Coffee Lovers Bloghop!

Hi friends!

The lovely Chaitali, has put together the most fabulous hop in honor of a most delicious beverage, coffee!  Today is National Coffee Day after all, and what better way to celebrate, than with the wonderful papercrafting community!  I love coffee, seriously..are there words necessary for its awesomeness?  No, I didn't think so.

I, of course, had to break out the super fun Love You A Latte from Lawn Fawn, which the i {heart} papers has (yeah!) so, starting with a piece of white card stock that I die cut with the Avery Elle Finished Frames, I stamped one of the sentiments in orange.  I then took the coordinating dies from the stamp set, and paper-pieced the sleeve with Kraft cardstock, adhered that to the cup, and added the finished die cuts to the panel.  I then stamped a few hearts in red ink, and glittered them up with a Wink of Stella glitter brush pen.

To finish off the card, I adhered a piece of brown plaid patterned paper from the Sweater Weather 6x6 paper pad by Lawn Fawn onto a white card base, and popped my panel up with foam.

There are a few questions that Virginia Lu suggested we do as a fun add on in our post, so here goes.

1. When did you start drinking coffee? 
    I started drinking coffee in college.  I had never cared for it much, but apparently the late nights and hard studying were enough to propel me to the dark side.

2. What is favorite brand (you can name up to three). 
    I really enjoy Starbucks.  I love their dark roasts!

3. What is the most amazing coffee that you had? Remember where and when?
    I can certainly remember a time when I had Dow Egberts coffee in the college cafeteria.  It was, at that time, the best tasting stuff ever!

4. If I don't drink my needed coffee, I will...
   Okay, confession time: at this point in my life I am not drinking coffee...WHAT!!  But, I hope to return to it soon.  I need to clear up some health issues before I can resume my most beloved beverage.  As a gluten sensitive person, I have found that coffee aggravates my symptoms, and upon further investigating, learned that proteins in other foods, in this case, coffee, can sometimes cross-react with gluten antibodies in people who are sensitive.  Who knew?   

So, there you go!  I hope you will hop along to others and see what coffee themed projects others have come up with!

Have a great day!

Take Two Thursday

Helloooo!

I am back today, with my good friend Katie, and we are taking on another Take Two Thursday!  It's been longer than our normal schedule, sorry bout that.  Life has been slightly crazy for both of us.  But, today we have both come up with cards using this months Studio Calico Kit, Poet Society.

I started by using the fabulous patterned paper from the kit, and layered a couple pieces, collage style onto the front of the card.  I slid a piece of yellow doily as well.

I love the big sentiment in the stamp set, so I stamped it in Versamark, and gold heat embossed it.  I then trimmed it out, and popped it up.  I added a few star accents, and stamped the "You did it!" in Navy ink.

I really wanted to make more than one, and hopefully I will get the chance to do it before the next kit comes my way, lol!  We shall see, won't we?  Go check out what Katie made, cause I know it won't disappoint.

P.S.
Katie and I plan to finish our Stamp Out Chaos series in the coming weeks, and I plan to share my (new) and finished space.  I can't wait!

You Warm My Heart

Heeeey!

My husband and I went away for our 9th anniversary this past weekend, and had a blast.  We didn't go anywhere spectacular, but then, when you are a parent...anything done as a couple is spectacular.  Anyway, I have a little card to share using goodies from the i {heart} papers store.  GO, and check out all of the fabulous new products she has stocked.  :)

I started by creating my card base from the Stitched Party Banners die from Lawn Fawn.  I scored the back so it would fold, and adhered it to the front.  I then stamped my sentiment, as well as the cute little rabbits from the Snow Day set, and colored them in with Copic Markers.  I stamped two of the little hearts from the set, in Red Royal ink from Hero Arts and applied a coat of Wink of Stella to give it a bit of sparkle.

I then die cut a piece of the argyle patterned paper from Sweater Weather with the same banner die, and adhered it to my card front.  A strip of yellow paper finished it off.  As a last touch, I tied a bit of twine around, and tied it into a bow.

Thanks for stopping by to see!  Have a great day!

Floral Thank You

Hi all!

Another busy week on the ol' blog...but there have been some seriously awesome stamp releases lately, and I had to get my hands on some of them.  One being Avery Elle's Fabulous Florals stamp set.  Hello?!  I adore floral stamps, so this had my name on it! 

I started by die cutting a rounded edge with Avery Elle's Custom Panels dies.  Then, with a bunch of different inks from Hero Arts, as well as Wplus9, I stamped randomly across the bottom of my panel.

I added a sentiment from the set, using black ink, and of course, enamel dots, before adhering it to a black card base.

I hope you'll check out the HUGE selection of stamps that Kate has at the i {heart} papers store!  You won't be sorry!

Have a great day!

I Am Here For You

Hi!

I have a super detailed card to share today, involving the first every Altenew Challenge!  I love Altenew stamps, and well the owners too, so much talent there!  

Great inspiration, huh?  Here is what I did with it using Persian Motifs, and Sentiments & Quotes.

I took a piece of woodgrain patterned paper from Carte Bella's Wildflower paper pad, and white heat embossed the flowers from Persian Motifs, and then adhered it to a card base.

I took a white cardstock strip, and stamped a simple sentiment from the Sentiments & Quotes set, and adhered a piece of vellum, and then a piece of lime cardstock from Bazzill.  To finish it, I white heat embossed a flower onto black cardstock, cut it out and adhered it to my sentiment strip.  Of course, as a last touch, I added some sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Thanks so much for stopping!  Have a great one!

RIC #68

Hello, hello!

I love shoes.  I love high heels, and low heels, and everything in between.  Would you believe I wear boring tennis shoes all day?  Believe it people, cause these feet are as flat as a pancake and I would trip flat on my face if I tried high heels.  It is nice to dream though.

So, what on earth is the point of my shoe discussion?  The Runway Inspired Challenge of course!!  Because, this week, is all about a shoe!  Behold!

I know, i know.  It's amazing, it's awesome, it's totally inspirational!  Here is what I did.

I loved the diamond shapes, but didn't have any stamps, so I went with Modern Beadwork from Altenew and imitated the angles.  I stamped the "v" shaped stamp in a combination of Hero Arts Shadow inks, as well as Wplus9's Coconut Husk ink, onto a white panel.

I took Super Script, stamped "friend" and trimmed it out, adhering it with foam.  After I adhered the panel to a Kraft card base, I added a few wood veneer stars from Studio Calico and applied Glossy Accents to them for some shine.

So, play along this week,  Ellen Hutson is our fabulous sponsor!  We can't wait to see what you do with the inspiration!

"Getting To Know Me" Blog Hop!

Hello!

First of all, thank you so much for your congrats on my previous post.  You all are the best, and I truly appreciate the kind words.  I know there are many talented paper crafters out there, and I am humbled you come to see me over here!

Speaking of talented paper crafters, my Runway Inspired "boss" and super talented owner of Altenew, Jen Rzasa, nominated me to participate in the "Getting To Know Me" Blog Hop.  As part of this, I answer a few questions about my creative process, and such.

• What creative projects are you currently working on?

I am right in the middle of working on projects for i {heart} papers.  I have a bunch of products from the store that I keep together in a bin, to use on my cards so they are ready when I need them.  I also just finished up a card for my post with my good friend Katie, and our Take Two Thursday series, using the September Studio Calico Kit.

• What inspires your designs?

I find the product usually inspires what I am making, but sometimes it's magazine ad, or a piece of furniture.  I love to look for inspiration from the greeting card isles at Target, just soaking in the simple designs, and being inspired to try some of them.  I am also inspired by a lot of other paper crafters.  There are so many great ideas that others think up!

• What method/process do you apply to each of your creative projects, and how long does each project take to complete?

I usually spread out the products I would like to play with, out on my table, to see where I want to go with it.  I usually have either a sketch in mind or feel like winging it, lol!  For real, I have thrown away my share of the "let's see what happens" kind of projects!  Depending on how complicated my design is, I usually take about 30-45 minutes to make a card.

• If you had to describe your "signature style, what would it be?"

I am all about clean and simple!  Sometimes though, I like to add a bit more to my designs that would, in my opinion, move it beyond C&S.  I guess it depends on my mood, or inspiration.

• What three crafting tools/products can you not live without?

I love tools and the various products that go along with paper crafting.  I have to have my Detail scissors, those are so handy!  I also can't work if I don't have my stylus and score tool (do those count together, lol?), and I would have to say that, lastly, my ATG adhesive gun, because honestly, you can't create a card without really good adhesive.  Now, I have been loving the Multi Matte Medium for adhering small embellishments, but we won't count that one, eh?  Hee!

So, confession time...this is where I nominate two to three more paper crafters.  I tried, I really did, but you all are so busy being awesome!  Seriously though, between my hectic month (September always kills me) and everyone either having done the hop already, or were too busy, I got nothin'!  I do hope that you can forgive me...I am a blog hop failure, lol!  

Because I failed at the blog hop part of it, I thought I would put together a little list of bloggers who always inspire me, and I am sure you are well aware of in blog land.  In case you aren't, there you go!  There are SO many more that I could list, seriously, but I will leave it at five.  So...

My first inspiring papercrafter/blogger would be Miriam Prantner.  Her projects are always adorable, and super well done.  I always walk away inspired from her work.

Second, I love the fun cards that Keren Baker creates.  I have been following her for quite some time, and am always in love with her designs.  Good stuff right there.

Another crafter I admire is Therese Calvird.  Her videos are really fun to watch, and she has some great ideas on ways to use different products.  Love her cards!

Of course, I can't not mention the amazingly inspiring Tasnim Ahmed.  Oh my, her designs are so amazing, and I love her beautiful cards!  She has some wicked watercoloring skills!

And lastly, I have been inspired by Carissa Wiley, and love watching her videos.  She has great ideas using the Studio Calico kits.

Phew!  Longest post in Note To Self history, ya'll!  Thanks for sticking with me there.  I will leave you with a sneak peek of a card I have up today, on the i {heart} papers blog.  Go check it out if you have a chance! 

Thanks again for popping by!

So Thankful For You & Fun news!

Hey there, and happy Friday!!

Did you see this post?  YEAH!  I love the AEIHeartU Challenge blog, it's so fun!  I adore Avery Elle stamps, and let me tell ya, when I received an email from the sweet Jaime, I nearly fainted.  So, in honor of this great news, I made a card featuring Avery Elle stamps and paper!  I am so thankful...thankful for Jaime, and of course you, my awesome readers!

I started with a panel of Tim Holtz watercolor paper, and created a watercolor effect using Studio Calico dye inks.  I then took the Cake and Candles set, and heat embossed one of the sentiments over my watercolor wash using white embossing powder.

Taking the Many Thanks stamp set, I used the circular stamps, in coordinating colors, to scatter them about the panel.  I adhered a piece of striped patterned paper from the Sorbet Collection onto my card base and my panel onto that.  Lastly, I adhered a few sequins on colors to match.

I appreciate you stopping by!  Thanks for sharing in my good news!    

Eye Think You're Neat

Hello there!

I wanted to stop on by to share my card for Virginia's View Challenge.  I have sooo much patterned paper, seriously...it's out of control.  I will never in a million years, use all of the paper I own.  Ah, well.  It sure is pretty to look at!  HA!  

Back to the card!  i {heart} papers just got in the latest Lawn Fawn goodness, and I had to ink up the Monster Mash set!  Gah, so cute!

I took the curved die from the Avery Elle Custom Panel die set, and die cut it from a white panel.  I then stamped one of the sentiments in Wplus9's Nautical Navy ink.  To create my little monsters, I stamped them in Tuxedo Black, because I knew I was going to use Copic markers on them, and using the coordinating dies, ran those through my Big Shot.

I took a piece of patterned paper from the Solstice 6x6 pad and adhered a strip to a Kraft card base.  I added my stamped panel, and then added my monsters using foam tape.  I finished it off with enamel dots!

Thanks so much for visiting me today!  Have a great one!

Creative Blog Hop

Hello!

How is your Monday going?  As good as a Monday can, I hope!  The lovely and talented Melania asked me if I would join the fun Creative Blog Hop that has been going around.  I said sure, and so, I have to answer a few questions.

So, the first question is, What am I working on now?  Hm, lots of things actually!  There is the Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking call for the Card Creations 13 issue, as well as my project for the i {heart} papers store blog that will go up soon.  Those are the most immediate, but I am also busy with a few other assignments a little further out.

Second question, How does my work differ from others in my genre?  Oh, now that is a question to ponder.  Sometimes I don't think I am very original, however, I don't give myself enough credit, in that I like to try new techniques, and get messy.  I feel that I put my personal style in my projects, and that is really the thing that, for most of us, makes our work unique.

The third question is, Why do I create what I do?  I started cardmaking as a quick creative outlet, as well as a way to not have to buy cheesy greeting cards.  It has morphed into sooo much more than that.  I never dreamed that my little paper crafting obsession would turn into Design Team opportunities, as well as being in magazine print!  It has been a fun journey, that's for sure!

And, lastly, How does my creative process work? HAHA!  This is a good one, because, true story, I am such a free form crafter.  I don't plan anything out, do sketches, and rarely seek out special inspiration.  I sit down, and see what happens.  Maybe I am just lazy, but I find my creativity hampered when I have to follow the instructions.  True with life, no?  I do like a sketch, or an inspirational photo, don't get me wrong, but I don't usually have a strategy when I sit down at the table.  I like to see what happens.

So, the next step is to tag 2-3 other crafters!  Well, I tried, but whoa, I got busy, they were busy...it was tough, so I have my good gal pal and talented friend, Katie joining in.

Katie Gehring- Hello!  My name is Katie and I live in Northeast Ohio with my husband, our two lively and creative daughters, four cats and countless antique automobiles.  By day, I work in the Human Resources department of a large bank, and by night, I am a paper engineer, DIY enthusiast and all around crafty gal.  I started scrapbooking in 2001 and decided to try my hand at stamping a few years later.  Little did I know that stamping would take my crafty passion, enthusiasm, and stash of supplies to a whole new level! I love to try new things and try to do something creative each and every day. 

The next person I chose, was my talented mom, Becky.  Now, she doesn't have a blog, but she makes quilts, and sews anything and everything!  She has an A-mazing eye for color, and adores creating fabric projects for her home.  She is also a successful quilt block seller on Ebay!  She is certainly an inspiration to me!

So, there you have it!  Thanks so much for reading a little bit more about me.  Have a great day!

Heartfelt Thanks

Hello!

I am thoroughly enjoying my weekend, how about you?  Anytime I get to chill at my craft table is cause for celebration!  What's even better are new stamps.  Hold me back ya'll, cause I have to feel em', ink em' and play!  So, I got ahold of the lovely Red & Goldie set, and made this for the latest AEIHeartU Challenge, to create a Clean and Simple card. 

I inked up the fox with Memento Tuxedo Black, and colored him in with Copic Markers.  I also did the same with the tree stump, cut them out, and adhered them to a panel that I had applied Mowed Lawn Distress Ink to.  

To do that, I took a piece of masking paper, cut it using one of the Custom Panel dies, and adhering the mask to the panel.  I then brought in the green ink in a downward motion.

When the panel was done, I stamped my sentiment, as well as a few stars. I then adhered it to a card base that was prepped with patterned paper from Pink Paislee's Hello Sunshine paper pad. 

Thanks sooo much for stopping by!  I will be back tomorrow!

Take Two Thursday: Welcome Little One

Hiya!

I just love Take Two Thursdays...because Katie comes up with some super clever things with the stamp set we pick.  It is the beauty of art, ya know, the different inspiration we come up with.  This week, we went with Avery Elle's Storybook stamp set.  It is just so adorable.

I never get tired of the watercolor look, especially when it blends and moves on its own.  So, to begin, I took a piece of Tim Holtz watercolor paper, and wet it with a paint brush.  I then rubbed a bit of Studio Calico's Sunny Day, and Well Red on my craft mat, and used that as a palette to apply the ink to my paper.

After it was dry, I stamped my sentiment, as well as the sweet duck image onto the panel.  I then stamped the image again, and paper-pieced it, using more watercolor paper.  I added some of the stars from the set, and a strip of patterned paper from the Hello Sunshine 6x6 paper pad from Pink Paislee.

Please stop on over to see what Katie did with this set, and thanks always, for stopping by!

RIC #67

Hello, hello!

Today, I have the newest Runway Inspired Challenge for ya!  Ohhh, I love the colors on this, and the florals of course, check it out!

Cool, huh?  There is so much inspo in this single pic!  I incorporated:

1. The colors

2. The pattern of her pants and jacket

You could possibly gain inspiration from:

1. The plant

2. Woodgrain from the planter

3. The rug pattern

Like I said, so many things can inspire your card here!

I first started by stamping the flowers from Altenew's Scribbled Flowers set, in colors that coordinated with her top, using Hero Arts inks.  I then took a piece of patterned paper from the Hello Sunshine 6x6 paper pad by Pink Paislee, and layered it under a block of vellum, as well as another panel.

That panel was stamped again, with the same flowers, as well as a sentiment from the same set.  I then added a few gold sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  For a bit of dramatic effect, I curled the edges a tad.

I hope you decide to play along with us!  There is a generous gift certificate up for grabs to Simon Says Stamp.

Have a great day!