April 9, 2012

the bunny left me scraps


When I was in AC Moore a couple of weeks ago, I came across some new-to-me Martha Stewart patterned paper. Two days prior to that, I had told myself no more new paper, but a 50% off coupon got the better of me and I succumbed to temptation. As I starting gathering materials for my Easter cards, I was glad for my weakness because that paper had the most wonderful springtime feel to it and resulted in a cheerful card.


As per my usual routine, the little paper scraps from this project went into the recycling container. When I later walked past the recycling and saw those pieces of paper lying there in a jumble of prettiness, I recalled the paper scraps challenge at Moxie Fab World and decided to see what I could make. I know that the weaving on the card is not innovative, as directed by Cath, but it does make good use of the thinnest of scraps.


While trying different color patterns, I mentally sorted through my stamps for a sentiment about weaving. When that came to naught, I wordsmithed a few possibilities. My preferred sentiment was “thoughts of you are woven into my heart” since it tied in the heart shapes, but the words didn’t look right on the card. Here is how my second choice looked.


Whenever pink gingham is involved, no matter the amount, you cannot help but end up with something sweet. This card is going to my mom since, lately, thoughts of her have made up the warp and the weft of my days.

nancy

supplies (Easter):
paper:  rustic white c/s (PTI); green c/s (Recollections); Country Drive raspberry (Echo Park); Stitched collection (Martha Stewart)
stamps:  Egg Hunt and tag-its #1 (PTI)
ink:  frost white, fresh green and dune pigment (Colorsnap); new leaf and raspberry fizz dye (PTI)
dies:  egg and filigree border (PTI)
extras:  3mm lt. pink pearl stickers (Mark Richards)

supplies (thoughts of you):
paper:  kraft c/s (Bazzill); scraps from Easter cards
ink:  dune pigment (Colorsnap)
punches:  heart and heart confetti (Martha Stewart); petite heart (Recollections)

April 7, 2012

life is like a song… and sometimes it goes out of key



I thought that I should introduce myself again since I’ve been on hiatus for almost a year. (I always think of television shows when I hear the word “hiatus.” Wish I made Julianna Margulies’ salary without her early morning calls.)

Without going into details, my family went through some sad times last summer and my words just seemed to dry up. Although I did not feel like blogging, I still continued to paper craft, making cards,




trying my hand at art journaling,



putting together December Dailies for my nieces and their families to complete,

girlie version for my great-nieces



guy version for my great-nephews

unexpectedly completing my own December Daily, and


making my 2012 gratitude journal.



For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking about returning to my blog, but wasn’t quite sure where to begin. I wanted to get back into it a little bit at a time, just like the way I get into a pool. Knowing how tortuous that approach is, I decided to jump right in. So for my return post, I’m joining the 5 for $5 Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

The challenge is to create “a paper crafted card ensemble that includes 5 different cards and costs $5 or less to assemble.” The words “card ensemble” stood out to me, so I wanted there to be at least one common design element. The final set ended up with four shared elements:  a pennant banner, which was the initial element I considered using; the patterned paper, which came from a 6x6 pad; the sentiment stamp; and birds, which were part of the patterned paper collection and complemented the sentiment.



Expenses:
$2.00            patterned paper (50% off coupon at AC Moore)
$0.54            cardstock (3 sheets at 18¢ each)
$1.00            stamp (multi-person split of set)
$0.20            floss (on sale)
$0.50            buttons (Michael’s dollar bin half-price clearance)
$4.24

Apparently, my words have not all returned because I cannot come up with a segue from my expense report to my close. Hopefully, my second return post will be better.

My wish for you is that the song of your life is harmonious, with all parts blending together gracefully.

nancy

supplies:
paper:  rustic white c/s (PTI); Fine and Dandy Girl (My Mind’s Eye)
stamps:  Birds of a Feather (PTI)
ink:  rich cocoa dye (Memento)
extras:  floss #922 (DMC); buttons (Michael’s)