Carrots!

As many of you know....I collect carrots.
Why?
Around Easter time, you can see myriad bunnies and chicks and decorated eggs. Some years ago, while I was shopping for some new Spring/Easter decorating items, I saw a bunch of carrots. That was different....not the run of the mill. And thus, a collection was started. They're easier to find nowadays but I'm picky about the ones I choose to bring home. Don't ask me what the requirements are...I just know when I see them if they're for me. (Should I be worried at this point, about my state of mind?)

I first saw one of these big mesh carrots on Pinterest.

That led me to Etsy, where I could have ordered one for $40-$75.

I discovered that my local craft store, Pat Catans, would make one for me for $19.99. Sold!!

I don't know why I'm so attracted to carrots..I just think they're cute!

Some were handmade by a dear friend...

many have been gifts...

I have quite an extensive collection.

Even the bunnies have carrots!

Do you collect anything unusual?

xoxo

Joyce

Wishing you...

He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!

Happy Easter!

xoxo

Joyce

A Swap For All Seasons...April....My gifts for May

Is that title a little confusing? My "send to friend" for April was May...hahaha, it does sound odd. There is nothing odd about dear May. She is a talented paper crafter and I was delighted to be given her name to create for. Her blog, 

May's Happy Daze is a place you should visit to see some lovely work.

Our theme for April, in the Swap For All Seasons swap, was Mother's Day and the color was peach. Peach? I looked high and low and couldn't find much peach. Linda decided we could also use coral, so that is what I went with.

May is the recipient of a card and tag using some new techniques I have recently learned. I spoke last time about the dimensional flowers I learned to make in a class and I purchased the brown-eyed-Susan Sizzix die to make some more of these flowers at home. I used a flower pot die for the base.

Did you know that in England, Mother's Day is the 4th Sunday of Lent?

May celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday, March 31st. I used a more general phrase on the tag.

The card style is one that I've been dying to learn! It's called Card in a Box and you can find lots of beautiful examples on Pinterest and YouTube. I watch several YouTube videos and gave it a go!

I think it's not too bad for a first attempt.

This is the card folded up...

Then, when the flaps are lowered...

it's a card in a box!

This is the back of the box. (that flap doesn't fold down)

I also made an envelope (with me new handy dandy envelope maker) to go with the card...so much fun to make!!

and the destash...

Another fun swap month!

XOXO

Joyce

Card Class Fun!

In the past month I have taken 2 card classes at Stamp Fanci, our local rubber stamp store. I have said on numerous occasions that I'm grateful for this store, owned by Margie, because it is the only independent stamp/scrapbook shop within 25 miles. Stamp Fanci has a wide assortment of stamps and stamping supplies and enough beautiful patterned papers to keep both the stampers and the scrapbook people happy.

Almost every week there are classes going on and when a new group of classes is announced , they fill up very quickly! I was lucky to get into the ones I did.

Classes taught by Carolyn are my favorite classes. She is always learning new techniques and is a wizard at teaching them to a class! She always challenges us but, in the end, we learn lots of new tricks from her. Her class was about flowers...dimensional flowers. Some flowers were made using Sizzix Bigz Dies and some were made using Susan's Garden Sizzlet dies. Since taking the class, I have purchased the Black-eyed Susan Sizzix Die and have already used it to make a flower on a tag for my monthly swap. I'd love to have them all but I am seriously trying to be good.

Here is a photo of all three cards that we made in Carolyn's class...

The poppy card was the trickiest...

but also the prettiest. Because of the dimension, Carolyn taught us to make a paper collar to protect the flower before putting it in the envelope. We learned to use the WeR Memory Keepers envelope board for this project. What a slick tool this is! In a few easy steps, you can create envelopes using any kind of paper...it's a great way to use up scrapbook papers that you might not choose to use in paper crafting projects. The envelope we used for this card  is more like a box. You really can't mail the card in the box you've made...it should be hand delivered or put in a padded envelope.

The hydrangea...

The Brown-eyed Susan...

Aren't they nifty? Thanks, Carolyn! I learned a lot!

Making flowers has put me in the mood for some real flowers. I am hoping that in the next few weeks we will see more signs of Spring. Right now, everything is very brown and dead looking. We need some green to show through. It's coming, it's just hard to be patient.

Wishing you a sunny day!

XOXO

Joyce