Graduation Card {2015 #senior}

Hello friends! I have had today's card for. . .umm, AGES. But it's finally the right time to share it. I dusted this baby off, from the stash of Would-Have-Been-Published cards for Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine. This card would have been published around now, if we hadn't said goodbye to our sweet dear magazine.

Today, in the midst of graduation season is the perfect time to share it with you. I have long lost the supply list, but I can tell you it's a combination of dies and stamps from some of my favorite companies. Seriously, I used a ton of different stuff together on this card:

The stamps are LLD Happy Graduation and the number dies are LLD Bright Lights Numbers and Symbols, both from My Favorite Things. 

The banner die is from Paper Smooches Streamers dies. 

The Hello sentiment die is the Say It - Hello die from Technique Tuesday. (I love that die with all my heart!) 

And last but not least, the cloud dies are from Lawn Fawn, from Spring Showers. 

It's almost JUNE! I can't believe summer is pretty much upon us! My littlest just graduated from preschool, and he is ready to take on the world in Kindergarten next year. Want a sneak peek from his graduation?  Yes, that's my man, using his diploma as a spy glass. He's a classy guy!

I'm off to Phoenix this week, to be at the Fun Stamper's Journey annual convention. (Follow me on Instagram for updates along the way!) I'll be demoing some fun projects, and helping out with classes, (as well as perhaps sipping a fruity drink by the pool if i can escape for a little while!) But I'll be HERE just the same. . .new release from Lil' Inker Designs is coming up too, so be sure to join in the 3-day blog hopping, which starts June 1st! Hugs! xoxo

Cool Tools Vol. 2 {Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine}

Hello friends! Have you stopped by the Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking blog this week? We're sharing the scoop on our newest special issue, which is on newsstands NOW! It's Cool Tools Vol. 2! I have a few cards in this issue, so I thought I'd share one of them with you. . .

I used Sizzix Banner Framelits to create these triangles. I die cut banners, and then die cut the center out with the smallest die. Then I layered the triangles into a fun pattern. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches, and the gold stripe of Stampin' Up gold paper was a fun finishing touch. 

Cool Tools Vol. 2 is all about inspiring you to use your tools. Those decorative scissors, and crimper at the bottom of your drawer? Yeah - it can totally do cool stuff. You'll find ideas for die-cutting machines, punches, scoring boards, stencils, and so much more. You can find it on newsstands where you buy crafty magazines, or you can pick it up in the Scrap & Paper Shop - in print form, or as an instant download! (Love that instant gratification, don't you!?) 

But before you go. . . . .I happen to have an extra copy of Cool Tools Vol. 2. I wonder what I should do with it??????? Maybe - just maybe, I should share it with one of my lovely crafty friends!? Leave a comment, and tell me about one of your most neglected crafty tools. I'll choose a winner on Monday, October 20th to win a copy of this issue, plus whatever other goodies I can fit in the envelope! :) GIVEAWAY IS OVER. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!

Shop my most used card making supplies:

Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock

at Simon Says Stamp 

at Scrapbook.com

Platinum 6 die cutting machine

at Simon Says Stamp

at scrapbook.com

Spellbinders Large Blending Brushes

at Simon Says Stamp

at scrapbook.com

Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue

at Simon Says Stamp

at Scrapbook.com

Spellbinders 4-inch detail scissors

at Simon Says Stamp

at Scrapbook.com

Simple Patterns {Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking special issue giveaway!}

Hello friends! If you happened to stop by the Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking blog last week, you may have read a little something about the newest special issue to hit newsstands. (Yes, newsstands. Our special issues are all in print, for you to hold in your lovely little hands!) Simple Patterns for Paper Crafting & Scrapbooking is here! 

So I was pretty darn exited to see this issue, because the designers worked really hard on this. The magazine is chock full of inspiring projects, plus sketches and diagrams to make it easy for you to use your stash and whip up a LOT of projects. 

Each set of coordinating projects was created using a limited amount of supplies. You'll find cutting instructions, and simple directions for getting card sets, layouts, tags, and even three-dimensional projects from an allotment of paper. If you don't have the paper shown, that's OKAY - just apply those cutting instructions to the goodies you DO have! I was excited to see my projects in this issue, because I have a 12x12 layout in there! I'm trying to put my scrapbooker hat back on more often, and dive into the photo albums of pictures I have. It's kind of exciting!

So friends, I came back from our editorial board meeting in Utah with an EXTRA COPY of this issue! I would love to send it to one of you! Leave a comment here and tell me what your favorite thing is to craft. Cards? Layouts? Home decor? Something else?  I'll choose one random comment on Wednesday, May 7th to receive this issue, plus whatever crafty supplies I can cram into a priority envelope! (I REALLY love to share!) 

There's also another chance to win this issue, plus an assortment of product that was used in this issue on Holly's blog post at Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking. Be sure to click on over, and comment before 5pm on Tuesday May 5th for your chance to win that prize!) 

Please look for this issue next time you are out and about where crafty magazines are sold - I think you'll be impressed and inspired! You can also find this issue in the Scrap and Paper Shop and it will come right to your mailbox! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Home sweet home!

(the seven Go-to Gals at the Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking office)

Home.

Home after a week of 

fun 

controlled chaos 

business

creativity

crafting

snow (yes, snow!)

brainstorming

eating of peanut M&Ms

hashtags

chick flicks

bonding

planning

evaluating

looking back

and most importantly

looking ahead.

As we begin work on the December issue, we are excited to produce another great year of Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking.  I left this week of meetings feeling really inspired and excited about the future of our magazine. And when I say, our magazine, I mean yours and mine. I think what I love the most about this publication is the interaction and creativity of the readers and submitters. It would be nothing without us working together to make it happen. 

If you haven't submitted your creativity to the magazine, I hope you'll consider it. And if you don't have a subscription to this magazine, I hope you'll consider it. We could have another big chat about whether or not you're willing to read a digital magazine, but I'll save that for another time and just say. . . .I didn't think I'd love it. I didn't think I'd even like it. But I have to tell you. I really sort of do! The links. Zooming in. The color and photo quality. Having all my issues in one place. It's kind of amazing.  

I'll stop rattling on. I hope that through our Facebook posts, our plethora of Instagram photos (try #2014edboard on FB or Instagram) and our blog posts, that you'll share our enthusiasm for this hobby, and this publication. It's going to be a GREAT year! 

Here are some links you might enjoy!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking blog

Subscribe to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking

Submit your projects to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking (December call is coming any day!)

Submissions Facebook Group (this is a great place to get information and ask questions about the process, as well as celebrate when the acceptance emails go out!)

Hello There {CAS-ual Fridays CFC109 and a peek in my brain}

I don't particpate in CAS-ual Fridays challenges nearly as often as I should. Every time I stop by the blog I am completely inspired and excited! And this week, I've been in a major crafting funk. (Let's be honest. . .it's probably been more like a month.)  So in the middle of a bunch of deadlines, I decided to just stop, drop everything, and make a quick CAS-ual Fridays challenge card. This week, the challenge is to use polka-dots. (How could I resist?!) 

I used washi tape from Close To My Heart, and Studio G, and that cute sentiment stamp is from Elle's Studio.  (Part of the Saltwater collection.)  It's super cute - I think I'll be grabbing that stamp a lot!

I added a few black pearls to the card, and called it done.

I really only spent about 10 minutes on this, and I enjoyed  each of those 10 minutes.  I'll be honest, it's easy to impart stress on myself, working on projects specifically for Paper Crafts. I get all worked up and try too hard to make each card the most perfect card I've ever created. And is that possible? No. (DUH!) I do much better when I just sit down and CREATE, and then hope that it fits what i "should" be doing. I think I will be doing a lot of growing during my time with Paper Crafts, and I am excited about that. Creating and crafting is a lot more of a mental thing than one would think. Anyone else have that problem? When I'm in a funk, if I can just make one thing that I REALLY like, then often it's enough to jolt myself out of the funk. {Not always, but sometimes!} 

So there you have it. You've gotten a peek at a card, and a peek into my crazy brain. Lucky you!

Thanks so much for coming by today! And thanks to CAS-ual Fridays for jolting me out of a funk, to have some polka-dotty fun. {Cause seriously, there could never be enough polka dots in the world!}

xoxo

Stamp It 3 Ways! (a chance to win!)

Hey there, friends! I just wanted to pop by and share a card with you, from Paper Crafts magazine's Stamp It 3 Ways.  (Click on the link to order this issue online!) I created this card with beautiful Hero Arts stamps, and Lily Bee Designs patterned papers.  I happened to see that it was featured on the Paper Crafts Connection blog a few days ago! (Somehow I missed it until today!) There's a giveaway on the Paper Crafts post, which is up through today - so be sure to head over there and comment, for a chance to WIN a copy of this fabulous Stamp It 3 Ways issue!  

(PS. . .what do you think of my new little blog banner? quick and easy using fabulous freebies from Persnickety Prints! I have my 6x6 calendars printed there every year, and they do a FABULOUS job. I highly recommend them if you are looking for photo printing services!)

Click here for the elements I used  and click HERE for all the freebies!

Paper Crafts magazine presents: Stamp It! 3 Ways Blog Hop

Welcome to another fabulous Paper Crafts magazine blog hop!!!! We are celebrating the release of the special issue, Stamp It! 3 Ways.

In this magazine, groups of designers were given a particular stamp set, and each created different projects to show the versatility of the stamps.  It was a lot of fun to participate in this creative challenge, and it was even MORE fun to find out that one of my cards (the chalkboard) would be on the COVER! Two covers within a month.  It's insanity I tell you!!! (Thrilling insanity! ;) 

I have two other cards within the magazine, and this is a card I created using one of the stamp sets I was assigned to. 

Please hop around and visit all of these fabulous chicks, and check out their great inspiration, using stamps from this issue.  We each have a copy of the magazine to give away, so be sure to leave a comment as you travel around! (Comments must be posted by Sunday January 29th, at midnight MST)

·         Jaclyn Miller

·         Julie Masse

·         Laura Williams (that's me!)

·         Heidi Van Laar

·         Emily Leiphart

·         Mariana Grigsby

·         Julia Stainton

·         Sarah Moerman

·         Karen Baker

·         Laura O’Donnell

·         Kelley Eubanks

·         Kimberly Crawford

And then be sure to head to the Paper Crafts Connection and leave a comment, for a chance to win this HUGE prize - stamps from the issue! WOWZERS! That is going to be one heck of a package to open up!

Thank you SO much for stopping by.  Hopping with Paper Crafts is such a privilege for me, and I really appreciate each of your comments! I'll be trying to get around to YOUR blogs as well this week, to say HELLO!

xoxo

Looking for more card making inspiration? Check out some of these ideas:

Embossed Stripes Thank You Card Idea

Hexagon Shaped Mini Card Tutorial

Paper Angel Ornament Tutorial

I'm so glad you stopped by today. Let's connect again - subscribe so you don't miss a blog post! Plus, follow me on Pinterest for more crafty projects and card ideas.

Winner winner chicken dinner! (PC Cool Tools!)

I have to admit something . . .this weekend I read the comments from this blog hop, like, umm. . . every ten minutes.  I admit it - I was stalking my OWN blog.  And it was SO much fun.  Thank you so much, for each and every sweet and thoughtful comment.  I truly loved reading all of your kind words and it gave me super big warm fuzzies! Thanks so much for blog hopping with Paper Crafts! (There might just be another hop soon! Wink! Wink!)

     And now, for what you're REALLY wanting to know. . .my winner of the copy of Cool Tools!
EDT: (new winner chosen, see next post!)


  You've got it girl!!!!! Please email me at TomatoL at aol dot com, and shoot me your address, and I will pass it on to Paper Crafts! 

And now just a few random cards that I don't think I've shared yet, all featuring stamps from The {Stamps} of Life, over the past few months! I am off to enjoy my husband who's been out of the country for two weeks, and my wild and crazy little boys.

xoxo

Paper Crafts magazine Presents: Cool Tools Blog Hop

Are you looking for creative ways to use the paper crafting tools you already have? Do you love making handmade cards with die cut or paper-punched shapes, and simple sentiments? Today's cards might just inspire you to look at your card making tools in a new way!

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links, I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

Today's blog post celebrates the newest special edition from Paper Crafts magazine, called Cool Tools for Card Makers. This issue was a ton of fun to work on, and it was a CHALLENGE. I don't think outside of the box very easily, and this issue is all about using our crafting tool creatively.  When I got an email informing me I'd have a card on the COVER of this issue, I was absolutely shocked (and thrilled!) The Hello card on the top right is mine. The three cards I created for this issue took some blood, sweat, and tears.  But I love all three of them (especially my cover card!)

Today I have a technique for you using a paper trimmer and simple shaped dies or punches. 

• To create this card, start with cardstock circles (diecut or punched.)  
• Next, cut each circle into four pieces. If you have a good eye, you can certainly just snip it into fourths with scissors. (Consider using a ruler to draw pencil lines first.) OR use your paper cutter: center the circle on your paper trimmer blade, and use washi tape to hold it in place (because trimming small shapes on a cutter can be tricky.) Cut each shape in half, and then into quarters.
• Lastly, reassemble and adhere the circles to your card, mixing the colors.

Looking for some more ideas? Here's another card using the same method, but slightly smaller circles.

Another option is to cut a shape into only two pieces, like this heart card. Die cut hearts, and then just snip them in half - easy peasy!

Please go visit all of the amazing designers participating in today's hop! I am so honored to be listed among them - I must admit, some of my card making HEROES are listed below.  Before you go, leave a comment here at my blog, for a chance to win your own copy of Cool Tools! And then, when you're done, be sure to leave a comment at the Paper Crafts Connection, for a chance to win a HUGE Cool Tools giveaway! (comments due by midnight on the 15th!)

·         Danielle Flanders

·         Cristina Kowalczyk

·         Heidi Van Laar

·         Vanessa Menhorn

·         Kim Hughes

·         Amber Daigre

·         Kalyn Kepner

·         Emily Branch

·         Laura Williams

·         Stephanie Halinski

Want to create today's cards? Start with circle dies like these!

Everlasting Circles Dies from Spellbinders at scrapbook.com

or at Simon Says Stamp

Shop my most used card making supplies:

Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock

at Simon Says Stamp 

at Scrapbook.com

Platinum 6 die cutting machine

at Simon Says Stamp

at scrapbook.com

Spellbinders Large Blending Brushes

at Simon Says Stamp

at scrapbook.com

Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue

at Simon Says Stamp

at Scrapbook.com

Spellbinders 4-inch detail scissors

at Simon Says Stamp

at Scrapbook.com

links updated 5/14/26

Looking for more ways to use circle dies? 

You might love this post:

Circle-Shaped Card Tutorial

EEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!

All I can pretty much say is. . . .EEEEEEEK!
Do you see the HELLO card on this lovely cover of Paper Crafts Magazine's special Cool Tools issue?
Guess who made that card!?
ME!
ME!
ME!
(can you sense me jumping up and down!?)
My artwork on the cover of a magazine. . . .
EEEEEK.
This is a dream that I was never sure would be possible!
So I am THRILLED.
(And the icing on the cake . . . two weeks later I found out that I got ANOTHER cover. Holy GUACAMOLE.)

And now, you can get back to whatever you were doing.  Thank you for humoring me, and listening to me FREAKING OUT!!!! {Giggle giggle!}

(card goodies: stamp - The {Stamps} of Life, card stock - Discount Cardstock)

Get Inspired!

There's another new FUN magazine out - have you seen Paper Crafts Magazine's new special issue, called Get Inspired?  Each page of the magazine features an inspirational piece - a shoe, a cool mug, a blouse, or interesting piece of jewelry. . .and then four projects, inspired by that item.  It is so interesting to see how different designers interpretted the inspirational pieces. Here's one of my cards from the magazine, inspired by a really cool leafy votive holder. 

  (I have two other cards in this issue too! hooray!) You can see another one of them, here for a sneak peek! It's a magazine definitely worth checking out! AND the Paper Crafts Connections blog is giving away FREE ISSUES each day of the week - so be sure to stop by and check it out!

winner winner chicken dinner!

I already mentioned how MUCH fun I've had during this past blog-hoppity week! And before I forget, in the midst of all the chaos, I owe you a WINNER of Paper Crafts Magazine's 365 Cards!

Thanks to random.org, the winner is:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:11Powered by RANDOM.ORG

And that means, my lucky winner is. . . .

 reeree62 said...

Bright, fun card!!! Nice work...

November 11, 2011 10:17 AM

Hooray for you, reeree62! I just sent you an email - (be sure to check your spam, if you didn't get it!) 

And thank you, thank you, again to everyone who commented! I had so much fun reading your sweet  words! You certainly know how to make a girl feel FABULOUS! (Even if it WAS just to win a magazine! wink wink!)  If you'd like to go grab your own issue of 365 Cards, and you can't find it on the newsstands, check out Scrap and Paper Shop to scoop up a copy of your own!

Paper Crafts magazine Presents: 365 Cards Blog Hop

Eeek! It's here, it's here! I've been waiting for Paper Crafts Magazine's 365 Cards issue to come out for what feels like FOREVER!  This magazine literally has a card a day to inspire you throughout the entire YEAR! I will not soon forget the day that acceptance emails went out, and I found out that I had NINE cards picked up for publication in this issue!  I was walking on air for QUITE a few days! I am thrilled to participate in the 365 Card blog hop today, with a September card.

My card features beautiful Brilliant White card stock from Discount Cardstock, stickers from EAD Designs, a chipboard apple from October Afternoon's Schoolhouse line, plus lots of blingity-bling from Want2Scrap. And what card would be complete without a great big red BOW!? 

I hope you'll visit all the talented designers on the hop, for some month-by-month inspiration, and then head to the Paper Crafts Connection blog, (if you haven't already!) and leave a comment for a chance to win a spectacular prize!  Be sure to leave a comment on the designer's blogs too, because we'll each be choosing a random winner to have their very own copy of 365 Cards!

• Chan Vuong (January)
• Kalyn Kepner (February)
• Carly Robertson (March)
• Cristina Kowalczyk (April)
• Kelley Eubanks (May)
• Amber Daigre (June)
• Vanessa Menhorn (July)
• Windy Robinson (August)
• Laura Williams (September) (you are here!)
• Betsy Veldman (October)
• Teri Anderson (November)
• Julia Stainton (December)

(*Comments must be posted by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, November 13th! Be sure to check back and see if you are a winner, and leave us a way to contact you!)

Thank you so very much for coming by today! I cannot explain how excited I am to be participating in a Paper Crafts Magazine blog hop! Eeek! It's so exciting! Please come back and visit me again! Happy hopping!!! xoxo

Looking for more crafty card ideas? You might love these too:

4 Birthday Card Ideas for Everyone on your list

Sweet and Simple Coffee Card Ideas

links updated 3/13/24