Creative Crafting by Shell: September 2009

Magnolia Fall Challenge Card

Hey there, I hope your having a great week so far! I wanted to use one of my newest stamps for this Challenge of Autumn colors using only: ORANGE - YELLOW - BROWN - RED with the option of GREEN and I'm pretty happy how it came out.

I had some left over OSW (one sheet wonder) pieces and used it for this card, it worked out perfect for this Autumn card too if do say so myself!

Happy Stampin' Y'all

Did you know?

That if you are blogger that you can go to setting's and click on the commet's tab......and then say no to "word verification for comments" that you can moderate it so that you don't have to spell out some silly word ever again for any one making a comment????

I don't know about you but it gets kind of tiring at times to add these?????? Just say "NO" LOL

Pop-Up Card for Challenge

Hey there have I got a fun card for you to do, this photo shows the card open standing up, it's from Split coast stampers resources at this web address:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/freestandingpopupcard/

I used one of the newest in colors from SU "Rich Razzleberry" for the main card stock & stamped varies stamps all over it because once you fold it up the bottom is shown too.............. Lots of folds but the results are great!

P.S. I must give credit to my friend Donna as she and I did this card at her crafting place! LOL Happy Stampin' Y'All

Card making & Scrapbook : Cutting Tools

No matter what paper crafting project you make, you will inevitably have to cut something. Knowing the proper tools for each project will make your craft time more enjoyable and hassle free. Read through the top ten cutting tool basics to help you make the best decision before making that first cut. 1. Scissors: Scissors are the most common cutting tool. They come in various sizes and work perfectly for cropping freehand. Scissors with a long straight edge work well for making large or thick cuts while precision scissors can be used to cut small and delicate items. You can now find non-stick scissors that protect the pieces you are cutting from sticking or being ruined during the cutting process. 2. Paper Trimmer: These handy tools allow you to cut practically any size paper with a straight edge and are imprinted with measurements to guide your cutting. They also have a clear ruler that houses the blade which lets you to precisely see each cut as it is made. With the trimmer, you can quickly cut several sheets of 20-lb. paper, card stock, construction paper, tissue paper, and more. Popular sizes include 24”, 12”, and compact personal trimmers. 3. Craft Knife: Craft knives are suitable for precision cutting and trimming. Sets are available that include an assortment of interchangeable and replaceable blades such as a straight edge, general purpose, precision, micro saw, scoring, and lightweight chisel. These cutting tools are ideal for cutting delicate lettering, shapes, and papers. 4. Paper Punches: These tools come in a variety of fun shapes and sizes from simple shapes like circles and squares to more complex designs of animals and insects. They are available in hand held varieties similar to the classic hole punch. They are also referred to as Craft Punches which are used by pressing a button to make the shape. These are also available in an assortment of shapes and sizes including punches made just for borders. When they get dull, simply punch through aluminum foil or fine sandpaper to sharpen it.

5. Decorative-Edge Scissors: A staple in the scrapbook and paper craft worlds, these tools provide instant pizzazz to any project. From scallop to deckle to lace to waves, you can use these scissors to make frames, embellish cards, create decorative layers, add borders, and much more. 6. Shape Cutters: If you have ever tried to cut out a circle or oval, you may have experienced the great shrinking affect where your end result is ten times smaller than the one you started with. This is no longer an issue with shape cutters. You can use these tools to cut perfect circles, ovals, and other shapes with a simple turn of a blade. Some shape cutters come with adjustable knobs to make several different size cuts. 7. Die Cut Machine: Thanks to ingenious technology, making your own die cut letters and shapes is quick, easy, and always at hand. With numerous choices of size, shape, and style, companies like Ellison, QuicKutz, Provo Craft, AccuCut, and Xyron have created systems suitable for use by novice and advanced crafters. A die cut machine cuts out shapes for you with a simple push instead of tediously cutting each piece by hand. 8. Corner Punches: This tool allows you to easily embellish paper corners. Corner punches let you round paper edges, create an intricate photo frame, and much more. These work like shape cutters but work specifically to decorate the corners of your paper. 9. Rotary Trimmer: If you like using a paper trimmer and decorative-edge scissors, this tool combines both for accurate and versatile cutting. You can find rotary trimmers with straight blades and interchangeable decorative blades. The round straight blade is durable enough to even cut cloth. Using the decorative blades allows you to cut the same pattern across an entire 12”x 12” sheet of paper without the stop and go cuts made with scissors. 10. Cutting Mat: When using any cutting tool, a cutting mat protects your work surface from cuts, scrapes, and tears. Varieties available include self-healing mats which are made of a material that resists cuts and glass mats that have a smooth surface for easily flowing cuts. Many cutting mats include grids to help ease the task of measuring and making parallel cuts.

This information is from:http://scrapbooking.com

Thankful, Grateful and Appreciative

Hey there I got another card done today, we have friends coming for dinner and I wanted to have a simple Autumn card for them........as they always say the they enjoy getting some of my cards.

I used the SU set "Wandering Words" from the Holiday Mini Catalog which started September.1 and runs until January 4, 2010 page 16, item number 116507 for $25.95 in USA dollars. Happy Stampin' Y'All

SBS Sketch Challenge Card

Here's SBS Sketch Challenge that I actually got a chance to try doing using the new stamp set "Autumn Days" from SU.

Here's the sample sketch.

Happy Stampin' Y'All

Criss-Cross Card

Well as promised I got this card scanned to show you, this close up is part of the insert of the card layered on the SU new in-color Bermuda Bay.

If you are really interested the instructions are from Splitcoast Stampers, it was easier than I thought! Though I might try doing this with a 12x12 piece of cardstock next time instead of the 81/2 x 11 that they say to use.

Happy Stamping Y'All

Autumn Greetings

Well you guessed it our Summer is officially over now............as of 5:30pm on Sept. 22 and all our trees have been turning color's and falling in the windy days that we have began to have lately........(oh except out spruce tree's LOL)

I'm really not ready to see the snow come our way, but we took a trip to the higher country and saw lots of "Termination Dust"as we call it here in Alaska........a sign that winter is just around the corner! Happy Stampin' Y'all

I know it"s been awhile since I have posted, I have gotten a few cards done and need to scan them for you all to see later............these have been Splitcoast Stampers ideas. I ve been stuck in books lately reading, finished the latest one by Catherine Anderson, "Comanche Moon" very good read!

I spent my day today going with a friend & husband to pickup one of there daughters that was a run-away being a 3rd party person. I love this young person and so hope that life will turn around for them and hope that they will see that life isnt so bad after all being home with there parents.

Lets talk Turkey?

Well I had a friend over for a play day, I helped her make up cards for our Ladies Card Guild and of course I had my own to make up so this is the card that I finally decided to share with the Ladies.

I love this little Turkey, and I wanted to keep with the season's fall colors that are now being displayed in our area of Alaska.............I'll be gone again for a few days driving so know that I will MIA for awhile. Happy Stamping, and keep them creative juices flowing.......LOL

Interesting Spooks

Been really busy driving and not had much time for card making, and the fact that sometimes you just are too exhausted and you don't feel like crafting/card making! Well anyway here are some critters in spook costumes ready for trick or treating.

So to say the least I drug myself downstairs to my craft room and got out some new stamps that I hadn't played with yet and did a Halloween card..........I stippled yellow on the card stock and then masked the moon to get that glowing effect with blue on top for the night sky. Hope you are having a great week, Happy Stamping!

Blog Candy with a Cause!!!

This is actually for a great cause for a young lady that had an accident in Aug. She is one of those girls that ALWAYS wears a smile. Erin will be offer up some BLOG CANDY for anyone who mails a card either to her to hand deliver or directly to Paige using the address from the article. Cards can be mailed to Paige Welch at Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115. Please go check out Erins blog and read all about this great cause. http://scrapstampandbemerry.blogspot.com/2009/09/looking-for-some-help-please-ladies.html