What a busy weekend!  I hope that everyone had a great one.

This past weekend, I decided to try my hand at a mini card collection using the March Salutations Kit from Swirlydoos.  As listed in previous posts, it contained papers from Prima's Stationer's Desk Collection.  This entire collection has won me over ... gorgeous florals, vintage tags, cool embellishments.  I love it.

This project comes from Lisa's Stampin' Studio.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a card retreat hosted by my Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Lisa Curcio.  We created six projects over the day, and one of them was this lovely mini card collection.

As I was looking at it over the weekend, it occurred to me that the Prima papers would be perfect for mini cards.  So ... following is my rendition of the mini card collection.

Four 3 x 3 cards which fit into the box on the top left.

The band of each card slides off and allows the card to open accordion style.  

The cards fit comfortably inside the box.  Below is the top of the box. 

Box is available from Stampin' Up!

For the flower on the card and the box, I made them from one of the Prima papers.  I punched out five scallop-shaped flowers, edged them with Distress Ink, punched a hole in the middle and secured them with a brad.  Then, I lightly misted them and individually scrunched them together toward the middle.  I allowed the flower to dry, then played with each layer until I liked the look.  I used some Stickles around the petal edges to give it depth and sparkle. 

I love this idea and will probably make more mini albums using papers and items I have collected over the years.  It makes a very nice gift!  Thanks for looking!

Forever Noted

Morning all.  I have a quick moment to upload my card from last night.

I really love these papers from Prima!  Very versatile.  I created this card for the Butterfly challenge at Swirlydoos, thus the butterflys.  Papers, tag and butterfly cut-out are from Prima's Stationer's Desk Tag Collectio.  Such fun!

Stamped the butterfly in the center with Wonderful Wings, a retired stamp set from Stampin' Up!  The cardstock in the back is Baroque Burgundy, also from Stampin' Up!  The inks are Archival Inks from Ranger.  The flowers on the tag are from Petaloo ... love that company!

Now to try my hand at a layout - but first, need to acquired a decent printer.  Will get there eventually.  Thanks for looking!

Swirlydoos Salutations Kit Tag

I finally got to play with the March kit offering from Swirlydoos.  Such gorgeous papers and embellishments.

For the tag, I cut papers from Prima's Stationer's Desk Collection, then began layering.  I used a piece of music tissue-like paper from SEI on the side and then distressed it with Weathered Wood Distress Ink.   The kit included the Stationer's Desk Tag Collection one of which I put in the middle.  I cut words from one of the other papers, distressed and edged it with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. The gorgeous flower at the bottom is from Petaloo - I edged the petals with heavy gel medium mixed with green PearlEx.  It added some texture and color, so I used it along the top left and bottom right corners of the tag as well.  The dragonfly is from Prima, too.  Lots of fun getting back in the groove of creating. 

Next, I'm going to tackle the March layout challenge and then create a card with the rest.  Thanks for looking!

First Tag

My first tag!  I have been diligently working at the lessons from Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry classes and am proud to produce my first tag.  Well, this is actually my fifth, the first four not being successful, but I figure one out of five isn't bad considering I've been out of the loop for so long.  I used Tim Holtz distress ink, KasierCraft Stamps and odds and ends for this tag.

I have been scouring and searching blogs and tutorials learning and absorbing all I can.  One of my favorites so far is Tammy Tutterow's Tutorials for Crafty Hands. So many awesome creations and she give amazing instructions for all of them.  A very talented and generous woman.

AND, today I received my first Swirlydoos Scrapbook Kit - so exciting to play.  Now I have to start taking pictures again.  Better pull my camera out of mothballs and get a new printer to print photos.  So much to do - and I'm loving every moment of it!

Enjoying the Journey ...

Shabbat Shalom, all!  I have had so much fun this past week exploring all my craft items packed away for so long.  I have also been catching up on Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry Classes and more ... my bank account is definitely emptier than it was a week ago!

I've also been exploring Swirlydoos.  It's a monthly kit site and definitely my style ... shabby floral vintage.  Love it.  I can't wait to get my first kit and begin creating. 

Until then, I will satisfy myself with creating Tim Holtz tags!

 ... tomorrow I head off to a Stampin' Up! stamping retreat.  I have more stamps than my local stamp store, but I love learning new things and I need to stock up on my favorite stamping cardstock.  I will post my creations over the weekend. 

Rediscovering ...

My rediscovery started with the idea of teaching a class ...

After days of exploring websites, revisiting favorite blogs and store, unpacking box after box of papers, inks and stamps ... the creative urge has resurfaced.  Every page visited today has spurred my imagination and excited my inner spirit - I have listed many of them on my blog list.  I fully expect to revamp my "storage garage" and turn it into a craft room within the week.  

It is amazing to me that I ever abandoned my paper passion; although abandoned is too harsh a word, I think.  Rather, it went to sleep, awaiting the kiss of the right moment to awaken it.

Swirlydoos Scrapbook Kits: March Mediums Add On Tutorial

Happy Sunday!  After a long hiatus, I am back at scrapping and card making.  I just joined Swirlydoos - they are just my style.  Here is a tutorial I ran across.  They have loads of techniques and tutorials, and I am looking forward to trying them out.  Until then, enjoy!

Swirlydoos Scrapbook Kits: March Mediums Add On Tutorial: Hello! I hope you are all enjoying your Saturday! Did you get the March Mediums add on? I've made a short video to give you ...