Tag Repair

So here is the tag I tore the other day when I was working on my St Patrick's Day tags for a swap I am in.  I was threading the ribbon through when bam.....I tore the cardstock.

I wasn't happy about this because I was totally digging my tag.  It was coming together so well.  Well, I mentioned on Facebook in one of the groups I belong to about this issue, relating how bummed I was.  When a genius...said, "hey if you use a tag topper it will probably cover the rip."

Why didn't I think of that?  Yep, I thought I can totally save this tag thanks to this idea.

I went to my cricut, eyeballing how much of a tag topper I would need.  I used the slice feature to get the just the top of the tag made, then welded two of them together to make this:

I scored the topper in half.  I colored it with Mustard Seed Distress ink.  (None of my green colored distress inks matched the bright green paper I was using).

I put some glue on this tag topper.  Attached the topper to the top of the tag.  I carefully added my ribbon.  This is the end result:

If you are wondering why I am not showing the entire tag, well the swap I entered  still hasn't picked partners.  Regardless, of who is my partner I don't want to spoil the surprise when they get their tags by showing them here.  So I will only be showing this sneak peek at this time.

Once the swap is received, I will post this tag with the other two I made for the swap.

If you have any great tips for saving those papercraft projects you accidentally smudge, or rip...please share in the comments below.  If you have had it happen to you, I guarantee someone else will have the same problem.  You may already have the answer so it won't hurt to share it.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Busy Weekend...and a Card

It has been one of those productive weekends.  I even got a card made.  😊

Let's start with the card. Then we'll explore the challenges I will be entering this into.   Also, I'll let you know what other cool things i have been up to.

This is one of those very simple cards, but I can see multiple ways to use this very simple design by Lori Whitlock. It is a set of stacked svg cuts that when lined up lead to such a great design.  (Once again, no affiliate links here, I just 💓Lori's svg files.)  This literally is a 3-5 minute card.  The longest part is getting the layers cut.  I added the happy birthday sentiment by using my own file full of sentiments I made using my computer.  I printed them out on Cricut sticker paper so all I had to do was cut out the sentiment and ta-da....completed card.  First if you want to purchase this file from Lori's shop you can find it here.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Creative Fingers Challenge #125: Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #239: Anything Goes

Now on to some other fun things to share.  First of all, I have shared before that I live in an apartment so finding places to store all my goodies can be difficult.  I have resigned over the last few years I will have to purge things in order to keep it to something manageable.  That being said, yesterday, I finally cleared it all out.  Put like things together and then put it back.  I now know where things are.

I did not take a before picture because let's face it that would have been embarrassing.  I do need to buy a few more dollar tree bins.  I also switched out one of my containers for a couple of shelves that were in my son's closet.  I am liking how it came together.  I still need to go through my paper storage cubes to the left and I have one carry container in the living room that needs to be cleaned out but here it is:

Being a Virgo, this just makes me happy!  

Now on to a couple of fun things.  I fixed my St. Patrick's tag that I tore.  I will share that on another post.  Finally, I wanted to share with you those stickers I mentioned earlier.  Here is the final product.  

Here is the list of sentiments I created.  I made the file in Word and printed these out on Cricut sticker paper.  I use a xacto knife and a ruler to cut out each sentiment when I am ready to adhere it to a project. Now I am not sure if these sentiments would be useful to everyone, but if you would like me to send you the file feel free to message me on facebook or leave me a comment here on how to reach you.  I will be glad to share.  This would be for your personal use only.  I got the idea from one of my favorite You Tubers Felizlovespaper.  You can see her tutorial for this here.

Slow Weekend

Well, I did exactly what I said I wasn't going to do for a while, joined a couple of swaps.  I couldn't resist.  I saw the many that were going on in the Facebook groups I belong to.  I couldn't resist.  So I have two that I joined.  One is a St. Patrick's Day tag swap.  The other is a Spring themed mini loaded envelope.  

So, for me I didn't get any cards done.  I did start on the tag swap.  You know what that means?  I bought some cute digital images of course.  I did find some I liked on Cricut Design Space but not exactly what I was looking for.  So a visit to Lori Whitlock's shop and Miss Kate's Cuttables solved that.  


Want to see what I purchased?  From Lori Whitlock's site I got this.  From Ms. Kate's Cuttables I couldn't resist this cute owl.  (No affiliate links, I just like these images).

I got a couple of the tags pretty much done and I did the unthinkable....I tore the top of the tag.  But I got a great suggestion from a fellow crafter when I posted my plight to the group.  A tag topper.  I think that will work.  It will cover the tear and make the top of the tag sturdier.  

Today, I just worked on the tag topper and a couple of other cut outs I want for the third tag.  Once I get everything complete I will put a teaser photo up for you.  I don't want to show the tags until the person receiving the swap gets them.  It's kind of a downer if you post something if you see pictures before you receive your mail.

Otherwise, it was a slow craft weekend.  I did some prep work for the loaded bag.  Started designing that along with some other cards I want to do in my head.

I will be back soon to get some challenges done, but just wanted to let you know I am still creating just not anything I can show yet.

Tell me about your creative process...do you always crank something out every week, or do you have downtime like me?  I love hearing everyone's stories so feel free to share in the comments below.

One layer cards....back to the basics

I had one of those cards that I needed to make for a co-worker who's mom has passed away.  These are the cards that aren't as much fun to make. 

To me the best approach in a sympathy or thinking of you card is to keep it simple.  A one layer card is one way to do that.

As I have said before I have quite a few stamps that I have had for years.  This background stamp by The Moon Rose Art Stamps is one of my favorites, especially for one lay cards.  It brings the main image in focus.

In this card I stamped the background in Coastal Cabana.  The Dandelions by Unity Stamps are stamped in Island Indigo.  I stamped the sentiment in the same ink.  The Thinking of You sentiment is from My Favorite Things.  I love this because it stretches across the entire card.

Though the reason for this card was sad, I did enjoy making it since I don't usually get a chance to do stamping during the week.  Thanks for stopping by!

I will be adding this card to the following challenges:

Simply Papercraft #43: Anything

The Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog's February Card Challenge

Valentine Fun

I typically put off any upcoming holiday projects until last minute.  Valentine's has proved to be no exception.  Luckily, Valentine's is unlike Christmas cards.  I don't have many to make so I might actually have them done in time for the Holiday.

Here I have made a cute little mailbox for my sweetest Valentine to receive some treats from Mom and Dad.  I got a thumbs up from him (high praise from a 7 year old) and he has placed it in his room for his Valentine's to add some love to.  

I took the design straight from one of my favorite You Tuber's :Maymay Made It.  You can find the tutorial here.  The mailbox opens up with a rectangle box that holds whatever you put in it.  Not sure if you can see it well in the picture but here it is:  

Thanks to all those shapes I cut out with my cricut over the weekend, putting together some cards for my Valentine was pretty easy.

I made a couple of heart shaped cards and a couple of 3 x3 cards.  He will know he has mail when the flag is up.  Take a look at the cards:

 I bought the ninja file from SVG Cutting Files.  I fussy cut him out and added a speech bubble from Cricut Design Space with the sentiment "I get a kick out of you Valentine"

The others are just different shapes I stacked on top of the cards with the sentiments I had my Cricut add.  Nothing too fancy.  I did add a red doily I have from my stash that I bought a pack of a couple of Christmas' ago from Michael's Recollections.

All the cardstock I got out of my stash and is from Recollections from Michael's.  I shop there often.  Can you tell?

Sunday look at the creative process

I just wanted to show you how my creative process starts out or at least how I have been working recently.  Since I am in an apartment and I share the space where my Cricut is with my son it makes it a challenge to get my images cut.  But, I came up with something new.  I now plan a bunch of shapes/images I want to cut out.  I then on the weekend mornings get those cut out.  That way I have things to work on for the next few weekends.

I am hoping this new process works better for me.  I am giving it a whirl to see how this goes.  If you have a process that is working for you or suggestions for this weekend crafter who has limited space I would love to hear it in the comments below.

Happy Crafting!

That's a horrible idea. What time?

I am not known for my Copic coloring...but I still try.  Today's card includes some of my Copic Coloring.

I started with a 4 1/4x 5 1/2 top folding cardstock in Black.  I then colored my cute image from Bugaboo Stamps. I also added a cute lantern to image from the Cricut Design Space.  I added my clear wink of stella to her purse, shoes, drink, and the lantern to add some sparkle.  You really can't see that in a picture but it is beautiful in real life.

I layered the image on red cardstock.  All of the cardstock is Recollections.  I then printed out the sentiment on my computer and cut it out.  I found the quote on Pinterest.

Doesn't she look like she is up for anything? 

As an added touch I added some cording in black and gold that I got from the Target Dollar spot at Halloween.  This is such a cute card.  I am pleased with my coloring.  This is one of those cards I just knew was going to be cute when I started.

The sketch for this card came from CAS(E) this Sketch's # 208.  You can find the link here.  Here is the sketch:

I am adding this card to the following challenges:
CAS(E) this Sketch #208

Creative Fingers Challenge #124:Anything Goes

Creative Craft Cottage #81: Anything Goes

Make a Wish

Gave the blog a facelift!  What do you think?

I wanted something lighter and more fun.  Thanks to The Cutest Blog on the Block I was able to do just that.  😀

Now on to today's card....

I am still adding to my Birthday card stash today so I will have plenty for the year.  When I started the card I wasn't really liking how it was coming together.  But once I added the patterned paper to the side and the embellishments I was much happier.

All the paper is from Recollections.  The pink patterned paper I added to the side has been sprayed with glimmer mist to add some shine to it.  In person that really makes the card pop.

The images are from Technique Tuesday.  Again some of those stamps I have had for years.  They still stamp great, so why not keep using them?  I stamped them with Stampin' Up's Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, and Perfect Plum.

The sentiment is new.  My sister when I was home gave me a few stamp sets as she doesn't really do much paper crafting anymore.  It is from My Sentiments Exactly.  I love MSE's sentiments because in each collection they have a sentiment perfect for any occassion.  I stamped the sentiment in Momento Tuxedo black ink.  To finish it off I added a few sequins and one purple enamel dot by the sentiment.  The enamel dot is one of many I received in swap.  

The inspiration for the card started with two challenge blogs and one I have been checking out but have yet to enter a card.

I am linking this card to:  CAS(E) this sketch! #207.  Here is the sketch:

I am also linking this to Less is More Challenge Blog #315 Color Wheel.
Finally, I also entering into Crafting with an Attitude-Anything Goes #24.

While I had the supplies out I made a couple of more cards since this was pretty simple to replicate.  

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog.  Hope you have a great weekend.  Get inky!

Blast from the Past....

 Thought I would show you today something I made for one of the swaps I participated in last fall.  I wasn't blogging much during that time.  Not a really go reason not to blog, but I was working quite a bit so I just did not take the time to share the things I was making.

But here is a loaded flip bag I made to swap with a Halloween theme.  It was my first loaded bag.  I really had a blast making this.  I put my cricut through it's paces.  I made the ghost, picket fence, and cat you see here on the front of the bag. I made plenty of tags with the cricut.   I also added a few things I found at the Target dollar spot or at Michael's to share with my partner.

I think the coolest haloween item I purchased were some glittered bats.  They were too cute.

Below is a close up of a rosette I made with my cricut.  I decorated the front with that cute ghost image.  

Since the beginning of December I haven't participated in any swaps.  I am finding that living in an apartment with limited space just does not always make swapping feasible.  I just don't have places to store the things I get.  So, over the year as I use some of my cool goodies I received I will let you know.  I plan to use as many up as possible before I do another swap.

Of course, knowing me I will probably break that because you just need to collect more stuff...right?😏

Rocking the Glitter Cardstock

Hello everyone!  Not been on the blog here much the past month.  I have had some family things going on so creating and getting into my crafty supplies has taken a backseat.  Life just happens sometimes.  

For those who check things out here on my blog, I thank you!  I love comments and checking on the  traffic.  I doubt I will ever be professional blogger, nor do I see myself being the blogger with all the latest tools.  I am just you average papercrafter who yes, spends too much money sometimes on her craft but also is probably the last person to get the latest gadget.  The longer I am a papercrafter I realize that I don't have to have all the gadgets.  I just need to get in there regularly to create with the "stuff" I have.  It makes me happy.  So I hope you are happy stopping by today.

Today I wanted to share with you a couple of Thank You cards I made.  I started with the latest CASE(E) this Sketch challenge as inspiration.

First here are the cards:  

And here is the sketch:    It isn't an exact copy but I am happy with the results.

The card base is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 in cream.  All the papers are Recollections brand by Michaels.  The thank you sentiment and flower I cut using my Cricut.  I used glitter cardstock as the next layer.  The next layer I cut using a Papertrey Ink die.  The card on the right I used my swiss dot embossing folder to give it a bit more texture.

I always find it a challenge getting glitter cardstock to stick down and to get other layers to stick to it.  So I brought out the heavy guns in the adhesive department.  I used Tombow Extreme and Ranger's multi medium in matte.

Now got to take the time to write in these to get them off to those folks who have been so kind to me in the last few weeks.

I am entering the cards into CAS(E) this Sketch # 206 and Creative Craft Cottage #80 must use flowers.  I hope you enjoyed!