Just something on my mind...

A thought crept in my mind this morning and it has me wondering. If I didn't initiate phone calls, emails or conversations, how long would it be before I heard from a friend or family member? I hate to say it, but I think it would be quite some time! What's even more perplexing to me is that if I don't initiate the contact then I'm often asked "is there something wrong" or "are you mad at me". What's the deal? Why is it only my responsibility to foster relationships? Why doesn't it go both ways? Food for thought this morning as I start my day.

Just Make Something!!!

Sometimes I just get stuck. It's not that I don't have ideas of what I want to make, or plenty of supplies to make it happen...I think I just get stuck with the thoughts of "what if it doesn't turn out pretty" or "what if nobody else likes it". I know it's completely irrational. I make cards and other paper things because I enjoy it. I know that every card I make isn't going to be exactly how I envisioned it or something beyond fabulous...so what's the deal???

I just need to make stuff. I do know that the more often I sit down at my table to make something, the more confident I become in the end result. Taking long breaks between creating anything feels like starting all over again to me. Could it be that practice makes perfect...or atleast a little more fabulous?

On Saturday, I finished up a set of cards I started earlier in the week. It felt good...they are cute and I totally stole the design from Pinterest (had the same paper and everything!). Yesterday, I cut all the pieces for another card...another layout I found on Pinterest, but this time using my own paper match ups and tweaking it here and there. It will be my goal to finish those this week & start another set. Just keep crafting...just keep crafting!

So any ways, I hope I have some pics to post soon...I'm determined to keep chipping away at my goal of 600 cards this year! I could make 10x's that with the supplies I already have on hand...it's a shame to keep all that beautiful paper stored away!!!

Chantilly Card, inspired by Pinterest

It's been awhile, but this weekend I was FINALLY able to get some cards made to help build up my stash. This card was created with the new Chantilly papers from Close To My Heart. I found the layout on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/pin/161074124144639892/ but I couldn't connect to the actual website it was pinned from without joining. I decided to dry emboss the focal image with a cuttlebug folder, D'vine Swirls and accidentally embossed it upside down, but I loved the look! I'll have to remember to do this more often!!! All supplies were Close To My Heart except the embossing folders.

 

I'm so neglectful!!!

My poor little blog has been dreadfully neglected since the move to my new place. I don't know why I find it so difficult to keep up with blogging, but it's not the only thing I've been neglecting. I haven't made much of anything crafty since my move either.

The good news is that the craft room, which I now refer to as "the studio", is set up and unpacked for the most part and I feel like I can get in there and create without having to search to find this or that. Now, don't get me wrong, there are still a lot of things I'd like to do to my craft room to make it more efficient, but that will have to wait awhile.

So, what's on the menu? For starters, I have some new Close To My Heart products from the Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book I will be creating with. Look for cards featuring the Flirty, Clementine and La Belle Vie papers soon!

And secondly, it's time to start on Christmas cards! I was able to make all the cards I sent out last year and even sold several, so that is my goal again this year. I usually make 6-12 of the same design and then go on to another design. It keeps things interesting and provides a variety when chosing which card to send to whom. The new Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit ($29.95) from Close To My Heart will be my starting point. This new kit will create 15 cards using their designs/stamps/embelishments and then some. I can't wait to get my hands on this new kit!

If you'd like to see what this new kit, check out my online store at www.abbycandlish.ctmh.com to view the new Idea Book. It's fabulous and you will NOT be disappointed in all the great new paper lines, stamps and embellishments available.

That's all for now...artwork will be coming soon!

No Crafting Time Here!!!

I have not been able to get any card making done for the past few weeks because....I AM MOVING!! I am supposed to close on my new place this coming Friday and it's been complete chaos for the past few weeks. I am so ready for the move to be over so I can get back to a more normal routine and crafting whenever I want to! :)

Thank You Cards

This card is inspired by a card I saw on bigredscraps.ning.com posted by Emilee Smith. I'll be creating some more of these with different colors using up some of my left over papers, but here's the first set. The card base is from DCWV and is slightly textured, I used CTMH ink in Moonstruck to ink up the edges of the card and the patterned paper, it was a really close match. I'm not sure where the pattern paper is from. The other cardstock (Lagoon), stamp and ink (Lagoon) is all Close To My Heart. The brads are from my stash...not sure where I got them either.

I like the simple layout of this and think it would be super easy to add different embellishments and/or swap out the "thank you" sentiment for something else. It's also a really flat card, so it's great for mailing.

Disney Birthday Card

A friend at work requested a birthday card for her grandson turning 4. They are taking him to DisneyWorld for his birthday, so a Disney theme was requested. This is what I came up with. All the supplies except for the Mickey epoxy stickers are Close To My Heart (pattern paper is from Fanfare paper, cardstock colors are Sky, White Daisy & Black). The card size is a 5x7. On the inside, I used a Disney sticker that says "Have a Mickey Day".