tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22930583146033378962024-03-13T10:01:21.490-06:00A.Go's Craftomonium...real men can craftAlbert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-82695589774354797792010-03-08T06:07:00.005-07:002010-03-08T06:25:46.128-07:00Important Notice!Due to technical difficulties with the Blogger platform, I have made the difficult decision to switch my weblog publishing platform. I will now be using WordPress. For many, that's a technical detail that doesn't mean much. However, there will be a change in accessing my weblog.<br /><br />From now on, you can reach my blog directly by using the following address (URL):<br><br /><center>http://www.agoscraftomonium.com (<a href="http://www.agoscraftomonium.com">link here</a>)</center><br> So you will need to update your bookmark (if you are using one). As I will be leaving Blogger, I will no longer have an opportunity for you to "follow" this blog. Instead, on my new blog, you will have the option to subscribe to an e-mail notification to let you know when my blog is updated. (Of course, this is entirely optional.)<br /><br />Most of the transition went smoothly. However, there were a few issues with spacing and picture sizing. Some posts may look a bit odd, but all the information is there. Hopefully, this move will help prevent further such problems.<br /><br />I'm still tweaking the site, but it's basically up and running.<br /><br />So again, if you will bookmark or type http://www.agoscraftomonium.com into your browser, you will find my new home on these crazy Internets.<br /><br />I look forward to meeting you on the other side. I will not make any other posts on this blog. Everything will happen in my new posh cyberspace digs.<br /><br />Thanks for putting up with me...and I hope you'll come along for the journey.Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-17408204217141163562010-03-08T02:14:00.004-07:002010-03-08T02:28:01.262-07:00Giveaway #3--Sentimental Winner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FMuvv75_QOQ/S5TCne9Mo5I/AAAAAAAAAEY/Ww9vxT835Ks/s1600-h/030810g3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FMuvv75_QOQ/S5TCne9Mo5I/AAAAAAAAAEY/Ww9vxT835Ks/s400/030810g3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446191832978203538" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thank you all for your interest and for sharing some wonderful songs and vivid memories. By random draw, the winner of a new ProvoCraft Cricut 'Sentimentals' cartridge is:<br /><br /><blockquote><br /><i><b>nikki</b> said...<br />What song makes me Sentimental - Can't help falling in love with you. U2's version. :) First dance at my wedding in 1991 to my high school sweetheart. We were 18 at the time :)<br /><br />Thanks for the giveaway!</i><br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br />Congratulations <b>NIKKI</b>! I've sent you an e-mail and your cartridge will be on its way shortly. Thank you again to everyone who participated. Your sharing is truly appreciated--as is your readership.<br /><br />Of course, this means it is now time to announce Giveaway #4! I'll give you three hints: 1) The giveaway will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, March 10, 2010; 2) There will be more than one prize up for grabs; and 3) It's an all Stampin' Up! giveaway.<br /><br />So check back on Wednesday....and every day (hopefully). A special "Thank You" to those of you who have taken the time follow my blog and leave comments. I read them all and try to respond where possible. If you ever have questions or comments you'd rather not leave in a public forum, my e-mail address is available on the sidebar. Your input is invaluable.<br /><br />Have a SUPER Monday!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-84560108652302700292010-03-04T00:01:00.010-07:002010-03-04T10:34:45.050-07:00Background/Foreground<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5al0c0Zrixc-Dqw0Wake5vGqG0jposV6ch38uvai-RxbGxcgcMACYU9ViqQJWBo2hTO56MGhb9n6ENqTTnwKBQNe1Hbq76e8vk2AsPTZtXXR_pk0A32JmlTxCiJxRVONnFVRMJowcnPi/s1600-h/030310a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5al0c0Zrixc-Dqw0Wake5vGqG0jposV6ch38uvai-RxbGxcgcMACYU9ViqQJWBo2hTO56MGhb9n6ENqTTnwKBQNe1Hbq76e8vk2AsPTZtXXR_pk0A32JmlTxCiJxRVONnFVRMJowcnPi/s400/030310a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444828405262864226" /></a><br /><br /><br />While I dabble in many other types of papercrafting/crafting, I am at heart a cardmaker. I think in many ways it has for me the same appeal that creating ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) does. You have a limited blank space--or canvas--upon which to laydown your ideas, thoughts, and designs. Though there are many different sizes and shapes of greeting cards, I tend to work in the A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") size the most. Every card maker has their own set of "patterns" that guides their work. Do you start with the paper choices first? The event or sentiment? The design idea or embellishments?<br /><br />Even though I do have a specific pattern to my card building, many times it is just altered by happenstance. Sometimes it will be finding a terrific piece of decorative paper that inspires an entire card. Other times, it might be a person or place that gets inspiration flowing. Sometimes, I think we tend to be too rigid in our patterns and methods. When you let the card make itself, you can find surprising results. This particular card is an example of that for me.<br /><br />While I <b>LOVE</b> decorative and designer papers as much as the next crafter, sometimes I love to play around with textures and stamps to create my own background images and patterns. What surprised me with this card is the seemingly lack of cohesiveness between all of the elements of the card. What sounded like a wreck in my mind, actually turned out to be an interesting end result (or at least I thought so).<br /><br />The materials list for this card project is as follows:<br /><br /><br /><li>paper: Stampin' Up! textured cardstock in Crushed Curry (5 1/2" x 8 1/2"); Stampin' Up! cardstock in Kraft<br /><br /></li><li>inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Ink in Soft Suede<br /><br /></li><li>stamps: Papertrey Ink fleur di lis tile stamp from Giga Guide Lines set; Stampin' Up! Vintage Labels (#119122)<br /><br /></li><li>embellishments: K & Co. Grand Adhesions Butterfly from the Que Sera Sera collection<br /><br /></li><li>tools: Stampin' Up! 1 1/4" circle and scalloped circle punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scotch ATG 714 adhesive, Stampin' Up! sponge dauber</li><br /><br />To begin, I scored my base cardstock at 4 1/4". I then used a single image stamp to repeatedly stamp the background image over the face of my card. I used a sponge dauber to take the same ink and darken the borders on all edges of the card. Because the paper has a textured finish, the stamping has a raw look to it and the imperfect imprinting adds a certain old-world charm to it. The sentiment is stamped on a punched circle of the Crushed Curry cardstock--and then stamped again with the circular frame border. I layered the circle on a scalloped punch circle of Kraft cardstock that has been sponged with the Soft Suede ink to darken it. Stampin' Dimensionals were used to attach the sentiment to the card. The butterfly embellishment was a weird afterthought that in hindsight is an interesting contrast to the repetitive pattern on the background. Though it's not clear in the photographs, the die-cut butterfly has a layer of clear transparency film on top of it to which glitter has been applied. It gives the butterfly a nice sheen and a bit of light reflection which helps it stand out from a busy background pattern.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVRO5DeWtb7PVOljtSC8QXbIj5OUj6jWQiukCMlKrDKIhkmwttpuA0TuJSIB1akTRJ4zCR2ln2PNTowpONAwq494PFCRIQJSUSBn2scN-ebERI0fqZo_ehgRer6CtemRMXWZHsGsSuUl4/s1600-h/030310b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 414px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVRO5DeWtb7PVOljtSC8QXbIj5OUj6jWQiukCMlKrDKIhkmwttpuA0TuJSIB1akTRJ4zCR2ln2PNTowpONAwq494PFCRIQJSUSBn2scN-ebERI0fqZo_ehgRer6CtemRMXWZHsGsSuUl4/s400/030310b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444831011674102194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FMuvv75_QOQ/S4_tX-CD0tI/AAAAAAAAAD4/5qVHBOfAt5w/s1600-h/030310c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 408px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FMuvv75_QOQ/S4_tX-CD0tI/AAAAAAAAAD4/5qVHBOfAt5w/s400/030310c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444831470558630610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiW5X2VA8fh-45ZVrh_mcyKJFCKE1ZOESbT8eSn5bVFkn5CFi8KQM1SoBZxgDcb810zdggH5fngXAzQbVLSNFz9RSkPIs0AaZrPAfDR8mMzmvgAunjQ5Tjls8_7dHDPBTukLXqxo5aUzx/s1600-h/030310d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiW5X2VA8fh-45ZVrh_mcyKJFCKE1ZOESbT8eSn5bVFkn5CFi8KQM1SoBZxgDcb810zdggH5fngXAzQbVLSNFz9RSkPIs0AaZrPAfDR8mMzmvgAunjQ5Tjls8_7dHDPBTukLXqxo5aUzx/s400/030310d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444832045226996418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsmwqWIbHn1SsI9y5_MuB2JB0SlfWwZ_xKEDYIiS8O2xkhaxjAUY5R_a1eIDH2ITXPJyJXToYgyimCGR_IpIxPbs2kSsrCI-wSdBX3pRk9gu55aCksL-7HWGC3OwaQ2nBfSDLY04O8WD1/s1600-h/030310e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsmwqWIbHn1SsI9y5_MuB2JB0SlfWwZ_xKEDYIiS8O2xkhaxjAUY5R_a1eIDH2ITXPJyJXToYgyimCGR_IpIxPbs2kSsrCI-wSdBX3pRk9gu55aCksL-7HWGC3OwaQ2nBfSDLY04O8WD1/s400/030310e.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444832474443516082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea6dduTIRGDrHdZh7V7AdyqxTtEQVtVzzZ6iBAenWO3vGygftXN1BEVyQdXJbACuIU-a0zD6YayFZuh3yHal4U6bbu7GMYruO3rUAy4tUYvHpdMLooTKGQe45xOFqcW-b54K56ciIDfBe/s1600-h/030310f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea6dduTIRGDrHdZh7V7AdyqxTtEQVtVzzZ6iBAenWO3vGygftXN1BEVyQdXJbACuIU-a0zD6YayFZuh3yHal4U6bbu7GMYruO3rUAy4tUYvHpdMLooTKGQe45xOFqcW-b54K56ciIDfBe/s400/030310f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444832772445223714" /></a><br /><br />Don't forget that Sunday is the deadline to enter Giveaway #3 (see sidebar for details). May your background always be pleasing and <b>always</b> star in your foreground. Keep crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-15387681595162174882010-03-02T10:25:00.005-07:002010-03-02T10:54:28.293-07:00Crazy For Cupcakes<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/030210a.jpg"></center><br /><br />What is it about cupcakes that fascinates us so? Yes, they are yummy...as my tummy will attest. But, for over a year now, cupcakes seem to be all the rage in paper crafts and home decor. Of course, one can perhaps argue that cupcakes are <b>never</b> out. Maybe it's their size? Or the vast array of colors and textures? The frosting and assorted sprinkles? Hmmm. The world of cupcakes is just a place of fluffy goodness that always seems to bring a smile to our collective faces.<br /><br />Today's quick and simple card project celebrates all things cupcake. The materials list is a follows:<br /><br /><li>papers: Stampin' Up! cardstock in Summer Sun (5 1/2" x 8 1/2"); Basic Grey decorative cupcake paper from 'Nook & Pantry' collection; Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock<br><br /><li>ink: Stampin' Up! Close To Cocoa; Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black; Copic Sketch markers<br><br /><li>ribbon: Stampin' Up! polka dot grosgrain ribbon in Crushed Curry<br><br /><li>stamps: cupcake image and sentiment from Pink Cat Studio<br><br /><li>tools: Stampin' Up! scallop edge punch; Zutter 1/2" corner rounder, Cutterbee scissors, Stampin' Dimensionals, ATG714 adhesive, Zig two-way glue pen</li><br /><br />I stamped three cupcake images on Whisper White cardstock with Tuxedo Black ink. I then colored each image in with blends of Copic Sketch markers and trimmed around the images. I played around with the grouping of the three cupcakes and when I found a layout I liked, I tacked them together with the Zig glue pen. The cupcake decorative paper was punched top and bottom to create the scalloped edge and the edges were slightly inked. I then wrapped the ribbon around the paper and adhered the mat to the cardstock base using my ATG714 adhesive gun. I used Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals to attach the handcolored cupcake trio over the ribbon. The Dimensionals lift the cupcake cutouts up and away from the decorative paper and give it more of an illusion of depth and creates interest for the eye. I rounded the corners of the card and stamped the sentiment--and cupcake madness ensued.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/030210b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/030210c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/030210d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/030210e.jpg"></center><br /><br />Hey, Cupcakes! Thanks for stopping by...and as always, keep crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-39411924205297381882010-02-26T10:55:00.003-07:002010-02-26T11:22:09.600-07:00Vintage Meets Chic<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022610a.jpg"></center><br /><br />Today's card project is a quick and easy example of highlighting stamping on a card.<br /><br />The supply list for this card is as follows:<br /><br /><li>Paper: Stampin' Up! Glossy White cardstock; 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"<br><br /><li>Stamps: Stampin' Up! 'Vintage Vogue' (flowers); Stampin' Up! 'I {Heart} Hearts' (vined heart); Stampin' Up! 'Whimsical Words' (sentiment)<br><br /><li>Inks: Stampin' Up! 'Always Artichoke' and 'Handsome Hunter'; Tsukineko Memento in 'Tuxedo Black'<br><br /><li>Embellishments: Prime eLine Pearls & Crystals in Hunter Green and Teal Blue<br><br /><li>Tools: Zutter 1/2" Round-It-All</li> <br /><br />While the stamps are clearly meant to evoke an overall vintage feel, something happens to them when you stamp them on a glossy cardstock. Suddenly, the vintage feel gets a "pop" from the shiny, sleek modern paper. It's a very interesting contrast in moods and creates a totally new feel for the card than if you had simply stamped on a matte cardstock.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022610b.jpg"></center><br /><br />To begin, I scored my glossy cardstock at 4 1/4" inches and then rounded all the corners with the Zutter tool. I then stamped the large and small floral images and decided the heart image was a nice compliment to the flowers. (TIP: When stamping on glossy cardstock, it is imperative that you use a steady hand and consistent pressure or else your stamp will slide and blur your image. You may have to practice a few times before you get the technique down. Also, you'll want to allow a bit more drying time for the inks as the glossy coating on the paper does not absorb the ink as well as other types of cardstock.) Once, my stamping was dry, I decided the centers of the flowers could use a little bling. A few halfback adhesive pearls and faceted crystals in complimentary colors give the card another layer of vintage meets chic--with a touch of bling.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022610c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022610d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022610e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022610f.jpg"></center><br /><br />I hope you all have a Happy Friday and an even better weekend! Don't forget to sign-up for Giveaway #3 (see sidebar)...and as always, keep crafting.Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-54201567415065173082010-02-25T13:31:00.003-07:002010-02-25T13:44:53.281-07:00Giveaway #3--Let's Get Sentimental<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510g1.jpg"></center><br /><br />Yes, Kids! It's time for Giveaway #3. Up for grabs is a brand new Cricut cartridge from ProvoCraft entitled "Sentimentals". I've had this cartridge for a bit now and I have to say I've grown fond of many of the images contained therein. This cartridge has the following creative features: Layer, Phrase, Tag, Card, Envelope, and Shadow.<br /><br />To enter for a chance to win this cartridge, just leave a comment in this post answering the following question: "What song makes you sentimental?" You don't have to explain your answer (though you can if you'd like to share). The deadline for entering is Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. MST. The winner will be chosen via random draw and announced on the following Monday. If you haven't already become a follower of my blog, I'd love for you to consider it (but it is certainly NOT required).<br /><br />{Finally, just as a point of information (and because I have had an inquiry on the subject), all prizes given away on my blog are purchased with my own funds. I do not have any corporate or vendor sponsorships. It's good to give...}Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-16375349441726038612010-02-25T12:31:00.007-07:002010-02-25T13:19:53.284-07:00Every Day Is Magical<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510.jpg"></center><br /><br />There is a fine line in the world of paper crafting. It's a line you get more accustomed to the more time you devote to your crafting. Nonetheless, it's a line that whether you are a beginning crafter or a very experienced one, you deal with on nearly every project. The line? When is too much too much? As crafters and souls obsessed with sparkly things, we tend to love our embellishments--perhaps a bit too much. Knowing when a project is done or needs just "a little something" is in the end a matter of personal taste and artistic vision. I know that I've been guilty of overdoing a design or using one too many embellishments. Sometimes, too much can be a good thing and you'll discover an odd color combination or a surprisingly appealing excess of bling that you might not have otherwise discovered unless you allowed yourself the freedom to let go and experiment. In the end, it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don't be afraid to try new things, mix different textures and elements, play with odd color combinations--because it your art and your expression. Not everyone has to "get it" every single time. Being creative means coloring outside of the lines now and again.<br /><br />This particular card project is a fine example of trying to find the point where you tow the line and say, "This is done...or maybe...". <br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510a.jpg"></center><br /><br />To start the project, I chose the following papers to work with:<br /><br /><li>(1) 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Stampin' Up! cardstock in Rich Razzleberry<br /><li>(1) 4" x 5" piece of SEI cardstock from the 'Jolie Chocolat' collection<br /><li>(1) 3 3/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Stampin' Up! cardstock in Whisper White<br /><li>(1) 4" x 5 1/4" pice of Stardream Fuse Mica cardstock in Amethyst</li><br /><br />The Rich Razzleberry cardstock is my card base and is scored at 4 1/4" to create an A2 card size. The Whisper White cardstock is my stamping and embossing base. I used the Stampin' Up! scalloped edge punch on the top of the cardstock. The two stamps I used (fairy and sentiment) are from Unity Stamp Co. I heat embossed the fairy image with a silver tinsel embossing powder after stamping it in Versamark. The sentiment was heat embossed with a fine black embossing powder.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510b.jpg"></center><br /><br />Next, I used my ATG714 adhesive gun to adhere the decorative SEI cardstock to the front of my folded card base.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510c.jpg"></center><br /><br />Before adhering my embossed mat to the decorative cardstock, I thought it would be fun to use my Ranger ink blending tool and some Tsukineko Dew Drop ink in Lilac Posies to ink the edges of my stamped piece. The replaceable sponge pads on the tool are really wonderful to work with and give you so many different looks and techniques to try.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510e.jpg"></center><br /><br />At this point, I seriously considered stopping. It was a nice card and very colorful. Yet, something still gnawed at me. After looking at it for a while, I decided it needed another pop of "oomph" to really meet the standard of being magical. My eye zoned in on the top flower of the embossed image and decided it needed more interest, bigger presence. The solution was to take three die-cut flower images and layer them with Stampin' dimensionals to create an image that leapt off the card front. A bit of glitter, a Prima pearl in the center, and a chocolate heart stick pin and now the fairy really had something <i>magical</i> to gaze upon.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510g.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510h.jpg"></center><br /><br />Finally, because of the deep color of the Rich Razzleberry cardstock, I adhered the piece of Stardream Fuse Mica cardstock to the interior to have a place to write a note or sentiment.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510i.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022510j.jpg"></center><br /><br />As always, thanks for stopping by....and may your days be filled with magic always!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-12636387047047825482010-02-22T10:32:00.008-07:002010-02-22T11:13:15.204-07:00We're The Perfect Pear...<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210a.jpg"></center><br /><br />It's no secret that my favorite color is green. I love all shades of green--but honestly, I tend to really love the odd end of the scale--olive, chartreuse and lime. Last night while keeping tabs on the all-absorbing Winter Olympics from Vancouver, I worked on this card. I was ready for something Spring-y and Kermit-y.<br /><br />The base cardstock is Papertrey Ink cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4" with the Scor-Pal. I used my Stampin' Up! ticket corner punch to shape the card. All along, I knew I wanted to make this wonderful Unity Stamp Co. pear stamp the focal point of my card. But, I also knew I was going to need "something" more to keep the card from swallowing up the stamped image.<br /><br />I stamped the image with a Versamark pad onto Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock and then heat embossed it with a fine black embossing powder. I used my Stampin' Write markers to color the embossed image and then trimmed around it. (TIP: I found through trial and error that sometimes using Copic markers to color a heat embossed image is a bit tricky. The alcohol based ink can tend to smear some embossing powders, putting unsightly black streaks into your coloring. However, the Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write markers do not smear any embossing powders that I have tried thus far.)<br /><br />To set-off my pear image, I decided to use a Cricut cut from the 'Picturesque' cartridge. I chose a swirled tag image cut at 4" from some dark green textured Bazzill cardstock. I used another piece of Papertrey Ink pear colored cardstock to create a backing shadow cut for the open swirl tag. For the hole in the top of the tag, I chose a polka dotted Making Memories brad, cut off the backing prongs, and used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere it to the tag. Finally, I found a piece of scrap Stampin' Up! designer series paper in a green houndstooth pattern and cut it down to creat a horizontal mat to break up the tag and add another layer of visual interest. Now, it was time to put everything together using my ATG714 adhesive gun.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210e.jpg"></center><br /><br />After I finished the card, I was getting ready to pull and envelope and a poly storage bag to file it away. But, I decided to try something a bit different--and I have to say I really like this idea for presentation purposes. Instead of using an envelope, I chose a glassine envelope/pouch to put my card in. It fits perfectly and I love the fact that you can see some of the card detail through the glassine paper. I picture this stuck in a wicker basket of fresh Bartlett pears as a wonderful neighbor/housewarming gift.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210g.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/022210h.jpg"></center><br /><br />As always, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to stop by and see what's crafting on my blog. Wherever the day takes you, I hope you have a pear-fect one.... <br /><br />Keep Crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-40310010390419133302010-02-18T11:36:00.002-07:002010-02-18T11:48:28.143-07:00Monkey Love<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/021810a.jpg"></center><br /><br />This is a quick and easy card made predominantly of Stampin' Up! supplies. I am in absolute love with this monkey stamp. He is too cute for words!<br /><br />The base of the card is Stampin' Up! cardstock in 'Soft Suede'. The bottom mat is Stampin' Up! 'Kraft'. The images were stamped on 'Whisper White' cardstock. The edges of the white mat were puched using an EK Success Postage Stamp Edge punch and inked with Chai tea stain.<br /><br />The monkey stamp is from the Stampin' Up! clear mount set 'Fox & Friends' (#118565, $14.95). The heart stamp is from 'I {Heart} Hearts' (#118571, $18.95). They were stamped in a random pattern using Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Classic ink. I also used a piece of Stampin' Up! 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip as a matching embellishment. A bit of Sakura Stardust clear glitter pen accents the outline of the white mat.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/021810b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/021810c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/021810d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/021810e.jpg"></center><br /><br />Happy Thursday...and I hope your day includes a little bit of monkeyin' around!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-32245683102476670262010-02-08T21:05:00.003-07:002010-02-08T21:13:53.066-07:00Giveaway #2--Hearts Flutter WinnerThank you to all who entered Giveaway #2! This is turning out to be a lot of fun getting to know some of you a bit better. Of course, that means you're probably learning a bit too much about me--which can be scary. Before, I name this week's winner, please be on the lookout for Giveaway #3 popping up in the next couple of days.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012910a.jpg"></center><br /><br />The winner of the Hearts Flutter Valentine's package is:<br /><br /><blockquote><i><b>scrapgranny</b> said...<br />My heart flutters over new crafty things!! Thanks for the chance to win!<br />January 31, 2010 12:31 PM</i></blockquote><br /><br />Congratulations <b>Scrapgranny</b>! I hope your new goodie bag makes your heart flutter and spurs your creativity. If you will please e-mail me with you mailing information, I will get your package in the mail.Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-59038309512339110122010-02-04T09:15:00.005-07:002010-02-04T09:41:25.683-07:00A Little Less Conversation...<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020410a.jpg"></center><br /><br />Today is a quick and easy card day. I also had a strange idea and made a bizarre discovery--but we'll get to that in a minute.<br /><br />I'd received some new Cuttlebug embossing folders that I've been wanting to try out. So this card uses one of the new 5" x 7" folders entitled "Conversation". This folder is one of six in a new set coming soon from ProvoCraft called <a href="http://www.cricut.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?id=931&s=1&sc=36">'Love Is In The Air'</a>. (This is also the same set that was an early release to HSN and sold as 'Romance'.)<br /><br />The base of the card is a piece of Bazzill Bling textured cardstock in the color "High Heels". The mat for my card is a piece of scrap red cardstock (not sure of the brand) cut to 4" x 4 1/2". I ran the mat cardstock through my Cuttlebug in the "Conversation" folder. I was pleased with the overall look, but thought it needed a little bling. That's when I had the bizarre idea. I took some Tsukineko Dew Drop Brilliance in "Pearlescent Beige" and used Kleenex to apply a light buff coating to the embossed mat. The result is rather remarkable. It gives the conversation heart a bit more definition, while imparting a sparkly sheen to the paper. It really mimics the look of a mica cardstock (which is typically much more expensive). So, I suppose the lesson is EXPERIMENT. Find new ways to use old products in unexpected ways. Perhaps it won't always work, but for every failure you're sure to find numerous new discoveries to set off your work. I'm not sure what possessed me to try beige ink on red paper--but the result was totally unexpected and perfect for this particular card project.<br /><br />The sentiment is also done with the Cuttlebug. I used an A2 die from a combination die/embossing folder set entitled "Love Language". The final touches were a piece of Stampin' Up! silk ribbon in "Real Red" and a couple of punch-outs using the SU! Small Heart Punch (#117193, $5.95). I love the look the heart punch-outs have against the darker color of the cardstock interior. Visual interest is always so important in creating eye-catching projects. Until next time, as always, keep crafting!<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020410b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020410c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020410d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020410e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020410f.jpg"></center>Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-43697321298745760092010-02-02T05:11:00.008-07:002010-02-02T05:42:19.616-07:00It's A Bird...<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020210.jpg"></center><br /><br />Today simple and easy card features a die cut from the new licensed ProvoCraft Cricut cartridge 'Superman'.<br /><br />For this card project, I chose a base cardstock from Die Cuts With A View (DCWV) 'Modern Loft' paper stack. As this was obviously going to be a masculine-inspired card, I thought the brick pattern was reminiscent of a background panel one might see in an actual comic strip. I used a Chai Tea stain to ink the edge of my cardstock, which was cut to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4" to form an A2 sized card. The corners were clipped using my Stampin' Up! tag corner punch.<br /><br />The diecut was cut on my Cricut Expression at 4 1/2". I did shadow cut with Bazzill corduroy textured cardstock in Raven. For the layering pieces, I cut them out of Bazzill corduroy textured cardstock in Snow. The reason I cut the layering pieces out of white cardstock is that I wanted to use my Copic Sketch markers to "color" in the face and hair details. I think the handcoloring gives the diecut a bit more "pop" and comic book realism (than if I had just used corresponding colored cardstock). I used a blend of E00 (Skin White), E11 (Barely Beige), E13 (Light Suntan) and E15 (Dark Suntan) for the facial features and shading. I used B29 (Ultramarine) for the hair highlight. I also went back in with a Copic Atyou Spica Glitter pen in Sky Blue to add a little oomph to Superman's locks. (He is a SUPER hero after all, lol.) Finally, to achieve those come-hither baby blues, I used Clearsnap Smooch metallic ink in Azure for intensity and sparkle. (Am I the only one fanning myself!? Wait, don't answer that.) The sentiment stamp is from Unity Stamp Co. and seemed appropriate. It was stamped using Tsukineko Memento ink in Tuxedo Black.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020210a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020210b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020210c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020210d.jpg"></center><br /><br />'Superman' is a terrific addition to your Cricut cartridge library if you have men in your life--big or little. It's also a terrific resource for themed parties and decorations--as it includes three-dimensional character boxes, banners, party favors, Clark Kent spectacles, treat bags and much more. Of course, it features several variations on that fabulous Superman logo and a complete font set.<br /><br />Now, I must be off. (I have to go figure out what size I need to cut my Clark Kent glasses at. Don't judge. Or at least, don't tell me.)<br /><br />Trust me. I know.Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-84640640268363314472010-02-01T04:50:00.004-07:002010-02-01T05:14:37.534-07:00Simply AdornedStampin' Up! announced its line of customizable jewelry pieces several months ago. However, some issues with quality control kept the line from debuting until the recent Occasions Mini Catalog. I finally got around to playing with a couple of pieces I purchased to try out.<br /><br />The idea behind the 'Simply Adorned' line is indeed simple. It consists of an oval link bracelet and necklace (available in two lengths) with charms available in different sizes and shapes. The charms are key to the "adorned" part of the concept. These nickel-plated charms are locket-style pieces with glass fronts and backs. There is a clasping mechanism that allows you to open the charms and create your own mini-artworks to display. Of course, you can use photographs or other keepsakes--but the fun is really in using your creativity, stamps, and other crafting supplies to create little expressions of yourself to wear for others to see.<br /><br />The first piece I purchased was the 34" Simply Adorned chain (#116853, $12.95). The chain has an alternating oval link pattern to it with a bar and toggle closure and a 'Simply Adorned/Stampin' Up!' hang tag. (The chain is also available in a shorter 24" length.) To go along with it, I purchased the Simply Adorned rectangular (1" x 1 1/2") charm (#116798, $18.95). The charm features a tempered bevel glass front and a flat glass back. The nickel-plated charm frame attaches to your chain via a lobster claw clasp.<br /><br />Inspired by the upcoming Valentine's holiday, I worked a quick design for my charm using some decorative paper, metallic inks, a white pen and a bit of sketching. For a quick example, I don't think it turned out half bad. I look forward to making new inserts and to giving these to the important people in my life. A little reminder to carry around their neck of my love and devotion.<br /><br />Wherever today takes you, do something unexpected and nice for someone. We can all use a little unexpected love in these days. Have a happy Monday and may February bring us all the bounty of love.<br /><br />(p.s. Don't forget to sign-up for Giveaway #2 in the previous post!)<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020110a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020110b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020110c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020110d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020110e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/020110f.jpg"></center>Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-18127794198440109152010-01-29T23:31:00.003-07:002010-01-29T23:55:45.413-07:00Giveaway #2--Hearts Flutter<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012910a.jpg"></center><br /><br />It's time for giveaway #2...and of course, it's inspired by the upcoming salute to St. Valentine. So put your cupid wings on and enter for a chance to win this week's loot.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012910b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012910c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012910d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012910e.jpg"></center><br /><br />Up for grabs, a package that includes:<br /><br /><li>Fancy Pants "French Market" rub-ons<br /><li>7 Gypsies "Zanzibar" rubbings<br /><li>Prima Marketing Journaling Bloc-Notes & Storage Box (30 sheets, 4"x6")<br /><li>Heidi Swapp "Crowns" Journaling Spots<br /><li>K&Co. "Smitten" Holographic Puffed Heart Stickers<br /><li>K&Co. "Smitten" Adhesive Chipboard Heart Collection<br /><li>Pebbles Inc. Ribbon Sampler in "Chocolate Box"<br /><li>Papertrey Ink 6" x 6" Patterned Paper Pad in "Pink Patterns" (36 sheets)<br /><br />For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post telling us: "What makes your heart flutter?". The winner will be chosen by random draw. Entries accepted until 11:59 p.m. MST on February 3, 2010. The winner will be announced on February 4, 2010 on this blog. As always, consider officially "following" my weblog to stay abreast of giveaways and updates (see right sidebar).<br /><br />Good Luck and have a terrific weekend ahead!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-29487913269895686942010-01-28T11:01:00.007-07:002010-01-28T12:10:35.026-07:00Note Card File Prototype<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810a.jpg"></center><br /><br />The project I'm sharing today is one that I've been working on for a while now. This is actually the fourth prototype I've created continually tweaking the design. I was inspired by all of the envelope albums that seem to be in vogue right now.<br /><br />I knew I didn't want to create an album per se. I was interested in taking the "pouch system" created with the envelopes and adapting it to a type of holder or file system. I originally thought it would be a cute idea to use as gift packaging for a set of personalized note cards. However, after working with the design for a while now, I think this would be a great design to hold tags, photos, gift certificates or coupons.<br /><br />The main problem I encountered was coming up with an appropriate closure system. Previous versions used a hook and loop closure, a constructed tab closure, and a button closure. Through trial and error, I've decided the most effective (and best looking) closure was made by using simple eyelets and ribbon.<br /><br />The base for this project was a piece of thin chipboard measuring 11" in length and 5" in width. I scored the chipboard piece at 5 1/4" and 5 7/8". This creates the spine of your book, which measures 5/8" in width.<br /><br />With the interior structure of the folder created, I chose a lovely patterned paper from SEI's 'Oasis' collection to cover my chipboard with. I allowed a 1/4" overhang allowance on all sides of my covers to allow for the paper to wrap over the edges and be adhered to the interior backing of the chipboard. I used separate cut pieces to cover the front and back covers and the spine.<br /><br />At this point I punched holes on each side of the covers and set eyelets to hold my ribbon closure. For the actual ribbon, I used some 1/2" Stampin' Up! silk ribbon in Old Olive. By threading each piece of the ribbon through the eyelet and then using my ATG 714 adhesive, I taped the ribbon to the interior raw chipboard. Not only does this allow you to anchor your closure, but it allows you to hide the backsides of your eyelets and the ends of your ribbon. I then used the same decorative paper to cover the inside panels of my folder book.<br /><br />For the actual accordian fan folders, I used some Stampin' Up! A2 sized Kraft envelopes. I took four envelopes and sealed them. Then I cut 2 1/2" off each end of the envelopes to create the eight pockets used to create my filing system. To create the fan file, I used two strips of ATG adhesive in the center of each of the envelope pockets, adhering the back of one pocket to the front of the next. Once all eight pockets are adhered to one another, all that is left to do is adhere the pocket bundle to your chipboard covers. I covered the front of the first envelope pocket and the back of the last pocket and attached them to my cover.<br /><br />Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results. I might work on a couple other design modifications, but the basic folder shape is there and it is very functional. [TIP: A cute Valentine's Day idea for a project like this is to create eight coupons to place in your file folders (e.g., "redeem for one kiss", "redeem for a massage", "redeem for a candlit dinner", etc.)]<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810g.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012810h.jpg"></center>Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-83509201209352143462010-01-25T23:15:00.003-07:002010-01-25T23:29:36.041-07:00Giveaway #1 Winners Announced!First, I must apologize for the tardiness in posting this much-anticpated post. Some time between Saturday night and Sunday morning, I had an unexpected visitor in the form of some nasty flu bug. Now, I love bugs--especially Cricuts--but I do not care for the flu variety. Needless to say I was knocked for a loop with a fever and chills--but I think I'm finally starting to kick its little gross butt. (But no one wants to hear about that, lol.)<br /><br />So, my first giveaway winners chosen by random draw are:<br /><br />**Cricut Cartridge: Plantin Schoolbook:<br /><blockquote><b>Jacqui</b> said...<br />Just discovered your blog. love your work. I have become a follower.<br />January 24, 2010 8:46 PM</blockquote><br /><br />**Stampin' Up! Good Neighbors Clear Mount Stamp Set:<br /><blockquote><b>Jeanette T.</b> said...<br />Nice to see a guy doing this. Thanks for a chance to win some candy. Have a great weekend.<br />January 22, 2010 4:08 PM</blockquote><br /><br />Congratulations to <b>JACQUI</b> and <b>JEANETTE T.</b>! If you will please e-mail me your mailing addresses, I'll get your packages on the way to you.<br /><br />I really want to thank everyone for participating and for leaving such wonderful and encouraging comments. I do take the time to read each and every one--and they all mean so much to me.<br /><br />Look for Giveaway #2 to appear sometime Friday! Wanna know what I'm giving away? Uhm...not so fast. You'll have to come back for the goods...Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-69866535360873552922010-01-21T15:09:00.005-07:002010-01-21T15:48:35.934-07:00Picturesque<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012010a.jpg"></center><br /><br />After an internal battle with my will and common sense ended in gory defeat, I finally succumbed to this itch that has been plaguing me for nearly two months and begrudgingly (with a slice of giddiness) gave in an purchased the illusive Cricut cartridge 'Picturesque' on the secondary market. It goes without saying that this has become my most expensive cartridge yet (replacing 'Potpourri Basket').<br /><br />Finally, it came down to a simple matter of supply. It does appear (via information from a well-placed source) that ProvoCraft will NOT be making 'Picturesque' available for individual sale any time in the near future. Originally, paired with a champagne-colored Expression, 'Picturesque' was to be an exclusively bundled cartridge to Home Depot. However, a contractual problem occurred and the deal fell threw. It is my understanding that the rumored 300-500 bundles were sold to a warehouse club--and were quickly broken up to sell on the secondary market by some savvy consumers. My source says that the cartridge will reappear in a new set of exclusive machine bundles that will be exclusive to a major retailer in approximately the same quantity. The retailer has been chosen, but has not been officially announced. Meanwhile, there are no plans through 2010 to offer 'Picturesque' as a solo cartridge.<br /><br />In my opinion, that really is a great shame as this is a bursting-at-the-seams chock-full content cartridge. The artwork by Noralee Peterson is intricately detailed and filled with decorative flourishes and embellished elements. The cartridge features the following creative features: tags, corners, frameworks, cards and seals, shadow and blackout on over 99 individual pieces of artwork. Among the images included are: florals, dragonflies, butterflies, birds, nests, swans, vines, scallops, celtic knot elements, greek key elements, and iron work elements. <br /><br />Here are a few photographs of some of the elements from the enclosed handbook:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012010b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012010c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012010d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012010e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012010f.jpg"></center><br /><br />My first project using 'Picturesque' was a quick greeting card. The three lighter blue cardstock pieces (card base, mat, and die cut) are all Bazzill cardstock from a Fourz pack with a grasscloth texture. The mat cardstock was punched with an EK Success border punch called "Swiss Cheese". The backing paper on the diecut tag is an SEI glitter cardstock. The "love" sentiment was cut on the Making Memories Slice (from the 'Think Pink' card) out of silver foiled SEI cardstock. The actual diecut tag I chose to cut on my Cricut Expression is called "cotton blossom" and was cut at 4" (Shift + Tag). The polka-dot ribbon is from Papertrey Ink's "Enchanted Evening" collection and the mabe pearl accent is from the Stampin' Up! Pretties kit. I used my ATG 714 adhesive to assemble the card. The inner sentiment is from a Stampin' Up! Sale-a-Bration stamp set entitled 'Whimsical Words' (#119119). Finally, I used a Martha Stewart corner rounder punch to shape the final card.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/012110g.jpg"></center><br /><br />With the addition of 'Picturesque' to my cartridge library (and Gypsy), I am now only down three cartridges of all that have been released thus far: 'Keystone International', 'Don Juan International', and 'Pink Journey'. As always, the search continues...<br /><br />Well, I was rather wordy today. I hope you enjoyed the peek at 'Picturesque'. If you have a way to add it to your collection, I highly recommend it. It really is a beautiful set of images.<br /><br />As always, have a terrific Friday ahead...and keep crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-53604514012893073362010-01-19T13:27:00.005-07:002010-01-19T13:43:53.171-07:00Let The Games Begin!In a shameless effort to promote myself and my crafting blog, this month I'm going to start what hopefully will be a monthly tradition of giving back to my loyal readers and fellow enthusiasts.<br /><br />First up this week, your opportunity to win either a new Stampin' Up! Sale-a-Bration stamp set or a new Cricut cartridge. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011610a.jpg"></center><br /> <br />The stamp set is entitled 'Good Neighbors'. Not only is this set not available for individual purchase, but it's one of the new clear-mount rubber stamp sets introduced exclusively for Sale-a-Bration. It consists of ten individual rubber stamps with a new cling-mount foam system packaged in a new DVD style storage case. All you need is a clear acrylic mounting block and you're ready to stamp away. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011610b.jpg"></center><br /><br /><br />The Cricut cartridge is 'Plantin Schoolbook'. This cartridge is usually bundled with the Cricut Expression and is a great basic shapes and font cartridge. It is brand-new, never registered nor linked to a Gypsy. (I received a new Green Expression for Christmas and already own this cart. So I hope someone out there can use it).<br /><br />To win either prize (winners determined by random draw), you only need to do one thing: Leave a comment on this post. However, I'd really love it if you would consider "following" this blog by signing up on the right sidebar. This will keep you informed of updates to the blog and other giveaways coming down the pipeline. The deadline for this giveaway is Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Winners will be posted on Monday and they can contact me with their mailing information.<br /><br />As always, thanks for reading and helping get the word out that men can craft too! Be on the lookout for some really great giveaways right around the corner.Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-61222411256123399692010-01-19T12:59:00.003-07:002010-01-19T13:27:08.785-07:00Butterflies Are Free<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810.jpg"></center><br /><br />I know it's not proper etiquette to rave about your own work, BUT...I LOVE this card. It started out as something entirely different and morphed into what you see below. It features a new Stampin' Up! exclusive Sizzix Embosslits die that was just introduced in the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog.<br /><br />The die is called 'Beautiful Wings' (#118138, $ 11.95) and it cuts and embosses four different delicate butterfly diecuts. Measuring a scant 2 1/4" x 2 1/2", this must have die will fit into anyone's collection (lol). The A2 sized card below was made from a sheet of DCWV 'Latte' cardstock. The mat is from the gorgeous SEI collection entitled 'Jolie Chocolate'. Throw in a little tea staining, glitter, a corner rounder and you have a card with implied motion, dimension and joyful charm.<br /><br />Now, pardon my overindulgence in the photography department. (Oh, and just a friendly reminder: If you are ever looking for any Stampin' Up! products, feel free to check out my <a href="http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/ago/">on-line boutique</a>.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011810g.jpg"></center><br /><br />Wherever the day takes you, flutter your wings...and create! Keep crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-58479191361545071152010-01-15T11:21:00.004-07:002010-01-15T11:36:44.604-07:00Up Close: Aging & StainingThis tri-fold card was an experiment to use several aging/staining techniques I will be sharing with you in the near future. I really like the effects you can obtain by using tea stains, inking, paint, masking and overlaying. It gives a bit of the vintage feel, but still retains an overall modern and stylish look.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011510a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011510b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011510c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011510d.jpg"></center><br /><br />Also, next week be on the lookout for your chance to win some cool prizes, including:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011710a.jpg"><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011710b.jpg"></center><br /><br />Wanna know what they are and how to win them? Stay tuned...and tell a friend. Have a terrific weekend Crafty peeps...Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-85769697365116337492010-01-11T10:35:00.004-07:002010-01-11T11:11:25.373-07:00Love Struck 2010<center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011110.jpg"></center><br /><br />I seem to be enchanted with hearts these days. While two-thirds of the country may be finding icicles dripping from their tickers, it's safe to say that the blood is still flowing in my neck of the woods. (Which reminds me, I should really clear up the latest craft-blog rumor about myself: That story about me dating an entire NFL football team is so overblown. I swear. It was just the offensive line of the Indianapolis Colts--not the entire team.)<br /><br />Hearts are so randy... Now, where was I? Oh, hearts. Not to be obvious or anything, but Valentine's Day is soon upon us and Cupid will be looking to pierce his little sticks of love (or lust) into unsuspecting paramours around the world. I'll shortly be handing out my yearly application for potential boyfriends and other assorted play toys.<br /><br />One of the new timely releases from ProvoCraft's new line of seasonal limited-edition cartridges is appropriately entitled 'Love Struck 2010'. It features a very nice array of highly-detailed cuts celebrating all things love and hearts. This weekend, I played around with the cartridge a bit and thought I'd share a couple of examples of the intricate hearts found on this mini-cartridge. It's truly a must-have in my opinion (but, aren't they all usually?)<br /><br />These first two are base cut out of Bazzill cardstock and the overlay is cut from a piece of K & Co. decorative cardstock from the "Smitten" collection.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011110a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011110b.jpg"></center><br /><br />The final two examples (which I A-D-O-R-E-!) are cut with base layers of Bazzill white cardstock. The top layers are cut from Stampin' Up! textured cardstock in Melon Mambo. To really set off the intricate designs, I used a layer of Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects for gloss, sheen and added dimension.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011110d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011110e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/011110f.jpg"></center><br /><br />Now all of you crafty peeps, go break some hearts....Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-27620650068871304092009-12-17T03:33:00.005-07:002009-12-17T04:07:37.709-07:00MatryoshkaA matryoshka doll is also known as a Russian nested doll or babushka doll. The set of typically wooden dolls is of decreasing sizes which fit one inside the other. The word "matryoshka" (матрёшка) is derived from the Russian female first name "Matryona" (Матрёна). The word "babushka" is the Russian word for grandmother.<br /><br />Matryoshka dolls are said to have been inspired by souvenir dolls from Japan. The concept of nested objects was familiar in Russia at that time, having been applied to carved wooden apples and Easter eggs. They date from the 1890's and consist of a wooden figure which separates, top from bottom, to reveal another figure of the same sort inside, which has, in turn, another figure inside of it, and so on. The number of nested figures is usually five or more. The form is approximately cylindrical, with a rounded top for the head, tapering toward the bottom, with little or no protruding features; the dolls have no hands (except those that are painted). Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan. The figures inside may be of either gender; the smallest, innermost doll is typically a baby, and does not open. The artistry is in the painting of each doll, which can be extremely elaborate. Matryoshka dolls are often designed to follow a particular theme, for instance peasant girls in traditional dress, but the theme can be anything, from fairy tale characters to Soviet leaders.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709.jpg"></center><br /><br />The first Russian nested doll set was carved by Vasiliy Zvezdochkin (from a design by Sergei Maliutin), who was a folk crafts painter in the Abramtsevo estate of the Russian industrialist and patron of arts Savva Mamontov. The doll set was painted by Maliutin himself. Maliutin's design was inspired by a set of Japanese wooden dolls representing Shichi-fuku-jin, the Seven Gods of Fortune. Maluitin's doll set consisted of eight dolls -- the outermost was a girl holding a rooster, six inner dolls were girls, the fifth doll was a boy, and the innermost was a baby. In 1900, Savva Mamontov's wife presented the dolls at the World Exhibition in Paris, and the toy earned a bronze medal. Soon after, matryoshki dolls were being made in several places in Russia.<br /><br />I've long been fascinated by Imperialist Russian history and art. I am a student of the work of Peter Carl Faberge and a collector of eggs. The beauty in art, textiles, sculpture, jewelry molding, fashion, and other areas of Czarist Russia is truly breathtaking in its scope and grandeur. Wassily Kandinsky is another artist of the period that I adore.<br /><br />When I saw the early sample images of the new Cricut cartridge "Paisley", I was immediately drawn to the images of several matryoshka dolls. Of course, the entire cartridge is filled with delightful, whimsical images, but the matryoshka sold me immediately.<br /><br />Of course, I was dying to make a card with one of the pieced images. This card was my first attempt--and I have to say it holds a special place in my heart. For some reason, every now and again, the crafting muses align perfectly and a project has <i>just</i> the right combinations of colors, textures, and design elements. For me, this card is one of those watershed moments.<br /><br />The matryoshka image is cut at 3.75" on the Cricut Expression and consists of several layered pieces. The solid cardstocks are all textured Bazzill papers. The decorative paper for the mat and outer matryoshka layer is from Die Cuts With A View. The card base is an A2 piece of Stardream Fuse Mica cardstock in Ruby. The ribbon is 1/2" satin Stampin' Up! in Real Red. I also used the Stampin' Up! tag corner punch on both the card base and mat in all four corners. The crimson pearls are from Jennie Bowlin Studio and the inner journaling shield is from K & Co. The layers were adhered with SNAIL adhesive and the matryoshka is elevated with Stampin' Up! dimensionals. It's a very simple, yet strikingly elegant layout.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709a.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121709g.jpg"></center>Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-26866786180754389522009-12-11T08:05:00.003-07:002009-12-11T08:20:25.562-07:00Monkeying AroundThere is something just so darn adorable about this monkey! Every time I see him hanging around, I can't help but smile.<br /><br />The cardstock base is from DCWV 'Safari' stack. The card mat is Bazzill Bling cut with a Stampin' Up! Exclusive Top Note die and the Sizzix Big Shot. The monkey is a Sizzix Bigz Die (#655356 by artist Debi Adams) cut out of textured Bazzill cardstock. The greeting is a stamp from the Stampin' Up! 'A Little Somethin'' stamp set. I used a corner rounder on the card and inked the edges with a chamomile tea stain. Oh, and yes, the monkey is upside down on purpose...just hangin' around.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121109e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121109f.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/121109g.jpg"></center><br /><br />No matter where today finds you and your tail, keep smiling...and most importantly, keep crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-31461728935513502012009-12-07T04:04:00.007-07:002009-12-07T05:58:52.946-07:00Give'm That Ol' Razzle Dazzle...If you are anything like me, you're submersed in the wonderful world of gift wrapping, last-minute gifts, and decorating every nook and cranny of your home...and loving every second of it. Somehow, in all the madness, I've still found a few minutes here and there to work on a few projects (and of course, buy more supplies). We even had a surprise light dusting of snow on the grounds as December rolled in. It's been years since we've had an honest-to-goodness White Christmas in my neck of the woods, but a boy never stops dreaming.<br /><br />For today's quick card project, I have to say that I'm slightly disappointed that I didn't have more time to fidget with the camera to try and get some better shots of this card. It was my first time experimenting with the Stampin' Up! Heat & Stick Powder and the Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Let me just assure you that these pictures do a poor job of getting the glitz across. If you are a bling junkie, you really need to play with some of these wonderful powders and potions.<br /><br />The base of this A2-sized card is a piece of decorative cardstock from SEI's 'Glitzmas' collection. I used a 4 1/2" x 4" piece of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock to create the mat for the card. Both the card base and mat had the corners removed with the SU! Ticket Corner punch. <br /><br />I ran my white cardstock through my Sizzix Big Shot using the "Christmas Ornaments" Cuttlebug embossing folder. I then used a sponge dauber to apply Tsukineko Memento ink in "Lady Bug" to the embossed front. After the ink was set, I used a VersaMark pad to coat the raised portions of the embossing. Then it was time to sprinkle with Heat & Stick powder and get out the heat gun. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but the powder applies wonderfully and melts with minimum heat. As soon as my adhesive powder was melted, I scooped some Dazzling Diamonds glitter across the top, shook off the excess and reheated a bit for a final set.<br /><br />For the greeting, I used my SU! scalloped circle and circle punches, pieces of Riding Hood Red and Whisper White cardstock, some Tsukineko ink in "Cottage Ivy" and a stamp from the Stampin' Up! set 'Holiday Best'. (If you'll notice, I sort of missed the mark on my stamping job--but I convinced myself that it gave the piece the illusion of being a round ornament, lol). Sometimes mistakes do add a bit of charm to the finished project--or so I tell myself.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/120709a.jpg"></center> <br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/120709b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/120709c.jpg"></center> <br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/120709d.jpg"></center> <br /><br />Before I leave you for a pile of bows and tape dispensers, I thought I'd share a sneak peak of a home decor project that I'm working on. I think it's coming along nicely...and I'll share the completed project soon.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/120709h.jpg"></center> <br /><br />Wherever the day finds you, keep warm and more importantly, keep your heart warm...and keep crafting!Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293058314603337896.post-40272628346612926522009-11-23T14:58:00.005-07:002009-11-23T15:20:00.060-07:00A Sketch & A CardToday, I thought I'd try something a little bit different. We begin with a sketch that (hopefully) shows the folding card project I experimented with. I should warn you that is hand-drawn and not necessarily to scale, but I think it gives you the general idea as well as the key measurements. Of late, cards that include this type of stair-step folding seem to be all the rage. I think this one lends itself to a holiday card very nicely.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/112309a.jpg"></center><br /><br />Your base cardstock should measure 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". I chose to use a piece of Bazzill textured cardstock. The "trickiest" part of this card is a vertical cut that you must make from the 1" mark to the 6 3/8" mark. Where you decide to make the cut is entirely your option. Where you put the cut will determine the length of your stairstep folds. I made mine at 2" in from the left side of the cardstock. You can either use a craft knife and a straight edge or your paper trimmer to make the cut. Once you have made the cut, the rest of the card basically becomes an exercise in paper folding.<br /><br />You want to use a scoring tool (in my case the Scor-Pal) and score from the right side of your cardstock up to the cut line you made. You should score your paper at 1", 2", 3 1/8", and 6 3/8". Notice here, that your first and last score (1" & 6 3/8") should meet the beginning and end of your cut mark. There is one final score to make, but it is slightly different in execution than the others. This score mark will go all the way across the entire width of your cardstock at 4 1/4". This is also the midline of your cardstock (and your folded card). Once you play with you scored paper a bit, you'll see the natural way it fan folds to create the stairstepped effect. After you've folded and creased your paper, the fun begins as your canvas is now ready for your imagination.<br /><br />For my project, I used a piece of DCWV decorative paper measured to fit the front of my folded card in a complimentary shade of blue. For my cut-out decorative piece, I used my Cricut Expression and the new Limited Edition cartridge "When It's Cold Outsided 2009-2010". The large snowflake and the shadow were cut at 4". The snowmen came from the snowman snowflake. I merely trimmed them out of the snowflake with scissors and used adhesive to put them in the row in front of the giant snowflake. I liked the idea of the snowmen doing a secret unseen dance out in the snow in front of a giant snowflake (like their altar if you will). I added a Stampin' Up! rub on and sentiment to finish the card.<br /><br />This card type is lovely in that it creates its own stand and would look lovely displayed on a mantle or other decorative holiday display. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/112309b.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/112309c.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/112309d.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/112309e.jpg"></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.obliquity65.com/blogger/112309f.jpg"></center>Albert R. Gomezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451766207119144340noreply@blogger.com0