October W'ink

W’ink Card Club came around a little sooner than I was expecting, not that I minded much. I was excited to pack-up my little toolbox and head out to Sharon’s (especially since some of us in the club have started to carpool). We got to make three different cards utilizing three very different techniques:

Stamping with bleach

I love this card; I love everything about this card! First of all, stamping with bleach is so cool; it is like a mini magic trick right in front of your eyes. Secondly, I am not a big “tree stamp” fan, but I fell in love with this set and had to buy it (granted this took about a week for me to make this decision…the buying part, not the loving it part); I can’t wait for it to arrive. Thirdly, what a amazing color combo: Soft Suede and Mellow Moss; if Sharon wasn’t thinking of me when she decided on it, then I don’t know how she did it…I love it! Lastly, (this may be a little difficult to explain) the “all over the place”-ness of the card. Sharon explained that she used four different stamp sets to create this card; I love this about her. She doesn’t just create from one set; she has such a keen skill for putting different stamps and textures together to create a cohesive project.

Faux stained glass

I had a difficult time with this new technique. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I suppose I thought there would be more to the technique. I like the way it looks in the end, but I am not so sure that “stained glass” would be a way I would describe it. Like I said, I like the way it looks, but it doesn’t look like stained glass (well, at least I don’t think it does…maybe I am a bit off).

Christmas Tree pop-up.

If you have been following my blog (thank you, by the way), then you already know that I love cards with movement or something special about them; this card is exactly that. A nice card transforms into a paper paradise. I didn’t want to take the time during club to decorate the tree (and I haven’t even done it yet), but am looking forward to adding my own touch to it.

It was a great time…as always.

(W'ink this month came with a challenge...click here to see what it was and what I submitted)

My take on Iris Folding

As much as I enjoyed my time at Anne’s card club last month, I have to admit that I was a bit frustrated with the Iris Folding technique. I didn’t want to make a judgment as to whether or not I enjoyed it right away; I thought I would practice it a bit first to see if my frustration stemmed from the novelty of it or the technique itself. I tried several different patterns and feel that I am ready to make a call: though the results are stunning, my overall impression is that it is a bit over-rated. Perhaps if I need to make one (maybe two) project with a big “wow factor,” then I may try this technique, otherwise, I will probably try something different.

3-D Cards (with a side of inspiration) Please

I am all up for a card with a twist, so I was happy to attend a 3D card class by Sharon (diorama card details and shadow box card details). These three cards were a blast to make (that coupled with the fantastic company at the class makes an unbeatable combination): a pop-up card, a diorama card, and a shadow box card. I enjoyed learning how to add this depth (literally) to my cards and projects; I may try to use what I learned again…we will see.

Thanks, Sharon, for some great ideas!

Finally, something that works (for me, at least)

It took a while, but I finally found a way to organize my scrap paper so that I will actually use them. I found this file folder box at Target and thought that it may work well will my scraps (and it was big enough to hold pieces which were 12” long (and if it didn’t work out, then I will at least have a storage box for some files). I got the folders organized and all of my scraps sorted; I put the box within reaching distance (as opposed to the top shelf of the cabinet) so that I can flip through it quickly and easily. It has really helped: I have been able to retrieve and use small pieces instead of “breaking in” full pieces as well as filing away new pieces easier than before.

I am not sure if any of you have had this same issue before (or still), but the only advise I have is to keep trying different things…eventually one will stick.

An added bonus...

I enjoy attending my stamp/card clubs, spending time at various classes and events, and (most of all) receiving my new product orders. As if these are not wonderful enough, Sharon (one of my SU Demonstrators) includes a wonderful thank you card or blank card with each order/event. This sample of a Christmas Card shows her eye for simplistic elegance; I love the way she took a minimalist layout and transformed it into a “frame-worthy” card (this photo does not do it justice; the way the light bounces off of the shimmer of the ornament is dazzling).

Absolutely beautiful.

True Confessions

Hello, my name is Nichole and I enjoy handwriting.

Whew…I feel a little better. This has not always been the case, though. I have to admit, growing up I did not have the best handwriting; I went through an awkward phase, a really really small phase, a very very big phase, and (what seems like) everything in between. I have found over the past several years that in my “I should be paying attention to whomever is speaking, but I cannot focus on him/her” moments (or two or six), I write my name…over and over again in various fonts. It has a very teenage-girl-crush-esque feel to it (even though I am married, I call my husband my boyfriend sometimes since he still tries to “win me over”), but oh well.

Ever since my “boyfriend” bought me my CraftROBO, I have not utilized my handwriting talent in my scrapbook as much since I have such a wide selection of fonts from which to choose on the computer. I miss it.

Anyway, I was cruising down the internet superhighway and ended up on Monica’s site, Giddy Greetings. She was talking about how it was her one year blogoversary (I can't believe she has only had it for a year; she it is so full of creative and interesting projects). As such, she is giving away some blog candy: a Sizzix die of the months of the year with a coordinating picture:

I wasn’t going to “enter” her contest, but the more I looked at the die the more it reminded me of my quirky habit. Thanks, Monica, for conjuring up those memories. I would love to “type” more, but I am having a sudden craving for a piece of paper, a pen, and my name written several dozen times.

“Write” more to ya later!

September Card Club

Albuquerque was in full “Balloon Fiesta Prep Mode” by the time our September Card Club rolled around. Anne was able to combine this with the Iris Folding technique; this is a new one for me, so I was pretty excited to learn. She is such a patient and detailed teacher (watch her cloud tutorial and her Iris Folding tutorial) which resulted in each member of the club successfully completing their iris folded hot air balloon.

What a great new technique to add to my list.

Thanks!

Yes, I am still alive.

I was looking at blogs the past few days and clicked on my own; I realized that I haven’t posted anything new in practically a month. Holy Cow! Some say that time flies when you are having fun, but I have to say that it can also fly when you are just super busy. This past month has been full of so many different events and activities – for me and for our family. I have found some time to do some crafting and will share it all with you over the coming days.

For those of you from the many challenge blogs I have been entering, yes, I realize I have been slacking in that area as well. I enjoy looking at everyone’s entries, but don’t always have the time to complete them myself. I am hoping that the coming holiday time will give the break of which I am in such need.

Stay tuned…