Tag Archives: white gel pen

UR A Rock Star

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Yes, you are, but so’s the kid…..

I know it is probably very hard to see, but I have used about six clear acrylic die cuts on this page.  (I attached them with Tim Holtz’s Tiny Attacher.)  It adds really good dimension that the camera just doesn’t pick up. I contemplated using a bit of color, but I really like the neutral nature of the layout.  The stamped image in the corner is also from Tim Holtz.

PS I’ve been busy organizing and purging (and less creating), but I wanted a chance to pop in and wish you a very happy new year!  I hope this year has only wonderful things in store for you. Be well!

Kristina Werner’s Color Inspiration Challenge

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So happy to include my entry on Kristina Werner’s blog.  She is one inspired crafter!  Find a link to her blog HERE.

I punched squares from paper by Stampin’ Up! to create the pinwheels.  Use foam squares, add ribbon and a little gel pen accent, and ta-da!  A quick multi-dimensional card.  Enjoy!

Fame. (Or, the Art of the Audition)

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A Boy Valentine. Inside Caption: "Ur Out Of This World!!!"

If you’ve followed this humble little blog, you know that I’ve made it a point lately to work on my street creditability.  That is, I’ve been putting myself out there a little bit more and I have attempted to showcase what I’ve been creating.  I’ve been paying a lot more attention to blog contests and company open calls.

Why?  Because frankly, I don’t know it all and I have a lot to learn.  I don’t mind critiques. But more importantly, if you don’t try, you’ll never know where you’ll end up.  Don’t worry, I’m not trying to become rich and famous.  I know that there are people out there who are only chasing their dreams in hopes of making lots of moolah and retiring before the age of 40.  To them I say, “Good luck with that one!” 

Don’t get me wrong…I would love to not have to worry about having money or the lack thereof.  But, that’s not why I’m doing this.  That’s not the point.  And I honestly think that anyone who is putting themselves out there and are attempting to reach their dreams with all deliberate speed would to it anyway.  Without the fame.  Without the riches.  Just because it is what they were born to do, like singing or dancing.

Or, it is what they would do for hours on end without a break or even a decent meal, completely straining their back muscles and getting their hands all crampy, sticky and inky. Just because they loved what they did and it truly made them happy.

A few points about auditioning:

  • You must know yourself better than anyone else does.
  • You are much stronger that you realize.
  • You have everything you need to be successful.

Repeat this three-line mantra to yourself before every performance (or craft project).  I have faith you in you and I hope you never lose faith in yourself, because there will be times when you want to give up.  Just keep practicing and keep your act fresh.  Be ready at a moment’s notice to show ‘em what you got.

Take a deep breath.  {Whoo-sahhhhhh}.

Now get out there and break a leg.

Thankful Thus

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Like most people during this time of year, I too am reflective of all my many blessings.  However, at this point in my life I am more thankful for all of the mistakes that I have made.  All those times that I felt apprehensive, a little scared, or somewhat challenged only got me closer to the place I needed to go.  For that, I am thankful.

My grandmothers call me young and those that I mentor and support have told me that I am wise.  While I take each piece of commentary with a grain of salt, I realize that I am just like everyone else–trying to do the best I can.  I’m at a crossroads of sorts and I am feeling energized and encouraged about what’s around the bend. 

Here is what I know for sure–the minute that you begin to forgive yourself and remember that you too are human, you free yourself to move on to the blessings that are waiting just up ahead. 

While being a mom has undeniable rewards, it hasn’t always been the easiest of rides.  I am my son’s protector and provider and with that comes an amazing weight of responsibility.  However, he is healthy, wise, and wonderfully vibrant.  I am thankful thus.

My full-time job carries with it a lot of responsibility.  When I accepted the position, which was newly created at the time, I had no idea what issues I would encounter.  I’ve been there going on five years now (really?) and I feel like there is still so much that needs to be done.  However, there are people who have been out of work for months, years even, those who have lost their homes and sometimes even their sense of self.  I am thankful thus.

And besides everything that constitutes my real  life (as noted above), I am attempting to expand on this sense of creativity that I have always had.  I study and research my craft just like I was getting a PhD, staying on top of trends and the latest tools, gadgets, and techniques.  My biggest struggle ahead, and ultimately my goal for the coming months, is to really figure out who I am as a designer, a scrapbooker, a card maker…a memory keeper.  It’s not happening as fast as I would like though.  I get frustrated when my project doesn’t match my vision.  What exactly is my vision anyway and why would anyone care?  The good news is that I have time to find out.  There’s no need to rush. It will come. I am thankful thus.

I really like how these turned out.  I hope you do too.  Let me know if you have any questions about them and remember…be thankful, thus.

Accidentally, On Purpose

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If you’re looking for some updates on that new-ish comedy by the same name, this is not the place.  However, you’re welcome to keep reading. I’m really talking about discovery.  Play.  What my 2 year old son does every day of his life. 

Like I wrote about my previous post, I spent a lot of late hours working to get ready for my last craft fair.  While I had fun and was able to tap into an almost unbelievable amount of adrenaline to keep me upright, I expended myself.  My body needed a break and my creative cup-that-runneth-over was empty.  So, I left my craft room in a most undesirable state and took a week off.  Of course, that doesn’t mean my brain took a break.  (Don’t you do most of your crafting in your brain anyway?  (Shaking my head…awfully hard to shut that thing down.) 

When I started working again this weekend, the first thing I tackled was this collection of cards:

I didn’t necessarily plan to create these, but I had some really lovely red velvet ribbon that was calling my name.  I decided to truly “play” which meant I wouldn’t use a ruler, a template, or any hotsy-totsy die cutting machine. Noooo, sir.  I stuck with some basic tools and just decided to go for it.  The first card uses gold florist wire that I shaped into a star and a set of mini staples for a trunk.  The next card features white gel pen used to draw simple lines, dashes, and dots.  I played a little more with the pen in the third card.  Using a ribbon spool as a guide, I drew tree branches in the shape of a wreath.  I don’t think it could have been any prettier if I had used a stamp.  The ribbon isn’t perfectly perfect (I probably wouldn’t have used so much), but I like the inspiration behind it. 

Sometimes you won’t have the perfect image, the exact size die cut, the cutest sticker or right color rub-on.  What you do have is you–your style, your creativity, your ingenuity. 

And that’s enough.

Under the Influence

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The one thing I always do when I’m “researching” my craft is wonder where exactly the cardmaker or scrapbooker got their mojo.  There are some who have reached the echelons of this industry to the degree in which they are their own brand. Their names are synonymous with a personal style.  This could be a style of handwriting (of which a font is created), of style of embellishing (like distressing) or a style that perfectly personifies a trend (like clean and simple). 

Because they are such trendsetters,  I have no choice but to introduce pieces of their style into my own papercrafting.  It’s only natural and somewhat predictable.  However, I’ve want to figure out what my own style is–to the point where it completely resonates within me, defining the TCF formula.   But…I’m working on it.  I still consider myself a novice even when I get comments like “You’re so creative!” and “How would you even think of that?” 

I’m flattered, of course, but I am a work in progress.  Even when I feel like I’ve found my groove, I will continue to work and progress.  I will take pieces of my repertoire, like  the Stampin Up!-inspired card on the left, and incorporate some trendy supplies like kraft cardstock and a white gel pen used with the card on the right.  Both are nice and do the job.  They each took varying amounts of time to complete.  The only thing that really makes them different is the audience–two totally different people, two totally different reasons.

So as I challenge myself to perfect my style and what makes me distinctive, I guarantee that I’ll keep a lot of the old and sprinkle in pieces of the new.  And there you have it–Simply Me.  

A Birthday Greeting

A Birthday Greeting

 

A Thinking of You Greeting ("Here's A Hug")

A Thinking of You Greeting ("Here's A Hug")