Twisted Card #044 "TWINE"

Happy Saturday Everyone! I must say I am in the most delightful mood today, I could do cartwheels! The past few days we have had unbelievably mild temperatures. Today it topped out around 75°. My favorite type of weather. Why is it that as the warm weather approaches, it tends to put a spring in our step? Needless to say, I spent most of the day soaking up the sun and no, I didn't actually do cartwheels...I wish I still had that strength & agility!

Okay, onto business! Today, Anam has revealed the newest card sketch #044, with "TWINE" as the twist. Unlike most of my cards, I usually have somewhat of an idea as to what I plan to do beforehand. However, this time I didn't. I just basically started grabbing things off my desk and items quickly within reach. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to use more baker's twine and to try something different with it, rather than the typical wrapping, stitching or tying it in a bow. Needless to say, through some frustration I am satisfied with the end result. :)

If you want to create a similar look with the twine, here is a quick & easy tutorial...

1) cut paper to desired size (mine is approx 5X6")

2) choose top paper and cut to same size as bottom piece

3) cut out the center to create a window

4) take the bottom paper and run a line of adhesive all around the perimeters

5) cut twine & adhere to adhesive in diagonal pattern

6) cover with the top "window" piece (basically sandwiching the twine in between)

7) for added strength, use staples at the corners

As for the rest, I just played around with it. I took a vintage "See & Say" flashcard, punched the edge & very carefully tucked it under the weaved twine. In addition, I did some fussy cutting, embossing & added rub-ons, chipboard, die-cuts & the fun wooden scrabble stickers from Jolee's Boutique.

Here is a list of all the materials/supplies I used...

Paper: Sassafras Life is Beautiful, Bazzill, American Crafts, My Mind's Eye, kraft; Rub-ons: CTMH Love Letters, Prima Meredith/Fenwick Designs Youth Collection; Stamps: CTMH Love Birds; Punches: Martha Stewart Loop Edge & Starburst; Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket Vintage Mix Blackboard; Die-Cuts: Graphic 45 Times Nouveau Collection; Twine: Martha Stewart; Embossing Powder: CTMH; Other: Jolee's Scrabble Stickers, Cricut Storybook Cartridge, Tombow, foam dots, Swingline green staples & a vintage flashcard

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out the sketch & more amazing interpretations over at http://www.twistedsketches.com/. Off to watch Saturday Night Live!

The Nie Nie Dialogues

Have you heard of it? If you haven't you definitely NEED to check it out. It is the life changing story about a wonderfully beautiful woman named, Stephanie Nielson. I myself hadn't heard of her or her story until just the other day, and I have since been deeply moved. I totally see everything in a different light now...she is truly inspiring.

Last Friday, I received the most delightful package in the mail. It contained the first ever Nie Nie Dialogues Calendar. Stephanie collaborated her creativity with the super talented Megan Hastings; the creator of http://www.shabbyblogs.com/, to make this beautiful calendar. They definitely hit the mark on this whimsical, heartwarming & beautiful creation. It is not just a calendar, it is a masterpiece all in itself. I know that I will be going back for another next year and the next...

When you have a moment to be truly inspired, and have your heart touched by an angel, please visit Stephanie at http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/.

Thank you Megan for the absolutely wonderful gift. I will cherish it forever!

Always Make New Mistakes...

A very clever lady, Maureen called me back in December wanting a custom window done. Her favorite saying/words to live by are "Always Make New Mistakes." Pretty inspiring don't you think? For me, I take it as a challenge to try new things. Not worry about making mistakes, and if I do, make sure I don't make the same one twice! As for inspiration, she had seen one of my pieces, "Eat, Drink & Be Merry." (for image, see older post..http://curlyqmosaics.blogspot.com/2010/08/eat-drink-be-merry.html) The piece she wanted had many more letters to create, so it was very tedious and time consuming indeed. I teased her that I would never attempt to make such a piece again. I am glad she ordered it, as it pushed me to create on another level. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I am just grateful that the word wasn't supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! As for the funky paper in the background, don't you just love it! It is specialty paper from a company called Iota. Known for their paper & stationary, they have unleashed an entirely new line...all adorned with their zany, bright patterns. From journals & totes to baby shoes and aprons. To check out some of their fabulous goodies, go to http://www.everyiota.com/.

Thanks for fueling my creativity by stopping by and visiting!

Twisted Card #042 "DIECUT"

Happy Saturday! Today's newest card sketch is up over at http://www.twistedsketches.com/! The twist this week is "DIECUT." As soon as I saw the twist, I knew I wanted to put my beloved Cricut to use...which I don't use nearly enough. So, I busted it out and decided to create a few birds from the Indie Art Cartridge (such a hip cartridge with tons of cool imagery). I also decided to check out my newest cartridge, Cindy Loo. This cartridge contains lots of swirly, floral, lacy images...so very flirty. If you like real feminine, elegant designs then this cartridge is for you! Also playing along with the theme, I incorporated a red lasercut sheet from the Basic Grey June Bug line, Tablecloth. Additional materials used: American Crafts 5 X 7 rouge cardstock, Glitz Design's Floral & Polka from the vibrant Scarlett Collection, Making Memories Love Notes Sampler, Best Occasions pearl paper, Little Yellow Bicycle's Sweet Love Clear-Cut, Prima's Say it in Crystals Pink Swirls, & a super cute, puffy red heart sticker from Michael's Made with Love line.

Enjoy your evening, but be sure to stop by http://www.twistedsketches.com/ and take a peek at the actual sketch as well as the other grand creations! Thanks for making me a part of your day! Amy

Vintage Carnival Post #2

As I mentioned in the previous post, Tammy Smith is a diva artist extraordinaire. If you are a fan of whimsy, here are some of her amazing creations, guaranteed to knock your socks off...

Enjoy your weekend! www.homemadecircus.com




Enjoy! http://www.homemadecircus.com/

Vintage Carnival

Lately I am completely obsessed with anything that looks remotely like an old vintage carnival. When I think of carnivals, the colors that automatically come to mind are red, aquas, pale yellow, black & white. The images that run through my head are of elephants, carousels, huge (bald-headed) muscle men with barbells & swirly mustaches, tattoos, and scalloped canopies. I think it is a major trend right now, lots of great vintage images to look at; not to mention all the amazing scrapbooking materials out there to incorporate into your next masterpiece. GCD Studios has come out with a new line, and I know there are some that were released this last year that are amazing too. A few weeks ago I completed a large custom cake dome that totally reminds me of the old vintage carnivals...the scallops, the colors, and the funky pedestal. The only thing missing was the pale yellow...I definitely plan on making a true "carnival" one in the future. Anyways, there are some other inspiring things that get me revved up about the whole vintage carnival craze. Have you ever seen some of the amazing stamps over at http://www.purpleoniondesigns.com/? Talk about insanely cool. Some of my faves are the "Antique Fair"...the mustached dude with his huge mouth wide open is just the best! Also, the fonts of the "Living Room Floor" stamps are indescribable. (Definitely on my wish list!) Also, if you like to read (which I am not a big reader myself, but it was an easy read) I loved Mitch Albom's "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven." Have you read it or ever seen the movie? The entire story is centered around Ruby Pier, an old amusement park of sorts. You should definitely check it out if you haven't before. As I have said there is tons of inspiration out there, but the most amazing vintage carnival masterpieces hands down are by a truly talented artist by the name of Tammy Smith out of Westwood, Kansas. She has unbelievable works of art completely inspired by an abandoned carnival pier she once saw in England. Please take time to view her whimsical sculptures & creations. She also makes shirts that say hilarious carnival phrases like, "circus freak," "ringmaster" & "trapeze artist." (Another definite on my wishlist!) Please check out Tammy's amazing creations at http://www.homemadecircus.blogspot.com/ or http://www.homemadecircus.com/.

Thanks dearly to all my amazing friends for all your comments and words of encouragement. You truly inspire me!

GingerScrapsStreet Magazine

I have some exciting news! The ever so talented and lovely Julie Ann Shahin contacted me last month to create a "hybrid" piece for the NEW online, GingerScrapsStreet Magazine! The Premier issue debuted on Saturday, January 1, 2011. I am truly honored to be in the very first issue! Attached is a "sneak" at the project I created. Please go to http://scrapstreet.com/11gss/1janu/organized.htm to see it in it's full glory, as well as some other truly amazing inspiration. Congrats GingerScrapsStreet on your debut as well as the super creative Queen, Julie Ann! (Her beautiful layout got the debut cover!) Be sure to check out Julie Ann's blog too...talk about wonderful!!! http://julieannshahin.blogspot.com/

Happy Monday Everyone!

Twisted Card #040 "HOPE"

Let me start by saying, "HAPPY NEW YEARS" everyone! If you are here, I truly appreciate you stopping by and supporting me with my creative endeavors. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is very hard for me to find "creative" time. However, whenever I have obligations I always somehow "find" the time to get those projects done. With that being said, Twisted Cards #040 is up over at http://www.twistedsketches.com/. The twist this time is "HOPE." Whenever I hear the word "hope" I always think of the saying, "faith, hope & love." I knew right away that I wanted to include it on the card. My cousin Cindy's 37th birthday is coming up in a few weeks, so I wanted to find a way to incorporate the theme into a handmade card from the heart for her. As you can see, the outside of the card reads, "faith, hope & love." The inside reads, "may this upcoming year be filled with all 3." I think that works. : ) As for the 37 on the front of the card, that is basically a 1" pin/button I created for her to remove and wear on her handbag, etc.

Here are the details on all the goods I used on the card...

I started with a 5X7 corrugated kraft card. I then diecut a bracket out of robin blue cardstock using my Cricut and the oh so lovely Storybook Cartridge. Before gluing the blue to the base, I wrapped/tied red baker's twine at the top left and bottom right. Next, I used my piercing tool to add extra interest all around the edges of the bracket. The scalloped edges were applied next. The bottom one is a decorative edge from the GCD Studios Artsy Urban line. I used one of my tiny hole punches from CTMH for the holes in the bottom of the scallop. The top one I created using a scalloped ruler and red paper from Hambly's Doily Decor line. To give it extra dimension, I added foam dots underneath the scallops. As for the button embellishments, the one that says "love" is a CTMH round metal tag that is covered by a red epoxy sticker from Target. The "love" on the top is a rub-on from CTMH's Love Letters. As mentioned earlier the "37" is a button I created. The red ruler paper is from Teresa Collins' Sports Words Collection. Of course to create the button, I used my very handy 1" button maker machine. Do you have one of those? If not, it is truly worth the investment. Not only for instant embellishments, but for instant "flair" as well! Not to mention all the great possibilites for your kids...for their backpacks, for school, for birthday party favors or even to sell. You can't even imagine how many people will pay $1 per button! Okay, focus Amy...back to the card deets...I used American Crafts white Sarah Script stickers for "faith," K & Company's K-Ology Addison Glittered Chipboard Letters for "hope" & the "ampersand" is from American Crafts Thickers in a yummy aqua. Wow, that sounds like a lot of detail!

Again, I truly appreciate you all! Please be sure to stop by and check out the actual sketch that was the catalyst for my creation as well as the many other interpretations! http://www.twistedsketches.com/