WCMD Recap Post 1

   Yesterday was World Card Making Day and by chance, I was able to participate. Instead, of being out of town like I thought my family stayed home. 
I got to spend all evening in my studio creating cards. I only got a total of 8 cards done but that is good. 
   
   Here is a card that I created for the Pinkfresh WCMD Challenge #1, favorite technique. It was a little tricky to do my favorite "layers" card since my Pinkfresh stash it super small. For the floral paper, I used the packaging from one of their ephemera.

      I just love the puffy stickers. They add a nice depth to an otherwise flat card.  

   Be sure to pop back as I will be sharing the rest of my WCMD creations. 

September Stick It Down Reveal

   I usually create cards is colors based on the time of the year that they are given but I can say this card broke that rule. The card sketch for this month at Stick It Down had me feeling like it was spring. 

   As you can see this card is full of spring vibes. I am still using it for an upcoming anniversary. 

Supplies: cardstock (The Paper Studio), pattern paper (Echo Park Paper Co.), stickers and chipboard (Echo Park Paper Co.), die cuts (Pinkfresh Studios), sequins (SpiegleMom Scraps), doily (DoodleBug Designs), enamel dot (Echo Park Paper Co.), stamp (Concord & 9th), ink (Close To My Heart) 

   Since this is a card that is being hand given I used a chipboard piece. I just love buffalo check and I am so happy that I got this stamps last year during a Black Friday Sale. 

   Now, since the card is done, I probably should figure out my parent's anniversary gift since it is in less than 2 weeks. 

Planner Covers

   I haven't posted in a long time about my MJ's Kraze Etsy shop. This past spring I have introduced a new line of handmade products, planner covers for the Happy Planners. They come in mini, classic or deluxe sizes. The price ranges from $45-$65 and free shipping in the US. 

   Here is just a little peek at what I offer. As you can see I have a wide assortment of themes. 

If you don't have a Happy Planner by Me & My Big Ideas I also take custom orders. Here is how you would measure your book.

Thanks, for dropping by here and if you want to see the complete selection of the planner covers drop by MJ's Kraze  

August Stick It Down Reveal

   Welcome to another card sketch reveal from Stick It Down. I am loving this month's sketch. It actually inspired me to create a pattern paper. 

   I love how this card came out. I am a little torn on who this card should be for, it is either to my grandpa or dad. 

Supplies: cardstock (The Paper Studio), watercolor Paper (Faber-Castell), watercolor crayons (Faber-Castell), stamps (Stampabilities and Concord & 9th), ink (Tsukineko), markers (Crafter's Companion)

   To create the pattern paper I watercolored the paper and then stamped it. After it dried I cut it into three panels. 

Party Thank You

   What, two posts in one day. I told I have been scrapbooking at night this past week. This layout was based on the Sketches in Thyme July 8-14 sketch. 

   It is a simple birthday page with hidden journaling. Sorry for the bad glare. 

Supplies: pattern paper die cuts, chipboard (Echo Park Paper Co.), sequins (SpiegelMom Scraps) wood veneer (Jillibean Soup and Jenni Bowlin), doily (DoodleBug Designs), journaling cards (Project Life) 

Wishing Birthday Fun

    July has been a busy month of prep work for Christmas in my shop. Even though I work most of the day sewing I still sneak some me paper crafting time at night. 

Today, I am going to share a page using a Sketch~N~Scrap sketch. 

   I loved all the layers from the sketch.

 Supplies: pattern paper (Studio Calico, KaiserCraft, My Mind's Eye and Colorbox), wood veneer (Jillibean Soup and Jenni Bowlin), washi tape (Scotch Brand), die cuts (Echo Park Paper Co.) and journaling card (Project Life)   

 I ended up fussy cutting the hexagon paper. I still love to do splatters.

July Stick It Down Reveal

   I am back for another term on the card team at Stick It Down. This month's sketch is a great one and can be easily translated for different styles. 

   I opted to create this birthday card and which I already have a use for it. Here is to making cards and using them. 

Supplies: pattern paper (MAMBI and Echo Park Paper Co.), stamp (Avery Elle), ink (Tsukineko), sequins( SpiegleMom Scraps), wood veneers (Jillibean Soup), washi tape (Scotch )

The base of the card is actually one of the tab dividers from an old Happy Planner. I love the gold with the marble print. 

Kit Fail Part 2

   Sorry for the delay on part 2 of this Mother's Day layout. This time I used the right side of the sketch from Scrap Our Stash and the elements for the challenge. 

    Here is the reveal, I am sorry again for the fuzzy photo. It has been a while since I photographed layouts so I am a little rusty.

Supplies: pattern paper (Pebble Inc., Echo Park Paper Co., and Crate Paper, die cuts (Echo Park Paper Co., and Studio G), stickers (Echo Park Paper, Co., Fancy Pants Designs, A Beautiful Mess, and Carta Bella), sequins (SpiegelMom Scraps),flair (Pretty Little Studio), washi tape (The Paper Studio)

   This is a summer sequin mix that I have had for a couple of years, I am still in love with it. 

   

   Here are the left and right side pages together. 

Kit Fail Part 1

   I know that the post title seems a little odd since I am sharing a layout but the whole thing is all about the subscription kit from Echo Park. I was going to use nothing but the items from the kit on Mother's Day layout but I then remember that I already bought some paper a couple of months ago with the holiday in mind. 

   Anyways, today I will be sharing half of the double page layout that I created for the Scrap Our Stash June challenge. 

   As you can see I created with the left side of the sketch, added numbers and used a subtle polka dot pattern paper and doily. 

Supplies: pattern paper (American Crafts, Pebble Inc., Echo Park Paper Co., and Crate Paper, die cuts (Echo Park Paper Co., and Studio G), stickers (American Crafts, Echo Park Paper, Co., Fancy Pants Designs, Crate Paper and Carta Bella), sequins (SpiegelMom Scraps), die (Heidi Swapp), embossing folder (Project Life), washi tape (The Paper Studio)

   I couldn't resist adding a little sprinkle of sequins. 

June SID

   I am happy to share with your this month's card sketch that I created for Stick It Down. It is super simple, which I love sketches like this because they are fast but can easily be changed up. 

   This card was made because my brother needed a "Thank You" card to send to our grandparents for his birthday. I kept the design very clean, which I always seem to do when it is a card from or to a guy. 

Supplies: cardstock (The Paper Studio), pattern paper (Crate Paper and KaiserCraft), washi tape (My Mind's Eye), die cut (Pretty Little Studio), stamp (Avery Elle), ink (Tsukineko), sequins (SpiegleMom Scraps) 

I love the stamp from Avery Elle, this is where my brush lettering goals are. One of these days, I will get there but I need to find the time to practice. 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to head over to the Stick It Down blog for the full reveal, check out the sponsor and see the layout sketches. 

May SID

   Welcome to another card sketch reveal from Stick It Down. This month is fun and allows a little mixed media. 

   I created this card for Mother's Day from my dad. I love that big flower cut-out. It was on the cardstock packaging of some stickers from Pretty Little Studio. I love that there packaging is a "freebie" product. 

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics), sticker (My Mind's Eye), chipboard (Basic Grey), brads Eyelet Outlet), wood veneer (Studio Calico), tag (?) enamel dot (?) stamps (Studio Calico and Stampabilites), ink (Tsukineko), watercolor crayon (Faber-Castell), watercolor paper (Faber-Castell), typewriter (We R Memory Keepers), flower cut-out (Pretty Little Studio)

   Here is a little closer look. I got to use some old items on this. I love how everything flows together. 

  Be sure to stop by Stick It Down blog to see the whole reveal and even play along. This month's sponsor is Cheapo Dies. 

April SID Reveal

   Sorry, for the delay in my Stick It Down reveal post. A quick family "trip" came up last week so everything got pushed to the back burner.  The term "trip" is in quotes since it involved surgery for my Dad.  

   It is time for April's card sketch reveals at Stick It Down, this month is one that I created. 

   Here is the card that I created. It is a birthday card for my uncle, who lives by the beach so I thought this would be perfect for him. 

Supplies: cardstock (The Paper Studio), pattern paper and die cuts (KaiserCraft), and sequins (SpeigelMom Scraps) 

   This month's sponsor is SpiegelMom Scraps, I used silver star sequins on this card. Who said, sequins can't go on guy cards? 

Paper Trimmer Review

   Welcome to March's product review. Today, I going to review the paper trimmer. A lot of people have a love-hate relationship with this topic because there are so many on the market that don't cut straight.

   Let's first start off saying that I use to own the EK Success Rotary Paper Trimmer. I loved it because it was affordable and easy to use. However, I had to replace it about once a year since I kept wearing out the cutting arm.

   After getting tired of  "disposable" trimmer I bought myself the Cutterpillar Pro V3, which I have owned for about 5 years, However, since I bought this they have upgraded it to a plastic construction which I still hear great things about it. 

   I love the built-in light. Unlike other trimmers, you need to really hold down the paper when cutting to ensure no movement.

   As you can see the grid wore off on mine but I don't mind since the ruler along the top is the way to get the accurate cuts. 

   Also, this has a great storage drawer. 

   The pros of this are that it is long lasting and cuts great. The cons are the cost so if you are a light crafter you might want to go with a Fiskars cutter. Also, this takes up a lot of workspace.