Craft-cation in the Making

 

Date: Mar 18, 2016 7:09 PM

Alright, if you've read even more than one or two posts on my website prior to this week's travel blogging, you've seen enough evidence that could be used against me in a court of law to prove I'm a serious craft-a-holic. I've seen videos of people who travel with a little washi "just in case," and been amazed that I'm not one of them- with a video boast to boot! Whenever I'm in the mood, I love to just pick up a pile of stuff and make something from it. The times I've taken projects to work on while on non-craft-related vacations aren't many, but they are increasing with each opportunity!
While it still didn't amount to much, last year I brought along a whopper of a kit that included mas papel, stickers, etc, and I happily crafted a card for both my father and my uncle while sitting at la mesa de me abuelita. You know I was hoping she would be crafty too but there wasn't a lot of interest shown :-)
This year, days before I left, I was inspired to attack my planners. They keep track of so much that happens in my life, but you know what's funny? I wouldn't have a clue that they were CraftWithAnna related if I were a stranger opening them! And did you notice I said plannerS? Last year I abruptly changed planners is the middle of the year while undergoing some major life changes. So, yes, I have two volumes of life which I'd like to have reflect more of who I am right now in this year.
First inspiration came when I was trying to decide whether or not to even pack the planner that I'm using now, which started in July 2015. Yep, it actually starts in the middle of the year. Pretty cool, huh? So, now that it is March, there is a lot of info in there- but do I need to take six months worth of growing as an individual along in my carry ons? It occurred to me; I could rip out those pages. And... I could do the same thing to the planner I used for the first half of 2015, which I adored because of it's elegance. And it has a purple cover.
Now I have a complete record of my daily documentings for 2015, and I can find a way to bind the two parts together at a future time if I feel the need. Although I love that purple cover, it is debossed with the numbers, 2015... nothing my sharpie can't fix! But inside it also has all the wrong days with dates etc. I figured, I could cover up what ever I want and really decide as I go what I want the days to look like :-) Such freedom can be overwhelming though... 
Back to my dreams of toting washi around and what I brought along for this trip: multiple colors of thin tape (adhesiva), a child size pair of scissors (tijares), and the Maggie Holmes stickers I got the last Creating Keepsakes Convention. They are so cute! But honestly I hadn't brought myself to use a single one in my planner. I guess that means they're multi-functional- in other words, a good buy! I also brought along my first SMASH roller,  which happens to be a date stamp too. A couple other small clear stamps and some brown ink, a bottle of TomBow clear liquid glue, and only about 5 pieces of A2 sized cardstock.
I've really enjoyed my first attempts at jazzing up my documenting style. First of all, I find it very interesting to go back through the days and find I can now remember what I was doing with large gaps of unfilled time. Large gaps existing because of the lack of memory at the time of writing! And I love thinking about the times with my family, especially since I'm missing the heck out of them on this voyage South.
Second of all, it's crafting- Hello! It seems another bonus of starting it while down here, where the days are long and each hour contains so much of doing so little, is that I can fill my calendar with details that are more than just, did the dishes, fed the horse, collected eggs, yelled at _________. Yes, I keep track of when I lose my temper. I like to keep myself accountable, and also to document what I may have been eating i.e. crap sugar foods that may have triggered the angry mom lurking inside me. I like patient, loving mom so much more, and I document when she shines, as well.
Okay, you've read this far, it's time for the bonus bonus round: today, mi abuelita inquired about the contents of my ziplock o'craft. Whoooop! I think she actually wanted to try some stamping lol. & She may just get her chance!

Mommin' Ain't Always Easy...

One of my very supportive, extremely crafty friends recently ordered a card for one of her friends, and, I'll be honest, I do love me a special order. There is something very scary and yet liberating in being asked to interpret another's love into send-ible form. My prompts were, mom of two, and a new born, who is faithful... not much to build on, but that just left the door open for my own vision.

To get in the creative zone, I thought about how, the busier we are, the less time we take to appreciate what fills our life. I thought about how doing something alone, happens so very few times for busy new moms, and when it does, it's for something we never dreamed would be so enjoyable- a shower lol. About how sometimes when we feel overwhelmed, doing so much for other people, a little piece of happy mail comes to show us that someone we love, loves us too. I thought about what a beautiful feeling it is to hold your newborn in your arms... I thought about the vibrancy of the sunrise and how somehow, seeing that beauty can make all the difference when a new mom is up at the crack of dawn for another round of on-demand feeding.
So yes, I did channel my own personal feelings into the card, and of course it's no surprise that I love the way it turned out :-) But, actually , YOU may be surprised to know, I was! First, let me tell you how it was made, and then why I was surprised.
I started with a piece of watercolor paper and, after painting it with water, I floated some sky-like colors over the top and some green on the bottom. Then I went over that with some grey, imagining already the "path" of motherhood. Once all that was dry, out came the stamps, and I even did some masking to create some flower clusters in the grass. One on each side helped to ground the card front and frame my sentiment, and I actually thought far enough ahead of time to plan that out, lol. Then, I used watercolor pencils dipped in water to fill in the images. Last, my silver pen went over the spokes and other metal bits and really brought the bike to life. Of course, a busy mom would not have time to ride it, so it just sits there, kickstand down, and maybe she and her children are nearby putting those flowers in the basket... Hey, I love me a good story behind my makings! It's all part of the creative process for me.
So, why, after all this effort, and storytelling, and the musings of my heart being put into my project, was I surprised to enjoy the finished product? Because for some reason, this much effort usually results in a feeling of disappointment at the turn out. Especially, it seems, when my project involves stamping. I cannot tell you how many times I've labored over a card front, only to later lament how many I could have made- and liked!
This feeling of satisfaction was so foreign, I even offered to make a different card before giving it over to my friend for review... how's that for a selling point, haha. "I don't really think this is too good, but give me $7 for it, please, and then allow me to make ad give you another card that I'm sure you'll like better, for free." Wow. I can just see the repeat sales coming in! Is it any wonder my creative side rules over my business side?
So, will I be making more cards just like this? Not likely, despite my love of the way it turned out~ 'cause, I just don't tend to make anything the same way twice. Will I still take custom orders? Absolutely! Because like I said, I adore the challenge of making for strangers based on their friend's observations. Just imagine how your friends descriptions of you would differ from what you would write about yourself... But, dear reader, will I perhaps be a little more loving to my labored over creations in the future? That, is to be determined...however, my magic eight ball says, "Chances are Good."
Thanks for reading, and please, comment below; what are three character traits you adore about your current bestie? I'll be looking forward to attempting to make something in that description's honor, and posting it here... til then, thank a mom who looks a bit frazzled, and maybe even make something nice for her to show your sympathy <3

ATC Ready to Win!

Artist Trading Cards- or Prize Winning tickets?

If you got one of these paper gems from myself or from The Paper Wizard's booth at the Puyallup Scrapbook Expo, or saw my post through facebook, instagram, or Twitter, and wound up here, you're in luck! Simply leave a comment below before July's end, and you could be a winner! Drawn at random from a hat, the recipient may choose from either a card or scrapbook layout made by me, and I will mail it out pronto. As promised in my last post, your envelope will be beautifully decorated as well.
Your prize inside will feature a multi-layer die cut. Don't know what a die cut is? or perhaps looking for some inspiration on how to use them? Take a look at the latest edition of DieCutCrazy, a digital magazine full of terrific tutorials, product reviews, and tons of photos of projects from around the world. All for just 0.99! Search for it in your Apple store or just click here.
    The last giveaway I had was for a YouTube milestone, so if you want a bonus entry, subscribe there to my CraftWithAnna channel. Click on the Process Videos tab above for more of my 'tube-ular If you'd like to follow my blog I'd appreciate that as well.
I'm honored you dropped my blog today, and look forward to our drawings end!
-Anna

: Embellish It Again!

Shelby Dredge is one of my favorite teachers, and last week I had the good fortune to enjoy a lovely chat with her on the phone. I was actually calling her company office to get her address, so imagine the surprise got, speaking with the object of my inquiry herself!

Shelby was one of my earliest sources of inspiration that has led to my style of scrapbooking today. The first time I took her class during a Creating Keepsakes Convention, my mind was blown! Now I sort of laugh at my reaction, but that's only because I've incorporated so many of her tips and tricks into my everyday creativities.

The EmbellishIt! scrapbook layout of the month kit club is fabulous, and I definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for such a treat delivered to their door. Beautifully coordinated papers from top shelf designers, and plenty of stickers, alphas, and even fibers to go along with her designs. In fact, there is so much included in each kit, you'll reach for it long after the double page spread you get instructions for has been completed. Even though this kit was a Valentine intended kit, I've used it for Winter/sledding, and here for some bright, sunshining outdoorsy fun too.

Now, since I love to use all my resources, I even included some of the Basic Grey packaging on my card front (fussy cut flower) and Yes, that is the manufacture's strip you see at the bottom of the card too :-) My bestie and I are cruising with Shelby next February to the Caribbean, so the little paper line title/phrase reading "Paradise Beach" had to be included! You'll be looking at your packaging differently now- see how I even used what was left for my photo mat --->

Even after I've made two double page layouts, this single layout, and a card with matching envelope liner, there are still lots of goodies to play with. Perhaps I should have titled this post, Embellish It again and again and again, cause that's what I'll be doing!

You can find more information about the cruise by clicking on the green, Cruise With Me! blinking badge on the right hand side of this blog, and see lot's of ready-to-make, shopping cart delights at www.EmbellishKits.com There is a card kit of the month club as well, so be sure to check that out too.

Thanks for stopping by today~

Anna

Fathers Day Gift-Cards

Traditional gifts for dad this year in the form of a shirt from me and another shirt with tie from Rainier :-) in the form of handcrafted paper cards, of course! I saw this idea while surfing the web (working) last Saturday. We made them Sunday morning and I think that helped them look so crisp and fresh.
My card is on the left and used a six by six My Minds Eye sheet as the shirt base. Its a subtle dark grey pinstripe which paired beautifully with these dark greybuttons from an Sei album kit. There was no + sign in the glitter thickers, but a couple snips later it is barely noticeably pieced together.
Rainier has been using scissors since a very young age and I'm so proud to see her advanced skills in how closely she followed the outline of the tie on her card. I drew a line around the outside, which she cut around, then she cut closer to the line again, and finally, cut the line off. On the inside of the card (which she makes first for some reason, and I always leave for the end), she stamped DAD and drew her sister's name as well as her own, and some other...sentiments.
Dad loved his card and we love dad!

Faux Copic Marker Coloring

Today is my younger brother's birthday, and I'm sharing with you the techniques I used to make this adorable card for him. DIeCutCrazy has added some new contributors, and one of my new peeps, Deepti, recently shared a card made with a little monster. I had to grab an old set from CloseToMyHeart that NEVER gets used. Now, I'm in love! 
My little brother is a lot bigger than me, now. I laugh a little whenever we are introducing each other, becuase he literally towers over my 5'3" short self. But to me, he'll always be little, and he'll always be the monster that irritated me to no end as a teenager. Fortunately, I now realize there isn't anything that doesn't irritate a teenager, and I've learned to respect him and admire the man he's grown to be the last decade.
For my first technique, let me tell you how I gave my little monster such depth. I've been watching a lot of copic marker coloring tutorials, (even though I don't have any!) and decided to try my colored pencils at creating a similar 3D color look. Start by stamping your image in a light color. With your lightest color desired, lightly color in the entire image where applicable. For me, this was the light pink body of my space buddy. Now, grab a watercolor pen and, with small circular strokes, blend the color until it looks smooth.
Next you'll want to go for your darker colors. I chose to go for the darkest shading color of the dark purple in the creases and shadowy places. Again, blend with the watercolor pencil. Then fill in and blend with your mid tones, repeat until your are pleased with how it looks. Accent areas can be colored and blended with less color applications if you desire. I guess it depends on the sharpness of your pencils, or how many colors you have!
My brother is such an amazing guy. He can find the silver lining in any situation, he's a terrific friend and coworker, is always willing to lend a hand when he can, is a terrifically loving uncle, and in our house, is known as "the perfect movie date EVER," much to my honey's chagrin.
 For an out of this world effect in the background, I stamped stars with clear versamark ink, then heat embossed them with clear powder before painting over with some regular blue crayola watercolor paint. To acheive a constellation effect, I sprinkled salt on the wet paint! Once dry, I just brushed it off. Try layering a dab or two of another paint color over the salt for a really cool spacey look.
As I mentioned before, my brother's influence on me has taken on nicer significance the older we get. He taught me to share, how to recognize when winning is more important to another, and how to fart on command. Well, I never really got the hang of the last one... But who would I have been able to take out my teenage angst on? Who would I have screamed, "Get out of my ROOM!" at all those times, my parents? yeah right. 
On the other hand, who would have accompanied me on all those unapproved drives to go swimming with my friends, who would have lived with me for years (and never asked me to clean my room),  who would have taught me that family can be friends too? I remember vividly the day we brought him home from the hospital. In retrospect, my life changed for the better, and our household dynamic was made even stronger. 
To make your image really pop after all the color treatments, stamp over the image again with a darker ink, or for a more subtle look, use the light color you started with. Clear stamps make this really easy to do, but you can use a stamp-a-ma-jig or other stamp positioner too.  I even colored in the speech bubble and the monster's eyes with a white pen to make them extra bright, then went back with my colored pencil to darken the pupils.
On the back panel of purple paper, I stamped a repeated  calendar image. Then I overlapped that back panel and the card with a die cut star, to bring the layers together. My cropodile punched out the little circles from a multi-colored polka dot print by SEI. Here's a tip: apply little dots of glue where you want your small dots to go, and you won't end up with glue all over your hands. Or at least not as much glue :-) You can put all the glue down at once like I did, but I recommend doing it one dot at a time if you're a little more fastidious. 
My brother is really one of my best friends, and my life would be seriously lacking if I didn't have him around to bring a smile to our faces on a regular basis. A simple Happy Birthday stamp on the inside doesn't express that, but my happy little monster can hint at what a delight he is to have around, as he is pretty smile-inducing too. I hope you enjoyed some of the techniques I shared today, and feel inspired to try them yourself!
Happy Birthday, Jeremy!