Side step card

I wanted to make a special card for my husband for his birthday.  I always seem to exceed but this time even I surprised myself!  I had seen a wonderful round card being made on Pinterest using Graphic45 papers but was having a difficult time following the tutorial...it was done in a very fast speed.  So I kept looking and came across and A6 Side step tutorial on YouTube.  I've never made a side step card or any kind of dimensional card.  The tutorial was very easy to follow and this is the result of my inspiration!  I love Graphic45 paper and have started on my next card already so I can learn to make these quickly.  This one took me about two hours...geez! I can see some beautiful Christmas cards made like this. I also need to set up my light box some where so I can get better pictures.

It has been so long since I've posted anything that my blog site has changed and I didn't know it! 

I haven't been very inspired.  I know...that's horrible!  I would walk into my craft room and just feel overwhelmed because I have so much stuff.  So what do I do?  GO BUY MORE STUFF!!!

My husband (Joe) and I love to hit the flea markets and garage sales and I haven't been able to walk out of the door or off the lot of a sale with treasures in my hand and the thought in my mind that what I found is meant to be something other than the item I discovered. 

I found this "thing" that I later learned is called a grater.   I'm not sure that this would grate anything but I new for sure that it would a great frame for something cool.  I found metal painted drawer pulls that were so cool they said "psst, Kharen...take me home".  So I did. 

I've attended a couple of Sassy Chic card classes in Longmont with my sister and tomorrow I am dragging one of my girlfriends there.  If she wasn't hooked on making cards she will be after this!  I can't wait to see what we make.

But, I finally was motivated to get back into the craft room by a request from a gal that bought from me at my one and only craft show last year.  She bought my small collage squares and now wants a handful for girlfriends that she is getting together with at the end of this month.  I finally finished them (mostly) tonight by adding some little wooden feet (with a little assist from my husband) so they will stand.  A few more baubles and beads on a couple of them and they are done.  But, in the meantime here they are!  I hope she enjoys them as much as I enjoyed making them.  And, I will make more!  Was invited to participate in another craft show on October 6th but it was just to short notice for pokey me.  Maybe next time.

Imitation and Inspiration

Sunday I was able to work on a project that was, again, inspired by a project I saw on Pinterest.  When I say it I couldn't wait to cut up the Ouiji board that has been hanging in the garage for a very long time.  I thought I was going to have to really sweet talk my husband into "donating" it to the cause and then into cutting it up.  Cut up a Ouiji board!  That has to be a really bad thing!  Why do you think I asked him to do it?  Thankfully, nothing bad happened.  He also had another one he preferred over this one so I was very lucky.  I am lucky...he is the most amazing man. 
So, back on topic.  Early on in my Pinterest adiction I saw the photo and then went to the site for these little houses.  I was immediatley facinated and couldn't wait to give it a shot.  It's kind of like making cards but these are a little more decorative.  Once these are completed I will attach a way to hand them.  They will be a nice piece to hang on a wall as they are a little too big and a lot to un-Christmas like to hang as an ornament unless you have a tree that stays up year round.  Do you?  I'd be jealous if you do! 
Like I said, I found the project on www.pinterest.com and if you click through you will find it takes you to  craftster.org but I accidently came across it on another blog site but now can't find it....darn.  But I was inspired and used her pieces for inspiration but found that I'm putting my spin on them as usual.  I liked her's a lot, especially the one with the skeleton on it (note the skull bead on one of them), but right now I vow not to purchase anything new until I use, repurpose, sort/organize, give away or throw away some of the "stuff" I've collected/hoarded, over the last year or so and so far I've been able to use what I have on these houses!  Yay! 
Hear are the first few.  I have about 7 more to do and I'm really having fun coming up with something a little different for each one.  Wish me luck on the rest.  I may need it.  Remember....this is a cut up Ouiji board!

Birthday Card

Wow!  Two postings in one week!  It's a miracle! 

I was just so excited about a card I created last night because, as I've said before, cards are not my favorite thing to do because they take me forever to plan and make and I usually look for inspiration for a long time before I ever even get started.  Most of my layouts are inspired by other cards I've seen (with the exception of my Valentines) and then I put my own spin on them and this card is no exception.  I had this wonderful pack of papers by Graphic45 (I actually use a lot of their papers) and I wanted to use the vintage look for a co-workers birthday card so I went to their website http://www.g45papers.com/ and found the paper I wanted to use and there was a small gallery of examples of other peoples work.  I borrowed the layout I found there of a card made by Cheryl Nyboer and, as usual, put my spin on it.  I was very happy with the end product and thought I would share it with you!  Happy Friday all and Happy Birthday to my co-worker Bonnie!

Winter Whimsies

I had taken some pictures of Valentines I made this month and thought I'd get them uploaded here.  Little did I realize that pictures I had taken at Christmas were still on my camera!  Yikes!  I need to get back on my game.  My pictures mean a lot to me but I've just not been real interested in doing what's right with them.  So, it's time for me to get back on the ball!
December was so busy and I did make quite a few Christmas gifts, most of which I did not take pictures of.  I was making and wrapping in the same breath!  I am a huge fan of Pinterest and a lot of the ideas come from there. I'm inspired almost daily and am so very addicted.  I don't think there is a day that goes by when I'm not spending at least a few minutes on the site.   What is Pinterest you say?  It's an online bulletin board where people "Pin, Like or Comment" on postings that others have found.  The pins and likes can be saved to your own bulletin board for review later.  I currently have over a thousand "likes" and have created several of my own boards and actually have several people "following" the pins and boards I have created.  Give it a try at www.pinterest.com and if you need some direction send me an email at kharen@comcast.net and I'll help you start getting around! 
So I'm posting some pics taken between December 2011 and February this year as well as the afore mentioned Valentines which I am actually quite proud of.  The flowers on some of them came from a technique I learned at a Sassy Chic card making class.  My folded/accordian type flowers still need some work but I'll keep trying.  I may have to break down and buy Tim Holtz's die that makes the strips already scored.  Should make them so much easier.  A few pictures of family at Christmas time and from my daughter and nephews combined 25th birthday party.  They grow so fast!

Christmas count down! 5,....4....3...2...

A wonderful day of shopping and people watching in Fort Collins with my husband and my sister.  A few more gifts taken care of but still not 100% done but almost there.  Yes, I am a procrastinator.  I do not like to shop!  I know, right?  A girl that doesn't like to shop.  Un-heard of! I did almost 90% of my shopping last year on Amazon!  Nope....not kidding.  I will give them credit.  Everything came early and in good shape.  Not one item had to be returned. 
On that note if you are a last minute shopper and would like a unique gift I still have several of my wall hangings for sale.  If you are in Greeley I would be happy to deliver.  If you are in Ft. Collins, Loveland, etc. I'd be happy to meet you 1/2 way.  They have a strip across that back that will assist you in hanging them.  I can give you suggestions on what to use! 
Each piece is unique.  No two are alike.  I use upcycled and vintage material, jewelry and jewelry pieces, found and flea market purchased items, handmade paper and hand-me-ups.  Each has a touch of love built into it.  I've learned a lot along the way and know that I still have more to learn!  If you look at some of my older posts you'll see my favorite foursome.  They each have something that coordinates with the others and would look beautiful if they were placed together in close proximity.

Here are some pictures of my work.  If you are interested you may contact me at kharen@comcast.net, leave me your phone number and which piece or pieces you are interested in.  I can't wait to hear from you!

New computer 1, Me 0

I had hoped that my new Dell would get me back on track but it kept shutting down!  I couldn't get much accomplished.  So, here I am with new computer #2...an Asus.  I know...never have heard of it before but so far so good and I am able to publish a few more cards.  I still need to get my fabric collage piece on here...maybe sometime this weekend.