I have been obsessed with my nestabilities dies so I used many of them for these two cards. I also wanted contrasting color schemes since I wanted to use these paper flowers I got from Michaels. I think they came out pretty well.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Only a few months late (but who is counting?) Below are the Mother's Day cards I made for both of my supervisors. Both are hardworking moms that make balancing work and motherhood look easy (or at least very achievable!).
I have been obsessed with my nestabilities dies so I used many of them for these two cards. I also wanted contrasting color schemes since I wanted to use these paper flowers I got from Michaels. I think they came out pretty well.
I have been obsessed with my nestabilities dies so I used many of them for these two cards. I also wanted contrasting color schemes since I wanted to use these paper flowers I got from Michaels. I think they came out pretty well.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Apparently, March was National Craft month. OK?! I had to do something about it! I wanted to do something like that Valentine's Day card making class I did with my friend Gale at Paper Source so long ago. Unfortunately, she couldn't join me but I decided to sign up for an Easter card making class anyway. Suffice to say, it wasn't as enjoyable and I've decided not to write about that particular experience.
However, they mentioned having a class on water color creations and I knew I wanted to try that.
A few Facebook comments later, I had five friends signed up with me and we actually ended up being the whole class apart from one other person. So it definitely felt like a private class. I find that these experiences are better if you do it with a buddy.
Our instructor showed us some water color techniques before we started which honestly, wasn't much. She was chatty and informal and while it made for a comfortable atmosphere, I remember thinking that the instructor at the Upper West Side Paper Source seemed more professional and knowledgable. Each experience is subjective and each Paper Source store works autonomously. While this location is close to my job, I may try to explore other venues.
Soon we were off to work!
All in all, did I enjoy watercolors?
Hmmmm.... no. I went into it thinking it would be similar to Copics but I was dead wrong. First off, the amount of control you have with water colors is very limited. I kept over saturating my paper until it curled up into useless messes. Then blending wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Usually with Copics, I just keep adding color until I like the blend, but I couldn't do that here. I used regular brushes as well as their special water color ones that had water already in the brush- all I had to do was squeeze. No luck with either method. The one thing I walked away from was kind of hideous, but at least it was a good learning experience!
I did however discover these wonderful Martha Stewart glitter pens that I purchased with the 10% off coupon they give you after every class so it wasn't a total loss.
The girls had way better luck!
So maybe I won't be adding water coloring to my card making repertoire, but that doesn't mean I didn't totally enjoy this random Wednesday night with friends!
However, they mentioned having a class on water color creations and I knew I wanted to try that.
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| How lovely do these projects look? |
A few Facebook comments later, I had five friends signed up with me and we actually ended up being the whole class apart from one other person. So it definitely felt like a private class. I find that these experiences are better if you do it with a buddy.
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| Ignore our plug for Subway there. We all had cravings after work! |
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| Our supplies and some examples for us to draw inspiration from |
Our instructor showed us some water color techniques before we started which honestly, wasn't much. She was chatty and informal and while it made for a comfortable atmosphere, I remember thinking that the instructor at the Upper West Side Paper Source seemed more professional and knowledgable. Each experience is subjective and each Paper Source store works autonomously. While this location is close to my job, I may try to explore other venues.
Soon we were off to work!
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| Chloe was looking forward to creating her poster with the water colors! |
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| The Force was however not strong with water colors.... Tracy stuck to stamping and embossing ;-) |
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| Jennifer had clear goals! She needed a birthday and anniversary card! |
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| It got a bit messy.... |
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| I just love Rachel's face here.... |
All in all, did I enjoy watercolors?
Hmmmm.... no. I went into it thinking it would be similar to Copics but I was dead wrong. First off, the amount of control you have with water colors is very limited. I kept over saturating my paper until it curled up into useless messes. Then blending wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Usually with Copics, I just keep adding color until I like the blend, but I couldn't do that here. I used regular brushes as well as their special water color ones that had water already in the brush- all I had to do was squeeze. No luck with either method. The one thing I walked away from was kind of hideous, but at least it was a good learning experience!
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| I got the song in your head, didn't I? |
The girls had way better luck!
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| She may not like water colors, but Tracy will be invited to the next embossing event! |
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| "I Am Inimitable" from the best song in HAMILTON. No really, it's the BEST song. |
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| Rachel is the sweetest... |
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| Jennifer's water color birthday card came out lovely! |
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| My coworkers have problems with expletives, but didn't Melanie's rainbow come out so well? |
So maybe I won't be adding water coloring to my card making repertoire, but that doesn't mean I didn't totally enjoy this random Wednesday night with friends!
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
I started my current job last July. If you knew me in college, you knew that I had always dreamed of being in publishing. All of those 2000's rom-coms of city gals jetting to work in heels holding a Starbucks coffee in one hand and the paper in the other just got to me. Plus, I was an English major, so it was very fitting. (FYI: I don't even drink coffee and I usually have a book, not the paper with me!)
It took me a really long time and lots of frustrating jobs to get to where I am today. And I'm no fool, either. I know I am hella lucky to have gotten here and by here I mean Children's Publishing. I also know that finding a boss that is both friend and mentor is like hitting the Mega Millions. It's.Not.Easy.
But here I am!
So for her birthday, I wanted to make something special. At this point, it was only about a month and a half in so I was still getting to know her. I wanted it to be sophisticated with a floral palate.
For this, I found a really pretty cherry blossom pattern at Michael's so I used that for the bottom. The trim is from Martha Stewart of course and I used some embellishments that I had in my trusty box.
For her actual present, I wanted to do something she could use at work. She has an adorable daughter so I figured instead of just getting a frame, I would make one. Using that same Cherry Blossom pattern, I cut them out in little triangles and pasted them onto a regular frame. I then used a basic pink distress pattern for contrast. She really liked it which was a relief!
It took me a really long time and lots of frustrating jobs to get to where I am today. And I'm no fool, either. I know I am hella lucky to have gotten here and by here I mean Children's Publishing. I also know that finding a boss that is both friend and mentor is like hitting the Mega Millions. It's.Not.Easy.
But here I am!
So for her birthday, I wanted to make something special. At this point, it was only about a month and a half in so I was still getting to know her. I wanted it to be sophisticated with a floral palate.
For this, I found a really pretty cherry blossom pattern at Michael's so I used that for the bottom. The trim is from Martha Stewart of course and I used some embellishments that I had in my trusty box.
For her actual present, I wanted to do something she could use at work. She has an adorable daughter so I figured instead of just getting a frame, I would make one. Using that same Cherry Blossom pattern, I cut them out in little triangles and pasted them onto a regular frame. I then used a basic pink distress pattern for contrast. She really liked it which was a relief!
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| Here's a closer look at the collage. |
Sunday, February 14, 2016
This year, I took the rest of my crafting supplies out of storage. One of the things I uncovered was my Cuttlebug! I forgot how much I loved that thing and along with some Spellbinder Nestabilities dies, I made most of my Valentine's this year with them. JP went to New Jersey one weekend to hang out with his cousins, so I watched girly movies all Saturday and Sunday while making these. Along with die cuts, I used lots of powder and glittering embossing. Overall, I was very happy with how they came out!
Also, if anyone was wondering, the movies I watched were as follows:
- Sabrina (my all time favorite girly flick ever. (The remake though) I'm a sucker for Harrison Ford in a bow tie!
- Bridget Jones' Diary
- The Wedding Date
- Notting Hill
- Cruel Intentions
- Mystic Pizza
- Hannah and her Sisters
Thursday, February 11, 2016
My boyfriend's sister, Michelle is a fan of Finding Nemo so for her birthday, I wanted to use my Pixar Cricut cartridge to make something for her. There are so many great cuts in this cartridge. I also used letter stamps to create the phrases. I made little squirt because who doesn't love him?
Here's a secret- blending distress inks is really hard. No matter how many youtube videos I watch, it never seems to come out the way I want it to. For the card below, I wanted to use some nautical stamps my boyfriend's brother Tim gave me. I've made him fun cards before but this was was supposed to be a little more heartfelt. I wanted to create a beach at sunset and in retrospect, I don't know why I added an ahoy stamp when there is no ship...haha Maybe I am analyzing this too closely and should just go back to watching youtube videos.
Anybody know any good bloggers with distress ink videos?
Anybody know any good bloggers with distress ink videos?
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