Boss Birthdays

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!

Here's a closer look at the collage. 

Sunshine and Happiness

I had to create a thank-you card for someone and I wanted it to be extra special. I also wanted a reason to break out the Copics again. I recently bought these fun sunflower clear stamps and I wanted to try them out. I should have taken pictures of the many attempts. I first tried a pinkish/yellowish scheme, but my card was looking too much like Candyland! I decided perhaps natural colors would be best.

I used a Martha Stewart paper puncher to trim the white card stock and the orange background. I then decided to very lightly, sponge some antique photo distress ink on the edges. It's barely noticeable in the photo though. The sentiment was from a $1 pile I found at Michael's.

When I was stamping it, I got that Rod Stewart song, Forever Young in my head which I think is actually a cover of Bob Dylan. Go give it a listen. It'll make you smile.

A Valentine for my Valentine!

I try to make my boyfriend JP something special every year and this year was no exception. I found the cutest stamp from Joann's called Kissin' Kiddos and when it arrived, I started practicing! I should have taken a picture of all the attempts I made, trying to perfect the hair and clothing, but what matters is the end result.

You know, I don't say this very often, but I'm super super proud of this one.

I tried making the girl's skin color a little darker than the boy's since I'm Spanish (but seriously, with this winter weather, I'm as pale as he is these days!).

The background paper was from a Martha Stewart Valentine's Day pack I picked up from Michael's last year (always recycle your holiday paper!). I cut out the heart from the Sweethearts cricut cartridge and stamped the image on there. As for colors, I wanted to make this card very traditional so I stuck to the red/pink and blue/green palate.

JP really liked it so that made me even prouder of this card. I feel like I'm making progress on my copics too!

Crafty Christmas 2013

As promised, here are the rest of the cards I made for 2013. Again, they were not nearly as many as I had wanted to make, but people were forgiving. I have decided to follow in the footsteps of my friend Amy from Scrap This, Save That. She had an idea for a Christmas Card Catch-Up where she made cards throughout the year and it was a pretty successful venture. I think I'm going to try that and create about 1-2 cards a month and see where I am next December.

This year, I focused on snowflakes. I recently got the Cricut cartridge, Winter Wonderland and there were so many nice die-cuts available.

Before adding this snowflake with 3D zots, I embossed some smaller snowflakes on the card. I ended it with the sentiment, "Let it Snow" which I got from Michael's for a dollar.

For this card, I embossed the writing on the card first and went over it with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress ink. The Believe sentiment also came from the Winter Wonderland cartridge along with the snowflake. This had to be my favorite card of the season.

This next card, I embossed a stocking stamp I had with green glitter powder. I used a Martha Stewart paper puncher for the bottom and I added peppermint twine to the top. The sentiment came from this adorable stamp I found at Paper Presentation which is this wicked store in NYC that sells every type of paper you can imagine.

For this card, I wanted to emboss using two different colors so I used a small paint brush to apply the gold on the antlers and red on the body of the reindeer. It actually wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. (Or as messy!)

This last card was made with the Winter Frolic cartridge. The snowman's face was made with a Peachy Keen stamp and I added some peppermint twine to the base of the snow globe.

That's All, Folks. Until next year! (or next month!)

Kitties, Birthdays and the Color Pink

Once again, my pal Joe requested a card. This time for his niece who was turning seven. He informed me that she liked the color pink, kittens, and princess dresses (is it weird that I have the similar tastes of a seven year old? haha) This is what I came up with.

The kitty is cut from the Create a Critter cartridge and I used some sparkly cardstock for her dress. It was left over from a Valentine's Day Martha Stewart pack I have. And what seven year old birthday party would be complete without balloons? I decided if Nicole was anything like me when I was seven, she'd like seeing her name on EVERYTHING. I added some heart brads to the corners to finish it off.

I found this birthday stamp at Hobby Lobby and I just fell in love with it. Hopefully, Nicole enjoyed her card!

DIY Project: Creating Wedding Invitation Shells

Today's post is a labor of love that I am very proud of! Gale and Andrew are two coworkers I met at my last job. If you know me in real life then you know I was not a big fan of my previous place of employment. However among the sea of manipulation, I met two of the nicest, most genuine people ever and I'm so happy that even though I no longer see them every day, we are still pretty close. The older I get, the more I realize how rare it is to find good friends. 

When Gale approached me for help with the wedding invites, I was thrilled. Of course I would help! Her main problem was that she had ordered lovely invitations from a website, but thought they needed some pizazz with the presentation. So I turned to my Martha Stewart paper trimmers and came up with a design I thought she would like. Then we began the process of making 90 invitations. Several trips to Michael's and bottles of wine later, we got to work!

And to his credit, Andrew stuck it out with us girls like a trooper! Never complaining, he diligently did every job given to him. Even if they were quite simple.... haha

At Michael's, Gale purchased LOTS of individual  pieces of Gold 12x12 card stock. (Thank GOD for their massive open card stock sale!) I was first on the assembly line, measuring and cutting the paper.

Isn't he adorable? Ladies, he's single. So good at direction. Such a keeper!

 Then I handed it over to Andrew so he could use the paper trimmer to cut the middle of the paper. Lastly, Gale took it and adding the tissue paper and the actual invitation, closed it and tied it with a lovely purple ribbon.

The glowing Bride-to-be!

I must say, we worked all afternoon and made pretty good progress. Perhaps it was the good conversation or the great music (we listened to everything from The Postal Service to The Shins to John Frusciante) But we cranked out 90 of these rather easily.

We also stamped their custom created stamp from Etsy on the envelopes.

Victory! We're awesome.

When I received the invitation, I almost didn't want to open it.

I was pretty proud of us. I have heard so many nightmares of brides and their DIY projects that they enlist their bridesmaids to help create. This was so far from that and I was just glad to spend some time with my former partners in crime. When my time comes, I know who I will be enlisting for my own DIY projects- my two honorary bridesmaids. =)

And speaking of enlisting help, a few days later, I helped Gale maneuver her way around veil shopping in NYC.  Let me just say, veils are EXPENSIVE! Fo' real.  Plus I have no idea how people get away with selling flower decorations for your hair that cost $145 when you can find the same thing at Claire's for $10. Truth. 

But I did have a little fun....

Between my shirt and phone case, I'm surprised the wedding consultant didn't say "Little girl, stop playing with the merchandise."

2nd Mother's Day Card

For the second Mother's Day card I made, I wanted to create a floral motif. I took a bouquet stamp I have and went to work with my Copics. Still learning how to blend! I found this nicely embossed paper at Michael's on the sale rack that I used as the background. The paper trimmer was by Martha Stewart and I decided to add a ribbon just because.

And of course, a MOM stamp. =)

The Power of Thank You Cards

Life has been nuts lately! I'm sorry for this long absence, but thankfully the craziness has not stopped me from creating. Today, I have two more thank you cards to showcase and these are two special cards because they were sent to my new employers! I got a new job!! I will be working for Penguin Publishing in the city and I am SO excited because I have always wanted to break into the publishing business and it has finally happened!

I made these quick thank you cards the same afternoon of my interview. Within a day they were out the door and I really think they helped because I interviewed on a Monday morning and by Friday morning I had the job. So while I do believe one has to actually be qualified and show some experience to land a dream job, it also helps when you show some creativity and gratitude with personal notes!

I had bought these beautiful stamps from Inkadinkado and I used clear embossing powder on a piece of card stock. I decided to take my Distress inks and instead of blending all over, I decided to try something new and make color blocks. I really liked how it came out. I ended with a Martha Stewart paper trimmer. Simple.

This adorable puppy was also from an Inkadinkado stamp set. I decided to color him in with Copics and used a scalloped paper puncher to cut him out.  I wanted the sentiment font to be as playful as the puppy. Again, simple but pretty. =)



I was so happy when I found out I got the job! It also had perfect timing because my birthday was the week after. I ended up spending the day in the city with my boyfriend going to the Central Park Zoo and then to the Museum of Natural History (my fav place!)

Teddy R. and I go waaaaay back.

My boyfriend and I are silly. <3

So now that I am back in the swing of things, I'm looking forward to checking out everyone's sites!!

Paper Playtime #7 Use a Pun

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! For me, I think the best part about Easter besides the goodie baskets is getting to see all the adorable little girls at Mass dressed in their finest party dresses!

This week, Paper Playtime is having a fun challenge. You can make a project that uses a pun. 

Ch#7 Use a PUN
Begins: Mon, Apr 1

Ends: Sun, Apr 14

Prizes $15 Gift Cert. from The Robin's Nest
2nd Sponsor: 1 set of Metal Dies or 1 Stamp Set 
(winner's choice; must have USA address) from My Craft Spot

Winner announced in the WINNERS Page Tab

Here's what I created for this challenge:
 

I wanted to make an Easter card for my boyfriend's mom. She is the only person I know who actually likes Peeps so I bought her a box and made her this card. I embossed the background with a swirly rubber stamp and Tim Holtz embossing powder. I used the chick from the Create a Critter 2 cartridge and Martha Stewart paper punch for the borders.  I used some Distress Ink for the second border and stamped the sentiment.

I really hope you all join in on the fun since I know just how many cartridges and stamps out there have puns!

Have a happy Easter everyone!

Paper Playtime: Anything Goes!

Welcome to my first project for Paper Playtime Challenge Blog! This week is a really fun and easy challenge to join- Anything Goes! 

Ch#5 Anything Goes

Begins: Mon, Mar 4

Ends: Sun, Mar 17

Prize $15 Gift Cert. from The Robin's Nest

Winner announced in the WINNERS Page Tab

Here's what I created for this challenge: 

It's March so I wanted to make something green and festive.  This was one of the first Magnolia stamps I purchased and I took to my Copics to color it in. The background paper is from My Mind's Eye and the paper trimmer is from the Martha Stewart collection. I added some paper flowers and a sheer green ribbon. I added the sentiment but it looked a little plain so I attached two tiny brads to the corners. 

I hope everyone likes this and plays along with us! There are some seriously talented ladies on this team and I'm so happy to be a part of it! Anything Goes is a super fun, very easy challenge so let me see what you all got!

Also, have you entered my Blog redesign giveaway? Only a few more days! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day isn't a big deal around here. My boyfriend JP and I don't really do anything special for it. It's not that we dislike the holiday, but it's not really our thing. We do exchange small presents and cards, but tonight he has a lot of work to do and I can't miss Grey's Anatomy so that's that.

But I do make him a card because that's what I do and putting aside all the forced lovey dovey sentiments that this holiday brings, it's just a nice way to show your partner that you appreciate them. This is what I made him.

I bought this S.W.A.L.K stamp months ago and it's been sitting in my drawer waiting to be used. I've been trying to get better with my Copics and my boyfriend has actually been really supportive so I wanted to use them for his card. I covered the image with red Washi tape and put jewels in the corners. The background heart paper is from a Martha Stewart pack as is the paper puncher I used for the top and bottom of the card. I recently bought this Studio G sentiment at JoAnn's and I thought it was just so cute.

We exchanged presents at midnight, but the cards will be exchanged tonight after we have the lovely steak dinner I will be preparing. For us, this is a perfect holiday.

My Valentine's Present from him. He knows me so well. 

I'm going to be entering this card in the following challenges-

Pause, Dream, Enjoy Mainly Red Challenge. This ends February 17th.
Paper Playtime Border Punch Challenge. This also ends on February 17th.


So whether Valentine's Day is a big deal or just another day for you, I hope no matter how you spend it, you have a lovely time. =)