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A Happy Accident October 9, 2011

Filed under: Cardmaking,Teach Me Technique,Tell Me Tip,Tips, Tricks and Techniques — tencraftyfingers @ 9:21 PM
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So….this card, although it doesn’t look like it, is a happy accident.

You see that top strip of embossed paper that is added as a layer?  On the original card, it wasn’t a layer at all.  I embossed directly on the card and used blue masking tape in an effort to do a little masking.  However, everything was fine until I went to remove the tape.  I think that using the heat gun actually had a bit of an adverse reaction on the tackiness of the tape.  It was the first time that I’ve ever had an issue with removing it.

Instead of chucking the whole thing, I cut a strip of the original embossed image and made it small enough to fit on top of some beautiful large-width gray satin ribbon.  I added some of the extra that was destined for the recycling bin to the bottom as an added detail.

Yeah, I could of scrapped the whole thing, but I had worked too hard on all of that embossing.  And well, I am a “scrap”booker aren’t I?  :)   I think that if I ever want to combine a lot of embossing and masking in the future, I will use some thin paper instead.

So what do you think?

 

It’s Not Snowing…..Yet August 21, 2011

Filed under: Scrapbooking,Tips, Tricks and Techniques — tencraftyfingers @ 5:56 PM
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But soon it will be.

I had no trouble with this layout as I kinda had a good idea of what I wanted to do.  (That always helps, doesn’t it? ;)   In any case, while I wasn’t 100% happy with my stamping job, its always fun to work with different applications of paint, especially the fun kind that comes in spray bottles!  I used a little Tattered Angels and Mister Huey’s from Studio Calico.  And then I mixed a quick concoction of white acrylic paint and a little water and created the larger, splotchy “snowballs.”  I used some scraps up and cut several different sizes of circles and used them as masks to leave room for the embossing.  I really like the way it turned out.

In other news, I’ve finally gotten caught up with my son’s scrapbook.  The bad news?  I now only have about 8 months to get caught up with the next one.  Oh well…a mama’s job is never done!

 

The Camaraderie of Crafting July 22, 2010

Filed under: Just a Thought,Scrapbooking,Teach Me Technique — tencraftyfingers @ 7:04 PM
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Finding inspiration for this layout was easy.  The picture was taken a month or two ago, which is out of the norm for me since I usually scrapbook chronologically.  After finishing my son’s last year-long scrapbook, I had neglected to have any new photos printed.  All of a sudden, I got the scrappin bug again and so, I grabbed one of the few photos that I had lying around. This one will go in his scrapbook for this year.  What do you think?

I know that scrapping chronologically might not work for everyone, but it works for me.  Quite frankly, it helps me to gauge my time.  However, the trick is finding out how best to gauge your style of scrapbooking.  Some scrappers can’t seem to get started unless they’ve got some snacks, preferably chocolate, a cold drink and their best scrappy pals.  While I love to scrap with friends, I don’t get to do it that often (although it is SUPER fun!).  And, I’m really lucky that I’ve got a dedicated space within my house in which to work. 

At the end of the day it is always good to make sure that you try a little both ways.  It’s good to do your own thing sometimes, but I think that if you always only scrapped alone, you surely would be missing out not only on the camaraderie of crafting, but also learning about helpful tips, tricks and insight from some of your smartest friends.  :)

I suppose I have to take my own advice now and go blow the dust off my crafting muscles.  I’ll bring the chocolate if you bring the chips!

 

Alice, I’m Late March 21, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 5:33 PM
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It’s almost over.  My son’s third year on this earth. 

While there is definitely a part of me that wonders how time flew so fast, my body and brain agree that these last few years have absolutely taken a toll on me.  In a good way, of course.  Like a badge of honor. I think.

About a week ago I went into high gear finishing my son’s year-long scrapbook, ages 1 to 2.  (Did I mention that I really only started a few months back?)  Although I gladly admit my true-to-form procrastination modus operandi, it’s often when I do my best work.  To keep plowing through, I have little time to consider, reconsider and reconsider yet again. 

The benefit for me has definitely been seeing how far I’ve really stretched myself creatively.  I’m growing up fast, just like my son.  I’ve been driving myself towards clarity.  Whatever my vision is for a project, I like to make sure I get across what I’m really trying to get across, whatever that may be–an image, a color, a mood, a feeling, a theme, a concept.  What is the message and have I been successful? 

What do you think?

 

I’m Listening January 10, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 1:52 PM
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I’ve really been doing a lot of work lately.  A LOT of work.  By that I mean, I’ve been playing with so much paper and ink that my fingernails are now semi-permanently stained a deep reddish-black color. Sexy.

But fun.  Seriously fun.

They say that practice makes perfect.  Well, my practice is getting me closer to perfect.  I don’t think I could ever really achieve perfect anyway and I don’t think I want to.  Because that would mean I have nothing left to strive for.  And that wouldn’t be a good thing.  So, by working more and taking time to listen to my creative process, I’ve been discovering some wonderful things that I never took the time to realize:

  1. I have some amazing creative instincts. 
  2. When I get an idea, it is usually my strongest concept.
  3. As I create and progress through a project, I get other ideas.
  4. Most of the ideas that I get after I get going on one idea should be ignored at all costs.  They usually are just springboards for other great projects, not the current one.
  5. Repeat steps 1 – 4.

See?  I swear I didn’t know all of that until yesterday.  Realizing this has been so major for me.  (Whew!) OK, on to what I’ve been working on.

I’ve been shuddering as to how close my son’s 3rd birthday is.  If you’ve read this previous post, you know that I complete my son’s scrapbooks chronologically by his birthday.  Now that he will be 3, his first through second year book should be complete in only a few more months.  Starting is always the hardest part.  I’m happy to say that I’m officially over the hump. 

It’s hard to believe that this layout started out as just a beige piece of American Crafts cardstock.  I added some acrylic paint, some chalk, and some masking with a few Heidi Swapp masks and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The smaller circles are transparent die cuts from Fancy Paints colored with alcohol inks.  I covered the chipboard letters from Colorbok with scraps and added some sewing with the help from my Singer. 

Enjoy.

 

 
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