A Trip to Paper Source

In one of my first posts of the new year, I talked about creating lined envelopes using tools ordered from Paper Source's website.  On a recent trip to southern California, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Paper Source is not only online, but they have a storefront as well!  We visited the store on State Street in Santa Barbara.

 

 I was drooling over this section of cards and matching envelopes in every imaginable color!

What a fun store! Since I didn't have a project in mind, I controlled myself and only picked up a few items.  I bought some envelope seals and a birthday card kit.  Can't wait to put the kit together...

Stampin Up! Inspiration

On Saturday, I attended Shereen's card workshop using Stampin Up! products. We did 4 cards and repeated them 3 times. I don't consider myself a good stamper (I get so nervous!), but I always enjoy learning new craft techniques.  Here's a shot of the 4 cards we created.  Can't wait to add them to my collection...

February Workshop: Glorious Girlfriends

"Glorious Girlfriends"

Sunday, February 24

Nishida residence in Aiea

Kit Cost: $15
RSVP by February 15

bring your tape runner!

During our crafting time this month, we'll be pulling out the Enchanted Papers and embellishments to create cards and little gifts with a feminine flair.  Bliss has some projects in mind, including a CD holder and tea favors.  Recently, I've found inspiration on Pinterest, which is a crafter's dream!  All of my card designs/projects this month were patterned after something I've found on Pinterest. 

Card set

Post it holder

Gift card "wallet"

Open up the wallet for a surprise inside!

Another gift card holder with a belly band.

 You could also slip a note inside the pocket instead of a gift card.

Hope you can join us later this month to create these fun projects. Happy Valentines Day!

Sneak Peak of New Products

Every other month is a new product launch... Here are videos featuring the brand new Shape Maker and a new album (It's a Boy!) in the Fast to Fabulous collection.  Love them both - so excited to order them in March!

 

CM Party Project

For the past couple of months, Creative Memories has been selling "Party Project" kits.  Once you purchase the kit of "ingredients," you can follow the instruction sheet given to complete a quick and easy album/display/card set.  The January/February Party Project, "P.S. I Love You," featured a set of 24 note cards and postcards.  Tackling this project was the perfect way to unwind on a Friday night.  Here are my kit components...

Also included was a silver metallic pen (not shown above).

Following the instruction sheet was a breeze! Everything was included in the kit, even adhesive foam squares, which means I didn't even have to take out my tape runner.  Each card was simply designed, using a combination of epoxy stickers, die cuts, and title stickers.

I love the gems that this kit came with!

The folded cards were so easy to complete as they were all preprinted.

So I kept rolling along, and it took me about an hour and a half to complete all 24 note cards.  At $35, this was a great value.  All the note cards came with envelopes, and I had leftover foam squares and epoxy/gem stickers to use on other projects.  Although most of these cards were themed around Valentines Day, some of them can be used for other greetings as well.  It was definitely a successful evening of crafting!

January Workshop Recap

A group of 5 of us had a great time "Cricut-ing" on Sunday... For this month's workshop, Bliss brought out her Cricut and gave us a little tutorial for successfully creating layered die cuts.  Our first step was to choose our image by flipping through the guide books of her many Creative Memories cartridges.  The number of colors in the sample image indicates the number of layers the image would involve... We wanted to stick to an image that has 3-4 layers.

Bliss gives an intro to today's workshop - she's such a great teacher!

I found my image of choice... I was instantly drawn to the envelopes with hearts.

Once we selected our images, it was time to turn the Cricut on and learn its different functions!  In my experience, it's always best to do a test run on scrap paper.  This also allows us to gauge the size of the image, as it's hard to determine the best size from the sample page.

 

This is Brenda's Cricut.  Bliss has the Cricut 2, which has a touch screen.

Brenda sends her three colors through the machine. 
It can do multiple images on one sheet, which is perfect for workshops!

I always have some difficulty selecting my colors for the layering, as you're never sure how the end result will turn out.  I stuck to basic colors for my image, and let the Cricut do the rest of the work...

 

 

Then it was on to assembling the cards, so we could swap at the end of the workshop.  We ended up with a nice variety of 6 six cards. Yay!

 

 

Looking forward to more creative projects in 2013... Got any ideas?  Comment below, and we'll see if we can incorporate your ideas into one of our upcoming workshops.  Join us every 3rd Sunday!

Designing for a Themed Party

Last month, a good friend asked me to help her with creating invitations for her dad's retirement party.  The theme/inspiration was Charlie Brown.  Once again, thanks to Storybook Creator 4.0, I was able to pattern the invitation after a similar layout online.  To create Charlie Brown's famous zig zag, I used one of the edge cutters and a filter to complete the "Peanuts" look.

Fonts used: "Peanuts," "Joyful Juliana," and "Peanuts Gang Ding"
(yup, that's Charlie Brown)

My friend's family also wanted guests bring memories of Glenn, so I created an assortment of journal cards in SBC as well.  These worked out nicely, as guests were asked to share their words about Glenn during the party.  I'll also be incorporating these cards in an album!

My final contribution was to create a label for the favors.  In SBC, I sized the graphic so it fits nicely on an Avery 5160 mailing label. A quick and easy way to put that finishing touch on any type of favor...

Oh, and here's a shot of the centerpieces that my friend came up with... So cute and how perfect! 

  

It was definitely an honor to be a part of the day's festivities.  I can't wait to put together the album of this event.  Stay tuned for another post!