My Daughter's Wish

Designer Extra

This week we're beginning something new here at MDW, the Designer Extra. We all need a little creative kick in the pants every now and then, and we're here to offer up our very best artistic steel toe boot salute just for you! Every two weeks we'll be offering up a technique, layout idea or small project for you to try. We'll kick things off with two easy card designs featuring Tinkering Ink papers and Chatterbox "Eclectique" clear stamps.

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to purchase the Chatterbox stamp set. It is very different from the style I usually buy, and I wasn't sure how much use I'd get out of them. Boy, I certainly had nothing to fear! They have been my go-to stamps for the last three months! I've made at least two dozen different cards with them, as well as using them on layouts. Birthday, wedding, kids, love- they have worked with a wide variety of themes. With their bright color and bold designs, Tinkering Ink papers are perfect for summertime, birthday and celebratory layouts, but those same qualities make them perfect for cards, too! So, what are you waiting for? Let's get started!

For the "Born to Fly" card you'll need Tinkering Ink "Woodland Sprite", blue Bazzill cardstock, scraps of red, green and white cardstock, and a Making Memories button brad. Since these are just the card "faces", you will need to attach them to folded cardstock or a pre-made card.

Directions: Cut a 4.25 by 5.5 inch piece from both the Tinkering Ink and Bazzill papers. Cut away part of the Tinkering Ink paper, following the design. Attach patterned paper to cardstock background. On a scrap piece of cardstock, stamp Chatterbox bird with Archival Ink. Cut out bird and punch eye; attach bird to card and draw feet with a pen. Stamp Chatterbox "Born to Fly" on scrap; cut out and attach to card. Punch a flower from red cardstock, and pierce brad through center. Cut a thin strip of green cardstock and wrap ends around a pencil to curl paper. Attach both pieces to card with glue dots. Attach card face to folded card.

The "Lovin' Life" card is super easy! Cut a 4.25 by 5.5 inch piece of Tinkering Ink "D'Vine." Tear a page from an old book and ink the torn edges with black soot Distress Ink; attach to card. Stamp Chatterbox bird and heart on page with Archival Ink. Stamp "lovin' life" on reverse side of "D'Vine." Cut out and attach to card. Glue face to a pre-folded card and you're done!

Now, that wasn't too hard, was it? Check out all of the Tinkering Ink papers at My Daughter's Wish. They make great birthday, congratulation and kid's cards!

Cheers!
Casey

I'm Leaving, on a Jet Plane...

...actually, more like a van. A mini van to be exact. Stuffed full with a week's worth of clothes and food, mostly for the monkeys. Oh yeah, the monkeys are coming too. It'll be so relaxing--a four hour road trip to Tahoe with three kids. HA!!! I debated whether or not to bring some scrappy supplies--you know, for all that extra "alone" time I'll have in between the monkeys wanting to be fed, complaining about where we are going next, and fighting over the yellow sand bucket because the red one is just not cool anymore. I am one of those "at the moment" scrappers--I can't plan a page or mini album and pack a nice tidy kit to bring to a crop. I have to bring EVERYTHING because I just don't know what I'll need until that very moment. Like last week when the kids were in sports camp (thank you Parks and Rec!!!!) and my scrappy friend came to scrap the childfree hours away---I actually brought down entire desk drawers--not to mention stacks of plastic storage drawers, all the paper holders, and, well, basically I cleared out my scrap space from upstairs and brought it downstairs. I was content. Everything there. Except the computer. I need to figure out how to get one for downstairs....

Anyway, so I am leaving in a few hours and I am still debating if I should pack some papers. And paint. And ribbon, and ohhhh I think I may need those buttons, and what about some stamps? I'll need a few alpha sets, those flourishes I haven't used in two years, and googly eyes!!! Can't forget googly eyes! Can my scrap desk fit in the back of the van? I know, I think I'll let hubby and the monkeys have some good quality time together this week. I'll stay home with my stuff.

But before I go, I want to know how you manage to scrap while on vacation--let's share the tips! Leave a comment and I'll have one of the monkeys (or maybe the big ape himself) draw a name for a $20 gift certificate for the store--online shopping even!!! I'll send the winner my addy so she'll know what to put down for "shipping address". What? I don't get to win my own contest? Oh well. Better get finished packing!...I wonder how many glue sticks I'll need....

OH!! I have more to talk about (yes, I am like that annoying person who you can't seem to get off the phone, always "one more thing" but I hope that I am interesting "insert smiley faced emoticon here"). Classes!!!! We love seeing you at the store and hope you'll join us at one of our upcoming classes. I just took a class with Lisa last week (that fab "Little Black Dress" book), there is something just heavenly about sitting in the store working on scrappy stuff. The one place where I don't feel compelled to bring a desk drawer--everything is already there!!! But what was I talking about? Oh yeah, CLASSES!!

Next Saturday, July 26, Daniela finally comes clean and admits, "I wanna be Tim Holtz". I've seen the kit for this class--you NEED this. Toy has a fabulous 4x4 "Secret Panel Hidden Hinge Book" that would be fabulous for storing ATC's or journaling cards. And of course, TIM (and me too!!!) will be at the store August 1 and 2 (I'm there!!!). I believe the classes (I'm taking some!!!) are sold out, but who knows if we'll have a drop out (not my spot!!!). Oh, and I will be taking some of his classes.

Do you love to create and swap ATC's? Have no idea what an ATC is, but want to???? Then come on in Wednesday August 6, at 6:30 and join us! Which reminds me, I need to get started on my cards. Maybe I'll pack a little ATC kit to bring along on vacation....

In the busy rush of summer, I KNOW that you all have some pages you need getting done (not grammatically correct, but hey, I am in  a rush to leave for vacation. Did I mention I will be taking some Tim Holtz classes?) Come join ME (yes ME!) for a "Layout Extravaganza"--three 2-page layouts and one 1-page layout all within 2-hours. Plus, we'll see what other layouts can be created with the scraps from these pages. And lucky for us, the kits will be all made for you so you won't have to bring in your desk drawers (unless you want to, in which case I'll leave some space next to mine). The class is on Thursday August 7 at 6:30. Here's some eye candy for you: don't forget to leave a comment about scrappy travel tips and sorry that my links all refer to the same calendar page (what's up with that???) but hubby is getting a bit mad that I am still in my PJ's and he's loading the car, and also, I can't figure out how to get the "blinky thing to type more" (is there a technical name for that?) after the photos--maybe it's a sign that I should stop typing and get packing? Anyways, hope to see you at the store and by the way, I'm taking some Tim Holtz classes!