Hello Mac~

The past few weeks have been an adventure in computering...our PC was in a crash/blue screen mode and spent more days than not in the shop.Before it crashed permanently I backed it up one more time and went shopping for a new computer, a Mac this time.

The transition was fairly easy for me, but I still find that I have notes stuck around on the desk for reference and decided to make a "pretty" notepad instead of the freebie realtor tablet that I have been using.

I hauled out the BIA, some scrap chipboard (3" x 8"), October Afternoon scraps (the apple was perfect!), and assorted stamps (nothing current, sorry - CHF and SU!) and went to work this morning....I think this looks much better than that realtor pad! I haven't decided what the all of the tabs will be as of now, but know for sure one will be keyboard shortcuts because they're different than what I am used to.

Time to make the mashed potatoes for dinner!
Have a great night~

V.~

Flights of Fancy~

This morning, after my walk in the drizzle with Riley, I created this card for a friend's birthday, belatedly. Her birthday was in Sept, when I was deep in the slump, so her gift was cardless.....little did I know until she told me that she has saved all the cards I've given to her. I felt so sad and complimented at the same time.

Since she'll be coming along with us to dinner tonight because it's her hubs birthday dinner, I am going to slide this card to her on the side.

Yes, it sentiment-less on the outside. There is so much going visually with the paper patterns, images and the bow, that there just wasn't a place for a sentiment. That's okay, there's a heartfelt message on the inside.

Supplies:
Stamps: Flight of Fancy from the Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Collections (Michaels)
Ink: SU! Soft Suede, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Desert Sand
Paper: Gina K Designs Pure Luxury Ivory, Lipstick Red
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Curio
Other: Nestabilities Petite Scallop Circle and Circle Dies, Square Punch (banner ends), Dauber, Ivory Satin ribbon, Dimensional foam

Have a wonderful weekend! We are starting with dinner with friends tonight, a couple soccer games on Sat and Sun, and closing with Burn the Floor Sunday night.

V.~

Ticket to Celebrate~

Plaid with Blue and Green, perfect for a guy, right?
I hope so, it's the big 50 for a friend of ours and we're taking them out for dinner tomorrow night and I'm taking this card along.

I've wanted this set and coordinating die for a little while and decided to take the plunge and order them along with a birthday greeting set plus the sets I'll be using for our Christmas cards this year - gotta get that free shipping, right?! I love the die! (and the stamps, too, but the die is so fun, it even perforates just like a real roll of tickets). It took a while for all of them to be available at the same time, so when they were, I submitted quickly!

I have loads of stamps but for some reason always feel more creative with something new. It's been awhile since I ordered PTI. My first experience with them was when I wasn't all that familiar with clear stamps and I had a hard time making the transition, so much so, I sold a few of the early sets I bought. Fast forward a couple years and clear is no big deal anymore. Red, Clear, Mounted, Unmounted, it doesn't matter anymore!

V.~

Inspiration for this layout: pine is here
Stamps: Just the Ticket by Papertrey Ink
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Paper: Gina K Designs Pure Luxury Ivory
SU! Old Olive, Soft Sky
Patterned Paper: The Guy Stack by DCWV
Other: PTI Ticket die, Circle Nestabilitie Die, Olive Grosgrain, Ticket corner punch, Staple, Dimensional foam.

Cherish Each Moment~

19 years worth~

Our 19th wedding anniversary is coming up and I thought my slump was going to continue and I wouldn't be able to make Jay a card............in case you haven't noticed, posts have been far and few between for the last several months with a serious case of
slumpiness going on. I even had a farewell post all typed up as it felt very permanent.

BUT, today I was excited to make a card, saw it in my head the way I used to! Not only did I do it, I loved doing it! Here's hoping the slump is leaving! The bit of symbolism in this is the clock hands - they are on the 10 and the 12, our anniversary date. :)

Stamps are from the Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Collection from Michaels Arts & Crafts - I wanted a new set and I wanted it today so supporting one of my fav online stores was out of the question.....so off to Michaels I headed.
Ink is Vivid!, Memento and Versafine
Cardstock is Pure Luxury Ivory by Gina K Designs
Patterned paper is from the Wanderer Collection by Basic Grey
Other: Mini brad, Tim Holtz Piercing Ruler, Distressing tool, Black grosgrain, Buttons, Thread, Dimensional foam

Finished card is a new favorite size: 3-3/4" x 5-1/2"
Not a standard size but I like it very much!


On another note, there is always chatter amongst us papercrafters on what we use to take photos of our projects - from daylight outdoor shots to fancy lightboxes. I've always used a simple piece of posterboard (around 5o cents or so at Target or similar stores) flanked by the OTT lights I have on my counter. It works for me, plus I just don't have the room for a permanent set-up. The posterboard slides behind the hutch in the next room and is used until it's too beat up. Simple and cost effective for me.

Thanks for visiting!
V.~