Another Birthday Card Bites the Dust

 My card today is for a little girl who absolutely loves Disney movies and especially Peter Pan. I hand-made the shaker box--wow, it's been a LONG time since I made one. I thought I had gone off ana tangent several times, but finished it (maybe it took an hour...).

Anyway ,all my papers are leftovers from previous projects, as well as the die-cut and the greeting. I used a mini playing card I had left over from a bin of playing cards I had saved for crafting. The jewels really do look purple in the right light.   The inside reads:  " Have a magical birthday"

Cashing In by Using My Stash

 

Today I'm featuring another birthday card made completely with leftovers from my stash. The die-cuts were from a bag of birthday greetings and elements. The felt flower is so old I have no idea where it came from! The card front is from a pack of cards, a leftover piece I used to attached to a piece of cardstock I folded today.

It was a quick make, so I made two. My sister's coming in from Germany with her husband, and she always brings back a handful of cards from my stash. I have made some of them in German. Mostly she prefers notecards that she can write something in and hand to someone. Just a decorated front and blank inside.

That's it for today! 

  

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Can't Get Halloween Out if My Head (and off my craft table)

 

Hello, Halloween lovers! Today I made a square card featuring skeletons. The background paper featuring Mr. Skeleton is from the Dead or Alive Paper collection from Rucola Designs. The Copic-colored skeleton child is from Kenny K Stamps. I haven't bought cardstock in months due to a towering stack leaning precariously in my basement, so all papers are "leftovers".

I framed my card face with lacy die-cuts I made from a scrapbook crop (and I haven't been to one in years!).  It showcases the paper well, I think. After coloring my image, which is called "Skull Man", I fussy-cut him out to place under the outstretched hand of his parent. He's so very anxious to go trick-or-treating like all the little goblins and ghosts.

I had forgotten to print my greeting, so I used my circle punch and wrote on black cardstock with white ink the words Trick or Treat. The only other embellishment I used was the cloth Autumn leaf in the top left corner.

I hope you like my Halloween card today. I am building a nice new stack of cards to send out this year. Unless I find a craft fair before the holiday, and on make a little money (m-wa ha ha). All's fair in love and crafts, right? Don't forget to check out the challenge at Halloween Crafts All Year 'round

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Another One Bites the Dust

 Today's decluttering produced 7 cards and a bookmark. The only reason I stopped was to feed and walk the dog, then jump on my spin bike! I now have two large bags of craft supplies for a budding new crafter, a full recycle bin, several more empty containers/drawers, and less anxiety knowing that my basement has a chance to be a livable space again.

I started with the bookmark since I found a watercolor that I had made last year. When I'm not happy with my watercolors. I cut out the part(s) that I like and keep them for future projects. Using leftover die-cut stars, macrame string and a die-cut butterfly, I finished off my bookmark with a sticker that reads dream.

I had two pre-cut cards and envies that I discovered in my decluttering and used leftover papers as card fronts. I cut out the birthday cake from a transparent sheet of scrapbook paper and added small paper flowers and a sticker  reading wish; I used a stamped Thanks sentiment on the other large card and added a die-cut paper butterfly.

The card in the very front has a pop-up vase of flowers in the middle. I created this card from a leftover card kit I had made for a workshop before Covid. The others are card and envie sets that I used patterned papers, ATCs, stickers and flowers to create feel-good note cards. The one on the very left is actually a three-fold; I decorated the front and left the inside clear in which wo write a note to someone special...

During this declutter so far, I have learned that:

I buy supplies impulsively, mostly when things are on clearance or offered at thrift stores. 

I am a paperholic and since decreasing the number of cards I make after Covid, is not a good trait.

I save too many "pieces" and "ripped" or "broken" supplies thinking I can find a use for them.

I don't have as much space as I have craft supplies.

I should have bought real crafting storage i/o thrifting for furniture/bins/shelving haphazardly.

Does this mean I won't visit a craft or thrift store or buy supplies before I really need them? Probably not, but I will have a good think before I get to the cash register and hand over the cash for it all!!

Keeping it real, crafting peeps!

Birthday Cards Today

 

Today I'm showcasing the birthday cards I made from the misc. stash leftovers I've been cleaning out, organizing and donating. Again, I mostly used die-cuts and a few pre-colored images I had from leftover projects. It was a quick and satisfying chore. 

I also managed to go through a few small tubs of trading cards o take to Geek Toys, whose owner bought a nice amount from me earlier in the year. They are all from my mom, bless her soul. She loved non-sport trading cards, especially of her favorite sci-fi shows, like Star Trek, Babylon 5 and Stargate. Unfortunately, they didn't generate as much cash as I had hoped, but I got rid of another bin taking up room in my basement. Yay me!

I have another appointment with my Whole Health coach. I'll continue to work on decluttering my craft supplies (Lord knows I have enough to keep me busy for another few weeks). My next target is punches and scissors and wooden-block stamps. But I'm seriously trying to get my A1C numbers down as well as cholesterol, which ties in with weight loss. Luckily, I have access to a dietician, kinesiologist and my very own spin bike (okay, the spin bike is an old Schwinn without a working display, but I can still pedal).

Using My Stash

 

Today I created 10 notecards from a pile of misc. crafting supplies I left out on my desk last week. I mostly used die-cuts, ATCs and stickers, so it went pretty fast. The history behind the cards is interesting...

I have a habit of naming the New Year. 2024 is the year of Whole Health, I joined a program offered by my hospital and they offer so many programs that touch on the concepts of whole health: physical health, emotional health, personal development, weight loss, mindful meditation, sleep therapy, spiritual awareness, kinesiology, surroundings and social activity.

I even have a coach who guides me to plan out how to reach my goals, which also means accountability. If I don't reach my goals in the time allotted, we revise the steps I need to take to succeed. For the next two weeks, I'm working on my surroundings. 

My house has become a storage building, holding furniture, collectibles and items from my mom's and my gram's houses, which my sisters and I cleaned out and sold after their deaths. Most of my basement and garage are filled with furniture and things that my sister can't let go of, but doesn't have room for.

I admit that the rest of the overcrowding is from my ever-growing stash of craft supplies. This situation is making me feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. My mission is to declutter, organize and label my crafts, creating order out of the chaos. I listed the craft supplies by category; for instance, this first week I went through my alpha stickers, printed images, 12x12 papers, diecuts, lace, ribbon, trim, buttons and envelopes.

I emptied 12 containers and bins, and found a ten year old girl whose passion is crafting. Her mom works with my sister, and she has received a large bag of craft supplies from me. She and her mom created a vision board together and had so much fun. I have filled another large bag with papers, stickers and card kits I made for some workshops. And I am just beginning!

So now you know how I came to create these notecards. I also made 9 birthday cards which I'll post another time. Meanwhile, happy crafting, y'all!

Using Die-Cuts at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Hallo, mein Lieblings! I don't know if you've noticed that lately I've been creating some cards in German. My sister lives in Berlin with her husband and I thought it would be nice if she had some handmade cards to give to her new friends and neighbors.
That's why I created this children's birthday card using a digi image from Ike's Art Store called Teddy Bear from the Germany - World Tour Series Set. After coloring Sigmund (my name for him, nicknamed Ziggy) with Copics, I adhered him onto my card with dimensional tape, framing him with a die-cut circle of stars. In the corner I placed a die-cut tag on which I popped a flower. I also used a couple punches to get my heart and butterfly embellishments. Behind the watermark are the words  "Alles gute zum Geburtstag" which loosely translated mean Happy Birthday!!
Since this is my DT make for Ike's Art World Challenge Blog, you've probably guessed that the optional theme this month is DIE-CUTS. I think I have enough of them, don't you? LOL
I'm taking German classes at the local community college, and am now in German 102. We're spending almost the entire semester on present participle and simple past tense (both ways to say you did something). If you want a quick and easy language to learn, do NOT take German. LOL It is difficult and I have had to tell the professor when I enter the classroom that "Ich habe ein kopfschmerzen" many times (I have a headache!).
Back to the challenge: It's Anything Goes with the option to create with Die-cuts. It doesn't have to be cards but any kind of project. So poke your Muse and get crafty. The winner gets a gift certificate to Ike's Art Store!! Just don't forget to link up your project there before the end of the month!
Have fun and happy crafting!

Challenges I am Entering:
Tuesday Throwdown - Pastel Colors
Use Your Stuff - Fuzzy Wuzzy
Cupcake Inspirations - photo below
(I chose the animal/birthday celebration feeling of the photo)

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything Goes w/pp
DigiDoodles Studios - Anything Goes
Happy Craft - Anything Goes

All Dressed Up at Your Scrapbook Place

A new month brings a new challenge at Your Scrapbook Place. The theme is always Anything Goes, and this month the guest sponsor is All Dressed Up. I used a digi image called Time to Celebrate. I think the sentiment is perfect, don't you? BTW, if you get a chance, try some Barefoot Bubbly. My fave cheap champagne to serve at girls' day in. Yum!
My card is filled with die-cuts and jewels. I found a baggie with them in it, as well as the gold and black paper, and ran with it. How about you? Do you have any mystery bags in your craft area? I'm doing a clean-out (again) and am finding all kinds of goodies. You never know what you might have forgotten...
Meanwhile, you have all month to create and link up your project at Your Scrapbook Place for your chance to win prizes from the Guest sponsor, All Dressed Up.

Turning Green at the Path of Positivity

The optional challenge this month at the Path of Positivity is "Shades of Green" and there are two fabulous guest sponsors whose images the DT (one of them ME) get to play with:

Ike's Art

and 

Scribbles Designs

My card today uses a digi image from Ike's Art called Stitchy Cats. I decided to use a die that I bought at a CHA Convention, the only time I know that came to Chicago. I printed my image in green ink so I could color it minimally. I couldn't resist the greeting inside:

"you smile, I smile

You hiss, I hiss,

You cry, I cry,

You jump off bridge,

I gonna miss you!"

In order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. There is a Random Draw prize of a $10 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs.

You do need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win the prize for the project chosen as Most Inspiring, which is a $15 gift certificate from Ike's Art.

You've got the whole month to create and link up your project with the Path of Positivity. If you choose to create in shades of Green, you have the chance to win either or both prizes! So good luck and happy crafting! 

Challenges I am Entering:

Whoopsi Daisy - AG w/optional Monotone

2 Crafty Crazy Critters - Anything w/a Critter Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes

Oddball Art - Anything Goes

Anything Goes w/optional twist - Use a bow

 The newest challenge at Ike's World Challenge blog has reached its midway point. Their challenges are now Anything Goes, with some months offering a Twist. This month the Twist is to Use a BOW. I created my card with an image from Ike's Store called Spanish Dancer. I love this image because my cousin dances with a Spanish Dance Company, and she also teaches Flamenco classes.

My card has a surprise in that the image is part of a removable bookmark. My family and I love to read, and we're always losing our bookmarks, so demand is high. Mine folds over the top of a page. My bow  is actually a glitter sticker at the top.
My sentiment reads, "Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances. I'll talk more about that in the next challenge for Ike's World Challenge Blog. Meanwhile, share your art with us for your chance to win free digis from Ike's Art store.
Happy crafting!

Anything Goes at the Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge

Good morning, crafters! It's Anything Goes at the Outlawz Monday Greetings challenge and this week Rick St Dennis is our very generous sponsor, offering 2 digi images to a winner. I colored up an image called Sister Jubilata, then inked the edges of my image and let it sit on my craft desk for a couple days.
Time did its trick and when I came back to my Copic-colored image, I knew I wanted to use it on a recyclable container headed out the door. I rescued it and covered it with patterned paper and sprayed the cover with gloss Black spray paint.

I pulled out boxes and drawers of embellishments for this Blessings Jar featuring Sister Jubilata. Leftover die-cut, flowers, jeweled flourishes and trim went onto my jar. Then I added glue and glitter to make it shimmer and sparkle.

I finished off my project with a leftover flower on top of my lid. Any guesses as to what my Blessings Jar started out as? (I'm really proud of this upcycle project)
Meanwhile, grab your craft supplies and join us in our monthly Anything Goes challenge that starts today! And as always, crafters, have fun!

Life is a Phantasi at the Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenges

Welcome to the Outlawz Monday Greetings new challenge. This week crafters are asked to create using a new technique. The guest sponsor this week is Digi Stamps 4 Joy, whose digital image, Phantasi 7 is showcased on my card today. Isn't she lovely?
My new technique is using some fancy die-cuts I colored with Copics to frame my card. Usually I stick to my Nestabilities dies that don't take twenty minutes to get out of the dies and trim them. But it does look nice on my card. LOL
Inspired by the feathers in her hair, I embellished my card with feathers, and added a line of pearls as well. I created this card for my granddaughter's graduation, and she loved it! Of course, it came with an altered container topped with a grad cap which, when pulled off the top of the container, was followed by a number of one dollar bills taped end to end. It presented an almost endless ticker tape of money, so who wouldn't like that?!
So what technique have you been wanting to try? Do it this week and show us your project. Just link  up with the Outlawz Monday Greetings challenge for your chance to win digi images from our sponsor, Digi Stamps 4 Joy.

Having Fun with SLS Lines at Craft Your Passion

Hello, crafty peeps! Today I created my DT card for Craft Your Passion using an image from SLS Lines, this week's sponsor. She's called Art Nouveau Girl with Flowers and can be found HERE.
I tried to give my card a vintage look with shades of pink and brown, embellishing with flowers, pearls and lacy borders. I don't do vintage often, so I am still stretching my comfort zone.
Are you in a rut? WHat's a technique or tool that you have wanted to try or improve upon? Give it a shot this week, and share with us at Craft Your Passion challenge blog. It's always Anything Goes there!!

25 Weeks Until Summer...if you're counting

Happy New Year, and welcome to a new challenge at Your Scrapbook Place blog. This month, Robyn's Fetish sponsors our challenge, offering prizes to one random winner at the end of January.
I played with a digital image from Robyn's Fetish called It's a Dragonfly Day.
Not that I'm counting or anything, but did you know there are only 25 weeks until summer?? Not that it has necessarily been a standard winter this year in the midwest. More like a roller coaster ride with Mother Nature handling the controls. Fifty degree temps one week and eleven inches of snow the next.
This realization inspired me to create a New Year greetings card with a mix of wintery background paper and summery yellow color scheme. I often send out New Year cards to my friends instead of Christmas cards. The rush of the holidays is over and I have more time to send out a cheery wish for the coming year while updating friends on how the old year has treated me and my family.
The challenge at Your Scrapbook Place is always Anything Goes, so link up your card or project before January 31st for your chance to win!!

Challenges I am Entering:

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Girls - Winter Blues

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Our Crafty Corner - Anything Goes

Top o' the Mornin' to You

Top o' the mornin' to you all, peeps! I couldn't resist a Spring holiday card using this fabulous digital image from Rick St. Dennis. She's called "Colleen" and is available at his store. I colored my Irish maiden with Copics, then cut almost all of her out with the Scalloped Oval Spellbinders Nestabilities die before popping her onto some glittery green paper with punched corners. I also framed her with lace and ribbon. My sentiment came from QKD. Some Skittles and a handmade shamrock made out of punched hearts and inked twine.
Today finds us with a new Anything Goes challenge at Craft Your Passion challenge blog. So how about a St. Paddy's Day card, or whatever your little heart desires, and come play with us this week.
Before I go, I leave you with the Irish blessing on my card:
  "May your home always be too small to hold all your friends."

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Naughty or Nice Challenges - Make Green a Central Focus

Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Order of the Opus Gluei - St Patrick's Day
Cupcake Inspirations - Photo Inspiration
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - L is for Leprechaun