Inspiring Fabric

For SCS Inspiration Challenge 124 participants were asked to consider Heather Bailey's Fresh Cut Fabrics. I used this one as my inspiration.

I tried to reach for patterned paper that I had in my scraps. I remembered Scrapbook Walls Courtyard Flowers. The colors of Heather's pattern were reminscent of this pattern by Chatterbox, and the pattern even had the look of fabric. I decided also to stick with the quilt idea. I simply checkerboxed my Chatterbox. :)

I decided velvet ribbon and brads were the way to go, so I finished it off with that and some faux stitching.

Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Stamps: Expressive Flexible Phrases (SU!), Stitches (The Paper Studio)

Brads: Spare Parts

Ribbon: Orinetal Trading

Paper: Chatterbox Courtyard Flowers, SU! Almost Artichoke and Close to Cocoa

Ink: SU! Close to Cocoa

My Oasis - A Story

About a year ago, my craft was designated to a poorly-lit, damp part of our basement. It was there that I thought I could craft alone in peace.

There were some flaws in this plan.

1. Cardstock and patterned paper do not like basements. The moisture, no matter how "dry" a basement seems, messes with the paper (such technical terms!).

2. Basements are spooky when you work in the wee hours. I love the wee hours. "Wee" = creativity.

3. Lighting in our basement consisted of one fluorescent lamp dangling above my head. There was virtually no natural light to be had.

4. The furnace was my neighbor. Furnaces are loud.

So, as we revamped our basement, my husband decided to make a home theater room in the basement (it rocks). That took the items from our loft and moved them elsewhere. We decided the loft would be PERFECT for a crafting area. I would still be "around" and not in exile. The kids could visit any old time. My paper would rejoice!

From my loft, you can see out a large window all the way down the subdivision. You can also oversee the living room, which has large windows that view the back yard. It is definitely an oasis for me. These four walls have witnessed a lot in the last year. It has served as my therapy through a bout of depression and grief.

It was around the time that we started making purchases that I made a KEY purchase: The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker by Wendy Smedley and Aby Garvey. You may remember my blog entry that discussed my St. Louis meeting of them. The workbook included in that book is terrific. You read the chapter and then the workbook allows for you to reflect on your own personal style. I realized that I wanted a room that was cozy. My husband and I both wanted my supplies to be mainly unseen. Looking at the gorgeous rooms included in this book, we decided some sort of shelving or cabinetry was needed. At the moment, I had my stuff in plastic containers and on slabs of wood. More like a handyman's workshop that a stamper's.

So we hemmed and hawed for a bit. We priced nice cabinets. They were so expensive, and none of them seemed to give us everything we wanted. So, I finally decided to order Stackables from The Best Craft Organizer. I cannot believe how much of my stuff fits in these! I got to inventory my stamp sets (over 100... I'm a little obsessed). I also bought an ink holder from them, and an additional one from Stampin' Up!

So I would not craft alone, we purchased a big, cushy chair and ottoman in chocolate faux suede. I sometimes sink in and read Simple Scrapbooks (shameless plug, Wendy), e-mail, or search Splitcoaststampers.com. We also purchased a large, black, metal cabinet. I realized just recently that using the power of magnets would help hide some of my embellishments. The way I have them organized now, I can really get a good idea of what I have as I create. I also decided to use that as a way of storing my new Basic Grey magnetic self-healing mat. Next to the cabinet, I store some wrapping paper and my boxes with cards.

We decided on black modular cubes from Target.com (not in our stores... they only have white and espresso). We purchased not only open cubes, but also a few closed ones. I like the variety and the flexibility of the cubes. I definitely could use a couple more!

I already had one large laminate table that I purchased at Office Depot. I purchased a second, smaller one at Staples. I realized that my laptop and printer were taking up too much workspace, so I wrapped the tables around the corner of the room.

I was a bit intimidated to post photos of my room, because I am always working on something. Since I am a teacher, there is also usually teaching stuff strewn about, although I am trying to get better about leaving that at school. So the photos I have taken of the room are somewhat idea, right? To get the ideal, I moved reality down the hall.

This was an AWESOME idea, although I am looking at it and getting a headache. Now all the things that I need a solution to are in the hall ready to be sorted out. A lot will go to my yard sale in May. For some of it, I need to come up with a new plan. I am not a fan of plastic containers in a room like this, but I can't seem to get away from them. Some things, like non-rolled gift wrap, take up a lot of space (see the green plastic bin under my table). They are also not very eye-friendly. My school stuff right now is in a bin, too, but I think that stuff is going to make a trip to my classroom. I got rid of a huge, white plastic embellishment sorter by hanging much of my embellishments inside the cabinet.

Here is a list of some of the things that I will sort out at some point this year. Keep your eyes peeled for more posts.

1. I want to showcase my work. Since a lot of the tops of my shelving serve as storage for tools and/or inks, I am looking to the walls.

2. I have some portraits that need to be reconfigured on the walls as well. I love to be surrounded by pictures.

3. Do I need a bulletin board? Will I keep it organized? Will it end up as an eyesore?

4. I need a place to organize and store bills (I have been piling them on my desk).

5. I somewhat share this space with our new business, Rent A Tech (yet another shameless plug). Right now, Rent A Tech has a small file box under our desk. It will need more. Do I move it completely out of this room? Our basement has potential for that.

Those are my thoughts for now. If you have any ideas, feel free to comment!

Smile though your heart is aching...

At first, I looked at today's SCS Try a New Technique Challenge and thought, "No, thank you." I was wondering what, exactly, was the purpose of a "Double Pocket Card?" Then I decided that seeing it "in person" was worth a try. I am so glad I did! I love this card, and it took shape as I created it. I know exactly who will be receiving this, too.

If you have followed my blog, you have realized that I have an obsession with SEI. You could call it a "phase." I just really love their stuff. So, I reached for Ally's Wonderland, and off I went. For the pocket parts of the card, I used a sheet of Morning Glory. For the "sentiment markers," I used Tea Time Tulips on the backs and Dragonfly on the fronts. For the circle tabe on the tops of the sentiment markers, I used the stickers that came with the Ally's Wonderland assortment pack.

This was also a new technique for me in that I used the iron-on velvet transfers that came with this set. Now, I am additionally hooked. They went on great and they look fabulous.

From the moment I ironed on the word "smile," the Nat King Cole song would not leave my head. So, I thought, what the heck? I have a friend who had some bad news about her dad today, and I thought maybe these lyrics and the card would help cheer her up.

For a great tutorial, please see this blog. Judy does a great job explaining the very simple process of creating the Double Pocket Card.

And now, for all the lyrics, because... hey... it's my blog...

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, whats the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, whats the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Featured Stamper 62

The SCS Featured Stamper for this week is Kharmagirl, aka Jodi. Dunno if you could call what I did a CASE, more of an inspiration piece, I guess. The biggest challenge was getting a good photo of this. It was not very cooperative. Once the window was cut, the card, of course, did not want to stay closed. Below is her card that I am CASE-ing. What, you may wonder, makes this a CASE? Well, I saw she had used the stamp "kissing" technique, so I had a desire to use my Paisley background stamp (again). I do not have very many larger stamps with a lot of surface inking area, so I chose smaller circles from SU! Fun with Shapes. They turned out great. I decided to pop a few of them out, as her button pops from her flower. She has a little cit window where "blessed, sweet, and loved" are stamped, so I thought I would use that, too. My sentiment is from SU! Many Thanks. Went a little crazy on my "distressing"... it distresses me. Then I decided to carry a line of brads all the way across. I really like that element. This was inspired by her two eyelets. Her stitching (or faux stitching?) inspired my paper piercing. Alas, my distressing makes that hard to see in the photo. I used some SU! Chocolate Chip twill to keep the card closed. Also, I chose for my main images to be on the left, like hers. I chose a thinner ribbon because, as you can see in her gallery, she mainly chooses thinner ribbons as an embellishment.

Jodi's gallery is cool. I like to go back to the Featured Stampers' first posts and see how they have grown. She has blossomed since she started not so long ago.


Size: 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip
Stamps: SU! Many Thanks, Fun with Shapes, and Paisley
Techniques: Paper piercing, square window, distressing
Ribbon: SU! Chocolate Chip twill
Brads: Spare Parts
Paper: Bazzill textured cardstock; SU! Ultrasmooth vanilla

Something is Seriously Wrong with People

The SCS Inspiration Challenge was funny and disturbing at the same time. We were to be inspired by cow figurines. Toni's Collectibles in CA had a site with quite a few of the cow figurines. I decided to be "inspired" by Meditating Cow. I had not yet used my "Serenity Now" stamp set from My Favorite Things, and I saw this as the perfect opportnity.

This card went through many transformations. I went through a period of adhereing and "unadhereing." I did some serious paper piecing (thanks to Karen for that idea). I was coveting some Copics. I used my SU! watercolor pencils and the aquapainter. The background was YICK! So, I cut our yoga enthusiast and her mat out and layered them over the image stamped on white.

Now, back to the cow thing... I guess since we are surrounded by cows in Illinois, I have to wonder how this began? Was it after a night of senseless drunken cow tipping? Are there people that actually dress their cows the way they dress their ceramic geese or their dogs? I am humored and frighthened simultaneously.

Here is the list of top ten cows that made me laugh until I peed my pants:

Cookies and Cream
Corn on the Cow
Cowctus (something definitely wrong with this one)
Cowmooflage
Got Spots? (this bovine needs to be put out of its misery)
Hula Cow
Lollipop Muchkin Cow ("We represent the strangley dressed cows...")
Miss Udderlee Delishess (shout out to Hershey)
Rock 'N Roll Cow (Thank you... thank you very much)
Udderly Witched Cow

Which is your favorite?

Size: 5 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches
Paper: SU! Basic Black and Ultrasmooth White, Bazzill textured gray, Classic Black Fresh Cut Grass (Luxe Designs)
Stamps: Serenity Now (My Favorite Things)
Brads: Spare Parts

DIY-DSP

Today's SCS Limited Supply Challenge asked submitters to create their own designer paper element... no patterned paper allowed. I thought it was a great time to use my faux shaving cream flower. I had made it a while back and was waiting for the perfect challenge. Beate's tutorial tells all about this technique.

The hardest part of the whole thing was getting a good picture at night. I played with my little Cool Pix for quite some time. So much yellow... not much white balance range. Yeesh.

My DIY was the pattern on the petals as well as the stamped background. The center of my flower was created with a little metal mesh applicator I bought forever ago.

Size: 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches
Paper: SU! Chocolate Chip and Ultrasmooth Vanilla
Stamps: SU! Pick a Petal, Paisley, and Amazing to Zany
Inks: SU! Baroque Burgundy and Almost Artichoke
Hardware: SU! Hodgepodge Hardware

Eyelet Scallop

Today's SCS Ways to Use It challenge called for us to use eyelets in some way. I love eyelets and brads... they are some of my favorite embellishments. So this was soooo not a chore.

I recently purchased the Bazzill In Stitch'z Granny Stitches template. It's more for needlework than eyelet setting, but it helped a lot. First, I paper pierced holes with the template. Then, using my a Crop-A-Dile, I punched 1/8" holes and set my white eyelets. Loved the way that turned out.

I chose some Basic Grey Archaic patterned paper. Then I used my Celebrate Life Technique Tuesday set. Half of the proceeds of this set went to the Susan Komen Cancer Foundation. I gotta love that company for their philanthropy. I also bought their set benefitting Autism Speaks. They simply rock.

I inked the edges to try to give a distressed look all around. Pretty cool how it turned out.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: Basic Grey Archaic, SU! Mellow Moss

Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip

Eyelets: Making Memories

Ribbon: SEI