Beaded Monogram Necklace

I've been experimenting with beading lately - it is a lot of fun but time-consuming for me since I basically do not know what I am doing!! I've been wanting to make monograms with steel stamps for some time -
My "bestest cuz" Selena was in this weekend so while the men watched the kiddos we headed off to Harbor Freight to find some steel stamps. There has to be a better way to add a monogram to a metal blank than hammering it on your back step but until I find that "better way" I guess that is what I am forced to do!

Selena asked me to make a necklace for her friend, Lexi too - I think these turned out pretty good - I'll have to attempt this again soon - Maybe one with an "M" for me??

One Stamp - Two Ways

When I bought this teacups stamp I thought, "A fussy stamp should be on a fussy card." Therefore, lots of coloring, ribbon, pearls, glitter pen, punching, etc. ensued. I like this card a lot but it really isn't me -

Then I decided to try something much less fussy and more graphic. Now this card lives up to its sentiment, "You make me smile" - Fun, quick, easy and much more my kind of card.

Which do you prefer?

Blissful Papercrafting Kit

What fun - A Paper Bouquet!! There is some fabulous Petallics Shimmer Cream Cardstock included in Serendipity's Blissful Papercrafting Kit that was just ideal to try making some handcrafted flowers.

The small tag, simply stamped (A Muse 9-8064B) and topped with a pretty satin bow (tied with the Bow-Easy) is a great finishing touch!

The big Kusudama flower was a little complicated but well worth the effort - the carnations whipped up in no time flat with a 2" scalloped circle punch (I left off the brad. Just make two and glue them back to back). How about another fun project?!

This is a fun canvas I made with elements of Serendipity's Blissful Papercrafting Kit. Nestabilities were used to make the bird (quick tip - the wing was made with the smallest bird Nestie - just cut off the beak). The wording on the bird comes from my old ledger paper copied onto vellum - a good compromise - that way I can use my paper without ever cutting it!!

Tim Holtz Rock Candy Crackle paint added a fun texture to the aged tag. Antique crocheted lace held on by tiny clothes pins, German glass glitter and butcher twine in the buttons are all whimsical touches. Kim has lots of these canvases at Serendipity if you want to try your hand at making a collage -

Quick Stamping!!

I have a pretty busy - somewhat stressful - day ahead of me. I need to get going but what do I do instead? Drop everything, get out my stamps and make a couple of quick cards. Stamping is my therapy and nothing soothes me more than to take a few minutes and create something - even if it isn't that good.
I tried to make these really clean and simple but, as usual, I couldn't stop fiddling until I added some punching and contrasting paper (defeated my plan for a one layer card) and then had to add a ribbon to the top -

It's okay though - now I feel calmer - I have a couple more cards for my stash and now I need to buzz out the door!!! The Big Thanks stamp is from A Muse (9-8616C Big thanks) and the rest of the stamps are bits and pieces from various SU! sets - Have a great day!

Perfect Pearls Demo -

Saturday Demo - Perfect Pearls

This is the card I will be demo'ing this Saturday afternoon at Serendipity. Lots of fun - it incorporates Perfect Pearls, the Stamp-a-ma-jig and the new EK Success Embossed Curve punch. There will be a Secret Sale and the supplies for this card and lots of other great stuff will be available!! See you then!
Stamps - A Muse 6-4165J Chrysanthemum Open, 6-4166J Chrysanthemum Solid, 8-8347B Just a Note
Paper - Kraft, Ivory, Vellum, My Mind's Eye BellaBella "French Flea Market"
Ink - Momento Tuxedo Black Dye
Accessories - A Muse Ivory Sheer Polka Dot Ribbon, Perfect Pearls, EK Success Edge Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Ranger Mini Mister

Quick & Easy Monogram Cards

Last night I was able to make a set of 12 cards pretty quickly - I saw this blog entry by Sharon Johnson and I loved how she cuts her 6" paper. By keeping the design simple you can mass produce lots of cards that are all beautiful but easy to create.
I used my retired SU! set Priceless for the stamped flourishes -

Used my Classic square and Scalloped Square Nesties to cut out the monogram panels -

The patterned paper is by Basic Grey - Granola and Ambrosia 6" paper packs -

The Monogram stamps are the new A Muse clear stamps - Classic Alpha (9-CLALSM) and Monogram Frames Set (6-MNFRMS). Naturally, my favorites are the brown ones but it is interesting how the same design in different colors can look so sophisticated -

Blissful Papercrafting Bloghop -

November 17, 2009 9:50 PM
Love the leafy thing you used with the ribbon! Classy cards! Now show me a scrapbook layout!!! :) Kimmay

YUP - Scrapbook layouts are not things that I do - in fact, you are about to see my first and only 12" x 12" hybrid scrapbook layout - (drumroll, please. . . . . . . )
My cousin Selena and her husband Steve just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary! Corey and I were both in the wedding and we watched the video with them last weekend while we were down visiting them in Mississippi - WOW we were young!!

I love the look of ruffled ribbon but was too lazy to get the sewing machine out so I opted to take the easy way by stapling the ruffles on - worked great. Then made some vellum elements and put some Stickle bling -

I had more fun putting this together than I ever thought I would - who knows - maybe I'll venture into making another page sometime?

Be sure and check out Kim's blog and Roni's blog for more papercrafting goodness! Have a great weekend!

Is it really THAT bad??

I thought I'd revisit an "oldie but goodie" today. I made this card a couple of years ago - I liked it so much that I made MANY of them!! I dug all the textures, layers and colors. The felt birds (Jenni Bowlin) are so tactile - basically, a masculine card. However, my husband hates this card. So much so that I keep the one I have left hanging in my stamping cabinet to torture him (that's just the kind of girl I am!!) In fact, if he is really pestering me I've been known to attach it to my shirt with a glue dot for maximum irritation! I still like it - even though it has very few fans!