Where Does Inspiration Come From?

I'm often asked where I get my ideas?  It might be easier to ask where don't I get them.  I look at many blogs, I read magazines, I look at catalogs.  I visit stores and look at supplies, and I go to crops and see what others are doing, and then, I make it my own.  I've been trying to think of a card for Operation Write Home, one that can be used in more than one way and one that can use snippets that I have laying around.   What you see is what I came up with.  The outside uses Graphic 45 Romantique paper that I've had for quite some time.  I think I must have been planning to use it in a class because I have several sheets and I must also have made something with it, because I have several snippets.  I have enough to make 14 of these cards( 3 per full sheet).   I was gifted a beautiful doily die for my birthday (thank you Brenda), it's Cheery Lynn Designs Nautical Wheeler.  I think the stamp is Stampin Up, it's no longer on the wood piece, so I'm just not sure.  The ribbon was purchased at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. 

For the inside I used a Spellbinder Label #8 and a piece left over from the front of the card (the reverse side).  And I used a Martha Stewart punch for the edge.  Everything was either sponged or swiped with Tim Holtz Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.  I wanted a pretty card to send to Operation Write Home, and one that would be flat so the postage wouldn't be so much.  I like it, I hope it will be one that creates a memory for a soldier's family and friends. 

Now do you want to see the card that inspired me?  I'm sure I'll be asked how I came up with my card from looking at Jackie's card....I'm not sure.  I just know I've been looking at her card for a few weeks and today when I looked at it....I saw my card being born....Thank you Jackie for inspiring me:

I guess you could say, it doesn't matter where inspiration comes from, what is important is where it goes...and this inspiration will be going on to Operation Write Home.  For more information on starting a group in your area, check out the link above.  I hope to see some of you at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique on September 15th.  If you can't make it and you have cards you want to share, drop them off any time during September.  Check with Karen for rules.

I think I'll head on over to Pixie's Crafty Workshop to post my snippet card and to have a look at what others are up to....Until later, and I think it will be awhile before I post again.  I'm going to San Francisco and won't be posting until after I get back. 

Don't forget to enter my Blog-aversary drawing.....you might just win a really nice gift box/bag... check out previous posts for more information.

Until later....

Hugs to all, happy crafting and I hope to bump into you in cyberspace....
Mary AKA: Glitter Grammy

Operation Write Home

Karen is hosting an Operation Write Home Event....I hope you can join in the fun.

I know I'll be there.  If you can't make it, you can drop off cards anytime with Karen (Tuesday through Saturday).  I've made a few kits for those who have not made cards....it's easy and fun to play with paper.  Come join us!  Check with Karen for what you will need to bring.  The most important part....no glitter!  With a name like Glitter Grammy....that's a hard one for me, but there is a good reason....we don't want our soldiers covered with glitter. 

If you have any questions, call Karen at PSB or leave a comment and I'll get back to you ASAP.  I'm off, to make some cards.....see you the 15th...

Hugs to all,
Mary

Blog Candy....yummy! Another Snippet and Jingle Belles

Another Snippet....and the rest of the story.....

This morning I was feeling so creative.  I went to Butlers Abroad and was inspired by her cards.  I said to myself, "Self, what a great use of snippets."  I was off and running, jammies flapping in the breeze, uncombed hair being flattened by the swift movement of wind as I ran to my craft room.  The above is what I created.  I grabbed my camera, snapped the above photo, and ran back to my computer.  Holy Cow...I was on a roll.  I resized and cropped in Photo Shop and clicked over to Jingle Belles blog (thank you Butlers Abroad for introducing me to her site).  I was so proud of myself.....I was going to have a post before 9:00 A.M.  Yikes....I'd forgotten one of the pieces from the sketch....so, head hung this time, I padded back to my craft room to punch a snowflake and add a circle.....So, here's what the new card looks like....I kinda like the first one best, but rules are rules!

I think I should have made the circle bigger, but I didn't want to cover the graphic.  This card is a total snippet, I found the base on my desk, I think it must have been the second half to a card I made earlier...The graphic is from Bo Bunny A gift of Love.  A last year's Christmas paper, which I love!  Getting down to the last pieces, unless I can find more on-line....The ribbon came from a package I'd gotten for Christmas and the sentiment is from ClearStamps.  So, this is also a snippet for Pixie's Crafty Workshop. 

So that's it for me today.  I am going to cut some more of these cards from more Christmas Snippets.  I want to have cards ready for the big Operation Write Home Event coming to PSB....Keep watching for more details.   

I've got to share a photo of part of my dinner....I broke a rule and left the skin on (request from hubby), but I didn't eat it, though I was very tempted. 

It's easy to make:  two chicken breasts, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper.  Marinate the tomatoes, vinegar and olive oil for 2 to 4 hours.  Pour this mixture over the chicken, add fresh basil, salt and pepper and into a 350 degree  oven for one hour.  It was sooooo yummy.  It was a hot day yesterday and I really didn't need to turn on the oven, but I was in need of some type of comfort food.  I served this with an ear of corn. 

.....and now......blog candy!  Don't forget you can enter more than once, but only one time per post.  Yesterday I shopped til I dropped and that bag now has 24 items in it.....only 5 more items to add.  Some of the items I had to buy 2...why, cause I want to keep one for me.... 

A reminder check the blog post 8/15/2012: My blog-aversary is coming up in September. I usually remember it, right after it's gone by. But this year I'm planning ahead and I want to celebrate by gifting some lucky person a bag of goodies. What's in the bag? I have no idea, why? Because every day something new goes inside. If my math serves me....there should be 29 items in the bag. And....I'll ship anywhere....so, all you gals across the pond....you could win! Here's the way to win....Follow me! ....and then leave a comment. What if you already follow me? Well, then just leave a comment. What if you don't have a blog page.... well, then leave a comment with your first name and last initial. See...you might win too! Every time you comment you will have your name put into the drawing. Only one comment per post please....Here's the bag I'll be putting the goodies into.....If you look closely, there is already a treat inside.....

Note: Before I receive questions about why does blogspot list me as a member since July of 2008 and I'm claiming September 12 of 2009. I signed up for blogspot in July of '08, and then really didn't do much of anything until September of '09. So, I've picked my blog-aversary as of the September date, when I started counting visits on Clustermap. Whew....now that that is addressed.....

Those of you who know me, know I don't (usually) post every day, but every day something will be going into the bag.....September 11th is the last day to Follow and/or comment... Off I go, I've got shopping to do! When I announce the winner, you will have 24 hours to claim your prize. If you don't....I'll draw another name.
I found something fun to put into the bag....want to see it? Nope...no peeking! I did take the names of those who are following my blog and entered them into the drawing....

 

Hugs to all,

Mary Mac AKA:  Glitter Grammy

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday 98 and Operation Write Home

It's Wednesday.....and below is a shot of my workdesk. This is what it looked like about 10 minutes after my first sip of coffee......
Not much different than when I went to bed. I've been working on card kits for Operation Write Home and after putting 12 kits together, I said, no clean up, just get up in the AM and get going.....Check out the other desks here.

Tuesday is Operation Write Home day at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. For those who don't know, it's when our group makes cards for soldiers to send home to their families. This month we are hoping to get people who have not made cards to join us. Carolyn and I are making kits that will be easy to assemble. We hope to encourage the new gals and make it fun so they will join us every month.

The card above is one made by Carolyn. She has everything cut out so the girls will be able to jump right in and get creating. Carolyn always puts so much detail into her work....gotta love the ice cream cone....hmmm I wonder how many Weight Watcher points are in that one?

Then there are my card kits.....not much detail here. I was trying to create something that would use black and white , and yet look pretty enough for someone to send home to friends and family.

I do hope there will be a few new gals joining us. It's fun to craft with a group, and the laughs carry us through until the next get together.

This week I finished making a card for the newest member of our family. Rowan Denali Keller. My niece is a quilter, I on the other hand can't sew a button on without a problem....I tried to make Rowan's card look like a quilt. I think it turned out quiltish.... The Cuttlebug tiny dots embossing folder is what I used to create a quilt look.

I like it....yes I do! Ok....shhhhhhh the babies are sleeping. I must work awfully hard, because it seems Baxter and Sydney get tired just watching me.

I guess I should get moving.....I want to get a few more kits together, balance my checkbook, and clean house. I'm going to try pulling a bit of wool over my honey's eyes. I'm going to make spaghetti sauce the Weight Watcher way, and I'm going to use veggie protein for the "meat". I'm going to use a soy spaghetti for my pasta, but for him I'll use his normal way. If you don't hear from me.... it didn't go well!

See you next week......Have a great week!

Mary