Lazy Guide #8: A little assembly-line never hurt anyone

I have this weird thing about not making two cards exactly the same.  I just can't do it.  BUT, I will often make only slight variations.  Maybe a different color, or a different location of the flower, or a different saying or glitter instead of a brad.  Do you see what I mean?  I (obviously) made all of these cards in the same session (during one of M's marathon naps!), and I like the way they look as a collection - similar but with subtle differences.  Don't reinvent the wheel!  If you find something that works - keep doing it! 

Lazy Guide #6: Kick it up with Dimension

Do you see how the center of the card pops out a bit?  It's become 3D with the help of one more cheap-o trick.  Stamps from Stamping Up come unassembled.  When you put them together, you have some rubber from around the stamp left over.  Viola!  This is easily turned into backing for the 3D look - you never have to buy glue dots or other such items.  Just peel the backing from the rubber, affix that to the item you want made 3D and then glue the other side of the rubber to the card.  Done and done! 

Lazy Guide #5: Color Edging

I love this super simple tip.  To get that kind of old, crinkled, shabby chic look in the background of this card, I just open up my ink pad, and spread it on the paper.  You can just do it on the edges, or just about anywhere on the card.  I also like to edge tags or my "sentiment" with color.  Too bad I didn't have a patriotic card to throw at you today.  Sorry about that friends!  Happy birthday USA!

Lazy Guide #4: Ribbon is my friend

Oh my goodness, my cricut cut doesn't even look straight.  I mean, what?  I was totally going for that homemade look!  Anyways!  I use ribbon on pretty much every card.  Sometimes it's across the middle.  Sometimes it's circled around the front and tied in front.  And sometimes it's in a pretty bow.  Ok, I pretty much owe all my craft items to my Mom and Dad (cricut), SIL LJ (creative memories punches) or bff TAF.  TAF gave me a punch (used above) that is just a straight little slit.  I didn't use it here, but it makes the most simple and neat looking bows!  I love using it especially for a little wider ribbon because I think it looks so cool.  Maybe I'll try to add another card using that technique later!

Lazy Guide #3: Glitter covers a multitude of sins

I actually heard that quoted once on the "She's Crafty!" TV show... : )

Anyways, on to the card:

Oooh, some more fun stuff from Thailand.  Another thing I love, Love, LOVE to use that my bestie TAF gave me is glitter glue.  I generally use it in dots on the side, as seen here, but it can be used in many different ways, of course.  In the middle of a flower, to outline a box, to edge a saying (I think the technical stamping term is "sentiment") : ), etc.  Glitter rocks.  Do it.

Lazy Guide #2: Add a Brad!

I think brads are like the best thing known to a card.  They are so stinkin' simple to apply (I used to use my little hole punch, but I lost that, so now I just poke a hole with my scissors!) but I think they just add a simple, very simple, finishing touch.  Oh, and note the super cool handmade paper and beautiful flower -- those came from my bff, TAF, when she lived in Thailand!  I have been hoarding a stash of awesome stuff and decided that I'd rather use them than end up on TLC...  It's kind of funny that I didn't use a single stamp on this card.  I probably could've used a background stamp first and then layered on the paper and flower, but again, I'm all about the simple and easy!

Lazy Guide #1: Cricut Cuts

I love using my cricut because it makes most any craft super easy.  I use it to make my images for applique, wall decor, scrapbooking (somewhat), invites, recipe labels and of course cards!  I do NOT usually do all the multiple steps for each cut -- I'm a one cut kind of girl.  You can see how super simple this card is... but I like it in its simplicity... 

EJ's Guide to Lazy Cardmaking

I love to craft.  I do.  But I definitely consider myself both a lazy crafter and also a cheap one.  Consider my scrapbooks: as MANY pictures as I can on a page ... and done!  I have also gotten into sewing --- appliques!  I bought a few fat squares and asked my mom for some leftover scraps, and I've been "in business" since February!  But, look at my sweet little monkey, trying to get in on the action!

 

I'm going to try to offer you my tips, tricks and methods for making simple cards.  NOW.  You will NOT find cards in my stash that come close to comparing with my friend SV, over here at her lovely blog.  I LOVE drooling over her cards, but I just don't... don't have the patience?  The stamina?  The level of creative juices?  The craft room?  Anyways, check out her amazing work and then prepare to be underwhelmed at my... uncomplicated and a little more manageable cards...  Oh, and another place I sometimes go for inspiration is slitcoaststampers -- here's a link to the Stampin' Up gallery -- you can look up any stamp sets and look at tons of cards (and check out the "Anything BUT a Card" section for lots of great crafting ideas!

Ok, so stay tuned for my little stamping ideas coming your way each day... until I run out of ideas!  : )

To go digital or not to go digital...

When I'm trying to make a decision, I talk to everyone, get tons of opinions, hem and haw, make a list of pros and cons, sit on it, pray about it, ask people their opinions again, etc.  This process drives. JJ. crazy.  Now, this decision I am pondering is NOT a matter of life or death by any means, but I'm still struggling with it.

Should I go digital with my scrapbooking or not??  Here's my list of pros and cons:

Pros:
*Convenience/storage -- everything in one place, taking up much less space.  Scrapbooking night?  I can just pack up our laptop.  Get a creative bug on a Tuesday evening?  I just need to head over to the computer.  Right now it takes me so much time to organize my pictures, take out my stuff, lay it out, and get going that I basically never do it.  Plus, our bedroom would be happy and less cluttered with a big corner of space open instead of stuffed to the gills with scrapbooking paraphernalia.   
*Cost -- I'm not EXACTLY sure how cost efficient it would be, BUT I do know that I have lots of supplies (mostly paper, stickers, that sort of thing) that I have bought but not used.  So, if you factor in the album, pages, page protectors, supplies (paper, stickers, pens, tape runners, and even the reusable things like punches and cutters), photos, etc., I feel like the one time cost of software plus a few digital packs here and there (at a cheaper cost than their traditional counterparts that can be used over and over again) would make it cost effective even with having to order the digital books to be made.
*Photos -- Not having to upload my pictures to Sam's Club, choose the ones I want, buy them, and end up not using many of them would be fabulous.
*Shelf space -- photo books take up way less room than the stuffed traditional ones I currently have 
*Digital features -- being able to use as many J's as I need, not having to worry about using a fabulous sticker or page of paper only once, being able to resize stickers and other embellishments, "pens" never wearing out, etc.

Cons:
*I have SO MUCH STUFF -- It would be so sad to switch and not get good use out of all of this stuff I have accumulated over the years.  I have new paper packs, tons of tools, a few storage bags, etc.
*That personal touch -- when I was pondering this the LAST time I thought about it, the thing that sealed the deal was my BFF TAF saying how special it would be for my kiddos/grandkiddos/etc. to be able to see my handwriting, see exactly how I wanted things placed, the size I chose, the hand placement, etc.
*Start-up cost -- let's face it, right now isn't the best time in my life to invest in something new for just a hobby.
*Ability to customize/personalize/economize -- I don't know how easy it would be to add memorabilia-type stuff (though truthfully I don't do too much of that in the first place), plus I STUFF my albums full -- we're talking AT LEAST two packs of pages but usually three.  This would not be as easy with digital (or would for sure drive up the cost).
*Showing off unfinished products -- Even if I have only a few pages done, I can easily show them off to friends and family when I see them, which wouldn't be quite as easy with digital.
*Hands-on projects with MVJ -- MVJ already likes to punch out paper and play around with some of my supplies.  This wonderful crafty interaction would not be as possible with digital.
*Crossing over into other crafts -- If I were to stop traditional THIS SECOND, I would still keep a fair amount of tools because I use them with my card making hobby as well.

My thoughts: I'd love to do it but there is this nagging feeling of my investment in the traditional supplies.  If both money and space were not an issue whatsoever, I would do BOTH digital and traditional hands-down.  I would probably do the kids' baby albums in traditional and do digital for everything else.   

Soooo... what should I do??  : )

National Card-Making Day

Last night.

7pm: Daddy down for the count (not feeling well).
7:20pm: M down because she was too crabby to make it to between 7:30 and 8.

Me... twiddling my thumbs.  I decided it was time.  Time to go into the craft room closet.  I originally thought I would organize my photos.  I felt like I had lost some and didn't even know where I had left off in the THREE albums I keep going.  (Our family album, M's 2nd album which has yet to be started but is here complete with a lot of fun paper and accessories to use!, and my Dad's album that I gave him as a present a while ago and just keep filling little by little).  While rummaging around the closet I found a CM kit to make Christmas cards that I had bought like two years ago... I had a magical thought that if I made them now I wouldn't get so busy at Christmas time that I missed yet another chance to use them.  I got myself all settled in in front of the TV with all the supplies I needed to complete my craft.

I learned a few things.  #1: I have ENOUGH supplies that I don't need to buy kits to make cards.  #2: Kits are kind of finicky (i.e. Cut a 4x5.25 piece of dark blue paper.).  #3: I am way too Type A to not follow the directions, including the exact sticker saying they used on each card --- what if one I chose to replace it was needed elsewhere?!  #4: Using a kit, however, takes the guesswork out of it - follow steps and viola!  You have a card (or 18).  #5: After cards are made, you can still add your own flair -- for me the glitter glue (I have ALL THREE packs!) my BFF gave me for last Christmas... or two Christmases ago ??  I can't remember now but I love them so much and use them all the time!

Today I found out that yesterday was in fact National Card-Making Day.  I guess it was meant to be. 

CM

I did it! I put in my first Creative Memories order. And I actually made my goal the very first month! Isn't that awesome? Yes! Except the part that my new goal begins right after I make the previous one. In these businesses, there are always sales goals that must be reached. Each requirements are a little different. I think CM has quite high standards. I don't think I'll be making my goal for very much longer, but it is certainly fun while it's lasting. Because I made my goal in the first month, I got an extra $100 to spend! Woohoo! And, I decided to say that I hosted a party, so I got host incentives as well. : ) So, I think I've figured that I can order my next two albums with a few fun accessories with all my incentives. Thank goodness I have good friends and family members who wanted a few products. Remember - if you need anything - I'll give you a good deal! : )

New Job Title

I did it. I took the plunge. I'm officially a Creative Memories consultant! I did not do it to make a little money or meet new people (although that might be a side benefit). I SOLELY did it so I can get the discount! : ) After giving my 30% to various other consultants I decided that I want that money! So, if anyone needs anything scrapbook-related, look me up. I'll give you a deal!

Just some layout ideas . . .

Ugh, I am way overthinking this... I know... Today I got all of my scrapbooking stuff out and it is now littering the floor/couch/coffee table in our small apartment. Thank goodness JJ works tomorrow! I planned on getting quite a bit done with Baby Girl napped, but no. Again, I just had to get some things down on paper (cheap, scrap paper rather than the more expensive CM paper!) before I could get started. And again I found tons of stuff that I just wanted to sit and look at. The bands from my wrist, JJ's wrist, MVJ's wrist/foot from the hospital. The ultrasound pics. The professional pics. The "yay you're pregnant", baby shower, "yay you gave birth", and Baptism cards. I did manage to jot down the ideas I have so far for pages and get them in order. Here they are so far. Feel free to give me feedback!!

Title Page
Ultrasound
Preggo pics/Baby Shower
Hospital Pics/Hospital Stuff/Your Name
Professional Pics/Announcement
Nicknames
With Mommy
With Daddy
With K's (4 Generations)
With J's
Baptism
Hands/Feet
Firsts
A Day in the Life
Bathtime
Sleepytime
Tummy time
Bumbo chair/swing
Faces
Food
South Babies
Friends
Fashionista
Month by Month

And that should take me through my first paper pack! Eeks! I'm planning on doing the "Firsts" and on after her 6th month so I actually have about half-way through the first year represented!! We have 6th month photographs scheduled with: her. Hopefully everything goes well and Chi-chi smiles big!

A cricut project

I finally did it! I broke out my vinyl! I finished a cricut project! For my birthday, my brother bought me the 12x24 cutting mats and today I bought transfer paper, so I was ready to go. I have a "Home Accents" solutions cartridge, so this image was easy to make, but it was still nerve-wracking because I had never used the vinyl or transfer tape. With JJ's help, I think it turned out pretty well!



There, see, it's just a cute little saying...

OH MY crafts!

On Saturday morning I got an email from Oh My Crafts! saying they were having a sale. I had a few minutes before I was supposed to pick up a friend to hit up a BIG indoor rummage sale, so I hopped on over to the Oh My Crafts! site to take a quick look-see. I was AMAZED to find out everything was 100% off!!! WHAT?! I thought this must be a mistake... but WHAT if?! A few scenarios went through my head... maybe I was the thousandth customer or something! So, I did what any normal obsessed crafter would do..... I LOADED my cart with anything and everything. 100% off?! My total was $31.35 (for shipping) -- I printed the screen just in case and hit submit! It took a long time and that was my first clue. I reloaded it and hit submit again. Nothing. I headed out the door to meet CAJ and checked my email ASAP after the big rummage sale. Yup, my orders were "denied". hehehe Hey, it was worth a shot! : )

Scrapbooking Dilemmas

Tonight I am invited by friend JA, a science teacher at my school, to scrapbook at Culvers! A friend of hers reserved the back room from 3-9 for our pure scrapbooking enjoyment! I can't wait! Not only does it allow for some M-Daddy time, but I can get some pages done! Woohoo! I organized some of the pictures I had printed a long time ago (Thanksgiving, Christmas, baby showers, etc.). THEN I got to February. What happened to a few pictures here and there? MVJ has single-handedly taken over our photo directory. So here-in lies the dilemmas. I am making her her own scrapbook, so how many photos of her should be in the "family" album? I mean, she is the center of our universe right now, but I printed 115 pictures at Sam's yesterday. I don't think ALL of them should be in our family album... should they? They ARE so cute. . . . . And then in her album, I need ideas. Should I stick with chronological order, like I'm used to doing in my other albums? Or should I try some themed pages (think "friends!", "bathtime!", "new outfits"!)?? I can tell you one thing... I'm excited to try out my new cricut for some perfect titles! (It always takes me a few tries to merge new "toys" in with my scrapbooking!)

Crafting to the MAX!

Prepare to be jealous. That's right ladies. I am the proud owner of a CRICUT EXPRESSION!!! Woohoo!! My parents decided to get me one for Mother's Day/my bday/etc! It came in the mail yesterday and I am so. so. so. excited! I have three cartridges (two that came with it: Accent Essentials and Plantin Schoolbook and then a different school one). I found this site: Oh My Crafts! and it seems to have the best deals around. JJ mentioned that I should get a case for it or something. "Don't worry, dear husband," I told him. "That's what you're getting me for my birthday!" My bff, TAF, already has one and whenever she visits, she has been kind enough to bring hers along! Now she'll just need to bring all of her fabulous cartridges. Oooh ahhhh oooh ahhhhh... I can't wait to get to it!

Stampers' Paradise

This is my all time favorite stamping website. Many a minute has been spent (wasted?) here!