9.20.2015

Flights of Fancy Stamp Set

We had one full week of autumn weather that put me in the mood for pumpkin spice lattes and all things fall. I started down the path of autumn card making when a heat wave hit with temperatures soaring well about 80 degrees.

The compromise I made at the craft table as a result of warmer temps making me feel more bright was a muted version of falling leaves using a newly release stamp set from Wow Embossing called Flights of Fancy.



I can see many more great designs with this stamp set for all seasons!

8.30.2015

Stamp-A-Faire 2015 with Papertrey Ink

I started halfway through the day, but I did it! I finally participated in one of Papertrey Ink's annual Stamp-A-Faire worldwide online day of crafting. It's like a national scrapbook day chock-full of fun, inspiring projects except in August, themed, online and free. Well, free, if you don't start shopping for every little stamp set, embellishment and tool you see others using. LOL. 


If you are curious about what happens during stamp-a-faire, Nichole Heady outlines the schedule and rules of play here. And...even though it wasn't an official "favor or giveaway", I love that PTI created a soundtrack for the day and posted their playlist on Spotify. FIVE hours of great music to accompany your crafting experience. I am not great at watching TV and crafting but I can definitely sing along with my madz crafting skills. All others around me beware. 

In this post, I list all my completed projects from five of the challenges I was able to get to on Saturday. I intend to finish up the whole event's list of challenges on my own. 

I also doubled down on the challenge and used products within reach of my desk. Perhaps not exciting to you, but I found it thrilling to use up random pieces of things left behind from other projects. 



Essentially...white on white with a touch of accent color. 
The vanilla embossed figures are more subtle in real life. 

Products Used: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (design name unknown), Wow Embossing Powders in Opaque Vanilla White (figures) and Metallic Plantinum (text), Papertrey Ink Stamp Sets - Simply Jane and Big & Bold Wishes.






Apologies for the quality of this picture. I was trying to show the subtlety of the figures in vanilla. 






For the next challenge, I selected a card sketch by Heather Nichols. I turned my card vertical and spritzed water onto the stamp before pressing it to the paper for a watercolor affect. 




Products Used: Papertrey Ink stamp set - Friends til the End, Papertrey Ink Scripted Die, Maya Roads washi tape, Lawn Fawn dye ink pad - Freshly Cut Grass, hemp twine, 









I tried two of the threads challenge techniques shared by Laura and Danielle. I think sales of silver thread are going to go up in the next week thanks to Laura's video tutorial. I know I'm in for one! 


Here is the card with my thread nest. I used a pop of pink that I had on hand. 

Products Used: Papertrey Ink stamp set - Sending My Love, Wow Embossing Powder in opaque white, American Crafts Dear Lizzy Fine & Dandy 6x6 pad, bling (from stash - used pieces of one that was cut up)






And here are my twine and yarn flowers. I love this technique. Super easy especially with full adhesive on the paper. 

Products used: American Crafts Dear Lizzy Fine & Dandy 6x6 pad, Papertrey Ink stamp set (sentiment) - Happy Hexagons, twine/yarn and bling from my stash.












The next challenge was right up my alley. It's the one style I can pull together in the morning. What? People don't typically mix prints in outfits? Oh.

Anyway....I made a pocket card. Even in a very small space, mixing prints can work.....and it's great for scraps. 

Products Used: American Crafts Dear Lizzy Fine & Dandy 6x6 pad, Papertrey Ink stamp set (sentiment) - Happy Hexagons,  Papertrey Ink Scripted Die, sequins.







Finally, the last challenge I completed for the day. "Make it work" seems like my normal mode of craftiness given the scarcity of free time and lack of impulse imagination. I admit though, after a few hours of stamp-a-faire, I was just finding my stride. 

As I as testing out different ideas, I did as suggested and put aside the pieces I was not using. In the end, a few came together for this card. 


Products Used: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (design name unknown), Papertrey Ink stamp set - Friends til the End and Sending my Love (sentiment), Lawn Fawn dye ink pad - Freshly Cut Grass, hemp twine, Hero Arts Shadow Ink in Pale Tomato and Butter Bar, Tim Holtz distress ink pad in Fired Brick.




I'd love to hear if you participated in stamp-a-faire. Drop me a line! 


4.07.2015

3.26.2015

March Craft Month - Wow! in Home Art Class

Celebrating a month-long holiday can be hard work! Said no one ever.

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? Not to be confused with National Scrapbook Day in May (for those paper crafters out there...who also turn it into a month-long May celebration.)

I took advantage of the craft awareness month to design new in-home classes for Wow! Embossing Powder. My personal guinea princesses (guinea pigs didn't seem nice) were more than willing to play along and test drive the course last weekend.

None of these women are veteran paper crafters. They have other crafty talents (that I MUST tap into)!  So, the design of the classes were perfect to try out with them. I love hearing the joy from the first venture into paper crafts....after my safety messages when wielding a heat gun.

With all the fun to be had in learning the ropes, we made it through only 2 of the 3 projects. No one was really in a rush to move on from what they were doing.

Who's next? :)








3.20.2015

Friday Favorites - March 20

Here are some of my favorite tried-and-true Beauty Products.


For super wavy "beach" curls - the Goody Heat Wave Creator Curling Iron. Unfortunately this is a discontinued model, but similar irons are out there from Revlon and BedHead.



For a twist on my personal Jo Malone Signature Scent, a touch of Wild Bluebell.

For stay-put fine hair styles, Kenra's Volume Hair Spray. A MUST HAVE for fine hair!


Multi-vitamin Moisturizer for your Face; light and absorbent.Err-day.




I've used this Eye Cream ever since I started to use Eye Cream a few years ago. Also, light and absorbent. That's a general theme for me. I also like to get a stress relief gum ball from the shop when I stop by.

Say Yes to Cucumbers Face Wipes because I like cucumbers and I like a quick refresher. This product made its way into my routine just half a year ago when I ran out of Kirkland brand wipes and picked these up in a pinch at Whole Foods during lunch.
Just when I thought I couldn't be swayed to spend more on lip color I am introduced to YSL Rouge Pur Couture No. 10. It immediately knew my natural taste for luxury and clung to my lips all day and night as if to prove I was getting my money's worth. Plus, it smells so delicious I can't believe I'm not devouring it off my lips. 


3.06.2015

Friday Favorites - March 6


Happy Friday!

It may be a two-year old recurring from 200-years ago trend, but I am still fascinated by Fascinators. The pictures don't do justice to Rachel Radcliffe's work. Her attention to detail is unmatched. Check out her shop, Feather Light Design on Etsy...which by the way is a new IPO! Congrats @Etsy - so excited for your team!!


Leela--Dramatic hot pink peony hair fascinator with beaded butterfly



My constant companion, my confidant, my personal assistant, my digital friend... the iPhone 6 Plus. 

My dirty little secret, my budget saver, my super model status, my kind of service.... 
Rent the Runway.


The most delicious smelling hand cream and a slick deal at $6. 



Have a great weekend!




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