W2SB #13: #youchoosetheword(s)

Hi, everyone! Happy New Year!

Hope the New Year brings health and happiness to you and your loved ones.

The First W2SB Challenge of 2015

So, can you believe Words 2 Scrap By is one year old today?! My sincerest thanks to all of you who made Year #1 possible.

The first W2SB challenge of 2015 is the social-media-inspired-hashtag #youchoosetheword(s). The seeds for my cards's hashtag were sown at last May's Simon Says Stamp event. When making a collage with Tim Holtz, we were instructed to use his chit chat words to create a phrase for our collage. The phrase Create the Life You Want popped in my head. When I retired in August, this phrase felt like the perfect motto for this next phase. 

Pink Paislee watercolor paper; Recollection black; stash gray/green cardstock
original computer-generated text
Really Reasonable Ribbon; sequins
adhesives: Scotch ATG, Glue Dots

The card above  is actually a combination card and bookmark. The # strip on the right can be torn off and used as a bookmark. I used one of three settings on an American Craft trimmer to create the perforation.

And, what's a bookmark without a ribbon, right?! I used a yummy ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, the sponsor of this month's W2SB prize to add a little sparkle to the top of the bookmark. Thanks again, Bonnie! And, what's a bookmark without a ribbon, right?!

In making the front of the card, I used each letter in the word CREATE to express six wishes -- guiding principles -- for this new phase of my life:

• Crafting,
• Reading,
• Exercising,
• Assisting,
• Traveling, and
• Embracing Friends.

Finally, hubby and I left this card for our mail carrier yesterday. TODAY is Patsy's very first day of retired life. We wish her all the best -- a life filled with all of her favorite things.  :)

Parting Thoughts

Hope you join us for our January hashtag challenge at Words 2 Scrap By.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'! Have an year filled with all of your favorite things.  :)

Sweet...Sweeter...Sweetest

Hi, everyone.

Today's card was made for the current Paper Smooches Guest Designer Search and was inspired by a card I received several years ago.

Recollections white cardstock
stamps: Paper Smooches Bee Mine and Winnie & Walter Big Bold You
Distress Inks: vintage photo, walnut stain, fired brick, black soot
ribbons: Really Reasonable Ribbon November ribbon, Stampin' Up! cherry cobbler
stash gold sequins; adhesives: Glue Dots and Scotch ATG
inside sentiment: Sweet... Sweeter... Sweetest

I love the whimsy and creativity of PS DT cards. So, I tried to capture a little of that spirit here with these sweet little bees. The card is really a change of pace for me -- essentially one layer without any paper piecing. After seeing it, I'm thinking it's going to be hubby's Valentine's Day card. And, can I just say, that stamp-challenged me is pretty pleased with the way these images and words turned out. :)

Parting Thoughts

Spent today working on some masculine thank you cards for an upcoming craft show. At this show, folks seem to appreciate general sentiment cards in addition to Christmas cards.

November Challenge
Nov. 1 - Nov. 21

The November Words 2 Scrap By challenge is in full swing. Hope you will stop by and join in the fun.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!