Project Life April and May

All crafts have been put to the wayside lately, because as time has gone by I have found such comfort and joy creating my “project life” album (or 365, or whatever you want to call it). While I don’t use Project Life cards, I have used many free journal cards that I found through Pinterest, various card stock patterned papers, and recently bought the Webster collection from We R Memory Keepers, which was one of the best buys I’ve ever made, and are so much more cheaper than PL.

I did start my album in January, but throughout the past couple of months, my craft has gotten a bit better since then. So I think I’ll start from the end and go backwards (just like I read my magazines…which amuses my husband).

Since I have pretty eclectic taste, it’s incredibly difficult for me to stick to one color scheme or format for too long. I like a variety of colors and papers and don’t want to get too stuck to one particular thing, otherwise I’ll get bored. So each month I try to maintain some sort of color “theme”, and May is pink.

And I may mention that I’m terrible at “scrapbooking,” so while I have tried to do some clever pages for my month intros, the most unique idea I could come up with was taking a single sheet of 12x12 pretty paper and cutting it to the format of my photo sheet protector:

I went to Big Lots a few weeks ago and they have a scrapbook section with tons of great deals, such as STACKS of stickers all stapled together for only $2!! The Good Times stickers was in one of those stacks and it included a bunch of the cute colored dots. I didn’t even use all of them on this page.

April 1st was a tough day for me and my family. The dog that I had for 19 years was hit by a car and killed instantly. This was such a terrible shock for me, because only a week prior we had discovered that he had cancer. The vet told me with a big smile that cancer would not be the death of my precious Poco, little did I ever imagine that a car would take his life, considering he NEVER left my side, nor our yard. The whole incident was a freakish accident that really perplexed us. And so I made a memorial page for him…

And so we began April…

April was a bit difficult for me to stay on theme, and I ended up using some earth tones instead of the birds and blues I originally began with.

It was a hard decision for us, but we decided to get another dog. She had been in a shelter and a foster home for nearly 2 years! She already had a name…Lola. She is the sweetest dog EVER!

Our Family Time with God every Sunday is a highlight of our weekend. We are committed to be technology and TV free all day. This particular Sunday, we learned the valuable lesson Jesus taught his disciples on being humble and serving others, with the story of Jesus washing their feet. Our son, Tavin, LOVED this lesson SO much that he asked to do it all over again later in the afternoon.

Easter and the new season of Doctor Who (hating Clara!!).

I was also fortunate enough to see Joyce Meyer live in Milwaukee on April 11th and 12th. If you’re wondering what “FROGS” means, watch her TV schedule for the series, Beauty for Ashes (and look for me, they filmed me a lot that night!).

Here’s where I began the Webster collection…

Another Sunday comes and goes. This particular week we learned about “tongues of fire” and how to say “Jesus Loves You” in Spanish, French, Chinese, and German.

And now it’s the end of April already…my how times flies.

Super duper haircut!!

Be Mine Love

HAPPY LOVE MONTH! I’ve got such exciting things going on over at my other site, NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God, this month. God is pouring out His love in a mighty way, and He desires for everyone to know just how much He loves them! I do hope you’ll follow along. During the month of February, the site has been temporarily renamed, Love Notes from God. Be sure to check in daily for your love note!

Anyway, the theme of God’s love this month is, “Will you be Mine?” So with that in mind, I used the Deconstructed Sketch with that theme. Here’s the sketch:

And here is my design:

Someone recently told me not to be too hard on myself because my cards were really beautiful and that they could tell I pay close attention to detail. So I’m not going to be down on myself with my card making skills. I will admit I’m getting better—much better—and I have these sketch designs to thank for that. It really guides me in my creativity.

Then the other night, skyping with a very dear friend of mine (who led me to Jesus, by the way!), suggested that I try to sell my cards as a way to earn some extra income. I poo-pooed the idea, but she insisted that the Christmas card I sent to her was gorgeous and absolutely sellable. Well, I really do need to start making some extra money since my husband’s wages are now being deducted for health insurance, and that has KILLED us financially.

So it’s here!!!!!!!!! My Etsy shop: I Can Create Creations

Very soon I will be making some stationary cards and box card sets. So be on the lookout for those.

It’s time we started sending personal touches to those we love, isn’t it? My grandmother would always write me letters, at least once a week, when she was in Florida during the winter. And I used to love writing her back and telling her all about my life and things going on. I anticipated getting her letters eveyr week.

We are so lost in technology, that we have forgotten how to be “personal” anymore. And I’m praying that my Etsy shop will inspire people to start getting personal again.

Bird Love

Valentine’s Day used to be my absolute favorite holiday. However, over the past few years it’s fizzled in the background to St. Patty’s Day and all the great food I make to celebrate my husband’s heritage.

This year, though, I’m rekindling my fire with Valentine’s Day as I create cards and develop a new concept for my main blog, NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God. During the month of February, Daily Reminders from God will be replaced by Love Notes from God. It is divinely inspired and I know God is truly going to pour His love on so many people! So please be sure to check out my site and follow along next month.

Okay, onto the cards.

Here is The Deconstructed Sketch for this week:

 

Here is my take:

See these cute birds, hearts and heart tree? $1 for a pack at Wal-Mart, and I still have a whole lot more I can use, including some adorable journaling cards that I’ll use on the back. The paper is from Hob Lob, and the polka dot tape is from the Smash line, which I’m sure every crafter on the planet owns. The heart stamp is from the Portfolio line by Pink Paislee that I bought at Two Peas in a Bucket.

Now the next card is taken from another sketch from a few weeks ago, but I wanted to try it anyway. For some reason I’m not receiving their email alerts.

And here’s my inspiration:

Papers are from Hob Lob single sheets. And the stickers I bought a while back at JoAnn Fabrics.

I’m enjoying throwing vellum into the concepts, but sometimes it can get a bit tricky, especially if you are using dimensional tape. It’s also not easy to use in the Cricut, as it seems to tear easily even on the lightest setting.

Well, onto the weekend…

Missing You Today

I’m currently reading the book, “Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe,” and yesterday’s chapter was about how so many mom’s face the daily battles and routines alone. One thing that fascinated me was how the author, Sally Clarkson, described our current culture as living in “hostile isolation.”

I do this mothering thing alone 90% of the time now that my husband works these very strange hours, but worse yet, with my mother dying in May and my in-laws having moved to Utah a few months before that, we lost all hope of family connections and someone helping us with Tavin.

And while I cherish the deep friendship I have with my best friend Pennie, she lives 865 miles away and all we can ever do is talk on the phone…that is when Tavin lets me is sleeping.

With that said, today’s Mojo Monday card challenge is based on how much I’m missing my friends today. Here’s the sketch:


And here’s my inspiration…for you, Pennie!



Ironically, I was actually talking to her on the phone when I was putting all the pieces together.

Supplies:

Twig, outside; paper, DCWV The Timeless Type Stack; Missing You Today stamp, Wal-Mart; vellum paper and Kraft Card, Hobby Lobby; door knocker, Jolee’s Boutique (Marshal’s).

Glue is still drying…



And for my friend, Melissa, in Oklahoma (Yee-ha!), this is what I had to drink tonight:

Before:


After:



Drink your heart out, sister!

I Love You Valentine’s Day Card

Just crankin’ along on these sketch cards. Found another site, Mojo Monday. I know it’s Friday, but I don’t have much of a mojo on Monday, or any other day to be quite honest.

I decided to make another Valentine’s Day card, in hopes of stocking up when the time comes to mail them out.

Anyway, I don’t have the energy to blab on and on tonight. I’m exhausted and I have a long weekend ahead of me. So here it goes.

The original sketch:

My inspiration:

The papers are from Hobby Lobby. I bought them in single sheets. I used the epoxy stickers by Paper Studio with the “I Love You” paper, and the rhinestone heart is part of the Spare Parts line of Paper Studio, also. The seam on the two papers is Martha Stewart Crafts Paper Tape, Vintage Girl. The pink glitter flowers are from JoAnn Fabrics online store, Studio 112 Glitter Chipboard, Florals.

*Yawn* {big stretch and pulling muscles in my shoulder—FUN!}

Past my bedtime. Night, night!

Deconstructed Sketch # 85: Perfect for Each Other

Sometimes I feel a bit silly posting and blogging about the cards I’ve made. Although I love to write about my faith and my political beliefs, writing about something I do for fun seems a bit odd, especially since I’m just starting and I’m not entirely sure where my talent/skill level is how good I am at it yet.

Because of that uncertainty, I’ve been trying to challenge myself with sketches, rather than trying to duplicate or be inspired by other cards. So along with Cardabilities, I also decided to follow The Deconstructed Sketch.

Here is sketch no. 85:

Here is my inspiration…somewhat.

Again, my camera just doesn’t do this paper from Lost & Found justice. This glittery pale blue and ivory cardstock with faded handwriting is so gorgeous. It has a wonderful texture to it, and it really pops.

 

This is all one sheet of paper, cut into sections, and the blue strip is the “B” side of the paper. The grey banner is some old wedding paper I had lying around. I was unable to build on this paper, because everything seemed to get drowned out by the silver, glitter dots. So I decided not to put a scalloped edge on it at all. Trust me…I tried. It wasn’t working.

I don’t usually make cards without a sentiment or person in mind. I’m not one of those crafters who stockpiles up on cards and has them lying around ready to go. I make them as needed, and I usually make them according to the person it’s intended for, designed for their interests and style. So this card was a bit difficult for me to make because I had no real thought process about who or what it was for.

Eventually I just decided it would be a wedding card, if anyone I know should happen to get married…anyone?

So this is the inside of the card, which will eventually say, “You two are perfect for each other.”

And that’s that!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless!!

True Love Valentine’s Dial

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!