Another Skype Scrap!

Unfortunately I missed out on the Byrnecliff crop this winter... a little too far this time.  I was able to crop along with the girls for a little bit anyway though thanks to Skype!  They passed me around the tables so I got to visit with a lot of the girls, but not all.  I decided it was about time I actually made a scrapbook page.  I just love the Chantilly papers and all the goodies that go along with it so I hunted down some girly pics to use.  I bought the Chantilly Scrapbook workshop mainly for the stamp set that came with it (and the sparkle gems and other extras that were in there too and of course a whole 'nother pack of the paper!).  I didn't use the instructions though.  Instead I pulled out the Magic book and used a layout from it.  I realized after I had placed my pics I had a bunch more that I'd forgotten that  had been shoved under some papers.  So I pulled out my trusty flip flaps and added them on top of one of the other pics in the layout.  I also used Wheel of Life stamp set AGAIN!  Great set I must say!   It went so well with the special workshop stamp set that came with the kit.  I had a lot of fun and while it wasn't AS good as being there it was a nice substitute. 

Actually had some time to create today.  My friend Susan and I had a Skype crop (I'm in Arizona and she's in NY) and this is what we created.  First Susan instructed me in how to make this oh so pretty feminine card with the Chantilly papers.. a few squares... and some fantastic color ready ribbon.  It was so simple, but what an impact!

 

Then we used Later Sk8r paper and Wheel of Life stamp set along with some gears cut with the Cricut and the CTMH Artiste cartridge to make the first card.  With Susan's help, I made it up as we went.  It was great to get a little inspiration from the Idea Book.  This will be my Anniversary card for my husband next week.  Check out Susan's blog because her cards are just a little different from mine.  Especially her Later Sk8r card... she added a touch of femininity for her daughter.  Her blog is at http://paper-menagerie.blogspot.com/ .  You can check out some of her other beautiful work also.

It felt really good to sit down and just have some fun for a while.  Now that my room is done... I'll post new pics sometime soon... it's really relaxing to sit in there and find my papercrafting groove.  Also fun to "see" my good friend that I normally only talk to electronically...lol!  Hoping to do that again soon with some more of my northeasterly friends.  Stay warm girls!!

Long Time-No Scrap

 

It's been a long time since I sat down and made something just because I felt like it.  Today I got my scrap area cleaned up (Christmas boxes finally tucked away) and decided to make myself a small shadow box for my desk at work.  Something to brighten my day and my cubicle.  The colors will brighten my mood and the words a reminder to always try to leave others feeling brighter.  I just love these new Chantilly papers!  They inspired me to make something pretty and sparkly.  On a roll?  Not sure but I hope so.  I've really missed it.  Now, if I can just get some of my good friends back in the snowy tundra we call WNY to get a skype crop going ...

What Do You Keep Hunting For?

I know... I know... I've been missing again.  But today is the day my first baby boy was born 23 years ago!  I wanted to make him something special and this is not my usual "flowery" creation, but he IS a boy...lol.  This shadow box is what I made him instead of a traditional card.  It has meaning for him.. the little guy peaking out from behind the tree is their band's (Hunting For Teeth) mascot.. and I made a spear out of a piece from a bamboo blind sample and one of the arrows from some of his promotional material and liquid glass.  Their "motto" is keep hunting and to me it means just never stop living, learning, and trying new things.  I used a brayer for the sky and ground and used my old "Back to Nature" stamp set for the trees in the background and "Perfect Day" for the birds flying.  The tree is from the Heritage Cricut Cartridge and it reminded me of the tree of life a little bit which Corey has tattooed on his leg. 

We are so very proud of the young man Corey has become.  He works so hard at everything he does, yet he really knows how to play and seems to realize that in the end it's your relationships and the people in your life that are most important.  I'm many miles away from both of my boys right now and miss them terribly.  I'm thankful for all the different ways there are now to keep in touch.  Happy Birthday to my baby boy!

My New Space

I've been missing in action.  We are here in Arizona and have spent the last month setting up our new home.  Of course my new workspace has been a priority.  It's not done so I hesitate to post pics, but I've had multiple requests so here they are..lol!  I have to do a bit more decorating and organizing.  Need some accessories to hang on my Ikea rail system... Fintorp as they like to call it..lol... but I guess you get the idea.  I will post new pics when I'm done done.. but for now... drum rollllll....

Bitter Sweet

     My post today is both happy and sad.   These are shadow boxes I made for our neighbors for the last decade who have watched out for us and our house and plowed our driveway every winter.  They have been great neighbors and friends.  The horses are their family horses and I've taken pics over the years and thought they might like them to display.  I used papers from the new Dakota papers and Victory.  I think they work really well together.  I think shadow boxes are my favorite things to make because they don't take long and they make a big impact.  I love being able to be dimensional too without having to worry about everything fitting in a scrapbook and being squished.
     The sad part of my post is that this is a goodbye of sorts to our neighbors and to my friends and customers.  Some of you know and some may not that my husband and I are moving out west.  We have family out there and love the weather.  Yes, we know it's hot and even though it's a dry heat 115 degrees is HOT!  But, as my husband says, you don't have to shovel sunshine!
    Thank you to everyone for everything and we hope to have lots of visitors after we move.  I will be back to visit (Pat says not so much)...lol.  At the end of this month, we're heading out.  For those of you who would like to continue to shop with me, I will still be with Close To My Heart and try to build my business out there and you can shop from my website or contact me and I can order for you.  My contact info will be the same.  If you prefer to do business locally and/or want to have a workshop or gathering, please let me know and I have a couple really great and talented ladies I can refer you to.

Victory Card Workshop

I'm putting together a card workshop with the Victory papers.  I used a combo of the Victory WOTG and the new Make It From Your Heart book.  Because the Victory WOTG won't be available, I decided it would be best to use some of the patterns from the new book.  I couldn't help but use the stamp set that came with the WOTG because i just love that set.  But it makes a good point... get them while you can!  Since the Victory papers are still available I know it will still work and the patterns from Make It From Your Heart make it a must have! And check out the bicycle card; these stamps are from the National Stamping Month special , a double stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase!  I also used Artiste and a couple of the stamp sets that go along with the new Cricut cartridge.