WOYWW 191

Well, here it is....my desk for this week's WOYWW 191.  My son and his family spent two weeks in Canada skiing Whistler Mountain.  When he and his wife shared photos on Facebook, I thought it might be fun to snag the photos and make a little album to share with them.  What you see on my desk are photos I printed and matted on black cardstock.  My album will be wire bound and the pages will be 6 by 12.  I'll be using Carta Bella (Winter Fun)  and Echo Park (Winter Time)  papers.  I have to add a plug for a new tool I found.  I have a really hard time matting things that are even on all sides.  I was reading a blog last week, and I saw a link to a tool called Perfect Layers and Perfect Square.  I went to the site and viewed the videos.  Well, long story short, I had to have a new tool.  I ordered 3 rulers and the square.  It didn't take long for them to arrive.  And guess what, it's a tool that I'll be using often.  The rulers really are easy to use.  I did need to learn to raise the edges a bit to allow the ruler to catch them, but once I figured this out....it was easy and made the process very easy.  If you want to have a look...check the rulers out here. 

Ok....moving along.  This week has been very busy and very productive.  My buddy Brenda came on Sunday and while she worked on her project, I worked with my Spectrum Noir pens.  Before Christmas I purchased this Northwoods Rubber Stamp (P8712).  And here's what I created.  I colored the image on white paper, cut it out and then stamped it on the patterned paper.  I glued the colored image over the stamped image and then did a bit more pen work. 

The inside of the card is pretty simple too....

I wish I could tell you the name of the patterned paper, it was a 4 x12 piece I found in my snippet box and I thought it kind of looked like old worn wood.  The pumpkin is a Cuttlebug die and embossing folder that I cut on a scrap of orange paper and then colored with my pens.  I know, it's a Fall card, but I've wanted to color the image since I purchased it and finally found the time.

Are you still awake?  Ok....sorry this is so long, but I've had a busy and productive week.  Next week will be busy too, so I'll post as much as I can in one post.....grab your coffee (unless it's night time in your world) and hang in there, I'm almost done.

 Last weekend, my CardMaker Magazine arrived and on page 77 I saw a card that I really liked.  Michelle Woerner created the card.  Now, I didn't have the same supplies needed to create it, but I had some of them, and some items that were close.  So....this card will be sent to my friend Thelma.  I know she'll love it.

And finally, if you've read my blog before, you'll know about my shadow box.  This project is going to be on-going for awhile, though I do hope to finish it within the next few months.  It's kind of like a puzzle.  When I find pieces to add to each section, I lay them out.  When I'm happy with what I've found, I put the section together.  I started with January then a light bulb came on and it dawned on me that if I built it from the bottom row I could remove the wooden sections and it would be easier to build in the small area.  Next section will be October.....don't hold your breath, I've been working on this for 6 months and I only have 3 sections completed.

So, now you know what I've been up too.  What's been happening in your world?

I'll be linking to What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. - Thanks Julia for giving us a place to share our creative space.

And of course Di, I think I use up snippets just so I can come and play.  Check out Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  

I know sometimes I sound like an ad for product....I really am not.  I just enjoy sharing products I love, tools I can't live without, and friends I've met along the way. No money exchanges hands when I mention product....now mind you....if anyone wants to turn me into a wealthy woman...I am not opposed!  LOL!

Well, that's it for me...at least for now.  Is that a collective sigh I'm hearing? 

Have a most creative week.  I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll be busy booking Dee Dee and my trip to Australia and New Zealand....keep your fingers crossed that we can find some great prices on airplane tickets.  Our husbands are staying home...it's girls (ok, old broads gone wild).  I can hardly wait!

Hugs to all,
Mary

WOYWW 177 - Carta Bella and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Saturday was Carta Bella Day at Karen's - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

Well, here we are.  This is the afternoon group, our project was a  2 page lay-out using Carta Bella Christmas Day papers. (If you haven't seen them, might be worth a look at them)    The morning group ran out before photos could be taken, or more truthful, before we remembered to take them. The big kid in the back is Lindsay, the Carta Bella guy who tried keeping us all in line...I think it might have been easier to herd cats.... we did have a good time!

And here's Karen, I'd like to thank her for bringing Lindsay to her shop.  It was a fun day and we left with loads of goodies....

A few days ago, I posted a photo of a card I made using snippets left from making the Christmas album.  Thanks to Lindsay, I have many more snippets and below are a few of the cards I made using them.  I've gotta say, albums are a great way to collect snippets, not that any of us need help collecting them.  I'll be posting these cards on Di's blog....and I hope to spend some time tomorrow seeing what the others have been doing.  Di reminded me that Thursday is Rudolph Day over at Sarn's blog page.  If I get my act together, maybe I can actually make another card....Oh...I just remembered a new Memory Box die I purchased last week....I'll be making a Rudolph card using that...(that is if I don't forget!)  It's not too late, if you want to play along...

 

 

 

I made this card this morning.  I purchased the Spectrum Noir pens and though I haven't been doing much coloring lately, it's always been something that I've enjoyed doing.  I've got to say, using the pens is different than water color and after watching video's I'm learning to get the colors I was hoping for. I'm still working on shading.  So, about this card.  The papers are from CartaBella, the rubber stamp is from Stampabilities and is called Christmas Tale (not new, from 2003)  The dies are from Memory Box and Spellbinder.  All of these cards are made from snippets,

 

Do you want to see the mess I made making these cards?  It's Wednesday and it's the day to share our work desks...so, thank you Julia for giving us the place to post our little messy work desks.  Check out the other creative desks and see what was created there....and if you're feeling brave....post your little corner of creativity...

Oh....while going through the blue box, I looked through the lid and saw this.....

I always knew there was someone helping me put my projects together.  I had to laugh, I don't remember putting any of these parts in this order, although I do remember putting the epoxy pieces on the pink pad...do you think maybe, while I was sleeping, the pieces crept onto the paper pad?  OK, I can pretend...

Off I go, tomorrow it's supposed to rain and I'm hoping to get into my room to tidy up, and then make another mess playing with my pens and stamps....

Until next time....Happy Creating!
Hugs to all,
Mary

 

 



 

 

Workdesk Wednesday And The Weeks Are Flying By!

My goodness, it's another Wednesday, where have the days between gone?  I've been working on mini albums, one for Christmas and a Halloween Album, both are finished and I'll share them when I've shown them to the recipients.  Until then....here's a card I worked on this morning.  It's made from the snippets left over after making the Christmas Album.  All the papers used in making the tree are CartaBella Christmas Day Collection.  The background is a beautiful pine green suede.  The border punch is EK Success and it's becoming a favorite.  Not just for Christmas, but I'm seeing tons of uses.  I die cut the pieces for the tree using Spellbinder rectangles both straight and scallop edge.  The scallop was cut using mirror gold.  The base of the card is Paper Accents Brown Bag.  Everything on this card, with the exception of the base is from snippets.  Have a look over at Di's blog and see the creative ways others are using their snippets, and check out all the fun things Di's been up to.  She's been one busy gal, but then what else is new, I'm not sure the woman ever sleeps!

I'm happy with my card, and the albums, but do you want to see the mess I created making them....You might want to be sitting down....

Oh, that's not the only mess.  When one place gets too messy to work, you have to find another spot...

and here's another  little problem I created.  Somewhere one of my dies is hiding.  I've checked the trash and all the normal places.  I'm hoping that the little die fairy will place it back on my now clean desk!  I'm sure it's somewhere hiding, I just haven't discovered where that hiding place might be!  Check out Julia's great blog, and if you have a minute check out some of the folks who bravely post their workdesks. 
Saturday Lesley from CartaBella is coming to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, I'm REALLY looking forward to the layout and the cards.  I'm also looking forward to having a man teaching us gals.  Karen says he's entertaining and very knowledgeable....and there will be prizes and yummy treats.  What better way to spend a Saturday....I think there are some spaces available if you want to come and play.  Give Karen a call.  Check out her blog to see what we'll be making.  Check it out here

Shhhhh don't tell anyone, but Karen got her long awaited shipment of Memory Box dies.  I'll be selling pencils and apples on a street corner to support my Memory Box habit!  I absolutely love them. 

Before I forget, and at my age (slightly over 21, by 4 decades) that comes easy...ok... I love Fiskars products and especially the cutters.  I was having a problem with my cutter and I contacted Nikki from Fiskars.  She promptly responded, and settled my problem quickly.  Thank you Nikki and thank you Fiskars. 

I don't want my blog to sound like an ad for paper and tool manufactures....I just get soooo excited when I can share the products I love, with fellow bloggers.  If I get too preachie...please let me know...

Ok...putting my soap box away and I'm shortly heading off to bed. 

Have a most wonderful and creative week.  I'm sure I'll e-see you very soon. 

Hugs to all,
Mary