Oh Hello Card Swap

Oh Hello.  How fitting.  Hello again.  I'm trying to get my blogging mojo back!  So I'm starting with something relatively simple.  A card swap!

Stamps: Oh Hello (now only available in digital format) and Gorgeous Grunge
Paper: Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla cardstock; This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper (now only available in digital format bundle)
Ink: Gumball Green (retired), Daffodil Delight and Calypso Coral
Embellishments: Snail
Tools: Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits Die, Banners Framelits Die, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Linking up here:

{M} Twigg Studios-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Craft-o-Maniac-Boogieboard Cottage-I Should Be Mopping the Floor-Momnivore's Dilemma-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia {T} Yesterday on Tuesday-Tip Junkie-Sugar Bee Crafts-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Home Stories A2Z-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-New Nostalgia {W} Simply Designing-Someday Crafts-Creations by Kara -Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Polkadots on Parade-Ginger Snap Crafts-DIY by Design {Th} Cherished Bliss-The Brambleberry Cottage-Beyond the Picket Fence-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-My Repurposed Life {F} Today's Creative Blog-Thirty Handmade Days-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-WhipperBerry-Finding Fabulous-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-504 Main-French Country Cottage-Truly Lovely-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Craftionary-Lil' Luna-The 36th Avenue {S} Reasons to Skip the Housework-Funky Junk Interior

Daydream Medallions card

The swap that wasn't.  Whenever I'm doing a swap, I first make one card all the way through, just so I can figure out the process and discover any mistakes that I'd rather not repeat.  I was getting ready for a demonstrator swap, and made my one card all the way through...and discovered it was just way too much work to repeat 16 times!  But the card is lovely, and I wanted to share it with you!

Stamps: Daydream Medallions and Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Wild Wasabi and Very Vanilla cardstock
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder, Soft Suede
Embellishments: Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail
Tools: Simply Scored & Borders Scoring Plate, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits Die & Floral Frames Framelits Die,

Linking up here:

{M} Twigg Studios-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Craft-o-Maniac-Boogieboard Cottage-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor-Momnivore's Dilemma-The Girl Creative {T} Yesterday on Tuesday-Tip Junkie-Sugar Bee Crafts-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-New Nostalgia {W} Simply Designing-Someday Crafts-Creations by Kara -Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Polkadots on Parade-Ginger Snap Crafts-DIY by Design {Th} Cherished Bliss-The Brambleberry Cottage-Beyond the Picket Fence-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-My Repurposed Life {F} Today's Creative Blog-Thirty Handmade Days-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-French Country Cottage-Truly Lovely-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Craftionary-One Artsy Mama-Lil' Luna-The 36th Avenue {S} Reasons to Skip the Housework-Funky Junk Interior

Keep Calm card swap

I just joined a new swap group of Stampin' Up! customers.  I'm pretty excited about it because in this group, we can use retired Stampin' up! products.  Since I'm no longer a demonstrator, I'm not rotating out my supplies or buying nearly as many new products, so it's nice to be able to use the old favorites!
This is a retired hostess set that I LOVED and snatched up as soon as I could....but never actually used until now!

Retired products used:
Keep Calm stamp set
Twitterpated Designer Series Paper
Marina Mist cardstock
Riding Hood Red ink

Current products used:
Whisper White cardstock
Pirouette Pink ink
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
Tea Lace Paper Doilies
Stampin' Dimensionals

Linking up here:

{M} Twigg Studios-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Craft-o-Maniac-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor-Momnivore's Dilemma {T} Tip Junkie-Sugar Bee Crafts-Me and My Boys-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-New Nostalgia {W} Cherished Bliss-Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara -Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Polkadots on Parade-Ginger Snap Crafts-Organize and Decorate Everything-Rae Gun Ramblings-DIY by Design {Th} The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-The Girl Creative-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Reasons to Skip the Housework {F} Today's Creative Blog-Thirty Handmade Days-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-French Country Cottage-See Vanessa Craft-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating-One Artsy Mama {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy

Holiday cards and a time saving tip

So back in the day when I had only one child, my other baby was an Etsy shop.  I sold handmade cards, jewelry and accessories.  And then I had another child.  And that went out the window.  But anyway, these days I do a few card orders a year as a favor (paid favor, but favor nonetheless!) to my dad for use in his business.  He sends out cards for employees' birthdays, anniversaries of working for him, and of course, Christmas cards.  Now these cards of a necessity are simpler than the cards I typically make, and I have to find ways to make them as efficiently as possible; otherwise I just don't have the time.

Here is this year's Christmas card:

Cute, huh?  I really like it.
So on to my time saving tip: spray adhesive.
Really.  This is the kind I like:

3M General Purpose 45 Spray Adhesive

I picked it up at JoAnn, and when I ran out (I've had this can for years, it goes a long way) I picked up another brand at Michael's which is far inferior.
Anyway, so rather than using Tombow or a gluestick or what have you in assembling the cards, I use spray adhesive.  It does come in acid free, but seeing as these will hardly be a treasured momento for those receiving them, I felt that regular spray adhesive would do just fine.

So here's what I do:
I get some cardboard and lay out the piece to be adhered face down, 30 to 40 at a time.  Any more than that, and they'll begin to lose their stick towards the end of the batch from sitting out.

Then I lightly spray the adhesive on.  Lightly.  Don't drench, and be careful that you don't blow the pieces away with the force of the spray.  In fact, do a test spray first to get the hang of how the adhesive comes out.

Then take your cardboard and set it next to your assembly location, and assemble!  Carefully lay down the pieces and smooth into place.  Repeat for as many pieces as you have to adhere.

SOOOOOO much faster, cheaper and easier than the other options.

And this might be it for the year, unless I manage to squeeze in my reading posts!  I will also really really try to get my sister's wedding post up soon.....  :)

Truly Grateful card

It's that time again.  Time for my every other month card swap with other Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  This month, I designed a very fall/Thanksgiving type card.  I love it.  But I love fall.  I. LOVE. FALL.  September through December are my most favorite months of the year.  I feel energized, optimistic and ALIVE during this time.  Yup.  Happy.  :)

Back to the matter at hand, my card!

All supplies from Stampin' Up!

Stamp Set: Truly Grateful

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: Sweater Weather

Embellishments: Old Olive 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

Big Shot: Ovals Collection Framelits Dies

I decided I will be starting a new tradition this year.  For Thanksgiving every year from now on, I am going to pick a few of the many people in my life I am thankful for and send them a card telling them so!  Good thing I made some extra cards for me, eh?

Linking up here:

{M} Twigg Studios-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Pinkopotamus-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Craft-o-Maniac-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor {T} Today's Creative Blog-Tip Junkie-Cherished Bliss-A Diamond in the Stuff-Sugar Bee Crafts-Reasons to Skip the Housework-Me and My Boys-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Creative Itch-Not Just a Housewife-At Home with K-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-DIY by Design-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Project Queen-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-Topsy Turvy (third Tuesdays)-New Nostalgia {W} Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara -Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Southern Lovely -Polkadots on Parade-Restore Interiors-Ginger Snap Crafts-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Organize and Decorate Everything-Rae Gun Ramblings {Th} The Shabby Creek Cottage-House of Hepworths-The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Momnivore's Dilemma-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-Two Yellow Birds Decor-The Girl Creative {F} Thirty Handmade Days-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-French Country Cottage-See Vanessa Craft-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating-One Artsy Mama {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy

Blue Ribbon Card

I'm no longer a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, but the demonstrators I swap with have kindly included me for another year of swaps.  So much fun for me!  It's like Christmas, getting all the cards in the mail.  :)  Anyway, here is the card I made a few weeks ago:

Stamp Set: Blue Ribbon

Ink:  Gumball Green, Primrose Petals and Basic Black
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Gumball Green and Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Basic Black from Neutrals Stack

Embellishments: Tea Lace Paper Doilies, 3/8" Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

I still adore Stampin' Up! but it's time for me to adore them as a customer rather than a demonstrator.  So now I'm linking to my upline demonstrator, Pam Morgan, she is wonderful and if you want to place an order, you can do so through her website.

Linking up here:

{M} Twigg Studios-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Pinkopotamus-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Craft-o-Maniac-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor {T} Today's Creative Blog-Tip Junkie-Cherished Bliss-A Diamond in the Stuff-Sugar Bee Crafts-Reasons to Skip the Housework-Me and My Boys-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Creative Itch-Not Just a Housewife-At Home with K-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-DIY by Design-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Project Queen-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-Topsy Turvy (third Tuesdays)-New Nostalgia {W} Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara -Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Southern Lovely -Polkadots on Parade-Restore Interiors-Ginger Snap Crafts-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Organize and Decorate Everything-Rae Gun Ramblings {Th} The Shabby Creek Cottage-House of Hepworths-The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Momnivore's Dilemma-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-Two Yellow Birds Decor-The Girl Creative {F} Thirty Handmade Days-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-French Country Cottage-See Vanessa Craft-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating-One Artsy Mama {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy

Guess what?!

The new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog is up!!!

I love Stampin' Up! and this is fun for me.  Go take a look!

(I am still currently a demonstrator, but by the end of the quarter I won't be any longer.  Just can't keep up with it, but I will still be a loyal SU! customer.  Because the products are awesome.)

This is a swap I made for this month:

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake cardstock
Ink: Rich Razzleberry and Crumb Cake
Stamps: Swallowtail, En Francais and Itty Bitty Banners
Big Shot: Itty Bitty Banner Framelits
Embellishments: Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon and Antique Brads

In other news, I've been SO. BUSY.  Doing and more doing instead of doing and blogging.  :)  But at some point, I hope to share what I've been up to in the past few months.  The biggest thing going on right now is another family wedding.  My brother-in-law is gettin' hitched in two weeks!  As with the wedding last year, I am doing the decor for the open house (getting married in Arizona where the bride is from, having an open house in Utah where the groom is from).  Here's a swatch of the color scheme just to whet your appetite!  :)

I have lots of fun projects to share from this wedding.

And last but not least, we've made great strides on the all consuming project of my craft room:

Yeah, I know, it's a mess...doing and more doing instead of doing and cleaning also, evidently...

Lower cabinets installed, countertops installed, drawers built and installed, bead board side panels installed and baseboards installed!  Hopefully by the end of the summer, the upper cabinets will be built and installed and I can start on the cabinet doors and drawer fronts.  I'll keep you posted!

Sale-A-Bration card!

I made a pretty cute card last week, if I do say so myself, for a swap with fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  I've been loving rainbow color schemes lately, so based on that, here's what I came up with:

Stamp Set: Bloomin' Marvelous (2013 Sale-a-Bration)

Cardstock: Basic Grey, Basic Black

Inks: Basic Grey, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight,  Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

Designer Series Paper: Neutrals Collection

Punches: 1-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Square (for banner)

Big Shot: Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Folder (Spring Catalog 2013)

Now is the best time of the year in the Stampin' Up! world...Sale-A-Bration!  For every $50 you spend, you can pick a freebie, one of 19 pretty awesome options.  6 of these options are regular catalog items, but 13 of them are exclusive limited-time Sale-A-Bration products.  Sale-A-Bration runs from now until March 22nd, so don't miss your chance!

Click here to go shopping!

Also, this is the BEST time to be a hostess and reap the rewards!  If you are in Utah, from Layton down to Lehi, and would like to host a workshop or private class, drop me an email and we can plan something fun! diykindagirl@hotmail.com

Linking up here:
{M} Twigg Studios-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Pinkopotamus-The Girl Creative-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Craft-o-Maniac-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor {T} Today's Creative Blog-Tip Junkie-Cherished Bliss-A Diamond in the Stuff-Sugar Bee Crafts-Vintage Wanna Bee-Reasons to Skip the Housework-The Kurtz Corner-Me and My Boys-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Creative Itch-Not Just a Housewife-At Home with K-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-DIY by Design-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Project Queen-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-Topsy Turvy (third Tuesdays)-New Nostalgia {W} Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara-Sew Woodsy -Blue Cricket Design-Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Very Merry Vintage Style-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Southern Lovely -Polkadots on Parade-Restore Interiors-Ginger Snap Crafts-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Organize and Decorate Everything-Rae Gun Ramblings {Th} The Shabby Creek Cottage-House of Hepworths-The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Momnivore's Dilemma-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-Two Yellow Birds Decor {F} Thirty Handmade Days-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-French Country Cottage-See Vanessa Craft-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating-One Artsy Mama {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy