Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Make-It-Monday #96

I decided I would join this week's Make It Monday challenge at Papertrey Ink.  I've been making Christmas cards non-stop for 2 weeks straight, so I've developed a copious amount of scraps that are perfect for this challenge: patchwork die cuts.  It also helps that I'm really into die-cutting lately, so I couldn't let this week go by without joining the fun.


For this card, I used Papertrey Ink's Tag Sale #6 to work on my die cuts; the sentiment comes from the Peaceful Pinecones stamp set, and I also used the Background Basics Tin Types for a little texture behind the tag.  For the embellishments, I *think* the wooden snowflakes are by Studio Calico and the button is from Basic Grey.  The red lacey thing you see behind the tag is actually a snowflake (called Snowflake 2) by Cheery Lynn Designs.  Patterned papers are from Authentique (Festive collection) - another great company making great products...you guys rock. :D

I always love seeing what Papertrey Ink comes up with every Monday.  Most weeks are pretty hectic for me, especially with the holidays coming up at supersonic speed, and I have to stay away (I hate to ask this, but isn't it still November?  No?).  However, when I can make time to play a little, I always feel so inspired (which will typically lead to 3 or 4 more card creations - yeaaah!).  Hopefully I'll be able to play next week - looking forward to it!!


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Drowning In Paper

I've finally admitted to myself that I have too much paper - patterned, cardstock, and everything else in between.  I know I'm not alone in this, as I often hear other crafters lamenting about the cute new papers that are currently on the market, and however shall I be able to buy just one, or even two?  This is why I've been trying very hard to stay steer clear of any craft stores: because I will typically have no willpower when it comes to paper.

When I started stamping and card-making, it was like I was giving myself a more legitimate reason to buy paper.  In the past, and way before I began papercrafting, I was always buying washi just for the patterns.  I occasionally did some origami, but since I was living in Guam and the Japanese market was pretty much a monopoly, washi was all over the place and I would buy it just to have it.  I remember a lot of gift-wrapping, and even journaling, which was always fun.  I still have a crate-full of that paper from long ago, and it has held up quite well.  I've been giving some of the bulk washi to my kids for origami, but I think for the most part they'd rather draw dragons, monsters, and army men freeing the people from said dragons and monsters on regular construction paper, heh.

Nowadays I've replaced the washi craziness with another craziness: heavyweight patterned paper.  Thankfully I have a long list of people who will be receiving hand made cards and gift tags this year, and I've been slowly using up my Christmas paper.  Here is a card I made this morning from the last bits of Echo Park paper that has been sitting around:


Of course my more current cards are totally riddled with Papertrey Ink products, because apparently I'm a fanatic, heh.  I used the Snowflake Medley dies, the peppermint stir sticks from the Candy Cane Christmas stamp set (my current favorite), and the sentiment from the Happiest of Holidays set (the tag is from Pink Paislee).  For these last sets of cards, I was trying to start with a smaller canvas just to see if I would approach it with more ease, and I think it was a bit easier than starting with the typical A2 size.  I think making smaller cards is my current "thing," so we'll see where that leads me.  The huge 12x12 layouts won't be my thing for a long while, and in the meantime smaller is less intimidating. :)

Hope you like the card...enjoy!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

"Time" for some CASology challenge!

I have about an hour to enter my card in the challenge over at CASology's website - and I chose a pretty appropriate stamp set: Tim Holtz's Elements of Time to go with their trigger word this week: time. :D

I don't think I ever used this stamp set before, and I remember buying it a year ago, maybe even two, when a stamp show came to town over a weekend in September.  I still love Tim Holtz, but channeling his style comes rarely, even though his products have attracted me the most over the years.  These online challenges really get my mind working, so not only do they help me use the stash I already have, but also give me an opportunity to learn new techniques and new ways to look at things in general.

I wish I would have taken the deadline more seriously (speaking of time, as a matter of fact) for this challenge since I practically started and finished this card within 20 minutes ago, but I've been wanting to do more embossing as of late, so I incorporated that element into this as well:



I don't think it's my greatest work, but I do like the monochromatic effect going on...plus, the little metal embellishment complements my Rusty Hinge ink (which I love but never really get to use on other projects).  I'll be sending this to my brother up in New Jersey, whom I have to remind that we can't be letting too much time go by before another family reunion! :)

Hope you like the card...enjoy!