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)

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)

sketches: http://skippingstonesdesign.com/skipping-stones-designs-sketch-challenge-109/; http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/projects/challenges/1806476-saturday-card-sketch-challenge-with-kimber-3312/; http://www.sketchsupport.com/2011/10/card-week-part-1_31.html

love today and always

Amy, my brother’s daughter, was married two weeks ago. The photo of Tom and Amy walking up the aisle during the wedding was too blurred to share, so I thought I’d share their entrance from the rehearsal. I gave my camera to Brianna to take pictures during the ceremony because I was doing a reading and didn’t want my shaking (nerves!) to interfere with the photos. She told me when she returned my camera that it was probably a mistake to give a camera to a film major. You’ll understand what she meant when you see a few of her photos.

Although blurred, I love this shot of Mary Ellen and Amy. This was taken during the lighting of the candles by the mothers of the bride and groom.

 Brianna was intrigued with the details of Katie’s hair.

The card has a traditional cream and white color scheme because I cannot do anything else for a wedding card. I did take Amy and Tim’s style into account for the remaining design of the card though. The sentiment is computer generated; the type and color of the font came from the wedding invitations.

I was honored that Amy and Tim asked me to be a lector for their ceremony and I was overjoyed that my reading was 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. Its words are a poignant reminder to all of the wonder of love in all types of relationships.

“Love never fails.”

nancy

PS – I just realized that I didn’t post a photograph of Tim (Can you tell I’m from the bride’s side?), so here’s one of Amy and Tim's engagement photos.

 

supplies:

paper:  French vanilla and avalanche c/s (Bazzill)

punches:  heart (Marvy Uchida)

extras:  doily (Royal Crafts); pearl flourish (Recollections); Old Script font

happy mother’s day

Motherhood:  All love begins and ends there.

~ Robert Browning

It’s just another day here with my daughter in Vermont and my mom in Virginia. How pathetic that sounds; but know that I thank God every day for letting me be a mom to Brianna, and I adore my mother and have her in my heart always. So this truly is just another day. Granted, I wish that I were spending it in their company with a piece of lemon meringue pie and a game of cards. We’ve spent a lot of memorable time together over games of some sort.

My mom’s favorite color is blue, so I try to use that color in cards I make just for her. She also likes things in pairs, which had a play in this design as well. I fought with that third brad, but it insisted that little bit of extra color was needed at the top of the card. The brad was right.

I hope that your Mother’s Day is a wonderful celebration of love.

nancy

supplies:

paper:  rustic white and rustic cream c/s (PTI); Watercolor Bouquet (K&Company)

stamps:  Simple Valentine (PTI)

ink:  bamboo leaves dye (Memento); Cape Cod pigment (Colorsnap)

dies and punches:  button card collection die (PTI); traditional scallop edger (Martha Stewart) for inside

extras:  colored pencils (Crayola); ribbon and flowers (Michael’s); pearl brads (American Crafts); ecru and 4065 floss (DMC); alpha stickers (Jolee’s); buttons (PTI and LaMode)

rain, rain go away

I wanted to get this card posted while the calendar is still turned to April. This card was actually made and its note written during some torrential downpours. Not surprising since we had about 100 days of rain during the month. And if May’s flowers appear in direct proportion to the number of inches of April rain, we will experience a gloriously colorful month.

When I finished this card, I felt like there was something missing and considered rounding a corner or two. My fear over making it look too bad to use and not having anymore of the rain paper stopped me from taking that step. The next day I listened to Papertrey Radio #6 and the topic of rounding corners was covered. If only I had heard Maile’s suggestions a day earlier, I probably would have rounded one or two of the right-hand corners, but I’m still not sure that would have added to the design. Too bad there isn’t a way to determine that without actually cutting into the card. I guess I just need to become fearless.

I thought I’d share my trick for using the pinked-square die to cut a smaller square for a matted effect. First cut the standard square; then, line it up in the die one row over on the top and right sides. (It’s probably best just to study the above photo. This is definitely one of those times when a picture is worth a thousand words.) Tape the paper in place and run it through your machine. I rarely save scraps since I have limited crafting space, but the extra little corner piece looks like it would add just the right touch on a future project, so I put it aside.

I look forward to seeing those May flowers.

nancy

supplies:

paper:  white c/s (Staples); raspberry fizz c/s (PTI); Noah’s Ark pp (Debbie Mumm)

stamps:  April (Hero Arts)

ink:  rose bud dye (Memento); Cape Cod and silk green pigment (Colorsnap)

dies:  button card collection (PTI)

extras:  raspberry fizz buttons (PTI); snowflake pearls (Queen&Co); white floss (DMC)

wmsc44

Seeing this week’s Waltzingmouse Stamps Challenge sketch, I knew that I wanted to play along. I had recently purchased the labels 14 stamp set on the PTI forum, and believed it would work well with the sketch along with some of the absolutely gorgeous Watercolor Bouquet patterned paper.

This thank you card is for my parents. They are always so supportive of me, even as my dad battles an increasingly aggressive cancer, that I wanted to send a note expressing my appreciation and love. I think this card is a lovely vehicle for those thoughts.

The patterned paper was embossed with a flourish.

It usually takes me so long to make a card that I will often make a second one. In this case, the second is a birthday card to put into my stash, which is currently low on birthday cards, this being the only one. Creative Buzz, my blogging group, is having our first theme party and this month’s theme is (surprise) birthdays. Please visit Anna’s blog for the post and share your birthday cards.

nancy

supplies:

paper:  rustic white c/s (PTI); Watercolor Bouquet pp (K&Company)

stamps:  Rescue Remedies Additions and Holiday Label No 14 (WMS); Happy Greetings (Hero Arts)

ink:  sweet plum dye (Memento); rouge and pink pastel chalk (Colorsnap)

dies:  Labels Fourteen (Spellbinders)

extras:  Flourish Impressabilities (Spellbinders); lace (LSS); ribbon (Michael’s)

easter greetings

For holidays, I usually go into mass production mode. It was no different this Easter, except that I decided to make a little something different for my parents and daughter. For both designs, I turned to Melissa Phillips for inspiration, using some cards she made with the PTI Take Three sets for spring and fall.

The cards are a little smaller in scale, made by cutting a sheet of cardstock in thirds along the 11-inch side. My color palette was dictated by Easter ribbon found at Michael’s. Each of the nine cards was unique in its color mix allowing me to choose a card that would best (or, at least, better) fit the recipient. Here are a few individual shots.

For me, the only problem with mass production is the signing of the cards. I like to write a personal note inside each card, but find I’m usually running out of steam by that time and end up with one great message used for all. Should I believe my spin that it is better to send these cards with the thoughtfully written but non-personalized note than nothing at all? What do you think/do?

The card design used for my parents and daughter has a similar feel as the mass-produced cards, but is a standard 4¼ x 5½” size. With the colors and use of gingham, this yielded a sweet card that put a smile on my face. I hope it produces the same reaction when pulled from the envelope.

This was an unexpectedly happy Easter weekend with my daughter. It wasn’t unexpected that it was happy, although, I am always grateful for that feeling. The surprising part is that Brianna and I had the entire weekend together. The original plan was for me to drive to Vermont and spend part of the day with Brianna. Instead, she drove home Friday afternoon and we went fabric shopping, watched movies, saw a dance performance and celebrated Easter together until late this afternoon when she returned to school. It was a most unexpected gift.

I hope that your Easter was joyous and your weekend filled with surprising blessings.

nancy

supplies:

paper:  white c/s (Staples); green c/s (Recollections); rustic white c/s (PTI); yellow pp (Martha Stewart); baby boy and baby girl pp (Debbie Mumm); gingham pp (A Muse)

stamps:  Happy Easter (Crafty Secrets); Bitty Background Blocks (PTI); Borders (Heidi Grace); Series 29 (Studio G)

ink:  VersaMark; dandelion, rose bud and new sprout dye (Memento); sunflower yellow pigment (Brilliance); robin’s egg and fresh green pigment (Colorsnap)

dies:  button card collection and tiny tags (PTI)

extras:  clear embossing powder (PSX); Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); ribbon and flowers (Michael’s); buttons (PTI); floss #4077 (DMC)