Fun with Scraps

So I was cleaning my scrap room last weekend before coming back to work, and I kept finding all of these fun scraps. Of course playing with the scraps was just as fun as organizing (I love organizing) and so I made a few quick birthday cards. These cards are small (the two with squares are about 4 x4 and the other two are 2.5 x 2.5) but that is the beauty of using the scraps- I simply made the cards as large as the scraps. I, admitedly, am a scrap hoarder. I have all these little boxes and bins and baggies of scraps. I just can't understand paying a lot of money for a piece of paper and then not using all of it. Plus its fun to let my friends go through the scrap bin and make things when they come over too! Hope your week started out fabulous! Oh- the patterned paper is from American crafts, the sentiments are from Papertrey!

I'll be your umbrella

This card came about because of a major score in the clearance bin at Archiver's. I got a 198 piece "wellies and brellas" runbo set from Autumn leaves for 75% off! It wound up being $3.50 and I got pages and pages of unbrellas and boots. Such a deal. I still had the Sage Shadow Stampin Up paper out from my holiday thank you and it matched perfectly. Love that! I love my cuttlebug as well- there's nothing like a little texture to brighten up a card! I was flipping through the SU catalog to figure out what I "needed" (sale-a-bration time seems to be the only time I order from them now) and I think many of the cards in the catalog could do with a little texture...of course that's just me. And of course this card is in my clean and simple design. I did get another 25 copics for christmas, and I have been coloring- Honest! Just nothing I want to show off yet.....

Whew! Was I really gone THAT long?

Hi Everyone! At least, hello to those still out there! I had a wonderful blog break. I did many fun holiday things. I learned to cut hair (at least my son's and hubby's). I read books (how cool is that) and I even made some cards. Not that I posted them (bad blogger). I was in a card making frenzy, I actually made and sold over 100 cards for the holidays. So that was fun. I just got back to work today after 13 days off and it was weird. I would also like to give a shout out to the stay at home moms, you guys are amazing. I had Jack with me for 5 days straight and yesterday I told my hubby that I think he really needed to go and run around with his two year old friends at daycare.

But I digress. This card I made in mass quantities to send to all the people I needed to thank over the holidays. It is deceptively simple. The hardest part was glittering the snowflake, which you could skip, but I think it really makes the card. I used the new signature greetings stamp from Papertrey- love that set. My hubby gave me 5 sets for christmas. He knew I kept a wish list and he even ordered under my name so I could get the bonus set this year! How cool is that?

I am hoping to post a bit more this month. I won't call it a resolution. I am making fun crafty things, I just am a lazy blogger. Here's to changing that!

SG9 -I totally modified the sketch...

Aye yi yi! I have been so busy. Life certainly throws things at you. Of course, you just take it as it comes right? I look at all the cards that so many of my favorite bloggers have created in the last month with a twinge of envy. Gone are the days that I spend every night in my craft room....

Today was a very fun crafty day. My friend Lori is the director of a humane society (she's also the head vet) and she called on me to summon my crafty friends to create as many cards as we could to sell at their fund raiser coming up in December. We manged to create about 100 cards! Now, many are the same, which she will package, but it is still quite a feat. I made the card above in the spirit of sketch number 9. I couldn't get the double strips to work (which is too bad because they are totally me, and on any other card I would have thrown some ribbon on, but it didn't work with this card). The little felt trees are from the dollar bin at Michael's.

Here is another card we created. I think we made 25 of these. The glittered tree is from a HUGE pack of 1000 that I got on clearance last year. It was like $2.

I love this card. It speaks to the simplicity that I am trying to approach life these days. Plus I got to color. Lori reminded me today about how we used to color in Grad school when we would be stressed out. Color as in with crayons and using a Lion King coloring book. That was fun. But so are Copics :) I may make these for my Christmas cards this year. But I think I will add a tree branch for the ornament to hang on.

Anyway, totally sorry about the bad blogging. I will try to be better!

Now go to the Sketch Girls website and see what everyone else came up with!

TTFN!

Sketch Girl 7

Hello everyone! So this week's sketch gave me some trouble. Mostly because whenever I see horizontal lines I want to use ribbon. But I couldn't make the ribbon work with this card. I love the dino stamps from My Favorite Stamps....and it paired really well with the dino paper from Basic Grey.

So my son "shared" his stomach flu with me. Not nice. So this post is short so I can go and curl back up with a hot water bottle....

I have some more cards to share later....promise!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Archiver's

Patterned paper: Basic Grey

Stamps: My Favorite Stamps, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento

Markers: Copics

Sketch Girl #6- Hallotini anyone?

Hello everyone! Time for Sketch # 6! I don't know about you, but I am in love with Copic markers. I know, I know..perhaps I am preaching to the proverbial choir, but the number of colors alone is enough to make me love them. So I busted out the copics to color this FUN image! It is from Impression Obsession and my love of Halloween demanded that I buy this stamp back in March!

So now all of you run over to the sketch girl blog and make a card yourself (I hear there are prizes this time! *grin*

Also, stop by and see the guest Sketch Girl Amber's card - welcome Amber!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin Up

Patterned Paper: KI Memories

Stamp: Impression Obsession

Markers: Copics

SG5- Mix it up!

When I saw this sketch I thought there was no way I could come up with something remotely interesting. Too many circles and what papers could I use and...well you get the picture. Then I calmed down and squelched the clean and simple card maker in me. This could not be a simple card. The thing about sketches is that you can mix them up. So the focal point became a frame with an alligator, and the two small circles became stars! Don't be afraid to mix up a sketch...you just may like what you come up with!

Supplies

Cardstock: Stampin Up

Patterned Paper: Making Memories

Die Cuts: Making Memories

Brads: Making Memories

SG4- Gray is the new Black

Did you ever have one of those months? One where everything seems to happen at once? That is the month I am having. I can't really talk about work (Scientist at big Pharma company), but let's just say I have been hopping this past month. Add to that the fact I had scheduled vacation for a week and it amounts to a busy busy August with not much time for crafting (ie having a job and doing it well helps when one wants to go and buy new crafting supplies - namely the new Copic colors)....but I digress.

This card was very easy to do once I found the papers. The sketch was somewhat of a challenge, but I love the patterned paper lines that coordinate now. Once I found the Ambrosia stack from Basic Grey and I remembered the coordinating rubons I had tucked away for a rainy day (which is what we had all week here in Chicago) I was set.

Now its your turn! Let's see what you can do! Don't forget to link to go to the Sketch Girl Blog and link to your project...YOU might be the guest designer for the month!

Supplies:

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey

Rubon: Basic Grey
Ribbon: Target

Cardstock: Stampin Up

Sketch Girl 3 Sketch

Woohoo! Time for another Sketch from the Sketch Girls! I am scheduling this post so I am really hoping that it posts in time. I promise to be a better blogger when I get back! :)

This sketch was very simple, so feel free to mix it up a bit. I love using the stickers from K and Company. The Amy Butler line is awesome! I am in love with scallops, and I love the fact I can use my Silhouette to cut them any size I want! This one is a 4" square.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin Up

Patterned Paper: K and COmpany
Purse Sticker: K and Company

Stamp: Hero Arts

Ink: Stampin Up

SG3 Sneak Peek

Hey Everyone! I am on vacation, which explains the lack of posting. Hope everyone is having a good week. Here is a sneak peek of my Sketch Girl Card for tomorrow!

August Card Exchange

Time for another card exchange. The theme this month is Birthday cards. I seriously thought about sitting this one out. I have like a million things to do (going on vacation again next week, plus work stuff)...but I figured if I could think of something acceptable in 10 minutes then I would participate. Sooo I came up with this. Everyone loves a scalloped card right? I cut some square on my Silhouette (love that thing!) found a sheet of patterned paper and viola! I still have to make the other 9 and get my hubby to drop them off (did I mention we work at the same company, and that he is very tolerant of playing delivery boy?

Hope you like it!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin Up
Patterned Paper: American Crafts
Stamps: PTI
Ribbon: PTI

Sweet Sunday #29

Ok, so I saw Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch and decided I just had to play. Loved it. Then I started making this card and I did all sorts of crazy rule bending things. That's what I like about sketches though....

I turned the sketch on the side and used an oval panel rather than a square one. I also moved the sentiment lower on the card. I am really pleased how this card came together. Can't wait to see what everyone else does!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin Up

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Rub On: Chatterbox

Letter: Pressed Petals

Stamp: Hero Arts

Button: Foof-a-loof

Twine: PTI

Sketch Girl Sketch #2

Hi Everyone! I hope that you are as inspired as I was with this week's Sketch Girl Sketch! As you will come to see, I am usually a clean and simple card maker. I admire those who can throw everything but the kitchen sink at a card and have it come away looking all shabby chic. But that's not me (I think it's the scientist in me; anything but straight lines have me hyperventilating. I have on occassion been known to tilt an image; but that's as crazy as I get)

Anyway, this was a fun card to make. I have been in a Kraft mood lately, which happens, so I started by finding some colored cardstock to use as a base. I grabbed green, which really isn't earth shattering for me, but I wanted a soothing color as a base. A little tone on tone polka dots and a few swirls and the base was complete. I could completely avoid the kraft, but it does kind of fade back with the distressed panel. The heart I die cut at Archiver's (left over from a valentine's project), and the sentiment is from the heartfelt sympathy: pet set from PTI (the set was only $5 people). This is a card I never hope to have a need for. I want to add a paw to the sentiment (and I actually have) but I am out of time this evening so you can imagine it for yourself.

Can't wait to see what all my other Sketch girls and YOU come up with! Oh and if you go to the Sketch Girl Blog and become a follower, then you could be entered to win one of 3 stamps sets! Woo hoo!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up

Ink: Stampin Up, PTI

Twine: Walmart (big roll $4)

Stamps: PTI

Sketch Girl Sneak Peek

So if I had really been on top of it, I would have posted this sneak peek last night. But I wasn't (I was making teacher cards and wrapping gifts). But better late then never. Make sure you all come back to see the finished card tomorrow, and make sure you are following the Sketch Girl's Blog because there will be PRIZES Up for grabs!

See you all tomorrow!

Teacher Thank Yous

I had to make some thank you notes for my son's daycare teachers. He is transitioning to the toddler room next week. I can't believe he has been in daycare over a year already. It's very hard to be a working mom, and the daycare my son is at makes it a lot easier.

This was the first card I made, I will show more of the others later this week. (and don't forget to check out this week's sketch on the 30th. There may be a sneak peek...if I can finish it before the 30th *grin*). I like using premade accents on my cards when I have to make a bunch. It simplifies things and the premade accents are so much better constructed these days.

For this card I used the PTI Teacher set. I love this set. I know that this will be my go to set for any card I make for teachers. Then I added a bug accent from The Paper Company Studio. It is on a little spring and is so cute! I used my Silhouette to cut some grass and added some punched flowers with a little bling. A quick and simple card that any teacher would love!

Supplies:
Accent: The Paper Company Studio

Cardstock: Stampin Up

Bling: Crystal Stickers

Stamps: PTI

Ink: Stampin Up

With Appreciation

I have been on a little hiatus from blogland. I have been relaxing and reading and enjoying summer. Sometimes you just have to take a step back.

I got the new In Bloom paper pack with my new PTI order and I wanted to use these citrusy colors to make a fun thank you card. Of course I had to add a bit of Kraft cardstock :)

Hope you all are looking forward to a great weekend!

Supplies:
Cardstock: PTI, Archiver's
Patterned Paper: PTI
Ribbon: May Arts
Sentiment: PTI
Ink: Memento

New PTI- Just a little something

Whew! It has been quite the busy week for me. I know I haven't posted in awhile, but there was work, and there was a picnic to plan and go to, and then there was the recovery from said picnic...you get the idea! But I did get a chance to order some new PTI goodies last week, and look at the fun card I was able to make! I can tell the button set is going to be one of my favorites. It has a bunch of images and all you ahve to do is add the buttons!

I kept this card simple. I added some making memories buttons to the stamped images and paired it with some K and Company paper. Of course it was on a base of Kraft cardstock...I can't get enough of that!

Hope you all have a great week!

Supplies

Stamps: Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Buttons: Making Memories

Ink: Stampin Up

Ribbon: Dots and Dashes

What's the Buzz? -Sketch Girl DT!

Totally exciting news! I am a Sketch Girl Designer! I can super excited! Here's the skinny....

Today is the offical start of Sketch Girl! Sketch Girl is a bi-weekly sketch challenge created by Annie B (Leigh Ann). The Sketch Girl blog will be home to all the sketches in one place, so run on over and add yourself a follower so you can get an update as soon as a new sketch is added. In the future there will be a contest or two with prizes! If you make the sketch and upload to a forum, please use keyword SG1. Annie's Blog is where the details are right now. This is a very new thing for me and I am way beyong thrilled that I was selected. Now for my card:

I had made a Father's Day card with this beehive and I thought it would translate perfectly for this sketch...what do you think? The hive is colored with my Copics (the poor things have been sorely neglected lately), and I love the yummy felt ribbon from Making Memories. So come on, let's see what you do with the sketch!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Stampin Up

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey

Stamps: Saltbox Studio (the set was on sale for $3.90 on the Amuse website a month ago)

Button: Basic Grey

Ink: Memento

Markers: Copics

Twine: Walmart

Christmas in July- Card Exchange

The theme for the card exchange this month was Christmas in July. I just finished my cards tonight and they are due tomorrow (whew, I always sweated a deadline). I went with what my friends may call a "Classic Katie" Card. Simple, yet elegant...not to mention easy to duplicate. The Basic Grey paper was great for the base and I decided to make a Thank you card instead of a Christmas card to send out (I have a few more months to work on that concept!).

Hope everyone's Monday was ok!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Ribbon: May Arts
Foil Stick ons: JoAnn's
Other: Thread

Flocked Thanks

First, I love this paper. Second, I love the rhinestone bling- its from the vintage button score that I got at a garage sale a few months ago. I finally found a card to use it on. The paper is the flocked Doodlebug designs. This card was a 5 minute card and I love it!

Sorry I have been a few days away. I rediscovered how much I love to read. I went to the library for the first time in ages and got some books, so that has taken some time as has some stuff at work. My little guy is feeling much better! We had a great day today he was very playful and fun and we even had out second swimming lesson. Hope you all are having a great night!

Supplies:

Patterned Paper: Doodlebug

Ribbon: from the stash

Rhinestone bling: Vintage

Stickers: Making Memories