First attempt- Stair step card

I needed to make a stair step card for a swap that I am in on my favorite MB, and this is what I came up with. I have to be honest, it took me three attempts to get the folding correct, but it finally worked out right! The front fold also has snowflakes stamped in blue from Stampin Up's Christmas Punch hostess set, but you can barely see it in this picture. The die cut snowflakes were from those kind that you can buy in the craft stores that are already premade. The stamps are a clear set that I had on hand from last year I think. I love these little penguins! I colored the image with my Stampin Write Markers by Stampin Up.

Meander Book a second look

I knew that the meander book that I posted below needed more to it, but at the time I didn't know what. I took another look at it and here is what I came up with. On the front I added two layered flowers and in the center added the little plastic bead, which we affectionatley call "skittles" (not the real name). Then in the center of the book where I had previously made pockets, I used Stampin Ups Tab punch to punch out tabs that I had stamped using the "Totally Tabs" stamp set.
Now it looks better!

An Altered book

OK so this is my first attempt at making a Meander Book. I took the tutorial from a popular website among crafters and SU Demos alike. I have to say that this is actually the third piece of paper that I used, as I just was not understanding what the instructions were telling me to do. Maybe I am just dense???

The outside cover is a chipboard coaster that I had laying around. I used my binding machine (first time on my own!) Every few pages of the book are pockets and I think I am going to add some tags that can be pulled out for journaling or even to add another picture inside. I need to spice it up a little I know, but wanted to put it here so I could show it to my friend Terri (Hi Terri!)

Honest I am not lost!

I have just been trying to work on some goodies for a Craft Fair/Sale that I am going to be doing on Novemeber 7th with my friend Michelle. So I have been trying to stay off the computer, and motivated. It isn't easy! If you'd like to take a peek at what I have been working on, check it out here:
http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/

Hoefully things will calm down a little and I can get back to making cards for swaps, etc. Although I am a bit ahead after the crop that I went to a few weeks ago. I do have to get those on here also.

Hope to "see" you soon!

Happy Creating!

Adding sentiments to cards-part 1

I had a friend ask a very good question today. How do you add sentiments to the insides of your cards. Especially if it is a dark colored card. So I decided to do a post of how I sometimes make the insides of my cards. I do use my computer for this a lot of times, so I'm doing this step by step for these of you who aren't computer savvy!

Open a new document. I moved the right Margin over to about the number 7. I then moved the left margin over to about the 3 mark. You can always play with that later!

I typed in a sentiment, and highlighted it all.

Over in my fonts box I scrolled until I found a font that I liked. I tried a few before I found one that I though looked kind of robot like.

I typed in my sentiment and adjusted the sizes as I thought was needed. I also changed what I wanted it to say. I often times will do a search for a sentiment for cards, but after 2 hours of looking for one, I made up my own! There are a lot of sites out there where you can get free fonts, so if your computer doesn't come with one that suits your needs, do a search and you will find some great freebies! The one I used here was called "Hurry Up" and I have no idea who it is by, sorry!

More to follow.....

Adding sentiments to your cards-part 2

This is the card I am making the sentiment for. I made these using Stampin Up's "Lots of Bots". The cardstock I used was stuff I had on hand. I made these for a swap on my fav MB last Saturday during a Crop that my friend Terri's sister had in New Holland. OK...so back to the card.

Here it is all printed out and adjusted, etc. Then I trimmed the paper down to be slightly smaller then the card itself. I believe I went down to 8 x 4.

I applied adhesive to the back of the left side of the paper. Folded it in half stuck it in the card, with the folded paper as far left into the fold of the cad that it could go. Closed the card and pressed down to make it stick. (yikes look at the freckles!)

And here we have it, the finished card!

You could of course also just apply the paper to one side of the card and omit the other side. I like it to have both sides, like that big card retailer does! You could also use some patterned paper inside, or I guess even Velumn. I have never printed on velumn though, so I don't know the steps for that.

I hope this helps!

Happy Creating!!!!

Bookmarks for Donation

My friend Jean (JeanP) is holding a donation "swap" on my favorite Message Board. Her daughter is a teacher in a school in (I believe) Malaysia. Anyway she is doing a bookmark swap, and they will be donated to the school where she works. Jean says there are about 500 students in the school. I participated in the swap last year as well and had lots of fun with it. And what a great way to use up some of the scraps of cardstock that you have laying around? All of the bookmarks in the first picture were made by me, using all scraps of cardstock.

When I told Cheyenne what I was doing, and why, she said "Everyone should have a book" and she asked if she too could make some bookmarks. So I handed over my stamps and stamp pads (and yes I let her use the Stampin' Up ones) and she used one of my bookmarks as a pattern. She did all of the stamping and gluing, I helped her with the cutting. You may see a few that are glued crooked, but that's OK, because she made them with love! On the back we stamped them with my stamp, and wrote Cheyenne age 6.

Be warned...my craft space

So I was asked to post a picture of my craft space. I have been putting it off, as it is always messy. What can I say I am creative, I can't be neat too! (Love that saying!) So today I had to clean it up so I can start some new projects, and I figured this was the best time to snap some photos, as it may not be clean for long. (Actually my Hubby was taking a nap, and came in and his exact words "ah! What happened to your table?" Thanks honey!) Not many people get to see this room, it's too dangerous!

Below is my craft table. I got it from IKEA. It really is full. I even use the window sill! (Hee hee just saw the shade is crooked) Yes there's even stuff under the table. It's a small room and I use all the space I have! :) You'll notice my chair is crooked also. That's thanks to the kids thinking it is meant to spin on. :(
Next my awesome storage drawers. Those first three stacks, all have stamps in!

My ribbons. OK really this is just some of them. I have three more dowels on the other wall with the drawers. And there is ribbon hiding elsewhere. I kind of have a ribbon addiction (as well as a stamp addiction).

My awesome over the door rack. Holds lots of goodies! And yes that is MORE ribbon you see! But can you see the one spool (on the right white with a red dot)? A whole spool for a $1! How could I pass that up?? There 4 more behind that one). Also please ignore the Pooh growth chart behind the rack. This used to be the nursery, and I never took it down.

Then I have on the same wall as my table, three 5 shelf bookcases that have shoeboxes with misc tools, ribbon, etc. I know it looks like a big mess compared to all of those beautiful craft rooms I have seen posted other places, but at least I have a space in which to craft. I hear many ladies say they have to use the dining room table, or have to lug stuff out, and then put it all back as soon as they are finished. My room is messy, but I know where (almost) everything is in it. a dn at the end of the day (or at 4 am when I normally craft) I can pull the door shut and no one has to see the mess. That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Also upon cleaning up a bit, I have a little craft hint for you.
Do you craft for hours only to find little bits of ribbon, paper, the little things form the back of your Dimensional all over the floor? I have a solution! Get yourself a lint roller! I used the one by Bounce. It not only picked up all the little things off the floor, BUT it also left the room smelling fresh! :)

Birthday card for Brianna

I made this card for Brianna's 6th birthday. I have had the patterned paper FOREVER! The image is from Stampin' Up's Crazy for Cupcakes set. I colored the image with my Stampin Write markers, and added some glitter glue to the cupcakes. The yellow side is embossed with a birthday themed folder.
Cheyenne picked out all of the colors, and patterned paper. Hope she liked it!