Happy Halloween

Yay, my computer works. Here is one of the cards I was trying to upload last week. This is paper piecing.... it is where I tare the paper or punch it into the shapes needed. Because I don't buy alot of rubber stamps, I would normally outline the paper instead of stamping it. Here I just inked the edges of the green green grass to give it dimension.

I found a new word. Well it's not really new, but if I Scraplift does it sound better than CASe-ing? They both sound pretty severe.... but when someone has a great idea and it's just too cute to pass up from recreating it..... some card part ideas have to come from somewhere. So, you do a little scraplifting. Love it!!

This is a sunny tree that grows love! That is so totally super cute!!!

And now the week can begin..... fresh and new. Happy Halloween!!!
Water colored Halloween postcard I sent to Bubba in college!

How to fix it?

It gets frustrating when you are used to doing something and then your tools don't work! Aargh. I said that earlier this week when I had to replace my 2" circle punch. I guess I expected too much out of it, and it didn't want to do what I expected it to.

Now I'm trying to post a new crea8tive greeting digital picture I recently downloaded to the computer and blogger is telling me there is an error in uploading when adding pictures to this post. Hmmm what do I do now???

The above is a google image, and I was able to easily add that? Something that is making me go hmmmm.

But then I am humbled when I read quotes on pinterest that come to me in a timely fashion and mean so much....

Sometimes you just gotta suck it up and remember that there are people who have it worse than you.

HeART Art

I took bits and pieces from my cards over the past week and combined them all into one. You can tell I'm having a slow week when I can't come up with something new! I'm trying to find the goodness in all things. My heart needs a little exciting art. Working on pumping it all up! Stay tuned♥

Branch Out

I was the lucky recipient of a SU! stamp set as a gift in the mail from my BFF, and I couldn't wait to try it out. Here's my first card. I was crazy busy being creative the other day and made a ton of cards, finished a mini scrapbook and punched out a few paper flowers .... then BAM I hit the wall and my mojo split.

I am currently desperately trying to find .... something. Stay tuned!

3 for 3

Last week I got an email from my local scrapbook store... come in and make and take 3 cards for $3. So, I stopped in, they had all the materials cut & scored all in a nice set up and sample cards in the middle of the work table... here was card 1. I love going to card classes because I learn new things, or I remember things I need to use again because they are so simple CASe... and of course as a cardmaker I have all the tools! or... they give you a great deal to purchase products!

Here is my version of the card once I got home. I'm always so worried about using all the background paper sbecause I need to fill the entire card page... but now I realize... I only need to use part of the pattern to add the color and make it pop!

And so sad.... I had to buy a new 2" circle punch because my old one got stuck on thick(?) paper. Oh, it makes me mad when my tools don't work.. and then I have to go buy a new one.... aargh! But yay! Always use a coupon.... at M's for 40% off, that makes me happy!

Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry ~ pinterest

Heart You

The ideas are endless! Try different mediums and determine just how they'll work... for a card, a painting, a collage, beading, floral arranging... the creative list goes on. Corugated cardboard with part of it ripped away... oh, that would be perfect as a shape on top of a greeting card... amazing. I love it.

I'm very thankful for having this blog as an outlet to express my feelings and my art. Thank you for stopping by. If you are one to leave me a comment, I appreciate that you take the time for me. If you CASe a card or get an idea on a tip or technique or a laugh from my funny side... I'm glad I could help.

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail ~ pinterest

Boo from this Crew

I've got to go the Halloween theme for today's cre8tive greeting card post. (Always in the back of your mind I want to remind you, have you sent any FuN MaiL!! today?) OMG! I love these adorable doodles, I hadn't seen these little guys before and they were quite easy to CASe. I have a 'fall' package of background papers and added some bakers twine before I glued down the simple sentiment that had inked edges.

Skyped (talking on the computer with a video camera) Bubba who has been off at college now for 2 months. Thursday is laundry day. While he was talking to me his roommate was still sleeping in his bunk, I could just see him out of camera range. It's starting to get colder while walking to class. We brought him his winter coat when we went for a visit 2 weeks ago. You know how the mid-west can be during any season, one day it's 55 and sunny and the next snow flurries and high of 31 brrrrrr..... College looks good on Bubba.

It's better to be abosolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring ~ pinterest

As Seconds tick By

Yes, that's right, too much time on my hands. Time goes by, so slowly...

I made three masculine birthday cards with the same paper, similar looks and design layouts. Not in my cre8tive lab as I type this, but the cool background paper is filled with widgets of time pieces and keys, roman numerals and mechanical parts.... give the cards that manly feel. Always need more male birthday cards, it feels kind of funny giving them a card with pretty posies or a cute butterfly, you know what I mean?

Marriage lets you annoy one special person for the rest of your life ~ pinterest

Think Pink

Years ago I took a stamp camp class and learned how to make background paper with shaving cream and re-inkers. Going through my stash recently, I found the paper that nicely matched my doodle sketch here of the cute mouse and her pink make-up. (CASed)

I knew who I was this morning but I've changed a few times since then ~ pinterest

Fall Back

Oh my gosh, I wouldn't know what I'd do if I didn't have cardmaking to fall back to.  Like I posted a few weeks ago, there are

so many ideas

and so little time.

I like the blue and brown combo.  This is a nice Fall-ish type of card.  I found in my stash the 'thinking of you' sticker.  Fits perfectly! It is amazing how the paper craft industry is evolving, with the new punches (cute leaf punch seen above) and the yummy paper that I'm too afraid to cut into.

Have you sent out any FuN MaiL recently??

Mistakes are proof you are trying ~ pinterest

It Happens

If you don't like where you are, then change it

You are not a tree ~ pinterest

Change happens.

Know what's weird?  Day by day, nothing seems to change but pretty soon... everythings different ~ Calvin & Hobbes

I simply love this tree of life above.  Of course it's CASed. Doodled tree and punched out love circles♥

I can almost see the red barn across the COMEd field through the back kitchen windows.  That means a lot of leaves have falling off the trees.  A season has changed.

I am amazed in the over 5 years I've been writing this blog, my layout and style are pretty much the same, and those who came after me, not having a clue how to write a blog and didn't know what to say, have changed so much that they have advertisers/sponsors and followers and blog candy give aways and challenges, and YouTube videos and tutorials. I've not changed and I think I'm being left behind in the dust.  I need to change!  Anyone want to help me?

We sometimes underestimate the influence of little things ~ pinterest

Finally Friday

Not that I was wishing this week go by, but I'm glad it's the weekend.

Here is a bright sun SH!Ney card with a fun blue bird out on a limb!  I love simple doodles! My inner child has fun coloring in the lines! Much kudos go out to those artists and crafters who share their designs and ideas on the internet!  This is my version of what I saw.

Sunny today!  Forty eight degrees.... the trees are becoming bare, fall is definitely in the air. I am such a lucky lady typing and sharing life in this silly way.  Thanks for stopping by!

The truth may hurt for a little while but a lie hurts forever ~ pinterest

Toot! Woot!

Hey there! I'm here.  Just been outside dealing with life.  It was 79 yesterday and sunny...all the past week may I add it's been gloriously sunny, and now with much needed relief, it is 58 and the rain has come.

As you can see above, I've been working hard in my cre8tive lab.  I don't know how long I'll do this, but it's fun creating a photo montage.  Are the pictures too small?

I had a request for some more of these cute punched owls.  By punch I mean, each circle, oval and heart is punched out (with a hand held punch or a die that I used to run through the cuttle bug)of card stock or patterned paper and then they are glued to a card front to create the image.  Not hard to do, just a lot of punching.  I added dimension on some of the punches by inking the edges, and in some cases the entire punch is not glued down so it pops up a bit. The cards with envelopes all fit nicely into (the upper right pictures) a 'card' box! Clever, huh?

I have a few other things in the works, so please stay tuned.

Never get tired of doing little things for others, sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts! - pinterest

A little Scary

Little behind today.  Fall cleaning day.  Fluffy got groomed.  Catching up from the weekend.  I'll post something cre8tive and amusing soon! {wink}

Beautiful Fall Weekend

We had an opportunity to go visit Bubba at the University of Iowa this past weekend.  What a great time to be a college student in a beautiful town!!!  There was no big 10 football game (we're still learning the ropes of being college parents), but that was okay, the campus seemed relatively quiet, just like we are!!  Explored the campus a bit more and took the college Freshman out for a few meals. Here is our gorgeous view on Sunday morning.  Our choice for breakfast.... Hamburg Inn, check it out.... I guess it was/is a hot spot for politicians visiting for the Iowa Caucuses

It's Possible

Another day with blue skies, I will take it. 

I have been making a few things in my cre8tive space, but I can't show them yet.  I made the simple love card above a few weeks ago.  Just a little love note ♥

 Thanks dad for my Coolpix Nikon camera.  I've had it almost for a year and still love it!!  I was walking in the woods Geocaching with a clip board with my GPS and my cell phone.... yes too many electronic devices, but I was able to point and shoot and get these photos.  LOVE it!!!!!  The shot above was into the sun and I couldn't quite see the LED screen, but this camera is so good, I knew I had it!

And then I love when a bit of sun shines through and you get this awesome glow highlighting a beautiful and wondrous thing.  So amazing!  It's like the leaf is pointing up on the path, see the yellow line on the pavement?  I guess I could change the photo any way to suit my needs, but this is really the way I took it!  Life is SH!Ning!

Nothing is impossible

the word itself says

I'M POSSIBLE ~ Audrey Hepburn

Indian Summer

Here's a fun maroon card with a watering can filled with happy sunflowers.  Any sentiment can be put inside, or it can be left blank for a note card.

It has been an amazingly  be-YOU-tiful week here in the mid-west.  Warm temperatures in the 70's and bright blue sunny skies.  I'm trying to absorb it into my mind, body and soul..... because I can't help but know what lies ahead in the weather department.

I often see yellow wild flowers on my geocaching adventures through the prairie lands of Illinois.  This time I saw a bunch of purple flowers, they look like daises.  Kind of weird though, plopped in some cattails in the middle of a marshland field.  I thought it was very pretty.

Bright light!!!  Here is my front door.  Those wet cornstalks have for sure dried out by now with the hot sun beating down on them.  You can see Fuzzy bear there, sitting all happy, however, he needs a cool pair of shades, he is squinting with so much sun just pouring all over him in his furry coat!

Wag more, bark less ~ pinterest

Seeing Red

I kept on seeing people pin a similar picture to their boards(that's all foreign words if you: Don't know what Pinterest is and don't know that people pin their interests to their own board or spot to keep wonderful, fabulous ideas to copy, share or just enjoy)  obviously I had to take the challenge on and create my own Pumpkin Cake.... So I bought the cake mix, had the pumpkin (for some other lofty idea) and finally decided and clicked on the photo until it took me back to the original post and read the recipe for boxed yellow cake mix and the can of  pure pumpkin.  Just mix the two ingredients together for two minutes until the powder and pumpkin are one, cook at 350 for 28 minutes and it turned out like this ↓

It's very moist and tasty!!  I was going to put a cream cheese and powdered sugar frosting on top, but it really tasted good 'plain'. Because I don't often think outside of the box, I really am glad I found Pinterest and other search engines, I'm having fun being enabled.

I went out again Geocaching yesterday, and searching for some red foliage.  Found both this time!  What a beautiful fall day.  I'll take 120 more please!!!!

You don't have to be crazy to work here... we'll train you. ` pinterest

Couldn't find the Cache

I think there could almost be 9 layers to the card above, help me, you count them too!  It doesn't feel that heavy and then with the dots and flower, I didn't add any extra weighted embellishments.... so, flat enough to get through the mail without seeming too bulky. Which means extra postage.  I inked the edges on the lighter cardstock and if you click the picture, I think it will enlarge the photo, I used my sewing machine around the outside of the edge of the furthest background paper.

Although I said yesterday I was going to try and stick to scraps for cardmaking this week, I think it's good in theory, but I made this card over the weekend... and last night's cre8tive card making session was for a 'special' order.  Please don't hold me to it.

I went Geocaching yesterday, by myself .... for two reasons.... I wanted to see if I could use the GPS and actually find the Cache, and two I wanted to see what kind of fall photos I could take.  It's been a weird year for weather and climate.  It got up into the 70's during my hide and seek trek.  Although I could not get on track and find the cache(boo hoo) I set out to find, I did get a few photos of my beautiful walk through the woods. I will try and post them to an album on facebook later today.  I think these are oak leaves, I liked the fact, like the card above.... the perfect fall colorrs with green, brown, orange and yellow.... no red in these leaves.... I might need to go back out searching for that.  Stay tuned.

How strange it is to be anything at all ~ pinterest

Have Faith

I'm very happy to report that the sun has been shining for the last 3 days, so that makes any day a great day! 

A simple vase with flowers on the card I doodled above. Very simple too, with two brads and a little flower.  I really like to use my scraps and feel that the extra teeny tiny paper I've been saving, forever, doesn't go to waste.  Maybe I will challenge myself to make all cards that I create this week with only scraps... no cutting into even a half of sheet of pretty card stock! This card really could be anything... have faith believe in yourself, have faith things always have a way of working out right, have faith you'll make it through another year (hee hee, that would maybe be too evil)

Can't wait to see what the week holds!

Some people come in your life as blessings

others come in your life as lessons ~ pinterest