ATC's to last the whole year plus more

Hey Everyone,
So the other day I noticed that my ATC (Artist trading cards) stash was depleting so I grabbed my ATC box, which is packed full of bits of papers, establishment's and everything I would need to make ATC's. Sat it next to the couch, and whenever I had time to watch some TV I made some ATC's. I think I might have gotten a little carried away, because I have enough ATC's for the whole year plus some more. Here's some pictures of some of the one's I made, and if you want to see more check out the ATC page.

I also finished my Bridal shower album, haha yea it's the one I started at the beginning of this year, but it's finally done. 

Here's some pictures on the album and pages inside, also a few showing you the great emblishment's I found to use making the album. 

Tea Charms

First page of the album, showing the Invitations Mom and I made. 

This strawberry emblishment was made of leather. 

Lady bug brads with googly eyes.

Some of the paper I used was just so pretty on it's own. 

It always turns out to be a little bigger then anticipated  and I ended up having to use Binder rings instead of the post bounds the album was made for. 

Tea Charms for the out-side of the album, I attached them to the binder rings and used some ribbon pieces to add some flare. 

So I hope everyone had a good Mother's day, with your Mom or spent the day doing something you loved. 

We went to the Zoo on Saturday and saw some amazing animals, my two favourite exhibits were the Penguins and the Butterfly gardens. 

So for May's swap cards, I've received a few in the mail now that I thought I would show you. I love everyone's ideas and designs, and everyone of them are so different. 

 I love the quilted look.

Perfect rustic guy card. 

And I love the layer's and colours in this one. 

 I believe there's at least two more to arrive, I love getting things in the mail other then bills. 

As for the long weekend, it's alright with me that it's going to rain for most of it. I've got some cards to make for June's swap and maybe get started on another album. Sun would have been better to get some things outside accomplished but I guess since the hubby's working all weekend, I might as well get crafty. 

Anyway's we have a visitor's coming over so I better get on with things. More projects on the go and things to accomplish. Till next time. 

Birthdays, Swaps and Bleach adventures....

Hi Everyone, hope your all having a good weekend, it's terribly depressing here with a new heavy blanket of snow making it look like December all over again. But what better excuse to stay in-doors, keep warm and make cards.
A few weekends ago it was a friend of our family's Birthday and then my husband's 30th Birthday, so I made two cards for that. The first one is with a squirrel because it's an on-going joke of how much he hates Squirrels, so every chance I get I use my nature stickers or stamps and add a squirrel into the mix. The second card was for my husband. He has a love for fish and their mysterious colours, shapes and behavioural instincts. He mostly loves anything on the National Geographic channel. I did the front of the card when I was last experimenting with the embossing paste and stencils and have been saving it for this very occasion. Turns out the card front was a little bigger then anticipated so by the time I was finished the card ended up being 7X7 inches. Defiantly didn't make an envelope.
I also heavily decorated the inside of the card, because it's his biggest pet-peeve with cards that theirs nothing exciting to look at on the inside. I have a great range of ocean stickers that worked perfectly with this card. See pictures below.
Also scroll down for more blog updates:

The next bunch of cards are a little peek of what was created in the Mother's day, and Father's day swap. I'll tell you I'm glad that one's done. It was a whole lot of work for just three participants not including myself. And honestly I'm not sure it was worth it. So here are some of the cards that were created.

                                                   
                                                         Card created by Me                                                                                                                                  

                                                  Butterfly Card created by Teena Steel

                                         

                                                              Cat card created by Me

Father's day card created by Angela Krause

                                                              Created by Me

Created by Angela Krause

If you interested in seeing more cards from this swap, email me at                                                                      Stacychrisclark@gmail.com

So also in the title of this little blog entry is Bleach, I know your probably think what the heck is she talking about, but honestly I felt like I was sniffing it yesterday. One of those creative ideas I thought I would try out after watching a really cool video.

Video link:http://youtu.be/-FG8HAzfneg

(sorry about the advertisement at the beginning of the video it wasn't there the other day)

So anyway's after watching this video I thought it would be something cool to try. I totally recommend doing this outside on a nice day or in a well ventilated area, which I had neither of at the time. After painting the inside of the leaves with the paint brush and then heating it with the heat gun from the back side to get the bleach effect, I tried doing 7 cards for a swap and by that time I'm sure I was pretty high on bleach fumes and was starting to get a headache. Not one of my greatest ideas. 

It's a really cool technique and I'd like to try it out with different types of card stock and papers but another day, preferably outside on a summer day.

Before:

                                                                          After:

                                                              Finished product

If I get some more free time today, there's another technique I'd like to try but we will save that for another blog entry. 

So I managed to get myself signed up for another swap happening from April -September it's an all Canadian swap with 6 cards going out each month, I should have read the details more carefully because I thought it was one card each month for six months, this will be the last swap of the year I participate in. Thank goodness for the help of my very best friend Peggy, we will each be doing a few months. I'm so glad and thankful for her help in this, I was a little frustrated and stressed out about the whole thing. Just with life and my health it's sometime hard to get the little things accomplished. Especially when it has to be all current and only Stampin up products. 

But I have a goal that in between this swap and for the rest of the year, cards will be put on hold. It's time to get back into strictly Scrapbooking. 

I think what I like most about making cards is that there's a start and a finish to them in a short period of time. Making scrapbooks is very time consuming and it takes a while to complete a project. But I have a lot of Scrapbooking projects that I really need to finish so I can start new one's. 

I found a great quote online the other day, I'm not sure who it's by but thought this is the perfect moment to share it. 

"Scrapbooks bind together Memories to warm our Hearts and Remind us that Life has been Good."

Till next time.

Keep warm and Scrap Happy!

-Stacy

Everything Spring, except for the weather....

So about this time of year, people around this area hope and pray for the slightest chance of Spring. But don't be fooled as the sun comes out for a few days at a time, melting everything it's just Mother Nature's way of saying "Ha you suckers here's some more snow."  We usually get snow on and off again until May long weekend. And then if were so lucky after that weekend we see little bits of spring come out. So Easter holidays here in March isn't one of flying kites and searching for Easter baskets in the tall grasses and flowers. We have to take it as it comes, and if creating things reminding of us spring helps as long with another reason to eat more chocolate then I can live with that.

So for everyone sitting in their sun soaked chairs looking out the windows soaking up the heat, here's a few spring and Easter themed cards I've created inspired by the dreams of flowers and bugs emerging from the ground.

Gotta love the use of a "Spring" for the word spring :)

Inside greeting created by a lovely flower made from a used dryer sheet. 

Thanks Peggy for showing me this great idea. 

Yes I'm addicted to using "Springs" 

                                              These next two cards are for people in a Stampin up Swap I'm doing. Not hard just current products for one card per month. I went ahead and made these two to start.

                                                  Inside this card:

Also here is the other baby card I created, I accidently sent it in the mail without taking a pic for the blog. But it has come to my attention (thanks to Peggy) :) that extra packaging is necessary for sending cards with bottle caps. That way the bottle caps don't puncture the envelope.

This card was made for my Cousin and her husband who found out their expecting their first child, and their super excited. 

I've also recently been inspired by Spellbinders, I know I'm a little slow when it comes to incorporating new tools into my card making, but I can't believe I waited this long to try these out. 

So check out a few of the cards I made using this die. 

Bee Happy 

These three are the Mother's day cards I made for this year. Each has a bit of a different saying inside, depending on who is getting them. Inspired by my Mom loving Hydrangea's and my love for colouring. 

The latest swaps that have taken place are Sale-a-bration, which included two beautiful cards from two talented ladies: 

I was inspired with the Ferris wheel stamp that I created a card using the same stamp set but with the phone booth : 

I also have an Easter swap that's just finishing up and here are a few of the lovely cards created:

Okay enough with cards already, don't I know. After the next two Mother's and Father's day swaps I'm so done for a long time. I'd like to concentrate on getting back into making albums. I have so many projects that need to be either started or finished. Time to start using up the supplies.
But on a fluffy note, I recently got to have a visit with dog named Belkie. I met him years ago and haven't seen him in a very long time. He's got the freedom on an acreage, chasing whatever animal passes by, and the love of great family. He comes to visit with a friend of ours, always going for truck rides. A very calm, lovable dog. Here's a pic, and for more pictures check out my page of Photographs of Pets.

I also got to meet a new furry friend this week. She is a chocolate lab and her name is Bailey. A friend of mine has adopted her into their family. She is very much a puppy and still learning, but she is so adorable and has the sweetest puppy eyes.

also see more pictures of Bailey on the Photographs of Pets page.

So for more events coming up, their will be plenty of Birthday and swap cards to post at a later date. 

Take care everyone and Happy Crafting.