My Patience is Just About Done

So Help Me Lord...give me grace. Quite frankly, I think I'd have been much better off just using Ikea cabinetry...cheapo stuff that it is. But no, big shot Erica just had to have the  real wood, dovetailed draws, shaker style which in the end...and I'm not there yet ended up ridiculously expensive and not without issues. I've done no stamping in three months. It was supposed to be near completion today, but when I went to sit at my countertop, I found it entirely too high. Short person that I am, I adjusted my chair which didn't help one bit. Of course, the installer had left already. So now I have to put forth my case that the standard cabinets thoroughly screwed into my newly painted walls are not going to work for me. I am praying he will understand...when he sees the awkward fit, and will un-install the two offending pieces and cut off at least 2 inches from the bottoms. I am certain it can be done, but he won't be happy about it. I have to point out to him that though he may labor for two to three hours it will then be done. I, on the other hand, plan on laboring at what I love to do best most days for the rest of my life. God grant me grace and mercy to do this for some years to come.

It's been so long since I've blogged and Blogger has changed so much, it seems I have to re-educate myself and that's sad since I am not a fast blog learner.

OK, I feel somewhat better now...but not much.

And I Sold It!

Over at Simply Create Too, it was all about Valentine's Day...I missed out on getting up my post as I was in the agony and ecstacy of moving. Yes, we are moved. We're-located only two miles away, but it still involved packing, hauling, and un-packing. Our new home has a very different layout from our former one and my entire family is pleased with it. We are in a totallly different neighborhood and the grands didn't have to change schools. I think even my little dog likes it better.

My rooms are a bit smaller, but both the future craftroom and my bedroom lend themselves to decorating rather nicely. I am skimping on my bedroom, so I can comfortably afford my craftroom and for the first time in many years will not have a TV in it. It was my dh who wanted it and I confess, I did enjoy it too, but I want the room to be used differently. As for my craftroom, I have both a downside and upside. It will have several custom pieces and so will take up to two months to complete. The upside is it's going to be gorgeous. I just hope I don't have withdrawal symptoms towards the last month. I hope to stave them off by reading, enjoying cooking in my gourmet kitchen (gas at last vs. electric), and washing clothes...yes, you read it right. I have my own washer & dryer in my bedroom suite, while my kids and grands have theirs upstairs. No more waiting my turn on weekends.

I have a fun thing to tell you about this card. The cabinet-maker Bob,  had asked me if he could see some samples of what my craft was prior to us talking about my dream craftroom. This was one of several cards I brought to his shop. When he saw this one, he pounced on it asking if I would sell it. Of course I did and he gave me twice my asking price ($1.00, more on that in another post) telling me that no one understands the care that goes into making things yourself....is he ever telling the truth. In addition to being a cabinet-maker, he was a clock-maker in his "hippie" days. Then his boss came in and he also bought a Valentine's Day card. What fun that was. His boss also asked me to make him 20 all occasion cards, which I of course quickly agreed to reminding him that he could count on my best work once my room was completed. He said it would be his incentive.

So, now you'd probably rather not read about my card, so I'll spare you the deets. Though I won't have any cards to show for awhile, I will be posting some thoughts I have concerning all manner of things. I can't promise the eloquence that I have the pleasure of enjoying on the many blogs I read, but you will get honesty and a laugh now and then.

Thanks for sticking around.
Blessings,
Erica

Who doesn't love Anything Goes challenges?

 

Hi Stampers,

I'm in the throes of  packing. It is anything but fun packing a craft room. I've been purging and giving away many un-used items to my grand-daughter's elementary school. They're very happy to get them. Among the many things I had were several dried out ink pads. I'm relieved that I have settled on only two brands of dye stamp pads with only the basic colors. (Stampin' Up and Memento).  I will keep only three craft pads...black, gold and silver. I had sooo much ribbon, but in the last two years, I've made few cards using ribbon. I do have to keep some, since I use them on 3D projects frequently.

And that brings me to the Simply Create Too second week of the Anything Goes challenge. My Oh my, are we getting some great submissions. Everyone loves these challenges as do I.

So, I submitted two projects...using ribbon. The first is an image by Sparkle Creations called Cupcake Ruby. Isn't she adorable. The sentiment is a Studio G dollar stamp. I think they are $1.50 now...still a bargain. Pretty dsp, Nestabilities mats and a Cuttlebug corner, Wild Orchid flowers that I colored up a bit, punched leaves (Marvy?),  some ribbon, bling and copic coloring finished it. I sent this off to one of my BFFs, El. She thought it was one of my best. SMILE!!

The second submission was a little ensemble I made for a young lady who with her Marine hubby had their first baby girl. It was touch and go for a while and the little one came early, so we showered mom with gifts after the fact. I slipped a few pairs of cute socks into the box. I stamped the image and sentiment in Memento rose bud. Cherry Lynn, Nestibilities, Cuttlebug and Lifestyle Crafts dies were all used, some SU pink ribbon, bling and very old dsp were used too. The new mom is a budding scrapbooker so she totally appreciated it. I love when that happens.

I have many cards to show you this week...but time may get in the way.

Blessings,
Erica

I can never have enough

Embossing folders, that is. I started buying them as soon as they hit the stores years ago, and I have several binders full... nearly 75. I'd say I luv 'em, wouldn't you?

So this is a Cuttlebug folder that is one of the early ones. It lends itself beautifully to prayer and sympathy cards. I embossed directly onto the card covering the missed part on the side with a length of SU ribbon. The gorgeous butterfly is made with a Cheery Lynn die. They make the best butterflies, though a bit fussy when running them through my Cuttlebug machine.
The sentiment is from Gina K and the ovals are punched with SU punches.... A few tiny pearls enhance the butterfly and this card went into one of the Christmas packages of all occasion cards I made as presents for Christmas.

Blessings,
Erica

Took This with my IPad

So I took this photo with my IPad and emailed it to myself, then edited in my usual photo editing program, Picassa...yes, I know I ought to be using something better, but it's easy peasy, so it's good for me. It's so dang tough to photograph black and white.

We have the first of the year's Less Is More Less Is More challenges and the divas said B&W, I have this new Quickutz die, feathers. Luv it. So many ideas going around in my head.

It's rare that I can submit one card for two challenges, but I'm doing this time...YIPPIE! I'm also entering it in Monday's challenge at 365 Cards, where we are to round the corners. I think the way I did it really adds panache...(luv that word).

Blessings,
Erica

Keeping it C&S, but Not Always

Hi Stampers,
Part of my problem is that I can't decide on my style. Am I clean and simple, whimsical, romantic/vintage, shabby chic, (I'm not sure what shabby chic really is). I think for 2103, I'm gonna be eclectic, since the dictionary defines it as, "selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems or styles." My approach to card-making is indeed eclectic. I think I just needed to write this, because, I've been switching back and forth, and to and fro like crazy.

No doubt, this card is clean and simple. I am overwhelmed by 12x12 paper and hate the idea of moving it all. I've decided to keep about 1/3 and from now on purchase only 6x6 or 8x8 paper pad collections. As a hobby demo for Stampin' Up, this will curtail hoarding their dsp, as they don't make pads. I have a feeling they will be soon.

I added this card to a package for a businesswoman who often is required to send out to businessmen. I think I ought to try it in brighter colors too.

Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Too Challenge #28

Drop


Well hello at last my stamping friends. Long time no blog. Actually, I do make many cards, but taking photos is such a bore fore me. I don't have the right set-up either indoors or out and frankly, I'd just rather use every minute of my time to just create. I have easily made 40 cards since my last post.

So since I'm on a design team of Simply Create Too, I had to take one picture....as usual the photo doesn't do justice to the creation. I made this at a friend's house and it was her idea. We decorated round tins in wintery papers, using whatever she had on hand for embellies, including a pretty lace. Then we made 4 round cards in the perfect size to fit into them. The cards are shaped like Christmas balls but actually open up like a card. They fit into an A2 size envie. It was a fun project.

Let's close out the Christmas cards and all things winter with the Simply Create Too challenge no. 28, Let It Snow, so we can get ready for the fun challenges the team has in store for you in 2013.

Blessings,
Erica