Card-making & Paper-crafting Inspiration by Janet Bright
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
I just wanted to let you know that there’s an absolutely gorgeous new card kit available today from Stampin’ Up.
I love to use Stampin’ Up kits for quick, I-need-it-now cards. BUT, I also give the kits as gifts to my crafty friends and grandkids. (They make great stocking-stuffers, too!) At only $14 it’s a steal of a deal!
Continue reading “Order Your Kit(s) TODAY… AND, Clearance Rack Update!”
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
Another quick project today that was the result of a rainy play-day in my craft room. I once again reached out for my Around The Bend bundle as I contemplated how I wanted to incorporate my recently acquired Tartan Plaid DSP, which is available NOW in the Online-Exclusive section of my Stampin’ Up store. Again, I would urge you to click on the “Shop Stampin’ Up” button up top, or simply click here to be taken to my store.
Again, navigating to the Online-Only section of my store is simple. Just click above to get to my store, then on Menu in the upper left corner of the screen, and then there will be some teal-colored circles, one of which says “Online Exclusives”. Click on that to see what is available. Again, these products are not in any catalogs. There are many items in there, and MORE are being added TODAY, November 7! Get there early, as some will likely sell-out quick!
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
Today I put together a birthday card for the first very special man in my life…my Dad! His birthday is coming right up and like fine wine, he just keeps getting better with age! At 87-years-young, he’s a true classic, indeed!
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
I have a quick, fall-themed card today that was inspired by a card sketch by The Paper Players.
I look forward to the fall season each year, in fact, one might say it’s my favorite season of the year. Well, until spring rolls around. As soon as the temperatures begin to warm, the birds begin to sing, the flowers start to pop up from the ground, I’ll be saying spring is my favorite season! I guess I should just call it a draw between spring and fall!
At any rate, I saw this week’s sketch on The Paper Players (Challenge PP663) and thought I’d give it a go. I highly recommend going over to their website to see not only my take on their sketch, but many other talented cardmakers as well!
Card sketches are oftentimes my saving grace. A great place to start and let my imagination and creativity do the rest! And, a contest… well, if you have a competitive nature at all, make up a card and join in the fun!
Hello Friends!
Just wondering how many of you out there are the Keep It Simple (KIS) type of crafter, versus “I’m going to put a little bit of everything I have in my crafting supply” type of crafter? I tend to be the latter, and often have to remind myself that “it doesn’t all have to go on ONE card!”.
It’s a tendency I’ve always had, I think. I tend to over-complicate things, and over-think things. Sometimes it takes a gentle nudge from family or friends to remind me that sometimes simple is better! Be it preparing for the holidays, i.e. I’ve got to decorate every room in the house, have all matching dishes, silverware, tablecloths, centerpieces, for every table (our family has gotten quite large over the years!), the exact same number of presents for everyone under the tree; to I want to know all there is to know about a certain subject and won’t rest until I feel I’ve studied it to death; to did he/she really mean what he/she said, or is there more to the story? – and come up with all sorts of scenarios in my head.
I’ve heard the exasperation in others’ voices many times in my life – “You’re making it too complicated, you’re overthinking it – QUIT!” And, it’s true; I do have that tendency and I know it. And, it carries over into my crafting as well.
So, today I decided I would start simple, and gradually add to my creation. I’ve been paper crafting for decades now and have a, ah-hmmm, “very comprehensive collection of supplies”. However, I know that isn’t necessarily the case for all of you, so I wanted to scale back, starting simple if you’re a crafter with minimal supplies, and step it up gradually.
I often have a hard time knowing where to stop when I’m working on a project, and by the time I’m done, I’ve thrown “a little bit of everything” onto it and for the most part, am generally happy with the results.
But today, in dialing things back and then comparing all three cards – simple, moderate, more complicated – I learned something. I actually like the more moderate card (middle) the best. While I’m overall pleased with the final result (more complicated), in comparison of the cards, I don’t really think it needed the extra supplies, time and effort.
Here are the three versions below. Let me know in the comments which one you like best. I actually went ahead and submitted the second one to the CASology card challenge this week; the theme is “stag”. Of course, CAS stands for Clean And Simple, hopefully the the second one is clean and simple enough!
Are you able to see the progression?
The first card is quite basic but still very effective.
Continue reading “Are you the KIS type; or Give It Everything You’ve Got?”