Cheerful Reindeer Card

Hi Everyone,

I've been busy fighting a bout of creative block....I have lots of projects I need to get done for Stamp Fever and I'm on inspiration overload. I can't seem to get my focus on just one thing as there is way too much brilliance out there in blog-land.

I did finish this card that I was thinking I might use as inspiration for my next class. It will need some refinement and streamlining unless I want the class to be an over-nighter. It took me a ridiculously long time to complete this card, I started it over a week ago and kept coming back to it every time I had an idea for how to finish it. The only element that stayed the same is the white canvas stripes on kraft cardstock. I love that combo!

The engineering of this design was what took so long since the front of the card is open and everything is seen from the inside.

I die cut the reindeer for the inside reversed using the piece I cut from stamped kraft cs cover. That way the stripes are on the inside and the back side of the reindeer on the card front is covered.

I like how the snowflakes and sentiment can twirl on the string as the card stands open.

Here's another card that I initially made for my class but decided against using:

It's hard to see in the photo but this card is sparkly with glitter and Stickles.

blessings,
nancy

InLinkz.com

Sweater Weather

Cooler weather means a new sweater for Tia! I found a great Etsy shop with the most adorable sweaters for dogs. It's called Dog on Cozy. The designs are fun, the prices are excellent and they are made really well. I will definitely be shopping for more Tia couture there in the future. You can find Dog on Cozy HERE.

Now let's see my little princess modeling her new sweater:

She loves wearing sweaters and she especially loves this one. It's very festive and bright.

It will even keep her little bum warm!

blessings,
nancy

Kathy's Lily Pad Palette for November

Lily Pad Cards has teamed up with Clear Dollar Stamps to bring you another fabulous color challenge:

I made another digital hybrid card using Clear Dollar Stamps Pumpkin Pie Digi Set. I loved that they had a pre-colored image in the set. As you are all well aware my coloring skills leave a lot to be desired so having the option to use a beautiful image that's ready to go totally appealed to me. It also allowed me to make a really quick card.

The background is made up of digital papers (a free set at Two Peas; see links below) that were formatted and sized in Publisher. Then I layered the Pumpkin pie digi image and the sentiment on top before printing . A punched card stock border, rustic jute twine, a button and vellum die cut complete the card.

I also used this set to design my 2011 Thanksgiving Place cards. I created them on two 8.5 x 11 sheets that I will print out and layer onto card stock for the place cards.

This is my working design and it will most likely change many times before I'm happy enough with it to print out and assemble the place cards.

I had to make a card for my honey...my very own Pie Man (he loves pie and bakes them often).

I hope you join in the color challenge fun at Lily Pad Cards; there is always a great prize and so much inspiration in the gallery. Check out what the Design Team has created with this wonderful Fall color palette.

~ Philippians 4:8 ~

Fix your thoughts on what is true,  

and honorable, and right, and pure,

and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

blessings,

nancy

InLinkz.com

Uriah- October 2011

I'm taking Latrice's online class, Handmade Holidays and today she had a scrapbook sketch for inspiration. Now everyone knows I'm not a scrapbook-er but I gave it a shot anyway.

As per my usual, I didn't follow the sketch very closely and I didn't use a holiday theme, but it did give me my jumping off point for this 8x8 page. And what better subject than my adorable two month old grandson, Uriah!

I used a bunch of {ancient} paper and stickers/embellishments from my stash; K&Company, Cosmo Cricket, Heidi Grace. It was about time I found a use for these cute little doodads. This is really a primitive page by today's scrapbook standards but it's a start. Who knows, I just may make a few more now that I will be taking lots of photos of favorite my subject!

I just love the large photo of our little guy with his daddy (my not-so-little guy). Uriah has wonderful parents, he's one blessed little boy.

~Philippians 1:6 ~

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you,

will continue His work until it is finally finished

on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

blessings,

nancy

Sharing Some Storage Solutions

Before this nasty virus caught up with me (yes, still sick but feeling better every day), I did a little revamping in the stamping studio. I had clear stamps and cling stamps and markers everywhere. My paper cutter and scoring board were fighting for real estate with the Cuttlebug and all of the die-cutting accessories.

It was a mess and not a creative one.

First, my talented hubby came to my rescue with a solution to the paper cutting and scoring dilemma. He used some heavy duty shelf/drawer guides to add a large pull out shelf right below my work space.

It sits at the perfect height, just below my counter-height work area, pulls out when I need it and disappears out of sight when not in use.

I love this shelf, it has revolutionized my crafting time and freed up space on my counter for my Cuttlebug.

Command Central

Next I tackled the stamp storage issue. I used to keep my clear stamps in a binder, but I hated having to flip through, wrestle them out and put them back. Who has time for that? I wanted them on my desk and easily accessible. My solution was fabric covered boxes and labeled dividers. I put the Hero Arts sets in one by themselves as I have the most of these.

Hero Arts Clear Stamp Storage Box

I trim the cards that back the acetate folder so it fits in the box, but I keep it attached to retain the name of the set. The co-branded sets are in the front of the box.

For my Hero Arts cling stamps I used a standard photo box and made dividers: Large Background, Small Background, Silhouette, Flowers, Sets etc. I try to keep them in their original packaging that I modify to make them easier to remove. Some are in zip top plastic bags but it's not the best. This box lives on a shelf to the left of my work area, within reach when I'm working.

Hero Arts Cling Stamp Storage Box

I used another box for Lawn Fawn stamps, my rapidly growing collection, with dividers specific to these sets. My most used sets from other companies are stored here as well.

 Lawn Fawn Stamp Set storage box: I made dividers that relate to the Lawn Fawn stamp categories.

 These boxes make it so easy to flip through the sets and find exactly what I'm looking for. How handy!

There are dividers for other frequently used stamp companies: The Craft's Meow, Sweet Stamp Shop, Flourishes etc.

I also reworked my Copic Marker storage. The Art Supply Warehouse had a sale on Copics and I added to my stash. Since they no longer fit in the 3 drawers I had been using, I moved them to my other storage drawer units, separated by color family.

 Copics were kept in the green drawers. I had them separated by Warm, Cool and Neutral. This worked when my collection was still pretty limited but the expanded storage is wonderful now that I have a few more.

This works much better, it's much easier to see what I have now too. On top of the drawer units are my buckets of embossing powder. The tags identify the color. Above that are my button and flower jars, an eclectic collection of repurposed jars.

The best part of this organization blitz is that I didn't spend any money, I reused what I had. Al even used materials he had in the garage for the shelf; and from my first plea for help to done project took under 2 hours. (Sorry, ladies, I'm keeping him.) I hope some of these solutions help you to get your supplies and tools organized in time for your holiday crafting.

~ Lamentations 3:22-24 ~

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in Him!"

blessings,

nancy

It's Another Lily Pad Technique Challenge!

It's all about Texture at Lily Pad Cards for a challenge sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.

When I think of texture, I think of layers. Layers of color, layers of heat-embossed stamping, layers of paper and embellishments. Texture can also be added with embossing folders; I did consider that but nothing I had on hand was "floating my boat". So I got out some fun stamp sets that don't get used often enough, I rummaged through my stash for chipboard shapes to use as masks and lots of colorful sprays. Check out the Inlinkz collection at the end of this post for all the products used on this card.

Card Image is unavailable, I'm so sorry.

The only product that isn't still available (at least I couldn't find it online) is the frame. It's from a K&Company Photo Mat pad of embossed frames.

Make sure to hop on over to the Lily Pad Cards blog to see all the fabulous projects by the design team, as always they are amazing!

I'm keeping this post short and sweet as I'm still fighting what feels like the plague. The worst part is that it's keeping me from my adorable grandson and that's almost unbearable. Hubby and son have had it too, at least we've had company in our misery.

~  Hebrews 13:7 ~

Remember your leaders who taught you the Word of God.

Think of all the good that has come from their lives,

and follow the example of their faith.

I truly appreciate the godly lives and Bible teaching of these faithful men: Pastor Vic Elfstrum, Pastor Bob Kopeny, Pastor Bruce Sonnenberg, Pastor Chuck Smith and Pastor Greg Laurie. My life as a Christian has been enriched and set on the right course because they were faithful in sharing the Gospel and overseeing their flocks without compromise.

blessings,

nancy

InLinkz.com