Sunday, November 29, 2009

Getting ready for a craft show with Calendars!


Hi everyone in blogland! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Yum-O!!!

Sorry I've been M.I.A. lately. I have not be UN-creative, tho!

I've been working diligently getting ready for our church Cookie Sale & Bazaar! Here are some calendars - Fridge Calendars! These are really fun to make and easy-peasy!!! I found the calendar on SCS download forum as well as at this link. I printed them out on cardstock. Then trimmed them down to 3 1/2 x 8 1/2" and then embellished with stamped images. I used a 4 x 8 1/2" piece of chipboard (I've "borrowed one(+) from the back of a spiral notebook). Then using my CropADile punch, punched holes into calendar pages and chipboard. It's one strong tool! I love that thing!!!


Once the holes were punched, I used binder rings from Walmart to make it a flip! Using E6000 Glue, I made the calendars magnetic. These round magnets are quite strong since the calendar can be sort of heavy. When I started to glue these magnets down, they started to affect each other. The glue dried showing it's marks since the magnets moved - all on their own!!! Some forces you just cannot change!!! Hee hee!




























































































Supplies used: Binder Rings Walmart/Chipboard (back of a spiral tablet)/magnets Hobby Lobby/
Calendar Download: Splitcoast Stamper Download Forum via http://catscreativeplace.blogspot.com/
Stamps: PaperTrey Ink, Amuse Art Stamps, The Angel Company, Cornish Heritage Farms/Markers: Copic and Spica/Ink: Palette and Momento Tuxedo Black/Cuttlebug Embossing folder
So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12

Monday, November 23, 2009

Blog Candy Winner!

Hi Everyone,
As promised in celebration of Claudia @ DieCutsRUs featuring my Screen Door card on her Discovery Zone, I picked a winner, so without further adeu:


True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 4 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

So that means, Stacie is the winner!!!! **whistle, clap, taddaaaaa!**

Thanks for the comment that said the following: craft_princess said...
I think this is one of the neatest tutorials! I have never seen a screen door used and this looks AMAZING!!! I counted 6 leaves on the Anya card. I would just love to win this prize...thanks so much for a chance!-Stacie

Congrats!!! I will get your Screen Door card kit plus the Anya Autumn card to you!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone if I don't get to post another project between now and then!!!



Friday, November 20, 2009

More Screen Door Card Samples

{{{Remember if you want to win some Blog Candy from my post "Screen Door Tutorial & Blog Candy in Celebration" you can leave me a comment (see rules in last post) here on this post as well!!! Good luck!}}}

So, I've been working on a few cards from my new stamp sets from The Angel Company. I {{{LOVE}}} one of their designers Mabelle - I met her during a stamping conference a few years ago while being a "hobbyist" demonstrator for TAC. Such a sweetie!!! I am really grateful for Mabelle's artwork - she not only inspires me, but her art is the sweetest of all! Enjoy the following Mabelle stamps from The Angel Company! Thanks for looking!

Isn't she the sweetest little girl? Remember all the sentiments can be read thru the screen door!!!
For all cards above: Supplies used: Stamps: The Angel Company Fall Harvest Set R2033 and Cheery Thoughts R2043/Cardstock: Stampin' UP, Georgia Pacific, Bazzill & HOTP/Ink: Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber & Momento Tuxedo Black/Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Argyle Pattern/Copic Markers/Screen Door Card Template by Michelle's Inky Fingers (see Etsy store on left sidebar)/Brads: unknown sources.





"Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~Pablo Picasso: Quotes about Art

Screen Door Tutorial & Blog Candy in Celebration

I am so excited that I was featured on Die Cuts R Us Blog's "Discovery Zone" Crafter yesterday for my Screen Door Card! So totally cool! Thank you so much Claudia - you totally made my day!!! This papercrafting blogosphere community is so cool! I am honored!

To celebrate this great exposure to my Screen Door design, I am offering BLOG CANDY!
Blog Candy Rules:
Leave me a comment here on this post or on the More Screen Door Samples post for a chance to win one Screen Door Card Kit + the Anya Autumn Screen Door Card that was featured on Die Cuts R Us Blog on Thursday's Discovery Zone. I want to make this fun so: count the number of paper leaves used on the Anya Autumn card, then leave me that number with your comment! BLOG CANDY COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THRU SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 AT MIDNIGHT CST. I will pick a winner on Monday, November 23rd!!! Good luck!


Screen Door Tutorial

I'd like to share with you the Screen Door Kit - what you get and how to use the template. Let's start with first things first. This is what it looks like:
What is a Screen Door Card kit? Well, you will receive a chipboard template to make your very own Screen Door "cut out" for as many applications as you can think of - cards, scrapbook pages, home decor. The only thing I ask you is that you don't use it to enter contests, etc. Please give proper credit if you want to sell it (yup, I'm an Angel with a Policy)!!!
OK, next my kit includes what I like to call enough supplies to make one card. An A2 cardstock card folded for a right to left opening, the inside door template to use trace and cut out using your craft knife for the opening. A brad that coordinates as best as possible! I even include a peice of vinyl screening my husband bought for me at The Home Depot (I think?)! And of course, the instruction sheet - most importantly!!!

The only thing not included is a stamped image that would work perfect for outside the Screen Door. This is where your stamp stash comes in!!! Sometimes I like to imagine what is on my front porch right now...swing, pumpkins, Mums and a bench (and if the kids have been out there, well......)! If you are like me, there are just so many stamps that have not been used in this application - but no worries - they will be used anytime now, I promise! Here is a display I made to feature the Kit at my church craft show!

What is a template only? Well, it's where you would get exactly that just the A2 Screen Door template as well as the Inside Door template - you would supply the cardstock as well as brad & vinyl screening.

Here is what the process looks like when I put one of my cards together - it's not as daunting as I am sounding! Seriously!

Step one: Trace Screen Door template on cardstock - coordinate your door and your card front.Step two: Using craft knife, cut out Screen Door from cardstock.

(Tip: I've never tried the metal/wire version did not want to figure out how to adhere the metal to paper thing!) My favorite is the Terrfically Tacky Tape by Provo Craft - this stuff ROCKS!!!
Step three: I used the Inside Door template to trace the cut out using a craft knife. I usually center as best as possible - but I did measure and my lower right corner of the opening is about 1" from the lower right corner of the card front! Then with a steady hand, cut out.
Step four: Next I trim the vinyl screen peice to fit the Screen Door approximately 1/8" smaller than the door.

Step five: First layer of TTT goes on the back of the Screen Door on the outer edges only! This makes the vinyl adhere quite securely! Believe me, I've tried almost every glue and tape out there and NOTHING else works!Step six: Using another layer of TTT goes on top of the first layer, the only difference is that there is vinyl screening between the layers. Again, stay only on the outer edges ONLY. I know you want to put the Screen Door over that opening - BUT WAIT!!! Using a 1/16" circle punch or a paper peircer, get a hole in the spot where a door knob would go, then secure your brad. It's just a nice touch to hide that brad backing - a clean look!
Step seven: OK, now put that Screen Door over the opening on the card front! Yea!!!!
Here is a look from inside the card - yup, you can see thru it! That is the idea!


Step eight: Now get a sentiment stamp and position it so you can "read" it thru the door - it's what I call the Screen Door card welcome - just like a wreath on your front door @ home! The "home-y" touch we all want!!! Right?

Tada!!! It's finsihed - except for that stamped image you can add anywhere on the card front. My next post I will share some more card samples (see the left sidebar for a few more) you can see for yourself of the card possibilities!!! I have tons of ideas but I am always short on time, and heavy on responsibilities!!! Thanks for looking!!!


Prayer is the key to Heaven, but faith unlocks the door. http://thinkexist.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Snail Mail Screen Door Card

Good morning -

I am working on these great Screen Door cards, and one of my favorite color scheme is tan & black. I've used it numerous times! But the best part of this card is the "snail mail" stamp from Eat Cake Graphics! Have you checked this company out? If not, it's a MUST! They are so totally adorable! What a fun way to show someone you love them by sending them a snail mail card - and why not try my Screen Door card? Order yourself a template Kit (see my Etsy store for more details) and try these cards for yourself!

***Edited to add: Etsy store no longer open, please see my eCrater store on the front page of this blog***
I love to make cards interactive - meaning the touchy-feeley part where you get to play with an aspect of the card! It's what I call my daughter's habit of touching everything she sees - TOUCHY!!! She knows I love to tease her - and isn't this fun to make the mailbox really pull down? I think so!

Supplies used: Stamps: Eat Cake Graphics & The Angel Company/Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black/Screen Door Template Kit by Michelle's Inky Fingers/Cardstock: SU & HOTP/Markers: Copic Markers/Brad: source unknown.

Thanks for stopping by!
The word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains. Proverb by en.proverbia.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Snowflake Screen Door Card!

Hi everyone!!!
Here is a chilly Screen Door card that was not only fun to make, but I almost felt chilly making it! OK not really, and it's not snowing {{{YET}}} in Chicagoland! It could, you know it is November! If you live in the midwest - you know that anything goes with the weather!!! That's Chicago baby - and you love it or you leave!!!

I have some exciting things planned - and I have few NEW Screen Door card posts upcoming - a Screen Door tutorial, a few new stamp sets from several stamp companies used on the Screen Door card...so, great things are a-comin'!!! Keep your eyes peeled!
I am excited and really {{{LOVE}}} the way this card came out! Thanks for looking! Through the vinyl screening, the sentiment says "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" by Amuse Art Stamps! Love that, too!
Supplies used: Cardstock: HOTP & GP/Stamps: Amuse Art Stamps/Marvy Uchida Snowflake Punch/Stickles Baby Blue & White glitter glue/Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Snowflakes/Screen Door Template Kit by Michelle @ Michelle's Inky Fingers Etsy Store/Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black


"Kindness is like *snow* - it beautifies everything it covers" www.thinkexist.com

Monday, November 16, 2009

Simple Note Cards

Good Monday evening! I've been in my craft room since before dinnertime - I have great kids that made the dinner I pulled out of the freezer tonight so to give me a few hours to make some cards - yup, they are great!!!

I know everyone is in a Thanksgiving or even Christmas cardmaking mood, but I just needed to fill an order for note cards! Let's face it, when we can make money doing what we love - selling cards, etc. - we are going to do it! Even if the order placer was my Mother-in-law (hee hee)! Well, I am in a mood to make some simple note cards anyway - I {{{love}}} this look!

TIP: When making a white background card, use your coordinating ink and "scrub" some color along edges of the paper - almost like giving the inkpad a papercut "feeling." This will give some border to your card and it looks good. I also edged my bee image with my black ink as well. This really helps your card pop just a bit! The idea is to give a hint, but this simplistic look does not need much!

Too bad my picture blurred a bit, and you cannot see the black and grey Spica "glitter" markers I used on my bumblebee...oh well, I am an artist - not a photographer! "And that's all I have to say about that" thank you Forest Gump! Thanks for looking! :)


“Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.” ~ Robert Green Ingersoll quotes http://thinkexist.com

Supplies used: White CS & Golden paper - source unknown/Marvy Uchida Mega Scalloped Circle Punch/Stamps: Elzybells Mini Messages - critters Set/Ink-Momento Tuxedo Black/Markers: Copic & Spica/Ribbon: Offray B&W check.

Blog Candy Winner!

Hi everyone - and thanks to OWH for hosting a great hop! I say we do this again, soon!

****Blog Candy Contest here is NOW CLOSED!****

OK, here is the winner of my blog candy:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 20 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Carmen O. said...
What fabulous cards! Your daughter's card is so adorable. What a cute idea a screen door! I have a love of screen doors it reminds me of being at my grandma's and hearing the screen door slam shut after running outside. Beautiful work!!

Carmen, please email me and I will get the Screen Door Kit sent to you! Congrats!!!

Thanks for all those great messages - I feel so {{{LOVED}}}!!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

OWH Bloghop & Blog Candy!!!

ETA: Blog Candy Contest is now CLOSED, as of Nov. 16 1:30 pm CST. Thanks to all who played along!

My 2 Cards for OWH Bloghop:

Welcome!!! Can you believe 75 stops (as of this post) on the bloghop tour for OWH?!??! How fun is this? November is such a great month for expressing your gratefulness!

I am thankful for the ability to enjoy my {{{free}}} life. Why? Because we have an amazing group of people who give their time and talent and life to ensure we all enjoy our freedom. Who are these people? Our military! Taking time to thank them is not only an honor, but using our talents to thank them is the least we can do for such people who give SO much more!!! So, I took a serious inventory of my stash - and donated over 200 cards to OWH in September - and proud to do so!!! This time my "Any Hero" cards only number 12, but my prayer is that 12 hearts be touched that someone in the U.S. cares and is truly grateful, eh hem, little ol' me!!!
So without further adeu, let's see the "Any Hero" cards - - and scroll down for my daughter's card, too!
Number 1 - (made 8 of these):
Here is what I usually like to write in my "Any Hero" cards - simple and to the point:
Number 2 (made 4 of these): Now my daughter's card. Sarina turns 6 on the 19th and she already has such a giving spirit! I just {{{had}}} to post this card - in her own handwriting!!! Isn't it sweet?
{{{Sources - Stamps: The Angel Company - set: Retired Quilt Flag T540/Cardstock: Stampin' Up/Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black & Palette Burnt Umber/Ribbon & Brad: unknown sources/Coloring: Copic Markers & Spica Markers/Embossing Folder: Stars by ProvoCraft for Cuttlebug}}}
Now for some Blog Candy:

Leave me a comment and one lucky winner will receive my Screen Door Card kit!!! See the left sidebar a picture of my Screend Door card.
With this kit you will be able to make one the A2 size Screen Door card + the chipboard template. The kit contains: instructions, card stock A2 card, a screen door cutout, a piece of vinyl screening, a brad, - and the template that allows you to continue to make these great cards for all of your friends and family for years to come! Good luck! Winner announced Monday, November 16!
Your next stop,
Kelly is so cool; she's a military Wife & Mom of 2 (working outside her home as well as running a Stampin' Up home biz all from Bavaria, Germany! Wow, another hero - if you look around, God has placed them everywhere!!! Enjoy her great cards!!!

Have fun on the bloghop!!!
No One Diets on Thanksgiving. What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? ~Erma Bombeck source: www.quotes.about.com