Resolutions

As I said at the start of my Relief Society lesson on Sunday, I do not make  new year resolutions. I am more of a list maker.  Last year in my profile, I posted something about having small goals throughout the year.  So on my list of things to do this year, I have "be a sew-er" up there.  And at this point, that is probably the item I am focusing most on! For better or for worse.

I took myself to JoAnn's today.  I still call it JoAnn Fabrics although that isn't the name. haha.  I know a lot of quilters out there buy what they like. But I have no idea how to just plop down money for some fabric without some sort of plan or project idea. I bought some remanents which were super, super clearanced.  Got home and unrolled them to realize, the pattern is going "the wrong way' for my use! haha Lesson 1. pay attention to the pattern!

I enjoy paper crafting but I want to expand a bit this year.  So, feel free to post your favorite sewing or fabric craft website here! I'd love to see and hear and get more ideas.  In the last day or so, I have added quite a number of sites to my favorites list. Now to actually get something executed...and posted to my blog. 

For the record, I have bought some fabric and cut it out (making up my own pattern) for a treat for DD's American Girl Doll. Now let's hope that it turns out well.  Pix to come later!

Saaa-WEEEEET-ness!

So, I'm sitting hear, scouring the internet for new things to look at/try/do.  B/c as much as I love stamping, I'm ready to try a few new things in 2010.  I came across this handwriting help site.  Which you can bet that I will be printing of loads of lists or peoms or verse....so that my sweet kids can improve their writing skills!

Bookmarks!

I got on a bookmark kick yesterday. 

When my youngest was going to haphazardly rip a random sheet of paper to use a a bookmark, I decided I would make him a super great one.  My friend gifted me with this Prehistoric set by Starving Aristamps.  (THANKS, Michelle!!)  If you have some young beasties in your family, you so need this set!

Going down the edge:  "R-R-READ!"

Then of course my DD needed one...and requested the snake from PMS' Smitted, our newest PMS stamp at our house.  And so I CASEd myself from the last card and used the same awesome and sparkly Paper Temptress papers.

 

 DD had to use her bookmark at school today so the pix was taken late at night.

 

Here is a good shot of the shimmer and shine of the Incandescent paper. Russo Incandescent is another one of my most favorite PT papers. You can be sure that I am using every available scrap! The pink is Rose Quartz metallic.  Great for valentines!

Then I needed to make one more for my #1 son while he was at Cubs. While he asked for a bug themed bookmark, I took the liberties of fashioning one after Akela, his husky webkinz.

 

   

 This is the top of his book mark.  I used stickles to make Akela's coat.  This adorable husky comes from the new Starving Artiststamps' released Doodle Factory Artic set.  He was happy to see it and I think it looks better than some creepy bugs!

I just love creating things to please my kids. And...we all want kids to read more!

Ahoy there, Matie!!

Paper Makeup is sponsering this week's Tuesday Morning Skeches challenge.  And boy, I think I just found a new challenge for myTuesday stamping.  (I'm never a fan of the color challenge on SCS...sshhhhh!!)  Katie gifted all of her DT girls the entire December release last month as a Christmas gift to us.  I loved the nautical theme. It is going to be great for upcoming Father's Day...and cards for guys, cards for friends...

Here is my take on the sketch. I wanted the off set layers to be subtle so I pulled out my Paper Temptress Vellum and embossed it.  This thick translucent paper is one of my favorite from the Paper Temptress. My eye happened upon these curlie clips, which turned out to be a perfect detail for the swirlie embossed vellum. 

Set sail and check out all the great sentiments that were released in December along with the boats and sailor fairies.  Order some and then go do the Tuesday Morning Sketch!

Gate Cards...Tuesday Throwdown Challenge from Sherrod Studio

Kim, owner of Sherrod Studio, gave us a break over the holidays on the challenges.  THANK YOU!  While I enjoy doing them, I still think Christmas is for friends, family and fun.  Stamping can wait.  Today's challenge is to make a GATE CARD.  I have always enjoyed cards with unusual openings.  Gate Cards can be done is so many different ways.  Be sure to check out the Sherrod Studio Blog for links to the other designers' and their take on the challenge.

(Okay, these are fun to open but not fun to photograph!!) I chose to use Winter Wonderland's Penguin Pair!  Perfect if you live in a snowy region of the world...or if you just wish your Christmas was white.  (Hey, here in MI, we did NOT have a while Christmas this year!)

Presto magic...the two flaps open to reveal this inside! Nope, your eyes do not deceive you.  This CS is two sided.  Paper Temptress has double sided cardstock (105 lbs) which is perfect for a gate fold.  I chose to use the  Sorbet Blue Ice/ Grape sheet, which is great for icy themed cards.

Some of the black I used is Ruche and here is an upclose pix of the texture.  I love using little pieces for added interest.  The black mat is Eclipse Black.

Link up with Mr. Linky on the Sherrod Blog and use Keyword:  SSTT10. Isn't that perfect for the first challenge of 2010! haha..Way to plan, Kim!

New Year...a new challenge!

Today Paper Makeup is offering a color challenge for the new year celebration.  Blue and Silver or Black andSilver.  Well, I went with black, blue with silver...and PINK! 

Again, all papers used are from Paper Temptress.  Here is a close up of the  SmoothieSilver Lustre paper.  It is not two sided so when I ripped it, I got a really neat edge.  It is so smooth...be sure to use tape...not glue.  For added sliver, I used my silver sakrua pen for the scarf stripes and buttons.  Icicle stickes, my favorite, where used for the snowflakes!!

Can you see the shimmer?  Two of the 3 snow flakes are punched out in this Smoothie Silver Lustre paper.  Also used is the new Neenah Super smooth Blue, Eclipse Black (which has a really nice heavy weight!!),  Basis Pink and Heavenly White.

Since the insde was plain, I used some of the Eclipse Paper along with ribbon to create a border for the bottom edge.  Be sure to link up with the rest of Paper Makeup fans on the PMS blog.  Use keyword M4TW10 for online galleries!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Challenges:  M4TW10, Paper Temptress Blog, Stamp Something,