A little something new, a little something old

Good Afternoon everyone,

Today was a fun crafting day.  I got caught up on a couple challenges, and started one more.  I love all the inspiration out there.  If you haven't checked out the new Craft Hoarder's Anonymous Challenge blog started by the fabulous Gloria Stengel - get on over there.  Such a talented design team - it will blow your socks off.  The latest challenge provided us a fun sketch as well as a 'twist' to use something old, and something new.

Here is my entry for this challenge:

So...the 'old' was Graphic 45 Botanicabella paper.  I had totally forgotten about this pad, and found it in my hoard.  This would be one of those items that I have kept around for a very long time and haven't used it, because.....I can't bear to.  Oh come on -  you have done that too.  Something you cannot get anymore, so you hold onto it, pull it out once in a while to look at it, but can't bear to use it.  I know, it's an illness.

More old:  A Stampin up stamp that is one of my all time faves.  The banners were stamped with another stamp from the 'stash', by Hampton.  It is a fun word collage stamp.   The Spellbinder Circle and Scallop Circle dies were my very first thin die purchase.  I use them all the time.

The flowers were a wonderful find at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago.  Not only did they come in many colors and sizes, they were on sale!  I bought every package of the white ones they had!  I love making my own flowers, and heaven only knows how many dies I have, but it's always fun to have some you can pull out and easily dye to match your project.  I spritzed these with Dylusions Squeezed Orange and Lemon Zest.  I also added a bit of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Pumpkin Spice.  I love the way the flowers soaked up the color.

I hope you enjoy my entry - I can't wait to get on over to the site and check out everyones creations!

Supply List:
Spellbinder Dies:  Small Circles and Scallop Circles
Pattern Paper:  Graphic 45 Botanicabella
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon
Spritz Dyes:  Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pumpkin Spice, Dylusions - Squeezed Orange and Lemon Zest
Stamps:  Thank you (stampin up), Text on banners - Hampton Arts
Flowers:  Spare Parts, Paperstudio Hobby Lobby
Paper:  Worldwin - Dark Spring, Deep Coffee, Spice
Markers:  Tim Holtz Distress Markers

April Tag - Spring flowers

I love, love, love making flowers.  Tim has given us a great tutorial and example on his 12 Tags of 2014 blog this month.    I played along again this month, and stayed very close to his design.

Here is my entry:

I just picked up the new Wallflowers paper, and couldn't wait to use it on a new project.  I started with that as my background.  It had beautiful yellow and red roses on it - but they got covered up with the fun tape and wild straw and peeled paint distress paint washed over the top.  I used the honeycomb die to cut both the frame and individual pieces to fit into the honeycomb.  This is my first time using the mirrored specialty paper, and wow, it is amazing!    Tim's tutorial on how to use his fabulous tattered pinecone die to make flowers is perfect and very detailed.  I used some leftover wallflower paper that I died using fired brick and spiced marmalade distress inks.  I used the same inks to color the beautiful crinkle ribbon that I wrapped around the card.  I finished the card off with a happy birthday stamp from one of Tim's collections.

Enjoy.

Supply list:
Tim Holtz:  Honeycomb Die, Stamps, Distress Paint:  Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Distress Ink: Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, Ribbon, Wallflower Paper

It's Easter season

I have several nieces and nephews, friends and family - so I have been in a card making frenzy.

Here are a couple cards that I have created for special people in our lives:

 Both of the cards are very simple, but easy to mass produce. The first used a couple well used stamps in my collection from Printworks and Whipper Snapper.  The 2nd card was first embossed using a cuttlebug flower embossing folder, before layering with some basicgrey pattern paper and really reasonable ribbon from my February assortment.

Use a stamp....any stamp

I had a few cards to make this week, and one used my all time favorite Art Impressions Stamp - I call it the 'old birthday party people', not sure what AI calls it :-)  A good friend is turning 50 next week, and we have been encouraged to flood his mailbox.  Here is my card:

 I created a simple envelope style card.  The embellishments are some very old and neglected pieces from my hoard.  I colored them with alcohol inks to match the card accent colors.  I stamped and colored the images with my trusty Stampin' Up markers.  I love the way the 'guy' peeks up over the envelope.

 Supplies Used:
Wordwin Papers:  heritage black, smooth light green
Stamps:  Art Impressions
Ink:  Black Archival, Stampin' up Markers
Pattern Paper:  BasicGrey Little Black Dress
Embellishments:  Making Memories
Inspiration:  Pinterest

I am entering my card into the fabulous Gloria's Craft Hoarders Anonymous challenge.  If you don't know what I'm talking about...  do yourself a favor and get on over there to check it out.  Every 2 weeks they provide a challenge to get us to dig into that hoard of stuff (we all know we have it!).  The talent on both the design team and those who enter is so inspirational.  What are you waiting for?

Where do I create?

This week, over at Craft Hoarder's Anonymous - we are asked to share the space that we use to 'create'.  I am very fortunate that I have my own little room.  I don't have to share it with anyone but our upright freezer (which I am lobbying to get rid of...).

I have a few cabinets and lots of drawers to store my hoard.  Here are a few photos that give you an idea of how I keep things organized.

This is my basic space.  Messy I know - I try to clean up after each project, but sometimes, not so much - like today :-)  My husband built this room for me when we moved in.  He and my son spent an entire week putting in the cabinets, building the desk, etc all as a Mother's Day surprise for me.    The drawers to the left of my desk store the majority of my ink pads and Tim Holtz ink, paints, stains, markers, some ideology, etc.  That is what I seem to be drawn to the most these days (however Wendy Vecchi is starting to come in a close 2nd).  Can you see my very first attempt with crackle embossing paste on the paper cutter in front?  It's trying my patience waiting for it to dry!

The top left cabinet houses my loose pattern paper and Graphic 45 'stuff' (all the stickers and chip board).  I love the IRIS boxes for this.  They are each labeled so I have a clue what's in them.  I also use the jewelry boxes from Michaels to store all my ideology, trinkets, charms, etc.  The Top Right has cloth bins from Target where I store my art parts, flowers, and bling.  Also, all my paper pads and 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  The cabinet to the left houses all my unmounted stamps.  They are sorted into binders by category (ie.  Collage,  People, Birthday, Tim Holtz, Wendy Vecchi, etc).  I also store all my Tim Holtz Dies and embossing folders here - all easy to get to from my desk.

 These 2 drawers hold the bulk of my Tim Holtz 'Stash'.  I keep all the mediums together so I can pick out what I want quickly.  I love the organization downloads from the Ranger site that you can use to label all your stains, paints, etc.  Makes the colors easy to spot.

A dear friend of mine's husband made these stamp shelves.  She sent them my way when she did not need them anymore.  As nice as it is to have your stamps unmounted to save space...I still love the look of my wood mounted stamps.  It is fun to have them out where you can see them for inspiration when your mind goes blank. I have enjoyed seeing everyone else's storage solutions this week - gave me some new ideas as well.