Your Christmas Countdown Clock 2012

Your Christmas Countdown Clock 2012

All Occasion 4 Card Set

I made these four cards out of paper and card stock from my scrap basket and couldn't be happier. 

 Making up several sets as gifts will be in the works for Christmas Projects for friends and family.

Looks like there was a problem with the stamp on this one (notice over the 'd'
I MUST learn NOT to wiggle the stamps!!!

 Notice the envelope behind the birthday card in this photograph

This is the inside of all of the cards - they are pretty much identical

Now to figure out how to "package" them.  

A box?  

Just tie with a ribbon? 

 Hmmmm.  

What do you think?

The pattered paper is (I believe) from a  Colorbok  Pattern Pack that I used ages ago (www.colorbok.com)

Card Stock from Ampad (www.pendaflex.com/ampad)
Flower die cut from Cricut - George and Basic Shapes www.cricut.com
Left over metallic ribbon from YEARS ago
Acrylic Jewels - Horizon Group USA, Inc. www.craftprojectideas.com
Brown Pigment Ink Pad from Stampabilities www.stampabilities.com
Stamps:  Happy Birthday, Wishing You Well and Thinking of You - unknown Dollar Tree stamps
Sending Caring Thoughts Your Way - Hero Arts CL476 (With Sympathy) www.heroarts.com

Have a terrific Tuesday, be kind to everyone you see today!

As always, a recipe card for these designs are available, just ask :)

Chartreuse (glittered) Merry Christmas Card

Today's card lets me ask about embossing techniques. 

 As you can see in the card below, I apparently "wiggled" the stamp and got a line on the bottom of the image.  I use a dry paint brush to brush away any excess or mistakes prior to heating, but decided to leave this as a focal point.  Don't know that I would do it again, but am learning that my mistakes are teaching me.  The sentiment is a little sloppy on the left side by the "M" in Merry, guess I just have to practice.  

I am curious to suggestions about how to eliminate the "speckling" from powder.  I have heard mention of a anti-static pouch of sorts, but haven't checked out the prices.  Is there a diy application for this that anyone can tell me about without my having to purchase more items right now?

This is the entire card front - the card itself it actually on white card stock not pink as it appears in the photo (guess I need more lighting in my craft room).  The second layer is done with the deep green from The Paper Studio (Holiday pack) www.craftsetc.com that I purchased at a Hobby Lobby www,hobbylobby.com

 I love the color combinations of this card.

The "label" is actually a gift tag cutout from Trim The Tree Winter Collection by Cricut www.provocraft.com

The sentiment is from Stampabilities www.craftsetc.com

As promised, I remembered to change the date on my camera!!!  

I'm searching the internet today for articles on making your own glitter paper.

Any suggestions? 

 I am trying to utilize the supplies and crafting items that I currently have and
expanding their capabilities,
because:

1.   The economy and my own financial status

2.  Use up existing "inventory"

3.  I really do live out in the country and the nearest craft store

 (other than a WalMart with a VERY limited inventory)

 is about 50 miles away from me

As usual, the recipe for this card is available!

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone!

My question today to fellow crafters:  How do you "FIX" glitter glue that has become a little clumpy - is there a way to dilute it or should I just trash a bunch of bottles.  My mom (also an avid crafter in her day - prior to several strokes) gave me much of her supplies that she just cannot use any longer, and sadly about 10 or more bottles of various glitter are questionable.

Any and all help is appreciated.  I'll try just about anything you suggest since the alternative is the trash!

Today I am posting a Christmas card I made using my Cricut and Best Images of 2007 cartridge to make the snowflakes.  I had to emboss the background with silver Zing embossing powder (http://www.americancrafts.com), since the Spellbinders Grand Calibur machine I purchased on ebay 2 weeks ago has yet to show up at my door :( grrrrrrr ).  I wasn't totally pleased with the look and decided to emboss, yet again, with small snowflakes  - a very small stamp from Comotion in Tuscon, AZ..

I am having difficulty finding a technique to keep my stamping straight and level.  Notice how this "Merry Christmas" (stamp from Stampabilities) - sentiment seems to run uphill.  Any suggestions from you seasoned stampers on how to avoid doing this would be appreciated.

I will be changing the date on my camera this time, promise....

As always, I do have a recipe card with instructions for this card.  Just let me know if you wish to see it.

Happy Birthday Card using scor-tape

It's my dear friend Earlene's birthday this week, so my project today was a card for this very special person. I wanted it very (did I say VERY) sparkle-ey.

I just received my package of  1/8" scor-tape  (www.scor-pal.com) and was dying to try it out.  I used it to "border" the various layers of cardstock and apply clear glitter on almost every layer.  I really liked how easy it made these lines of glitter and how well the glitter adheres to the tape.  I can see that this is going to be a product that I use alot of!!!

Detail of layering and excessive use of glitter (if there is such a thing).

 Card front:

 Inside of Card:

 Front of envelope:

I die-cut the flowers using my Cricut and the George and Basic Shapes cartridge, in various sizes the just kind of mixed them up.  I watched a video about  using  a mat and stylus to shape the flowers (basically break down the fiber in the paper) and didn't have the tool (another item I would love, but, alas, made due without).  I dug out an old mouse pad and a bit out of my tool box - voila - not too shabby.  I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

I will remember to change the date on my camera as soon as I finish this post though  (lol) - oops!

I have the "recipe" for this card with supplies if anyone is interested and will be more than happy to post it for you.

 Happy Wednesday!

Confusion

I don't know if it is just because I am a new Card Maker, or if it happens more frequently than I realize, but it seems that I find myself so overwhelmed with ideas that I can't seem to sort them out when it's time to make a card.  I'm beginning to wonder if this is why I keep running across mentions of layout sketches.  Think it might be a good idea to put this into application to try to keep focused on the "card at hand".

I found these free layouts at http://www.aboverubiesstudio.com/free-goodies/sketch-sheet-download-freebie-and-cute-scrapbook-inspiration/1833/ and am going to give them a try for a week to see if it helps.

Anyone else have any ideas on this subject?

Introduction

Today is the day I finally start to blog.  Yeah!!!
The purpose of this blog is to learn the beautiful art of Card Making.  I hope to obtain suggestions, tips and techniques to use and pass along from individuals who are already seasoned pros.  So, please, feel free to offer ANY suggestions for short cuts, tried and true (or failed) products and vendors with great products.  As I purchase supplies, I will highlight the products on my daily search of the "brightest and the best" I find along the way.