handmade cass

What an inspiration to come home from work and see these beautiful flowers in our front yard. I'm lucky enough to live in a warm climate that keeps these hibiscus in bloom all year. And of course, Frank is always happy to see me when I get home. Today he thought we were going for a walk when I got out my camera. Wishful thinking.

It was one of the first hot days this summer.  And how did I spend it?  Inside working on crafts of course...for at least a couple hours.  We did just get back from an awesome Greek feast out on the restaurant's patio.  The weather is perfect for outdoor dinners.  But back to the important stuff. I took a class this week where I got to play with Copic markers again and it got me all excited to start another project with my improved techniques.  I have been dying to use this lotus flower stamp (from Savvy Stamps) that I found when exploring a new scrapbook store last month.  And also used some Papertrey card stock and ribbon for the first time.  You can also see the Copic color chart that I am slowly filling in.  The Sketch markers are really hard to find around me - everyone else is using the Ciao and Original versions. Products used : Papertrey Ink card stock and ribbon, Copic markers, Memento and Brilliance inks, Tim Holtz Distress In...

I love finishing a project!  Luckily I had all the pieces for this one and was able to finish in one afternoon.  Like I mentioned earlier , I went to visit my brother last month to see his senior exhibition of art work.  He just graduated and I wanted to put a mini book together for him.  He can show it off at his graduation party and then keep it as a little memento. I got to use some new EK punches that I was lucky enough to find on sale (the crab shape and the photo corners).  Also used some more Thickers from American Crafts and my DYMO label maker.  The mini album itself is also American Crafts and made the whole project so easy!          

It's been too long!  And I have been dying to finish this album.  Not just to post the pictures, but because I have been planning all of the special pieces of the album for months!  Still not 100% finished but here it is: I used a big sheet of paper from Paper Source for the covers.  It took two tries to adhere it, but the spray adhesive from 3M did the trick.  I haven't had much luck when trying to use the acid free version of Mod Podge.  And it was a lot more work than I planned on in order to cut out around the scallop edges of the covers...but worth it I think.  Also used some Thickers for the title, red crystals, and gold stickles to enhance some grungeboard swirls. I started planning the album way back in January when I saw these new covers and page protectors from Zutter at CHA.  Love them!  And all the pieces finally came together.