SOS569: I'm COUNTING on You

If you've guessed from the title that this fortnight's challenge at Shopping Our Stash is to make a card with at least one numeral on it, HOORAY, you're right! Here's my card:

Lots of seriously elderly stash usage here: my numerals are from this ancient set of Making Memories Alphabet Rub-ons; I've applied them to my well-hoarded Hambly Screenprints transparency card base, so that they peep out as mirror images from the under the corners of my funky collage. There are also numerals on the tickets, and some in the various text papers as well. That beautiful orchid sticker is from DK's Botanists' Sicker Anthology, a book that Stephanie gave me a couple of years ago and despite LOTS of use it still has hundreds of gorgeous stickers in it! Not to brag, but I really love how this came out AND it's a reminder of the fact that challenges often spur me on to make something I would not have thought of, otherwise.

SOS569: I'm COUNTING on You runs until the evening of Monday, March 23rd. Head over to Shopping Our Stash to read the details and check out the inspiring cards our Crew has made. Then root around for one or two neglected craft items and join the fun!

Too Much?

I'm putting the "psycho" into "psychedelic" this Mandala Monday. I started out with a fab mix of Archival Ink colors and Simon Hurley's awesome two-part Sunrays Layering Stencils. I probably should've stopped at ONE mandala ring and made the petals more consistent though; the combination of sunrays and offset circles is a bit dizzying, lol. Ah well.

Is this my favorite mandala? No. Did I "waste" my paper, ink and time? Also no! I tried something new, I enjoyed working on it, I learned a few things to do... and a few things not to do next time. All of which adds up to a successful art session, if not necessarily a beautiful finished piece. And I'm absolutely fine with that. Hope your week is off to a good start!

Collage + Buttons

I had a craving to make a collage with a cascade of buttons... so I made one. Yes, I placed each button individually, used a paper-piercer to poke the holes, and sewed them on... one by one... with embroidery floss. Which seems tedious, but was actually quite relaxing. (But yes, I'm kinda weird, so maybe it would be tedious for anyone else, lol.) I hope that today you'll find time to make or do something YOU have been craving!

Unrelated PS: This morning a friend sent me an article from @billy_penn revealing there will be NO Zitner's Butter Krak Eggs this Easter. A sad blow to all chocolate- and coconut-loving folks born and raised in the Philadelphia area. I'm gonna need a little time to walk this off...

Deck the Halls with... More Music!

We're still celebrating Christmas Music at Jingle Belles; so we're asking you to create a card (or tag, or gift card holder, or whatever else you'll be needing for the holidays) that incorporates music, musical instruments, or even the title of a favorite Christmas Carol.

Here's my card:

I used a vertical strip of real (torn) sheet music; some horizontal music-printed washi tape; and a tiny journal card with "Deck the Halls" on it, so I think I've covered all the bases. The background paper is from 49 & Market; the ancient slide mount frame is of unknown origin; and the foliage diecuts were leftover from another project... the dies were Tim Holtz for Sizzix Christmas Greenery. I cannot tell a lie: I love how this tuned out!

JB2605: Fa-La-La-La-La runs until 6pm (Eastern) on the evening of Wednesday, March 11th. Hop over to Jingle Belles to see the fun little prize one random cardmaker will score... just for linking up with us this fortnight! ♥

Sweet Easter Chicks

Easter is just a month away, but luckily Eyelet Outlet has all the brads you need for fast, easy, mailable Easter Cards. This one features our adorable Chick Brads, Colored Eggs, Heart Brads and Flower Washi.

EGG-cellent Easter Shopping List:

Chick Brads

Colored Egg Brads

Heart Brads

Flower Washi Tape

The Eyelet Outlet Online Store has embellishments for Easter, Spring, Birthdays and every other card-making occasion you celebrate! 

Cardinal Song Holiday Jumpstart

Holiday Jumpstart: Cardinal Song is Paper Anthology's newest holiday card kit, which features the eponymous cardinal perched on a chunky layered sentiment, surrounded by holiday foliage.

Paper Anthology’s Holiday Jumpstart Card Kit is our pre-packaged kit that includes everything you need (except adhesive) to complete FIVE copies of this new original holiday card design. This edition is called “Cardinal Song” because of the sheet music embossing and the handsome layered diecut bird.

We all love the IDEA of making holiday cards throughout the year, instead being overloaded in November and December; but sometimes it’s hard to be inspired during the “off-season”. That issue is solved by this pre-packaged kit, which features everything you need (except adhesive) to complete five copies of this original design. Also included are complete written instructions (not pictured, but included!) and a nice big photo for reference.

This kit contains all of the bits and pieces you see here. Just add adhesive and optional inking, put all the parts together and VOILA... you've got a JUMPSTART on holiday cards!

Visit the Paper Anthology Design Etsy Shop to purchase Cardinal Song or any other Holiday Jumpstart Kit!

The Blues Are Still Blue

It's a bold, blue (and green!) Mandala Monday featuring precisely half of the newest Archival Ink release from Ranger; to wit: Best Dressed, Big Plans and Avocado Toast. In my Dina Wakley Watercolor Journal, with some Make-It Sprinkle Hearts Stenciling on top. Letter It Fineliner and Posca Pen details.