Being Motivated is my Muse

I am happy... when I get a request to make cards!!!  It inspires me to create!

Recently, someone wanted to purchase a few creative greetings.... and I was over the moon!  I asked if there was a theme, or a style or a type of card she was looking for.... and she said yes.... she liked animal cards!!!

Wow!  I like this person!  Decisive..... so, although I had a few animal cards in my stash... it is a fun challenge for me to create some fresh cards.  Being motivated often is the muse I need!

Wild About You

There are a lot of new tv ads out there with this Pow Wow theme, drums beating in the background, woodsy at camp kind of ideas.... so this cute wild bear came to mind.

Cooper Hi

Dog and cat cards are the best for animal lovers.

Under the Weather

I've had a constant sore throat for the last few weeks.... everybody needs a pick-me-up sometimes.... perfect way is to send them a thinking of you card!!

Imagine

Awesome cutie little dragons are always the type of animal little 4 year olds get giddy to see.  Flying dragons... or ones that have puff's of smoke coming out of their nostrils are even better!!!

Kitty Hello

Peek-a-boo Just thinking about you, sending a hello!!

Doggie Cupcake

It's your birthday, I'll share a little nibble of your cupcake.  Yes, please!!!

Moo-Chas Thanks

Oh, the play on words, is always so darn cute!

Is there a type of card you like to send out?  Do you have a certain style or a theme? 

 Greeting cards are everywhere.... my push or plee to  you is.... when searching for a unique gift for someone special... take just an extra moment and reach out to an independent artist.... and support them.

The holidays are coming up!  How about a small gift of 4-6 unique Creative Greetings! I'm here to design them just for you!!!

Thanks you,

Peggy

prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

Brighten Someone's Day

Trilogy by Design

 Card number 3, in this weeks card trilogy. 

All three cards are connected with the same mono-chromatic color scheme and I used two different 4" x 6" patterned paper sheets to add the major color pieces to all the cards.  Other coordinating paper scraps were added from my stash.

All three cards have a different feel to them as well.  The top 'thank you' card is very simplistic and straight forward.  The punched circles are all 'perfect' in their rows. The ribbon and the punched edge are all very calculated.

The second card, although there is no sentiment, it could be used a number of different ways, from a thinking of you card... anywhere in between, up to a hello note card!  The different size banner shapes and the book fringe make this card somewhat, versatile,  eclectic and spirited.

The hugs and kisses card is most planned.  It follows a layout from Mojo Monday (if interested, scroll down to find that blog over to the right -->).  The shapes are all uniform, there is a mix and match theme to the pattern paper... plaid then paisley, paisley then plaid. I colored the little girls hair and the hearts to the reds and oranges throughout the card palette.  And this last card has the most detail with multiple  layers, framing, added floss, faux stitching holes, the banner sentiment and crystal effects to pop out the hearts!

Today's post was a two fold project, actually.  I wanted to use up all the paper I had pulled to work on the cards, so I found 3 completely different ways to do that.  And, I also learned how to sharpen the color and add a watermark stamp to the cards while working on my skills in Photo Shop! I'm LEARNING (something new, almost every day)

I'm really happy my plan came together.  Now get out there, order some creative greetings from me, your humble starving artist card maker and send some FuN MaiL..... it WILL

brighten someone's day!

What's your Type

It has been many, many months since I placed an order with SU!.  Don't get me wrong, I love ♥ their stuff, the quality and the cuteness and the ideas, oh my... I just have been content with all the 'stuff' I have in my stash. 

 When I was looking through their newest mini catalog and saw this cute old fashioned typewriter, I knew it was a set that I wanted.  The set comes with 6 different sentiments you can stamp on the note paper, from thank you, happy birthday, just a note, love you etc....  You might see more cards similar to this, yet different. :0)

It's funny about the typewriter theme. Recently on a blog post we were reminiscing about sounds that we no longer hear.  And one sound was that of a manual typewriter with the clicking of the keys and ding and slide of the carriage. 

And then the other funny thing, while working my temp job, I'm on a computer, printer, fax machine, copier etc.... but they still have an IBM electric typewriter.  The boss lady says, "I bet you didn't think you'd see one of these babies again" and actually no (who types like that, but some IRS tax form). It's funny how two other happenstances had me thinking about the old fashioned typewriters!!!

Happy Easter!!

SMART Self

 Wow, this week just zipped by.  Hard to believe on Monday we were having issues with the #3 car and stuck in traffic.  I've worked my second week on the new job and there is no snow on the ground in the middle of February in the mid-west!

Above is a page from my SMASH book, a simple notebook full of ideas.  One day, back in early January I was doing a little blurfing and was trying to figure out what kind of New Year I could have.  Everybody says they want to loose weight... see any of those commercials on tv now??    There are all kinds of goals.  On one blog I saw that to start the new year off right, you need to be SMART in your goal setting.  So, I decided that I could put a spin* on things and all new experiences (and old ones as well), if I worked my goal on mySELF.... being a little SELFish.... Seeking, Exploring, Learning, Finding ~ is the acronym.

I can put a lot of different words to fit the acronym and fit the occasion.... but ultimately what I'm trying to do is a better version of me!  You can follow my year here on my blog, in the label section after I've posted in goes in the SELF 2012 spot.
*spin - a particular viewpoint

I could make a ton of these thank you cards, love the clean lines, the punch and the simplicity of the statement.  This type of card you could match any occasion with the special patterned paper that goes behind the circle punch.  Little present paper, thanking for birthday gifts, heart paper.... I'm going to have to keep this pattern in mind!

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

Have you sent out any FuN MaiL this week?

Brighten someone's day!

White Out

Ok, so you've heard my comments on past posts.  We all knew the day would come, it's winter in the mid-west for goodness sake.  We got our first measurable snow fall.... almost 5" here.  Other areas around us got up to 8".  It looks pretty!  And as the scientist say.... you do need snow in the winter time or it does cause problems for the crops in the summer time!  Mother nature and her cycle, must continue round and round.

 But it's so funny, because earlier in the week it looked like this!!!  It's all good!  At least it gives us something to talk about!  remember when... we didn't have snow until January 12, '12.... all that global warming!

Hot pink & red... sweetheart colors..... trying to use more paper piecing and less doodling this week.  Also trying to make flatter cards that can go through the mail without extra postage. I have no problem FINDING my mojo, maybe it's my early morning iced coffee, but I'm not sure where to start my day... there is so much learning to be done!  Happy Friday!

Left-Over Scraps

I've mentioned this before, I like to watch the tv show Hoarders, or Buried Alive.  It's like a train wreck. I am fascinated how truly horrible some people live (honestly, it is really really sad and I hope the people get help).  And I've heard this too, it makes us(me) want to clean up my little piles of clutter because I don't ever want to become like someone on the show.

Paper crafters lovingly and laughingly admit they hoard supplies... especially pretty paper.  We love to buy it, don't want to use it, then it hurts to cut into a 'fresh' piece and then we can't throw away even the tiniest of scraps. We could use them.... someday!

 

Now, for writing purposes I'm embellishing a bit.... but I always think I can use that 'scrap' paper. I have a seperate bin just for scraps that measure 3" or smaller.  Well, I did find a cute card layout I could use my 1"w x 3" h color scraps.  Added a bit of twine and a kind sentiment.... easy and simple .... yet colorful card!

We are hearing that we might get 'snow'.... up to 7" possible... yikes! Come back tomorrow and see what happened!

What About Blogging?

The above picture is an extreme close up of our New Year's day brunch.  Off of Pinterest I found a scrumptious looking dish that used 8  Pillsbury crescent rolls, cheese, 5 scrambled eggs and 8 slices of bacon. Once it's baked you can top it with your choice, I used fresh salsa. It was very delicious!

Simple and to the point card. Cuttlebugged the pop out red with Swiss dots. Added a few score lines above and below the heart to give the card some definition. I really wanted to punch the heart on the bottom of the card, but it really depends on the orientation of the punch.... I never realized that before.  Unless you use die cuts where you can place it anywhere on the space.... you may be punch limited!

I started my blog on October 9th 2006.  Blogging was farely new.  At first (and I still do) think it's a great way to journal your day and practice writing skills.  Unless something happens to the World Wide Web, my pictures and stories, my joys and my sorrows are here FOREVER!!!

I recently read a great article (what's a magazine again??) here at the Inspired Room , titled "What I learned about Blogging".  Stay with me here, I found the article on FACEBOOK through a cyber friend (that's what I call someone who I never met in person, and most cases I just follow their blog, website etc.... ) This said friend pointed out that the author of the Inspired Room used some of her artwork she copied off Pinterest and didn't give her credit. Here in lies the problem.... it's so easy to COPY or CASe off the internet.  Yes, all artists should give credit where credit is due, but when it's copied from a blog to another blog and then to Pinterest, some things get lost in translation......

This is just a tease of my point and what the article said.  I will continue this topic on tomorrows post, so as not to bore you to death with a long post. Something to think about until then, why do people blog? 

Come on back and visit me again, when I tell you the rest of the story!

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

Tweedle-le deedle dee

- Drop
- Ripped

We are building our Ark here in northern Illinois.... yup.... April showers.... canceled.... muddy.... depressing...can't plant... I need sunshine... ugh!!!! These are just a few phrases and words I've been hearing lately....

In other reports.... background paper.... I ripped it from a book.... it's so hard to rip a real book apart. The poor book didn't do anything but sit there on the shelf... but everywhere card making and paper crafting are using text for backgrounds, flowers, frames.... torn, cut, painted, stained, ruffles, pockets..... a book page can be any thing!!! Added some half circle birdies, a few doodles of hearts and leaves... and then an embossed folder for the background of the layout Thank you!

Funky Lady

- Bead Beautiful


Here's an original thank you card for my friend KL.... who is a terrific bead gal. She is very talented... I love her work.... we 'used' to barter (when we lived in the same state and city)... I made her special whimsical cards, helped her with marketing. and manned a booth or two at a craft fair... and in return.... I have loads of fun jewelry.... that I love and wear every day! She sent me a fun necklace for my birthday... a total surprise!!! It made me feel so special. I am so glad she is back to creating and making again. After taking some time off... I think she missed it, and it was time to get back into designing. Makes me so happy! I can't imagine a day without cre8ting!!! Maybe some day she will create enough and let me blog her stuff!!!

Happy Blog Day

Thanks for Stopping By

- Busy Simple thank you note. A flower used as the top of a tree, an asterisk punch used as a blossom on a tree, doodle a stick.... frame with in a frame.... and voila~ a nice and simple thank you card. I'm so glad you stop by my blog! Visit some of my friends to the right -----> the internet is an amazing thing. Working on Back to BASICS ... trying to B-balance working and taking care of the home... A-acceptance, of those different than me... and waves of sadness knowing Bubba will probably be away at school on my next birthday... S-simplify, making dinners from scratch, tonight it was baked chicken with some delish new Ginger & Lime coleslaw.....and so much more....stay tuned! Enjoy your day!

Warning!! Warning!!

- Pretty Paper

Slow............. creating blog post... although I had a few hours of class up at Archivers this past Sunday.... just can't take pictures, upload them... cre8te... then post...play.... OMG! It saddens me... I can't do it ALL... no secret there... i love to make cards....

I'm not gaining that much from my job itself.... lots of boring data entry...but it sure is teaching me many things outside the work place.... self worth and pride.... oh the other thing.... so I was having a conversation in my head, I was even answering myself... then I went next door to talk to my cube mate... and I think I started talking to her in mid sentence... she looked at my quizical... I explained my comment... then she answered... later on, I realized I really didn't have the initial conversation with her... no wonder she didn't understand me... I've lost my funny mojo.... stay tuned.... I'll get my funny back... someday!

Aww, Shucks! Thanks

- Always time to say thanks
- Enjoy the moment

There's always time to sit and give thanks. Thank you visitors to my blog! Thank you is such a nice sentiment. Thank you to those who comment. Three greetings!! here to say thanks! All the cards are very similar layouts, all the same, but different!

I heard twice recently about enjoying the moment.... while you are experiencing life, enjoy what you are doing because that moment might truly be as good as it gets. Enjoy the moment, why waste time later regretting what you could have done! Always make the best, give your best for the moment!

But then too, I was watching a funny episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, and he had such a hard time accepting 'good' things happening to him. Because tomorrow there would always be a let down, or something bad would happen... so being happy and not complaining was a waste of time for him.

So, do you like the happy person who has a smile all the time.... is it fake? Or, do dread the Debbie Downer friend who always seems to be having a 'situation', a drama diva? Or is it best... A true warm friend who is sincere and knows how to have a good time .... always.... Enjoy the moment.

I appreciate you

Love, love, love this card.  The image is my doodle  from Maryse Carrier, I used to follow her a few years ago, I'm not sure what happened to her and her whimsy little animals and birds.  I made the background paper following a tutorial from Mish Mash's blog.  Have you thanked, really thanked someone today? I appreciate you, my blog visitor!

Oh yeah! September 1st... just like that summer is over. Huh?  I heard a commentator say that.  Summer is actually 3 more weeks, right?  On March 1st we don't say it's spring... well most people say it's not actually 'spring like weather until May'. My plants and garden and yard are feeling the dried out summers end.  And I've heard people wishing to wear long sleeves and of course the fall stuff is at all the craft stores. So, I guess we hit September and its Autumn, poof!!

Sissy's team won v-ball last night!  DH is home safe from Ohio, and life goes on at creative greetings!!

Out the door

Here is a sampling of mail that went west to my friend BE who is a realtor. I think she was tired of me sending out emails and bugging her, so she placed an order. Thanks BE!! This first one is just a sample thank you I sent her because she didn't want all the cards to read "Sold" she couldn't decide. Sometimes she needs to thank inspectors and other realtors and the bank.... so that could be the next order. They have a Zindorf feel to them!!!



You just get a sneek peek below at the Sell-a-bella cards....it was more to see how I packaged them up.



Sonny with a chance??(isn't that a tv show).... or is it Cloudy with a chance of meatballs????(movie?) The ground is quite squishy out there. But this means spring is coming! Yay!

Had potstickers they other night for dinner.... can I say D-lish! The kids have been eating and enjoying these frozen ones for a while, then I say my buddy Rach (Rachel Ray) making them..... very easy to make and they were so good. Had them with steamed rice and a sauteed slaw salad. Yummo! Glad everyone is enjoying trying new things around here... with little complaint I might add.

thanks!

Found the pretty patterned paper in a stash. Bright and cheery on a nice spring day. The 'thanks' is printed off the computer. Basic ribbon, basic text, basic easy card!