Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Is there anything better than card making???!!!!

Seriously. Years ago, I had some special little friends. Babies and toddlers, and I wanted to give them something special for Christmas. I found some plastic sleeves, bought rings from the hardware store, and made tiny little scrapbooks, using clip art, stickers from the Hallmark section of the Walgreens, and photographs I had taken of my little sweeties. As I look back, they were pretty crude, but I know that the kidlets got a kick out of having books about themselves. A few months later, a friend told me of a new phenomenon that was beginning to take hold--scrapbooking. I hit Michaels, and lo and behold it had to be like walking into heaven.

I was immediately hooked. Just so you know how long ago that was, there were no 12x12 papers...only 8 1/2x11. I made myself a couple of scrapbooks, and was quite proud of the results. These were the days of   fancy edged scissors, and 'Magic Matter' and 'Coluzzles' as the epitome of tools. Then the concept exploded across the country, and yeehaw, we got a scrapbook store in town. (It's closed now.) The whole industry changed and became so much more fun. Amazing papers, embellishments, techniques, die cutting machines, and so much more appeared on the markets. I was witnessing the paper crafting evolution (gee!, doesn't that sound grandiose?!!) (Insert huge belly laugh here!). And I seriously loved scrapbooking. I got my sister hooked. I was happy.

Then. Ah, then. My dear friend Sandy was making beautiful cards at our monthly Scrap and Stamp events, and she introduced me to Stampin' Up. Still, I was a scrapbooker, not a card maker!! I bought a few SU products, mostly to be polite. (At that time she was not a demonstrator) Then around Valentine's Day about 5 or 6 years ago, DH and I were grocery shopping. He picked up a few Valentines for SOME (and that's the important word here) of the grandchildren. And they cost $21!!!!!!!! Wha....???? Why were we spending that much money on cards and not even getting cards for everyone...how much more was this holiday going to cost us?? I started adding up the numbers of children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers...and all the cards we sent during the course of a year and decided then and there that enough was enough. I haven't bought one card since then. And I'm even more hooked on card making than I ever was on scrapbooking.  And we're talking HUGE addiction to scrapping. I'm in trouble. But in a good way. DH says it keeps me off the streets! Lol.

But why this discourse on scrapbooking? Am I giving up cardmaking?? NEVER!!  No, (shorter story here...) one of our sons and his family went to DisneyWorld for a vacation. He handed me a flashdrive with over 600 photos on it, and I opened my trap and said, "I'll make the kids a Disney scrapbook as part of their Christmas present." What the heck was I thinking?!! I'm so out of practice. And that's what I've been doing since Saturday. Guess how many pages I've gotten finished? Six. Six pages. Call me Rusty from now on... But I'll get the whole book finished by December. And I might even post a few pages. But not now. I put it all away. The last page I finished is crap, and I won't even look at for awhile. It's going to be ripped apart and remade. But not now. I needed to feed my other addiction. The one I've come to love above all other addictions. I could give up chocolate, but not cardmaking. And so that's what I did this morning. I made a card. Ah....it felt really wonderful to do that. I'm now a happy camper. Is there anything better than cardmaking?! I don't think so.

Tired of reading this post? Well, I promise to stop babbling and get to business right now. I don't play often over at Just Us Girls, but fell in love with the current challenge. You've got to see this:


Don't those colors just make you *sigh*?! Just had to play! And....I bought a set of Lawn Fawn stamps the last time I fed my shopping addiction at Archivers, so decided to play the Lawnscaping Challenge as well. 


And here is what I made:


It's another card for Marilyn. I really wanted the sentiment to stand out, so I left it uncolored. The card base is Bazzill, the rest of the papers are scraps. Lawn Fawn stamps, and 3 squeekquins which I colored on the backs with Sharpies. I colored the bird with Copics and both stamped images are popped up. And there you have it. Happy dances everyone.

20 comments:

Nancy said...

I loved reading your blog....I started off scrapbooking and then went to my first SU party and never looked back. Don't get me wrong I will always be a "scrapperatheart" and I still do some on occasion, but there is nothing more gratifying then a finished product quickly! This card you made fits our Color Challenge brilliantly and it is so sweet to boot! Thanks for playing along with us at JUGS and don't be a stranger! Wink!

Nancy said...

Oh...btw...good luck with that Disney Album.....600 photos...what were you thinking....bahahhahhahh!

Ardyth said...

LOL! I love your story and getting to know you a bit better! And I love your clean, simple colour blocked card!

Marybeth said...

Oh , bev I can so relate to you funny post ! I am so glad you are staying off the streets too! Now the Disney scrapbook is going to be a wonderful gift...but since I don't do scrapbook pages because they take me too long.....I would make a computer photo book . I bet in the end it would cost even less. I can't wait to see pictures when you post a few.
Oh yes the card! Love it and the CAS look of it,adorable! Hugs.....and thanks!

cm said...

Fantastic story about your crafty-past and the continuing passion that 'keeps you off the streets." Too funny! The Disneyland scrapbooks will be AWESOME, and please, be sure to share pages as you go. Your card for Marilyn is wonderful! (I've never been to an Archivers...sounds like trouble, in a good way!) Thanks for sharing a couple more challenge sites - definitely need to scope them out. Yes please, let me know about your cutter once it arrives. My plan is the rectangle mats from Lil'Inkers. Want. Need. And *fingers crossed* hope to have!! Hugs to you! And need to work on getting organized so I can send a 'proper' note your way!!
c

Darnell said...

Love your tweet bird, tweeting hello to Marilyn! Well done, Bevie! I wondered what was keeping you from your blog and I was delighted to read that it wasn't because you had gone back to the streets. Phew! That's a hard life. Ask me how I know. Stop it.

Can I just say: World Best Grandma!!

lostinpaper said...

Cute cute adorable! I've got this sweet little set on the way to me right now and I can't wait, especially after seeing this for inspiration! ps I love making cards too, I have never even tried a scrapbook page... to scary for me lol.

Bobby said...

When I started reading, I thought you were writing my story. I still do my scrapbook pages on 8 1/2 by 11 sheets and put them in page protectors. I try to tell a story and use a lot of photos per page with little embellishment. Good luck with the books. The kids will love them. Your card is so tweet. ;)

Keren Baker said...

Hi! Love that card- the bird is adorable. Really enjoyed reading about your artistic journey . 600 photos? In at the deep end I'm thinking! I guess you've a few months yet ;-)

Kylie said...

Disney photos are such fun to scrapbook, Bev! You'll have a blast! That is a LOT of photos though. :)

Your card is so sweet! You have made me want to grab that stamp set and make something too. :)

Geri said...

Hey there pal! It's raining outside, I took the day off and I'm going to play in my craft room ALL DAY LONG!

I can hardly wait to see your scrapped pages! I admire your ambition AND your energy level!

Love the colors and your choices of paper - such a talent for perfectly combining patterns & color. To think that the bits and pieces came from your scrap bin is truly remarkable! If it's not in a collection, I'd be hooped!

Marilyn is so fortunate to have you in her life, providing support and encouragement in the cards you are making for her. I'm sure they are the highlight of her day!

In the middle of a nice long e-mail that should be on its way to you later today...so much to catch up on!

Sharon said...

hey, there's this store in Oak Creek that has open scrap time on Wednesday mornings (and yummy donuts, too!) and a great group of ladies that would love to give you suggestions OR you could take the Layouts Class to brush up on that scrapbooking! I'm sure I could be persuaded to do some Disney layouts! wink, wink!
<3 U!

Anonymous said...

Well, my friend, it feels as though I was just transported to Wisconsin for a chat ... what a totally splendid post ... like I was there (or you were here). Love Marilyn's card ... and she will too, I'm certain ... your infectious happiness will be a continuous spirit-lift for her! Anita :)

Kim Heggins said...

What a wonderful post today Bev! I loved reading it but then I always love reading your blog. I could relate to your story. For some time I had a room full of scrapbooking supplies and have albums for my daughter that she will need an extra room in her house once she moves out. I have albums from when my husband and I were married all through her high school graduation! So that totals about 60 12x12 scrapbooks. I have since switched to both digital and Project Life but still love to scrapbook but love making cards more. I am really looking forward to seeing what you end up doing for your grandchildren, I know the books you make them will be amazing, as amazing as your cards are. And speaking of cards, this card is just so sweet! That adorable little bird is too cute with that patterned paper and sequin trio, so fun! Marilyn will love this.
By the way, I still have tons of Disney supplies for scrapbooking, so if you need a few things let me know, I am happy to share!

Hannelie said...

I will answer that question...
NOPE... cardmaking is the best...my escape to sanity!
Love your pattern en color combinations on this BEAUTIFUL design!

Vicki Dutcher said...

What a fabulous use of the colors! Thanks for joining in with JUGS!

Tamara said...

Lovely card!!
Thanks for playing with us at Lawnscaping :)
xx Tamara

MS said...

So cute! Thanks for playing with us at Lawnscaping! We hope to see you again!

jenn shurkus said...

love this sweet card :) and the addition of sequins! thank you for joining us at lawnscaping!

Jackie Rockwell said...

Loved reading your story! I started out as a scrapbooker too. I adore cardmaking but have recently tried to work on some mini scrapbooks. I always go back to cardmaking . . . love it!

Your card is really sweet!