Tuesday's Tip

I have a bunch of old photos that belonged to my mom and my grandmother. You know, the old black and white 3 x 5's with white border. My mom and I sorted through them to be sure of names and dates. Thankfully, quite a few had all the information written on the back by my grandmother. When I scrap these photos, I plan to photocopy the backs of the photos to add my grandmother's notes (in her handwriting) to the layout. Give it a try as a fun addition,

Notecard Keeper

I changed a recent Club Scrap project into a note card keeper. The actual purpose of this Comics project is as a card keeper.

It contains 16 note cards to be used. I stamped the greeting and layered it over embossed card stocks. I sent this out to a friend for a charity event. It makes a great little gift if you fill it with usable note cards or fold over cards.

Squirrely Challenge

This week's Squirrely Challenge was a pop up card. It was a very easy pattern to follow from Splitcoaststampers.com. I used the stamps and card stocks from Blossom. I thought it would make for a cheery card.

This the card folded up, as if to fit into an envelope. Although it may not look it, it is a standard A2 card.

This photo is of the open card - or, I should say "popped up". Remember to visit the other "Squirrel Girl" blogs this week for other variations:
Nancy's blog; Jen's blog; Chrissie's blog; Julie's blog; and Diana's blog.  Enjoy!

Tuesday's Tip

It will soon be time to scrapbook - Summer PSL usually begins in July. I find that I have been much more productive. My secret? I match my photos to previously ALSBed kits. I put the photos and the layouts in the same page protecters. I can then grab the page protecters I want to scrap. For those photos I have a particular kit in mind, I place a note into the page protecter with the name of the kit. This is a huge time saver.

Squirrely Challenge

Well, I am posting a bit later than normal. The Club Scrap Die Cut Blog Hop and real life have taken up some of my time. Last week's challenge was from October 2010 Technique Junkies newsletter - Cute Cuts. I used the Cuttle Bug Happy Birthday embossing folder with Club Scrap's Welcome kit.

I think a more simple folder would have been better.

Die Cut Blog Hop

I have to say that I was not a die cut person. For years, I just always steered clear because of the "cuteness" factor. I have been converted! I love the current crop of dies. I used the row of houses by Tim Holtz/Sizzix with Club Scrap's Welcome collection.

Here is another fun card using a different Tim Holtz/Sizzix die and the Welcome collection. To see other ideas, visit the following blogs:
http://www.pagesofpictures.com/
http://chrissiecreations.blogspot.com/
http://scraphappysistersink.blogspot.com/
http://www.capecodscrapper.blogspot.com/
http://www.creatingwithconnie.blogspot.com/
http://www.scrappingthoughts.com/
http://orezonia.blogspot.com/
http://squirrelyart.blogspot.com/
http://wbellino.blogspot.com/
http://craftchaos.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the creativity!

Blog Hop

Tomorrow, May 21st, several Club Scrappers are participating in a Blog Hop. Come by and check out the art!

New Partnership

So, it is now time to stop the teasing and make my big announcement! Starting in June, Creating with Connie will be partnering with A Work of Heart art studio in San Jose! I am heading back into teaching, which is a very exciting and fun exercise. Classes will cover the paper arts - scrapbooking and stamping classes will be held this summer. Andrea already has a full schedule; however, we were able to squeeze in a few classes.
And, yes, I will using the fabulous Club Scrap products! So, if you have been wanting to check out Club Scrap in person (but did not want to host a party), now is your opportunity. To learn about A Work of Heart, visit them at AWorkofHeart.com. Hope to see you there beginning in mid-June!

Tuesday's Tip

While making a bunch of simple cards, I was using a couple of my favorite embossing folders. As we all have figured out, there is a front side to the folders. However, sometimes the reverse image can be just as decorative. I have a retro circle folder that has interlocking circles on the correct side. However, the reverse has cool looking diamond shapes - also retro. Next time you are using your embossing folders, think of using the reverse for more mileage from your folder!

A Little Something for Charity

A friend had asked for donated handmade items to sell at a charity event for Children.  I thought it would be great to put together card packs. After stamping 4 sets of 4 cards, I did not want to just place them in a plastic baggie with envelopes. I had made the card box at my friend,.Elaine's, house. The great thing about making this box - it took one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch card stock. I used a combination of card stock's on the 3 boxes, embellishing with flowers and pearls. Is there a particular project you like to make as a card holder?

Upcoming Announcement

Yes, I am being a bit of a tease! I am finalizing some details, but I will have a big announcement in the coming week. Stay tuned!

Button Fairies

A few of West Coast Scrappers have been playing around with making button fairies. I stamped up a body and made the "tail" a couple of weeks ago. I recently had time to complete it.

This is a great technique to use up all those buttons we tend to accumulate. I purged my buttons last year, but saved a few of the bigger ones for a project. They worked perfectly. I added a teapot charm to the bottom.

This came together pretty quickly and easily. I think you could make a variety of sizes, depending upon your stash of buttons.

Squirrely Challenge

This week's Squirrely Challenge is Technique Junkies Bohemian Layers. I used Club Scrap's Blossom kit for this card. The technique uses 3 shades of the same color ink applied with a brayer over heat embossed images.

I applied the inks in a circular pattern, rather than linear, with the lightest color in the center. To see other interpretations of this technique, visit the blogs of the other "Squirrel Girls":
Nancy , Jen, Chrissie, Diana, and Julie.

Tuesday's Tip

With everyone looking to go green and recycle, why not follow through with your art. One of my favorite items to recycle are wrappers and packaging. I like to use candy wrapper and foils in candy/humorous projects. Some tea boxes have interesting images that can be used as inches. Look around  and see what you can find!

ATC Swap

I am participating in another ATC swap. This one is a group of Club Scrap folks and the theme is Truffles/Chocolate. The card stocks and main image stamp are from Club Scrap.

 I used metal and some foil from chocolates as accents. The "designated chocolate tester" was stamped on metal sheeting and cut out. The gold foil at the top is actually from some chocolates. There are certain types of materials I like to recycle - candy wrappers and colored foils are definitely tops on my list. How about you?

Squirrely Challenge

This week's Squirrely Challenge was a 2010 Technique Junkies Technique - Pinwheels. I made a couple of different styles of cards using this technique.

This first card was made for a friend's 4 year old granddaughter. She loves purple and bling! I embossed the flowers on the Pinwheel and added a glittery border to each square. Card stocks used are from Club Scrap and Hero Arts. Stamps are from Stampin' Up and Club Scrap.

This second card was made for a friend. A little more subdued, I used some new pattern paper and stamps from Moulin Rouge. I also used Club Scrap card stocks and Stampin' Up stamps.

This week, you can see other examples of this technique at:
SquirrelyArt, Scrap Happy Sister's Ink, Chrissie Creation, Crafts and Adventures from the Enns, and Cape Cod Scrapper.

Tuesday's Tip

I was reading the April edition of VampStamp News when I came across a great tip. For those of us who still use watercolor markers, we know how they may dry out over time. I have revitalized some of my favorite colors by adding a drop or two of distilled water. It works pretty well, but it will wash out the color. Another option is to use Ranger's Inkssentials Ink Refresher - which should not dilute the color. I will be testing this one out in the near future. What a great idea!

Finishing Projects

Today was a productive day! Not only did I clean my room, I was able to finish some projects. I have been avoiding going into my studio art room, as the need to clean thoroughly bummed me out (said in my best surfer voice!). A clean space is definitely conducive for art. I was able to finish a Club Scrap project I had started a couple of weeks before. It is a perpetual calendar that helps keep track of birthdays/anniversaries etc...

The papers are all from Club Scrap's Solstice kit. I die cut the flowers using a variety of flower dies - and a couple of punches. Next step is to fill in the dates! The sentiment was stamped - and the leaves were embossed with an embossing folder. I cut it out - the embossed surface was inked to add dimension. So easy - give it a try!