Thank you for all of the support!

Unfortunately, last night was end my card a day streak.  I had a really bad migraine when I got home from school and I end up in bed for 14 hour.  Thankfully, it was gone in the morning so I could go to school.  I am just thankful that I have people in my life that understand what I am going through and are their to support me when I have a rough day.  There has been a lot of people that I have helped me get through this rough patch of migraines over the past year and I am greatly for all of them.  If it wasn't for them, I don't know how I would have kept going through all of the bad days.  I just want to say thank you and I am so very grateful that you are a part of my life.  Tonight's creation is dedicated to everyone that has been there for me and is still there for me to this day.  I won't be the person I am without all of you.  Thank you!  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Rough Day

Today was one of those day where I should have just stay in bed all day.  I wasn't feeling well to begin with, but then we received some bad news that one of my cousins past away.  It was a blessing since she couldn't move or talk anymore, but it is still hard to hear.  Her beautiful smile and personality will be greatly missed. Since I wasn't really feeling in the card creating mood so I just created a Thank You card.  It doesn't really fit how the day ended, but I have great co-workers that let me cry on their shoulder after I heard the news.  If it wasn't for them, I won't have made it though the last few hours of school.  They are great people and I love how they come together when people really need them.  Thank you to everyone that helped me make it through the afternoon today.  It was greatly appreciated.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Rich Razzberry Cardstock & Ink, Coastal Cabana Ink, Melon Mambo Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Sassy Salutations Stamp Set

Thank You!

Today was my first day back to school since winter break started a week and a half ago and I am exhausted.  It was great to see my 2nd graders today but they wore me out.  I love hearing about their breaks and what they got for Christmas.  Enough about my day though and the love for my students, let's discuss tonight's creation.

Using my trimmer, I cut the card base, strip of rich razzleberry designer paper, and the different overlays that I needed.  I then used the Regarding Dahlias stamp set to stamp the flower and "thank you" onto the small white overlay.  Once everything was completed, I then assembled my card.  It was a pretty easy card to create.  It only took me about 10 minutes to make.  I will have to keep this card in mind when I am doing Thank You cards after my wedding.  Knowing me though I will change my mind several times before then and have a different one in mind.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thank you!

Tonight's creation was suppose to have a Thanksgiving theme, but unfortunately that didn't turn out the way I planned.  I had pre-cut an image using my Silhouette to adhere together today since I am way from my craft room for the holiday, but while I was assembling it I ripped one of the pieces.  I decided to go with plan B.  Plan B is not that exciting.  It is hard to make cards when I am way from home since I don't know what supplies I will need and such.  Enough with me complaining though and let's discuss tonight's creation. 

Using my trimmer, I cut out the overlay and base for the card.  I then used my "Another Thank You" photopolymer stamp set to stamp on the overlay.  With today being Thanksgiving, there is a lot to be thankful for like our families and friends.  Even though this card is not a perfect fit, it will have to do for tonight's creation.  Unfortunately, I can't bring my whole craft room with me when I travel away from more than one day.  Things like this are bond to happen and out of my control so I just have to roll with the punches.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Recipe for disaster

While I would consider last nights card a total failure, I know that between the pressure of my sinuses and the completion of an Ipad uninstall/reinstall it's been quite the week.  These things have been weighing an extra load on me both mentally as well as psychically so I am definitely geared up and ready for the weekend once more.  On the brighter side of things, some of my second graders are finally starting to digest what I am teaching.  This was most evident today in class as one of them was able to complete a lesson in just over five minutes.  Most impressive, and while I am trying to boast my teaching abilities it does make me feel that I am doing my job (which I will admit some days are harder to get through then others).  Coming home and making a creation and writing this blog for you is a piece of meditation in itself, so onward with tonight's remarkable creation!

Tonight I decided to create an easy card, not only because I felt I've earned but because I needed to.  Last nights castrophe of a card made me feel like I failed as a creative individual.  But reminded by my friend Chris, that our failures are what we look back on and know how we've improved.  I found the inspiration for this card by searching Pinterest after school, it took a couple tries to get it right so essentially I created two cards for this evening.  Stamping out six flowers from the "Flower Shop" collection (a collection that I frequently use in my creations).  Once the stamping was completed, I was able to use my punch and create the final product.  Colorful flowers with flowers as unique as autumn foliage, it adds variety to the cards I create.  Placing the flowers on the cards was simple as I used adhesive and evening spaced them, three to a card.  Using a simple "thank you" placed in the center of the card above the flowers tonight's creation was complete.  Simple, easy, not so remarkable but fun none the less to make; until next time happy carding everyone!

Rainbow Starbrust

Today was a much better day then yesterday.  My pounding headache has put me in funk and left me without words to describe yesterday's creation.  Best part of today was seeing smiles faces as they departed the classroom with a new bit of knowledge.  Today, I taught them the home row.  Being a teacher is great and the most rewarding part is knowing that I taught them something that they will use for many years to come.  Enough about keyboarding and kids, time to discuss tonight's creation.

Tonight's card was inspired by a card that I found on Pinterest during my lunch break.  Since I was feeling much better then yesterday, I decided to make today's card a little more extreme in color.  I choose different pattern paper in various rainbow colors to make the brightest part of the card.  Once the patterns were chosen, I cut them in 3" strips and then cut them diagonally from point to point which created a nice triangle shape.  After I made six triangles, I placed them in order on the overlay that was ran trough my Xyron to apply adhesive to the whole thing.  After the paper was placed on the overlay, I trimmed off the excess paper that was hanging over the edge.  I then cut off 1 1/2" from the bottom of the overlay so that I had room on the card to stamp a salutation once the card was complete.  Before completing the card, I had to stamp three flowers from the Flower Shop stamp set  in colors that went with my starburst background.  Once the flowers were stamped, I wanted for the ink to dry so it would not be smear and then I punched them out using the Pansy Punch.  I then arranged them in the middle of the card overlapping in the middle so that "thank you" would fit in the middle by the flowers.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thank you!

After a long day at school and coming home with a migraine, I decided that an easy card was in order.  I searched my Pinterest board for a card sketch that caught my eye.  I found one that was simpler to the card that I made, but I didn't included all of the elements that were in the sketch.  But enough with the chitchat and let's discuss tonight's card.

When making this card, I picked out the overlay of the card first and then based the rest of the colors around it.  Once the overlay was cut out, I decided on a dark gray card base.  I then picked out three colors that went well with the overlay and stamped three flowers from the Flower Shop stamp set.  After the ink was dried, I punched them out using the Pansy Punch.  They did not line up perfectly, but after they were placed on the card you can't really tell that there is more white space in one area then another.  Once the flowers were completed, I used my Silhouette to cut out a circle that the three flowers could be placed around.  I then glued the flowers onto the circle and then onto the overlay.  Using Sassy Salutations stamp set, I stamped "thank you" in the middle of the circle.  Once the card was completed or so I thought, I decided that something was missing so I added rhinestones to the middle of each flower and thus my card was completed.  As you can see, I didn't follow the sketch exactly, but it turned out remarkable anyway.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Thank You!

On yet another seasonally warm summer day, my fiance and I paid a visit to his parents house to assist in fixing his father's car.  While the boys played outside, my future mother-in-law and I hung out inside enjoying every bit of air conditioning that we could get.  So while the bulk of the day was spent inside, the afternoon hours grew into early evening I knew another simple card was in order.  Recently I have been on a Pinterest kick finding all sorts of cool ideas to base my cards off of.  It is a way to make things easier when someone else's creative gets my hamster wheel turning.  Time to explain how I made tonight's creation.

Since I was feeling lazy after spending the day away from home, I decided to go with a per-cut card.  Using my Mosaic punch, I punched out four colored designer paper ornaments.  Now using a solid color paper, I then used my Bitty Butterfly punch.  Once the butterflies took shape I used glue dots and placed them in the center of my multi-color ornaments.  Then I attached the finished pieces to my base card evenly spacing them on the bottom in no particular order.  To wrap up the card, I stamped "thank you" above the ornaments on the right side.  I could have tied this card together with ribbon and bow, but I took the easy way out and now have a finished creation.  Weather it is remarkable or not it is much like art "it in the eye of the beholder."  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Manic Maddness

Another long training day left me tired once more, to be honest I'm not sure how I will survive the school year and this project at the same time.  But I've stayed strong over the last almost 3 months, and kept up with my card a day.  Using a paper trimmer I made a custom cut 5-1/2" by 10" card, after this I made a 4-1/2" by 5" white overlay, then I finished off the main parts by making a grey underlay (measured at 4-3/4" by 5-1/4").  Using a stamp form the same collection I used last night I proceeded to stamp "thank you" in the upper left hand corner with a solid black.  After this I used stamps from the "Manic Madness" (that I received in the mail today), using colors that went nicely together I created a diagonal pattern.  This pattern ran the middle of the right side of the white overlay.  Although I didn't have a good idea for what colors I wanted to use, I managed to make them flow nicely to create a nice pattern.  After stamping up one corner, I decided to finish covering the card, in order to give the effect of partial stamps I used a new technique.  Using a piece of white scrap paper, I placed it flush against the white overlay on the card and proceeded to apply the stamp.  This is a very easy and beneficial technique so that you are not running any overlay or borders you may have created.  While this card was very simple to make I enjoyed making it as a remarkable creation for you to enjoy.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Thank you for my first card order!

Today, I recreated a card that I made about a month ago.  The reason I recreated this card was because I was asked by my old college roommate to create 30 thank you cards for her wedding party.  This is quite an honor for me, but a task I was ever willing to take up.  I have always wanted to sell my cards, but I didn't think it would happen so soon.  The dark purple and lime green were selected based on her wedding colors.

I know I have posted the directions for this card, but I am going to post them again just in case you didn't see the previous card.  First, I had to cut a piece of white paper to size at 4" by 12" and then I scored lines  at 2", 4", 8", and 10".  This way we have a window pane of sorts, this was followed by gently bending the card in half and lining up the creases at 2" and 10" then I placed my Blossom punch by Stampin UP directly in the center of the score lines.  After that I had to cut two pieces of patterned paper to size at 2" by 4".  I glued them on each end of the white base.  After I gluing them on, I used the Blossom punch again to cut out the paper that was left hanging over.  Even though I have already created this card once before, it was still a challenge to line up the punch again (I was afraid I was going to cut some of the middle off that was needed).  Then stamping a flower for the center in lime green, I cut it out using the Blossom punch once more.  After I punched out the flower, I folded the card up and used foam squares to make the flower pop.  Upon completion of this simple steps I finished the card with "Thank you" on the forth of the card as well as in the inside of the card.  One down, only twenty-nine more to go!  For those interested, here is the video tutorial as well (http://juliedavison.blogspot.com/2012/04/double-punched-blossom-card-tutorial.html).

 The outside of the card.

The inside of the card.

Thank You!

With much to do on a busy Saturday full of plenty of family and friends, I decided to create a simple card today.  Cutting a white overlay which was half an inch smaller on each side then my pre-made card, I was able to have a natural border.  Once the overlay was in place, I punched out four flowers with four different colors, using softer colors helped make them pop against the starkness of my white overlay.  Using a simple vertical placement of the flowers on the card, I then pulled out my "Thank You" stamp and grabbed four stamp markers similar in color to my flowers.  Stamping the colors in the opposite color pattern of the flowers I brought the card together as a whole.  While I did a "Thank You" card yesterday and have done countless variations through the last two months, I believe that one can never have too many thank you cards.  Life presents us with all different kinds of opportunities to thank someone, so thus too many cards is not bad at all.  Enjoy your Saturday and happy carding everyone! :)

Thank you!

Using a custom cut 1" by 12" piece of rainbow paper, I was able to create a neat rosette for today's card. Using my scoring board I proceeded to mark the paper every half inch, and then flipped the paper over and scored every quarter of an inch (making sure not to overlap with my other marks).  Alternating with my folding, I used the score lines as my guide, when I was finished a perfect accordion took shape.  Bringing the two ends together and placing adhesive on one end to attach the other now shows a rosette taking shape.  Taking my one inch circle punch, I then placed glue on one side of the paper.  Now with the rosette pushing the sides together to create almost a circle fan in shape, I pushed the rosette down onto the glue side of my circle.  Holding it in place on top of the circle seems like a waste of time, but after a minute the rosette was finished.  Flipping over, I was now given a perfect ridged rosette and a center stone of sorts to go with.

My card stock for this design was cut custom double size with my Silhouette, after cutting the base I ran my paper through the Zyron machine to add adhesive to the entire sheet.  Then using three different colors of paper I cut seven individual strips, in an alternating pattern I placed them over my base card.  I didn't bother with perfection, as once all pieces were in place I used my scissors to cut off the excess overhang on the card.  Leaving a neat pattern with sharp lines giving great direction and flow to the card.  After this was complete I used a deep purple ribbon and ran it the length of the card 2/3's of the way down.  Once this was in place I was able to position my rosette in the bottom left corner.  Using my word window punch, I created a spot for a little text to the right side of the rosette.  Stamping thank you on an off white piece of paper, the card was now nearly finished.  Using the other piece of base paper that was left with, I then proceeded to attach my card to this nice dark base.

Thank You

A busy day with much to learn and lot's more time on the road then I would have liked led me to a simpler card for tonight's remarkable creation.  Using a steel blue card stock I cut a slightly smaller white overlay, thus giving the steel blue a nice border effect to the overall card.  I knew more color was required so using my stamp markers and my Sparkled Expression Stamp Set I chose a variety of colors.  Not nearly a rainbow but close enough, I used the following; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.  A color spectrum visually pleasing both to mind and spirit in a natural arching pattern, reaching it's peak and then back down.  Topping the card with "Thank You" from the Sassy Salutations collection in black ink, doing so it really helps everything come together.  I've said it before, and will again reiterate again and again countless times before I quit this project; one can never have too many THANK YOU cards.  Many occasions call for them and that is why I continue to make more!

Thank You

Today I wasn't satisfied with the original card I created for you to see, so out with the old and in with the new.  Although I was not on a time crunch to get my card totally finished, Monday's are always a rough day for me.  After a long weekend soaking up the sun (I wish), it's hard to come back to reality and find myself back to work.  But such is life and the more things change the more they stay the same.  Simplicity was key for a quick card today, going with purple boxes complimented by lighter border.  I did alternate this only to not create too much of a checkerboard look and to give separation between the squares.  A simple white card and stamping "thank you" placed bottom right corner completed one of these easier cards I've made in a while.

Thank You Card

Today I awoke early for a rummage sale to pick up some items I had seen advertised online for a real bargain.  Unfortunately by the time I had arrived (when the sale was supposed to start) there were plenty of people who had put there hands all over it.  I didn't leave empty handed, but I was feeling slightly disappointed in myself for not getting the items I wanted.  Alas rain on the way home, my spirits were crushed for the hopes of going to the water park for a second day in a row seemed to be doomed.  The closer I got to home, the better the weather became and eventually the sun came out and I was able to spend the afternoon getting a burn and enjoying some waves.

But being at the water park all day, I found myself very burnt in both ways as a sunburn and physically drained.  After a late night grocery shopping combined with a late dinner, I decided on a design I'd seen executed via another fellow carder.  My take on this design was instead of stamping on three separate layers attached to one card, I used my Silhouette Sketch Pens to draw the design on three different panels of paper.  Once they were completed, I used the Silhouette again to cut out a backing border of a darker color to compliment the sketches.  The final product resulted in a "three layered stamping card" with simple text in the middle.  I feel that the the borders as well as the sketches complete this very effectively, drawing the viewers eyes to the center of the card.

Thanks!

Although June is generally a month for celebration of a variety of holidays, as well individual accomplishments; sometimes we forget those who give gifts for the variety of occasions.  That is why I decided to create a simple "Thank You" card, with a simplistic design that was easy to create and is great for many celebrations.  All cut outs were created with my ever reliable silhouette (without it I'd probably go insane!) but that is beyond the point.  I chose to go with a light purple with a dark purple border, the soothing tones bring attention to the main focus of the card, as for the hanging banners; I opted for primary colors.  Simple on the eyes and the budget as they are readily available at most craft retailers.

I would have never thought 18 days ago that now nearly two thirds of the way through June the creativity would be flowing, but it is and I love it!  So thank you everyone for your support and happy carding!!