Getting Scrappy

When I go to a crop I usually bring pre-made pages I have made or received in swaps and make some pages from scratch. Well, in February, when I was just starting to be able to use my hand again, I decided to only bring pre-made pages. About 2 hours before the end of the crop I ran out of stuff to work on. Since I only had pre-made pages, I didn't have any scraps left over, but my friend Kris did. She let me have her scraps, and I proceeded to make cards out of them. Luckily I did bring ribbon and embellishments, so I was able to add some pizzaz to the cards.

I enjoyed this so much that when I went to the next month's crop, I saved my scraps, and Kris gave me hers. For the last couple hours of the weekend crop I made cards again. It is so easy to do because there are usually coordinating scraps left over from each layout. Now I have a nice stash of cards accumulating for any last minute needs. I just need to stamp or write the appropriate sentiment, and they are ready to go. Oh yeah, and I always send a bunch of cards to my MIL for Mother's Day, so I'll be ready for that.

What do you do with your scraps?

Online Creative Challenges

While I was reading KJ's Stamp Pad I found that she had links to several different sites that offer challenges. Some were color combo challenges; some were sketch challenges. Here is a list of some that I found.


Kristina Werner - posts color challenges on Saturdays

The Sweetest Thing, My Little Space to Share - Posts sketch challenge on Sundays

Caardvarks - posts card challenge on the 5th and 20th of the month

Clean and Simple Stamping - sketch challenges

I always love a challenge in life, so I thought I would try out some of these creative online challenges. Check them out yourself. Know of more online challenges? Share them here.

Color Chef Challenge

I came across a color challenge on the blog of another CTMH consultant (http://kjsstamppad.blogspot.com/) that I thought was neat. The cards here were created with scraps my friend Kris S. had left over at a crop I attended in February, so I don't know the name info for the products, but they worked very nicely together. I believe all the embellishments are from Oriental Trading.

It's been a long time...

Hello fellow stampers and scrapbookers. I started this blog with every intention of keeping up with regular posts. As some of you know, I injured my hand and was out of commission for about six weeks. Well, not totally out of commission, but I had to do everything with my left hand even though I am right-handed. By the time I had finished working, I had no desire to try and update my blog because at the end of the day my poor left hand was tired!

Anyway, now that I am almost back to normal, I will start posting again. I am also in the process of creating workshops (see previous post for the April workshop) and page kits with directions. These kits were a big success at the crop I attended in late March. I'll post more about the crop, but a big kudos goes out to Kristin and Tiffany from RSC for the planning and execution of this crop.

Clydene

April Workshop

Take a look at my upcoming workshop scheduled for April 18th. We'll create a card folio that holds four cards and envelopes. The directions for the folio came from http://wizardshangout.blogspot.com. I hope you can make it! Also, let me know what you think about the presentation. Do you like viewing the presentation to see what is included? Did you like the ability to register online?

Happy stamping and scrapping!
Clydene

April Workshop

Product Review - Spellbinders

For Christmas I received a set of Spellbinders from my kids. I had not heard of them before, but I was intrigued. They are a multi-purpose little thing. You can use them as die-cuts, to emboss, or as a stencil. While they are designed for a specific die-cutting machine, they can be used in most of the die-cutting or embossing machines on the market. I have the Cuttlebug, so I went to http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/ and found out how to use these with my machine. I had everything I needed for die-cutting, but there is a special mat that you need to use them for embossing. My LSS didn't have any in stock, but they are going to let me know when they come in.

Anyway, today I used the Spellbinders circular die called Pinking Circles (http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/nestabilities/pinking-circles-large.html). It comes with six size templates to the package so you can layer them. I chose to use the smallest one which is about an inch across. Then I punched a whole in the middle and put a large brad through the center. It made a cute embellishment for my layout.

The Spellbinder die was really easy to use, and I love the fact that I could use it with my Cuttlebug that I already have. I can't wait to get the mat so that I can use it for embossing. If you have used this product, let me know what you think about it.

Clydene

Crafting saves my sanity

I don't know about you, but crafting saves my sanity. If I have had a particularly bad day at work, sitting at my desk and creating a scrapbook layout or card or trying a new technique can help me get my sanity back. It is calming, and I find that whatever was bothering me has left my mind and brought the tension away with it.


When I craft, it is all about what I want and what I think will work best. I don't have to argue with anyone about the right thing to do like when I am at work. I don't have to compromise with anyone about any design decisions. I just play with my stuff and see what happens. Sometimes I have a game plan and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I like what I come up with and sometimes I don’t. Whether I like the results of my crafting session isn’t always as important as what it does for my mind and my well-being. As long as it takes care of those two things, all is good with the world.

On a related note, just going through and organizing my paper and embellishments and tools has the same effect as if I had organized my life. I feel better about my surroundings, even if the rest of my world is still in chaos.

So the next time you have a bad day or feel like you have no control over your life or your surroundings, try making a card, sorting your paper, or going through your embellishments to see what you have. You may find that by the time you are done your state of mind has moved to a better location. Try it and let me know the results.

Clydene