StarLitStudio

get well and funny package story

This is a get well card for my sister-in-law.  It uses Memory Box Pool as a card base, more of the April in Paris fabric, and the new May, 2011 cover of Cards magazine inspired this (cover card by Leslie Ashe).

A Papertrey die was used to create the opening end of this card.  The adorable nest is from CraftZany on etsy.  Wide, irridescent ribbon is May Arts.

A funny package story:

I had several packages scheduled for UPS/Fedex delivery while we were at Disney last week. I gave my next door neighbor a garage door remote and told her I had packages coming just about every day.

I get her mail and paper/packages when she goes away and she does the same for me. She's a wonderful lady and the entire family is just delightful.  She is not involved in the crafting industry but knows a little about what we do.

As I went through the packages upon our return, the package from Memory Box (cardstock & envelopes) was ripped open and everything inside was missing save a few wads of packaging material!!

My immediate thought was OMG! All my cardstock and envelopes are missing! I've never had issues with anything being stolen here - ever.

I called my neighbor - no answer - I left a message to please call but gave no details.  I didn't want her to worry.

As I went to bed that night, I realized where the cardstock/envelopes probably were.

It is common for vendors to recycle boxes they receive from manufacturers. Memory Box chose to recycle a box apparently from a grocery store....and the printing on the side of the box boldy read, "keep frozen".

In the morning, I checked the freezer side of the fridge in the garage, and sure enough, wrapped and stacked nice and neat, was my cardstock and envelopes.  Perfectly fine, and very, very cold.

I have the best neighbors in the world, and the coolest cardstock.

anniversary card & disney

Ron and I surprised the kids with a trip to Disney World last week for Spring Break, and an escape from our Northeast cold and dreary to warmth and sunshine.  With Abbie being taller than any of the ride height requirements, roller coasters ruled this trip.

Kids are pictured above at Aerosmith's Rockin Rollercoaster, which we rode frequently and often.  As we would wait in line crowds frequently broke into song, singing along with the Aerosmith tunes being piped in through speakers - one time singing I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, reminding me it's been a while since I've seen Armageddon...lol.

With surprising them with the trip, folks asked us if the kids reacted like the commercials.  I don't watch television at all, so I had to watch them on youtube.  Yes, they were quite excited, but didn't scream, just hugged Ron and I, repeating the words 'thank you!'.  It was a beyond wonderful trip for all and I'm very thankful we could do this for them.

I ran two of the five days we were there on the beautiful jogging trail where we stayed - nothing like the scent of blooming jasmine along a path...and the beautiful sunshine and lush landscaping.

Our wedding anniversary is this month, and above is the card I created for Ron.  It's inspired by an Ingrid Danvers card.  He asked me what I wanted, and I told him "once you pass 20 years gifts are every five years"...  After 20 plus years what the heck do I need, really?

Card interior verse is from Quietfire.

The random alphabet is fabric called April in Paris.  Adhered fabric to iron-on interfacing, then die cut, then adhered (ironed) to a random piece of felt (for height/dimension) that had also been die cut.  Sentiment is from A Muse, ribbon is from May Arts.  Polka dot paper is Cherry Hill and music note patterned paper is EK Success Music Notes.  Brad is from Making Memories, cranberry wool felt flower.  Hope the sun is shining where you are at!

traditional sympathy

Today's cards were based on this card.  These metal plates are a great size to use on cards, adding a nice heft to them.

This patterned paper is older than my 11-year-old son.  We once had a wonderful, local stamp shop, and I purchased this lovely marbled paper there.  Sentiment is Papertrey Ink and butterfly punch is Martha Stewart; pearls are Zva; card base and coordinating envelope is Memory Box Jack O Lantern.    Best wishes for a wonderful week!!

sympathy in yellow

I have never used the color yellow on a sympathy card before.  I realize I tend to over-think these types of things - yellow to me represents happy; however, I am seeing more 'non-traditional' colors (yellow, purple, red) and materials (glitter, bling) in publications and elsewhere than ever before for this type of card, so I gave it a whirl. 

Spellbinders and Papertrey Ink dies.  Sentiment is Clearly Wordsworth and pearls are Zva - Taupe colors (my favorite at the moment).  Dark green fine burlap string is May Arts.  Sage (Memory Box) cardstock used for the leaf die cut.

Interior sentiment is from A Muse, and the card bases and coordinating envelopes are Memory Box Sweet Corn.  The script patterned paper is 7gypsies.  Thank you for stopping by today and best wishes for a great weekend!

birthday butterflies

Today's project focuses on Martha corner and edger butterfly punches.  Memory Box Mango card base and coordinating envelope match with October Afternoon's Thrift Shop (Still in Box) papers.

7gypsies birthday rub-ons were adhered to a Thrift Shop Label Sticker.  2mm mini gemstones are Memory Box.  I'd love to know what it is about rub-ons that is so pleasing, or addictive, to me.

Large butterfly punch is Martha, and sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  Thanks for stopping by today!

sew nice

 One of Paper Crafts' recent publications (350 Cards and Gifts) inspired today's project. You can read more about the Little Gifts Challenge here.  A gift box (nashvillewraps.com #SB738) houses six identical cards and envelopes.

May Arts 1" teal organdy  bow makes for easy access to the box contents.  The card bases are a retired color from Memory Box.

Spellbinders die was airbrushed (with the die in place) using a light Copic marker; sewing machine image from Hero Arts' Sew Artsy set was stamped using October Afternoon's 8x8 Thrift Shop pad then carefully cut out and adhered with foam tape.  Lace is Prima and the strip of patterned paper above the lace is a strip of 12x12 Collectors Item.

White Opal Liquid Pearls accent the sewing machine dials.

Interior - stitch line is from the Hero Arts set, leftover 8x8 Thrift Shop paper was punched with a Martha lace punch, and the sentiment was created on my computer.  Faux button was created using the smallest Spellbinders circle die, airbrushing the circle with the die in place (heavy color application) then with the die removed (light color application).  Button holes were created using a 1.0 Copic Multiliner. 

I believe I am going to make another set for....me!

coffee dyed lace

The white May Arts lace on today's thank you card project was quickly dipped into a bath of regular strength coffee, blotted with paper towels then allowed to air dry. 

Part of the sentiment (you're) was omitted and just 'sew nice' was used.  This is a Hero Arts set called Sew Artsy.  Spellbinders die forms a mat for the sewing machine embellishment and Zva pearls decorate the dials nicely.  Lovely linen thread forms the wrap and bow.  The dyed lace was machine stitched to the card front.

The interior is a typeset sentiment (MS word document here), printed onto Papertrey Ink white cardstock, then die cut with a Spellbinders rectangle die.  The button was made using a lightweight coaster and the smallest Spellbinders circle die, followed by airbrushing with Copic BG18 with (heavy color application) and without (light color application) the die in place.  This technique provided depth to the faux button; a 1.0 Copic Multiliner was used to add the faux button holes.  Envelope and interior sentiment were embellished with stitched images from the Hero Arts set.  Thanks for stopping by today!

clean & simple #135

Today's project is my take on the clear & simple challenge for this week.  It's been over a half-decade since I did any type of challenge, and I would like to try more of these this year.

Script paper is from 7gypsies, floral (ancient) patterned paper is from K & Co.  Sentiment and edge die are Papertrey Ink.  I broke in the edge die in on this project - amazing what one can unearth when exploring! 

I only used paper and embellishments that were out on the counter, leftover from other projects.  I do like it when the scraps all come together!

Prima tea rose and jute twine. The card base is a retired color from Memory Box.

Damask pattern is from Papertrey Ink, and the lovely sentiment is from Quietfire.  Best wishes for a great week!

sentiment reverse

edited to add:  Hi Karen!  The patterned paper was purchased at an Archivers in Wisconsin a few years ago.  I had no idea it was discontinued (I would have bought more - lol), but very happy to learn they make fabric!!! xoxo Cindy

This cute patterned paper is from Sweetwater and called Sprinkles - playing around with a Spellbinders die set and Copic's airbrush system.  Papertrey Ink white cardstock (and sentiments) used for the card base, and Memory Box Mocha used with the dies; Zva 2mm pearls.

Kristina Werner has a great Virtual Card Club offering, and it centers around using your sentiments.  I enjoyed this online class as it got me to rethink how I use my sentiments.  When I created today's project I opted not to use the expected 'happy birthday' sentiment on the outside, instead...

...using it on the inside. Interior die is from Spellbinders - cardstock is Memory Box Water. Thank you for stopping by today!

idea-ology notebooks

edited to add:  These notebooks were photographed on a refurbished printers tray that I hope to store reinkers and precious stamps in.

These notebooks were created as gifts for a birthday boy (turning 9) and a birthday girl.  Lots of idea-ology goodies used on these!

Striped notebook materials:  Graphic 45 papers, frog & date dial images are from Lost & Found Salvage Stickers, a Papertrey Ink number die and Sizzix Tag & Bookplate die were cut from Grungepaper (crown is from a retired Grungeboard pre-cut set covered with 7gypsies Conservatory papers); the bookplate was painted with Distress Tarnished Brass Crackle paint and the numeral nine was inked with Crushed Olive Distress ink; Facets, Game Spinners and Sprocket Gears further embellish the notebook.

The girl's notebook uses My Minds Eye papers, Stampers Anonymous Odds and Ends stamps which coordinate with the Sizzix Ticket Strip die.  Bling is Zva Thriving Crystal; the pearl baubles and chain tassel are fastened onto a Lace Chain using jumprings.  The French doily was colored with Spun Sugar Distress Stain.

Interior features a handy pocket.  Both notebooks use idea-ology corners set with a Home Pro LR (bonniesbest.com).  Congratulations to Gilda on the Memory Box giveaway!  Thank you and best wishes for a great weekend!