Becky's Compose a Card #5 - My Submission

Well, just call me Challenge Charlie... because I'm on a roll. :)

Becky Oehlers, whose blog you can find here, is one of my favorite people. She's a real sweetheart who is down to earth and just all around a great person. So, seeing as she's been so kind to me... I figure the least I could do is join at least ONE of her challenges, right? ;)  Here's the challenge:

You can click the image to go to her challenge and read about it. :)

Basically, Becky has given us components of a card (as exemplified above) and we need to come up with something... ANYTHING that has those components. :) Of course, now that I'm looking at it again, I forgot the button *tears out his hair in grief!* Ah well, I can say at least I tried, right? That's good for something, isn't it?! (Yes, that and $1.00 will get me a hamburger at McD's!)  :P

Anyway, here's my submission:

And here's a close-up where I hope you can see the Stickles in the red stars:

And finally, a side shot where you can see the bottom portion is "dimensionalized" (is that even a word? It is now!) ;)

Thanks for looking and/or commenting! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Star Prints (Papertrey Ink); Darling Dots (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Baja Breeze and Real Red, (both Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Bitty Dot Basics and Aqua Mist (both Papertrey Ink)
Other: Crystal Stickles, Corner rounder, ATG, Dimensionals

Poppy Seed Challenge #1 - Flower, Yellow, Crystals AKA "Ted + Copics = Don't Mix!"

Lisa Johnson started a new series of challenges called "Poppy Seed Challenge" on her blog. Her first challenge is to use some seeds. It has to be at least ONE seed of the following: the color yellow, a flower stamp, and a crystal. Here's the specific post: Poppy Seed Challenge #1.

I wanted to try the new Year of the Flower: Violets (from Papertrey Ink) stamp set because I've seen so many beautiful cards created and then Copics used on them! :)

Well, in my unskilled hands, here's what happened when YOURS TRULY tried to use Copics. (I'll try to ignore any uproarious laughter! LOL)  ;)

I know I need to be patient with myself and hopefully as I get more experience with Copics, I'll be a bit more how should we say.... SKILLED?!  ;)

Here's a close-up of my so-called violet:

Here's a close-up of the top portion that is dry-embossed with a Sizzix folder:

Thanks for looking and/or commenting! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Year of the Flower: Violet (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, (Stampin' Up!); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  Coconut Swirl (Bazzil); Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa (both Stampin' Up!)
Other: Copics, Ribbon (from stash), Rhinestones (Papertrey Ink); Zots, Sizzix Folder (Spring Flowers), Corner Rounder, Cuttlebug, ATG, Dimensionals

Housewarming Card for Katie

Can't have a gift without a card! :)

Katie's favorite color is red and that is what inspired me for the base. :)

I REALLY like the Boards & Beams set from Papertrey Ink (PTI), but I have to say the house gave me some trouble... not having a complete image. In fact, in Katie's card, you can see a bare spot right over the porch. But it was my fifth try, so I went with it. :)

A close-up of the apple trees behind her new home! :)

And the inside sentiment...which I LOVE!

Thanks for looking and/or leaving a comment! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Boards and Beams (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, Glorious Green and Green Galore (I'm not certain on the greens!) (all Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink); Whisper White, Taken with Teal (both Stampin' Up!)
Other: Xmas Red Stickles, Scallop Edge punch (Stampin' Up!), ATG, Dimensionals

Housewarming Gift for Katie

Well, one of my co-workers purchased her very first home and she's thrilled (and rightly so!), so I brought to school my ring of Stampin' Up! paper swatches and asked her to pick out two colors...she settled on Barely Banana and Bashful Blue, remarking that those are going to be her kitchen colors. Cool. I'm 1/3 there. Then I asked her for her favorite Biblical verse and she emailed me back with Zephaniah 3:17:

"The LORD your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

I purchased a 10 x 13 frame and then of course understood that I don't have any Bashful Blue paper that is 13" long! Eep! So I went to Michaels this morning and found some art paper that is a light blue and hopefully will be acceptable. :)

I used my Pazzles Inspiration to cut out the letters. I was originally going to go with "Katie's Kitchen" but then thought that I'd like to make it more versatile so she can hang it anywhere in her home. Here's the finished product:

Here's a close-up of the butterfly resting on "Home".

It may be difficult to make out, but the letters are inked around the edges.


And finally, here's the project framed:

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!

Recipe:

Stamps: Butterfly Dreams (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue (all Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana(both Stampin' Up!); light blue art paper (from Michaels)
Other: Ticket punch (Stampin' Up!); ATG, dimensionals, Zig glue pen, Pazzles Inspiration, MS Word (for Biblical verse)

Happily Ever Challenged #3 Winner Announced! :)

Well, it's that time of month to announce the winner of the "GO GREEN" challenge! :)

Since there were only four participants, I was a bit disappointed, so I'm wondering if you all want me to keep up with these. I don't mind doing them, but I am hoping for more participants... so please share with your friends!

Anyway, I randomly chose a number (using random.org) and came up with

*drum roll*

4

So, AJ! You're the lucky winner!

You have until March 5 (next Friday) to email me at

happilyevercrafter at gmail dot com

to give me your email address. I'll then send you your very own sparkling $10 gift certificate to Papertrey Ink! :)

Congratulations and thanks to all who participated!!

The February PTI Blog Hop!

For the PTI's Blog Hop this month, Nichole challenged us to find a design team member who inspired us and look through their creations. We can then find a card or project they made and let us inspire us to make a similar project.

Being a big fan of Niki Estes, I decided to check out her wonderful work. (Click her name to see her awesome blog!)

Here's the blog entry that inspired me:

http://nikiestes.typepad.com/my_paper_creations/2010/02/happy-birthday-crafty-girl.html

And here's Niki's beautiful card:

And here's my creation:

And a close-up of my focal image:

Overall, I'm happy with how this turned out. It was my first attempt using white dye ink on a dark surface and it didn't look too bad... if not a bit distressed.  ;)

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!  :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Background Basics: Textstyle II, Daily Designs (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memories White; Close to Cocoa, Night of Navy(both Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Kraft (Papertrey Ink); Night of Navy, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!)
Other: Ribbon (stash), Corner Rounder punch, ATG, 1 3/4" circle punch

Secretary Gift #3

Finally finished!  :)

I have to say that I didn't mind mass-producing that much... it was a sense of accomplishment to do six (6) cards in so little time!  ;)

Here's the third and final gift for my school secretaries:

As you can see, I alternated the color of the sentiment between Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive (both Stampin' Up! colors).

Here's a close-up of the card:

And a close-up of the embossing (done with my Cuttlebug and the Swiss Dots folder):

And a close-up of the bottom... I TRULY am in love with the Turning a New Leaf stamp set (Papertrey Ink).

Thanks for looking and/or commenting! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Take a Note, Turning a New Leaf (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive (both Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!)
Other: Key Tag Punch (Stampin' Up!); Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Magenta Stickles, Dimensionals, ATG

Secretary Gift #2

Two down, one more to go! ;)

Here they are (clear box in the background):

A close-up of one of the cards:

A close-up of the embossed flower and Raspberry Fizz (PTI) button. :)

And finally, a close-up of the sentiment and Raspberry Fizz (PTI) ribbons!

Thanks for looking and/or commenting! :)

Oh! I have a question for all of you:

I'm thinking of making note cards like this and boxing them for sale (SIX in a box, including envelopes on which I may stamp a small coordinating image)... just not sure how much to ask. What's your HONEST opinion? Would you pay $10 for these? Would you pay $12? What's the most you'd pay if you were buying and what's the least you'd ask for if you were selling? :)

I realize I won't make money off these, of course...but if the money can help pay for my papercrafting, then woot! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Take a Note, Blooming Button Bits (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Bordering Blue, Garden Green (both Stampin' Up!); Versamark (for embossing)
Paper:  Certainly Celery, Bordering Blue, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!)
Other: Key Tag Punch (Stampin' Up!); Raspberry Fizz Button, Raspberry Fizz topnotch twill, Rustic Twine  (all Papertrey Ink); Clear embossing powder, ATG, heat gun

Compose A Card Challenge #4 - I'm Not That Girl

My first attempt at doing Becky Oehler's challenge, found here.  :)

I didn't think I'd like these colors but I thank Beck for putting me out of my comfort zone. Add that to a non-traditional fold of card, and bam... I'm not only NOT in my comfort zone, I'm in a different zip code!

I enjoyed doing this and found the entire process rather... wicked. (forgive me).

Here you go:

No, the camera's not that blurry... I did a double-stamp for the main sentiment, shown here:

A close-up of the text to the left, along with the ribbon:

And because I may want to write inside the card (the base is black), I adhered a duplicate green panel:

Thanks for looking and/or commenting! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Background Basics: Textstyle II, Big & Bold Wishes (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Jet Black; Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!)
Other: Always Artichoke ribbon, Basic Black ribbon, Ticket corner punch (all Stampin' Up!); Ripe Avocado button (Papertrey Ink), ATG, String (for buttons); Black buttons (from my stash)

Thanks So Much

Seeing I was SERIOUSLY low on my thank-you card stock, I got to work. :)

The photography isn't that great, but the base of the card is Enchanted Evening (from Papertrey Ink) and I dabbed some Barely Banana (Stampin' Up!) ink on the Apricot Appeal (Stampin' Up!) paper. :) Gave it a suede-type look.

And a picture of the inside sentiment:

Recipe:

Stamps: Blooming Button Bits, Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink); Huge Hugs (Hero Arts)
Ink: Glorious Green, Barely Banana, Night of Navy (all Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Apricot Appeal (both Stampin' Up!); Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Key Tag Punch, Scallop Trim Edge Punch, Top Note Die, Sizzix Big Shot (all Stampin' Up!); Lemon Tart Button, Rustic Twine (all Papertrey Ink); ATG, White Signo Pen (for dotted flower)

Secretary Gift #1

I'm getting a head start for Administrative Assistant's Day (in April) and created a box set of six (6) notecards for my school secretaries. :)

It's really my first attempt at mass producing and it was definitely an INTERESTING process.

Here's a card with the rest of the cards in a clear box (I got from Papertrey Ink).

Here's a close-up of the single card.  :)

Thanks for looking and/or leaving a comment!

Recipe:

Stamps: Take Note (Papertrey Ink), Flower (comes from stash)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum (all Stampin' Up!)
Other: Key Tag Punch (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Blush top notch twill, Sweet Blush button, Rustic Twine (all Papertrey Ink); Corner rounder punch, ATG, Dimensionals

Crafting Boot Camp (CBC) #2 - Scoring

Hello all,

Well, what seemed to be AGES since my first CBC, I decided it was time to create a second one and, by doing so, doubled the CBC library.  ;)  This one is on the basics of scoring. I hope you find it useful.

Thanks for watching and/or leaving a comment! :)

Note: If you choose to watch it in high-definition (HD), I would suggest you hit pause for a while and let the video buffer before hitting play.  :)

Susie's Birthday Card

Well, ten days after Rob's birthday is his girlfriend, Susie's birthday! :) So, I'm a busy birthday card maker this week.  ;)

Here's Susie's card... I've been meaning to try stamping on patterned paper so here's my first try.

As a twist, what I decided to do was write a coordinating note card and inserted it into this unsigned card. This way, she can re-gift the card, if she so chooses. It's a card and a gift in one! :)

Thanks for looking and/or leaving comments!

A close-up of the flowers and buttons. :)

A close-up of the sentiment:

Recipe: (all Stampin' Up! unless noted)

Stamps: Flower Fancy, Alphabet Soup
Ink: Regal Rose
Paper:  Whisper White, Barely Banana, Regal Rose, Regal Rose Designer Pattern Paper
Other: (all from my stash, unless noted) Green marker, Corner rounder punch, ATG, Dimensionals, Buttons, Swiss Dot Folder (Provo), Cuttlebug (Provo), Hibiscus Burst Topnotch Twill (Papertrey Ink)

Rob's Birthday Card

ell, I wanted to create a card for my Papertrey PALs because Liz has offered us all a challenge. You can read more about it here.

Here's my submission... a card for my best friend, Rob. I always enjoy the challenge creating a card for guys because I want to make sure they're masculine enough.

Thanks for looking! :)

A close-up of the top of the card:

And of the bottom:

I hope Rob likes it.  :)
Recipe:

Stamps: Star Prints (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!), Archival Jet Black ink (from my stash)
Paper:  Ocean Tides and Patterned paper(Papertrey Ink); Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Other: Sew Mini, Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up!), Dimensionals, ATG, Stickles (Black Diamond and Lavender), Ocean Tides topnotch twill (Papertrey Ink)

My Crafting Area - Two Videos

Hi all,

Well, I finally got around to video recording my crafting area... and it was so large I had to make it into two parts.

And... they're a bit choppy at times and can become pixelated every so often.

Please watch them in 360p (until I can learn how to properly process HD! LOL)

Thanks! :)


Part I:

and Part II:

Stampin' Up Cardstock Inventory

Well, I've taken some time to create an inventory for my 8 1/2" x 11" Stampin' Up! cardstock.

My plans are to laminate these two (2) sheets and use a Vis-a-Vis pen or some other write-on/wipe-off pen to keep track of what I need to order. I'll keep these near my paper filing cabinets within handy reach. :)

I also have this document color-coded with the actual Stampin' Up! colors!

I'm sharing this with all of you. I hope that you SU users will find it handy. :) Just click the link below to start downloading it. (It's in .doc form ... also known as Word format).

Enjoy!

http://www.mediafire.com/?zvyn2gziyzo