Thanksgiving Decor - Altered $1 Wood Cut Outs

Hi Everyone! I saw a few raw Thanksgiving wood cut outs at JoAnn while I was standing in line to pay my stuff. You know, the $1 wood cut outs that are near the registers. These are the ones that has the cheapy markers for little kids to color with. I thought. . .hmmmm. . .I could do something with these raw wood decor. Besides, they're only a dollar and if I screw up, I won't feel too bad! LOL!

Anyway. . .I painted the wood with acrylic paint. What I thought was going to be an easy project turned out to be a little bit more complicated. I could have colored the wood a flat color but I didn't think it would look nice so I had to layer the colors and give them a bit of texture. It was also difficult to color within the lines because acrylic paint tend to be quite thick and if you remotely color the outline. . .well, it gets covered up. In the end, it was quite therapeutic to sit and paint these wood decor.

You can't really see it in the picture but the layers of paint in different colors actually has a bit of texture and the layers of colors show up better in person. Anyway. . .this will make for a great Thanksgiving decoration. Don't you think?

Well, I hope y'all have a wonderful Labor Day tomorrow!!

Thanksgiving Box

Hi Everyone! Looks like it's a close race between "discontinuing this blog" and "it doesn't matter". I'm trying to figure out a way to merge my posts on Card Inspired on to Stampin Inspirations. If I can find a way to do it, then I'll maintain only Stampin Inspirations and start posting only on that site. I'll work on it when I can find the time. Right now, I'll continue to blog on this blog site for my scrappy projects!

Whoohoo! Check out my Thanksgiving box. I am so proud of my self! Why? Because I actually created something different. I haven't altered a box like . . .forever, so creating this box was so much fun. Actually the box was so easy and quite fast to create. I had this Kraft Box for several years and believe it or not, it sort of sat in my drawer. I just never got around to using it.

Another thing I'm proud of is that I made a "holiday" box. I am ahead of the game this year! LOL! Last year, I was so behind that I was rushing to make things and I wasn't really happy with what I was creating. I also was starting to feel overwhelmed and disappointed that I didn't start sooner.

Nothing much to this box. I just glued designer paper to the front, tied a big ribbon around it, distressed the corners and edges of the box, and added a tag, Prima, and Autumn Leaves. That's it! This box is actually quite large. . .it measures 9 x 4 x 4".

Box Details:

Paper: DCWV Designer Papers, Autumn colored cardstocks (unknown)

Accessories: Wired ribbon (unknown), Plaid ribbon (Basic Basic), K&CO Autumn Die Cuts, Prima Flowers. Tim Holtz Distressing Ink, Heidi Swapp Distressing Tool

Another Scor Pal Grid Card and a Dream Big Card

Online Surveys & Market Research

Hi Everyone! Whoohoo! I made another Scor-pal grid card that was inspired by Mel at Mel Stampz. This one was a quicky one. . .I just added dots with a marker where the corners meet. I'll be more creative next time but I made this card late at night and just wanted to finish it up! Regardless, I am still proud of it. I'm proud of myself when I create something "different" and "new" which I don't do often now a days!!

Card Details:

Paper: DCWV designer paper, SU Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: SU Stickers, Hedi Swapp chipboard, ribbon (unknown)

Have you ever wondered why I have two paper crafting blog sites. Stampin Inspirations (my other blog site) is where I post creations I make with primarily "rubber stamps". With Card Inspired (this blog site), I don't do any rubber stamping other than stamping a sentiment from time to tome. Card Inspired focuses on "paper-crafting" using scrapbook embellishments and creating scrapbook layouts, mini albums, altered projects, scrappy cards and miscellaneous paper crafting projects.


Having the two blog sites help me focus on different aspects of paper crafting. I'm primarily a "rubber stamper" but I really want to do "other" styles of card making and projects so Card Inspired helps me to switch gears. Otherwise, I probably would only stick to "rubber stamping".

I often wondered if I should just maintain one blog site and mix the two focuses but I'm afraid that I'll only focus on rubber stamping and will neglect creating "scrappy projects".


I guess my questions is. . .should I continue to maintain the two blogs . . .which really isn't much of a problem but as readers, do you like the idea that I have two blogs that focus on different areas of paper crafting? Your input would really be helpful. Please don't tell me to do what I feel like doing. . .blogging is not only about what I like to do. . .it's also about the readers and what they like to see and read.


Here's another card I made. Gosh, I love, love the this designer paper by "DCWV". It's so pretty. I used the same designer paper with my card above but you can't really tell, huh! The paper has a layered design so parts of the paper have different designs. So fun!!

I love the "butterfly fabric covered button" by K& Co. It's such a pretty button. This was a super quickie card. I think I made it in 15 minutes. Seriously! I just stuck the flower, the button, added the sticker, ribbon, and cut the border with the Fiskar "Cloud" scissors. That's it! I LOVE quickie cards!!





Card Details:

Paper: DCWV designer paper, SU Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: CTMH Just Blooms, K&Co fabric button, SU 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon, Fiskar "Cloud" scissors, Cloud 9 chipboard stickers


Hope y'all are having a GREAT day and don't forget to take my poll!

Scor-Pal Grid Card - Just Like Mel's

Hi Everyone! Whoohoo! Check out my first Scor-Pal grid card! I saw Mel's card of Mel Stampz and I just had to make one. . . just like hers. I thought her card was sooooooo pretty that it inspired me to try this technique out. I've seen other people do this technique but I have never been really motivated to make one until I saw Mel's card the other day.

Anyway, here is Mel's card: Click here. I actually "CASED" her card. . .I mean not exactly but the overall design is similar. I didn't use markers on my card and I didn't distress mine. Instead I added micro beads to the center. I'll try the marker technique on my next grid card. This is my first time with this technique so I wasn't very ambitious.


I really love Mel's style. . .there's a subtle look to her cards that makes her cards look very elegant. My cards have a tendency to be intrusive. . .almost crying out for attention! LOL! I usually or typically head in the direction of being overly bold. . .especially in the colors and design. I try to be subtle but arghhhh, I can't stop myself sometimes.

This time I held myself back and I am so satisfied with how my card turned out. It's bold but not intrusive or glaringly loud, KWIM? LOL!

Anyway. . .go check out Mel's site. . .she has a ton of links on the grid technique as well as her own tutorial.

I think I'll make another one. . .making this card was just, oh so fun!!




Card Details:

Paper: DCWV designer paper, SU Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Speckle White Cardstock
Accessories: Pink micro beads, Fiskar "Cloud" scissors, Grosgrain Ribbon, CTMH Just Blooms flower, Darice rhinestone, Scor-Pal

Flap Card

Hi Everyone!! Just a flap card I made today using scrapbook embellishments. I wasn't feeling well yesterday but I feel better today. The only problem I had today was that I had a major headache all day but I did manage to create something.

I haven't made a scrappy card for a while now. . .I've been having so much fun making mini albums that I've been neglecting making scrappy cards.

Anyway, this post is going to be short. I feel tired. I think I'm going to sit down and watch TV with my husband tonight rather than craft.

Before I go. . .do you see the pretty flower? Well, that's the pretty flower that Mel of Mel Stampz sent me. . .isn't it gorgeous? Thanks Mel!! I'm slowly using the stuff you sent me. . .they are all so pretty.

Hopefully, my headache goes away by tomorrow. Goodnight folks!1

Card Details:

Paper: K&Co designer paper, CTMH cardstock

Accessories: Silk flower from Mel, Prima flowers, Darice rhinestones, K&Co stickers, White Grosgrain ribbon

Stampin Up Starter Kit for $99 - Become a Demonstrator!!

Click Here for the Online Application to join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator

Click on "Join Stampin Up" and fill out the application

To sign up under me Enter the code: Inspirations

Hi Everyone, I don't mean to promote here but I want to get the word out. I'll try not to promote too much Stampin Up stuff on this blog but once in a while, I will because I have more readers on this blog site. . .especially, when there's a big promotion going on with Stampin Up. If you are interested in Stampin Up stuff, be sure to stop by my Stampin Inspirations Club Site. That's where I'll be posting the majority of all my Stampin Up projects and discuss the promotion and sales going on.

Wanna be part of the Stampin Up family and be part of my team?

If you sign up under me, receive a Stampin Spot Classic Ink Set in any color set of your choice. This set has a value of $22.50. You have until October 11 to sign up for the Starter Kit Special at $99. Click Here for the flyer or click on the photo to the right.

You may also sign up with the Full Starter Kit at $199.

New Recruit Incentive:

August 11-October 11, 2008
Join as a demonstrator with the standard $199 Starter Kit and choose one stamp set out of the Fall-Winter Sampler or Idea Book & Catalog for free.

Click on the picture to the left or click here.

Other benefits to being part of my team will include:

• A free stampin' kit each month with different projects and card ideas to help you with your workshops or card classes.


• Access to my team site where we can interact online. We'll do RAKs, Swaps, and other fun stuff to help get our creative juices flowing!!


• Access to various tutorials to help give you ideas for your workshops.


• Downline coaching to help you build your business.


• Sharing ideas with other team members.
  
  I know many people who are interested in becoming a demonstrator already have many of their own Stampin Up products and don't want the full demonstrator kit. . .well, there is a great option for you.
  
  Stampin Up has a smaller version of their starter kit at a lower price. It has less products that are included in the kit but you have the choice to choose 3 different sets of products that comes along with your business materials.
  
  This is a great way to receive a few products and receive the business forms and materials you need to start up your Stampin Up business.
  
  This promotion is a great opportunity for you to start up your business but not have to cough up a lot of money to receive the kit!! Click Here to check out the flyer.
  
  $99 Starter Kit Promotion
  
  Dates: August 11-October 11, 2008
  
  Promotion details:
  
  From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

4x4 Mini Tri-fold Album

Hi Everyone! Here is the tutorial on the 4x4 Mini Tri-Fold Album that I promised to create. Like yesterday's mini album, this project was inspired by Jana of 2 Worlds mini tri-fold album. I decided to create a "larger" version of the album with a few modifications. Her tutorial includes acetate while my album do not. Click here for Jana's version. I'm in the process of creating a written version of this tutorial for those who are on dial up or have slow Internet service. Gosh, are people still using dial up? Isn't it a bit archaic to have dial up these days! LOL! I've been using cable since 1996 so dial up seems a bit primitive to me!

The actual size of the album with the tags are 4 x 5". Without the tags, the album & pockets measure 4 x 4". I finally worked on a "video" tutorial. Argghh, it was painful. I haven't been creating video tutorials because my computer is running so sluggish that it can't handle super large files like videos. Luckily, today my computer behaved. Wish it would behave all the time.

Anyway, here is the album opened up to the first panel. I decided to do a bit of journaling. I, again, messed up on my journaling. I forgot to proofread it and realized that my brain was thinking faster than my typing. LOL! I decided to leave it as is because well, it's part of who I am. . .my brain is always churning where the rest of me can't keep up. Ha!

This is the album with the panels opened up and the tags inside the pockets.

Rather than using ribbons for the tags, I, again, used prima flowers. I love primas. . .I can't get enough of them!! They are sooooo pretty.

Do you see the buttons? Well, they are the buttons that Mel of Mel Stampz sent me a few weeks ago. I love the buttons that she sent me. I'm big on buttons right now and she sent me a whole bunch! Whoohoo! Thanks Mel. . .


Okay, here are the tags out of their pockets!! The tags measure 3 1/4 x 5".




The pictures on the tags are of my daughter when she and her cousin were 5 and 6 years old. Gosh, they are so cute. They used to be really close but since we've moved to California, well they've grown apart somewhat. It's a little sad.














Awww, this is my favorite photo of them together. This picture says it all! They really were that close. . . .like sisters.
















This picture was taken on my daughter's first trip to Disneyland. Sadly, I couldn't experience the trip with her because I was in college and couldn't take the time off. Luckily, she had her cousin to enjoy Disneyland!!

Anyway, check out the tutorial! Tell me what you think!

Album details:

Paper: K&Co, SU Certainly Celery
Accessories: Prima Inc. buttons from Mel, K&Co stickers, Basic, Basic Ribbon.

Mini Tri-Fold Album

Hi, Everyone! One of my favorite projects to create lately are mini albums. This mini tri-fold album was inspired by Jana of 2 Worlds. She had created a mini tri-fold album and it looked so pretty. Her tutorials are so easy to follow so I decided to try to create her tri-fold album. I watched her tutorial and decided to create a "larger" version of her project. I had a few pictures already printed out but they were too large for her mini album. Her mini album measures 2 3/4 x 3 1/4" (Click Here for Jana's Tutorial). . .I modified the size to create a mini 4x4 album with the tag size approximately 3 1/4 x 5 1/2".

To create the smaller album. . .be sure to check out Jana's tutorial. She has a lot of mini-album tutorials and all of them are fabulous.

I'll create a tutorial for the 4 x 4 size on another day. Right now, I just want to finish up this post so I can go to bed! LOL!

As you can see, the album opens up into a tri-fold with pockets and tags.

Here is a picture with the tags removed. The pictures are of my kids taken last year prior to them leaving for the Homecoming Dance.

Anyway. . .I'll see if I can create a tutorial for the larger size tri-fold album later today.

Album details:

Paper: DCWV Designer Papers, SU Only Orange, Eggplant Envy cardsotck

Accessories: 9 Clouds stickers, Prima by Hero Arts and Dejaview, Foo-la=la buttons, Basic Basic ribbon, Metal charms, Silver metallic cord

Big Announcemnt - I'm Back With Stampin Up

Visit my Stampin Inspirations Club Site

I posted this announcement on Stampin Inspirations but in the case you don't read my other blog.. . . I'll post this announcement here too!

A few of you noticed that I have the "Stampin Up" catalog picture to the right of my blog rather than the Close to My Heart picture. Yes, I switched back to Stampin Up!! Yipee, Whoohoo!! Why, Maria? Well. . .there were a few factors. . .primarily, my frustration on my inability to "promote" CTMH on my blog. . .it violates CTMH policies. Not that I'm big on heavily promoting on my blogs but I wanted to be a little bit more open about the fact that I was a consultant. I won't go into it but yeah. . .it was a bit frustrating.

I was doing really well with CTMH but I sort of was "stagnant" without my ability to tell you all about my club site, website, or anything going on with CTMH. Furthermore, I've come to the realization that I'm more of a Stampin Up gal! I missed Stampin Up! CTMH really pushes scrapbooking stuff and I hate to say it but I'm not a big scrapbooker. I wanted to be but it's secondary to card making on the totem pole. LOL!

Besides, Stampin Up has so many NEW and EXCITING stuff going on. I cannot begin to even tell you about it! I decided to create a club site which is open to the public. This is where I'll post everything and anything and only about Stampin Up. This site will only contain cards and projects using 80 to 100% of Stampin Up products.

I wanted to make the site "public" when I have more stuff posted but I decided to just let y'all know about it. I couldn't hold myself back. . .I'm just way too excited about it! LOL!

Stampin Inspirations will remain the same. . .I will not be doing any promoting here and will continue to post all brands of stamping products on this site. I know some blog readers hate being pushed to "buy" stuff and such. So, not to worry. . there will be no pushy sales person on this blog site.

Furthermore, only retired Stampin Up stuff will be posted here. All the new stuff Stampin Up stuff will be posted on the club site. The club site is where my club members can view tutorials (certain ones accessible to club members only), cards, and projects and also be updated on promotions, sales, and announcements that Stampin Up has to offer but you all can check out what is going on too without having to be a club member.

Sooo. . . .without further ado. . .visit my club site: Stampin Inspirations Club Site or click on the link at the top.

I hear ya' chuckling. . .I know, it's not a very original title for a blog site!! LOL! There's not too many post and some sections are still under construction but visit the site anyway!! I'm enrolling new club members but I'm limiting the amount of members. . . .so I guess, it's first come, first serve kind of thing. It's an on going monthly enrollment so if you can't join right away, you have the beginning of each month to join.

Anyway. . .hope to see you stopping by my club site once in a while!!

Dream Word Scrapbook Album

Hi Everyone! This is my very first "word" album. Oooh, I love these word albums. . .I've always wanted to create one but I thought it would be too much work but wow, it's so not true. It's actually quite easy to make. This word album is "Dream" by S.E. I.

This album is very personal to me because it highlights a very monumental moment in my life. . .my college graduation. I can't even begin to tell you the journey it took to get my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. I started college soon after high school but I was so ill focused that I really couldn't get my footing when it came to a strict college curriculum. I wanted to work because I needed money so I decided to attend school part-time. Then a few tumultuous events occurred in my life and I decided to attend college here in California. Unfortunately, I really got home sick so I returned home and attended community college instead.


My father (I was adopted by my grandfather as a child) passed away when I was 20 years old and well, that really put me into a tailspin so I took a break from school. Then I got married, had my daughter. . .only when my daughter was 2 years old (she's 17 now), I decided to return to school and obtain my Bachelor's Degree.

Boy, it was tough because I worked part-time, went to school full-time and was a mother and wife at the same time. But I was 100% committed and nothing could stop me once I really committed myself to finishing college.


It took 5 1/2 years to finish up a 4 year degree but it was the best 5 1/2 years of my life. It was tough but gosh, it was so nice to be surrounded by people who were ambitious, smart, and had the same goals that I had.

I'm proud to say I graduated with honors. . .American Scholar, National Honor Society (Golden Key), and Nursing Honor Society. Whoohoo! Who would believe. . .me . . .Miss Ill-Focused. . . that was the irony of it all. I swear, my family refused to take me seriously until they actually saw me graduate. LOL!!



My grandmother, who adopted me as a child, was able to see me graduate and that was the proudest moment of my life. She had always wondered if I ever would graduate. She was so happy for me. My grandmother passed away 3 years ago but looking at this photo of my grandmother brings back such happy memories.

This picture is my nursing school classmates. We went through tough times together and it was so nice to have gone through the experience with them from the beginning.

We all were accepted into nursing school our sophomore year and graduated together. UH accepted their nursing students in their sophomore rather than the traditional junior year. The track allowed us to incorporate our core requirements along with the upper division nursing courses to spread it out and free our summers up.

I'm still good friends with a few of my nursing classmates. I haven't seen a few of them since graduating from college but once in awhile I would hear about them through the grapevine.

This picture was taken after the graduation ceremony and my family met me afterwards to congratulate me. This moment was a dream come true, hence, the mini album "dream".

Just a few details on the album:

Paper: K&Co designer paper

Accessories: Making Memories metal words, Deja View Prima Flowers, JoAnn brads, JoAnn Vellum Quotes, K&Co tags, American Craft Elements ribbon, Organdy ribbon, JoAnn metal rim round tag

Butterfly Template Card

Hi Everyone!! Remember a few days ago, I made a scrapbook layout with a large butterfly using a template that I drew on Adobe Illustrator. . .well, here is a card I made using the same template. It's a great way to use up your scrap designer papers!!

It was fun making this card. I love anything layered!! I used K&CO designer paper, cut out the image, rubbed Tim Holtz distressing ink around the butterfly images, added wire works in the shape of an antenna, added a few buttons, and adhered it to my card. That's about it.

The "smile" sentiment is by K&CO and the ribbon is by Basic, Basic.

Anyway. . .if you want try out the template. . .click here.

Hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend!!

Mini Album

Hi Everyone! Okay, I am in love with this mini album project. . .why? Well. . .because it's so dang easy to make! I mean SERIOUSLY! Not only is it easy, the project is so cute! Jana at "2 Worlds" have tons of tutorials on mini albums and such. I've always wanted to try all the different mini album tutorials on her blog but I just haven't had the time to try them out and my stuff were scattered all over the place that it was too exhausting to work on projects other than cards. It took longer to look for the materials than to actually make the projects! LOL!

Now that my craft room is cleaned up and organized. . . .well, finding stuff that I need to create a project is now so easy to do.

I created this mini album for my husband. I'm going to give it to him for our anniversary at the end of the month. I'm planning to create more of them and send them out to friends. I hope they like them.

Be sure to stop by Jana's site and check out her awesome tutorials!!! I plan to try out her other mini album tutorials. . .so, don't be surprised to see a bunch of mini albums in the coming week!! Thanks Jana for the tutorials. . .keep up the great work!!

Here is a close up of the layered prima flowers. Isn't it pretty?

Project details:

Paper: DCWV Luxury designer paper

Accessories: Deja View Prima flowers, Target brads, Making Memories Petite Signage