A couple of projects

Since I'm not crafting as much right now, I'm going to backtrack a bit so I can still make some blog posts. Here are a couple of cards - one from a couple of weeks ago, and other from Sunday when I went to visit grandma in the hospital.

The first one I made for 2 reasons - 1., I really like to make encouraging cards for my boyfriend whenever I can. He is such a hard worker, that sometimes I don't know how he does it. He is a devoted worker to his job, a full-time student, a wonderful papa to our doggie, and the most amazing boyfriend I could ask for. I know how hard college can be (sometimes I am still in disbelief that I made it through!), and I like to encourage him when I can. 2., he loved this stamp when we found it at Papertrix, and I wanted to find a way to use it... ;)

^ black souffle pen

^ black soot crackle paint

^ more souffle pens

This next card was very fun, and soothing to do. I was thrilled to find these puzzle cards at Archivers because puzzles are one of my grandma's favorite hobbies. There are endless possibilities of directions to go with something like this.

^ Adirondack Paint Dabbers - Aqua, Red Pepper, Raspberry, Purple Twilight, Lettuce, Denim, Espresso, Sunset Orange

^ Recollections brad + Tim Holtz Texture Hammer; Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Flock

^ Ranger Enamel Accents; Hero Arts Prisma Glitter

^ Souffle pen

^ envelope

thanks for reading! xoxo

Emily

Absence

Sadly, I have had a lack of activity lately. My grandmother, who I do the majority of my craft time with, fell seriously ill last week. She is currently doing well in the critical care unit. It has been a tough week, but I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to visit with her the past few days, and see her in good spirits.

I did get to make her a card, and will post that shortly - whenever I have laptop access again (mine has a terminal virus).

Thanks for reading
Emily

Autumn Mini Album

So like 2 years ago, I got this cute little accordion album that fits in a matching kraft box. I decided to make the theme Autumn (my very favorite season), with the intent that I would eventually make 4 mini albums, one for each season. Each page is meant to be one of my favorite things about the season. :) Well, it got away from me and I just rediscovered the little box, with only a cover semi-complete and patterned paper adhered to a few pages.

Josh recently got me a really cute set of Peanuts 3d stickers, and they inspired me to get back on track with this cute little gem I had abandoned. So, here is the cover, as it is now. I love it, but I really want to add more to it somehow.

^ patterned paper + square punch + distress crackle paints in spiced marmalade & black soot

So, here is the first new addition:

^ tim holtz distress ink in scattered straw over ghost outfits.

rock candy distress stickles over Great Pumpkin sign

^ clear-embossed bat over journal tag. :)

This segment of the book is still under construction; The blank area is reserved for mini movie posters of favorite scaries.

tag = inked with distress pumice stone ink & palette hybrid ink in Noir

tree/gravestone clear embossed over pumice stone distress ink

heart = doodlebug crushed velvet flock

blood hand-sketched with versamark watermark pen; embossed with ranger red embossing tinsel

Aged Mahogany Distress Crackle Paint

Grungeboard letters from mixed minis set

fun embellishment I made (I'll add it in later)

grungeboard scull from elements set

ranger black embossing powder on bones

distress crackle paint

paper studio screw brads

I so love this beautiful time of year when everything changes. I'm excited for this project that will document all of my favorite parts. :) One thing I love about papercrafting, which kind of gets lost in lots of my pages that are sheet-protected, is the texture that is created by all the different techniques. From embossing, to fun fibers, to grungeboard, flock, and distressing, I love all the ways projects can be exposed for people to feel. Yay!

Thanks for readingggg!! :)

xoxo

More on Wishful Thinking + new stamps!

I got an exciting package in the mail today from my favorite shop, Wishful Thinking! I want to write another little blurb in praise of this place. I was in Wishful Thinking a couple weekends ago for my annual-ish trip to Nashville, IN. There were 2 Hero Arts items I have really had my eye on, and they offered to special order them for me. She took my info, and said she'd let me know when they did their next order. I didn't expect a phone call for awhile (she said they had just recently done a Hero order). But last week, (Wed. I think) I got a voicemail from her, and on Thursday morning she said she'd ship them to me. My package arrived today.

This is the Friend Definition and Prisma Glitter. You may recognize both of them from my Wish List a few posts back. I can't wait to get to work this week and use them!

* * *

Tonight I was returning a stamp to Hobby Lobby (a Snoopy my mom got me for my birthday, that turned out to be a dupe). I looked around for a few and decided to exchange for this adorable set. It worked out great because these were clearanced out and ended up costing a little less than the 1 wood-mounted I was returning. woo :)

This is 'Fresh' by American Crafts. I'm really excited about these - they fit my personality so well. I'm most excited about the rain boots...and bird cage...and lily of the vallies... :) Actually I'm most excited about the dotted cloud, as I'm currently working on a layout that has lots of clouds. Score!

Side note: All ADHESIVES are 30% off at Hobby Lobby this week. I stocked up on Glue Dots!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

A Couple 'o Cards

#1 is for a very close friend (like, my 2nd mom during college). She just got a new job and I am so, SO happy for her. I want her to know how excited I am, and be able to keep my words of encouragement. I forgot to take a close-up, but the bottom right 2 dots have a top-layer of felt so they're super soft. :)

Products Used:

- blank card and envelope

- Ranger Paint Dabbers: Lettuce, Purple Twilight, Raspberry, and Sunset Orange.

- Stickles: Orange Peel, Fruit Punch, Golden Rod

- Doodlebug sugar coating glitter in Lilac

- Zig 3-way glue pen

- Crayola Pipsqueak glitter glue

- typewriter font stamps

-versamark pad/ranger black embossing powder

-prima flowers

- Doodlebug crushed velvet flock in tangerine and cupcake

#2 is for a friend who lives across the country. I miss her and our fun times like CRAZY! She's working hard on her way through nursing school, and I thought this might cheer her up. Grandma loved this, and says she thinks she (the recipient) will keep it forever. I sure hope she likes it! =)

embossed greeting

close-up of colors & glossy accented windows

Products Used:

- blank white card & envelope

- Hero Arts Silly Scape stamp

- Stampabilities black dye ink pad

- Ranger Glossy Accents

- typewriter font stamps (sadly I can't remember the brand, but I'm guessing Paper Studio)

- Stickles: Fruit Punch, Patina, Turquoise, Orange Peel, Golden Rod

- Color box Ice Blue Chalk ink

- Versamark pad/Ranger black embossing powder

- pink and grey decorative chalks

- black sharpie