Etsy and the Tooth Fairy

Hello!

So, my first Etsy uploads are starting to expire. It's surprising to me that I jumped into that world *only* 4 months ago. I'm 'thinking' or 'doing' constantly to further my efforts that I'm taken aback at my short little timeline. Card-making started years before this, of course, but I never put myself out there until this summer. I have been in excellent company from the first day! I love reading your blogs and I'm gobsmacked daily by your talents. Thanks to you, I've learned so many new techniques and have broadened my design horizons. After all, Kleenex turned into a pretty good ruffle, didn't it?

I'll renew some of those expired listings over the next day or two. It's another 20¢ per card for another 4 months. Staggering the renewal keeps me close to the quickly-changing first page on a Handmade Card search. Phew, that's a place a card could stay on for hours "back in the day", now it's relegated to deeper pages within minutes. I'm not sure what I'll do with the cards I don't renew. My style has changed so much that I feel they don't really represent me anymore. Maybe I'll do a Sale basket at my Thanksgiving show and see what happens. Or donate to a church bazaar. Suggestions?

Here's a special-order Tooth Fairy card, made for an adorable little boy called Jack.

 

 

The airplane paper is Cosmo Cricket - Oh, how I love Cosmo Cricket! The vintage airplane charm is Blue Moon and the chain is a vintage bit passed down from Grandma's stash. The star paper is actually a pocket for Official Tooth Fairy Business. *wink* I really hope Mom likes it!

Cheers, and thanks for visiting today!
Susan

eBay Halloween Scrapbook Layout

Hellooo! So I got down to business and finished my Halloween "tear bear" layout. Phew! This one took a long time and I'm glad it's complete. It's not a particularly complicated layout, but I was stumped over and over when I looked at the house on the original background paper. It was dark, gloomy and uninviting to work on. (It was a dark gray paper with subtle lighter gray flourishes.) I just happened to lay this orange paper near the house and the house popped! After that I *wanted* to work on it, and it all came together in a few days.

I tried a new technique on the bears and found it easier, with better results. Instead of wet-tearing the bear parts, I "drew" bear parts on the back of the paper with an embossing tool (which is not new for me) and then tore the parts from dry paper. I then used the softer brush in my brush set to fluff and stuff, with better results that my wet-tearing efforts. It was faster, too.

Anyway, here are photos of the layout:








Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,

Susan

Swine Sniffles in Detail

This is a Mo Manning digital image called "Swine Flu". How fabulous is Mo?! The background paper is so sweet and grandmotherly that I can't help but think a cup of tea is on it's way. Believe it or not, the white ruffle is compliments of Kleenex!

 

 

 

Stamp: Digital Pencil, Too

Paper: MMBI, Bazzill, Wassau for stamp

Etc: Prismacolor pencils, Prima flowers, Making Memories metal tag, Kleenex, MS leaf punch

Thanks for stopping by!
Susan 

World Card Making Day!

In honor of WCM Day I'd like to share a little bit of my current projects. None are finished yet, of course. This morning I did finish my CLP Challenge entry, so even if the day doesn't let me in the studio, I've done my part to celebrate. *grin*

This is a Mo Manning digital image called "Swine Flu". How fabulous is Mo?! I originally wanted to use this for the challenge, but he's too big for the required elements. The background paper is so sweet and grandmotherly that I can't help but think a cup of tea is on it's way. Believe it or not, the white ruffle is compliments of Kleenex!

The next teaser is from a set of Christmas cards. I used Martha Stewart's incredibly versatile branch punch over and over and over and over until I had enough for about 5 trees. Then my hand cramped up  - conveniently in the shape of a wine glass, whose contents made the cramping disappear. See how that works?

These cards still need to be "blinged out", but I'm really pleased with the combination of branch punch and Pearl Glimmer Mist. The finished card will be relatively simple - silver star on top and a combination of sheer ribbon and "s" shaped findings. I'll show more when all the "mail order" parts come in.

My last project teaser isn't a card, but a glimpse of my one and only pre-made Halloween layout. I've worked on this house off and on for about a week, partly just staring at it for the next clue as to what it needs. :) I really enjoy paper piecing, and this one challenged me with its little bitty parts. The door is Cricut-cut, but everything else is hand cut.

There will be costumed tear bears, of course. It should be up by the 10th or so;  it's getting late in the season and I'm sure my mind isn't the only that's moved on the more "festive" holiday projects!

I hope your day is productive!

Susan

Tooth Fairy and CLP #4 - Updated

Meet Tooth Fairy Cynthia, from InStyle Stamps. Isn't she a sweetheart? I made this using Chelsea's sketch at Crafting Life's Pieces. Chelsea's Gurlee Girl line of stamps is absolutely adorable - check them out here!

 There is a pocket to tuck tooth fairy money (OK, parents don't really give $5 for a tooth, do they? I couldn't find a $1...). If you choose to leave it empty, that's OK, too!

 

Stamp: In Style Stamps 
Paper: Bo Bunny, Bazzill, KI Memories
Medium: Prismacolor pencils, Color Box Chalk, Pearl Glimmer Mist
Embellishments: Prima, Swarovski crystals, beads, charm, lace 

She's on Etsy - check her out. :)


Thanks for stopping by!

Susan