Expressionistic Watercolor

Hello everyone! After my busy weekend I finally got to sit down and stamp today. Yay! I browsed my Technique Junkie cds until I found the next technique to call my name. It was Expressionistic Watercolor. It's a very easy technique that can be adapted for many styles. After my first run through using water, I decided to try Glimmer Mist in Pearl to see what that would look like. It was beautiful! So after a few more tries this is what I came up with. Lookie:





Sadly, the picture does not show the shine of the glimmer mist. Trust me, it's eye catching IRL. This is a lovely technique that I know I will use again. Thank you for visiting!

Crumpled Resist-Redo

Ever had a card that you finished but every time you looked at "something" bothered you about it? That's what happened to me with my card from yesterday. It was cute and I loved the technique but it wasn't quite right. It wasn't until I posted it here and saw it on my blog that it hit me, what was wrong. The pumpkin just didn't work. It wasn't ugly or anything, he just wasn't what was needed for the card. So, I decided to go with the spider and his web. Even then, I messed up the first try and it was...illogical. So I fixed it again. Here are my two versions. Illogical and fixed. Thanks for looking in today.

Illogical version:

Fixed Version:

I. Cant. Stop.

Ok, so I'm really excited that I finally started trying some of the techniques that are featured on the TJ newsletter. It has really got me excited again about crafting in general. Case in point. I've made 4 cards in the last 24 hours. I can't stop! On to the next card, the technique is called Crumpled Resist and it's very fun. I pulled out this Halloween set that I've had for over a year and have never inked up. Bad stamper! I know! But I broke it in right this afternoon. Lookie:


Ok, now I just have to figure out what technique to try next. Until later stampers!

Another TJ Card

Hello stampers! After I posted my first TJ card to the TJ list I got a huge outpour of support from those fabulous ladies! They truly made me feel welcome. The side effect is now I think I'm turning into a TJ monster! I made another card before the family came to dinner tonight. I was literally stamping and glueing as my niece and nephew were knocking on my door. But it's all worth it right? Lookie what I did:




This technique is called Embossed Pastels. I had to try it because I don't use my SU chalks near enough. While I'm not thrilled with this card, I don't hate it either. I do love how my elephants look camoed. I will have to remember that when I make something for my nephew TJ. If you ask him what his favorite color is, his answer is camoflage. LOL Thanks for looking!

~A

My First Technique Junkies attempt

Hi everyone! So, I've been a lurker and admirer of the Technique Junkies group for a while now and I finally sat down and tried my first technique. It's called Acetate Swirl. It's fun, easy, messy and you feel artistic when you are done. Are you ready for the card? Lookie:



Thanks for visting! See you next time.

~A

First Aid for the First Aid

I know, I know....I didn't keep up with my craft a day in September challenge. In my defense I went out of town, had visiting friends and relatives after being out of town and didn't feel so hot after they left. Anyway, I have crafted a little bit. Lookie:


This is the first aid station at CCCKC. I used my cricut and black vinyl to spruce it up a bit as it was a little ghetto fabulous with the painter's tape before. I'm not really happy with the result but it's still better than the blue tape job. Maybe next time I'm down there inspiration will hit and I will make the first aid station first rate! Hehehe, I'll quit while I'm ahead. Goodnight!

Fabulous LO

I'm on a roll! Two layouts in one day? I know, I'm as shocked as you are. Heheh. Lookie what I did:

Would you believe that is me? Yup, my senior year of high school. I was so cute! Of course I didn't realize it at the time. I thought I was fat. Yup, fat. Ah the irony is of course, now I am fat so I know the difference. Ah well, live and learn right?

~A

Party! LO

Whoohoo! I made it to Day 3 of the Craft A Day September Challenge! Aren't you proud of me? Hehehe. I made this layout out of a scrapbook kit featuring Tinkerbell. I've had this kit for about 2 years, so I figured it was high time I did something with it. I'm not sure if I love it yet but I am happy to have another layout finished. So it's all good right? Lookie:
I do have to brag a little bit. This is the first time I've done anything that would be considered digital on a layout. I printed up a journaling block and used reverse type as well! Thank goodness Cathy Zielske showed how to do it on a Creating Keepsakes DVD. I feel like a total pro now. LOL Now it is time to sleep. Night!

~A

I LOVE One Sheet Wonders!

Hey everyone! How's it going? Things are just dandy here. Today I am going to show you some One Sheet Wonders I've made. I have fallen in love with One Sheet Wonders. If you don't know what I'm talking about OSW are a template for cutting up pattern paper to make cards. The one I've been using recently is the Verve 6x6 OSW from a couple of years ago. This OSW makes 4 cards out of one sheet of 6x6 pattern paper, with no left over paper. Don't you love it? However, I stretched this template into 6 cards. Meaning I can get 24 cards out of one sheet of 12x12 pattern paper. Which is awesome when you make as many cards as I do for our troops. Here is an example of just one of the batches of OSW I've made recently.



As you can tell, I do have to fancy up the cards a bit. I really don't like leaving pattern paper unmatted. Besides the way I figure it, the more paper and cardstock I use the more I get to buy later!

Thanks for looking!

~A

My Cubicle

I've recently discovered (actually rediscovered...appreciate better now) a new scrapbooking guru for myself. I'm sure many of you know her name already but I adore everything Cathy Zielske does! Her clean graphic style draws me. I've discovered in my sophomore year of scrapbooking that I prefer clean lines and linear layouts. I detest the trend of throwing as much product (ie..crap) as you can fit on a layout and call it good. It's about the pictures and stories, not the product! So here is a very quick layout I made for my 1st day of the Craft A Day September Challenge.

I took this picture with my phone the day my mail van broke down on the route a couple of weeks ago. My caption at the time had something to do about the fuel pump and waiting for the calvary to come and help me. Not a happy memory to be sure. However, I have noticed that in my circle of friends and acquaintances many people work in cubicles. Every time I see a picture of a friend in a cubicle, I shudder. I could not imagine being cooped up in a windowless prison all day long. This made me realize that I very grateful to have never had a job where I've been subject to this torture. Hence the birth of this layout....my cubicle. I love it. Dust, bugs, dogs, rain, heat, snow, ice and all. I wouldn't have it any other way.


~A