Homemade Valentines

It's that time again, when I get to show off my craftiness a bit! and you get to ooooh and ahhhh a little bit :)

I've been crafty

I've been a little crafty lately, in my quest to NOT have my kids glued to the TV during the holiday break we have been making things. I signed Autumn and I up for a few new swaps over at Swap-Bot so she would have something to look forward to after all her hard work (and because I love getting mail.

Here is my Paris ATC for THIS SWAP. I love making ATC's, as you know I am all about the instant gratification, and these little babies are such a small canvas to work with I can fill them up fast. LOVE IT. Plus the best part is TONS of artists make these and they are all different so you can get them traded all over the world and its always different.

This is my AMAZING dragon "Three Toes", it's watercolor, colored pencil and marker. I love him, he makes me so happy. I have not drawn or painted in so long it was so nice to just sit with the kids quietly and work on something.

I've started Zentangling too, I can't wait to finish some of them so I can show you how awesome they are. Mine are still a little wonky right now, and it's too dark to photograph them... I will try to get some good ones to share this week.

ATC Swapping Preparations and Pretty Holiday Nails (these things are not related)

The thing about making a ton of holiday gifts is that my craft table becomes overrun with scraps of paper, material and all the little tiny things that get trimmed off a project. I usually have scads of these little things all over the frakking place which means the usable space on my craft table keeps shrinking and shrinking as I work.

Factoid about me: I hate throwing things away that I know can be useful. Also, if you recall I have a tight budget when it comes to crafting (my husband says it's not a necessity, go figure?).

Paper and fabric scraps get chucked into containers, and boxes and baggies and, you get the point. One of my destash projects is making ATC's (I like to swap them on swap-bot.com). As with many of my projects I tend to start and stop because of the myriad of interruptions that can happen at any given moment around here. So I prep the actual cards in bunches, clear up all my scraps and then keep those handy for when I have a spare moment to whip some up.

Here's how I prep and destash for ATC's:

1. Cut my base cards from heavy card stock, standard ATC card size is 3.5 x 2.5
2. Cut all my larger scraps of paper into backgrounds, same size
3. Gather a bunch of strips and squares to make collaged backgrounds.

4. Adhere backgrounds to bases with a gluestick and make a few backgrounds with the strips.

5. Turn over and trim all the edges so they are the correct size

TIP: ATC traders and collectors are pretty particular about sizing! Make sure that if you are making ATC's for trade that you get them to exactly 3.5 x 2.5 or as close as possible. Most collectors use trading card sheet protectors to store their trades, you want to make sure that your cards will fit into their collection.

6. I like to sew up the edges of my collaged bases to ensure the pieces stay put. If you choose to collage and NOT sew, make sure you are using a tough glue that will really hold on tight!
7. Now I have a stash of bases I can use to create ATC's whenever the mood strikes me and they take up 1/2 the room the scraps did, giving me more work space.

For more information on ATC's check out THIS, for more info on trading ATC's check out THIS.

PS: My nails are super freaking cute right now! I love the new Salon Effects for Christmas! I got mine at Rite Aid, but I think you can pick them up at WalMart too...

Spring Fling Thing!

It's been a while since I did a swap post (it's been a while since I did a swap). I decided that as founder of the Scraptopia group (visit us HERE) I better get my but in gear and get a swap posted. The SPRING FLING THING is just what we needed, I have been staring at snow for way to long and we got another 20 inches the other night and I can feel the cabin fever setting in.



I've had this promo pack for a design school sitting around forever. It contains a huge stack of 5 x 5 promo pages of work from students and pictures of the campus. The paper is so thick and soft and perfect for crafting. I decided that these would make fantastic ATC bases and photo mats.

I saved the packaging too, it's a great shaped folio, and I am debating taking it apart and using it as a template for card sets or stationary, not sure yet. When I get around to making something with it I will be sure to post back.
So I want to know from all of you: What are you doing to beat the winter blahs?

Autumn's Leftover Craft Fair Items for Sale

Autumn's December Winter Market went really well! It was her send time selling her wares. These are her Christmas themed cards that were leftover, wanna stock up for next year? Now is the time! Normally she sells these card packs for $5.00 each. They have 4 handmade cards and matching envies to send them in. We have a TON of Valentines cards, bookmarks and other fun goodies she is making and we need to make room so we are selling these packs for $2.00 each . You can contact me through email or pick them up at my Etsy shop here.

She designed, cut, stamped and created these all on her own (with a little help with the measurements from me). 100% of the money goes to her. Shipping is free inside the continental US.

Crafty Weekend & Thankful Thoughts...

Happy late Thanksgiving Everyone! It was such a busy, busy week! I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgiving dinners, I had such a great time with my family. The kids were mildly behaved and we had such yummy foods.
After a fun Thursday I got all geared up for Black Friday Shopping, alas there was an ice storm so I didn't get to go out until late in the day. It was a bust, I didn't find much. The good thing is that I did get supplies for the handmade gifts I am making and those are the best gifts anyway.
Autumn and I made these totally cute note pads on Saturday and a TON of cards. My mom and Autumn made a set of advent calendar cards (24 individual cards to send) for my cousin. Such a cute idea but a ton of postage. Anyway, thats my fast post and I will put up some more project pics soon :)