PagesPat's Ponderings

Sunday, February 27, 2011

LOVE Blog Hopping!

Hi, and welcome to my creative blog!! Scrapbook Place is having a blog hop, and it starts HERE!! I have created something unique, I hope. I love the seasons, especially SPRING, when everything starts to grow. So to celebrate the season just around the corner, I have created some Frappe Cap Collages.

I have seen soda bottle caps that have been decorated inside and thought they were charming, but could not see me using such a tiny frame for my artwork. So I decided to do the same but with a bigger canvas and used the caps from Starbucks Frappe drinks.
Here are the materials and instructions needed to make your own little framed pieces of art. Read all the way down to the end, because I’m offering Blog Candy to a couple lucky people.
The materials needed to do a project like mine are pictured below:
Starbucks cap, thoroughly washed and dried
Patterned paper, cut into a 1+1/2” circle
Assorted bling and tiny embellies
Liquid Glass or other crystal glue
Flower soft or other dimensional product
Favorite adhesive

I started by cutting a 1+1/2” circle from my patterned paper. You can use cardstock, but I like a little pattern to decorate the background of my collage. My Creative Memories Circle Cutter set, but found I had to trim just a tad all around the cut circle. If you have a 1+1/2” circle punch, that’s awesome (I don’t have one!).
Make sure it fits nicely in the inside of the cap. If it does, you’re ready to embellish. Take the circle out of the cap to embellish it. I just played around with the bling I had on hand, using a jewel dragonfly or an adhesive-backed ladybug leftover from a swap, some jewel flowers and assorted adhesive-backed tiny jewels.

When you like your design, adhere the embellies onto the circle. Let dry if using liquid glue. Then you can attach the circle into the inside of the cap.
I wanted a more 3D effect for my caps, so I squeezed a little Liquid Glass from CTMH around the inner rim of the cap, and gently placed some Shamrock Green FlowerSoft onto the glue. Let dry and admire your work.

Warning!!! These little circles of artwork are addicting! I made all these in one fell swoop, and am frantically searching for more Frappe caps with which to make more. For the winter snow scene, I used my snowman punch and some white glitter cardstock. I glued homemade “flower soft” onto this rim. I made this by rubbing two white Styrofoam balls together and gathering the “dust” from the friction (I found this “recipe” online). Framing these circles of art with 3D materials just seems to make them pop even more.
At the moment I am displaying mine on my metal file cabinet. I attached some magnet material to the backs. I foresee a future swap on Scrapbook Place Yahoo Group soon, don’t you?

Now for some fun!!
1.Leave a comment on this post and tell me whether you’re interested in trying your hand at these little circular collages. Also tell me how you will use/display them.
2.I will randomly choose a winner of a small prize to a lucky person who commented.
3.If you are a Scrapbook Place member, then I challenge you to make your own Frappe Cap Collage. Go to Your Scrapbook Place and link your photo to the Blog Post regarding my featured Blog. A random winner will be chosen to take a walk on the J-Board for a cool prize.

What??! Not a member of Scrapbook Place Yahoo Group? Oh, my, you are missing lots of fun, inspiration, contests, challenges and new friends. Just click onto the link to the right at the top of my blog and it should take you to the Group. Any questions, leave a comment and I can hook you up.
Meanwhile, enjoy your new addiction!!
Okay, next on the Blog Hop is Anna If you somehow get lost along the way, here's the correct path, starting with me and continuing on to Anna, then:

Linda

Allie

Diane

Lindsy

Teresa

Donna

Your Scrapbook Place

Happy Hopping!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Sweet Treat


Today's card makes me hungry for summer and ice cream treats! I was sorting through my overabundant stash of leftover papers and came across this cute patterned paper, so I had to use Tilda enjoying her cold treat to go along with it. All my papers are bits and pieces leftover from swaps, so I can't ID the pp nor cardstock, but I can let you in on all the fab colors I used to color her with my Copics:
YG03,05; E00,13,35; B93; C3; Y11
I also glitzed the card with CTMH Liquid Glass and Stamped the background with Versamark Champagne Dazzle ink. The pearls are "denim" from Queen & Co.
This card meets the requirements for the new challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenges which asks for cake and/or ice cream any where on the card. Check them out, their sample cards look yummy!
I also entered this card into a challenge at Paper Take Weekly
Theirs is also a sketch challenge, so I am really crossing new frontiers! I don't usually do sketch challenges. I create by sitting at my desk, where I hope inspiration will strike, playing with an image or some paper or an embellie that strikes my fancy. I rarely use sketches, so hopepfully a challenge like this will make me more disciplined (you think?)
Anyway, check them out, they're a lot of fun!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

I Need a Hero


Here is my latest and greatest card for the Hambo Hoedown! This week’s challenge is a sketch challenge, which you can find here. The image is a digi called Bird Hero from Hambo Designs. You can use any of their images for their challenges! I colored this fine specimen of a hero with my trusty Copics (colors listed below), and glitzed him up with CTMH Liquid Glass and “Clear Star" Gelly Roll by Sakura.
All the papers used were bits and pieces from my stash. I can’t abide throwing away even the smallest of leftover papers, so end up with a drawer (okay, five drawers) full of bits and pieces of papers. I store them in hanging file folders in a five-drawer file cabinet, separated by colors and themes. I have vowed to use up as much of my stash as possible before buying another piece of paper, but it’s so-o-o hard, with all the lovely new papers coming out, and all the lovely old papers going on clearance so the store will have room for the new. I like ink, too! My favorite pastime is to ink all the edges of my papers. I also stamped the red cardstock background with a small Stampin Up stamp and some “Champagne” Versamark Dazzle ink.

Copics used: B02.93; YG03; Y17; R29

Monday, February 21, 2011

Finding the Right pair of Shoes is Magic

That's why we all need a little help from the Shopping Fairy! Here's my card for the Corrosive Challenge Blog Their challenge this week is something MAGICAL. Fairies are magical, even though mine has very realistic goals: A girl can never have too many shoes! Sigh, sdhe may never have enough shoes, but will her budget stretch enough to ever satisfy her? The answer is NO!!!

I love the color teal, and when I saw teal file folders in the giveaway pile at my school, I knew I could use them in my cardmaking. So I cut this one to a note card size and added patterned paper from WE R Memory Keepers, Girls' Night Out Collection, Siletto design, and framed it with black cardstock (from WalMart).
I colored her with my Copics: RV34; BG10,72; G00; Y17; YR61; E00; 100.
I glitzed her with CTMH Liquid Glass, Crystal Stickles, a 2 stray jewels I found on my floor and Sakura White gel pen.
The black belt is another item tossed away by my teenaged daughter that I rescued from the waste can, and the netting is 100% Abaca fibers from Pulsar.
I have just rediscovered the Corrosive Challenge Blog and am loving it. Check them out!

Spring is Coming but is Shy

Hmm, murky grey skies and snow trying to stay on the ground. Doesn’t seem much like Spring, but I’m in a Springtime mood. So saying, here’s my newest card, ready for Spring.


I colored my Whoopsie Daisy digi image (isn’t she the cutest, I got her free from the challenge blog below) with Copics: E00,08,13,35,37; B93,04; G21,94; YG67; Y17; RV34; Blender, and ZIG Brushables English Lavender.
My patterned paper is from a DCWV stack, and cardstock is Coredinations. I used my Epic Six to cut Scallop Square with Nestabilities and rounded most of the corners for that softer touch. Embellies used were: Jewels from Shabby Chic, Flowers found at a rummage sale, CTMH Liquid Glass and Ribbon from American Crafts.
This card meets the requirements for this week's challenge at Do You Stack Up? The challenge this week is to use DOTS on your cards! You have to this week Wednesday to check thewm out and enter this challenge!!
AND The FLOWER card challenge at Mami Doodles
Their challenge ends this Thursday--I know, I know, I'm giving you all short notice, but you still have time to check them out and enter!!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

New Day, New Card




This card is being sent to my son, who has completed Boot Camp is halfway finished with Military Police school. I try to write him twice a week, but when things are slow, I send a card with a couple photos of his daughter and the rest of the family.
I used a House Mouse image called "Tickling the Ivories". If you love House Mouse as much as I do, go on over to:
House Mouse Challengefor some fun challenges and a lot of inspiration! Their challenge this week is a card with anything House Mouse and a LOVE theme! Since I am sending this to my son, my card also qualifies for a challenge "for the boys" over at
Crafty Catz Weekly
For my card, here is a list of what I used:
Image - House Mouse Tickling the Ivories
Papers - PaperTrey Raspberry Fizz Cardstock, CTMH (I think) Patterend paper
Inks - Copics: 100, N3, C3, C1, RV34, RV11, YR02, YR61, E00, 0. Zig Brushables: English Lavender. Stampabilities WHite Pigment Ink Pad.
Sentiment - Microsoft Word (white on black background), Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four, Sakura white gel pen.
Embellies - Adgesive-backed Pearls (from a swap, no ID), QuicKutz Flourish die cut, CTMH Liquid Glass.
Don't forget to check out the challenges at the blogs linked above. You're gonna love what you see!

Love is in the Air


tis the season to express your love for someone, and right now I am loving the challenges offered out there. Here is my newest card, a sweet perfection of pink, starring a Bildmalarna stamped image. She is such a cutie patootie, isnt she?

Challenges:

PINK
http://stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com

LOVE
http://BILDMALARNABLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/

Card Details:
Papers-PaperTrey Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, DCWV Luxury stack
Stamped image- Bildmalarna Mimosa with Tulip
Embellies- Jewels, White Blossom & K&Co; Cricut Cuts
Colors- Copics
Glitz- CTMH Liquid Glass, Stickles, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist "Bubblegum"

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Whiff of joy Card


My new card is a cozy 6x6 card featuring a Whiff of Joy image. The inside of the card reads: “You’re friendship warms my heart”
I’ve entered it in two card challenges. One over at http://7kidschallengeblog.blogspot.com Their requirement for this was easy peasy----make a square card!!! And I love to make 6x6 cards!
The other challenge is at THE NEW PAPERPLAY CHALLENGES BLOG , Their challenge thias week is to "Add Shine” - glossy accents, stickles, shiny cardstock - the options are endless! I used CTMH Liquid Glass to “add shine” to the coffee mug, and different colors of Stickles to her hair, the flowers on her jeans, and even on the ends of my flowers!

Here are the details of my card:
Papers – DCWV Luxury Stack; Paper Adventures; Coredinations.
Flowers – Flora Doodles by Petaloo
Embellies – Gems by Recollections (Michaels); Stickles; CTMH Liquid Glass; Stickers by My Mind’s Eye
Copics – E08, E35, E37, G94, G21, B95, B93, R11, Y15, E00
Stamped Image – Whiff of Joy
If you haven’t visited these challenge blogs, go there now! Their blog is amazing and you can always find the latest and greatest techniques and style in card making and scrapping!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Just Monkeying Around


I made a new challenge card, this time with papertakeweekly. Their challenge asks for BLING, LOTS of bling, and more info on the challenge can be found at:
www.papertakeweekly.blogspot.com
But I need help, because I received this cute monkey image in a swap, and cannot for the life of me find the designer!! Anyone know who makes this stamp, and where I can get my own?
In the meantime, I colored my curious monkey with my Copics (twice), and cut out his eyes and the cupcake to make that part of the image pop out. I used CTMH Liquid Glass to shine up his eyes and the very red cherry on top. I used Stickles to add glitz to the sprnkles on the frosting. The balloon was a cut from my Cricut, and I attached a piece of wire for the string. The sentiment was also from my Cricut, and I used Stickles to shine up that part of the balloon reflecting the light. Finally, I added a couple lines of bling with adhesive-backed gems from Michaels $1 bin!
So if it's your day, I hope you shine!
Don't forget to visit papertakeweekly for their challenges and their inspiration!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hambo Challenge #3


I have a new fave company, it is Hambo, and they offer a great challenge called the Hambo Hoedown!! Their link is on the right. This week's challenge is to use any Hambo image (I received this fishy guy free)and using the colors blue, brown and tan, make a BEACH-themed card! Of course, my beach happens to be on the Northeast coast!!
I used Paper Adventures cardstock for the card base.
The stitched frame came from my good friend Linda Weber, and the patterned paper came from one of those 365 days a year calendars in a box!! There were several pages with he same theme, so I cut out the lighthouse (attaching a small jewel for the light)and the anchor and the life ring.
I punched holes in the patterned paper and threaded raffia through them.
Finally, I colored Pelican with my Copics (3x) and layered his beak and his lunch, as well as his cap.
Since he seems to have a satisfying lunch in his mouth, I thought the sentiment was appropriate. So everyone go to http://hambochallenges.blogspot.com/ and check out their digi images, their challenges and the cards posted for inspiration. And may all your dreams came true, just like Pelican's did!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

2011 New Lifestyle


In July of 2010 I received a wake up call from my doctor. This cartoon perfectly illustrates my possible future back then. Did I say wake up call? I mean death threat!
That is what it took for me to change my eating habits, my activity level and my outlook on life. Because of my doctor and her "threat against my life", I changed my bad ways. Within one week of the diagnosis, I had lost six pounds, started working out and searched the internet for resources and information. Because of my commitment in such a short time, my doctor, instead of discussing medication and other methods of bringing the numbers down, told me to take my sugar levels twice daily and call them in in one week.
From that first week in july until now, I have steadily lost weight and kept up an exercise regimen. I am not on any diabetes medication nor insulin. Desserts are a distant memory, and chocolate has passed these lips but once or twice. Although I have plateaued a couple times, I have not gained weight back. My goal is to lose 50 pounds by my next birthday, which is in April. I am very close, less than ten pounds (I believe in attainable goals).
Why am I telling you all this?
First, because if you haven't had your levels checked for diabetes, do not delay. I am now being treated as if I had already had my first heart attack--it is not fun.
Second, if by the time I celebrate my next birthday, I have managed to reach my goal, I am going to give out some extreme blog candy. So keep checking back here throughout the folowing months, and each time anyone posts comments to support and encourage me from now until April 15th, they will have their names put into a special drawing just for them.

Storage Tips


When asked about storage tips, I am your go-to girl if you have no budget! Every storage location I have has been cadged from the free pile, thrift stores and clearance aisles! This first bit of storage is just a set of shelves picked up from arummage sale for $1. I store my CTMH ink pads and my 3D supplies, like Flower Soft and flocking on these shelves. Note I also have an anget I picked uop for 50 cents at another sale!!

Pictured below, I find that my 5-drawer file cabinet offers a lot of free storage--again, the file cabinet was from a rummage sale, going for $10 (what a steal, huh?). I placed a strip of industrial strength Velcro on it and hung all my Stickles on that strip for easy access. I also have started a new craze (for me at least of decotrating Frappe Caps (from Starbucks). These make tiny picture frames with dimension, and right now I'm storing them on the file cabinet. I also have a few hooks that I hand my slide covers, as well as specialty items that I have only one of. I look to my cabinet first when I need that item I have only one of.


I hope sopmeone can use these tips for their own space!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine Card Blooms with Love


Nothing like creating at the last minute!!
I was short one card for today, so I had to quickly check out my supplies. I had received a card that was mangled in the mail, so I recycled the flower basket 3D sticker from its cover and used it on the cover of my new card, so i don't know who makes the flower basket. The card base is Paper Trey cs, with paper from DCWV's Luxury Stack. The stamp (inked with CTMH Star Spangled Blue) is CTMH from the set Just Because. I received adhesive-backed pearls (my personal fave) in a swap, no ID markings.
Very simple, very quick, yet elegant, I think! And it's for my Mom!
So happy valentine's Day to all, and to all a romantic night!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Valentine Card Kinda Grows on You


Here's my newest Valentine Card, made especially with the Hambo Eye Monster!! Hey, check out Hambo's challenge blog at http://hambochallenges.blogspot.com/ for some great challenges, cute cards and free digi images!!
This card is my entry for Challenge #2, requiring the use of any hambo image, an added heart or two and a sentiment.
I used paper Trey cardstock for my base, colored my Eye Monster with Copics (actually I colored two and cut out a few eyes and popped them out with dimensional dots) and used Liquid Glass to shine up those multiple eyeballs!
For the sentiment, I used my computer and cut it out with Lebel Four Nestabilities byu Spellbinders and my QuicKutz Epic Six machine. One extra heart jewel embellishes the sentiment, and some Dazzle VersaMark ink on the red cs finishes off the cover.
Hubby is ghonna love this!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Back on Track


After a LO-o-o-o-o-o-ng fall off the workout wagon, I am back on track---literally!! Here's a photo of me in the instructor's seat, posing in Spinning class. I have fallen in love with extreme biking. For one hour I get up to speed, climb hills, catch my breath, take the high road, zoom past my fellow bikers, all aty my local YMCA. The instructor is fabulous, the music is moving, the sweat is pouring, and I bike about 20 miles before I get "off the path".
SO with new activity comes new energy, and I will be posting my pages and cards on the weekend.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Valentine Project Random Winner and new V-cards

Having two kids, Knock Knock jokes used to be the rage. Now I get to tell them to my granddaughter!! She especially loves these cards, since she likes to eat olives (yes, the green ones with the pimento!). So when I saw this image at a friend's house (thanks again, Sandi), I knew the Valentine cards I'd be making this year.
I used Paper Trey paper for the card base, and printed the sentiment on plain white copy paper from Microsoft Word, cutting the shape out with my Epic Six (Spellbinders Nestabilties Label Four die set). I colored my image with Copics.

Thank you all for your comments below regarding my Valentine Surprise Project. I would love to see YOUR Surprise Projects when you complete them. Now for the treat winner, randon number is...2
Donna, you will receive a little surprise in the mail soonest.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Valentine Surprise Project


When you were little, didn’t you often wish that the can of vegetables your mom was opening for dinner would contain something better, like candy or cookies? Well, you can surprise your Valentine this year with just that! Pictured above is an “unopened” can with a pop top ready to spill a sweet treat for your loved one.
Start with a can that has a pop top on the lid. Turn it over and using a can opener that cuts the side of the can, leaving a smooth edge (like Tupperware or Pampered Chef offers), cut the bottom off the can. Empty the contents and wash and dry thoroughly.
Now the fun begins. Using patterned paper, stamped images, embellishments and ribbon, decorate to your heart’s content. I used a Sugar Nellie image and colored her with my Copics. I then carefully cut her out. I used a bright red polka-dotted patterned paper from a DCWV stack to cover the can. I then cut three strips of paper in ever-widening lengths to run around the middle of my can. I adhered my image onto the strip. I then decorated the can with conversation heart foamies, and added adhesive-backed heart jewels all around. Finally, I added a sticky jewel to the top, and tied ribbon and fibers to the pop top.
Now, what is your sweetheart’s favorite treat? It doesn’t matter, as long as it fits into the can! I placed Hershey Kisses in my can, because it’s going to my granddaughter and they are her fave chocolates. When your can is full, reseal the bottom onto the can using Liquid Glass from CTMH, or some other liquid crystal product.
Other uses for this project:
When my nephew graduated high school, I gave him his “unopened” can and when he opened it up, he was amazed to find a fifty dollar bill inside (he keep asking me how I did it).
I made treat cans for my daughter’s birthday party and stuffed them with chocolate coins and gave them as favors. With my son I stuffed the cans with gummy worms and the boys at the party went crazy!
I also decorated a can for a fellow crafter and filled it with small
embellishments.
School nurses can use extra bandaids and such; teachers can use treats or school supplies like paper clips and fun erasers; anyone and everyone will love the treats and the surprise factor with this fun Valentine project!
What are you going to fill yours with? Leave me a comment by the end of the weekend on how you’re going to use this idea and I will pick a random winner to send a sweet treat to. Have fun!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snowmageddon Aftermath

I was a little girl when Chicago experienced the blizzard of 1967. I remember helping my mom dig a big enough "cave" in the street so that my dad would have somewhere to park when he finally made it home. We had to place the kitchen chairs in that spot so neighbors woiuldn't park there, and we still had to keep eagle eyes out for people who would move them away (the alley leading to the garage was gravel, so no plowing ever occurred there).



I also remember playing in the backyard. The temps had dropped and a sturdy crust formed on the snow, and we delighted in being able to walk on top of mountains of snow. Our swingset was only a foot off the top of our snowground, and if mom had let us, we could have easily climbed onto the garage roof.



Not much has changed between that blizzard and this one, except I am much older now and, if I wanted to, I could climb onto my garage roof without fear of Mom's scolding (well, my hubby would probably freak). Add to that a plowable driveway leading to our garage, a friend with a plow on his pickup, and better cold weather gear, and you get a mighty fine snow day!



Don't count on me being on the internet much today, not with all this fun waiting outside for me. Although the temps won't drop until later, and being that I am much older than in '67, I will try to have my fun before they drop. Wonder where the hot cocoa is?
Enjoy the day!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Waiting Out the Storm



Can barely see out the windows now. Not only is it dark but the snow has blown onto the screens and pretty much froze onto it, obliterating the "view". But I'm making good use of my time by making cards and creating layouts. And now the power is flickering...

Hour by Hour Snowmageddon



Snowmageddon has arrived, and I'm posting an hour-by-hour photo show for everyone who isn't lucky enough to live in the Windy City!
Just waiting for my girl to get home from high school and I can breathe again. School and work is cancelled for the next day!

Valentine with non-traditional colors


With a Stash Bash Challenge in effect on Scrapbook Place Yahoo Group, I decided to try some non-traditional colors for my Valentine cards this year. The first is using a DCWV card base. I cut a window in the card using Labels Four Nestabilities in two sizes (one for a frame). I stamped the LOVE symbol from SU's Kanji stamo set in black to show in my window. I added a set of flowers from my stast, a white ribbon and a 3D sticker leftover from a swap. So there's just a touch of pink on the card, that's all.