Holiday head start!

A few weeks ago the gals and I from Shabby Shutters got away for a weekend of crafting. I didn't end up getting any scrapbooking done but I did manage to get a nice head start on some of my Holiday cards that I sell at the Airport.

Embossing is such a quick and easy way to create a beautiful card. The above 3 cards were all created with a simple embossing folder and some colored ink pads. Not a bad effect for such a simple process.

I ended up making about 20 in one day of crafting so I will post a few here and there through out the next few months leading into the season.

So...don't let intimidation get to you when deciding if you should buy or make your Holiday cards. If you started an assembly line you could easily mass produce these cards in an afternoon of crafting!

Crazy Canvas Art

I don't know who put something in the water I have been drinking lately, but who ever it is, and what ever it is...I like it. It has been making me feel very inspired!

This piece of art on canvas is not normally something I would do, nor is the 'style' of it normally anything you would see me work on. However, my brain kept telling me to 'add this' or 'add that' and VOILA...this crazy canvas art was created.

I think I like it because I have already gone out and bought a few more pieces of canvas to work with...

What do you think? Is it crazy...or am I?

Have a happy crafting day wherever you are!

Road trip to Cheticamp

This past weekend, the Shabby Shutters peeps (and friends) packed our bags and headed to beautiful Cheticamp. We spent the entire day Saturday scrapping with friends, eating some amazing Acadian cuisine, listening to some pretty wild music and laughing so hard that our bellies hurt!

I wish I could say that I had ONE picture of us scrapping, but we were having SO much fun that the camera didn't even come out once during the entire day Saturday. On Sunday morning we got up and drove around to get a few pictures so that we could have the proof that we were actually there. We stopped in a few local craft stores and along a few look-offs for some breath-taking views.

Below are a few pictures that I did manage to snap during the weekend. We're all hoping to get back to Cheticamp for another great night of scrappin' with friends!

The rugged shorelines 

This little antique shop in the middle of nowhere!

We ate supper in the lighthouse! 

I couldn't help myself taking this picture. It gave me a chuckle. 

The beautiful church in Cheticamp

Coffee anyone?

I'm going to be completely honest with you! At first this stamp set called "Coffee Keeper" from Art Impressions Stamps really intimidated me! I loved it immediately, however I couldn't seem to 'follow' the instructions on the package. Seriously, I had a hard time understanding how to put the project together. So...the stamp sat in my 'new' pile for a few weeks...until yesterday. I figured, "who were they to tell me how to put a project together?". Its a freaking cup, get over it. Alas, this version was born.

There are a lot of layers here due to the fact that I kept changing my mind. I think when I make it again there will be some changes to the layers but for now it is done and I love it. Doesn't the coffee lid look real? A few layers of Ultra Thick Embossing Powder worked wonders here.

Because it is considered a "gift card" holder and I shot the instructions out the window,  I went ahead and put a little envelope pouch on the inside of the card. This will hold the gift card.

I haven't decided if I will make this a part of a card class or not. My inspiration seems to be bursting out the sides and my hands can't keep up with the brain so I dare say that other 'versions' of this cup will be born as well.

Have you used this stamp?

All around the world

How cool is this little globe?
I almost forgot how fun it was playing with Alcohol Inks. I was truly inspired though when Sherry presented me with some very cool Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies for my birthday. I could so 'see' Alcohol Ink to separate the "land" parts from the "ocean" parts. Needless to say, as soon as I got home I put my theory to the test. This, my friends, would be the awesome result. How cool is that??

Once my card classes for this session are over, I will be sure to post the pictures and the DIY instructions so that YOU can try this very cool idea. Until then...happy crafting!

Jar Card

I love the simplicity of this card. Using my new "jar" stamp I stamped the image as well as the sentiment on the white cardstock. I used my Distress Markers and created a blue shadow around the inside of the card and then punched out some butterflies. I colored the butterflies with the Distress Markers as well. I used the jar as a template and cut out a piece of acitate the same size as the jar. After putting some butterflies in the jar I used a little bit of Glossy Accents around the jar and stuck the acitate down, making it look like the butterflies were trapped in the jar. I stuck a few more butterflies above the jar and added "Darly Doodles" to make it look like the butterflies were coming out of the jar.

I struggle to do "Masculine" cards...

Oh, do I struggle when it comes to creating something "masculine". I don't find that I am a "pink and bling" kind of girl as I do quite enjoy greens and browns and blues and purples...and yellows..and orange, OK, I know you get it, I am a gal of all sorts of color. Yet when it comes to not being able to add bling or ribbon or pearls THAT is where I struggle. For this card I did add some twine, which I think is still quite masculine (and that is only because my jute is still in my car from Gadget Girls Retreat Weekend...back in the beginning of MAY!) ....slow I'd say!
...moving on!!

...ok, so this is my traditional 6x6 card created on kraft paper. The sailboat stamp was stamped on watercolor paper and the water was colored with Tim Holtz Distress Markers and the Aqua pen. The sky was colored using Distress Stain and a mask to cover the sailboat and the cloud.  I stamped a second image and cut out the sails to create some movement (this is popped off the page). I then sprayed the sails with orange Colorwash. The cloud has some flocking added to it for another dimension of texture (is this too feminine?? ...my husband seems to think so!)
The side border is created with Kraft Resist paper and Colorwashed again with the orange. Blue twine and an anchor stamp was added to side. A nautical sentiment finishes off this card.
I think it turned out quite masculine and I love the blue and orange combination.

Hope you all have a crafty weekend! Enjoy!