The world needs some randomness

This is an orchid plant that my friend gave me for my birthday. Aren't the colors gorgeous?

These are some flowers that I made; the bigger one is from coffee filters. The smaller flatter flower  is made out of crêpe paper. They're both waiting for just the right card to put them on.

Happy Birthday Sister!

Today is sister's birthday.  I made this way back on July 5, and I've been chomping at the bit to post it as well as having a lot of trouble not spilling the beans or telling her about what I did.  She has it by now, so I can let the world see it.

I watched a video on Tim Holtz's site on how to do unique things with kraft glassine. I found this photo of mom and dad from mom's prom (she was prom queen!) and thought it would be perfect for a vintage project.

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear sister. Happy birthday to you!

Today is sister's birthday.  I won't tell you how old she is because she doesn't look it anyways and you wouldn't believe me even if I did.  (Psst ... she's my OLDER sister!)

I made this card for her following a tutorial I read at One Lucky Day.  I'm pleased with how it turned out, especially the flower.  I purchased some organza petals from Melissa Frances when I was in Texas in June. Someone was demonstrating beautiful flowers, and I just had to have the trim.  When I was "shopping" in my stash for the perfect pink item, the trim just popped out at me.  What fun.

So ... do you want to see the card?  Here 'tis!

And here's a detail shot of the flower.  Purty, huh?

  

Get Well

I was out shopping this afternoon, looking for things for my classroom.  I decided to check out the new Big Lots store, and while I was wandering around, I found some paper.  Not just any paper. Three delicious stacks of K&Company paper!  So, I swooped them up quick as can be!

When I returned home, I decided to make a quick card to send to my mother-in-law.  I made the white organza flower this past weekend and added it to my stash.  Hope this lifts her spirits!

Purple and Pretty

A creation from a few weeks ago (forgot to take a picture for the post) ... I just let the creative juices flow and this is what resulted. Almost everything came from sister. Grab it while you can!

12 tags of 2013 - July version

So, I've been reading all of Tim Holtz's blog. I am getting so psyched, learning so many new things. He has a tutorial every month to teach how to make a tag; usually it's specific to whatever holiday is celebrated for that month. Here's the tag he created for the Fourth of July ....

And I couldn't stop at just one tag ... I had to make two!

I won't bore anyone with all of the details of what I did.  But there are some things that I am quite impressed with. (Insert me patting myself on the back with no shame whatsoever <grin>.)

First, I used my Expression2 to cut the tags and the words for the tags. Next, I couldn't find a flag at the store small enough to fit on the tag. Not to be stymied by that, I just went online to find a flag graphic, printed it, inked it and then put it together with a skewer.  

I used the same idea for the Liberty Bell. Cool beans!

Sister gave me a ton of "things" to use since I am just starting out. (Do Joann's and Michael's trade on the stock market?  I am keeping them in business!) I used a star she sent, inked with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

The tinsel came from a wreath that I made a few years ago. It was the perfect addition to the bottom of the tag. I used my little individual letters to create the "let" and "ring" words which I attached with foam tape. Another challenge I met was how to attach the word freedom since it overlapped the tag. I ran it through my Xyron, putting a piece of paper behind the parts that overlapped so that they wouldn't get adhesive on them.(Hey, my momma didn't raise no dummy!)

Here are individual views of each tag ....

   

Mojo Monday - #301

It's time again for Mojo Monday!  I needed some mojo to help me with a birthday card that I am making for a friend to send to her sister.  This week's sketch helped me tremendously.  Here's the sketch:

And here's my interpretation:

Motivation - my first mini album

Isn't it interesting how one can think and muse and stew and consider and ponder to no avail and then <click> with a snap of the fingers it all falls into place?  I started this mini album several weeks ago and kept pushing it to the back burner, all because I didn't know what to do to finish it.  Then, just a few nights ago it all jelled.  Thanks to sister for her critique this afternoon.

This mini album is all about motivation with some interesting quotes that really spoke to my heart.  I plan to keep it on my desk in the next school year to look at often in order to get the motivation flowing.

Isn't this DCWV paper from the Tattered Time stack stunning?  It has some unembellished papers as well as some drool-worthy embossings. I love the dark, somewhat grungy look to it.

Here's the finished product!

Haul!

Here are some of my recent purchases, posted for sister to see.

This is an unmounted rubber stamp that I am trying to paint; I stamped with Archival Ink and then used Distress Inks and a water brush to "watercolor" it.  It's stamped on plain copy paper, so the quality isn't the best, but I was playing!

This is another unmounted rubber stamp.  A pretty flourish that I am sure I will use a lot!

The third unmounted stamp ... for my grungy projects!  

Look at these pretty 6x6 papers!

I love these fibers!  I wonder what I will do with them?  And those mini clothespins are adorable!

Since I am the queen of too much adhesive where it shouldn't be, I jumped at the chance to purchase this when I was waiting to pay for my other things.  Two women in line were singing its praises ... sure hope it works!

So ... gathered twigs was nowhere to be found, but I located it!  Woohoo!  The Matte Accents is supposed to be great for adhering tiny things ... we'll see.  And I just had to buy the craft scratcher!

Last, but not least, are these stamps.  A totally frivolous purchase, but the words on almost every stamp just spoke to me.  

And there you have it!  My haul!

Happy Anniversary

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law celebrated their anniversary last week. Here's what the mailman delivered to them!