Celebrating Mom

My mother has always been an instigator of my curiosity and artistic passions. From painting and beyond... I remember a time she took me to pick out fabric to turn into a handbag. I begged and pleaded for weeks after the trip to start sewing and learn more. I wanted to add buttons, make handles, and learn different stitches. Then it was pillows and clothes... I needed to do and know more. 

When I came across the Sew die from QuicKutz, I couldn't help but think of all those moments. Being the modest lady that my mother is, she wouldn't admit to playing a large role in such. But I created this card and honor her anyway. 

And you just can't share a memory without sharing a photo, right?!

That was taken long before we busted out the sewing machine, but I just love it! 

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Paper Cut

Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket-Anna, We R Memory Keepers-Phraseology

Stamp: Northwoods Stamps

Inks: Adirondack-Espresso, Colorbox-Black

QuicKutz 4x4 Die-Sew

Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch

Sketch It Saturday -- Recycle!

Hello! I hope you're having a wonderful Saturday. I'm back from Copic training and ready to share with you this week's sketch from Unscripted Sketches.

In addition to using the above sketch, we're celebrating Earth day by adding at least one recycled item to our cards! Here's my creation:

The 'flags' were made from the piece of paper containing the company's name and barcode on a 12x12 decorative paper. I just love when companies add patterns, allowing them to be used as borders, flags, and more!

Both the twine and the paper for the button were rescued from my wastebasket!

I loved working with this sketch, as well as the challenge to use recycled elements. Are you ready to create your own? We'd love to see your take on this week's sketch. Head over to Unscripted Sketches and link up!

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: A Muse Studio

Patterned Paper: Making Memories

Stamps: A Muse Studio

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Simple Thank You's

It's Friday! I've got quite the busy weekend planned... I'm currently off to Milwaukee for Intermediate Copic Training with the talented Debbie Olson. I can't wait to gather together with other Copic lovers and take our images to the next level! 

Before leaving, I needed to quickly make bundles of thank you cards to show appreciation for birthday gifts and other special acts of kindness I've received lately. I gathered together my Essential Sentiments and Vintage Labels stamp sets from A Muse Studio and got to work making these:

A Muse Studio makes dies that coordinate perfectly with the Vintage Label stamps, and boy do I wish I had purchased them! Instead, I spent lots of time (while watching Breakfast at Tiffany's) cutting out these labels by HAND! I know what my next purchase will be!

I stuck with a 4.25 inch square card, making it fast and easy to cut out the 4 x 4 inch layering swatches. A little glue and some twine... here is the result:

And, of course, about 40 more in various colors and styles, using the same materials:

I finished just in time to see the vulnerable, crazy Holly and the struggling writer, Paul, fall madly in love. The scene at Tiffany's of the two trying to find something under $10 is my favorite. Do you enjoy any classic movies?

Have a wonderful Friday friends... Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Sketch It Saturdays with Unscripted Sketches. I made something quite special this week! 

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: A Muse Studio (Shimmer Couture Solid, Sugar)

Patterned Paper: A Muse Studio (Shimmer Couture Damask)

Stamps: A Muse Studio (Vintage Labels, Essential Sentiments)

Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)

Baker's Twine: A Muse Studio (Onyx/White)

So Sweet

Clean & Simple Stamping posted a sketch last month, and I immediately created a card using it as inspiration. Unfortunately, I never got around to posting the photos on my blog or entering in the challenge! I found the creation in my stash while looking to send some snail mail. Here's the card I created:

I was so excited to finally use my Chevron Ribbon from A Muse Studio on this card. How fun is it?! Scor-Tape made it super easy to create the ruffles.

Thanks for stopping by today and dealing with my messed-up, jumbled-up, crazy brain. 

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: A Muse Studio - Ocean, Sugar, ColorMates - Med Coffee Brown

Stamps: Stamps Of Life - Candy2Share

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Ribbon: A Muse Studio - Bermuda Chevron

Gushing...

PJM is back in town for a whole month, which means this girl is a bit distracted. 

But just a bit... He's in town doing pre-production work and fundraising for his film, The Rover. Go ahead and click the link to read about his film and to even donate a dollar or two or seven hundred if you feel led. I'm so proud of all the work he's done thus far and can't wait to see the finished product. I'm also quite proud of how easily he carries boxes up stairs and takes out my trash. ha! I'm such a girl... 

An Elegant Thank You

Happy Monday! 

This past week I feel like I've neglected my craft room, my half-finished projects, and this blog quite a bit. Life seemed to hit me all at once -- Easter shenanigans, a dinner party, and the arrival of PJM. I've taken a step into my craft room several times, along with a glance at my laundry pile, only to feel overwhelmed. Arg. Need some motivation and some time ASAP. As a little thanks for following along in this journey, I present today's card inspiration.

I love using Versamark Watermark and background stamps to create soft details. For this card, I used Vintage Wallpaper from Market Street Stamps. MSS background stamps are large enough to fill the entire front of an A-2 card, not just a small layer, which makes for great card making possibilities.

Thanks again for stopping by today. More crafty goodness coming soon, I promise.

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Paper Cut

Stamps: Market Street Stamps, Penny Black

Inks: Adirondack (Espresso), VersaColor (Lapislazuli), VersaMark Watermark

My Unscripted Debut

I'm happy to announce today is my first Sketch It Saturday as an Unscripted Designer. I created the above clean and simple card using this week's sketch. Head over to Unscripted Sketches to see all the lovely inspiration from the rest of the Design Team, as well as join in the fun!

Flip the sketch, rotate it... create a card, a scrapbook page, or anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted Sketch as the inspiration and basis of your creation. Don't forget to link up... I can't wait to see what you create.

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Paper Cut (Fossil, White)

Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Night Owls)

Inks: Copic Markers, Memento (Tuxedo Black), Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen

Twine: We R Memory Keepers (Baker's Twine Tertiary)

Happy Monday, Let's Make Some Cards

Why hello there. I hope you had a wonderful Easter Holiday. 

It's another Monday morning, which means three new card ideas. If you're in the area and looking for some stress relief, stop by Creations Galore to create these fun Make N Takes. The three cards are available from Monday, April 9th - Saturday, April 14th during our business hours. 

SUPPLIES Cardstock: Paper Cut. Patterned Paper: We R Memory 

Keepers (Damask, Defined). Stamps: A Muse. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.

SUPPLIES Cardstock: Paper Cut. Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee. Stamps: Northwoods, 

Unity Stamp Co. Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaColor Amethyst.

SUPPLIES Cardstock: Paper Cut. Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny (Bookmark, Stripe). 

Stamps: Northwoods. Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa.

Read On For Good News...

Hello bloggers! I've got some exciting news for you today. I'm now an Unscripted Designer. Unscripted Sketches announced their new design team today, and we'll be jumping in next week, offering inspiration for Sketch It Saturdays. I've gotten a chance to chat with the other designers, and I'm so excited to work with some talented ladies. There will be lots of card making goodness coming soon! Until then, head over to US to play along with this week's sketch:

Today US is also celebrating three years in blog land. There's prizes to win and lots of ways to enter! Hope to see you playing along with us!

A little taste of Wisconsin

It's been a while since I've shared an illustration in a post. So I sifted through my sketchbook and found one that was dear to my heart. But first, a little story... 

How I Met Your Mother is a favorite TV show of PJM and I. In the series, a wonderful tradition was started with arguably the cutest TV couple in history. The tradition? 

Marshall picks up Lily wearing a chauffeur hat and a handmade sign,

Lily brings Marshall a six pack of beer from wherever she traveled,

and they live happily ever after.

On my way to visit PJM in New York, I thought up a cutsie little plan. TSA doesn't allow more than 3oz. of liquid on the plane, and alcohol is completely out of the question. I had to improvise. While in the Milwaukee airport I sketched out the six pack instead. A nice picture of Wisconsin's best:

We're still creating that happily ever after.

For the love of We R & Chai Lattes...

Anthologie, the new collection from We R Memory Keepers arrived to Creations Galore and drew me in with its nostalgic and eclectic style. For today's edition of Layout Tuesday, I created this page using the collection. Head over to the Creations Galore blog to view more of the layout. 

I should probably insert a sweet picture of my roommate and I... maybe my mom... or that adorable boyfriend of mine... But if I can be honest with you fine folks, all I'm loving today is this:

Can I get a hooray for some baked macaroni and a chai tea latte?!

What would you like to dedicate a LO to today?

Cards, Cards, Cards

Every week I design three Make N Takes for Creations Galore, my "day job" and paper crafting store in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I invite you to browse this week's cards... 

CARD SUPPLIES Cardstock: A Muse Studio, Paper Cut. Stamps: A Muse Studio, Unity Stamp Co. Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen. Edge Punch: EK Success.

CARD SUPPLIES Cardstock: Paper Cut. Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny. 

Stamp: Unity Stamp Co. Inks: Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen, VersaFine. 

CARD SUPPLIES Cardstock: Paper Cut. Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers. 

Stamps: Northwoods. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Ribbon: A Muse Studio.

Sunday Sneak Peek

Just a preview of the new cards available as Make N Takes at Creations Galore April 2-4. Bicycles are all the rage, and I just had to join the trend! Come back tomorrow to view them all!