tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21960912772497556892024-03-14T11:40:39.177+08:00Forever NomadsLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-82277533369827297262014-01-06T08:08:00.000+08:002014-01-10T06:10:05.222+08:00DIY Faux Chalkboard Embellishments<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The snow-pocalypse is upon us, so I'm holed up in my craft room with Pandora and lots of coffee. I've been drooling over the sneak peek of the newest chalkboard embellishments from </span><a href="http://mymindseye.typepad.com/blog/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">My Mind's Eye</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Since they're not available in stores yet, I decided to try making my own.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdyhB3cCwlQ/UsnhrfVrByI/AAAAAAAAAqk/_T4V-_v0BWc/s1600/FauxChalkboardSwingSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdyhB3cCwlQ/UsnhrfVrByI/AAAAAAAAAqk/_T4V-_v0BWc/s1600/FauxChalkboardSwingSide.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Artiste Cricut cartridge (from Close To My Heart) has several of these swing cards; after cutting out the cards, I cut the coordinating label shapes out of leftover cereal box. I then painted them with matte black acrylic paint, rubbed them with chalk, and brushed off the excess. All that was left was to stamp some stylized sentiments with white pigment ink! Easy DIY faux chalkboard embellishments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was also inspired by the current <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2014/01/cfc125.html" target="_blank">CAS-ual Fridays challenge</a>: choose a word that describes what you hope for the new year. My word is POSSIBILITIES!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt62U6TZw-I/UsnhaszZU3I/AAAAAAAAAqY/_95B6uQdx8M/s1600/FauxChalkboardSwingSingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt62U6TZw-I/UsnhaszZU3I/AAAAAAAAAqY/_95B6uQdx8M/s1600/FauxChalkboardSwingSingle.jpg" height="640" width="563" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can't wait to see what the coming year has in store...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ETA: Also linking up at the <a href="http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-paper-players-177-theme-challenge.html" target="_blank">Paper Players Challenge: A Clean Slate</a>. Thanks for the heads up, wienerhoneymooners! </span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-55875676242354632832012-10-29T04:21:00.000+08:002012-10-29T04:21:34.708+08:00More Halloween Treats<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got a few more Halloween projects to share today. First off, some little treat boxes:</span><div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lQWQHIQSGQ/UI2IvrDahjI/AAAAAAAAAoI/L4_maX8KxLw/s1600/HalloweenTreatBox1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lQWQHIQSGQ/UI2IvrDahjI/AAAAAAAAAoI/L4_maX8KxLw/s640/HalloweenTreatBox1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tops flip open like this:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7C5NA4W8ck/UI2JRGDLsWI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/4be5-Y3QsIw/s1600/HalloweenTreatBoxCloseup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7C5NA4W8ck/UI2JRGDLsWI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/4be5-Y3QsIw/s640/HalloweenTreatBoxCloseup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for our front door:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1bCIAs02dM/UI2Ka1fpPBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/M-asNCAR_JA/s1600/BooWreath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1bCIAs02dM/UI2Ka1fpPBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/M-asNCAR_JA/s640/BooWreath1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just love Fall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Treat Boxes: DCWV "Halloween & Fall" stack; The Paper Studio textured cardstock (black); transparent overlay; Cricut / Tags Bags Boxes & More 2 cartridge / Artiste cartridge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wreath: DCWV "Halloween & Fall" stack; The Paper Studio textured cardstock (black); cereal box; Cricut / Martha Stewart All Occasions Cake cartridge / Artiste cartridge</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-35507578433084553242012-10-26T01:58:00.000+08:002012-10-26T05:07:05.477+08:00Trick or Treat<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just wanted to pop in and share some little Halloween treat pouches I whipped up using the Cricut Artiste cartridge:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqbVUHgzfWg/UIl3aSJX7GI/AAAAAAAAAnY/dNuV-fPcd6U/s1600/TrickOrTreatBags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqbVUHgzfWg/UIl3aSJX7GI/AAAAAAAAAnY/dNuV-fPcd6U/s640/TrickOrTreatBags.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They're just right to hold a little fun-size candy bar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super easy, but super cute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Stamps: My Mind's Eye ("All is Bright", "Happy Days", "Remember","Hello", "Everyday Fun"), Martha Stewart ("Carnival Cling")</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ink: Black pigment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Accessories: Cricut / Artiste cartridge, Crop-a-Dile, foam adhesive, ribbon</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-29582417310661183452012-08-24T03:28:00.001+08:002012-08-24T03:30:43.985+08:00Crafty Space: In Progress<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the challenges of our nomadic lifestyle is that we've had to really pare down our belongings. For the past eight years, the majority of our worldly goods fit into several Rubbermaid bins. So when we came back to the States in April, we had to scramble to furnish our new place - and on a tight budget, no less. With a little luck and a lot of elbow grease, we've been able to find just the right pieces to put together a cozy home that fits us to a T. Below is a shot of my new crafty space:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKzkLHi3cnM/UDZZO2T8ZBI/AAAAAAAAAmg/WvM4rgb8qOk/s1600/CraftRoom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKzkLHi3cnM/UDZZO2T8ZBI/AAAAAAAAAmg/WvM4rgb8qOk/s400/CraftRoom3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, it's still a work in progress - the walls are looking awfully bare. But can I just gush for a minute over this desk? </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vzrfJkfJJaY/UDZbqidKlcI/AAAAAAAAAmo/dJDVawLka-0/s1600/DeskCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vzrfJkfJJaY/UDZbqidKlcI/AAAAAAAAAmo/dJDVawLka-0/s400/DeskCloseup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The clean lines, the rich wood grain... It's my new pride and joy. I scooped this baby up for $10 at a dusty little thrift store. Yep, you read that correctly - TEN dollars. It wasn't in the greatest condition, but I stripped it, sanded it, and applied a Danish oil finish. Now it practically glows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recliner was another great find. It's a vintage La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3D1WSvHdrg8/UDZiv8clt2I/AAAAAAAAAm8/2c8Xa2iNfzw/s1600/ChairCloseup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3D1WSvHdrg8/UDZiv8clt2I/AAAAAAAAAm8/2c8Xa2iNfzw/s400/ChairCloseup3.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The color is even more vibrant in real life, a gorgeous aqua tweed with underlying hints of olive. <i>Love</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This small chest of drawers in the far corner is the perfect height for my die-cutting machines:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW-Si0RZKW0/UDZka0DU9II/AAAAAAAAAnI/TlVS8oAqkpI/s1600/DrawersCloseup4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW-Si0RZKW0/UDZka0DU9II/AAAAAAAAAnI/TlVS8oAqkpI/s400/DrawersCloseup4.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside are my Cricut cartridges, cardstock, and patterned paper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm slowly adding decorative details around the room, mostly accents of white and silver. I'm just so happy to have a space of my own again - it's something I've really been needing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-50215757338136130152011-12-30T16:29:00.000+08:002011-12-30T16:29:41.662+08:00Elegant Reindeer<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I only bought one new set of holiday stamps, "</span><a href="http://www.acherryontop.com/shop/company/prima/line/north_country/145626-North+Country+Cling+Mounted+Stamps+By+Prima" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Country</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" by Prima. The flourished reindeer is one of my favorite stamps from the set - classic and elegant.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXxKfkqjrrQ/Tv1e31vt_yI/AAAAAAAAAmA/DwUg2QnGx3A/s1600/SparkleDeer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXxKfkqjrrQ/Tv1e31vt_yI/AAAAAAAAAmA/DwUg2QnGx3A/s400/SparkleDeer2.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the idea of Papertrey Ink's Half & Half dies, but a) I don't own them <span style="font-size: x-small;">(their international shipping is just too high) </span>and b) I needed a wider version to accommodate the reindeer stamp. So, I created my own using my Cricut and the Elegant Edges cartridge. I really like how it turned out! The reindeer was stamped with antique gold pigment ink, then embellished with rhinestones in various sizes and colors. Papercrafting supplies may be virtually nonexistent here in China, but the one thing I can find plenty of is rhinestones!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This afternoon I'm enjoying a little post-holiday down-time, listening to the new </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ceremonials-Florence-Machine/dp/B005QI4TP8/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325230573&sr=1-2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Florence & the Machine</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> album</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (so far I liked her </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lungs-Florence-Machine/dp/B001PB3RU8/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> album better) and doing a little crafting. My tummy is full of tasty <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ajisen-Ramen-%E5%91%B3%E5%8D%83%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3-%E5%91%B3%E5%8D%83%E6%8B%89%E9%9D%A2/30451642308?v=info">Ajisen Ramen</a> soup, our apartment is warm and cozy, and I'm wrapped up in my favorite "grandpa sweater" sipping a cup of coffee. Yep, it's a good day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Supplies</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: Prima "North Country" (reindeer), SEI (flourish), Studio G (sentiment)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ink: Stamp It Up! pigment (antique gold), ColorBox pigment (antique pewter), Versamark</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Accessories: Cricut / Elegant Edges cartridge, clear embossing powder, small corner rounder punch, adhesive rhinestones, foam adhesive</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-48287492976777918592011-12-27T14:01:00.000+08:002011-12-27T14:01:24.252+08:00MFTT: Stripe-tastic!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week's <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/12/tuesday-trigger-stripe-tastic.html">Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger</a> features this pic full of stripey goodness:</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I knew I wanted to replicate those bold, graphic stripes, so I rummaged through my stash till I found a long-forgotten stripe stamp. The dress and the styling of the photo seemed very "Anthro" to me, which led me down a creative rabbit-trail that ended with the idea of retro typography as the focal point for my card:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sentiment was added with my labelmaker. I made this one as a winter holiday card, but by using a different color scheme and changing the words to "you" & "me", this could easily become a Valentine's Day or anniversary card. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be sure to stop by <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/12/tuesday-trigger-stripe-tastic.html">Moxie Fab World</a> to check out the rest of the entries!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: Impression Obsession "Borders"</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ink: Stamp It Up pigment, My Mind's Eye pigment</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Accessories: Cricut / Cake Basics cartridge, Dymo Labelmaker, black label tape, small corner rounder punch, foam adhesive </i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-4417651082151078792011-12-24T14:15:00.000+08:002011-12-24T14:15:06.683+08:00Star of Wonder... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umi_YOVYnMQ/TvVFEqlBQ9I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/aHwImwxaYS0/s1600/Christmas+Star+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umi_YOVYnMQ/TvVFEqlBQ9I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/aHwImwxaYS0/s400/Christmas+Star+2.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped, and our Christmas playlist has been in heavy rotation. Tonight we're hoping to stroll through the Christkindlmarkt and watch a holiday movie or two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today's card features a little glitter-trick I like to use called <i>clear packing tape</i>. Start off with a negative diecut, then apply a strip of tape across the backside of your cutout so that the sticky portion shows through to the front. Pour glitter onto the sticky portion, press down to adhere, then shake/brush off the excess. Perfect glitter application every time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this case, I added a second negative diecut, cut an inch larger than the first, adhered on top of the glittered layer with foam adhesive. The completed 3-D star panel was then attached flat to the cardfront. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to a nice, relaxing holiday, just me and the hubby. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and loved ones!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Supplies</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cricut / Joys of the Season cartridge, Martha Stewart "copper" glitter, clear packing tape, foam adhesive</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-62257938215165031282011-12-18T15:09:00.000+08:002011-12-18T15:09:55.335+08:00MFTT: And a Partridge in a Pear Tree<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been forever since I've had a chance to play along with the <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/12/tuesday-trigger-and-partridge-in-pear.html">Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger</a>, but this week's trigger was just too pretty to pass up:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzAYz09DFt4/Tu2LCKC59WI/AAAAAAAAAlE/rG8Bq501Qc4/s1600/And+a+Partridge+in+a+Pear+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzAYz09DFt4/Tu2LCKC59WI/AAAAAAAAAlE/rG8Bq501Qc4/s320/And+a+Partridge+in+a+Pear+Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I decided to create my own nature-themed card, incorporating the subtle sparkle and soft grays of the inspiration pic: </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUMD4yQMvz8/Tu2KpeGpzWI/AAAAAAAAAk8/dMy8bNfkuNU/s1600/SparkleDeer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUMD4yQMvz8/Tu2KpeGpzWI/AAAAAAAAAk8/dMy8bNfkuNU/s400/SparkleDeer3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stamped the border image onto the deer with silver metallic ink, then glammed it up with some teeny-tiny rhinestones and pearls. (Can I just say how much I love this deer diecut? I want to use it on everything!) I kept the rest of the card nice and simple. Because the front is sentiment-free, it can be used for any number of winter occasions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be sure to check out the rest of the entries over at Moxie Fab World!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Supplies</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: Walmart $1 set</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ink: Silver Metallic</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Accessories: Cricut / Give a Hoot cartridge, adhesive pearls, adhesive rhinestones, small corner rounder punch, foam adhesive </i></span> </span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-82434085685351076002011-12-16T12:27:00.000+08:002011-12-16T12:27:39.240+08:00Candy-Filled Mini Tree-Box <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pvN25o__pG8/Tuq7XOTiQ3I/AAAAAAAAAk0/XHxthp5ykFA/s1600/TreeBox1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pvN25o__pG8/Tuq7XOTiQ3I/AAAAAAAAAk0/XHxthp5ykFA/s400/TreeBox1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tree stamp from the Prima "<a href="http://www.acherryontop.com/shop/company/prima/line/north_country/145626-North+Country+Cling+Mounted+Stamps+By+Prima">North Country</a>" cling set is a perfect fit for this box from the Cricut "Tags, Bags, Boxes & More" cartridge. I cut the box at 4", stamped the tree with Versamark ink, and heat embossed with Zing embossing powder. Fill with M&Ms or Red Hot candies for a quick and easy holiday favor!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Supplies</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamp: Prima "North Country"</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ink: Versamark</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Accessories: Cricut / Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge; Zing! embossing powder; double-sided redline adhesive; embroidery floss </i></span> </span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-34352126580967911612011-12-14T14:04:00.000+08:002011-12-14T14:04:39.011+08:00Modern Poinsettia <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhwLUIsixf4/TugqbsbK00I/AAAAAAAAAks/rpWxoScHcYk/s1600/ChristmasPoinsettia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhwLUIsixf4/TugqbsbK00I/AAAAAAAAAks/rpWxoScHcYk/s400/ChristmasPoinsettia2.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's hard to believe Christmas is right around the corner! The past few months have been pretty busy for us; lots of business meetings, out-of-town guests, the works. We hosted a medical team from the States for a week-long project in a nearby rural province; my mom came to visit for two weeks (her first time in Asia!); and my father-in-law was here for a month. Needless to say, there hasn't been much time for paper-crafting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Things have finally slowed down enough for me to work on a few holiday projects. I found this great poinsettia shape on the Cricut "Joys of the Season" cartridge. The negative cutout is attached to the cardfront with foam adhesive, with some black rhinestones for added sparkle. Clean, modern, and easy to mass-produce!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><i>Supplies</i></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: TPC Studio</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ink: Brilliance "Graphite Black"</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Patterned Paper: "Happy Holidays" paper pack (Hobby Lobby)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Accessories: Cricut / Joys of the Season cartridge; adhesive rhinestones; foam adhesive</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-66458167023525534562011-11-24T19:50:00.000+08:002011-11-24T19:50:08.013+08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdooKV9iFPs/Ts4tUp2bzKI/AAAAAAAAAkk/dL5XMlV3AyQ/s1600/ThankfulPie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdooKV9iFPs/Ts4tUp2bzKI/AAAAAAAAAkk/dL5XMlV3AyQ/s320/ThankfulPie2.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I'm thankful for so many things - my wonderful husband, family, friends, this crazy adventure Seth and I get to share every single day... It's a good life!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Card Supplies:</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cricut / Something to Celebrate cartridge, small corner rounder punch, foam adhesive</span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-71503551382442023712011-08-26T15:51:00.000+08:002011-08-26T15:51:24.536+08:00Pop-Up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIulKXAsruw/TldAx_SBDbI/AAAAAAAAAkY/DUD5ojVAh6A/s1600/PopupLove2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIulKXAsruw/TldAx_SBDbI/AAAAAAAAAkY/DUD5ojVAh6A/s320/PopupLove2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been pretty quiet around here the last few days. Well, when I say "quiet" I mean "uneventful", because we happen to live in a pretty noisy neighborhood. The Chinese might call it 热闹 (</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">rènào), which means "lively, bustling with noise" (with a positive connotation) - we call it "say goodbye to peace and quiet". But in a city of 23 million people, can you really expect anything different?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One thing I do love about our neighborhood is that we have so many food options within walking distance: Japanese, Korean, Indian, German, French, American, Spanish, not to mention all of the Chinese options. For lunch today we had Thai: green chicken curry, spring rolls... So good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pop-up card above is the result of some tinkering around in Cricut Design Studio. It lays flat for mailing, and then the recipient can simply fold the bottom half of the cardfront at the hinge to make the words stand up. I thought about adding some masking/stamping to the letters, but then decided less is more. I already have someone in mind for this one - hope it puts a smile on their face! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><i>Supplies:</i></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cricut / Design Studio / Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art cartridge</i></span> </span> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-22419829021245135292011-08-20T15:02:00.000+08:002011-08-20T15:02:32.665+08:00MFTT: Girly & Gutsy<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week's <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/08/tuesday-trigger-girly-gutsy.html">Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge</a> was too great to pass up:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUBJtYo4YE0/Tk9CP1JjbcI/AAAAAAAAAkI/S6mmufGyWWE/s1600/The+Midas+Touch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUBJtYo4YE0/Tk9CP1JjbcI/AAAAAAAAAkI/S6mmufGyWWE/s320/The+Midas+Touch.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The yellow chairs, black and white rug, fisheye mirror, starburst light fixture... Oh. My. Word. Here's my interpretation:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtA5zFWsP7Q/Tk9GyaeZ6nI/AAAAAAAAAkM/RrDH4Qr5kbI/s1600/StarburstFrame3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtA5zFWsP7Q/Tk9GyaeZ6nI/AAAAAAAAAkM/RrDH4Qr5kbI/s320/StarburstFrame3.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cut a starburst shape from a transparency with my Cricut, then glammed it up with rhinestones. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Did you notice the one pink rhinestone in the very center? Had to get that pink in there somehow!)</span> Next, I bent up the "rays" at alternating angles to give it some motion. Here's a side view:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XZgqspU3UU/Tk9TNy6IHqI/AAAAAAAAAkU/uZPNPF6TpgU/s1600/StarburstFrameSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XZgqspU3UU/Tk9TNy6IHqI/AAAAAAAAAkU/uZPNPF6TpgU/s320/StarburstFrameSide.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The black background is actually adhesive vinyl, cut with (you guessed it) my Cricut. I really like how the vinyl turned out - I'll definitely be trying this again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><i>Card Supplies:</i></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Acetate transparency, black vinyl, Cricut / Design Studio / Elegant Edges cartridge (frame) / Storybook cartridge (flourish background), adhesive rhinestones, foam dimensionals</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-53996997869814018302011-08-11T14:01:00.000+08:002011-08-11T14:01:11.441+08:00Happy Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCS388b7UQ0/TkNVY8F1H3I/AAAAAAAAAkE/DdxMu_bfE3o/s1600/shanghai+muifa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCS388b7UQ0/TkNVY8F1H3I/AAAAAAAAAkE/DdxMu_bfE3o/s320/shanghai+muifa.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/07/us-china-storm-idUSTRE7760FQ20110807">Reuters</a></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This past weekend, we were geared up to bunker down in our little apartment as typhoon Muifa barreled towards us. Hubby, who spent part of his childhood in Taiwan (which averages 3-4 typhoons a year), had told me stories of taping windows, grown men being blown off their feet, and sideways-sheeting rain. Now, I grew up in the US Midwest, where huddling in a storm cellar during tornado warnings was just a part of life. But here in this mega-city of high-rises, we certainly don't have any basements to hide out in. As we went to bed late Saturday night, the wind was already beginning to gust, rattling our windows and fluttering the curtains. Imagine our surprise (and relief) when we awoke the next morning to find that the storm had weakened and changed course, leaving only some blustery winds and intermittent showers in its wake!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In honor of that happy news, I've got a little card creation to share:</span><br />
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<span id="goog_1565932939"></span><span id="goog_1565932940"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0RcwEGyYRE/TkNUCY0cC2I/AAAAAAAAAkA/qdHKkIVvdgI/s1600/FramedHappyDays1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0RcwEGyYRE/TkNUCY0cC2I/AAAAAAAAAkA/qdHKkIVvdgI/s320/FramedHappyDays1.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That red frame? It's from the </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cricut "Elegant Edges" cartridge, which has become my go-to crafting item. It's like having <i>scores</i> of Nesties at the press of a button. Each shape has a regular and oblong version with matching frame, plain or decorative-layer options, plus coordinating border strips and decorative-edge book pages.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (You can see it all <a href="http://www.cricut.com/res/handbooks/ElegantEdges_cw.pdf">here</a>.)</span><span style="font-size: small;"> A lot of Cricut cartridges are too cartoony-cutesy for my taste, but this one is a cardmaker's dream!</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New to my wishlist is the "Art Philosphy" cartridge. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Check out the <a href="http://cropcandy.com/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Cricut_Art_Philosophy_Shape_Index.pdf">handbook</a> for this one!)</span> It's exactly the kind of cartridge I've been hoping they'd make: clean, modern, non-cutesy artwork, with as much content as they could possibly cram into one cartridge. Images, labels, cards, tags, 3D flowers, boxes, pennants, borders, a font... Unfortunately, it's only available through Close To My Heart as part of a (pretty pricey) bundle, which means no cheap deals online. I like it so much, though, I'm going to have to start saving my pennies. I do have a birthday coming up... Hubby, are you reading this? ; )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: Sassafras Lass "Songwriter", Stampin Up "Many Happy Returns" (sentiment); Ink: ColorBox pigment "Chestnut", My Mind's Eye "Natural" pigment palette; DCWV cardstock; Accessories: Cricut / Design Studio / Elegant Edges cartridge / Fabulous Finds cartridge, embroidery floss, small corner rounder punch, foam dimensionals</i></span> </span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-69607250308281335522011-08-06T22:36:00.000+08:002011-08-06T22:36:52.696+08:00Battening Down the Hatches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2TMTlJab6g/Tj1BiU-fU2I/AAAAAAAAAj0/6b4d1prCdrw/s1600/Typhoon+Muifa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2TMTlJab6g/Tj1BiU-fU2I/AAAAAAAAAj0/6b4d1prCdrw/s400/Typhoon+Muifa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here in Shanghai we're bracing for Typhoon Muifa, which is expected to be the worst storm to hit the city since 2005. The neighborhood guards have been walking the streets with megaphones, advising residents to take precautions, and we've received text-message PSAs warning us to beware of flying objects, flooding, and electrocution. Needless to say, we'll be spending the rest of the weekend cozied up in our apartment, watching dvds and reading a good book or two. Hmm, might be the perfect opportunity for a little Criminal Minds marathon...</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-70360562974058702242011-08-05T17:34:00.000+08:002011-08-05T17:34:54.643+08:00Fun With Letters<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hubby and I caught an early matinee yesterday - 3D glasses, popcorn, cokes, the works. Such a fun date! China only allows about 20 foreign films to be shown per year, so seeing an American movie in the theater is a rare treat for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the creative front, lately my eye has been drawn to creative typography - in subway art posters, stationery, print ads, etc. I got an idea in my head, and came up with this fun little reusable mask, perfectly sized for an A2 cardfront:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkUhvoZgBIU/TjuwDFlaLyI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Z2EgmOyK36E/s1600/QuestionmarkMask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkUhvoZgBIU/TjuwDFlaLyI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Z2EgmOyK36E/s320/QuestionmarkMask.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Which I then used to make this:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzgJ5HLQV8M/TjuwjlE9F5I/AAAAAAAAAjw/G7s9xwlAEFw/s1600/Typeface3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzgJ5HLQV8M/TjuwjlE9F5I/AAAAAAAAAjw/G7s9xwlAEFw/s320/Typeface3.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I sponged inside the mask using a seafoam green ink, then stamped the letters in red. I think this would also look cool with polka dots, or chevron stripes, even woodgrain - so many possibilities!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: Sassafras Lass "Songwriter"; Ink: My Mind's Eye "Natural" pigment palette, Stamp It Up! pigment (red); Accessories: Cricut / Design Studio / Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art cartridge, small corner rounder punch</i></span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-61893161785457336802011-08-03T15:00:00.000+08:002011-08-03T15:00:13.805+08:00CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeXYQYJ9GY8/TjjjW7P9OpI/AAAAAAAAAjU/who6ZKGUKwM/s1600/FotoFlexer_PhotoCFC13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeXYQYJ9GY8/TjjjW7P9OpI/AAAAAAAAAjU/who6ZKGUKwM/s200/FotoFlexer_PhotoCFC13.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week's <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/07/cas-ual-fridays-challenge-cfc13.html">challenge</a> at CAS-ual Fridays is to create a 4x9" card. That's a pretty big canvas to work with! After a lot of thinking, and even more tinkering, here's what I came up with:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yB2y-Ig3Dxk/Tjjl0p6-H_I/AAAAAAAAAjY/sma2kSFsJ4A/s1600/4x9Dear4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yB2y-Ig3Dxk/Tjjl0p6-H_I/AAAAAAAAAjY/sma2kSFsJ4A/s400/4x9Dear4.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I created the large label shape with Cricut Design Studio, stamped the ends, then used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the center portion. Here's a closeup of the sentiment:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4x5yqV_7DE/TjjutbMQ2JI/AAAAAAAAAjc/pByTBXC7E3Q/s1600/4x9DearSentiment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4x5yqV_7DE/TjjutbMQ2JI/AAAAAAAAAjc/pByTBXC7E3Q/s320/4x9DearSentiment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I used a blender pen to color in the border around the sentiment, then finished it off with three teeny tiny rhinestones. Everything's better with a little bling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: American Crafts "Hello There" (sentiment), SEI (polka dots); Ink: My Mind's Eye "Sundress" pigment palette, Stamp It Up! pigment (lavender), ColorBox pigment "Antique Pewter"; Cardstock: American Crafts; Accessories: Cricut / Design Studio / Elegant Edges cartridge, Cuttlebug / Seeing Spots embossing folder, small corner rounder punch, blender pen, adhesive rhinestones, foam adhesive</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-28388572107025120912011-07-30T14:46:00.000+08:002011-07-30T14:46:10.491+08:00Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger: Squares to Cherish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week's <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/07/tuesday-trigger-squares-to-cherish.html">Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger</a> challenge brings us this lovely inspiration pic:</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIyN4txtXhM/TjOTdzZZwxI/AAAAAAAAAjE/LjKcB4pya78/s1600/MFTT+Cherished+Squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIyN4txtXhM/TjOTdzZZwxI/AAAAAAAAAjE/LjKcB4pya78/s320/MFTT+Cherished+Squares.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted to recreate those graphic layered squares, as well as incorporate the soothing colors. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started by using Cricut Design Studio to create a set of concentric medallions centered within a 4" square:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Am548AN8E/TjOegBlbDeI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/qLvpZaBuApU/s1600/LayeredMedallionScreenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Am548AN8E/TjOegBlbDeI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/qLvpZaBuApU/s1600/LayeredMedallionScreenshot.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cut the whole thing out of white cardstock, then inked and stamped away. Here's the finished product:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfWDAmdFoao/TjOVlMi11oI/AAAAAAAAAjM/LdfI4zSm9Nw/s1600/MFTT+HappinessMedallions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfWDAmdFoao/TjOVlMi11oI/AAAAAAAAAjM/LdfI4zSm9Nw/s320/MFTT+HappinessMedallions1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The only colored paper used is the gray cardfront - the rest is all just inks (direct to paper) and stamps! The layers are attached with varying thicknesses of foam dimensionals for added depth. Not bad for just a 4" square of white cardstock, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Stamps: SEI "Bridgeport", Stampin' Up (sentiment); Ink: Stamp It Up! pigment (lavender), My Mind's Eye "Natural" pigment palette; Accessories: Cricut / Design Studio software / Elegant Edges cartridge, foam dimensionals</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-23358725993836566332011-07-27T14:16:00.000+08:002011-07-27T14:16:04.278+08:00CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-koP5giiPY/Ti-oowh_PxI/AAAAAAAAAi8/KI9JqUCsao8/s1600/FotoFlexer_Photo-CFC12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-koP5giiPY/Ti-oowh_PxI/AAAAAAAAAi8/KI9JqUCsao8/s200/FotoFlexer_Photo-CFC12.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I finally get to play along with another CAS-ual Fridays challenge! This week <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/07/cas-ual-fridays-challenge-cfc12.html">the challenge</a> is to use a rub-on or sticker on your project.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Here's my creation:</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-1gvw44gGQ/Ti-rjwKR-lI/AAAAAAAAAjA/iBobZV0jP2k/s1600/Feather2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-1gvw44gGQ/Ti-rjwKR-lI/AAAAAAAAAjA/iBobZV0jP2k/s320/Feather2.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, I have to confess: this is my first time EVER using a rub-on on a card!</span></span> I've had this one little pack of American Crafts rub-ons for years, but for some reason I've always been hesitant to break them out. Let me tell you, I'm a convert! They go on smoothly, and the coverage is superb. I'll definitely be using more of these in the future!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Card Supplies:</u></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cricut / Sentimentals cartridge (peacock feather); American Crafts rub-on; small corner rounder punch; foam dimensionals</span></i> </span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-77691276437854691042011-07-27T13:51:00.000+08:002011-07-27T13:51:48.437+08:00Summer Show & Tell<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After yet <i>another</i> round of VPN issues, I finally have access to Blogger again. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sometimes the restrictions here really get under my skin!</span> Now, where were we before our unscheduled break? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So far my summer has been filled with things like yummy food:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38KilsZ8Tzg/Ti-iKQ_MALI/AAAAAAAAAis/j4PZOYVh3Rk/s1600/Yoshinoya1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38KilsZ8Tzg/Ti-iKQ_MALI/AAAAAAAAAis/j4PZOYVh3Rk/s320/Yoshinoya1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Colorful art exhibits:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaqW6JjVouM/Ti-ij8PaqLI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ly6JrQmX-Tw/s1600/Hongqiao+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaqW6JjVouM/Ti-ij8PaqLI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ly6JrQmX-Tw/s320/Hongqiao+Art.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And stunning views:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gm-FA-213Tc/Ti-kDbvuNDI/AAAAAAAAAi0/8kred1h7xfA/s1600/HuangPuNighttime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gm-FA-213Tc/Ti-kDbvuNDI/AAAAAAAAAi0/8kred1h7xfA/s320/HuangPuNighttime.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can't wait to see how the rest of the summer unfolds!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oR7YEWdI-VU/Ti-m4CktsoI/AAAAAAAAAi4/TiHOGUpW5VI/s1600/LaughingUs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oR7YEWdI-VU/Ti-m4CktsoI/AAAAAAAAAi4/TiHOGUpW5VI/s320/LaughingUs1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-61637707874233953742011-05-26T22:36:00.000+08:002011-05-26T22:36:25.001+08:00Mustache Love<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wow, so is anyone else having issues with Blogger again? I had to clear my cache and delete my Blogger cookies before it would even let me log in. Grr!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My facial-hair-sporting hubby is coming home tonight after being away on a week-long trip, so here's a little card I made in his honor:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPgvE3vqRfY/Td5k7y4GkmI/AAAAAAAAAic/eHGZwe0vXL4/s1600/MustacheLove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPgvE3vqRfY/Td5k7y4GkmI/AAAAAAAAAic/eHGZwe0vXL4/s320/MustacheLove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hee! I added some "texture" to the mustache by inking up the stamp, then pressing it against an uninked woodgrain stamp before stamping onto cardstock. What can I say - I love mustaches, I love woodgrain, why not put them together? The rectangle is debossed into the cardfront using <a href="http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2007/07/5-1.html">this technique</a>. A pretty simple card, but sometimes the simple ones are the most fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: My Cute Stamps "Mustaches", Hero Arts "Designer Woodgrain"; Ink: ColorBox pigment "Chestnut", "Roussillon"; Accessories: Cuttlebug / Rectangle Nestabilities, foam adhesive</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-52098135320824144492011-05-23T22:36:00.000+08:002011-05-23T22:36:34.305+08:00Pinwheel Bouquet<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The challenge photo over at <a href="http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2011/05/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc82.html">Play Date Cafe</a> this week got the wheels in my head turning:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-DO2FmyYj8/TdpojsBFtDI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ob4xWdwYaS0/s1600/PDCC82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-DO2FmyYj8/TdpojsBFtDI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ob4xWdwYaS0/s320/PDCC82.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had some older My Mind's Eye patterned papers that I knew would be a good match for these colors. And I'd been wanting to try out the pinwheel from the Easter 2010 Cricut cartridge...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8zLNA56hn8/TdppsCGeTNI/AAAAAAAAAiM/y2qYTcXf4g4/s1600/PinwheelSet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8zLNA56hn8/TdppsCGeTNI/AAAAAAAAAiM/y2qYTcXf4g4/s320/PinwheelSet1.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aren't those pinwheels fun? Here's a closeup:</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSbrBY3sQqE/TdpsypIvX1I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/swaIySBqFmc/s1600/PinwheelCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSbrBY3sQqE/TdpsypIvX1I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/swaIySBqFmc/s320/PinwheelCloseup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Putting those leftover disposable chopsticks to good use!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the matching card (with super-cute mini pinwheel):</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wybV1-EbGz0/TdptL9A1bCI/AAAAAAAAAiU/dkCfCGWGQmU/s1600/Pinwheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wybV1-EbGz0/TdptL9A1bCI/AAAAAAAAAiU/dkCfCGWGQmU/s320/Pinwheel.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wouldn't these make great party decorations? They were such a blast to make - I'm just itching for an excuse to make more!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Supplies:</u></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>My Mind's Eye patterned paper; Hero Arts "Everyday Sayings" stamps (sentiment); My Mind's Eye "Natural" pigment ink palette; Cricut / Mother's Day 2010 cartridge (pinwheel) / Easter 2010 cartridge (starburst seal); Cuttlebug / Seeing Spots embossing folder; brads; chopsticks (as pinwheel sticks)</i></span></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-91117996282428752592011-05-23T15:12:00.000+08:002011-05-23T15:12:03.130+08:00A Look Back: China Travels<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We had barely been in China for a month when we were given the opportunity to participate in a three-week English seminar in northern Shaanxi province. We stayed in the small village of Ansai (安塞), which is famous throughout China for its <a href="http://blog.chinesehour.com/?p=381">waist drum dance</a>. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbCMXj4NYe0/Tdn9gH_uhuI/AAAAAAAAAhw/wP2CugiMDHU/s1600/AnsaiWD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbCMXj4NYe0/Tdn9gH_uhuI/AAAAAAAAAhw/wP2CugiMDHU/s320/AnsaiWD1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.xtyou.com/xtyouhtml/wenhua/pic/2426.html">image source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The dancers wear oblong drums at their waist, each hand holding a drumstick with a trailing red streamer. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(<a href="http://fznnn.com/html/sx/">image source</a>)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every evening we could find men and women, young and old, gathered in the center of town to practice. It's a joyous, energetic dance, full of leaps and kicks, driven by a pulsing beat drummed out in unison. As a spectator, one can't help but be captivated by the pounding rhythm, the buoyant steps, as the drumming reverberates throughout your entire body. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0RgxDGR7W9I/TdoA9wUKlgI/AAAAAAAAAh4/BMFldz33LOE/s1600/MiniDrummers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0RgxDGR7W9I/TdoA9wUKlgI/AAAAAAAAAh4/BMFldz33LOE/s320/MiniDrummers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were lucky enough to be there while the local elementary school was performing for a national news broadcast. It was raining off and on, but that didn't dampen their spirits one bit!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AW9UpTxeig/TdoBkSn9gBI/AAAAAAAAAh8/akpm1eu_unM/s1600/HighKicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AW9UpTxeig/TdoBkSn9gBI/AAAAAAAAAh8/akpm1eu_unM/s320/HighKicks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out those high kicks! Ah, to be that limber again...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz90FTd1PrI/TdoCt9uTRUI/AAAAAAAAAiA/QTA_DsC93i0/s1600/DrumerBoy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz90FTd1PrI/TdoCt9uTRUI/AAAAAAAAAiA/QTA_DsC93i0/s320/DrumerBoy1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pic above is one of my favorites - my husband snapped it while the children were taking a quick break. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course, mere words and pictures can't capture the intensity of this dance. After a little searching, I managed to find this video:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A8u6DIe8Yoo?rel=0" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of China!</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-277891152237437152011-05-21T13:19:00.000+08:002011-05-21T13:19:19.476+08:00Regal Thanks<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Playing along with this week's Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger, <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/05/tuesday-trigger-some-royal-fun.html">Some Royal Fun</a>. Isn't this the cutest trigger pic?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSdQEzfDxp4/TddFktS8JXI/AAAAAAAAAhg/wmsLWfWw5Uc/s1600/Some+Royal+Fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSdQEzfDxp4/TddFktS8JXI/AAAAAAAAAhg/wmsLWfWw5Uc/s200/Some+Royal+Fun.jpg" width="158" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I immediately knew I wanted to mimic those fun little flags, as well as the black doodle-style accents - and of course the jewels!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jC6RwNN9nrE/TddG_SUyH3I/AAAAAAAAAho/36-EzHKa3l8/s1600/RegalThankYou1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jC6RwNN9nrE/TddG_SUyH3I/AAAAAAAAAho/36-EzHKa3l8/s320/RegalThankYou1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stamped the black flourish images onto light blue cardstock, then added a few accents with a white gel pen. However, it all seemed a little too busy, so I added a layer of velum to tone things down. (Velum is really hard to photograph, btw!) </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next I rounded the edges, then diecut the banner and its outline frame. A sentiment in a whimsical script and some subtle bling was all it needed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This card also qualifies for the CAS-ual Fridays <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/05/cas-ual-fridays-challenge-cfc3.html">CFC3 Challenge</a>: to use bling on a Clean And Simple card:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---WlCuUitUM/TddIxMjCxRI/AAAAAAAAAhs/iCn3aM4oZTk/s1600/CFC03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---WlCuUitUM/TddIxMjCxRI/AAAAAAAAAhs/iCn3aM4oZTk/s200/CFC03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be sure to head over and check out both of these challenges!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: Amy Butler (flourish), Hero Arts "All Occasion Messages" (sentiment); Ink: black pigment; Accessories: Cricut / Design Studio / Mother's Day 2010 cartridge, Signo white gel pen, vellum, small corner rounder punch, adhesive rhinestones, foam adhesive</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196091277249755689.post-5738807507112964032011-05-19T16:42:00.000+08:002011-05-19T16:42:37.311+08:00Dear Doilies<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You know, when we first moved to China back in 2004, cardmaking was a lot more basic than it is now. Dry embossing was done with a light-box, patterned paper was reserved for scrapbook pages, and I had never even heard of a stamping blog. I came overseas with a stack of colored cardstock, a handful of Stampin' Up sets, and the four SU color-families of dye ink cubes. My, how things have changed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, I'll let you in on a little secret - my love affair with the CAS (Clean And Simple) style really stems from the fact that I don't have access to a lot of the products available in the States. I have to work at making as big of an impact as possible, using fewer supplies. Of course, I've grown to love the challenge it presents! I try to purchase products that can be used in a variety of ways, that give the biggest bang for my buck - like my digital die-cutter. Have I mentioned how much fun I'm having with this thing?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDD3crdg-4/TdTP2icnIEI/AAAAAAAAAhc/j7ihXk9hAqI/s1600/DearDoilies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDD3crdg-4/TdTP2icnIEI/AAAAAAAAAhc/j7ihXk9hAqI/s320/DearDoilies1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For this card, I manipulated a tag image in Cricut Design Studio to make it "fatter", then cut an identical tag a smidge larger to create a shadow layer. Some stamping, some inking along the edges, foam adhesive to pop the top layer, and a little paper piercing on either side - put it all on a woodgrain-embossed panel, and you've got yourself a card! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, I'm out the door to meet hubby for Indian buffet. Thanks for stopping by!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><u>Card Supplies:</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stamps: My Mind's Eye "Gertie: Girly", American Crafts "Sing Along" (sentiment); Ink: ColorBox pigment "Ochre", "Chianti"; Accessories: Cricut / Design Studio / Sentimentals cartridge, Cuttlebug / Papertrey Ink "Woodgrain" Impression Plate, paper piercer, foam adhesive, small corner rounder punch, adhesive pearls</i></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14785826840478907351noreply@blogger.com4