defiantly foresee more cards featuring these cute little critters in the future).

Have a great week!

Windy

CardPatterns Sketch 14

Ok-- in case it isn't obvious, I am totally addicted to card sketches and it is seriously impacting my scrap time. Starting tomorrow, I'm all about scrapbook pages;) But for now, here is my card for CardPatterns Sketch 14.

I love the way this one turned out. Even though this card's original plan was to be all white, I ended up adding a bit of color at the end. As they say... all things work out in the end.

Happy Mother's Day-- I hope you all find peace today in some form. Life is good!

Sincerely, 

Windy

Products:  Patterned paper (Basic Grey & Making Memories), rub-ons (K&Co.), punches (EK Success & Martha Stewart Crafts), glitter (Stickles), recycled materials (card to make white scallop flower punches & ribbon from holiday gift wrap).

Raspberry Suite's Color Challenge- Week 5

Ok, so Brian took the girls to his mom's today and they are not back yet (yeah!!), so I'm going to take advantage of a quiet house and keep going until they get home. Here is my attempt at Raspberry's Suite Color Challenge- Week 5.         

The dark grey was a tough one-- obviously I don't use that color much, even thought it is one of my favorites. Luckily I found some cardstock. This is a quick little card that you can make using scraps and a left over embellishment and flower.

Wish me more scrapping time;  (I'm going to tackle a few pages... I'm sure they'll walk through the door as soon as I get my pictures out:). See you again soon-- enjoy your Saturday!

Windy

Products: patterned paper & chipboard (Basic Grey), cardstock (scraps), stamps (Tinkering Ink), flower (Prima), pearl (Kaiser Scrapbooks), ink (Colorbox.charcoal), punches (Fiskars and Martha Stewart Crafts).

Kwernerdesign.com's color inspiration #51

Here is a quick post for a card created for Kwernerdesign.com's color inspiration #51.

I love the brown/mustard combo and use often it when scrapping my husband's birthday pages. I like how the rose really softens that combo up a bit-- this may be a combo I try in a layout for the girls. I think I really like it!

Windy

Products: stamps (K&Co.-I just purchased these at Michael's yesterday-- kind of fun little stamps), rub-ons (Crate Paper), ribbon (May Arts), ink (ColorBox), cardstock (Archiver's), pen (Martha Stewart Crafts).

I knew our life had changed...

... when we flipped a coin to see who would give baby Campbell a bath after a spaghetti dinner. The funny part was that it wasn't any old coin flip, the coin bounced off the table, hit the floor and rolled under the stove. I knew my life was no longer what it used to be when I realized that both Brian and I were laying on our bellies on the kitchen floor to see if the coin was in fact a head or a tail. We looked at each other and chuckled, both thinking "I guess this is what kids do to you?" I can only imagine what that scene must have looked like-- two grown ups laying on the floor in a tiny little kitchen to see who got bath time duty.

Here is a layout that you can do tonight to remember your kids "Right Now." Jot down few of their favorite things, sayings-- what they call each other right at this moment, on this Mother's Day. Take the time to capture these memories with a current photo. It doesn't have to be complicated or super fancy-- just capture it so you don't loose it.

PS-- If you are a mom out there (like me) that is hesitant to jump in the picture, please check out this flicker group.

Happy Mother's Day!

Windy

Card Sketch Night: A Touch of Pink

While trying to use up some scraps from my previous post (which was made with a kit from Scarlet Lime that I won in a random drawing at Got Sketch? --thanks Valerie!), I fell in love with the paper combination used tonight. I made one card with it and decided to keep going. And before I knew it... three cards were finished (thanks to some great sketches!)

The Sweetest Thing is a blog that I just found with fun card sketches. Here is my take on this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #16. What I like about this sketch is Karen's challenge to keep the sentiment inside our frame. I kept wanting to put it elsewhere-- so that reminder helped keep me on task.

I loved making this card for Laura's sketch 25 this week at 2 Sketches 4 You. It is a unique sketch that makes a beautiful card. Stop by their blog to check out all of the great cards from their players this week. 

And lastly, here is my take on Card Patterns Sketch #13 for the week. I swapped out the star for a soft dainty bow (last week was more stars than I could handle with Kazan's sketch for 2 Sketches 4 You:) The touch of pink is much more subtle here than on the others. Can you find it?

Patterned papers are from Basic Grey (euphoria) and Making Memories (Noteworthy/Addie). The green dot print is actually the packaging from Meming Memories clear stamps. Stamp are from Basic Grey and Tinkering Ink.

Thanks for visiting!

Windy

Wednesday Wisdom - "funny... but NOT funny"

Journaling: Is there really anything that I can say about this? Well... ok... yes, my daughter is obsessed with lotion. And yes, she can open anything. She is also happiest when she is breaking the rules.

I believe the quote "funny... but not funny" from a Steve Martin movie, I can't quite recall what one, but I know it involved parenting. A colleague of mine shared that quote with me after hearing some 2 1/2 year old Campbell stories-- she would love to do something mischievous and then say (in her cutest little voice while wearing a devilish little smile) "funny. funny! funny?" What she did usually was pretty funny, but... "NOT funny!" my husband and I would answer back while trying to keep a straight face. So leading up to this Mother's Day weekend, I thought I'd share some humorous quotes about parenting, because as serious as it is... it really is often quite funny.  

Parenthood: The state of being better chaperoned than you were before marriage. — Marcelene Cox

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much he had learned in 7 years. — Mark Twain

Mother Nature is wonderful. She gives us twelve years to develop a love for our children before turning them into teenagers. — Eugene Bertin

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories. — John Wilmot

The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. —Lane Olinghouse 

When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out. — Erma Bombeck 

Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your kids. —Sam Levenson 

Keep Smiling!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (American Crafts, Basic Grey, daisy d's), rub-ons (Cosmo Cricket), dimensional stickers (Adornit), decorative edge (Making Memories), pen (American Crafts), misc (buttons, floss), sketch (Pencil Lines Sketch 133)

Tuesday Tips: guided inspiration

Thats the wonderful thing about crayons... they can take you to more places than a starship. - Guinan, StarTrek: The Next Generation

Here is where I am headed this week for a little guided inspiration:)

2 Sketches for You to try out this week's sketch. You just can't beat Laura and Kazan's personal touch with all of their followers--its impressive. Play along and you'll know what I'm talking about;)

I'll have to head over to Card Pattern's sketch this week to continue to work on my siderophobia.

Lastly, to add to my page count I will head over to Pencil Lines for a very simple, yet elegant sketch. I can't wait to see what everybody does with it over there.

Here's to a productive week!

Windy

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a happy and productive weekend. I got a few pages finished (not nearly as many as I had planned but you know how it goes). Anyway, here are a few things I created using Basic Grey's Wisteria. It has a very soft, feminine natural feel to it-- a great line of products to showcase both spring and Mother's Day, I think.  Plus its purple!!! I love purple... there is so much pink out there and this is a nice change of pace.

(Yes, if you are a follower of this blog you may notice that this is take 2 on these photos/subject. I can sometimes be a bit obsessive about getting a page right. I'm still undecided on which I like best:)

Windy

CPS 114

Just a quick post before bed. This card is for CPS's card sketch #114.

This is my first time for trying a CPS sketch, but I have visited the blog often... there are only so many hours in the day (or perhaps I should say night;).

Good night! Sleep tight!

Windy

Products: patterned paper (Basic Grey, My Minds Eye); stamps (Inkadinkado, Hero Arts), brads (Bazzill); flowers (Prima); pen (American Crafts).

"Star" -phobia? Kazan's Sketch #25

No its actually siderophobia. But yes I have a fear of stars... on my scrapbook pages and paper crafts that is. I don't think that until this day that I have every incorporated a star as design element into anything I've crafted. I'm not sure why...perhaps because to me stars are so masculine (I have two girls and usually reach for the flowers and and hearts)...maybe its the sharp points that I don't like... I don't know why, but I just don't like stars. Well when I saw Kazan's sketch for this week... 

... my first thought was... "Well, I'll just skip it this week." Then I thought..."You really need to get over it and just do the sketch." After procrastinating all week I found that this afternoon I had no excuse not to do the sketch because both of my girls are napping beautifully... the house is clean.... so...

I did it!!!  Thanks Kazan! Who knows? This could be the start of a beautiful relationship:)

Happy National Scrapbook Day everyone! 

Windy

Products: Everything used on this page was truly a scrap. The orange paper is from Piggy Tales, the small star is Foofa La and the stamps is from Bent Creek Creations. Everything else is unknown.