Craftin' Cards

In the last 10 years of my life my mom has gotten me hooked on a wide variety of handmade hobbies, one of which is card-making.

So, taking advantage of the natural sunlight on the main floor this morning (and my restful day off work), I set to work on restocking my handmade card supply. Here is some of what I worked on.

Some of these are projects I started a while ago and just never bothered to finish. Most of them were half constructed cards that I had placed in plastic baggies in order to keep all the intended parts together. Once upon a time, I had accumulated many stacks of paper, boxes of stamps and ribbon, and ink pads when the hobby was fresh in my being. That was probably 5-6 years ago. Being in school really put my hobbies on hold, since all my creative energies were being used on essays.

So this morning, it was time to catch up. It really looks like more work than it actually was. But the morning sunshine was streaming through the windows and I couldn't help but take the time to finish these.

The materials used are a combination of products purchased from Michaels, Stampin' Up, or 'borrowed' from my mom's stash back in the hometown. Most of the brads were purchased at Walmart of Dollarama back when I had the time and funds to pour into it.  But, as it turns out, I am NOT lacking on supplies to keep the hobby going. I am even considering bringing my stuff into my room and revising the layout of my bedroom in order to set up a crafting corner (in an effort to turn the dining room back into an actual dining room).

What sort of things have you been working on? What is the spring sunshine inspiring you to do?

The Sale and the Stamps

These are a few of the treasures I found at Michael's on Monday afternoon. The paper was on sale, and I couldn't resist.

I really like the stamps. The two little birds and the owl came in a package, and the other three were 40% off. I also managed to get a nice circle punch (strategically the right size to punch out the birds and owl) that is very sharp and wonderful.

Not seen here are the 2 packages of brads, clear stamps and mounting blocks, the nice saying stamp, brown cardstock, and about 10 rolls of ribbon (they were 2 for $1...how can one not get about 10 rolls of them...). My dorm mates have all decided that they want to get in on the magic of card making. Turns out, a few of them have mothers who card make/ scrapbook at home. Lauren plans to get some stuff on her trip home this weekend, as does my roommate, Keeley.

I have also gone through my cards and decided that I think I would like to sell them. It would be a great way to get a little pocket change (you know, besides the Crown and HAing) to stock myself up once in a while. Turns out, people really like recieving home made cards!

Excitement for the weekend?

My Sister is coming to visit.

Going out with Joel and Maria.

Creating the amazing web of Redeemer on the table (it got pretty out of control).

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters (see Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

The Secret History of Justinian the Great.

Yep.

Word of the Day: procrastination

Quote of the Day: "I don't want to be one of those guys that stays up all night worrying about the WENUS!"- Chandler from Friends

Persuasion. Conversation.

I have some photos to put up here.

And not much to say, except that I tallied. I have like 12 essays to write this semester. I'm NOT thrilled.

And I get to take a sweet graphic design course because the Crown is paying for it. Tuesday night, we cutted apart magazines and made a collage based on colour schemes and layouts. I really enjoyed this.

Monday was a trip to Michaels for a fun paper and stamp sale with Lorie. Lots of stuff. More cards. Happiness.

On Jane Austen: for some reason she cannot just refer to daily conversation as daily conversation, no, it has to be referred to as 'daily intercourse'. This happens multiple times over the course of a five page chapter, and results in my childish giggling. Yep, Mom, you should be proud.

Word of the Day: persuade

Quote of the Day: "Do you swoon over Devon?" Jordan Holmes

PBS, Basements, and Other Such Treasures

I suppose I should make an effort to blog a bit more.

Monday went stampin' with Mom's friends and Stephanie. Nothing too brilliant came from that trip. Just a lot of laughs.

Today involved some cleaning of the basement. It's amazing what one can find. Turns out my mom went through a Kenny Rodgers phase in her life. I think she owned every one of his records. It was definitely entertaining going through all sorts of old stuff that had been forgotten about. Random bulletins and church newsletters, magazine clippings, and the real gem of the day: a prank letter from my dad's old work. It was from the 'unification committee' letting employees know about the new procedures to be taking place. You knew it was crock when they mentioned that 10:15 am was hug time, and that 3pm all employees would be required to come to the sales floor and sing 'kumbayah'. I think I giggled for 5 minutes about that.

MCC: 62

Word of the Day: caffienated

Quote of the Day: "I'm perfectly happy being married to a man who thinks that PBS is what women get once a month." "I actually said that once a month was enough for PBS" (conversation between Jill and Tim on Home Improvement)

Michael Buble and Mom

My mom and I spent most of Sunday and Monday making cards. By the dozens. It was great, we sat, we blared Michael Buble CDs and we laughed- a lot. Dad made us supper, hamburgers, because we were both too busy to get up and refuel. Here are some of the cards I made.

Simple Happy Birthday- lots of blue.



That one is sideways. The stamp says "I thank God for you." and the brad says 'Hope".

Wedding card for a friend who is getting married in a few weeks. Card itself from Dollarama- the purple bases came in packages. 6 card bases for a buck. Good deal!





This one ended up sideways too. But the stamp says "Bug me anytime". I tried to go for a picnic type look.

And the 'Happy' elephant. Good to send to a guy on a birthday or just because.

MCC: 36

Word of the Day: Blech

Quote of the Day: "Michael Buble is upstairs in the bathroom. He's being saved for later use." Mom (only afterwards did I realize she had said he was in the bathroom closet...which I am not sure makes it sound any less funny.)

Monday Madness

Card Making with MOM


Both are just simple friendship cards. Made two of each. The stamps and inks are by Stampin' Up! and the paper is from Michaels'. Ribbon and Brads from mom's secret stash...

It Takes FOREVER!

I had a great time tonight. I spent the whole evening with my mom making cards. I know there are a lot of people into this, and I must admit, I enjoy it now, more than I ever did before.

It's been funny watching how my mom's level of skill in the card-making franchise of a hobby has increased. The first cards she ever made were..well...beginner. But now, she's just doing amazing thing with paper and stamps and ink and ribbon and brads and heat guns and markers and pencil crayons... you get the idea. So, her bout of creativeness has rubbed off a bit on me throughout the years as well. Today, I made the hardest, prettiest card ever. It took me so long. I honestly don't have the patience for all the work involved in the complex cards. I like the ones with the card stock, some funky paper, a bit of mounting, one stamp..and voila!

However, my time today was well spent. If you are interested in the paper and stamp set used...it's all Stampin' Up!