Shabby Miss Jenn

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Being Satisfied With Doing Less

Many of you know I started back to work with a number of steady contracts in mid-December.  I've spent that time enjoying working again - I truly love medical writing and getting into the data.  But trying to re-balance my other household and child duties meant that my craft time suffered.  I'm finally feeling a bit more balanced again, have learned to streamline some chores, and am getting more time for crafting.

The March 2010 edition of ScrapStreet.com Magazine highlighted BasicGrey's Origins paper line.  Here are my projects:
Happy Birthday.  Supplies:  Paper: BasicGrey (Origins),Stamps: Papertrey Ink, 
Twill: Stampin' Up!, Flower: Prima, Tools: scallop punch (Fiskars), acrylic block, 
Specialty ink: Tattered Angels, Ink: Ranger, Other: leaves.


Friend.  Supplies: Paper: BasicGrey, Rub-ons: BasicGrey, Stampin' Up!
Pen: Copic, Specialty ink: Tattered Angels, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger, 
Twine: Stampin' Up!, Dies: Spellbinders, Sizzix, 
Tools: circle punches (Marvy), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), rub-on tool (BasicGrey), 
Adhesive: ThermOWeb, Scotch.



Welcome, Little One (a layout of my sister's Christening).  Supplies: Paper: BasicGrey, 
Stamps: HamptonArt, Papertrey Ink, Ribbon: Making Memories, other,
Twine: Papertrey Ink, Tools: scallop punch (Fiskars), corner rounder (Creative Memories), 
fingertip knife (Fiskars), glass cutting mat (EK Success), acrylic block, sewing machine, 
Markers: Copic, Zig, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger, Other: thread, button.


So my recent scrappy obsessions (when time permits) include Papertrey Ink products, Copic markers (and coloring pretty images with them), and hybrid projects.  I have had this wonderful photo (ca. 1973) of my grandparents feeding the calves on their farm in a frame in my house for years.  But a long time in the sun has taken its toll, and it's time to put the photo into an album or risk it fading to nothing.  This Webster's paper, with its old-world feel, combined with some of Katie Pertiet's digital stamps (the cow one in particular), made for a fun layout.

 La Vie Est Bonne.  Supplies: Paper: Webster's Pages, Bling: Prima, Ink: Ranger,
Specialty ink: Smooch (Clearsnap), Pen: atyou Spica (Copic), Tools: finger tip knife (Fiskars), 
glass mat (EK Success), minimister (Ranger), Adhesive: Scotch, EK Success, Digital supplies:  Brushes: Countryside Clusters and My Family Genealogy Definitions by Katie Pertiet.

 A few of the Street sisters and I entered a digital card-making contest.  Alas, we didn't make it too far. My challenge was to do an easel-style card.  Digital stamps of Alice and the mushrooms, paired with some Fancy Pants rub-ons and Cosmo Cricket papers, made a fun card to send to my niece.


Spring Wishes. Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Paper: Cosmo Cricket, 
Kraft paper: Stampin' Up!, Die cuts: Fancy Pants, Markers: Copic, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger, 
Twill: Stampin' Up!, Tools: acrylic block, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Die: Spellbinders, 
Adhesive: Scotch, Therm O Web, EK Success, Glue Dots,  
Digital Supplies: Stamps: The Greeting Farm.


Earlier this week, I decided to try out the Copics on some highly detailed digital stamps. I selected and sized them using Photoshop Elements, then printed them out and colored them in the evenings while watching TV. I really love how this card came out. 


Spring Bird.  Supplies: Paper: Webster's Pages, Cardstock, stamp: Papertrey Ink, 
Markers: Copic, Ink: Ranger, Bling: Walmart, Cloud 9,   
Digital supplies: Paper: Classic Cardstock: Cleansing by Katie Pertiet, 
Brushes: Birdwatcher Silhouettes No. 2 by Katie Pertiet, Birdwatcher Clusters by Katie Pertiet, Software: Photoshop Elements 8.0 (Adobe).


And finally, I'm trying out a new venture.  I've begun to make some digital templates and quick pages, under the name 4Two2 Frameworks. Grab the freebies on the ScrapStreet blog:  Framework No. 1 and Castle Cutie Quick Pages.

I made the layout below with one of my quickframes: Jeremy's hands holding a frog.  Can you tell I'm a mom to boys?

10 comments:

  1. I know how difficult it is to feel balanced, and I am glad you are finding the time to craft again. Beautiful work!

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  2. Glad to see you back and making beautiful paper projects.

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  3. Beautiful projects. Wishing u the best w/ the new venture. Love all the projects.

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  4. What marvelous creations! All are so wonderful but I fell in love with the bird and frog! So glad to see you back having some time for crafts. Enjoy!

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  5. Wow! This is such an amazing post - you are so talented! I'm thrilled that you're finding the time to craft again!! I agree with Sharron that all of your creations are beautiful, but the frog is too sweet for words and your "Friend" card has such a gorgeous blend of colours, textures and patterns - I love it!

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  6. It is nice to see you creating again! Nice job on all of them. I especially like the easel card though!

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  7. Wow! tes créations sont vraiment magnifiques, énorme coup de coeur avec les créations faites avec les papiers Origins de Basic Grey,elles sont vraiment splendides bravo

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  8. So glad you're finding time to do more paper crafts. How's the quilting going? I love your FROG layout. I used that poem several years ago for my grandson's album. It says it all!!

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  9. What a treat this visit has been! Such wonderful projects! I am glad you are finding time to use this wonderfully creative talent.

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  10. For not having time you are creating just beautiful projects . . . memorable scrapbook pages that your family will treasure and that card is adorable! I'm glad you've found a good balance and you're enjoying your work. Helps to be in a good place, doesn't it?

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