motivation & time saving

this is my first video post, but i didn't shoot it. my sister and i were talking (texting) tonight. i was telling her how i don't feel motivated lately to make anything. because we have our own business, it sometimes just feels like one more thing i have to do. she shot and sent me this quick video that some of you may find helpful. it's a pretty simple idea, but I hadn't really thought of it before. when she doesn't feel like committing to a whole project, she just stamps and stores extra sentiments. it's kind of a nice way to do something small and productive without making a huge commitment...and have some fun with your stamps! i do mostly paper crafts, but i bet this can work for all crafters. if you sew, maybe do some cutting. if you knit or crochet, make some sample blocks to measure the gauge for a future project. if you paint, prep a canvas or play around with mixing some new colors. at least you'll feel like you got a little something done.

ps - i <3 my sister. she's pretty awesome.

from my happy place to yours,

debbie

Papertrey Ink July 2011 Release

Once again, Papertrey Ink has released beautiful stamps. I've never really followed Nichole Heady's blog, but I may have to start. I usually just check out the Make it Monday (still haven't made anything for that, but one day!) and check out what others have made for MIM. However, right before they release new stamps on the 15th of every month (I can't even imagine how much work that is), she and her design team (DT) make projects to reveal and show you ideas for the upcoming stamps. Her DT is phenomenal! They really show you what you can do with the stamps, and they make me want to get them. Come to think of it, maybe I shouldn't follow the blog. ;)

I don't know what her policies are, so I'm not going to post pictures here, but I will post some links to the new stamps and some of my favorite projects from the DT so you can check out their sites and blogs. Everyone wants a little traffic thrown their way, right?

July 2011 release can be found on the Papertrey Ink homepage.

At first glance, Tranquility Trinity is not my favorite. I usually prefer circles over triangles, but check out these great projects!

• Erin Lincoln does a take on the fun of baby gender reveals. Also, her blog title, Procrastination Station, was the nickname of my college ResHall [dorm] room for the first two years of school, so I knew I would like her right away.
• Check out these cute little straw flags Jessica Witty put together for a kids party! The card on her page was also very nice. I own a sewing machine, but I haven't learned how to use it yet. Maybe one day I can create something like that.
• Maile Belles may be my absolute favorite! She combines layers of embossed images over stamped images for a very elegant finish!

I'm not going to post about the other stamps and their projects because there are so many, but you should definitely check them out at www.papertreyink.com. Be sure to take a closer look at:

• Hanging Out stamp set. If you even know someone who knows someone that might be having a baby, you have enough cause to buy this insanely cute set! Once you see what Melissa Bickford did with this it, you'll know you must have it.
• I really like the projects the designers did with the Peaceful Garden set. Lisa Johnson at Poppy Paperie created some cards that actually made me pause. They truly are peaceful. You also need to check out what Nichole Heady did with this set. Just click this link, and scroll down to the cards with the blue card bases. Jaw dropping. 
• Half & Half, Little Labels, Think Big Favories #6, and Congrats All Ways stamp sets could easily become staples that you go to again and again. They would totally be worth the investment!
• Dies! They look pretty plain at first glance, but check out how Maile Belles uses the Leafy Vine Border (very bottom of page) die, the Half & Half Die Collection, and the Woodgrain Impression Plate (6th one down). Can you see why she's becoming my favorite Papertrey designer?

If you have any projects using stamps or dies from the Papertrey Ink July 2011 release, post a link to your project in the comments section so folks can see what can be done.

I hope you found this helpful and that someone is guarding your wallet because these will be hard to resist!

From my happy place to yours,

Debbie

twine wrapped card tutorial

First of all, a big huge welcome to my new followers! Am I a dork for being super pumped about having more than 10 followers? Oh well, call me a dork. Won't be the first time. Please leave comments. I especially love suggestions and feedback...especially if you have cool tips and tricks to save time or take my work to the next level! I'll be sure to check out your blogs as well.

This is my first real tutorial! I don't have a tripod (and I don't know how to edit video yet) so this is just pics & instructions for now. I'll get on the video thing sooner than later, hopefully.

These cards are small cards made from scraps (I love scraps!) that I'm delivering with no envelopes. Some of my RAs (Resident Assistants) did really well last quarter academically and I wanted to recognize their hard work with a special card and little treat. On to the tutorial!

Materials I used:
Card base - Friendly Forest patterned paper cut 6x4
Layers - Friendly Forest 1x4 coordinating scraps (2 each)
Border punch - EK Success (not sure of the name, but it's a "notebook sheet" punch)
Circle punch - Fiskars 1" punch
1/8 hole punch - Martha Stewart (I only used this because I don't have an SU! slit punch)
"Hello" stamp - Studio G
Large brad from Staples (as with all the other items, any brad will do)
Twine from my stash from the Dollar Tree - about 9.5" or what ever size will go around your card 2 times plus an extra couple of inches
Adhesive - Scotch ATG (anything you normally use to adhere paper will do), Glue Dots (you absolutely need some form of a glue dot. I wouldn't use dimensionals for this because your twine might get caught in it and pull it off.)

Stamp your sentiment on scrap paper and punch it out with the circle punch. Set it aside. Score and fold card base at 3"to make a 3x4 card. Punch one of the layers with a border punch, and glue the two layered pieces together. Make sure the punched sheet is on the left and under the unpunched layer. Use a hole or slit punch about halfway down the top layer near the edge. I used a 1/8 inch punch and just punched a few holes side by side to create a slit.

At this point, or sometime before, you should write your message in your card. You won't want to try to do it after you attach the top layer. Add adhesive to the back of your attached layers and insert brad. Before bending down the prongs, tie the twine around the base. I did it twice because I'm paranoid about my cards falling apart. :)

Bend down the prongs and press them as flat as possible.

Attach to the front of the card. The edge where the brad is will not lay flat against the card. If this is going to bother you, I suggest using dimensional adhesive to attach the layer to the card. Attach a glue dot to the head of the brad.

Attach your sentiment. This is why you need the glue dot (or some other adhesive that attaches paper and metal). Wrap your twine around the card and around the brad. You may have to push up at bit on the brad from behind to get the twine around it.

Try it out and have fun. Use your scraps, and don't worry about sizes and materials. Challenge yourself to just use what you have without cutting any new paper for the entire card and do your own thing!

From my happy place to yours!

Debbie