Friendship, Coffee & Hairspray!

I must say that every time I come across this fabulous "say it like it is" sentiment from Crafty Secrets it brings a smile to my face.  I just love its fun, no nonsense approach to life.  I created this card based on The Play Date Cafe's colour combination this week showcasing Mint, Soft Yellow, Coral, and Tulip.  These colours are most probably used best in the hands of a less grubbier crafter than mine, but I couldn't resist the lure of this pretty as a picture pastel palette.  It's only that I understand my crafty shortcomings all too well when it comes to doing "pretty and unspoilt"'.   That's why I added that wee pearl earring as a nod to all things pristine and prepossessing.  Maybe one day, I'll clean up my crafting act...just maybe.  *wink*

Thanks a mega bunch for visiting and here's to a beautiful day for us all!  See you anon.

Hot Stuff!

I know I have used this image a fair few times to date, but I just love these little quippy Crafty Secrets delights from their Coffee and Tea set.  I am not Queen Copic by any stretch, but I do enjoy a wee scribble every now and again.  Plus, I also wanted to try and make dent in this momma beef sized pack of Pinefeather cardstock by Papertrey Ink that is gathering dust and hits me with a few pangs of guilt as to why on earth I actually bought it each time I pass it by? It's a lovely green, that is for sure, but not one I use very often without a hardcore prompt outside of maybe The Festive Season.   So, I thought, why not?  Let's give the old Pinefeather a go and see what happens.  Low and behold, I think I kind of like myself some Pinefeather now, especially when stamped with this Hero Arts Cling Background stamp called Asian Flower Pattern and when given some sooty edges.  This cling stamp seems to transcend the Christmassy vibe that I have always gotten when I see this particular green cardstock.   It's not a bad vintage green, eh?  I like that, when I can see my supplies in a new light and hopefully now it will sprout some legs and get itself used more often.  Buyer's remorse, no more.  Most excellent.

Thanks so much for popping by.  (Not that I can do too much popping myself (outside of literally) from all the wonderful Easter festivities of late though. Yum.)  Here's to a blessed day for us all!

A Cherubic Love Note.

(Click photo for more of an eyeful.)

The colors for this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge are Pink, Peach, and Light Blue and are so very ethereal and angelic and seemed the perfect driving force for this card.  Is that not the cutest post carrier you have ever seen, I mean really? I was instantly smitten with this darling cherub from the moment I laid eyes on it.  It comes from a small clear stamp set from Crafty Secrets called French Mail.  Adore.  This card was also made with my latest die crush from Spellbinders.  In order not to embarrass myself with how much I love the shape of this die, I will just leave you with the name and a warning that you can absolutely look forward to seeing Spellbinders Grand Labels 23 and all its permutations a heck of a lot more for the foreseeable future, that's for sure.  Bliss.  Seeing that there is so much love in the air with this card, I had to craft it into a love note.  Of course, of course.  The stamped chevrons are from a fun background building set from Waltzingmouse Stamps, called Offbeat Backgrounds.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink called Paper Trey.  This sentiment only set is so rarely seen across any of the crafty blogs I frequent, which makes me wonder if it looks a lot more garish to others than it does me?  I love this set for its quirky font size and nifty use of upper and lower case.  I do often wonder why its sightings are a bit like hen's teeth though?  And yes, that's my favorite of all time script text stamp from Hero Arts peeking out from behind the postage edged focal image. I've talked you ear off about that one before.  Yep, that's the one...again.  *wink*  

I am off to run a few errands now and hopefully be able to sneak in some crafty time today.  Wish me luck.  Our beloved craft is such a life force, isn't it?  Good stuff.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Here's to an inspired day for us all!   

ETA:  I stumbled across Crafty Secrets 1st Linky Party on their blog and included my card.  Perhaps you might like to join in the fun too.   

A Welcomed Reminder.

I am not going to lie, as much as I have been enjoying crafting for the hoilday season, I am starting to get a bit overwhelmed with the seeminlgly unending perparations in advance of Christmas.  I can generally stave off the hardcore angst of the holidays but everything seems to go pearshaped once December 1st actually gets here.  And true to form it's the 1st today and I can feel it in my waters that things are about to head south.  Eek! Deep breath, deep breath.  In a feeble attempt to hold it together a bit longer, I went for a stroll down Memory Lane and found this card I made earlier in the year.  Its sentiments seemed apt and was a welcomed and ever so timely reminder to not let my racing mind and its tendency to stress get too far ahead of me.  Today is today and not tomorrow, right?  No need to put the cart before the horse just yet.  So, I am off to smell the roses a bit today while quietly chanting "keep it together, keep it together" to myself.  Crazy days! Oh darn it!  There I go again!  Keep it together, keep it together...Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff........SNIFF!




*wink*

Life's A Stitch!

I made this card in light of Bloggers most recent wobbly and mine that subsequently followed.  Where an "about an hour" of proposed maintanance turned into what seemed like an eternity to this Blogger, who felt cut off from her beloved and ever so crafty section of the Blogosphere.  Dark times.  But at the end of one long hour that morphed into an entire gloomy day and a bit of forced exile, I ended up loosing a small handful of cherished comments, having a minor coronary when my recent post disappeared only to much later reappear albeit somewhat trimmer (which may not have been a bad thing), and a heck of a lot of time to do "something else". The moral of this story is sometimes, Life's A Stitch!  *wink*

So continuing on in my grumbly protest, I thought I'd submit this card into this week's The Shabby Tea Room Challenge.  I know we are meant to go all "shabby and ruffle mad" as per the inspiration photo above, but the rebel in me just wanted to invoke the quiet strength and dogged determination of the single ruffly flounce.  So there!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Papertrey Ink SS: Dressform and Crafty Secrets Sew Special
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream and Aqua Mist, Rosie's PP and .22 Chipboard
• Accessories:  Papertrey Ink's SS:Dressform die and large Doily die (French something?), Brown Wool Felt, Brown Saddle Stitch Ribbon, Vintage Lace Ruffle Flounce in Aqua, Pinking Shears, Keisercraft pearls, Tonic Distressing Tool and Tin Dragonfly (from stash)

From One Bag To Another...

I have just had the most bizarre weekend.  I nearly wrote ever, but it wasn't quite that, but close.  Think of this post as a little note (read: vent) I am writing to you as my cherished, ever so crafty, blog friends...from One Bag To Another.  *Hugs*  Plus, I know that you'll totally understand where I am coming from.

I was an exhibitor at a papercraft show that I had originally declined the offer but decided to take up the last minute offer to attend despite my gut instincts (which never ends well) based on the strong urgings of the organizer.  As some of you know I sell my cards, but my main crafty offering for sale are my custom crystal creations through my crafty business called Rocks, Paper, Scissors!®.  Why I ever thought I'd do okay is beyond me despite being eagerly asked by the organizer to participate?  The organizer of the event thought it would be nice for the papercrafters to have something also handmade, yet different, on offer along with my cards to buy as part of the show.  I am still shaking my head because it was three long days of people walking by my stall that I took a great deal of time and consideration to decorate muttering, what is she doing here and what is that?  Or better yet...Where are the paper scissors!  Huh? I did have two baskets full of cards for sale and some other papercraft but didn't think any die-hard papercrafter would ever want to buy them.  Seriously.  Why would they?  Surely they'd make their own?  But even though I had about 75 cards for sale, I certianly wasn't ever expecting to recoup the big expense of being a stallholder by selling these few handmade cards alone.  I'd only be in with a chance with making my money back if I had ten years worth of cards to sell and that would be only if they sold at an exorbitant price!  I had, foolishly, hoped my "rocks" would have sold better though and not be looked at as if they fell out of the backside of a donkey.  Sigh.  I  am at the markets and different festivals each weekend selling my creations generally, so I didn't think things would have been as terrible as this experience was.

Over the three days of the festival, I managed to sell only 7 cards and a couple of my handmade bracelets.  But what really got my goat was when one woman said with three of my cards in her hand just purchased that she was so excited because she going to copy, in multiples, these cards exactly!  OMG!  I nearly fainted not to mention spit chips!  I completely froze in utter disbelief that she would do that, and also boldly look me in the face and say that out loud as she turned and walked away with her newly purchased templates! Sweet Jeebus!  I dare say that that was also the motive behind the few other card sales I made on this El Bizzaro weekend.  There were many people flicking through my cards and looking at them closely.  But naïve me thought they may have just been "appreciating" them perhaps, but not just studying them!  I really felt like a mug afer this weekend from Hell and in desperate need of a hot shower and a scotch (and I don't even like scotch!).  Needless to say, I hope to never find myself in that positon again.

Here are a couple of "not so happy" snaps of my stand.  Not sure why they look so green, but maybe it was because this craft show was "out of this world" and not in a good way either.  So pleased I've returned to the safety and security of our planet Blog World. Aahhhh...

Ooh, and the card at the top of this post captures my appreciation, in a loving, light hearted way of course, and shows just how I feel about my fabulous blog friends.  Plus, I don't know any other gorgeously crafty sorts that would put up with this old bag (me) in any case.  I used only Crafty Secrets stamps, Copics, Vintage Lace, Grand Nesties, October Afternoon DP and some weeny Keisercraft Pearls to bejewel these beauties.

So pleased you stopped by for a chat.  It means the world to me!

Roses Always!

I just adore roses.  Real roses, crafted roses, stamped roses, inked roses...any and all roses call to me.  I might just have more rose stamps (including the everlasting kind) than I could shake a stick at, followed closely by patterned papers.   The depth of my affection is truly more than skin deep as I always relish the opportunity to incorporate a rose or more into my papercraft, but seeing I am so rose mad,  I often try and show restraint and use them only every now and again.  I guess, you could say I am a bit of a rose tragic.  So, when I saw this week's The Shabby Tea Room Flower Palette Challenge, I knew it was "all over red rover" and time to break out with a rose or too.  After all, what's a girl to do?

The challenge was to create a project inspired from the above fabulous photograph's colors using flowers. C'est tout!   And as you now know, the word "flowers" can often be synonymous with "roses" to me...so, roses it had to be.  I didn't use all of the colors in the photo as I knew in my crafting hands that would end up as one hot mess, so I just gently plucked the colors that called to me most and seemed to faithfully capture the mood of this gorgeous image. As always, I had a wonderful time.

 Supplies:

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Roses In Bloom and Fancy Phrases, Crafty Secrets Artsy Banner
• Paper:  Basic Grey Hello Luscious PP, K&Company "Julianne", Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream C/S, Misc. Pastel Lemon/Lime C/S
• Ink:  Memento London Fog, Versafine Olympia Gree, Distress Ink in Shabby Shutters, Mustard Seed, and Old Paper, White Acrylic Paint
• Other:  Copics, Uniball White Gel Pen, Tim Holtz Ornamental Alterations Die, Yellow Grosgrain Ribbon, Kaisercraft Pearls, Spellbinders Fancy Nestability Tags, Provocraft/Cuttlebug Roses Embossing Folder, and WRMK Corner Chomper Scallop 

A Shabby Vintage League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

I don't make nearly as many gent's cards as I should.  So today, I decided to make a masculine card which gives a nod to my more Steampunk, Vintage, Shabby predilections.  Who am I kidding?  That's all I ever do is make cards that tickle my fancy, but hey...why not?  Life's short and papercrafting is too good, right?  Plus, that's my story and I am sticking to it.  *wink*

I am entering this card into this week's The Shabby Tea Room "BINGO" Challenge.  Although initially daunted, I decided to give this challenge a go and true to my Last Minute Larreena leanings I have just finished a masculine card that I am hoping will be suitable (not to mention be presentable) and satisfies the "three in a row...BINGO!" rule for this challenge.  I have chosen the bottom row moving across as my three elements.  Seeing that this is a gent's card, I have not gone with the traditional ribbon, but "man" ribbon instead:  twine.  The other elements in the row are clearly present being the die cut cogs, tag and ribbon banner, the dry embossed brick wall of the card base, and of course my "man" ribbon on the tag.  I had a lot of fun creating this shabby, vintage, Steampunk influenced card.  So much so, I really must remember to show a bit more crafting love to that extraordinary league of gentlemen that truly grace our lives.

Thank you so much for coming by.  Here's to an extraordinary day! 


Supplies:  

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Off Beat Backgrounds and Pic-nic Patterns, Crafty Secrets Artsy Banners, Inkadinkado Vintage Map Woodblock, Papertrey Ink's Masculine Motifs and Banner Building Set
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Scarlet Jewel, Kraft, and Stone Cardstock, Misc. Corrugated Paper (cogs)
• Ink:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream, Adirondak Cranberry, Memento London Fog and Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Pumice Stone
• Accessories:  Tim Holtz Alterations Die Gaget Gears and Bricked Embossing Folder, Papertrey Ink, Shipping Tag Ribbon Banner Die, Basic Grey Brads, and Bakers Twine

Best Laid Plans...

This is a real last minute entry into this weeks CR84FN. (I think I might have a couple hours left, if that, before the challenge closes) Apologies for the moonlit photograph (note:  moonlit is code for with flash) as I left my run a bit late this week, again as it is nearing midnight here in my neck of the woods.  Life just seems to get in the way sometimes.   So you've (well, I've) just got to grab a bit of me/crafty time when and where you can.  This little number was made while sitting at the end of my bed tonight while nursing a sick wee one.  Nothing major, just the usual common cold with all the trimmings.  Which I guess is par for the course being the caring, sharing family that we are and is probably one of the only downsides to having a humongous brood.  So please excuse the still drying glue and the less than ideal picture, but sometimes, a die hard papercrafter's gotta do what a die hard papercrafter's gotta do, right?

So without further ado, only because I reckon the Little One is stirring...again, here is this week's CR84FN Color Challenge card featuring Plum, Lavender, and Green:

Thanks so very much for stopping by.  I really love when you do!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Afternoon Tea, Crafty Secrets Kitchen Classics
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream, 7 Gypsies Conservatory DP (green patterned strip), Misc. Textured Plum and Grey C/S, Spotty lavender PP (origins unknown)
• Accessories:  Spellbinders Grand Nesties Scalloped Circles, Lacey Circles and Squares Nesties, Fiskars Small Tag Punch, Lavender Satin Ribbon, Paper Flower, Prisma Glitter, Vintage Cream Jute, and Paper Doily.

Last Minute Valentine's Day Cards.

I am totally a "Last Minute Larry/Larrena" when it comes to holiday cards.  Well, I have really outdone myself this time as I have only just finished my Dearheart's Valentine's Day cards! I guess it could have been worse and been after Valentine's Day, right?  Anyway, that's my story and I am sticking to it.  *shifty*  I guess the real big deal about Valentine's Day for us is that it is also our wedding anniversary.  Corny I know.  So without further ado, please let me introduce you to Last Minute Larrena's Valentine's Day cards:

Cutie Patootie Post Haste Card:

Cupid's Arrow Card:

Thank you so much for stopping by and a huge love-filled Valentine's Day to you all!  *SqUiSHy Hugs* x

Cutie Patootie Post Haste supplies:

• Stamps:  Crafty Secrets French Post, Papertrey Ink's It's Official, Fancy Flourishes and Daily Design Sentiments
• Paper:  Misc.  Black C/S, Papertrey Ink Fine Linen and vintage Cream, Basic Gray PP, Cosmo Cricket PP
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and London Fog, Versafine Black Onyx and Crimson, Distress Ink in Tea Dye
• Accessories: Provocraft Conversation Hearts Embossing Folder, Papertrey Ink Heart Print Dies, Gray Felt, Baker's Twine and Spiral Notebook die, Fiskars Small Label Punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 17,  and Heart Brads, WRMK Scallop Corner Chomper

Cupid's Arrow supplies:

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Sweethearts and Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages
• Paper:  Misc.  Black cardstock and textured Red, Basic Grey PP (Jovial, Curio, and Basic White)
• Ink: Versamark, Brilliance Black, Distress Ink in Tea Dye and Vintage Photo
• Accessories:  Tim Holtz Flourish Alterations Die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Lacy Squares and Classic Squares, Tonic Paper piercer, Papertrey Ink Heart Print Dies and Bookprint Impression Plate (on flourish), Red Felt, Fiskars Small Tag Punch, Detail Black Embossing Powder (on arrow), Heart Brad, Pinking Shears and Twine.