Archive for February, 2009
Just Another V-Day Card
So, posting will be light on The Sunset House this week. I have three days of geek sessions compensation seminars to attend and I’ll be staying with Lil Bro from Wednesday to Friday since he lives close to the class site. Three days will probably be the longest that I’ll be away from Hubs since we got married. I wonder if he’ll miss me?
By the way, have you guys been to the site Geni.com? It’s totally awesome! I got an invite from my uncle last night and started my account. You know I’m not into Facebook or social networking sites, right? Well, Geni is actually useful. It’s like a Facebook, but only for family trees! Ever since my uncle signed up, my family tree network already has hundreds of family members. I remember doing family tree projects back in elementary school and they were like pulling teeth. I could not keep track of my family for the life of me. Geni is awesome because you can build out your family tree, then invite family members to build out their portion of the tree too. It’s really neat to see how everyone is connected.
Anyway, just a simple card today! Of course, it’s another Valentine’s Day card. 
Project Recipe (all supplies SU unless noted): A Happy Heart stamp set, Sanded background stamp, card stock in kraft, pretty in pink, designer paper in Bella Rose, ink in pink pirouette, chocolate chip, riding hood red, ribbon in riding hood red, 3/4″ circle punch, scallop border punch, sponge dauber, stampin’ dimensionals
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Chocolate Heart Valentine Holder
Valentine’s Day has long since passed, but I have quite a few love-inspired projects that I’ll be posting up over the next week or so. Hopefully, you can find a way to adapt these goods for other projects.
Today, I’m sharing a chocolate heart valentine holder. If you have kids, these would be adorable to make for your youngsters to pass amongst classmates as birthday takeaways. They would even be cute as wedding favors. To make these, I bought a pack of Reeses Peanut Butter hearts. I don’t know if these are released year-round, so feel free to substitute with Dove chocolates or the like.
First, I cut a sheet of paper into 3″ x 11″ and using my Scor-Pal, I made score lines at 3″, 3.5″, 6.5″, 7″, 10″, 10.5″.
Next, I decorated the strip with flower stamps from a set called Fifth Avenue Floral.
I folded the sheet along the score lines and decorated one edge with a scallop border punch. I also decorated and taped a small square of navy blue paper on the inside of the valentine.
Then, I punched a hole large enough to fit the chocolate heart. This is the 1 3/4″ punch from SU.
Here’s what the finished inside of the valentine looked like.
I used a small strip of double sided tape to adhere the sides together.
Here’s a side view picture so you can see what the valentine looks like assembled.
Finally, I decorated the outside with ribbon and punched paper embellishments.
Once again, the inside.
And above is a shot of several different versions of the same valentine that I gave away.
Hope you enjoyed the project! I promise, it’s much easier to put together than it looks.
Project Recipe (all supplies SU unless noted): Fifth Avenue Floral, A Happy Heart stamp sets, card stock in sahara sand, not quite navy, ink in kiwi kiss, not quite navy, SU designer label punch, SU 1″ circle punch, SU 1 3/4″ punch, scalloped border punch, kiwi kiss ribbon, adhesive, Scor-Pal, bone folder
LiL Bro & FSIL’s Mock E-Session (Continued)
Yesterday, I finally got to editing/uploading more of Lil Bro and FSIL’s mock e-session (or wannab-e-session) from last month. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this on the blog yet, but I’m considering pursuing photography as a profession. It’s a very small thought in my head right now, just a spark of an idea that I’m considering next to other creative options that involve design. Ever since Hubs gave me a DSLR for my birthday last August, I’ve adored using it. I take pictures whenever I can. In March, I’m going to take a photography class to test my interest and skills. Of course, I have all the normal doubts about entering a new creative profession (and one that I have ZERO knowledge about–seriously, this mock e-session is only the second time I’ve ever shot posed people). Hopefully taking a couple photography workshops and classes will either seal the deal or end my lofty dreams. I fear a great deal, but mostly I fear change and failure. I really need to learn how to accept failing or I know I will never successful. Failure can’t possibly be worse than the status quo, right?
And now, onto the pictures!
These pictures along the copper wall were taken at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
Once we finished at the de Young, we wandered into the botanical gardens.
Hubs took this one in front of the tree.
By this time, it was very dark and I was in need of an expensive flash unit that I don’t own yet. I’d better stop spending so much on stamps so I can pick one up soon!
Lil Bro also loves photography and he took some shots of me and the Hubs during the shoot too. I’ll get around to posting some of those one day soon!
To Facebook? Or Not to Facebook?
That is the question.
Hubs has been trying to get me to join Facebook for months now. I have yet to succumb to temptation. Although I understand the benefits (networking, convenience, etc.), I have my own arguments why I choose not to join (yet); I don’t need another time suck. I’m a pretty private person and I don’t want to be easily accessible (pointless argument coming from someone who blogs daily, I know). I’m not sure I want to be contacted by “friends” I haven’t talked to in years. I don’t want to be tagged in other people’s pictures! I don’t want to deal with Facebook etiquette. In sum, I’m not convinced that the pros outweigh the cons.
But, I’ve been mighty tempted to join lately. I mean, if I’m eventually going to cave and join Facebook down the road, I might as well do it now. Right?
No. I’m stubborn. I’m still fighting the good fight against joining! (although I’ll probably give up by the end of this year.)
What about you? Are you on Facebook? Why/why not? What do you like/hate about Facebook? Do the pros outweigh the cons? How long do you spend on the site per day, average?
Before I sign off, I’ll share a card that I made for the Weddingbee Valentine’s day swap that Mrs. Canary organized. To make the heart on this card, I used the Sizzix Petal Card Die (folds into a mini petal card), but I only folded two of the four flaps, then taped them down to make a pocket. I’m a bad swapper. I sent the cards out on the 12th so they were not received on time (oops). If you have a minute, go check out the goods that other participants made. People are so talented!
Project Recipe (all supplies SU unless noted): A Happy Heart stamp set, Polka Dot and Boho Blooms background stamps, card stock in kraft, bravo burgundy, pink pirouette, ink in bravo burgundy and craft whisper white, SU tab punch, SU designer label punch, SU 1″ circle punch, corner rounder punch, Sizzix Big Shot Petal Card Die, Parisian Summer designer paper (retired from Fall/Winter 08 catalog), stampin’ dimensionals, flower and button by Making Memories, stapler
Video Card: Central Park
Happy post Valentine’s day/President’s day!
I hope your long weekend was relaxing and wonderful. I, unfortunately, had to work yesterday. It’s a side effect of working an office job for a retail company–I miss all the good holidays. Hubs and I had some water issues over the V-day weekend, so we packed up our bags and spent a weekend at my parents’ where I exercised my rusty craft hands. Thus, I have a video to share with you today–yay! I made a card using one of my new favorite stamp sets in the spring/summer SU catalog. The set is called Central Park. Even the name of it makes me want to hop on a plane and fly to New York. Hubs might plan a NY trip for us soon because he wants to see Jimmy Fallon’s late night show (Hubs is a little bit obsessed with the guy). Anyway, to create the card I also used SU’s spiral punch that I just ordered and really like. I’ve used it on a bunch of cards lately because it adds a simple, yet creative touch. I hope you like it!
Music: Right as Rain by Adele from her CD 19–a great CD! I highly recommend it.
(If the video doesn’t show up in your blog reader, click here to view)
Project Recipe (all supplies SU): Central Park and Thank You Kindly stamp sets, card stock in kiwi kiss, whisper white, spiral punch, kiwi kiss and chocolate chip ink, kraft taffeta ribbon, stampin’ dimensionals
The Best Hubs Ever
Hubs is such a sweetie. I got home suuuuper late yesterday because I was working until almost 9pm. What did I see when I entered through the door? Hubs was at the stove, cooking me a dinner of pesto pasta. Awww, so sweet! I was super pooped and really appreciated his simple gesture.
During weeknights, we usually have a dinner rule: the person who does the cooking doesn’t wash the dishes. But, Hubs even washed a ginormous pile of dishes once the meal was over. I was so grateful, I took the trash out last night (trash is technically his chore–I hate taking out the garbage). Call me easy to please, but I’ll take a night of no cooking or dishwashing over a bouquet of Valentine’s roses any day!
Project Recipe (all supplies SU unless noted): Polka Dot Punches stamp set (Sale-A-Bration set), A Happy Heart stamp set, card stock in kraft, riding hood red, whisper white, pretty in pink, full heart punch, riding hood red ink, versamark ink, white embossing powder, sponge daubers & chocolate chip ink (to ink the sides of the kraft card stock), silver elastic cord (retired from Holdiday Mini), stampin’ dimensionals
Creative Slump
Creating stuff makes me happy. If I could, I would sit at home all day and make things; paper crafts, cookies, scarves, photos I love creating everything. What is it about making stuff that is so satisfying? I’m still trying to put my finger on it. One of the best feelings in the world is the satisfaction I get after I finish a project that I’m happy with. I think I enjoy creating stuff because I love that feeling of accomplishment.
Not all projects I make are a win. For the last few weeks, I’ve been in a slump. Busyness tends to suck the creative juices out of me. Even when I don’t feel creative, I’ll force myself to make something–anything–to challenge myself out of the rut. The card I made below was one that I’m not particularly satisfied with, but I decided to post it anyway.
Project Recipe (all supplies SU unless noted): Botanical Blooms stamp set (Sale-A-Bration), Think Happy Thoughts stamp set, card stock/ink in baja breeze, so saffron, whisper white, chocolate chip, ribbon in certainly celery twill (Sale-A-Bration ribbon bundle), silver elastic cord (retired from 08 Holiday Mini), stampin’ dimensionals
I’m still in a bit of a funk right now. I haven’t been satisfied with anything I’ve made recently. What do you do when you’re in a creative rut? How do you get yourself out?
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