Saturday, June 25, 2011

Busy, busy, busy

I am always wishing I had a stash of cards  made for my own use and yesterday, I decided to make some. Some time ago I purchased tags from my friend Michelle at Wood and Fabric. (Michelle has a great Etsy shoppe but had to close it temporarily until the postal strike is over in Canada...she can't mail anything out right now. I hope it's over soon.)
These are the tags I bought...
I wanted to incorporate them into  thank you notecards and this is what I came up with...a very simple design

Michelle's stamping is so creative and I love how she mixes many different images in one small project...little works of art...every one of them! You can almost always find a red postage stamp in Michelle's work...stamped or a real postage stamp. It's her signature element.
Another friend, Fernanda, sent me a wonderful "Get Well" gift that included several packages of floral embellishments she thought I would enjoy using in my work.


 I decided to take one of those packages and challenge myself to make some cards using the same scrapbook papers on all of them. I've made 4 cards using the yellow/orange flowers and kraft cardstock.

I cut a bunch of circle shapes using Spellbinders Nestabilities dies and arranged and rearranged them to make card layouts. I'm sure that the top card designers can knock these projects out a lot faster than I can. This was an all day project for me....but a fun one!




I will be using some of the pink flowers and maybe some of the butterflies on my next batch.

The last thing I want to show you is a gift bag I decorated for David's Father's Day gift.
I usually make him a card as seen in these from past years...

but this year I was running short on time and Hallmark has been missing me so I bought cards (SHOCK!)
I did, however, decorate a plain kraft colored bag....

I love button cards and button card images and I used this one...made larger...for this arrangement. I also glued on real buttons. The backing is a page ripped from a Thesaurus, and I chose strips of scrapbook papers that reminded me of men's clothing.

David will see this bag again.....and again. We don't throw hand-decorated gift bags away around here.
The image came from Cathe Holden of Just Something I Made. Her website is amazing and she has tons of freebies to copy and use in your art projects....find some here.

Hope you have a fun weekend. I will be in my workroom creating away!

xoxo
Joyce

13 comments:

ImagiMeri said...

Hi Joyce,

Wow, you got quite a bit accomplished! All your cards look fantastic, and your father's day bag is awesome. I have a friend that collects button cards and I recently took a bunch of pictures of them. Let me know if you'd like some extra images of button cards.....they're all vintage, and in fairly good shape. Have a great day!

Hugs,
Meri

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I would take Meri's offer about the button card images!!
Your cards are wonderful! I'm going to a stamp a stack..shortly. I so need to create!
The Dad's bag is also great! Have fun creating.
Warmly,
deb :)

woodandfabric said...

Oh Joyce! All of your cards are Wonderful! It is great to see you creating again. I went to visit Cathe's place. A nice place to be! Thank you so much for sharing! And no the strike is not over yet...I'm so tired of all this!
Have a great time in your workroom!
Michelle *Ü*

My Vintage Mending said...

These all look so lovely. Glad to see you crafting again...smiles...Renee

Unknown said...

I love the button card! I should close my shop too- since I'm in Canada. Damn Canada Post!!

vivian said...

great cards joyce. Everyone once in a while I think about making a bunch of cards up too. but I never do! Your cards turned out perfect. I think a handmade card is a real gift. so I would only send them to very special people who "get" that.. too many people toss cards after a few days. I save all mine! I have tons of them! anyways.. have a great sunday.. i'm off to the beach. pray for a gorgeous day for me!
xoxo
vivian

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

You're so creative, I'm thinking you could offer us tours through your brain....maybe charge us something to save money for when you move here.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Those cards are absolutely gorgeous!! I am such a loser at paper crafting! In answer to your great question, mod podge running the colors on printed paper: I put the MP on the back of the paper and then when it is all glued on I put a light coat of MP on the top, brushing in one direction. Occasionally I will get a slight run, but not to much. I usually have sprayed it with walnut ink so they look a little altered in color and old anyway.

Carol

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Oh, these are just SO delightful!!! I miss scrapbooking a lot!!! What charming cards and bag. There's nothing like creating with your hands is there? So glad you found the time to play. : )
xoxo,
Mary Lou

Jenny's Heart said...

They all look great Joyce, ok now I am inspired to build a stash my self.
Your cards are just perfect and I love all the color combos.

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Joyce! You should have seen the expression on my face as I read and drooled over this post. The way you put different elements together is so beautiful. The Father's Day bag is gorgeous (can you say that about a bag for a man?) and so are the cards you made. I just love your work - or I really should say art.

marie said...

Hi Joyce,
Finally a moment or two to do some blog visiting!
You are so gifted in making cards
(and bags) ~ I just love how you put things together!
I noticed that you've been gathering inspiration for making more cards ~ Pinterest is SO addicting!! : )

LaurieStar said...

I love your cards and your bag! I always make cards to sell but never have much time to make a stash for myself anymore! I use them up so fast. I am going to have to find some time. You've inspired me!

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