Come Join the Craft Carnival !

Have you ever done a craft blog hop?  If not, you are in for a real treat. For those that have blog hopped before you know what great inspiration you can find on other peoples blogs. 

My blog is being featured on the Craft Critique Spring Carnival. Just click HERE and then click on each listing to go to that person's blog and see what Spring Craftiness they have to offer !

I also wanted to share with you some additional Spring Craftiness I have been up to lately.  With Easter just around the corner...April 4th...it seems sooooo early this year, I created this table scap to get the spirit of Easter started early at our house.  Enjoy and hope you find some INSPIRATION to get your Easter decor out soon.

I can hardly wait for my family to sit down to Easter dinner

surrounded by all these pretty Spring Colors.

More Spring Projects to Share

I promised in my last post to show you the other two projects I made using the Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board. 

The first is a Spring Paper Medallion...It was so easy to get even scores using the score board to then fold to create the total medallion shape.

Once I scored the 12X2 1/2 piece of patterned paper, I then accordian folded it.  I made two of these.

After I made the two accordian folded pieces, I then manipulated the paper until it formed a fan shape with each piece and then glued the two fans together to get the medallion shape.

After I made the lovely Spring Paper Medallion, I then used some circle punches for center pieces and a cute crocheted flower to the center. 

Tada.....now it is ready to hang or use as a gift package topper.  You could easily create very large medallions and then used them in banners to hang up in your house and decorate the fronts to your liking.  Don't be too shocked if you see me make my next banner using this technique !

     

The Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board not only includes instructions to make various size cards and envelops but also includes instructions to make your own Paper Gift Boxes.  That was sooo exciting, I decided to give it a try now that I had "made friends" with the scoring board.  Here is what I ended up making out of scrap paper I had laying around.....

It is a cute 4X4 Paper Gift Box with a lid that lifts off. You could put lots of small treasure in this box to give to someone special.  And it was super-uber-easy to make in just a few minutes.  Seriously !  How fun would it be to use up more of your patterned paper and create adorable Paper Gift Boxes for your family and friends.  There are directions for making both smaller and larger boxes too that are included in the instructions. 

Oh, and I added one of those paper roses that are all the rage now using a large circle shape, cutting in a spiral and then wrapping the curly strip until it forms the flower.  I also made a couple of paper leaves to complete the look.

Hope these projects INSPIRE you to get a MSC Scoring Board and make some awesome projects of your own.

A Crafty Review Just 4 You !

Even though I have been making scrapbooks for a number of years, I had never really gotten into making cards with my scrapbook supplies. While I have admired those who use beautiful patterned paper to make their own cards and envelops, I was frustrated at the complicated templates and scoring products I had tried. Repeatedly over the years, I had abandoned my dream to join the card maker ranks until recently.

Low and behold while on a recent trip to a local craft store, I found a scoring system that didn’t look so awkward and promised to be easy to use. It was the Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board. I have loved all my other Martha Stewart Craft purchases so I was intrigued they had a scoring tool. Retail was only $19.99 USD but with my craft store coupon it was even less expensive so I decided to give it a try.

I joyously share this great find with you.

After reading the easy instructions, I was ready to make my first card and matching envelop. I chose to make a standard A2 card and envelop. The Scoring Board comes with everything you need except paper and adhesive to make a card base and envelop. Plus it has handy built in storage for the scoring tool in the tray on top and envelop template fits on the back of the base.

Crisp, clean lines are achieved due to the great scoring tool included. As you can see in the picture, the scoring tool (on left) is thinner than a traditional bone folder (on right) and fits in the scoring tracks perfectly. I love that the folds created are also thinner and not as bulky as those made by a traditional bone folder.

The large scoring base easily holds both small and large paper up to 12 X12.

You place the envelop guide in the upper left corner of the base. The guide lines are easy to read and after locating the appropriate measurement, it was simple to place the scoring tool in the right place and run down the length of my paper in one simple motion.

Once the envelop was scored, it was easy to follow the directions and snip the sides of the folds as directed. The scored lines were easy to fold and made a nice sharp edge all around the envelop.

Tada…I had made my first envelop ever and a card to match !

This was such an easy and fun tool to use, I immediately jumped into creating a few other projects that would benefit from using the scoring board.  I will post those another day. 

Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board
Pros
• Extremely easy to use right out of packaging
• Clever built in storage for scoring tool and envelop template, which are included
• Easy to read markings for scoring
• Crisp, clean, thin lines made with scoring tool
• Large base surface fits up to 12X12 paper and light weight to transport
• Easy to follow instructions for various size cards, envelops and gift boxes included
• Instructions are in English, Spanish and French

Cons
• The grooves were a little hard to clean out when I accidently got adhesive in them

I couldn’t be happier with the Martha Stewart Scoring Board. In fact, I think it is one of the best purchases I have made to expand my crafty projects. Don’t walk, run to get one for yourself, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

What kind of projects do you make that could use a score board ?

Signs of Spring are EVERYWHERE !

I LOVE Spring Time, don't you?  Most of all I love the colors of spring...greens, pinks,  yellows, blues, purples are exploding in nature everywhere you look.  So INSPIRING !

My eye naturally finds these wonderful spring time colors no matter where I go.  And who could resist creating a special project show casing not only spring time but the most important spring time event, Easter!  Can you believe that Easter is only a few short weeks away?  WOW, this year is going by so fast.

Here is a special Easter Egg shaped mini album I made to showcase a family Easter gathering.  The album in actually an egg shaped corregated/mylar garland that I bought at Jo Ann's Craft and Fabric store.  See you can find inspiration in unusual places too :)  I used my Cricut to cut some of the shapes, American Craft patterned paper, Cuttlebug embossing, various stamps and lots of cute Easter embellishments I have collected. 

Hope this Eggstra-special Mini Album INSPIRES you to make a spring time project soon. I taught this class last year at a local craft store so if you have any questions about putting this project together, please post a comment and I will happily respond.  Have a great week !

What ! More card making...from me ?

I don't really consider myself much of a card marker.  With the exception of Valentines Day recently, I usually don't take the time to sit down and focus on card making.  However, last week I was down with strep throat and once the meds kicked in, I was bored and feeling a little crafty but not up to my usual marathon scrapping.  So, I tried my hand at making a few more cards...this time for some special friends.
I enjoyed creating these little creations to share.

Hello Friend Card

This card was made with some paper scraps, my new Martha Stewart floral border punch,  some glimmer mist, misc pins, ribbon, thicker letters and an old Lux Designs "friend" rub on. I really loved how this turned out. It was such a cheerful little card to send to a friend that I miss and wanted her to know I was thinking of her.

Have a Tweet Day Friend Card

This is a birthday card I made for a special lady that is so talented. I really wanted to send her something fun for her birthday.  A while back I had bought these adorable Glitz Design chipboard birds and matching patterned paper, but I had been hoarding them for just the right project. {LOL}.  And of course, with all my banner making lately, I am addicted to crepe paper ruffles so I happily added that element to embellish this card. 

My friends who received the cards last week both sent me a note thanking me for the cards.  That really made me SMILE so that may INSPIRE me to try making some more cards to share in the future.

Oh...and for those that were asking...My dad is doing pretty well. After a few set backs he was finally able to start his chemo treatment this week.  His MRI showed that the remaining liver is growing back perfectly and they didn't see any signs that the cancer had grown back.  Thank goodness!  The chemo is for 6 months to help make sure there aren't any cancer cells still lurking around.  We feel very fortunate he is doing well but know the next few months may be hard on him so keep him in your prayers still.