Getting back to Creativity

I have been creating here and there since my last post, just super busy and not able to share. I hope to share more this summer. I am joining a Quilt Along hosted by http://huckleberrystitches.blogspot.com/ and hope to complete a minimum of two projects this summer, though she is doing more than that.

Recent Projects

 Some cards I made this past holiday season. The Christmas card doesn't use any Christmas paper! It is a summer design and a girl design that just worked nicely for Christmas.

 This boy card uses the same sketch as the Christmas card above and scraps from a boy layout I had done.

 I had a great time using my Silhouette this past Christmas. I made ornaments and decorative plates for gifts!

Sneak Peek coming soon!

I am very slowly getting my Christmas cards going for this year. I will have to make a few different designs, because my original design is much more time intensive than I had originally planned. Just for fun, I thought I would put out a sneak peek at what I'm working on....I will have it up for you tomorrow, at least that is my plan. ;)

Past Cards that finally found homes...

 I had to get pictures of these before I gave them away. Sorry for the table full of spices and such, we were still waiting for our new pantry door rack to arrive. The above card was done with colored pencils (before I met Copic markers) and the one below was part of a swap that challenged the use of eyelets. Two wonderful people received these cards, I had a really hard time giving them away, they are among my all time favorites.

Everything I design these days seems to be work related....

We needed some samples at work with these tubes that weren't girly, our other sample was very girly. I love these swords I created with the Silhouette machine and these long skinny tubes called "Tube- Magic Wand". This first one is more of a plain sword done with black tie bazzill bling cardstock and a sheer silver ribbon wrapped around the rest. With an snug cap, it is the perfect place for tiny treats. What boy wouldn't love to receive one, it would be a great birthday party favor!

This second version is more like how I envision a pirate sword, very swash-buckling in my mind. I designed the handle with my Silhouette machine, the long skinny tubes called "Tube- Magic Wand" and some gold cardstock. Aaaarr!

I love my Silhouette, it is a fabulous machine and has software anyone can use.

Please feel free to leave comments, I love to hear what others think.

Calligraphy...

I have had an interest in calligraphy my entire life. I have tried to teach it to myself a time or two as well. A class came within my reach, and I grabbed it. I have to admit, I'm a bit hesitant to photograph any of my work...yet. I'm still very much in the early learning stages. I do have a project or two up my sleeve, and if I can get them even decent looking ('cause perfect will be years in coming) I will post them. I have 3 more classes and my final project is due at the last class. I'm nervous, but I think I have it figured out...I just need to practice it...lots and lots and lots.

Here is your heads up...new stuff coming soon. :)

Sea Breeze Swap

This was my interpretation of the Sea Breeze theme for a card swap I was involved in. I LOVE this stamp (thank you to the darling friend who let me stamp a bunch!) and had to find a way to use this ribbon (I have no clue where I got it from, but it was perfect) that I have had for ages. The ocean paper is a design from the Suzy's Zoo line of scrapbooking papers that I found at my local LSS in the clearance section. The mermaid is colored with Copic and Prismacolor markers and her hair is accented with gems. The water is highlighted with crystal Stickles and matted with Bazzill Bling CS. The mermaid is also pop-dotted.