Post Christmas Crafting

Not all my cards and gifts made it into the mail in time for Christmas delivery this year... (and last year and.. shhh you get the idea.)  I had a few card stragglers and then the "What do I get my nephews?"   So, I procrastinated and tarried.  Then the solution was dropped in my lap.  Problem solved.

But I wanted to do something fun too... then I remembered a sweet little mini-tag/envelope album class I took in October at Cat's Creations taught by friend Sandy Trefger.  But I wanted something a tad bigger than the coin envelopes we used... so I Google templates and found a coin envelope template and re-sized it to my liking. Then I got to work!

The coin envelopes create these adorable little pockets in which to tuck little things.  I used some 7Gypsies tabs..after I altered them of course.  On the first one, I created another little pocket!!

This will flip open and I'll put my sentiment/note there. 

 

These mini albums are so much fun, so many opportunities to use the fabulous little scraps and left over kit pieces.  Don't be worried about having too much dimension, unless you're mailing them as cards...not me.. padded envelopes will be their means of packaging!

 This is the back of the mini-album... it's not quite done yet..more building and adding to go.  But I should finish it... I still have a few more mini's to create!  I'm so grateful my family knows I'm a "flake" or consistently late.  Believe it not it's on my list of things to improve on for 2014.  Wish me luck!  :D

Card Making (Round TWO)

 Well, we're still here... so is much ice on the back roads and shady areas.   Tomorrow is day four off of school (PLUS Saturday & Sunday). yeah    Kicked the kids out of the "studio" cranked up the Irish/Celtic tunes and working on more cards.  I have the  Mini Holidays 5 (CMS177) from Stampers Anonymous/ Tim Holtz collection (you know where I bought it?  Yup, Cat's! )  and love the little Christmas Greetings.  So been making up a stack of little labels ^^^^^^^. 

 I used my oval die and all kinds of distress inks.. walnut, vintage photo, pumice stone and weathered wood for the background tones.  Then stamped the sentiment with my jet black Archival Ink.  Loved the results.

Recently acquired this stamp from Paperbag Studios "Lights" and LOVE LOVE LOVE it.. I have this fascination with street lamps.. so played with the distress inks and some distress stains to create a vintage look.  I was attempted a tin photo look and am nearly there.. need to experiment some more.  But the clock is ticking and days are passing!! 

Wala!  The finished product!  Did some touch-up on the lamps with a marker called Snow Marker by Marvy.. Back to adhering everything together.  I may get the cards out just in time, but sadly my photo's won't make it on time.  Sarah's still not cooperating for a Christmas shot.. maybe a Happy New Year Card??  We'll see.  :D