Altered Calendars

Oh, what a wonderful day I had today. I got to stamp! I can't believe how long it takes me to make anything though! Every time I looked at the clock, another hour had passed and I had only finished like 1 card! But, I had fun and felt like I got a little of my creative juices back.

My friend went to India last year, to visit her in-laws. She brought back these handmade calendars. I decided to alter it for this year instead of putting it in the trash when the year was through. This is what the original looked like.  The calendar was pretty big - you can see it tore the paper where I took it off:

I've been thinking about the outgoing SU! In-Colors a lot lately and wanted to use them since I just got a stack of DSP and wanted to use the ribbon. I'm going to miss the colors. Truth be told, I like them better than the current colors. I'm already looking forward to the next set of In-Colors :)

So, I made one for myself and one for a co-worker. I told her I'd make one for her since she also received one of these from our friend. I'm going to keep the Concord Crush one and give her the Pear Pizazz one. I like how they both turned out and I'll be able to use them every year by just changing the little calendar.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

February Simply Paper Design Challenge

Simply put - join us!

Up Up And Away!

I just had to have this set when I saw it!  I recently made this card for a friend's birthday.  I used the colors from January's color challenge, but this is the card I made and realized I hadn't followed the sketch!  Anyway, I think the balloons are so cute!  I bought the cloud punches on-line and sponged them to give them some depth.  I also cut out the balloons and popped them up with dimensionals as it was really hard to line up the basket with the balloon!  But, I like the way the balloon looks better being popped up.  And that's about it :)  Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Happy 21st Birthday Alison!

I made this card for a special friend's niece who turns 21 today - how exciting!  To be that young again....

I have been wanting to stamp for a while, but haven't had much of a chance and I really wanted to use some stamps I haven't used yet.  So, I broke out the stamps and Copic markers and had a good time coloring it up!  I love this image - isn't it cute?  Alison is an animal lover, so I think she'll like this birthday dog :)

I used some old SU! scrapping kit papers (birthday) and thought it was perfect for this card.   I don't think you can see it, but I used some Copic Spica pens on top of the colored hat and candle to give them some sparkle.  I love the bone in the cupcake - makes me laugh!

Anyway, Happy Birthday Alison!  May you have a wonderful day today and always.

January Design Post

Hi!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was fun filled and I got a lot done :)  I actually had a chance to stamp this weekend and it sure was fun! 

Anyway, I wanted to post our cards for the January challenge.  Here was the challenge:

Michelle designed the sketch and chose the colors.  Her card is AMAZING!  Look how beautiful this is!  I just love this winter card.  Her snowflakes are so beautiful, but they don't take away from that adorable snowman.  They really enhance this card and I like that they cover the white space and add texture.  Nice job on all counts, Michelle!  To see more of Michelle's work, please visit her blog here.

Next is my card.  I had a heck of a time with this challenge.  I love the colors and made a card with them, but then realized that I hadn't followed the sketch!  So, in talking to my sister, she helped me think of what to do.  My friend recently had a beautiful baby boy and I wanted to make her a card to send with the baby gifts.  My sister (Debbie) suggested a rattle made with punches.  It was perfect!  The colors were good for a boy and the rattle filled the sketch perfectly.  Because of all of the white space, I ran the white piece through the embossing folder.  I love that satin ribbon!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!  I'll be posting February's challenge next weekend.  Please join us if you can!

January 2012 Simply Paper Design Challenge

Happy New Year!   I don't know about you, but we are ready for another year of challenges.  I know I need to get busy crafting and creating as it has been too long and I miss it!

Michelle created this month's lovely color and sketch combo.  I hope you'll join us in this challenge.  Debbie will be taking a couple months off, but should be back in March :)

Have a wonderful day!

A Belated Thank You to Regina!

I was totally surprised to receive yet another awesome package from my friend Regina.  She sent me these Christmas gifts and I was floored!  Look at all of these goodies she sent.  And, to make them even better, she made toppers for all of the goodies inside of  the altered suitcase and made a matching card and notepad.  The notepad is super cool - she used magnets to keep it closed, but you can't see them. The card had a beautiful poem inside, in German and English!  Also, check out the adorable Santa clip on the suitcase.  I just love all of these gifts.  Thank you, Regina.  I'm so glad to have met you and hope we can meet in person one day!  Craft hugs to you!

Ich war total überrascht, dass wir noch ein tolles Paket von meinem Freund Regina. Sie sandte mir diese Weihnachten Geschenke und mir die Sprache verschlagen! Sehen Sie sich bei all diesen leckereien ließ. Und, damit sie noch besser, machte sie toppers für alle goodies in der veränderten koffer und machte einen passenden Karte und notizzettel.  Der notizblock ist super cool - sie verwendeten magnete geschlossen zu halten, aber da kann man sie sehen. Die Karte hatte ein wunderschönes Gedicht im Inneren, in Deutsch und Englisch! Sehen sie sich Auch die adorable Santa clip auf dem Koffer. Ich liebe alle diese Gaben. Vielen Dank, Regina. Ich bin so froh sie kennen gelernt zu haben und hoffe, wir können treffen sich in person eines Tages! Handwerk hugs to you!

Please visit Regina's totally crafty blog here.  Thanks for looking and have a great day!