New Specs...

Mac just got glasses last week. We didn't know he couldn't see until he started squinting... poor little fella is near sighted. He was awesome getting his eyes checked and he even took his time choosing his glasses. Thankfully, I had my camera at the optical store! With my wicked printer, I cranked out this layout in no time flat!

I used lots of Studio Calico odds and ends and random paper: Pink Paisley, Jenni Bowlin, and Sassafrass. The Sketchy Thursdays sketch is what I used as my template:
Lovin' the way it turned out... it's hanging in my studio!

Home for the Holidays

It's unusual that I post twice in one day, but Anna is home sick with strep throat. So, in between loads of laundry, making chicken noodle soup and fetching juice, popsicles and Motrin, I have been paper crafting! Yay! I even go a couple layouts done (which I will post tomorrow).

Here is a card I did for the Jingle Belles this week: Their prompt was "home for the holidays." I used the 2010 October Afternoon holiday paper and sticker and just so happen to have this scalloped velvet ribbon leftover from one of my Studio Calico kits- it matches perfectly! The text paper is Jenni Bowlin- sitting on my desk from a layout I did earlier today. :)

I played along with Card Patterns this week too. This is their sketch:

So, a good sketch, and darn good holiday prompt, and voile! A fun holiday card is born.

Enjoy your evening!

Rally With Rejects!

One of my goals this year is to get published. So, I decided to submit at least 2 projects per month and see what happens. So far, nothing has been picked up, but that doesn't mean I am going to quit trying! I love what I submit and really, that's all that matters.

Just recently, I submitted several cards to the call for the *now closed* Paper Craft's magazine Go To Sketch's issue. I love working with a sketch, so I had fun making my cards! There were almost 3,000 cards submitted to this call, so there were bound to be loads of rejects... which is why I am participating in Amber's {Damask Love} "reject card blog hop." I love Amber's idea to come together and share the cards that didn't get picked... a "rally" of sorts, if you will!

This is probably my favorite card of the bunch that I submitted, based on sketch #49:

If you have a card you submitted to this call that didn't get picked, join in the fun HERE.
Better luck next time... never give up! :)

Paper Smooches!

Paper Smooches is a new stamp company designed by Kim Hughes. You may know Kim from all her great work you see in Paper Crafts magazine. She is having a guest designer call for next month, so I decided to play along! You should to! Visit HERE for all the details!

This is my *first* card... I have two others that I will link up tomorrow.

I love this bird image! And, you know what? It's a FREE digital image from Paper Smooches! I love it paired with this October Afternoon paper and the sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.

Have a great Sunday!

Fun with Foam!

Good morning, friends. Just a quick, short post today to show a couple cards I made with fun foam. The Papertrey Ink "Make It Monday" challenge was to use fun foam in a creative way. I did some die cutting here:
and here, not only did I do a die cut, but sewed a little heart too:

Fun foam is very easy to cut, sew and craft with. This was a great challenge... I would have never brought out the kids fun foam for one of my projects! :)

Superhero

Mac, my now 8 year old, started loving superheros when he was about 2. He had on a "super suite" or cape on every single day. He played the part too... jumping off steps, using a deep voice, rescuing stuffed animals or poor Wrigley. He has since grown out of dressing up, but still very much likes superhero's.

I had ordered this Amuse Superhero stamp to make his fifth birthday party invitations and thank you notes and I love it. I came across it the other day and a lightbulb came on...

That's right... a PINK Superhero, and the "A" is for "Awesome" or "Amanda." I'm feeling pretty super'ish right now... I just signed up for the *now closed* Chicago Marathon. So excited to have an even bigger goal ahead of me. A closer look...

My pink super boots have glitter on them to make me run faster! My belt has a green rhinestone that I can push to give me energy! Oh yea, I can totally get into the Superhero act...
I stamped "the sky is the limit" on the inside because I really believe that if you set your mind to something, you will accomplish it. Once I jump, it's with both feet.
Have a super day!

Supplies: Paper: My Little Shoebox, American Crafts; Cloud Die, Felt and Sentiment: Papertrey Ink; Superhero Stamp: Amuse; Coarse Glitter: Martha Stewart; Copics

Text Me!

My husband wouldn't be very happy if all my crafty, blog friends texted me... he got me an iPhone for Christmas and jokingly, he made the "cha-ching" sound every time I got a text that day! It was quite exciting because my phone before (that I had for 7 years) didn't text! Anyway, I LOVE my iPhone and I also love to text! ;)

Anyway, the Jingle Belles prompt this week is "Text Me!" I think paper with text is so cute, trendy and sometimes nostalgic. So fun to use for so many different projects...

Let's have a closer look at that beaded tree, shall we?

I wish I could say I made that sweet, glittery tree, but I'd be lyin'. It's from Meri Meri. BUT... you and I could totally make this tree with a stencil and some DesignaTac sticky paper. Maybe I'll make a bunch and stick 'em in the Etsy shop!

You wanna know why I love making holiday cards in advance? Besides the fact that I get to actually enjoy making each one without a rush, and spend time lovingly making each one, it's the fact that I can use up my scraps. Not all holiday cards and pages have to be made with "holiday" supplies! All the items in the card above (besides the fancy tree) is a leftover scrap from something else. The text paper with "happy holidays" on it is the only Christmas item I used. The rest... scraps! The finished card is 4.5x6.25 inches.

Now, go on and be a Jingle Belle and make a holiday card!