Embossing Challenge

A couple of weeks ago, I was attending the Dallas Crafters Marathon weekend and participated in their monthly card challenge.  The theme was "Embossing", and we could use any kind of embossing we liked.  I was very happy that I won, and very surprised, too, because there were some very cute cards.

My card features the D'vine Swirls embossing folder from Cuttlebug.  I just love how the Pistachio Pudding cardstock looks with the Baked Brown Sugar cardstock and ink from Stampin' Up.  The stamps I used were also Stampin Up: Bliss, Gorgeous Grunge, Best Friends Forever, and Perfect Pennants.

I love competing in challenges.  It forces me to think outside my normal creative patterns and put my skills to the test.  By stretching my creative muscle, I become a better, faster, stronger crafter.

Crafting in Paradise

Looking outside today, it's hard to believe that just a week or so ago it was snowy and cold here in the Dallas area.  Having just come back from a cruise with the Denton County Aggie Moms, I was not happy to be stuck indoors wearing layer upon layer of clothes to keep warm.  Now it is warm, and I want to be outside, soaking up some sun!  So for all of you who are still deep in the throes of winter, who are aching for some sun and tired of all the snow, here's a little something to help take your mind off needing another layer of socks....

Picture this, a warm Caribbean breeze is gently blowing through your hair, the warm sun kisses your skin while the tide licks your toes and keeps you cool.  A fruity drink with a pretty little umbrella is in your right hand, and your left hand just found your favorite song on your iPod.  

Hours later, after a delicious meal, you head to the Conference Center, where you and your friends can while away the hours working on your scrapbooks, cards, or other crafty projects.  Everyone is having a great time, learning new skills, creating beautiful things, and enjoying each other's company.

You get to do this for SEVEN DAYS.  No dishes, no laundry, no work...just you, your crafts, your friends, some fun workshops, and a cruise ship full of more fun and activities that you could ever imagine -- and it's all included in one very low price! 

Sounds like heaven, right?  Well it can all be yours for the very low starting rate of just $741, which includes 7 nights accommodations, meals, workshops, 24-hour access to our crop room, plus lots of goodies, gifts, prizes, and more.  Payment plans are available, and your deposit of $250 will hold your spot. 

But hurry!  These rates are only available through May 29, 2015, and once our allotment of cabins is filled, new bookings will be at the current market rate.

 

Today's card is a fun one I made a while back when I hosted a "Cruise Week" open house.  I listed the supplies used below.  This was a really simple card, and I had a lot of fun making it.  It features several layers, with the stamp and "You're Invited" popped up over the embossed piece.  Here is a picture of the card face before I embossed the background and added the stamp and sentiment:

It looks a little plain without the embossing, don't you think?

Supplies:  Stampin' Up Very Vanilla card stock, "Oh, Hello" stamp set, "Square Lattice" embossing folder, Baked Brown Sugar, Costal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush inks.  Close to My Heart "Post Card - Travel Series" stamp set.

 

Simple Things

Sometimes I get behind on my blog because I simply do not have anything to post.  Or rather, I think I don't have anything to post.  I always try to find something interesting to share, or a project that I feel is worthy of your attention. When I get busy, I don't have time to write out an elaborate post or make a new project just for the blog.  And when that happens, I wind up not posting for a while.

But there's no rule that a blog post has to be a big, elaborate project or a long blog post.  Sometimes, it can just be something simple.  So today I share with you a very quick project I did for one of my clients.  I spent about an hour and a half figuring out the right color combos and stamp placements.  After that, I made about 3 dozen of these in a couple of hours.  The client is tickled, I took on a quick and easy job that I was able to finish, and I feel like I accomplished something.

So the next time you think you don't have time to scrapbook, remember...there's no rule that says you have to do a big, fancy, 2-page layout and finish it all tonight.  Just find something small to do, like writing up a bit of journaling, going back to those pages you set aside to finish later, or even sorting and editing photos.  Every little job counts, too.  And if you do a little bit every day, pretty soon you've accomplished a whole lot!

Supplies used: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla Card Stock, Very Vanilla seam binding, Tag Topper punch, Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar and Crumb Cake inks, and the & from "Calling All Heroes" stamp set.  The Stamps of Life "calendar2build" stamp set. Close to My Heart "Cruisin'" stamp set. Assorted letter stamps.