Gettin' By

Quick Cards | Squeeze the Day

I'm definitely not known as a card maker, but after recently having an awkward moment standing in the middle of the Target greeting card aisle and loudly proclaiming that STORE BOUGHT CARDS ARE A TOTAL RIP OFF (much to the embarrassment of my horrified daughter) I've decided that making my own cards is pretty darn awesome. Also, I've undoubtedly firmly validated my membership in the Grouchy & Cheap Old Ladies Club.

But seriously, since working with the SCT Delivered Kits (and making cards regularly with them) I've loved creating a small stash of handmade cards that are ready for special occasions. Here's a quick summer card I made using scraps from the Summertime Dreams kit!

 

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I loved this lemonade paper from Pink Paislee, but couldn't quite get it to work on a scrapbook page (and my kids refused to participate in staged photos of them working a lemonade stand just so I could make a layout - go figure). But a small square of it was perfect for a bright, happy card. I used the striped B-side of the same paper for the upper portion of card.

 

 

The tag in the center of the card was part of the kit printables (love these and they can be reprinted over & over for multiple uses!) that I stamped the word SUNSHINE repeatedly across. As a lover of all things typography, I'm always trying to work extra letters into my design. This little phrase is subtle but reinforces the sunny theme of the card and adds another layer of detail.

 

Beause the original tag didn't quite fit the lemonade theme, I covered up the watermelon graphic with a die-cut lemon. I also fussy-cut a butterfly from patterned paper to mount near the lemons. A sprinkle of enamel dots was the final embellishment!

 

 

So that is my quick card for today! And all that money I didn't spend on Hallmark I'm putting towards a nice cold lemonade (with vodka - IT'S FRIDAY!)

Gettin' By Giveaway | CardMaps 5

I was so excited to contribute the latest edition of CardMaps, as creating quick & simple cards has become my go-to creative outlet lately. I love that I don't have to print photos or write journaling when creating cards. And apparently I'm getting lazy in my old age. Now that the issue is hot off the press (and begins shipping on Monday!) I'm even more excited to share it with you all! Here's one of my cards that's included in the issue:

 

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I love this paper weaving technique for using up small strips of paper. It adds such a great texture to cards and is super simple to do. (It's also great for highlighting the peel-off backing from adhesive foam squares. Can you find the one in this design?! Errrr..Oooops!)

 

And now for the best part! - I'm giving away one copy of CardMaps 5! It's loaded with inspiration and creativity and includes 88 cards and 50 exclusive CardMaps sketches. Plus there's how-to photos featuring trendy, must-try techniques, step-by-step instructions for every card, free cutting files, and as always, so much more! From everyday sentiments and birthday celebrations to seasonal holidays and cards of thanks, this special issue has all of your cardmaking endeavours covered!

If you'd like to be entered to win CardMaps, just leave me a comment below telling me one creative goal you have this spring.  I'l pick a winner and announce it here on Monday! 

Elle's Studio | November 2015 Kits

It's that time of month again....the Elle's Studio monthly kit and all its assorted goodies are available! I loved the festive holiday theme in this kit, and my projects definitely reflect that. The snowflake cut file that comes in this month's set is going to be well used too - I LOVE it cut from vellum - and the main kit includes several of these vellum pieces all ready to pop on a page!

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Elle's Studio November 2015 Kit Elle's Studio 2015 Holiday Acrylics Elle's Studio Family Wood Veneer Making A List Paper - Joyful - Elles Studio Warm And Cozy Paper - Joyful - Elles Studio It's Snowing Paper - Joyful - Elles Studio Countdown Paper - Joyful - Elles Studio Ya Ya 1 1/2" Satin Ribbon - 50 yards Ribbons Doodlebug Design - Jewels Adhesive Rhinestones - Lily White November 2015 Digital Cut File Bazzill - Prismatics - 12 x 12 Cardstock - Dimpled Texture - Gray Bazzill Basics - 8.5 x 11 Vellum - White - 40lb. Silhouette America - Cameo Version 2 - Electronic Cutting System Glue Dots - Mini

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On my layout, I used the 3x4 journaling cards in the kit, along with papers from the Elle's Studio Joyful and Good Cheer lines cut to 3x4, to form a "wreath" that encircles our family photo. Each piece has stitching around the edge to help add a bit of texture and definition, and I used foam adhesive to pop them off the background cardstock. A big red ribbon and the wood veneer title are centered below the photo and help reinforce the idea of a wreath. I tucked in a few vellum snowflakes between the cards and scattered some of the kit acrylics and a few rhinestones around the outer edges.

 

For my card, I kept it simple but sparkly! The base is a glitter chevron by Doodlebug (which is fabulous for cards! Buy it bulk - trust me!) and I layered a card from the kit that was matted with the pink star paper in the center. The white acrylic snowman was adhered to the center top of the card and I finished it with some of the vellum snowflakes and more glittery rhinestones for centers.

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I'm guessing my liberal use of the vellum snowflakes this month was partly due to the fact that we have yet to see any of the real stuff in Colorado - something the weatherman says may change today. And I am ready - bring on winter! Something about snow falling makes me feel more justified in my liberal consumption of egg nog lattes.

 

Don't forget to hop over and take a peek at the ES gallery and grab your kit. And right now there is free shipping on orders $50+ with the coupon code HOLIDAYS. Happy Wednesday and stay warm, my friends!

 

Give it Away Thursday: Creative Cards

Well hey there, blog-o-sphere! Despite my best intentions, I can't seem to get myself organized/inspired/focused enough to post on any kind of a regular basis anymore. And it's not just the blog that I've been avoiding. Exercise, meal planning, housekeeping, laundry, email and general adult responsibilities are all areas in which I'm largely underachieving. I figure I've got a few more months of coasting until that damn January rolls around and starts implying I need to set goals and be motivated and actually accomplish stuff, right??

But in hopes that you'll overlook my random and infrequent posts, I thought I'd host a much overdue giveaway today, and share a few recent cards I've made as well. Cards are a great option when you just don't have much time to commit to creative endeavors. Because we all know there's just so many hours in each day. And, hello! Those DVR'd shows aren't just gonna watch themselves.

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One way to speed up the creative process? Limit yourself to only one color! Here, I picked out my favorite Bella Blvd supplies, all in the shade of pink. This makes it easy to pull a design together because everything automatically coordinates. But don't think monochromatic has to be boring! I used lots of different textures - from washi tape to a feather to a felt bow - to keep the card interesting and fun.

 

 

 

Another way to pull together a fast card is to use the scraps you have leftover from a layout. After I'd finished a layout design with these papers, I used the scraps and a punch to make enough circles to cover the background of a card. Before adhering the shapes, I inked the edges with coordinating colors to add some dimension. With a die cut sentiment centered on the front, this quick & easy card is complete!

 

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To give you more ideas for all things cardmaking, today I'm giving away a copy of the first issue of Card Creations from Scrapbook & Cards Today. It has more than 100 card designs with creative techniques and tips to inspire you!

 

If you'd like to win a copy of this issue, just leave me a comment today telling me what you're currently avoiding/neglecting/evading/generally slacking on. Because I can't be the only one shirking my obligations, right? I'll leave comments open until Monday, October 26 and post the winner here!

Happy Friday eve, my friends!

 

 

Elle's Studio | August 2015 Kits

Hey there friends! It's already the 10th which means the new kits at Elle's Studio debut today! I thought I'd share my projects for the month and update you on some cool new things happening over at ES. I'm currently hunched over my old iMac (reclaimed by Hayden several years ago), trying to navigate around his schoolwork, Steam games and various YouTube projects all while constantly adjusting the monitor to deflect the glare from the kitchen windows and cursing the fact that none of my fonts are loaded on this machine. I'm also realizing that iMacs from 2008 are definitely slower than they are now. Or maybe I'm just more impatient. At any rate, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that The Mac Shack gets my machine up and running in the next week or so because I'm kind of over this whole sharing thing.

But back to the topic at hand - new projects! And here they are!

 

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I loved the pet-themed tags included in this month's kit and opted to do a Shinerbock-centered page with them. (And pssst...this month's kit just so happens to pair beautifully with a new ES paper collection, Thankful). 

 

I layered my photos, lots of tags, and snippets of the papers on top of circle frames that I filled with vellum to help separate them from the patterned paper background. I love mixing curves with straight lines - it helps give the page motion and energy and softens all the right angles!

 

 

And since I had my circle cutter warmed up, I used it to create a super simple card. I removed the center of 4x6 journaling card and layered it over the 3x4 "AHmazing" tag:

 

 

Another amazing thing happening over at Elle's is the newest mini-course, with contributors Besha Kueser, Amy Tsuruta and Erin Stewart. Check it out and get ready to be inspired!

 

 

Hope all is happy in your world! I'll be back tomorrow with a new Five on Friday!

Crop & Create: Delivered Kits | Autumn 2015

Hello friends! I apologize for jumping back into blogland last week, only to disappear once again this week. My beloved iMac had a hard drive failure on Monday and though everything was backed up, I'm having to limp along on an old computer until I get my baby up and running again. Technology is so amazing when it works...and when it doesn't, well that's what wine is for! 

I did want to hop on today and give you a heads up that the newest kits from Scrapbook & Cards Today are now live and available for order! Our scrapbook kit, Falling Leaves, features new papers from the Echo Park Teacher's Pet line (designed by the lovely Jen Gallacher) as well as the whimsical papers from Crate Paper's Wonder line. It's a wonderfully warm mix of natural woodgrain, cozy plaids, and whimsical patterns with a wide selection of coordinated embellishments like felt florals, gold paper clips, and exclusive wood and vellum shapes. And each kit comes with a 4 x 6 acrylic stamp set designed to coordinate with elements of the kit.

 

The video below gives you a closer peek at all of the gorgeous goodies! 

 

 

And if you are a card maker, be sure to check out Apple Crisp, our card kit.  The gorgeous hues of autumn are featured in the eclectic mix of papers, all with scaled-down patterns perfect for card making. The embellishment collection is accented with gold, wood, and cork embellishments, all designed to be the perfect finishing touch to your creative recipes!

 

Fall is definitely my favorite season and I tend to scrap more as the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to change. I've selected the products for these kits with that in mind and plan to spend many an afternoon with them at my scrap table (with a pumpkin spice latte nearby, of course) Hope you'll check out the kits and let me know what you think!

We are headed to a family reunion over the long weekend will be celebrating my grandma's 98th birthday. I'm looking forward to putting some clicks on my camera and spending the last few days of summer with those I love! Hope your Labor Day is wonderful!

Elle's Studio | July 2015 Kits

Hey there friends! I know I've been MIA around here, but blogging has slipped to the very bottom of my summer priority list. The all-important tasks of soaking up sun, consuming outrageous quantities of BBQ and generally savoring every little moment with friends & family have taken over my days. And since summer is such a fleeting season (how is it already July??) I am OK with that.

 

I am popping on today to let you know that the Elle's Studio kit goes live today and it is nothing short of fantastic! One the main reasons for my enthusiasm is that my newest favorite embellishment happens to be an exclusive this month - these adorable acrylic stars! I quickly used each & every last one in my kit....and I'm thinking I need about 1,930,453 more!

 

 

Here are my projects, which include some of the fun cut files and exclusives that are up for grabs. The bright summer colors are ideal for scrapping the photos you're probably snapping right now (Fourth of July festivities, anyone??) and there's also a special bonus gift for the first 150 kits purchased, so don't wait to go get yours!

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And that's about all I've got for today! I hope you all are enjoying a fabulous summer and filling it up with things with you love. I promise to be a better blogger come fall, but in the meantime you can keep up with me on Instagram (and where ever there happens to be a pool & beer!) Cheers!

 

Elle's Studio | June 2015 Kits

I bet you thought when I said I'd be posting more regularly once we got into our summer routine, it meant more than once a week, huh? Turns out, my kids aren't too into the whole "kick-back-and-relax" kind of summer after all, and my passionate arguments hailing the virtues of summer naps and lazy afternoons at the pool have fallen on deaf ears. They are much more into sports, activities, camps, and generally being wherever their friends are (which somehow always involves me driving somewhere).

So I'm hoping you'll let me slide by with a few less posts this season while I try to keep up with those two. And my gas bill. Ay yi yi. If they ever wear out and decide to enjoy some downtime, I promise to pop on and say hi!

And of course, I'll still be sharing my monthly Elle's Studio projects. Today the June kit goes live and it's the biggest kit yet, with five new vellum pieces and a colorful collection of summertime tags and cards. Take a peek - it's just fabulous!

 

I'm kind of in love with the popsicle icons that appear in the kit and in this month's cut files because one of my favorite summer activities is concocting new flavors to freeze up and taste-test! (Last summer's favorite was Oreo Mocha Chip!) So naturally, I whipped up a card with a popsicle front and center!

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I cut a popsicle from white cardstock and painted it with aqua spray ink, watering down the brush before spreading it over the piece.  With a little wooden stick and some twine added, it's a pretty sweet accent. I also added some stamping (the word "sweet") to the background pattern to customize this card.

 

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I got crafty with paint on this layout, too, coloring in the word "summer" on the 4x6 title card with yellow spray ink and a small brush. Below the title, I strung up lots of the tags with some favorite photos from last year. The colors in this month's kit are perfect for the bright hues in your summer shots!

 

 

Be sure to hop over to Elle's Studio today and check out the design team gallery, as well as some special offers that are going on. There's a big sale on tags soon-to-be-retired, so grab them now while you can! And we're kicking off summer with a free shipping special - use the code coupon code SUMMERLOVE to get free shipping on all orders over $30 (US and International). But don't wait - the offer ends June 15th 2015!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer so far! I'm waving to you all as I drive by!

 

Give-It-Away Thursday | Crop & Create: Delivered Summer Kit

Summer has officially arrived in Colorado! I can tell because the flowers are in full bloom, the days are sunny (and getting longer!) and my Mom Taxi is working overtime trying to get kids to all their activities! I haven't had much time at the scrap table, but I am taking lots of photos. And when I finally get a few hours out from behind the steering wheel, I'm going to crack open the newest Crop & Create: Delivered Kit from SCT, Heat Wave!

 

These are just a few sneaks inside this jam-packed kit, which features all the happy hues of summer. Also included are an exclusive 4x6 stamp set, stickers, journal cards, embellishments, trims, and new this kit - acrylic shapes! And each kit comes with sketches, access to private process videos by designer Jen Gallacher, cut files and full color instructions for creating the featured projects. They are on sale now (but selling fast) so grab one while you can!

 

We are also debuting a brand new kit offering this season, specifically curated with the card maker in mind! Summer Lovin' is a collection of cardstock, papers, envelopes and embellishments in the same color palette as our scrapbooking kit, but with smaller papers and patterns perfect for the condensed canvas of cards. It also comes with an exclusive 3x4 stamp set and matching steel die cut, cut files, sketches and instructions for four different card designs. 

 

Today I'm giving away a Heat Wave scrapbooking kit to one lucky reader! If you'd like to be entered to win, just leave me a comment today telling me the about the first page you'd create with it. I'll pick a winner on Monday, June 8 and announce them here. (And apologies to my international readers - this one's open only to US addresses!)

Hope you have a terrific Thursday!

 

Simple Saturday | Lots-o-Hearts Card

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought it would be a great time to showcase a quick and easy card that's filled with lots of love!

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This square card features a 12x12 Elle's Studio cut file that I reduced to fit my 5-inch card. In the Silhouette Studio software, I ungrouped the file so I was able to select each heart individually. I deleted two of the vertical rows and three of the horizontal rows and then decreased the size of the remaining hearts to fit in a 4.75" x 4.75" square. Then I cut the design from white cardstock.

Behind some of the hearts, I adhered small scraps of aqua, pink, gray, and yellow patterned paper. Then I mounted the whole die cut on a gray card base using foam squares. The open hearts give a peek of the gray beneath and the foam adhesive gives a nice bit of dimension.

 

For a simple sentiment, I chose two of the Elle's Studio tags and adhered them to the lower right corner of the card, trimming off the overhang on the right side. This design comes together in no time and would be easy to produce assembly-line style if you need to create a lot of Valentines (which is what the girly and I will be doing this weekend!)

Happy Saturday!