xmas thanks

I love to tie my christmas cards and christmas thank you's together, so the challenge at Nichole Heady's blog (here) was right up my alley… even if I was slow to start it.  

There were lovely strips of left-over patterned paper I punched from a super-cool Mish photo-card design I used (here).  For this layout I remembered a N.H. card I'd CASEd before (here).  BONUS: this was also my first chance to use some of my new large envelopes I've been hoarding, which is a good new year thing to do.

Things are off to a GREAT start in my corner of the world - I hope they are for you, too!

affirmations

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do set three intentions for the year at the spring equinox (there's still time to see how last year's intentions are unfolding).  Affirmations, on the other hand, are a daily way to hit the re-set button and get life flowing in a positive way.

The easiest and favorite I use is, "I am so happy that only wonderful things happen to me all of the time."  It feels silly to say, like how we all used to laugh at Stewart Smalley, but I continue with the affirmation and then my business for the day.

Here's an enlightening little snippet on the matter:

 

Affirmations
by Owen Waters

Affirmations are used to reprogram the subconscious mind in a desired direction. This helps to empower you to move through emotional blockages which may be limiting your opportunities to experience life to the fullest.

Every time you make a mental affirmation, your subconscious mind hears it and adjusts towards the reality of that statement. The subconscious mind does not filter, it just acts

on your statements. It is important, therefore, that you feed yourself positive thoughts about who you are.

A great way to start is to make a habit of using the classic affirmation, "Every day, in every way, I am becoming better and better."

Ignore any skepticism that arises inside you when you start doing this. That's just the automatic response which comes from resistance to change. Remember, for every action in life, there is an opposite and equal reaction. When you launch into an action which will cause change, resistance to change can manifest as the automatic, opposite reaction. Just carry out your action regardless. Keep going with your affirmation, and turn it into a habit.

mish sketch challenge

It's time to create a few baby cards and challenges are so handy to give me direction :)  Michelle Wooderson - Mish - had a New Year's Eve sketch (here) and I had the joy of a LONG naptime to get it all done.  

I pulled out the Basic Grey gamma series stamps - and remembered the so-called "Freaky Girl" :)  I loved them all instantly - so Burton-esque.

Here's a close-up of that sweetie:

 

She's colored with a few Copics for the heart (RV04, RV17), hair (Y32) and some T1 and 0.  I have a trio pack for hibiscus & leaf on the way, but alas, for now I used some good ol' Crayola colored pencils.

 

 Adorables!  Just cut these out from the DCWV Nana's Nursery paper pack.  It was mostly paper play on this card - most of the stamping was on the envelope (on the back with the Around & About Sentiments I stamped 2 borders: Congratulations in hibiscus & hearts in blush.

xmas card wonderland

I just love laying out a collection of coordinating cards... well, who doesn't - they look gorgeous (and you're glad it's finally over!).   You can see the previous post for design credits.

This year I made 50 cards, which didn't seem too bad because there were so many different Basic Grey papers I was drooling over.  And TONS of PTI scarlet jewel, aqua mist & spring moss ribbons in saddle stitch and polka dots.  I finally tried making those Copic-colored gems/pearls/brads.  Wow.  Total money saver - and I dig using up stuff in my stash.

Here's the gal in her Hanna Andersson dress (every year we buy a size big at end-of-season sales and save it for the next year).  We did our photo shoot at the zoo - so lush!

Everything was going well when suddenly - drama! - the cat takes a dirt bath and strolls across my master pieces.  Ahh!  Dirty beast.  Why do they ALWAYS get right on top of your project?

Here just a few close-ups of some of the cards.  My little moments of zen:

 

 

 

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI rustic snowflakes

paper - PTI kraft; Basic Gey Eskimo Kisses

ink - PTI snow; Versamagic

ribbon - PTI scarlet, moss & aqua saddle sticth & polka dot

embellish - glitter embossing powder, multi-color fine glitter, various gems/brads/pearls & Copic markers

tools - Scor-It, sewing machine, heat gun, glue pen, yellow Marvy circle punch, corner rounder, 1/8" Scor-tape, Tombow mono adhesive

xmas card prep

They're not done as I had hoped (Dream Big!) but at least I managed to get an early start on cards this year.  Since last December I've wanted to use Pine's Rustic Snowflakes stamps (here) and CASE a photo card from Mish (here).  Paired with those new Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses papers - mmmm.  

Here's my craft table with the first round of cards, in stages of completion:

I say, first make embellishments because it's lovely fun.  Luckily I had scrap kraft paper left over from last year's card (here).  Here's the plan:

1. stamp snowflake in white ink
   
2. glitter heat emboss with Versamark ink
   
3. use sponge dauber to soften center with white ink; buff
4. add tiny white dots to outer circles with gelly roller
   
5. (glue & glitter snowflakes - leave center blank for coordinating gem later)
6. (punch out circle)

Next - the cards.  After a few attempts I discovered a design with the sentiment hidden behind the pull-out photo (see this in the card propped on the table).  The double-sided paper was just begging to be folded & distressed - but grandma's old Singer sewing machine was NOT sewing through those thick layers.  Instead, I'll stitch three sides of the patterned paper.  Here's an unfinished (unsewn) close-up of the card without the pull-out photo portion:

Here's the how to:

1. slice a sheet of kraft paper, lengthwise
   
2. trim a bit off one side
3. stamp the sentiment so it's hidden by the pull-out photo portion
   
4. edge sides with white ink; let dry (I did ~2 days, to be sure)
   
5. glitter heat emboss 'snowflake' sentiment (it adds dimension if the alignment is off)
   
6. fold (I use a jacked-up mini Scor-It - see photo below)
7. make a pocket by sealing two sides with 1/8" Scor-Tape
8. stamp 'handmade by' sentiment on back of card in white ink; sign & date w/ gelly roller pen
   
9. edge bottom of card with white ink; let dry
   
10. measure & cut patterned paper
11. fold down & distress paper
    
12. measure & cut ribbon - adhere
13. (sew three sides of patterned paper & ribbon)
14. (adhere paper to card)
15. (attach embellishment; add coordinating gem)
16. (measure & print personal message on kraft paper for back of pull-out)
    
17. (measure & print photos)
18. (round one corner of photo & kraft paper)
19. (attach with brad in corner)
20. (insert pull-out into card)
21. (decorate, label & stamp envelopes)

Lastly, in trying to save a $10 I got a mini Scor-it.  I really LOVE the professional score, but had to tape a small ruler to the top to be able to score the center of an 11" piece of paper.  Oh well! 

turkey day

We have a very special thanks for our lovely neighbors who are having us over for Thanksgiving dinner.  Robert is an amazing cook so I am quite looking forward to it :)  Not much time was on my hands but I made a quick little card, thank you to inspiration from a sketch from Dawn McVey.

We love those guys and their big old Great Dane, Uma.

blog hop

Tonight's my first night for the Papertrey Ink blog hop and I won't be around until late (darn).  But the challenge was too inspiring to pass up - Grab & Go Gifts.  I wanted something for upcoming St. Nicolas day (Dec. 6th) - I lived in Germany when I was young and we always left wooden shoes out which St. Nicolas would fill with oranges, candy and goodies.  

We're trying the same tradition with our little one.  Plus I want to have a few yummy small gifts to take on-the-go to the O.B. Christmas parade & December Nights ('Christmas on the Prado').  The added bonus is the ripe citrus fruits just outside our front door - Christmas in So. Cal. means citrus!  Lemons & limes make gifts for parents and goodie bags are for the kids.

The card and a piece of custom-stamped vintage cream cardstock (so cute!) came first - crafted with love when I had more time.  (The back of the card has 'Handmade with Love' stamped in cream.)  For the bag, I needed something to literally grab & go from the cupboard in a snap - Unbleached Natural Waxed Paper Bags, small chocolate pretzels, tiny candy canes, a Cutie tangerine, and a tiny organic apple - whammo - stapled shut (with a few finishes on the tag).

I'll save this one for us for St. Nicolas Day.  And I have five more pieces of my custom paper for gifts for friends we meet up with at outdoor holiday events - perfect snacks to keep you refreshed & away from pricey food vendors.  I can make more cards if there's time, or add a quick sentiment to the bottom of the tag on the gift.  I'm lovin' it.

SUPPLIES:
stamps - PTI Holiday Button Bits, Fruitful, Fruitful Sentiments, Borders & Corners - Square, Background Basics: Retro (candy cane stamps source unknown - cheap-os)

paper - PTI chocolate, scarlet, cream 
ink - PTI chocolate, scarlet, orangerie, sunset, leaf, chartreuse, cream; Tim Holtz linen distress ink 
ribbon - PTI scarlet saddle stitch, scarlet satin, cream twill; vintage cream twine
accents - PTI vintage orange & leaf buttons

tools - Marvy giga scalloped square punch; Cutterbee scissors; Glue dots; Tombow mono adhesive; foam dimensionals; stapler; Copic markers