And so the story goes...

What a PERFECT time for an "and the story goes..." card:)  It's that time of year when WEDDING BELLS are ringing and buying NEW HOMES are on many FAMILIES minds...

So, I've been in a "NESTING" mood lately...ya know the kind that put you in the mood for buying a place of your own to call home?  BTW, heavens NO, I'm not thinking of nesting in the traditional way, lol...no more babies for this FRUGAL Scrapper...unless they are more grand babies of course:)  (hint, hint, Dan and Stephanie)...I'm just saying that my love of having NO maintenance issues by renting a condo are being upstaged by my need to FINALLY hang something on the walls AND to let go of the feeling that things aren't PERMANENT.

Anyway...I have a VERY SPECIAL niece who is getting married in two weeks, so I thought I'd work on a card for her...due to my "nesting" mood, I decided to use some of my favorite Studio 490 stamps...now I know I've had these for a while, but they ARE exactly what I just had to use for this card.

So onto the card (oh, and THANK YOU, Karen for your inspiration).

In addition to the theme, I decided I wanted to limit the colors on my card to natural colors.  Since BUILDING a life together starts with a VISION, I like to think that the color comes LATER.

and so the story goes...

Of course, I'm continuing with my decision to ALWAYS finish the insides of my cards...sooooo...

and they lived happily ever after...THE END

I made sure to leave some space on my card for a personal message to my niece and my new nephew-in-law.

Supplies:
Studio 490 Stamps SCS031
Studio 490 Stamps LCS018
Random stamps from the Carson Stamp Show (measuring tape and buttons stamp)
Bazzill Cardstock
K & Company patterned paper
Ranger Archival Ink - Coffee
Ranter Distress Ink - Wild Honey
Buttons from my stash

enJOY:)

Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #32

It's been a while since I've had time to play along over at the Studio L3 Blog, so I thought I'd try to fit one in tonight.  It's actually 8 p.m. as I speak, so I guess I'm officially late with my post, but the project is done, so I'll link it anyway:)

Here's my take on page 59 from the Compendium of Curiosities book.  I've used this technique a few times (and even taught it) and it was FUN to revisit it.  Thanks, Linda for such an awesome challenge!

Frugal Scrappin' February Class:)

I'm so excited about February's Frugal Scrappin' Class!  (You'll need to scroll through my "gab" to get to the pics).

While I was at CHA, I saw a few AMAZINGLY familiar embellies...FLOWERS!...now these weren't just ordinary "perfectly shaped" flowers, you know...they were flowers that LOOKED like they were HOMEMADE...Whoo Hoo!

Now ya know I had to study them for a while to see HOW I could replicate them and make them into a FRUGAL project, and I've done just that:)

I then saw some tips 'n tricks using the Tim Holtz Alterations diecuts (you, too, may have seen some videos on the subject).  So we will be making our VERY own STAMPS!  Yes, out of fun foam AND "trash" (well acetate packaging).  Each Frugal Scrappin' attendee will go home with their very own STAMP!

Also, while at TNT in February, the make 'n take was doing something I've been thinkin' about for a while...making our own decorative PINS!  Thank you, Jacquie (our Fearless TNT Leader) for hostessing such a GREAT TNT meeting AND an AWESOME make 'n take!  I love it when I can take an idea I've just learned and share it with my Frugal Scrappin' class!

So let's summarize...you'll be learning THREE awesome techniques:

• We'll make homemade flowers TWO different ways
• We'll make our own homemade decorative pins
• We'll make our own STAMP

We will also use some of my FAVORITE products in class:

• Gold Paint Dabber
• Perfect Pearls
• Studio 490 stamps
• Paper from one of Tim's Paper Packs
• Distress inks

In addition, for a BONUS, I will show you how to use an ordinary brown paper lunch bag to make card envelopes and embellies.

Please join us for frugal scrappin' on:

Date:  February 24, 2011

Time:  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Place:  Ever After Scrapbooks

Cost:  JUST $15

Now for a sampling of the cards we will make along with the supply list:

Supply List:

• Gold Paint Dabber
• Liquid adhesive (that dries clear)
• Your favorite tape runner
• Adhesive Pop Dots
• Distress Inks in Fired Brick, Black Soot, and a cool brown like Brushed Corduroy or Frayed Burlap
• Mini mister
• Black pen or thin black marker
• Scissors
• Paper Trimmer
• Paper Distressor

Frugal Scrappin' Sneak Peek:)

One of the things I did notice at CHA was alot of flowers that LOOKED homemade...well you know me, why buy one already made when you CAN make it yourself?

With that in mind, shown above is just ONE of the cards we will make in the Febrary Frugal Scrappin' class that will held on Thursday, February 24th from 6:30 - 8:30 at Ever After Scrapbooks.

Now, if you're really perceptive, you may notice a cute little birdie stamp in the lower right corner...well, fellow frugal crafters, we WILL be making this awesome stamp in class, so you will be able to take one home with you!  Whoo hoo!  This is an idea I've been thinking about for a while, but my AWESOMELY talented co-instructor actually made this one for me as a gift.  THANKS, KAREN...you ROCK, girlfriend!

Since I'd been thinking about this anyway, and I do have the diecut to make this bird, I thought I'd just use this design for our class.  It's really cute and will help us start thinking about Spring which is right around the corner...well actually for us in Southern Cali, it's just Spring and Fall all year, but I'm sure you get the drift.

We will make 4 cards in class, some in a different shape (5 x 5) and we will also be using some other FRUGAL products to use with our cards...I just need to feel better so my creative mind can start workin' again:)

enJOY, and check back for more sneak peeks at the rest of the cards...as I design them, they will be posted...and as always, they WILL be AWESOME and will be FILLED with new TECHNIQUES to try:)