Paper crafting is works of heart

Paper crafting is works of heart!

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Last weekend 2017 quick card and bookmark #3 of 3 posts

Clean and simple is terminology in the paper crafting world for straight-forward layout and elements that aren't fussy. (CAS)


Using recycled foil gift wrap as background print, I was able to make a small 3" deep x 5.5" wide left-sided folded card and about a 2" wide x 5.5" long bookmark:



overview: let it snow tag front panel is all that is needed to accent the deer in the gift wrap print 



inside panel: "You are snow special" was received as a freebie daily winner from the Holiday Chaos challenge week at Catch the Bug Challenges Blog by Bugaboo Stamps. It was printed on white copy paper and then colored lightly with blue and violet colored pencils and backed with neon blue paper scrap (Grafix). It has another scrap of teal blue cardstock (Colorbok) that has been inked and has scribbles colored behind it.



bookmark: white cardstock base (Georgia-Pacific); recycled gift wrap; bookmark tag bought in set (Dollar General); and deer focal from a gift tag bought in set (Dollar Tree); glue stick and staples


QUICK to MAKE. 

And still frozen in north central IL, Becca


Last weekend 2017 quick cards #2 of 3 posts

New Year's Eve.  Last day of 2017.  Sub-zero temperatures have brought us to stay inside eating soup and sandwiches. This helps to get a few more cards quickly made to get mailed this week and brighten some folks mailboxes with happy mail!

another angled quick to assemble with staples and minimal glue stick


recipe:
1. white cardstock folded for base (Georgia- Pacific)
2. light beige, chocolate brown, and red cardstock scraps (Colorbok)
3. bookmark tag (joy and peace) and 1/4 of a doily purchased at Dollar General

I just love the quirky interest by having triangles and angled elements to make this card front panel intriguing rather than formal and traditional.

OK. Still frozen in north central IL, Becca


Last weekend 2017 quick cards created #1 of 3 posts

Quick cards need to be made.

Why?

Still have some fave peeps that I didn't get cards mailed out to in past 2-3 weeks.

close up of this cutie skating moose


full view of the card front

Quick to make/assemble after the coloring was completed.

recipe:
1. base of folded white cardstock (Georgia-Pacific)
2. chocolate brown, red, and light beige cardstock are scraps sold in a bundled scrap pack (Colorbok)
3. staples and very little glue stick made this easy to put together.

The adorable moose skater is from Digital Delights.

More quick cards to share. Keep checking.

Frozen in north central IL, Becca


Saturday, December 30, 2017

HIMCR #333 freestyle

Hiding in My Craft Room #333 challenge is a 5th Saturday freestyle theme!


http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2017/12/himcr-333-freestyle.html

Look at this posting and other details about how to link your creations and be in the running for the prize. (Free to create whatever: digital image or not; stamping or not; birthday, get well, holiday, thinking of you, sympathy or whatever; card, bookmark, tag, home décor, or whatever etc.)

The sponsor is Laurie's Craft Room:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/laurie*s_craft_room/m.html?item=253211614683&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

The challenge winner receives $10 AND free shipping from Laurie's Craft Room. She's got quite a variety of items available so take a look at the link when taking a break in your crafting.




Also besides my polar bear framed winter scene, please visit the other inspiration work of the other Design Team (DT) members! There is a quite a variety of techniques and styles amongst us.

This is a close-up of my little snowy friend!

Recipe:
1. Image: Friday Freebie from Bugaboo
2. Light blue oval frame cardstock and teal blue cardstock behind the polar bear image are Colorbok.
3. Tonal blue designer paper is from The Paper Studio by Hobby Lobby.
4. White cardstock is recycled packaging scraps cut to look like snow drifts.
5. Snowflakes foam stickers, gray satin ribbon, iridescent gems, tree pop-art style sticker, silver 5" x 7" photo frame, and let it snow graphic (gift tag) were purchased at either Dollar General or Dollar Tree.
6. Plastic (snow globe or glass window look) is recycled packaging.
7. Various general arts and crafts supplies to complete details: black gel ink pen, markers, colored pencils, pencil, ruler, scissors, & adhesives.

Note: Unless you were lucky enough to see the reveal of the Friday Freebie from Bugaboo between December 22 to the 29th, it is not available. There was a Merry Christmas special image available last night plus a new FF digital image if you care to look.

Look for this image or the labels to check out all things connected to Bugaboo Stamps and Catch The Bug Challenges Blog. Here's the most recent FF posting:



I'm excited for this day to reveal my little polar bear fella that I made last weekend! You have until January 6th at 2 am to link your freestyle creation to the HIMCR #333 blog posting. After that it will be 1st Saturday color challenge for #334....

Crafting in the extremely cold north central IL, Becca


Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas placards for church family for 2017

Three major styles of placards that were quick and easy to assemble:


Placards are cardstock bases of one layer either 5.5" square or 4.5"x5.5" rectangle. 


Option 1:

 Option 2:


Option 3:


You should notice that there are variations within each option. Even when I'm trying to assembly line cards or any kind of paper crafting project in multiples, I just can't hardly make 2 that are exactly the same. 

Supplies include:
a. green, brown, red, and butterscotch cardstock from Colorbok
b. mint green chevron-like design masking tape is Scotch brand Expressions
c. foam stick-ons from Christmas House bought at Dollar Tree or Dollar General (?)
d. red with white snowflake print doilies from Christmas House
e. tags used in 2 options were purchased at Dollar Tree
f. reindeer graphics and Christmas trees graphics were a free download from a teacher blogger
g. Jesus foam stick-ons were purchased from Oriental Trading several years ago in a set of different Christian words and symbols (angel, church building, praying hands, fish, God, Jesus, etc.)

Merry Christmas!
Becca





HIMCR #332 any holiday 4th Saturday challenge

It's December 23 and time to share what I created this past week for the 4th Saturday challenge for HIMCR's design team.


The challenge # is 332 and is sponsored by MHK Designs. The winner will get 3 products from their online store.


Check the HIMCR blog post for details on participating.

hidinginmycraftroom.com

Since 4th week of each month is to be "any holiday" I decided to pick a set of digital images from MHK Designs for Easter, "He Is Risen". 



The empty cross signifies Victory.


front panel: base is white cardstock; papers are from The Paper Studio by Hobby Lobby except solid light pink and brown card scraps are Colorbok; the quote and image Lilies are from the He Is Risen set of digital images from MHK Designs




inside panel: mottled mint green cardstock scrap from Colorbok; the sentiment image is from the He Is Risen set of digital images from MHK Designs that I colored pink

I realize Christmas is just 2 days away but MHK Designs has quite a selection of different holiday selections available that I wanted the chance to focus on an upcoming 2018 celebration. Whether from birth to death or resurrection, believing in God's gift of Jesus to mankind makes sense in what we call life. He gives us a purpose: to share.

Have a blessed Christmas 2017 and may we anticipate the hope that Easter means in 2018!
Becca



P.S. When looking at the HIMCR post for the #332 details, take time to visit the other DT members' blog postings of their inspirations and leave them some crafters' kudos.




Saturday, December 23, 2017

Dollar Tree Store DIY of makeup bags

DIY

2-3 major items purchased at Dollar Tree= canvas makeup bag(s) and fabric marker sets


Fabric markers come in set of three: (1) blue, green, purple or (2) yellow, orange, pink.

Canvas makeup bags have been seen with slogans of : "fabulous", "flawless", and "bag of tricks".

Letter and shape stencils are from very old set of stencils sold years ago by Tupperware/Tuppertoys.

Personalizing these bags took about 10 minutes. The fabric markers dried super quickly and didn't have to worry much about having to have them dry for hours before gift wrapping. (Win-Win!)

Happy Crafting.
Happy Giving.

Blessed in the heartland,
Becca

Advent ATC Day 22 for 2017

We are getting closer to the day of celebration for Jesus birth some 2,000+ years ago.

I've enjoyed making these but frankly (or should I say frankincense) I'm ready for a few days of total relaxation. I haven't thought about or shopped for ingredients of what food to prepare to take to my mother's on Christmas Day. Goodness!

Without further ado, #22:


Recipe:
1. ATC size light gray cardstock base (Colorbok)
2. green and red markers were used to add details at corners and #22
3. "Joy to the World" (Unity Stamp Co.) stamped on green paper (Grafix)
4. Cut around step 3
5. 1/4 of a red with white snowflake printed doily (Christmas House/bought at Dollar Tree) was glued, pleated, and stapled in 2 spots
6. "Joy to the World" was glued on
7. iridescent gem added

This is the 2nd time I have used this new stamp for the ATC series but I just really like how this looks like it is a jingle bell or an ornament. It is a to be a festive time. Keep your spirits filled with joy. Sing carols. Give something to someone-- Hand-made items are always welcomed. Hand-baked goods are especially enjoyed. Remember the widows, orphans, and less fortunate.

Look around. It is easy to notice someone who appears to be in a worse situation or set of circumstances. But by the grace of God that could be I. Let your love of God shine.

Blessed in the heartland, Becca


 

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Advent ATC for Day 21

Winter Solstice. December 21. 21st day of Advent.

Artist Trading Cards are like collector baseball cards. It has been years since I traded ATCs with other crafters but for now I'm enjoying making this set and I will be making a garland of them to have hanging until mid-January.


This one was super quick and easy. I used a recycled piece of glossy cardstock that was backing in packaging and trimmed it to the proper dimensions for ATCs (2.5" x 3.5"). I glued a metallic foil paper gift tag bought in a set of 25 (5 copies of 5 designs) for just $1 at Dollar Tree. Then 4 iridescent gems were added. Advent 21 was written with black gel pen. Oh, I also inked the edges in green which is about impossible to see but believe me, it is noticeable in person.

Done. Voila!!!!!!


Festive cheer to you and yours this Advent season and throughout the last days of December until we see 2018! Take time to read in Matthew and Luke about the Savior's birth. For those that believe in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives a person's soul a peace that surpasses human understanding. When life gets crazy and chaotic, having faith in God makes it possible to continue on. 

Blessings from the heartland & blessed to be alive,
Becca

Advent ATC for December 20

Number 20 in my quest to make an artist trading card for each day of advent:


Recipe:
1. light gray cardstock scrap measured and cut to ATC size (2.5' x 3.5")
2. pressed the gray card down on top of a 6-color ink pad (Horizon Group, Inc. bought at Wal-Mart)
3. drew a arced line to represent a hill or mound then traced over with a dark brown marker
4. Advent day 20 and Dec. 20 written in same dark brown
5. Merry Christmas written with red-orange marker
6. add pop-art style snowman sticker that had 4 of the 6 ink pad colors

Voila!

Simple to create.

Crafting in USA heartland &
Thankful to be alive,
Becca

New Years Day postcard minis

In the USA, postcards need to be at least 3.5" deep and I believe it is 4.5"+ width to be mailed.

These heavyweight cardstock blank index cards aren't quite there in depth so I call them postcard minis.

I only decorated one side to simplify thinking and planning compared to how to do the more traditional format of folded card style.


A few moments ago I posted a few that I had still of what I had made for Christmas Day and that blog post also has a photo of what I did in November for Thanksgiving or thanks for you themed. Go see it to compare what I did with the very limited supplies I had just 1 1/2 months ago.

Since early November, every 2 weeks, I've been trying to re-build my craft stock mostly through creative finds at Dollar Tree, Dollar General or Wal-Mart. I'd been saving a $10 gift card to Hobby Lobby from LAST Christmas and finally used it about 2 weeks ago to buy 2 bundled packs of clearance scrapbook papers by The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby at $3.99 each and I also bought a cardstock paper pad of Mint Berry by The Paper Studio at $8.99. So I had to pay some in cash. The clearance packs were a gamble because I could only see the top paper's design. The Mint Berry cardstock had a range of coordinated colors and patterns from mid-gray to red to pink to a celery/mint green and floral variations. These gambles also have been part of my personal drive to push myself in a creative mindset. This is all part of my recovery of health and spirit.

Here are a few variations of what I've designed for New Year's celebrating:

The arrow and flag/pennant stencils are from the same Bible Journaling set from American Crafts received as a gift as well as the different font styles of letters pulled from different words on the 6 small sheets.

Stay tuned. I still need to blog about yesterday's Advent ATC for Day 20 that I made. Then I got to make lunch and get started on Day 21's ATC as well as next week's design team inspiration for HIMCR blog.

Crafting in the heartland and blessed to be alive,
Becca

Christmas 2017 postcard minis

In late October to early November, I got the urge to start crafting again in order to help motivate me to keep working on my recovery. You know, get out of bed; get moving; get something accomplished beside sleep and eat.

I knew with our limited budget (due to our triple traumas/dramas) that I would need to buy a few things every 2 weeks or so and slowly re-build my stash of craft supplies. In Wal-Mart I found blank 3" x 5" index cards in heavyweight cardstock. I knew they were under-sized to be mailed as a postcard but the simplicity of size and lack of bulk appealed to my circumstances in temporary displacement to a rental house.

A friend from church gave me a gift of set of 6 stencils of a Bible journaling from American Crafts about the same time.

So with purchases of markers and colored pencils from Dollar Tree, I started looking at the stencil set with creative imagination on how I could use individual letters from words and some of the shapes.

I made about 15 Thanksgiving or thankful for you types to mail or give to people that had given us money to help pay for my medicines or medical bills or housing needs or made visits to hospital, etc.

Then I got about 10 Christmas and about 7 New Years themed ones created. Most have been mailed. The few left are to be mailed or given in the next few days were photographed last night and will be blogged about today. (Have to see New Years blog post later.)

Creative re-imagination: pennant used on 1 card but I inverted it and only traced 3 to make trees (or they could symbolize 3 wise men) for the other 3 shown. The stencil set had a mini journal page set up for sermon notes and the date back-slash lines were used to help space for dating.

Here's Thanksgiving/'thankful for you' selection:

"Thankful and 'u'" were traced out of different words provided in the Bible Journaling set.  I really like the mix of font styles! It makes it time-consuming but fun and interesting creatively.

As the saying goes "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade". Well life handed me quite a lot in a matter of 2 1/2 months and I'm trying to start with the seeds to plant a lemon tree!!!!!!!

Blessings from the blessed to be alive,
Becca


Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Advent Artist Trading Card for December 19

The 19th ATC was made on the 19th of December!

Was it posted on the 19th? No, but it will be shortly after midnight when I finish typing this quick post.


The color tones of this are just about monochromatic of blues and grays/silvers. It is a huge departure from the trio of pinks, browns, and greens that were used in the past few days.

Departure is good. The colors of this ATC are very non-traditional and don't even look that wintery. More masculine than wintery. But it's good to keep challenging one's creativity.

I've been wanting to have tally marks for representing the day of the month since about the 5th day and finally used this method for showing the # day of Advent. Advent (preparing for the birthday of Christ) should be a time of laughter and joy. The angels rejoiced. The wise men rejoiced. 


As you prepare your heart in this season please share God's love with your family, friends, neighbors, and a few strangers.

Blessings, Becca



SSSCB #131 second entry for anything goes option for Christmas and free digi

Quick post for 2nd entry


Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge Blog



Non-traditional tones of pinks and teals were used for this 2nd version of the free digital image offered at SSS. The image of girl in fur trimmed outfit is absolutely adorable.

The green scalloped patterned cardstock is from The Mint Berry Cardstock Paper Pack from The Paper Studio by Hobby Lobby. It was actually the leftover from the 1st version. The olive green cardstock that the digi image is mounted to is from Colorbok.


Expressions decorative masking tape from Scotch is used on the inside panel. A Merry Christmas sentiment was cut from a freebie through a teacher blog that I follow. The sentiment is mounted on pink cardstock from Colorbok.



The other usual supplies were iridescent gems, number stickers, glue stick, glue dots, markers, colored pencils, mechanical pencil, ruler, scissors, ....

Another quick post showcasing Advent ATC December 19 will be coming next.

Blessings, Becca


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

SSScb #131 Anything Goes option Christmas and digi

How fun to be creatively challenged to combine a digital image with a Christmas theme and since it is "anything goes" that could be a gift tag, bookmark, home décor, or whatever! Squeal!!

http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/challenge-131-anything-goes-option.html

This challenge has been given 6 weeks because of the holidays. Normally the group just has 2 week long ones. Check out the blog posting to find out the details.


The blog also provided a free digital image to use and she's a cutie pie!!!

IMG 911 is the free image offered by SSSCB for challenge 131

green scalloped cardstock is from the Mint Berry Cardstock Paper Pack bought at Hobby Lobby


Another view of the front:
how I did the inside:
and a side view:

Supplies included: iridescent gems, stickers for number 25 and pop-art style for the 3 on the inside, glue stick and glue dots, scissors, ruler, markers, colored pencils, mechanical pencil, white cardstock from Georgia-Pacific, bright blue paper from Grafix, Merry Christmas was cut out from a teacher blog freebie

This is my first time to link up a submission to the Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge Blog. #131 was "Anything Goes" with option of Christmas and the free digi. The digi is gorgeous! I just had to use her and add some wintery elements to complete the card. The layout and putting it together was easy; it was coloring the fine detail on the image that took time. She's worth it.

blessings, Becca









Sunday, December 17, 2017

HIMCR 331 with digital stamps and third Saturday surprise challenge

I've been working on my "surprise" challenge with using a Digital Delights image for most of the week.

Hiding in My Craft Room's 3rd Saturday challenge is always to surprise and we've also been challenged to use a digital image. Follow the link to get details for the challenge including the deadline date and time.


The giveaway is a $5 gift certificate to Digital Delights. These types of new "stamps" or images have been a strong trend this year in paper crafting, so join us to explore the world of "digi".

The design team could use the utterly adorable given image (that I chose to do) or another that we might already have from Louby Lou.


Before I unveil my card creation, my surprise elements included:
1. 8 panels; basically 2 white cardstock bases taped together
2. The lyrics of the carol "Here we come a wassailing" were used on 7 of the 8 panels.
3. Two beverage recipes were included. One for wassail and another for fruit punch. The recipes were found online as photos so they were easy to download.
4. The mug was another online image find but it was plain. I had the word 'cheerful' as part of a stencil so I just traced the 'cheer' portion. A perfect word when thinking about sharing a cup of 'cheer' when carolers or other guests come to your home.
5. And non-traditional Christmas colors were used; more of a pastel assortment with a few bolder tones mixed in: yellow, mint green, pink, magenta, black, gray, and some light blue.

panels 1-4

panels 5-8

here's a close-up of the cute creature who has her treats; I happened to have foam stick-ons of gingerbread cookies and candy canes so that was the elements from the image I decided to reinforce (sweet treats) hence the "Wassail" carol, pitcher, mug, presentation of the wassail bowl, cupcakes, and recipes for fruit punch and wassail.

On panel 7 I used another copy of the image but colored differently with a combination of markers and colored pencils. And the mug of cheer is on next door on panel 6.

And panel 8 has this awesome clip art image of a Dickens-era gentleman presenting the wassail! It has the last line of the carol too so typically that was the custom of when to bring out refreshments to the carolers.

What a delight! Thanks Digital Delights for inspiring this caroling folding card!!!

It seems I'm constantly crafting in the heartland! Becca









Saturday, December 16, 2017

Penguin Trio for Friday Freebie at CTB and for CTD473 and for PC 359

Friday. Freebie. Could it get any better? I just caught up the Bugaboo post for yesterday December 15 and discovered that the digital image freebie is an adorable trio of penguins!!!

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.ca/2017/12/freebie-friday-penguin-trio.html

Isn't that just TRIPLE goodness in creativity?!?! The design team did amazing work, too, for inspiration.

So, I just have to enter right? And I needed to create an Advent Day 16 (December 16) ATC. Brilliantly, I decided to work ahead and craft Day 17 and 18 too. With church and a potluck tomorrow and cardiac rehab on Monday along with blood work, my husband and I have a couple of hectic days. Getting a jump start on crafting goals this afternoon has been a very good thing!

Aren't these the cutest winter creatures?!?! I had to pick out 3 pink theme papers that were part of a clearance bundled package of The Paper Studio scrapbook paper purchased at Hobby Lobby last weekend. Each one of the trio (separated the images) has all three patterned papers in different size ratios. Each one has a focus color that is used for the # of day and to border the panel image but they all have the color used at least once in their image.


Pinks, green, brown, white are also the current color combination for Color Throwdown #473 so I will have these as my 2nd entry for that challenge.

Summary:
1. Friday Freebie at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog for Bugaboo Stamps
2. Color Throwdown #473
3. Penny's Challenges #359 Anything Goes sponsored by Bugaboo and The Paper Shelter until December 19, 2017
4. December Advent ATCs (personal challenge to achieve this month)

Keep checking back to see what's new for Becca's Heart for Creativity!, Becca S







Fusion Card Challenge for December 2017

Idea #1. Idea #2. Blend #1 and #2 to get fusion. Yes! FUSION!

http://fusioncardchallenge.blogspot.com/2017/12/fusion-blue-gift.html

My goal was to do the sketch and color suggestion from the photo but there's something about what should be the front panel that I'm not happy about. I'll post the front photo later.

What I'm happier about is the inside panel. It's got different tones of blue and a light gray circle (which is a design element of the sketch layout). The simplicity of the layout appeals to me more than the movement or flow of the front panel.

Here's what I did for the inside of my Fusion challenge card:


Maybe we could stretch the sketch layout's circle and shorten the ribbon/rectangle piece and forget about the side and bottom pieces to have it counted for a TRUE fusion of sketch and photo?

The "front":

I guess it is the large scale blue dots paper that is throwing me off and/or the arc of the gems...?!?! I thought all the different blues in the paper would be a good choice and mimic the circle area on the sketch. I curved the gems because I wanted to again mimic the circle area not the rectangle shapes. This is a case of I should have kept it CAS--clean and simple. Ugh!

Love the simplicity of the other half of the card, however!!! 

Stay tuned to see if I hit or miss with the paper-crafting!, Becca

P.S.
[main supplies include blue dots paper from The Paper Studio by Hobby Lobby, the light gray and teal blue cardstock scraps from Colorbok, bookmark/gift tag bought at Dollar General]