More for the Suitcase

Before I left, I also created 3x3 note cards and 2x3 tags for this inside tray of the suitcase.  I decided that I really dislike the design of one of the note cards and will change it when I get back.  For now, here are the other 3 note cards and all 4 of the gift tags.  All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted.

 Die cut is QuickKutz.  Ribbon is American Crafts.

 Black die cut is QuickKutz. Glass glitter is SU.

Now the tags.  I tied ribbon at the top of all of them because they looked a little silly with just a random hole toward the top.  :)

 Sentiment is embossed using MS clear embossing powder.

 Die cuts are QuickKutz. Glass glitter is SU.

Die cut is QuickKutz. Ribbon is American Crafts.

I'll have full supply lists and ensemble photos for you when I get back.  Until then, enjoy and remember to take a little break for yourself now and then.  :)

Cards for the Suitcase

As I type, I'm on vacation but I really wanted to get the photos up of what I had managed to create for the inside of my suitcase.  I wasn't able to get photos of the whole ensemble together before I left, so I'll just put up what I have so far and the whole enchilada will come right after Easter.

Here are the cards that I made (all standard A2 size) that fit in the bottom portion of the suitcase.

 All of the cards are made using the new two-step backgrounds for the patter paper.  I love this new set!  My new favorite color of ours is Lagoon, so all but one of them use that color.  Can you believe that the sentiment on the card above is from a "Christmas" set.  It's true!  Most of the products are CTMH, but there are a few exceptions like the black rhinestones above.  I don't remember where they're from - sorry!

 The card above uses Spellbinders for the diecuts.  Each layer is popped with foam for a super dimensional card.  It's hard to see from this picture though.

 This is the only card that doesn't have Lagoon on it.  Spellbinders frames again and a new product from SU (shhhhhh, don't tell) that's called glass glitter.  It's pretty cool!  Much easier to handle than super fine glitter.

The shape on this one is a frame from a CTMH set that has been cut out and the ribbon is American Crafts.  Because I'm blogging away from my desk, I don't have my complete supply list for my cards.  So, I'll include the full info on everything in the post after Easter.

Have a great day everyone,

I've Officially Moved

I can't believe the day is finally here!  If you're reading this, you've found me and followed me after my move.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.  I know it can be a real pain to change/add/re-follow but it means the world to me that you've done it.  I sincerely promise no more moving because it's a bit of a pain for me too since I did all of the designing myself.  I had a little help from blogger templates and some iStock illustrations, but that's about it.  You can now shop with me at CTMH using the little cart on the right.  You can also "like" me on Facebook over there too.  Take a look around and you all know how I love comments - so feel free to leave me a note!

Ok, enough about the move, let's do something creative!  I am dying to share with you my latest project.  I say latest, because I'm just getting back to it from months of not being able to work on it.  I just picked it up the other day again and can't wait to finish it and make the tutorial too!  Check it out:

It's a suitcase!!  There are going to be all kinds of goodies on the inside, but I haven't gotten to that yet.  My brain is bursting with all the ideas I just have to find the time to create them and get them posted.  As soon as I'm done, I'll work on the tutorial for it too.  The fact that it matches my blog is pure happy coincidence.  :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Quick Leaf Tutorial

I don't remember where exactly I saw this - but it's how to make cardstock leaves that have the same colorings as real life leaves.  So we'll call this the super quick real leaf tutoral.  Ready?  Go!

You'll need the following:
Sweet Leaf Cardstock
1-1/4" circle punch
Bone Folder
Extra Stampin' squishy mat (or something soft to score on)
Inks: Vineyard Berry, Garden Green (Yep, still rockin' the old style pad), Topiary & New England Ivy
Sponge Daubers

First, punch a circle from the cardstock.  Then, insert the circle back into the punch, but only part way on each of the sides to punch out two leaf shapes from the circle as shown in the photo below.

Then, using your bone folder and squishy mat (or other preferred method) make the veins of the leaves as shown on the right side leaf above.  Do that to both (or all) of your leaves.

Now, using your sponge daubers, lightly ink Garden Green over the entire leaf with the bumpy side up.  This will make the veins show up well and give dimension to the colors in the leaf as shown in the left side leaf below.

Using Topiary ink, go over all the edges and fold the leaf gently as you go over each vein.  This continues to add dimension as shown in the leaf on the right side above.

Now, grab the New England Ivy and using the sponge daubers just go around the edges of the leaf blending a tad toward the center as you go.  See the leaf on the left below.

Lastly, using the Vineyard Berry ink, gently sponge dauber color around the edges of the leaf.  See the leaf on the right in the photo above.  Blend as you go.  This is the "oh my gosh I'm going to wreck it and have to start over" moment.  I recommend dabbing off a bit of the ink first on scrap and then gently blending toward the center.  You don't want to go over the same spot too many times though, or it will look strange and not natural.  In a word - practice.  Plan that you'll need one leaf to fail on before you really get going.

Now, the finished product can be added to your project!  I put these on a super quick 3x3 card.

The flower petals are hearts from the Hope for Japan set.  More on why everyone needs that set in the next post.  It's more versatile than you think!

For another example of the leaves on projects, please see this post of my card for Joe's grandma's 85th birthday.

Have a great day!

New Blog News

I'm moving!  Ok, not today, but on April 15th I will move to my new, and permanent, blog address of:

www.ScraptabulousStudio.com

Please note that this address will NOT work until April 15th.  That's on purpose folks.  You don't need to see all the construction, just the nice new shiny stuff on the 15th.  Ok, did I say it enough?  Are you with me?  I'm moving the 15th.  LOL!

The new blog will have all the old posts there, the regular blog as usual, a new store (items will be added after the 15th) and more.

My exciting news for today is that I just got my revised vector illustration lady (you know, the ridiculously popular and super cute little ladies in blog headers) back from the illustrator today with her new clothing colors.  She's so adorable!!  And the illustrator, Lauren, is amazing.  I found her on iStock Photography.  To check out her portfolio there, click HERE.  No, I'm not getting any kickback for promoting her.  I honestly think she does great work and she should be recognized for it.

Have a great Monday,

Official Move Date

Hey all, just putting up the first of many "I'm moving" posts.  I'm going to make it obnoxiously obvious that I'm moving.  So much so that you might have to be a brick wall not to get the message.  Sorry for those of you who are on top of things with the first post, I just don't like to leave anyone behind.

My Official Move Date: April 15, 2011
My New Address: www.scraptabulousstudio.com (this will work on the 15th)

On the 15th, I will officially post my last post at this blogspot address.  All posts will be copied over to the new address, so there's no need to frantically save things to a hard drive or anything like that.  This address will also remain up indefinitely, there just won't be new posts.  On the 15th, I will have the first official post at the new address.  I will also launch my new Facebook page on that day and have a link to "like me" on the blog so you can connect all around.  Blog posts will automatically be linked into Facebook but I'll have other fun stuff up there too since I'm connecting my cell phone.

For those of you receiving the feed (updates via email) from Feedburner, there will be a spot on the new blog to sign up for the feed from there.

A few things will still be under construction even after the move, like the store, but most everything will be ready working and wonderful!  Thank you all in advance for following me over to the new location.  I truly appreciate it.

Have a Scraptabulous day,