In Remembrance

As I prepare this post I pause to reflect on the significance of this day in our history. Most anniversaries, especially after ten years are celebrations of bliss and harmony. Today, I leave you to your own thoughts and reflections and step away from our usual post of creativity and inspiration. What I will share is a poem I have referred to many times as I sat and pondered the world in which we find ourselves:

The American Hero

by Roger Robich

The American Hero always comes through To capture our hearts with a spirit so true Some proudly are soldiers who march in harm’s way Insuring our freedom, courageous they stay While others come forth as civilians so brave Determined in purpose, so steadfast to save We should always keep clear a place in our heart For each has a value beyond precious art Their duty to country will not be surpassed Please honor their courage, for some it’s their last We live in a world which can be hard to bear Thank God for these people, how greatly they care Do ponder new heroes and what they will face And pray for their safety no matter their place Our heritage brings out the best, we all know Our great book of heroes is destined to grow

Creating Your Own

With all of the many new products on the market it's difficult for the value conscience shopper to know which way to turn. If you don't mind a suggestion, the Stampmaker, by Teresa Collins, is a value jammed investment. Her little black machine allows you to not only create your own custom stamp designs it also features the ability to create jewelry pieces, stencils and embossing templates. One of the Stampmaker's best features is its ability to allow you to create stamps from your very own photographs.

Additionally, every month we can look forward to a free set of downloadable negatives. With just a click on your computer you'll receive several themed images to add to your personal collection of stamps and stencils.

I have looked high and low for an image of a silhouette that has "our" features. The Stampmaker allowed me to create the image that I wanted. I've named this stamp Mahogany. Mahogany has "our" hair, full lips and detail that clearly labels her a lady "of colour".

Look for complete information on this fantastic little machine and all of its abilities in the upcoming issue of E:spire.

Independence!

Please ... slow the pace of time just a little so that I can catch up! I just this moment realized that this is my day to provide an interesting, enlightening, entertaining and educational post for our blog. The post is supposed to be something relative to this time of year, our paper crafting experiences and/or the information that appeared in the latest edition of E:spire.

As my lights flicker on and off due to rain storms I will attempt to provide something meaningful to reflect on.


The Emancipation Proclamation, yes, the original document is currently traveling throughout these United States of America. Two weeks ago Dearborn, Michigan, had the pleasure to host this historic document at The Henry Ford Museum. For the first time in the history of the Museum it kept it's doors open for 72 consecutive hours and allowed the viewing of this monumental document free of charge.

What strikes me most at the revel of our Nation then and now and as we watch with pride the demeanor and fortitude of our President is just how far we have come in our society and how far we still have to travel. Are we capturing our accomplishments as a people and as individuals into our scrap book pages and albums?

Additionally, as we speak, our Founder, Tiare, Classy Girl herself is providing the type of support that only a daughter gives to her Mom who is recuperating from surgery.

Let us collectively demonstrate our support and continue to create with the genius and inspiration we receive from both the Leader of our Country and our leader in this world of creativity!

Thank you Tiare!

Thank You President Obama

Thank you GOD

A Little Organization for National Craft Month

Have you ever noticed that when you purchase a new item(s) and bring them home everything has to be re-arranged to make room? Organization seems to be an on-going event in the craft room. As my collection of die cuts grow I’ve had to revamp my organization to accommodate my investment. Recently I found a package of magnet sheets packaged in a set of 6, 4x12 sheets, with adhesive backing. I was able to cut each sheet into 4 - one inch strips.

Using an inexpensive package of plain black cardstock I was able to place two strips per sheet which can hold up to four nested dies cut sets per page. I then printed a plain mailing label with pertinent information to accompany each collection of dies. The label includes the name of the die, the measurement increments and the other dies that the set best coordinates with. I then inserted the dies into a three holed, plastic, page protector. I really storing my die cuts this way because it’s easy to remove and replace the sheet that I need from the three-holed binder I’ve placed the dies in. This process has really stream lined my organization process. I can also keep designs, projects and instructions right behind the cluster of shapes so everything is in one place. No more in one spot for the die and in another for instructions or samples.

It’s also easy to carry this binder system to crops. Remember to place a small streak of finger nail polish or other identifying mark on the back of your dies so it won’t become co-mingled into someone else’s stash. It also helps to take a moment and draw a line at the middle point of your die to help center your cuts on your projects whenever necessary.

Additionally, I created a database of all the dies currently in the market. I highlighted the ones I already have in my collection. I can’t tell you how many times I stood in the aisle pondering which set I needed to purchase and which ones I already had. I keep the sheet in the small wallet I keep my coupons in. No more double purchases for this crafter.

One day I’m going to make a sample of each of my punches and tape them to a 81/2” x 11” sheet so I can refer to the sheet to know what I have. Then I can remember if I have a 1” inch plain circle and a 1” inch scalloped circle.

Each of us contributed to the $2.8 billion dollars generated by the industry in 2010. Is it any wonder there is an entire month devoted to the celebration of our craft? With that type of investment take care of your supplies and streamline the creative process with a fine-tuned, working organization for your materials.

Neatnix offers another opportunity to organize tools and keep them handy. If you haven’t already, be sure to visit page 7 of our fabulous magazine for an opportunity to win one if these nifty tool bags. Good luck!

It's Spring!

It's time to celebrate the release of the latest issue of E:spire! Woohoo!
I understand there are a few impressive give-a-ways in the plans for the up-coming weeks. Be sure to visit E:spire for the latest projects from our team and our sponsors: Studio Calico, Neatnix, Eyelet Outlet, Daily Window Bags, Scrapbook Girl, and Above Rubies Studio.

Spring has finally arrived in Southeastern Michigan. I played in the yard today sans jacket or sweater. My tulips are about five inches high and my favorite flower, the peonies, are peeking through the soil. The trees have teeny, tiny little green buds and upon careful scrutiny I saw a robin's nest filled with the most pastel eggs. The blue shells inspired me to put together this project to celebrate Spring.

The Robin's Nest

This is a simple, easy example of a color and cut project. I stamped the image of the nest and robins eggs three times on watercolor paper.

To keep the outline of the image crisp I used a solvent ink, Saddle Brown, by StazOn.

This stamp is by The Artistic Stamper. The name of the stamp is Nest of Hope.

This is a traditional rubber stamp that has a cling mounted backing which allows you to use the stamp on an acrylic block.


Using Tombow watercolor markers I applied layers of color. Notice with the eggs that I left the centers almost white to create an illusion of depth and applied a heavier concentration of color near the outer edges of the eggs. Cut the image of the nests and randomly layer for dimension.

Cut the nest in pieces from all three of your images.

Use different shades of brown to create shading for a more realistic presentation.

Adhere the nest. Insert the robin's eggs into the nest.

Using layers of blue paper, create your card base.



Easy peasy!

Quick and Easy with Die Cuts

December is usually the most exciting and event filled month of the year, for ordinary folk that is. And then, some brilliant person came along and decided that MARCH should be National Craft Month and whoo hoo it's been "on" ever since. We have 31 "official" days to celebrate both our craft and each other. If you wanted to, you could find an event, contest or blog hop every day this month to participate in.Which means, designing, assembling, modifying and critiquing at warp speed. What it doesn't mean is that we can ignore the regular "stuff" we still have to make for birthdays, celebrations and thinking of you. So, I thought I'd make a quick and easy card to share. With the help of four different dies I was able to whip this little presentation together in less the 20 minutes.




1. Select your card stock and cut to 4 1/2 inches X 12 inches.

2. Run through your die cut machine. For this design I used the Sizzix A2 w/flap die

3. Cut a 4x4 inch piece of coordinating card stock.

4. Run through a embossing die folder.

5. Cut two pieces of white card stock to 4 inches and create a border with any scalloped die.

6. Using a flower stamp with a matching die, stamp and then cut flower and leaves and attach.

7. Attach a four inch length of ribbon.

See, quick, simple and easy.

Enjoy National Craft Month!

"Phenomenal Women"

This is a month of celebration and love. Each and every one of our "Sheores" deserves recognition. In our world of paper and adhesive I'd like to place the spotlight for just a moment on our most recent phenomenal achievement and that is the accomplishment attained by our own Tiare "Classygirl" Smith.

As the Founding Editorial Director, for Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine, Tiare was able to bring one of her dreams to fruition with the launch of Scraps of Color E:Spire.

Don't you just luv, luv, luv the pages of creations and inspiration she was able to collect in order to provide motivation and inspiration for us? And, what a month to deliver a publication that supports our efforts to document events on the pages that we create in honor of our individual, family and community events. We create phenomenal pages to document both the monumental achievements of our people and the small private moments that nourish our souls!Personally, I cannot imagine any activity more rewarding than the ability to showcase our photographs and our memories in our own, unique style. I guess that's why Tiare took such care to ensure that no matter what your "scrap of choice" preference may be, your creative juices would be tantalized and supported. As someone who has not jumped into the digital arena yet, I am in awe of the information beginning on page 19, in the Digi Den.

Until I'm able to hone these particular skills, please enjoy a few of the pages that I created in this mini- book that highlights photos of my mother and her favorite relatives in their "hey day". These photos are from the 30's so I took care to use materials that would lend authenticity to that era. Any paper can be aged with the use of a fine sand paper and Ranger Distress Inks. Layer torn scrapbook paper to add interest and dimension. Remain ever vigilant to grab vintage buttons and lace from treasures found at garage sales and flea markets.

Enjoy your day, your family, your memories and your hours honing your craft!

Love is in the Air!

I'm not one to hurry Father Time. But, as a paper crafting community we know how important it is to plan projects a few weeks ahead of the normal 30 day calendar. We are nearing the season of love. We love our significant others and families. We're proud to be able to include our Scraps of Color community, its members, readers and contributors to this embrace of affection. And, the best is yet to come! In a few more days we will be able to add just how much we will love E:Spire.

In just a few weeks our color palates will migrate from the ice blue, silver and glittering pale hues of winter crystals to the vibrant warmth of Valentine love. It's never too soon to celebrate love. So, I thought I'd post this card creation as a little heartfelt inspiration to stimulate your romantic projects. Step away from the pale pinks and scarlet colors this season. Dare to cross over to non-traditional colors. They can still communicate feelings of the heart. And remember that these themes can carry you into wedding celebrations also. Ahh, the affairs of the heart. Remember to bring another to Scraps of Color in time for the debut of E:Spire.

Materials used: Black and gold cardstock, "Love you Heart", from The Artful Stamper

It's That Magical Time of Year

Greetings to you, our cherished, creative, crafters! I’d like to take a moment to welcome you to our introductory month of E:Spire. Collectively, we are looking forward to your membership, your enthusiastic involvement in our events and your participation with the activities we have planned for your enjoyment. I’d also like to extend a special “Thank You” to our creative director, Tiare Smith, for her vision and her creation of this special publication. E: spire has been designed to ignite our imagination and to help us all keep the “Mojo Fairy” twirling within our souls.

I want to give my own nod of appreciation for this opportunity to contribute to this awesome design team as a writer for a column entitled, “Keeping it Real.” Look for product reviews and crafting tidbits from yours truly. As a creative member of E: spire, my excitement meter has reached levels almost as high as it was as I watched the inaugural process that unfolded in Washington D.C., in 2009.

I have been a paper crafter for more than 10 years. My style leans towards shabby chic, but one never knows when the scissors will take on a life of their own, and voila, something new, creative and totally unplanned evolves from the process! I design personalized cards under the name, Honey’s Child. My creations can be found in Simply Devine Cards-
N-Gifts, a shop in Ypsilanti, MI.

I’d like to offer a challenge to you, dear reader. At least, once during this upcoming year, introduce and bring another crafter with you on this journey of creativity and discovery. Together, let’s expand this endeavor to its exponential level.

Happy Holidays!