Paper Arts Chicago

A Fabulous 4th of July

2008-07-05T04:41:00.001-07:00

I am writing this post using a "cool" new tool call WINDOWS Live Writer. It's a separate "free product" that allows you to create your blog postings easily. It has lots of capabilities like pictures, links, videos, etc. and preview. The preview is shown the exact way it would be displayed on your blog. Very Cool!! It is very easy to use without the cumbersome requirements of some blog editing tools

Download Windows Live Writer FREE.

I've been busy preparing classes for digital scrapbooking. Here's a digital layout ready to be further embellished. I like the idea of Hybrid scrapbooking - it's a combination of digital and regular scrapbooking.

Wow! Great Job Tanya!

2008-05-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

I was scrolling through the blogs for ideas and came across this awesome challenge called "It's all in the Shape" Check out the Darecardmakers Blog! very cool cards.
Thanks again Tanya and the gang at Daring Cardmakers.

Stress Relieving Bubblewrap Anyone?

2008-05-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a short week, however sometimes the short ones are the more stressful weeks. It seems we try to cram 5 days into 4 and it doesn't always work to our advantage.

Just Click Here
get a little stress relief!

OkAY now I'm relaxed and would like to tell you about an upcoming video tutorials and will be posting it soon. One is called BLING IT ON! I think you'll love it. A less expense and better quality BLING- CAN IT BE? I'll show you how to use and its many uses too. So stay tuned...

Smart Ass!

2008-05-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

Not all cards are meant to have seven layers of paper and lots of embellishments. Check out this simple and yet to-the-point graduation card. How fun!

Credit goes to A. Favorite on Etsy.

Check out her other items: A. Favorite Etsy Store

Upcoming Art Fair In Chicago

2008-05-27T11:13:00.001-07:00

Check it Out!! Saturday, MAy 30th 11-3pm

If you're like me, I'm always looking for the "underground" art fairs. Chicago has a wealth of established artists, however, it is also known to have an artistic underground. I always wondered how new trends were started and I think the artistic underground has a lot of influence.

Well this weekend be sure to check the Indie Arts Market. Check out their website at Indie Arts Market, Located at Schuba's Bar and Grill.

Check out some of the artists blogs and etsy shops. Very Fun.

Cards Sayings for All those Owls

2008-05-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

Since owls are all around us - I can't seem to get away from them. T-shirts, purses, fabrics, etc. all have owls stairing at me. By the way, this owl is by Maya Road (3pcs 5.00).

Intense eyes great for putting googly eyes on for cards.

Well stampers also have lots of owls to choose from. But how many sayings can you put togeher with an owl. Here goes... Let's see how many owl like sentiments can you make up. Put your think thinking cap on and whooo knows what you'll come up with.

To get you started:
Whoo loves you baby
Whoo's Day is It?
Whoo Ray for You.

Whoo's Your Daddy?

2008-05-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a sample of a Father's Day Card using an OWL (owls are trendy these days ). Think of all the WHOOO'S sayings that can be used with this little guy. Layering your designer papers and card stock (plain colored papers) is very popular with cardmakers. This card included the base (which is off white) has 8 layers! I used a designer paper call Signature life by Jen Williams. It is a two sided paper which gives you more choices, especially when you are layering. Two sided papers are created to coordinate so inevitably they "work" together.

Owl Stamp is Maya Road - used Versamagic Ink

Words typed on a typewriter

Shades of lighter and darker Brown Bazzil Card Stock

Distressed and Inked Edges

Three mat collored brads

Card size is A7 and base card is Strathmore Paper and Envelope.

Have a great weekend.

Santa's Helper Today

2007-12-18T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today we delivered toys to Children's Memorial Hospital. Each year our family collects all our loose change in a special "change jar". In December the money gets counted and Zach gets to shop for toys. These toys are then delivered to Children's Memorial. There are kids that are in the hospital that get very little if anything for Christmas. It's also a way for Zach to select fun toys to give away.

This year we also delivered handmade greeting cards. These cards were made by the Meet Up Group from Windy City Scrapbooking. I hope this is a tradition we can continue for future years.

I hope everyone is able to enjoy the Holiday Season and not get too stressed out (like that is going to happen). I'll post some new cards soon. Just had a class yesterday and we made some fun cards.

grace

Holiday Card Swap Coming Up

2007-11-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Here's a great way to get your holiday cards done. There's going to be a Holiday Card Swap. The rules are simple: Make 6 cards (w/envelopes) and get five different cards back. If you would like to be part of muliple groups you can make 12 cards and get 10 cards back and so on. It is really up to you. The day of the swap we will randomly draw groups of 6 and the swap fun can begin.

It's a lot of fun to see what others create. You don't have to be attend to be part of the swap - but your cards need to be received by December 1st.

Swap Info:
Location:
Windy City Scrapbooking
2265 North Clybourn Ave (Fullerton/Clybourn area)
Chicago, IL 60614

Time: 3-5pm

Cost: Free

If you are interested, please email me and let me know that you are interested in the December 2nd Holiday Swap. Email Me
Have a great one!
grace

QuicKutz Fun - Pumpkin Place Settings

2007-11-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend worked on some Thanksgiving Cards. Then a friend wanted place cards for her Thanksgiving Dinner. Here's me thinking, yep sure. If I were to put place cards out that would be the beginning of musical chairs at my house. Anyway here they are:

Recipe: Quickutz Pumpkin Die

Bazzill Card Stock in Fall Colors
Lightly chalked the edges to give it a little depth;
Names were typed on the ocmputer
Leaves were from the floral section of the craft store. I found these cute little leaves and adhered them with medium Zots.

Wishing You A Merry Chicago Christmas

2007-11-04T16:58:00.001-08:00

Here's my first attempt at a Chicago Christmas Card. I am waiting to get the cityscape from QuicKutz and then I'll do another version, but for now the buildings were hand pieced. I used my QuicKutz for the green felt bow ,Merry Christmas sentiment and the stars and snow balls.

Here's a suggestion, when using felt you will need to add a sheet or 2 of paper to cut the felt. Also, be aware there are a variety of felt types. What works best on the QuicKutz is the type that is a little stiffer (some even have the glue backing). It costs a little more, but it works much better and there is less fraying or fuzzies.

TFL.

grace

It's About Time for QuicKutz

2007-10-18T09:35:00.001-07:00

Today I spent a good bit of time searching through pages on the internet for some inspiring works of art using QuicKutz. The QK site is good, however I want to see what people are doing right now! Patience is not a virtue I have control over. I stopped at this la-dee-da card shop in Lincoln Park. OK the cards are cute. They all have some type of bling. Sometimes it is glitter and sometimes a rhinestone. But I look at these cards and say "Well I could of made that and it wouldn't cost me $6.00. So it is time to get off my soap box and start creating some fun cards. I am a QuicKutz addict and now I have make my hobby work for me. So today I am starting with my Chicago Holiday Card.