Prom Night

Hello everyone!  It's the last day of April...  and next comes one of my favorite craft months.  May 7th is National Scrapbooking Day and that's one fun thing to celebrate.  Remember what I did in March for National Craft Month?  We'll definitely do that again for National Scrapbooking Day, except that we'll celebrate it in the entire month of May.  The goodies are ready for show, so do check out tomorrow for the details.

Do you know that May is also Creative Beginnings Month and National Military Appreciation Month?

The following are also some holidays and observances for May:

• National Family Week (1st -7th)
• National Pet Week (1st-7th)
• Teacher Appreciation Week (2nd-8th) with National Teacher Day on the 3rd
• Mother's Day (8th)
• Memorial Day (30th)

Today is also the prom night of our high school.  And I was asked to make the sashes for the prom queen, king, prince and princess.  That required the aid of my Cricut Expression.

I used Gypsy Font to cut the letters, and adhered them on black ribbon that's layered on white ribbon.  Rhinestones finished the project.

Tomorrow we begin our National Scrapbooking Day celebration.  Catch you all then!

Twins Scrapbook

TGIF everyone!  Today I would like to share with you my latest scrapbook project, which I made for a friend from work.  It's an 8 x 8 album, with 20 pages.  You should have seen some of the pages in past blog entries.  And this time I'm sharing with you the rest of them.

Before I give you the link to the album itself, here are a couple of double page LOs  that I like.  I wanted the pages to showcase the portraits well, so I chose not to embellish too much.  For this layout, I put some journaling spots for my friend to write on.

For this layout, I just matted the portraits on vellum punched on the corners.  I used Martha Stewart markers for the journaling.

You can see the entire scrapbook album by clicking here.

'Til next blog!

Brain Fart

I can't even think of how to start this blog entry.  Well, you may have noticed that I haven't updated my blog as often.  I guess I really am having some type of crafter's block.  Or my craft muse went on vacation to some place warm. 

The past couple of nights, I was just staring at my stamps, trying to squeeze my mind for ideas and of what to make.  The staring didn't work.  I tried to browse through magazines and books, and that didn't work either.

Maybe somebody can invent some sort of candy bar that can spark creativity. 

Anyway, it's that time of the week again - Creative Vision time!  What better way to beat crafter's block by making something that doesn't require a lot of embellishments.

Please visit the Creative Vision blog to see this "simple" and "masculine" project.

Let me try to break this boring spell.  'Til next blog!

Calendar Wreath Video Tutorial

Hello everyone!  I received quite a number of private messages and emails asking for a tutorial of the Calendar Wreath, designed by Michael G. Lafosse. 

My first take on it was very simple, which you can see here, and the second one was an ornament I made for one of Creative Vision blog hops (click here to see).

Without further ado, here's my latest video tutorial:

You can also see this video in a larger screen on the Tinker Planet homepage.

I would love to know what you think.

'Til next blog!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter dear reader!  I really don't have that much to say, but this card is for you: 



Materials used:

cardstock:  Stampin' Up, Fiskars

sentiment:  unknown/RAKed

ink:  Stampin' Up, Spica

tools:  Spellbinders, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Big Shot, piercing tool

embellishments:  Prima flowers, rhinestones, pearls

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

I hope you enjoy that special dinner with your loved ones and friends, and that you remember the real reason why we celebrate Easter.

'Til next blog!

Friday

Hello everyone!  TGIF!  I'm sure most of you have started preparing for Easter dinner this Sunday.  Believe it or not, I look forward to eating hard boiled eggs the most.  There's something about cracking and peeling the different colored eggs that makes me enjoy eating them more.

Today's card has a bit of history.  The dotted square and the bird have been sitting on my craft desk for years.  I used the same elements for a set of cards I submitted for a swap back then (click here to see).  I decided to stick to the same layout, but just using current tools and embellishments. 

To make the bird image more defined, I touched it up with Spica glitter pen.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  K & Co., leftovers

image/sentiment:  CTMH, Inkadinkado

ink:  Tsukineko, Stampin' Up, ColorBox, Spica glitter pen

tools:  Spellbinders, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Big Shot

embellishments:  head pin, beads, ribbon, rhinestones

misc.:  Martha Stewart glitter

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

Enjoy the weekend, crafty friends... 'til next blog!

Happy Birthday

Hi reader!  It's that time of the week to feature a project using Creative Vision stamps.  For this card, I'm using one of the new release sets, which I also used in last weekend's blog hop.  It's one of my favorites from the Creative Vision line called "Sassy Birthday".

Here's a sneak peek:

To see my card in full, please go to the Creative Vision Blog.

'Til next blog!

Before and After

As I type this blog entry, we're experiencing a blizzard.  Not the sweet and cold one that you eat.  I mean a real one.  And the last time I checked, it's April 19th.  It's technically Spring.  Somebody must have really ticked Mother Nature because she doesn't seem happy... at all.

While I was cleaning my craft desk, I saw this unfinished pop-up card that I made three years ago:

The card front is black, and I never got around to finish the card.  I stamped the flower images with whatever black ink pad I had at the time, and I remember using just "ordinary markers" (in crafters' term) to color the flowers.  Back then, I was already proud of this "achievement".  I figured maybe I can do some touch ups to make it better.

Armed with my Copic markers and tools that didn't exist before, I started working.  First, I used my black multi-liner pen to enhance the lines of the images.  Then I started coloring with Copics.  Here's my pop-up card's new look:

It only goes to show how big of a difference three years can make.  And I give credit to all the crafters and bloggers for all the inspiration and knowledge that they have shared to people like me. 

'Til next blog!

Freebie Card

Hello crafty friends!  During my last trip to Joann's, I chanced upon a magazine published from the UK called Cardmaking and Paper Craft.  I've seen this magazine before, but what caught my eye was the freebie that came with it.  It was a clear stamp set designed by Adam Pescott.  I just had to get a copy.  And when I started reading the magazine, there were some bonus dp inside as well.

So when I got home, I went ahead and played with my freebies and I was able to make this card:

  

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Embassy, Fiskars, freebies/leftovers

stamp:  Adam Pescott

ink:  Tsukineko, Copic, Staedler

tools:  Martha Stewart deep edge punch, Spellbinders, EK Success corner rounder, Stampin' Up ticket corner punch, Big Shot, paper piercer

embellishments:  flower sequins, rhinestone stickers (Recollections)

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

'Til next blog!

Couture Card Set

Hello reader!  We just had a few more inches of snow yesterday, and I tell you...  a lot of people were not happy.  It's kinda frustrating that we're still having snow past the middle of April.  I know the weather has been crazy everywhere with tornados, strong winds and even hot weather for some.  I guess we'll just have to make do until the perfect weather finally arrives. 

Last month, I made an invitation card for Creative Vision using the "Surprise Party" stamp set (click here to see).  Well, I had a bunch more of those dresses cut, and the dp left over.  So I decided to make a card set of the same layout, with just some minor changes. 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Bazzil, Embassy, My Mind's Eye, leftovers

tools:  Martha Stewart edge punch, corner punch (Martha Stewart, Stampin' Up, Fiskars, EK Success), dies (Spellbinders, Quickutz), embossing folders (Sizzix, Cuttlebug)

embellishments:  flower sequins, brads, pearls, rhinestones

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, Fiskars, mounting tape

To see each card in detail, please click here. 

'Til next blog!

Cute As A Bug

Hello reader! Guess what? We're in the middle of April, and it's snowing.... again! And I'm guessing it will be snowing all day. Bummer!

Anyway, I would like to share with you another page from my latest 8 x 8 scrapbook project:

The stitching is my favorite part of this double page layout.  I think it really went well with the picture on the right.

Ladybug cut with Cricut.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp: Embassy, The Paper Co., Color Bok

tools: Cricut, Martha Stewart edge punch, Bazzil InStitch

embellishments: yarn, wooden lady bugs, chipboard alpha stickers, alpha stickers, brads

adhesive: Scotch, mounting tape

Enjoy the rest of the weekend... 'til next blog!

Creative Vision DT5 Blog Hop

Happy Saturday everyone!  Today is Creative Vision Design Team 5's Special Edition Blog Hop.... woot!!!

If you came from Molly's Blog, you're on the right track.  If not, go to the Creative Vision Blog first so you won't miss out.

There will be random prizes awarded to bloggers who post comments.  Just be sure to become a Creative Vision Blog follower, if you are not already, in order to be eligible for those prizes.

But guess what?  It doesn't end there.  Because following the hop, Laura will give away a few SHOPPING SPREES! Yippeee! 

Today we will hop, hop, hop our way to each DT5 member's blog as we showcase our collective talent with this hop's theme - Anything But A Card.  Which leads me to this project:

Origami is one of my favorite kind of paper craft, and this particular one is called the calendar wreath.  The stamp I used is from one of the Creative Vision new releases called "Sassy Birthday".  It's double sided, and each side is a mirror image of the other.  You can say it's an ornament you can hang on the rear view mirror of your car, or on the window and even the christmas tree.

Do visit the Creative Vision Blog for a list of winners tomorrow.

PLUS the Bunny Hop Game winners will be revealed as well.

And finally, don't forget to leave comments during the blog hop and be a follower of the Creative Vision Blog to be eligible for prizes. Thanks for the visit!  Now on with the hop.....

Laura/Creative Vision

D'Anne
Jenn
Molly

YOU ARE HERE - Joan 

NEXT UP -Silke
Guest Designer - Judy

Isn't this a lot of fun???

Army of Sum

The Robotics Team is one of the organizations that give pride to our high school.  Students coming from all four grade levels put their brains together and create something that no ordinary kid usually can - a real robot.  To show appreciation, I made a bunch of this to adorn their lockers:

Materials used:

cardstock:  Embassy, Fiskars, construction paper

tools:  Cricut Expressions, Robotz cartridge

ink:  Tsukineko, Signo, Popstar

embellishment:  rhinestones

adhesive:  Scotch, Fiskars, Avery, mounting tape

misc.:  ProMag magnets

For more personalization, I stamped each member's name on the red area of the robot.  I'm hoping this will serve as a memento of their team's achievements this year.  They can even use this as an element on a scrapbook page.

'Til next blog!

The Best Years

Hello everyone!  It's Thursday once again, and it's time to share my latest project for Creative Vision.  Can you guess what it is?

Let's see if you're right.  Click here to see my card.

I also want to take this chance to invite you to join Creative Vision's Bunny Hop Blog Game.  Every 5 participants, a prize is revealed.  The more people who join, the more prizes are up for grabs.  No need to submit anything.  All you need to do is link your blog to the Creative Vision blog.  Click here for more info.

And finally, please join us in the Creative Vision Design Team 5's 2nd Blog Hop happening this Saturday.  See you then!

Tri-fold Card

Hi fellow crafter!  I was cleaning up my desk when I came across some unfinished cards that have been idle for quite a long time.  Well, I'm not making any promises, but I'd like to finish them all by the end of this month.

Here's one that I just finished from the bunch.  I can't even remember the last time I made a tri-fold card, so I was a little excited while making this card.  The sentiment is from my RAK bin, which I colored with Copic markers.  I just wanted a clean and simple design so I just used the faux stitching technique for some effect.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  The Paper Company, leftovers

image/sentiment:  unknown/RAK

ink:  Copic, Staedler, Stampin' Up

tools:  Martha Stewart deep edge punch, Fiskars edge punch, Spellbinders, paper piercer

embellishments:  bow, brad, ribbon

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

'Til next blog!

Spring Board

So it was back to my normal routine now that Spring break is over.  My bulletin board at work was halfway done before the break, and I made sure to finish it on the day we go back.  Everybody in our area is really waiting for Spring to start - meaning green grass and flowers.  I wanted to depict that in our bulletin board this month.



I cut the flowers and title with the Cricut Machine.  I touched up each flower with some Crayola paint, then I layered them to create the 3D effect.  After that, I adhered rhinestones in the center of each assembled flower.  The grass I just drew with Crayola paint, while the butterflies were cut with Spellbinders, and touched with glitter gel pens.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Embassy, construction paper

ink:  Crayola, gel pens

tools:  Cricut Expressions, Gypsy, Spellbinders, Big Shot

embellishments:  rhinestones

Adhesive:  Scotch, glue stick, mounting tape

I love this month's board design.  I might keep it 'til next month.

Hope you can join us in Creative Vision's Bunny Hop Blog Game for some fun and prizes.  Click here for more info.

'Til next blog!

Twins

Hello dear reader!  Before I start, I want to let you know that Creative Vision is holding the "Bunny Hop Blog Game" starting today. 

It will run until Saturday, April 16th, which is also the 2nd Blog Hop of the Creative Vision Design Team 5.  It's going to be a fun week, so hop on over to the Creative Vision blog for more info. 

During the Spring Break, I promised a friend from work that I will make a scrapbook of her twins' latest photos.  I was inspired when I saw the pictures on her computer, and I figured that a scrapbook would be a nice project during my week long vacation.

For now, I'd like to show you the first page:

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Embassy, Fiskars

tools:  Martha Stewart around the corner punch, Spellbinders, Creative Memories circle punch

embellishments:  alpha stickers, paper doily, rhinestones, brads

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

I'm waiting for the time that I'll be scrapbooking pictures of my own kids.  I hope that time comes sometime soon.  I'll definitely be sharing the next pages in the next blog entries.

And before I forget, Creative Vision is holding another challenge this week.  The winner gets a Creative Clear single sentiment of choice.  Click here for more info.

For now, it's back to reality for me as my Spring Break officially ends today.

'Til next blog!

Mother

Hello everyone! Today is DMIL's birthday. I am proud to say that I'm really blessed to have a DMIL like her. She never made me feel different or isolated in a big Polish family. A strong and independent woman - I salute her for being able to raise 8 children so well.

The image I used for her card is one of my favorites.  And tulips are one of my favorite flowers.  In fact, I was holding a bouquet of tulips on my wedding day. 

The following Copic colors were used:

Tulips:  V17, V15, V12, RV14, RV13, RV11

Leaves:  G17, G16, G14

Pail:  E09, E08, E15

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Martha Stewart, Fiskars, My Mind's Eye, Paper Reflections, Bazzil

image/sentiment:  Magnetic Poetry, PSX

ink:  Tsukineko, Copics, Staedler, Stampin' Up, Spica

tools:  Martha Stewart edge punch, Spellbinders, The Crafter's Workshop, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Big Shot

embellishments:  rhinestone stickers (Kaiser)

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

I guess this card clearly shows that I'm sooo ready for Spring.  'Til next blog!

Happy Belated Birthday

I made this card for somebody really special.  She's not just my sister, but a friend as well.  I have to admit that it took time to accept the fact that she's no longer the baby sister of mine.  And even though I still worry about her, I'm really proud that she grew to be a wonderful and independent woman.  We may be different, but we definitely jive.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Embassy, Creative Imaginations, Fiskars

image/sentiment:  Cloud 9 Designs, Verve, Unity

ink:  Tsukineko, Stampin' Up

tools:  Martha Stewart edge punch, Spellbinders, Big Shot, heat gun

embellishments:  rhinestones, ribbon

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

Enjoy your weekend, dear reader.  'Til next blog!

A Bucket of Flowers

One time I went to my friend's house and starting playing in her craft room.  While I was there I wanted to make a card using her supplies so I dug through her scrap pile, and looked for tools that I don't have.  Sometimes it's nice to be in a different place to craft for those reasons.  With today's card, all the elements are from my friend's craft room except for the stamped image and ribbon.  I colored my image with Prismacolor Pencils. 

I dedicate this blog entry to her.

'Til next blog!

Got What?

Hello everyone!  This is going to be short and sweet.  Thursday is my day to contribute to the Creative Vision blog.  And today's card uses a couple of stamps from one of the Creative Clear stamp sets.  Here's a sneak peek:

To see my card, please go to the Creative Vision blog.  I'm hoping it will make you smile.

'Til next blog!

Simply Sent

You know when you buy something and then forget about it?  Well, I have had a Stampin' Up Simply Sent card kit for quite a while now, and it has been sitting in my planet for quite a while.  I finally got to play with it.  I was having a bad day from work, and I thought this kit was the easiest project I can think of doing.

Like most kits, there are instructions on how to assemble the cards.  I followed the layout, but I changed the elements a little bit.  There are two versions:  one that says "Celebrate" and the other says "Celebrate Life".  I like the size of these cards, perfect for inserting checks and money.

Materials used:

carstock/dp:  Stampin' Up

image/sentiment:  Stampin' Up

ink:  Stampin' Up

tools:  EK Success edge punch, Spellbinders, Creative Memories circle punch

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

I hope you can join us in the Creative Vision challenge of making monochromatic cards, and maybe you can win some Creative Clear stamps.  Click here for more info.

'Til next blog!

Owl Be There

Hello everyone! I would like to share with you my first stamped card for April.  It has been a while since I colored with Copics, and I sure missed it.  So I went through my stamps that would be nice to color.  I wanted to color something different and not the usual people images, so I ended up using the owl image by The Greeting Farm.

I based my colors from an owl picture I searched on the internet.  Copic colors used are the following:  YR04, YR02, YR00, Y08, Y06, Y00, BG09, BG05, BG0000, E47, E37, E35, W7, W3, G09, G07 and G02.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  DCWV, Copic, leftovers

image/sentiment:  The Greeting Farm

ink:  Tsukineko, Stampin' Up, Copics, Spica

tools:  EK Success edge punch, Spellbinders

embellishments:  ribbon, rhinestone stickers

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

I sure am loving my owl.  I'd like to try coloring more animal images next time.

By the way, Creative Vision is currently hosting a "monochromatic" challenge where you can win a Creative Clear stamp. Click here to participate.  And you can add this badge to your blog as well.

Also mark your calendars on April 16th as the Design Team 5 showcases the Creative Vision new release stamps via our 2nd Blog Hop:

It will surely be fun!

'Til next blog!