I created a quickie stationery set and shared on my art blog, but realized it would be perfect to post here since I’m all for traditional correspondence and sharing. It’s a simple but classy old fashioned feel stationery set, matching envelope and writing papers. Just download the PDF below and print for your personal writing adventures. Have fun and enjoy!

Airmail Stationery Set PDF (258 kb)

Posted on March 31, 2010 at 2:04 pm | Free-Template-Tutorial-Links, stationery | No comments

I have been practicing coloring with my copic markers, still have so much to learn…but finished my happy cat stamp, so decided to use it in a quick card.  Lots of happy bright colors for Springtime that also goes well for the current digital tuesday challenge – so I entered it in.  Let me know what you think!

Posted on March 29, 2010 at 6:27 pm | Showcase | No comments

I made another page going along with the idea of using stickers from your scrapbooking stash. I actually don’t buy stickers usually, so I turned to any kind at all…to make a very high school binder or locker type of layout.  It’s actually pretty cool and I don’t really know what to do with my sticker stash, even though I like collecting!

Posted on March 28, 2010 at 7:32 pm | scrapbooking | No comments

When I first entered the more commercial scrapbooking world…I followed along digital layout designs and kits offered online…you can see my layouts I post on my personal blog.  However, I’ve been trying to work towards creating something that is my own style. I feel like a lot of the stuff I have created just looks like everyone else’s.  I don’t know if it’s because I’m using elements created by other people – but it seems odd to me in the end – like my scrapbooking turns out not as personal because of all the commercial elements. Hmm…I still think it’s pretty though and love all the cool designs…but somehow I struggle with the idea…sigh!

Working on another prompt from shimelle’s Something From Almost Nothing class – I created a transparent pocket to hold multiple photos. I suppose it’s pretty bland even with the stitching and cotton ribbon…I have this issue with cutting because my paper cuter seriously just does not cut straight! Still playing around and seeing how I can find a style that I like…one page at a time…

Posted on March 24, 2010 at 4:31 pm | Showcase, scrapbooking | No comments

Today I made a quick card after finding a blog called One More Scrap that is actually in Italian!  It’s so nice to find scrapbookers and crafters here in Italy…and although my Italian is not perfect I think I understand the challenge enough to participate with a quick card.  I made the background on the computer to print out and added a big heart that is heat embossed with sparkly powder.  Added a little ribbon and the sentiment is written with the copic twinkling pens…

Posted on March 22, 2010 at 7:30 pm | Showcase | 3 comments

Okay, it didn’t exactly go as I had imagined but here is my first card using copics for coloring.  I definitely still have a lot to learn and I must also say thank you so much to Micki from Artful Xpressions for sending me Neenah paper to try out – it works soooo well with Copics. Thank you thank you thank you!

I made this card to go along with the Dare You 2 Digistamp challenge of not using patterned paper…somehow I wanted to use masking tape at the bottom there, but didn’t exactly turn out as I had imagined. It’s cute, but not what I had in mind…it’s funny how things turn out like that.  Well, got to go practice more…practice makes perfect!

Posted on March 21, 2010 at 1:16 pm | Showcase | 3 comments

I was a bit lazy today and just did a quick scrapbook page using a little strip of brown cardstock to anchor the photo.  That was it…easy, huh?

Posted on March 18, 2010 at 12:37 pm | Showcase | 1 comment

I’m currently taking an online scrapbooking class with Shimelle called Something From Almost Nothing, all about hitting our stashes and using up our scrap supplies. It’s a nice subject for me especially since I’m going through major Spring cleaning and organization – or at least attempting to do so! I’m catching up on the prompts and going through a simple hybrid process.  I decided to use some kraft paper I have, working digitally to design the layout or create a journaling element, printing it out and then combining all of it together to finish.  Simple and clean, I think…

My first page is the cover for the celebrate life album – about my life here in Italy.  The theme of celebrate life seemed to fit perfectly and for this first page we were challenged to use up metal elements in our stash.  I rocked out some brads and jewelry making supplies that have just been sitting around. Bright yellow background because I love it as my happy color.

The second prompt gave us ideas on using all those smaller scraps of patterned paper we might have and this is the layout I came up with. I journaled about the things that make me want to celebrate life.

Third page I did was using up ribbon and in my case, it wasn’t a lot of bits, rather just leftover white ribbon from wedding crafts last year. My journaling and doodle is all about togetherness, a simple and clean layout.

There’s already another prompt to work on for today – 3 a week – so I’m off to play now! Thanks for stopping by.

Posted on March 17, 2010 at 5:22 pm | Showcase | 2 comments

Hi folks!  This lovely Saturday I wanted to share two cards I made, using two different digital stamp designs from other designers. It’s so fun to connect with others and swap stamps to play with! First up I used Lindsay’s Carousel Horse Montage – you can also check out her blog the frugal crafter.

As soon as I saw that lovely carousel image I knew what I wanted to create.  The montage version of it would make a perfect panel for a gatefold card.  I colored it with markers, distress inks and added white gel pen dots to certain spots. Then I embossed with clear sparkling powder over the whole image to make it a glossy sparkly panel. The rest is just random papers I had lying around a cute coordinating ribbon. I am so happy with this card and love that the design is front and center, so all the writing can be inside. You should definitely check out Lindsay’s blog and all her stamps in various shops.

Moving on to Tiffany’s Doodles Tea Time stamp set - totally cute design! I decided to go with a simple no sentiment layout again, to emphasize the image.

I used the teapot image and colored it digitally, then printed and cut it out.  Using a cute pink button and white ribbon to suspend it on the card on top of pretty shabby chic papers. Pretty cool, huh?  You can also check out Tiffany’s Garden which is her blog to link to so many other great work she has created.  Hope you have enjoyed the cards I shared today and the two lovely designers offering a wide array of digital stamps. I can’t wait to see what they have created with some of my stamps as well. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Posted on March 13, 2010 at 1:21 pm | Shops and Blogs, Showcase | 4 comments

Thank you for your interest in my digital stamp designs! You can find them for sale in the tortagialla ShopHomemade store. If you’ve seen something and don’t see it in the store, just email me directly linda [at] tortagialla.com. I can also split up sets and take special requests to the best of my ability. Below are just a sampling of some designs…

Posted on March 9, 2010 at 2:18 pm | Digital Stamp For Sale | No comments