I Don't Like Sharing a Computer

I normally love sharing. I share my food, my belongings, my ideas, and my craft supplies generously with others. But, sharing a computer? Now, that’s something I just can’t get used to.

Since my laptop died, I’ve been sharing a computer with the Hubs. Let me tell you, it’s not going well, especially since he’s in the middle of writing essays for grad school apps. I guess that just shows how internet addicted I am. Perhaps a healthy ‘net diet would do me well. *silent scream*

So, after I shared my craft room, I’m surprised that so many of you thought it was clean! The room seems so cluttered to me. I confess, I hastily brushed the paper scraps out of the way before I took the pictures. It’s usually much messier. However, I notice that creativity flows more easily when my space is tidy, so I either need to stop buying so much craft stuff, or switch the master bedroom into my craft room.

Now, onto the questions:

What ink pads do you use?

I like to use Stampin’ Up ink pads. I love that SU has coordinating cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon, etc. in all colors of the rainbow. Also, SU ink works really well with red rubber stamps. There’s something about the fabric of the ink pad allows even, crisp stamp images. I also like Palette ink, which Papertrey Ink sells online, along with matching ribbon and cardstock. Palette ink seems to work well with my clear stamps. If I stamp on plastic, like transparency sheets, I use Stazon solvent ink, which can be used on all non porous surfaces (metal, glass, foil, etc.).

Do you make envelopes to go with [the cards] or do you purchase them? And, do you ever use blank cards or do you always cut your own from cardstock?

I normally purchase envelopes to go with my cards. Typically, I make my cards from a half sheet of 8.5″x11″ paper, and they’re a standard A2 size, so envelopes can be purchased easily. I always cut my cards from cardstock myself, simply because it’s cheaper than buying pre-cut cards.

Just curious what lens and settings are you using for these specific photos? Also did you do any touch up the photos?

For the craft room photos (and actually all my photos, lately) I’ve been using my Canon Rebel XSi with a Sigma 30m f/1.4 lens. The aperture is typically set at f/1.4 or f/2.8, and the shutter at 1/125th of a second or shorter. I use a large aperture setting since there’s not much natural light in my craft room, and I don’t have a flash attachment for my camera yet. I do edit the white balance and contrast of the photos in Adobe Lightroom. Sometimes I bump up the vibrancy. Hope that helps!

And now, today’s card is brought to you by the letters T-I-R-E-D. I actually made this card on Saturday. I’ve been sick and so exhausted lately. Last night, I totally ran out of card mojo. I sat at my desk for two hours and stared at my craft supplies without making a single card. My computer is in a rut, and now, so am I. So sad.Anyway, I think I have enough cards photographed to tide this blog over until the creative juices run again.

Card Recipe: SU cardstock in kraft, PTI cardstock in aqua mist, SU designer paper in Haiku, SU chocolate chip ribbon, SU Frames with a Flourish and Upsy Daisy stamp sets, SU paper piercing template, Fiskars paper crimper, and SU foam stamping dimensional stickers.