Time Gone By card

Here's a card I made using some papers the Life's Journey collection by K&Co. The pocket watch and the "Time Gone By" embellishments were made by using the Print and Cut feature on my Silhouette. I added a strip of torn paper and a brad for an accent.

Until my next post,
Diane

There are two kinds of people card

Here's a card I made for my hubby. Obviously he has a Harley AND he has another motorcycle, a Suzuki. I used stamps by Artistic Outpost for this card and stickers by EK Success.

When you remove the ribbon holder that says Sturgis, SD and open the card it looks like this:

I got the info to make this card from Splitcoast Stampers. There were directions and a video to help you make it. It was REALLY easy but looks more difficult. The technique is called "Free Standing Pop Up" card.

Until my next post,
Diane

Happy St. Pat's Day card

Here's a card I made using my Silhouette for the Irish side of the family. Of course on the 17th of March we all have a little Irish in us. The background was a free download that I had to adjust a bit to make it fit on an A2 size card. I bought the phrase from the Silhouette store. I know I can make my own but I wasn't in the mood to play around with the spacing of the characters so I bought it. After I printed out the phrase I knew it would blend in too much so I enlarged the surrounding phrase then got rid of the small cut outs and printed that out. I elevated the phrase and its background with pop dots.

Until my next post,
Diane

Just For You Card

Here's a card I made for my brother-in-law. It uses papers, and Dazzles from Hot off the Press. The cupcake is from another collection that I think I got at Michaels. It goes really well with the collection. The Dazzles on the cupcake are actually the "innies" or extras. If you can imagine, their was another Dazzle that contained the outline of a cupcake so many times you can get two for the price of one!

Until my next post,
Diane

Hello there, girlfriend card

Here's a card I made for one of my fellow Altered Designs Yahoo Group members.  Late last year they decided to start a birthday club. Any member could join and the rules are real simple. Send a card to each member for their birthday and then get cards for your birthday. Easy peasy! I've been pretty bad with my Yahoo craft groups so this is an easy way to stay involved. Not that many folks signed up so the workload isn't overwhelming by any means.

This card uses two techniques. The background was done by spaying a piece a scrapbook paper with water then crumpling it. I didn't think I'd use this paper in its original form, it was a bit too pastel for me. After while it is still moist buy not "wet" you rub the Ranger Distress inks on it. After it dries flatten it by placing some weight on it.

The pinwheel was done using the technique from the August 2010 Technique Junkies. I had some coordinating paper and did a bit of embossing on it and then placed a brad in the middle.

Until my next post,
Diane

What I'm NOT doing this year

Maybe I'm cheap but this year I decided NOT to go to Art and Soul in Virginia. I'd been a regular since 2007 when the venue was in Hampton. This year they moved to Virginia Beach since the cost of the convention center next to the hotel was too expensive. I understand the event needs to make money to continue but I decided to not spend my money to stay in a hotel and eat my meals out. I was fortunate to live so close that I could go home and sleep in my bed, bring a sandwich for lunch and go home for dinner every night. I know I missed out on some "bonding" with fellow crafters but saving a few bucks is important too. I will probably save at least $1700-1800 by NOT going. This is based on five nights single accommodations, five day classes, one night class, the kit fees, five lunches and five dinners.

Another big reason for my decision to not go is that I've got enough unfinished projects at home. I hope to use a few days that I would have gone to A&S to finish some of these. I've also got a bunch of other kits at home that I never started so I need to do those as well.

Since my immersion in genealogy I've pretty much gone cold turkey on buying craft stuff. I have SO MUCH of this stuff hanging around that I need to use what I've got. Having a smart phone helps in a way. I no longer have to carry my coupons for Michael's or the other big box store. If I decide I need something I can show them the online coupon and still save.

Until my next post,
Diane