handmade cass

Having a hard time picking nine favorite projects from the last year is the best kind of problem to have.

I treated myself to a virtual craft retreat for the first time and it was the most creative fun I have had in a long time! I've been following Jenn Shurkus for a while because I love seeing her bright and colorful cards (especially Lawn Fawn and anything with Copic coloring). When she announced a virtual version of her Crop on the Cape retreat, I jumped at the chance to join in because it is usually held in Cape Cod (on the exact opposite side of the country). I was extra excited to participate in a Lawn Fawn card class that included all the details about Copic coloring these cute critters. Jenn had her team stamp and die cut everything in the kits ahead of time so we could focus on coloring and assembling the card fronts (pictured above). One of my favorite demonstrations from a sponsor was all about Deco Foil. I don't own a laminator so I've never tried it before. But in the boxes we received, they included Deco Foil Transfer Gel Duo that works with stencils and the pre...

I've been using my crafty time (which is very hard to come by during a pandemic when you have kids) to work on birthday cards. Watercolor continues to be my favorite coloring method and I love the way it turned out on this subtle patterned paper.  Supplies: Stamps - Stampin' Up Watercolors - Prima Marketing 'Tropicals' Ink - Versafine Paper - Glitz (patterned paper pad), DCWV (glitter paper), Staples (white cardstock) Other - Stickles glitter, Sakura Glaze pen

In the last few months I have started freelance writing and got to interview my favorite local artist . Despite the hectic schedule I am making a conscious effort to set aside time for creative endeavors. I bought a new floral stencil from Simon Says Stamps that I was so excited to use. After adding translucent embossing paste I changed my plan from a monochrome white card to add a bit of Distress Ink and lilac border. When I picked out this unicorn stamp I had my daughter in mind, but it was perfect for making a silly card for a friend. ZIG clean color brush markers added the rainbow mane. This is my best watercolor galaxy background to date. It's something I really want to master (and need more practice). The Altenew moon will be great when I can get the sky a bit darker. I picked out this succulent fabric (with a coordinating batik piece) to make a pillow case for a throw pillow that I got from IKEA. And I have even tried my hand at some modern cross stitch. I b...

My husband took over all my mom duties tonight and I did some crafting with a Gilmore Girls marathon. Bliss! This lovely Smith-Corona typewriter hasn't seen the light of day in over 4 years. I used it to write a sentiment on a Mother's Day card. I also took inspiration from a card I received recently to try out some freehand gems using a gold paint pen on watercolors. And I used a few Stampin' Up supplies (sentiment stamp and embossing folder) to embellish another Mother's Day card.

I wanted to send cards to a couple family members that visited recently, and the Hero Arts paper layering pineapple die was the perfect thing to get me started. To start, I outlined the die on watercolor paper and colored it in using ZIG Clean Color Real Brush pens (from the set of 36). When the watercolor was almost dry (because I am super impatient) I used the pineapple die, bent the layers back, and glued it onto a pre-made card. I also used a die cut sentiment from Avery Elle's Stay Fresh set, and adhered it to the interior of the card. This also happened to be the perfect project for the Simon Says "Anything Goes" challenge this week. Supplies: die cuts - Hero Arts (paper layering pineapple), Avery Elle (stay fresh) watercolor - ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Pens watercolor paper - Loew Cornell adhesive - Tombo Mono Multi liquid glue card base - Michael's

I received a set of Inktense pencils for Christmas and was so excited to try them. Why did I wait so long? The bright colors are so beautiful! I was working on a set of cards for my stamp club and started with the floral image top, left. By the time I was done (bottom, right) I was pretty happy with myself. Supplies: stamp - Stampin' Up (Birthday Blooms set) ink - Ranger Distress Ink watercolor pencils - Inktense water brush - Pentel watercolor paper - Canson

I am part of a Stampin' Up club that meets every other month to exchange cards and work on holiday projects together. This month we are exchanging a set of gift tags to use for Christmas presents.  I spent waaaay too long making these wreath tags with a paper bow, watercolor leaves, and Stickles berries. And I was very excited to use my Envelope Punch Board and the Notcher Punch to make a self sealing envelope from vintage music sheets. Inside the envelope I have a mix of gift tags all ready to be used this Christmas. I hope they enjoy! Supplies : stamps - A Muse wreath | Hero Arts doily | Memory Box reindeer | Avery Elle snow globe ribbon - American Crafts glitter - Stickles tools - We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board and Notcher Punch | Stampin' Up bow punch | Marvy circle punches

I am part of a group that exchanges cards every other month, and for December we are exchanging sets of gift tags. This will be my third year as part of the group and I really want to step up my gift tags this year. So I'm starting early on some watercoloring. I have used this A Muse Artstamps "wreath and berries" stamp every year but this is my fist time watercoloring with it. Way faster than Copic markers! And of course my mini crafter wanted to watercolor too. I love when she makes family portraits!

What do you give the guy that has been married to you for 10 years? A handmade card of course! I had to think of something extra special for my husband on our anniversary, since he has seen it all. A gold stag and some watercolor did the trick I think. And the sentiment inside says, "Oh deer, I love you!" followed by some other mushy stuff.  I'm entering this in the Simon Says Monday Challenge and choosing the topic "wonderful watercolor" from a couple weeks back, and the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "wrap it up" because it is a tag. Supplies : die - Savvy tag - Avery watercolors - Prang metallic cardstock - Stardream card base - Michael's

Penguin Books reached out to see if I wanted to participate in a Roald Dahl Day celebration by doing a themed craft. How could I resist? Reading and crafting are my two favorite activities! I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and wanted to make some glittery candy treats. But my daughter (age 4) was very insistent that she only wanted to do watercolor painting today. So a quick online search led me to a great selection of Roald Dahl coloring pages. My daughter is still a bit young for these, but she loves books and i am just teaching her how to sound out the letters in words. So maybe we can try them for bedtime reading soon. How fun is this golden ticket? Hopefully by next year's celebration - September 13th - we will have started reading these big kid books. I really hope to instill in my kids a deep appreciation for books and reading!

I was so inspired to try something new this week, as part of the Simon Says Challenge "No Ordinary Paper" . I have never tried mixed media because of my super duper strong pull towards a clean and simple aesthetic. I wouldn't exactly describe this first attempt as a mixed media collage, but a step in the right direction for trying something new creatively. Supplies : Corrugated cardboard - from my recycling bin Stardream metallic cardstock (green) Chevron punch - Stampin' Up Embroidery floss - Amy Tangerine embroidery kit by American Crafts Paper doily Kraft paper bag - from my recycling bin USA stamp - Hero Arts Archival Ink - Ranger Watercolors Manila tag ABC stickers - Creative Imaginations Ribbon

I recently returned from an amazing family vacation in Hawaii. My husband's parents live there, so it was great to play with cousins and hang out at the beach. During some vacation downtime I ordered the Stay Fresh stamp and die set from Avery Elle because I knew that I would need it for my scrapbook. Now I am using it for everything! This shadowbox came together quickly and I love this little pineapple more than ever.  This project was made for the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog, Anything Goes . Supplies : frame - Ikea stamp - Avery Elle die - Avery Elle ink - Archival Ink by Ranger Distress Stickles paint - Prang Watercolors