just helen

Inch By Inch

Last week I got a box of artwork that I had done ages ago, and I found this cute Inchies Alphabet. I remember doing them, but it was so long ago that I had forgotten about the whole process of making individual square inch pieces of art. It was so fun that I did three sets at the same time...one for me and two for someone else. My friend was working on three sets at the same time as well, but...she didn't get hers done, so I'm holding hers hostage...for several years now! So here it is, almost Valentine's Day and I think Valentine Inchies are a good project...for tomorrow!  So for now, I'm sharing the "old" project!

The tiniest "twine" is Perle Coton from DMC...have I ever mentioned how much I love that floss?  Inking the edges adds a little extra definition.  I also used some Paper Frills from Doodlebug Design.  Punching the edges of the paper is an easy way to embellish it even better.

See?  They really are just an inch in size!  It's so great because there isn't a lot of commitment.  The reason that I did three was because it really didn't take much more time.  The time consuming part is the design.

There really isn't a definitive process - it's just a matter of starting with the 1" base square and make layers.  It helps to use a 6" X 6" Mini-Pad - this one is from Basic Grey (forever ago) called Urban Prairie.  I still just adore that line!  My small Paper Shapers are the perfect size to add small shapes, like hearts and flowers .

Oh...and before I forget, I need to announce the winner of the twine giveaway - Congratulations to Lyndsay B!  Leave me a comment with your address (I won't post the comment), and I will get that out to you tomorrow!

So until tomorrow, here's to sweet dreams of Valentine Inchies!

Happy Boo-day!

Halloween Greetings!  I know, it's still weeks away, but it never hurts to get a "head" start on preparations.  I don't go all out on every holiday, but Halloween is definitely a fun one for me.  The traditions we have developed as a family make it special time spent together.  We are a little slow out of the gate this year, but I hope to turn it on full blast after this weekend.

When the kids were small, we would seek out pumpkin patches, corn mazes and haunted houses.  One of our favorites - Bell Gardens - was suddenly not there anymore.  It makes us sad.  We really prefer going to where they actually grow the pumpkins, not the mobile pumpkin patches that have the blow-up bouncy toys.  But it's hard to find the time lately.  So now we have to watch for sales at the grocery stores, maybe Walmart and some really cute small to medium pumpkins at the 99centsonly store...I filled the basket on my front porch with the cutest little pie pumpkins last year for just a few dollars.

One of the things I really love to make is Halloween greeting cards.  I love to mix and match the papers and products from different companies.  How can you go wrong with black and shades of orange?  I am all about finding my inspiration from existing product.  On this first card, I cut out three little pumpkins from a sheet of paper and used them lined up in a row. 

 
But there were only the three on the sheet, and three were just not enough!  So I made more of my own.

 
 
 
Same paper, slightly different styles, cute cards.  I think this is a good start, but there will be more to come...you can count on it!

 

Midnight Mini Monday with Basic Grey

Hello Luscious!   This was my favorite Basic Grey collection from their CHA releases.  Love the colors, love the patterns, love the 6" X 6" paper pad because quoting the description on the pad, it is "...nothing but yum".  I would love to get some of these patterns as home decor fabrics!

 
I definitely have a thing for flowers and today is no different.  I try to not cross paths of different manufacturers when I feature a certain brand, but it was a lost cause this go around!  I was trying to use things that I've had around my office for a while, and this paper pad worked perfectly with my odds and ends. 

For the first card, I used the make-and-take flower from the Cosmo Cricket booth (using a Gluber to make the flower).  There is so much luscious color that the grey taffeta fabric was the perfect neutral color accent.  Stamps from the Button Boutique and Labels collections from Papertrey Ink.

 
Next, I made a "Grandma" card...

 
 
The dimensional flowers on the "So Very Grateful For You" card are from Forever in Time and are the perfect vintage touch for a card that would make any Grandma happy.  The stamp, like the paper, is also by Basic Grey.

 
Pulling color from a small flower on the paper and making it a focal point by creating a life-size bloom is an easy job with a Gluber...I love Glubers!  I bought the tag years ago from Impress Rubber Stamps - it is fun to pull out product from the past! 

 
I also found these small doilies at a baking supply shop in Salt Lake City when I was there about a month ago.  The 4" doily doesn't have any holes, but there is a floral/ribbon design embossed within the scalloped edges.  The white didn't work well with the cream background, so I added color with Glimmer Mist.  The alphabet stickers are by Jillibean Soup.

 
The last card (remember that I need to use at least one of the button cards I stamped weeks ago) is a mishmash of all sorts of odds and ends.  I used some old eyelet lace that I bought at a garage sale, a Jenni Bowlin card from the red Memo Note Book, some alphabet stickers from October Afternoon and flowers made from a brown paper sack, with a touch of Glimmer Mist. 

 
It seemed a little off balance, so I added some turquoise tulle.

Well, I keep trying to get this mini Monday posted before it becomes Tuesday and I'd better hurry!  I may need to change the name of this featured post to Mini Monday at Midnight.  I do love my mini paper pads!