More Cards - Merry Christmas

I made a number of different layouts with these cards. I don't normally use only a sentiment to grace the front of the card, however this seemed to work out nicely with the sentiment being so large. I am not too sure what I think of these cards yet, maybe they will grow on me. I find that they are possibly lacking something though I am not sure what it is. That's where your comments come in handy! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think about these. Thanks so much!
Happy creating!

New Cards and Feeling Better!

I haven't posted in a bit because I have bronchitis, so now I am able to post a few cards that I was able to work on while my boys and husband were at Fall Retreat with our Church. I know I really should have been resting, but when I am faced with a hugely quiet house, I cannot just rest in bed! I must do something... so I crafted and watched "Gilmore Girls Season 6" that I rented from Blockbuster (Not all of it of coarse, just two discs worth)! As I was resting I was able to read a new magazine I bought (Holiday Cards, Paper crafts) and I fell in love with a card by Lisa Johnson (Manger Scene). I have wanted to try this card out for a long time (as I have been sick for over a month!).
So... here is my rendition of (Manger Scene). I used last year's leftover scrap paper for the background. The stamp I used was from TAC - The Angel Company. I stamped it three times - first on ivory paper, then on brown paper, then on yellow paper and cut and pasted as needed for the layers. This was not too hard to do for me as I did it while laying in bed (more like sitting up) and needed something to do with my hands anyway. I love little details and getting my hands right into the projects I am working on. For some, they might find this a tedious task. At the top I punched out a circle and stamped a star, using the edge of (more mustard stamp spot from Stampin up) I just put a light mustard edge to the circle and lines coming from the star. I layered this on top of a (more mustard) cardstock triangle - representing the light shining down on the baby Jesus. The rest was just layering and embellishing. I like the cards to which I added some provo craft flowers, however it was not feasible to add this to each card as I did not have enough flowers and they would have been too expensive.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Snowmen Nativity Cards

This stamp set is the cutest little nativity set I have seen. I received this set through my girlfriend Nancy as she ordered from a lady in the States. I am not sure if the catalogue will be available in Canada or not. You can view it at:
Mrs. Nancy Grant
The Angel Company, Team Leader
(907) 852-5616
My TAC Website: http://nancygrant.ismyangel.net
It is a beautiful catalogue.
I enjoyed making these ornament cards. They really work well with the longer cards. This is the first year I have tried making longer cards. I like them.
The set is less expensive than other sets because they are not full sets mounted on wood - they come only with the stamps unmounted. I use them with an acrylic block until my husband makes me some wooden pieces to mount them on permanently.
The red card is more of a small card that spreads out and can also be used as a display for a Christmas Nativity. I really like this one.
Happy Creating!

My First 'Stamping Bella' Card

I was so excited to receive my first "Bella" stamps on Friday, however I was very saddened by the fact that I was too sick to use them. Although on Saturday I had already prearranged for a number of ladies and kids from my Church to come over and help make cards for this year's fundraiser... so I was able to play with one of my 'bella' stamps. I think this one is called "Merry Bella". It is so cute and feminine I can't help but love it! I cut out her dress, boots and hat from the same scrapbooking paper as in the background and glued it onto her. I then used 'Puffy' glue stuff and embossed it to make it look like 'Santa' boots and hat. Then I went to work on coloring the rest with gel metallic sparkly markers. The end result turned out great. The large snowflake added a cute little embellishment effect. I really like this card and look forward to making more "bella's".
Please send me copies of your "bella" cards - I would love to see them. You can post them in your comments for my post, or you can e-mail them to me at ksun_1999@yahoo.com . I look forward to seeing them.
Happy Creating!

Kid's Ministry Kids Help Make Cards

Yesterday was a busy house indeed... four kids from Kid's Ministry at the Garden (My Church) and two Sunday School teachers came over to help make Christmas cards for the fundraiser this year. I found it a time of growth and "letting-go" for me as I sat back and watched the kid's 'go-to-it' with all my stamps, papers and supplies. (As a stamper/cardmaker/scrapbooker/artist you may begin to know what I mean) At first it was difficult for me to breathe because I am a little bit (49% according to the below test) perfectionist - LOL! After awhile though it was an awesome experience seeing the creativity in the room blossom, the cheery faces singing with the Christmas carols playing in the background and everyone working together to pull this fundraiser off.
Little 7 year old Haleem made the middle card in this posting. If she can make something so beautifully creative at 7, imagine what she will create during the rest of her life.
10 year old Maikaila made the card on the top of this post. She is very creative as well and loves crafting with me. They all had a wonderful time... Anna, Anejka, Haleem, Maikaila, Nicole, Rachel and myself. I wasn't feeling too well during the proceedings so I actually got to sit back and enjoy the creativity flowing around me.
Well, I hope you enjoy seeing these lovely creations.
Happy Creating everyone!

Long Thin Cards For Christmas

My girlfriend Nancy from "Nancy's Creative Mess" made one of these long cards and I really liked it. You can see hers on one of her older posts just look at my Cool Links. So... I decided to try and make some of these myself and the above cards are what I turned up with. I really like the tree one. I had a strip leftover of the scrapbook paper and I didn't want to throw it out. If fit perfectly with this card. The snowflake on the Merry Christmas turned out perfect because I had some left over brads that I have rarely used and they worked great (I wouldn't have thought to use those colors for a snowflake but it makes it unique). I also got to use my "Stampin-up" "Shapes and Shadows" set that I haven't used in a long time for the tree. I like these cards but unfortunately you can only make one card instead of two out of 1 piece of cardstock! That is the only downside to these cards. They are rather beautiful though, and original I think.
Happy Creating Lovelies!

Once Again... Some More Christmas Cards

I have been working on some different ideas of Christmas Cards for the Kid's Ministry Fundraiser. Here are three more that I have made. Another slider card, and two different templates for cards. On the one with Love Hope and Peace I colored the edges of the scrapbooking paper with the same color of ink as the paper even though it didn't exactly match the paper used. The snowflakes were more red than burgandy, however the outcome did turn out nicely. This is one of my favorites. I think I will try to use this technique more often and make the scrap paper I use match by inking the border of it. That way I won't waste so much scrap paper.
The Thoughts of You card I made for a lady who wanted to give her daughter a card. I don't like it as much as I thought I did as I look at it on here... it looks like it is needing something. I think the blue circle behind is too plain or something. The "Thoughts of You" stamp was one from the $1.50 bin at Michael's - I love that bin and have found some really cute stamps from there. How can you say no to $1.50??? Well I guess you can if your cart is full of them! LOL.
Well happy creating!

Circle Overlap Christmas Card

Over the weekend I worked on this card and made a number of them. I really love the rich colors together. For the strip on the inside I used a piece from the Michael's Christmas Slab, as well as for the outer circle. The inner circle was stamped with one of the stamps from "Jesus is Born" set from Stampin-up. The ribbon I purchased at Michael's for 40%off (I love things on sale). The "Christmas Blessings" was from the same set, I punched it out with my slot punch from 'stampin-up.

Happy Creating!

Criss Cross Card

Karen, over at Karen's Kreations posted one of these Criss Cross cards that she had made while attending one of those Stampin-up days where they show you how to make the good stuff! I loved hers (which you can view by choosing her link at the bottom) and so I asked her to send me the template and she did! Yeehaw! I was so excited I went to work on mine late last night. (Crazy stampattic I am and all!) I used paper from the Michael's Christmas slab (glittered one), I cut out two ornaments from one of the pages to match the paper and add as embellishments to my card. It looks beautiful and the great thing about it is that it is relatively easy to make. You can get to the template by going to;

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/crisscrosscard.php

If you can't find it please let me know and I will try to get it to you. E-mail me at ksun_1999@yahoo.com

Happy Creating!

Anniversary Bliss

We had the best Anniversary ever this past week. We celebrated 14 years of blissfully happy marriage (remembering only the good stuff of coarse!). My husband and I spent the day together walking around 'Kensington', a small part of town that houses coffee/tea, Art, Antique and knick-knack shops. Then we came home and rested the afternoon. For supper we were treated to a lovely dinner complete with waiter (our 10 year old son Ben) and Chef (our 12 year old son Josh) who proceeded to wait on us and give us a full out no-holds-bard 3 coarse romantic dinner. They both dressed up for the occassion in their best of their best clothing. We were so impressed we gave them each a $7 tip! They also clipped up a bunch of roses and spread them all over our bedroom (as to my urging) (teaching them to be gentlemen and all). We were extremely spoiled and are very blessed.
Well, once again, happy creating!

Cuddle Bugged

I purchased a new Cuddle Bug Embossing Folder "Circles" a few weeks back and it has sat in my desk unopened. Today I opened it! Yippee for me! My friend Nancy has this folder and I have seen it on other cards before but I hummed and hawed at getting it for a long time. Now that I have used it I am glad I bought it! All the embossed images from the "Cuddle Bug" (Provo Craft) add dimension to my cards though this is one of my favorites. Today I played with it in two ways... as a background and in a layered crop. I like both.
I started working one day per week so guess what???? I have a little bit of spending money! Woohoo! I went to Michael's and stocked up on some of my supplies because they were getting pretty low... well... okay... let's just say I needed a few supplies... and if some other things jumped into my basket well... I can't be held responsible for such things! LOL.
One of the items that I found was the lovely little pregnant lady as seen on three of the above cards. How much was this lady???? $1.50. YUP $1.50. I know what you're thinking... well that's great but what would you use a pregnant lady for??? Am I right? Well, the thought crossed my mind that I happen to know four ladies that are having babies this coming year and wouldn't it be nice to send them a note to let them know that I'm thinking about them??? For $1.50 I'm willing to pay to give them a little bit of a smile as they (suffer)... oops... did I say that??? I mean... as they enjoy their experience. Hee-hee. Plus... (my brain continued thinking) these ladies are all going to need showers right? What if I made their shower cards??? Now I'm really thinking, and 'YES' it hurts! So... the wheels are turning and I am all set up for the future of babies and for a small purchase of $1.50 at Michael's! It pays to think ahead!
The flowers you see on all the above cards were made with my new 'Flower Punch'. It is a Martha Stewart Design. I love the unique shape of this punch, all my other flower punches have curved ends... they feel monotonous to use... this one adds flair! I love it! It was only $16.99. Good price too!
I'm having fun!
Happy Creating!

Christmas Cards This Week

I received my newest Stampin-up set "Baby Jesus Is Born" last week and I was finally able to make a card with it. The set includes Mary/Joseph/Baby Jesus and two sheep, the sentiments "Christmas Blessings" and "Rejoicing with you in the Miracle of Christmas." I was looking for a set that was not too 'grown-up' because I am making cards for the Kid's Ministry at Church to sell as a fundraiser - this set is perfect for that purpose. I had some hempstring on my craft desk and it reminded me of hay so I put it in the back ground layer. I also added a star from another Stampin-up set (Peace and Love. The star was that little addition that brought the entire card together. I also used the star as an addition to the sentiments inside the card.

The Christmas Tree card was inspired from a visit to "Paper Pastimes" here in Calgary. They had a stamp that was a long skinny tree and they embellished it with markers making the dots on the tree and 'Stickles' for glitter. I layered the tree with two layers of paper and then two layers of double sided mounting tape to raise the surface. The pink toned paper in the background is from the Michael's Christmas Slab (The glittered one). The papers in this slab are so beautiful I don't want to use them but am glad when I do use them because it brings the projects I am making greater depth and beauty.

The "Oversized" Paper Clip (bought from Staples) I am making bookmarks with (also for the fundraiser for Kid's Ministry at my church. I cut two pieces of chipboard in 2x2" squares. Stamped my top layer with "All God's Children" Stampset from Stampin-up placing it on red cardstock. The crystals around the house and top layer are actually mini-micro beads, clear. I put a thin piece of double sided tape, then sprinkle the beads and let sit for 24 hours.

All these Christmas projects make me yearn for the Christmas season to begin - I love Christmas!
Well, Happy Creating Everyone!

'The Jane Austin Bookclub' Movie

I went to see 'The Jane Austin Bookclub' movie with a girlfriend of mine this afternoon. We usually aren't prone to going to movies in the afternoon though today I felt like seeing one. It was really a rather cool experience as we went to the showing where mom's and their babies viewed movies so the theatre was full of strollers,mom's and babies. We weren't even distracted when some of them cried because we had both 'been-there-done-that' and knew exactly what it was like.
The movie was excellent and entertaining and it wasn't just because it was about a bookclub of books from one of my favorite authors. I am a huge Jane Austin fan, mostly because of the movies that have been made from her books... now I am at the stage in my life where I want to read her entire works. After the movie I was pumped up with the idea of doing just that and we went to Chapters and I purchased six of her books (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park). I am hoping to start a Jane Austin Bookclub just like in the movie. So far it's just me and my girlfriend Deb... but we shall have to see how it progresses along.
If anyone would like to comment on any of these books I would gladly accept them.
In the mean time... happy creating!

Christmas Tag Swap

Well I finished my Christmas tags for a Christmas Tag Swap I entered. I had to make 29 of the same tag (which can be monotonous). This was harder than I thought it was going to be... it shouldn't have been because every year I have made Christmas Tags to sell at the Craft Fairs. I guess I was nervous because I want all 29 participants to enjoy the tags that I make. I have never entered a swap before but this is rather fun, I just might start entering some swaps just for the excitement of seeing what I get in return. I like making Christmas tags because they are a smaller space to work with than making a card or scrapbooking an entire page. I might make some more tags just for the fun of it!
Please send me pictures of your tags when you make them.
Happy Creating!

Peach Pie

What better way to spend a Sunday night than making 'Peach Pie'. My hubby and oldest son went to the store to get the items they needed to make 'Apple Pie', but came home with the makings of 'White Peach' Pie. White peaches are not as sweet as orange peaches, they are not bitter either. They are perfect for pie I think because I don't like things too too sweet. My hubby and son are the best pie makers - I haven't even attempted making pie because they are so good I don't have to LOL! I think Josh is going to grow up to become a chef or a baker (or candle stick maker!)... because he loves baking and cooking. I don't know where he got it from because I don't think he got it from me. I love cooking when I have time to do so, but when kids are in activities, and school starts and all the Bible studies begin at Church... I rarely have time to spend slaving over a stove. Lately I must admit that we have been to M&M Meatshops and bought things of pre-made/pre-cooked hamburgers etc., Who has time to cook these days? Well, I should as I do stay home and am not working but... well anyway! Excuses, excuses! lol.
Next time you attempt to make a peach pie, try using white peaches and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Happy Creating !

Christmas Cards 2

I'm still plugging away at making some Christmas Cards for this year's fundraising mission. I am making them to sell at my Church for Children's Ministries. I enjoy making cards this time of year because I 'Love' Christmas stamps. There is such a large variety and it is always festive. Every year people are making cards using different colors... I may experiment a bit more this year using some of them. Stay posted.
Happy Creating Everyone.

Re-posting First and Second Journal

I thought I would re-post the first journal cover picture with the 2nd cover so as to compare them to one another. You can see why I love the first one over the second. Enjoy.
Happy creating!

God Makes Himself Known

I was having a 'not-so-good' day the other day and I happened to open up my e-mail to a wonderful surprise. My girlfriend Kelly sent me an e-card just to let me know that she was thinking of me. She knows that I love to be creative and that is why this card was special. It involved four 'eyedropper' containers filled with ink and a piece of folded in half paper. The screen instructed me to click one of the containers and music began to play as the 'dropper' released small amounts of colored ink to the tune of the music. It then instructed me to do the same to the next container and the same thing happened... until all of them were chosen and a picture was created. At the end was a beautiful butterfly that fluttered off of the page and landed on top of a note that revealed the message from my friend. The butterfly inspired me to draw butterflies and re-create the beauty that was presented to me. As I was coloring my images I thought about the texture and considered my options between different mediums to use to create further beauty to these mysterious little creatures. I say "mysterious" because in them I can see the mystery of who God is. Intricate, exquisite, colorful beyond imagination, freely beautiful, delicate, confident, and powerful. God has made Himself known to all mankind through His creations. To capture even a glimpse on a piece of paper is an invigorating experience. That is why I love to draw and color and create all sorts of different butterflies. We live in a beautiful world full of amazing miraculous signs of God - if we choose to take a minute to see them.
You cannot see all the textures to this page as well as in person. The butterflies were coated with metallic colors (using my Twinkling H2O's that I finally was able to purchase)and then I placed a layer of self-leveling gel to give it even a further sheen and 3D effect. I love using the gel and often coat much of my art work with it. You can pick up self-leveling gel at any 'art' store (not necessary 'craft' stores). The 'Twinkling H20's I was able to purchase at a 'Rubber Stamping/Scrapbooking store.
This page was therapeutic as the colors ran deep within my soul as I thought of God and all of His creations coming to life as He breathed His breath of life into each and every living thing.
Happy Creating Everbody!

Gemming Journal Cover - Second

Finally... I decided I would make another "Art Journal" yesterday. I have not completed filling up my first art journal, however, I felt I needed some further inspiration to journal. This one I am not as excited about as my first. It did not have the same smooth flow that my first one had. The first one I had accented with gold and gave it an antique feel. This one I tried to use pink and accent it with silvers but I am not as happy with it. Also the first one was much more personal as I used trinkets from my jewellery box that had special meaning to me (no monetary value of coarse but priceless sentimental value). Maybe that is why I have not formed an attachment to this one... maybe they need to be personal to inspire. Good question to ponder. If I feel it does not inspire me to journal I may just go back to my jewellery box and collect trinkets from my kidlets to make another personal one.
For this project I bought a large hardcover journal, I used a 'spiral-bound' as I wanted a journal that I was able to open completely and was not limited by the binding of the traditional hardbound journals. I then sent my son into my husbands garage (he likes to think of it as his - lol) for his duct tape. I covered both the front and back (inside and outside of each) completely with duct tape (this makes the moulding paste stick really well and the trinkets are held tightly with the paste). In regards to 'rhyme-or-reason' of placing the trinkets onto the cover I basically had none. I started at one edge and went to the other. The paste has to dry for 24 hours before you can use your journal.
"Gemming" a journal is usually a rather inspiring way to ensure you are going to use your journal instead of letting dust collect upon it! Pretty things inspire me as do feminine, dainty things - so in making this journal I was inspired to draw right away as you will see in the next entry.
Happy Creating and please share your journals with me!

Back to the Basics - Journaling New Ideas to Keep You Motivated

The first journaling idea in this post is "Your Heart". On your page somewhere draw a picture of your heart. Close your eyes and draw what you think your heart looks like, what it feels like (you can use different textures, mediums and color for this if you like)... Remembering of coarse that it is your project and can do anything with it! Second... draw out your background... what your feelings look like or colors you feel appropriate to your feelings. In mine, I felt like my heart was weeping... I guess I was sad at the time I did this entry. And I drew little whisps of wind at the time, I felt like my heart needed to be aired out. Now write down the following: "My heart tells me..." and journal what you feel. Do this as many times as you want on your page. Let me know how this turns out for you as I would love to see the results!
Happy Creating!

The second journaling idea I was used somewhat as a guinnea pig for an idea my girlfriend had to do "Art Therapy". I had put my back out and was experiencing much pain that I could not seem to get control of. So... I went over to her house, she told me to draw out whatever ailment I was feeling. As my pain went from my neck to my lower back I drew it out in its entirety. Then she asked me what it feels like, what texture it is, what medium I would like to use to draw it out. I chose dark red for pain, chalky pink pastel for what the texture felt like, and I painted in acrylic and drew in chalk pastels etc., Once I finished drawing it out she asked me a series of questions. (With your right hand you write down the question, with your left hand you answer the question).
The questions are as follows... (you are asking this to your ailment.)
1. Who are you?
2. How do you feel?
3. What caused you to be this way?
4. What can I do to help you?
5. What do you want me to do for you?

I could do this exercise again because I have once again put my back out... however I don't think it would help. It was a really fun exercise, interesting anyway. I'm not sure that I would seek therapy from this, however I have found that art in general is excellent therapy and is very healing in general.

Well, once again let me know how this goes if you should try this exercise out!
Happy creating!!!

I Know It's Early! Christmas Cards

I know, I know... It's early to be talking about Christmas. However, I have a dear lady friend of mine who has been asking me for some Christmas cards for some time now and so I started to make some. The top three pictures are of the same card as it is opened up. This is one of my favorite designs as it adds a unique quality that is very 'eye catching' and pleasing to the eye.
This is just the beginning. Usually every year I try to make enough cards to sell either at Church or at a craft sale and that means I need to make a lot of cards. I like to use my 'creative' gift from the Lord in this way because I enjoy making people smile. I haven't decided whether or not I will go in the Christmas craft fairs or not but I know that I will sell some at Church. This is my favorite holiday to make cards for. Keep checking in and I will continue to post some of my designs.
Happy creating.

Preview of Some of My Cards

I moved to Alberta five years ago and met a lady named Nancy... since then I have accumulated an entire room of creative crafty items such as stamps, inks, markers, ribbons, magazines, scrapbook materials... not to mention my growing art supplies. (Yes, my husband is not a big fan of her introducing me to all these wonderful things!) My dear friend Nancy got me into making cards and I was very excited with the entire learning process. This woman is a wealth of knowledge believe me. Check out her site by looking at my "cool links" under Nancy's Creative Mess. She taught me pretty much everything I know when it comes to making cards; techniques galore, where to shop, introduced me to "Stampin-up" which she sells, led me to different websites for ideas... the list goes on and on. I have learned much from her. She is a good friend. So here I am today posting some of my cards... (hey come to think of it Nancy taught me how to blog too!) Like I said earlier "A wealth of knowledge"!
These are just a few cards that I am making to sell for charity for Children's Ministry at my Church. I usually put a shoebox full of cards and the congregation has happily purchased them in the past and have since requested more.
One of the cards is a wedding card I designed for a friends wedding. It was very enjoyable creating this card because I got to use my new tool the "cuttle bug" by Provo Craft. I cut out the lady's dresses in a shape that looked like they would be a wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses... then sent them through my cuddle bug embossing the design on each dress. I then cut some 'glitter dots' (what I like to call them) from words that I bought at the scrapbooking store (they usually spell out words for a scrapbooking page like "birthday" or "congratulations"). I like to use the dots separately or in a small bunch like I did for the brides tiara on this card.
The fuschia pink 'Happy Birthday' card is called a "Slider" card. Basically there is a piece of paper that you 'pull' up that has a message on it. I used my 'word slot' punch to punch out where the message will be seen on the front of the card. The further you pull out this piece of paper the more the message is revealed. Nancy is much better at giving directions with these sorts of cards (as I learned from her) so maybe I will ask her to post a 'slider' card on her site with all the instructions. I don't know where she stores all her information but she is very good at what she does.
Happy Creating Everyone!