Working With a Kit

I won the new Cosmo Cricket Material Girl line last month, and I've been itching to use it! I've never worked with a kit before -- bought one once and then used it for cards, not scrapbooking. So this was totally different for me. Honestly, I think I'd rather buy papers and embellishments separately -- kits are definitely not my thing! There's too much stuff that I don't really like in them...

But here's what I came up with.

I used a few papers from my stash...and the rub-ons weren't a part of the kit either. But I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. It was the first time I used cardboard embellishments. Let's just say this layout was definitely interesting as far as creating goes. TFL :)

Do What You Feel Now

I found a fun challenge blog --  Candy Shoppe Designs. If you have a few minutes to spare, go check it out -- I'm sure you'll also be impressed! Right now they have a challenge called "Do What You Feel Now". Basically the challenge is to create something of your choice -- something you want to create with no rules, except the ones you make for yourself! Sounds like fun right???

Here's my project for the challenge:

I'm bling happy right now! :) LOL I bought three or four different bling designs...and have been using them everywhere! The original design had a flower in the center with the swirls coming out in different directions. But I couldn't see it fitting in with what I had in mind for this page -- I really wanted to use the purple and white flowers I'd punched out. So I cut the bling design up a bit. It's great that it's possible to take them apart -- and then use them however you have in mind! I love that! :)

The butterflies I printed and cut out myself...so basically everything on this page I either made myself or altered! :) But that's what I love about scrapping -- things hardly ever stay like you buy them -- I love altering things to make them unique for my layouts and cards! :)

Now it's your turn -- get your creative juices flowing...and start crafting! :) TFL

Love is in the Air!

It's that time of year again -- summertime..with lots of people getting married. I made a batch of wedding cards yesterday -- and I must say they turned out so much better than I had hoped! These are my first attempts (ever!) at wedding cards, so I'm very impressed! Gotta love the butterflies -- somehow they make even the boring-est looking cards look amazing! :) TFL

Some challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar: Good luck / Best Wishes
ABC Challenge: X-tra Dimension
S2G Challenges: Something New (used my new papers)
Cowgirls Sunday Challenge: Anything Goes
Creative Craft World: Wedding
Gingersnap Creations: Wings

Butterfly fly away!

Hi there! As you might have noticed (due to my lack of posting recently) I've been taking a bit of a break from card making. Except of course to make some last-second cards for events that are happening, but other than that I've found other things to do. :) Plus, it's summer time...and when the sun is shining it's more fun to spend time outdoors (suntanning or something! LOL) than inside making cards.

I few friends of mine are getting married in the next few months, and I need to get started on making some wedding cards. I saw some fabulous ones in the fiskateer gallery and decided to try lifting one.

I don't have a butterfly punch -- haven't seen one I like...but hopefully next Wpg trip I'll actually find something! But I really love the various butterflies people are constantly adding to their cards. So I found some online...and printed them out. Cutting them out was a bit tricky at times, but I managed.

I also created the word art on my computer and printed it out...and then used fiskar fancy-edge-sciccors to cut out the scalloped look. Added some bling...and I have one card all finished!!! I must say, I'm impressed with how well it turned out!!! :) TFL

 Some challenges I found to enter:
Crafty Calender Challenge: Bugs & Beasties
Paper Playtime Challenge #4: Bugs, Bees, Ants & Ladybugs
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Cute as a bug!
I did it Creations Challenge: Be Creative (open)
Freshly Brewed Challenge: Anything Goes!
Anya Ink: Add Some Bling!

Happy Father's Day!

I got the card done in time -- total me fashion too!!! LOL

It turned out a lot plainer-looking than I wanted -- but I'm thinking it's got something to do with the plain dark brown paper on all the layers. Oh well -- it's still beautiful! :) I dry embossed the leaf with a Fiskars shapeboss -- that is seriously one amazing tool to have! I've seen people adding these dry embossed cutouts to cards, and I've really liked the look. Thought I'd give it a try as well. And this may just be the first of many!  I found the message online -- it's totally perfect!

 Well, everyone is into Father's Day challenges on the blogs. Here's just a few I've found to enter this card in:

Pear Tree Designs: Father's Day
Crafty Cardmakers: Cards for Men
Totally Stamalicious: Celebrating Dads
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: A Tribute to all Fathers

Cap's Off To You!

As you might have noticed from all my recent posts, I've been putting all my time into scrapping layouts. It's not that I didn't have any cards to make -- I still have a list of cards I need to make...including one for Father's Day!!! Yes, I'm the queen of procrastinating!!! But honestly, I think I create my best work when I'm  under pressure! LOL If I have a deadline...that's usually when the ideas fly!!! Go figure!!!

So in typical "me fashion", I only started looking for ideas for a grad card on Thursday -- the card was delivered to the recipient on Friday!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL  But once again...I got it done in time. In fact, while I was at it, I made a couple...for next time. Back-ups do come in handy!!! :)

My photo doesn't do the card much justice -- it actually has dry embossing on the white squares. And the "grad cap" is 2D as I lifted it. I made the tassel myself -- for this card I simply went with gold, as it works for everyone! But for the next ones I make, I'll probably make the tassels the school colour. TFL

Sweet Stamping Challenge: Clean & Simple
Cuttle Bug: Use Embossing
My Time to Craft Challenge: Xtra Special 

It's a Dream

Coming up with the background for my layouts is one of my biggest challenges when I'm scrapping. I love using circles...and I tend to try using some in every layout I create -- and then getting frustrated when it doesn't work out! LOL

I tried something new with this layout -- simply using two different papers. I love the look of the darker border blending in with the paper on one side...and then standing out on the light paper! I was going for simple...yet different -- I think I accomplished it! :) Added a little bling...and a quote with letters from my stash and it was done! I especially love the way the "dream" stands out! TFL