A.Go's Craftomonium

A Sketch & A Card

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:58:00 +0000

Today, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Destinations Décor

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:12:00 +0000

Recently, I added the Cricut 'Destinations' cartridge to my ever-growing library. Currently, this cartridge is an exclusive early release to HSN (available in a Gypsy bundle or as a separate purchase). It should be available in mass retail in December 2009.

I knew when I first heard about this release, it was going to be a 'must-have' for me. (But then again, aren't they all?) I've always loved the history and romance of old steamer trunks, valises, and portmanteaus covered with vintage labels/stickers from varied destinations and travels around the world. From the artwork, color combinations, landmarks, and world languages, they have always inspired and fascinated me. This cartridge takes that concept and gives it a modern twist. Covering locales and landmarks around the world--and cities in the United States--'Destinations' is a must for those with wanderlust and travel in their souls.

After glancing at some of the images, I was inspired to create a piece of home décor alteration. I've had a reproduction black steamer chest around my home for many years. It's served as an endtable, a book case, and numerous other functions in rooms around my house. I've decided to take it and decoupage it with 4" labels from landmarks around the world. While it will be a project in stages and over time, I thought I would show you two of the labels I created that will find their way onto the finished project as an introduction to 'Destinations'.

The first cut I made represents Rio de Janeiro ("River of January"), Brasil and features a depiction of its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. I chose to cut all the pieces out of white corduroy-textured Bazzill cardstock with my Cricut Gypsy and Expression, then color them with my Copic Sketch markers, and finally, adhere their layers with Zig 2-way Glue and Sakura Quickie pens.

Using the Brasilian flag as inspiration for my color combinations, this is what my finished label looked like:

The second locale I "visited" was Moscow, Russia and its magnificent St. Basil's Cathedral (The Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat). Here are the cuts for this project:

For this label, I had two inspirations for the color scheme. The first was Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' (reds and oranges of flames) and van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' (blues, whites, and blacks of the night sky).

So two down, only several dozen to go...lol. Hopefully, I'll keep you updated on this project as the steamer trunk gets a facelift. In the mean time, I strongly recommend you give 'Destinations' a "trip"...

Keep Crafting!

Snow & Witches?

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:33:00 +0000

It's that time of year where the collective psyche of all paper crafters kicks in high gear. From now until year's end, there are an abundance of holidays, projects, home decor, and gift ideas that dance in our heads like sugar plums on that fateful night.

I've been busy tackling several home decor and alteration projects (some of which may end up on this page). In between time, I've been on a kick with the holiday cards. Here are two more in my growing arsenal of designs:

This particular project was unique and satisfying in that the background images of this card are all hand stamped. I'm recently inspired to start creating some of my own 'decorative' papers for my projects.

(INGREDIENTS: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Guidelines I Grid Sheet White, Bazzill corduroy textured in Petroleum Blue and Ice Blue; Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Giga Guidelines' and 'Signature Christmas' sets; Inks: Tsukineko Memento in London Fog and Bahama Blue; Cricut & Gypsy Die Cuts: Christmas Solutions ornament and shadow cut; Adhesives: Zig 2-Way glue pen, Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots; Accents: Prima Marketing faceted rhinestone, Stampin' Up! 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Tempting Turquoise;)

This second card came from a negative cut of a piece I used on another project. Once again proving that your scraps can always inspire.

(INGREDIENTS: Cardstock: Bazzill corduroy textured in Raven Black and Spiced Pumpkin; Cricut and Gypsy Die Cuts: A Child's Year (witch outline), George & Basic Shapes (rectangle); adhesives: ATG 714;)

Interestingly, this card was dictated by the size of my negative diecut. It is a 4" x 4" square card and purposely layered the cardstock so that the waling texture was perpendicular to one another for more visual and textural interest.

Finally, I received a couple of new toys this week. My numerous years too old digital camera finally gave up the ghost. I still can't believe what wonderful pictures I got out of that 3.2 megapixel Canon. I stuck with the Canon family and upgraded to 10 megapixels. So, I'll be experimenting with images for a while--so bear with me. I also finally broke down and purchased a Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine. I was able to get in on a "goof" deal on the Sizzix website and purchased a Hello Kitty edition of the Big Shot for $29.99. At that price, I figure I can deal with a hot pink machine that doesn't match any of my other crafting tools. Of course, I had to buy the extended cutting pads, crease pads, and accoutrement. So, I hope to bring you some projects using it in later entries.

As always, bundle up from the chilly winds....and keep crafting!

Autumn...and One Last Gasp

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Here are a trio of recent card projects that I've designed.

(INGREDIENTS:Cardstock: Bazzill Textured, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; Stamps: Papertrey Ink "In Bloom" and "Text Style" sets; Inks: Tsukineko Memento in Rich Cocoa and Desert Sand; Copic Sketch Markers: E33 Sand, E34 Orientale, E35 Chamois, and E50 Egg Shell; Tools: Stampin' Up! Tag Corner Punch; Adhesives: ATG 714, Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals)

(INGREDIENTS:Cardstock: Bazzill Textured; Tools: Cricut Expression, Cricut Gypsy, Story Book Accents cartridge; Adhesives: ATG 714, Zig 2-Way Glue Pen; Accents: Kaiser rhinestones, Sakura Glitter Pen in Clear)

(INGREDIENTS:Cardstock: Bazzill Textured, DCWV Latte Stack; Tools: Sizzix/Stampin' Up! Top Note Bigz Die, ProvoCraft Cuttlebug; Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Greenhouse Garden" set; Inks: Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Bermuda Bay; Accents: Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects)

Halloween Tri-Fold Card

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:37:00 +0000

I know I've been on this Halloween kick! But, I suppose I'd better get it out of my system as Thanksgiving and Christmas soon approach. Today's card project was a bit different in construction and execution.

The basic shape of the card is a tri-fold. What's nice about this particular arrangement, is that it basically creates a "pocket" card that's wide enough to store a hidden surprise inside of. Say your favorite lollipop, tea, or cocoa (as examples). I made a few with Halloween candy in them, but I decided to show just a non-treat example for this entry.

The base cardstock for this project is cut at 5" x 11". I used Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry. The decorative paper (the "cover" if you will) is also Stampin' Up! from the Designer Series Paper collection entitled "Cast A Spell". It was also cut at 5" x 11". While there are numerous ways to adhere the two layers of paper together, I found that using my Xyron 510 is easiest. I simply ran the decorative paper through the Xyron and adhered it to my Crushed Curry base. Now, you are ready to score your card to create the gatefolds.

Using my Scor-Pal, I scored the cardstock layers at 3 1/2", 3 3/4", 7 1/4", and 7 1/2". Use a bone folder to ensure your card is properly creased at these score marks. Now the real fun begins.

I chose to use my ProvoCraft Gypsy to create a portion of this card. The "Autumn" greeting and shadow were cut on my Cricut Expression from the new "Gypsy Wanderings" cart. The two pumpkins used (and the corresponding shadows were cut from this exclusive-to-the-Gypsy electronic cartridge. (Can I just say I LOVE my Gypsy!) The acetate witch die-cut is from Little Yellow Bicycle. The mulberry paper orange jeweled flower is from Petaloo. The spider stamp is from Papertrey Ink. Finally, I used my Making Memories Slice to create the "Boo!" greeting from the "Spook Alley" card.

I cut the word "Autumn" and the two pumpkins out of white Bazzill cardstock as I wanted to handcolor them with my Copic Sketch markers. I still consider myself a beginning learner with the Copic markers, but I have to say nothing beats the shading effects you can obtain by using these markers. I'm particularly fond of the orange-to-yellow effects achieved on the card front.

I hope Autumn finds you well today...and as always, crafting!

Itty Bitty Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:20:00 +0000

This card uses one of the ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE images from a set put out by Pink Cat Studio called "Itty Bitty Halloween". The card base is Papertrey Ink cardstock, the decorative paper is DCWV. The mat is Stampin' Up! Whisper White with tea stained edges. The image is stamped with Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic Sketch markers. I used a corner rounder punch on opposite corners of all the papers to give it more visual interest. Finally, a line of Stickles in Orange Peel accents the card.

I forgot to take a shot of the inside: it has a black die-cut that says "Boo!". So boo to you my little pumpkins! Keep Crafting...

Release Your Inner Gypsy!

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:01:00 +0000

On September 24, 2009 at 12:00am EST, the highly anticipated world-wide launch of Provocraft's digital companion to the Cricut line of personal die cutting machines took place on HSN.

A special bundle was released for $299.99 that includes the Gypsy (including two exclusive cartridges and all the needed cables and cords), the protective sleeve, an AC adapter, a car charger, a bonus color-coordinated shoulder carrying bag, and the hard-to-get 'Don Juan' Cricut cartridge.

Apparently, crafter's were salivating at the chance of getting their (glue) sticky hands on the Gypsy. More than half of the original stock available to ship, sold out in its first hour of sale. Very few units are still available for your stragglers. You can find more information here.

Card Gallery #279

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:24:00 +0000

I promise you I'm not obsessed with Halloween. (Okay, maybe just a wee bit. Don't tell anyone.) But I had another scrap of the decorative paper from the treat box in the last entry and I hated for it to go to waste.

The second card is an interesting one (at least to me). I was inspired by book binding. I used extra strips of cardstock (the same I used for the base) to create a faux binding. It creates a natural offset for your decorative elements (in this case the glossy floral handcuts). The ribbon was a last minute addition--but the idea looks great with or without the ribbon. This is definitely a technique I want to experiment with more in the future.

Treat Boxes

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:35:00 +0000

This weekend, I felt the urge to experiment more with my Sizzix Matchbox Bigz XL Die (#114890, $42.95) that I purchased from Stampin' Up! With basically two diecut pieces of cardstock or other material, you can create wonderful multi-use boxes that are perfect for party favor, sweet treats, and small gifts. I worked with several types of cardstock and made versions of a baby shower treat box, a Thanksgiving prayer box, and the Halloween treat box pictured below.

I chose a rust colored textured cardstock to make the box out of. The tray insert portion actually requires no adhesive to put together (though you can add it for extra security). The sleeve portion of the box takes a small strip of sticky strip tape to construct. The diecut medallion on the top of the box is but one of the three choices you have to cut out with this Bigz XL die. I used a 2" strip of decorative paper with a Halloween theme to create the box band. Finally, the decorative topper--a whimsical jack o' lantern--is part of a new Stampin' Up! set called 'Pumpkin Patch' (#116499, $22.95) that was introduced in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog (see sidebar). I chose to fill my treat box with some lusciously juicy Sunkist Tangerine Jelly Belly beans. Trust me, the box contents were not long for this world.

May whatever treats you find stuffed in your inbox today be sweet and juicy! More importantly, smile and keep crafting...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:06:00 +0000

Yesterday, the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog went live. You can now order items from this lovely 39 page mini-catalog via my Stampin' Up business website (clink link in the sidebar) or from your favorite Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. The catalog has a great array of holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) themed stamp sets, embellishments, gift ideas, and projects. It also features the introduction of a new line of Build-A-Bear Workshop themed items. Finally, there is the introduction of the forthcoming jewelry line and a software suite called 'My Digital Studio'.

Today's card project features many items that you'll be able to find and purchase from the 2009-2010 Holiday Mini Catalog. This project uses Stampin' Up! Riding Hood Red cardstock (now retired) and decorative paper from the 'Merry Moments' DSP pack. The red cardstock is cut to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4". The decorative paper mat is cut at 4" x 4 1/2".

Using Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock and the new stamp set 'Delightful Decorations' (#116517, $21.95; p. 24) and the coordinating 'Ornament Punch' (#116794, $15.95; p. 25), I created my decorative elements using Stampin' Pads in Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, and Bermuda Bay. I chose three of the holiday ornament stamps and onced stamped, cut them out using the coordinating punch.

Once my ornaments were stamped and cut, I decided to use some Stampin' Up! Gold Elastic Cording (#109867, $4.95; p. 27) to tie a bow around the stem of each ornament for a bit more sparkle and visual interest.

I thought the ornaments looked right at home on this sheet of Designer Series Paper with green pine boughs scattered throughout. This paper is found in the 'Merry Moments' collection in the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog (#115672, $9.95; p. 160).

The decorative paper and ornaments called out for a traditional holiday color--red. So, I chose to go with a piece of the unfortunately retired Riding Hood Red cardstock (from last season's In Colors selections).

Using the Stampin' Up Tag Corner Punch (#107215, $6.95; p. 186), I contoured all four corners of both my base cardstock and Designer Series Paper mat. I then attached the mat with Stampin' Up! SNAIL Adhesive. The ornament pieces were attached with Stampin' Up! Stamping Dimensionals to give the card some depth and a focus on the ornaments. Finally, I decided to use a sentiment from another new stamp set entitled 'Four The Holidays' (#116921, $13.95; p. 19).

The sentiment was stamped with Basic Black ink and the card was complete.

Though the Christmas holiday season is yet a few months away, now is the time to be thinking about what design and format your holiday cards will take. If you've never made your own holiday cards, now's the perfect time to look at some of the marvelous ideas Stampin' Up! offers and get your feet wet and your brain oozing creativity. Some of the best gifts and rememberances are the ones that come from the heart--and from the hands.

I'm going to be hoping for snow this year(yet, again!) and wishing you all a very creative Wednesday! Keep Crafting...

Happy Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:08:00 +0000

I have a confession to make. I've recently become totally enamored of a Stampin' Up! cardstock color that often gets short shrift--Kraft. You can purchase a forty (40) count package of 8 1/2" x 11" 80lb. weight cardstock for $ 7.50 (#102125). Many people accuse the color of Kraft paper as being bland and boring. But with Summer dying its slow death, Autumn is right around the corner...and Kraft is the perfect color either as a main focus or accent to your projects. There's something about Stampin' Up! Kraft cardstock that is at once vintage and freshly modern. Another interesting thing about the Kraft cardstock is how wonderfully in coordinates and compliments the currently line of fabulously popular In Colors selections. Try pairing up some Kraft cardstock with Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, or Crushed Curry. I think you'll be surprised at the palette it opens up for your imagination and creativity.

I just finished making a set of card fronts for a Stampin' Up! swap I participated in and I used the combination of Kraft cardstock, Soft Suede cardstock, Soft Suede ink and a new stamp set that will be debuting tomorrow (09.01.09--which is the official launch of the new 2009-2010 Holiday Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!). The results (if I may say so myself) were striking. (I will share the project with you once my swap happens; Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't give the Philly Inkers a shout-out!)

Over the weekend, I tackled several more card projects using Kraft cardstock. The one I'll be sharing with you today is Autumnal in theme. I used a piece of 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" Kraft cardstock scored at 4 1/4" as my card base. I used a Martha Stewart corner rounder punch to lop off the four couners. The decorative mat paper is from 7 Gypsies. It is a slightly lighter shade of Kraft color base and has a very muted cranberry polka dot pattern to it. I thought the contrast in tones was intriguing. I rounded the corners of my decorative paper and then used a tea stain along the edges to draw the eye in. A strip of Stampin' Up! Close To Cocoa cardstock cut at 1 1/2" x 4" serves as a horizontal break in the design.

Using Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock to stamp my images and the Papertrey Ink stamp set entitled "Vintage Picnic", I used Tsukineko Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black to stamp my images. The basket and pumpkins were then hand-colored with Copic Sketch Markers. The sentiment was stamped on Whisper White and them punched out using the Stampin' Up! Modern Label Punch (#116630, $ 15.95). I then used a chamomille and chai blend tea dye to "age" the sentiment label and ink its edges. I adhered all of my elements with Stampin' Up! Two-Way Glue Pen and added a faux stitched accent with my Uniball Signo 1.0mm White Gel Pen.

I really love this particular Papertrey Ink stamp set--it is very versatile. I also like this project because it shows that you can mix-and-match your scraps and come up with a cohesive project. It's no secret I love using Stampin' Up! products. But, I love many different companies and lines and often mix products in projects and designs. Don't box yourself in to thinking that you need to be "matchy--matchy" in your crafting. Papers, stamps, ribbons, and embellishments from a host of different manufacturers often create stunning synergy.

So here's a look at the finished card. Whatever you are harvesting today, may you do it with a smile on your face and love in your heart. Keep Crafting!

O Christmas Tree Pop-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:34:00 +0000

Today I turn 44. So, I thought I'd share a sneak peak of something I bought as one of those "present(s)-to-myself". This exclusive Stampin' Up! Sizzix Bigz XL die will be available in the upcoming Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini-Catalog, which will be active from September 1, 2009 through January 4, 2010. The die is called "O Christmas Tree Pop-Up" (#116822) and will retail for $42.95. This Bigz XL die and a complementary ornament Sizzlits die were designed by artist Karen Burniston.

I used some Bazzill Bling cardstock and my Cuttlebug to cut out the pieces for my tree assembly. To create this pop-up, you will need one (1) cut of each of the largest tree shapes, four (4) of the smaller tree silhouettes, four (4) of the triangular tree pieces, and one (1) of the base piece (which attaches your tree pop-up to your card base if you choose to use it in a card fashion). Of course, this Bigz XL die is highly versatile for use in home decor, holiday decorations and other Christmas projects. Here are the cuts used in this project:

The assembly of the actual Christmas tree pop-up is relatively easily and I highly recommend reading the enclosed instruction sheet with the die before you begin. After a bit of awkwardness the first time, it becomes a logical process. Amazingly, the assembly of the tree does not require any adhesive or other fasteners. It is comepletely built on a tab and slot construction.

Here are a few shots of the construction portion of the project:

Once you have your basic pop-up tree constructed, the real fun begins: trimming your tree. As I mentioned, there will be a Sizzix Sizzlits die that will cut a star tree topper and various shaped ornaments in the Stampin' Up! Holiday-Mini catalog. (You'll have to wait to see that! I can't just spill everything...). For this tree, I thought it might be fun to use some of my Basic Grey Bling jewels to decorate my tree. Using various colors and shapes of stones, this is what I ended up with:

The fact that I used so many three-dimensional rhinestones as decorations does not make this pop-up tree the ideal candidate for a card. But, I did it anyway so that you can see the possibilities. The one little odd piece from the original cuts is all that is required to attach the tree to a card. Here, you will need a bit of adhesive. I have to admit that I'm absolutely intrigued by the engineering behind this pop-up mechanism. It's quite brilliant.

This is but one of the new and brilliant ideas and products coming in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini 2009-2010 catalog. The stamps are adorable and the accessories are all MUST HAVES. (Trust me, if you saw my preview order you'd understand!) Over the next couple of weeks, I'll continue to give you a few sneak peaks of things coming down the pike in Santa's Big Bag of Surprises. Until then, Keep Crafting!

Candy Corn Explosion

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:19:00 +0000

I came upon this lovely sheet of candy corn paper from a Die Cuts With A View Fall Stack from last year. It inspired me to play with a couple of Martha Stewart punches and create a couple of Halloween themed cards.

I have to say that I am completely in LOVE with the new Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page punch sets. Additionally, the new wing-edged punches are a dream when it comes to folding them up and conserving on storage space. I recently purchased the Spider Web punch set and finally found a source to order my Loopy Border set. I even re-purchased the Drippy Goo punch just to get the wing-edged version.

Both cards are A2 size and the card base is Bazzill textured cardstock in Raven. The first card features a Drippy Goo border on the decorative mat. The stamped skull image is from the new Stampin' Up! Halloween set entitled "From The Crypt" (#115460, $22.95). It was stamped on Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock (#100730, $7.50 for 40 sheets) with a Classic Stampin' Pad in Only Orange (#102696, $5.95). The sentiment is from the Stampin' Up! set "Teeny Tiny Wishes" (#115370, $36.95). The card is accented with a Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen in Orange.

The second card showcases the same decorative DCWV paper. I cut a piece at 3 1/4" x 5" and used both the Martha Stewart Wing Edger Spider Web punch and the Corner Spider Web punch to create the all-around border. To highlight the web cuts, I adhered the decorative paper to a piece of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock cut at the same size. I used the Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch (#107214, $6.95) on the four corners as an accent.

Medallion

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:45:00 +0000

I guess it is rather gauche to say, but I really love this card. There's just something about the combination of colors and textures that makes me happy.

The centerpiece of the card is one of the new stamps from the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog called "Medallion" (#115223, $17.95). It's a very large damask-inspired background stamp that is very Parisian in feel and style. Because the image is so large, you can really be creative with it--making it a subtle element or a focal point of a card, scrapbook page, or home decor project.

The base of this card is a piece of 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" Stampin' Up! cardstock in Night of Navy, scored at 4 1/4". The mat of Papertrey Ink's Stamper's Select White cardstock is cut at 4" x 5". The Medallion image was stamped in two parts. First, the offset image was stamped on the card mat with Tsukineko Memento Ink in Blue Danube. Then, I restamped the image in Tsukineko Memento Bahama Blue and cut out only the center circle portion and adhered it to the card mat image. The button is from Papertrey Ink's Enchanted Evening Collection and was sewn on the cardstock with their Rustic Jute Button Twine. The card mat was then sponged on the edges with Tsukineko Memento Bahama Blue and adhered to the card base. A diecut journaling block was added to the card interior as the cardstock was so deep in color. The finished piece has a charming couture charm to it (if I may so myself).

Coloration

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:49:00 +0000

One of the things that fascinates me most about paper crafting (and crafting, in general) is choosing colors for a project. I swear I can literally spend hours flipping through reams of cardstock, paper stacks, mat stacks and decorative papers browsing and matching, placing swatches and pages side-by-side, changing my mind again and again. I guess in the end--and something I find true of many crafters--we are all paper addicts. Can you really ever have enough paper? I, myself, am trying to debunk this myth apparently. I would never admit this in public, but I think when you have so much paper you actually have to pack some of it away, there might be a problem. But, then again, I tell my therapist it's just my back-up plan.

This card began with a scrap piece of paper left over from a card project from a few days ago (the chandelier card). It was a strip of lovely cardstock from the new Die Cuts With A View stack called "Downtown Loft" that is an exclusive to JoAnn's. It was a green tiled cardstock that had squares of high-gloss interspersed throughout. Since it wasn't large enough to actually use as a card base or mat, I decided to take one of my Martha Stewart punches ("Oak Leaf") down from the rack and punch out as many pieces as I could from the scrap.

As I started playing with my punched-out pieces, I soon was fascinated with a wreath-like shape. I punched out a 1 3/8" circle of white cardstock and and 1 3/8" circle of decorative paper from scraps. Using a Zig 2-way adhesive pen, I attached each leaf stem to the back of the white cardstock circle. Once it was complete, I adhered the decorative paper circle to the white circle. Then I stared at it for a while and decided it "needed" a bit more __________? I ended up piercing a hole through the center and using a Stampin' Up! Corduroy Button in Kiwi Kiss. (Are we sensing a green theme?)

Next, I went looking for papers to mount my creation on. After much thought, I ended up choosing Stardream Fuse Mica cardstock in Fairway for my A2 card base. The card mat is from the DCWV "Taj Mahal" mat stack. After everything was adhered together, I was struck by the fact that an Indian influenced design worked so well with the seemingly incongruent wreath design. One might even daresay it's rather "Christmas-y" in it's overall look. Yet, it could serve as a general everyday notecard.

Sometimes it is a game of trial and error. But, that's not really the right term. For in my opinion, there are no errors...just ideas that don't quite workout like you thought they might. Expressing your creativity and experimenting is a very large part of the entire crafting process.

Keep coloring your world....and as always, crafting...

All Hallow's Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:25:00 +0000

I am completely enamored by this new Stampin' Up! Halloween stamp called "All Hallow's Eve" (#113264, $17.95). It's a very large stamp and is deeply etched for maximum detail. I will admit that the size makes it a bit cumbersome to stamp with (and you may have to stamp a few times before you get a print that you're truly happy with). You may also want to ink your stamp with a brayer for larger and quicker coverage.

The card base is Stardream Fuse Mica cardstock in Flame. The image was stamped on Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock with Tsukineko Memento ink in Tuxedo Black. The card mat and base were punched with the Stampin' Up! Tag Corner Punch (#107215, $6.95). The ribbon is from artiste extraordinaire Marah Johnson and Creative Imaginations (LOVE IT!). I used a Sakura Metallic Ink Pen in Orange Flame for accent and a Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Journaling Pen in black for the freehand sentiment.

May your ghosts and goblins always bring treats...and Keep Crafting!

Cricut Exploration: Home Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:04:00 +0000

I have a horrible confession to make. Over the weekend, I finally took my poor ignored Cricut Expression off the shelf and played with him. It's not my intent to be a neglectful father. However, my limited crafting space does not allow me to leave my Circut set up for easy use. I'll admit, it's a bit of laziness on my part; That, and a combination of being busy using other techniques and ideas.

This weekend, I decided to explore the Cricut Solutions Home Decor cartridge. After a few imperfect cuts and a blade change, I made a few elements for some card layouts. I really enjoy the modern and fashion-forward look of the cuts on this cartridge.

This first card features the bumblebee cut at 3". This card also features an embossed layer using the exclusive Stampin' Up! Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions folder by Sizzix. I used Stickles in Fruit Punch to highlight the center of each flower. The bottom is trimmed with the Stampin' Up! Scallop Edge punch. I enhanced the Cricut cutout with a pair of googly eyes and a bit of glitter pen. But my favorite element is the wings. I used a piece of clear acrylic plastic to back the wings showcasing a design of black swirls and flourishes. I really love the effect.

The next card uses the stylized cupcake image on Home Decor cut at 3". The base and mat cardstocks are both Bazzill Bling. The sentiment stamp is Stampin' Up! The real highlight of this card is the coloration of the cupcake. I was striving for an airbrushed (without actually airbrushing) look using my Copic Sketch markers. Using a lot of blending, I think I achieved a fairly decent interpretation of the coloration.

The final card features the chandelier cut from Home Decor. I absolutely ADORE this cut. I cut it at 3" in a yellow Bazzill cardstock. I then used Copic 110 to color in the chandelier leaving the original yellow "bulbs" uncovered. The chandelier is attached to a strip of DCWV Modern Loft cardstock that has been edged with the Stampin' Up! Eyelet Border punch. I used a Stampin' Up! clear rhinestone brad to attach the chandelier to the strip. The sentiment stamp is from Unity Stamp Company. The base cardstock is from the Die Cut With A View Downtown Loft Stack. This is my absolute favorite stack of the new JoAnn Exclusive releases.

Until next time, Keep Crafting!

Little Monsters

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:34:00 +0000

For some strange reason of late, I seem to be preoccupied with Christmas. Which is a bit weird since it's more than five months away. My mind is exploding with Christmas card layouts and holiday projects. Most of them are being written in my "inspiration" notebook for perusal at a later date.

But, another holiday struck my fancy yesterday (even though it is still a few months away as well)--Halloween. I recently purchased a terrific set of stamps from Unity Stamp Company called "Little Monsters". They are the most adorable Halloween inspired images. If they don't make you smile, I think a part of you might be dead--which come to think of it might just fit with the holiday!

This card project is a standard A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"). The base cardstock is Stardream Mica Fuse in Flame. The accent cardstock is by Core'dinations from the All In The Family collection in Orange. It's been cut at 3 1/2" x 4 1/4" and edged with the Stampin' Up! Scallop Border Punch. It was then run through the Cuttlebug with the Tiny Mosaic Folder and sanded with a Stampin' Up! Snow Block.

The Baby Frankenstein and Witch's Hat are from the Unity Stamp Set "Little Monsters" and stamped on Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select White Cardstock using Tsukineko's Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black. I then colored both images using Copic Sketch Markers. They were adhered to the embossed cardstock with Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals. The scalloped piece was then adhered to the card base with my ATG 714 adhesive gun. For the card sentiments, I used two other stamps ("little monster" and "trick or treat") from the "Little Monsters" set. Something about this card just makes me feel like a little kid again (Not that I'm not accused of the fact more often than I care to admit!). I hope this card gets your "little monsters" waking from the graveyard of holiday's future and inspires you to create something in honor of ghosts and goblins that float by us each and every day! Keep Crafting....

Quilting In The Greenhouse

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:42:00 +0000

The art of quilting is an amazing source of inspiration. Taking needle and thread and combining two or more layers of material produces a landscape of textures, colors, and patterns. Adapting ideas from quilting into your cardmaking is an easier transition than you might first imagine.

Today's card project uses the illusion of quilting blocks to create a background for stamped images. You can really use your eye for color and pattern to create some mesmerizing tableaux. You can go bold or subtle. You can go for harmonious or contrasting designs. You'll find yourself playing with your paper blocks--rearranging, rotating, and replacing them over and over.

I chose the following papers to work on this card: the card base is Stardream Fuse Mica Paper in Copper cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; the decorative papers are Basic Grey 6" x 6" from the Marrakech collection; and a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select white cardstock.

To begin creating the quilting pattern for my card, I used an EK Success 1" square paper punch. The 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white cardstock will be the base upon which I'll layer my quilting blocks. Using the punch, you'll need to cut out ten (10) 1" x 1" squares of each piece of your patterned paper selections.

Now is when your creative juices really need to kick in. Play with your blocks and look at colors and patterns. Lay them out like a puzzle and try to find the best patchwork design for your project. Once you've settled on a pattern, you can begin adhering your blocks on the cardstock base. I used Stampin' Up! SNAIL adhesive to begin attaching my quilt blocks.

Next, I chose to use my Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Bigz Top Note Die (a Stampin' Up! Exclusive) to add another element of visual interest to my quilted background. Sandwiching the die and quilted cardstock between the two "B" plates, quickly and easily runs through the Cuttlebug.

For the stamped image to complete the look of my card, I chose to use the Stampin' Up! Greenhouse Garden stamp set (I LOVE this set!). I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to create a two-step floral image and stem. The inks I chose to use are Tsukineko Memento in Pear Tart and Cottage Ivy. I stamped my image on Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock and trimmed around the the images. I also chose to add a piece of Stampin' Up! Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon to the quilted background.

I attached the stem using a Zig 2-way Glue Pen and tucked the end behind the ribbon. The flower is attached using Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals. I also chose to adhere the entire quilted block with Stampin' Dimensionals to give my card the layered visual interest that allows the images to pop from the very deep and glittery cardstock base.

Until next time, keep crafting!

Product Spotlight: Stampin' Up! Sizzix Lattice Bigz Die

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:09:00 +0000

One of the products lines that really piqued my interest in the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog was the Sizzix Bigz Dies. I ordered several of them (and have several others picked out for upcoming orders). While I have thus far avoided the temptation of the Sizzix Big Shot, I was really happy when I found out the Bigz die line will work perfectly in Provocraft's Cuttlebug.

I purchased the Top Note Bigz Die (#113463, $21.95), the Tulipe Bigz Die (#113457, $21.95), and the Lattice Bigz Die (#115958, $21.95) to start experimenting with and quickly fell in love with their ease of use and versatility.

If you do not have a Sizzix die cutting machine, these dies will work in your Cuttlebug. The proper "sandwich" recipe is: Plate B, Sizzix Bigz Die, cardstock (or other material), Plate B. There is no need to use the Plate A spacer block. The die I chose to feature in this post is the Sizzix Lattice Bigz Die, which is an exclusive die to Stampin' Up!. The actually die is approximately 5 1/2" x 6" and 5/8" in thickness. I didn't photograph the actual die, as truthfully, there's not much to look at as it is encased in protective foam and a plastic shell. But, the real magic is the effect it produces. The Sizzix Bigz dies can cut varying thicknesses of paper, cardstock, vinyl, wood sheets, crafting metal, and fabric to name a few.

I started just by running a piece of cardstock through my Cuttlebug and was really inspired by the shape of the lattice cutout. The uses are really almost endless.

The pattern of the lattice cut-out is perfect for cardmaking and scrapbooking. You can choose to feature it in the foreground or background of your project. You can use multiple cuts to make larger layouts, chains, and decor pieces. I immediately thought it would look lovely on a card as a makeshift trellis for displaying flowers.

I was also intrigued by the geometric possibilities of the shape itself. For instance, taking two diecuts, you can create a wonderful design shape that calls to mind florals and snowflakes. These would be terrific for creating a mobile for a baby's crib/room or party decorations. Imagine these cut in foils for the sparkle and attention that they'd receive.

I decided to experiment with a quick card layout. I took two lattice cuts from the same color cardstock and ran them through my Xyron 510 (as a quick and easy way of applying adhesive to the backs of the design. I then lined them one on top of the other to create a seamless design element for the background of my card. A quick sentiment (Stampin' Up! Teeny Tiny Wishes Set #115370)stamped on Whisper White cardstock and punched out with the new Modern Label Punch (#116630) and a couple of jeweled and glittered floral embellishments later...

I highly recommend that you check out the Sizzix Bigz die-cutting line if you've not experienced working with them. They give you immediate satisfaction and endless design possibilities. More importantly, they are a snap to use--quick and easy. These days, anything that shortens our prep time and gets us to putting our valuable inspiration to use can't be a bad thing, can it?

I see another collection in my future! Whatever you see in yours, take some time out and grab your favorite beverage, steal yourself away from the never-ending hubbub of the day, and make something. Until next time, keep crafting!

Card Glimpses

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:44:00 +0000

Of late, I seem to have found this deep fountain of ideas for card layouts and techniques I want to try. The problem of course is one as old as time. Well, actually, it is time. For as many ideas as I have, there never seems to be enough time to get them all realized. I suppose that is a good thing--since inspiration and creativity can sometimes be moody playmates.

I just received a huge order of new stamp sets from Stampin' Up! and have been busy preparing them (EZ-Mount) for the calendar cases I store them in. There really are some marvelous new sets and artwork in the 2009-2010 catalog. Among some of my new favorites are: 'All Hallow's Eve', 'Beware Pirates', 'Extreme Elements', 'Medallion', 'Pendant Park', 'On A Pedestal', 'Greenhouse Garden', 'From The Crypt', and 'Chic Boutique'. I also finally broke down and ordered the Color Caddy and extender kit. I was never quite sure this is the route I wanted to take for my Stampin' Pad storage, but now I'm very happy I did. Of course, not all of my pads fit. But, it does make a great home for the four major color groupings (Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals and Soft Subtles), as well as the last twelve In Color ink pads. It provides a great visual reminder of the palette that is available in my stamping ideas.

The weather here has been ridiculously hot. Though, I suppose that's just further impetus to stay inside and create. Wherever you are and whatever your weather, keep crafting!

Picnic Season

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:25:00 +0000

I hope this upcoming Fourth of July finds you close to family and friends. Have a safe and sane celebration of our Miss Liberty's 233rd birthday.

This card project highlights two new stamp sets released by the fabulous Papertrey Ink bunch. I highly recommend you check out Vintage Picnic and Vintage Picnic Sentiments which are used in this project.

Project Recipe:

base cardstock: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede cardstock;
5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
mat cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock;
4" x 5"
envelope: Stampin' Up! Kraft A2 envelope
stamps: Papertrey Ink Vintage Picnic & Vintage Picnic Sentiments
embellishment: Petaloo Dazzler floral embellishment
punch: Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch
accent: Uniball Signo White Pen
inks: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black, Papertrey Ink Tea Dye in Chai Blend
Copic markers: E29 (Burnt Umber), E31 (Brick Beige), E37 (Sepia), R24 (Prawn), R27 (Cadmium Red), R29 (Lipstick Red), G14 (Apple Green), G16 (Malachite), Y04 (Acacia), YG13 (Chartreuse)

Sneak Peek!: Crushed Curry & Soft Suede

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:19:00 +0000

On July 1, 2009, the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog goes into effect. There are so many wonderful new stamp sets and products in store for all of us. I know my wish list is bursting at the seams (and unfortunately, I'm sure I will buy it all...lol).

One of the exciting unveilings is the addition of six new colors to the In Colors line. The new colors are: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Dusty Durango. These colors will be available in Stampin' Pads, ink refills, cardstock, ribbon, and other products. I've had these products for a while now and I have to say they are a beautiful palette of colors and they integrate wonderfully with the regular Stampin' Up! color spectrum.

However, from the outset, I have to admit that there are two colors that I have fallen ABSOLUTELY head-over-heels for. They are so made for one another and I think they are going to become Stampin' Up! classics: Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.

Today, I've decided to give you a slight sneak peak into the color duo with a card project. I'm also highlighting one of the new stamp set releases that will be in the new catalog entitled "Circle Circus". This project is quick and easy, but I think it illustrates the endless possibilities of two of my new favorite colors.

The card will be a standard A2 size. The mat is cut from Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". The cardstock base is Soft Suede cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". This card utilizes two stamps from the upcoming "Circle Circus":,as well as inks in Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.

Circle Circus, (10) stamps

2009-2010 In Colors Crushed Curry and Soft Suede

To begin the card, I cut a mat of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". Using one of the stamps from "Circle Circus" and the Crushed Curry Stampin' Pad, I randomly stamped the image on mat cardstock.

Using the same image, I used the Soft Suede Stampin' Pad for contrast and visual interest. Don't be too concerned with careful placement of the image. Many times overlapping the image or stamping off the cardstock creates really beautiful accents that draw the eye. Randomness in a good thing.

After looking at my mat for a few minutes, I decided I needed a little "more". So, I went back to "Circle Circus" and picked out one of the smallest images to fill in some of the blank space. Of course, the danger is always that you make your card too busy. So, you just have to practice and learn to train your eye. Sometimes, it doesn't work out so well...and it's back to the drawing board. In this instance, I think it was a good call.

When I was happy with my card mat, the question turned to which color to use for my card base. In truth, I think either new In Color Crushed Curry or Soft Suede would have worked. But, I was drawn to the Soft Suede.

I cut the 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock in half, which creates two A2 card sizes at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Using my Scor-Pal (a MUST-HAVE tool in any crafter's arsenal), I scored the cardstock at 4 1/4".

Now that I was ready to assemble my card, I thought it needed one final touch: ribbon. While the new In Colors line comes in a matching polka dot ribbon, I thought that the dots would fight too much with the circle patterns of the stamping. I saw a piece of Stampin' Up 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip and thought it would be the perfect addition.

However, during assembly with my trusty ATG714 adhesive gun, I changed my mine (always a crafter's prerogative). I thought the 5/8" ribbon was a tad too wide and switched it to the 3/8" Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (in Chocolate Chip) instead. Here's the final card and a close-up detail.

Remember, the new In Colors and stamp sets will be available on July 1st. You can order through my website (link on the sidebar) or your preferred Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I, for one, am impatiently awaiting to place my order! Whatever you do today, take some time out to work on a project. It's good for your soul! Keep smiling...and Keep Crafting!

New Toys, New Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:16:00 +0000

In the "I'm Sure This Is Not Breaking News" department, I must report that I've been a very, very bad boy on the spending front. (*gasps ring out from the stunned masses--or not*) I've recently become a big fan of Unity Stamp Company and their deeply-etched red rubber stamps. They've got some terifically quirky artwork. Many of their stamps are already mounted on cling mount foam and ready to use. The quality is superb. I recently joined their "Kit Of The Month" club, as well as purchased several sets that I just "had" to have.

I've also another terrible confession to make. As much as I love my Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, as well as my Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Many Marverlous Marker Set, I've succumbed to that Japanese virus called Copics. I embarrassed to say that my first purchase was a set of twelve (12) of the Original Copics. I bought them without really knowing enough to make an informed purchase--or realizing that I much prefer the Sketch marker. That said, I now own seventy-two (72) and counting Sketch markers and I LOVE THEM! Now, I am no where near the talent level of many of my fellow crafters when it comes to Copic technique and blending accumen. But I am certainly enjoying self-teaching myself. I can definitely see progress, but I have of hours of practice ahead of me. The major problem with Copics is that they are truly, hideously ADDICTING! No matter how many you have in your collection, it is never enough.

Of course, I also have been through the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog (several times) and have been honing my lists up and down. Needless to saying, I'm chomping at the bit for July 1st to arrive so that I can place the first of what I'm sure will be several orders. So far, I haven't had the intestinal fortitude to add up the total of my current list. But, I do love surprises, LOL!

Well, enough about my shopping habits. Here are a few cards I've worked on in recent days. I've tried to include all the product information, but if you have any specific questions (and/or comments), please feel free to drop an e-mail or leave a comment and I'll try to get the information you need to you.

Feel Better Card: (base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Citrine; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis, Stardream Fuse Mica in Fairway, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; punches: EK Success Corner Adorner--Fountain Fun, Martha Stewart Branch punch, EK Success Corner Rounder; stamps: Stampin' Up! Pretty Peony Set (retired), Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages; inks: Palette Hybrid Ink in Water Lily Green and Prussian Blue, Tsukineko Brilliance in Starlight Silver;)

Friendship Card: (base cardstock: Bazzill Bling in Emerald City; decorative paper: Basic Grey Offbeat Collection; mat cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; punch: Stampin' Up! Tag Corner Punch; stamps: Gel-é-tins Sheltering Tree Set; inks: Tsukineko Memento in Cottage Ivy, Tsukineko Brilliance in Pearlescent Thyme, Tsukineko Memento in Potter's Clay, Tsukineko Memento in Rich Cocoa; accent: Uniball Signo UM-153 in Gold;)

Missing You Pocket Card: (base cardstock: Bazzill Textured cardstock, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; decorative paper: Papertrey Ink Men Of Life Collection; punches: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Circle Punch and 1 3/8" Circle Punch; ribbon: Stampin' Up! Striped 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon in Pacific Point (retiring); stamps: Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages set; ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black; tab: K & Co. Mira collection;)

Anniversary Card: (base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Citrine, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; mat cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Rose Quartz; decorative paper: Papertrey Ink Hodge Podge Collection; punch: EK Success Corner Adorner--Fountain Fun; stamps: Stampin' Up! Fifth Avenue Floral (#113734), Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages set; copic markers: RV21 (Light Pink), RV04 (Shock Pink), R24 (Prawn), R27 (Cadmium Red), R32 (Peach), and V12 (Pale Lilac); ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black;)

Raining Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Albert R. Gomez) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:37:00 +0000

This morning the loud crack and roar as thunder and lightning dueled in the black sky was my wake-up call...literally. What followed was a very rare downpour to clear the dust away for the morning's arrival.

I've been told I'm strange. (Whoa, big surprise there!?) I'm one of the (apparently) few people that is inspired by dark and gloomy weather. Unfortunately, I live in the middle of a desert. So, dark and gloomy are rare visitors. I've always wondered if I shouldn't be living in Seattle, but I digress. Something about dark, overcast days really gets my creative juices flowing. It inspires me to write--and craft.

Here are a few of the cards I made in a thunderstorm of inspiration:

(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Azalea; mat cardstock: Core'dinations in Love Potion; Cuttlebug folder: Floral Fantasy; ribbon: American Crafts; sentiment: Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages; ink: Tsukineko Staz-On Jet Black; accent: Sakura Glaze Pen in Black, Clearsnap Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink in Siren; distressed with Basic Grey file set)

(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Kunzite; mat cardstock: Die Cuts With A View La Creme; stamps: Papertrey Ink Floral Frenzy set; accent: Sakura Glaze Pen in Black; punches: corner rounders; EK Success & Stampin'Up!)

(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis; mat cardstock: Core'dinations in Love Potion; Cuttlebug folder: D'vine Swirls; stamps: Stampin' Up! Crazy For Cupcakes (#111618); inks: Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Markers (#105541), Clearsnap Smooch Pearlized Accent Inks in Azure, Gold Lamé, Green Apple, Silver Fox, and Siren; distressed with Basic Grey file set)

(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Fairway; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Gold, Stampin' Up! Whisper White (#100730); stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi-Step Lilies; inks: Tsukineko Memento Ink in Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Dandelion, Tuxedo Black, and Potter's Clay)

(base cardstock: Die Cuts With A View Tahiti Beach; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis, Stampin' Up! Whisper White (#100730); stamps: Basic Grey Ambrosia Halvah set; inks: Tsukineko Memento in Danube Blue and Bahama Blue, Palette Ink in New Canvas; punches: Stampin' Up! Corner Rounder (#109047) and Tag Corner (#107215))

(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Aquamarine; mat cardstocks: Papertrey Ink Hodge Podge Collection, Stampin' Up! Whisper White (#100730); stamps: Clearsnap Rollograph Wheel Chinese Noodles; inks: Stampin' Up! Brilliant Blue Stampin' Around Cartridge (#100871), embellishment: K & Co Layered Accent from Wild Raspberry Collection; accent: Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Marker in Night Of Navy (#100069))

I had a few more, but I think you get the idea! :-) I love these bursts of creativity and inspiration! The problem is sustaining them. So, no matter what weather you awake to...Keep Creating & Crafting!