a sketch challenge

I played along with Stampin' Kub's first sketch challenge last weekend, but I'm just now getting around to posting my card. This was a fun, simple little sketch. If I could stick to simple cards, I think I would use this sketch again.



I left off the sentiment for now because I didn't make this with any recipient or occasion in mind. If I find I need it, I'll probably stamp a small sentiment in the lower right corner.

Paper: Prefolded blank card, The Paper Company; So Saffron and Very Vanilla, SU!
Accessories: Cuttlebug; Ribbon tape, Martha Stewart

mini planner

I picked up a couple of mini planners a few weeks ago from the Target $1 spot. The covers were pretty bright and not my style, but the inside designs weren't too bad, so I thought I could recover it. Here is the one I did for me. The design is simple, but I like it. I still have another one, but I don't know if I'll do anything with it right now. Into the stash it goes.



Stamps: Priceless, SU!
Paper: Recess: Answers, Basic Grey; black scraps
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Black diamond Stickles; Cricut with Base Camp cartridge (numbers); Cutterpede with wavy blade

custom stamped necklace

I'm not much of a sheep, so I don't tend to follow the trends and do what the "cool" people are doing. But after seeing the link to Lisa Leonards' work from Ali Edwards blog and Lisa's custom stamped silver jewelry, I just had to order a pendant for myself with my one little word, serenity.

I even drew a little graphic of how I wanted the word on the open circle and sent that to Lisa with my order request because I'm detail-oriented that way.

christmas thank yous

I haven't quite mailed these out yet. I need to get on that. But here are my thank you cards.



Stamps: True Friend, SU!; Faux Ribber, Papertrey Ink
Paper: Georgia Pacific white; Jupiter Glimmer, HOTP; Flora #3, DCWV
Ink: Staz-on Jet Black, Rocket Red Brilliance
Accessories: Cuttlebug with Spots & Dots embossing folder; scalloped circle punch, SU!

an inspiring mind...

I've spent a good bit of today reading back through Becky Higgin's blog archive. (Yes, it's a little slow for me at work, which is highly unusual. I'm not complaining.) While I don't scrapbook, per se, she's definitely an inspirational woman and crafter. I think I did the same thing last year when I discovered Ali Edwards blog.

I have a few things I've completed in the past couple of days that I want to post, but I can't post them until I figure out a way to photograph my projects at night. (Or wait until the weekend to get the natural light.) I'm trying to put together my own, cheaper, version of a studio-in-a-box. I don't need anything fancy; just something with better lighting. I certainly don't want to spend $100 on a kit if I can avoid it. I can color correct most photos in Photoshop, but I'm tired of working with awful photos to begin with. (Garbage in = garbage out, as I learned in design school.)

90th Birthday

Today is my maternal grandmother's 90th birthday. Wow! I can't imagine living that long. I'm not close to my grandparents as they've lived far away for many years now. But my grandfather emailed all the grandkids (there's 8 of us!!) and asked us all to send Grandma a card this year. She's had failing health and memory for a few years now, but she loves to receive cards. My grandfather says she looks at them over and over again. It being such a momentous occasion, I wanted to do something over the top (at least for me).



When I stamped the large flower from Fabulous Flowers (SU!) and embossed it in white on the lavender Bazzill cardstock, I wasn't expecting the texture of the paper to be quite so evident. But I loved the look! I'll have to keep that in mind for large bold images in the future. I stamped the flower 3 times and cut out different parts of it. I inked the edges of each layer with Pale Plum ink, and then assembled the parts with foam dots. The pattern paper is from Basic Grey's Lily Kate collection. The center of the flower and circle sentiment are Robin's Nest Dew Drops. This card was so thick with layers and the dew drops that I sent it in a padded envelope. I hope my grandmother likes it!

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers and Think Happy Thoughts, SU!
Paper: Basic Grey Lily Kate collection; Purple Palisades, Bazzill; Certainly Celery, SU!
Ink: VersaMark; Certainly Celery and Pale Plum, SU!
Accessories: Detail White Embossing Powder, Stampendous; Paris Dew Drops, Robin's Nest; 1-3/8" circle punch, SU!; 1-1/4" circle punch, SU!; Ribbon, Target $1 Spot

One little word...

I was intrigued by Ali Edwards' One Little Word project last year, but never really thought to participate myself. I think I'm going to try it this year.

My word: serenity.

def.: Serenity - The quality or state of being serene; clearness and calmness; quietness; stillness; peace. Calmness of mind; evenness of temper; undisturbed state; coolness; composure.

“Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.”

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2008!