Ca - Caw, Ca - Caw!

It was not unusual to hear that sound around our house or anywhere we were out with my oldest son.  He used this call to find us when we had separated or just to get our attention.  And  no, he wasn't a small child - this was something that started in his early teens and continues today.  While creating this project, I was sure that if he still lived at home, there would have been a great deal 

of "Ca-caw"ing going on around here.

This little crow was inspired by this chicken pin cushion,  it's not lost on me that they really have very little in common, but that's the way my creative process works.  Crazy?  I know!

The base is a basic flower pin cushion.   I figured that this would make a lovely little fall gift for a friend, so I used the pattern  to create a card as well.  

I loved having a matching card and I thing I will definitely be trying this again.

The paper version is a little bit larger than the pin cushion.  I guess the seams and stuffing fluff him out a little and make her wider and shorter.

If you are feeling crafty please check out the link above, it's a wonderful and simple pattern.  Although it is for a family of chickens, it can be easily adapted to be any kind of bird you want.

I would love to hear what kind of bird you decide to try!

Thanks for stopping by,

jamie

Linking up at - Monday Funday

There are over 480 incredible ideas here!

and

The Sunday Showcase Party

This is a beautiful blog!

Dance, but don't forget

Today's post features a sweet little card 

with an image from

Crafty Secrets.  It was a quick and easy 

project that made me smile.  A girl and pup 

dancing through a field. I hope that you have 

all had many summer moments that feel like this.

But while we dance, I think it is important to  take time to remember those who are in the midst of struggles.

Last Friday I took a little day trip to Tulsa, OK.  On my way I passed through Moore.  My family and friends had seen the devastation on News programs, but nothing prepared me for what I saw last week.  Something about driving through the completely rubble filled areas struck me much more than what I had seen on television.  Seeing the people, still going about their lives while the devastation surrounded them was a jarring experience for me.  These people still need our help and I would like to make it nice and easy for anyone is blessed enough to have a little something to share with them.  Below I have listed several links, all of which are still taking donations for the tornado victims in Moore, OK.  Please forward this post to friends and family that may be able to help as well. 

Oklahoma Red Cross

Salvation Army Oklahoma Tornado Relief

Oklahoma Humane Society

Tulsa Community Foundation

United Way of Central Oklahoma

Thanks for letting me tug at your heart strings today,

jamie  

I've got the blues!

Not the "sad" kind, but the kind where blue papers and embellishments are my favorite choice for creating.  It has been a little rainy here in North Texas, but that makes for perfect stamping conditions.  This little card includes one of my favorite Hero Arts stamps "Musical Walk".  The other day while shopping at the  local Hobby lobby (No, I didn't buy ANY card making materials) there were several of these in their clearance bin.  So if you like this stamp, a great deal might be in your future.

In addition to some beautiful papers and a favorite stamp this card is filled with many little bits and pieces of vintage trims found at a wonderful little booth at the Antique Gallery.  Pom pom trim lines the bottom, a bow created with scraps of vintage seam binding and a teeny tiny piece of lace provides a sweet little back ground for the framed blue rose.  The mulberry paper flower is from Emma's Paperie. The pearl pins are corsage pins from Michael's.  They are pretty and no where near the price of hand made pins, but the impact is just as lovely.  

Headers are an architectural elements that have always caught my eye.  I even have a "pediment" board on Pintrest.  So when I saw Tim Holtz's new Big Die Pediments it seemed like the perfect die for me.  Tim Holtz has such a wonderful way of designing products that offer eye catching shapes with embossed details.

What color have you been drawn to this summer?

Have a wonderful day!

jamie

linking up at:

Uncommon Designs

Day two! I passed a major test today

I'm back and very excited!  You might be thinking that I am excited about keeping up with my own challenge, but that's not it!  Once I commit to something it's pretty easy for me to stick with the routine.  I will share my triumph later, but first  today's card...

To keep things nice and easy, this card uses the same papers, inks and stamps as the card that was featured yesterday.  It is a pretty basic layout, there was a bow on the spine, but after some thought, it needed to go.  I often tell my young art students that one of the most difficult parts of being an artist is knowing when to stop.  My process involves leaving my projects visible on a side table while tidying my work space or working on my next creation.  This allows me to review the composition, colors, and elements used and decide if the project is really finished.  Sometimes things need to be added, sometimes things need to be taken away.  Sometimes it's just right.

What's your process?

  The inside is just as straight forward as the front, two rectangles - two quick stamps and done.

Now the story of my harrowing trip to Jo Ann.   All of the card making around here the last two days has left me in need of some adhesive.  Easy enough, right?  Wrong.  If I haven't introduced myself let me do so now, "Hi, my name is Jamie, and I'm addicted to paper."    Do you know what is just around the corner from the glue at Jo Ann?   Yep!  You guessed it, PAPER.  Loads and loads of beautiful paper.  My heart was beating pretty fast, but I looked down and headed for the cashier.  Before I knew it, I was leaving the store with only glue.  Granted it was the second day of my own "Use what you have" challenge - so my hands weren't shaky yet, but it was pretty huge for me.

What is your favorite crafting supply?  

Toodles,  Jamie

Summer Challenge

Hi everyone!  I am so happy for summer break.  I have long lists of things to do that were neglected during the school year, but I also have some fun planned.  About the middle of April, my card supply had dwindled down to hardly anything.  I had to resort to the unthinkable...yes, it's true...I gave store bought cards.  AKKK! 

 Now that I have settled in to my summer routine I am making a vow to stamp a little something everyday.  As I was going though my supplies to see what papers I wanted to use yesterday, I was kind of overwhelmed.  I know that we have all said it, but I have invested way to much in papers, stamps, embellishments and ribbons to let them just gather dust in my studio.   

So here is the Challenge:

  

ONE CARD EVERY DAY USING ONLY WHAT I HAVE IN MY STUDIO

What do you think?  I am going to allow myself to buy adhesive, but that's all.  Do you want to join me?  I would love to hear about and see all of the new projects you are working on using all of those supplies that you have stored up in you craft room.  

So here we go!  

Day 1:

This little card was made using "Family Ties" papers by Pebbles, "Story Tellers" cardboard stickers by Crate Paper.  Quick and easy enough to still have time to pretty up the inside of the card.

Voila!  One day down...? to go.  I know I should count, but that makes the summer a quantitative  period of time.  I prefer to think of it as so far away the days couldn't possibly be counted.

until my next card,

jamie

I have a confession to make...

I love Pintrest!  I don't just mean the "Oh!  That's a cool website!" It's a crazy kind of love.  I just want to check back every few minutes to make sure that I haven't missed the next great project, or who knows someone may have just pinned a wonderful recipe (for something that isn't white) with only three ingredients.  What ever my latest interest is I know that I can always find good information and endless ideas about it on Pintrest.  But, I realized something last night...while I have pinned 99 things on my "I have to make this" board, I haven't really been making very much.  So today I decided it was high time I created something new.  I wanted to create something that was inspired by a in on my board.  So this was the inspiration piece.  It was pinned from a cute blog called Thinking Inking , she has tons of really great cards so stop by if you get a chance.

And here is my card. 

Not exactly the same, but It does share a few similarities.  That's what I love about art.  You may start with a map in your hand, but the route you take to your destination is never quite the one you had planned.  At least in my case.  This little fairy is from Crafty Secrets.  It is a stamp from one of their clear art stamp sets called born to fly.  I have wanted her forever.  I paper pieced her dress and if you look closely you can see the sparkly pink bows on her shoes.  Love that glitter! 

Have you made anything lately?  If not I encourage you to get to work on any little crafty project you have around.  It's good for the soul.

Take care,

j

It is always black and white with me....

Well, maybe some brown too. I just love using black and white color pallets with card projects. This little photo is a clipping from an ad in a stamping magazine that was begging to be cut out and used on a card.

 

I'm not sure the look on the dog's face says thanks, but I couldn't resist making a thank you card out of this.  After all, look at how carefully his master is brushing. 

In other news I am hoping that a recent birthday gift improves the quality of the photos on the Bee blog.  This little baby came in the mail on Friday! 

 

Thanks Bodine!  Yes I know the color is kind of boring, but I am trying to keep my "focus" on learning to take better photos.  Are you trying to learn anything new?  I would love to hear about it!

Enjoy the weekend!

jamie