It's a Girl Thing



Wow...I can't believe it's been nearly three weeks since my last posting!  I went out of town to visit family, got a terrible ear/sinus infection, got it cleared up just in time to fly out to Alabama to meet my hubby after his graduation from an AF class, then leisurely drove back to home together giving us some quality time...after being apart for two months.  

So now I'm trying to get back into the groove again with some cards/projects I had been working on.  Today is a quick card I made for my niece who just turned 18.  Super simple card using cranberry cardstock, some Christmas pearl tree garland, diamond Stickles, & my Viva Decor pearl pen in Ice White to pearlize the 18, which I cut out with my Cricut.  I added "It's a Girl Thing" rub-on from My Mind's Eye, and finished it off with a crinkly white ribbon and some rhinestone bling.   

Jewelry & bling  -- definitely a girl thing.  =)
Have a great day!  Lisa



The Beauty of an Acrylic Book

Back a few months ago when I went to the Creating Keepsakes Convention I took a class showing us how to work with a variety of acrylics, put together by Clear Scraps, and designed by Laura McCollough.  I began making this book in the class, and only just finished it in time (almost) for a friend's birthday.

I used a lot of techniques/products in this book such as alcohol inks, distress ink, Viva Decor pearl pens, rub-ons, flower garnishes, bling, fibers, variety of cardstock & acrylic embellishments, and so much more.  But one of my favorite things was actually using my own handwriting to add dates/places, and quotes.  I'm not a big fan of my own handwriting, but I like that it added that personal touch to an album not of my own original concept. 

Working with acrylics is a lot easier than I originally thought.  I guess the biggest tip I can give you in working with the acrylic is to know what adhesive to use.  It was recommended to use Zip Dry, but I personally haven't had a lot of luck with that product.  I used Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive and it worked amazingly well!  I'll keep using that on future acrylic items...as it has held up wonderfully.  Also, if you're using products directly onto the acrylic...as opposed to the cardstock papers, look for products that work with non-porous surfaces such as the alcohol inks, stayz-on ink, archival permanent inks, pearl pens, etc.  Even the embellishments held on well with the Scotch adhesive.  For a lot more great ideas on using acrylic, check out the Clear Scraps blog!

A lot of times you'll see mini albums without completed pictures -- I asked my friend, Marla, if she'd mind me posting the album and got the thumbs up.  I just think it helps to get an idea of what the finished product could be.  =)

Thanks for popping in today.  Hope your day is clear & bright!  Lisa

A Man Bag for a Man Card

I'm delayed in posting this as I didn't want my Father inlaw (FIL) seeing it before he got it -- it could happen...him looking at my blog someday...maybe.  LOL.  Anyway, I'm visiting in Ohio this week and wanted to hand-deliver his Father's Day card/gift ... so it's a a couple weeks late, but you could use this type of card anytime you need a masculine gift. 

The original concept for the card is not my own--I saw a photo of one similar in Papercrafts Magazine (May/June 2011 edition, pg 17 by Kim K.) -- great for inspiring ideas and for getting your creativity flowin'.  For my card design, I used Coredinations cardstock (CS) to make the base of the card and srunched it up and sanded to bring out the lighter touches of brown; then I brush matte Mod Podge over it to give it a leathery look.  For the pockets I used Spice Worldwin CS, which I first embossed with Tim Holtz Gadget Gears Texture Trades, before inking with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  I used large eyelets to secure the pockets to the card, and smaller eyelets for the belt design. 

 With my Cricut Father's Day cartridge, I cut the #1 Foam Finger (for the tag), the Father's Day sentiment for the inside of the card, and the tool box for the gift card holder.  I repurposed some mirrored paper that came in some packaging, and added it to the tool box card for the hammer & duct tape.  Finished it off with some Tim Holtz Ruler Ribbon. 

I didn't want to fold the belt to make it fit into an envelope, so I made my own "man bag" to act as the envelope/bag. Super easy--I just folded 12x12 CS in half, then on either side of the center fold I left 1/4" space and added another score line. The center score line became a valley fold and the two parallel lines became mountain folds--this created a gusset for the card so it wasn't too tight to fit the card inside. I secured it together with large eyelets and stamped a variety of Tim Holtz stamps on the front & back. The front also hold a journaling ticket with a stamped quote. I used Chipped Saphirre & Walnut Stain DI for my stamped images. For the handle, I just cut out a rectangle and freehand cut it into a handle shape securing it to the bag with large eyelets. I would recommend securing the handle to the bag before adding the eyelets to the bag section--it will be a lot easier to get your eyelet setter, or cropadile tool to work in a less confined space. I learned that the hard way. =)

The Sears gift card tucked neatly into two photo corners
on the inside of the toolbox card.

I hope your inspired to have a wonderfully creative day!  Lisa

Lovely Goodies

RAK - Random Act of Kindness: When someone gives or receives an act of kindness or generosity..."just because"!

My hubby left for TDY (temp duty assignment) almost a month ago now, and I just had to post some RAK's I received from some blog readers/friends that have blessed me while Chris is gone.

The same day he left I got a package in the mail from Mary, in Australia, with two awesome "Tim" inspired tags she had created. The first day he leaves on assignment is always a hard one, and it really made my day to receive her RAK package that very same day--thank you, Mary! You can check out Mary's artful "museum" blog HERE.

The next week I got a lovely package of flowers to play/craft with from Gerri Herbst.  Watch for some of those in some upcoming posts--Gerri gave me some great ideas on ways to use them.  She uses these in her fabulous works of art as well. Thank you, Gerri!  You'll want to go "treasure" hunting at Gerri's amazing blog HERE.

Then I met up with one of my new friends (& blog reader), Arlene, for breakfast after her trip back from Hawaii. She brought me back some absolutely delicious Mango Maui tea, a Starbucks Card with Hawaii on it (my DH is going to be SO jealous--hee hee), some yummy chocolate covered Macadamian nuts (which I ate too fast to include in the photo), and an organizer for some desk supplies. We also exchanged some Cricut carts as well--and that's always fun! Thank you so much Arlene!

I've also received phone calls, and visits from friends/family as well...it's wonderful just to know someone is thinking of you.  And a special shout out to my dear friend, Marilyn & her family for helping out with Cody while I worked. 

Consider blessing someone you know with an RAK, it just might make their day -- just as these friends have brightened mine!

Blessings, Lisa