Tape Love

Yes, I'm definitely digging tape. This was the stuff* that got it all started (translation: putting in this order) but I realized I had never shared these 2 cards that I cranked out in about 15 minutes. I just stamped the sentiment (both from Hero Arts), layered on a bit of tape, added a flower to 1, and then rounded the corners for a finishing touch.

*I'm pretty sure I bought these as a set at HobLob last fall, but I can't remember the manufacturer or any other info. Sorry!

Mailing Challenge

Seeing as how I had everything out, I decided to go ahead and make another card (hooray!) and play along with Lisa's Make it + Mail it challenge. I just love the idea of her challenge, and have been wanting to make a little something for my hubby's grandma, so pulled a good ol' standard manila tag out of the stash and went to work... The sentiment is from smARTworks, and I went super simple with everything. The background paper (with FLOCKED dots!) is from Kaisercraft, and I layered on washi tape and a flower. Beauteous!

Now off to the mailbox.

Trusting...

Another month, another project. Wow, this is getting to be a bad habit. Still here, still wanting to play with paper, but many different demands on my time...

I wanted to make something, and started looking around at sketches - is it just me, or are many of them ridiculously detailed?! Anyway, I stumbled onto one over at Get Sketchy and thought that the little strip would be a great excuse to play with my washi tape. I used the Devoted set (Ippity by Unity), which has a rather country-cutesy feel to it, but I do love the verse, and obviously the heart fit with the sketch! The peachish paper and the heart (yes, it's faintly patterned) are from the BasicGrey Capella pad, and I punched the corners of the panel, then inked it all up with pearlescent beige. The swirly background was created with a little template from my stash and bronze glimmer mist. I finished it off with this tape, and there are a couple small pearls right above it.

Ah, it feels good to get creative again...

New stuff!

I'm still working on determining what supplies I truly love and are worth keeping around. As part of that process, I had decided I wouldn't buy anything new until I finished going through my stash. It's been months since I purchased anything crafty, which is a major deal for me.

But my resolve wavered... and these goodies from happytape arrived yesterday. I cannot wait to play!

Simplifying

Simple & intentional are big buzzwords right now. Our society seems obsessed with excess - whether it's accessories on a side table, clothes in our closet, activities for our children... Anyway, I know there's been all sorts of online chatter about paring down and doing/owning only what you truly love.

So where am I going with all that? Well, I find myself getting back to basics in many ways with my stamping. I have *SO* many inks, punches, embellishments, patterned papers that deciding what to actually use is a bit overwhelming. I'm on about round 34 of my supply purge (it's literally taken years to get to this point) - and if I don't love something, then it's gone. It doesn't matter if I saw tons of super-cute projects done with it, or if I spent too much on it - what DOES matter is whether it fits my style now and I'll actually use it. What a concept! I've also removed over half of the blogs from my reader. I cannot even tell you how much easier it is to avoid purchasing supplies when you are unaware they exist :) I can pretty much tell you that I'll love virtually anything from certain companies (Basic Grey for one!) but I'm working on putting a dent in all of the "old" stuff that I just had to have 3 years ago - then used 1/3 of a single sheet of paper before moving on to the latest & greatest.

Now that I've gotten all that rambling out of the way, howzabout I talk about the card? ;) I had this 7gypsies printed gaffer tape mixed in with some ribbon, and honestly had forgotten about it. I liked the fall colors, and wanted to make some quick cards for a few family members. I added the little sentiment from Daisy Bucket, then the little flower (which I now wish I'd left off, but oh, well! All the recipients will still be delighted!