Giving Thanks This Season

I had previously mentioned that I created a card for the City Crafter challenge that was a fail.  I'm finally getting around to posting the fail.  Here's the details where I include the parts I didn't like so much:

challenge submission card

• The background (which is actually in the foreground) was made by sprinkling Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellow Brushos watercolor crystals onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used a spray bottle to mist water over the paper.  I taped the paper to my work surface with painters tape and used a heat tool to dry.  However, I used a lot more water and you can see how this background is more watercolor that the one I chose for the challenge.  For this card (not always - because I'm loving my Brushos for watercolor backgrounds), it really like the small burst of color in the challenge submission.
• I die cut the background with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die to cut out the openings for my shaker card.  I also cut leaves from glitter paper to put on the back of the card behind the window.  Nothing that is a specific "fail" in my mind here.

• I used Jennifer McQuire's shaker card method to assemble my card, filling the openings with October Tango prills.  I didn't add enough prills and also used foam squares to adhere my shaker card, rather than Jennifer's trick of die cutting a piece of white foam to raise my frame for the shaker card.  The result is an opening that allows the prills to hide and thus, not have enough "shake" (compared to the submission card above.
• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging in Distress Inks.  Again, something I couldn't screw up!

Having criticized the heck out of the card, I will say that I used this card like all the others.  To a person who didn't see the submission card, my "fail" is perfectly adorable.  I think this a good example of how our vision doesn't play out.  This can often lead to decisions about a project's worth that is inaccurate.  Proof that crafting is not always comparable and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I say our inner critics should take a nap and we should get onto more crafting!

I linked this up at SSS Monday Challenge: Autumn is in the Air.  Come join the fun!

Watercoloring with Distress Markers

Another no-line watercoloring image to share with you today. I once again I used the technique shared by Kristina Werner in her video to practice a lesson from my online class.  In this case, I used an old Stampin' Up wood block stamp that my grandma had for years.  She gifted me with the entire set last year and I was struggling to decide how to use it.  Kristina inspired me to give water coloring with the stamp a try.  I think it took me a bit of effort to get a pleasing image - there are a couple of pieces that I left in the garbage bag when all was said and done.  However, after playing a bit I'd have to say I really like the simple result here that created a beautiful focal point for a card topper.  I haven't decided just what to do with these images, but I am thinking I will make a few up to put onto a Christmas card to give as extra's this year.

So adorable and really quick and simple to make.  It kinda makes me look talented!   I will resist the urge to downplay my part and simply say - I am pleased. Again, I would suggest you break out some of your stamp sets you haven't used in a while and give it a go.  This water color thing is fun!

Our Beautiful World - Colors of October

This week's word prompt over at Our Beautiful World is Colors of October.  Quite technically, these photos were taken in September, but they are what I think of when I think of October in Colorado.  We usually travel for fall break - the first two weeks of October and so I associate the colors of fall with the colors of October in Colorado.  Still, I think these photos count - blue skies, white clouds, green evergreen trees, barren slopes in tans and browns. Occassionally, one can find a stand of trees whose leaves have turned.  This and the next three photos are all taken along Trail Ridge Road driving West out of Estes Park in Colorado.  I recently visited my grandparents and we spent the day enjoying the scenic views.

A stop by the side of the road where we find a delightful little brooke flowing in and amongst the bushes.  Beautiful splashes of red flowers were found along the water.

This view if from the hill right next to my grandparents house in Broomfield, Colorado.  One might find it boring in the tans and browns, with little green.  I find it delightful as this is the view when I am only minutes from seeing my grandparents.   This familiar feeling is full of anticipation and joy.

Here we are next to the Big Thompson river in Estes park, my grandma and me.  I thank God for such a strong and loving women who has been there all my life.  I am joyful that my 88 year old grandma could spend the day driving in the Rocky Mountians.  This is something we've done for decades and if it was up to me we'd do it for decades more.  Wishing you the joy of October.  Why don't you flip through your pictures to show the ladies over at Our Beautiful World what the colors of October look like where you are from?

An Inflated Birthday Card

I worked up this card recently to give to my dad on his birthday.  The man card can be so tough, but my Avery Elle Balloons Clear stamp and die set was just what I needed.  I used some Simon Says Stamp hybrid inks to ink up the balloons and the card.  These stamps can be a bit tricky to stamp so I just made and die cut a bunch of them.  Now I have some for another card if I need them later.

On the inside I used my Penny Black Sweet Wishes stamp set and colored with Inktense watercolor pencils.

A simple, but effective card. I've been hoping around the internet enjoying World Cardmaking Day and will be linking up with the following:

Simon Says Stamp's World Cardmaking Day post

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenege: Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #203: Anything Goes

Today's the day - get crafty and join World Cardmaking Day.  We're all having fun.

A Lovely Gift - Handemade Mini Album

Front Inside Cover

I am immensely pleased to bring you another Brandy creation today.  She made this mini-album for a friend to give to his grandma.  No way to talk through all the crafty goodness in this book, but I'll try to give a few important details.  Feel free to grab something soothing to drink and flip through the photos.  It is worth it to zoom in on a couple of these lovely pages to really get a picture of the variety of embellishments that were included in this book.

On the mini-book cover, Brandy printed the title out onto white cardstock and embellished with stamped stars, carrying the background theme forward.  Those flowers are cut from patterned paper, inked on the edges with Distress Ink and shaped using this technique.

Lots of pockets to add photos and tags tucked inside to place photos or journaling

Tag toppers peak out of the album

The album is made using the hidden hinge technique.  Brandy followed these two videos for inspiration:

Ginger at My Sister's Scrapper
 and
Stack the Deck Mini-albums with Laura Denison

Click the links, but be warned.  These paper bag albums are addictive.  It's not called Contagiously Crafty for nothing!

Each tag is covered on one side with patterned paper from a Best of Basic Grey collection

The backside of the tags are stamped with journaling frames as a suggestion how to fill them.  Space at the top for picture, room at the bottom for writing.

The fold out sides add such beauty and a useful place for pictures

The book just isn't complete without a waterfall photo/journal book at the back

The back cover is spectacular.  The stars were made using a background die of repeative stars.  The die cut dark paper was then glued to a light background paper.  Each star was then filled with glue and glittered.  The picture doesn't exactly do the glitter justice, but I can reassure you is stunning in person.  This technique was used on both the front and back covers.

The gold handmade paper is a perfect accent for the binding.  Don't you love the chain of charms Brandy attached to the binding.  A little bit of extra care and attention in the book design.

This card was a last step in book design intended for the giver to write a special note to his grandma before giving the gift.  So precious with those Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret flowers die cut from patterned paper and shaped as indicated previously.  Do you see the teeny, tiny butterflies?  Oh my but this is a special book.