Pretty Paper Scraps!

So, My Friends, I hope your weekend was lovely....

I did a little scrapbooking and had a bunch of little scraps left over and decided that this time I wasn't going to throw them away :)

I made these!

Do you like them? I cut various shaped rectangles and rounded the top corners, glued them to cardstock and embellished with glitter, paper flowers and jewels....

I put these on another sheet of cardstock and attached a stamped message to the back.

I decided to make them able to hang on gifts, as well as, come with envelopes large enough to hold them so they can be mailed or given that way! Finished, they are 5x6 inches. I hope to have these in my shop by the end of the day!

Sorry to run, but got called into work earlier than my regular shift today!

Talk to you soon :o)
Cameron

P.S. Yes, these sweeties are in the shop now!

On Experiencing Tag Lag

So, I might've mentioned that I started making gift tags a bit ago.  I think that I also admitted to buying the 100 pack of tags because it was a better deal (not at all because I'm a little mental and go way overboard on stocking up for my next, new, exciting project...*eyes roll*)....

I made some girly ones.

And some Christmas ones.

Sorry this one is blurry...but I wanted you to see what a fun time with the dyeing process I had.

I dried some on strawberry baskets and got this great crosshatch design.

Dried some on cookie racks and got these neat lines....perfect for to's and from's and all that!

I'm still in the process of using these suckers up!  I know...I don't have to do them all right now....but I borrowed some rubber stamps from a friend of mine, and I want to return them in a timely manner (though she probably wouldn't ask for them for another month...she's just nice like that).  I never understood the appeal of stamping... But, with the invention of clear stamps and all the fun accessories that you can use with them.... I'm finding them extremely enjoyable! 

Though, I need to use them and give them back before I buy anything else (because it's okay to get a few things since I saved money by borrowing the stamps, right?!)

I still have about 30 left...and that doesn't include the smaller ones I made with the new tag punch I just had to try.  I must say that this size was perfect, though, for making a set of Wonderland inspired tags.

Can you see the teapot watermark?

I've been making so many tags...that my little Girl had to make some, too!  This is one side.

And the other.

And tags for the Mother's day gifts she wrapped...

...and labeled herself :)

Oh, and as an aside.... I was so proud of myself for having her make a project from something we used to throw away.  She used paint for the gifts (I won't say what they are, in case the recipients are reading) and we always use a paper plate for her pallette....all the colors usually gets all mixed together by the time she's done, she even took a popsicle stick and scratched white lines into it.  In the past I would toss it out...but in the spirit of finding new uses for things, we let it dry.  I cut out some eye holes and contoured the bottom...and she made a mask!

She glued on feathers, glitter and some sequins around the eyes...  I thought this was a delightful project and wanted to share :)

Anyhoo, back to tags....tags...

....TAGS....

But in the back of my mind...I've been thinking of this...

Finally had to sketch it to get it out of there.  I went looking online for ideas like it...and came across this great site called the Enchanted Gallery where you can print up these wonderful paperdoll templates for free! 

It's so nice to have kind people offer things like this out of the kindness of their hearts... I don't know if I will actually use these in bringing above sketch to life, but I wanted to make you all aware of this resource in case you wanted to make something yourself :)

Oh, and I got an advertisement the other day from a vinyl sticker company.  They make waterproof/ scratchproof 3 x 2 inch vinyl photo stickers....so I tried them out with some of my artwork.  They arrived today.  They have a matte finish and are not quite as vibrant as I would like.

....but, I did a little experiment..... I've always wanted to sell my own artwork candles.

This is not quite ready for retail, but good enough for a gift for a friend...
For those of you who'd like to try the service, you can find it at Picstickers.com.  I have a coupon code for you...enter GET1PICS at checkout for 99cent sheets and free shipping w/ order of 5 sheets.

Well, I thought I'd get more done today (or should I say, get all those darned tags done).....but, it wasn't too bad, I guess....

All the Best,

Cam

I am Here!

Hello my Friends in Blogland!! I've missed you so!  Without a computer, I've felt a bit like a Who in Horton Hears a Who....screaming, "I am Here, I am Here".... but not able to be heard :)....

I wish I could say everything is all fixed...we ran a few scans and saved some precious photos elsewhere, but have not wiped the whole thing clean.  The darn thing is mysteriously running normally....though, I'm just waiting for it to seize up again...  My thrifty husband wants to hang on as long as possible, then get a new, faster version...so, don't be surprised if I suddenly fall off the face of Blogland when that happens (it took him 4 months to buy a car after his was totaled back in November).  Let's just say he's very thorough when it comes to checking out deals and weighing options........ah, Men, gotta love 'em, don't we... ;-P

To quickly fill you in on the happenings around here....

Started making gift tags.  I don't know why...just had the urge.
And of course, I'm not satisfied just making a handful.  I have to go out and get the 100 pack!  I sure had fun dyeing them, though! Such pretty colors.

Finished those journals I started decoupaging for the Art walk last month....phew, glad that's done!
Listed them all in the shop to find happy homes :)

Over the weekend, my daughter and I had fun making "Witches Brew" in the front yard....

 ....from various mystical ingredients like....

Sparkling Pixie Potion....

Bubbling Starflower Stew......

.....and Wishberry Nectar

Those things on the bottom are rice grains.  We had a dish tub full of it for her to play with when she was little kinda like an indoor sandbox...No judgement on my housekeeping skills, please, lol...but I just found it the other day stashed on the very tallest shelf in the linen closet.  Thought I'd get rid of it by letting her play with it outside.  Turned out to be a bad idea....big gooey mess when mixed with Witches Brew....oh, well!

But, enough of computer troubles, housekeeping tidbits and "what not to do with rice".... I know you all want to find out about the results from my super Duper FANTASTIC Birthday Giveaway *lights are flashing, obnoxious music blaring in the background* :)

Trying to think of a new way to choose from the 10 kind people who entered, I suddenly had a metaphysical epiphany....(don't worry, it didn't hurt) ....I would use my old friends....the Medicine Cards to choose!

There are 44 animal totems represented in the book.  I decided I would pick a card at random...if it were 1 thru 10, great...easy peasy.....if it was a greater number, I would add the integers together til I got a number between 1 and 10 (like in numerology...y'know 32 would be 3+2=5)

So I shuffled them....

mixed them....a lot!

Then spread them out in an arc in front of me.

Hmmmm......is there a message I'm supposed to give the winner when their card is chosen?.....Hand hovered over the pile while feeling a great flood of gratitude...for all that I have....for finding a venue to connect with other kindred spirits...for being able to create, express...to give...

Then I chose....my hand moving to the left and diving in....

26...Squirrel...The Gatherer

2+6=8!  I wonder who the 8th commenter was?

Peggy! Congratulations to you....and thank all of you who participated in my humble little drawing!  It is such a joyful experience to be able to come here, share what I love to do....and have others care that I exist and appreciate my expression.... For that, I can never thank you enough :)

As for you Peg, the squirrel sends this message,
"If Squirrel has scurried into your cards today, it may be that you are being told to honor your future by readying yourself for change. The message could be to lighten your load if you have gathered too many 'things' that do not serve you. These things can include thoughts, worries, pressures, stresses or gadgets that have been broken for years. In understanding the balance involved in gathering, you need to look at the idea of circulating the stock of what you've gathered.  Call the nearest Thrift Store & give the gadgets to someone who can benefit from them."

One more part I'd like to share,
"Squirrel has another lesson which can aid you if you observe what is obvious, and which can prepare you for anything.  It has to do with the safe place in which you put your gatherings.  This safe place is an untroubled heart and mind, and that which is gathered to put in its place is wisdom and caring.  The energies gathered will set your mind and heart free, so that you will know that all will be taken care of in its own time.  Apply this to your fears of the future and they will vanish."

There is more Peggy, if this speaks to you...I'd be happy to give you the long longer version ;-D
Please peruse the shop and pick the hair clips of your liking!  I'll get your info after you have fun choosing!



I'll talk to you soon, as long as the computer holds out. *mumble..mumble*

Take care, Everyone!

Cam