Hidden Journalling

Hi there! I've been participating in an online crop on Fiskateers the past two days. Been having a fab time -- and it's just soooo much fun to go through the gallery and see everyone else's uploads and stuff. Tons of inspiration to be found there!!!

So, we were challenged to lift one of three scrapbook layouts. I've been wanting to scrap a page with us working in our greenhouse. I had made a flower pot card in recent months, and had decided it would be perfect for a layout! So I thought I'd give the layout with the most number of photos a shot...and this is what I came up with. (It's still missing a title, but I'll get to that later.

I was introduced to hidden journaling awhile back...and was pretty impressed with the various forms you can use. Since the flower pot is a card, it's perfect for that! The pot itself is a pocket...and you simply slide the flowers -- attatched to the journalling out and then slide it back in! Simple...yet it something that you wouldn't actually see/know unless someone pointed it out! I love it! :) TFL

How the flowerpot-hidden-journaling works: (no, I haven't added the journaling yet) LOL

I'm entering this layout into some challenges:
Pollycraft: Make Your Own Flowers
One Stitch At A Time Challenge: Flowers
Die Cuts Dream Challenge #45: Make Your Own Flowers

A Daisy or Two

I've been wanting to use my daisy punch...and put multiple daisies on my cards. But it always seemed like the punch was too big for my 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 cards (which is the card size I use like 90% of the time). Today I sat down determined to get more than one daisy on a card...and not have them look overpowering. I do believe I've suceeded here -- I love it! :) 

The two papers in the center are torn -- I wanted to get back to that look. Love it! Especially works well when there's two different colours on the one paper -- the dark blue is not inked...it's the paper from the other side coming through! Totally neat! :) I embossed the sentiment with some new gold embossing powder I bought.  Gotta love new supplies!! LOL

TFL

Entering this card into a few challenges:
Nutshell: Spring Themed Card
Our Creative Corner: Blossoms

Fiskateers

Hi there! Just want to mention that we're having a big crop over at Fiskateers.com. So if there are any fiskateers out there...come join in the fun! There are lots of RAKs, lots of crafting inspiration...and loads of fun! See you on the message board! :)

For those of you who aren't fiskateers...you can join in the fun too! Just email one of the Fiskateer leads , Kelly Jo (kellyjo@fiskateers.com) ...and let her know you want to join the fun! Tell her Divinity sent you!!! :) And have some crafting fun! :)

A Charming Card

Oh, I know. It's spring...and I'm making a Christmas card. LOL Just thought I'd go with something a little different for right now -- see what my creativity can do with Christmas cards this time around. Plus...it's never too early to get started on making your Christmas stash -- and depending on my mojo in November/December sounds a little scary right now! TFL

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Winter Wonderland: Anything Goes for Christmas
Stamp Something: Charm Something

Masculine Card

I soooooo need some ideas for masculine cards. I've made quite a few...but they're typically a struggle from the start to the end! Why is it that they are sooooo much harder to make than any other cards??? It just doesn't make sense to me. Anyways, TFL. :)

Hide & Seek

Hi there! I've been trying to get back into scrapbooking (not card making) the last few days. I don't know what's been going on -- but I'm seriously experiencing scrapper's block! At least where layouts go! And it's sooooo frustrating!!! :(

One of the blogs I follow had a post with 20 tips to get through scrapper's block. Totally what I needed today. Although I've been doing most of the tips for the past week (visiting galleries, layout magazines, etc.) but nothing's worked! And sketches didn't help either! I actually tried following a sketch TWICE with this photo and then took it all apart 'cause I wasn't happy with it!

I don't know what happened this afternoon -- I just put a few pieces from my scraps together and I loved the look. From there on it all came together pretty easily. In fact, this layout is the first time that I actually love the product I created using my new big daisy punch! And I finally found a purpose for those sparkle-y  pieces I used for the insides of the flowers! I'm totally happy! :) TFL

Some details:

1 Sketch Lift -- 3 Cards

I saw an awesome card sketch a few days ago, and absolutely loved it. Here are a few cards I made with the sketch -- I am so happy with how they turned out. I found some great websites that feature backgrounds...and printed out my own for these cards. I love the pastel colours! Also dry embossed the purple cards myself (I just love the Fiskars Shapeboss -- there's so much you can do with simplicity...you just have to use your imagination a little! LOL

I'm entering these into a few challenges -- I figure since they're basically the same only different colours that would totally work! :)

Stamp Something: Layers
Totally Gorjuss: Texture
Flutter By Wednesday: Butterfly, Angel or Fairy 
Crafty Ho's Challenge: Pastel Colours 

Friends & Flowers

I got behind the sewing machine this morning. Have one project almost finished -- hope it'll be great enough to inspire more sewing! LOL

I had a few minutes this afternoon, and decided to try working with some new products I bought. I've been enjoying working with stamps -- images or otherwise. I bought some gold embossing powder...and I'm loving the way it looks on my cards. :)

Also, did you know that you can use your fancy edge scissors to create rounded edges??? It's much cheaper than buying a round corner punch...and basically you get the same look. Plus, you can also use your scissors for other things whereas the corner punch has only ONE purpose! So if you're looking to save $$, there's your tip for the day! :)

NOTE: This photo doesn't bring out the stamping/embossing as well as I'd want..it looks much better IRL. :)

In Progress...

I've been working on a quilt for my parents for a few months now. Originally I set out to make a few small quilts using up scraps. Just try my hand at crazy quilting -- that was interesting. I had enough squares all ready to sew together, when my mom commented that she'd have to change her bedroom's decor colour because my quilt was mainly blue. And I was like "What? You want this quilt for your bedroom??? I don't think so! If I DO make a quilt for you...it's gonna be a nice one!" :)

So I set out to create a log cabin (my all time favourite quilting block) using blues. :) It was interesting -- it wasn't my first quilt ever, but it was the first time that I had ever been on my own! Choosing all the fabrics, etc. -- I was freaked out a little at first, but then got into it! And I was pleasantly surprised with what I came up with! :p

NOTE: The squares have just been place in the correct order...they have not been sewn together.

Unfortunately it's been put on hold for the past few months because I didn't have enough fabrics with the same dark shade of blue that I was using. I finally found some in the states in December...only to discover that my squares were turning out bigger than I had originally anticipated...and I hadn't bought enough for all 80 squares!!! (I was NOT happy!!! to say the least!) Unfortunately I couldn't find any of the material here at home, and I had to try find another patch that had the same shade. It wasn't easy -- but my mom finally came up with some!!! Now, I just need the inspiration to finish off the squares!!! I only have the last log to attatch...but I just do NOT feel like sitting behind a sewing machine right now! So it'll just have to wait...for a rainy day.

Here's a close up of the patch -- there are two logs still missing in this photo. But you get the general picture. :) The above photo was taken with all 80 patches brought to this point. There won't be that much of a difference -- it'll probably only be bigger.

Just Add a Little Bling!

I've been admiring the cards that use the Cuttlebug -- especially ones that use the embossing folders. This is one of my card attempts using some paper that's been embossed. The new texture just gives it a little something extra! I definitely need to get myself one of those machines! They look so much fun!!! :)

So anyways, here's another card I made -- this one shows off one of my all-time favourite colour combos. Blue and yellow are sooo sweet together -- and this baby card can be used for a girl or boy. Added a little bling to the bottom to give it a little something extra as well. TFL.

Challenges:
The Cuttlebug Spot: Bling
Practical Scrappers: Bling
Pile it On: No Image!
Make it a Combo: Combined my two fav colours

For the Boys

Hi there! I wanted to attempt making some baby cards. I've been surfing the web for days now trying to find something that inspires me. I didn't have any embellishments to use...nor did I find any great baby papers in my stash. So yeah, it's kind of hard to make do with that! LOL

I finally found a card online that had a baby carriage that I absolutely loved! First though, I had to try to create one -- paper piece it. As it turns out though, it wasn't that difficult. And with my fancy edge scissors in hand I set out to recreate the carriage. (I gotta admit -- after the first one was completed, I was so inspired I spent the next few hours making at least six diffferent ones!!! LOL) But the carriages are so cute...it's hard to stop!!!

I added the little sailboat embellishment from my stash -- just makes the card so much more boy-ish! :) TFL.

Challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar: One for the Boys
Our Creative Corner: Bows

Baby Pink

A friend had a baby girl recently...and my mom wanted a baby card to send them. I've been thinking about what I'd make for like the past week, but I'm seriously low on pinks...so it was kind of tough. I browsed the net for hours already -- and then I saw one I liked! So yeah, this card is a lift I did...but it's a sketch I'm holding on to. I love it!!!!

I love the layered look...although I've found from cards I made in the past that if the paper you use is all extra-thick, the card is bulky. And I don't like it! So, heads up!!! --  if you do a lot of layering -- try using paper that's not heavy. Or if you do use heavy paper, just make sure not all the paper layers you use are heavy.

TFL. :)

I've entered this card into a few challenges:
Cute Card Tuesday: Shades of One Colour (Pink)
Simon Says Challenge: A Card for a Child
Pollycraft Monday Challenge: Anything Goes

Trying Something New

I was trying to come up with a card sketch that worked with some of the flower photos I printed. This card is simple...yet beautiful as the same time.

I dry embossed the purple paper (love how the swirls here make it look like the Cuttlebug Swirl Embossing Folder Design) -- but it's not!!! I simply used a Fiskars Shapeboss to make the designs. :)

The "Thinking of You" sentiment is a clear stamp I borrowed. Love it! :)

Challenges: Pals Paper Arts: Flowers Theme
For Fun Challenges: Flowers

A sketchy start...

Well, I finally did it!!! I finally finished off a card!!! LOL

It seemed like the last week I have not been able to make anything -- I was in the pits of scrapper's block. Not even sketches could save my life!!! And I've decided that's like the worse time ever to attempt to follow a sketch...'cause the cards usually turn out like horrible! (yes, I've had to throw some out a time or two...)

But today, it all came together! The creative juices are flowing once again...and I'm back to making cards! :)
Too bad I'm too late with this card to enter the sketch challenge at "Our Creative Corner's Blog", but I'm just gonna be happy for the time being that I made a card that I'd be proud to give away! :)

A little something Pink

I've been working with inking edges. I had both the brown and the pink paper all edged about a week ago...and then was at a loss as to how I was going to finish the card. Today, I sat down...and within a few minutes had this card together! It's weird how that happens sometimes. But I love it -- inked edges are now my thing! I love that look!!! :) TFL

Hope, Joy, Jesus!

Lord,

 Thank You for the gift of HOPE You gave us on Easter morning.

Because of You we know that no problem is too difficult

And even death does not have power over us.

Thank You for the gift of JOY You gave us when You were resurrected. Because of You we know that no matter how challenging life may be,In the end we will rejoice again.

We celebrate You, JESUS, with hearts full of praise and gratitude for who You are and all You've done for us!

Amen.