A good way to spend an afternoon

When I get a little free time and space on the dining room table, I like to play. I pulled out some old scraps from past kits, and a few extra embellishments. Then, I grabbed some buttons (hard to do any fun play without some buttons) and ribbon. And then it was good times. I worked on a few cards. A birthday card or two, a few thank you cards and a then just a few scrappy fun pieces. Nothing too adventurous but not too staid either.

Most of the scraps came from past Apron Strings kits. My Mind's Eye and Echo Park paper were the front runners in these endeavors. Sometimes it is just nice to have a great play date with glue, glitter and some dogs!

Birthday time

I have been wanting to use this Bella image for some time. It is quite cute and playful! I colored the image and then started to choose paper. Yes, that is probably backwards of what I should have done, but it worked out alright.

In fact, it was swell! I got some Cosmo Cricket Social Club in my Apron Strings kit. I have been wondering what to use it on and then the Bella came. I was able to stamp the card base with a flower from Stampin' Up's Remembering You. I also used their Night of Navy ink. Then I layered some pattern paper and cardstock. Finally, I popped a flower on the image and called it a day. Hope that you enjoy!

Who needs pictures?!

Often times I am more inspired by the paper than the pictures. In this case, I simply had no pictures to distract me. For the first time ever, I missed my little niece's birthday. It would have been impossible to fly from L.A. to Ohio for one weekend. Which means my sister took the pictures. Which means because she is using the excuse of working full time, going to school part time and raising a wild four year old (niece in question) she will give me some lame excuse about not having time to upload pictures right away. Let's hope she does not read this post! :)

I decided to do a page anyway and then like a light from the heavens, my Apron Strings kit arrived with Imaginisce's Animal Crackers line. Oh my goodness, it is a whole lot of circus fun. I cut and played and added some fun baker's string. Then I cut the white cardstock to 4x6 and added them to give my sister an idea of picture placement. So much fun!

Once the layout was complete I was even able to make two cards...with fun sequins! Unfortunately, my terrible photos do not do the colors and the paper justice. Please check it out on Apron Strings website. Nothing like super fun paper and sequins to get the creative juices flowing!

Starting Birthday planning

It's the beginning of January and I am trying to get all my ducks in a row! Of course I try this every January. This year, I am trying to make up a big batch of birthday cards for the year.

Ashley Connelly at The Creative Place had a fabulous suggestion. She encouraged crafters to put together card kits. Cutting the paper down to the sizes needed, stamping the message and adding embellishments. Then when you have some free time, just assemble.

So, I tried her suggestion. A few months ago, I saw some paper, cardstock and ribbon that just made me giddy. I sat down and cut and organized. A few days later, I stamped the message on my cut cardstock. A few days after that, I managed to cut the ribbon to size. All of these items were stored in a quart size baggie (a crafter's best friend) awaiting the assembly process.

Today, I finally sat down and assembled. Now, I have a start on my birthday cards. Still have a few more to make, but that is another kit and another day. Thanks Ashley for the great tip.