Just Add Water

Today, I created a two-page layout using a sketch from one of the Scrapbook Generations sketchbooks. I don't normally do two-pagers anymore, but I had more photos than usual that I wanted to include. I followed this sketch pretty closely because I really liked the clean lines of the design. I used Thickers for half the title and stamped the rest. I added the tag to give the journaling a place to rest and I embellished it with a bit of washi tape from my fast growing collection. I wasn't even sure how to photograph a layout this wide. lol...

While I was taking the above photo, I noticed how well the design of the first page would lend itself to a card. So, while the supplies were still out, I created this Celebrate card. Cute, huh? I substituted the sentiment for the photos in the sketch. And, of course, I had to add some stitching. The stamp was from the $1 bin at Wal-mart. I just cut out the parts I didn't want to give me a stamp that I liked. I actually do that quite often with cheaper stamps. It doesn't bother me to cut them up since I didn't spend a lot of money on them to begin with. Great way to build a collection of sentiments!

Card #16

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 150

After skipping the blogosphere all together last week, this week I am back up and running. Well, maybe not running, since what had me out of commission was my back. Since getting off of the couch, my desk has been busy with one project after another. This morning, it is holding two in progress. One is a scrapbook layout and the other is a gessoed jar waiting for it's coat of yellow spray paint. I am hoping to get both finished today. If the weather permits on the jar. If you are new here and wondering why I am showing you my desk, hop on over to Julia's to find out what this craze is all about and maybe show us your's too!

After playing around with ink splotches and splatters over the weekend, I decided to do something a little more subtle and inked a doily to go with my card. I used Faded Denim Distress ink and a foam pad to color in the surface until the desired results were achieved. I then painted chipboard silhouette pieces and layered them together. The card came together rather quickly which is good because I need quite a few birthday cards these next few weeks.

Card #15

Happy WOYWW!!
Thanks for visiting-

Dani

More Play

Today's cards were also made while I was playing with ink. The first card was created with the smoosh technique. I simply splatted, such technical terms, the distress stamper quickly to the card stock and let it dry. Once dry, I added my sticker tags, a quick punched border strip, and some stitching.

Card #13

This next card was stitched around the edge. I then put some distress ink on to a craft sheet, spritzed it with water, then used a fine detail brush to pick up the color. I tapped the brush to let droplets of ink fall on my paper. I pop dotted the Happy sticker for a little dimension. About as simple as it can get.

Card #14

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 147

Why would I possibly try to re-do the floor plan of my room, while taking Tim's online class, and trying to meet some deadlines? Oh, because I am crazy, that's why.

If you came over here from Julia's, well then, I hope this week's desk won't disappoint. I made a makeshift area allowing me to keep up with my tags and still play around with my room. I think I will keep it up until I finish the class. It is nice to have the supplies and messiness in one spot, leaving my other desk open for other crafty goodness, if I ever finish this room.

And on a quick note, I started working on my Easter cards for all of the kids in our family. This is the one I have done so far. I plan on making some shaped cards later this week. Maybe even some with glitter?

Card #12

Thanks for stopping by!

Dani

WOYWW 146

On the old desk today, okay technically it is still night for me and I plan on getting in some late night scrapping, is some bits and pieces leftover over from Sunday's crafting session. I hate to throw away scraps, but I know that if I put them away, they will never get used. I am a realist. I usually try to use them up by making cards or other small projects while I already have the supplies out.

With these scraps, I decided to get ahead start on making my Mother's Day cards. I know that it is still quite a bit aways, but I felt that this paper would lend itself well for that, and why not be done with it if I can? I love the simple design which was easy to duplicate.

Below is another card from my self-imposed challenge. I bought the We R Memory Keepers Easter 6x6 pad, the rub-ons, and the crocheted doilies a few weeks ago. I wanted to see how much I could make using these supplies. I am not that good at doing whimsical, but since I wanted to use as much as possible, I decided to give it a try. I like how this came out. I used the baby chick and lamb rub-ons on a 6x6 paper that I trimmed the frame off and used the center wood grain part. I added a few letter stickers for my sentiment and it was done. I am all for the quick and easy cards.

Card #11

Thanks for visiting!

And don't forget to hop on over to Julia's and visit other desks from around the world.

Dani

Inspired By

This week, I decided to try something new. There are so many lovely crafters out there who inspire me on a daily basis, so I thought I would take some time this week to showcase one blogger who does just that, inspires. Who knows, maybe this will become a regular blog feature.

Mary Pat Sielh's blog is filled almost daily with cards and scrapbook pages that she creates for her family. She is a busy wife and mother, worked on various design teams, and teaches classes at a lss. She recently posted a card that had a dog on it and it made me remember this one that I had. I took her design and turned it on its side. My trim is a rub-on and I added some colored pearls for a touch of bling.

Card #10

Where/how/from who do you get your inspiration?

Dani

i love you card

Just a quick post of the card for the self-imposed 52 week challenge. I used just a few scraps and a clear stamp sentiment. Nothing fancy as I am feeling really tired and weak today. Will be seeing another doctor next week and anxiously awaiting the birth of my niece on (hopefully) Monday.

Card #9

And to those of you who have commented sending your well wishes, I thank you so much. Without getting into to much details on my health, until they find out what is going on, it has to do with kidney and liver functions. If you can keep me in your thoughts, I would dearly appreciate it.

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 144

Happy Wednesday to You! I can't believe how fast time seems to be passing lately. I can't seem to keep up with all that I have going on around me. I am still fighting an illness, I have a new little niece being born on Monday, and the projects I have planned seem to be piling up one on top of the other. The supplies are all in, and the ideas are sketched out, but the hours just do not seem to be enough in a day.

If you came here from Julia's, I hope you are not disappointed. My desk still has the remains of Monday's card on it. I didn't even clean it up. So not like me, but I really do feel YUCK, and I think know that is why the mess is still there. And yes, I did turn the desk around so that I could walk around it without hitting my hip.

On a brighter note, I was so thrilled to receive this lovely award by fellow blogger, May. When I started this blog, it was a way for me to share my creative ideas with the ladies who took my craft classes every month. When I stopped teaching, I also took a break from blogging, never realizing how much I would miss it. After I came back, the support from the blogging public was overwhelming. I can't believe how fast the followers started to add up and how many comments would start rolling in. I even get e-mails from some of you when I have been missing for a few days to check up on me. It is humbling, to say the least.

There are 5 rules:
1-show thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking them back to you.
2-reveal your 5 choices
3-post the award on your blog
4-Bask in the love from the most supportive on the blog-share (other bloggers)
5-Finally and the best have fun and spread the love by joining each others blogs

So, to pass on the love to 5 other bloggers around the world, in no particular order. Please visit these wonderful ladies if you have a chance.

1. Siehled With A Kiss
2. http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/
3. Under Scarlet Birds Wing
4. Tracy's Treasures
5. Confessions of a twenty something artist

And lastly, if you are here for the 52 card challenge, I am running a little behind on it. I should have it up in the next day or two. Sorry for the delay.

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 143

I missed playing along with the gang from Julia's last Wednesday, but I did sneak in some time to visit a few of your desks. I am back today, but unfortunately, not much crafting is going on here. Only the remnants from a flower making session.

And my new storage stand from a lss closing. I think it was used to store Stickles, but I decided to use it hold my re-inkers and glitter bottles.

Lastly, this weeks card is, Hello Spring! I love the color combo of grey and yellow. It lends itself so well to spring projects.

Card #8

Well, that's it for this Wednesday. Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

Dani

Overdue

I never intended for it to be a week since my last post, but I must say, it was a well needed break. My daughter and I enjoyed some shopping, pigging out, a lot of movies, and shopping some more. It was a fun week but I am ready to get back to the business of creating. The only thing I managed last week was drawing three card sketches. I hope to work on them today.

Since I was away from the computer, I forgot to post card challenge number 6. So without further ado, here it is.

Hi-ya, Sweets was created with Crate Paper's Emma collection. I used the stickers for the borders and sentiment and added a doily and pearls. Of course, some machine stitching was a must. I love having my machine out and ready to use, thanks to my hubby's handiwork.

Card #7

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I am looking froward to some me time.

Dani :)

WOYWW 141

I would like to thank all of you for the super nice comments I have been receiving on my blog lately. I know that you have millions of other things to do on a daily basis, but just the fact that you take the time to visit my little corner of the world, much less comment, means so much to me. Each one of your visits are appreciated more than you know.

I am back at you today with another peek as to what's on my work desk. You can play along by going over to Julia's and finding out what it 's all about. Without further ado, my desk turned into a catch all after yesterday. It is filled with Valentine's day remnants, such as cards and gifts. (I ate all of the candy.)

I am working on card number 6 and a few others that I need for the upcoming week. Why do I start so many at one time? I will never know. I love those pink roses in that metal tin, but they are too bulky to mail. Since I can hand deliver the birthday card that I have started, I am trying to use at least one rose on it. I also have a few paper packs on my desk for the different things I am working on. Again, too much at one time.

Below, is the next card in my 52 card roundup. It is a simple card using a Hero Arts stamp set that I bought last week at 40% off. I love that it is a selection of little banners in different sizes and designs. I chose the Hello There banner, stamped it five times, cut it out and trimmed it to size. I machine stitched the banner together at top of the card and added two tiny bows. An apron border punch and a typed sentiment are all I needed to make this quick card complete.



Card #6
The pinks all do match. I just couldn't get it to show up correctly in the photo.

Happy Humpday!

Dani

WOYWW 140

So, it is that time of the week, where we get to sneak into people's homes and catch a glimpse at what they are working on. If you don't know what I am talking about, then head on over to Julia's and find out what it is all about.

Not much going on in here today. My desk is being used as a catchall for all of the goodies I have been buying the past couple of days. There is two kits from Scrapbook Circle that need to be put away. I found some Thickers on clearance at Michael's last night for $1.29 that I couldn't pass up. The candy is for some treat bags that I need to start working on. The glass ornaments from last week are still on my desk, along with a few extra things from my shopping trip last night. And the e-book that I printed yesterday is waiting for me to bind it. I need to clean it today and start those treat bags.

Below is the card from my self-imposed 52 card challenge. I am not sure if I like this one yet, but the more I look at it, the more that I think I do. I used some leftover paper by Echo Park from last week's layout to create the card and to stamp the sentiment on. I also punched the butterflies from another scrap. The flower is supposed to represent the sun against the cloudy background. The inside sentiment reads, "makes me smile".

Card #5

Hope you are having a good week!

Dani

WOYWW 139

I can't believe how fast these weeks pass, much less alone, the months. I know we all ask the same question, "Where does the time go?" I wish I knew the answer to that, but I am glad that I have this hobby which helps me to preserve moments in time so that we can re-visit them when we want.

Here we are at yet another week of WOYWW. If you don't know what that is, head on over to the Stamping Ground and check it out. On my desk, a layout in progress, a few stacks of photos, and some glass heart ornaments for another project that I am working on. I know a lot of you comment on how clean it usually is, that is because I put everything on the table beside me or on the floor while I scrap. I need my desk to be clutter free, but the rest of the flat surfaces are fair game. Maybe one day I will post a photo of the whole room when I am working on something. Maybe.

And we are already at week four in my card challenge. I can't believe how quickly these come either. I added a strip of bling to the card, but when I put it in the envelope, it really stuck out a lot. I was worried it would get caught in the machines and tear. To protect the envelope, I cut a strip of magic sponge to put over the bling. This product is very thin, but soft, so it protects the card by providing the perfect amount of cushion without adding the bulk. Works great!

Card #4

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Dani

WOYWW 138

For a couple of years now, I have been wanting to learn how to carve my own rubber stamps. I bought the materials, but that was as far as I got. I didn't know where to begin, so I put it aside, until now.

I came across this class, taught by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, and I signed up as quick as I could. I dusted off my box and pulled out my supplies and started watching the first and second video's. Now, my goal is not to become an accomplished stamp carver/designer, but more wanting to carve simple/unique stamps for my own use. I just need the techniques to be able to do that and I think that this is what this class will give me.

Again this week, I joined Julia over at the Stamping Ground, along with others from around the world, to show you what is on our work desks. If you have the chance, go and visit some of their spaces. It just may inspire you. Okay, onto my desk. It is all of my carving tools, pens, and blocks that I need to carve the stamps. And a lot of little, rubber shavings.

The stamps below are from my first two lessons on carving. The heart was fairly easy and I was able to carve two sizes in about 45 minutes. Not bad for my first try.

The second lesson was a little more complicated. This is my second attempt and I still don't have it right. The lines are supposed to interlock for two tone stamping, but I can't get that to happen. I guess I need more practice, but it is a start, and I feel like now, this is a goal that I can accomplish.

And lastly, here is the card #3, from my 52 card challenge. The colors are a little more pastel than they are showing up, but it has been very cloudy here these last few days. The stamp is another Studio G from the $1.00 bin. It feels good to actually have a reason to use these things.

Card #3

Thanks for stopping by-

Dani

WOYWW 137

Today, my desk is pretty clean. I am starting to work on a layout of my daughter from the spring. I have the general layout going, need to glue things down and start some embellishing. If you have some time, hop on over to the Stamping Ground and see what's on people's desk across the globe.

This card is part of my 52 weeks of cards challenge. So far, I am three for three. I am going to try and post these on Wednesdays if at all possible. I am also trying to keep these simple, but I can't help but be drawn to the sewing machine. I love the look of the tone on tone hearts sewn on the bottom.

Card #2

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 136

I have actually been back in my space and working this week. My desk is pretty clean this morning as I am just getting started with a card that I want to send to my 10 year old godchild. My dh bought me this beautiful yellow desk for Christmas and I love it!

This is the finished card that I was creating. Simple and clean with just a touch of a homespun feel with the stitching. Just how I like them. Is it sad to buy a sewing machine just to sew on paper? I hope not, because I actually bought a really good one just to sew on paper. lol...

Card #1

I used Love Story by Fancy Pants to make this card. I loved the fun colors and designs which work well for a child's card. The ladybug is a Studio G stamp. I love how I can get inexpensive stamps for every season without breaking the bank. The sentiment is from Purple Onion designs. The set is called All Occasions Greetings and I have been using it for years.

Thanks for visiting me today!

Hugs :)