An amazing Snapfish deal...TODAY ONLY!!

Check out this link to Snapfish.  99 prints for $.99!!  TODAY ONLY!  Start you uploads NOW!

ATC

I recently signed up for an ATC swap and have found a spectacular site for wonderful supplies!  If you love making ATCs, this is the place to look for goodies!  Bmuse
Have fun!

Twilight fans...the immortal love stack

Even though I've never seen any Twilight movies, this new paper by DCWV is lovely!  It looks like Joann is going to carry it soon enough, so be on the lookout!

Gift card holders

Like many, I give a handful of gift cards to those who are hard to buy for.  I don't like the envelope that's provided so decided to make my own gift card holder.  I was searching around Scrapbook and found a post by Candace M and a link to her blog which provided a template to make them.  These were so easy to make!  Unfortunately, I don't have the pics of the ones I made but KNOW that I will be making plenty throughout the year and beyond!  Check out Two Peas in a Bucket for the template!  Enjoy!

Cricut Expression dust covers

My Mom is a very sew-savvy gal and has created a reversible dust cover for my Cricut!  This was a lovely gift I received for Christmas!  She also made a great coordinating dust cover for my Simple Singer sewing machine!  Thanks Mom!  Check out her site for this (affordable price!!!!) and other items she makes! 

Create animated .gifs with Photoshop

I've browsed through many blogs/scrappy sites and have come across images changing.  I wondered how to do it and wandered around Google and found a tutorial that makes it look SO easy!  This can be found at Digital Scrapbook Place.  I can't wait to get started!

Angels...

I'm a member of CDAC...Crafters Digital Art Center and saw a tutorial for making angels.  I fell in love with the idea and made a few angels.  So far, they are all gifts.  I plan to make some to keep too!  Enjoy what I have so far!

Inked edges blue and Stickled

Punched hearts then adhered to wings; sprayed w/Glimmer Mist

Punched flowers, inked w/red, red glitter for edges & Glimmer Mist

1st angel - couldn't find glue gun!  Red glitter edges

Stickled edges, punched snowflakes & Stickled

I have a few more but haven't taken pictures yet!  TFL!

Here you go:

Inked, punched & Stickled!  My favorite so far!

Reverse side

Stickle dots and Bernat Boa trim

Close up

Here is the tutorial, found on YouTube AND CDAC by Carol Hurlock

Manga

I was very curious about 'Manga' style coloring with Copics.  I love how the hair always has the beautiful highlights!  Watching numerous tutorials through YouTube has me inspired.  So I did a search and came across this wonderful site Mangalessons that not only has tutorials for coloring with Copics, but also how to draw Manga characters!  I don't think I'm ready to create them quite yet (if ever!!) but coloring, I can't wait to get started!  Enjoy!

Are you thinking of creating a custom stamp?

I came across this site while searching for 'custom stamps'.  As usual, Google brings up too many options.  After clicking through a few, I found Simon Stamps.  They give you the option of the size wooden block (depth/width) and you insert your text and choose font.  I've already received one and am very happy with my purchase.  I've since ordered another one - Handmade by Kristine - (1/2"x2") for $10.99 shipped.  Can't wait!

Great place to buy stamps!

While viewing many blogs, I came across Simon Says Stamp through Jennifer McGuire's site and love the variety of stamps offered...among other scrappy candy!  Take a peek!  Good stuff!  On Jennifer McGuire's site, she has a video showing Painting With Liquid Pearls using new Hero Arts stamps - CG270 Flower Bird Garden and CL497 Find Joy... very pretty!!

Looking into doing some digital layouts...

I was wondering where digital scrappers print their layouts.  The answers I received were all different from the others!  Most rely on some online service while others use Costco solely.  One response provided this link to The Daily Digi.  There are reviews of many printing companies and has done a great job doing so.  Check out the link and decide which is best for you!

On the 12th day...the LAST tag!

I really like this tag and certainly wish I had these dies!  He's made 3 versions of the 12th day tag.  They are all wonderful!  Enjoy!

 And a gift card holder!

On this 11th day...

I was so excited to see Tim Holtz's next tag...  And was I impressed with a new technique he shows us!  He shows how to create a stamp using your existing die, craft foam and Wonder Tape.  Never knew what Wonder Tape was and now I can't wait to purchase it!  Looking forward to making some new stamps with all my dies!

As an added bonus, he uses the scrap from creating this tag to change the 1st Day tag he made.  Love it!

Enjoy and happy creating!

Beautiful tag!

I love this new tag by Tim Holtz!  It has such a wonderful snowiness about it!  Love it!  Enjoy creating this beauty!

10th Day

New blog...

I am so excited to find a new blog!  She has wonderful templates available and so much more!  Check out Ideas for Scrapbookers.  Have fun!

And on the 9th day...

A great new tag by the uber-creative Tim Holtz!  This is a bit different from the past tags.
Enjoy and have fun!

Another tag!

Here's the 8th day tag...beautiful!  These are so wonderful!

Never ending card!

If you're looking for a new (and fun!) card to create, this is it!  Check out the link for a tutorial on how to make this card!  Enjoy!

6th & 7th Days of Xmas tags

Here are a few more beautiful tags done by Tim Holtz:

6th day

7th day

New tag!

Here's another lovely tag creation:
And on the 5th day of Christmas...

Tim Holtz Blog
All details are posted!

Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas tags

I always take a peek to see what kinds of goodies he's making and came across these beautiful tags...

 1st day

2nd day

3rd day

4th day

Check out his blog for the next 8 days to see the remaining tags!  The ones posted above are still on his blog.  He includes supplies and directions for each.  Certainly a beautiful challenge!
Happy Holidays to you!

Copics storage

I've searched and searched and believe I've finally found a low cost option to storing Copics!  There are Copic Cubbies, but the shipping is pricey.

 I've attached a link showing how to make a similar cubby system using foam board (and she does give credit to the mastermind behind the idea!).

Go ahead and chuckle but I believe it's pretty creative!  Seriously considering giving it a shot!  Now off to find my hot glue gun that I haven't seen in almost 2 years...

A new site I'm a fan of...

I was poking around the internet and came across a few YouTube videos about Copics.  One that caught my attention was using the Copics with an airbrush system.  I had no idea how easy this could be!  So I searched around and found a new favorite site:  Jennifer McGuire Ink  She does tutorials and a Copic coloring method I've never considered.  She makes it look soooo easy!  Click on her link...ENJOY!

Un-cling rubber stamps!

I just came across this method through a link on Scrapbook.com and found it to be very easy!
Check this out if you're looking to remove the wood blocks from your rubber stamps!  The demonstrator shows how to not only remove the rubber from the block but also how to make it cling to an acrylic block!  Wonderful!  Check out here:  Scrap Perfect
Enjoy!

Chilly....

Today is a cold day in Chicago!  67deg yesterday and now it's 27deg (feels like 15deg!) now!  Where is the snow to justify this!
Cold weather like this makes me want to grab a cup of coffee (it's still early!) or hot chocolate later and get crafty!  The thought of willingly leaving the house is non-existent!  But the kids have to come home somehow!
Cheers to you!

1st swap ever!

I'm so excited to be a part of the 2011 birthday card exchange swap through Scrapbook.com!  The key is to send birthday cards to every recipient on their birthday.  That recipient will receive cards from everyone involved!  This is going to be so much fun!  This will certainly get my creative juices flowing!  I can't wait to get the list and get started!

Giving credit...

When I was creating my page, I found an awesome source for a header!  Please visit itkupilli-cutencool
Her creations are really cool!

My first blog!!

I have never had my very own blog!  I'm excited to share daily thoughts, goings-on, anything crafty, etc.  This blog is not solely meant for papercrafting.  You'll come across other topics too!  As I start off, I've added a bunch of links of sites/blogs I love looking at!  I hope in the future to add pictures of items I've created & maybe even video tutorial (linked from other creative folks!!).
I'm a SAHM with 2 beautiful children, Ian 11 and Katie 6.  I'm a very lucky gal to have a wonderful husband of 15 years!  I'm fortunate to be able to stay home with the kids.  I don't want to go back to an office and its politics!  Maybe, just maybe, I'll be crafty enough to sell stuff.  Maybe...
Please enjoy what I have so far.  I'll be uploading soon anything I've done to this point (with exception of a few cards made & given in a flash!).  Your comments are welcome.  I've only picked up the crafty itch less than a year ago & hope & plan to make it a permanent one!  This is my creative outlet and I plan to run with it...
Enjoy today...