Blogging Burn Out

Hi Everyone!! I actually made a few cards but I've been experiencing blogging burn out lately. Did you know I've been blogging, creating tutorials, creating sketches, making cards practically daily for the past two years. I started blogging in December of 2006. . .my blog anniversary is actually coming up soon! Wow, I can't believe it's been almost 2 years. It's been a fun ride and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I've met such cool people that I would have not otherwise met if it wasn't for blogging.

It's not the blogging that is the problem but for the past few months, I've been wanting to spend more time with my daughter. She's heading out to college next year and I almost feel like there's so little time left to be with her as a "child". I feel a little sad about it but I don't think it has really hit me yet.

Actually, I went through an "anticipatory grieving" process when she first entered high school about 3 1/2 years ago. What does this mean? Basically, it's anticipating a loss when it hasn't occured yet. You behave like you're experiencing a real loss . . .you know, you get depressed, cry, feel sad, grieve like the experience is actually happening. It's a coping mechanism. . .it's a way for you to prepare for an expected loss so it won't be so bad when it actually happens. Basically, you've cried yourself dry so when it occurs, you already know how it feels so the impact is less severe.

Anyway. . .not only do I want to spend more time with my daughter but I've been doing other things that's kept me from managing my time effectively. Can you imagine. . .blogging needs to be time managed! LOL!

I'm not saying I'm not going to blog any more. . .it's just that if I don't blog for several days, it's usually because I'm spending quality time with my family.

I don't know if it matters but I just wanted to let you know what's up with me!

Until next time! Hope y'all have a wonderful week!

Mini Card Message Panel Card

Happy Sunday, Everyone! A few weeks ago I had bought a "value" set of scrapbooking stuff and the set contained mini 3.5 x 3.5 card bases that had no envelope to go along with them.

I don't have envelopes that could accommodate the cards and I wasn't in the mood to create my own envelopes so I decided to attach the mini cards to a 5.5 x 5.5" card base and treat it as a design element.

It gave me a great opportunity to use some of my scrap designer paper as well so I made a bunch of these cards. It was so quick and easy to create the cards that it was actually quite fun. I actually made 4 of them really quickly and I'll be posting them in the next few days.

All I did was attach a small panel on to the mini card and added the Prima flower. I decorated the card base with designer paper and attached the mini card on to the card base.

Rather than adding a sentiment to the outer aspect of the card, I decided to stamp the inner panel of the mini card. To finish up the card, I added a ribbon. I think this card took me about 15 to 20 minutes to create. It was super fast. Love it!

Anyway. . .not much else to the card. I'll post the other similar cards I made later.

Hope y'all have a fabulous day!!

Card Details:

Stamp: Heidi Grace

Paper: K&CO designer paper, SU Bliss Blue, Sage Shadow

Ink: SU Blue Buckaroo (?)

Accessories: Ribbon (unknown), Prima flowers, JoAnn brad, SU Ticket corner punch

Ornament Snowflake card

Hi Everyone! Just another ornament card that I made. I was suppose to add a cap but in my rush to finish the card, I forgot to add it.

It was fun creating this card. I used the large Sizzix die to create the large snowflake. I added a bit of Stickles to the snowflake so it can stand out more.

Initially, I was just going to create a 5.5 x 5.5" card and add the snowflake but decided to put it on the ornament shape.

I recently bought a Christmas stack of designer paper but I still have stacks from 2 years ago! Argggh! I really need to start doing somethng with these designer papers. The funny thing is some of the patterns are coming back in popularity so I guess it's a good thing to keep your old designer papers.

Anyway, I'm off to pick up my daughter from school so this post will be a short one.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!

Unbelievable

Hi Everyone! What's unbelievable? Well, it took me two hours to make this simple card. Why? Well, a few months ago I had bought a Xyron sticker machine because I had a 50% JoAnns coupon and decided to buy the machine. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it but I figured that I'll find some use for it one day.

Today, I decided to use the machine. I wanted to add glitters to the snowflake die cut and I thought, well, I'll run it through the machine to add the sticky on the snowflake and press the glitters on to it. Yay!

Well, I opened the box and the only instructions in the box stated to just run your image through the machine by rolling the knob clockwise. Okay. . .sounds simple but I was like "how do you set up the machine,?". . .I looked for the instructions and there was none. Most times you have to do something to get started.

I thought, how stupid not to have any instructions to set up the machine. So, like a dummy, I opened up the cover and started meddling with the paper and plastic sheet inside the machine.


I was becoming really FRUSTRATED trying to figure out how to thread the paper through and kept messing with the cartridge. I did it several times and it refused to run my die cut through the machine.

Then after 40 minutes of adjusting and readjusting the cartridge a light bulb went off in my head. Could it be possible that there is NO SET UP process?

Nah, that can't be, huh? But nothing else was working so I decided to put the cartridge back the way it initially was when I first opened up the box. Well that took another 15 minutes of messing with the machine. When I finally figured out how it was initially set up, I ran my die cut through and it worked! ARRRGGGHHH!! Can you believe it?

I learned a HUGE LESSON!! If there's no instructions telling you to set up the machine. . . it means NOT TO SET UP the machine. Just follow the instructions. . . "run your image through the machine" . . .that's it! I guess it sounded too simple.

Well, I finally was able to run my snowflakes through the machine and add the glitter on to them and finish up may card!! I was so exhausted, I didn't even bother to clean up the glitter around the edge of the snowflakes.

Anyway. . .nothing much to this card. I just cut a 5" circle using my EK Success circle cutter template, added the ribbon, attached the charm and snowflakes and that's it.

Okay. . .if you buy the Xyron machine, don't mess with it. . .there's no set up process.

Card Details"

Paper: DCWV Christmas stack, SU Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Sizzix snowflake die, dyed glitter, JoAnn metal charm, silver metallic cord, Making Memories ribbon

Paper Craft Magazine Inspired Card

Hi Everyone! This card was inspired by a card I saw in the Paper Crafts December issue. Do you still buy magazines? I still do but I rarely see a card in the magazines that inspire me. I buy the magazines because I sometimes look at them before I go to bed or if I'm somewhere that requires me to wait, like the doctor's office, etc. I like to look through the magazines to kill time. I do have a laptop that I could probably bring to bed but it's too cumbersome to do that.

I created that circle border using Fiskar's Circle border punch. I'm not sure the name of the exact design. Fiskar now sells an oval border punch. I almost bought it today but decided that I need to use my circle ones first before buying a new punch.

Can you believe it but it took me 2o minutes to look for a sentiment that matched my card's color. Argggh! I should have just created a sentiment on my computer but I have a lot of sticker sentiments, it's a matter of looking for the right one.

I adhered the sticker on to a metal label embellishment made by Colorbok and attached it to my card using Making Memories daisy brads.

Nothing much else to discuss about this card. Hope you all have a fabulous week!!

Card Details:

Papers: My Minds Eye designer paper, SU Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Making Memories Sticker sentiment, Grosgrain ribbon, Prima flower, Making Memories daisy brads, Colorbok metal label, Fiskar Circle Border Punch

CD Envelope 5x5" Pocket Purse Album

Hi Everyone!! Here is a CD Envelope 5x5" Pocket Purse Album that I created yesterday. it was such a fun project. . .rarely do I want to make more than one of something but I think I'm going to make more of these puppies. Did you know that you can create your own album designs by just doing a little bit of math? I mean, the concept behind most mini album is the same but you don't need instructions to create your own albums.

When I create my own mini albums. . .I take in the measurement of the album size and the size of the card stock. I then do a bit of addition by measuring each part of the album such as the "score measurement", the album cover size, and add each part. For example, if you're going to create a box, remember that a box usually have 4 sides and each sides have to measure the same. You then measure the size of the box bottom or top. . .add the total up and if it fits the size of your card stock, you can easily make a box without a template. The same goes with a mini album. It's basically the same concept. If your card stock is too small, you just need to adhere additional cardstock so that you can create an album or box that fits your needs.

Anyway. . .enough of my blabbering. As you can see the album looks like a purse. I didn't decorate it too heavily because I just wanted to finish it up. I think the embellished Prima flower and the designer paper were sufficient.

Here is the inside of the card using CD Envelopes for the pockets. The pictures of are of my kids with their cousins. I have so many pictures stored on my computer, it's not even funny. I think 80% of my files on my computer are pictures. I sometimes worry that my computer will crash one day and all my digital photos will be lost forever. I know I should back them up CDs and I plan to do that one day soon.

Here is the page insert pulled out of the pocket. I made another similar album using Stampin Up products on my Stampin Inspirations Club Site if you care to check it out.

This is the album with the inserts removed out of their pockets. I plan to journal the pages when I have more time to do it.

Anyway. . .tonight is CSI night so I just wanted to get a few projects posted on my blog tonight. I've been such a slacker lately with my blog posting and blurfing. I'm sorry I haven't stopped by and said hello for a while but I'll be back to my normal routine soon.

Hope y'all have a wonderful Friday!!

Adding Color to Clear Glitter Tutorial

Click Here for the Tutorial

Hi Everyone!! Want to find a way to save money? Dye your clear glitter with ink refills. By dying your clear glitters, you can have many different colors of glitter without having to buy a whole bunch of different colored glitters which can get pretty expensive. Click on the tutorial on how create different colored glitters.

I don't know what is up with me but lately I've been creating a lot of "green and pink" cards. I seem to gravitate towards this color combo and it's not like it's even my favorite. I think it's because I have a lot of designer papers with green and pink colors.

Anyway. . .just a quick post. . .nothing much to this card except for the dyed glitter on my card.



Here's a close up of the pink glitter that I colored myself with the ink refill. Check out the tutorial and try it out!!

Card Details:

Paper: DCWV designer paper, SU Pretty In Pink, Green Galore
Accessories: JoAnn Daisy rhinestone, Clear glitter dyed with SU Pixie Pink ink refill, Basic, Basic ribbon, Heidi Swapp circle chipboard, Stemma sentiment sticker, Prima flower, Fiskar Cloud Scissors

More Halloween Card

Hi Everyone!! Just another Halloween card. . .again, just trying to "waste" the designer paper. I actually used up the whole 12 x 12" designer paper. Well, I have one more small piece but I'm so happy that I used the majority of it. Do you have that problem? You know, finding different ways to use up a large 12 x 12" designer paper. I don't like to make duplicate cards so I end up with lots of pieces of scrap paper.

Anyway, nothing much to this card. All I did was add the primas and attached a die cut to the prima and added the ribbon. That's it. Okay. . .on to my next card. Hope y'all have a fabulous day. Oh, before I go. . .stop by my Stampin Inspirations Club site and Stampin Inspirations . . .I posted more cards on those sites today. I was on the ball yesterday.

Card Details:

Papers: SU Green Galore, Lavendar Lace, DCWV Fall Glitter stack

Accessories: Halloween ribbon, Prima flowers, K&Co die cut

A Fall Christmas Card

Hi Everyone! Every heard of such a thing? "A Fall Christmas Card"? Who said Christmas cards have to be green and red or gold or silver or blue? How about browns and oranges? I was just using up some of my scrap papers and wanted to do something different.

Anyway, nothing much to the card other than laying out the designer papers and adding a few embellishments. This was a quickie card again. I love these quickie cards. Card making shouldn't have to take hours to make. My limit is 1 hour. I try not to go beyond an hour when I make cards because anythng longer than that, I start to think feel the card needs to be framed and preserved. LOL!

This is a close of the card. Do you see the sentiment? Well, it's computer generated.

Anyway, nothing much else to say about this card.

Card Details:

Papers: DCWV designer paper, SU Really Rust, More Mustard

Accessories: Fiskar Border punch, Satin ribbon, Prima Flower

Another Halloween Card

Hi Everyone! I worked on this Halloween card last night. It was one if those 10 minute cards. . .seriously!! The designer paper and witch was already designed with glitters and all I did was add the ribbon! That's it! Gotta love these 10 minute cards that looks like you put a lot of work into it! Tricky, Maria! LOL!

Anyway, my goal today is to work on Halloween cards. . .I need to crack the whip on making them because Halloween is slowly creeping closer. I have to work on making goody bags . . .at least a 100 of them for my daughter's "Key Club". I think I better start now, huh!

Well, I hope y'all have a fabulous day!!

Card Details:

Papers: DCWV Fall Glitter Stack

Accessories: K&CO Halloween Die Cuts, Satin ribbon

Random Scrappy Card

Good Morning Everyone!! I worked on this card this morning. I wanted to create something other than a holiday card. I had bought a package of chipboards and I've been wanting to use them. Do you see the bird? Well, it was originally colored gray and I didn't have a "blue" colored one to match my design. I initially colored it blue with my Copic markers but it didn't look very nice so I covered it with crystal beads. I think it looks much better now.

I decided to keep the design simple because I think the designer paper is so pretty that I didn't want to cover it up.

Here is a close up of the beaded chipboard. It was fun altering the bird.

Anyway, hope y'all have a fabulous Friday!!

Card Details:

Paper: Colorbok Nocturne designer paper, MM gray cardstock, DCWV Scallop textured cardstock

Accessories: Colorbok Nocturne, chipboard, crystal beads, organdy ribbon

Happy Thanksgiving Card

Hi Everyone!! I'm sorry I've been MIA for the past week! I've been busy preparing kits for my Stampin Club and getting them mailed out so I had to take a creative break. Well, I'm back!! I'm still working on Thanksgiving and holiday cards.

I bought a package of K&Co Fall die cuts and I'm just trying to use them up or at least reduce them. To help in the process, I made a card using the cornucopia die cut. Nothing much else to the card.

I'm thinking starting the beginning of the new year that I'm going to reduce my blogging time. I spend more time blogging than I do creating! LOL! There's so many things I want to do and create but time seem to be so limited. I try to squeeze as much of my "free" time to craft but for some reason, this time seem to be getting shorter and shorter.

I also want to concentrate on losing weight. Sitting down blogging and crafting well, is very sedentary and I think contributes to my inability to lose weight. I want to lose at least 20 pounds. Arggh!! I've been trying to lose this 20 pounds for years and can't seem to do it.

Anyway, back to my card. . .the picture to the right is a double ribbon bow. I just took two ribbons and created the bow together like one big bow.

This brad is from the Target $1 bin. I think it's such a cute brad and perfect for this Thanksgiving card. It's amazing what you can find in the $1 bins. You just gotta dig through them.

Anyway, I'll work on another holiday card. Maybe Halloween. . .

Hope y'all have a fabulous day!!

Card Details:

Papers: SU Really Rust, More Mustard, Deja View designer paper

Accessories: Photo corner punch, Target brad, K&Co Thankgsiving die cuts, SU 1/4 Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain ribbon, Organdy ribbon