Two Takes on CPS 254

Caged Bird Sings
"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."
Vintage book page, sheet music, and seed beads, recycled corrugated packing, denim, button, and snaps, K & Company Julianne patterned papers, Prima paper flowers, DMC embroidery floss, Sizzix Tim Holtz dies, Canvas Corp kraft card base and envelope. CPS 254

Enjoy the Ride/Joy Ride
"Life is a journey, not a destination. Happy Birthday."
Vintage bus ticket, twill tape, and buttonhole gimp, Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride patterned papers and button, Papertrey Ink cardstock and tag die, Dymo label. CPS 254

I'm still here! I realize I have been rather quiet both on the blogging front and the letter-writing front.

I'm currently obsessed with creating cards for spring and masculine birthdays, combining my collection of new and vintage supplies into pleasing designs, and updating my collection of card sketches (done).

My love-hate relationship with my old computer printer came to an end this week when it finally kicked the bucket. My sweet husband now had his answer for what to give me for my birthday! Thank you!

Mojo Monday 217

Mojo Monday Sketch 217, playing with new Sizzix dies!

CPS 239 Holiday Season Joy

Today I broke my own rule that I made a few years back about no Christmas music before Halloween. I figured maybe it didn't count if no one else was around to hear it!

I wanted to try this week's sketch from CPS, and I wanted to try using some of the holiday card-making goodies I collected recently. Not a rubber stamp inked for this one, but I went a little crazy with the die cuts and textures! That music paper rosette adds quite a bit of dimension; it will require a larger envelope (and extra postage) if it travels by mail.

The ribbons with the little banner-cut ends are vintage, recently cleared out of my mom's basement. The ribbon is fairly stiff, so I used one corner of my 3/4-inch-square paper punch to make those V-cuts--so quick and easy! I cut the rosette from old sheet music with a Tim Holtz Sizzix die and spritzed it with walnut stain. The glittered flourish and "Joy" are also Sizzix die cuts. The main image is a small re-purposed card front with Cuttlebug embossing folder swirl texture added and layered on a paper doily and circle of DCWV Christmas paper. The finished card is 5x7 inches, larger than my usual A2 sized cards.

No matter what you might be making or mailing today, I wish you joy!

Puzzle Note #20

I purchased a Sizzix puzzle die on clearance, and I have been itching to try it. I finally took the time tonight, despite the growing creative mess on my desk. I am pleased with the results, though the outer edges of the puzzle are not straight. (I am a recovering perfectionist.) I adhered printed paper from 7gypsies to both sides of a piece of chipboard and rounded the corners (my poor thumb.) I wrote a note on the reverse side before I die cut it. Into the mail it goes, then perhaps I will clean up before starting any new projects. Or not.

Quilt #14 and Fun with Die Cuts #15

I'm back, with two cards to make up for missing yesterday! I call this a Pocket Tag Card. As I noted before, I like tags and cards that do something more that just open in the usual manner. I was making some library pocket cards, and this design grew from that. I have been using this basic style for quite some time, though I continue to tweek details. I recently began sewing the sides closed instead of gluing them, and I changed the tag style. I often use these for my own notes, and several mail friends told me they enjoyed reusing the pocket. A bunch of these will soon leave my desk and travel to the quilt museum.

Here's a bit of fun for today.
I spent my quiet time playing with an owl Sizzix die.

Rather sweet with it feathered belly!