And Other Thoughts: crafts

So I’m new to this card making phenomena. I don’t pretend to be an expert, or even remotely creative. I think my photos are proof at that aspect.

Last weekend, as I was ~~browsing~~ ~~stalking~~ obsessing over Pineterst, I came across this amazing site, Cardabilities, and I was immediately (p)interested in this concept of challenging myself with their sketches. Since I don’t have a unique or creative idea of my own {yet} when it comes to making cards, this inspired me to think and create on my own, instead of trying to duplicate those gorgeous cards done by professionals that I’ll never live up to.

Apparently there is a contest for each design(er) based on the sketch to be considered a “Featured Designer.” (Can you hear my screeching laughter?!) That’s not why I’m doing this, because I know it’ll never happen in a million years at my novice level. However, I did want to link it up to their site as part of the challenge ~~so I can be wowed and weep at my inexperience~~ and see how mine compares with other ideas of this sketch. So…here it goes.

Here is the sketch (you can click on the image and it will take you to the site).

Now here’s my concept:

Ugh! Have I mentioned how much I hate my camera. Nine hundred photos and this is the best it could come up with…or it could be the user, I’m not entirely sure. But I don’t have those fancy “pricky” card holders, no pretty backdrops. Just the card: True Love Valentine’s Dial.

I don’t think the idea is to duplicate the sketch exactly, as I could figure from the team of designers at Cardabilities. The main point is to let it inspire you, and I won’t lie, although I was incredibly excited to do this, I was not deeply inspired at first. I sometimes get caught up in this idea of how it “should” look, and then realize I’ll never be that good, then I get really frazzled and frustrated. And as I begin, everything soon becomes trial and error (is this normal?).

Anyway, I used a Kraft cardstock pre-scored card and Cupid's Arrow 12X12 Love Struck Paper by We R Memory Keepers, that I purchased at Two Peas in a Bucket (don’t visit this site unless you have an extra 12 hours to browse and drool). Seriously: one of the best craft sites online! I also used True Love Pennants, by Elle's Studio, from Two Peas. The calendar dial is a free download from Simple Stories. It is the Life Documented Circle Punches. And as I’m a huge supporter of Hobby Lobby as they brave our current ~~dictator’s~~ President’s healthcare agenda, most of the other stuff I bought there: Spare Parts by The Paper Studio (Vintage Icons, Brad Assortments, Epoxy stickers), pink vellum (used my Cricut Mini, Elegant Edges cartridge), and various Valentine’s paper used with the epoxy stickers (which I stocked up on when they were half off at Hob Lob because I love them SO!) . I also want to throw in that the tiny heart border on the top is part of cute collection of Studio G Die Cut Shapes that I bought at…wait for it…Wal-Mart for $0.97. Yes, that’s right: ninety-seven cents! They had a nice little variety, too. I also bought the gems at Wal-Mart for $1. Cannot beat it!

So here’s a closer look.

Dial set: February 14.

1 inch circle punch = perfect fit with Spare Part Epoxy Stickers!! I can’t for the life of me remember where I got the heart ribbon…maybe Michael’s for a $1.

The inside is kind of boring, but it’s “love love love” (you get the picture) “you.”

So this was my first Cardabilies challenge, and I really enjoyed working on it. I’m going to try my best to keep up with it as a way to keep venturing on this card making journey.

By the way, if you care to follow me on Facebook or Pinterest, please visit my other site: NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God and click on the appropriate icons!

Okay, so the only reason I’m posting these cards is to share them with a friend of mine in Tennessee who refuses to join Facebook, AND my flicker account is taking ages to upload, so I figured this was the best way to share the photos with her. However, if you’re not “my friend from Tennessee,” and landed here anyway from my home site, NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God, I hope you like the cards I made this year for friends and family.

To start with, after my mother died, I discovered that my mom also loved to make cards. When I was going through all of her colored papers, I found two stamped, embossed Christmas images. I wanted to do something creative with them, and felt that “collaborating” on a Christmas card was a unique idea. It was a way to still share Christmas together and share something we both loved doing—yet never knew about each other. So this card is something I made with the image I found. I cut it out and colored it, and then created a card around it.

Miss you so!

I wrote a letter to my mother in the inside and kept it for myself. The other image was used for another card I gave to my son who was very close to my mom.

The rest of these cards were sent out to friends and family using my new Cricut Mini—which I love! However, I hate my camera. It takes TERRIBLE pictures, so excuse the glares, blurriness and bad lighting.