Another OWH Challenge

I'm submitting another entry to the OWH Labor Day weekend challenge. This one was to create a card using layered frames, which I created with Spellbinders dies. (I've often wondered how to do this type of layering!) The one with the large burgundy frames is okay--I wish that set came with smaller increments of dies.  That's what I like about the circle dies--the increments are perfect for this use.

I made the printed paper using Club Scrap's By the Seashore ivory and Hopes unmounted stamps. The inks are also from CS--mahogany, tangerine, topaz, and leaf. The card base and burgundy frames are from Apothecary, and the copper is from Ornamental--it's the perfect weight for this project! Now that I know how to do this layered frame method, I'll be doing it more often. Here's the tutorial I used.

Operation Write Home card challenge

I've recently started making cards for Operation Write Home (OWH), an organization that takes greeting cards from cardmakers and sends them to troops stationed all around the world. The troops can, then, send beautiful cards home to their loved ones. I was born into an Army family and married into the Navy, so this organization is very dear to me. I wish they were around when my dad, brother, or husband wanted to send a note home!

Anyway, this past weekend they had a Virtual Card Making Party, and I decided to join in the fun! The first challenge was to make a fall or winter card using 1-inch squares. Here are my two entries:

I definitely like the one on the right better--it has more dimension and visual appeal.  Both were made with Club Scrap's Apothecary collection with the copper paper and ribbons from Ornamental. This is the first time I've ever combined the kits, and it won't be the last! I love challenges--they really get my creative juices flowing! Thanks, OWH!

Embellished Candy Jar

The last few weeks I've been reorganizing my craft/sewing studio, but I've also been making some time to work on some projects. Here's one I did last week.

Bought three of these candy jars a couple years ago from my local Tractor Supply store. My plan has always been to embellish the tops, and I have finally gotten around to it!

One jar will go in my den/office to hold one of my husband's favorite candies. I opted to use the rug for my color inspiration.

And these are the supplies I pulled out. Flowers and burgundy brad from my stash. Burgundy paper from Club Scrap's Academy kit; ivory from Gimme a Ring.

                  
 

             I didn't have any navy flowers in my stash, so I inked a white one with Ranger distress ink. Perfect!

Used Nestabilities dies from Spellbinders to create my shapes.

And here are the elements for the lid.

Pierced a hole with my snazzy paper-piercing tool . . .

. . . and glued the layered embellishment onto the lid with Club Scrap bookbinding glue.

And here is the finished jar--changed the brown ribbon to navy to pull out the navy base petals on the flower.

Had two more jars, so I made these to go in my studio. Will probably put ribbon/fibers in them.

My ribbon jars are repurposed Mason jars.

 If you've made it this far, thanks for following the journey from the plain candy jar to embellished candy jar that matches my den. Think I need to go to Tractor Supply to pick up so more candy!

Time Flies

Wow! Doesn't time fly??! My last post was in 2011, and so much has happened since then. With my work, we've closed our business, but we're planning to reopen a new business in the next couple years. Traveling, I've been to Wisconsin three times (Club Scrap retreats), and we went to Seattle and on an Alaskan cruise. Family-wise, one daughter is getting married next year, another just graduated from college, and our third has finally found a social group where she fits in and makes friends.  On a sad note, my father passed away in 2012, but in 2013 my mother moved into our house next door, so that has been quite a blessing. Finally, I'm still in college, with only 12 more courses to complete before I receive my bachelor's in business management. :-)

As for my papercrafting addiction hobby, as with many things in life, it waxes and wanes, but I've been introduced to Pinterest and Operation Write Home, and they have helped get me out of my recent slump. So, please join me on this ride we call life and let's try to slow down time a bit!!

Isn't Life Hectic?

Just last night I was recalling the days when my girls were elementary school age. The biggest stresses I had were homeschooling and getting them to piano practice on time. I quilted, cross-stitched, read books, baked, and scrapbooked. I had a very creative life!! The last eight months have been so busy that I haven't had much time at all for any hobbies, much less my favorite pasttime: papercrafting. I have two rooms of my house devoted to my hobbies, but little time to get out my supplies and create. That is going to change!

Club Scrap announced that their direct sales division is closing its doors. I thoroughly enjoyed being a CS Crafter and being part of a small group of ladies across the country who "share the love" of Club Scrap with other papercrafters. It's sad that it didn't progress as Tricia and Dinah hoped it would.


Thanks to those who attended my CS workshops. I appreciate your support while I started my business. I hope to resume workshops in the future, as I still have lots of class kits and supplies.

Getting Back in the Game!

After months of health issues, I am FINALLY getting back to my very favorite pasttime: papercrafting! And to kick it off, I'm sharing a booth at the Paper Crafting Extravanza in Perry, Georgia! My fellow Club Scrap Crafter, Shaunna Nalinnes of Conway, South Carolina, are all set to share the love of Club Scrap with the attendees at this Expo. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by our booth!

Coming Soon: I'll be resuming the monthly JR ALSB workshops as well as having some ALSB classes using some great new Club Scrap collections. Stay tuned!