Out of This World!

This is my afternoon off. The first afternoon off since my birthday almost exactly one month ago. All my other afternoons (and evenings, and then the next mornings) for the past 6 weeks have been filled with books, and facts, and medical school stuff. Lots and lots of basic science medicine. But this afternoon, I'm done. Because tomorrow is it: my Step 1 US Medical Licensing Exam. So to celebrate, and to put good karma out into the universe, I wanted to post about a card that I sent to my sister last week.

I have sent a card to my sister before in congratulations of her work, but usually she is behind the camera. On this occasion, my sister was acting and singing in a community theatre production. Not being able to be there myself because of my affliction (read: studying until the cows, all of them, came home), I sent her my congratulations with this little guy:

Out of this World

This basic card was made with the following supplies:

• SandyLion stamps (my first real stamps, not just the digital ones I've been using!)
• Ink from Versa Magic (Mediterranean Blue and Silver)
• Text was printed on my computer using fonts from Kevin&Amanda
• Papers were from a block of paper scraps (that I bought centuries ago)

Scribble This! Week 2

I saw this challenge on one of the [many] blogs that I follow, and I felt like someone had finally addressed my card photography woes: the grey blahs. Unfortunately, we have very limited natural lighting in our apartment, and the rainy days seem more numerous than the sunny ones. I have often lamented that my cards look pale and blah in my photos. This challenge from Lisa Spangler at sideoats + scribbles, doesn't just focus on producing great cards, but also how to showcase them with great photography [or great editing tips]! So I had to jump right in and played with the levels on this simple card that I made quickly over the week during one of my [necessary] study breaks.

Just by playing with the levels, you can completely change the cards, and [finally!] make them look like they do in person! This is going to be my new trick -- used on all of my future photography! Bye bye blahs!

Cupcake Birthday: Before

Cupcake Birthday: After

On a personal note: this Friday, June 19, I will be taking Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam. I have been studying for the past 5 weeks, and my cards have helped to keep me sane during this time. Long days and endless time in the library will hopefully all have been worth it! Congrats and Good Luck to all of my classmates!

Happy Birthday Pink Persimmon!

A blog that's relatively new to me (found through Keepsakes by Melissa, see her amazing giveaway, posted below), is the wonderful Pink Persimmon. This month, in celebration of their 1 year anniversary, they've given a great (and appropriate) challenge: Pink and Orange (Persimmon).

To be honest, I shied away from this one at first. I didn't think that I could "pull it off", until I was looking through my paper selection and found a pink and orange argyle-print paper. And then I was off! So here it is...

Pink & Persimmon

caardvarks challenge: Depth Perception

The current challenge at caardvarks is Depth Perception! We are asked to create a paper crafting project that is 3D, whether a card, gift wrapping, home decor -- anything goes!

[You can skip the story and just look at the pictures... it is a little lengthy.]

My project this week is inspired by my Gram (she's really my GIL, but like my own Gram in many ways). She told once told me this story: Who's Packing Your Parachute [adapted from this website]? Captain Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot during the Vietnam War. On a mission, his plane was shot down, he ejected from his jet and fell into enemy hands. He survived imprisonment for 6 years. He survived and frequently spoke about the lessons that he learned.

One day, he was approached by a strange man who said: "You're Captain Plumb!" Yet, Plumb did not recognize him. The man said, "You were shot down. I packed your parachute. I guess it worked." And Captain Plumb agreed, "If the chute didn't work, I wouldn't be here today."

Now as Captain Plumb lectures, he asks to think of those who pack our parachutes. Those who you may not say Thank You to everyday, yet who save our lives in small gestures or in big ways. When Gram told me this story, we discussed how we all need to pack each others parachutes. And thus the inspiration for this card.

I Packed Your Parachute

I made the "parachute design" by cutting out white card stock with tabs on the side (for gluing together during assembly). I made the parachute a little thicker than my note so that she could place notes, affirmations, or prayers inside of it. I covered the front and back in the polka dot patterned paper, drawing in the stitching on the borders with markers. On the reverse side, I added two pieces of ribbon to represent the straps for the parachute, and I used the same ribbon (bought for only $1 at Michaels!) to make a tab on the front pocket and the tab on the note inside. I used a matching striped pattern for the sides of the parachute and for the front panel. A few buttons details and this is ready to ship to Gram!

2S4Y 1st Annual Ultimate Card Challenge

One of my absolute favorite blogs, 2 Sketches 4 You (2S4Y), is celebrating their 1 Year Blog Birthday! In true creative fashion of 2S4Y, they are celebrating this milestone with the 1st Annual Ultimate Card Showdown. Even the name sounds exciting! The prizes are great, the inspiration is greater and the products that are sure to come out of this challenge are going to be stunning. This is going to run all month long, and while there will be an "elimination style" competition to find the Ultimate Card, the challenges and prizes for Fab 5's will continue, so you can keep participating -- I LOVE that. And that's why one of the many reasons I love 2S4Y.

Ok, onto the sketch for Week 1:

Welcome Baby

I used a wide variety of products for this including digital stamps of the baby carriage and baby rattle and a wide variety of papers for which I cannot find the original manufacturers.

A subtle detail, in efforts to follow the sketch, I hand-sewed a scalloped pattern to the left of the floral stripe (enlarged seen below).

Thanks to 2S4Y -- of course to Laura & Kazan for making this all possible -- but also to the wonderful community that participates, inspires, comments and encouragement. I have learned so much in just the 3 months that I've been making cards, and much of that comes from the beautiful creations that you all share!

caardvarks: Shape Up! & Cuttlebug Challenge: Be Inspired 33

Inside:

Congratulations on your Graduation

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

Any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

--Dr. Seuss, from Oh, The Places You'll Go

I made this card for a dear friend who just graduated from law school -- Congrats B, Esq!

I am also submitting it for the Shape Up challenge from caardvarks! The challenge was to think outside of the box and make a card that wasn't a square or rectangle. I also added the monogram for the Cuttlebug Challenge [my first one!] Be Inspired #33 -- Monograms, which adds a personal touch for a nice sentiment.

I made the tassel from some yarn (making it up as I went), and used a brad plus a Glue Dot to make sure that it was securely attached. The papers are from Target's Dollar Zone (a great place to find inexpensive supplies). The "B" was made in Word. All in all, a colorful yet still masculine way to celebrate such a great accomplishment.

Manly Cards

Cards for girls are easier.  They can be pink, and full of ribbons or bows.  They can sparkle and shine.  But the challenge of making cards for my father and father-in-law limited my paper selections and made me thinking of new ways to add layers and still preserve the manly factor.

The tie came naturally (not another tie!), and I added details by selecting a paper that was geometric (cannot go wrong for that manly feel) and blocks of color that complimented the tie and paper.  I found these tags that matched the stripes on the tie, and just added a little yarn for some dimension.  I really like this pair, and hope that our dads do too!

caardvarks & 2S4Y Challenges

I LOVE particpating in challenges... especially the two from caardvarks and 2 Sketches for You.  This card was inspired by the "Don't Quote Me, But..." caardvarks challenge, and Kazan's Sketch # 26.

I attempted to add depth and details to this project.  I really spent time planning it all out, and tried with each item to add an extra layer or an embellishment.  I'm really proud of the final product!

Trees A Crowd & Laura #24

Now in the spirit of challenges, I made this card for the caardvarks Trees A Crowd challenge, as well as the 2 Sketches for You -- Laura's #24.  This is my first sketch suggest card, and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to use the sketch as a template, but not be so limited as to my interpretation.  So much to learn.

Sadly,  I am desperately feeling a shortage of supplies without the stamps and Sissix that I had in Pittsburgh.  Definitely things to add to my birthday wish list -- besides the whole passing the boards thing.

For the W...

Finishing up her senior film project has the thorn in her side and the albatross on her neck for quite some time, but this week, my sister had to the put in that final push to tie up all loose ends and submit her 15-20 minute movie.  As a little inspiration/ congratulations/ break from the monotony (for her and for me, I guess), I made this little ditty...

To My Director

(front)

(front, detail)

(inside)

[And fabulous news just came in... not only did she like my card, but W was accepted into her undergraduate school's annual student film festival!  Hers will be one of 10-12 movies played this Saturday.  I will of course be going to see her this weekend... and hopefully continuing my studying at full force.]

Pretty in Purple

As promised: another card done by mixing papers of similar color palettes.  I used a beautiful stamp on top of the layers, and then colored them in with Prismacolor colored pencils.

(front)

(inside)

caardvarks - Fantasy Challenge

Jack and the Dream-stalk

This is my first ever caardvarks submission!  While I'm still a novice in card making, I was really excited to finally try my hand at the always inspiring challenges provided by the talented and creative caardvarks!  This challenge was Fantasy.

Despite the Snow...

A long-going tradition is a snow fall on my Spring Break.  I believe the first year I remember this was in 9th grade, and I have yet to be "let down".  However, because of my later-than-ever Spring Break this year (the first full week of April), I thought that this trend would die.  However, on Tuesday, only 5 days into my break, I awoke in Pittsburgh to find snow on the ground.  And it wasn't even a light dusting, there were clumps and the roads were equally nasty.

Long story short (too late), inspiration for the following card.

Snow, Seriously!?

Lots of Dots

This card was inspired by the little circular image with the hummingbird that is actually a Post-It note that I found at Michaels.  I am still very limited in my ability to break away from straight lines and quadrilateral layouts, so this was my attempt to do something non-linear (however, notice the background).  I enjoyed mixing and matching papers with the complimentary colors and patterns, and I think that you'll be seeing similar ideas for my next cards.

Dotty Hummingbird

Paper and Thread?

This card was inspired by the ability to SEW on paper to produce really unique cards.  Momma S showed me her versions of the beautiful cards inspired by a Paper Crafts magazine -- I had an idea for this card (being my punny self).  The simple stitch adds another dimension to the card, and made it more whimsical.

 All Stitched Up?

A Million Thanks

You can never have enough thank you cards, and with the little "Thank You" embossing kit from CCB, these cards came together very quickly!

Little Half-Cards

A Tickled Pink Thank You

Gone Fishing...

The second I saw the Finding Nemo die-cut, I knew that I would have a grand ole time carding it up!  Being one of my absolute favorite movies (not just animated, favorite among ALL movies), I knew that I could be pun-ny, funny and poignant with this little duuuude (said in that adorable little surfer turtle's voice).  Nemo is appropriate for all occasions!

Inspiration & Hope:

Missing You:

Saying Hello:

(front)

(inside)

First Blog & First Cards

 

  

UPDATED: Used some fancier photo editing to make these look a little better.

First posting and first cards -- lots of firsts.

With LOTS of scrapbooking supplies on hand, but minimal time to dedicate myself to making all the books that I had planned, card making seemed like a great solution!  These are my first cards, and now that I've been following several other card making blogs... these seem quite pathetic.  I'm definitely going to experiment and try more layers and layouts to the cards (it's hard to break my habit of centering everything!).  More supplies are waiting for me at my parents' house, and hopefully they (and other blogs, events, etc.) will inspire me to keep going.

In other news, my friend J and I are planning some hardcore amigurumi making this weekend.  Pictures to be posted whenever I finally learn how to put my rusty crocheting skills to use!