Let's Encourage Each Other (Encouragement Hop)

I think I have mentioned this before, but I'll say it again... Crafters are cool!  I love how so many talented people love to share their ideas and expertise, encourage and teach each other, and mentor other crafters.  Not long ago, I discovered three wonderful ladies that truly enjoy doing just that...

Mary Polanco
Courtney Kreeber
Jenn of Scrabena Creations

Recently these ladies, gathered and did a live stream for all of us "novice YouTuber crafters" and came up with a wonderful idea---an Encouragement Hop!  It's a chance for us all to stand up tall and proud and display our works---no matter what our skill level, and feel like a "superstar" crafter.  So hop on along with us.  Check out some wonderful crafters and spread some encouragement!

Next along the hop is Dawn Marie Manning https://youtu.be/RoKctShq25M. 

So along the lines of encouragement, my friend's son recently joined the Air Force and is now at boot camp.  So I created this card to lift him up and, hopefully, bring a smile to his face.

I don't have very many stamp sets or stencils so I use my Cricut Maker to make die cuts, background/stencils, and titles/sentiments.  Because I have no limitations, with my cutter, I can truly create one-of-a-kind papercrafts.  That's a good thing and a bad thing.  Sometimes, I'll spend hours making tiny tweaks to my designs.

On this card, I used my Cricut to create all the text, the star, and a ray stencil for my background.  After everything was cut out, I used the ray stencil and my Distress Oxide inks to blend my background on my card front.  For my "Nothing" title, I stacked 3 sets to give it some dimension.  Next, I glued my sentiments in place (checking for placement for my star).  Lastly, I attached the star to an Action wobble and attached the the card front.

After allowing all the glue to dry, I attached the card front to a standard card base.  I stamped a few stars on the envelope and inside the card to tie it all together.  Finally, my son and I wrote a personal note inside and popped it in the mail.

Supplies:

Recollections black cardstock (Michaels)

Georgia Pacific White cardstock (Walmart)

Strathmore Bristol smooth watercolor cardstock (card front for coloring)

Mirrored cardstock

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb cardstock (for my card base)

Ranger Distress Oxide Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Distress Oxide Worn Lipstick

Action Wobble Spring

Unknown Jewel Dots

Art Glitter Glue 

Hints:

Be very careful with any type of mirrored cardstock/products.  They tend to "stain" if any glue gets on it--even if you wipe off the glue while wet.

The Graduate....

So my son, Jacob, recently graduated from high school and will start college in the fall... I cannot believe how fast the years have flown by! You know you hear that all the time from parents who have older children and you think....sure it goes by fast.  But it really does!  A few years ago, I ran across this song and it just so truly fits, and she has such a beautiful voice.  Slow Down by Nichole Nordeman

We started our day, presenting Jacob with presents and, of course, a handmade card.  It's a clean and simple design, that I'm very happy with how it turned out, and I'm excited to say that I am participating in the Red, White & Blue ModSquadChallenge.  (A first for me!)

Supplies:

Recollections red, blue, black cardstock (Michaels)

Georgia Pacific White cardstock (Walmart)

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb cardstock (for my card base)

Miscellaneous mirrored sequins

Stampin Up Summer Sun Yellow ink (for edging)

Darice Embossing Folder

Wink of Stella

DCWV Stack 10 patterned paper 

Red Vinyl (Expressions Vinyl)

Hints/Tips:

I cut out multiple copies of the "Congratulations" and stacked to add extra dimension.  I got this great tip from Jennifer McGuire and was so surprised at the difference it makes.  Try it, you'll love it!

Instead of writing someone's name on the envelope, use vinyl and cut it out.  Personally, I think it adds a really nice touch.

Use patterned paper to make your envelopes.  I keep the pattern on the outside if I'm going to personally deliver the card.  When I mail it, I keep the pattern on the inside of the envelope.

Next came a party!  

I created this double banner.  I love how the vinyl really makes it stand out.  Each banner piece measures 9.25" x 10.5." 

Supplies:

Recollections cardstock (red and black)

Cricut Vinyl (gold and silver shimmer)

Basic Yarn

Gorilla tape

Hints/Tips:

I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch two holes in each side of the top portion of the banner and threaded the yarn through each (by using two holes on each side this allowed me to keep the majority of the yarn on the back side of each banner).  As an added precaution, I added Gorilla tape to the back of the banners securing the yarn.  This works great and the banners hold up well.  

My only improvement I'll make next time is to find regular string to use instead of the yarn.  Because the yarn can stretch a little, it made the banner droop a little more than I wanted.  It really made no impact, but for my sense of aesthetics I'll use "non-stretchy" string. 

I actually had four sets of these table decorations "grad cap, 2019, and Jacob" bottles distributed throughout the party.

Supplies:

Recollections cardstock (red and black)

Georgia Pacific white cardstock

Cricut Vinyl (silver shimmer)

Deco Foil (silver, rainbow)

My Favorite Things Inside & Out Stitched Oval Stax

Michael's Small Milk Bottles

Michael's Gold Confetti Strips
Wooden Kabob Skewers
Art Glitter Glue (recommended by Mary Polanco--Thanks, Mary, I'm loving this glue!)

We had blank "advice" cards available and asked each guest to fill out for Jacob and place in this adorable box.  Believe it or not, this box was what a set of sheets came in! I just adhered cardstock on the sides (to cover the sheet manufacturer's information).    I created a cute scalloped oval and shadow, added enamel dots to finish it off.  

Supplies:

Recollections cardstock (grey)

Georgia Pacific white cardstock

Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots (grey and gold)

Hints/Tips:
This Brother printer is one of my newest purchases.  I've been looking for a laser printer that will take heavy cardstock.  So far, it seems to be exactly what I was looking for... I used it for my Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb cardstock without any jamming.  (I did use the front and back by-pass.)

Crafters are Cool!

I've been using an Envelope Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers.  It's a great tool, but it has a few flaws:  1) the instructions printed on it are in a beautiful color but it is hard to read and small; and 2) it only lists so many sizes.  I've been struggling with the instructions--using a magnifying glass to look at it-- and it is so frustrating, so I retyped the sizes and printed/laminated it.  (If you'd like a copy just email me or comment below and I'll gladly share the pdf.)  So problem #1 is solved.  

Someone solved problem #2, and here is a link for it.  It works great for those odd size envelopes you need to make.  I actually wanted an envelope to put on a scrapbook page that would hold some memorabilia.  Viola!  Made my envelope in a snap using this great resource.  They even have it as an app for your phone.  I'm loving it.  Go check it out! 

http://crafterskey.blogspot.com/p/calculator.html

Crafter's Key: Envelope Punch Board Calculator: We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board Any Size Calculator ( also works for the newer We R Memory Keepers 1-2-3 Punch Board...

So, as I stated in my title, crafters are cool.  I love that they share their work, tips and shortcuts to help and inspire other crafters.  So here's a THANK YOU Crafter's Key and all the other crafters sharing their knowledge.  

Birthday Balloons

I don't know about you, but I love to search the web for card ideas. I could spend hours--and have spent hours--admiring all the beautiful, creative, and innovative works in the world. When I find something that strikes my fancy, I usually save a copy of the image and name it with the source so that later if I use it for inspiration or decide to copy with a twist, I can give proper credit.

Tonight I was working on a birthday card for a relative, that is coming up soon and used one of those gems. My card is based on a 2014 post by Julie Campbell at Studio Calico.

Products Used:
Georgia Pacific White Cardstock
Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock
Recollections Black Cardstock
Fun Expressions Buttons
My Favorite Things Bundle of Balloons Stamp Set
Sakura Quickie Glue Pen
Therm-O-Web Zots (medium and small)
Memories Acid Free Black Dye Ink
Tim Holtz Stamping Platform  (I own both sizes, but I actually recommend the travel size for card makers.)
Scotch Advanced Tape Gun
Miscellaneous Mirrored Gems (Michael's)

The Happy Scrapper

I have been "scrapping" for 17+ years now. I really enjoy it, however, like most "scrappers," I'm not caught up. I'm hoping that in 2019, I'll get a lot closer to that goal. I also want to create more handmade cards. I did this a little when I first started crafting, but didn't stick with it. Lately, I've been trying my hand at card making again. What I like about card making is that it is a relatively quick process.


However, both my scrapbook layouts and my cards, I think, take much more time than most scrappers. I tend to overthink elements a lot. Also, when I make cards, I usually make them specifically for someone... meaning I don't just sit down and create a card to have on hand.


Here's one of my "sort of" recent card endeavors. I actually started this card several years ago, put it away, and pulled it back recently and made changes to it. The critic in me sees all the "faults" and I can definitely see where my style has improved. Yet, I'm happy with this over-sized card. I think it has a lot of cute elements, and fits the person I made it for.