Memorial Day Card and Envelope with a Review

Hello my crafty friends, I am back again to share with you my project for this month of  "May" or should I say the end of May,, WOW!! can you believe we are officially on or way into "Summer"... I know many of us will be enjoying a wonderful 3 day weekend (I say us... as in You, as I will be at work for those 3 days and 2 more after that)..  But it's ok, I will make the best of the time I do get to enjoy!!. 

Ok! So back to my post, I decided to make a card for the "Memorial Day" Holiday  which is in a few days. and it also signify the  official start of "Summer"...

For my card I used another gorgeous image from "La Land Crafts". This is Saluting Marci.. She is a digital images that I purchased (she is available in rubber too!!) I thought she would be perfect for "Memorial Day. She is wearing her red, white and blue, while holding her flag. Too cute don't you think??..

 I love making the standard A2 cards, but I also love making larger cards too, because with stamped images, you need more canvas to work with, so with my stamped and colored images, I usually go with 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 cards, I love that it's larger and that I have more space to add embellishments  and other fun mediums on my cards.... Now! what is NOT fun; is finding envelops to fit the cards that I make, which is not always easy.. And it can get pretty pricey trying to buy envelops for all the different sizes and shapes that we do make.
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This brings me to the second part of my 'post'!!  I thought I would do a little Review of the "We R Memory Keeprs Envelope punch board".... I have been seeing a lot of post and talk about this.. It was a 'big' hit at CHA.. this past January.. So being the implosive shopper I am ( and trust me I don't say that as a good thing) just ask my 'husband and kids"... they can tell when the days when the 'brown truck' will be stopping by.. About a week ago as I was stalking my favorite 'shopping network' ;0) they had this as a deal of the day,  It was too good of a deal to pass up, so of course I had to get it,, Which it was a good deal, as you can see I got, not only the 'envelope maker; but I also got a nice pack of 12 x 12 paper to make envelopes with, as well as a roll of  'two sided tape' ( well that's at least how I sold it to my DH) for less than the price I see it advertise for, with out any of the extra too. lol

I decided I would just open it and read the direction and go for it, because according to the sales pitch, that's all I would have to do! So here is my "Review" of this product as I use it for the first time.
As you can see, it's only '9 simple steps that you have to follow and you should be able to make an envelope for any card and  size that you choose to....

• I love that you have a huge listing of charts and sizes for your different size envelope right on the front of your cutter.
• You also get a chart with additional sizes all the way up to a 12.2 x 21.6 card  (don't know if I will every get that big, but hey you never know!! lol
• You get a nice bone folder and a  compartment to store it so sit all fits away neatly, 
• The cutter is very easy to use and it cuts very nicely, at least on the paper that I am using,which came along with it.. I will try different weight of paper, but I have to say that this set is a very nice weight and will hold my cards, even with the extra embellishments with out any fear of 'coming apart'.

So for my "51/2 x 51/2 card I just , found it on the front of my cutter, and followed the size for my envelope and the settings that I need to be on to cut and score.

So here are my 9 x 9 paper, ( I just cut 2 piece to size)

The next thing I did was to measure my card right at the 4 1/2 mark as instructed!!..

Here is what your first cut will look like! Once you make your first cut. 

OK!!.. so what I learned from the "first time I made my cut!

YOU!! have to make sure that your 'measurement's for your first,and second cut is correct!!! Because if NOT, your envelope size will be off.. (in my case as you can see by the blue envelope, which was my first try with out reading any thing, was way off.. Now don't get me wrong, it made a perfect envelope, just not the size that I needed. 

So for the second one I made sure I paid attention that my size and placement where 'correct' and this is the finish result as I cut and scored 'all sides' of my my 9 x 9 paper.

this is what it looks like closed.. I really Like how it turned out.

  Once I did it 3 times, and I realize what I was doing wrong. I will be keeping the blue one because I can make a card that will fit it perfect.

So, once I was happy with my envelope, I just got a piece of my scrap paper from my card, and just taped it   to the front of the 'envelope' and not only did I save on having to buy envelopes in a bulk or package, I was ale to costume make it to go perfect with my card I made.. 

So for my "Review of this product I have to say that I really "Like" it and once I make a few more envelopes in different size and get better with learning about it. ., I know I will "Love it"

 Here is another look at my card.. I did not want to leave with out showing her again..  She was colored with with Prisma colored pencils and OMS.. I added some glitter to her name tag and the star on her flag.
DP.. is " MME " Summersplash" Sentiment is apart of the digi set again from La La Land Crafts, and embellishments and punch are from EK Success.. I added some pop dots. ohh and card stock is from PTI.

Here is the inside of the card, did not really know what to put in side, but that can always be added later!

Here is one more 'shot' of my card and matching envelope.. Now I know that a lot of you may have already purchase, this envelope maker, and if see I would love to hear from you what your review of it its, or you may have some great tips, and ideas that you want to share, We would LOVE to hear from you. And if it's your first time seeing it in action, I would love to hear what you think of it too.. I know I may have missed a few steps, with me taken pictures, but I do hope that you enjoyed it, or at least like my card and get some inspiration for the up coming weekend, I hope it's a "Crafty One" for you.. Have a great time with our friends and family.. And for those whom this Memorial day means a time of Remembering, memories and giving Thanks.. Lets make it a time to celebrate all the good times that we have with our Family and Friends.

Happy Crafting.

Sharette

Let the Good Times Roll

Some crafters who used to only scrapbook have started art journaling and I must admit that I have jumped on the bandwagon too. I love the creative process of this art form. And while the hoarding of supplies can be just as great, I've found that when frugality is necessary there are some other options that will yield the same results.  One of those supplies is the stencils that are used for masking.  While they add much to the creative process, they can get a bit pricey since there is a constant parade of new ones coming out all the time.

So I started to create some of my own.  Using one of my diecut machines I have created a number of stencils that I enjoy using.  And they are very economical because  I used cardstock that I have in my stash.

The great thing about these stencils is that even though they may have been designed for art journaling, they can be equally creative on scrapbook layouts.  So my project this month uses one of my stencils I created on a scrapbook layout.  Here is the stencil I cut: Since the setting for the layout is a brick and mortar building, I decided to use this brick pattern.

So I start my layout by adhering the stencil on a piece of yellow cardstock and spraying it using a Dylusions ink spray.  You can also use any acrylic paint or color stains. Here is the layout:

So why not try using some masks on your layouts.  Remember they are not just for art journaling.

Wishing You A Wonderful

Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Today, I would like to share a masculine card that can be used for any occasion. It is grungy, distressed and I REALLY like how it turned out!

I used Swagger by Fancy Pants. Now I will be the first to admit, I am not a huge fan of FP. I find it hard to work with their papers for some reason. However, I can see myself using every single page of this luscious paper! It screams MAN...mmmmhmmmm!

For some texture, I used stencils by Crate Paper and Prima. Once that was dry (I used my heat tool to speed up the process), I was going to add some white acrylic paint to some of the pattern paper. Side note, do not do this OVER your project while being distracted....yep you guessed it; paint everywhere. BUT it worked out because it added more interest and grunge to the project! Sometimes accidents are good! The arrows were fussy cut from the collection.

I used a sentiment from Close to My Heart. It goes with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. However, I hand cut the sentiment. I used an eyelet to make the occasion. The wonkiness of the eyelet added more distressing to the project. As said, some accidents are good! That's it!!

I hope you enjoyed today's project! Remember to like us on FaceBook! Kenya~

What are some of you accidental successes?

Try a little something different to inspire your creativity!

Each month in the SOC community we are challenged to create a layout that represents the season, holiday or other special theme.  Of course, April Showers bring May Flowers.  We can interpret the prompt as we choose and it moves our creativity.

I chose flowers. It's easy, it's pretty and simple to add to my layouts.  However, to change it up a bit, I decided to create a page in 6x12 format, instead of my typical 12x12 format.  I must admit, I am truly enjoying creating in this size and have started an entire album.  Crafting daily, I'm sure to get it completed this month.

Supplies used:  Patterned paper: Basic Grey; Flowers: Prima; Rub ons: Gen X.  Using up my stash!

Completing projects and using your stash

Hi everyone, I finally decided to try my hand at altering a photo tray. I bought this tray about three years ago while cropping with friends at Archiver's. It was still sitting in the bag I brought it home in.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. It's a bittersweet day for me but I have a lot of memories of my mom that I want to share with my daughter. Since my mother passed before she was born documenting the memories I have of her is a great way for my daughter to know her too.

Sadly I don't have many photos of my mom so I really cherish the ones I do have. I used a couple of photos of my mom and a couple with me and my daughter when she was a little girl. The patterned paper is Authentique (Grace Collection), the embellishments are all odds and ends from my stash. I also used some molding paste, templates and distress ink in a couple of the tray squares. I really love the B&W photos with the papers and colors.

Mom Photo Tray by Tena Ellison. Supplies - Tray: 7Gypies; Patterned Paper: Authentique;

Flowers & Lace Trim: Prima; Brads: My Mind's Eye; Distress Ink: Ranger-Tim Holtz; Key: K & Company;

Template: Prima; Misc chipboard swirl, ribbon & hearts.

 

And in keeping with my pledge to use more of the scrap supplies I already have, this was a great project to do. So don't hoard those long un-used items...get busy and create!

 

What items have you been hoarding or projects you've been putting off?





Proper Planning Prevents...

Constantly in a state of trying to get organized, I work hard at putting together detailed page kits with pictures, paper and embellishments.  I even go the extra mile and pull chipboard letters for my page titles in advance.  

So, when I recently decided to attend a crop, I was completely at ease knowing that I only had to grab a few of my trusty page kits and head out the door. 

I arrived at the crop, happily sat down to scrapbook, unpacked my page kit (which had been prepared months earlier) and then realized that I didn't remember what my title was supposed to be.  After playing a quick game of Soul Train Scramble Board, I finally figured it out.  Then, just shy of completing the layout, I couldn't think of what to write for my journaling.  So, I packed it up and promised myself that I would finish it when I got home.  For some reason, I find it difficult to compose while scrapbooking in a room full of people.

In order to remedy this (and alleviate my growing pile of "to be continued" layouts) I created kit cards.  This planning tool is intended to help scrapbookers record journaling and page titles in advance.  If you enjoy putting together kits, feel free to download and print onto standard copy paper. (For personal use only.)

FOR MOTHER'S DAY

I thought it would be nice to post a little early and create something to share with my scrap sistahs!  So, in honor of MY Mom and for all Moms and mother-figures everywhere, I've designed three...count 'em...THREE Mother's Day Quotes for you to use on your Mother's Day cards, pages, or gifts!

Here they are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So go ahead, feel free to copy, print out and enjoy! And don't forget to share your creations in the comment area below!!

Have a wonderfully marvelous Mother's Day from me to YOU!

~Karen