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

For those who have followed along this blog, you might have noticed drastic changes since the inception.  I started this blog as an learning experiment that turned into a paper crafting blog to share my discoveries.  Then I got into cardmaking because I’m a huge lover of stationery designs and the thought of making my own sounded fun and seemingly more economical when writing correspondence. When I moved to Italy I had a hard time making real cards because of the lack of materials and tools, so I switched to all digital designs…joining in with card challenges, offering freebies and just playing around.

Recently, I started getting into digital scrapbooking and realized that I have been doing it all along, just entirely outside the industry. I am a collector of ephemera and usually create albums to celebrate a specific experience, preserve photos and create keepsakes for family.  Often I’m in such a rush to finish albums because I don’t want to forget the details and want my thoughts to be as fresh as possible. For example, I have 5 siblings…so a family event means I have to make 7 copies of an album so my parents and all of us kids can each have a copy.  It’s a lot of work! So, I switched to designing online and printing books (or scrapbooks) of photos to ease the workload and also because digital photography does lend itself to working digitally when I switched entirely off of regular film (wow, that was a long time ago).

However, I was never in tune with the scrapbooking community out there.  I didn’t know of any companies or designers specifically, it was more just buying some things that looked cool – whatever was available locally. Digitally I created my own designs – much more graphic designy in style than the layers of texture I see in many layouts today.  Now that I’ve looked into the industry of scrapbooking a bit more, I have discovered so many designers that share tips and tricks, so many household names and most recently started listening to a podcast, The Paperclipping Roundtable. I really enjoy listening to experienced folks and what they think about scrapbooking and the experience. It’s a hobby, yet it’s a way to preserve memories and there are so many ways to do it.

The podcast discusses a specific topic each week and they have talked about tools, the process, time management and why people don’t scrapbook.  As a beginner I’ve definitely thought a lot about why people do scrapbook – I mean, who would be listening to the podcast if they are NOT scrapbookers?  Perhaps the generic impression or definition of scrapbooking is what scares people away, however when people do scrapbook they form their own definition that keeps them going. I am more interested in why people DO scrapbook.  I honestly don’t think scrapbooking has to mean making pages that go in a book…unless that’s what you want. Like many out there, I am more into the process than the final result.  The act of picking a topic that allows you to relive a moment or reflect on an experience in a creative way is the “high” of it all. I know many scrapbook to preserve memories…which is great…but they are specifically your memories because inevitably it’s your interpretation of an event or experience.

Another aspect is that I think the industry controls too much how we preserve our memories…or perhaps I mean that the industry causes many to think they must preserve their memories in a certain way … to be worthy of sharing perhaps?  Which is so not the case.  If my husband stapled a few pictures onto a sheet and wrote a heartfelt sentiment to give to me that would be worth more than a glitzy packed with the latest greatest trend design layout.  That’s how I feel even after just a few short months of being introduced into this world, the frenzy (even through the web) of CHA and all the tooks and designs and jazz out there. Don’t get me wrong – I love new designs and new products to play with – I just don’t think it’s necessary for everyone and people should not feel that it is necessary. You are the only thing necessary, because you are celebrating your moments, your experiences, your thoughts. Scrapbooking is ultimately for you…and the fact that others can share in your final product, can be inspired and reminisce and pass it on in the famly, well, that’s just icing on the cake.  The creative experience is why I think you should scrapbook.  I think perhaps the industry is not doing a good job in getting that message across, so that truly everyone should scrapbook one way or another.  Otherwise, it does seem like something very far away and untouchable for those looking from the outside… how could they ever start?

Posted on February 25, 2010 at 6:09 pm | Shops and Blogs | 6 comments

Hello everyone!  I’ve added a bunch of new digital stamp designs to my Etsy shop…please check ‘em out and let me know what you think!  I’m working on more themed stamps and a digikit for scrapbooking as well…stay tuned!

Posted on February 9, 2010 at 5:14 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

Fabulous news – I have just joined The Special 50/50 as a digital designer!  It all starts in 2010 and I am so excited to share my digital stamp designs to the crafters in the community.  I’m so honored to have been invited and looking forward to creating original designs for the the group.  It’s a special member only group with 50 digital designers and 50 crafters…where the designers offer at least one free stamp design a month to the crafters.  Crafters can download as many images as they want and use for projects to share with the community.

You should definitely check out the list of great designers that are participating.  Check out the special 50/50 blog for more updates and information on how to join as a crafter as well.  Woohoo!

Posted on December 21, 2009 at 11:00 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

So I’ve taken the plunge and working on adding digital stamps into my newly setup Etsy store for my artwork.  Whew…it was interesting to do the research regarding how folks present their digital stamps and getting everything uploaded.  I hope to add a stamp stamp daily – there I said it!  Now I have to do it!  Here’s the first one I entered today…please check out my shop and let me know what you think.  I appreciate all feedback!  Thank you!

Posted on December 2, 2009 at 7:31 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

Wow, I came across Junior Jacquet’s paper sculptures and creations and it’s really amazing and inspiring.  The official site seems to be just a big image, but you can check out his catalogue of work in PDF form from the link in the lower left-hand corner.  It’s mind-blowing what you can create with just paper and the PDF goes through all his major types of art forms.

You can also check out his work online as others have blogged about it before on http://www.artsblog.it/post/3692/le-sculture-di-carta-igienica-di-junior-jacquet

My favorite are the toilet roll sculptures as I’m always impressed by those who can take used materials and things most would throw away to create something so beautiful.  They have weird contorted faces, but I find them mesmerizing.

Posted on July 30, 2009 at 3:48 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

I am so honored to have won the giveaway on Up Up Creative’s blog recently…and finally last night I got around to choosing the items I wanted from the shop on Etsy.

Since I am located here in Italy and wanted instant gratification, I chose a few printable items from the shop.  Delivery by email is way faster in my current situation!  I realized that the postal service here is a bit wonky…receiving mail seems to take forever because the mail sorters have issues (or something like that).  Imagine receiving a bill you have to pay, after the due date?  Yeah.  It happens.  Sending mail out seems to work in normal timeframes though – bizarre!

Julie Green is the graphic designer behind the paper goods and designs at Up Up Creative and her printable files were waiting for me this morning in my inbox!  I have been printing out goodies on different types of paper – the results are oh so lovely!  Here’s a little peek as I just wanted to share with everyone – go check out the shop…I have to go write to people with this lovely stationery now!  Ciao!

Posted on May 22, 2009 at 4:22 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

There is a new blog called The Next Level, The World of the Creative Card Designer.  As soon as I found out about it today, I had to post a shout out because it sounds so wonderful.  Besides the allure of blog candy and exciting challenges to come the whole point of view of this new card design site is unique.  They are not tied to a specific brand, rather just a community site for creative challenges, exploring new ideas and techniques.  They also mentioned digital stamping which is of great interest to me as I am starting out in that wonderful world and loving it so much!  I love creating my own digital stamps and using them in cards – there’s so much versatility and room for creativity with digital stamping!

Visit The Next Level blog, spread the word and don’t forget to add to your RSS readers. Here’s a snippet from their post that is very exciting and inspiring to me:

Our aim in designing this new informative style of blog is not only to produce really creative Weekly Challenges that are not tied to any specific brand, but also to explore new avenues, ideas and techniques with a completely fresh approach.The Next Level will not only be a fun and informative place to hang out for card crafters and scrapbookers of all levels, but it is hoped that it will also become a valuable source of information, hints and tips, tutorials, downloads and much more. We want to cover the craft of traditional card making but also add in a touch of digital, not too much to scare anyone away, but enough to explore the magical world out there at your fingertips for anyone wanting to venture.

Posted on May 18, 2009 at 2:15 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

Toodles & Binks offers a wonderful line of rubber stamps and they are gearing up for a new May release – a wonderful Sally-Ann Hancock design set.  They have been offering a sneak peek here and there on their blog and it definitely looks very cute, homey and country living with a twist.  I can’t wait to see the new release and all the designs in full!

In celebration they are offering some pretty nice blog candy…definitely check it out and follow their blog for great inspiration as well.  They are offering up 3 grab bags as prizes as well as entering you into a yearlong drawing for all their designs in December 2009.  Wow!  I nearly can’t believe it!

Posted on May 11, 2009 at 10:47 am | Shops and Blogs | No comments

I am definitely still learning when it comes to papers, inks, stamping techniques and other crafty skills.  The sketch challenges and templates offered online are great learning tools for me, because they help push me in the right direction – to start somewhere.  However, there’s also room for interpretation and for creativity to grow beyond the exact template itself.  I keep finding more and more challenges on various blogs and just can’t decide which ones I can do or keep up with!  I feel like I need a challenge planner to figure out what would work with my schedule, so I don’t miss out.

I recently happened upon Card Patterns and wanted to participate because the sketch sparked immediate excitement.  It was perfect for all the little stamps I have from Aladine, France’s premier brand in rubber stamps.  I borrowed my niece’s coloring pencils to add some color to all the images I stamped in black.  Perfect summer theme for this hot weather we have now, here in Tuscany.  I am loving it because it feels like Southern California (except for the mega mosquitos)!

I used my boat stamp to create the vibrant blue background paper, then used my designed anchors paper with a little distressing at the bottom.  Add some embellishments to finish it off – sort of a summer with nautical elements theme!  So happy how this one turned out…

Better adhesive is something I still need to buy and I’ve been surfing the net for the best crafty online shop here in Italy…Opitec or VBS Hobby?  Well, I just made the plunge and ordered from VBS Hobby – let’s hope everything goes along smoothly!  I’m surprised the shipping costs so little, but I’m thinking there must be a mistake because people usually don’t order as much as I do in my deprived state…oh dear!

Posted on May 10, 2009 at 12:03 pm | Shops and Blogs, Showcase | 3 comments